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.
Thank you Hive for all your wonderful comments and opinions on this post! After going back and forth between my top two favorite veils and polling every person who listens to my rambling on about veils, I finally bit the bullet and ordered this beauty!
Oh she’s lovely and she’ll be heading my way in just a few short weeks. While I wait for my new piece of bridal flair to reach our home I’ve been busy at work putting the final touches on my equally-as-lovely hair comb. Read more…
Miss Carousel, Dusseldorf, Germany/Garda, ItalyAge and Occupation: 29, International Product ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Front End DeveloperEngagement Date: May 29, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: I’m an American-Italian girl living in Germany with my Belgian fiancé, planning a wedding in Italy. I can’t wait to show our guests the wonderful Lake Garda, Verona, and want our wedding to be a fun filled, charming, day in the life of “La dolce vita.” Mr. C and I love spending time together, and have added wedding related activities to our cooking nights, dance lessons, and road trips. We love sampling restaurants, could listen to Sinatra all day, and are just a tad geeky and into technology. As we want all of our passions to be part of our marriage, what better way to start than by incorporating them in our wedding day?
As many bees before me, Mr. Caro and I decided to make a wedding wedsite. We wanted to create a great wedsite that would amaze our wedding guests mostly because, considering our professions, it was kind of expected from us (we both work in the online sector, I in marketing, and Mr. Caro in development).
Aside from that, we had some great reasons for wanting a wedsite:
Single Point of Contact: since our wedding is mostly a destination wedding we needed to have a central spot for information on the schedule, travel options and locations
Easy Updates: When we first changed our venue, then the ceremony, it was easy to update everyone by updating the information on the wedsite
Interactivity: Our guests can comment on the wedsite, answer a poll, and after the wedding they will be able to upload all their pictures on the site
Wedding Planning support: We decided to forgo an electronic RSVP but will have our registry on our wedsite
Anticipation building: Reading about us, how we met and about the wedding planning progress made many of our guests feel more close to us and has helped build anticipation for the wedding
I am very happy and very proud at how it turned out. You can see the home page screenshot here:
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.
I hinted in my last post that Mr P and I did a reverse receiving line of sorts. Instead of greeting each of our guests as they left the ceremony (or entered the reception) in the traditional receiving line, we greeted our guests as they arrived at the Church. Yep you read that right, no hiding away for the Pretzels. We were out in the narthex mingling and mixing it up before the wedding. Mr Pretzel and I read about this novel idea in our Celebrating Marriage, Preparing the Roman Catholic Wedding Liturgy: A Workbook for Engaged Couples, Third Edition while we were preparing our ceremony. The book presented the option of greeting your guests as they entered the church in order to build hospitality and create a joyful and friendly atmosphere. We wanted to build an atmosphere that reflected us as a couple and how we celebrate our faith. For us, our faith is lived out in a vibrant, joyful manner, and it was important to set that tone from the time our guests entered the Church. Instead of a formal line we just made ourselves present and made an effort to greet everyone who walked in the door.
Mrs. Hippo, New York City/Dallas, TXAge and Occupation: 34, Event Planner for a Non-Profit Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Finance ITEngagement Date: August 8, 2009Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: Samuel Lynne Galleries and Marc EventsAbout Me: I’m a thirty-something bride living in New York City and planning a modern-ish wedding in Dallas, Texas. I love trashy reality television (Jersey Shore, anyone?), online shopping, Sunday brunch, Central Park, and random celebrity spottings on the streets of Manhattan. While I love NYC, I miss good Tex-Mex, my college friends, central A/C, and being in close proximity to a Target. I’m thrilled to finally be planning an event that’s not work-related and to be marrying my best friend in what I hope will be a unique and personal ceremony followed by a reception with plenty of good food, good drinks, and dancing (regardless if it’s good or not).
I consider myself a pretty creative person and I now know, without a doubt, where I get it from. Mama Hippo completely and totally showed me up with her creative wedding projects!
I mentioned way back when that our reception was going to be set up lounge style, with a mixture of 60″ round tables with chairs and more lounge-y couches, ottomans and armchairs. I mentioned to Mama Hippo that it would be great to have some decorative pillows in our wedding colors to decorate the space. She is an awesome seamstress so I knew it wouldn’t be any problem for her to whip up some navy and yellow pillows. The Thursday before the wedding, Mama Hippo unveiled the collection of pillows she had been working on for months, and I was blown away. Completely.
Is that our wedding logo I spy? Embroidered? On pillows???
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.
So here I am. All ready to print our invitation suite…*drums fingers on laptop*…and none of the local printers have called me back. It’s been three days and not a word. WTH, small businesses?
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!
There are a boatload of options for those of us who want to make our own faux* flowers, either because we are poor, cheap, or just gluttons for punishment DIY goddesses. I’m all of the above and am planning on making faux flowers for decorating purposes, and possibly for corsages or boutonnieres. I prefer my flowers, faux and real, to be as floofy as possible, but I do love all of these faux flowers—so let the inspiration party begin!
Paper Faux Flowers
There is really no end to the types of flowers one can make out of paper, and the good news is paper is inexpensive! Plus, it doesn’t require much skill other than measuring, cutting, and folding…over and over and over.
Mrs. Cinnamon Bun, Calgary, AlbertaAge and Occupation: 26, Stage ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Theatre TechnicianEngagement Date: June 22, 2010Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Calgary Opera CentreAbout Me: I'm a life-long crafter and bookworm living in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Some of my loves include Lord of the Rings, Sherlock Holmes, knitting, opera, musicals, Etsy, baking, and of course, Mr. Cinnamon Buns. We're keeping our wedding close to home---the venue isn't very far from our house, and we live within walking distance of 6 bridal salons. I'm using the wedding as an excuse to try out every craft project I possibly can, with the endless help and support of my fiance.
If there are any other Calgary bees out there, a few industrious ladies on the Weddingbee Boards have set up a Calgary bee meet-up!
We will be meeting at 7PM on Monday April 11th in the Joey’s lounge at Eau Claire Market. It’s nice and central, and there is both car and bike parking nearby.
I promise to report back with pictures, if you YYC-bees promise to come! Check out the board thread here and join in on the convo!
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.
WWDD? This is a question I ask myself quite often: “What would David (Tutera) Do?!” David Tutera would probably NOT suggest having 10 bridesmaids. David Tutera would quite possibly shake his head, roll his eyes, and tell the cameras that having 10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen is a “circus.”
Now, just because I ask myself what he would do, that is not to say I let that dictate what I will.
OK, with that said, I totally have 10 amazing, beautiful, charming, hilarious bridesmaids (including two lovely maids of honor). Coming to this decision was fun, and by no means was it without thought! Prior to getting engaged, the only wedding-related detail I ever really considered was my bridesmaids and who they would be.
And I always envisioned a small bridal party, like this (minus the kinda graphic leg-grabbage):
Mrs. Meerkat, Kalamazoo, MI/Riviera MayaAge and Occupation: 30, Application EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, IT ConsultantEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: December 2010Venue: Al Cielo / La LagunaAbout Me: I’m a tech-savvy tomboy with an affinity for hot tea and good sushi. Us Meerkats are just a couple fun lovin’ geeks from Michigan. We love anything having to do with movies, books, video games or technology and we hold a special place in our hearts for our two very spoiled shih-tzus, Wicket and Bravo. We also LOVE to travel. We love it so much it only took us 12 hours after we got engaged to decide to have a destination wedding. We are working our little Meerkat tails off planning a rustic-chic, travel themed destination wedding in the Riviera Maya with a semi-formal, vintage-turned-modern, outdoor at home reception back here in Michigan.
Roberto began the service by welcoming everyone. Read more…
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!
Instead of our guests throwing bubbles or rice, we’re going to be having a paper-airplane send-off! It’s a little less traditional, a little bit awesome, and right up Mr. H’s aerospace-loving alley!
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.
The other day Mr. Gazelle had some studying to do, so I decided to get out of the house and do something a bit out of character. I decided to hit up some antique stores.
You see, I blame Etsy. There is so much awesomeness on there! Pictures of beautiful ruffled hobnail milk-glass cake stands have me drooling over the idea of prettying up our wedding cake.
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. 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!
As we get closer to the big day, I’ve been thinking more and more about my wedding day look. You guys know I’m already thinking about hair (Still working on it!), and now I started thinking about my nails.
Our wedding is on a Saturday, but seeing as I have the Friday before off of work, I think I’ll get my nails done then. Bridesmaid Marie has the day off too, so she’ll be joining me. Yay!
It seems like such a silly thing to think about, but I just keep thinking of those gorgeous pro-pics with close ups on the bride’s hands/rings/nails/bouquet. See, look—a lovely photo of a first dance, with nails in full view! See, that’s reason enough to fancy up your fingers.
Mrs. Ostrich, San Francisco/HawaiiAge and Occupation: 30, Fashion Buyer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 38, CopywriterEngagement Date: October 4, 2009Wedding Date: April 2011Venue: Sweet ceremony by the sea and sunset celebration on the North Shore of HawaiiAbout Me: Born in the city of angels and residing in the city by the bay, I’m a fearless fashion buyer by day, a passionate blog author by night and a dreamy bride-to-be in between. I thank my lucky stars to live in such a stunning city that gives me gifts like organic honey lavender ice cream, movie nights in the park, tucked away beaches, legendary record stores, '80s dance parties, awesome sports teams, stellar flea markets, and vintage bookshops. Oh, and I love to dance! We always find every excuse to escape to the beach, and decided a little seaside wedding in Hawaii is our idea of bliss. Full of our favorite people, music, food and sparkly lights, this is one sunset celebration we will always remember.
“I don’t tip because society says I have to. Alright, if someone deserves a tip, if they really put forth an effort, I’ll give them something a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, it’s for the birds” - Mr. Pink, Reservoir Dogs
With the big day right around the bend (23 days - EEEEE!), this bride’s brain has been twisted around a particularly gray topic…
TIPPING.
In the everyday Ostrich world, Mr. O and I are big tippers. Partly because we, many moons ago, served cocktails, refilled ice, and mopped up bar floors. We got paid peanuts and those tips made the icky parts of our jobs totally worth it.
And we also tip because we believe it brings us good juju…karma…warm fuzzy vibes, you know. Read more…
Mrs. Candy Apple, Princeton Junction, NJ/ Seattle, WAAge and Occupation: 26, Project EditorFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, AttorneyEngagement Date: May 9, 2010Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: St. Joseph's Parish, Seattle Tennis ClubAbout Me: I am a Pacific Northwesterner, born and bred. I have lived in many cities---Santa Clara, Durham (England); Florence; Boston; Princeton Junction---but my heart will always be nestled up near the Cascades and Olympics, which is why we are holding our wedding there. I am a bookworm and a History nerd: I love that my life consists of books, books, and more books, since I work in Publishing! Recently, all waking time not consumed by work and my daily commute has been overtaken by wedding planning. Well, that, and watching Premier-League soccer. There is nothing I love more than a good Tana French mystery, traveling to new places, Anthropologie shopping sprees, Iittala dishware, Kate Spade shoes, impeccable typefaces (think: Archer), and a nice English ale (hellooo, Old Speckled Hen!). Oh, and did I mention my obsession with wedding blogs? Yeah, there’s that too. Join Mr. Candy Apple and me as we prep for our wedding, and, more importantly, our marriage!
I am really not a shoe person, at least not in the way that so many other girls are.
Sure, I would kill for a sweet pair of Christian Louboutins. Who wouldn’t? Seriously. How can you resist these? Black glitter shoes are my favorite. Actually, any glitter shoes are my favorite.
