Mrs. Skunk, AtlantaAge and Occupation: 23, Post baccalaureate studentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Mechanical DesignerEngagement Date: February 13, 2011Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Neverland Farms About Me: I’m a Georgia peach born and raised in the dirty dirty. I love reading, baking lots of sweets and forcing them on my friends, and most of all, rock climbing. I am in the process of applying to graduate school in physical therapy and I work at farmers’ markets around town selling bread for a local bakery. The mister and I met while rock climbing just over two years ago and have been inseparable ever since. Our climbing friends mean the world to us and have played an integral role in our relationship. We’re planning a barnyard shindig filled with good food, good friends, and lots of love.
Yea, yea, yea. It’s our wedding week. And I’m just now getting around to posting engagement pics. So shoot me.
If you remember, the whole reason we hired Mrs. Scissors (ILoveYouMuch) was because I was super worried all of our pictures would turn out like this: Read more…
Miss Mole, Los Angeles/Las VegasAge and Occupation: 29, Test Prep InstructorFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, User Experience ArchitectEngagement Date: April 2011Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Wynn Las Vegas/Bouchon BistroAbout Me: I’m a Wisconsinite-turned-Angeleno who is planning a destination wedding in Las Vegas. I am passionate about education: I spent 23 (!) consecutive years in school, and now I work to help other people get into graduate programs. I love running on the treadmill, buying bath products from Lush, learning new moves in step aerobics, and exploring my neighborhood on foot. I am sometimes snobby about food, but I am rarely snobby about books. I read everything from Geoffrey Chaucer to Iris Murdoch to Chuck Klosterman to Candace Bushnell. My fiance and I are getting married on our third anniversary!
The average cost of a wedding is nearing $25,000. My mind was blown when I first heard this figure—especially since my average yearly income for the first six years after I graduated from college was considerably lower than this number. (Womp womp, graduate-school stipends.) I had no idea that weddings could cost that much. And, given that cost, I certainly had no idea how I was going to be able to afford one! As I talk to more people and read more posts on the Boards, I realize how common these feelings are.
Yesterday, I read an article online entitled “Three Ways to Fund a Wedding.” The author, Cathie Gandel, describes the three ways in which different people funded their weddings: selling old clothes and possessions, tapping into retirement savings***, and working extra shifts. That last way really resonated with me. In order to help fund our wedding, I have been keeping myself busy by taking additional hours at work.
Teacher stare-down (a joke photo, but I bet I have made this face in class)
Mrs. Cinnamon Bun, Calgary, AlbertaAge and Occupation: 26, Stage ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Theatre TechnicianEngagement Date: June 22, 2010Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Calgary Opera CentreAbout Me: I'm a life-long crafter and bookworm living in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Some of my loves include Lord of the Rings, Sherlock Holmes, knitting, opera, musicals, Etsy, baking, and of course, Mr. Cinnamon Buns. We're keeping our wedding close to home---the venue isn't very far from our house, and we live within walking distance of 6 bridal salons. I'm using the wedding as an excuse to try out every craft project I possibly can, with the endless help and support of my fiance.
Otherwise known as “how our family portraits got photobombed.”
After our first look, we wanted to do parent photos, and then get all the photos of the two of us and the bridal party. We were hoping to be able to take some photos inside the library, but our photographers let us know that they’d talked to the people at the library and they’d said no, we could not take photos inside the library. Fine, oh well. We did decide that the outside steps of the library would be a nice place for family photos though, so we got set up and took a photo of us and my parents:
Miss Raccoon, IndianapolisAge and Occupation: 22, StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Graduate StudentEngagement Date: Christmas 2010Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Catholic Church, Chateau Thomas WineryAbout Me: I'm a wholesome Midwestern girl, TV series junkie, professional shower singer, and Anglophile. I love my fiance, crock pot cooking, my cat Heepo, going for the gusto, and all things wedding. Mr. Raccoon is pretty sweet, too! He’s a mad scientist that loves to travel. We met my first night on campus and have been inseparable since.
Remember at the beginning when I went on and on about picking dresses for the bridesmaids and then never shared what we actually chose? Oops! To make up for it, here is a picture of Bridesmaid Paws showing off the final selection!
I think the girls will be rocking mismatched shoes with this one!
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!
I noticed today that weddings in general, and mine in particular, have gotten into every little bit of my life! As Halloween (my very most favorite holiday of the year! (besides, of course, my birthday!)) crept closer and I had to think of a costume idea, zombie bride was my first thought! Then, I figured, in an attempt to be less blatantly wedding obsessed I would go as this:
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.
Last weekend, I had the privilege of spending four nights in Sin City with 17 of my favorite ladies! Our flight from SFO was at 7AM, so our journey began very early. Like…so early that I only slept 30 minutes before heading to BART.
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!
The more Foxy and I think about our respective wedding-day looks, the more little details we start thinking about. We’re not just thinking about the dress, the shoes, the suit, the flowers…we’re also thinking about the hair. More specifically, the length of his and the color of mine.
The shorter story of the two is in regard to Foxy’s beard. Currently? He looks like a (super cute) mountain man.
He never just trims—it’s either a full beard or completely clean shaven, with a week or two of, in my opinion, decent scruff.
Mrs. Teaspoon, Sydney, AustraliaAge and Occupation: 27, Medical ScientistFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, BankerEngagement Date: June 4, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: St Aloysius' College, Milson's PointAbout Me: I am a mad scientist who enjoys swimming at the beach in summer and skiing powder in winter. Our favourite times together are spent with the sand between our toes, cooking up a storm, re-watching and re-reading every Harry Potter ever made, and spending time with our dear friends and family! We have travelled the world together in our 6 years of dating, from Paris, to Thailand, to Las Vegas, and we are tackling the many challenges of planning our special day the best way we know how---together!
Wow! Our honeymoon was the most amazing holiday we have ever been on! We could have gone anywhere and it still would have been fun! It was a great time to spend together, being freshly married, calling each other husband and wife, and saying “Mr and Mrs Teaspoon,” followed by a fit of giggle (usually by me!)! Just enjoying the time together after the incredible high of the wedding and relaxing together after that excitement prevented both of us from sleeping!
Miss Elk, City: Syracuse/Long IslandAge and Occupation: 25, Medical StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Computer EngineerEngagement Date: November 22, 2010Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: The Old Field Club About Me: I’m a Long Island girl finishing my last year of medical school in western NY, on the road to becoming a pediatrician. When I’m not studying or sleeping at the hospital, I spend my free time watching bad TV (Vampire Diaries anyone?), playing with my pooch, singing incredibly off-key (to the annoyance of Mr. Elk ), and reading Harry Potter for the zillionth time. Mr. Elk and I are planning a secular wedding infused with both Irish and cultural Jewish traditions. Only a week after I become an M.D., I will get my Mrs. degree, too!
I can’t believe I’m a bee!I’m sorry the title is not more adorable or filled with puns, but I am not capable of rational thought at the moment. An insane amount of exclamation points will have to do for now.
Anyway, on to introductions!
I am Miss Elk, your newest bee buzzing in to say hello!
Why Miss Elk? Well he is just so darn adorable, and he kind of looks like my pooch (if my pooch had antlers, that is!).
(PS: I was sorely tempted to be Miss Boa Constrictor, if only to be able to make Slytherin references…but I thought I’d spare you.)
Trick or treat! Have you entered the Weddingbee Halloween Costume Contest? The Hive Hostesses are accepting entries for contests and pumpkins through November 6th, and the winners have great prizes awaiting them! Check out some of our favorite entries thus far:
2bMrsG and her husband were a zombie bride and groom
Miss Mole, Los Angeles/Las VegasAge and Occupation: 29, Test Prep InstructorFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, User Experience ArchitectEngagement Date: April 2011Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Wynn Las Vegas/Bouchon BistroAbout Me: I’m a Wisconsinite-turned-Angeleno who is planning a destination wedding in Las Vegas. I am passionate about education: I spent 23 (!) consecutive years in school, and now I work to help other people get into graduate programs. I love running on the treadmill, buying bath products from Lush, learning new moves in step aerobics, and exploring my neighborhood on foot. I am sometimes snobby about food, but I am rarely snobby about books. I read everything from Geoffrey Chaucer to Iris Murdoch to Chuck Klosterman to Candace Bushnell. My fiance and I are getting married on our third anniversary!
In a previous post, I explained some of the reasons we decided to get married in Vegas. I left one off of the list: one of our favorite restaurants is in Vegas. We are having our dinner reception in Bouchon Bistro, which is located in the Venetian. Go there next time you are in Las Vegas (or Yountville or Beverly Hills). It’s amazing!
Mr. Mole and I first went there last winter when we were visiting his family for the holidays. The whole trip was full of food: noodles at Beijing Noodle No. 9, steaks and monkey bread at Craftsteak, dim sum in Chinatown, and lobsters at home on Christmas. We saved the best for last. On our final night in Vegas, we went to Bouchon. This dinner was one of the best dinners that I have had in my life, not merely because of the food but also because of the warm atmosphere in the room.
Mrs. Skunk, AtlantaAge and Occupation: 23, Post baccalaureate studentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Mechanical DesignerEngagement Date: February 13, 2011Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Neverland Farms About Me: I’m a Georgia peach born and raised in the dirty dirty. I love reading, baking lots of sweets and forcing them on my friends, and most of all, rock climbing. I am in the process of applying to graduate school in physical therapy and I work at farmers’ markets around town selling bread for a local bakery. The mister and I met while rock climbing just over two years ago and have been inseparable ever since. Our climbing friends mean the world to us and have played an integral role in our relationship. We’re planning a barnyard shindig filled with good food, good friends, and lots of love.
Several weeks ago, I got a beautiful invitation in the mail. It was to my very own bachelorette weekend! BM C. Bear totally outdid herself (and even put our wedding invites to shame!). The first card described that Friday night would include a movies and lingerie shower. Saturday, we would tour a few north Georgia wineries and then head back to the cabin for dinner and a kitchen shower, and Sunday, we would shop ’til we dropped at the North Georgia Outlets.
Personal Photo
Friday night was soooo much fun. I had come down with some seriously yucky sinus infection, so naturally, I started downing some whiskey. Everyone got in on some drink of their choice and pretty soon we were a giggly bunch. We played Loaded Questions (Bridal Edition, thanks to BM C. Bear) and opened gifts. I got lots of frilly things that I won’t post on the interwebs, BUT there was one gift that had me cracking up. For the record, this is a terrible picture of me, but I just had to show off what BM C. Koala said was, “really the only thing you’ll need to be wearing anyways.”
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.
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.
Makeup does wonders, but it can only go so far. When I have a bad breakout, I have never been a fan of covering it up with loads of concealer. On me, it just makes it look worse. Which means clear skin is a priority for me.
I have to say, my skin has never been all that terrible. However, I have my serious issues with it from time to time. I get those awful, what I like to call “underground,” pimples that are very painful. Then it takes nearly a week and a half to clear up. I am incredibly nervous that my skin will not be clear come May.
A few months back I started to notice how perfectly clear my sister’s skin is. My sister has dealt with skin issues and so it was very obvious how incredible her skin looked. I asked her what the heck she did to make it so clear. She said she started using the acne 3 step program from Clinique.
{Isn’t she beautiful? And look how clear her skin is!}
If you remember, the whole reason we hired Mrs. Scissors (ILoveYouMuch) was because I was super worried all of our pictures would turn out like this:
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
