Category: Stuff We Love

A while ago, I posted about one man’s very creative marriage proposal to his love. Jeffrey Paul created a short proposal film and played it at an Oakland theater with all of the couple’s family and friends present (not to mention a TLC camera crew!). Intent on topping even himself, this animation teacher at the Art Institute of San Francisco had his class work on his wedding invitation, too! The result is another quirky/cool animated video. They actually sent out DVDs of the video as the invite:

If you’re anything like me, you want the treats you buy for yourself to make you feel unique and special. Or you like to lend a quirky-yet-tasteful finishing touch to everything around you. As one of my lovely dance teachers and mentors once said to me, “to decide to like something is to congratulate yourself.” And what better time or place to surround yourself with what you like than at your wedding reception?

I loved the sweet story on Miho Walsh and Roy Prieb in a recent New York Times Vows column. They met over dim sum with friends and eventually turned their long-distance courtship into marriage. Besides the fact that they somehow pulled off celebrations in Tokyo, Bangkok and New York, what completely charmed me was the words engraved on Mr. Prieb’s wedding band: “You win some, you dim sum.”

For San Francisco Bay Area brides, have we got an idea for you: how about a rehearsal dinner celebrated with the folks at Kitchen on Fire in Berkeley? You bring your guests, KoF provides the ingredients, kitchen facilities and tools and you and your fam cook your meal together before sitting down to eat. KoF’s professional chefs are on hand the whole time to provide guidance and support if needed. All the preparations are taken care of by KoF and the group can enjoy a completely private dinner (unlike simply reserving a table at a restaurant). You are also welcome to customize a menu that would be meaningful to you and your family (like an Italian-themed meal before the honeymoon in Rome.)

Talk about a green wedding! Has anyone seen these plantable wedding invitations and favors? Guests can actually plant the paper to grow their own wildflowers as a lasting memory of your wedding.

Hanna Hartnell, wedding dress and formal-wear fashion designer extraordinaire, has cooked up six red-hot gowns to fit the bill. Her special collection of attention-grabbing hues range from a deep rose to rich merlot. Hartnell, who is working with the Red Cross to help make the event a big success, is also donating a $3000 gown for their live auction.

Yes, this is the big day you’ve dreamt of since you were young. However, most likely, you were raised on the planet Earth, and you’re thinking of having your wedding on said planet. How about using your big day as an excuse to make others think about the environment?

Every Valentine’s day, my husband Jaya brings me truffles from The Candy House of Davis, a wonderful chocolatier in Davis, CA. Each box comes with a card, picturing each of the 30 different kinds of truffles they make by hand. By comparing the way the truffle looks to the picture, you can find out what flavor ganache is inside. Whether it be Irish Creame, Decadence, Grand Marnier or White Russian, each one is so beautiful I almost want to save them… but of course, I never do. Each one I taste is more delicious than the one before.