Mrs. Tartlet, Rochester, MIAge and Occupation: Age & Occupation: 27, Post-Doctoral Research FellowFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Medical StudentEngagement Date: May 2, 2009Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: The Royal Park HotelAbout Me: I'm an exuberant gal from the Midwest with a penchant for Neuroscience and anything sparkly. I'm not afraid to poke fun at myself, and I'm a believer that given the right pair of shoes, a girl can conquer the world. While an interest in the sciences threw Mr. Tartlet and me together (again, and again, until it finally stuck), we share a love for many things---food, video games, car dancing, food, bad puns, travel, did I mention food?---that ultimately led us to where we are now, less than five months from becoming Mr. and Mrs. We're planning a laid-back, romantic, garden-inspired affair with organic and quirky touches that reflect our love for the unexpected!
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!
Our newest bee is an encore bride getting married on the East Coast! Say hello to Miss Lox!
Miss Lox, Baltimore Age & Occupation: 33, Government Worker Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 35. IT Consultant Engagement Date: May 8, 2010 Wedding Date: May 2011 Venue: Vandiver Inn About Me: I’m an East Coast gal born and bred and a suburban brat turned city rat for the last year. Now Mr. Lox and I enjoy walking all kinds of places, having the coolest things around in our backyard, and especially our garage parking. I love gadgets, toys, Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream, monkeys, and our insane cats. I’m a blonde by birth and a redhead by choice. I’m that girl in the cubicle farm with all the cool toys and the file cabinet covered in magnetic poetry. I still use smiley faces in my emails, whether people like it or not. This is not the first rodeo for Mr. Lox nor me. And together, we are planning an intimate afternoon wedding on a budget we can afford by ourselves.
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.
If you think waaaaay back into the early days of my time on Weddingbee, you might remember the adorable shortbread buttons Mr E and I were planning on making for our favors. Well, please dont hate us, but we changed our minds. I know, how unusual for me. But stick around, because, as hard as it is to compete with buttons, I think you are going to love our “Chocolate Pudding for Two” favor just as much!
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!
When Mr. Cardigan and I first decided that we were going to have a photobooth at the wedding, I was pretty adamantly against having any props for it. I’m not quite sure why, but I really just wanted to keep it simple.
However, as we got closer to the wedding I started to think that it might be fun to have at least SOME props for the photobooth. Nothing too cheesy, but enough to liven it up a bit. So, I made our chalkboard and the oh-so-silly mustaches on a stick.
Buuuut that wasn’t quite enough. Mr. Cardigan and I both love the photobooth pictures we’ve seen with people posing with empty fames, so we decided we’d like to include one in our photobooth as well. I was surprised to find that it was much harder than I expected it to be to find a cheap, gaudy, really ugly frame for us to repurpose, but after quite a bit of searching we found something that worked. It started off as one of those ugly, shiny, part gold part black frames that made me cringe just to look at. But after some bright and cheerful spray paint? It looks better than ever!
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."
We were pret-ty nervous that we would bomb engagement photos. Luckily, Ms. Katie Albrecht made us feel as comfortable as you can kissing in public places, and she was great at giving us direction so we weren’t floundering around like our usual dorky selves…She obviously has mad skills because our moms basically freaked out over the photos she got. Seriously, my mom’s reaction to our sneak-peek photos included 33 exclamation points. Yes, I counted. I think my mom logged into our online gallery 50 times over the two weeks it was available. OK, without further ado, Prairie Dogs on parade:
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.
…is after Christmas, when Victoria’s Secret celebrates their Semi-Annual Sale…
I’m not sure about you guys, but I want a fresh wardrobe of bras and panties when I cross over from Miss to Mrs.! I know it seems silly since he’s seen it all before (*ahem*), but there’s something about wearing a new set that makes me feel new, special, and sexy, which is EXACTLY how I want to feel on our honeymoon. Read more…
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!
When my family friend said he was building a portfolio for his new videography business, and wanted to use us Sews as guinea pigs, you better believe we were excited!
Ross was super professional, and one of the quickest, most attentive responders of all our vendors and friendors. He asked us repeatedly for our input, things we liked, didn’t like, songs, etc.—but I tried to stay vague! After all, I wouldn’t want to weird-it-up with some wacky request for synchronized light saber fights.
But you know what? Even without any direction from me, I think he captured our spirit perfectly. Check out our highlights video:
Mrs. Jaguar, SydneyAge and Occupation: 27, Primary School TeacherFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, IT ConsultantEngagement Date: August 8, 2009Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Curzon HallAbout Me: I'm an Australian girl who is a self-proclaimed nerd, loves all things stationery and would be lost without books, music and the internet. Mr. Jaguar and I have been together for the past eight years and he finally popped the question last August. Hurrah! We currently live in Sydney, Australia with our adorable cat who thinks he's a person. We're a couple who likes to multi-task: we've been planning a wedding abroad, a permanent move from London to Sydney, and preparing to build our own home all at the same time. Travelling makes me giddy...as does Mr. Jaguar, of course!
I’ve talked before about our gorgeous wedding venue, a top floor room of Curzon Hall in Sydney, and how absolutely perfect it is. In the past week, I received an automated newsletter email from the venue, informing its patrons that one of its rooms has recently undergone renovations.
Why yes, of course the room they were talking about is the one that we’ve booked. Apparently, they’ve changed the carpets and some furnishings, which is fine; I’m not bothered by updates like that. What I am bothered by, is them changing the layout of the room. I’m not creative when it comes to graphics by any stretch of the imagination (Miss Waffle, you put me to shame!) but here’s a brief illustration of the floor-plan, then & now:
Mrs. French Toast, Pleasanton, CAAge and Occupation: 29, Marketing & PRFiance's Age and Occupation: IT geek by day, self-proclaimed handyman by nightEngagement Date: October 2009Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: Palm Event CenterAbout Me: I’m a city girl at heart who moved to the suburbs a year ago. Now I’m adjusting to life with a front lawn, nosy neighbors, cooking attempts, and making sure the garbage pail is pulled out on time every week! When I’m not traveling, Mr. FT and I enjoy marathon sessions of Law & Order: SVU, snowboarding, photography, spoiling our 3-year old yorkie-poodle Mokka and disagreeing over what music to listen to in the car. We’re planning a small winery wedding while incorporating some cultural elements into the day as a nod to our Chinese backgrounds.
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!
As weird as it may seem, soup has played an interesting part in our relationship. Back in ’07, we were preparing for our first Christmas together and Mr. E asked what I would like. I joked with him that I was running low on soup so it would be great if he could pick some up. We laughed about it, but Mr E. actually incorporated soup into my gift.
Gypsy checking out the gift of soup & Ramen
Along with all of that soup was a beautiful diamond necklace. The running joke of soup as a gift has continued since then and was even incorporated into Mr. E’s proposal where the ring was inside of a personalized soup can. Read more…
Mrs. Pancakes, New York/Costa RicaAge and Occupation: 26, Law School StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Latin American Policy AnalystEngagement Date: March 12, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Casa Punto de VistaAbout Me: I’m a perfectionist with a big heart. I love a good laugh and firmly believe no one has ever regretted being prepared! My motto is “go big or go home.” I am incapable of doing anything in moderation, especially when it comes to shopping, TV, food and travel, and some would say wedding planning! The other half of this nearlywed team is a laid-back, adventure-loving, accident prone, sweetie from LA. He makes me laugh, is always down for an impromptu dance party, and totally indulges most of my hare-brained schemes. Now, in my final year of law school, we’ll be spending the spring abroad in Amsterdam and planning a DIY, whimsical, detail-filled destination wedding in Costa Rica!
Since it looks like I may not be able to make my own wedding cake (I haven’t quite given up entirely!!), I decided it was time to speak to my wedding planner about my options. When I spoke to her a few weeks ago, she mentioned that I may not be able to have a three-tiered cake! Since I will be getting married on the coast, it would be more difficult to transport a larger cake. The other option would be to fly someone out to the wedding location to assemble the cake on site.
I know…devastating!
First of all, I have had dreams of a three-tiered wedding cake for as long as I can remember. Second of all, I love the number three. I think that the best things in life come in threes. (For instance, I have two sisters, I live in apartment number three, and I was born on the third!)
One of the things that I am really loving right now is uneven tiers, which is why I really want more than two tiers. I love the look of a slightly narrower cake with tiers in three different heights. I love this green and pink five-tiered cake.
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.
It has been 85 days since my last post. It has been 129 days since my wedding.
129 days!!! What?!? Come on Veggie. Get crackin’. What are you waiting for, anyway?
Well it’s not like I’ve been slacking. The Veggies have been on the move. Since the end of our staycation-moon we have: flown back to New Zealand, moved out of our housetruck, and moved into a 100-year old villa shack work-in-progress about 6 hours down the coast. Oh yeah, and we’ve launched a new project for our non-profit, rebuilt our website, and ran six workshops. Phew.
Mrs. Tartlet, Rochester, MIAge and Occupation: Age & Occupation: 27, Post-Doctoral Research FellowFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Medical StudentEngagement Date: May 2, 2009Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: The Royal Park HotelAbout Me: I'm an exuberant gal from the Midwest with a penchant for Neuroscience and anything sparkly. I'm not afraid to poke fun at myself, and I'm a believer that given the right pair of shoes, a girl can conquer the world. While an interest in the sciences threw Mr. Tartlet and me together (again, and again, until it finally stuck), we share a love for many things---food, video games, car dancing, food, bad puns, travel, did I mention food?---that ultimately led us to where we are now, less than five months from becoming Mr. and Mrs. We're planning a laid-back, romantic, garden-inspired affair with organic and quirky touches that reflect our love for the unexpected!
Before Mr. Tartlet and I visited our venue, we compiled a list of questions to ask the event coordinator. Most of these were answered during the meeting itself as we toured the building, but we still found it a handy checklist as we evaluated the fit of the Royal Park for our big day.
We had our ceremony and reception at Baldwin’s Station and was blown away by how amazing it was! We reserved the entire restaurant for a Saturday night and our family and friends had an amazing time and ate delicious food.
