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.
One of the best things about getting married in a botanical garden is that we don’t have to spend a ton of money on flowers. We’re getting married among the flowers! But the reception area is in a stone courtyard and will be tented. It’s pretty, but we’re going to get a few flowers as centerpieces to brighten it up.
I’d originally wanted to do the flowers myself, but then I spoke to a really sweet florist about a month ago, and her prices are right. I haven’t booked her yet, but I’m most likely going to. I told her how my mom and I are collecting vintage glass vases with the plan to put about three on a table, with two to three flowers in each, and how we plan to put maybe two glass votives on each table as well. She suggested that I buy some pretty squares of fabric on which to place the whole setup, which I thought was a great idea.
A few weeks ago, while Googling, I found this photo, which is almost exactly what I had in mind!
Mrs. Frozen Yogurt, DallasAge and Occupation: 28, Special Projects CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Equity TraderEngagement Date: March 19, 2009Wedding Date: April 2010Venue: Marie Gabrielle, DallasAbout Me: I was born and raised in Texas, and have lived in several of the cities across the state, but I currently reside in Austin. I went to college in Boston and have a special place in my heart for the Northeast. I love reading, shopping, wine, reuniting with college friends that are scattered across the country, reality TV, trying out new recipes, and attempting all the DIY projects that come along with wedding planning. I'm a "bleeding heart, save the world type" and thankfully my job allows me to work on legislation and policy to help out those in need. I met Mr. Frozen Yogurt in a bar, though he doesn't even drink! And now we are planning a modern yet vintage wedding in Dallas while dealing with the trials and tribulations of first time homeownership.
You may have noticed that it has been a little while since my last recap. I did have a busy week at work, but that’s only partially the reason. The other part is that I’m sad about our ceremony. The words were perfect, no one fell, and our handfasting ceremony was carried out without a glitch, so what the hell is my problem? Well, it’s the location. I envisioned a beautiful outdoor garden ceremony for over a year, and the weather just didn’t want to cooperate. I even stayed away from the hive for a while after the wedding because I had major wedding jealousy. I’m talking to you, Mrs. Turtle! That’s so lame of me, especially when this community was so supportive during my whole planning process. But, it just made me sad that our wedding ceremony wasn’t as I hoped.
I’ve had the hardest time getting over this part because everything else was scheduled to be indoor/outdoor, so it wasn’t a big deal if we were inside for dancing—it’s pretty much how I pictured it. But the ceremony…ugh. The one saving grace is that we did a first look outside, and all our bridal party pictures outside. During that time, my wedding coordinator, Lisa, came over to break the news to me that we were indeed going to move the ceremony in. Her exact words were, “We’re not going to have a Bachelor moment here.” She was so right. I was just really sad. So I cried.
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!
After a sunny afternoon on the beach for our welcome brunch, we freshened up for the rehearsal.
Queue the bridal fit-o-rage.
I rode with Mr. Sew’s family to our venue, fully expecting my family to be “right behind”. Right behind turned into late. Really late. 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.
Mr Pretzel and I made a lot of choices during our courtship and our engagement that people had difficulty wrapping their heads around. It’s not that our choices were off the wall or nontraditional in fact, it was how TRADITIONAL our choices were that made them uncommon.
Early in our relationship we had a somewhat awkward (although reassuring) conversation when we discussed sex before marriage. I remember the feeling of terror when I told Mr P that I didn’t want to have sex before marriage. I didn’t know if Mr P was the man I would marry but I knew if I did, I wanted to wait. I was completely unsure of how he would react. It’s not like I had much practice with this type of conversation. I wasn’t a virgin saving myself for marriage, but I had come to realize (in my late 20s) that in fact, waiting is what I wanted. What a relief it was when he said he was not only OK with that but that he was fully supportive of that decision. As we dated we wrestled with this decision and grew through it. I don’t frequently bust out and tell folks that Mr P and I were waiting, but our friends could piece it together. In some cases I think it made them think differently of us, as if this choice somehow made us prudish.
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!
Well… I’m back! We just got home from the honeymoon, and are both enjoying the gorgeous fall weather doing what we love. I’m playing on the internet on our back porch (planning on adding daiquiris into the mix later this evening!) and the mister is doing his best to take home Bambi’s daddy in the woods. He was so kind as to inform me that he planned the wedding date to be the weekend prior to opening season. So now every anniversary will be a sort of “last hurrah” before I lose him for hunting season. Isn’t he a such sweetie pie? Whatevs. Read more…
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!
But at 5 AM Saturday morning my eyes snapped open and I freaked out!
I thought about how next week we’d be taking 4 days to go up to San Francisco to find an apartment and that for the last week of October, Team England was arriving and we’d be entertaining them. This gives us a little over two weeks to do everything for the wedding!
I thought over our gigantic to-do list and thought we’d never get it done in time. I mentally made lists; the big things, the small things, the priority things. Mr. G woke up next to me at 5:30 and I confided in him all the things I had been freaking out over in my head, even before the sun had come up. We decided that instead of going to the beach today like we had planned, we’d conquer our wedding bands. Read more…
Mrs. Apple Cider, New York/CharlotteAge and Occupation: 27, Corporate Communications ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Grad Student – Clinical Mental Health Engagement Date: September 13, 2008Wedding Date: October 2009Venue: Banner Elk Winery & Blueberry VillaAbout Me: I am a North Carolina girl with a New York City spirit. I love crafting, blogging, laughing and dreaming. I know every word to the Anne of Green Gables and Little Women movies. I own every single Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine and have been dreaming of weddings since I was little. I believe life is about doing what makes you happy. If you aren't happy re-evaluate what you are doing. You should never look back on your life and not be proud of what you are doing. If you want to travel - travel. If you want to sing - sing. If you want to start a company - start a company. If you want to blog – blog!
By far, the number one question that I have been asked in the past year is, “how is your first year of marriage going?” This comes from friends and strangers alike. I always respond the same way: “you know…it has been…well…easy.” And that is the honest truth.
On October 3, 2009 I got to marry the best man I have ever met. The kindest, most decent man I have ever known. And the last year has been easy. We fit together. After spending so many years in a long distance relationship the transition into life together has been smooth and pretty blissful. I realize that at the end of the day I get to be with him and that makes things just…better. Read more…
Weddingbee GalleryFeature Launched: April 10, 2009About: A collection of inspirational wedding pictures from readers and bees.
Keep on loading your inspirational wedding pics to the Weddingbee Gallery to see them featured here on the blog! Remember, your images must be under 1MB in size, or they won’t load.
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!
The other day I received a call that I have been hoping to receive for a while now. BM Philly just got engaged!!! I am beyond excited for her and so happy that I get to be a part of her big day, just as she is going to be a part of mine!
BM Philly & me on the campus of Penn State for her graduation
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 can’t believe I haven’t written about our menu yet. Food was priority numero uno for me, which is why we chose October for its hearty harvest comfort food options, and how we chose our venue because we could bring in our own caterer.
Of course, I met our caterers at an open house at our venue, so they have worked together before and it wasn’t a research-intensive task. But they were just one of many suggestions from Open Aire Affairs. We could choose the kind of folks who sold themselves as all inclusive, full-service (for this semi-DIY bride?); we could choose the local “best” who has the exclusive catering rights to two other popular venues in our area (red flag: several events in one day potential!); and we could choose the folks who didn’t give us a huge sales pitch—they just gave us their food, and it was phenomenal:
Mrs. Ostrich, San Francisco/HawaiiAge and Occupation: 30, Fashion Buyer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 38, CopywriterEngagement Date: October 4, 2009Wedding Date: April 2011Venue: Sweet ceremony by the sea and sunset celebration on the North Shore of HawaiiAbout Me: Born in the city of angels and residing in the city by the bay, I’m a fearless fashion buyer by day, a passionate blog author by night and a dreamy bride-to-be in between. I thank my lucky stars to live in such a stunning city that gives me gifts like organic honey lavender ice cream, movie nights in the park, tucked away beaches, legendary record stores, '80s dance parties, awesome sports teams, stellar flea markets, and vintage bookshops. Oh, and I love to dance! We always find every excuse to escape to the beach, and decided a little seaside wedding in Hawaii is our idea of bliss. Full of our favorite people, music, food and sparkly lights, this is one sunset celebration we will always remember.
Not an option for a little Ostrich growing up with big allergies (me).
Also not an option for a grown-up Ostrich with a fiance with big allergies (still me).
Ninety-nine percent of the wedding decor I have found in the myriad of bridal mags and blogs has a bounty of blooms gracing the tables, arches, aisles…even napkin rings. And when Mr. Ositrich catches a glimpse of even one of these, he looks like he is about to sneeze! Oof!
Subjecting my favorite guy to an army of flowers is a definite no-no. Read more…
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.
I won’t bore you with how long it took for us to decide on a location or how many different outfits I put together beforehand. I originally wanted to wear two or three outfits and bring lots of props, a la Miss Socks, but then I remembered that I am as lazy as my Weddingbee namesake, the sluggish sloth, so I scrapped the plans. Mr. S and I decided on one outfit per person.
On the day of the shoot, after I hit up the salon to get prettified (post forthcoming), Mr. S and I went to do something that was, in our opinion, absolutely crucial: we went to the bar around the corner and got our drink on. No, we didn’t get wasted, but we each had a Philly Special—a can of PBR and a shot of Jim Beam—to take the edge off.
And it helped. We were terrified, you guys. Neither one of us is particularly photogenic, and we hate getting our photos taken. But we really wanted to look relaxed and happy during the shoot, and the drinks did the job. We weren’t even close to drunk, but the booze calmed us down just a tiny bit before we headed out to our old neighborhood for the shoot.
And here we are, looking relaxed, happy, and dare I say…photogenic?
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!
After making the frame, we needed a pretty backdrop. I wanted something that would be simple with some sparkle. I bought a large bolt of white chiffon from a swap meet in San Diego. Yes, a swap meet. Fabric is a ton cheaper at the swap meet than in a fabric store. I paid just under $1.50 a yard, baby!
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.
I promised to let you know why we decided to ride the wedding-planning pain train for 27 months. There were several reasons why we chose a wedding date several years in advance.
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).
Our engagement photos are next week (yikes!), and while I’ve pretty much figured out what I’m wearing (as discussed here, here and here), there’s one thing I haven’t yet thought about. Shoes. And after seeing these adorable pics, I realized that I need to get on it…and quick!
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
