Miss Cloud, Richmond
Age and Occupation: 25, Sales Rep
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Customer Service Manager/DJ
Engagement Date: February 14, 2008
Wedding Date: November 2009
Venue: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart & The Jefferson Hotel
About Me: Mr. Cloud and I are Yankees planning a Southern wedding to show our families from Boston and New York our fabulous city. We are complete opposites, resulting in a wedding to include bridesmaids in pearls and groomsmen in Adidas shell toes. I’m a sorority girl at heart with strong addictions to my blackberry, cherry Chapstick, Coach purses, the Boston Red Sox and our fur baby, Bella. I can’t wait to the throw the party of our lives and of course, marry my best friend!
Here we are, 21 months later and I’m finally able to say that today is my wedding day! I can’t believe its here, and even as I sit in a hotel room with my big beautiful white dress hanging next to me, it still hasn’t fully hit me.
To the hive—thank you for your amazing support and every single word of encouragement and love you have sent my way. It has truly been an honor to share my journey with you, and I still have so much to share (funny how time just kept running out in the in the past few weeks!). Hang in there with me and I will have a lot more to show you as the wait for recaps begin! I really just cannot imagine where I would be without all of your ideas and feedback! Are there really brides out there who never find the ‘bee and make it to the altar while still sane? Because I would not have been one crazy gal had it not been for all of you!
To the bees- I consider it an honor and privilege to blog with you all! You are amazing ladies, and your support (especially in the past few days) has been incredible and means more to me then you will ever know!
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Miss Pudding, Greater Toronto Area/Vermont
Age and Occupation: 26, High School Teacher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Computer Engineer
Engagement Date: August 2008
Wedding Date: July 2010
Venue: Catholic Ceremony, Cultural Hall Reception
About Me: Quite literally a citizen of the world, I was born in Poland, grew up in Canada, and now live in the beautiful state of Vermont. I love reading historical biographies, multi-tasking, teasing my hair, and, despite my height, wearing high heeled shoes. I am the ultimate klutz with an uncanny ability to put on a graceful front. Mr. Pudding and I have been dating for over six years, and are very excited to finally merge our (very large) families. We are planning a traditional Polish-Catholic wedding that is anything but predictable.
When Mr. Pudding and I first began to think about marriage, we had some issues that most couples do not experience. You see, we had the misfortune of being in a long distance relationship.
We met at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Mr. P’s family, although based in Vermont, has a history of attending university in Canada. Both of his parents graduated from a Canadian school, so Queen’s was a natural choice for him.
Mr. Pudding and me during Homecoming at Queen’s University in 2004.
(photo taken by a kind stranger with Mr. P’s camera)
When we first met, I though that the fact that he was from Vermont was the coolest thing ever… I had images of snowy mountains, hot chocolate, and beautiful scenery. I loved going to visit him. Vermont truly is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been.
It didn’t take long for me to change my tune about Vermont, however.
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Watercooler
Feature Launched: July 1, 2007
About: The most discussed posts of the month.
Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican Republic
Age in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications Manager
Fiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing Director
Engagement Date: October 6, 2007
Wedding Date: November, 2008
Blogging Since: July 17, 2008
Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta Cana
About Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
Once the dancing got into full swing, I expected our awesome photographers to pack in in. It had been a looooong day and they fully deserved to finally kick their feet up.
But when I suggested it, Photophil said he had one more idea he wanted to try out.
He took us outside the disco for a couple fun, funky shots. Check out those colors!
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Miss Moonbeam, Los Angeles/San Antonio
Age and Occupation: 26, Intern Architect
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Studio Analyst, aspiring Screenwriter
Engagement Date: May 20, 2009
Wedding Date: November 2009
Venue: Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church (LaCoste, TX) and Mary Gray Events Center (Castroville, TX)
About Me: I was born and raised in Texas, but after college I moved to Seattle for a couple of years and loved it. Then I followed my beau out here to LA and we're getting settled in. I've been making things since I can remember. I was raised by crafters. I love to sew, draw, paint, build, cook, bake (anything with a tangible end result is fair game). In that same spirit, I've been hosting since I was old enough to cook and set a fancy table. I kind of take after my grandmother, who believes that your morning OJ always tastes better out of the good crystal.
In my last shoe post, I thought I was very into those blue Calvin Klein’s, but the bottom had a very ’sturdy’ sole. I know it’s silly, but I wasn’t digging the black rubber. I even found them in person and just didn’t love them enough. You do have to kneel at Catholic weddings.
So the search continued, I tried Macy’s, because I’m trying to save a few $$ at every step, but was thoroughly unimpressed. So, I headed over to Nordstrom, my trusty source for super-fun flats. They might be a little pricier, but their junior’s shoes are well priced and cute, and if I had to spend a little extra on my wedding shoes, I’d live.
I scoped the website first to see what I had in mind and found some great options.
I love the shoe jewelry look of these. And they’re ’something blue’.
source
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Mrs. Sprinkle, Los Angeles
Age and Occupation: 26, Preschool Teacher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Television Production/Writer
Engagement Date: December 24, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009
Venue: The Marvimon House
About Me: I'm a Bay Area native trying to create a life for myself (and my fiance, and our three cats!) in the vast city of Los Angeles. I love vegan red velvet cupcakes, pilates ,and mid-century furniture. Mr. Sprinkle and I met when my band toured through his city (we bonded over cake and a mutual love of Morrissey) and we are getting married on the four year anniversary of our first date. When I am not teaching preschool (or blogging!) you can find me perfecting recipes, petting kittens, hiking in Griffith Park, and overusing exclamation points. We are planning a vegan, green-as-possible, DIY wedding, and I couldn't be more excited to share all of the details!
The final leg of our honeymoon journey was the part I was looking forward to the most; three days and two nights spent in Asheville, North Carolina!
It was still raining when we arrived at our final bed and breakfast, the Beaufort House, but that didn’t stop us from getting excited over the giant porch. We were even greeted by this guy:
I’m not even sure what he is, some kind of caterpillar?!
Our stay in Asheville was much like the rest of the honeymoon: relaxing, casual, fun!
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Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
Miss Rainbow, Tampa
Age and Occupation: 22, Makeup Artist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Electrical Engineer/Programmer
Engagement Date: November 27, 2008
Wedding Date: May 2010
Venue: The Gamble Plantation
About Me: I'm a quirky (and slightly Type-A) freelance makeup artist who was born in Washington State, raised in Alabama, and now living with my one and only in sunny Florida. I'm fashion and beauty obsessed, and have recently discovered my inner domestic diva extraordinaire. I'm a wannabe chef, decorating addict, and trying desperately to be as crafty as possible---albeit only with a glue gun. I'm hopelessly in love with my fiance, and all things sparkly and feathery. Despite the glittery exterior, I'm a total hippie on the inside. When I'm not making up pretty faces, I love doing what I can to help people, animals, and the environment. Someday the FI and I will change the world, but first we're tackling our modern-vintage-Marie-Antoinette-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland inspired wedding. I just can't wait to be Mrs. Rainbow!
The Finale!
Read up on parts one and two!
When I set foot in Brides by Demetrios, I was floored. The store was uh-may-zing. It was huge. So far, I had only tried on about 5 dresses, and I was about to try on about 25 more. I kid you not, their selection is virtually endless. I’m fully convinced that there is a dress there for anyone and everyone.
Walking in, I was immediately greeted by Deja. If you’re in Tampa and happen to go to Brides by Demetrios, ask for her, seriously! She is literally the nicest and most welcoming salesperson I have ever met in my life. Her sister also works there, and I felt like they were my sisters from another mister. Awesome, I tell you! This place was growing on me fast! Now if only there was a way to work a dress from there into my budget…
I temporarily put the budget issue out of my mind and told Deja exactly what I was looking for—lots of lace, no sparkle, A-line silhouette, empire waist. We looked around the store and gathered about 15 dresses that fit my criteria. Here are my favorites from that round (yes, I tried on so many I had rounds!):
This was by far the most simple one. It was lovely, and a great starting point, but I didn’t love it.
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Miss Trail Mix, New York
Age and Occupation: 26, PE Teacher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, MBA Student
Engagement Date: March 2009
Wedding Date: June 2010
Venue: Tannery Pond at the Darrow School
About Me: I'm a country girl who somehow found herself living in the Big Apple and loving every minute of it. I'm planning a rustic, country-chic wedding in my hometown in upstate New York and it's going to be a Party with a capital P. White wine, flea markets and running keep me happy and my friends, family and fiance are my world. I'm a little bit crafty, a little bit crazy but mostly just crazy in love.
I left you last, hanging in suspense, dying to hear what I ended up with for a catering service (right?). 
Before I continue with the story, I wanted to talk a little bit about my expectations for the food. I already mentioned our bare-bones menu ideas in my last post. Here is what I did not want, under any circumstances:
Fancy food, exactly the opposite of what I am looking for….
Yup, fancy food. Honestly, I’ve found that my favorite food experiences have been when the preparation is simple, the ingredients are fresh and everything is light and complementary. I don’t like a whole lot of differing flavors competing for tongue space!
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Miss Pretzel, Seattle
Age and Occupation: 32 Learning, Training, and Development Specialist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28 Manufacturing Engineer
Engagement Date: September 2, 2009
Wedding Date: July 2010
Venue: Catholic Church & The Engine Room at Georgetown Studios
About Me: I’m just a thirty-something girl who never dreamed of weddings, poofy dresses, or ritzy receptions. I was born and raised in New Hampshire, went to undergrad and grad school at Purdue University in Indiana, had my career take me to Wisconsin, Atlanta, and then finally settled in Seattle. I am a rabid knitter, except recently, wedding projects have replaced my yarn and needles. I’ve been fiercely independent since the age of 2 and 30 years later I think my family and friends had given up on me settling down and getting married.
Ironically, I had to go all the way to Seattle to find a boy from Purdue. We fell in love over Seattle Beers and cooking together. We love Chuck Taylor All Stars, holding hands, clever t-shirts, bacon, KEXP Radio, craft beer, buying local, cooking from scratch, gardening, mastering our new Gocco, and of course, each other. I love NASCAR, he loves Legos. I can talk like a Muppet and he can fit a whole McDonald’s cheeseburger in his mouth. We are a two reception couple, currently planning a brewery inspired bash.
I got the idea to mock up a project that has been in the back of my mind lately: the signature cocktail sign.
source
I think we’ve already established that Mr Pretzel and I are beer snobs (if we haven’t established that yet—we are, in fact, beer geeks). If it was up to us we would serve 5 different types of brews and forgo the wine and cocktails. But that wouldn’t make us good hosts. We’ll be offering red and white wine in addition to a signature cocktail. Mojito, Margarita, Mimosa? Not here. Our signature cocktail has a story. One that makes me both happy and sad every time I think about it.
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Miss Poodle, Santiago, Chile/San Bernardino, CA
Age and Occupation: 27, Industrial & Web Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Firefighter & Mountain Patrol
Engagement Date: February 25, 2009
Wedding Date: January 2010
Venue: Mr. P's Grandparents’ Ranch
About Me: I’m a Chilean girl who's crazy about nature and swimming. I enjoy carving, drawing, reading and sewing; I drool over computers, fabric, pretty paper, purple and patterns. To me, chocolate should be one of the seven wonders, right next to lemon pie. I never thought an exchange work experience program was going to change my life forever, but while working in California, I met Mr. Poodle, and ever since my days are better and brighter. We are two goofy souls that, after finding each other, couldn’t help but want to be together forever. It has being a long and sometimes hard road, since we have to deal with such a long distance between us, but we are now facing the last stage of our Fiancé Visa, and soon we will be together. You know the best part? We will be married! So I’ll be blogging from Chile until just a few months before our “green and purple” wedding.
Well, I don’t think you can, because I forgot to show you pictures of the dress when I finished it a few days before I came to CA. Well, the history of the dress begins like this…
One day in a closet far, far away, a Poodle bride wanted to take pictures of her perfect wedding dress.
(If you are not a male Poodle you can keep on reading the rest of the story after the jump. 
)
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Mr. Pudding and me during Homecoming at Queen’s University in 2004.
I’m not even sure what he is, some kind of caterpillar?!
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