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!
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. Funnel Cake, Zürich, Switzerland/Columbus, OhioAge and Occupation: 24, Visual Communication DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Application EngineerEngagement Date: May 30, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Catholic church followed by a botanical conservatoryAbout Me: I'm an American designer who moved to Switzerland for love after a fairytale beginning at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I love travel, photography, museums, learning German so I can speak with my mother-in-law, cooking (eating), cuddling, and I'm not afraid to try something new even if it terrifies me. My Swiss/Brazilian man and I are both down to earth people planning a traditional Catholic wedding in my hometown with some quirky cultural exceptions to reflect our different backgrounds. We look forward to celebrating with friends and family from all over the world in a classic, sophisticated fusion of heritage and love.
Back in April I was getting ready to head to my first Polterabig (oder Polterabend auf Hochdeutsch) for a friend of Mr. Funnel Cake, while he went to the groom’s Polterabend the same night.
What is a Swiss Polterabend? Well, it is certainly not the traditional German Polterabend of breaking dishes:
Mrs. Knitting, TorontoAge and Occupation: 24, Student Recruitment Assistant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Neuroscience PhD CandidateEngagement Date: October 2009Wedding Date: December 2010Venue: University of Toronto Faculty Club
About Me: I'm a pearl wearing, etiquette book reading Toronto girl who loves cooking and baking, museums, charm bracelets, and collecting books on Jackie Kennedy (a lot). I've been known to spend Sunday mornings at the antique market, Wednesday evenings at sister sushi dinners, and any bit of spare time reading. After six and a half years of many late night walks, watching DVDs together in bed, travelling to places like New York, and Tobermory, doing Sudokus together on the couch, lots of Indian food, the occasional yoga class, moving in together and so much more, Mr. Knitting and I are planning a cozy Christmasy (it's a word!), vintage wedding in Toronto complete with many DIY projects (eek!) and lots of help from our amazing group of family and friends.
It was really important to me to individually greet each of our guests so we chose to have a very small receiving line consisting of just myself and Mr. Knitting. We stood just outside the doors of our ceremony room and greeted everyone as they began to file downstairs. This had the added benefit of slowing the guests’ arrival at the bar, thus making our bartenders lives a bit easier!
I realize that looking at pictures of us hugging people is a bit boring so I’ll keep it brief.
Mrs. High Wire, DallasAge and Occupation: 23, Legal AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Director of CommunicationsEngagement Date: October 9, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Clark GardensAbout Me: My loves include yoga, anything spicy, our eccentric cat, our rambunctious dog, and Mr. High Wire, of course! Like the steadiness act of the tightrope walker, this gal is busy balancing life while planning a wedding to the man of her dreams. We’re hosting a laid-back, vintage-inspired, bird themed wedding with heavy doses of love, good eats (did someone say tacos and margaritas?), and endless Texas charm. Mr. High Wire and I are so happy to have you along for the walk across the tight rope.
In February Mr. High Wire’s parents, brother, and brother’s girlfriend all came into town and we went on a cake and flower consult! For some reason I kept switching the letters around, hence the post title—”Flakes and Cowers.”
This vendor does catering, cakes, flowers, linens, decor, and coordinating! What a one-stop shop.
It was really tempting to dive head first and book this one vendor for as many things as possible. It means fewer vendors that we have to coordinate with on the day of, right?
So much of the wedding industry is fueled by word of mouth. Companies blossom and die by the reviews people post of them online. My biggest piece of advice is to read, read, read every review you can find about a wedding vendor in advance of meeting them. You don’t want to find out an affordable caterer served cold roast beef instead of filet mignon at your own wedding, right? If you read reviews online, you’d know well in advance about issues like this.
While this vendor didn’t have 100% positive reviews based on all of their services, they DID have great reviews on both their cake and flower services. So, I felt comfortable meeting them. We do plan on serving cake at the wedding and want to have some floral decor throughout, but I can safely say that these two are not at the tippity-top of our priority list. So here was where we were willing to spend a little less and take a chance on a vendor without perfect marks across the board. Read more…
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.
My hair trial was a few weeks ago. Today’s the first chance I’ve had to review the photos of the two styles we tried. Now that I’m looking at the pictures…uhmmm, I’m not really happy with either one. (Caveat: I’m my own worst critic. Throw in some lovely hormones mixed with under 12 days left until W-Day and you get a stomachful of knots.) The good news is I re-looked at my inspiration images and have isolated what needs to change. The bad news is I no longer trust my own opinion so I need to see it on me to know for sure. What I think would look good on me could be a disaster and there’s only the morning of left to figure this out.
The first hairstyle we tried was the detailed, interwoven updo (above). Because my gown has so much detail already, we downplayed the amount of detail in the hairstyle. The detail is what I liked about those styles. Read more…
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
As if I don’t already have enough DIY projects on my hands, I have now become a tad bit obsessed with bunting. At first I didn’t really get the appeal. I thought it was cute, but I didn’t understand why it was popping up all over the blogosphere. Well, thank you, dear blogs…because now I’m in love. There is just something about bunting that can be so fun and whimsical. Let’s ponder some ideas, shall we? Here’s what I’m thinking…
How adorable would this be for a photo-booth background?!
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.
We have a long weekend here in Canada so I have a plan to knock out a lot of wedding related tasks over the three day weekend. We have less than 60 days left to go, so there is no time for fooling around!
My big task last night was tackling our wedding day timeline. I started with the Wedding Day Planner in Google Docs which was a great template. I took out the things that didn’t pertain to us and put in my own times for when flowers are to arrive or when vendors have access to our site. I also tried to think about the photos we wanted to have done, how long did I think they would take, and when in the day we should schedule them.
The biggest glitch I had was figuring out how the reception should be structured. We go straight from the ceremony to cocktail hour and then straight inside the Brock House for the reception. Do we have a few toasts before dinner or do we get started on eating right away?
Who toasts? The Best Man, our Maid of Honour…do our fathers toast? And since Mr. Gazelle’s parents are divorced Father-in-Law Gazelle can’t really speak for Mr. Gazelle’s mom so then what? Read more…
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!
I’m going to be straight with you. Not every aspect of wedding planning is all that fun. Sure, there are awesome moments like finding a dress or picking colors, but then there is some nitty-gritty stuff that really just does not trip your trigger. Thankfully, my tug-of-war with one of those menial, less-than-stellar tasks has come to an end. I am claiming to be the victor, mostly because it’s over.
That’s right, hive, I’ve secured wedding-day transportation. After evaluating our options, getting a large handful of quotes, getting indignant at the estimates we were receiving, reworking our request, receiving a second batch of quotes, second-guessing what we really needed out of our transportation, re-reworking our request, and getting a final round of quotes, we’re done. Finally, finally done. And here’s what I have to show for that arduous process.
The bridal party will be making that long one-mile trek from ceremony to reception in one of Johnstown’s party buses! Here’s the thing, though. I feel like I’m at risk of picking up a communicable disease when I use the term “party bus.” It evokes images such as this:
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.
This past weekend I got the itch to make something for the wedding. Not being one to ignore my urges (mmm…ice cream), I quickly started looking for the easiest task on my list of DIY projects to conquer. (I said was feeling creative, not overly ambitious.)
Originally, I wanted to start on our cake topper, but my inspiration well was dry on that front, so I moved on. Deciding I was too lazy to drive anywhere to pick up additional materials, I knew this project would have to be one in which all the components were at my disposal. Looking around, I realized I had enough elastic, fabric scraps, and lace to make a garter. What I lacked was a plan. Undeterred, I sought inspiration and assumed I would figure out how to make something wonderful from pure internet osmosis.
I found plenty of gorgeous pictures to get my creative juices flowing:
Mrs. Bunting, Grand Rapids, MIAge and Occupation: 24, freelance illustrator & print productionFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, graduate of historyEngagement Date: December 3, 2009Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Spring Grove Park & St. George Banquet CenterAbout Me: I am a freelance illustrator and designer with a love of nature and a taste for adventure. Textures and color fuel my world, along with apple cider and noodles. I'll try anything once, especially if it involves heights or food. I've hiked the Grand Canyon, gone sky diving, cuddled a baby wolf, and now my latest venture consists of designing and planning a large wedding involving color, DIY details, love, and marrying my best friend.
You know that feeling when you suddenly experience such a huge rush of excitement that your hands shake and your heart skips from all the adrenaline coursing through your veins? My hands are shaking, my heart is skipping, and I fear I’m going to spew verbal rainbows everywhere. (I don’t know what that would look or sound like, but I may soon find out.) This is a problem since I’m still at work, and if a customer comes to my counter I could very well start gibbering and dancing like a madwoman.
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.
We’re still a few weeks from our RSVP date, but we’ve had enough replies to know that we are a very lucky couple. I’ve mentioned before that most of our families are overseas. It turns out that most of my English family can make it! I have two aunts (dad’s sisters), two uncles (their husbands), and two cousins coming out from England, which is just so exciting. We don’t think any of Cinnamon Buns’ English or Irish family will be able to make it out, but he does have other family members coming from across Canada and the US. I decided that it was a shame that all these people were coming from so far away to see us, but they’d never get to see us in our natural environment; our home. So I got it into my head that we could invite over any relatives who were still here for a gather on the Sunday after our wedding. We’ve got to clear our stuff out of the venue (and our hotel room!) on Sunday, so I knew we couldn’t do a fancy dinner party (we can’t anyway—we don’t have the space for a dining room table!) but I imagined people coming over and sitting on our couches and catching up a bit more.
The same week these ideas were percolating in my head, Cinnamon Buns’ mum asked if we were going to do a gift opening after the wedding, and my mum told me that she had people over after her wedding, and she set up a table with all the wedding gifts on it.
Mrs. Funnel Cake, Zürich, Switzerland/Columbus, OhioAge and Occupation: 24, Visual Communication DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Application EngineerEngagement Date: May 30, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Catholic church followed by a botanical conservatoryAbout Me: I'm an American designer who moved to Switzerland for love after a fairytale beginning at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I love travel, photography, museums, learning German so I can speak with my mother-in-law, cooking (eating), cuddling, and I'm not afraid to try something new even if it terrifies me. My Swiss/Brazilian man and I are both down to earth people planning a traditional Catholic wedding in my hometown with some quirky cultural exceptions to reflect our different backgrounds. We look forward to celebrating with friends and family from all over the world in a classic, sophisticated fusion of heritage and love.
Our marriage-preparation class was helpful in making us take a constructive look at our relationship, and I hope we remember to use some of the techniques in the future. Two of my favourites were “appreciations” and “pinches.”
Ms. Ferris Wheel, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 29, PsychologistFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, PsychologistEngagement Date: May 23 and 28, 2010 (one for each of us!)Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: 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!
Two weekends ago we had what I can only imagine is the closest approximation to a wedding we will ever have—prior to our actual wedding, that is.
We had a wedding shower.
It was generously, and wonderfully, hosted by Mr. FW’s aunt, sister, and mother who spent several months planning and then the better part of two days setting everything up. So unbelievably thoughtful! (Thank you all!!!) Read more…
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!
In Sydney, the normal thing to do for a bachelorette party, otherwise known as a Hen’s Do, is to head into the city, drink a lot, befriend lots of drunken male boys and dance the night away—with a few penises thrown in for good measure.
This is all well and good, except…well, I’m a homebody. And while I love a good dance as much as the next person, we don’t live close to the city and the practicalities (and costs!) of organising a big night out sort of had me worried. Also, since we’re being totally honest here, I’m not a girl that is closely surrounded by dozens of friends. I’ve always been the kind of person to stick with a few close ones around me, and really appreciate who I’ve got. Crowds and me? Just don’t mix.
I still wanted to have some kind of a ‘do’ with my closest friends, so I attempted to organise an event via Facebook, to see how many would be free and if they were interested. And on every single date I chose? A handful couldn’t make it. It was getting way too frustrating to plan, so I decided to throw in the towel—until the idea was brought up to just keep it simple. Read more…
