Mrs. Dolphin, Gainesville, FLAge and Occupation: 24, Graduate Architecture StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Interactive Interface DeveloperEngagement Date: February 14, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Plantation Bay Country ClubAbout Me: I’m currently a Graduate Student at the University of Florida studying Architecture. I enjoy playing Scrabble with my Fiance, rooting for the Florida Gators, making any drink that involves a blender, cleaning (yes... I’m crazy), design... GOOD design that is, the new Pepsi with natural sugar, taking pictures, discovering new places in the U.S., and obsessing over doing (and designing) everything myself for our upcoming wedding!
8 years ago today, I went to “The Secret Garden” play held at our high school. My friends were running late (and I was early, as usual) and I saw Mr. Dolphin chilling outside the theater. I walked up to him, M&M McFlurry in hand, and started chatting. He finished the rest of my McFlurry (and now finishes most my meals today). When it was time for the show to start and my friends were still not there, Mr. Dolphin and I walked into the theater and sat together. We cuddled during the show and exchanged phone numbers at the end of the night. I guess you can say that the rest is history!
Mr. Dolphin and me before our Junior Prom, about 7.5 years ago. (Wow, I feel old!) Taken from Mrs Dolphin’s crazy old archives
Mrs. Waffle, AustinAge and Occupation: 31, Costumer/ArtistFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, AnimatorEngagement Date: July 27, 2010Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Hummingbird HouseAbout Me: My life is pretty much spent in a sea of fabric, paint, sequins and drama. When I’m not working, I play on a trivia team, take Broadway dance classes, read, buy shoes, and occasionally geek out on video games. I am an American girl who loves all things British and Mr. Waffle is a Brit who loves all things American...I guess it was meant to be!
Some of the lovely people involved in the wedding live on the other side of the world. Sending them color swatches over the internet, in my opinion, is just not an option. Everyone’s computer will display the colors differently…and let’s not even get into the printer issue.
Mrs. Avocado, SeattleAge and Occupation: 23, StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, ConsultantEngagement Date: July 27, 2008Wedding Date: October, 2008Blogging Since: June 30, 2008Venue: LDS Seattle Temple & Hotel 1000About Me: Somehow this little farm girl found herself a genuine Pole to fall in love and eventually move away to Poland with. I am an LDS bride attempting to plan a private religious ceremony, ring ceremony, seated reception for 100, and an open house while coordinating for guests flying in from across the United States and as far away as Poland. I try to avoid fads, excess waste, and saturated fat. I strongly endorse photography, DDR, calorie counting, rss feeds, cooking, and utilizing your resources.
The photo booth is the kind of trend that I hope never goes away! As time goes by (two years now), the more I love the photos we got back. Without this, I never would have seen a lot of our guests this relaxed. We didn’t have dancing, so all of the other photos are a lot more formal, but the props and whiteboard pushed people to let loose. Favorite picture? The one of my great-grandma. She’s very close to the end of her life right now, and it’s so lovely to be able to picture her this way, full of sass, and remember all of the wonderful times we’ve had together!
~~~
Usually when things become popular I tend to run in the opposite direction. I either want to be way ahead (doesn’t everyone?) or so far behind that what I’m doing is considered “vintage”, not trendy.
The photobooth became the exception to that rule. With a photographer willing to supply the manpower, and Mamacado in possession of the equipment, I just couldn’t pass it up. It was free after all.
I collected wigs, gloves, hats, feather boas, and other accessories for people to dress up in. I started to wish our wedding was on November 11 instead of on October 11, because we would have been able to get all kinds of great Halloween stuff for really cheap! Most of the supplies actually came from the dress-up box of an 8-year-old family friend.
Mrs. Prairie Dog, Cincinnati
Age and Occupation: 24, Program CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, PhD/Biomedical EngineerEngagement Date: December 18, 2009Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Glendale LyceumAbout Me: I'm a pilgrim soul of a girl with a house full of books and a coffee addiction that could slay Juan Valdez. My life is a whirl of grammar correction, good music, glue-gunning, and two pets named Hazel and Winston Churchill. I'm marrying my high school boyfriend in a formal-ish spring affair, roughly themed: "Elizabeth Bennet crashes a party co-hosted by Jay Gatsby and Cath Kidston, and loves it."
(Title pilfered from one of my favorite short story collections…and if anyone knows it, we are instant beffies.)
In a weird way, our marriage began with this thing:
A 10 year-old (now almost 13!), 3-legged cat named Hazel.
Parents of human babies will probably laugh at this…but adopting Hazel made us feel like a family instead of a couple. When we got her, we’d already been together almost 6 years, but something is different when you share the responsibility of a living creature…especially one who was still healing from a traumatic accident and surgery. Watching my long-beloved boyfriend pace the vet’s waiting room, doze off with the cat curled up on his stomach, coo at her in a baby voice when he thinks I’m asleep…well, I fell in love with him in a whole new way.
In the midst of our engagement, we adopted a dog of our very own. Read more…
Lei and her new husband pose on the steps after their courthouse wedding!
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. Earrings, Fresno, CA/ Nelson, New ZealandAge and Occupation: 20, Student, Wannabe Writer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 19, Photography StudentEngagement Date: February 14, 2010Wedding Date: January 2011Venue: Gardens of the WorldAbout Me: I'm a girl from down under who grew up in Indonesia and I'm marrying a California boy. I'm addicted to all things sweet, have never met a chocolate silk pie than can get the better of me, and have dreams of one day being a fulltime novelist. I go weak in the knees for lace, tea cups, and a beautifully crafted sentence. When I get excited about something (whether it is historical linguistics or the Beatles) I tend to go overboard in research, and planning this wedding is no different. Mr. Earrings is my high school sweetheart, my best friend, and somehow we combine all our quirks into one big happy mess.
One lesson I have learned lately: You are not going to please everyone with your wedding choices. I’m sorry to burst the bubble, but I have to get that out there.
Your cousin might think your wedding ceremony is too traditional. Your grandmother might think it isn’t traditional enough.
You mother thinks it is past time for you to get married, while Crissy, your friend from grad school, is horrified you are getting married at all.
The music won’t be to everyone’s taste, and at least one person will be allergic to a food, flower or a perfume.
And don’t get me started on opinions regarding the decor. Read more…
Ms. Cheetah, Los Angeles/Palm Springs
Age and Occupation: 31, Artist, EducatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, TV FinanceEngagement Date: April 2010Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: The ViceroyAbout Me: I’m a silly, sassy lady with a compulsion to create. I love to sing and dance, despite the fact that I lack any talent doing either. I somehow manage to be messy and organized at the same time. I like to spend my days road tripping, watching '80s movies, reading true crime books, buying things on sale, sending postcards, playing board games, dining at food trucks, snuggling, and drinking ginger ale. I have a weak spot for all things sweet, especially Mr. Cheetah! I’m a Chicago girl and he’s a Nor Cal boy but we love living in the City of Angels. After 10 years as a couple we are planning a fun-filled semi-destination wedding in Palm Springs. Hope you enjoy the ride!
My wedding in March isn’t the first time I’ve walked down a long aisle in a white dress while carrying a bouquet of flowers…
We look like brides, don’t we? But nope, it’s just me and my friend T at our high school graduation.
I haven’t been married before.That photo is from my high school graduation. The school is over a hundred years old and doesn’t do the normal caps-and-gowns-thing.Even though it’s a public school, the graduations are quite fancy, with all the girls in long white dresses carrying flowers and all the boys in tuxes with white jackets and boutonnieres.Basically, it looks like a mass wedding:
Mrs. Panther, Atlanta GA/Westport CTAge and Occupation: 24, Web WriterFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Music Recording EngineerEngagement Date: March 13, 2010Wedding Date: July 2011Venue: The Inn at LongshoreAbout Me: I'm a total goofball who goes through life at a breakneck pace, trying not to knock anything over. I tend to fall in love with everything I encounter, but more than anything, I love my two little kitties, Bela and Josie, and my big kitty, Mr. Panther! As a wannabe crafter, I'm still waiting for my artistic talents to emerge. (Any day now, really.) In the meantime, I spend my days eating anything put in front of me, buying every pair of shoes I see and absorbing wedding inspiration from every inch of my surroundings. Mr. Panther and I are hardcore New Englanders planning Connecticut nuptials from our new home in the Dirty South, and can't wait to mix our newfound love of classic Southern charm with some modern city touches.
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.
So, as I’ve said before, dress shopping was a huge ordeal for me. Most of it was frustrating, and disappointing, and unpleasant. But, what I took away from the experience (besides a dress that I actually like) was a lot of knowledge, knowledge I wish I’d had from the beginning.
So, for those of you who are just starting to shop for dresses, here are my tips:
Mrs. Rainbow, TampaAge and Occupation: 22, Makeup ArtistFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Electrical Engineer/ProgrammerEngagement Date: November 27, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: The Gamble PlantationAbout Me: I'm a quirky (and slightly Type-A) freelance makeup artist who was born in Washington State, raised in Alabama, and now living with my one and only in sunny Florida. I'm fashion and beauty obsessed, and have recently discovered my inner domestic diva extraordinaire. I'm a wannabe chef, decorating addict, and trying desperately to be as crafty as possible---albeit only with a glue gun. I'm hopelessly in love with my fiance, and all things sparkly and feathery. Despite the glittery exterior, I'm a total hippie on the inside. When I'm not making up pretty faces, I love doing what I can to help people, animals, and the environment. Someday the FI and I will change the world, but first we're tackling our modern-vintage-Marie-Antoinette-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland inspired wedding. I just can't wait to be Mrs. Rainbow!
My favorite would have to be my “flawless foundation” tutorial.
I know this post helped so many ladies when it first went live, so I’d love to re-share it with the new members of the hive that may not have seen it!
~~~
Miss Rainbow here, reporting for duty.
It’s tutorial time, yet again! We’ve talked lashes, we’ve talked brows, and now it’s all about the face. I’m not going to go on and on about how important a smooth canvas is, but suffice it to say—it is, so take care of your skin. Now, back to the makeup! I’m going to teach you a few insider tips and tricks so you’ll have the most fabulous face in all the land. Enough chit chat; let’s get started.
First and foremost, start with a clean face (please excuse my no makeup face). After I wash my face, I always use toner. Biore Triple Action something or other. It’s inexpensive and works amazingly. It always gets off whatever make-up/dirt/oil that washing may have left behind.
Mrs. Cinnamon Bun, Calgary, AlbertaAge and Occupation: 26, Stage ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Theatre TechnicianEngagement Date: June 22, 2010Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Calgary Opera CentreAbout Me: I'm a life-long crafter and bookworm living in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Some of my loves include Lord of the Rings, Sherlock Holmes, knitting, opera, musicals, Etsy, baking, and of course, Mr. Cinnamon Buns. We're keeping our wedding close to home---the venue isn't very far from our house, and we live within walking distance of 6 bridal salons. I'm using the wedding as an excuse to try out every craft project I possibly can, with the endless help and support of my fiance.
After getting engaged in San Francisco, we eventually had to fly home. I wanted to extend our vacation and stay there, oh, a few months, but we both had work waiting for us. On the plane home, I was flipping channels on the TV to get to my customary Food Network (we don’t have it at home, so I need to get my Iron Chef fix where I can!) and I found a show that had ladies in wedding dresses. I stopped. I watched my first episode of Say Yes To The Dress. And then I watched 3 more, because it was a marathon! Was this a sign, or what?
After watching for a couple hours, I thought I’d decided some things:
I did not want a ball gown. I’m only 5’3″ and I’d feel like it would be eating me.
I wouldn’t be the bride that went in with a set budget, then tried on something twice the budget, then begged her parents to come up with the money.
I also thought I wanted a vintage, tea-length dress.
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 anticipation is killing me! Seriously, I love our photographer and I’m more than happy to wait for his finished product, but the teasers he sends me are driving me crazy!
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.
Remember my recent post on bouquet inspiration and our first meeting with our florist? Well, we had our meeting, and it was bittersweet. Sweet because we finally got to talk about the flowers we wanted and finally began to see the vision of our day take form; bitter because making our dreams match our budget was a long stretch. Really long.
See, I had always imagined we’d have tall centerpieces that looked something like this:
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!
After six ridiculously lazy days at the Aventura Spa Palace, we kicked it up a notch and spent the remaining 4 days of our honeymoon at the PlayaCar Palace in Playa Del Carmen.
Mr. Seashell and I gave the property a quick once-over and were immediately pumped. Aventura Spa Palace was more of a “resort property” and PlayaCar Palace felt more like an urban, trendy, hotel. It was the perfect way to wrap up our trip.
