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.
Well, we’re in the final countdown. (You have permission to hum the song if you’d like.) On top of life being completely crazy right now, I am totally suffering from “I don’t wanna do nothin’ wedding-related” syndrome. Don’t think it exists!? GOOGLE IT, PEOPLE.
Apparently it happens all the time. Basically this means that, despite actually needing to hunker down and get stuff done, I just plain don’t want to. That’s not to say I’m not enjoying the (unfortunately light) trickle of RSVPs, I think it just means that I am absolutely ready to be married and done with doin’ stuff. I honestly never thought I’d be affected! Not me. I loved being engaged. I looked forward to writing vendor emails and sending in deposits and payments (sick, I know).
Miss Doe, Northern CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 24, Real Estate AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Recycling ManagerEngagement Date: December 25, 2010Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: Monte Verde InnAbout Me: I’m a Rat Pack fan and a Christmas nut that loves to read, good wine, cheesy ’80s movies and ’90s sitcoms. My wiener dog with an attitude problem and lazy basset hound are my constant source of entertainment. He's a hunter and I like cooking so it's not rare to see wild game on our dinner menu. Both of us were born and raised in a small historic farming town where our feet are still firmly planted. We have been together for nearly a decade and have shared many life experiences together, including birthdays that are only one day apart. We are two old souls that are creating our long-awaited wedding with loads of tradition that blends our two styles into rustic elegance in the foothills of Northern California.
For some brides, finding a venue is among one of the most difficult tasks. Luckily for me, it was easy and joyful. ONE WEEK after we were engaged (which happened to be New Year’s Eve), both of us, along with our parents had two appointments to go look at venues. The previous week I had scoured every Northern California wedding venue that existed. We knew we wanted an outside venue, but we did not rule anything out. Therefore I had looked online at an array of venues: ballrooms, ranches, vineyards, hotels. Some were just too pricey…and some trucked in port-a-potties for bathrooms, which was not my thang. Well, actually, when discovering some outrageous venue prices, I started to consider the port-a-potty option. That was until my mom brought me back to reality…as usual. After much research and reviewing many wedding packages, I had narrowed it down to two potential venues.
Our first stop of the day was at a winery near Coloma, CA in the Gold Country. First off, our GPS did not even know how to get there, and we had no cell phone service. Read more…
Mrs. Locket, Ithaca, NYAge and Occupation: 25, Research TechnicianFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, former Banker hoping to become an Officer of the LawEngagement Date: June 15, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: Heron Hill WineryAbout Me: I am a little bit of everything all rolled into one: A girly gal with rough edges---I love to get dolled up just as much as I enjoy throwing on some sneaks to toss a ball with Mr. Locket. My love for crafting and creating is quite apparent and I've been referred to as a Wonder Woman/Martha Stewart/Stepford Wife hybrid (yup, I'll take that as a compliment). I adore sewing, photography, sculpture, good eats (mmm tapas), baking, snugging and oh, pretty much everything in between (there's not much I dislike). I am super excited to be planning our vineyard wedding and couldn't be happier to be marrying Mr. Locket. We are a quirky, fun-loving couple residing in our college town with our two pups Maple and Molly. We love to go on hikes, visit our local dog park and to bask in the beauty of many of the local falls and gorges. We are an indecisive pair, but together we somehow manage to make up our minds (it's the easy stuff that's tricky).
Hi everyone! I know it’s been ages since I’ve made an appearance on here, but I realized something this past weekend while Mr. Locket and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. It has been one year since we both shared our vows, said our “I dos,” and celebrated our union as husband and wife, and it’s still been one year since I’ve shared all the details. I did begin my recap journey many months ago, but with the craziness of life I never finished. Well, life is finally slowing down a bit (before it speeds up), and I finally have extra time to come back here and finish what I started.
Oh my, so much has happened since I’ve written here last, and these past few months have been a very exciting time for Mr. Locket and me. You see, we have a little surprise to share with the hive…
Mrs. Frog, Phoenix, AZ/Chelan, WA
Age and Occupation: 29, Public Relations
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Online SalesEngagement Date: February 8, 2009Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: Amy's ManorAbout Me: I'm an opinionated Midwestern girl now living in the Valley of the Sun marrying a laid back Northwestern guy. I'm equal parts sass, silly and sweet. I'm fiercely loyal with a strong devotion to my family and friends. I have a not-so-secret obsession with apple juice, a new obsession with DIY projects and I love a really good cheese plate...with lots of wine. After 7 blissful years of dating, I'm having the time of my life planning the destination wedding of my dreams to my Mr. Frog-turned-Prince Charming.
So as much as I enjoyed wearing my comfy LOVE T-shirt and yoga pants…it was definitely time to step into that gorgeous white dress that had been waiting for me for weeks. Yes…WEEKS. Side story—because I got my dress in NYC, I had to fly there for my fittings three weeks before the wedding and then cross my fingers, hope and pray, and wish upon a shooting star that I didn’t gain or lose an ounce for those three weeks. No sweat, right? Not like I have any pressure or nerves during that time…easy peasy.
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!
Did you know I’ve been blogging here at the ‘Bee for a year now? (Holy smokes, that went fast!) One of the first posts that I ever wrote explained how Mr. Jaguar and I first met. To quote myself from back then:
Girl hears song on radio, girl falls in love with song, girl stalks band online and finds their forum, girl makes friends online including a sweet Australian boy, girl develops gigantic crush, boy and girl eventually swap mobile numbers, girl text messages boy during a particularly boring uni lecture, boy calls girl that night, girl meets boy at movie theatre, girl thinks boy is adorable, boy thinks girl is OK too…and the rest is history.
It was only fitting, then, for our first dance to pay homage to the band that brought us together. Without them, after all, I would have never met my best friend.
Miss Fox, Washington DC/Havre de Grace, MDAge and Occupation: 26, Massage TherapistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Field Support EngineerEngagement Date: April 18, 2010Wedding Date: June 2012Venue: Vandiver InnAbout Me: I’m a dancer turned massage therapist who was born and raised in New York. Alas, true love has brought me “south” where I still maintain my penchants for pretty shoes, wine, crossword puzzles, cherry blossoms, and the Mets. I own more sunglasses than a normal person should and don’t eat red meat (though I make up for it by eating my weight in sushi). I tend to be a big planner who likes to get things started early, but generally end up being indecisive and procrastinating when it comes down to it. I have a (not so) secret crush on Chris Carrabba, but my loyalty and love ultimately goes to the future hubs, of course! Together, my Foxy man and I love to discuss (read: debate) politics and current events, have Mario Kart and Scrabble duels, and just laugh. A lot. We’re hoping and planning for a laid back, fun, summery, rustic vibe to our June wedding that will be genuinely “us” – that is, if we finally make some decisions. Huzzah!
I decided to get a little artsy, thanks to some inspiration from the hive. All over the site, I noticed brides-to-bee taking engagement ring “glamour shots,” if you will. I’ve seen pictures of e-rings with fun, interactive backgrounds: on a flower, on food, on something meaningful to that bride, etc. Since I recently got a brand spanking new camera, I figured should join the crowds and give it a shot, or many shots as the case may be. One thing I learned is that you can’t do an e-ring photo shoot on/with your cat. Duly noted.
AnonymousFeature Launched: September 23, 2011About: Bees explore issues related to wedding planning that they do not want to have tied to their real names/monikers.
We are both on the same page as far as whether or not we’d like to have kids (we would) and when we would like to have them (soon-ish). But I have this horrible, nagging fear that we’re going to have trouble having a baby.
I’ve talked about my desire to be a mother with pretty much everyone I know. We’ve even discussed our timeframe with some close friends of ours. But, I kind of regret that. Read more…
Miss Aardvark, Beaver Dam, WIAge and Occupation: 23, Assistant Product ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Business Analyst Engagement Date: May 28th, 2011Wedding Date: April 2012Venue: St. Philip Catholic Church/Arcadia Brewing Co.About Me: I am a resourceful lady who love surprises and adventure. At the same time, I value traditions, family and friends. I like to make crafty messes, sometimes, clean them up, and do pretty much anything outdoors. The Mister and I are pretty avid cyclists---we have nine bikes in our home right now...and one motorcycle! We both enjoy eating food we can't pronounce (language doesn't really matter) and going places we've never been. We currently reside in rural Wisconsin, enjoying the cheese and beer it has to offer, and getting outside whenever we can!
OK, so maybe fail is an overstatement, but I am a sucker for a good rhyme. I just feel like I should have some idea about what I want on my head as I vow my love to the man of my dreams! On top of that, some people, like Miss Magic, have picked out their veils before they’ve even bought a dress!!
You may be thinking, “Ms. Aardvark, there are so many looks and styles out there, I’m sure you will be able to find something you like!”
Well, internet, that is the problem. I like all of them (OK, most of them). Yep. Every time I see a veil I imagine myself wearing it down the aisle, and I like it. Every. Time. Shall we take a look at some styles that have fueled my indecision?
This elbow length bubble veil…stunning. Love the simplicity and the volume and the classic “Bridey-ness” (it’s a word!). Read more…
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!
Hi, hive! Remember me? Sorry I’ve been MIA recently…the Honeys attended BM Scoot’s wedding this past weekend and I had the special honor of being a bridesmaid, so I got to spend an incredible five full days with some of my favorite girls. BM Scoot’s wedding is the ninth wedding we have attended since we began dating in 2010…and it was the last wedding we will be attending as an engaged couple. That means the next one is OURS!
Miss Doe, Northern CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 24, Real Estate AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Recycling ManagerEngagement Date: December 25, 2010Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: Monte Verde InnAbout Me: I’m a Rat Pack fan and a Christmas nut that loves to read, good wine, cheesy ’80s movies and ’90s sitcoms. My wiener dog with an attitude problem and lazy basset hound are my constant source of entertainment. He's a hunter and I like cooking so it's not rare to see wild game on our dinner menu. Both of us were born and raised in a small historic farming town where our feet are still firmly planted. We have been together for nearly a decade and have shared many life experiences together, including birthdays that are only one day apart. We are two old souls that are creating our long-awaited wedding with loads of tradition that blends our two styles into rustic elegance in the foothills of Northern California.
I am a Christmas nut. I’m that crazy lady that you see out shopping who is buying up all the Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving has even hit. The Christmas holiday season is by far my favorite time of the year. They are some of the best memories I have ever had with my family, and traditions are abundant. That warm feeling you get in the month of December—I wish I could bottle it up to save for a bad day. The holiday season is different for everyone, but here is what it is to me.
The day after Thanksgiving is the day I get my tree. As much as I can appreciate and understand the artificial trees, the smell of real pine seals the deal for me. My house is small but I always pick the biggest and fullest tree that I can find. The decorating is a full day process filled with freshly baked gingerbread cookies for a snack and Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, and *NSYNC Home For the Holidays hitting the airwaves. (What? You know you like it too.) Read more…
Mrs. Mouse, AustinAge and Occupation: 25, Weddingbee Editor/AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Civil EngineerEngagement Date: December 19, 2007Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Barr MansionAbout Me: I just graduated from law school and will be taking the bar, getting married, going on a honeymoon with my guy, and then trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I was born and raised in a small East Texas town, but I'm no country girl! I'm obsessed with British accents, fantasy (including Harry Potter, of course), and classic rock. My fiance and I consider ourselves both music and beer snobs--but every once in awhile we love to hear a crappy band and drink a cheap brew or two. We're planning an eco-friendly, casual, English garden affair for the end of summer, and we can't wait for it to get here!
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. Lox, BaltimoreAge and Occupation: 33, Government WorkerFiance's Age and Occupation: 35. IT ConsultantEngagement Date: May 8, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Vandiver InnAbout Me: I’m an East Coast gal born and bred and a suburban brat turned city rat for the last year. Now Mr. Lox and I enjoy walking all kinds of places, having the coolest things around in our backyard, and especially our garage parking. I love gadgets, toys, Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream, monkeys, and our insane cats. I’m a blonde by birth and a redhead by choice. I’m that girl in the cubicle farm with all the cool toys and the file cabinet covered in magnetic poetry. I still use smiley faces in my emails, whether people like it or not. This is not the first rodeo for Mr. Lox nor me. And together, we are planning an intimate afternoon wedding on a budget we can afford by ourselves.
This next set of pictures is very near and dear to my heart. Ever since the first time we visited the Vandiver, I had dreams of pictures down by the lighthouse and the water. And when the weather forecast turned on us and threatened a 70% chance of severe thunderstorms, I was sure even my boots and my umbrella weren’t going to be enough to protect my dress. And since it was 100% silk, I had considerable fear of water stains.
But the morning came and the rain did not. In fact, as the day went on, the sun got stronger. Before it was too strong, though, Mr. Lox and I piled into the photographer’s van and jetted down to the water.
Now, before we get to the pictures, let me share one thing with you. I know we all realize getting into a vehicle in an enormous dress won’t be simple. But getting into that van was more of a feat than I had really imagined it would be. There was a lot of grabbing and gathering and arms full of silk. Then I kind of had to strategically throw myself into the passenger seat. It was…interesting.
But we made it. When we got there the lighthouse was all set up for another wedding. No matter, though—they weren’t there yet, so we skirted around their setup and started taking my much coveted lighthouse pictures.
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. Parasol here and back in action! I still can’t believe the day we’ve been building toward for nine months has come and gone, and I’m so thankful to all of you who sent your well wishes to Mr. Parasol and me.
I know I’ve been a bit of a wedding skeptic around these parts. I wanted a romantic elopement in lieu of a big wedding, I struggled with various DIYprojects Mr. Parasol and I took on, I had a pretty bad attitude about weddings in general when we reached the one-month mark, and I came down with a case of the bridal craziesin the last two weeks. I didn’t want to think of our wedding as something I just had to get through, but to be honest I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to escape that attitude in the end.
Well, let me tell you, hive. This wedding skeptic has been permanently cured of her cynical ways.
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!
By now, you may have seen or heard some of the buzz around DressRush.com, a new site that we are LOVING (and apparently so are you all—the traffic from the post about the Dress Rush Bridesmaids DVD free deal crashed our site!) offering designer wedding products for a fraction of their retail price.
Well, now we have another exciting update to bring to you! DeAnna Pappas, star of ABC’s The Bachelorette, will be picking some of her favorite finds on Dress Rush to share at exclusive discounts only for Weddingbee readers!
“I am so excited to be the first celebrity stylist for Dress Rush, and I am thrilled to be sharing my top picks and my favorite fashion finds with Weddingbee readers!”
What do you mean I look nervous?
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
