Miss Oatmeal, Fresno, CAAge and Occupation: 25, Medical Device Sales RepresentativeFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Police Officer/Captain in the US ArmyEngagement Date: February 16, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Private Residence, FresnoAbout Me: I am a toast-loving, list-making, occasionally crazy California girl getting dangerously close to marrying her crime-fighting, patient, man's man fiancé. I’ve never left our hometown of Clovis, CA, I love Anthropologie so much it almost hurts, appreciate promptness, love that our 4lb. Chihuahua, Murphy, smells like Fritos, am irritated by windshield wipers that move too fast for the amount of rain, love me some cold weather, have an unhealthy obsession with boots, and wholeheartedly think that my family is everything. Mr. Oatmeal is, oddly enough, my brother's best friend. He's also the best thing that's ever happened to me, and together we are planning a vintage chic, backyard, spring wedding with a few nontraditional touches while trying to keep up with our crazy lives.
Want to know the difference between Mr. Oatmeal and me? He has absolutely no idea why I feel it’s necessary to collect a crazy amount of Mason jars/milk glass vases/bottles for our wedding. But here’s the cool thing about it: I’ll get to make some of these little treasures a part of our home. I might be more excited about that than I am about using them in our wedding.
Here’s a peek at what I’ve collected so far, although I’m sure that’s a lie since I’ve definitely bought more since these pictures were taken.
Mrs. Starfish, Boston/NewportAge and Occupation: 25, Operations AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, SalesEngagement Date: October 8, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Atlantic Beach ClubAbout Me: I'm a perfectionist who is a planner at heart. I don't do well with surprises. I love planning, crafting, Newport RI, family and friends, and most importantly, Mr. Starfish---all of which will be big components in our October wedding in our favorite little city by the sea.
Sister Starfish and I are complete opposites in every way. I’ve sharedquiteabitabouther, as she and I were engaged during the same time for a while. During her engagement, she and BIL Starfish drove me crazy. During the month leading up to their wedding, maybe even longer, they pointed out everything they did as “this is the last time I’ll (you fill in the blank) while I’m still single.”
Whenever Mr. Starfish and I were with them, we’d have to listen to them point out, “This is the last time we’ll have a girls’ night while I’m still single.” “This is the last time we go to a hockey game while we’re still single.” “This is the last time we go to the movies while we’re still single.”
They drove me crazy.
Since Mr. Starfish and I have been married, we’ve been doing the reverse. We had them over for dinner and Mr. Starfish pointed out, “this is the first time we’re having dinner at our house as newlyweds,” and then I remembered him saying a couple days before, “this is the first time we’re making breakfast together as newlyweds.”
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.
…or this post could be alternatively titled “How to get a Le Creuset for free!”
Today the UPS man rang the doorbell. I scared the crap out of the kitties as I flew down two flights of stairs to retrieve my packages from the stoop. I lugged the heavy package up to the kitchen and unwrapped my “prize.”
Ohhh…Kitchen Aid Mixer meat grinder attachment and the 5 qt. enamel cast iron Le Creuset Dutch oven… my knees just buckled a little.
Mrs. Eggs Benedict, SeattleAge and Occupation: 29, AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 35, AttorneyEngagement Date: December 5, 2009Wedding Date: February 2011Venue: IslandWoodAbout Me: I'm a Northwest girl who spends my time goofing around with Mr. Eggs Benedict and our dog, hiking, traveling, drinking wine and planning a wedding that will showcase the best of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer. I also love photography, beating Mr. Eggs Bene at Mario Kart, and watching the most ridiculous natural disaster flicks you can think of (seriously, how can you deny the awesomeness that is The Core or 2012?? That's right, you can't). We are planning our weekend wedding adventure at an environmental educational center, and I can't wait for the fun to begin!
I mentioned before that Mr. EB and I are wine lovers, thanks in large part to my dad who has introduced us to so many great wineries. Mr. EB and I used to live close to some amazing Oregon wineries, and we loved to head out to Dundee Hills to taste some wine on a weekend afternoon (not so great for our bank accounts, but always nice when Dad would gift us a bottle or two!).
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!
I did a crazy rash of spring cleaning the day after Waffle left for LA and came across this dress sketch I had done years ago… Read more…
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.
There are quite a few things I really wanted to buy early on in our planning. OK, no…there were A LOT of things I really wanted to buy. I wanted EVERYTHING: the photo booth, the chiavari chairs, the fabulous photographer, the organized planner, and all the details we see on the mainstream blogs each and every day; the Mr. and Mrs. signs, the aisle decor, the vintage furniture, wedding signs, and so much more. As we inch our way closer to the big day, however, we’re finding all these things aren’t in the budget. As a result, we’re left asking ourselves: What’s really important to us? What can we still afford to buy?
Jones Soda and Izze drinks made it on that list, if you can believe it! I’ll admit Mr. B thinks I’m a bit nuts for wanting soda most of his family has never heard of, but come on…think of the photos!
My original plan had been to buy enough for the whole guest list, so we can let everyone have an Izze or Jones soda. Remember all of the ones Mrs. Candy Corn had?
Mrs. Lox, BaltimoreAge and Occupation: 33, Government WorkerFiance's Age and Occupation: 35. IT ConsultantEngagement Date: May 8, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Vandiver InnAbout 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.
We interrupt this bridal-shop tour with an important message.
You may (or may not) remember that Mr. Lox and I met online. Well, if you didn’t remember I’m pretty sure you’ve got the picture now. So today I was searching around Etsy on my quest for invitations (more on that later), and I saw this:
Mrs. Bunny, ColumbusAge and Occupation: 24, Associate Editor/ReporterFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, ReporterEngagement Date: September 23, 2008Wedding Date: July 2009Venue: Everal Barn, WestervilleAbout Me: Organized, but messy. I love art (all kinds). I don't have any secrets. I talk a lot and listen even more. I show love by baking. I'm timid by nature, but brave when it counts.
Mr. Bunny and I work at competing weekly newspapers, which makes it a little interesting trying to describe our work joys and frustrations without giving away too much before the paper comes out. In spite of that little hurdle, we've managed to build a pretty solid relationship in the short one-and-a-half years we will have been together when we tie the knot. I can't wait!
You should know that I really didn’t expect it to be that complicated. I’d never been to a wedding where there were invitations to the rehearsal dinner—probably because I’d never been in a wedding before. I guess I just expected 1) that everyone who was invited would KNOW they were invited. (We did spread it around via word of mouth that all our out of town guests were welcome to attend. Some, apparently, didn’t get the word.) Oops? 2) that people know that the attire to rehearsal dinners, even ones that are held in church basements, have semi-formal dress code. The Bunny bridesmaids and my family managed to get the message.
(I was bossy as I told people where to stand, I guess.)
But apparently our groomsmen were unaware of this tradition.
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.
There they are, in all their finished glory. I got really attached to these babies and it was hard for me to let them go. We’re 15 days past when we wanted to send them out into the world so we knew we had to get ’er done. Read more…
Mrs. Biscuit, Morgantown, WVAge and Occupation: 24, Dental StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Chemist at a pharmaceutical companyEngagement Date: April 2010Wedding Date: July 2011Venue: Catholic Church, Lakeview Golf Resort and SpaAbout Me: I'm an engineer who decided to trek back to my hometown three years ago to become skilled in the arts of drilling and filling. I'm engaged to a pretty awesome guy who tests your assorted benzodiazepines by day and home brews by night. Together we have two fur children, Tsali and Tobias N. Fünkat. I'm a lazy perfectionist and eternal sorority girl who enjoys running, crafting, string cheese, good beer, and bad reality TV. We are planning a Big Fat Italian/Sicilian/Polish wedding filled with DIY details and are expecting 300 +/- 50 guests. Our whimsical summer affair is themed "Alice attends the Mad Hatter Vintage Garden Tea Party in a Ballroom. She Thinks That The Venue is Odd for a Vintage Garden Party, but is Tripping on LSD, so She Doesn't Really Care." Yes, I am the Dickens of themes.
I never thought I’d get the chance to say that on the big front page! I was waiting for class to begin this morning and just happened to check my e-mail. Amidst all of the random wedding spam I generally get was an e-mail from Mrs. Penguin! Sitting in my chair, I loudly squealed, “I’m a Weddingbee!” and everyone just looked at me like I was crazy.
Luckily, one of my friends is planning her wedding and understood completely. We spent the rest of the morning trying to decide which pseudonym would be best. It was a close call between Crepe and Biscuit, but Biscuit won out. Why? Well, crepes are quite refined, and biscuits are cute. I look like I’m 12 so, clearly, I’m a biscuit.
Mrs. Bacon, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 26, Digital Advertising ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, IT Client ServicesEngagement Date: June 17, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Ravenswood Billboard FactoryAbout Me: I'm a Midwestern girl that can't seem to commit to staying in one place for too long and is constantly daydreaming about my next adventure. I am an aspiring foodie with a weak spot for the unusual and I love semi-reality food television. My other loves easily include laughing as a form of exercise, a book that I can't put down, summer baseball games, espresso with whipped cream, couch potato days and nights with the ridiculous Mr. Bacon, and our two kitties, Lincoln and Sawyer. We're planning a faux-destination wedding for 150 of our closest friends and family in the city we've both adopted as home that has a modern, yet whimsical twist and as many personal touches as we can manage.
Let me introduce you to a little company named MOO. I have recently become obsessed with them since discovering around the hive all the great things you can do with them. What are they, you ask? They are a printing company from England that prints high-quality photo cards at affordable prices! They have a number of sizes including the adorable mini MOO. Check out some of the cute projects that I’ve found online that have become inspirations for our own save the dates, invitations, and thank you cards!
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!
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. Lioness, AtlantaAge and Occupation: 25, Physical TherapistFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, AttorneyEngagement Date: August 29, 2009Wedding Date: April 2011Venue: Anthony’s Fine DiningAbout Me: I’m a Southern girl with New England roots. I say "wicked" and "y’all" in the same sentence and I like to drink sweet tea with my lobster. Mr. Lion and I are both former Floridians now living in Atlanta, which fortunately is still SEC country...Go Gators! We both love baseball, coffee, traveling, cooking, and playing Words with Friends with each other on our iPhones all day long. I’m very passionate about the things and the people I love, and I tend to plan things with all of my heart...our wedding, of course, is no different! Oh, and also Mr. Lion is a first generation American of Cuban descent. I may look more like Lucy than Ricky, but I’m doing my best to incorporate some Latin elements into our vintage-garden-Southern wedding!
I had so much fun at my bridal shower, but unfortunately we had to rush out of the tea room and head home to change clothes. I threw on a slightly less classy dress, and met up with the girls to kick off my bachelorette party!
Miss Oatmeal, Fresno, CAAge and Occupation: 25, Medical Device Sales RepresentativeFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Police Officer/Captain in the US ArmyEngagement Date: February 16, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Private Residence, FresnoAbout Me: I am a toast-loving, list-making, occasionally crazy California girl getting dangerously close to marrying her crime-fighting, patient, man's man fiancé. I’ve never left our hometown of Clovis, CA, I love Anthropologie so much it almost hurts, appreciate promptness, love that our 4lb. Chihuahua, Murphy, smells like Fritos, am irritated by windshield wipers that move too fast for the amount of rain, love me some cold weather, have an unhealthy obsession with boots, and wholeheartedly think that my family is everything. Mr. Oatmeal is, oddly enough, my brother's best friend. He's also the best thing that's ever happened to me, and together we are planning a vintage chic, backyard, spring wedding with a few nontraditional touches while trying to keep up with our crazy lives.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
