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Having already picked out my dress, the next step in completing my bridal look was the veil. You know how on TV whenever a bride goes dress shopping and a consultant slips a veil onto her head, everyone in a three-mile radius automatically begins tearing up because she finally looks like a real bride? I definitely didn’t have that experience when dress shopping. I tried on a few veils, but never did I have an extra-bridal moment. Instead, I felt kind of weird having a big piece of tulle hanging from my scalp. Despite this lack of immediate attraction, I knew that I would be donning a veil, so I needed to do some research.
The Short
It seems like the most defining characteristic of a veil is its length; beyond that, you can play with different colors, materials, and adornments, but the length is kind of the go-to decision. On the short end of things, you have the birdcage veil, which is usually a very short piece of netting or tulle that hangs no lower than the chin. I had never even heard of this until I saw Reese Witherspoon’s bridal look in Sweet Home Alabama.
Image via Astra Bridal / Credit: Touchstone Studios
One thing I am very eager to incorporate into our wedding is my love of quotes. For me, a familiar quote often evokes memories of events or times in my life. Much like songs, quotes really resonate with me by helping me celebrate the happy times in my life and strengthening my resolve during the trying times.
Some of my favorite quotes on love, marriage, and romantic sentiment include:
True love stories never have endings. ~Richard Bach
Live in the moment and make it beautiful that it will be worth remembering. ~Fanny Crosby
For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin—real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. ~Souza
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. ~Helen Keller
Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why they call it the present. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
If I know what love is, it is because of you. ~Herman Hesse
In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities. ~Janos Arany
We had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from our branches, we found that we were one tree and not two. ~ from de Bernieres’s novel, Corelli’s Mandolin
All you need is love ~John Lennon & Paul McCartney
For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul. ~Judy Garland
Once the reception got properly underway, we were free to just enjoy spending time together and with our guests. The picnic atmosphere seemed to bring the perfect amount of informality and relaxation to our reception—exactly what we had hoped for. Read more…
Once I figured that a wedding might be on the horizon, I decided it was time to start growing out my hair. For the last few years I have kept my hair around the same length, varying within an inch or two and resting around my shoulders.
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All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
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I’ve been waiting a while to blog about this. I actually had a post ready before our wedding and almost shared then, but decided to wait. I’m so glad that I did, because I have a lot more insight on the subject now.
The subject is dry weddings ’cause…uhh…we had one!
Myth: People go to weddings for the alcohol.
Fact: People go to weddings for you!
I was freaking out about the fact that we weren’t going to have alcohol at our wedding for the longest time. It wasn’t that we couldn’t afford alcohol (even though we really didn’t have the budget for it), and it isn’t that we have anything against alcohol being at weddings. In fact, the Brooches used to be big drinkers. Back in college, we spent many a nights going out with our friends and drinking fancy cocktails. But then something changed, and Mr. Brooch decided he wasn’t going to drink anymore. At all. It was a bit of an adjustment for us, but I have to be honest: I love the man Mr. Brooch has become (sober for 3 years now) and I knew our wedding needed to be about “us,” and not what we thought others expected of us. Nevertheless, I worried. We all worry about the way our weddings will be perceived (even those of us who do serve alcohol), and I thought for sure 1) people will leave right after the ceremony or dinner 2) people won’t dance and 3) people will talk behind our backs about how much our wedding sucked because of the lack of alcohol.
Read more…
Waiting in line at the post to mail a baby-shower gift to a friend, I checked my email and saw a Weddingbee application email. *GASP* Finally! Pengy had mentioned she was a bit behind on the applications and, Debbie Downer that I am, I was impatiently expecting my rejection email. In fact, I kept telling Mr. Funnel Cake, “I just wish the rejection would come already so I can stop wondering about it!”
What can I say? I’m a pessimistic, glass-half-empty kinda gal when I’m not busy smiling and giggling and being unfairly happy. So you can imagine my surprise and utter glee at the realization that I’m actually a bee! Hip hip, hooray! Hip hip, hooray! Hip, hip, HOORAY! (You have to do it three times!)
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
I was roped into joining a boot camp for seven weeks (six weeks, and they were running a one week free promotion) in Oakland. Was I nervous? Heck yes. I was essentially going from couch to working out three times a week+, and I expected it to be grueling. It was tough, but not too bad, and super rewarding.
My boot camp focused on gaining muscle while working out at an elevated heart rate. That meant short intervals of cardio with weight training mixed in between. So, it was never an hour long cardio dash (yikes! scary! too hard for me!) nor was it just weigh training where you didn’t break a sweat…it was a great way to go from not working out at all to getting on track.
Obviously there are different types of boot camps all over the world, so my boot camp experience won’t be the same as yours, but there are some key elements that were important that I think you should look for when choosing a boot camp.
Accountability - find classes that are small, and that meet at times that you know you can always attend so you have NO EXCUSES to miss classes. If the classes are small, people will notice and ask where you’ve been. If you’re serious (of COURSE you are!) find a specific-set week regimen that’s pre-pay, so when you feel like giving up you remember how much money you sunk into the camp. Larger classes are probably cheaper, but more impersonal, and you might not feel as obligated to show up consistently. (If you’re responsible and wonderful and committed, obviously this doesn’t apply to you, and you can find a large format cheap class and go to that!)
Read more…
So I’m a glutton for DIY punishment. At least I can admit it; the first step toward recovery is admitting you have a problem, yes?
licorice had fresh white centerpieces line the tables at her wedding.
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The wedding toasts were the more sentimental part of the evening. My father kicked it off with a welcome to our guests and he thanked everyone for coming. He also went on to talk about the story of when Mr. Starfish and I began dating. My family often shares the story that I was ready to leave the school I now rave about, one month into my freshman year. I had transfer papers in and I was ready to leave. Then a few weeks after I gave them the first call, I called back to let them know I changed my mind.
On a cold Saturday afternoon, my mom and I paid a visit to Bob’s Floral to sort out the various wedding flowers. I figured this would be about a 45-minute meeting, tops, due to my highly specific floral vision. I would march right in there and lay it all out for Bob, who would inevitably praise me for my organization and exquisite taste, and then we’d be outta there.
Well, I quickly realized that maybe my vision wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be. Three (!!!) hours later, we had most of our wedding flowers selected. Let me start at the beginning.
My hydrangea-heavy wishlist was lacking a bit of something according to Bob. His flowers generally have more pop, pizazz, color, depth, whatever you want to call it. So multiple balls of hydrangeas were kind of blasé to him. He then walked me through his portfolio of previous bouquets, and I realized that he had a point. The simple bouquets didn’t photograph stupendously well, nor did they really match my personal style. My hydrangea vision got the axe about 10 minutes into the meeting. A full hour later, I finally decided on my bridal bouquet and accompanying bridesmaids’ bouquets.
My bridesmaids will be carrying a combination of green hydrangeas and lavender roses. (Right…lavender roses, as in purple flowers, as in the sole type of flower I was opposed to. He showed me a photo of a bridal party wearing purple dresses and carrying bouquets with lavender roses, and I was sold immediately. Apparently I’m not the floral know-it-all that I thought I was. Go figure.)
Collage done by me: Hydrangea (via Fiore Farms) / Roses (via Flowers for Her)
For me, the most memorable parts of a wedding are those that truly represent the couple. Whether that means dressing up your penguin pal in his finest so he can make an appearance on your big day:
Mr. Popper at a friend’s wedding {Photo by Deidre Lynn}
Welcome back, wedding season! My cousin H is getting married next week!
Her mom decided that it would be good to give the bride a scrapbook full of advice from all the married ladies in the family. Sounds like a nice present right? Not that I think she needs advice. She’s very practical and smart.
Anyway, my aunt gave me a page to complete, despite my warnings. I haven’t even been married a year yet—my advice isn’t worth beans.
But it was a serious assignment, so I took it seriously.
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| Workplace all set up, with cousin-in-dress picture ready to go. |
“I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground.
I’m getting to like this feeling I’ve found.
I’m getting to love
The thought of having you around.
And I will never let you down.”
- Never Let You Down by the Verve Pipe
This week has been a whirlwind of blissful emotions, as well as a time of reflection upon the events and people who have shaped our lives. It was when I took the time to browse through some childhood photos of Mr. Tartlet and myself that the weight of this moment really hit me, and I sat with silent tears streaming down my face, thanking whatever higher power is out there that we managed to find our way to each other. It’s a sobering thought to consider that Mr. Tartlet and I could have easily passed each other by had either of us made one decision differently, which only makes me more thankful for all the experiences we’ve had. There were a handful of photos that I was particularly drawn to that showcased our similarities and differences, even at a very young age.
Mr. Tartlet apparently had an attachment to this stuffed bear. Not to be outdone, I was particularly fond of two: Read more…
Ringing in the weekend with a sweet, sweet treat! Say hello to our newest bee, Miss Funnel Cake!
Miss Funnel Cake, Zürich, Switzerland/Columbus, Ohio
Age & Occupation: 23, Visual Communication Designer
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 27, Application Engineer
Engagement Date: May 20, 2010
Wedding Date: October 2011
Venue: Catholic church followed by a botanical conservatory
About 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.
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