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Mrs. Sprinkle, Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 26, Preschool Teacher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Television Production/WriterEngagement Date: December 24, 2008Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: The Marvimon HouseAbout Me: I'm a Bay Area native trying to create a life for myself (and my fiance, and our three cats!) in the vast city of Los Angeles. I love vegan red velvet cupcakes, pilates ,and mid-century furniture. Mr. Sprinkle and I met when my band toured through his city (we bonded over cake and a mutual love of Morrissey) and we are getting married on the four year anniversary of our first date. When I am not teaching preschool (or blogging!) you can find me perfecting recipes, petting kittens, hiking in Griffith Park, and overusing exclamation points. We are planning a vegan, green-as-possible, DIY wedding, and I couldn't be more excited to share all of the details!
It is really hard for me to write anything about our invitations. Getting them out was such a huge, time consuming process. By far, it was the biggest wedding project I have tackled. I am not a designer. Let me repeat, I am NOT a designer! I really have no idea where to begin when it comes to putting together different elements and making them all work as a package, but I think that I somehow managed to pull it off here. Luckily, I had the help of a friend who IS a designer. Let’s just allow the pictures to do most of the talking, shall we?
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!
Aside from just getting my makeup figured out for the wedding, I was especially excited for the trial because my makeup artist is my very good friend Janelle, who is an artist and regional manager for Laura Mercier. She’s done lots of weddings and knows what does and doesn’t work. I’ve known Janelle since I was in high school, and her husband, David is the officiant for our wedding. Isn’t that fun?
I’ve had some interesting experiences in the past with makeup artists. They’ve done my makeup so heavy and dark that I look like a different person, or people don’t know quite what to do with my 1/2 Chinese eyes. They are Asian shaped but not… yeah, I know it’s confusing. Mr. D still talks about a sorority formal in college where the makeup artist had my eyeliner out to my ears.
On a daily basis I wear a little bit of Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, some eye shadow, blush and mascara. For lips, I generally wear Chapstick or a neutral gloss. When I go out, everything is just a bit darker and I wear concealer and translucent powder. It’s simple, quick and natural. However, for my wedding, I want to look like myself but don’t want to look like I have no makeup on at all. Sometimes even when I have my makeup done for going out, in pictures I look like I have nothing on.
Going to meet with Janelle I just felt comfortable and excited. 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!
***This blog post is thanks to Mr. Apple Cider, who has been working on our honeymoon***
Our honeymoon search has been taxing. I thought I would share with you the process of how we picked our spot!
We were getting closer and closer to our wedding day, and we were getting further and further from a decision on our honeymoon. Miss AC has been reading the E-zine Utterly Engaged and came across an ad from Katie of Easy Trip. The ad offered to help one Utterly Engaged reader to find there honeymoon destination.
We decided to give it a shot and sent Katie an email. Read more…
Mrs. Stiletto, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 26, Non-Profit/FundraisingFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Engineer and PhotographerEngagement Date: March 2, 2008Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: The 19th Century ClubAbout Me: My fiance and I love living in the city of Chicago with our cats Basil and Linus, and vow to never move to the suburbs if we can possibly avoid it! We’ve poured ourselves into planning a wedding that reflects our personal style - modern and high contrast with a vintage twist. Blogging keeps me creative, baking keeps me happy, and grande nonfat no foam sugar free vanilla lattes keep me sane.
Have you created your “Mad Men” avatar yet? When Mr. S suggested that we create avatars and use them on the rehearsal dinner, I thought he had lost it… just a bit. But once I placed that cartoon martini in my hand, I was sold!
Once we had digitized ourselves, Mr. S laid out a postcard with the little rehearsal dinner poem that I’ve seen everywhere on the ‘net. It might be a wee bit cheesy, but I didn’t have the patience to try and be clever on my own.
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.
By now, it’s no secret to you all that I’ve got a penchant for puns. So I knew I’d want to accompany the note explaining our charity donation to the Wetlands Institute with an edible “turtle” treat combining chocolate, caramel and pecans.
I’d never tempered chocolate before, but after reading up on the process — which sounded simple enough — I attempted to melt some in a makeshift double boiler so I could create candies using a turtle mold I had ordered online. And… it really didn’t work well at all. Read more…
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.
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 can’t believe it’s been over two months since our big day. I’m sure you are all thinking, ‘dang Ballet Flat, it’s about TIME you give us some wedding action!’ I’m here to (finally) happily share with you our wedding day.
First off, our wedding day for me was a blur. When we got to our hotel, I even asked Mr. BF, “What just happened?” I just couldn’t remember much because it just happened so fast. All that I remembered at the time was this huge burst of wonderful emotions and thoughts.
It was after viewing pictures, however, that I finally could separate and distinctly remember every wonderful moment. Here are a few of my favorites in pictures.
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!
Miss Dew Drop, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 31, AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Managerial Type at an Internet CompanyEngagement Date: December 12, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Ralston Hall MansionAbout Me: I'm a food-and-baking-obsessed, occasionally sword wielding Bay Area native who is quickly becoming overwhelmed with planning a wedding and opening a law practice at the same time. (Brilliant move, that one.) I love reading, online shopping, ice cream, my Macbook, Bollywood movies, hoodies, the UCLA Bruins, and of course, Mr. Dew Drop.
I’ve never been one to wear jewelry very often, so I never expected to say this. But I love my engagement ring. Really, truly, madly, deeply. However you want to say it.
There’s the emotional part—it symbolizes my relationship with Mr. Dew Drop, what it is now and what it will be. There’s the ooh, it’s so pretty part. There’s the it’s exactly what I would have picked out myself part.
Oh, wait. I did pick it out. Or, rather, Mr. DD and I picked it out together. Read more…
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!
When I left you, dear readers, I was in a dress-hunting slump. I was wondering if there was a “perfect” dress out there for me and how I might ever find it. I hadn’t been able to find anything that even slightly resembled what I was really looking for in THE dress.
It was at this point that I decided that I had to at least try the Stephen Yearick lovely on. I was secretly hoping that it would look frumpy on me and I would be able to get over it, but alas, no such luck. When I turned around and looked in the mirror in that perfect dress, I cried. I never thought a cynic like me would be such a sap, but tears of relief and joy and anticipation and comfort and excitement flooded out. I could picture myself marrying Mr. Star in that dress.
This did nothing good for the struggle within me between the practical “an article of clothing should not cost more than we spend on groceries in a year” Miss Star and the romantic “but I’ve known since I first saw it that this was my wedding dress” Miss Star.
So I got to work. The obsessive-compulsiveness tendencies in me that you all have already read about in regards to my perfect shoes? Yeah, that side of me was unleashed on the wedding dress hunt, as well.
Nancy @ Nancy Liu Chin Designs, San FranciscoVendor: FloristWebsite: Nancy Liu Chin DesignsAbout Me: A San Francisco native, Nancy graduated from the University of California - Berkeley's Haas Business School where she studied finance and marketing. Beyond running her floral studio, Nancy is a huge fan of Top Chef, loves to travel to exotic locations, is an avid reader of contemporary fiction and considers herself on Team Edward (Twilight fan!), entertains friends in her loft style home in San Francisco's SOMA neighborhood, and can be found at SF Giant's home games. Nancy and her husband, Kevin are a dynamic pair and can be frequently seen walking their white Bichon Frisee, Chin Chin around the city and lounging at cafes sipping Italian sodas.
I love peonies, anemones, ranunculus, and dahlias and would love to use them at my wedding in San Francisco in late fall [October to be exact]. Will they be available when I get married?
Laid back Bride
Dear Laid Back Bride,
I also love those flowers. Nothing is as pretty as white anemones with their black centers, paper thin petaled ranunculus in delicious hues of grapefruit, coral, orange, ruffly edged peonies with their over the top blooms, or deliciously plum and orange dahlias with their unique shapes and sizes.
Mrs. Labrador Retriever, Athens/SavannahAge and Occupation: 24, Student/Sports ReporterFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Physical Therapy Assistant Student/Future Dr. of PT
Engagement Date: December 31, 2008Wedding Date: November 2009Venue: Whitfield Square/Savannah StationAbout Me: I'm working on my second degree from UGA (Go Dawgs!). I'm a self-proclaimed attention-w****. If it involves a camera, I'm in front of it! You'll never meet a girlier tomboy than me. I can go toe to toe with any guy on the subject of college football, and lift more than any girl in my gym, all without chipping a nail. I hope to someday be the only person you want delivering your sports news. My FI and I are the loving parents of three Labrador Retrievers (one of each color) and are planning a "Southern Romantic Charm" wedding in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah. I'm not extreme in anything except moderation... and wedding planning.
Okay, so mine isn’t as big as Mrs. Perfume’s, but I still love it! Especially since it’s semi-homemade!
I purchased my peony fascinator from Etsy Seller EnchantedlyYours for only $16.50 shipped, but I wasn’t really feeling the rhinestone center when it arrived.
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.
After my bridal glow moment, it was so fun to go to the hotel and see that a lot of our family and bridal party had already started to swarm the hotel.
With 90% of our guests being out of towners, a lot of folks decided to make it a four day weekend. So I decided (rather, Mama Peep Toe told me) that we needed to organize dinner for Thursday night.
My ability to organize was running out of steam, so I just told everyone to be there at 7PM, and I guaranteed a good time—and if they didn’t have a good time, at least they’d have some ridiculously fabulous curly fries!!
Who can resist with an offer like that??
Taylor’s is only two blocks from the hotel, so when 7PM rolled around, I grabbed my two bridesmaid and we walked over:
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.
handover (n.) 1. Unpleasant physical effects, usually affecting the hands, following the heavy use of a corner rounder to make wedding programs or other stationery.
After rounding 3,000 corners this weekend (with the help of two lovely bridesmaids), you could say that I have a handover. Read more…
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
So I decided to do something about it.
