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.
After toasts and feeding each other cherry pie, after everyone had exhausted the photo booth and enjoyed some ribs and cornbread, it was time for the first dance. Our band, Elephant Revival, took the stage (they’d learned Neil Young’s Harvest Moon for us). If you remember, our wedding coincidentally fell on the night of the Harvest Moon which we didn’t figure out until after we’d picked our song.
Mrs. Trail Mix, New YorkAge and Occupation: 26, PE TeacherFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, MBA StudentEngagement Date: March 2009Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: Tannery Pond at the Darrow SchoolAbout Me: I'm a country girl who somehow found herself living in the Big Apple and loving every minute of it. I'm planning a rustic, country-chic wedding in my hometown in upstate New York and it's going to be a Party with a capital P. White wine, flea markets and running keep me happy and my friends, family and fiance are my world. I'm a little bit crafty, a little bit crazy but mostly just crazy in love.
Sometimes I dream of a stark, magical winter wedding, where all the lights shine crystal clear and there is a flurry of snow falling. There is something so beautiful in my eyes of the contrast between the barren landscape with fancy dresses and shared love.
Take a look at this absolutely incredible winter wedding of a friend and colleague of mine and tell me afterwards if you feel the same way…
Mrs. Cheeseburger, Baltimore, MD/State College, PAAge and Occupation: 25, Medical StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Medical StudentEngagement Date: June 28, 2008Wedding Date: March 2010Venue: Catholic Church Ceremony & Hotel ReceptionAbout Me: I'm a passionate girl from Pittsburgh, currently living in Baltimore for school, who loves Penn State, seeing movies, football, thunderstorms, black and white photos, Christmas, good beer, my amazing friends and family, and of course, my mister! We met, fell in love, got engaged, and will be married at our alma mater (go lions!) in a traditional Catholic ceremony followed by a hotel reception with lots of DIY details. It means so much to have our families and friends meet at our favorite place on earth to celebrate our love for one another - I truly couldn't ask for anything more!
I have been reading wedding and photography blogs for a. very. long. time. Like, long before I was engaged. And at some point along the way, I decided to start saving ideas and inspiration (also long before I was engaged), so that is where a lot of my ideas come from.
I have had folders of photographic inspiration saved for what seems like years, and now I’m finally going to get to use some of it! I actually have a confession to make… while I love wedding day photography for so many reasons, I tend to love engagement pictures even more! I’m not sure why - maybe it’s because the couple just seems so much more real? I don’t know, but I think that’s why I’m so excited for these pictures!
Here are some of my favorite inspiration shots - some are more unique and some are more traditional, but all of them are wonderful!
#1: The iPhone Shot - yes, here Mr. & Mrs. Powder Puff are at their gorgeous wedding and holding up a Polaroid, but please just imagine if it was an engagement shoot and they were holding up an iPhone photograph of themselves? I’m in love with this idea. Don’t they look great?!
Mrs. Nachos, Chicago/St. ThomasAge and Occupation: 33, Commercial Real Estate & HairstylistFiance's Age and Occupation: 36, Radio ProducerEngagement Date: May 22, 2009Wedding Date: April 2010Venue: Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort, St. ThomasAbout Me: I'm a happy, laid back city girl that can find the silver lining in any situation. An optimist at heart, my motto is to turn your "what ifs?" into "so whats!". My fiance is a radio producer and the biggest Cubs fan you'll meet - our apartment decor definitely shows it. He and I grew up next door to each other and because of it, we have the best home videos and easiest holiday dinners. We are planning an intimate wedding in the Virgin Islands and a cocktail party in June for 150 of our closest friends.
I went on my shoe search today. I started out at a little shop on Clark that carries Reef brand flip-flops, still thinking that if I found some that fit me right, they might work well for our beach wedding. No luck.
My next stop was DSW down the street. I tried on a bunch of pairs and didn’t find much. They had a few on clearance from their bridal line but they weren’t great. I almost bought a pair of Ninas that were silver…
Mrs. Pudding, Greater Toronto Area/VermontAge and Occupation: 26, High School TeacherFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Computer EngineerEngagement Date: August 2008Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: Catholic Ceremony, Cultural Hall ReceptionAbout Me: Quite literally a citizen of the world, I was born in Poland, grew up in Canada, and now live in the beautiful state of Vermont. I love reading historical biographies, multi-tasking, teasing my hair, and, despite my height, wearing high heeled shoes. I am the ultimate klutz with an uncanny ability to put on a graceful front. Mr. Pudding and I have been dating for over six years, and are very excited to finally merge our (very large) families. We are planning a traditional Polish-Catholic wedding that is anything but predictable.
OK, I know that some of you were pretty upset with me for making you wait this long, but in my defense, this story was very complicated!
So, in my last installment, I mentioned how the flowers that were supposed to be delivered to Mama Pudding’s work never got there.
I frantically called Sister Pudding, who frantically called the flower shop. They told her that they were running behind schedule all day, and that the flowers may have been delivered a little bit late. Bummer. Luckily, our aunt works with Mama Pudding, so we called her to ask if maybe the flowers came after Mama P had left. They had! Fortune was finally on our side: my aunt had brought them home with her.
We explained the situation to my aunt, who jumped in her car and drove them to Mama P’s house. About 20 minutes later, I received a call from two very giddy and chatty girls (it’s amazing how a girl in love acts the same whether she is 16 or 50). They wanted to know more! I, of course, kept my mouth shut, and just told Mama P to dress nice, and to pack what she would need for the night. Read more…
Mrs. Mouse, AustinAge and Occupation: 25, Weddingbee Editor/AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Civil EngineerEngagement Date: December 19, 2007Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Barr MansionAbout Me: I just graduated from law school and will be taking the bar, getting married, going on a honeymoon with my guy, and then trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I was born and raised in a small East Texas town, but I'm no country girl! I'm obsessed with British accents, fantasy (including Harry Potter, of course), and classic rock. My fiance and I consider ourselves both music and beer snobs--but every once in awhile we love to hear a crappy band and drink a cheap brew or two. We're planning an eco-friendly, casual, English garden affair for the end of summer, and we can't wait for it to get here!
While the Dude was striking a pose, I was getting some solo shots with Jennifer (one of the benefits to hiring a husband/wife team to shoot your wedding!).
We started off on the lower balcony of the mansion. Finally, my bouquet makes an appearance!
Mrs. Spaniel, Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 28, Law StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, PsychologistWedding Date: March 2010Venue: Calamigos RanchAbout Me: I'm a third-year law student trying to balance graduating with starting my career, keeping up a relationship, and, oh yeah, planning an Old World, multi-cultural, "mountain lodge" wedding for 180 guests! A South Asian Jewish girl getting ready to marry my handsome Catholic Dane, I'm hoping to blend our cultures in our wedding just a bit more gently than by providing samosas as appetizers and offering æbleskiver for dessert. (Although that would also be awesome.)
A lot of brides obsess about their skin leading up to their weddings, and I’m sure I’ll be no exception. But my current concern isn’t for my face—it’s for my hands! I have a serious dry skin problem, and henna stains best on well-hydrated hands.
I currently use Desert Essence coconut lotion, and it’s remarkably effective—when I remember to use it. It’s non-petroleum based, so it’s safe to use after the henna is applied, and the ingredients are organic, so I feel pretty good about it. It also smells like total yuminess.
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.
Whenever I find myself growing grim around the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially when my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off—then, I account it high time to don the cheeriest, brightest cardigan I can find.
Okay, maybe that phrase about cardigans is a PChipz revision, but isn’t it true?
June in New England could be a scorch-ahh. But, it could also be wicked chilly. Or raining. Or maybe even a Nor-eastahh. It might—might, just maybe—be a sunny, temperate 70 degree day. But if it’s gray and I’m feeling grizzled around the edges, my plan is to grab a bright cardigan to cozy up in. Maybe even one adorned with a pretty flower pin or jeweled broach.
Plus, a snuggly cardigan will keep me in spirits high enough to refrain from knocking people’s hats off in the street.
Mrs. Pug, New York City/Half Moon Bay, CAAge and Occupation: 33, LawyerFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, dittoEngagement Date: July 2008Wedding Date: March 2010Venue: Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon BayAbout Me: The Mr. and I are two 30-somethings who enjoy tasty sweets of all kinds, our neighborhood wine store, and cuddling with our pug. NYC is where we live and the city we love, but we’re doing the deed out in Northern California. We are trying to keep the affair small, intimate, and manageable. Our motto is: the less people, the better! (I’m kidding.)
No, I’m not talking about the quality of our florist. She’s great. I’m talking about the dud job for which she probably wishes she hadn’t signed a contract, the dud job at a fancy hotel that will barely reap a profit. That dud job would be our wedding—no fault of her own; we’re the lame ones.
Let me back up. Here are the kinds of flowers available in March (tulips, hyacinth, freesia, lisianthus, etc.), that I was dreaming about for my bouquet:
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!
Here is the second installment of this year’s Bee ornament exchange. The only parameter the bees set was that the ornament had to be under $15. Check out some more bee creativity, below!
Mrs. Crab Cake, Columbus, GAAge and Occupation: 25, Registered NurseFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Director of Education and Living History for a museumEngagement Date: April 6, 2008Wedding Date: June, 2009Blogging Since: November 26, 2008Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church, reception: National Infantry MuseumAbout Me: I'm a perfectionist trying to balance two jobs, motherhood, my craft obsession, and wedding planning. I am obsessed with all things wedding, especially creative ideas for saving money and DIY projects. A Southern Belle at heart, I love anything southern, especially sweet tea, grits, afternoon thunder storms, crab cakes, and good old Southern hospitality. Mr. Crab Cake and I are planning a vintage inspired wedding with tons of Southern flare (can y'all say that with a thick Southern drawl?).
Mrs. Scissors, LaGrange, GAAge and Occupation: 25, Photography & Graphic DesignFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Engineering Grad StudentEngagement Date: January 1, 2009Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: Ceremony - First United Methodist Church; Reception - My parents' house!About Me: I’m a six-foot-three bride with a fifty-foot personality! I love great art, fabulous design, intense color, tons of music, indie photography, watching movies on repeat, and being really awesome. This super-tall, Southern, loud, quirky, neurotic artist is marrying a German, quiet, silly, super-amazing roboticist in an eclectic, funky, fun, snazzy, technicolored June wedding. Anything is game for this shindig, for it is all about us! We’re bringing giant paper cranes, six-foot-tall portraits, fortune cookies, a photo booth, a club-circuit DJ, handcuffs, and possibly a kidnapping to this small Southern town. Watch out, y’all, and try to keep up!
Hey guys, you might have seen me around these parts before, non?
From now on, you all may refer to me as Scissors, or Miss Scissors if you’re nasty.
I was checking my email, doo-doo-doo. Just a normal email check. It’s not as if I were hoping for an email about my application. Me? Pfft. I nonchalantly opened my email, read it, gave myself a pat on the back, and moved along with my day.
Mrs. Cola, Mountain View, CAAge and Occupation: 27, Product Communications and PromotionsFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Managing Partner and Senior DesignerEngagement Date: March 5, 2009Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: The Mountain Terrace, Woodside, CAAbout Me: I’m a Washington State native, enjoying life in Silicon Valley California with my fiancé, our three kitties and one leopard gecko. I like reading wedding blogs, Photoshopping wedding design mock ups, making lists, and planning, planning, planning! I’m a bit of an anomaly, on one side I’m a very girlie girl, I collect shoes, I lay out my outfits 4-6 weeks in advance, and I’d never leave the house without my hair curled and makeup on. But on the other side, I’m a total tomboy, I love to go camping and hiking, play drinking games (hey, I’m Irish!) and most of my closest friends are guys. My fiancé and I are planning a DIY-focused wedding with a balance between easygoing (what he wants) and chic and stylish (what I want), and are tying it all together with elements in lavender, sage, butter cream and chocolate.
I posted about how we’ll decorate our rehearsal dinner location, the San Mateo Garden Center. Here’s a reminder of how it will look, with furniture and decor Photoshopped in:
Mrs. Nachos, Chicago/St. ThomasAge and Occupation: 33, Commercial Real Estate & HairstylistFiance's Age and Occupation: 36, Radio ProducerEngagement Date: May 22, 2009Wedding Date: April 2010Venue: Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort, St. ThomasAbout Me: I'm a happy, laid back city girl that can find the silver lining in any situation. An optimist at heart, my motto is to turn your "what ifs?" into "so whats!". My fiance is a radio producer and the biggest Cubs fan you'll meet - our apartment decor definitely shows it. He and I grew up next door to each other and because of it, we have the best home videos and easiest holiday dinners. We are planning an intimate wedding in the Virgin Islands and a cocktail party in June for 150 of our closest friends.
The search for my undergarments is complete. One thing I never thought I’d have to worry about? His undergarments. Us ladies know that when you wear white, you have to be choosy about what goes underneath because it’s never a pretty sight to see someone’s bra peeking through their white tee…
Though, never in my life did I think I’d have to worry about Mr. Nachos’ under-roos, but alas, he’s wearing white pants and any color WILL show through – not quite to this extent, but you get the picture! Read more…
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
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