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.
I’d been looking forward to this day for quite some time. The Wednesday before the wedding when we would sausage our stuff into my car, drive for seven hours through the mountains of Northern New Mexico towards Denver, and finally unite with a few early-arriving bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Over the past year, I’d done most of the trips to Colorado for planning on my own. Mr. CB often had to work, so spending some time alone with him on this adventure was definitely a sweet spot. Our dogs with friends, our goldfish with other friends, we were left to our own devices. No distractions.
We left around 11 AM, having started the packing process and dropping off of the dogs and fish around 7 AM. Yep. It took quite a bit longer than we expected. But given how much we had to bring with us, it didn’t surprise me. And, we were both fairly relaxed and excited.
Mrs. Frozen Yogurt, DallasAge and Occupation: 28, Special Projects CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Equity TraderEngagement Date: March 19, 2009Wedding Date: April 2010Venue: Marie Gabrielle, DallasAbout Me: I was born and raised in Texas, and have lived in several of the cities across the state, but I currently reside in Austin. I went to college in Boston and have a special place in my heart for the Northeast. I love reading, shopping, wine, reuniting with college friends that are scattered across the country, reality TV, trying out new recipes, and attempting all the DIY projects that come along with wedding planning. I'm a "bleeding heart, save the world type" and thankfully my job allows me to work on legislation and policy to help out those in need. I met Mr. Frozen Yogurt in a bar, though he doesn't even drink! And now we are planning a modern yet vintage wedding in Dallas while dealing with the trials and tribulations of first time homeownership.
So last week, I got the best email ever (okay, second best email, next to the one from Pengy saying I was a bee). This one was from another bee, though. I’m too excited and getting ahead of myself; let me rewind and start from the beginning.
I have been scouring every website I can think of for invitations, and none of them were me. Don’t get me wrong: they are totally gorgeous, but none of them spoke to me. I felt like if I picked one, I would be settling, but I didn’t think that custom was in my budget. Actually, I knew it wasn’t, because I tried to go that route several months earlier only to get a quote that was just not doable for me. But then I started to think, ‘Hmm… I am surrounded by such talented women, why not contact a bee and see if she can make me custom invitations?’
So over the last couple weeks I have been stumbling through custom invitation language, and sending each and every piece of inspiration I can think of to this sweet bee (did you catch on that I’m not going to tell you who it is just yet? I promise I will soon, but I like the element of surprise). She has been amazing to work with, and last week she sent me my first round of invitation designs!!! I tore into that email like no other and looked at each and every one over and over again. She listened to exactly what I said, and was even able to interpret my non-technical (OK, downright ignorant) invitation jargon.
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!
What: Boston Meet Up Where: Fajitas and ’Ritas [25 West Street], close to both the park street (red/green line) and downtown crossing (red/orange/silver lines) t-stops. When:6PM TOMORROW NIGHT (Tuesday) Why: Margaritas + wedding chatter - enough said.
From the looks of things, we are going to have a pretty good turnout!
Mrs. Lamb, NorfolkAge and Occupation: 25, Homeland Security ConsultantFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Graduate StudentEngagement Date: January 2009Wedding Date: January 2010Venue: Trinity Presbyterian Church/Harrison Opera HouseAbout Me: I’m a Homeland Security Consultant with a tendency towards pulling office pranks, taking lunch breaks, and drinking Wawa shakes. I’m also an English major with a serious obsession with alliteration and rhymes. While I’m not keeping America safe, I’m training for half marathons and the Escape from Alcatraz swim. Or moving for the third time this year. Or baking. Or wedding crafting. Or crying about wedding planning. All the while, I’m getting myself into Lucille Ball-esque scrapes and making Jim Carey-esque faces. Our big fat Czech/Baptist/Jewish/Italian wedding is a combination of vintage eclectic, DIY, and little spoonful of sugar from our Event Coordinator. It’s going to be a Norfolk flavored wedding with the verve of an only-daughter-blow-out bash!
Cheap is my favorite adjective for a price. For any of you soon-to-be brides, or for anyone who’s going to attend any sort of party, or for anyone who wants to have a killer pair of shoes for a party they may get invited to, pay attention. I’m going to tell you how I landed my pretty shoes.
Step 1: Buy a lovely, but plain pair of shoes for cheap. You can scout eBay (where I found mine), Etsy, discount stores, etc. Here are some finds that I dug up in about 30 seconds:
Mrs. Rainbow, TampaAge and Occupation: 22, Makeup ArtistFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Electrical Engineer/ProgrammerEngagement Date: November 27, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: The Gamble PlantationAbout Me: I'm a quirky (and slightly Type-A) freelance makeup artist who was born in Washington State, raised in Alabama, and now living with my one and only in sunny Florida. I'm fashion and beauty obsessed, and have recently discovered my inner domestic diva extraordinaire. I'm a wannabe chef, decorating addict, and trying desperately to be as crafty as possible---albeit only with a glue gun. I'm hopelessly in love with my fiance, and all things sparkly and feathery. Despite the glittery exterior, I'm a total hippie on the inside. When I'm not making up pretty faces, I love doing what I can to help people, animals, and the environment. Someday the FI and I will change the world, but first we're tackling our modern-vintage-Marie-Antoinette-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland inspired wedding. I just can't wait to be Mrs. Rainbow!
A few days ago, I wrote about my bridesmaid dress drama, which you can find here. As you can see, I was basically in a state of “non-decision”, which is not exactly the best place to be when it comes to planning a wedding. After lots and lots of thought, and looking at a ton of other dresses, and even more thought, I kept coming back to this one:
Isn’t she pretty? I just couldn’t get this dress out of my head. Granted, I’ve never seen it in person, so it’s a bit of a leap of faith, but nothing great ever came from not taking risks, right?
A trolley ride for two. Kerrijune and her fiance are the picture of old-fashioned romance in this engagement photo.
Keep on loading your inspirational wedding pics to the gallery to see them featured here on the blog! Remember, your images must be under 1MB in size, or they won’t load.
Mrs. Sushi, Hershey/HawaiiAge and Occupation: 27, Air Force PhotographerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Laborer/Aspiring Hip Hop ProducerEngagement Date: December 25, 2007Wedding Date: March 2009Blogging Since: October 9, 2006Venue: Byodo-In Temple, Luau ReceptionAbout Me: I’m a notorious people-watcher who loves all things paper, food, traveling, grubbin’ on food, gossip magazines, food, sock monkeys…did I mention food?! Mr. Sushi and I are both haolepinos (half Filipino, half Caucasian) and hope to be able to somehow incorporate our cultures at our destination wedding in Hawaii. All while planning from the sweetest place in earth, Hershey!
Immediately after the ceremony and congrats, we did the usual (usually boring), but necessary group portraits. Let me formally introduce you to my family.
My mommers, dadders, moi, Mr. Sushi, and my lil’ brother (who really isn’t all that little anymore).
Mrs. French Fries, MilwaukeeAge and Occupation: 27, ParalegalFiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Investments AdvisorEngagement Date: September 20, 2008Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: Ceremony: Catholic Church, Reception: Hotel BallroomAbout Me: I'm a Midwestern girl who longs to live in a warmer climate (my feet would be happy in flip flops any day!). I love travel, impromptu napping, grilled cheese sandwiches, my iPhone, singing with reckless abandon in my car, and Mr. French Fries.
… I’ll be busy making 120 cloth napkins. No matter that I have little sewing experience, and have never sewn a napkin in my life. It’s a basic square, right? Um, right. This is just another one of my crazy* ideas.
(*I prefer to think of them as “inspired”, not “crazy”.)
You see, I’ve been inspired by other bees — Mrs. Beagle posted about making cocktail napkins for the guests at her wedding, and then incorporating them into a quilt after the wedding. I thought it was a very cute idea, but figured I wouldn’t have the time or the dedication to pull something like that off. Although, I had to admit, the quilt she posted as her inspiration was gorgeous:
Then I saw a different post by Miss Daschund about how she, too, was planning on making napkins for her wedding. She said that she was planning on using the quilting project for after the wedding to keep her busy and avoid “PWD,” or Post-Wedding-Depression. Read more…
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!
Walking into the Haute Bride suite at Bridal Market, I felt like I could close my eyes and throw a dart at any three necklaces/bracelets/earrings, and be beyond happy to wear them all together. It was definitely hard to decide which pieces to take pics of to post, so I took a LOT of pictures, and I hope you enjoy them! I love that they’re San Francisco based, because most bridal shops are based out of New York.
Their bracelets are so, so recognizable! I could spot a Haute Bride bracelet from a mile away!
Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican RepublicAge in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications ManagerFiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing DirectorEngagement Date: October 6, 2007Wedding Date: November, 2008Blogging Since: July 17, 2008Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta CanaAbout Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
Yoo hooooo! Remember me? If not, I don’t blame you; it’s been almost… gah!… six months since you last heard from me. Where does the time go?!
I’ve missed you guys! And I’m sorry, I have no good excuse for leaving you hanging. Let’s just say that those people who say that things get even busier post-wedding than they were pre-wedding are not kidding. But that’s a post for another day.
It’s hard to believe but this past weekend marked one month until the Breezys’ one year wedding anniversary (can you believe it? I can’t!) and, well, there’s nothing like a looming deadline to get this gal back in the recap saddle. I still have a few stories to share, so I hope you’ll join me as I whisk you back to our destination wedding extravaganza in Punta Cana. If you’d like to get caught up or refresh your memory, please see the bottom of this post for the first half of the DW in the DR recaps. Read more…
Ms. Potato Chips, Boston/Narragansett RIAge and Occupation: 29, PhD StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Personal Trainer/Business Owner/Physical Therapy AssistantEngagement Date: January 1, 2009Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: The Narragansett TowersAbout Me: A semi-professional bookworm, if I could be a literary character I’d be a cross between Jo March and Jane Eyre, only better accessorized and much lazier. My hobbies include sleeping in, seasonal brews, running, Trader Joe’s, and watching Unwrapped and Good Eats with Mr. Potato Chips. I harbor an irrational fear of tulle, crafts, things that are fussy, and overuse of the phrase "Your Special Day". After a year or seven together, down the aisle we go, slouching toward adulthood and planning a Rhodie party with equal parts whimsy, cheer, and pizza.
Have you been to a bridal show? If you haven’t, does the phrase strike fear in your heart? Do you involuntarily cringe? Did you just spit out your cocktail water in utter disgust and revulsion? Do you picture a roomful of crazy—with shoving brides and pushy vendors? Do you picture yourself running, arms flailing, from some crowded convention center? If so, do you picture an overzealous, perpetually smiling, curiously skinny bridal consultant with the face of Murphy Brown running after you beseeching you to enter a drawing for a free steak knife set/mystery box/honeymoon to the island where those guys from Where the Wild Things Are live??
That’s what I pictured, too! How very wrong I was.
About a week after our engagement, Potato Head’s mom mailed me a newspaper clipping advertising a South County, Rhode Island bridal show, with an invitation to bring my mom along. I thought, oh. Ohh. Oh nooooooo! But her gesture was so sweet that I readily agreed to go (with PH by my side).
The show was held in a place called The Towers, a historic building on the beach. In fact, it was on that very beach that we strolled and chatted at one of our first meetings, when our siblings were trying to set us up all those years ago!
Sounds idyllic, right? A nostalgic visit to a beautiful venue? Yeah, no. 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 am obsessed with a band. My sister, my mom, my husband, my friends, my town, my state are all obsessed with a band. They are called “The Avett Brothers” and they speak directly to the core of my being. They have impacted my life, made me feel things deeper, and taught me about family and love and life.
They just came out with a new album called “I and Love and You” and the #2 song on the new CD is called January Wedding. I wanted to share it with all of the January brides. It would be such a great first dance song.
We played a ton of their music at our wedding. If you are not familiar with the band, then I have a few requests: Read more…
Mrs. Bunny, ColumbusAge and Occupation: 24, Associate Editor/ReporterFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, ReporterEngagement Date: September 23, 2008Wedding Date: July 2009Venue: Everal Barn, WestervilleAbout Me: Organized, but messy. I love art (all kinds). I don't have any secrets. I talk a lot and listen even more. I show love by baking. I'm timid by nature, but brave when it counts.
Mr. Bunny and I work at competing weekly newspapers, which makes it a little interesting trying to describe our work joys and frustrations without giving away too much before the paper comes out. In spite of that little hurdle, we've managed to build a pretty solid relationship in the short one-and-a-half years we will have been together when we tie the knot. I can't wait!
For those of you on birth control, you’ve probably thought ahead. Lucky you! You can plan your monthly visits ahead of time and control when Flo shows up. I’m pretty sure you’re not planning on inviting her to the wedding, are ya? Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
With the dress on, flowers in hand, and friends and family surrounding me it was finally time to get to the church! This part completely flew by, and I wish I remembered it better. My mom and I walked to the elevator and I couldn’t help but think that just a half hour earlier, Champ had walked right past the room where we were getting ready, and he had already experienced the ride to the church. I couldn’t wait to see him.
Mrs. Lamb, NorfolkAge and Occupation: 25, Homeland Security ConsultantFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Graduate StudentEngagement Date: January 2009Wedding Date: January 2010Venue: Trinity Presbyterian Church/Harrison Opera HouseAbout Me: I’m a Homeland Security Consultant with a tendency towards pulling office pranks, taking lunch breaks, and drinking Wawa shakes. I’m also an English major with a serious obsession with alliteration and rhymes. While I’m not keeping America safe, I’m training for half marathons and the Escape from Alcatraz swim. Or moving for the third time this year. Or baking. Or wedding crafting. Or crying about wedding planning. All the while, I’m getting myself into Lucille Ball-esque scrapes and making Jim Carey-esque faces. Our big fat Czech/Baptist/Jewish/Italian wedding is a combination of vintage eclectic, DIY, and little spoonful of sugar from our Event Coordinator. It’s going to be a Norfolk flavored wedding with the verve of an only-daughter-blow-out bash!
Outside of off season discounts, one of the perks of being a winter bride is wearing an amazing wrap. I love this in particular because I know that in regular day to day life, I just can’t pull off faux fur in the same way. Ewe Mother sent me this list of winter wraps shortly after we had booked our venue.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
