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 mentioned in my last post that I went through a brief invitation hiatus after Mr. CA and I made the decision that Rifle Paper Co.’s invitations were out of the running. However, I did bounce back eventually—mainly out of necessity, as we were getting closer and closer to the wedding, and I had no idea what to do about invitations! So, I moved on, and found lots and lots of invitation inspiration.
Want to take a peek? My first light-bulb “a ha!!” moment came through a site that I visit every day. Etsy. Curious?
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.
If you recall, I went ahead and booked a hair trial even though I was on the fence about my inspiration. I chose Cari from Kyle Lynn because she a ton of positive feedback and her pricing was much more reasonable than anyone else’s.
Despite Sassy’s reassurance I wasn’t looking forward to it at all; I even postponed it a few times with the hopes I’d find another inspiration. As each day passed the more stressed I became. A week before my trial I finally struck gold.
Mrs. Brooch, Arlington, VAAge and Occupation: 25, Writer/EditorFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Front Desk ManagerEngagement Date: October 3, 2009Wedding Date: April 2011Venue: Oxon Hill ManorAbout Me: I’m an indecisive girlie-girl with a motor mouth, can-do attitude, and knack for making others laugh. I dream of becoming a best selling novelist like Elizabeth Gilbert or Julie Powell (a girl can dream, right?), and love long road trips, a beautiful countryside, music, blogs, books, and all things vintage/thrift/antique/or homemade. I’m a Virgo, i.e. overly sensitive, emotional, and critical, and there’s no such thing as short and sweet in my world. I want to say and do it all. Mr. Brooch grounds me. I point where to go and he figures out the way. He’s a pragmatic fancy-pants who enjoys video games and movies. We both adore our mutt, Rocky, and spending time with our amazingly supportive family and friends. We’re planning a garden wedding with a formal reception with lots of whimsy and unique, Southern-inspired details.
Costa Rica rocked, Weddingbee! And boy, was being swept away for a six-night escape in the middle of the jungle just what the doctor ordered! It was such a fantastic way to decompress from the wedding and spend some one-on-one time reflecting on the Brooch past, present, and of course, married future!
As you know, we debated between Aruba and Costa Rica, but there’s no doubt in my mind we made the right decision by choosing to go to Oxygen Jungle Villas in Costa Rica. If you’re looking for an adventurous, yet relaxing vacation, we can’t recommend this trip enough! Look at all the fun we had:
Miss Doily, Cedar Rapids, IowaAge and Occupation: 25, Autism Paraeducator/ StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Freelance Writer/ PublisherEngagement Date: August 27th, 2010Wedding Date: March 2012Venue: Father’s Vineyard Church/ A Touch of Class Banquet CenterAbout Me: I’m an Iowan girl with a deep love of Harry Potter, classic movies, cardigans, and Post-Its. My type-A Virgo tendencies often cause me to drive my laid-back college sweetheart fiance batty with lists and PowerPoint presentations. I love to be crafty and do things myself, which explains why my two crazy kittens often will prance around the house covered in glitter and ribbons. When I am not bogged down with work, school, or wedding planning, I like to travel to visit my expansive family and have wild adventures with my best friends. After a rollercoaster ride of a love story, I’m ready to take that final plunge, marry the love of my life, and become a Mrs.!
Mr. D and I have been doing the long-distance relationship for almost two years now. Let me preface this by saying I was not expecting a proposal while we were still living apart. (Well, maybe a part of me hoped.) I had come home for my 24th birthday in August 2010 because we were planning a fabulous weekend in Des Moines to celebrate with my friends. We were not going to drive down to Des Moines until the day after my birthday, which was a Saturday, so I spent my actual birthday on Friday holed up in the apartment with our two cats since Mr. D had to work most of the day. (This is while he still had a job where he had to work hours in an office.) While the cats were amusing, it wasn’t how I imagined spending my special birthday.
Personal photo
This is Smudge and Kelly Clarkson: My troublesome duo. Mr. D and I adopted these frisky sisters in June 2007 (and seriously, they are from the same litter). They are lounging here on Mr. D’s ugly man-chair that they fortunately clawed up before we fixed them, and I was able to throw it out.
Mrs. Eggs Benedict, SeattleAge and Occupation: 29, AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 35, AttorneyEngagement Date: December 5, 2009Wedding Date: February 2011Venue: IslandWoodAbout Me: I'm a Northwest girl who spends my time goofing around with Mr. Eggs Benedict and our dog, hiking, traveling, drinking wine and planning a wedding that will showcase the best of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer. I also love photography, beating Mr. Eggs Bene at Mario Kart, and watching the most ridiculous natural disaster flicks you can think of (seriously, how can you deny the awesomeness that is The Core or 2012?? That's right, you can't). We are planning our weekend wedding adventure at an environmental educational center, and I can't wait for the fun to begin!
Our ceremony decorations were amazing. And I feel like I can say that because I had almost no involvement with their execution. I’ve mentioned my amazing aunt before and how wonderfully creative she is. It was her idea to bring in live trees to decorate our ceremony space.
Miss Snapdragon, Chicago/DallasAge and Occupation: 32,Associate ProducerFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Lighting DesignerBlogging Since: November 14, 2008Engagement Date: January 1, 2011Wedding Date: March 2012Venue: Marie GabrielleAbout Me: Voracious reader of short stories, Russian literature, National Geographic and Cosmo. I'm a GENIUS at spicing up Weight Watchers recipes and a pathological cheater at board games. I run a slow marathon, but my feet are learning to move faster. Mornings aren't my thing, but I can night owl with the best of them. Don't tempt me with your Cherry Cokes---I'm trying to quit. Tomorrow. Or never.
Bossyboots is Catholic. His siblings are Catholic. His parents are Catholic. His grandparents were Catholic. Repeat and continue. I am a Baptist from Texas and thought Catholicism was a dying religion until I moved to Chicago, Land of a Million Catholics. I’m serious.
Nowadays, I consider myself spiritual rather than associated with any organized religion. I love God, but not necessarily in a building. Please do not send me any conversion emails—I am well-versed (ha!).
For Bossyboots, it’s important that some semblance of Catholicism be present in our ceremony. What this means, we aren’t exactly sure yet. We know we’d like his father to say a prayer, and I want my father to say the blessing that he’s spoken over me and all my siblings since we were tiny. Those two elements are of utmost importance. Mucho importante!
My man and I have split up our wedding to-do list… he is taking the lead on figuring out our Catholic options. If we go the churchy route, most likely a full mass is out. 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.
Craigs list, that is. Thanks to images like the ones below, I had my heart set on having some sort of antique- or vintage-looking desk or dresser at our reception.
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!
I’ve always liked nontraditional table numbers with 3D elements. Two early pictures in my inspiration files clearly illustrate my tastes on this point.
Mrs. Elephant, Dallas, TXAge and Occupation: 27, Financial Operations AnalystFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, IT Student/Store ManagerEngagement Date: March 29, 2009Wedding Date: April 2011Venue: The Tribute Golf ClubAbout Me: I'm a Philly native creating roots deep in the heart of Texas. I might be a little obsessed capturing those Kodak moments of anything and everything (mainly on vacations). I've become more of a gamer thanks to Mr. Elephant, who I met online and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with. We are planning a wedding based on our favorite colors, blue and green, with a travel theme for 150 of our closest friends and family. Hopefully our long (2-year) engagement won't kill me!
While it was all hands on deck to make me a bride, Mr. E had a very chill afternoon before donning his groom’s gear.
He took a moment to read the card that I wrote that morning. I must have had a joke or two thrown in for good measure because the pictures all show him with a big smile on his face. Read more…
Mrs. Biscuit, Morgantown, WVAge and Occupation: 24, Dental StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Chemist at a pharmaceutical companyEngagement Date: April 2010Wedding Date: July 2011Venue: Catholic Church, Lakeview Golf Resort and SpaAbout Me: I'm an engineer who decided to trek back to my hometown three years ago to become skilled in the arts of drilling and filling. I'm engaged to a pretty awesome guy who tests your assorted benzodiazepines by day and home brews by night. Together we have two fur children, Tsali and Tobias N. Fünkat. I'm a lazy perfectionist and eternal sorority girl who enjoys running, crafting, string cheese, good beer, and bad reality TV. We are planning a Big Fat Italian/Sicilian/Polish wedding filled with DIY details and are expecting 300 +/- 50 guests. Our whimsical summer affair is themed "Alice attends the Mad Hatter Vintage Garden Tea Party in a Ballroom. She Thinks That The Venue is Odd for a Vintage Garden Party, but is Tripping on LSD, so She Doesn't Really Care." Yes, I am the Dickens of themes.
Hive, I wasn’t going to write this post because I was afraid it was a wee bit too personal for blog land. But, you know what? Wedding planning isn’t always a happy sunshine land that rains candy canes and I think it’s an important thing to realize. I had always heard there would be one big family fight during wedding planning, but I always thought I would escape it. And until we were six weeks out, I managed to stroll along without conflict. But then it happened: The Biscuit Flower Event.
You may remember way back when, I had an initial meeting with my florist who was friends with my grandmother. We wrote up a makeshift quote, and she was pretty rude and less-than-helpful. She definitely put me off, and I was told to come back when I actually knew what I wanted flower-wise. That was easier said than done, as I know next to nothing about flowers. Remember my brown thumb?
So, I eventually found proper inspiration—at about six weeks out—and came back to the florist with my grandmother. Read more…
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.
Running of the Brides was one amazing experience. While I didn’t find a dress (yes, I just gave it all away and killed the suspense), I would do it again in a heartbeat. If anyone needs someone to go as part of their “team”…CALL ME!
I can’t have asked for a better team than mine. Mama CS came down from Philadelphia, and my superstar aunt and cousin flew up from ATL for only 38 hours. And finally a Sammie BM joined us briefly before she had to go to work, but she was a trooper.
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.
In my last post I wrote about our See’s Candies buffet guest favors and explained the family history behind that decision. I had mentioned that there was a bit more to be told on the favor-front and I will now (finally) explain what that “bit more” is!
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.
The two months we had before our Zivilstand in 2010 slipped by quickly. I flew to Ohio for the weekend for my brother’s wedding in July, showed off my beloved ring, and then it was back to Switzerland to prepare for our own upcoming “thing” (as I liked to call it).
Around the time of the one month countdown, I casually asked Mr. Funnel Cake what he was going to wear. “A suit, of course.” Oh. A suit… That sounds fancy. Did that mean I should wear a dress?
*quickly searches through closet for suitable Zivilstand clothing*
With my hectic schedule at work and my three-hour commute, I didn’t have much time to go shopping during the week.
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!
Join us on Twitter and Facebook today as we retweet/FB former brides’ biggest wedding mistakes.
We want to hear from you! If you’re a former bride or groom, tweet @weddingbee with some of your biggest wedding day mistakes and follow it up with the hashtag #weddingmistake. All day today we’ll be retweeting/FBing our favorite tidbits you’ve provided. It’s a great opportunity for future brides to learn from past mistakes!
We’d love to know what you want to hear about too! If you have a wedding related topic you’d like to get advice on, let us know in the comments.
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!
To kick the shower off, we had some delicious (non-chocolate) food and then launched into the lone shower game we played. (I’m not really into shower games, so I was happy to hear that we were only doing one.) One of my BMs had sent a list of questions to Mr. Snow Cone, and I was instructed to guess his answers. For every incorrect guess, I had to pop a piece of gum in my mouth. Unfortunately, I didn’t do nearly as well with this game as I expected, so I had a big ol’ blob of bubble gum when all was said and done.
(It looks kind of small in the photo, but the gum blob was HUGE. And gross. And neon blue.)
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
