Mrs. Dumpling, Las VegasAge and Occupation: 27, FinanceFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Real EstateEngagement Date: March, 2008Wedding Date: March, 2009Blogging Since: August 26, 2008Venue: Catholic church ceremony & golf course receptionAbout Me: I grew up in the Deep South, and while most people say I have a thick southern accent, I tend to think it only comes out when I need to use it. Living in Las Vegas has definitely been an adventure and Mr. Dumpling and I are loving every minute of it! We are planning a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony and a reception with lots of DIY! We might even get Elvis to show up! I'm a HUGE Beatles fan, love The Office and can't wait to become a Mrs.!
Mr. Dumpling sort of makes fun of me for this blog. Even before I was a Bee, and I would pretend to choose a “Bee name,” he would laugh and mock me endlessly. However, I suspect Mr. Dumpling secretly reads this blog. There were a few subtle clues here and there, but on Christmas morning, I was convinced. You see, when it was time to open presents, I got something wrapped in this paper:
*This is a different gift (a Juicy Couture robe to wear on my wedding morning) from him, but the packaging looked the same…recognize the paper?
Mrs. Peep Toe, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 29, Policy AnalystFiance's Age and Occupation: 36, Olive Oil Production ManagerEngagement Date: December 16, 2007Wedding Date: May, 2009Blogging Since: November 26, 2008Venue: Hotel VitaleAbout Me: I am a west coast lady who loves the San Francisco Bay Area. I love living with Mr. Peep and our animals: Huck the Dog and Ferris the Cat. I work to save the environment in San Francisco, while Mr. Peep makes ridiculously delicious Olive Oil. On any day you can find me reading the latest book I have gotten my hands on, eating Swedish Fish, and perusing wedding blogs! We are both champagne drinking foodies on a Bud Light budget. We are planning an eco-chic, intimate, and interfaith San Francisco City wedding.
Four and a half years ago, I was so excited to become an Aunt, and have loved it every day since.
Yet, I realized right before my niece was born that as a single grad student, my brother and I lived in different worlds. And at the time my sister first found out she was pregnant, I was on date number 3 with Mr. Peep. After that, I felt even more out of the loop. They both had houses and families, and I was single and giddy over the new guy I was dating. Having little rascals in the family totally changes the family dynamics- it changes a long dinner out with your family to a quick dinner, a bath, and building blocks. Yet now, I wonder how my family was every complete without them?
To this day, I am still not at the same point in life as either my brother or sister, but I am more than ok with that. I love that I get to have little ones in my life- even though Mr. Peep and I are nowhere near that step. And I love even more that I get to have them in our wedding. Our bridal party couldn’t be complete without all four of them. Read more…
Mrs. Caramel, Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 24, Art Gallery/MuseumsFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, EngineerEngagement Date: January 8, 2007Wedding Date: October 6, 2007Venue: a beautiful church and hotel receptionAbout Me: I love dancing, singing, eating out, eating in, surfing on the net, and brainstorming fantastic ideas. I also love cats, coffee, and know every quote written on Sex & the City. I'm known to laugh really loud and have really crazy hand gestures while I talk. My fiance writes songs and I take pictures. What else? We're just a crazy young couple in love, trying to make a fabulous wedding!
Back in LA, I was used to go to the salon for coloring, highlights and a perm every 3-4 months. But living in New York with no job has left me unable to maintain my beauty expenses. Soo…. I had to resort to my high school habits of dying my hair from a box.
I’m not sure if any of you have done this before, but just in case, I’ll tell you how I typically do it. Here’s the brand that I used– the cheapest brand. For this time, I used L’oreal in medium golden brown.
Mrs. Glitter, Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 27, Research Consultant/WriterFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, AccountingEngagement Date: May 6, 2007Wedding Date: June, 2009Venue: Millenium Biltmore HotelAbout Me: I was born and raised in West Los Angeles, California. I spent eight years in the Northeast working and completing my education. Having split time between two sides of the country has given me a true appreciation for both coasts. It has also provided an overabundance of cross country drives, flights and long distance relationship fun/misery! I love my family, my doggy Emma, fabulous wine, Anthropologie, politics, reading, being outdoors, exploring new cities, and good movies! My fiance and I are complete opposites, but somehow we have managed to fall completely and hopelessly in love.
One element of the wedding we will not be partaking in is the getaway. Why no getaway? Because we are having our ceremony and reception in the same hotel, and the honeymoon suite is (yep, you guessed it!)… in the very same hotel. I’m a little sad because I always envisioned a Hollywood movie ending to our wedding complete with sparklers and a hot vintage ride. (Not that it would have really happened, but a girl can always dream!)
Mrs. Bee, New YorkAge and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee PublisherFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, InternetEngagement Date: May 7, 2004Wedding Date: March 5, 2005Venue: Westside Loft, New YorkAbout Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
Here’s Part #3! We’ll probably do one last installment, so if you haven’t already, get your ring pictures in today!
roganista took this on a pillow with her Canon Powershot Digital Elf and used picnik.com to create the zoom effect, as well as brighten the image with color saturation.
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.
For me, DIYing the wedding details was a labor of love. I had three rules regarding the details: 1. Keep it simple 2. DIY as much as possible to save money, but call in the professionals or enlist help when necessary 3. Keep within the theme: Rustic Elegance.
These rule saved my sanity on several occasions, especially the part about enlisting help. But I am not going to lie, DIYing most of the details was stressful. There were times that I ripped my hair out, shouted a few obscenities at my Gocco, and bandaged a few paper cut wounds. Putting together the details took months and months of blood, sweat, and tears, mixed in with a lot of laughter and fun. But when it came time to put the details in the trusting hands of my DOC to set up, I let them go. After I gave her the reins, I sat back and enjoyed the ride.
Mrs. Onion gave me the best piece of advice before we got married about savoring the details. Read more…
DIYFeature Launched: October 8, 2008About: The best DIY projects from Bees and brides around the web.
Today’s DIY rewind comes from Mrs. Emerald. Mrs. Emerald wanted to include bows on all of her invitations, but found that tying hundreds of bows was difficult, and often times messy. She solved this problem by coming up with a cleaner looking bow, and shows us all how to achieve the look! This DIY project was originally posted on March 29, 2007.
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Did I mention that my invites came in over a week ago from the printers?! And they look amazing, I’m so excited! But I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out the best way to enclose them. I’ve been playing around with (and hence, wasting) vellum, and I think I’ve finalized my design. Yahoo! Read more…
Mrs. D'orsay, Baltimore/Lancaster UKAge and Occupation: 24, nonprofit communications Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web site developer and designer; co-owner of men's skincare shopEngagement Date: August 10, 2008Wedding Date: August, 2009Venue: Oakland ManorAbout Me: I'm a Maryland raised environmental policy wonk/activist/organizer and communications aficionado. In the past year I've lived in Baltimore, MD, Tucson, AZ, Miami, FL and Lancaster, England. In my not so spare time I enjoy planning trips with Mr. D' Orsay, visiting friends and family and crafting like a mo-fo. I also enjoy modern dance classes, rugby and soccer but have been banned by my mother, MOHs, and Mr. D' Orsay from playing till after the wedding. I have an unnatural addiction to cheese and shoes, but love Mr. D' Orsay more than either and can't wait to become Mrs. D' Orsay!
First let me just tell you how incredibly excited I am to become the newest bee! I’ve been following the boards for a few months and everyone’s advice is so helpful, clever and kind and I feel so lucky to be part of it all.
Second, I should let you know how rainy it is in England right now, seriously, avoid visiting in the winter!
I chose “Miss D’orsay” as my moniker because I have a slight shoe obsession, which is matched only by my addiction to cheese. That and as you can imagine Mr. D’orsay wasn’t a huge fan of being “Mr.Gloss” or “Mr. Lipstick”. I plan on wearing a saucy pair of purple D’orsays (D’orsies?) on my big day and would love to see all of your D’orsays as well!
I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but in the past year I’ve lived in Tucson, Arizona, Miami, Florida and now Lancaster, England! During one of many many business trips I ended up in Austin, TX where I collided with an elbow that would forever change my life; the elbow in question belongs to an Englishman whom I’ll soon tell you much more about. He is the reason I have become a “stay at home fiancee” in an interesting, historic, rainy and surprisingly foreign country. Read more…
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!
The morning of the wedding was in a word, awesome. I was surrounded by the coolest women. My sister was my rock. My best friend, Ashley was my whip. The other girls were just marvelous, too. I could not have envisioned a better start to my first day of marriage. Makeup and hair started early and on time. I had pre- loaded my iPod with some chill tunes and brought my sound dock for around the clock music: Bob Marley, The Beatles, Jack Johnson, The Decemberists. It definitely set the tone for the morning. The best morning.
(All professional pictures taken by Jason Angelini. There are some non-pro pictures sprinkled in here as well.)
Mrs. Ballet Flat, New OrleansAge and Occupation: 24, Geographic Information Systems AnalystFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, IT AnalystEngagement Date: March 16, 2008Wedding Date: May, 2009Blogging Since: September 25, 2008Venue: St. Charles Borromeo Church/Jefferson-Orleans NorthAbout Me: I absolutely love wedding planning, spending time with Mr. Ballet Flat, various crafts, watching football, baking, pop music, bargain hunting and ice cream. My idea of a great date night is dinner and clearance shopping with Mr. Ballet Flat! I currently live below sea level in the suburbs near New Orleans, where I make maps all day, everyday for my job. I'm slowly becoming more and more obsessed with anything New Orleans related for our wedding, and I can't wait for the big day!
I hope everyone has had a wonderful, relaxing holiday season so far!
You may have noticed that I haven’t written a post in a couple of weeks. I’d rather not go into detail that much right now about what’s going on, though. I just wanted to apologize. So sorry hive!
::focuses back into the reason for this post::
The ever-so-wonderful Paper-Source is having a HUGE sale on a good bit of their paper products.
I used Paper-Source in part of my invitations (the RSVP card and envelopes), and my Gocco (in the days of RISO producing them). I’ve had nothing but great service from them!
Reader desmond1214 is selling her Anjolique wedding gown. It is style #972, size 6/8 petite, and is gold in color. She is asking for $600. Shipping is included.
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 am shoeless, people. This is not good. I have dress fittings coming up in the very near future and I need to have my shoes. Not just any shoes, mind you, but THE shoes.
You may recall the original plan was to sport some sweet navy Louboutins. Unforch for me the recent economic downturn has hit a little close to home and dropping over $800 on shoes just doesn’t seem prudent. A couple of months ago I started the hunt a new in hopes of finding some kicks that are a bit more recession friendly. And find them I did – sorta. My girl, Kate, never disappoints, especially when it comes to her fantabulous bridal line. I love so many of these shoes but none were quite right. Then I met these babies:
Mrs. Shortcake, VancouverAge and Occupation: 24, Marketing Manager/Children's Lit WriterFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Master's Student/Personal TrainerEngagement Date: August 7, 2007Wedding Date: October 2008Blogging Since: Venue: Ceremony in a historic church, tented lawn reception at a golf and country clubAbout Me: 1950's housewife sent to the future, reborn as crafting-obsessed, jill of all trades. I enjoy decorating, writing, baking sweet things, singing show tunes/dancing in public, wearing pearls, and knitting sweaters for my furbaby, Harvey, to chew upon. I heart pink, and believe that sparkles are the new black.
With sushi-filled bellies, my sisters and I waddled our collective way back to the car and headed home from the rehearsal dinner. Toto’s “Africa” was playing much too loudly on the stereo, and we were bopping our heads along much, much too vigorously. Ever since I moved across the country that song has become our adopted ’theme song’ and any time it comes on (even at work), we’ve sworn to pump. it. UP. Huge dorks, I know!
Does anybody else have a song like that in their life?
Over the next couple of days, there were SO many loose ends to tie up (with satin pink ribbon, nach). I think I broke down crying at least three times; I was a ball of overwhelmed stress. Luckily I had my family around to remind me that I had a lot to look forward to, even if the current task (hand cutting two hundred multi-layered gift tags/hand-sewing and stuffing thirty felt birds/generally being Martha on overdrive) was clouding my judgment. Thank goodness for family members with cooler-heads than mine!
My dear mother and aunt definitely were a HUGE help. Besides keeping my mental facilities in working order with their common sense and surplus of crafty-know-how, they worked together on some special touches for my wedding day ensemble.
Mrs. Glitter, Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 27, Research Consultant/WriterFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, AccountingEngagement Date: May 6, 2007Wedding Date: June, 2009Venue: Millenium Biltmore HotelAbout Me: I was born and raised in West Los Angeles, California. I spent eight years in the Northeast working and completing my education. Having split time between two sides of the country has given me a true appreciation for both coasts. It has also provided an overabundance of cross country drives, flights and long distance relationship fun/misery! I love my family, my doggy Emma, fabulous wine, Anthropologie, politics, reading, being outdoors, exploring new cities, and good movies! My fiance and I are complete opposites, but somehow we have managed to fall completely and hopelessly in love.
We are looking to hire both a wedding coordinator to oversee the entire day and a master of ceremonies (MC) to run the reception. The closer our wedding date gets, the more I feel the itch to solicit the aid of professionals. Quite honestly, if we were having a smaller wedding, I would feel more comfortable handling it myself or having friends and family help me. However, we are expecting close to 250 guests of all different ages, cultures and backgrounds. We will have several vendors coming and going throughout the course of the day. We need professional help!
In terms of a coordinator, we will be looking for a simple package: “day-of” coordination, basic familiarity with our list of vendors, a positive attitude, and a willingness to handle and manage the day. I really don’t want someone who will be in my hair every other minute, as I know that will just make me more nervous and anxiety ridden. I have started doing research and have found that I should be able to find these services in Los Angeles in the price range of $900 to $1200. This usually includes day-of coordination, 2 or 3 meetings prior to the wedding (may or may not include a tour of your venue), unlimited email communication, and help with things like the rehearsal/rehearsal dinner and vendor coordination.
In terms of the MC, we want to hire a combination DJ/MC. In addition, we have a somewhat unique situation.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
Huge dorks, I know!
