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.
I told you about the awesome engagement party my sister put together for us. You saw the fabulous crafts we put together and you oohed and ahhed over the prizes for the games. So now, to your delight, the games themselves! Or, at least the first one.
A little background first: once it became clear that we wanted to have an engagement party and that someone wanted to put it together for us – and that people wanted to come! – we had to figure out what people do at engagement parties. From what I could figure out, the party is supposed to be an event at which the two families meet, everyone sees the ring, and the bride is given gifts.
Mrs. Hermit Crab, New York, NYAge and Occupation: 24, Youth Director soon to be Grad StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Medical Student - soon to be Surgery ResidentEngagement Date: October 11, 2008Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: New York Botanical GardenAbout Me: I love all things food, books, our furbaby, Rashi, and adventures with my amazing fiance (oh, and saving the world!). This summer I will not only be a bride, but a bridesmaid, officiant, and attendee as well---it's all about weddings in my life right now, full of so many exciting moments and projects. We're planning a fab New York City wedding weekend full of family, love and lots of color!
It seems that every bride-to-be grapples with the question of name change, and I am no exception.
For most of my life, I assumed I would change my name when I got married.
However, it’s easy peasy to make a decision before you’re actually faced with it. When I got engaged, I realized that I was actually about to really change my name. All of a sudden, my last name was my whole identity - my connection to my family, my familial history, my own past (what to do with the hundreds of high school shirts that have my last name on the back!). His last name is much more popular than mine, my name would be far less original. Would changing my name mean that I was breaking a connection to my family, and joining Mr. Hermit Crab’s? And why did I have to change my name - couldn’t he?
I thought about this a lot over the first few months that we were engaged. I spoke to everyone I could about why they had or had not changed their name. I had a long conversation with Mr. Hermit Crab about it, and I thought some more. Finally, I concluded that I should, and would, change my name. My connections to my own family will not be broken, and I will not be “more” in Mr. Hermit Crab’s family than my own. However, Mr. Hermit Crab and I were going to create a new family together, and this name would represent us. I am not going to lose any part of my identity. Before the wedding, we will look like this: Read more…
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.
So, back in early January I posted about how I was going to get myself in better shape for our wedding. You all probably thought I was full of crap, and it was just a New Years resolution that I gave up on, but that’s where you’re wrong!
I’m proud to announce that I’ve lost two pant sizes since then! Just take a look at my old jeans that I bought in November (I totally feel like a Jenny Craig ad, haha):
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. 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!
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.
Hello hive! I almost can’t believe I’m writing my very first official Weddingbee post! I actually found out I was going to be a bee while I was in Amsterdam and since no one (except Mr. Knitting) knew I’d even applied to be a bee I think my family and friends were a bit confused by the (excessively exclamation point laden) email they got from me that didn’t refer at all to the incredible trip I was on, but instead was all about how I was going to be a bee and that it was the coolest thing ever. Let’s just say the whole being in Amsterdam thing receded from my mind for a few minutes! Anyway, I’m now back from an incredible Europe trip with a girlfriend (and bridesmaid!) and am so excited to get back into wedding planning mode. As for being able to share all the details with all of you? I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited!
Mr. Knitting and me at my graduation dinner last year.
Mr. Knitting (who prefers to refer to himself as a Wedding Bro) and I are planning our cozy vintage Christmas wedding for December, as it’s my favourite time of year. Read more…
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.
When I was in college, I worked at a School of English. The school was associated with our university, and we had students from all over the world enrolled in our program. I worked as a Monitor - it was my job to organize social activities for our students, as well as to lead them in conversation. It was an absolutely amazing experience, which allowed me to befriend people from all over the world.
One of the people that I got to know very well was Mario. As the youngest person in our program (he was only 16 at the time - the program caters mostly to college level students), he astonished everyone with his drive to master the English language, and his carefree attitude. He was one of those people that you knew would grow up to be someone great - he was wise beyond his years without being condescending.
At the end of the semester, Mario returned to his home in Mexico. He would eventually enroll in med school and get engaged.
This morning, I received news that Mario had been kidnapped, and despite the fact that his parents paid over a million pesos in ransom, he was found dead a couple of days ago. Read more…
ClassifiedsFeature Launched: April 30, 2008About: A roundup of the best Weddingbee Classified listings.
Hi hive! Thank you for your continued suggestions for Weddingbee Spring Cleaning categories. To find out more about Spring Cleaning, click here!
Today’s featured item of the day is hair combs!
Sellers: if you have a hair comb for sale, please post your item to the Weddingbee Classifieds by adding your item, and then return to this post and add the lindamask to the item you’re selling in the comments, along with a quick description. Also pay attention to the comments in this ad to see if any buyers are searching for the item you’re selling by subscribing to the comments.
Buyers: if you’re looking for hair combs for sale, you can do a couple things:
Identify yourself in the comments as LOOKING FOR (type of item you’re looking for, and quantity).
Subscribe to this thread, so you’re informed of new hair combs that are being listed for sale in the Weddingbee Classifieds. ***
amandab is selling a hair comb made from a beautiful sparkling Swarovski crystal brooch. She’s asking $50 plus shipping. Read more…
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.
Thanks for sticking with me through my last, possibly tedious venue post. Now it’s time to reveal our pick and the why behind it (besides it’s obvious beauty).
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.
As a real, live, card-carrying lesbian (yes, it’s true! You come out and you actually get a card! What, you never got yours?), I may or may not have a tendency to over-discuss things. Or, one could argue, discuss things to a healthy extent. Let’s just say that communication is one of our strong points.
But one thing that getting married and planning a marriage – not just a wedding – is making us do is discuss our relationship and our future in a way that I’m not sure we otherwise would. On Wednesday we decided to get started on this whole vow-writing thing. I think that we will be combining our own vows with some traditional vows and some non-traditional wedding readings with some that you might expect to hear. But step one is figure out how to write your own vows. We followed some instructions that we found online, starting with making a list of things that we love about each other, and then making a list of things that we bring to the relationship or that we want to promise.
Fancee makes a heart to symbolize our looooove (barf)
Mrs. Perfume, DCAge and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, ConsultantEngagement Date: May 13, 2008Wedding Date: May, 2009Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, VirginiaAbout Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
Here we are moments after the ceremony: hugging, just the two of us, in disbelief, taking it all in. Then our family and friends poured out of the garden. There were congratulations and hugs by close family members. These are my very favorite moments…
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
As Mr. Pencils would say, the men got dressed together “because Miss Pencils would have wanted us to… for photos.” I’ll admit it—I asked the groomsmen and my father to crowd into a much smaller hotel room and put their ties on together.
They all obliged. Thanks guys!
Here’s the morning in Mr. P’s words: “Best Man A took me to get a bagel, I had to go to the claymation place to get that dish, then I got cigars for Uncle J. Once we got to the hotel, then we waited in the room for about an hour while we waited for all the guys to arrive. I wanted to watch Star Wars but got vetoed and we watched lacrosse. Then we got ready. It was really hot in that room.”
Annnnddddd, I guess that’s why I do the blogging. Thanks, hubby. By the way, “claymation” place is the ceramics studio where I made our ring holder.
While Susan stayed with us gals getting ready, Brian headed over to capture the men.
Mr. P’s little brother and one of his best men, SM; Mr. Pencils; Daddy Pencils
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.
Hi hive! I checked the mailbox today and you’ve got mail! Wanna see? Read more…
Mrs. Sunrise, MinneapolisAge and Occupation: 27, Client Relations LiaisonFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Senior Technical Support AnalystEngagement Date: December 26, 2008Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: The Oaks banquet room at Eagan Community CenterAbout Me: I am a crafty and optimistic, laid back girly-girl who fell in love with a video game-playin', hip hop-lovin', Lego-buildin', computer-techie nerd. I get easily distracted by shiny objects (oohhh pretty..) and I have more shoes than I can count (but I still need more). I love to shake my booty to Lady Gaga’s music but she frightens the hell outta me. Mr. Sunrise and I could not be any more different, but you know what they say… opposites attract! We met over 9 years ago while working for a local grocery store. It was love at first “Clean-up in Aisle 5!” We are both Chicago-born and raised, but recently relocated to Minnesota for his career. I will always remain a Windy City gal through and through, but I cannot deny my love for the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Immediately after we booked our photographer, I started searching for some cool locations in the Twin Cities where we could shoot. Unfortunately for me, I had no clue where to start because we were still fairly new to the area. My awesome photographer couldn’t really help in this department either because she was flying in from California. I was pretty much on my own. So I asked my best friend, Google, to help me locate some sweet photo spots. I visited different gardens and parks. I stalked the blogs of local photographers. And then one day it hit me like a ton of bricks. I live in a pretty cool apartment complex! Instead of traveling to different locations, why not just shoot here??! And so we did.
There’s this little waterfall behind the management office that we often visit because it’s practically in our backyard. The pond is inhabited by many fish, including koi. We have also seen a few turtles in there.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
Mr. Knitting and me at my graduation dinner last year.
By the way, “claymation” place is the ceramics studio where I made our ring holder.
