Mrs. Taffy, Ann ArborAge and Occupation: 28, Color and Materials DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Automotive DesignerEngagement Date: May 9, 2008Wedding Date: May 2009Blogging Since: September 14, 2008Venue: University of Michigan UnionAbout Me: I’m a girl who is crazy about Mr. Taffy, sewing, dancing, almost all types of sweets, and our cute pet canaries. I dislike touching fuzzy fabric of any kind, eating somewhat squishy food, and Michigan winters. Mr. Taffy and I are having a blast planning our Ann Arbor wedding, and cannot wait to share our day with friends and family.
I’m excited to show you Mr. Taffy’s idea for his groom’s cake. You may remember that he proposed to me by hiding the engagement ring on a 7″ record. Mr. Taffy wanted to reference his method of proposal, along with his love for vinyl, through his very own cake.
We thought about scanning the actual record that he played while proposing, but we decided to make a personalized label instead. 530 S. State is the address of our venue; our wedding city and date is the “recorded in and on” text, etc. I love how he wrote “High Fidelity” as a reference to our wedding vows. He wrote “arranged by M. Taffy”, because he planned the engagement and the groom’s cake. And did you see the words Mrs. Taffy? Whoo! Read more…
Mrs. Apple Cider, New York/CharlotteAge and Occupation: 27, Corporate Communications ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Grad Student – Clinical Mental Health Engagement Date: September 13, 2008Wedding Date: October 2009Venue: Banner Elk Winery & Blueberry VillaAbout Me: I am a North Carolina girl with a New York City spirit. I love crafting, blogging, laughing and dreaming. I know every word to the Anne of Green Gables and Little Women movies. I own every single Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine and have been dreaming of weddings since I was little. I believe life is about doing what makes you happy. If you aren't happy re-evaluate what you are doing. You should never look back on your life and not be proud of what you are doing. If you want to travel - travel. If you want to sing - sing. If you want to start a company - start a company. If you want to blog – blog!
I just found these really cool twig bundles and had to share with my fellow rustic/nature brides. The prices are really great, $12 for the small, and $14 for the large. I really like the way these look. I think you could even make some type of DIY cake stand. I might try that!
Check them out at Aero Home - www.aerohome.com. Let me say that I have never bought anything from here before, but hopefully they are trustworthy.
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!
In case I didn’t mention it before, I printed our invites using a Gocco. Since there have been many informative tutorials on Gocco printing by other bees all linked to the wiki, I don’t think we need to rehash all the details here again, but I wanted to share some tips and tricks with you that I found helpful!! Read more…
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!
Actually, a wedding is not the only excuse to serve BBQ. We love “fixin’ it” for pretty much any occasion that involves a large group of people (Graduation? Birthday? Tailgate? Yes, yes, and yes). We love this food staple. (Salt Lick, anyone?) So, choosing to serve this option at our wedding was easy-peasy. Read more…
Kristin Brancaleone, Rancho Santa Margarita, CAVendor: Floral DesignerWebsite: The Treasured PetalAbout Me: The Treasured Petal is a reflection of my love for scrumptious flowers, yummy textures, colors, ribbons, and all the other girly splurges that being a florist allows me to enjoy on a daily basis. Although I don't discriminate when it comes to flowers, my two favorites would have to be cattleya orchids and gloriosa lilies, which I carried in a ginormous bouquet on my wedding day. When I'm not crafting wedding florals and consulting with brides, I am usually at the dog park with my dogs Pesto and Basil, cooking healthy vegan dinners, watching Seinfeld with my husband Joe, at Bible study, or scouring craigslist for antique furniture to fill up my new house. I am also kind of a home-body and really love sipping tea in my pajamas while working my way down my google reader blog list!
This morning, Kathy sent over her favorite images from her modern yet rustic wedding. This is the bride who sent me a dozen delectable cupcakes a few weeks ago which I devoured, causing me by necessity to start a “sit-up challenge” with Joe (200 situps and 50 back exercises every night, or else!!!) Anyway, I digress.
Gabriel Ryan explored all the nooks and crannies at the charming French Estate, and used them as quirky backdrops for their images. I just love their vibrant, playful shots! Kerrie from Platinum Weddings by Kerrie was on point, as always.
Mrs. Cub, Chile/PortlandAge and Occupation: 26, AstronomerFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, AstronomerEngagement Date: May 10, 2008Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Westwind YWCA campAbout Me: I'm a small-town girl who's making a living in Chile, with her heart in the Pacific Northwest. I grew up in Southern California, went to high school in Texas, grad school in New Mexico, and now I can't wait to settle down in Oregon! I love pears, hazelnuts,
knitting, traveling, running, baking, and long talks on the phone with
good friends. I'm planning my Oregon coast summer camp wedding while
abroad with my best friend - I'm always at home when I'm with him!
Yep, that’s right - we got engaged on what most people would consider an extravagant honeymoon in Thailand! Now before you think I’m made of money (which I’m not - remember I was in grad school!!), I have to tell you a little bit about a profession called: astronomy. No, not astroLOGY, ASTRONOMY. Don’t worry if you thought they were one in the same - about 75% of the random people I meet think they are! Alas, Miss Cleo, I am not (Duh! I’m Miss Bear Cub ).
Anyway, astronomy is a rather small professional community. Add to the fact that there are as many sub-fields in astronomy as there are stars in the sky (hah!), and you find that your “coworkers” live on the other side of the world. Mr. Cubbie and I met in grad school for astronomy, and each of our research fields are completely alien to the other (heehee ). Read more…
Mrs. French Bulldog, Orange CountyAge and Occupation: 28, Administrative Assistant & Interior Design StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Purchasing AnalystEngagement Date: November 8, 2008Wedding Date: August 2009Venue: Bernardo WineryAbout Me: I've lived in Atlanta, Dallas and Laguna Niguel; although I've lived in Orange County, CA most my life, I'm a Southerner at heart. I work full time for a Commercial General Contractor (aka my father) and I go to school for Interior Design at night. I love modern design, music, wine, crafting, DMailing, my family, my Westies, and of course, Mr Frenchie! Mr Frenchie and I met 3 years ago on Match.com and have been best friends ever since. I love his "old soul" and how he laughs with his whole body, among many other things. We are planning our summer wedding at the winery near his hometown, just 45 minutes south of Orange County.
When we first started discussing a wedding “theme” I brought up birds, and immediately got shot down. Mr Frenchie thought it might be too “girlie”, and Mama Frenchie just thought I was crazy. After this, I started to see bird-themed weddings all over the place, couples that were using bird cake toppers or had birds on their invites and I.was.JEALOUS!
But, after Mr Frenchie and Mama Frenchie saw how freakin’ cute our Birdie Cake topper was, they both jumped on the birds bandwagon. I’ll admit I had become attached to our new herbs table theme, but since it was becoming increasingly difficult to procure all the Herb packets without going severely into debt, I gladly went back to birds. So far we’re going to have birds on the cake, tables named after birds, and these adorable place card holders.
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.
Nonna and Nonno Bruschetta wed in early September 1945. It was an oppressively hot day — not at all the mild, early autumn weather Nonna Bruschetta had imagined — and as guests showered the newlyweds with confetti, the tiny colored pieces that fell on her satin gown melted there under the harsh rays of the late summer sun.
(Um, wow. I know I’m a bit partial, but don’t they totally look like movie stars?!)
Mama and Daddy Bruschetta had dated for three years before getting engaged. Once the ring was on her finger, Mama Bru launched into a planning frenzy. Nonna and Nonno Bruschetta worried an unplanned pregnancy had inspired their daughter and FBIL’s hastened engagement. In reality, though, Mama Bru just wanted to have the winter wedding of her dreams. 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.
As I’ve mentioned, my mother has put in countless hours sewing all sorts of things, major things (veil, BM dresses, Asian tea ceremony outfits, ring pillows, etc.), for our wedding. The latest project was my reception dress, which I told her to make ONLY if she had the time. Of course, she barely pieced together her own dress before finishing mine.
Unfortunately, she didn’t like the dress that she made. I had sketched out something that I thought she’d look good in, but it didn’t translate very well. Good thing it’s not totally finished. I called her today and told her not touch it. I bought a dress for her.
Here it is!!! She loves blue and Champagne, and I think the jacket has a slightly Asian feel with the brocade, Trapunto stitching and high collar. I hope she likes it.
Did you have a lot of input on your mom’s dress, or did she choose one on her own?
Mrs. Yorkie, Miami Age and Occupation: 30, Graduate Admissions CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Asst. Professor Engagement Date: July 3, 2008Wedding Date: June 2009Venue: Red Fish GrillAbout Me: I’m an East Coast girl with a crafty streak who loves traveling, photography and being outdoors (barefoot, if possible). When I do have to wear shoes, I prefer Mizunos, and have worn out a few pairs running marathons. I have a thing for chai, crossword puzzles, Apples to Apples, The Office and my real-life Yorkie, Bella. My West Coast transplant, Mr. Yorkie, roots for the Buckeyes, loves baseball, and climbs mountains for fun. We’re planning a fun little seaside wedding filled with handmade details and vintage charm. I can hardly wait!
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Remember that last item on my list of things to do? Well, Mr. Yorkie and I have finally gotten around to doing something about it!
Despite my Cuban heritage, I was totally skipped over when it came to distribution of the rhythm gene. I’ve never felt comfortable out on the dance floor, and for that reason have always sat out on the sidelines at every wedding I’ve ever been to. My biggest fear since we got engaged has been that our first dance will look more like a scene from some middle school spring fling, with us standing in place, awkwardly shuffling our feet from side to side. (That’s the one move that I unfortunately have mastered!) Read more…
Mrs. Swan, New York CityAge and Occupation: 31, Legislative RepresentativeFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Finance GuyEngagement Date: August 9, 2008Wedding Date: August 2009Venue: Battery GardensAbout Me: I am an un-crafty but resourceful, Caribbean-born but New York-raised woman who's been known to analyze "Dancing with the Stars" and “So You Think You Can Dance”, buy stinky cheese, and use way too many parentheses. I keep lists for fun, am constantly daydreaming of my next international travel adventure (four continents down, three to go), debating sports (let’s Got Mets/Giants!) and dancing around my apartment to stay sane. I am excited to share our wedding planning journey as I hope to plan a streamlined, personal, and fun wedding with the greatest life partner I could ever imagine, Mr. Swan.
Mrs. Cowboy Boot, Santa FeAge and Occupation: 25, Magazine EditorFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Artist and Whitewater Rafting GuideEngagement Date: April 28th, 2008Wedding Date: October 2009Venue: Devil's Thumb Ranch, ColoradoAbout Me: I grew up in Los Angeles and have since lived in San Diego, Boston, Italy, Hawaii, New York City, and Santa Fe. I speak Italian and love pasta. My real passion is the outdoors, though. When I'm not at work, I'm snowboarding, hiking with my two dogs, mountain biking, surfing, cross-country-skiing, or boating New Mexico's rivers. Despite my boyish love for adventure, I'm a girly-girl at heart and am overly-excited to pull off the romantic, vintage-inspired, country wedding of my dreams.
This upcoming weekend, I’ve got a whole lotta wedding planning going on. A six-hour drive on Friday will pretty much put me into wedding wonderland for the following 48 to 60 hours. Saturday entails a hair trial and menu planning, Sunday involves on-site rehearsal dinner research, and Monday (yay for holidays from work!), I’ll be testing out who I think will become my makeup artist. See some of the hair and makeup vendors’ work below!
Mrs. Mary Jane, Grand Forks, NDAge and Occupation: 26, Instructional DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lead ProgrammerEngagement Date: February 28, 2009Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: City HallAbout Me: I'm a career woman on the surface and a homemaker at heart. I love fast cars and high heels, and my favorite food is cake. Mr. Mary Jane and I are both full-time employees and students, and we just bought our first house. We love to curl up on the couch with buttery popcorn, Sour Patch Kids, and the latest Netflix arrival -- whenever we can get a break from everyday life.
I’ve been struggling with what I want to do with my short hair for my wedding day. I won’t be having a professional hairstylist, so whatever I do must be something I can do myself. And remember when I said that the makeup gene skipped me? Well, the hairstyling gene did, too. So the extent of my wedding day hairstyle will probably involve me (or my mom) attaching something to my head to make my daily hairstyle look a little more fancy.
Mrs. Taffy, Ann ArborAge and Occupation: 28, Color and Materials DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Automotive DesignerEngagement Date: May 9, 2008Wedding Date: May 2009Blogging Since: September 14, 2008Venue: University of Michigan UnionAbout Me: I’m a girl who is crazy about Mr. Taffy, sewing, dancing, almost all types of sweets, and our cute pet canaries. I dislike touching fuzzy fabric of any kind, eating somewhat squishy food, and Michigan winters. Mr. Taffy and I are having a blast planning our Ann Arbor wedding, and cannot wait to share our day with friends and family.
This project was delightfully quick and simple. I wish they could all be like this!!! My friend and I made about twelve of these, which will be placed on the front row chairs during the ceremony.
Materials:
Cardstock
Printer
Paper Trimmer, scissors or X-Acto
Ribbon
Decorative Paper Punch (I used a Martha Stewart punch)
Adhesive Photo Squares
To begin, I printed ‘Reserved’ in our font, Kon Tiki Enchanted. Read more…
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!
I’m stuck.I have no idea whether I should hire someone to help on our big day (or if I can even find one available and within our budget three months out). They must have some sort of Procrastinators Appreciation Discount right?
So, Side A : We hire a DOC, and Side B: We don’t. I made a list of pros/cons, and am still undecided.
Side A: We are getting married at a ‘non-traditional’ venue, so there is no one in-house that would be in charge of me or my event.Which makes me think I need someone to be there to ensure things run smoothly. Read more…
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
).
I’m stuck. I have no idea whether I should hire someone to help on our big day (or if I can even find one available and within our budget three months out). They must have some sort of Procrastinators Appreciation Discount right? 
