Mrs. Zebra, Providence, RIAge and Occupation: 24 Marketing/Costume DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26 Management/Firefighter Engagement Date: December 12, 2008Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: The Providence BiltmoreAbout Me: I'm a small town New England girl with an affinity for procrastination, crossing the proverbial line, and putting her foot in her mouth. I'm a lover of history, all seasons, sewing and Incubus. I design costumes on the side for my old high school's theatre department, which is where I met my sexy man. Our motto for our Big Fat Lebanese/Portuguese/Irish near-300 person wedding is "the more the merrier"! We are marrying in a Catholic ceremony and are hammering out the details of our Victorian-inspired reception.
It almost didn’t happen. It was kind of sort of not really like those movies where the girl falls in love with the perfect guy, only to settle for the d-bag, but then at the end realizes there is something way better in the other. Of course, there are some bumps along the way, and it seems like the universe is against that perfect pairing. That’s how I’d kind of sort of not really, though, describe us stumbling upon our painfully perfect, smile-and-literally-say-hello-every-time-I-drive-by-it wedding reception venue.
Mrs. Lemonade, Austin/San AntonioAge and Occupation: 28, BureaucratFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Music ManagementEngagement Date: December 21, 2007Wedding Date: April, 2009Blogging Since: August 22, 2008Venue: Country Club ceremony, ballroom receptionAbout Me: I’m a total wonkette who is lucky enough to be surrounded by her favorite things on a daily basis – awesome music, the great State of Texas and of course, Mr. Lemonade! I find any excuse I can to craft something and am completely infatuated with the 1950’s, all things Kennedy, and my furbaby Vida.
Mrs. Brooch, Arlington, VAAge and Occupation: 25, Writer/EditorFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Front Desk ManagerEngagement Date: October 3, 2009Wedding Date: April 2011Venue: Oxon Hill ManorAbout Me: I’m an indecisive girlie-girl with a motor mouth, can-do attitude, and knack for making others laugh. I dream of becoming a best selling novelist like Elizabeth Gilbert or Julie Powell (a girl can dream, right?), and love long road trips, a beautiful countryside, music, blogs, books, and all things vintage/thrift/antique/or homemade. I’m a Virgo, i.e. overly sensitive, emotional, and critical, and there’s no such thing as short and sweet in my world. I want to say and do it all. Mr. Brooch grounds me. I point where to go and he figures out the way. He’s a pragmatic fancy-pants who enjoys video games and movies. We both adore our mutt, Rocky, and spending time with our amazingly supportive family and friends. We’re planning a garden wedding with a formal reception with lots of whimsy and unique, Southern-inspired details.
Well, one of the very exciting and wonderful things that took place not long after we found our venue was our engagement shoot! It was such a fun experience, and we fell in love with our photographer, Kelly J. Mihacole. Not only did she make us feel comfortable in front of the camera, which we usually would not be (at all), she did some amazing artwork that really brought our pictures to life!
Mrs. Sand Dollar, HoustonAge and Occupation: 24, Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Electrical TechnicianEngagement Date: January 8, 2010Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: MacLean ParkAbout Me: I'm a domestic diva down to the core. I heart cooking, sewing, baking, decorating and making sure we have a hand-crafted home. The best part about the wedding is I get to incorporate it all! I make sure I put my art degree to good use by screen printing, craft knife cutting, and a whole lotta graphic design. We're having a big-time party on a small-time budget, and I promise to show you a boot-scootin', barbecue-eatin', finger-lickin' good time! Mr. Sand Dollar and I spend most of our time on DIY projects or traipsing around the outdoors with our two pooches Rory and Juno. I'm looking forward to sharing our journey with all of you!
One thing Mr. SD and I didn’t want to worry about was finding a minister. He attended a church all through high school, but the pastor has since left and been replaced. It’s pretty much the same story for me, and we didn’t really find a church home in Waco. So, who would we ask? We didn’t want a stranger to perform the ceremony, so we decided on a friend. Who? This guy.
This is basically the essence of Matty Reeves. 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.
You already heard about the panic of getting everyone on the boat ride the Thursday before our wedding, my mini freak out with not being able to start setting up for the rehearsal dinner on time, and how my dress got dirty before the ceremony, but before I begin the actual wedding day recaps, let’s talk about what went awry on our big day, so the rest of my recaps can focus on the things that went right! No wedding goes 100% perfectly, ours included, no matter what we all see on TV or read about on blogs.
What went wrong: Running about 20 minutes late all day, starting with 2 of our 3 our hair and makeup artists showing up late, and made worse by our limo driver taking a wrong turn up the mountain on the way to our venue (he quickly figured it out, but turning around on a narrow and curvy mountain road wasn’t quick or easy, especially with one of our photogs following in his own car). Read more…
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!
Spend an evening with The Wedding Bootcamp at Bridal Reflections in NYC on September 13th. Try on some luxurious wedding gowns while mingling with some of NY’s top wedding vendors, enjoy yummy treats, and go home with a fun goody bag!
Tickets are $15, but Grazia from The Wedding Salon has sent us over a code for FREE tickets for Weddingbee readers! Simply check out with code WBNC to redeem your free tickets.
Mrs. Hippo, New York City/Dallas, TXAge and Occupation: 34, Event Planner for a Non-Profit Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Finance ITEngagement Date: August 8, 2009Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: Samuel Lynne Galleries and Marc EventsAbout Me: I’m a thirty-something bride living in New York City and planning a modern-ish wedding in Dallas, Texas. I love trashy reality television (Jersey Shore, anyone?), online shopping, Sunday brunch, Central Park, and random celebrity spottings on the streets of Manhattan. While I love NYC, I miss good Tex-Mex, my college friends, central A/C, and being in close proximity to a Target. I’m thrilled to finally be planning an event that’s not work-related and to be marrying my best friend in what I hope will be a unique and personal ceremony followed by a reception with plenty of good food, good drinks, and dancing (regardless if it’s good or not).
I’m relatively new to the world of Etsy, and I just discovered the Alchemy section of the site. OMG. If you don’t know about this, you should and I can’t believe no one told me about it earlier. Where was I?!? For those of you who are a little slow like I am, Alchemy is basically where you can request a custom item from Etsy sellers. It. Is. Awesome.
Now, we have yet to settle on a cake design, do a tasting, or find a baker, but I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect cake topper to match the rest of our wedding look. I was searching for someone who could make a custom topper with our wedding logo that I could embellish with crystals, but I couldn’t seem to find a place online that offered just what I was looking for. You would think it would be easy to find, but my Google search came up with some VERY pricey options, and on Etsy, I found pretty much every other kind of cake topper you could think of (bride on a horse with her snowboarding groom, anyone?), but didn’t see anything screaming, “Send me your logo. I’ll make you a cake topper.”
Thank goodness I stumbled upon Alchemy. 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!
Well really, it’s print, but close enough. A couple months ago, I followed up on a post on the Knot to meet with a freelance writer and five other females to do an article on rings and engagements.
We met on a Saturday afternoon for high tea at a cute little French bistro and dished about our engagements, rings, and wedding plans, all over tasty sandwiches, desserts, and tea. (It being Texas and the summer, I opted for iced tea over hot tea.) When we were leaving, the writer told us that we could expect a copy of the magazine in our mail.
After work, the day the magazine was supposed to come in, I couldn’t wait to get the leash on Gypsy and head for the mailbox, and there it was!! The magazine is called Instore and is a magazine for jewelry-store owners. Below are some pictures of the group, a single shot of me, and a depiction of the famous soup can that Mr. E proposed with. (Sorry for having to blur out the last name.)
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.
I knew I wanted a hand-drawn map, and I knew I didn’t want to pay someone else to draw it. I thought I’d be able to trace a Google map and draw cute things for landmarks easy peasy, scan it in to the computer and print them out. I waited to tackle this fun project until Weekend-invite-assembly-mayhem-must-go-out-by-Tuesday Crunch Time.
That’s not a great plan, hive. I’m a procrastinator. And seeing my old habits collide with my bridal-driven desire for perfection, my one surviving logical brain cell nearly nixed the map project to spare myself frustration and tears.
Here’s where my knight in thimbley armor saved the day! Read more…
Mrs. Pashmina, NYC/Catalina Island, CAAge and Occupation: 28, Arts EducationFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, IT AdministratorEngagement Date: April 26th, 2009Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: Catalina Country Club, Catalina Island, CaliforniaAbout Me: I'm a laid-back Cali girl who moved to NYC for school, and ended up staying for love. My fiance is a quick-witted Jersey boy, a self-proclaimed Foodie and the funniest man I've ever met. Together we love exploring the city streets embarking on our next misadventure---and yes, this often involves eating off food carts and trying "the next big thing". I'm the girl in the sundress, snapping photos and collecting trinkets of memorabilia along the way. As a girly girl at heart, I am excited about our romantic natural island wedding incorporating our American & Filipino traditions.
I finished our ring pillow three days before the wedding! It was in limbo for a few weeks because I didn’t know what I wanted to decorate the top of it with (this is the most important part, right?).
Finished pillow - view from above with my engagement ring. Personal photo
Originally I decided to make a ring pillow myself because I thought I could save money. FYI: this isn’t the case. There is a reason they sell the decorated ones for $50-$60 on Etsy.
Mrs. Plaid, AustinAge and Occupation: 26, Pastry ChefFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Cabinetry CarpenterEngagement Date: August 8, 2009Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: Kindred Oaks, GeorgetownAbout Me: I am a Jersey girl born and raised but have since migrated to Texas and embraced its twang and Tex-Mex. I could probably eat chips and queso every day but instead I eat popcorn. I use the word “awesome” way too much but I just can’t seem to stop myself. I am addicted to all things DIY and am planning what I call a Texas-Chic wedding. I love snuggling with my two adorable dogs and of course, my adorable fiance. I can’t wait 'til I can call him my husband some day! October 2010, here we come!
OK, well maybe just to a bride who has been stressing over a giant project she decided to take on that’s been sitting in her closet for many months now. What can I say? It was too big. And I just didn’t want to do it.
I scored these jars from work months ago for free.
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!
Just in case you’ve been wondering if we actually invited anyone to this awesome shindig of ours, I think it’s high time I talk gush about our invitations. Just a little gushing, mkay? And maybe a photo or two. No big deal.
First off, my most sincere apologies to the trees. As green as our wedding will be in a lot of ways, the invitations are not one of them. What can I say? *Hangs head in shame* I absolutely LOVE paper.
And that brings me to these invitations of ours. Our relationship was hot, heavy, and all-consuming. I should have mentioned them earlier, but quite frankly we just needed a little break from each other. I was sick of their constant and increasing demands—a liner here, a little twine there, an inner vellum envelope in a nearly impossible to find size, and the list went on. Our invitations were a demanding lover, and finally I had to say enough was enough.
After the post office lied to us about the amount of postage it would take to get these invitations out of my life (*shakes fist*), I resigned myself to slapping a blue goat (“It’s a ram, a ram is better right?” said the placating postal worker) on the last few invites and dropping them in the mail.
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.
I saw Katie B’s work online and was immediately wowed by it. As an Asian bride I was really having a difficult time finding a makeup artist that could execute my wedding vision. I wanted to look fresh and flawless. And, when I saw her pictures, I was convinced that she was “the one.” The only other time that this has happened was when I met Mr Jelly Beans.
Unfortunately, at that point in my wedding planning, Katie was in California and I was in Canada. So, despite all the not-so-subtle hinting which led to whining, begging and pleading, Mr Jelly Beans put his foot down and I settled for local hair and makeup artists.
I was lucky enough to finally get to work with Katie B and her fiance Shaun for our first year wedding anniversary pictures.
Mrs. Hot Wings, Chicago/San DiegoAge and Occupation: 28, ProfessorFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, InstructorEngagement Date: December 20, 2008Wedding Date: August 2010Venue: Ocean View Villas/Jasmine Seafood RestaurantAbout Me: I am a psychology grad student living in Chicago and planning my wedding to a fellow psych grad student. I am a Sunny So-Cal bred gal who trudged across the country to follow her love of psychology and ended up finding a partner in the process. I am overly passionate about anything I involve myself with. I am an activist, a foodie, a reality TV watching junkie, an over-analyzer, a photography obsesser, and am utterly cheesy to the core. This is a story of what happens when a boy and a girl meet, fall in love over academic dorkiness, and a shared love for life. We (mostly I) are planning our semi-destination wedding in my hometown of San Diego. We are excited to bring our families and friends together from across our lifespans to celebrate our future in a grand 400+ person culturally blended affair!
About 3 weeks before the wedding, Mr. Hot Wings and I headed back to San Diego to finish our wedding planning and to get married. We started and finished a bunch of projects before the wedding. So, while I wait for some professional pictures to come back, I’ll tell you about these last projects. And trust me, I’m anxious to see those pro pics! Read more…
Mrs. Jellyfish, Pleasanton, CAAge and Occupation: 27, Law StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Air Force PilotEngagement Date: February 21, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: Casa Real at Ruby Hill WineryAbout Me: In a nutshell, I’m the most optimistic worrywart you’ll ever meet. My family emigrated from Romania to San Jose, CA when I was 8, and I've been a Nor Cal girl ever since! My fiancé is also a Bay Area native, so it’s funny that we met at UCLA, as college freshmen living on the same floor (go Bruins!). Between his career as an Air Force pilot and my path to becoming a lawyer, our relationship has been anything but typical. We currently live together in Berkeley with our puppy Stinson. In addition to spending time with the loves of my life, I enjoy crafting, attempting complicated recipes, environmental law and non-law school reading (Us Weekly, anyone?). Follow along as I plan an elegant 200-person winery wedding, graduate law school, take the Bar exam, get married and get used to the always unpredictable but never boring life of a military spouse!
I’m happy to report that our out-of-town bags are complete! You may remember that we got small reusable grocery bags from Target for a steal—25 cents each! Well, a couple weeks ago, we finally got down to filling them. Here’s Mr. Jelly diligently distributing goodies amongst our 40+ bags:
And here are the bags with the goodies contained within: Read more…
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
