Mrs. Zebra, Providence, RIAge and Occupation: 24 Marketing/Costume DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26 Management/Firefighter Engagement Date: December 12, 2008Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: The Providence BiltmoreAbout Me: I'm a small town New England girl with an affinity for procrastination, crossing the proverbial line, and putting her foot in her mouth. I'm a lover of history, all seasons, sewing and Incubus. I design costumes on the side for my old high school's theatre department, which is where I met my sexy man. Our motto for our Big Fat Lebanese/Portuguese/Irish near-300 person wedding is "the more the merrier"! We are marrying in a Catholic ceremony and are hammering out the details of our Victorian-inspired reception.
Video via YouTube - Song written and performed by Incubus
…and so the day of our wedding had finally arrived. I hopped out of bed at 6 AM to the welcoming glow of a gorgeous sunny day. I did everything I could to contain my excitement and not run screaming naked through the streets of my childhood neighborhood. It was here and boy, was I ready.
The girls and I grabbed some breakfast in the kitchen between conversation before heading off to Allure Salon in Swansea, MA to get our hair done. Read more…
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.
The new family I am marrying into are some of my most favorite people in the world. I feel like I’ve known them my whole life and already feel like we are family. It bugs me that I had to wait 20 years of my life to meet them!
The first time we met - Fall 2007 at the University of North Texas (Go Eagles!)
Mrs. Cannon, Toledo, OHAge and Occupation: 27, Financial AnalystFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, AssemblerEngagement Date: February 28, 2011Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Epworth UMC & Ward PavilionAbout Me: I'm the curious combination of being a go-with-the-flow, laid back, obsessive planner. I try desperately to stay as busy as possible at all times (and am succeeding big time right now!) My biggest loves in life are Law & Order: SVU, Community (the show, not the concept, although I like that, too), ice cream, white cheddar popcorn, beer, hiking, knitting, decorating, writing, being outside, spending time with friends and family and musical theater. Mr. Cannon is pretty sweet, too. We've had a lot of fun traveling and having adventures all over the country, but have finally moved back near our hometown to settle down. We're planning a low-key, colorful, fun wedding and an awesome-to-the-max reception.
When Mr. Cannon and I started dating, I was aware he was shorter than me, but because we are generally not standing while hanging out, it wasn’t really that noticeable. Mr. Cannon is kind of short for a guy, and I’m sort of tall for a lady. It wasn’t until I saw his driver’s license that I realized he was only 5’6″. I’m five inches taller (5’11″ for those not inclined to do the math).
The cool part is that neither of us cares. Honestly, he was always short growing up, and I was always tall. We’re used to comments and neither of us is too concerned about it. That being said, I will admit I wear lower heels less than I used to, but more for comfort than height concerns.
I had a hard time finding pictures of us standing, and in all of them I’m doing this thing where I attempt to be his height.
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!
After a few days chilling in Fort Lauderdale, it was time to board our cruise boat!
We got a suite with a balcony, and that was pretty much the best idea ever. We spent quite a bit of time reading and relaxing out there! And of course, you can’t beat the view in the morning.
Once the ship had set sail, our first stop was Key West!
Mrs. Oyster, DallasAge and Occupation: 30, Music TeacherFiance's Age and Occupation: 46, Art TeacherEngagement Date: January 9, 2009Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: The Tower ClubAbout Me: I'm a Texa-Californian with a penchant for sparkly things and a tendency to think a lot. I've been known to sing random songs or dance when there is no music on. My fiance and I love world culture, we love to travel, and we have an incredibly eclectic taste in music. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate our marriage with our family & closest friends. We're planning an “urban black-tie” wedding and hope to incorporate our personalities and some of our own interests. We look forward to a life of love, laughter, good music, beautiful art, and to creating our home together with our four (!) cats.
One of the benefits of having a well-padded schedule is that you have built in room for things like solving crises and “emergency hug” visits to your family. So when I arrived at the venue an hour later than I’d originally planned, it was no big deal.
I remember having a tremendous difficulty trying to park the van in the garage and carry all my things up to the venue. The Tower Club is on the 48th floor of an office building, and since it was a Friday afternoon, there were still some business-y people around. Several of them didn’t even try to hide their amusement at the sight of this “live bride walking.” It was fun. In one hand, I wheeled my suitcase, and in the other, I held my wedding dress high over my head. I was frazzled, but also feeling very peaceful and happy. I must have been quite a sight!
Miss Marmalade, Norwalk, CT/Raleigh, NCAge and Occupation: 27, Administrative AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Army OfficerEngagement Date: December 31, 2009Wedding Date: July 2011Venue: Old Cadet Chapel/Highlands Country ClubAbout Me: I'm a Tri-State area "lady," through and through. A big chunk of my life has been split between NYC and Connecticut, and I'm finally heading down south to live with Mr. Marmalade. Our long distance relationship has been one adventure after the next, we've spent time in Texas, Louisiana, Florida,and Georgia, thanks to his military career. Next to Mr. Marmalade, my loves include live music, useless trivia, shoes, design, and my crazy half-tiger kitty, Oliver. I have a passion for food and wine, and I've been known to travel long distances to get my hands on the best meals. I come from a tight-knit big fat Greek Ecuadorian family---we're loud, we talk with our hands, and we spend hours talking loudly with our hands over large meals. I'm going to miss them so much as I pack up and begin my life, far away from home. But with Mr. Marmalade by my side, I'm ready to take on whatever may come. Next up: our wedding!
Miss Sweet Cream, PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Public Relations Account ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Outside SalesEngagement Date: July 4, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church / Rosebank WineryAbout Me: Born in the ‘burbs of Philly, it took some time living in the Big Apple to realize that I’m a girl who likes her roots. That’s why the mister and I bought a 1950s house on a charming street not too far from our childhood stompin’ grounds. This could also be the reason why our hometown is the scene where we are planning our super sweet, totally charming, BBQ-for-supper wedding that I never knew I always wanted. I DIE over DIY projects and live for vintage, heartfelt inspiration. I obsess over all things mid-century (from forks to furniture). Love is… cartoons and flea markets, and I am known to whip up a mean banana cream pie. I met the Mr. in grade school and after that boy took me for a spin on the handle bars of his BMX, I knew that things would never be the same again. Besides lovin’ my Mr., I also love to plan, sew and create, and that’s just what I’m doing as I navigate through the details, creating a laid-back day that oozes charm; one that will go down in (at least our) history as the Best. Day. Of all time.
Mrs. Macarons, TampaAge and Occupation: 26, Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Renaissance ManEngagement Date: September 12, 2009Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Lange FarmAbout Me: I'm creative at heart and a graphic designer with an unhealthy obsession with type. I love roller coasters, spicy foods, and a good glass of Crianza. We’re planning a soft and lovely vintage-meets-modern wedding in a state that’s known for its beaches, glitz and glam. I have a ton of DIY projects and lots of little details I’m dying to share and can't wait to celebrate with our closest friends and family.
I’m one of the lucky ones who’s able to lucid dream. As a child, I was able to defeat monsters and escape burning buildings with my family and pets. If something seemed preposterous, I’d simply change it.
Like others, I’ve had a few stressful wedding dreams in the past, but I was able to avert a crisis every single time. MOH Sassy started having them quite frequently once she was two months out. I figured our two-year engagement allowed me to be way ahead of the game and keep me relatively stress free.
Well, hive, this generally calm and collected bee just had the WORST wedding nightmare ever. The kind that you wake from in a hot and sweaty mess; where there’s no chance in hell you’re going to fall back asleep even though it’s 7 AM on a Saturday. Just about everything went wrong, and there wasn’t a single thing I could do about it. Read more…
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!
This has been a really tough week in the wedding planning department, and I’m not nearly out of the woods yet. All of this emotional turmoil is about one thing—the dress. That singularly important wedding element that I’ve tried to avoid thinking about for so long now. And since I’m still squarely in the middle of this predicament, I’m still not sure how it’s all going to work out.
Mrs. Sparkler, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 27, Communications AficionadoFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, PublisherEngagement Date: July 21, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Chicago Illuminating CompanyAbout Me: I’m a Southern lady living in the big city of Chicago. Well, lady may be a stretch, but I’m working hard to keep some Virginia charm in our sleek, urban, wedding-palooza! I’m addicted to marathons, not-so-famous bands, Chicago restaurants, and Mark Twain. I cry during SPCA commercials, and I think LOST was the best show to ever hit television. Mr. S and I met at a classy college mixer and, 7 years later, he’s still by my side. He’s the only child, laid back, free spirit... I’m the oldest of five kids, type-A, organizer. It doesn’t work on paper, but we’ve never paid attention to that stuff anyway. Somehow it works. And like they say, sometimes when you know…you just know.
This has been an insanely busy week for the Sparklers! We’ve checked so many wedding tasks off of our to-do list, and this thing is finally starting to feel real! We’ve finalized our rehearsal plans, seen our table mock-ups, bought our tickets to Hawaii for the honeymoon, and SO much more. I can’t wait to share it all with you! But first, I HAVE to show you the most exciting part of this whole planning frenzy we’ve been in. Seemingly out of nowhere, I received an email I’ve been waiting on for months. THE INVITES WERE READY.
Yep. I have a little secret to spill…we splurged on our invites. Um, big time. Our pocketbooks might be aching, but our hearts are totally bursting with happiness. They turned out so beautifully! I’m way too excited to show you, and there’s no way I can wait until they all are sent out to do that, so here’s the tiniest of previews:
Could it be a city skyline? Dominos? A close up of River Dog’s face? I’ll let you try and figure it out. While you’re thinking, here’s a peek at the hand lettering:
Mrs. Waffle, AustinAge and Occupation: 31, Costumer/ArtistFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, AnimatorEngagement Date: July 27, 2010Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Hummingbird HouseAbout Me: My life is pretty much spent in a sea of fabric, paint, sequins and drama. When I’m not working, I play on a trivia team, take Broadway dance classes, read, buy shoes, and occasionally geek out on video games. I am an American girl who loves all things British and Mr. Waffle is a Brit who loves all things American...I guess it was meant to be!
MRS Waffle is back and ready to entertain you with all the thrills, laughter, tears and the freak onslaught of torrential rain that constituted our big day! Yes, you heard correctly. The thing that every outdoor bride fears the most happened to us…THE RAIN. I will always feel a twinge of sadness about what I call “the lost hour” and getting married in what felt like a hot steamy plastic bag, but at the end of the day there is nothing any human being could have done to fix THE RAIN. Read more…
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.
I got asked this question at happy hour with some girlfriends. So how did I know? Well there’s two different stories to tell.
The Practical Story
For the most part, our relationship has flowed very naturally from one step to the next. We dated for a while and then figured we’d give “exclusively dating” a try.
Personal photo, shortly after we became “official”
Mrs. Cannon, Toledo, OHAge and Occupation: 27, Financial AnalystFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, AssemblerEngagement Date: February 28, 2011Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Epworth UMC & Ward PavilionAbout Me: I'm the curious combination of being a go-with-the-flow, laid back, obsessive planner. I try desperately to stay as busy as possible at all times (and am succeeding big time right now!) My biggest loves in life are Law & Order: SVU, Community (the show, not the concept, although I like that, too), ice cream, white cheddar popcorn, beer, hiking, knitting, decorating, writing, being outside, spending time with friends and family and musical theater. Mr. Cannon is pretty sweet, too. We've had a lot of fun traveling and having adventures all over the country, but have finally moved back near our hometown to settle down. We're planning a low-key, colorful, fun wedding and an awesome-to-the-max reception.
There are tons of paper-flower tutorials out there. I Googled around a bit and also used an Offbeat Bride thread on paper flowers to find a few I liked. My process for picking which flowers to make was pretty much:
Look at paper flowers. Decide if I like how they look when complete, knowing that they will probably not look as good when I do it.
Look at the tutorial. Does this seem like something I can reasonably expect I will be able to do?
Will it require buying a bunch of stuff I don’t already own and will never use again? How expensive is said stuff?
Try making one and see how it turns out.
So far I have made quite a few of thesetwo types of flowers. I might make another type or two as well, depending on how much time I have. I used the tutorials I linked to, but I do have some advice beyond what the tutorials say based on my own experience.
For these guys I didn’t do the distressing or glitter stuff because it’s not my style. I bought this punch from Amazon. I hot-glued pipe cleaners to the bottom so they can be arranged into a bouquet at some point. And I just used a Q-tip with the end cut off to curl the edges.
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!
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.
Today, I will be marrying my best friend. It seems so incredibly surreal that our engagement period is about to draw to a close, and that our relationship is about to enter an entirely new territory. I feel like we are leveling up. We have been dating for over seven years, and though we both knew within our hearts that we would eventually marry, it is still almost unbelievable that our day is finally upon us. The entire wedding planning process has been such an amazing adventure, and it has certainly had its ups and downs. But you know what? Despite all of the stress, drama, and occasional fits of tears, planning my wedding to Mr. Bunting has been an experience I will forever treasure. There have been so many new and wonderful memories made, and I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed and savored every minute of it.
Throughout our engagement, people continuously told me how it was such a lot of time and money to invest into a single day.
While you’re thinking, here’s a peek at the hand lettering:
