Mrs. Poodle, Santiago, Chile/San Bernardino, CAAge and Occupation: 27, Industrial & Web DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Firefighter & Mountain PatrolEngagement Date: February 25, 2009Wedding Date: January 2010Venue: Mr. P's Grandparents’ RanchAbout Me: I’m a Chilean girl who's crazy about nature and swimming. I enjoy carving, drawing, reading and sewing; I drool over computers, fabric, pretty paper, purple and patterns. To me, chocolate should be one of the seven wonders, right next to lemon pie. I never thought an exchange work experience program was going to change my life forever, but while working in California, I met Mr. Poodle, and ever since my days are better and brighter. We are two goofy souls that, after finding each other, couldn’t help but want to be together forever. It has being a long and sometimes hard road, since we have to deal with such a long distance between us, but we are now facing the last stage of our Fiancé Visa, and soon we will be together. You know the best part? We will be married! So I’ll be blogging from Chile until just a few months before our “green and purple” wedding.
This is me, working hard on the dress of my dreams! Ohhh yeah! The best part about my dress is that I’m making it with recycled fabric, and basing my design on the bottom half of Monique Lhuillier’s Swan Lake dress.
I’ll also be making the crinoline and undergarment. And the best part? So far it’s costing me just $75 American dollars. Isn’t that great!!?? (Yes!! For everything!) I already bought all the fabric and accessories I’ll be using.
You might be wondering: What kind of fabric costs that little?
If you are Mr. Poodle, please don’t scroll down and read the rest of this post! Read more…
Mrs. Quiche, Chicago/Montego BayAge and Occupation: 28, Interior DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 42, Telecom GuruEngagement Date: July 2, 2008Wedding Date: May, 2009Venue: Coyaba Resort, Montego BayAbout Me: I love Chicago and can’t imagine living anywhere else (Well, except Paris. Or anywhere in France, for that matter!). I’m a full-time worker, part-time student, soon-to-be-step-mom, indie music lovin’, architecture and design fanatic, macaroni and cheese addict, vegetarian, Francophile, Ohio State football obsessed, wedding planning girl. Mr. Quiche and I are “Partners-in-Crime” and cannot wait to celebrate our marriage surrounded by our family and closest friends. I plan on DIYing my little heart out (or as much as a suitcase to Jamaica will hold).
After a thoroughly relaxing morning of yoga, food and swimming, it was time to leave the beach to get ready for the wedding. Mr. Quiche and I were very blase about seeing each other the morning/early afternoon of the wedding. I certainly wasn’t going to stay sequestered in our room all day, and neither was he… so, we just decided to hang out together!
But alas, it was time to leave everyone partying it up on the beach. I was glad to get away to shower and relax for a bit before all of the girls descended on the room to help make me pretty. I originally planned on having one of my bridesmaids (Laura) do my hair in a simple low bun. I decided that morning to have someone from the spa do my hair, as it allowed Laura more time to hang out and get ready. I didn’t want to stress her out! Luckily, Coyaba was on top of things and a stylist was sent to the room around 1. Perfect timing!
Mrs. Gummi Bear, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 25, Japanese Importer/IllustratorFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Game Developer/ProgrammerEngagement Date: April 15, 2006Wedding Date: October 13, 2007Blogging Since: June 19, 2007Venue: Organic farm an hour from San FranciscoAbout Me: I live for anthropologie, design blogs, sweets, japanese zakka, and vintage goods. We just bought our first home together and live with our two puppies and cat - it's a strange mixture of vintage, high-tech (we have 7 computers and 21 video game systems in all), and a whole lot of fur. Our wedding tries to embody the Japanese idea of "slow life", which is truly taking the time to enjoy food, company, and your environment!
Mr. GB and I are that couple. That couple that your kids love to see because our house is filled to the brim with candy and has all the coolest toys. We buy kids whatever they want, spoil them rotten, and then send them home pouting and saying “but THEY let me do _____!! How come you’re not as cool as they are!?” Mr. GB claims he’s going to designate a wall in our house as the “art” wall, where he’ll let the kids draw all over it and send them home with the supplies to make art at their own house. Wrong wrong wrong!
However, we don’t want children of our own. It comes as a shock to most of our friends and family, and they’ve been hearing it for years, but still believe we’ll change our mind. We have our reasons - usually we like to lightheartedly say, “Can you imagine Mr. GB’s huge nose on my tiny featured face? We can’t have children knowing they’d have to go through life with a face like that!” Sometimes I say, “Because it hurts. A lot.” But honestly, we have many real reasons for our decision, many of which are easily dismissed with “just wait, you’ll come around.”
As we’ve been married longer and more people around us are having kids, most of our friends don’t bother; they figure it’ll happen eventually. But strangers/people we’re not as close to think there is actually something psychologically, emotionally wrong with me. I’m a soul-less monster and a disgrace as a woman for not wanting children. I should be handing in my vagina and resigning. They have even taken it as an attack on them that we don’t want children; they get defensive and angry.
Mrs. Star, New York CityAge and Occupation: 22, ActressFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Casting AssistantWedding Date: October 2009Venue: Ceremony: The Kraine Theatre, Reception: Midtown Loft & TerraceAbout Me: I’m a professional actress who’s always had New York City in her blood and I'm finally getting the chance to make a home in Manhattan with my fiancé, my dog, and my big dreams! I love polka dots, craft projects, Dunkin’ Donuts’ iced coffee, and anything sparkly. I’m having a blast planning our elegant/dramatic/New York City/acting-themed/largely-DIY wedding and am thrilled to be the youngest current Miss Blogger!
As I’ve mentioned, my cake baker and I were able to incorporate my favorite aspects of several different inspirational polka dotted cakes into the one singular cake that will be the unique Star cake. There was one picture that I loved that I just couldn’t get out of my mind, though, and that was this one:
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 am not an umbrella bride but I know there are some out there and I had to share this really cool umbrella that I found on Etsy. They could be the perfect accessory for some bride out there!
Mrs. Piglet, Virginia/OahuAge and Occupation: 28, ConsultantFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Entrepreneur/Fashion Apparel Wholesale ImporterEngagement Date: June 22, 2008Wedding Date: August 2009Venue: Ceremony at the Lanikuhonua Phase II private estate, reception at a historic hotel in WaikikiAbout Me: I'm an East Coast gal with intense road rage and an addiction to romantic comedies, fast food, gadgets, Korean BBQ, and my wiener dog George aka Georgia May. I carry mustard packets in my purse and I love perusing the aisles at discount stores. A self proclaimed shopaholic, I impulsively buy electronics, software, and craft tools; none of which I know how to use. I'm excited to dust
these babies off and immerse myself in DIY projects galore in
preparation for our DW in paradise!
Lots of progress this past weekend! We are under the gun to ship things out today or tomorrow so that our boxes are there by the time we arrive. Utter pandemonium best describes the Piglet household. Up until this past month, the Mr and I usually tackled weekend wedding tasks together whether it be shopping, DIY projects, meals, etc. But alas, this is a luxury we can no longer afford. The divide and conquer approach is the name of the game.
And it’s paying off. Our first box is out the door!
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!
I wish that I could say that the few days prior to our wedding were spent relaxing and having fun with family that had flown in from all over the country because everything was done. While most of the major things were indeed taken care of, there were a few unfinished projects that I needed to wrap up. One of those projects was our DIY monogram wreaths.
Inspired by a lovely project featured on Once Wed, I adapted these wreaths for their little carriers (two of my youngest cousins) by using sturdy silk flowers and personalized them by adding our glittering first initials.
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.
The idea of incorporating cupcakes into our reception meal has evolved throughout our wedding planning process. At first, I decided that we’d have cupcakes from one of the local bakeries that specializes in red velvet cake here in Brooklyn. I LOOOOOVEE red celvet cake. I’m not even a huge sweets person, but I crave this particular bakery’s huge slices of red velvet on the regular.
Then I thought about the fact that not everybody likes red velvet. What to do? Luckily, one day I was taking a break from reading wedding blogs (I advise that once in awhile), and I read about Kumquat Cupcakery again. I say again because in my Brooklyn/foodie blog reading of the past, I had heard of the founder Keavy Landreth’s wonderful mini-cupcake creations.
She and/or her cupcakes can usually be found at the Brooklyn Flea, a really great weekend market not too far from my apartment. I decided to stalk the cupcakes one Saturday at my first time at the market, and I was NOT disappointed. I was blown away by her Red Velvet mini-cupcake. What’s great about Keavy’s cupcakes are that they are bite-size (or I guess two-bite size) and come in a wide array of flavors. Not only that, she also takes great care with presentation, so the cupcakes not only taste great but look great.
We had a chance to have a tasting with Keavy this past weekend to taste some of the other flavors that I’ve intially chosen for the wedding. Here they are:
Let’s start with the simple yet tasty vanilla cake with vanilla frosting. Sometimes things are best when they’re simple. And yes, the cupcakes are that small.
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.
Our photographer, Toby Morris of Toby Morris Photography, recently revealed some beautiful pictures from our wedding. I am so pleased! Do I smell the Glitters’ re-caps in the air?!? I think I do! Stay tuned! ’Til then… feast your eyes on these.
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 had to put my quickie Save the Date postcards through the printer a total of three times - once for the “Save the Date” information, once to print the graphics on the back, and a third time for the addresses (since I formatted them in Word, whereas all of the graphics were done in Photoshop).
Yes, I used the computer to address them. Hand-addressed envelopes are great, and calligraphy is awesome. But what about the girl with crappy handwriting who is also on the tightest timeline ever? The resounding answer from the wedding community seems to be: labels.
But, but, but… you still have to peel and stick ’em! And I’m a lazy woman with chewed-off fingernails.
Enter the miracle of modern technology. One of my required freshman classes in college was an IT 101 course in which they taught us how to use important components of a computer such as the web browser and Microsoft Office. As a self-described “computer nerd”, (and cocky teenager extraordinaire) I thought it was pretty ridiculous that they made me take this class and I spent most of my time in it either daydreaming, playing Freecell, or showing off my “superior” computer skillz. But one fateful day, I happened to be paying attention when the instructor showed us how to use Mail Merge.
Hostess Lillindy had to endure the cold water for her photographer to capture this beautiful photo!
We are currently hosting a Gallery contest where we are giving away 10, $40 coupon codes for My Publisher photo books. To enter the contest all you have to do upload your wedding pictures on the gallery and if we feature your picture on the blog, you will receive a photo book! Remember, your images must be under 1MB in size, or they won’t load.
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!
I got a black light pen so MOH-Ho can track her RSVPs, in case any of them comes in illegible, damaged in the mail (it is a postcard, after all), or my favorite - blank. I actually tracked my own by marking them with an inkless pen, but this is definitely safer and easier. I found this pen for barely over a buck (shipping included!), so I thought I’d show you the results and share the deal:
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 have one vendor who has been a little unresponsive as of late (I’m not going to name names here, but let’s just say they are pretty crucial to the wedding day ). I try to keep reminding myself that not everyone has my wedding on the brain 24/7, and for every 4,000 times it crosses my mind, they have only probably thought about it once (if that). Each day seems so much longer when you are awaiting a response - where a normal person might check their email 3-6 times a day, I probably hit refresh every 4-6 minutes (even though my browser updates automatically and I also get my email on my phone). So in my mind it seems like they have taken forever to respond (even though in most cases it’s often no more than a few days).
In this case it has been almost two weeks. I think I have been very patient, but I’m starting to freak out. Why aren’t they responding? Are they not coming anymore? What do I do if that happens?
Am I freaking out prematurely? How long is your ‘vendor response grace period’?
ClassifiedsFeature Launched: April 30, 2008About: A roundup of the best Weddingbee Classified listings.
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.
As requested, here are the close-ups of our invitations.
I embossed the pocketfold using our flourish stamp from Paper Source, teal ink, and clear embossing powder. The belly bands were made using Ruby Stardream metallic cardstock.
The invitations were made with white linen cardstock backed with Ruby Stardream metallic cardstock. A matching purple double-faced satin ribbon was tied in a knot and attached to each one. I took the flourish pattern from the stamp and made a vector drawing of it to print it on all of the invitation pieces. I thought about stamping and embossing each one, but ultimately decided that I value my sanity too much to do that. I quickly nixed that idea.
Ohhh yeah! The best part about my dress is that I’m making it with recycled fabric, and basing my design on the bottom half of Monique Lhuillier’s Swan Lake dress.
to get ready for the wedding. 
Mr. Quiche and I were very blase about seeing each other the morning/early afternoon of the wedding. I certainly wasn’t going to stay sequestered in our room all day, and neither was he… so, we just decided to hang out together!
The invitations were made with white linen cardstock backed with Ruby Stardream metallic cardstock. A matching purple double-faced satin ribbon was tied in a knot and attached to each one. I took the flourish pattern from the stamp and made a vector drawing of it to print it on all of the invitation pieces. I thought about stamping and embossing each one, but ultimately decided that I value my sanity too much to do that. I quickly nixed that idea.
