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.)
I admit it—I am totally excited about getting all dressed up on the wedding day, powdered and primped to perfection (or at least, just better than I look when I try to do my own makeup and dress myself). Yes, the whole marriage thing is nice, but let’s be honest, as the bride, we are kind of the star of the party, right? I mean, that whole aisle and grand entrance thing? This is one day where I can spend otherwise embarrassing amounts of time and money on my appearance, and totally feel *justified* about the whole thing. Woohoo!
So after my disappointment with my first hair and makeup trial, I decided that wedding-day narcissism, at least for me, had no bounds and I searched for another person to work with. I eventually found Aimee Lam through Yelp, and set up an appointment with her for a trial (if Aimee’s name sounds familiar, that’s because Miss Cola is using her as well!).
The results? Aimee was amazing. Like, an artist, and very sweet and professional to boot. I had no idea you could do all that with makeup and hair. This is what I had wanted, a person in the bridal suite helping me to get ready who was a pleasure to work with, calming, and made me bee-yoo-tee-ful. Aimee even gave me a choice of three different facial washes when I first arrived! You had me at facial washes, Aimee!
I came armed with photos, including these: Read more…
Weddingbee GalleryFeature Launched: April 10, 2009About: A collection of inspirational wedding pictures from readers and bees.
Jsn705 and her man steal a kiss on the lifeguard tower at Newport Beach.
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. Guinea Pig, Baltimore, MD Age and Occupation: 26, PhD student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Operations Director at a non-profit Engagement Date: December 25, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club About Me: I'm a tomboy science nerd whose girly side has made a startling appearance thanks to wedding planning! I love to bake, knit and sew but I also ride a motorcycle (that Mr. Guinea Pig wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole). We live with our three crazy cats and love to read, travel, watch movies, and do home improvement projects together! My parents/family are Canadian but I'm definitely American, although I've lived in 5 different countries, 6 different states, and speak Russian fluently. Mr. GP and I met online (did I mention I'm a scientist?) and had a whirlwind romance - now we can't wait to get married & celebrate with all our friends and family in a blue and yellow waterfront affair!
Mr. Guinea Pig and I had decided that we would buy each other’s wedding bands, and we put a $200 cap on what we were allowed to spend. This seemed more than reasonable because we both wanted plain white gold bands. So I began looking around at wedding bands online, and I saw sparklies everywhere! And then I looked down at my engagement ring and realized that because of the stones down the side of the band, you don’t really see much of the white gold ring from the top! And wouldn’t it be nice to have matching sparkle?! Ha. Read more…
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!
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.
At 32 years old, I’ve had… let’s just say… a few boyfriends. And every single butt head ex of mine (I know, real mature, hehe) makes me appreciate Mr. N so so so much more. It actually makes me really happy that I’m getting married to my dream guy a little later in life than originally expected because I had a chance to sort through a swarm of Mr. Wrongs to get to Mr. Right. And it was quite the learning experience! (I’m by no means saying there is anything wrong with getting married younger or marrying your first boyfriend, it just didn’t work out that way for me.) Looking back, I now understand why my mom didn’t get the warm fuzzies around any guy that I introduced her to before Mr. N came back into my life. Oh yeah, I dated some winners! So, here’s a tribute to the past for making me appreciate the present and future…
To the high school rich boy that always had your nose up in the air:
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!
You already heard about my love for Knobstoppers, and after sitting on the idea for a few days while on my family vacation this summer, I decided to make an impulsive purchase (tell me I’m not the only one who does this!).
I stalked eBay for vintage doorknobs, most of which were in auctions and out of my price range. Then I stumbled upon this store, which sold vintage-style depression glass cabinet pulls for really reasonable prices.
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.
I think each bride has something that they struggle with during the wedding planning process. For me, it was dealing with my various hair issues. Remember that? Luckily, my hair turned out better than I could have expected. Even makeup had initially rattled me. As much as I try, I am still in my early 30s and can’t get beyond a makeup regimen consisting of slathering on some lip gloss with occasional lip liner (and the liner is on a good day!). I had two makeup trials, and settled on Ellen Bodkins of Ellen B Makeup. Actually, a Weddingbee reader suggested Ellen, so thanks as usual, hive.
Mrs. Espresso, Corona/Big BearAge and Occupation: 23, Community Services SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Maintenance TechnicianEngagement Date: December 21, 2007Wedding Date: October, 2008Blogging Since: June 25, 2008Venue: Outside a rustic b&b in Big Bear LakeAbout Me: I'm a lover of all things good: coffee, music, travel, rain, and of course- my handsome fiance! I'm a full believer in the "Life is Short," mantra - and therefore, eat lots of dark chocolate. I'm a Geographer by degree and nerd by choice. I cook to the sound of French and Portuguese music even though I speak neither. I love road trips, camping, hiking, and capturing life through the lens of my camera. Take me to Anthropologie and I may never leave. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, bargain finds, and old movies. Mr. Espresso and I are high school sweethearts and I am so blessed to be this amazing man's future wife.
Hey there hive! Sorry I’ve been absent for so long. Geez, I must look like such a slacker! To tell you the truth, life has been crazy over here. Mr. Espresso and I have been have been making a lot of radical changes in our lives in order to pursue our dreams. Both of us were getting a little tired of sitting in 2 hours of traffic every night coming home from jobs we didn’t like, only to make dinner, clean up, and barely have any time together before starting it all over again.
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!
Since Mr. Rainbow and I pushed our date back to October, I did what I said I would never do. I got on the STD bandwagon. I always said, “Oh no, STDs are not for me!” and when I discovered others with STDs, I thought, ‘What a waste!’
And now, here I am, in all my glory, complete with an STD. *sigh*
I just couldn’t help but to catch STD fever. It’s contagious, ya know? You see people having fun with their STDs, photographing their STDs, sharing… er, mailing… their STDs, and you think to yourself, ‘Gee, maybe I do need an STD. Everyone else has one. Clearly, it’s what all the cool kids are doing.’ And the next thing you know, you’ve got your very own STD.
Earlier today, I was taking my sweet time playing around on Wordle using some of our inspiration words, just seeing what it would spit out at me.
Then suddenly I thought… ‘Hmm… this could make a neat save the date.’ Read more…
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.
Remember when I talked about wanting to get eyelash extensions? Well, I did it! I pretty much find any excuse to wear fake eyelashes. It’s New Year’s Eve? I think I need some lashes. What’s that you say, it’s Halloween and I’m dressing up as Sookie Stackhouse, who isn’t really known for her long eyelashes? Hmm…oh well, I think I might need some lashes, anyway. So my wedding day will be no different. Only this time, instead of stumbling through the application of the lashes, I will have them in place well in advance.
Here’s a breakdown of my experience (feel free to scroll down to the pictures, I know you want to):
The place I went was pretty pricey (typically $299 for a new set), BUT they were having a special of $99 for a new set, so I jumped on it. The whole thing was very relaxing, and the girl applying my eyelashes said that a lot of women fall asleep during the process. I didn’t fall asleep, but I could see how someone might. Here’s the bad part though-it took 2 HOURS. That’s a really long time to lie down while someone is messing with your eyes. Although, I don’t know if all places take 2 hours, but mine did. The good news is that when you go for fills it only takes an hour and the price is significantly reduced to $60. And even better news? Read more…
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.
After reading that title, you might be thinking to yourself, ’Why is Trail Mix so fixated on the table numbers?’ The answer to that question is, ’I have no freakin’ idea.’ I guess for me, tablescape posts are my equivalent to Miss Pug’s and Miss Guinea Pig’s dress posts. Obviously, people notice the dress way more than they notice the table decor so I think they’re completely warranted (plus I love looking at wedding dresses). Me, on the other hand? Out. Of. Control. I totally recognize that the table number posts have gotten out of hand, so this will be the second-to-last one I do, I (really do!) promise.
A number of you creative readers suggested reversing my last table number attempt, using the decorative paper cutout with the white cardstock background as the number. Figuring out how to do this took a bit of thinking so I’ll offer up a brief tutorial…
I used Word to print out a (totally random) number in about size 300 font and then used my scissors to easily cut the number out. Other materials included an X-Acto knife, decorative paper and glue dots.
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.
Although the tradition of “giving the bride away” is considered incredibly outdated and very patriarchal, I think that the meaning behind the concept of a father walking his daughter down the aisle has changed in the last couple of decades. To me, it has become more of a symbol of parental support for the union, rather than a sign of male dominance.
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.
Hey, hive! It’s Mrs. Glitter. Remember me? Is this thing on?
It’s been a while since I last wrote about our wedding. Time has gotten away from me. But I figure now is as good of a time as any to continue my recaps. Let’s start the new year off strong, right?
When I last left you I was up in the bridal suite. We stayed upstairs while the finishing touches were put on the ceremony room and the guests were beginning to arrive. The bouquets were ready and waiting anxiously to be walked down the aisle.
Mrs. Guinea Pig, Baltimore, MD Age and Occupation: 26, PhD student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Operations Director at a non-profit Engagement Date: December 25, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club About Me: I'm a tomboy science nerd whose girly side has made a startling appearance thanks to wedding planning! I love to bake, knit and sew but I also ride a motorcycle (that Mr. Guinea Pig wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole). We live with our three crazy cats and love to read, travel, watch movies, and do home improvement projects together! My parents/family are Canadian but I'm definitely American, although I've lived in 5 different countries, 6 different states, and speak Russian fluently. Mr. GP and I met online (did I mention I'm a scientist?) and had a whirlwind romance - now we can't wait to get married & celebrate with all our friends and family in a blue and yellow waterfront affair!
Our engagement photos are here!! If you remember, first I questioned whether we should have an engagement photo session, then my sister surprised me with one for my birthday, then of course I had to figure out what to wear, which was an issue all unto itself!
Finally, this series (saga?) is coming to an end! When I was in California for Thanksgiving, it all came together and we actually had our photo session with Sherman Chu! I had been debating where to take the photos, but luckily Sherman knew just the place, and the nature backdrop was perfect! At first, Mr. Guinea Pig and I were a little uncomfortable since neither of us has ever been in front of the camera like this. We took a couple of suuuper posed shots to help get warmed up*:
(perfect for our non-existent newspaper announcement)
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.
Now that it’s frickin’ freezing out and I haven’t been on a vacation in 4 years, I thought I’d share with you a little eye candy. These pictures are truly what is making this winter bearable, ’cause in less than 4 months, we’ll be saying ‘I do’ here!!!
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
(source)
The bridesmaids’ bouquets
