Mrs. Magic, Chapel Hill, NCAge and Occupation: 30, Licensed Clinical Social WorkerFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, ResearcherEngagement Date: December 1, 2009Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Barn at ValhallaAbout Me: I’m a tall drink of water (5’10”!) and a Southern bride with an enormous appetite for Mexican food, good deals, anything French, and all things wedding! By day I am lucky enough to work with individuals with autism and their families. By night, I’m even luckier to be able to spend time hanging out with awesome friends, crafting, shopping, thinking about exercising, and kicking it with Mr. Magic and our two cats. I tend to have sudden, intense cravings that will not be denied (seafood enchiladas! new jeans!) and I’m prone to being a disorganized mess of anxiety and stress. After waiting (and waiting!) to get engaged, I am finally planning the colorful, fun, fabulously awesome Fall wedding of our dreams. In an effort to share the fun and craziness that is wedding planning, I’m gonna blog about it for y’all---the good, the bad, and the pretty!
But, on the eve of the day when Mr. Magic and I will go to the courthouse to get our marriage license, I realize that while I might have a lot of first-world problems, there is one problem I don’t have—and that’s getting legally married.
Miss Dalmatian, Nashville, TNAge and Occupation: 23, Pediatric NurseFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer Engineer and Entrepreneur Engagement Date: April 13, 2011Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: Historic CedarwoodAbout Me: I am a Northern girl from Chicago who is planning a wedding filled with Southern charm in Nashville, Tennessee. I love dogs, the White Sox, Full House reruns, and anything with ruffles on it. Mr. Dalmatian is my computer-genius problem-solving fiance who is constantly teaching me new things and making me a better person. We live with our adopted pup Echo, who is very excited that his parents are getting married!
…real flowers are awesome, and clay flowers are too!
I know some other bloggers have shared the wonder that is clay flowers, but in case you’ve missed it, here’s a quick video that will surely take your breath away!
When I saw the artistry that went into this project, I was both incredibly impressed and incredibly intrigued. I saw this video before I was engaged but the clay flowers did immediately earn a spot in my already established wedding inspiration folder. Read more…
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.
I was trying to think of something small and nice I could do for my aunts for having the family get together for us. I didn’t want to get them any thing that could not be used up and go away. When you’re in your 70s and 80s, you’ve had enough time to get about five of everything you need, three of everything you want, and then some. I think in general I’m going to start going this route when I don’t know of a specific item for someone. I’m really not that great of judge on what someone else wants to have around their place. But, who wouldn’t love their favorite soda with some Hershey Kisses?
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!
In ways large and small, and ways that I don’t even know yet, marriage will change a lot about our relationship because of the meaning it holds both for us and for other people. I have been a staunch advocate of marriage equality for as long as I can remember, but being on the verge of marriage myself really illuminates all the ways that marriage is different from a civil union. Those changes I referenced in my last post, well, I’m not sure if or when they would’ve happened if Mr. FW and I weren’t getting married.
It seems to me that people have been viewing us differently since we got engaged, and I think it’s because they know what a marriage is, they know what it means, and they know how to relate to it. It’s not like we didn’t have a serious relationship before, because we did. But our relationship looks somehow more significant to people now, and thus they react to it differently. Like everyone else, we had the option of entering into a civil union or domestic partnership earlier in our relationship, but we wanted to get married. And marriage is not the same as a civil union or a domestic partnership. The proof of this is that even heterosexual couples avail themselves of these options in order to, say, take advantage of their partner’s health insurance benefits, and they can do so prior to the point where they feel “ready” to get married. For me personally it sometimes feels like civil unions and domestic partnerships are talked about as if they are “wedding light.” I don’t necessarily see it that way, and I’m sure queer couples (who enter into those arrangements because they’re the closest they can currently get to marriage) don’t see it that way, but to me it’s pretty clear that marriage is more than just the act of two people legally entangling themselves with one another Read more…
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!
See, Foxy Mama has taken the initiative to email my bridesladies, namely my two maids of honor (more on that later) about starting to think about my bridal shower. Part of the reason for the advance thinking is simple: I have friends and family spread up and down the East Coast. Close friends and family. In my bridal party alone, one is on Long Island, two are in Philly, and two are in DC. Lord knows if they will ever actually all be together in one place before the wedding itself.
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!
This combo can only mean one thing: my bachelorette party!! I am heading to Telluride, Colorado with 13 of my closest ladies to celebrate ME. Wow, it’s so surreal! My girlfriends and I do girl trips quite often, but of course this is the first time it’s in my honor. BM Hogan and Friend Jackie have been scheming together to come up with what I know will be a legend.ary weekend. One for the books, for sure.
When it came to giving a little input into what I wanted for my bachelorette, there were a few things I requested.
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!
This is the second installment of my little “Venue That Wasn’t” series. For this venue, I wanted to show you all Leila Arboretum. Seriously one of the most beautiful places in Battle Creek. In the spring, it is bursting with new flowers and green everywhere. In the summer the trees are lush and beautiful. If the fall it is a Midwestern dreamscape of orange, yellow, and blue, and in the winter it is a marshmallow magic land of rolling hills and sledding.
OK, enough yip-yapping! I will show you pictures!
When you come up the main drive, this is what greets you.
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 had mentioned previously that our venue is semi-all-inclusive. Part of what is included in the cost is floral centerpieces for all of the tables. What is not included is bridal-party flowers and decoration for the arbor at the ceremony area. Which means I needed to find a super-awesome florist, because flowers are very important to me. I am THAT girl, the one that dreamed of flowers everywhere at my wedding. Now our budget does not exactly dream that same dream…but I think we came to a nice little compromise.
I set up appointments to meet with two florists on the same day. I came prepared with inspiration of bouquets that caught my eye.
Bokolette Macarons is an L.A./San Diego-based company selling French macarons and macaron towers. Four dozen macarons for $1.20 per macaron, eight dozen or more for $1.00 per macaron.
Have a wedding item for sale? Post it with pictures in the Weddingbee Classifieds, and you might see it featured on the blog!
Miss Ticket, Riverside, CAAge and Occupation: 25, Executive AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, HVAC TechnicianEngagement Date: November 14, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Crestmore ManorAbout Me: I'm a lifelong So Cal gal, a chocoholic, a closet gamer, and a television enthusiast (love me some Vampire Diaries!) who adores playing in the kitchen and lives in flip flops. Mr. Ticket and I are best known for singing and dancing in the car, our World of Warcraft addiction, adoring food, crane game playing, and our general homebody ways. Oh, and GO STEELERS!
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!
I didn’t put many detail shots into my recap posts and I received some questions about particular aspects of the big hurrah. So, before I say my farewell, I thought I’d leave you lovely ladies with a short series of detail posts. Enjoy!
Miss Dalmatian, Nashville, TNAge and Occupation: 23, Pediatric NurseFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer Engineer and Entrepreneur Engagement Date: April 13, 2011Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: Historic CedarwoodAbout Me: I am a Northern girl from Chicago who is planning a wedding filled with Southern charm in Nashville, Tennessee. I love dogs, the White Sox, Full House reruns, and anything with ruffles on it. Mr. Dalmatian is my computer-genius problem-solving fiance who is constantly teaching me new things and making me a better person. We live with our adopted pup Echo, who is very excited that his parents are getting married!
My cousin got married in May 2010, and my sister got married on the same weekend in May 2011. Now, I do love a family tradition—so much so that my sisters and I (all in our twenties) still leave cookies and milk out for Santa every Christmas because, gosh darn it, it’s tradition! A more recent addition to our catalog of holiday traditions is wearing our Little Miss Christmas shirts every Christmas Eve:
Personal Photo - Sister A, Sister K, and me
Despite my die-hard dedication to traditions, the weekend that my cousin and sister got married wasn’t our first pick for our May 2012 wedding. Let me break down our reasoning behind this: Mr. D is graduating from business school the Friday of a different weekend, and his parents just moved to Singapore.
Since the trip between Singapore and good ol’ Nashville is 24+ hours, his parents wouldn’t have been able to come to both his graduation and his wedding if they were too far apart.
We figured either the weekend before or the weekend after his graduation would work best for their trip to the U.S. The next step was to call the venue. Mind you, we were still about a year out, so when I casually asked about which dates where available in May 2012, I was not prepared for the answer:
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.
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!
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
