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!
My wedding countdown on The Knot is telling me we are hovering dangerously close to the 100-day mark. We’re almost at 3 months to the wedding! There is so much left for me to do, and not NEARLY enough time to do it!
But, we’ll get to all the other stuff I have to get done later. That’s just a whole post to itself. Today, let’s talk about one thing that’s been weighing pretty heavily on my mind lately: fitness.
Now, before I get started, let me just give a little disclaimer. I know that I do not need to lose weight. I’m happy with the size I am (for the most part) and I’d like to maintain my size, and perhaps tone up a bit. But I realize that I don’t have a ton of weight to lose or anything like that.
I am naturally a very active person, so working out is something that I enjoy when I do manage to talk myself into actually doing it. I really love the feeling I get from working out, and I love being active and working out every day.
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!
Now it was time to steal the wedding party from cocktail hour and snap some photos with our friends!
(Pretty sure I lucked out on the gorgeous friends front)
After this photo, we decided we’d had enough of the indoor photos and went outside to brave the crazy wind. I’m glad we did, because even though everyone’s hair, dresses, suit flaps, ties, etc. were whipping around in the wind, we still got great photos from it. First, we took advantage of the rocking chairs on the porch to sit down for a minute and enjoy the setting sun. Read more…
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.
I left off with a hint of more broken glass, and another injury to my foot. Well, here it comes.
We had been implementing a major update at work that was as tedious as it was exhausting. I had warned Mr. Husky the week before that I would likely be a bit of a grump when I came home that day, and I lived up to my word. I was flat pissy.
The Husky-in-Laws had returned to stay with us for a few days, and we had decided to have a test-run of our self-catering plan. I knew I had to shake my bad mood, so I went upstairs to change into my running clothes. On my way down the stairs, my heel slipped on the edge of the stairs, I came tumbling down and my foot went directly through a window. I whacked my elbow on the hardwood stairs, and the numbness of my arm made me late to realize I had blood oozing from my sock, and shards of glass hanging from my foot.
(personal photo)
I’ll tell you what: that did NOT help my mood.
Mr. Husky and his mom helped me get carried me to the couch. I was in pain, and very worried about the marathon that we were supposed to run in less than three weeks.
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!
I have a lot of amazingly vivid memories from my childhood. One especially distinct time that stands out were Saturday and Sunday mornings I spent with my Dad. He would take me out in his red convertible (he still has it) with the top down, and we’d drive down Blackstone Boulevard in Providence. Before leaving the house Mama Seashell would wrap me in a scarf and stick a hat on my head. I was prone to ear infections, and she didn’t want to take any chances. As we’d pull out of the driveway I’d ask Papa Seashell if I could take the hat and scarf off—he’d roll his eyes and mutter something about “your mother” and then throw my hat and scarf in the back seat. I’d giggle. I thought we were so rebellious.
Then we’d go to McDonalds at University Heights. I’d get hotcakes with syrup. I’d eat neatly, but somehow the syrup left my hands sticky. I can still hear the sound of Papa Seashell cutting my hotcakes as the plastic knife squeaked against the S`tyrofoam. It was the sound of an incoming sugar high.
Next, we hit the road. Sometimes we’d go to my Dad’s office. I’d doodle on the dry erase boards. Or we’d go to one of his favorite hobby shops. Our errands often included a trip to a toy store, but more than anything I remember driving. The car, the wind, and the music. 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!
After I was freed, we thought it would be a good time to hand out gifts and cards to our bridal party. Read more…
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.
We chose to use milk glass bud vases in our centerpieces for two reasons. One, we could pick them up at thrift stores for just dollars and two, because bud vases meant less flowers, which meant less money. Way back in the beginning when I first started buying wedding magazines and reading wedding websites I remember reading this money saving tip: Use bud vases in your centerpieces because they require only a couple stems each.
Mrs. Starfish, Boston/NewportAge and Occupation: 25, Operations AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, SalesEngagement Date: October 8, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Atlantic Beach ClubAbout Me: I'm a perfectionist who is a planner at heart. I don't do well with surprises. I love planning, crafting, Newport RI, family and friends, and most importantly, Mr. Starfish---all of which will be big components in our October wedding in our favorite little city by the sea.
One of the best things about being a crafter during wedding planning is having leftover supplies from past projects. I love making cards and if I see a really great sale at PaperSource, I’ll pick things up, even if I’m not sure what to do with it, because I know eventually I’ll get good use out of it.
Our rehearsal dinner invites were great proof of this. A while back, PaperSource had a huge sale on sparkly red rick rack cards. At the time I was dreaming of a lobster bake rehearsal dinner or using them for Christmas cards, so I bought them without a clear vision in mind.
Fast forward a year, and I needed rehearsal invitation materials fast. I turned to my paper drawer and had these waiting, along with leftover envelopes and 4-bar white paper. I decided to include some ribbon leftover from our OOT bags to jazz them up a bit.
Ms. Sloth, PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 35, Account Manager and Fashion BloggerFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Design AdminEngagement Date: December 25, 2009Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Bartram's GardenAbout Me: I'm an internet junkie and music snob with a good eye for a bargain. I couldn't live without thrift store shopping, cheeseburgers, sushi, Coke Zero, websites devoted to silly photos of baby animals, Photoshop, and Mr. Sloth. Speaking of which, he and I are a pair of goofball homebody nerds who love our beagle (the most ridiculously adorable dog EVER) to an embarrassing degree. We're planning a low-key and intimate yet festive and quirky outdoor wedding with DIY details and deeply personal touches, and it's all taking place in the city where we fell in love and call home: Philadelphia.
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!
What are you wearing for your wedding day accessories? I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. I am not a jewelry girl, and you know this. That’s part of why I don’t have an engagement ring and why I don’t care to have a blinged-out wedding ring. So, it should come as no surprise that for my wedding day, I won’t be carefully coordinating my necklace, earrings, and bracelets.
I do, however, very much like the look of statement necklaces.
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.
Well, hello there hive. It’s been exactly one month into married life and I just stepped foot on terra firma after a 49-hour journey home to beautiful Aotearoa (more on that later). Perhaps I owe you an apology for my prolonged absence. But you didn’t really expect me back too soon, did you? We had a lot of newly-wedded bliss to absorb. And absorb it we did, in nearly every state north of Virginnie. I’m not quite ready to share wedding recaps yet, but I did miss you. So, I hope in the meantime you wont mind if I share a bit about what we’ve been calling our stay-cation-moon.
Mr. Veggie and I had given very little thought to how we might spend the weeks following our wedding. Read more…
Mrs. Jelly Beans, OttawaAge and Occupation: 28, Pediatric Registered Nurse and full time bride to beFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Investor and very supportive groom to beEngagement Date: July 7, 2005Wedding Date: August 25, 2007Blogging Since: June 20, 2007Venue: Cathedral Ceremony and Rooftop Tent ReceptionHoneymoon: ItalyAbout Me: I have been in wedding planning mode since Mr. Jelly Beans popped the question almost two years ago. I am a very dorky and sentimental person. I love laughing and living life alongside my husband-to-be. We have been in a long distance relationship for over 6 years - he is in California and I am presently in Canada, so you can imagine how excited we both are for our upcoming wedding.
Or at least that’s what my dear husband has been calling baby Jelly Beans’ 1st birthday celebration, since I came up with the idea of having a mini-soiree for her birthday. And I thought planning our wedding was hard work. Try planning a wedding…errr…I mean birthday party with a super happy and rambunctious almost-1-year old. It made our wedding planning seem like a walk in a meadow of flowers & butterflies.
The combination of ex-bride-to-be and my type-A tendencies made me determined to do everything myself, with the help of Mr Jelly Beans, of course. I designated naptimes & bedtime as my craft time—meaning I haven’t slept in over a month. *Yawn*
So much has changed since our wedding 3 years ago. And by changed, I mean there are bigger and grander crafts and ideas. Visions of sugar, vintage candy, pink and sparkly things were dancing through my head. I’m not going to lie to you—Mr JB was scared…very scared!
Here is a sneak peek into planning our little bean’s special day…more pictures of my DIY projects and the party are coming to a Weddingbee blog near you!
Mrs. Sushi, Hershey/HawaiiAge and Occupation: 27, Air Force PhotographerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Laborer/Aspiring Hip Hop ProducerEngagement Date: December 25, 2007Wedding Date: March 2009Blogging Since: October 9, 2006Venue: Byodo-In Temple, Luau ReceptionAbout Me: I’m a notorious people-watcher who loves all things paper, food, traveling, grubbin’ on food, gossip magazines, food, sock monkeys…did I mention food?! Mr. Sushi and I are both haolepinos (half Filipino, half Caucasian) and hope to be able to somehow incorporate our cultures at our destination wedding in Hawaii. All while planning from the sweetest place in earth, Hershey!
I can’t speak for everyone and I’m definitely not some organization queen. In fact, if you were to see my work office, it’s what I like to call an “organized mess,” but I do know where everything is located. Okay, I know where things should be located. BUT I did manage to stay pretty organized during my wedding planning. I kept everything in one binder. Everything.
I know some gals buy those nice, fancy, overpriced wedding planners, but with planning a destination wedding, a lot of what they had in those thorough binders didn’t pertain to me and my minimalist destination wedding. And I’m cheap; I used a plain, 1 inch, white binder. Now don’t get me wrong, I did spruce it up in my own way.
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.
After getting into my dress it was about 2:15 in the afternoon. But not everything was going smoothly. Bridesmaid H had just received word that the guys were all dressed and ready to head out to the venue, however the two groomsmen who had left early with the U-Haul were stuck in traffic from a wreck on the way to the venue!
(Isn’t she pretty? And I love how the earrings Bridesmaid H borrowed from me pop in this picture.)
Yikes—not good, because once you’re stuck on the main road up to our venue, there’s no real way to turn around. The groomsmen and all of our wedding decor were at the mercy of the traffic jam! And with a very tight set-up schedule, them arriving at the venue late could mean a late start to our ceremony. Read more…
Mrs. Elephant, Dallas, TXAge and Occupation: 27, Financial Operations AnalystFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, IT Student/Store ManagerEngagement Date: March 29, 2009Wedding Date: April 2011Venue: The Tribute Golf ClubAbout Me: I'm a Philly native creating roots deep in the heart of Texas. I might be a little obsessed capturing those Kodak moments of anything and everything (mainly on vacations). I've become more of a gamer thanks to Mr. Elephant, who I met online and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with. We are planning a wedding based on our favorite colors, blue and green, with a travel theme for 150 of our closest friends and family. Hopefully our long (2-year) engagement won't kill me!
I’ve been to weddings with different seating arrangements: open seating, assigned table, and assigned seat. We decided to assign tables for our wedding because we wanted to make sure everyone had a place and that our family and bridal party wouldn’t be stuck in the back due to post-ceremony pictures.
I searched the Internet for ideas for the escort cards and came up with a few that I liked:
