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!
The lovely Mrs. Sand Dollar proposed a series a while back where married bees compile the most basic elements of their weddings into one concise post where members new (and old!) to the hive can get an idea of what a specific bee’s wedding was like without having to sift through lots of recap posts. If you’re planning a wedding similar to any past bee’s, this will give you a chance to connect with older bees that you may not realize are planning similar weddings to your own, all in one swift post!
Stay tuned every Sunday for this new series, kicking off today with my own 2008 wedding! We’ll tag this series “snapshot-sundays,” so you’ll be able to access all the posts in one click! We hope you enjoy reliving our weddings with us!
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.
That didn’t slow me down. Just like Jay Z and Swizz Beatz I was “on to the next one.”
I turned to Google to try to help me uncover a unique BYO that was out there in our neighborhood. Of course I would give the rehearsal dinner a rehearsal and go try it out for myself. There were options. But nothing that wowed me.
Until I stumbled upon Rozmayrn in Northern Trenton, not too far from our little Catholic Church in Bucks County. Now this was perfection! I am half Polish and Gmom Sweet Cream smiled when I told her about the idea.
The crazy out-of-control imagination of mine took a hold of me all over again after I found out that rosemary was considered as a symbol of friendship and remembrance and that it was used in Polish weddings as a symbol of love and faith.
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!
For the actual hymns, I really wanted ones that were kind of common in typical liturgies so that the Catholics in the group would hopefully feel comfortable enough joining in the singing. I really like this hymn; plus, it’s based on the Beatitudes which is such a meaningful message for life in general.
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. Parasol, San Ramon, CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 25, Non-profit writer, editor, and bloggerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Law school studentEngagement Date: December 19th, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Bent Creek Winery (Livermore, California); Reception: Family Residence (San Ramon, California) About Me: I am a California girl at heart. I love the outdoors, sunny days at the beach, and hiking in the woods and mountains. I also love good books and am fresh from completing my Master's degree in English and Comparative Literature in New York City. Living in NYC was an amazing experience, and while I'm glad to be back on the West Coast, I'm also thankful that my two years back East gave me an opportunity to explore new places, make new friends, and indulge my passion for Broadway shows. Oh, and I received a pretty awesome proposal from Mr. Parasol in Central Park. Above all else, Mr. Parasol is my biggest cheerleader and my best friend. But even though I'm thrilled to be marrying him, I wasn't always totally on board with this whole wedding thing and at first, I wanted to run off and elope. I've finally been convinced to throw the wedding I never thought I wanted, and so now I'm busy planning an intimate September wedding filled with DIY details. Along the way, I'm slowly learning to appreciate, perhaps even love the wedding planning process.
Mrs. Honey, Durango, COAge and Occupation: 28, Financial AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Lab Tech/PhlebotomistEngagement Date: August 1, 2010Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Vallecito LakeAbout Me: I am a Colorado girl through and through, marrying an adrenaline-fueled Alabama boy. We love the outdoors just about as much as we love spoiling our dog and three cats. On any given weekend you can find us being adventurous, doing anything from rafting to snowboarding, and everything in between. We live in an outdoor mecca and truly believe in "Work Hard, Play Harder." I'm an optimist to the core, a crafter wannabe, a Southern food cook-in-training and a big time believer in girls nights. We met, fell in love and got engaged in eight short months and are now knee-deep in planning what we hope to be a super-fun, very us wedding celebration. Join us as we plan a rustic meets whimsical, Colorado winter wedding with loads of personal touches and good food!
In my last paper post I wrote about my indecision about invites. I realize I was a little premature with the invite post before the save-the-date post, but I have it set in my mind that our save the dates need to be cohesive with the invitation suite—they just do. I want one element on every single piece of paper used in the wedding. Obsessive, Honey? Yes. That’s why I started with invite inspiration; now it’s back to the drawing board with save-the-date inspiration. Paper inspiration posts are one of my favorites.
I have decided we won’t be using pictures of ourselves on our save the dates…mainly because we won’t have done our engagement pictures by the time we’ll be designing our save the dates. I was kind of bummed initially, because who doesn’t like seeing a picture of themselves on every friend’s refrigerator for six months? I kid. I was actually bummed that we wouldn’t have a save the date like this:
Mrs. Cucumber Sandwich, Washington, DC/Cape May, NJAge and Occupation: 28, School CounselorFiance's Age and Occupation: 40, Collegiate AthleticsEngagement Date: March 27, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Congress Hall HotelAbout Me: I am a school counselor who spends my day wrangling children and my nights attempting to be creative with wedding projects. My enthusiasm for each of these activities far surpasses my skill. Thank goodness Mr. Cucumber Sandwich is there to pick up the pieces and be the voice of reason about my DIY tries. I have an obsession with terrible romantic comedies (‘From Justin to Kelly’ anyone?, anyone?!?), competitive Scrabble play, and hot dogs. I could eat astronaut ice cream for every meal and can’t seem to resist buying more shoes. Our wedding is going to be a true hodge podge of semi-destination, tradition, Yuengling, New England charm, with just a dash of ‘Jersey Shore’ thrown in. It has been six years in the making and I can’t wait to marry my best friend.
We have hit the double-digit mark! That means packages have been coming in all week. Sometimes I don’t even know what is in the boxes that are piling up on our porch. Mr. Cucumber Sammie has given up asking me what I have ordered because often I can’t remember until I open it. He just doesn’t understand all the things I need for the wedding!
Recently some of the packages have been trickling in from eBay! Like many brides before me, I am collecting hankies for “tears of joy.”
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!
There are just a few things that I’m genuinely sad didn’t exist when I was getting married back in 2008. Among them is the existence of the White by Vera Wang line. Her spring 2011 launch was met with rave reviews, and she’s just launched her brand new Bridesmaid Collection, that includes some incredible dresses, all priced under $200. A dream!
Vera’s team sent over a preview for us here at Weddingbee! The entire line is available exclusively at David’s Bridal. Be sure to click through; you won’t want to miss the shoes…
fizz & frills is the first ever wedding marketplace hosted by Utterly Engaged Magazine with Lovely Jubilee and Blu Bungalow popping up in San Francisco, CA on Saturday August 6 through Sunday August 7, 2011. This isn’t your typical bridal show—fizz & frills is a 2 day shopping event where brides, grooms, and frill seekers alike can shop from a fine selection of independent designers and artisans.
Shop for unique wedding items, sway to great music, get fresh makeup inspiration and applications at the beauty bar, check out DIY sessions, and (best of all ) join Weddingbee sipping on fizz and overdosing on frills!
Weddingbee is thrilled as pie that fizz & frills is welcoming the bees and hive members for a fun official meet up event! On Sunday, August 7 from 12-6PM, come check out the event and chat all things wedding with Mrs. Penguin, local SF bees, and hive members!
Tickets to the 2-day event are now available, and you can purchase them by heading over to the official fizz & frills page.
Event host Utterly Engaged Magazine is graciously donating $1 from every ticket to the event sold to For Japan with Love which benefits ShelterboxUSA, which will further efforts to send life-saving supplies to disaster stricken areas in Japan and around the world.
…Or you can win a ticket right here! We’re giving away five tickets to the event to five lucky Weddingbee readers. Simply comment on this post below, and for a second chance to win, follow Weddingbee on Twitter and retweet this contest (if you’re already a follower, simply retweet by clicking here!). Then come back here and let us know that you followed/retweeted. You have until this Friday, July 29 at 11:59 PM PST to enter.
For more on the event, follow @fizzandfrills on Twitter or on Facebook for full details on the schedule of events, amazing pop up shop vendors, and special guests!
Good luck, and see you there at the Weddingbee Meet Up!
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.
After our first dance it was time for the Ukrainian kerchief ritual which I have written about here and here. Essentially, this is a ritual where the bride’s veil is removed and replaced by a kerchief, thus signifying her entrance into wifedom. My mom did this at her wedding and I was excited to do it at mine.
After we finished our first dance we cleared the floor and my sister explained the ritual to everyone.
I think normally the bride’s mom is the one who actually removes the veil, but Mama Knitting’s many talents do not really include removing a delicate headpiece without destroying my hairstyle, so I called my BM Rachel to help: 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.
So far I can’t say I have any regrets about wedding planning. But there are some things I look at and think “man, I so would have done things a little differently if I had just known better” and other cases I’m thinking to myself “Whew, thank goodness I planned for this or I’d be in total deep water right now.” I thought I’d share some of what I’ve picked up on:
Don’t pre-stamp anything. I accidentally did twice as many as we needed and now we have a ton of stamped giant envelopes with no destination as well as stamped RSVP envelopes that are addressed to our house and are totally useless. (Peeling off the stamps does not work at all by the way. We tried.) Oh, and our invites wound up costing us $.64 in postage instead of the usual $.44, so I definitely could have used those extra stamps to our advantage. Instead, I had to order $60 in more stamps.
If you get to a point in your planning where you think all the big stuff is done and all the little stuff will have to wait until the date gets closer, ignore that instinct. Keep saving money, keep working on projects. You’ll have so much to do and pay for at the end that you’ll wish you wouldn’t have taken that little break in the middle.
Mrs. Parasol, San Ramon, CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 25, Non-profit writer, editor, and bloggerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Law school studentEngagement Date: December 19th, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Bent Creek Winery (Livermore, California); Reception: Family Residence (San Ramon, California) About Me: I am a California girl at heart. I love the outdoors, sunny days at the beach, and hiking in the woods and mountains. I also love good books and am fresh from completing my Master's degree in English and Comparative Literature in New York City. Living in NYC was an amazing experience, and while I'm glad to be back on the West Coast, I'm also thankful that my two years back East gave me an opportunity to explore new places, make new friends, and indulge my passion for Broadway shows. Oh, and I received a pretty awesome proposal from Mr. Parasol in Central Park. Above all else, Mr. Parasol is my biggest cheerleader and my best friend. But even though I'm thrilled to be marrying him, I wasn't always totally on board with this whole wedding thing and at first, I wanted to run off and elope. I've finally been convinced to throw the wedding I never thought I wanted, and so now I'm busy planning an intimate September wedding filled with DIY details. Along the way, I'm slowly learning to appreciate, perhaps even love the wedding planning process.
When it comes to wedding decorations, it’s usually those little details that really bring your wedding day vision to life. These little details can often be overwhelming because there’s simply so much to think about (or maybe it’s just me). But two very specific details have been at the top of my “must-have” list for a very long time, and I know that my wedding day won’t be complete without them.
So what are these details? Mason jars and striped straws.
Mrs. Ladyfingers, Saint Petersburg, FLAge and Occupation: 30, Marketing ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Sports WriterEngagement Date: December 24, 2010Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Palma Sola Botanical ParkAbout Me: I hail from Oklahoma, he was born and raised in Long Island. Fate brought us together, and now we live in a cute little rental house with our nutty dog, and our aloof cat. We both love to read, watch movies, explore our town, and laugh like hyenas. When I’m not obsessively wedding crafting, I enjoy stalking style and decorating blogs, making collages and painting, napping, thrifting, rearranging our bookshelves, and being a total weirdo with my friends. Hi!
Probably the number one best thing about planning a wedding (besides, you know, getting married, but whatever) is getting stuff in the mail. It’s seriously a million times better than shopping in person. I don’t get nearly enough mail, so this whole online ordering thing is really buttering my bread.
Well, we got a very awesome piece of mail just the other day—and that would be our guestbook!
I went near and far with our guestbook ideas. For the longest time, I planned on doing well-wishes cards that guests would fill out and drop in a box/bucket/hat/birdcage. Then, of course, there are the incredible clothesline guest books that Miss Parasol is drooling over. Not to mention Mrs. Elephant’s postcard guestbook…
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.
I cannot believe that in less than a week, the Balloons will be Colorado bound! In the meantime, our household is filled with last minute projects and errands (including finishing my dress alterations—cue freak out!).
I’ve been meaning to show you another DIY project that I did, but I haven’t been able to find the image credit to my original inspiration picture that inspired me to create it…so I guess I’ll just have to show you without it. It was a rustic yet elegant moss covered oval vase with a pretty ribbon and monogram wraparound detail.
I decided to go with a moss product called Moss Cloth because it came in sheet form & seemed like it would be the easiest to work with for covering a container.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
) join Weddingbee sipping on fizz and overdosing on frills!
