Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
In honor of Miss Cupcake’s post from yesterday, here are a few Parent Dance pics. We didn’t have anything special — just a song and a quartet of parents (we switched halfway). But I enthusiastically recommend a Parent Dance to everyone — a few minutes out of the reception can mean a lifetime’s worth of bonding moments all around.
Miss Peacock, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 26, PhD StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Internet WhizEngagement Date: December 5, 2006Wedding Date: September, 2008Blogging Since: December 13, 2007Venue: St. Clement Church, Cafe Brauer (or a big church wedding and a fancy party at a cafe in Lincoln Park.About Me: I am a grad student with a secret obsession for all things wedding related. I also love to read, travel, drink champagne and go for walks with our dog, Maisy, and Mr. Peacock. We are planning our very vintage wedding in the greatest city in the world, our hometown of Chicago. I am so proud to be a Bee!
Last night, Mrs. Emerald and I went to an event thrown by the fabulous writer of the equally fabulous blog, Hostess with the Mostess. We had a little champagne, tasted a few hors d’ouevres, and gossiped about the other guests and the location. All in all, it was quite a fun evening!
The event was sponsored by Chambord liquor which meant lots of yummy raspberry flavored cocktails. Blue Plate catered and impressed me a bit with their hors d’ouevres and desserts- not the quantity, because we headed straight for dinner afterwards, but the tastes were great. The only thing that was a bit of the bummer was the location. The Ivy Room at Tree Studios has been talked up as this magical new Chicago venue. I was under the impression that it was mostly an outdoor space, but the focus of the venue is the large ballroom overlooking a beautifully landscaped patio. I don’t want to say too much, but… meh. Our word for the evening was “vanilla.”
Mrs. Cherry Blossom, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 27, Administrative Asst.Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, District Sales ManagerEngagement Date: December 23, 2006Wedding Date: May 3, 2008Venue: Zen Garden in the East Bay w/ reception in a floor-to-ceiling window Atrium with views of the Zen GardenAbout Me: After 5 years of dating, we're finally ready to get hitched! I am a lovah of all things wedding, creative, crafty, and definitely DIY bc I love to add a personal touch to everything I gift or make. In my free time, I like to bake, spend time with our family, friends, and my doggies, read my guilty pleasure celebrity gossip and catch up on TV shows.
I’ve never been more awestruck in my life. These girls are simply DIY creative geniuses. Every ounce of detail was covered and no corner was left undecorated or spruced. I learned just about a million gazillion things from my gfs through the bridal shower they threw for me, and I want to share it with you (finally!). Gotta tell you, out of 350+ pics, I’ve narrowed down just a bear-with-me-few (and very embarassing ones at that) to demonstrate how amazing this shower was, BEST EVER! Thanks to my girls, I love you gals so much! I was left in the dark to the happenings until I was brought to my destination….
It all started with this amazing invitation that guests received. It drove me nuts when people would ask if I knew anything and kept raving about the invitation they got and I didn’t get to see. Read more…
Mrs. Pinot Noir, New York/Napa ValleyAge and Occupation: 24, Health EducatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Market ResearcherEngagement Date: November 10, 2007Wedding Date: October, 2008Blogging Since: June 25, 2008Venue: Auberge du SoleilAbout Me: I am a Minnesota raised, NYC transplant planning a destination wedding in Napa. I'm balancing my love for the environment and my hubby-to-be's love for tradition to create our "green wedding in disguise." Our wedding will include local food and wine, antique touches and lots of love and laughter. When wedding planning isn't taking up my free time (and money) I love to read, cook, workout, watch baseball and travel! Follow along in my adventure as I attempt to plan an eco-friendly and socially responsible wedding (with eco-oblivious Mr. Pinot Noir).
Mr. Pinot Noir and I had been dating for more than four years when he finally popped the question. We were in the middle of moving from Washington, DC to New York City. It was our first official day living in NYC… It started off as a fairly uneventful day. We went for coffee, went to our new gym, and looked at a few apartments for sale in our new neighborhood. Then we decided to do something very “touristy New York” to celebrate our first day in the city. Mr. Pinot Noir suggested that we go ice skating at Rockefeller Center. Neither of us had gone ice skating in many, many years but we decided to give it a try!
Mrs. Espresso, Corona/Big BearAge and Occupation: 23, Community Services SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Maintenance TechnicianEngagement Date: December 21, 2007Wedding Date: October, 2008Blogging Since: June 25, 2008Venue: Outside a rustic b&b in Big Bear LakeAbout Me: I'm a lover of all things good: coffee, music, travel, rain, and of course- my handsome fiance! I'm a full believer in the "Life is Short," mantra - and therefore, eat lots of dark chocolate. I'm a Geographer by degree and nerd by choice. I cook to the sound of French and Portuguese music even though I speak neither. I love road trips, camping, hiking, and capturing life through the lens of my camera. Take me to Anthropologie and I may never leave. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, bargain finds, and old movies. Mr. Espresso and I are high school sweethearts and I am so blessed to be this amazing man's future wife.
Back in my college days (1 month ago ) I was the type of girl who always made things more difficult than they needed to be. I chose the topics with the least amount of information available, voluntarily took on the heaviest work load of the group, and always went the “perfectionist” extra mile to make sure that my project was not only different, but “me”. Although this was the more difficult route, it also usually turned out to be the most rewarding.
Jump over to our wedding planning, and I’m the exact same way. Except this time- I want it to be “us”. When Mr. Espresso and I started to plan our wedding, we decided that our top 2 goals were to 1) Make our wedding personal, and 2) Have it outdoors. Our budget of $15,000 for 170 guests was also a deciding factor. So for you So Cal Brides looking for a venue- here are some wonderful outdoor locations that we considered, and may be of some help to you.
For the Bride with a much bigger budget than mine, I recommend my first love: Rancho Las Lomas
Ms. Dahlia, Detroit/ClevelandAge and Occupation: 24, PhD StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, IT System AdministratorEngagement Date: December 31, 2006Wedding Date: May 2008Blogging Since: September 19, 2007Venue: United Methodist Cathedral & historic downtown hotel in ClevelandAbout Me: I enjoy cooking, dancing and swimming. I am a geek and apply game theory to my everyday life. Winter is my favorite time of year, especially when spent curled up with good coffee and a book by Madeleine L'Engle.
After the hair and makeup, we were slightly behind schedule upon return to the hotel. My fabulous youngest brother had gotten myself and the other ladies sandwiches, and my mom and a dear friend (from Germany!) were waiting for us in the bridal suite. My original thought had been to eat lunch together, but people grabbed their lunch to go, and my mom went to make sure that my she and my dad would also have something to eat.
So I got a chance to eat, and Ken took some pictures.
Mrs. Bell Pepper, PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 28, Resident PhysicianFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Resident PhysicianEngagement Date: May 30, 2006Wedding Date: June 2007Venue: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine ArtsAbout Me: I love whimsical details and design, everything that *sparkles*, sipping on hazelnut lattes, pugs, shopping for antiques and second-hand goods, scenic photography, delicate flowers, and checking out new restaurants in the city with my fianc??. We are planning our wedding at a unique city venue for about 75 close family members and friends. I have a lot of DIY ideas and I like to blog about ways to save money on your wedding.
Has it already been one year since our wedding? I can’t believe how time flies and imagine how life was so different back in my wedding planning days. Reflecting back I can’t imagine the countless hours I spent planning out all the details for one of the most special day of our lives. I’m quite grateful our wedding day was awesome, thanks to the support of my family, friends, and of course all the weddingbee readers!
Mrs. Cupcake, PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 27, Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Construction Project ManagerEngagement Date: February 10, 2007Wedding Date: September, 2008Blogging Since: December 7, 2007Venue: The Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PAAbout Me: Mr. Cupcake and I hit it off at a Halloween party and immediately began a long-distance relationship. After two years, he moved to my neck of the woods, and a year and a half after that, he proposed at the “place we fell in love.” I am a true perfectionist who enjoys designing and creating more work for myself, so wedding planning is my perfect outlet. Mr. Cupcake and I are both old souls, and we hope to weave that aspect of our personalities into our wedding day.
Over the last 16 months of wedding planning (sheesh!), I have come across a lot of ideas for guest books, but none of them has really struck my fancy. I’ve seen engagement photo guest books, wish bowls, wish trees, and Polaroid guest books, but I wanted to do something a little different. (One of the curses of doing too much research!)Last month in the Spring issue of Inside Weddings, I came across a twist on the traditional guest book that I really liked:
Mrs. Pomegranate, SacramentoAge and Occupation: 27, Technical SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Software EngineerEngagement Date: August 23, 2007Wedding Date: October, 2008Blogging Since: June 5, 2008Venue: R.H. Phillips WineryAbout Me: Hi, I'm Miss Pomegranate and I'm a shopaholic. I have a weak spot for the chic cheap - especially anything I can re-create on the DIY. Shoes are my vice, music is my passion in life and technology is the medium by which I live and work. When I'm not scoping out a sale, I'm spending my quality time training for a marathon, playing Wii with my fiance and snuggling with my Silver Labrador and Teacup Panther - and oh yeah, planning my wedding!
Yesterday, Mr. Pomegranate and I attended a birthday shin-dig in honor of one of our groomsmen. Imagine our surprise when the birthday boy himself, busted out a rather large and exciting gift for us!
Mrs. Cookie, DenverAge and Occupation: 25, Nonprofit Fundraiser/Theatre DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Financial AnalystEngagement Date: September 2007Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: May 8, 2008Venue: Ten Mile StationAbout Me: With a degree in Theatre I never realized that planning a wedding was a lot like Theatre Management, until I started planning my own. I am a coffee addict, especially Starbucks' Grande Mochas, yummy! I love to cook (especially chocolate chip cookies for my honey), travel to exotic places, and be creative. As a couple, Mr. Cookie and I are extremely practical, down to earth, and children at heart. We live in a cozy abode with our adorable Pomeranian, and love to play board games and watch movies into the evening.
Bees, thank for all your input about Mr. Cookie’s tux. After reading the comments Mr. Cookie decided that since he has never worn a tux, and doesn’t know when he will ever wear one again, he is going to rent a tux.
Mrs. Plumeria, San FranciscoAge and Occupation in 06: 22, Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, High School TeacherEngagement Date: December 30, 2005Wedding Date: May 12, 2007Venue: Hotel BallroomAbout Me: I love all things artsy and unique, and it has become a passion of mine to incorporate these attributes into my wedding (and become DIY royalty in the process). Other than dreaming up projects for the wedding, my latest hobbies include working on my computer, playing with my cute pet bunny, or shopping at Target/Barnes and Noble with my fiance.
A long time ago, I wrote about my MOH, Jasmine. While the wedding fever cooled down for me shortly after our big day, I couldn’t help but catch it again when she got engaged too! We’ll be switching places (her: the beautiful bride, me: so honored to stand next to her) during August this year at a big hotel ceremony in Vegas, and Mr. Plumeria (who’s in the bridal party too!) and I couldn’t be more excited for her and her fiance. You know what that means… shower planning! Here are the invitations I made for her upcoming shower for a little simple crafty inspiration.
Mrs. Coconut, TallahasseeAge and Occupation: 27, LawyerFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, phD Computer ScienceEngagement Date: March 2007Wedding Date: November 2008Blogging Since: May 20, 2008Venue: 1930s Historic Building in Lakeland, FLAbout Me: I never thought about weddings until I got engaged. Now, I can't stop thinking about them! Planning the wedding has really opened the floodgates to my DIY side. If there's anything I can do to avoid hiring someone else, I will do it! Mr. Coconut is my financial advisor, he tries to keep me budget-conscious! We've tried to make wedding planning a team effort!
I realize the title of this post is horrendously boring, but practical posts deserve practical titles for ease of searching! Don’t hate.
Last night, Sister Coconut, her lovely bridesmaid Lindsay, and I made the OOT bag labels and flower initials (a la Pootiekins) for her wedding, which is only 1.5 weeks away!!! Before we started all the crafty goodness though, Mr. Coconut and I gave Sister Coconut her wedding gift.
Mrs. Hummingbird, TorontoAge and Occupation: 25, Publishing CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Videogame Designer/CartoonistEngagement Date: May 4, 2007Wedding Date: June 28, 2008Blogging Since: September 18, 2007Venue: A garden wedding followed by a tented reception on Mr. Hummingbird's father's property.About Me: I’m a pop culture loving, vintage obsessed foodie living in Canada’s biggest city with my fantastic fiancé and our lovable fluffy cat Bettie. I’m stoked to marry my best friend and to throw what I hope will be
the most fun and colourful party of our lives.
Because it’s the home stretch and we’re dealing with the last rush of wedding bills, the big ideas that Mr. Hum and I had for wedding gifts for each other have been indefinitely delayed. However, I wanted to still do something for my Mister, so the night before I’m giving him a couple of smaller gifts to enjoy.
Since Mr. Hum is stranded out in dial-up land, I am pretty sure he isn’t going to see this until after the wedding day, but to be safe, I’m doing the usual warning - No snooping you! I have pointy little elbows and I know how to use them! Read more…
Miss Magnolia, AtlantaAge and Occupation: 28, Public Affairs and Government RelationsFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, LobbyistEngagement Date: December 1, 2006Wedding Date: January, 2008Blogging Since: September 6, 2007Venue: catherdral ceremony/private club receptionAbout Me: Mr. Magnolia and I are thrilled to be planning an evening, winter wedding for 200 people in Atlanta. We both work in politics and share a love of University of Georgia football, pop culture, and good food! I'm a runner who adores wedding magazines, bad reality television, and a
good glass of wine. Most of the time I like to think I'm pretty organized, but between wedding planning, house hunting, and a full-time job, I'm being put to the test!
Mrs. Cupcake, PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 27, Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Construction Project ManagerEngagement Date: February 10, 2007Wedding Date: September, 2008Blogging Since: December 7, 2007Venue: The Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PAAbout Me: Mr. Cupcake and I hit it off at a Halloween party and immediately began a long-distance relationship. After two years, he moved to my neck of the woods, and a year and a half after that, he proposed at the “place we fell in love.” I am a true perfectionist who enjoys designing and creating more work for myself, so wedding planning is my perfect outlet. Mr. Cupcake and I are both old souls, and we hope to weave that aspect of our personalities into our wedding day.
Unique Wedding Favors
) I was the type of girl who always made things more difficult than they needed to be. I chose the topics with the least amount of information available, voluntarily took on the heaviest work load of the group, and always went the “perfectionist” extra mile to make sure that my project was not only different, but “me”. Although this was the more difficult route, it also usually turned out to be the most rewarding.
photo from Inside Weddings
