The hive has spoken! Hive members love Weddingbee Invitations in the Colorful category! Check out Weddingbee Invitations’ Colorful offerings, and take 10% off this specific category of invites all week! Every invitation in the Colorful category is customizable with an array of color choices!
To take advantage of the discount, use code WBM05 at checkout on any invitation in the “Colorful” category in the Weddingbee Invitations shop. Hurry, this deal expires on Saturday November 20, 2010!
Mrs. Meerkat, Kalamazoo, MI/Riviera MayaAge and Occupation: 30, Application EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, IT ConsultantEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: December 2010Venue: Al Cielo / La LagunaAbout Me: I’m a tech-savvy tomboy with an affinity for hot tea and good sushi. Us Meerkats are just a couple fun lovin’ geeks from Michigan. We love anything having to do with movies, books, video games or technology and we hold a special place in our hearts for our two very spoiled shih-tzus, Wicket and Bravo. We also LOVE to travel. We love it so much it only took us 12 hours after we got engaged to decide to have a destination wedding. We are working our little Meerkat tails off planning a rustic-chic, travel themed destination wedding in the Riviera Maya with a semi-formal, vintage-turned-modern, outdoor at home reception back here in Michigan.
I may have kept this a secret until now but I am super anal-retentive organized when it comes to this wedding. I am not sure I could function from 3k miles away otherwise. So one of the first things I did was put my techy geek skills to work and leveraged Excel to help make our planning easier. I created a to-do list with auto calculating dates and automatic color coded tasks:
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!
Okay, so last minute beach pictures before the wedding seemed like a good idea in theory. Especially since we weren’t getting married on the beach, I felt like I needed to bring back “Hawaii proof” to any disbelieving mainlanders. (Kidding, sort of. I really just wanted a few cool beach shots.)
But tourist season in Hawaii is a little crazy (obviously), especially on the Waikiki Beach scene. We tried to avoid some of the crowds by going to the neighboring Ala Moana Beach Park, but parking was a nightmare. Somehow our families and photographer found some parking though, so all was not lost.
Mrs. Spaniel, Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 28, Law StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, PsychologistWedding Date: March 2010Venue: Calamigos RanchAbout Me: I'm a third-year law student trying to balance graduating with starting my career, keeping up a relationship, and, oh yeah, planning an Old World, multi-cultural, "mountain lodge" wedding for 180 guests! A South Asian Jewish girl getting ready to marry my handsome Catholic Dane, I'm hoping to blend our cultures in our wedding just a bit more gently than by providing samosas as appetizers and offering æbleskiver for dessert. (Although that would also be awesome.)
Well hello, Hive, remember me? I already told you that I wasn’t ready to say good-bye, but now that I’m nearing on one year of blogging for Weddingbee (holy crap; that’s coming right up!), I thought it was time to start wrapping things up with my last few recap posts. *tear*
For the sake of brevity and fairness, I’ll only be review the vendors that I would recommend—those that I’m neutral or negative on I’ll either leave in the Vendor Reviews or in my head.
Mrs. Buttons, Clearwater, FLAge and Occupation: 24, "Working on it"Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Financial ServicesEngagement Date: June 13, 2009Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Carlouel Yacht ClubAbout Me: I'm a self proclaimed perfectionist and a professional nomad (seriously, I've lived in TX, WI, MI, FL, NC, and now VA!). I love wine, cooking, curling up with a good book (nerd alert!), spoiling the furbaby, and of course, the wonderful Mr. Buttons! We are planning a lighthearted and whimsical wedding (with a good deal of DIY projects) in Clearwater, Florida, but from a distance of 800 miles away! We are looking forward to sharing our day with our family and friends, and most importantly, starting our lives together as husband and wife!
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’m sure you’re sick of reading my ramblings about music, but you’re all SOL! Because not only am I going to make you read some more, I’m going to beg for your advice!
As I’ve said before, Mr. S and I are very, very picky about the wedding music. He and I are both total music snobs and want to have 100% control over what’s played.
We’re not too worried about the ceremony music, and our cocktail and dinner music is pretty much picked out.
But I’m worried about the reception/party music. First of all, Mr. S doesn’t want dancing at all. Neither of his older brothers had dancing at their weddings, and his family and friends aren’t big into dancing in general. I’m not big on dancing either, but I will probably dance if I drink enough. And my family likes to dance, as do a lot of my girlfriends. Read more…
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.
This was something we struggled with a lot and have only recently figured out something we’re okay with. Before getting into details I want to make it clear up front that Mr. Knitting and I are ridiculously grateful for any wedding presents we might receive. I do want to talk about our somewhat complicated approach to wedding gifts, but I don’t want that basic sentiment to get lost.
That being said, we knew since we got engaged that our ideal wedding gift is a financial contribution to our down payment fund (i.e. money). GASP! How rude of us. The back story is that no one in either of our (extended) families has ever registered for wedding gifts since the Polish and Ukrainian tradition is to give money. In addition, both my cousin and sister (the only two family members of our generation to get married) did not register and no one seemed offended or stumped for gift ideas.
Our big issue with registering is that we don’t really want stuff. 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.
A well-meaning friend posted the following on my Facebook wall today:
I heaved a heavy sigh as I read it and felt bad typing back, “maybe after Thanksgiving.”
I feel like a Facebook bride fail. I uploaded one photo from our wedding, I shared it with you in my “I’m back” post…and then I got stingy. I didn’t upload any photos to Facebook when my photographer sent us a sneak peek or when he sent us our gallery, or even when he blogged us. I definitely haven’t started recaps.
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.
Later, at the after party at the bar across the street, we’d dance until we dripped with sweat. A girl would buy me and Mr. PH a shot because, “There was a bride the last time I was here and I bought her a shot too!” Outside torrential rains would fall, loud and hard; you could barely see. We’d run outside to our friend’s waiting car, my heels in my hand, splashing in my dress and yelling, “This is the November Rain video!!!” Our friend would drop us off at our hotel across the street and we’d check in like it was no big deal, just our wedding, just my hair in curly tangles, my red lipstick still in place, panting from the sprint from car door to hotel door. But we were laughing and in awe of everything; the desk clerk didn’t seem to notice or mind.
We splurged on the honeymoon suite and ate the chocolate favors I’d stashed in my clutch. We looked at our new rings and we looked back on the day and ran through the Remember whens––and said things like, “Huh. Wow. Everything was perfect. How crazy is that?” It was like we didn’t believe it. Read more…
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.
Mrs. Giraffe, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 23, Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Music Student TeacherEngagement Date: October 23, 2008Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Trinity Lutheran Church & Idlewild Country ClubAbout Me: Coming from the suburbs of the Windy City, you'll often find me with my foot in my mouth while laughing for no reason or telling bad knock knock jokes. I've been crafty for as long as I can remember, and will DIY something twice over before I have someone do it for me. I'm a semi-awkward, typeface obsessed, design junkie and have been know to break out my dance moves for no reason as well as try my best to be ridiculous at all times. My love of pop culture, wordplay, and graph paper almost rivals my love of Mr. Giraffe (who is just the bee's knees). After a 2.5 year engagement, we're planning a modern-in-disguise traditional wedding, and cannot wait!
Once again, I have to mention that I have the coolest dad ever, but wedding planning brings out a side of him I’ve never seen. Daddy G is my buddy—we hang out and do all kinds of things together, but he’s also a bit of a Dadzilla.
Daddy G helping me set up my garden at the beginning of the summer. See? Greatest Dad ever!
Sit back and relax hive, because here’s another tale of my Dadzilla. This bout of Dadzilla-ness was brought on by the Great Name Change Debate. Read more…
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!
I chopped my hair all off. I followed bees and hive members of the past by participating the Post Wedding Chop.
If you recall, I did consider cutting my hair off before we even got to our wedding day. But wedding day ’do indecisiveness changed my mind at the time. However, as soon as we returned from our honeymoon, I was off to the salon to get a new ’do.
I absolutely love it. You see, I’m a serial hair cutter. Every year I grow my hair long (usually to about the middle of the my back) and then cut it up to my chin. I’ve been doing this ever since middle school. The problem is that usually I hate my haircut (and miss my long hair) for the first week or so afterward. That was not the case this time. I sprung for a slightly more expensive salon and, voila! Cute hair!
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).
After spending waytoolong on our STDs, I decided I needed to start early on our invitations. I won’t be mailing them until January, but doing a little bit at a time has helped me not mentally freak out about it. Now, I know there are a ton of bees with crafting contraptions like the Cricut, Gocco, Yudu, Cuttlebug…I’m sure the list goes on and on. I own none of these, and to be honest with you, I’m not 100% sure what these machines do, and frankly, I don’t think I want to know. If I did know, I’m sure I would have to have one or more of them, so it’s best for me to just stay in the dark. However, during a recent trip to Michaels for yet another double-sided tape dispenser thingy, I came across this lovely lady in the adhesive aisle and figured it was worth a shot.
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!
I realized I haven’t talked about the gifts our wedding party received. So here they are. I wasn’t exactly the most creative in this area, but I was pretty happy with the gifts we gave each person. We forgot to formally give each person their gift at the rehearsal dinner, so we ran around at the end of the rehearsal night to give them to people who were left. The rest of the group got their gifts on our wedding day, so we have some photos of them opening them on the day of.
Venue: Calamigos Ranch
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
Daddy G helping me set up my garden at the beginning of the summer. See? Greatest Dad ever!
