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!
Hello Hive!!! Mr. Coconut and I are back from Costa Rica! We had an amazing time and I can’t wait to share all of the pictures with you! As the other married Bees have said, getting back from the honeymoon and settling into married life is… HECTIC! Well, in a very good, cleansing way, if that makes any sense??
Let me explain. I have a ton more time on my hands, but what do I do with it? I sleep. I cook. I sleep. Sometimes I go to work. Occasionally I shower. It’s a rough world, ain’t it? No, seriously though, married life is splendid because I no longer have to come home and check off a massive to-do list. That’s probably my favorite thing about being married!
The first task for the Coconut Newlyweds? Clean up our tiny apartment! While we save up to buy a house, we’re stuck living in a very small space, so Mr. C and I expended a little money to spruce it up a bit. I’ll post the “after” pictures later this week. In the meantime, here’s what the place looked like before:
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).
After we almost burnt down the Cedar Room, it was finally time to walk down the aisle. Casey, the coordinator at Auberge, came in and lined us up. It was really happening!
All photos by Jim Forneris Photography unless otherwise noted.
Brother Pinot escorts Mama Pinot down the aisle.
Guest Photo
Mrs. Avocado, SeattleAge and Occupation: 23, StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, ConsultantEngagement Date: July 27, 2008Wedding Date: October, 2008Blogging Since: June 30, 2008Venue: LDS Seattle Temple & Hotel 1000About Me: Somehow this little farm girl found herself a genuine Pole to fall in love and eventually move away to Poland with. I am an LDS bride attempting to plan a private religious ceremony, ring ceremony, seated reception for 100, and an open house while coordinating for guests flying in from across the United States and as far away as Poland. I try to avoid fads, excess waste, and saturated fat. I strongly endorse photography, DDR, calorie counting, rss feeds, cooking, and utilizing your resources.
Getting married in Seattle caused me to think thoughts of rain, rain, and more rain. Weather.com informed me that October in Seattle has an average of 13 rainy days per year, which meant our chances of rain might have been close to 50%. I saw this picture by Laurence Kim and I knew I wanted to make sure and have umbrellas for guests to hold so we wouldn’t be taking photos huddled under buildings if the skies opened up.
I love that the bride and groom provided these as favors!
I searched on eBay looking for “lots” of umbrellas, but I wasn’t having much success.
Mrs. Penguin, Northern CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 27, Weddingbee Editor in ChiefFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Doctor of Physical TherapyEngagement Date: January 29, 2007Wedding Date: June 7, 2008Blogging Since: September 14, 2007Venue: Winery in the Gold CountryAbout Me: I love the Spice Girls, dogs with underbites, bean burritos, making messes, high fives, avoiding showers, crossword puzzles, blogs, weddings, and blogs about weddings!
Just in time for the start of the California crab season, allow me to introduce our newest tasty bee to the hive, Miss Crab Cake!
Miss Crab Cake, Columbus, Georgia
Age & Occupation: 25, Registered Nurse Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 31, Director of Education and Living History for the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning Engagement Date: April 6, 2008 Wedding Date: June 2009 Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church/National Infantry Museum About Me: I’m a perfectionist trying to balance two jobs, motherhood, my craft obsession, and wedding planning. I am obsessed with all things wedding, especially creative ideas for saving money and DIY projects. A Southern Belle at heart, I love anything Southern, especially sweet tea, grits, afternoon thunderstorms, crab cakes, and good old Southern hospitality. Mr. Crab Cake and I are planning a vintage inspired wedding with tons of Southern flare (can y’all say that with a thick Southern drawl?).
Mrs. Meatball, HollywoodAge and Occupation: 30, Actor/Writer/Office MavenFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Actor/WriterEngagement Date: October 7, 2007Wedding Date: May, 2009Blogging Since: September 16, 2008Venue: Private Garden/The Bungalow ClubAbout Me: I love melty cheese and diet coke almost as much as I love my man. I'm from Chicago, he's from NYC, and we both miss public transit and great pizza. We have an adorable muppet dog called Paco. I'm part hippie with a healthy dash of hip hop superstar, have excessive empathy for animals, and have not one, but two bionic eyes (long story). We're broke and it ain't no joke. It can't stop us from planning the bold and whimsical wedding of our dreams, but we've had to get pretty creative to make it work, yo!
Just over a year ago, some of my lady friends decided to take control of their finances, together. They invited some like-minded friends (one of which is moi) and started a monthly meeting ritual called Smart Chicks Club. Each month, a different gal hosts, we all chip in $2 for snacks and drinks, and we get together to discuss our financial frustrations, goals and celebrations… and we have a clothing swap! Most months, we have a guest speaker come in and talk about real estate, investments, financial planning, or health… usually a friend or friend-of-friend, and it’s always free. What started as a financial club has really expanded into quite a support group! We do try and keep a focus on finances, but we also share our other hopes, dreams, plans, and life news. Super cozy.
Every month, I look forward to spending some quality time with the ladies. It’s so therapeutic, to feel all that gushy estrogen-y warmth in one room! I always feel better for being there, and have learned some amazing tips, tricks and more to help me keep my moneys (and sanity) under control. Read more…
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!
With so many recently married Bees in the Northern California area, we were dying to get together before the holiday season. Mrs. Penguin, Mrs. Green Tea, Mrs. Lemon and I met up to do a little Pre-Thanksgiving stomach stretching with some fondue at Melting Pot (shout out to Miss Fondue!). Tuesday night we gathered empty-bellied, ready to stuff ourselves silly.
Mrs. Penguin and Mrs. Green Tea getting a nice Coq au Vin steam bath. It’s good for your pores and it smells YUMMY!
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.
Immediately following the ceremony, Mr. Cookie and I got stuck in an elevator. Well, sort of. There is an elevator from the lower to the upper floor of Ten Mile Station. We were suppose to go downstairs to quickly sign the marriage license and then back upstairs for pictures. Well, Mr. Cookie and I were all kissy face inside the elevator after the ceremony and we forgot to press the button. Literally after five minutes we thought, “Why isn’t the elevator working?” We pressed the down button, and magically the elevator started working. Duh!
When we finally got off the elevator, a wonderful surprise awaited us.
Reader Lam-Chops is selling her Pronovias “Dagen” wedding gown. It is a size 10 sample dress with tags still attached. She did not wear it for her wedding. She’d like to sell it for $1500, shipping, insurance, and original receipt included.
Have a wedding item for sale? Post it with pictures in the Weddingbee classifieds and you might see it featured on the blog!
Mrs. Daffodil, San Francisco/Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 26, Nonprofit Strategy ConsultantFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Resident PhysicianEngagement Date: December 29, 2006Wedding Date: May, 2008Blogging Since: August, 2007Venue: Church w/ floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Valley; Westin in downtown LAAbout Me: I moved around a lot growing up, but consider myself a Southerner at heart. I love scrapbooking, dancing, doggies, and diet coke. I am all about personalizing everything and hence, I'm a DIY bride who is just loving the entire wedding planning process! Mr. Daffodil and I met in our college fellowship group and were "just friends" for three years before we started dating. We've been together for four years now and can't wait to get married in sunny SoCal, Mr. Daffodil's hometown.
The day just continued to fly by! The reception was about to begin. We headed toward the ballroom for the ever fun grand entrance of the bridal party.
Now, believe it or not, it took Mr. D and me forever to pick out the songs for the grand entrance! We wanted to kick off the party with fun and energetic tunes and to show off our goofy side as well! We finally settled on two silly and random selections. Read more…
Mrs. Green Tea, SacramentoAge and Occupation: 30, Tea AnalystFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Coffee CriticEngagement Date: November 17, 2006Wedding Date: August 23, 2008Blogging Since: June 10, 2008Venue: Vineyard on the DeltaAbout Me: I'm just your average obsessive compulsive, arts & crafts loving, funky-on-the-inside/boring-on-the-outside girl, who dares to say 'Hey! I can make that!' Nerdy professional by day, goofy won-ton by night. The won-ton sometimes comes out during the day when I'm fed the dollar breakfast at Ikea. Since our engagement, wedding planning has put me on high alert for bargains and I've been pushing my nimble fingers through callous building experiments!
Right before the ceremony began, the wedding party was lined up and prepped for launch. The ring bearer (RB) and flower girl (FG) were being overseen at the end of the line by their mom and the MOH, who reported the following conversation: Read more…
Holiday sale season is also a great time to purchase shower and wedding gifts! Amazon.com is offering the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer in Classic White, Cobalt Blue, Onyx Black and Empire Red for just $209.99 after $20 rebate. Free shipping is also included. That’s $140 off the retail price!
Mrs. Spring Roll, TampaAge and Occupation: 23, Certified Pharmacy TechnicianFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Concert PhotographerEngagement Date: May 1, 2008Wedding Date: March 2009Blogging Since: September 16, 2008Venue: Beach Social HallAbout Me: I'm the stereotypical girl who enjoys sewing, baking, and decorating. I am blessed to share my life with Mr. Spring Roll and our two shih tzu's, Isabella and Gabriella. Hello Kitty, musicals, Target, and Chick-fil-a are a few of my favorite things. I have a fear of fish and Freddy Krueger. Planning our wedding has become a huge part of my life, and I love every minute of it!
Mr. Spring Roll and I never put much thought into registering for gifts. Initially, we were not going to register at all, as we were secretly hoping that if people were generous enough to give us gifts, that they would be monetary gifts to help with our honeymoon expenses (eating, sightseeing, etc.). However, the past few weeks my mom has been inundated with family and friends asking her where we are registered. Mr. Spring Roll and I decided to register at—where else but my favorite store—Target.
Mrs. Pineapple, PittsburghAge and Occupation: 24, Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Student Affairs AdministrationEngagement Date: August 4, 2007Wedding Date: October, 2008Blogging Since: April 14, 2008Venue: The Rivers ClubAbout Me: Being a transplant from sunny south Florida I am learning to live with all four seasons while playing with our cat collective, line dancing, and doing a ton of DIY projects for our wedding (seriously, like a thousand)!
Mom Pineapple made one of my favorite gifts I got at my bridal shower. It was a dress shopping scrapbook.
Way back before I was a bee, my folks and bridesmaids flew from all over the East Coast to go dress shopping with me. I didn’t want to plan the weekend before March, because Pittsburgh winters can be messy. However, I didn’t want to wait too long just in case the dress would take a while to arrive. So, March it was. I was wrong about the weather being okay. Almost every flight was delayed and our neighborhood (home to the steepest streets in the world) was covered in ice.
Mrs. Lemonade, Austin/San AntonioAge and Occupation: 28, BureaucratFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Music ManagementEngagement Date: December 21, 2007Wedding Date: April, 2009Blogging Since: August 22, 2008Venue: Country Club ceremony, ballroom receptionAbout Me: I’m a total wonkette who is lucky enough to be surrounded by her favorite things on a daily basis – awesome music, the great State of Texas and of course, Mr. Lemonade! I find any excuse I can to craft something and am completely infatuated with the 1950’s, all things Kennedy, and my furbaby Vida.
I’m a BIG fan of monograms. Ever since I was a wee one my mom dressed me up in little jumpers, bibs, sweaters, and the like that proudly sported my initials. My collection has continued to grow over the years and now includes totes, purses, and many housewares. I’ve stopped ordering monogrammed items for myself, as in less than five short months, my monogram will change. However, that hasn’t stopped me from perusing in-store monograms, especially since I’m planning on putting our personal stamp on many elements throughout W day. Lately this has proved to be much more difficult than in the past.
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).
After we finished getting ready at our hotel in San Francisco we headed up to Auburge du Soleil in Napa Valley. The boys took their own car and the girls and my parents rode in a limo. The ride from San Francisco to Napa is about an hour and a half and Mr. PN and I both appreciated the time we were able to spend with our family and friends before the wedding day got underway.
Photos by Jim Forneris Photography unless noted.
Papa Pinot, Mama Pinot and Me
(Photo by SIL Pinot)
