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’ve never doubted that I would follow the tradition of having something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on my wedding day. The reason that I was so sure of this was because I knew I’d have two of the items without even thinking about it. My something new? My dress! (Or my jewelry, or shoes, or hair flower, or really any number of potential new things that I will be wearing that day.) But what I really want to talk about is my something old. And it’s really, really old.
Pardon the not-at -all-spread-out-very-nicely veil—I was having issues with getting it straight on my bed.
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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!
On behalf of Justin and Katie I would like to welcome you all to this place. At this moment, Justin and Katie express their love for each other and their desire to live from this day as husband and wife.
Marriage is a gift of God, sealed by a sacred covenant. God gives humans love. Through that love, husbands and wives come to know each other with mutual care and companionship. God gives joy. Through that joy, wives and husbands may share their new life with others, as Jesus shared new wine at the wedding in Cana.
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!
I have a confession to make with you hive. See, I’m finally starting to think about my whole wedding day look, and, well, I feel like a short haired bride.
That’s not to say that short haired brides aren’t fantastic. They are. I mean, look at this lovely lady.
It’s just that I never thought I’d feel like a short haired bride. When I was younger, I always had short soccer mom style hair because I hated brushing and dealing with it. Then in high school, I grew it out until senior year when I cut off 8 inches of it.
Then in college, I got lazy again and let it grow and grow. 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.
In my last post, I told you about how we chose our cake design and narrowed our 17 bakeries down to three. As soon as we arrived in Connecticut, it was cake time.
Because I’m not a buttercream fan, I asked to try red velvet cake at all three places. I like cream cheese frosting, and Mr. Panther likes chocolate, so it seemed like a good solution. Plus, it’d be a nod to our new Southern home! We also requested basic cakes (marble, yellow, chocolate) with basic fruit fillings (raspberry, strawberry, etc.) at all three.
Our first appointment was at a little family-run Italian bakery. I had chosen it because it because the prices were very reasonable, and the reviews were good. The photos left a little to be desired—everything looked really old-fashioned. You know that episode of Cake Boss when Buddy makes the old-fashioned Italian wedding cake with lights and fountains and doves? Yeah, that kind of thing, but not with the Buddy flair.
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.
The first night of our honeymoon I was nestled in the big comfy bed of our tent house sleeping soundly, when I awoke to the sound of something crashing to the floor. Well, I only half woke up and immediately fell back asleep into a nightmare where I thought someone was breaking into our tent house. My dream seemed so real, and all of a sudden I woke up with a start. Terrified, I shook Mr P awake. No, nobody was trying to break into our tent house, but the walls were shaking. A big windstorm had brewed while we were asleep and was shaking the canvas walls of our tent. When I realized what was happening I calmed down a bit (and hid under the covers). The noise that had woken me up was a picture frame flying off the bathroom vanity when a gust of wind came through the open windows. The previous evening had been warm, so we had left a couple of windows open for a cross breeze…well, breeze it did! I made Mr P get up and close the remaining open windows. What a wild way to wake up!
The night before we made a mental list of all the things that we didn’t pack for our honeymoon including books/magazines for lounging by the pool, a waterproof disposable camera, a basal thermometer (we practice NFP—big whoops!) and shoes for kayaking (me).
Mrs. Hermit Crab, New York, NYAge and Occupation: 24, Youth Director soon to be Grad StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Medical Student - soon to be Surgery ResidentEngagement Date: October 11, 2008Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: New York Botanical GardenAbout Me: I love all things food, books, our furbaby, Rashi, and adventures with my amazing fiance (oh, and saving the world!). This summer I will not only be a bride, but a bridesmaid, officiant, and attendee as well---it's all about weddings in my life right now, full of so many exciting moments and projects. We're planning a fab New York City wedding weekend full of family, love and lots of color!
You read that correctly…it’s time for the Hermit Crab recaps to commence!
A little explanation of the title for my recaps: L’Chaim! is Hebrew for “To Life!” Chai is actually Hebrew for “18″ or “Life.” 18 is considered something of a lucky number in the Jewish tradition, and oftentimes people will give gifts in multiples of $18 (that could explain the gift of $36 or $72 that you once received!).
It is a commonly used phrase to celebrate happy occasions, especially at the beginning of a toast—it’s something like the Hebrew “Cheers!”
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!
Etsy is an online community of artisans with a focus on the handmade and vintage. Think of it as a global arts-and-crafts fair that runs 24/7. This website has been a priceless resource, giving me access to unique items that I otherwise wouldn’t have had access to, like this alphabet rolling stamp that Mrs. Stripes also used.
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.
Oh yes, yes we do. Now whether that help comes in the form of a DJ, or straightjackets and padded rooms, is debatable. But here’s how last night went down.
First of all, I was already at my wit’s end. We had been pricing out string trios and quartets for our ceremony and cocktail hour. They all turned out to be complete budget busters. But in my determination to take care of this music stuff, I soldiered on. (This is not a problem. World peace is a problem!) And I found a DJ who is on our venue’s preferred list and also costs less for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception than any string quartet did for just an hour and a half. So far, so good.
So Mr. Lox and I went to meet with the DJ. He was all laid back and cool, and to be quite honest I think he was put off by my obsessive need to plan this. I mean, I arrived with a planning guide from his website and a list of questions. He spent the next 30 minutes trying to get me to calm down. The thing is, I was calm. I just really have a vision of the vibe I want this day to have, and I need to make sure I’m going to get it.
Things were going quite well (aside from his face of horror each time I micromanaged another tiny detail) when it happened. We reached a point in the interview where I shared a secret desire for my wedding. I have searched high and low for the lady who gave me this idea, but I’m at a loss. I know it was one of the blogger bees. (I mean, I think. I cannot seem to find any evidence of the blog post that sparked my interest anymore.) Anyhow, I have become absolutely obsessed with having this song in my wedding ceremony.
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.
Let’s talk about something that everyone likes…gifts! While we’re still a ways away from thinking about bridal-party gifts (I’d love love love some suggestions, by the way!), I did get my main gals a little something at the beginning of our engagement. I included these sweet monogrammed necklaces with my version of a “Will you be my bridesmaid?” card.
Mrs. Octopus, Boston, MA/Pittsburgh, PAAge and Occupation: 25, Grad StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Graphics Operator for TV NewsEngagement Date: May 6th, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: Heinz Chapel Ceremony, Museum Reception
About Me: When my best friend dragged me to a toga party in our freshmen year of college, I was not expecting to meet my future husband; but seven years later, here we are. I'm a crazy-organized planner at heart, and I am a great lover of random trivia, books, chocolate, blogs, new and exciting adventures, mockumentary-style television, and anything heavily flavored with bright orange fake cheese powder. We're planning a festive and fun mini-destination wedding in the place where we met: fabulous Pittsburgh, PA! I can't wait to marry the man I love!
Guys, I hope you’ve come to know me well enough by now not to expect any great shakes from the “details, details, details!” post. Our wedding had, like, four details, which is perfectly fine with me. Still, I thought you might like to see how everything looked all put together.
For fun, here’s the board I made way back in the day to help me picture the colors I wanted to use:
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."
So here they are—the final product. I second-guessed doing save the dates sooo many times throughout this process. BUT, they’re done, and they’re sent.
Oopsie: I did not order color samples of envelopes like everyone tells you to
I win: Color was perfect and exactly what I wanted
Oopsie: I constantly questioned WHY I was actually doing these. Was it weddingworld pressure? Read more…
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!
Another important song that we’re still trying to choose is our first-dance song. Neither Mr. EB nor I loves the spotlight, and so I’m actually a little bit nervous about our first dance. Especially because apparently I don’t know how to let Mr. EB lead. I don’t think I take the lead myself, but I just really don’t know how to follow someone. So I’ll probably need to practice, even though we’ll likely be doing some variation of the middle-school sway.
But what do we want to sway to? Both Mr. EB and I have some ideas, but here are some of my favorites.
Mrs. Lobster, BrooklynAge and Occupation: 29, Finance GirlFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Finance BoyEngagement Date: July 25, 2009Wedding Date: August 2010Venue: Stage 6 Steiner StudiosAbout Me: I'm a New York-born, Virginia-bred girl who's found her way back to the big city. Mr. Lobster and I met in grad school and have been together ever since. I'm clueless about DIY but am an avid online shopper and love all things polka dots, stripes, and ruffles! When I'm not making wedding lists, you can find me looking for snacks, watching Gilmore Girls, or hanging out with Mr. Lobster and our new puppy Buddy! We are planning a fancy-pantsy Brooklyn wedding for a hot New York summer night which is sure to be a misadventure in the making.
I stood there with my dad, watching the bridal party walk out ahead of us. My favorite song from the processional was Debussy’s Clair de Lune on the piano. The classical song was light and airy, perfect to ease us into the warm summer evening.
It’s just that I never thought I’d feel like a short haired bride. When I was younger, I always had short soccer mom style hair because I hated brushing and dealing with it. Then in high school, I grew it out until senior year when I cut off 8 inches of it.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
followed by this…
