A few months ago, I asked my sister if there was anything that I could do to help her with her
upcoming wedding. Specifically, I volunteered to pick out her wedding dress, cake, flowers, reception site, and plan her honeymoon.
"This is not
your wedding," my husband has told me an annoying number of times.
"If you must do something," my sister said, "You can help assemble the centerpieces."
"Yuck," I told her. "I'd rather do your hair."
"No hair," she said firmly.
I told her that I had at my disposal two curling irons, a crimper, an assortment of rhinestone hair clips, and a lot of untapped creative energy.
"You need to learn how to do your own hair before you mess with the hair of anyone else," she told me.
Brides often get testy and say untrue things in the weeks leading up to their weddings.
"Table centerpieces or nothing," she repeated.
Because I love my sister and want her to give me any duplicate wedding gifts she receives, I agreed to assemble twelve.
Today, my sister sent me a picture of said mystery centerpieces. The subject line read "Aren't these adorable?!!!"
I am now in the midst of a moral crisis.
How can I make these things and feel good about myself?
Relieving my sister of an extra waffle maker or crystal bowl surely will restore some sense of personal dignity, but even the best wedding gift can't remove the stain of guilt by association.
Maybe she's just messing with me.
Maybe I'll broach the subject of hair one more time.
Congratulations to your sister on her upcoming nuptials. Now with that said I have to say I am utterly confused. Maybe it's because I'm old and not in the know, but since when did whales become a wedding theme decoration. I thought most people avoided anything whalish on their wedding day such as looking like a whale, smelling like a whale, acting like a whale, dancing like a whale, or blowing their top like a whale. These all seem like things to avoid, especially when video and photos are sure to document it. Eh, sorry.
ReplyDeleteThey are adorable in a elementary school aged "Come have a whale of a good time" birthday party theme kind if way.
ReplyDeleteTo each their own. Just do it. It's what SHE wants.
Looks like you get to play with rhinestones after all!
ReplyDeleteThey are cute, but maybe I'm biased because I adore your sister.
Those centerpieces are just CLASSY! (for my three year olds' birthday party) Wow. I really hope she gets a vow-renewal ceremony (or a second marriage) ten years from now... she's gonna want a whale-free-wedding with real centerpieces... at some point.
ReplyDeleteHehe... I think I made a similar craft with my preschool students a few years ago. They are cute, but definately a far cry from traditional centerpieces. Have fun crafting. And congrats to your sis!
ReplyDeleteWow. Tell me this was a joke. Please tell me this was a joke. this is something I (might) make in my preschool class. Yikes. Hmmm, maybe there is some other nautical themed decor you could come up with. Maybe one with less pipe cleaner.
ReplyDeleteWow! They are even from Oriental Trading Company. That's cheaper than the dollar store.
ReplyDeleteI swear I sat here with my mouth agape long enough for it to go dry.
ReplyDeleteI guess all I can say is "to each his own.....????"
ReplyDeletewow...! why don't you suggest something like this instead: http://yoursanjuans.com/byway/The%20Whale%20Museum,%20inside.jpg
ReplyDeleteoops, maybe i meant something like this: http://www.reception-wedding.com/shell%20centerpiece.jpg
I'm glad other people have already said what I was thinking... Is this a wedding or a third birthday party?
ReplyDeleteI'm all for using beautiful animals for wedding color (can I reinforce: color) inspiration, but I'm not sure how often "whale" would come to mind. :/
Congrats to her, though!
Those are ADORABLE! I can't wait to see the pictures from the wedding! yay!
ReplyDelete@Jen, comment #2... You're brilliant beyond words. I bow at your feet.
ReplyDeleteYou absolutely MUST post wedding photos! Congratulations to your sister and I hope she has a "whale" of a wedding. (Sorry! I couldn't resist).
ReplyDeletetell me you're joking. please, please, say this is a joke. really? she can't be serious. these are NOT wedding decorations. please? you MUST talk her out of this!
ReplyDeleteBottom line- who cares?! Yes, they are not most bride's taste for her wedding day. but hey...it will give you and her something to laugh at someday when she realizes that they are a little kooky...
ReplyDeleteThink of all of the laughs to come...that should be worth it!!
Who wants to bet that Sis makes everyone take a whale home so they have a special momento to keep FOREVER of the wonderful day?
ReplyDelete:)
please post a photo of the cake!! (or send it on to cakewrecks...)
ReplyDeletejust go with the theme and get some ambergris-scented lanterns or something. someday you'll all be laughing about it.
Reminds me of the bridesmaid dresses I made my sisters and friends wear. I thought they were the were perfect at the time...until I looked back years later.
ReplyDeleteThey all looked like grandma's sofa! Sorry guys.
"WHALE"(hell) NO!!!! CONGRATS TO YOUR SISTER. p.s. those whales are only allowed to be made at kindergarten...... HA! Jenn
ReplyDeleteGood for her for having the courage to do what she really wants. I look back at my wedding with a bit of regret for conforming to what other people wanted me to do. I love her spunk! Now, be a good sister and make the decorations :)
ReplyDeleteHa Ha! I vote messing with you. Snarky is as snarky does. I think ya'll just were raised in the same great family;)!
ReplyDeleteOh my. Is this for real? They are darling but for a wedding? Well, I guess that is why we all have our own.
ReplyDeleteOh! No seriouly, she needs to place them on the tables unassembled, then the guests can have the fun of making their own table decorations!!! Let everyone in on the fun ;P
ReplyDeleteI'm going to suggest you start drinking NOW.
ReplyDeleteIf she really is doing a whale themed wedding and you really do have to make the centerpieces, I vote that you go for glass bowls. And by glass bowls, I mean fish bowls with LIVE GOLDFISH. They can be a wedding favor for children that behave very well during the reception. It brings all the joy of a carnival to what might be otherwise simply a ... unique ... reception. :) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIf she has your sense of humor, maybe she is just messing with you?? I guess that is what I am hoping. These are sooo not something I'd have at my wedding! I mean, yes to each their own but wow... whales? Really?
ReplyDeleteYou are stinkin funny. I read you everyday. Gets better and better. You couldn't make this stuff up!
ReplyDeleteLet's HOPE that she's pulling your leg!!
ReplyDeleteI think Jonah should be the officiator at the ceremony. He's religious and might have a lot of "insight" on whales. Might share something sis hadn't thought of!
ReplyDeleteseriously? i think your sister rocks. too many brides try to impress other people and have everything be perfect and . . . . . blahblahblah.
ReplyDeleteI personally think it kicks trash. If you can't afford the Lion House Hotel or whatever it's called --- do what is fun and fits your personality!!! screw everybody else and their expectations and judgments :-) kinda like stickin it to the man
i had real centerpieces and i'd trade em in a second for something i actually wanted and for a day that the stress didn't suck the fun out of it
hahaha!!! I think they are great.... for a kid's party! They just don't scream "eternal commitment" to me.
ReplyDeleteI think you could surprise your sister by replacing the white pipe cleaners with some sparkly silver piping. You might also consider an alternative for the google eyes....just trying to think about something that would really take these whales to the next level.
ReplyDeleteDon't do it; for your sake, for her sake, for the sake of humanity.
ReplyDeleteSAVE THE WHALES!
The bright side -- better than killer whales, their PR is not so good these days. Bet her wedding will be fun ( : Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYour sister is adopted right? So how did the two of you end up with identical DNA? You don't approve of her wedding whale theme but seriously, isn't that just the sort of crazy thing you'd do too?
ReplyDeleteLOL! Can't wait to hear how this comes out. Meanwhile...could you add rhinestones to the whales? ;-)
ReplyDelete(psst, left an award for you on my blog)
Looks like you get to play with rhinestones after all!
ReplyDeletepost free classified ads
Those centerpieces are so cute! Not for a wedding though, I immediately thought about my daughter's next birthday party, I might steal the idea.
ReplyDeleteYou should make them for her anyways, she likes them, and that's all that counts. Sounds like it will be a fun informal wedding!
Best wishes!
Lydiam
www.bittenbymotherhood.com
Wow...that's all I can say...I'm at a loss...WOW
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want this theme but watch it become like this hot new trend! What are the colors for the bridesmaid dresses? I'd do the whales in the same colors with matching rhinestones...
ReplyDeleteThey are cute. Does she happen to be having a nautical theme? Is she the type to mess with you? I can't wait for the update.
ReplyDeleteP.S. This post was hilarious.
make them all a tad cross-eyed
ReplyDeleteHa! I think that you should make them... just to prove a point.
ReplyDeleteYeh, I would choose centerpieces over hair any day, however...whale flowerpots would not be my typical choice. Couldn't you convince her of something else more ordinary? Like flowers, for instance? Come on, Jana, where's your 'sister seniority'? Did you lose it 'out at sea'???
ReplyDeleteThe only time whales are adorable is when they're in their natural habitat--without freaky grins on their faces.
ReplyDeleteSisters can be very difficult. I offered to name my sisters twins and even came up with all sorts of creative possibilities. In the end she said she didn''t need my help after all. What kind of devotion is that?
ReplyDeleteW.o.w.
ReplyDeleteIs she going to send you some glitter glue?
The nice thing about those centerpieces is your kids can whip them out in one afternoon. You're free! Please take lots of photos: the cake, the other decorations, and the bride.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that all of your readers will agree with me on this one (and remember we are helping you earn those big sponser bucks right??)--PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE post LOTS and LOTS of photos from this wedding, and tell lots of stories from it--perhaps you could do a whole week theme of it or something!!!
ReplyDeleteI just keep thinking when I read you blog that there are many nice people out there who come into your life for one purpose and one purpose alone--to give you good material! And God bless them!
um.. sorry.. I hate them.. tell her I hate them.. tell her I ain't comin to the wedding if I have to look at em..
ReplyDeleteOh wait.. I wasn't invited..
my bad.
DO NOT GET THESE. I am serious. I just ordered them for my son's birthday party craft. They are perfect for a 3 year old's party but NOT for a wedding. They are tiny and the pot is made out of chipboard. You could always get the supplies yourself and make something that looks like that, but don't order them from Oriental.
ReplyDeleteWhile I think it is fantastic that she is willing to do what she wants I think the whale thing is going a little too far.
ReplyDeleteWell, all I can say is best of luck to your sister and best of luck to you as you try to figure out how to get yourself out of this situation...
MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs) said...
ReplyDeleteI think you could surprise your sister by replacing the white pipe cleaners with some sparkly silver piping. You might also consider an alternative for the google eyes....just trying to think about something that would really take these whales to the next level.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Oh man, I think Mandy is on to something here. I am picturing a googly eyed whale with bushy eyebrows, another one with sharp, V shaped eyebrows (angry whale), maybe one sticking his tongue out (you know, for the kid's table). She didn't say you couldn't add your own flair to them...haha!
PLEASE take lots 'n lots of pics of her wedding. I'm starting a paper chain countdown 'til the day starting now! :)
I think she wants you to do her hair with white pipe cleaners, that would be HOT! And so much less expensive than extensions.
ReplyDeleteAnd re: the goldfish in bowls, that SEEMS like a good idea, until you go (like me) to a wedding where the fish start dying during the reception, and it takes at least a half dozen groomsmen to promptly dispose of the dead fish before all the flower girls start getting upet.
Hmmmm, I'm guessing she's not going to budge. So maybe you can use some metallic paint and add Martha Stewart glitter which is very fine and beautiful. You can definitely do something with the eyes and blow hole, too.
ReplyDeleteShe's quite a trip, that sister of yours.
Ok, now I just think you're making all this wedding stuff up. Seriously? Terra Cotta whales? You'll have to post pictures for me to believe it! :)
ReplyDeleteI love them! I hope your sister really enjoys the day! :)
ReplyDeleteI was having lunch today with one of my students and I told her about your blog and the wedding of the year. I explained your sister as being 'green'. She asked "as in plant a tree or hug one?"...that gave me the idea...can't you convince your sister to get potted plants or trees for her centerpieces? Or even a bunch of small ones grouped together then people can take them home too. Still green and earthy and she can put whale stickers on the pots!
ReplyDeleteSo not to be obnoxious and comment twice but I was babysitting last night and as I chased after the nearly year old baby who has rockets on his back when he crawls I noticed something.
ReplyDeleteWhales on his blanket. Whales on his bib. Whales on his toy box.
Best of luck once again.
I'm pretty sure that anything with pipe cleaners and googly eyes should be banned as a wedding center piece. Or just banned from weddings in general. Though that being said my 3 year old saw it and now wants on. That should tell you something.
ReplyDeleteShe has to be messin with you!! She CAN't be serious!!
ReplyDeleteYou're lying....right?!
ReplyDeleteare you kidding? those are the BEST centerpieces I have ever seen! go for it girl
ReplyDeleteI'm planning my daughter's 5th birthday party and I found these at Oriental Trading...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?demandPrefix=12&sku=36/2058&prodCatId=388733&mode=Browsing&erec=55&sp=true&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&N=388733&tabId=1&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&sd=Jonah+And+The+Whale+Centerpiece
Have fun crafting. And congrats to your sis!
ReplyDeleteIs it April Fool's Day??? ;-P
ReplyDeleteBut you don't want her telling people you made those!! And I don't want to be mean but those are ATROCIOUS!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your sis for getting engaged and planning her wedding, but she can't actually want those things. Is it against your religion to do something floral? Is this an actual theme to the wedding!
It has to be a joke.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't do it.
Do you want thanked in a speech for the centrepieces?
Sisters, weddings, skinny jeans and us older aged gals - I hear you sister!
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