Mrs. Crepe, Queens, NY/Nashville, TNAge and Occupation: 28, Jewelry DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Animation DirectorEngagement Date: September 28, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: A church in downtown NashvilleAbout Me: I'm a native New Yorker who has always been a DIY kind of girl and loves tackling creative projects while getting the most out of a dollar. I'm marrying my college sweetheart and we love frequenting antique stores, exploring together, and playing with kittens. We're planning a fun, "us" wedding in his hometown---with as many handmade touches as we can pack into a day!
I love buttons. I love that there are a billion and one things you can do with them, I love the fact that they can be one inch in diameter, and I love that people collect them. Something as simple as a little piece of paper can be turned into a tiny piece of art.
When I first started thinking about wedding projects, my instinct was to go to my button maker. I bought my button maker years ago, when I wanted to advertise for the Etsy shop I was running at the time. It’s not cheap, but the machine’s paid for itself time and again.
Another option, if you want to make these one-inch pinback buttons, is to turn to Etsy. There are probably sellers there that will do mixed batches for you too.
Anyway, I thought the wedding project that made the most sense with buttons would be escort cards. Our wedding leans toward the casual side, so we’re not doing seating arrangements. We are, however, having numbered tables, so I thought that was perfect!
Once I decided on a color scheme, I started looking for vintage wrapping paper. I found this sweet floral paper in our colors, and the first thing I did was cut it into strips so I could punch out the circles.
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!
I don’t want you to think I’m a slacking since we’re only talking about gifts for the guys today. Gifts for my girls have already been purchased but I know that they read this so I won’t be posting pics until after they get them. Love you ladies, but I think you would be too tempted to look! For BM Cali and BM Aggie—no telling your husbands what their gifts are.
Mr. E loves the Chucks that we ordered for our engagement pictures so he designed some for his groomsmen to change into for the reception. They are black with a couple of blue touches. We had a very interesting time coming up with nicknames for each of the guys.
This pair is for Elephant Bro - “Black 24″ is his favorite number on the roulette table
Mrs. French Bulldog, Orange CountyAge and Occupation: 28, Administrative Assistant & Interior Design StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Purchasing AnalystEngagement Date: November 8, 2008Wedding Date: August 2009Venue: Bernardo WineryAbout Me: I've lived in Atlanta, Dallas and Laguna Niguel; although I've lived in Orange County, CA most my life, I'm a Southerner at heart. I work full time for a Commercial General Contractor (aka my father) and I go to school for Interior Design at night. I love modern design, music, wine, crafting, DMailing, my family, my Westies, and of course, Mr Frenchie! Mr Frenchie and I met 3 years ago on Match.com and have been best friends ever since. I love his "old soul" and how he laughs with his whole body, among many other things. We are planning our summer wedding at the winery near his hometown, just 45 minutes south of Orange County.
I wasn’t a bee yet when this series started, but I planned on applying and hoped they would bring it back because I really wanted to participate. I don’t even have any fun secret-y type things to tell you all. Seriously, I sat in front my computer screen for a while trying to think of funny or interesting thing about me and this is all I could think of… I need to get out more.
1 - When I find an article of clothing I really like I buy a bunch of them and wear the crap out of it. In college it was overalls (What? It was technically still the ’90s), after that, hoodies, and now cardigans. I’ve also recently rediscovered tights, so if spring doesn’t happen soon, I may have another addiction on my hands.
2 - When I see a street with my name on it, I insist on taking my picture with the sign.
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.
What is written here is a factual tale of what really and truly happened in my house. At this, clearly my shining-est hour, I am grateful that you all know me as Miss Lox. ‘Nuff said.
Mr. Lox and I have been ummmm… *disagreeing*… over socks. Yes, socks. You read it right. Now stop laughing and keep reading.
It all started when I realized that I am killing myself doing internet research for a few last items I would like for the wedding. They are, in priority order: a photo sharing site, socks, and an umbrella for Mr. Lox. And I thought to myself, “Self? Who is great at internet research and has completed their one and only wedding DIY project?” And myself answered back, “Why Mr. Lox, of course!” So I decided to ask Mr. Lox to help me with these three tasks. (P.S. – Indication #1 that you are losing it? Talking to yourself. Take note.)
I asked once, he said, “Of course!” A few days went by. I asked twice, he said, “Certainly!” A few more days went by. I asked three times, he said, “Sure!” Yet another handful of days passed here. Read more…
Mrs. Magic, Chapel Hill, NCAge and Occupation: 30, Licensed Clinical Social WorkerFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, ResearcherEngagement Date: December 1, 2009Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Barn at ValhallaAbout Me: I’m a tall drink of water (5’10”!) and a Southern bride with an enormous appetite for Mexican food, good deals, anything French, and all things wedding! By day I am lucky enough to work with individuals with autism and their families. By night, I’m even luckier to be able to spend time hanging out with awesome friends, crafting, shopping, thinking about exercising, and kicking it with Mr. Magic and our two cats. I tend to have sudden, intense cravings that will not be denied (seafood enchiladas! new jeans!) and I’m prone to being a disorganized mess of anxiety and stress. After waiting (and waiting!) to get engaged, I am finally planning the colorful, fun, fabulously awesome Fall wedding of our dreams. In an effort to share the fun and craziness that is wedding planning, I’m gonna blog about it for y’all---the good, the bad, and the pretty!
Mrs. Socks, Southern NJ/Philadelphia, PAAge and Occupation: 23, Web Developer/Marketing SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Systems EngineerEngagement Date: September 7, 2009
Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: Ladder 15 RestaurantAbout Me: I am originally from the Midwest, but I love being an East Coast transplant! Mr. Socks and I are foodies and winos to the core---give us a hunk of cheese, some charcuterie and a glass of wine and we could die happy. We have two mischievous Wire Fox Terriers with completely opposite personalities but with a shared love of uprooting anything in our garden. Our backyard garden includes everything from tomatoes and peppers to a fig tree, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries! I love cooking, indie music, and spending time in our wedding city of choice---Philly!
Cocktail hour flew by! Before I knew it, people were being swept downstairs and I realized I had hardly eaten any of our delicious goodies! Ah well, we were glad to have gotten to say hello to everyone during the cocktail hour so we’d have the rest of the evening to have fun.
We opted not to do bridal party introductions and I didn’t even really want the two of us to be introduced (um, hello…it’s our wedding, people should know who we are by now) but we wanted to do our first dance right away, so to get everyone’s attention, our DJ announced us as he started the music for our first dance.
Mrs. Pain au Chocolat, Wilmington, DEAge and Occupation: 29, RealtorFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, RealtorEngagement Date: November 21, 2009Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Greenville Country ClubAbout Me: An ENFJ with an artistic streak who loves backgammon, sailing, graphic design, and sleeping in. Travel (near or far), good wine, and tasty food makes my heart sing. I'm a compulsive list-maker who lives to plan and organize. Mr. P and I have lived together for 4 years, all the while renovating our city townhome bit by bit. We're planning a whimsical, Anthropologie-inspired garden wedding in June 2011.
Not long after ordering my dream gown, I had an idea. An idea that wormed its way into my brain and wouldn’t dislodge. Considering my guilt over the money invested in it and my obsession with it, it would be a damn shame not to wear my lovely again. So I would.
But how? Not again as a wedding dress. You only get married once. (Well…) Not for a trash-the-dress shoot.
Mrs. Cotton Candy, Riverside, CAAge and Occupation: 29, Field CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Process ServerEngagement Date: July 5, 2007Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Riverside Art MuseumAbout Me: I’m a girl in love with her best friend planning a small mid-century modern inspired wedding that’s been a long time coming. I love all things design, sewing, flea markets, and a good book. I’ve been known to swoon over a well-designed chair and often find myself craving a new addition to my chair collection regardless of the lack square footage in our home. I’m Mexican American girl who hates all things spicy but loves her rowdy Mexican family and her Latin roots. My wedding muses may not be your typical wedding superstars, but with a lot of DIY, a dash of offbeat style, and lots of love and laughs, Mr. Cotton and I plan to create a day that is unmistakably us.
I love all things vintage. Vintage clothes, vintage furniture, vintage handbags, and vintage cars–I love them all. Lucky for me, I happen to be marrying a man who shares my love of all things vintage, especially vintage cars. About a year ago, Mr. Cotton Candy was bit by the vintage-car-buying bug, more specifically the vintage-BMW-buying bug, and about six months later this beauty found its way into our driveway. Read more…
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.
The last few weeks before the wedding were filled with little projects, a kazillion errands and phone calls, and basic wedding-related craziness. To make myself feel like I had actually accomplished some things, I started to write this post to show you some results of my handmade efforts. That way I wouldn’t feel like I was running around like a headless chicken for nothing! As luck would have it, I never got to finish the post before the wedding, but I figure, better late than never!
I saw this photo a short while before the wedding, and it inspired me to make vow booklets:
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.
Ms. Stripes, Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 29, Costume Designer/StylistFiancee's Age and Occupation: 29, ChefEngagement Date: June 23, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: Heritage Square MuseumAbout Me: I’m a type A creative with a messy streak, a loud mouth, and an uncanny knack for combining clashing patterns. I can usually be found with my nose in a book, my feet (or at least my toes) on the ground, my head in the clouds, and my arm around the prettiest girl you ever saw- aka
Fiancee Stripes. Together we’re planning a FUN vintage/modern French carnival wedding extravaganza and rockin’ dance party on a dime. (Say that three times fast!) Good coffee, long lists, Uniball pens, and my iPhone keep me sane, and making art, making trouble, and making out keep me happy! I love urban adventures, bike rides that end with afternoon drinks, breakfast for dinner, beautiful light, photography, travel, my furry family, and of course, my beautiful fiancee! I’m super excited to be here and can’t wait to share all our adventures as we craft a joyful, budget-friendly, design-savvy and all-around AWESOME wedding!
Our wedding morning turned out to be lovely, but I’m not gonna lie, there were definitely a few loose ends to tie up while we were getting pretty.
Luckily we had just the friends & family to blow, sew, tow and tie up those ends for us. And they did so with bakers twine, love, champagne, grace and a lot of laughs:
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!
In my last entry, you saw our first dance along with a little bit of our practice footage. I probably showed a total of 20 seconds of practice footage. Y’all… it certainly took longer than 20 seconds to learn how to dance. That’s for sure.
Here we are bustin’ a move.
Mr. Dolphin and I took private lessons at the Imperial Dance Studio here in Gainesville. We signed up for their wedding package, which included two hours of private lessons, along with two hours of private practice (in our own studio, by ourselves) for $140. Not bad in our book.
At our first lesson our instructor listened to our music and danced quietly around the room by herself, figuring out which type of dance style fit best with our music. After a few minutes of humming and moving around, she determined a fox trot would be perfect for our first dance song, I’m Yours by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Calliet.
The first practice consisted of loud sighs by Mr. Dolphin, lots of stepping on toes, and a few “scenes” by Mr. Dolphin. 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.
The rehearsal dinner was a special time for family and friends. In addition to our wedding party and immediate families we invited all of our out of town guests to the dinner. In many cases this was our first opportunity to see them and catch up.
*All photos by Jason Tang, friend and rocktographer, unless otherwise noted.
Guest Photo with Aunt S and Cousin S
In addition, it was time for many of our families to catch up with each other. My parents are divorced and Papa Pretzel had a wonderful time catching up with my cousins on my Mom’s side. Read more…
Mrs. Jam, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 25, Writer/Associate Wedding CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Structural EngineerEngagement Date: December 23, 2009Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Hunter’s Ridge, Princeton, ILAbout Me: I’m a penny-pinching cat lady getting ready to marry the frugal dog lover of my dreams. Our ideal Saturday morning includes rummaging around people’s junk at garage and estate sales followed by an afternoon date to our favorite café, where we only eat sandwiches that include the word “salad.” We actually love it so much, it’s sort of our unofficial wedding theme: Look at our delicious finds, eat homemade ham salad, and celebrate our love…barndance style. When we’re not obsessing over our love-fest shindig, we’re planning themed parties for our best friends and jamming to '90s music.
Wedding season is quickly approaching, and I know what you’re all thinking inside those wedding-crazed heads of yours: “I best save up my paychecks so I can buy all of my soon-to-be-married couple-friends gifts, even though they probably won’t remember who got them what.”
And that’s pretty sad, right? All of the time spent picking out a perfect gift for a couple near and dear to your heart, wrapping it to perfection, finding the most amazing, tear-jerker card…and then nobody remembers which gift-giver gave what. OK, except maybe the KitchenAid mixer. Everybody remembers who got them that.
So what do you get for the couple who has it all, wedding gift or otherwise?
Well, budget-abiding hive, I now present you THE PERFECT ALL-OCCASIONS GIFT, WHICH HAPPENS TO ALSO BE PERFECT FOR WEDDINGS:
My excited (now married) friend showing off her new last name, gifted by her loving bridesmaids
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
Read more…
