Ms. Stripes, Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 29, Costume Designer/StylistFiancee's Age and Occupation: 29, ChefEngagement Date: June 23, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: Heritage Square MuseumAbout Me: I’m a type A creative with a messy streak, a loud mouth, and an uncanny knack for combining clashing patterns. I can usually be found with my nose in a book, my feet (or at least my toes) on the ground, my head in the clouds, and my arm around the prettiest girl you ever saw- aka
Fiancee Stripes. Together we’re planning a FUN vintage/modern French carnival wedding extravaganza and rockin’ dance party on a dime. (Say that three times fast!) Good coffee, long lists, Uniball pens, and my iPhone keep me sane, and making art, making trouble, and making out keep me happy! I love urban adventures, bike rides that end with afternoon drinks, breakfast for dinner, beautiful light, photography, travel, my furry family, and of course, my beautiful fiancee! I’m super excited to be here and can’t wait to share all our adventures as we craft a joyful, budget-friendly, design-savvy and all-around AWESOME wedding!
…and that can only mean one (or maybe two things):
I’m becoming an even bigger nerd than I already am.
I’m finally attempting to get the ball rolling on our invitations
I’ll let you decide which it is, but I ain’t gonna lie- it’s a draw here in the Stripeland. I am also designing the suite, creating custom artwork that (cross my fingers) our guests will actually keep, and figuring out the cheapest, most awesome way to assemble these puppies.
It’s a lot. And it’s kindofallconsuming, hence my light posting lately. Still I couldn’t resist dropping by to share a few of my amazing stamps with you. Please join me in totally geeking out, and don’t worry, I won’t blame you if you totally stop reading and run out to start a stamp collection. stat!
Mrs. Veggie, Raglan, New Zealand/Scranton, PAAge and Occupation: 27, Director of Small Non-ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 42, PhD Student & FarmerEngagement Date: June 13, 2009Wedding Date: August 2010Venue: Indian Head Camp, Honesdale Pennsylvania
About Me: I am a tree-huggin' farmer turned enthusiastic wedding-planner. I live in a house truck and wear flip-flops more often than shoes. In my old life I was a high school Spanish teacher in love with a crazy guy who lived off-the grid on a farm in New Hampshire. But, we decided to mix things up a bit, quit our jobs and move to New Zealand. My southern hemisphere lifestyle involves growing veggies, teaching, running our small non-profit, and surfing. I love laughing, singing, playing, and the inspirational Mr. Veggie (of course!). For our wedding, I am committed to throwing a killer party that celebrates our values without breaking the bank. Look forward to an eco-thrifty summer-campy weekend-long extravaganza.
Mr. Veggie and I have been a bit slow boarding the registration train. Well, let me re-phrase that. I have been aboard the train for ages now, not only aboard, but driving the train full-speed ahead. Presents? For me? Oh Yeah! Mr. Veggie has been standing in front of the train, chained to the tracks like any good protester, both hands extended, trying with all his might to stop the train from moving.
There are a few (very legitimate) reasons for Mr. Veggie’s protest.
Numero Uno: We live in NZ. Our guests live in the US. We don’t want to have to pay to ship things that are heavy, bulky, or easily obtainable here in NZ. Numero Dos: We need money, not stuff. Numero Tres: We are stating a non-profit and need funds… so I guess that’s the same as number two: we need money. Numero Cuatro: We don’t want to support consumerism simply for the sake of buying some doohickey on our behalf, especially if that doohickey has a huge ecological or social footprint. Mr. Veggie’s thought was that if we really wanted money only, than we were sending a mixed message by creating a registry. Read more…
Mrs. Paisley, Orange County, CAAge and Occupation: 25, JournalistFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Spanish ProfessorEngagement Date: September 2008Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: Family Lake HouseAbout Me: From my earliest days I attracted attention, as much for my intelligence as for beauty. I display an originality, a perspicacity, a certain je ne sais quoi that sets me apart. I posses a mysterious authority which compels people to do my bidding. I am a regal blonde with classic features and the daintiness of Dresden porcelain. I am poised, soft-spoken, and well educated... Okay, now that enough eyebrows have sufficiently shot through the roof, everybody can relax---I kid! I'm just a sarcastic NorCal-turned-SoCal girl who loves outdoor activities, books, letterpress printing and of course, Professor Paisley.
So, you want to know how to save a bundle on flowers?
Did you perhaps receive a florists’ quote exceeding $4,000, for what you thought was a rather skimpy amount of blooms?
Of course, not to knock the florists’ talents! It’s well worth the money to avoid the hassle of planning and arranging for your own floral needs at your own wedding! As professionals, florists deserve to mark up their product, just like any other vendor would.
That said, I am an avid gardener and passionate arranger of flowers and so I will be doing it myself all for under $300.
Anyway. If you’re going the DIY route, first off, establish a budget. This, we saved until the week before the wedding, like big stupid heads. Read more…
Ms Seahorse, BostonAge and Occupation: 25, Veterinary Jane-of-all-tradesFiancee's Age and Occupation: 36, former non-profit fundraiser in search of something betterEngagement Date: October 17, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: Fort Pond LodgeAbout Me: By day I'm a cat-wrangler, vet tech assistant, pet-sitter, receptionist, and pre-vet student, but the rest of the time, I'm a former-roller-derby girl turned dedicated-wedding planner. I love reading, writing, bicycles, animals, roller skating, and antique-y things of all sorts. I'm a vegetarian who likes spicy foods, while Fiancee Seahorse is a meat eater who does not like spices. We live outside Boston with our menagerie: a fifty pound dog, a one-eyed, seventeen-toed, toothless cat, and a perfectly put together cat who has a penchant for pooping near rather than in her litter box. In addition to planning our small lake-side wedding, we enjoy running around with the puppy, playing board games (Scrabble, anyone?), having little adventures, talking about how we should really clean the house more, and maintaining our little garden of vegetables and wedding flowers.
A lot of people in my life have been having babies recently, and some other people have been asking about our future offspring. Someone recently said, “I know that early in a relationship you should ask the important things like about kids, money, career, etc. but that doesn’t seem like first date convo… when do you ask those questions?” I’m curious about your thoughts and experiences on this one, and here are mine:
I don’t know what the “rule” is about these questions, but I do think that if you know where you stand on an issue, and you feel strongly about it, it’s worth bringing up pretty early in a relationship. Not first-date-early —I think at that point you’re still trying to figure out if you have a connection, if you’re interested, if they’re interested. But probably third-date-early. And part of it, I think, is that not everyone has issues that they need to bring up; some people are flexible about a lot of things and would change their stance on an issue (kids, geography, etc) if it was for the right person. But if you aren’t flexible, and you know that, I think it’s your responsibility to bring it up pretty early, so that you’re not put in a place where you have to choose between two things you really, really care about (an established relationship and your desire for children, for example).
Very early on in my relationship with Fancee, we went to eat lunch outside, and we were sitting there, eating, when she got a really nervous look on her face. Read more…
Mrs. Earrings, Fresno, CA/ Nelson, New ZealandAge and Occupation: 20, Student, Wannabe Writer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 19, Photography StudentEngagement Date: February 14, 2010Wedding Date: January 2011Venue: Gardens of the WorldAbout Me: I'm a girl from down under who grew up in Indonesia and I'm marrying a California boy. I'm addicted to all things sweet, have never met a chocolate silk pie than can get the better of me, and have dreams of one day being a fulltime novelist. I go weak in the knees for lace, tea cups, and a beautifully crafted sentence. When I get excited about something (whether it is historical linguistics or the Beatles) I tend to go overboard in research, and planning this wedding is no different. Mr. Earrings is my high school sweetheart, my best friend, and somehow we combine all our quirks into one big happy mess.
Yup. And he is awesome. As I have mentioned before, my parents work in Indonesia (with trips back to NZ now and then… currently they have just arrived back in NZ for a 6 month “break”). Dad’s boss manages the part of the organisation that is based in NZ and all the NZers working for them overseas. He is also a good friend of our family.
We were originally going to iPod our ceremony music but my mother thought it would be more “classy” to only do that for the reception. Mr. E and I both love the sound of an acoustic guitar, and it fits the vibe of our wedding well so that was the obvious choice of instrument. We just had to find a musician… and we really don’t have any budget for music at our wedding so this is one that has to be friendored out (is “friendored” a word? It is now).
We thought about each of our “musician friends” as possibilities however most of them live overseas and won’t be able to make it to the wedding *sad sigh*. Read more…
Weddingbee GalleryFeature Launched: April 10, 2009About: A collection of inspirational wedding pictures from readers and bees.
missjyc and her hubby-to-be can’t contain their joy in this colorful e-pic.
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. 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.)
Mrs. Knitting, TorontoAge and Occupation: 24, Student Recruitment Assistant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Neuroscience PhD CandidateEngagement Date: October 2009Wedding Date: December 2010Venue: University of Toronto Faculty Club
About Me: I'm a pearl wearing, etiquette book reading Toronto girl who loves cooking and baking, museums, charm bracelets, and collecting books on Jackie Kennedy (a lot). I've been known to spend Sunday mornings at the antique market, Wednesday evenings at sister sushi dinners, and any bit of spare time reading. After six and a half years of many late night walks, watching DVDs together in bed, travelling to places like New York, and Tobermory, doing Sudokus together on the couch, lots of Indian food, the occasional yoga class, moving in together and so much more, Mr. Knitting and I are planning a cozy Christmasy (it's a word!), vintage wedding in Toronto complete with many DIY projects (eek!) and lots of help from our amazing group of family and friends.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Surprise bachelorette that is… speaking of bridesmaids [dresses].
My hometown girls and I try to go away for a long weekend together every year around spring break time to accommodate for the gals in grad school. This year, we hit LA to visit our best bestie (and LA MOH) and we drove out to Palm Springs. Last year we had a crazy fun time in Vegas bacheloretting another friend, so this year it was time to celebrate (and take advantage of) my upcoming nuptials!
We don’t play around. So the 1st surprise on Thursday night in West Hollywood was to go see a little show in a black box theatre called (none other than) Puppetry of the Penis:
Mrs. Socks, Southern NJ/Philadelphia, PAAge and Occupation: 23, Web Developer/Marketing SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Systems EngineerEngagement Date: September 7, 2009
Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: Ladder 15 RestaurantAbout Me: I am originally from the Midwest, but I love being an East Coast transplant! Mr. Socks and I are foodies and winos to the core---give us a hunk of cheese, some charcuterie and a glass of wine and we could die happy. We have two mischievous Wire Fox Terriers with completely opposite personalities but with a shared love of uprooting anything in our garden. Our backyard garden includes everything from tomatoes and peppers to a fig tree, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries! I love cooking, indie music, and spending time in our wedding city of choice---Philly!
There’s no way that I can talk about EVERY venue we visited because let’s face it… we would never get to any of the details of our wedding, and I’d bore you to tears.
But I can provide the abridged version, featuring the serious contenders. It was very important to us to pick the atmosphere of our wedding before we got into many planning details, so that’s how I’m telling you guys the story!
Round One: Vineyards.
I’m not sure if you can tell yet, but Mr. Socks and I are obsessed with wine. Naturally, we looked at the local vineyards in PA/NJ/DE. Didn’t think there were vineyards out here? Oh! You were wrong! Read more…
Mrs. Cardigan, AustinAge and Occupation: 21, Student/Soon-to-be Special Education TeacherFiance's Age and Occupation: 20, Student/Soon-to-be Accounting Systems AnalystEngagement Date: August 16, 2009Wedding Date: January 2011Venue: Vintage VillasAbout Me: I'm a native Austinite who was raised as a die-hard Aggie. Luckily, I'm a pretty persuasive girl because I managed to convince my high school boyfriend (now fiance!), Mr. Cardigan, to ditch his hardcore Longhorn ways and join me up at A&M, where we currently reside with our adorable dogs, Cullen & Ranger. We're currently planning a bright, cheery wedding with a ridiculous amount of DIY projects that I can't wait to tackle! I love crafting in any form, reading, and margaritas (I think I love them the most!). Organization is what keeps me sane and I love helping others, which is probably why I ended up as an education major. It gets a little chaotic sometimes when you're planning a wedding among all of the papers, projects, finals, and certification exams, but we're having the time of our lives and we can't wait to get started on our journey as husband and wife - and we're so excited to share our wedding with the hive!
Because of my slight huge obsession with photography, I knew that finding a photographer for our wedding was going to be a huge undertaking. Photography was hands down the number one priority for me - more important than the venue, the food, or the dress. This could be primarily because I have such a love affair with photography, but I think wedding photography is just so important. When the day is over (and I know it will be a complete blur to me), all I will have to remember that day by are my photos. I love that you can look at photos from a wedding, and if they are done right you feel like you were there. You can feel the happiness rolling off the groom as his bride walks towards him, and you can feel the love between them as you see their first kiss.
I want to have photos from our wedding that bring me back to that day, and let me feel all of the emotions all over again. Read more…
Mrs. Seashell, Chicago, IL / Providence, RIAge and Occupation: 28, Marriage and Family TherapistFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Electrical EngineerEngagement Date: September 3, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: The Glen Manor HouseAbout Me: Fonts and fashion, stationery and Sundays, photography and french toast... the beauty is in the details for this fun-loving Chicagoan who loves to plan plan plan! The soon-to-be hubs plays "Mr. Fix-It" in our new condo while I swoon over beautiful, personalized stationery and choose shades of aubergine for my bridesmaids' dresses... and thus begins my new fairy tale! Skirting to the East Coast for our September nuptials where my home state of Rhode Island awaits with fall foliage, I'm just a few dress fittings and bachelorette party away from saying "I Do" to a very happy ending!
Perhaps I haven’t made my love of paper clear enough. I’ve only mentioned it here, and here, then I died when I discovered this place. If there’s such a thing as “paper fever” I definitely have a case. I simply can’t pass up a cute little paper boutique. One of my all time faves is Urbanic Paper Boutique in Venice, CA. Check it out if you’re in the area.
So, when I received two boxes of beautiful lace cut-out paper from Mama Seashell for Christmas, I immediately requested more. “This would be just perfect for bridal shower thank-you cards!” I gasped. She was thrilled I loved it so much and was sure she could track down some more. I now have 100 cards and envelopes. I love the sweet, elegant, bridal feel of these!
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!
I am writing this from the bedroom that hasn’t changed since I was four years old. The walls are still baby pink, the Laura Ashley curtains still in place, and a giant wicker sofa filled with stuffed animals sits to the side. I’m curled up in the poster bed that my father made for me when I was six, and I proudly helped sand and stain. I look like a frazzled mess—skin a little too red from face-products, hair in a messy bun thanks to running around in the heat in humidity, giant hipster glasses, burned fingertips from a glue gun, various cuts and bruises adorn my hands, arms, and legs, an old sorority t-shirt, and covered from head to toe in paint. Nothing out of the ordinary, right?
Mrs. Sewing, San Mateo, CA/Honolulu, HIAge and Occupation: 24, Electrical EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Electrical EngineerEngagement Date: June 27, 2009Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: Anela Garden Chapel & Japanese Cultural Center, HonoluluAbout Me: I'm an easily entertained, compulsive idea-scheming machine who loves good art, good food, and a good engineering challenge. I'm planning a half-destination wedding on the beautiful island of Oahu - imagine a plethora of movies, art and games; savory Hawaiian food; blended Chinese and Japanese cultural details; lush, fragrant tropical flowers and all the air conditioning a NorCal native could want! And once I marry the love of my life, we'll come back to the 'mainland' to party it up all over again in my hometown of Salinas, the salad-bowl capital of the world!
A while back, I talked about how we’d “number” our tables. In summary, I wanted to use location names from a certain computer game Mr. Sew and I spent abhorrent amounts of time playing together.
Then I got a little frustrated finding appropriate images, and started questioning the whole idea. It took more time than I should have spent, but eventually we finished enough for 13 tables.
