Mrs. Barrettes, Tumon, Guam/Napa, CAAge and Occupation: 29, DancerFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Licensed Building ContractorEngagement Date: November 16, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: V. Sattui WineryAbout Me: I'm an East Coast girl, living on a tiny little island in the Pacific, twirling, leaping, and shimmy-ing my way through life, and now, wedding planning! I'm equal parts nerdy and cool... okay, mostly nerdy. I love satin bows, red lipstick, black & white graphic anything, the shine of sequins and the sound of a champagne "pop". My favorite books are The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James, and Tender is the Night, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I can also conjure a pretty good Patronus Charm. I started my appreciation for good red wine while traveling on the high seas, and it's only fitting that my passion for wine drinking led me to my Napa-bred honey. We bonded over bottles of Cabernet on my oceanfront porch and haven't looked back since. We're sealing the deal at a winery in the Napa Valley on a 'perfect ten' of a day!
The morning of my mom’s flight out of Guam, we met the girls at Iridescent for our “Faux Fitting.” I wanted my mom to have the experience of dress shopping because my wedding dress experience has been a bit different. We will be modifying her wedding dress for me to wear during the ceremony, and I will then wear a fabulous little white number for the reception. So…no true “Say Yes to the Dress” moment for us.
Mrs. Locket, Ithaca, NYAge and Occupation: 25, Research TechnicianFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, former Banker hoping to become an Officer of the LawEngagement Date: June 15, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: Heron Hill WineryAbout Me: I am a little bit of everything all rolled into one: A girly gal with rough edges---I love to get dolled up just as much as I enjoy throwing on some sneaks to toss a ball with Mr. Locket. My love for crafting and creating is quite apparent and I've been referred to as a Wonder Woman/Martha Stewart/Stepford Wife hybrid (yup, I'll take that as a compliment). I adore sewing, photography, sculpture, good eats (mmm tapas), baking, snugging and oh, pretty much everything in between (there's not much I dislike). I am super excited to be planning our vineyard wedding and couldn't be happier to be marrying Mr. Locket. We are a quirky, fun-loving couple residing in our college town with our two pups Maple and Molly. We love to go on hikes, visit our local dog park and to bask in the beauty of many of the local falls and gorges. We are an indecisive pair, but together we somehow manage to make up our minds (it's the easy stuff that's tricky).
As if I don’t already have enough on my DIY plate…I recently decided I needed another must-have for our wedding day. I was minding my own business watching TLC’s D.C. Cupcakes the other night, and what did they have to show me? A very inspiring cupcake flowerpot display to fuel my bride brain! It looks like a super easy project and will def add an awesome wow factor to our dessert buffet. And with a little help from Google, I was able to find all these great ideas and am eager to try my hand at them.
Mrs. Glasses, Tokyo/Los Angeles, CAAge and Occupation: 24, English teacherFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, English teacherEngagement Date: September 2008Wedding Date: October 2010 Venue: Parents' backyardAbout Me: I’m an expat living in Tokyo. I’ve been in Japan for almost three years now, where I met my fantastic English fiance. It’s time to leave Japan, so we are planning a fun, intimate, backyard ceremony back home in the suburbs of L.A. in October. Our wedding will be a mix of my love for food, beer, my Japanese culture, and Mr. G’s Englishness. We are on a tiny budget and DIYing almost everything!
Let’s set the way-back machine for June: we were knee-deep in wedding planning but still had to tackle Mr. G.’s green card. Finally, the day had come for our interview at the U.S. Embassy…
It is fist pumps all around here today! Fist pumps, slammin’ a Bud, and blasting Party in the USA! Only me, of course. Mr. Glasses is still English, despite being the proud owner of a new green card.
We were approved today after four months of frustration, mountains of paperwork, quite a lot of money, and two interviews. It feels so good. Like a huge weight off my chest. Honestly, wedding planning is stressful enough, but at least we have control over those plans. It was so surreal to sit in that crowded lobby, waiting to hear if we would be approved to enter America—my own home country. Everyone was really nice, though, and it all went smoothly this time around. Read more…
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.
What is the honeymoon equivalent of stepping in gum? Stepping in gum wearing new shoes, but, on the upside, in a really lovely locale. Because that’s what our honeymoon was.
We stayed at the Majestic Elegance in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The grounds were beautiful and our room was wonderful: a hot tub, comfy bed, and a balcony where we enjoyed breakfast nearly every morning.
Mrs. Gloss, Boston/MaineAge and Occupation: 24, Designer/soon-to-be ArchitectFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Systems EngineerEngagement Date: May 23, 2008Wedding Date: August 2009Venue: SS Katahdin/Lakeside TentAbout Me: I don't like nickels or the skin that forms on pudding when it's in the fridge for too long. I couldn't live without Pantone markers, fountain soda (3/4 diet, ¼ regular Coke), run-on sentences, or ridiculously oversized sunglasses. I will try to DIY almost anything and am just OCD enough to make most of it work. I am truly excited about having all my family and friends together, becoming Mrs. Gloss, and having amazing photos to prove it!
Mrs. Taco, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 29, writer/editorFiance's Age and Occupation: 37, editorEngagement Date: May 13, 2009Wedding Date: August 2010Venue: The Green Room at the War Memorial Veterans BuildingAbout Me: I like laughing and talking with good friends over good food and good drink, be it wine, cocktail, or brew. I write and edit things for fun and profit, but I rarely "write" these days without a keyboard and high-speed internets. Favorites include Mr. Taco, my Boston terrier, San Francisco, getting out of town, and the Roaring ’20s. I was kind-of planning a wedding since roughly 2006, when I discovered "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?" on the WE channel. I ran and didn't look back with a theme I called "urban vintage," and it culminated in the most magical day a taco could ask for.
We’re currently in decompression mode, but we had such a great time. Mucho thanks to our friends and family, near and far, for making it happen! Add fantastic vendors and a photo booth, and we have this:
Mrs. Husky, DenverAge and Occupation: 26, Systems AdministratorFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Mechanical Engineer, recently laid offEngagement Date: August 14, 2009Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: Rancho San CarlosAbout Me: I am planning a quirky-crafty wedding with my recently out-of-work fiancé for a (fingers crossed!) warm October afternoon. We are two self-professed nerds with an affinity for all things outdoors---be it rain, snow or shine. Recently relocated from the drizzly Northwest, we're enjoying the many sun-soaked days in the mile high city. Our day will be filled with both of our large families and friends, a self-served Cajun feast, and a Zydeco-style jazz band rocking beneath the beams of a historic red barn.
My family is not know for their punctuality. Some have taken to scheduling a get-together for 30 minutes after the time they tell my family it begins. We are notoriously late.
It’s not intentional—I think every member of my family really does try to adhere to a schedule. And their running-late habits generally don’t bother me much. But on our wedding day? The story may be a little bit different.
Mrs. French Fries, MilwaukeeAge and Occupation: 27, ParalegalFiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Investments AdvisorEngagement Date: September 20, 2008Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: Ceremony: Catholic Church, Reception: Hotel BallroomAbout Me: I'm a Midwestern girl who longs to live in a warmer climate (my feet would be happy in flip flops any day!). I love travel, impromptu napping, grilled cheese sandwiches, my iPhone, singing with reckless abandon in my car, and Mr. French Fries.
The morning of our wedding, I woke up at 5:00 AM. True story. No matter that I had just fallen asleep around 1:00 AM after my late-night convo with Mr. French Fries, my eyes popped open and I looked at the clock. ‘OMG, MUST GET MORE SLEEP,’ was the first thought that ran through my head. But, as everyone knows, forcing yourself and stressing about getting more sleep is the fastest way to achieve… staying awake. Read more…
Miss Handbag, Smyrna, DE/JamaicaAge and Occupation: 25, AdministrationFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, SalesEngagement Date: Christmas Night 2008Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: Rosehall Resort, Montego Bay, JamaicaAbout Me: I am a Type A, emotional Italian fireball, who on a weekly basis must be brought back to reality by my level headed, calm, cool and collected fiance. We are planning an intimate, all white with hints of black, vintage inspired wedding on the old sugar aqueducts of Jamaica, with 30 of our closest friends and family flying in to witness the occasion. We are not traditional by any means and will be doing things very differently. :)
Since my bridesmaids are all so far away and spread out, I decided to let go and let them decide on whatever they wanted to wear for our wedding. The only “rules” that I have are that they are black and they feel sexy in them. Every girl has a LBD in their closet, and if they don’t, now is the time to go get one. I dont care if they spend $30 or $150—it’s all up to them and what they can afford. I know times are tough, so I didn’t want to put them in a financial burden. I already feel slightly bad that they have to pay for airfare and hotel to Jamaica, so I figured I would spare them this.
I trust all my girls to find something cute. If they feel good in whatever they chose, I am certain, they will look fantastic. When a girl looks good, it makes them feel good and it shows.
In a perfect world… this is what I WOULD dress them in. These dresses are so adorable: 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!
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!
Hey hive! We’re so thrilled and honored to be included in this year’s list of Aisle Dash’s 2010 wedding blog award winners, alongside of some of the most amazing wedding blogs and bloggers in the industry. Check out the winners below!
A special thank you to Aisle Dash’s editor Anne Chertoff as well as the esteemed panel of judges: Marcy Blum, Colin Cowie, Eric Hildebrand, Mark Ingram and Liene Stevens. And a big thanks to all the bees, hive hostesses and hive members for making Weddingbee a truly wonderful wedding community!
Mrs. Barrettes, Tumon, Guam/Napa, CAAge and Occupation: 29, DancerFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Licensed Building ContractorEngagement Date: November 16, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: V. Sattui WineryAbout Me: I'm an East Coast girl, living on a tiny little island in the Pacific, twirling, leaping, and shimmy-ing my way through life, and now, wedding planning! I'm equal parts nerdy and cool... okay, mostly nerdy. I love satin bows, red lipstick, black & white graphic anything, the shine of sequins and the sound of a champagne "pop". My favorite books are The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James, and Tender is the Night, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I can also conjure a pretty good Patronus Charm. I started my appreciation for good red wine while traveling on the high seas, and it's only fitting that my passion for wine drinking led me to my Napa-bred honey. We bonded over bottles of Cabernet on my oceanfront porch and haven't looked back since. We're sealing the deal at a winery in the Napa Valley on a 'perfect ten' of a day!
Mr. Barrettes spoke with our potential catering company yesterday, and we’re up to our eyeballs in heavy hors d’oeuvres. My mouth waters just reading the list of potential players:
Mrs. Mascara, Chicago/Upper MichiganAge and Occupation: 25, Biomedical EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Process EngineerEngagement Date: July 27, 2008Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Catholic ceremony, reception at local armoryAbout Me: A lover of Mr. Mascara, crafting, baking, Gossip Girl, diet soda, and all things wedding. A Yooper girl somehow displaced in the Chicago suburbs, planning a wedding from a distance, and counting down the days until I marry my best friend.
Before I go into the details of the morning of the wedding, I must share one last detail about the night before. After our rehearsal dinner was over, we had gone to our friend’s bar for a bit to visit with friends who were just getting into town. While we were there I noticed that my nails were destroyed (the manicure I had earlier in the day was not the greatest) so I decided to fix it before I went to bed. My sister (and MOH) and I stopped at the store on our way to the hotel (keep in mind this is after midnight and Walmart was the only store open) and bought some nail polish. When we got back to the hotel, I sat down on the bed and immediately painted my nails while we were chatting. The next thing I knew, it was light outside, and both of us were sleeping while sitting up on top of the covers. I had a bit of a freak out when I realized we had fallen asleep… I was afraid I was going to be late for my own wedding day! Thankfully it was only about 5 AM and I still had a little while left to sleep… under the covers and laying down this time!
When I woke up (for the second time) we gathered our stuff and headed for the salon. Leah went right to work on my hair since we’d already had a trial.
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.
Until very recently I was pretty scared of buying anything off the Internet. I basically thought if I bought anything off the Internet my identity would be immediately stolen, I’d have to pay exorbitant shipping fees, and whatever I bought would arrive in terrible condition. Anyway, after reading about everyone else in the universe having really positive experiences with Etsy, I figured I needed to see what I was missing.
I have now made my first Etsy purchase and I could not be more thrilled with it.
However, before I actually show you what it is Mr. Knitting needs to stop reading. This one is not for you. Go away please. Read more…
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.
We hadn’t left the tarmac in Boston and I was already wistfully nostalgic about our soon-to-be perfect honeymoon. I pictured it as a montage set to some Gray’s-Anatomy-type music. There we were, I imagined, floating blissfully in a pool. There we were, grinning in a hot tub with colorful drinks in our hands/strolling the beach wearing linen (I don’t own an ounce of linen)/tanned and excited and scheming about how to quit our real lives and stay in this bronzy, cotton-candy-spun bubble forever.
I think I’ve mentioned before that although I never entertained dreams of the “perfect wedding day”, I always believed, steadfastly, in the perfect honeymoon.
We would later discover that perfect honeymoons, although tidy and memorable and nostalgia-inducing and, well… perfect (whatever that means)… aren’t nearly as funny as the ridiculous kind.
What follows is a story about the latter. Read more…
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
