Mrs. Bunny is offering free engagement photos to Weddingbee readers in the Central Ohio area in the month of December. Check out her classifieds ad for more details!
Have a wedding item for sale? Post it with pictures in the Weddingbee classifieds and you might see it featured on the blog!
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.)
… And it’s through the earlobes, not the heart, if we’re being honest here.
My ears were first pierced when I was seven-years-old at a hair salon, and it didn’t go very well: the piercings were immediately infected, and Mama Spaniel didn’t want to do all the necessary cleaning to get them to heal and be healthy, and so we let them close. My ears were pierced again when I was sixteen, this time at a dermatologist’s office. I can’t remember if she used a gun, but I think so. It hurt, it got infected, but I was old enough to care for it myself and after several weeks, they healed and I was able to wear and change earrings for a few years without too much trouble. But I apparently got carried away by this ear piercing success and my ability to wear normal jewelry, got a second lobe piercing in each ear three years later, and had to start the whole healing process all over again.
But wouldn’t you know, two holes in your body in such close proximity tend to want to spread infections back and forth? I decided to take out the second set of earrings, and to put in a pair of hoops into the first hole that I knew were really easy to keep clean… but once I took out the pair that were already in the first hole, I couldn’t put another pair in: my lobe was too swollen. By the time the swelling went down, the first hole had closed.
So for nine years, I’d had unpierced ears, but a strong and abiding love of earrings. Not only do I love them, but I really, really wanted to wear a great pair of heavy chandelier earrings for the wedding day, so I knew I really needed to do it soon to make sure they were 100% healed before then. Read more…
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.
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’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I actually found and bought my dress this past weekend! It was something that I’d stressed about for quite some time, and although the day leading up to finding it was stressful as well, it really was true what they say: I “just knew” when I had found the right one.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start back at the beginning… waaayyyy back!
So, I have a confession to make. I actually started looking at wedding dresses about three years ago. Mr. Cola and I had been together for about 3 1/2 years, and we were constantly getting asked by family and friends when we were going to tie the knot… so I figured, it couldn’t hurt to look a little and get a feel for my preferences, so when the time came I’d be ready. Well, the time came a little later than I expected, but the good news was that I still knew exactly what I wanted: a strapless A-line with a sweetheart neckline, in champagne, with beading on the bodice, but not on the front of the skirt, and either a corset back or little fabric covered buttons on the back.
Now, fast-forward to the time we actually got engaged, and I started looking at wedding dress pictures for real. I still wanted the exact same criteria, but over the past few months had started to get more and more depressed about the dress search. For one, I didn’t want to spend very much money on something that I was only going to wear for 5 hours. So, watching “Say Yes To The Dress” didn’t help on that end, where girls go into the salon with a $1,000 budget and get almost laughed at because their target price is so low. Secondly, after spending hours, and hours, and hours looking at pictures of dresses online, I’d still never found a picture of a dress that really got me excited. That was, until last Thursday. Read more…
Start your own Weddingbee Bio and you could be featured on the blog!
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.
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, next year on Black Friday (and probably Cyber Monday), please take away my credit card.
I blame my recent spending on the stock market, and not because the economy sucks, but rather because it was open. See, Mr. Fro Yo is the frugal one in this relationship, and he had to work on Black Friday because the stock market was actually open the day after Thanksgiving. I didn’t have my sounding board nearby to tell me to shut off the laptop. So, are you ready to see my purchases?
Let’s start with a gift for the wedding party. Pottery Barn was having a sale on monogrammed items (free monogramming!), and so I thought, “Hey, this will make a great gift for the guys!”
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.
Let me tell you, I have seen my share of raised eyebrows when people hear my answer as to the location of our wedding. It seems that people think that we are crazy to sacrifice this:
Mrs. Cheese, KnoxvilleAge and Occupation: 29, Engineering ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, CAD DesignerEngagement Date: July 31, 2008Wedding Date: May, 2009Blogging Since: October 16, 2008Venue: Our home and the two acres it sits onAbout Me: I’m an emotional girl who loves sentimental things, parenthetical asides, and trying to do things herself. I can cook, sew, am a whiz at planning, terrible at delegating, and totally in love with my fiancé (who will be my second husband but first love of the rest of my life). For our home/ garden/ DIY wedding, we’ll be moonlighting as interior designers, home improvers, and gardeners with the help of our fabulous friends and neighbors. We can’t wait to be married, and are learning how fun getting married can be.
I’ve kept my mouth shut for a long time (hard to believe, I know), but I have to say it: there is nothing wrong with wanting (and having) a really nice wedding, whatever your definition of nice may be.
I know, I know, I’m preaching to the choir here, but it must be said. By me. So I can get it off my chest and move on.
Do you know what I’m talking about?
You find out someone’s engaged and congratulate them, and the first thing they say is, “But don’t worry, we don’t want a real wedding.” Or someone mentions a wedding and everyone else tells stories of people who were so ____ (insert desirable trait here, like “in love” or “practical” or “not into what other people think”) that they didn’t have a wedding, they just went to the courthouse. Everyone else croons, “Oh, how wonderful” and then feels compelled to talk about how they wished they’d done that.
Mrs. Pretzel, SeattleAge and Occupation: 32 Learning, Training, and Development SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28 Manufacturing EngineerEngagement Date: September 2, 2009Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: Catholic Church & The Engine Room at Georgetown StudiosAbout Me: I’m just a thirty-something girl who never dreamed of weddings, poofy dresses, or ritzy receptions. I am a rabid knitter, except recently, wedding projects have replaced my yarn and needles. I’ve been fiercely independent since the age of 2 and 30 years later I think my family and friends had given up on me settling down and getting married.
Ironically, I had to go all the way to Seattle to find a boy from Purdue. We fell in love over Seattle Beers and cooking together. I love NASCAR, he loves Legos. I can talk like a Muppet and he can fit a whole McDonald’s cheeseburger in his mouth. We are a two reception couple, currently planning a brewery inspired bash.
One of my favorite roles is aunt. I love being Aunt Pretzel to my adorable niece (we call her “the girl”) and nephew (known as “the boy”). Big Bro Pretzel and MOH/Sis-in-law S live in Colorado, so my Auntie time is quite limited.
The Girl presented us with our first wedding “issue”. She is 8 years old—she’ll almost be 9 at the time of our wedding. Before we were engaged my Sis-in-Law called and inquired if we were going to have The Girl be a flower girl. I told her that we weren’t—we weren’t planning on having a flower girl— and for the time being all was good. 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!
This is it! My recaps are actually beginning! Our wedding day was one of the best days of my life, and I cannot wait to share it with you guys. But before I get to the pro pics, I’d like to tell you about the day before.
It started with manicures for me and MOH Deniz.*
In retrospect, I could’ve gone with an edgy gunmetal gray, but I loved this pale pale pink. (And it matched our wedding colors!)
Then we met up with my mom, my SIL J. Dawg, and my MIL, the Dude’s mom, for brunch. I’d been wanting to try Sandra Bullock’s restaurant, Bess Bistro, and it didn’t disappoint. Gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with blackberry compote? Yes, please. Read more…
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!
Though the ceremony is, of course, about our marriage, I still want people to feel comfortable and cared-for during the (what is sure to be a rather long) mass.
First, they will be greeted by two baskets.
For their tears: Vintage handkerchiefs - from eBay (washed, of course). I got them super cheap at 50 cents each. They look cute arranged like this (the picture is from the seller), but I wrapped them up and tied each of them with a ribbon. There will also be a little sign encouraging them to take (and keep!) them.
Mrs. Bee, New YorkAge and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee PublisherFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, InternetEngagement Date: May 7, 2004Wedding Date: March 5, 2005Venue: Westside Loft, New YorkAbout Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
This is last minute notice, but Mrs. Cherry Blossom is in town, so Mrs. Poppy, Mrs. Lovebird and I are all going to meet up at Subtle Tea in Murray Hill tonight at 5:30.
One Yelp reviewer says, “If Anthropologie created a tea house, it would be Subtle Tea.”
Sounds fabulous! If you’d like to join us, please feel free to pop in — we’d love to have you join us!
Subtle Tea
121 Madison Ave #3
(bet 30th and 31st St)
212-481-4713
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 past Thanksgiving was my very first dia de accion de gracias ever, and it was awesome! Not just because of the amount of food we ate (Yes! I am a big food lover) but because we celebrated this holiday at our wedding venue, aka Mr Poodle’s grandparents’ ranch.
We got to hang out with the family and cook loads of food, and we also got to take care of some logistics for the wedding.
The first thing on our list was to pick out our ceremony location. From the moment we decided the kind of chapel we wanted, we discussed different locations, keeping in mind how our guest will be getting there, because there’s a little creek between the main building and the fields we first picked for the ceremony. Thankfully, Mr Poodle’s dad came to the rescue with a perfect plan so we can use whatever place we want to. He rocks!
So, after driving the golf cart all over the ranch, we finally picked…
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 just had such a great weekend, as far as wedding-things are considered!
First of all, I had 6 appointments scheduled for dress shopping yesterday, and I bought my dress! My little sister/MOH came to town for the weekend and we went shopping with our mom. I’m going to post more soon about the dress, after I scope the web for more pictures of it and Photoshop the pictures of me in it to show it closer to the color I ordered it in. I can’t wait to share my dress; it’s just so perfect, and I’m so freakin’ happy about crossing this thing off the list!
Secondly, I think we might have figured out a way to DIY our photobooth! I had already considered, and rejected, the idea of a DIY booth, even before I looked at the pricing for renting one in our area. Unfortunately our nice camera we just bought six months ago doesn’t have the remote shutter control as a feature, and I didn’t want to have to ask someone to run my camera the whole night on a tripod. But while my sister was here I realized that she has a MacBook Pro, which awesomely has a program called Photo Booth on it!
I’ve heard of several other people using this program on their Mac for a DIY photobooth, including Mrs Bunny recently. But I think we’re going to take it a step further.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
