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.
Now that The Dress has been squared away (erm, again…) it’s finally time to add some flair! I’m actually a bit torn in the direction I want to go with the whole jewelry thing: Fresh and Modern or Romantic and Antique? The dress itself is traditional in shape, but the patterned fabric makes it pretty modern. I think it’s time for the Hive to help me decision!
Here are some examples of “Fresh and Modern” adornments: Read more…
Mrs. Pony, Bloomington, ILAge and Occupation: 25, AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 22, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard; Bloomington Center for the Performing ArtsAbout Me: I found my Southern counterpart in law school and since he popped the question last March, we have been busy graduating, job searching, bar taking, and wedding planning. My loves include must see TV, magnets, quotes, anything green, my car, fun socks, the Cubs, and my Mr. Together we love wine, playing outside, and exploring the world together. Stay tuned to see our Midwest wedding full of Southern charm, vintage flair, lots of DIY details, and a whole lot o’ wine.
I wish all wedding-related decisions were as easy as picking out the bridesmaids’ dresses was for me. Before I officially asked my girls to be a part of our wedding (more on that later), I chose the dresses for them to wear and asked them to buy them. Yeah, I KNOW, but let me explain.
I have been enamored with J.Crew bridesmaids’ dresses for quite a while. Their dresses are well made, use fabulous fabrics, and come in great colors. But I didn’t like just any dress: I was smitten with a particular dress.
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.
This weekend was the weekend of trials for me. And first up? Was the hair.
Now before we get started, let’s take a walk down memory lane. We talked about my original hair-spiration. We also talked about how much I hate my natural curls. (I know, a bad curly girl is me. But that’s the way it goes.) And then we talked about new hair-spiration for straight lox. (Sorry, couldn’t help it.) Let’s revisit the final chosen inspiration…
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!
My first world problem? Making wedding decisions. I know. Poor me.
There are a lot of decisions that go into wedding planning, and I am generally an inconsistent decision maker. I either make my decisions impulsively and split-secondy, or…well, I don’t make them at all. This is actually why I don’t eat cereal, because the damn cereal aisle in the grocery store is so freaking overwhelming and anxiety producing and has too many choices. Plus, I don’t like cereal.
I have had a lot of unsolicited well-meaning advice given to me about making wedding decisions and frankly, I have found none of it helpful. Read more…
Ms. Gazelle, Calgary/VancouverAge and Occupation: 32, EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Technology AnalystEngagement Date: September 3, 2010Wedding Date: July 2011Venue: Brock House Restaurant, VancouverAbout Me: I am a marathon runner, cyclist, Ironman triathlete and beautiful shoe fiend who also loves kicking back and watching Glee. I grew up a bit of a nomad as I traveled around the world with my family, living everywhere from Australia to England to South America and Indonesia. I finally settled in Calgary a few years ago and met Mr. Gazelle who loves me even though we cheer for different hockey teams. We are planning a bit of a destination wedding in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia and we can’t wait to share the day with our close family and friends.
In case you missed it, catch up with Part I and Part II first!
I decided to use Vistaprint to make our postcards. I had made address labels and stickers through Vistaprint beforehand, and I’ve been pleased with the results, the value, and the customer service. My timing also just happened to be right for getting the postcards printed up because they were on sale.
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!
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!
So before I say anything else, I have to put it out there: I kind of wish I was still living in London right now. I’d love to be there with all the hubbub surrounding the Royal Wedding! Of course having said that, I remember just how crazy the city gets when big events are going on, so I’m probably better off watching it on TV/streaming online like the rest of the world, but still. All the coverage of London-town during the lead-up to the big day has made me more than a little bit homesick.
Now! Let’s get on with some of my predictions for the big day. Despite the guesses that you’ll soon see below, I actually have NO idea what it’s going to be like—and I think that’s great. I can’t imagine planning a wedding (or having someone/a whole team of someones plan it for you) with all eyes scrutinizing your every move. Props to them for keeping it all under-wraps.
Photo: The Australian They’re always so happy! Such a cute couple.
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!
While we love bees from all over the globe, it always warms my heart to introduce a bee from my own little part of the world. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Ferris Wheel to the hive!
Ms. Ferris Wheel, San Francisco Age & Occupation: 29, Psychologist Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 27, Psychologist Engagement Date: May 23 and 28, 2010 (one for each of us!) Wedding Date: November 2011 Venue: Parc55 Hotel (city lights ceremony, ballroom reception) About Me: Born in the Southeast, educated in the Northeast, and over-educated on the West Coast, I finally earned my city-girl credentials and have put down roots in gorgeous San Francisco. I’m a raging perfectionist with a lightning quick wit and a terrible sense of both time and direction. Our wedding task list is endlessly growing because of my predilection to think that DIY projects I can make = DIY projects I should make (so not true!). I always go to bed wishing there were more hours in the day to enjoy all the things I adore, whether that be hobbies, friends, my career, our two dogs, or Mr. Ferris Wheel. Ours is a story of a non-traditional couple living an oddly traditional life planning a not-so-traditional wedding in this city we adore. Together we are bustin’ out all of our best skills (and some of our worst ones) to plan a laid-back-chic DIY-craftastic love-alicious affair!
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!
Mrs. Snow Cone, Pittsburgh/Johnstown, PAAge and Occupation: 23, Public Health Graduate StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, EngineerEngagement Date: April 9, 2010Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: OMOS Church ceremony/Sunnehanna Country Club receptionAbout Me: I’m one of the lucky ones---I met my future husband at the ripe old age of 13, started dating him as a mature woman of 15, and have been enjoying the ride ever since. Here we are, 8 years later, living in Pittsburgh, planning a "homestination" wedding in the place our school romance began---Johnstown, PA. I thrive on talking a mile a minute, eating my weight in chocolate, and internet shopping. I love a lengthy to-do list almost as much as I love a healthy amount of chaos in my life. Mr. Snow Cone and I watch countless episodes of Friends and The West Wing on repeat, root for rival college sports teams, and make each other laugh each and every day. We’re putting together a small-town wedding with a big personality and a classically modern (or modernly classic?) look for 250 of our closest family and friends. It’s been 8+ years in the making, and sometimes I still can’t believe I’m finally getting to marry my high school sweetheart!
After finally finding the right dress, I figured wedding-dress thoughts were behind me, at least until May, when my dress was expected to be delivered to the salon. Apparently “Memorial Day” is actually secret bridal-salon code for quite a bit earlier. Who knew? Either way, I don’t mind…my dress is in!! It’s pretty much taking all of my strength to not hop into the car and drive right over to the store to visit it. I keep reminding myself of the following reasons why I should not go over and have a date with my dress:
Mr. Snow Cone and I only have one car, which he uses to get to work. I don’t really think trekking 25 minutes outside of the city via the bus system is even possible…and if it is, I’m sure it’s not something I’m interested in doing.
I have a gut feeling that once I make that first visit, I’m going to be hard-pressed to not go back AFAP…you know, as frequently as possible.
I don’t have a single accessory picked out, and I’m kinda interested in doing one huge bridal reveal at some point in time. Me, in a room by myself, in the dress, with no shoes, jewelry, or veil isn’t quite the reveal I have in mind.
So, I’m going to play hard to get for a little bit. I figure it’s only fair since that little bugger played pretty friggin’ hard to get with me, too. Take that, wedding dress! (Just kidding—I still love you.)
Mrs. Hyena, College Station, TXAge and Occupation: 23, Marketing SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Aerospace Engineering Grad StudentEngagement Date: January 8, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Downtown 202About Me: I'm a Texas girl who met my future hubby in high school, then headed up to Oklahoma for a college education (BOOMER SOONER!) before moving back to the Lone Star State to be with him. I love reading and recycling, Photoshop and reality TV, making lame jokes and then laughing at them, quoting movies, and Mr. Hyena most of all. I'm perpetually early and I like to get things accomplished. When my cat meows at me, I meow back. We're planning a laid-back, unintentionally DIY wedding with a cocktail-party vibe, and can't wait to celebrate our nuptials with our nearest and dearest!
In all seriousness, I am really glad that on Thursday Pandora told me I had used up all my free listening hours this month. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have gone to Yahoo Music and started playing random music videos as background noise for working, and I wouldn’t have seen Taylor Swift’s “Mine” video.
I had talked to Mom Hyena about doing some kind of slideshow, of the aww-here-we-are-growing-up-and-yay-we-found-each-other variety, and I didn’t want it to be something we had to force people to sit through. I thought it would be convenient to just play one before the ceremony on loop, so if people want to watch they can.
But I like the idea in this video sooooo much more than just a regular slideshow! Press play. The photograph idea is thrown in several places throughout the video.
Mrs. Pony, Bloomington, ILAge and Occupation: 25, AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 22, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard; Bloomington Center for the Performing ArtsAbout Me: I found my Southern counterpart in law school and since he popped the question last March, we have been busy graduating, job searching, bar taking, and wedding planning. My loves include must see TV, magnets, quotes, anything green, my car, fun socks, the Cubs, and my Mr. Together we love wine, playing outside, and exploring the world together. Stay tuned to see our Midwest wedding full of Southern charm, vintage flair, lots of DIY details, and a whole lot o’ wine.
After graduating and getting kicked out of our apartments (AKA our leases expired), Mr. Pony and I figured it was time to move in with one another. There was a slight problem at that time, however. We were unemployed—and hopelessly broke. So, we did what every other self-respecting recent grad does when no immediate solutions present themselves—we moved back home. Together. With my dad. In a 1,300-square-foot home.
It reminds me of this (minus the awkward sexual tension and mullets):
We really are living the dream. (Image credit: ABC via Andy Wibbels)
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.
*Taken with Mr. B’s phone on our way home after the wedding*
The day was more magnificent than I could have ever imagined! The sun shined right before our ceremony and the temperature was perfect! NO RAIN! Yay! One of our guests said it was “not too hot, not too cold!” Everything went according to plan and there were a lot of wonderful, amazing, spectacular surprises! Just to name a few…
Mrs. Seal, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 25, Personal AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Sales and Support SpecialistEngagement Date: December 12, 2009Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Sts Peter and Paul Church/The Bently ReserveAbout Me: I am a goofy, wannabe crafty, well-intentioned Renaissance Woman (OK, perhaps "aimless wanderer" is a more aptly suited term for me, but hopefully you get the point)—basically I dabble in just about everything and pride myself in such. Without warning, I occasionally breakout into soulful improvised songs and interpretive dances and there's just no stopping me! As so many others before me, planning our wedding has unearthed a deep, intense passion for all things bridal and I secretly fear the day it will come to an end. Mr. Seal and I are quite the pair and life with him by my side is extremely rewarding—I am so thankful to have found him. Together we are planning a black-tie San Francisco affair for 250—light on the stuffiness and with lots of extra Seal-y flair.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Ferris Wheel to the hive!
