Mrs. Gloss, Boston/MaineAge and Occupation: 24, Designer/soon-to-be ArchitectFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Systems EngineerEngagement Date: May 23, 2008Wedding Date: August 2009Venue: SS Katahdin/Lakeside TentAbout Me: I don't like nickels or the skin that forms on pudding when it's in the fridge for too long. I couldn't live without Pantone markers, fountain soda (3/4 diet, ¼ regular Coke), run-on sentences, or ridiculously oversized sunglasses. I will try to DIY almost anything and am just OCD enough to make most of it work. I am truly excited about having all my family and friends together, becoming Mrs. Gloss, and having amazing photos to prove it!
Or, we could do table knots… overhand, figure eight, slip knot, etc., to tie in with our semi-nautical ’rope’ theme.
Even after a few Google searches, I could not come up with 15 cute ’knot’ names - it’s waay harder than it seems at first glance. So, I bought a book on knots… I know—don’t judge. Yup, I am the proud owner of ’What Knot’, which has 7 fun-filled chapters on tying knots AND ’the lure and lore of knots’ (BONUS!). The part that really gets me is that I was super excited to buy a book about knots… Read more…
Weddingbee GalleryFeature Launched: April 10, 2009About: A collection of inspirational wedding pictures from readers and bees.
Today’s Weddingbee gallery photo of the day comes to us from lindseykaye. Check out her wedding day accessories—her chapel veil, hair flower, and her permanent “accessory”… her awesome tattoo!
We’d love to see your wedding pictures! Remember, your images must be under 5MB in size, or they won’t load to the gallery. Keep on loading your inspirational wedding pictures to the gallery for your chance to win this week’s prize, a 9-piece makeup set from Maybelline!
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!
This week was a great wake-up call. I got back on the horse, strengthened my resolve, and am trucking away again. I still need to step it up on my own between workouts with my trainer, so that’s my new goal this week. That, and to come up with new and delicious recipes, because a bored belly leads me straight to dining out, and that’s no bueno for my waistline, or my pocketbook!
Here are a few fun tips I’ve discovered along the way:
Bac-Os are a vegetarian-friendly, tasty addition to anything. We put them in eggs, on pizza, in pasta, or just about anywhere we could use an injection of smoky, salty goodness. Oh man, in a frittata, they swell up and get really deliciously chewy. Yeah.
Raw almonds are a great way to quench hunger while out running errands, and can be vital in avoiding those sugar-crash induced fast food runs. I keep a baggie at my desk, in my car, and in my purse for emergency snacking. 1 almond = 10 calories, so it’s easy to portion and munch! Bonus: they’re high in good fats to keep your skin and hair looking fly, and your heart pumping healthily!
Next time you’re making pasta, try skipping the cheese, and instead mush some tofu in there. The tofu absorbs the flavor of whatever is around it, and the consistency is very similar - but you’ll pump up the protein, and fizzle down the fat in your meal, easily!
Keep an ample supply of frozen veggies around. Toss them in whatever you’re making. Frozen vegetables retain their nutrients better than fresh ones that are a few days old, and they’re already chopped and prepped for you! They are a great filler, make your meals feel more satisfying, and they’ll bump up your fiber intake.
Bananas are a great sweet snack or dessert. They’re rich in potassium, which helps quell muscle soreness after a big workout, and they’re portable! I love them fresh in my morning cereal, with a tablespoon of peanut butter for a power snack, or baked for a sweet and succulent, but low-calorie dessert.
Chocolate flavored lip gloss is sometimes all the dessert you need. Just having the smell and a tiny taste of it there can satisfy my sweet tooth in a pinch. I recommend Essence of Beauty Lip Frosting in Dutch Chocolate. Deeeeeelish.
Mrs. Mascara, Chicago/Upper MichiganAge and Occupation: 25, Biomedical EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Process EngineerEngagement Date: July 27, 2008Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Catholic ceremony, reception at local armoryAbout Me: A lover of Mr. Mascara, crafting, baking, Gossip Girl, diet soda, and all things wedding. A Yooper girl somehow displaced in the Chicago suburbs, planning a wedding from a distance, and counting down the days until I marry my best friend.
I have a ton of DIY projects finished for our wedding, with plenty more to go in the next few months. But this weekend, I made my first DIY donation. That is, someone else is going to DIY it for me!
You see, we’ve been searching for green ties for the groomsmen for a long time now. The tuxes for the boys have pinstripes, so I don’t want anything crazy going on with the ties. Just a plain tie in a mossy green color will do. Finding plain green ties is a lot more difficult than I thought it would be! We’re looking to give the ties to the groomsmen as a gift, along with some green socks, and another rather large surprise (that will be the topic of another post). So while we want them to be nice, we do not want to spend a ton of money on them. As you can imagine, finding good quality, inexpensive, plain, mossy green satin ties is an even more difficult task!
Mrs. Beagle, AustinAge and Occupation: 26, Electrical EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, FinanceEngagement Date: July 12, 2008Wedding Date: October 2009Venue: Church Ceremony/Reception at The Waterford HouseAbout Me: I am a true, but rare, Austinite---I was born, raised, and continue to live in this great city! Although
I am an engineer by day, I feed my inner creative side through crafting, sewing, and obsessing over Martha Stewart. I love coffee, my mister, NPR, and exploring all the nooks and crannies of Austin.
I can't wait to share my adventures in DIY and wedding planning with all of you!
Isn’t it cute? My wonderful FMIL, who also made the invite, is throwing a tea party-themed shower for me this weekend. She has invited several of Mr. Beagle’s relatives and a few of her friends. This is my first “wedding event”, and although I’m really excited, I’m a little nervous, too. Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DCAge and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, ConsultantEngagement Date: May 13, 2008Wedding Date: May, 2009Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, VirginiaAbout Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
I went in for my semi-annual dental cleaning yesterday morning. As an afterthought, I asked the dentist about teeth whitening, and the next thing I knew they were taking a plaster mould of my mouth. He said I was a good candidate, as I have healthy teeth and gums and my teeth could use some brightening.
Mrs. Duckling, San DiegoAge and Occupation: 23, Psychology Grad Student, Youth Diversion Specialist/Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee and an Executive AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Marketing and PR CoordinatorEngagement Date: May 17, 2008Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Rancho Bernardo InnAbout Me: I'm currently living in Orange County, but planning our wedding in my hometown of San Diego. We are a DIY wedding "2fer", as I'm the crafty one and Mr. Ducky is in charge of all of our graphic design and technical aspects. When not wedding planning or reading wedding blogs, I'm attending grad school and rotating between two different jobs to keep things exciting. My favorite things include shoes, Post-Its, Labrador Retrievers, traveling, psychology, delicious food, photography, reading, craft gadgets/supplies, and of course, my wonderful Mr. Ducky!
Who is ready for delicious desserts with some fabulous hive members, Miss Joey, and me??? This Friday is the San Diego Meet Up, and I am so excited! And if that doesn’t sound tempting, look at this sampling of desserts from the tarts and pies menu!
Mrs. Bruschetta, PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 25, Communication ProfessionalFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Physical Therapy Graduate StudentEngagement Date: November 30, 2007Wedding Date: August 2009Venue: St. Thomas of Villanova Church & the F.U.E.L. HouseAbout Me: I’m a self-proclaimed grammar geek who loves singing (like, really belting it) in the car. My mister and I are planning a vibrant summer soiree celebrating our passions – including food and Philly – and when we make it official, we’ll have been together for eight years! Being super competitive is in my nature, and talking excessively is in my genes. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction, but can always easily find my way into Mr. Bruschetta’s arms.
My dress came in a few weeks ago, and I recently made an appointment to visit her — of course, try her on! — and to begin figuring out the whole veil thing.
~~~ Okay, Mr. Bruschetta, this is your cue to scoot! ~~~ Read more…
Mrs. Cheese, KnoxvilleAge and Occupation: 29, Engineering ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, CAD DesignerEngagement Date: July 31, 2008Wedding Date: May, 2009Blogging Since: October 16, 2008Venue: Our home and the two acres it sits onAbout Me: I’m an emotional girl who loves sentimental things, parenthetical asides, and trying to do things herself. I can cook, sew, am a whiz at planning, terrible at delegating, and totally in love with my fiancé (who will be my second husband but first love of the rest of my life). For our home/ garden/ DIY wedding, we’ll be moonlighting as interior designers, home improvers, and gardeners with the help of our fabulous friends and neighbors. We can’t wait to be married, and are learning how fun getting married can be.
Oh, invites, how I abhor you. While I was never brave enough to avoid you altogether — the nerd in me still loves paper goodness — I was also unwilling to spend gobs of money and time on you. So you cost me more than I wanted, and failed to bring me any joy. I put you in the mailbox with a smile on my face, happy that you are on your way to our people, and happier yet that you are no longer in my house or on my mind.
Much as I’d like to vent and analyze, I have decided not to spend one second more obsessing over invitations. Well, except for this post. They have the correct date, time, location, and website information, and will serve their purpose — to invite. Will they delight? Not likely. Will they cause the receiver to think we’re cheap? Perhaps. Will anyone not come because they were disappointed in our invitations? Nope.
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.
In my post titled, “What is Different about Marriage“, I briefly mentioned the “Marriage Penalty” and some readers asked if Mr. Cookie could do a guest blog about it. So, in honor of the day, I asked him to do just that. With an MBA in Finance and a job as a Financial Analyst, Mr. Cookie is the financial brain of the Cookie clan. Please note that Mr. Cookie is not a CPA, and you should consult a tax professional about your particular financial situation. Okay, without further ado, Mr. Cookie:
Hi, hive! Mrs. Cookie asked me to write-up a post about the “Marriage Penalty”. I hope this post will give you a glimpse into your taxes after you’re married.
Everybody loves marriage, especially the U.S. Government. Now, why does the government like marriage? The answer is simple: money. Wait a minute; isn’t marriage supposed to save you money? The answer is, in most cases, no.
Certainly living together saves you money. Less rent (or mortgage), less utilities, and less food are all great ways to save money when you combine your households. It may even come with less time spent on housework (at least for one of the lucky cohabiters ;)). But does marriage save you money? Let’s take a look at the tax structure, shall we? Read more…
Wedding BiosFeature Launched: September 12, 2008About: Wedding bios of real brides.
Mrs. Kitten, Austin/Grand CaymanAge and Occupation: 25, Law StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Dental StudentEngagement Date: October 19, 2006Wedding Date: April, 2009Venue: The Grand Old House, Grand CaymanAbout Me: In 2009 I will get married (after a two and a half year engagement!), become an Army wife, graduate from law school, take the bar, move from Austin to Washington, D.C., and start my career as a lawyer! With all this going on, Mr. Kitten and I decided to have a tropical, "stress-free" destination wedding. Nevertheless, my micromanaging, detail-oriented, perfectionist side has prevailed---I am currently obsessed with every last detail of my "stress-free" destination wedding! But most of all, I'm beyond excited to become Mrs. Kitten on a fabulous Caribbean vacation surrounded by my friends and family!
We are back from our whirlwind wedding extravaganza in the Cayman Islands, and it was so much more fun than I could have ever imagined! We had a fantastic time on our beach vacation with 75 of our closest friends and family. The highlights included dressing up like pirates, kissing stingrays, and, of course, saying, “I do!” to Mr. Kitten. I wish I could do it all over again; it went by so fast! Fortunately, our photographers, The Nichols, and our cinematographer, Joe Simon, didn’t miss a beat! I can’t wait to share the photos and video they captured with all of you as I recap our wedding. But until then, I will be sharing some of the projects that I didn’t get to tell you about in the weeks before the wedding!
xoxo
Mrs. Kitten
ContestsFeature Launched: Oct 5, 2006About: Weddingbee contests and giveaways.
This poll is closed. Please check out the final round of inspiration boards and vote for your favorite!
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We received so many wonderful inspiration board entries for the Kathlin Argiro Bridesmaid/Rehearsal dress giveaway, and now it’s time for the readers to choose the winner! Throughout this week, we’ll be featuring our best entries, and you can vote for the winner! Check out these awesome inspiration boards and cast your vote below.
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!
Weddingbee focuses on all aspects of the wedding planning process, from the proposal to the honeymoon and everything in between. But we’ve always wanted to place more emphasis on how to improve and maintain healthy relationships with our significant others, which is far more important than the actual wedding day. So we’re very excited to announce the first ever Weddingbee Book Club, where we’ll read and discuss books on how to improve our relationships and marriages!
Here’s how it’s going to work: Each month a different Bee will host the book club by writing a synopsis of the chosen selection on the blog. Then anyone can start threads under the new “Book Club” forums we’ll be creating, where all of us will discuss the book at length.
Photo by The Nichols
