Cheap NYC Weddings

The Doctor and I have been debating whether or not we should go ahead and have a more formal Domestic Partnership ceremony for our families (read: Our Mothers).

We actually walked around Manhattan the other day, in search of the perfect community garden to have a small ceremony for my immediate family and his.

I'm not sure why I couldn't find any information on the web about cheap NYC weddings, but I think I have a few recommendations.

Contact your local community gardens

A few of them charge around $100, and most are free!

There are so many gorgeous community gardens in NYC, and, as an aside, I forgot to tell people that The Doctor and I are going to become Urban Beekeepers in one of them! He has been obsessed with bees and honey for a while, so we're actually partnering with an urban collective in Brooklyn to become their garden beekeepers. I just can't wait to bond with our Queen Bee and help her boss around all the Workers (they're the female bees, basically her ladies-in-waiting) and the Drones (they're the Dudes).

Look! I mean, kind of hilarious that I'll eventually be looking hot wearing a white beekeeper outfit and not a white wedding dress.

Photo courtesy albaniabridge.co.uk

Sorry, I just have a really hard time focusing on talking about weddings. Honestly, I'd rather be talking about bees.

All right, so I'll share more How to Have a Cheap NYC wedding in my next post, but, I'm curious... how were all our ladies in DomestiGal land able to reduce costs for your weddings?

Did you refrain from getting your engagement-ring-of dreams?

Did you have just beer and wine instead of a full bar?

We're dying to hear from you! Plus, as we all know, Jen is currently planning her wedding (amidst studying finance and stats) and I'm sure she would love to hear some of your wedding tips.

xx,

Beekeeper Sue

Tagged! (We Feel So Special!)

The A to the Mazing budgetsavvybride tagged us to reveal six quirks about ourselves. What the?! Only three quirks each? Where to begin...

Three quirks about DomestiGal Sue:

1.  She is willing to wear a white beekeeper suit that comes with a veil, but refuses to ever wear a white wedding dress, with or without a veil.

2.  She is known as "tank top girl" even when it's 32 degrees out and friends question why she sweats like a fatty.

3.  She is convinced that all newborns look like they are Asian even when they're not and ooohs and coohs over said Asian buddhas.

Three quirks about DomestiGal Jen:

1. She keeps an ongoing list of baby names on her computer, with different fonts for boys and girls.

2. She is the only female member of her university's Powerlifting Club.

3. She always has to set her alarm clock, TV channel volume, microwave time, and other such devices at even numbers. Never odds.

Welcome to our quirky world!

So. Here are the rules:

1. link back to the person who tagged you

2. mention the rules on your blog

3. tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours

4. tag 6 following bloggers by linking to them

5. leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them

know they've been tagged and

6. you can now display this charming dalek image Songy at Style

Discovery created when tagged!

We tag:

It's a Jaime Thing

Michelle Woo

Jenn and Erin, the Fit Bottomed Girls

The fabulous Renee

Caz from Cherry Blossoms and Vodka

The lovely Bekah, AKA Country Mouse

Cheers, Gals!

xoxo,

Sue and Jen

If DomestiGal Sue ever got Married...

First of all, a big DomestiGal shout-out to Caz for her guest post yesterday!

Secondly, I've decided to play a game called "If Hell Ever Froze Over and DomestiGal Sue decided to get married..."

If Domestigal Sue decided to go from Domestic Partnership land to Bridezilla status, she would definitely wear this:



Photo courtesy sexywedding-dress.blogspot.com

Okay, seriously. Just kidding. I only thought this picture was hilarious. What's an Asian girl doing wearing pearls? It's way too waspy for me. Also, what's with the pink bow?

Next, I would want this figure -- the Asian Micro Dwarf -- put atop my wedding cake.


Photo courtesy MicroDwarf

I mean, I don't even have words. Is this a total joke? Do people put this on top of their wedding cakes because it was labeled for Chinese brides?!

I would be insulted, except for the fact that I identify as half-Taiwanese, not Chinese.

As a good Asian, I would subsequently play a game of Pass the Seaweed:



Finally, I would send in this pose to the Sunday New York Times Wedding Section, obviously without The Doctor:


Photo courtesy weddingbridaldress.blogspot.com

I *love* those women who send in pictures of just themselves to the Sunday New York Times. Are their husbands so ugly that they can't think of including them? (Mind you, I'll just ignore the fact that this is the most un-bridelike photo I have ever seen; that said, Jen, I'm going to make you pose like this at your wedding.)

The Doctor and I would be put in the New York Times as the token Asian/Jewish couple. There's one every Sunday.

Love,

Sunday Times Sue

PS: Even writing this post gave me bad flashbacks. The last Asian wedding I went to was one of the weirdest experiences ever. My sisters and I were in Taiwan, and we were paraded around with the bride and groom at the reception - when they're saying hi to all the seated guests - because we were different (read "Halfie") looking.

Um, we didn't even know the bride and groom. I think they were friends with one of my aunts, and, frankly, I'm still confused by the whole situation.

Baby Gladiator Comes Home

Dearest Fat Obsessin' and Biological Clock-Rejectin' Sue,

17%?! You are insane!! I always knew you were hot and have always envied your concave tummy, but DAMN GAL!

For my part, since working out with and getting my knees pinched by Colossus, I have gone from 25.5% down to 20%, where I am currently attempting to stay despite my MBoozeA lifestyle. We shall see. At this point though, between my ever-increasing fondness for Colossus and the ever-decreasing time before I have to fit into my wedding dress of dreams, I have a feeling I will be able to stick to my good workout regimen. 

In other Colossus-related news... guard your loins, ladies!

Baby Gladiator hath arrived into the United Kingdom! This is very exciting. Not only because Colossus and family can begin their life here at last, but also because it gives me an excuse to go back to Cath Kidston for more baby goodies!

I mean, right?

Let me explain. Baby Gladiator was born outside the UK because apparently the maternity care here blows (GREAT. Not that this is about me...). Obv Baby and BabyMama had to wait awhile before Baby Gladiator could fly home. But now the family is together at last.

But back to shopping. If you recall, The Lawyer and I purchased two ridiculously adorable items for Baby Gladiator in Cath's cowboy print. Well! Look at what else she has! I might not be able to resist! After all, BG's first birthday is still an awfully long way away...

A cowboy bear! How cute is this?!

Or how about this:

A "pram blanket" as they call it here. Seriously? I am becoming obsessed with Brit baby lingo.

My ultimate favorite, though, is this:

Oh. Yes. The Cowboy Nappy Bag. But BabyMama can't have it. I've already got dibs.

xoxo,

Biological Clock-Rejoicin' Jen

DomestiGals and Body Fat

Oops. First of all, when I wrote the subject title I had, "DomestiGals and Body Fart."

Not exactly what our community would really want to hear, I'm sure. That said, I know you're all just dying to hear about our body fat percentages!

Which brings me to my big question for Jen: Now that you're nerding-away in MBA la-la land, is your butt getting bigger?

I mean, I know anytime I've been in school, my butt has definitely expanded.

Jen, are you still going to be seeing Colossus? Tell me more about Bridal Boot Camp rather than Math Boot Camp! Will he still be threatening to take your body fat percentage by pinching the fat AROUND YOUR KNEE? (Isn't he aware that your wedding-dress-of-dreams won't be showing your knees?)


Photo via NYMag.

I have a feeling Colossus thinks your wedding-dress-of-dreams is supposed to look like this:


Photo Courtesy: www.herhighnessness.com

BTW, this seems insane, no? I remember getting body fat percentages done in my high school health class, and my 99 year old teacher squeezing my triceps while encouraging us to draw pictures of testicles. (I'm not joking, we had to draw pictures of testicles. I was so embarrassed, as I had never seen real, live testicles before! But that's another story...)

Back in high school, my body fat percentage was around 24%, which is insane, since I was in a ballet company. I think it was just because we weren't doing any strength training. Now that I've got my butt-busting-DomestiGal workout to adhere to, my doctor told me last year I'm down to 17%. I'd applaud, except I watched some cheerleader MTV special the other day (reason #10 why I don't have a TV) where all these girls were getting screamed at for having body fat measurements of 13%.

Obviously I watched this episode with an overflowing bowl of buttered popcorn and beer.

Anyway, for some reason I feel like knee-fat-squeezing borders on being inhumane. Aside from all this, I'm just mad at Colossus for making me even more neurotic and checking every-other-glass-of-wine to see if the fat around my hefty-Asian-cankles has since expanded.

Solemnly,

DomestiGal Sue

Eureka! An Orange Wedding Dress!

Ok quick post here because I cannot resist.

Sue! Look what I saw while trolling the interwebs for wedding deliciousness this morning!

Photo from Waterlily Pond

One of my favorite bridal bloggers, the fantabulous Kathryn from snippet & ink, is guest-blogging over at {ritzy bee blog} this week, counting down her top ten fall wedding favorites. I have been drooling over each and every entry and Kathryn's accompanying inspiration boards (I mean is she or is she not the queen of inspiration boards? Sue, I know you have no idea what I'm talking about but our ladies in the 'osphere surely will!) but her post about non-white wedding dresses is to die for.

Not that I would necessarily have the guts to wear an orange wedding dress. And I don't think The Lawyer would necessarily dig it, nor would my mom's wallet be particularly keen on purchasing it... but WOW. Just knowing a dress like this exists has made my day.

xoxo,

DomestiGal Jen

Thank You, NY Fashion Week!

Sue,

I know you know I am quite the fashionista. Need I mention again that my super-fabulous-anniversary-gift bag was carried by Georgina on Gossip Girl? Last week was thus a gleeful one, as I spent (too many) hours a day combing through slideshows from New York Fashion Week. Every NYFW, my friend Sharon and I send each other an album of our faves every day, and at the end of the week we send each other a "Best Of" album. Though frankly this season was such a fugfest that we are also creating "Worst Of" albums to exchange.

But back to the fabulous.

I am thrilled (as thrilled as my mom's bank account is grief-stricken) to announce that I have found all my wedding outfits! In my dreams anyway.

BEHOLD!

For my rehearsal:

This and all photos in this post via NYMag.com's amazing slide shows. Check 'em out!

Nanette Lepore is a go-to for feminine, figure-flattering dresses. I love how comfy this dress looks. Plus, the straplessness will help me acclimate (I hardly ever go strapless but will for my wedding day!) and I love the flecks of orange.

For my rehearsal dinner:

Yessssss! Thank you, Hervé Léger, for creating an uberhot dress in my wedding color palette! Or at least the palette that is the front-runner for now: orange and pewter. Hot hot hot. Being able to rock a dress like this would make all my Colossal Ass-Handings more than worth it!

My Wedding Dress of Dreams:

Just kidding. Obv. But really, Betsey Johnson? Why? Why do you make a farce of my sacred Fashion Week? I do not understand you, and I am beginning to resent you. Not to mention that your show this season included pirates. I know you're quirky but come ON, lady!

Ok so here is My Wedding Dress of Dreams For Real:

Ah yes, Luca Luca. You are the hotness. The class. The fabulosity. The gorgeosity. I would do very bad things for this dress. 

And finally, for my wedding post-party:

 

An unconventional choice for me, to be sure, but I love this dress by Derek Lam. It looks super comfy and it sparkles. Perfect to party on after an evening of eating, drinking, and dancing with my new hubby (!!!). Need I say more? 

A girl can dream.

Yours in imagined couture,

Domestic Goddess Jen

Breaking News from Londontown!

Sue,

So this weekend has the potential for true momentousness, as I JUST found out!

The Lawyer and I are running the Nike+ Human Race in London this weekend - an amazing race that is happening on Sunday in cities and countries all over the world. Apparently there are like a million people running. (Any other gals out there running this one?) So cool.

What's cooler? Wayne Rooney is running it too! Yes! Mr. Coleen McLoughlin of the Marchesa Wedding Dress of Dreams will be at Wembley with us on Sunday!

Remember that dress? That spectacular, amazing, gorgeous concoction of a wedding gown that she wore in June? Here's a refresher:

Photo courtesy of coleen-mcloughlin.net

Sigh. Heavenly.

Of course, while everyone else in the stadium (including The Lawyer) is keeping their eyes peeled for Wayne, I will be on the lookout for Coleen. I mean she seems like a fit gal - or WAG, as they call her on this side of the pond - she should be running too, right?

I will keep you posted. Obv. Have a great weekend!

xoxo

DG

P.S. Would love to hear other thoughts about that dress from you gals in the blogosphere! I mean I could never pull it off in reality, but I think she totally did, and I also think the dress itself is a gorgeous piece of high fashion. Thoughts? (Because I already know it makes Sue throw up a little in her mouth.)

DomestiGals Heart... In the Heights!

My darling DP,

Inspiration takes on many forms. For you, it may be a good, comprehensive poop. For me, it may be an airplane seat bedecked in my potential wedding color palette.

But not everything in my life centers around my wedding plans (well, not directly anyway). Today I'd like to give a DomestiGals Heart Shout-Out to the blessed soundtrack that got me to, and through, the gym today.

You think it would have been a cinch to get my butt off the couch and over to the gym - I mean, my nuptials are only like just under 13 months away! - but today I needed something else to get me going. What finally got me to throw on my sneaks was remembering I had the "In the Heights" soundtrack on my iPod.

Not that I've seen the show. My mom saw it, though, and loved it. Oh, and it won like an effload of Tonys too. Mom and I popped in the soundtrack as were driving to Chicago to get my student visa in July, and I was hooked! I listened with rapture and read the plot synopsis and lyrics along with the music, and by the finale I had tears streaming down my face. I haven't been this into a musical since "Wicked" and before that "Rent" (obv). The music is so intricate, I hear something different every time. I am counting down the days until the BF and I are back in NYC and can see the show for ourselves. And I'm already stockpiling Kleenex for the occasion.

Gives me chills just thinking about it. I got chills while running on the treadmill today!

Have a listen:

And watch the genius of the show's writer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, as he accepted his Tony:

I mean. Do you love it or do you LOVE it? Pass me the tissues.

xo

DG

DomestiGals Heart... Design-Her Gals!

Dear Sue,

You may have noticed a cute, clever addition to our site today which also happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to us! Our new image is courtesy of Design-Her Gals - and I do mean courtesy, because they helped us with the design and site integration every step of the way! (Well, except for the outfits and accessories. That was all me. Obv. I mean if I could find a wedding dress that looks like that in real life, I'd be set!)

Click on the image and you will be whisked away to their fabulous site, where you can design lots of different gals (it gets addictive - watch out!) and then make them into cute products like stationery, business cards (or, in my case, calling cards), to do lists, letterhead, you name it! You can design things for you or for someone else. Ooh! They would make perfect gifts for the ladies in my wedding party! Must remember that.

But enough about me. The best part about Design-Her Gals products is that 5% of every sale goes to the Gal To Gal Foundation, which supports stage IV breast cancer patients and their families. Women looking out for each other - what is better than that?

Love,

Jen