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.
Finding a DJ was something I wanted to do very early on in the planning process. It was among one of the most important vendors to me to book. They are basically responsible for keeping everything flowing smoothly, from ceremony to reception. I was preparing myself for the search to be difficult. You see, my taste in music is quite eclectic. My iPod is fairly interesting to browse through because the bulk of it is this:
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.
After an absolutely whirlwind wedding weekend, we came to a screeching halt and jetted off to the most relaxing and rejuvenating week of our lives in Negril, Jamaica.
We splurged on a couple of first class tickets on our plane ride from Dallas to Montego Bay. It was worth every. single. penny. We sat in a mostly empty first class section in the front row. I could stick my legs out completely straight in front of me and not hit anything. It was even comfortable enough to nap! Which I definitely did, in between feedings. We were immediately presented with orange juice and/or Pepsi before take-off, then a generous helping of mixed warm assorted nuts, followed by a full meal of salad, tortellini, warm rolls, and red wine. Then they followed with a chocolate chip cookie of course! So yummy. I also did a little reading (The Hunger Games—go read it now, you won’t regret it) and a little movie watching. Then it was time to land!
There were the usual customs and immigration lines to get through, but it went very smoothly. We were sent to hang out at the Couples Lounge in the airport while they sorted everyone out who were staying at any local Couples Resorts and got everyone in their way to their respective destinations. We hopped on the bus to Couples Negril, and were on our way. 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!
The future in-laws were in town for the weekend at the end of March, and there was talk about showing them our venue after I got off work that Sunday.
I was all for this plan, as the only time we have been to our venue was the previous June (2010), when we initially toured it and met with the DOC. I figured this would be the perfect chance to reassure myself that I indeed love the place (hey, booking two years out leaves a lot of time for reconsidering!) and to poke around town a bit to find good picture-taking locales!
Well, the Vandiver Mansion was/is greener than it looks in the photo there, but the other houses were definitely white when we first visited last year. Totally fine, whatever, no biggie…I guess they didn’t really look like they were all a part of the same “complex,” but I wasn’t worried.
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!
Almost a year ago now, as I was preparing the Thanksgiving meal we would share with Mr. FW’s parents, I became aware that I was spending time reflecting on relationships and family—more specifically, how relationships shape how we define family. I had been casually referring to Mr. FW’s family as “my in-laws” for a while, probably since the time everyone started taking for granted that I would be included in his family functions. Last year though, as I was about to tell someone, “We’re having Thanksgiving dinner with my in-laws,” I stopped myself from using that term, instead changing it to “dinner with Mr. FW’s parents.” In that split second I recall thinking that they would be my legitimate in-laws in less than a year, so I should reserve that term for the time after we’re officially married.
The phrase ricocheted around in my mind for a second longer than it should have before I realized why it felt so uncomfortable.
We spent the majority of our relationship knowing that “officially married” is something we couldn’t have. Read more…
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!
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.
I wish I had cute handwriting a la Mrs. Seashell. Everyone I talked to spoke about how easy it was just to buy a calligraphy pen and go to town. There was always the ’tracing’ method. And my fiance left me a Leroy Lettering Set before he left for Madison. I opened this thing and almost started crying for all the pieces and confusion! Turns out it’s some sort of drafting tool that will probably sit under my bed until we decide to move.
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.
As the wedding was closing in, and the giant to-do list I taped to our office door wasn’t going anywhere, Cinnamon Buns asked if it would help if we had people over to craft things. I was a little out of it in the time leading up so I think I said, “Sure yes no maybe you decide,” which he (rightly) presumed to mean “yes.” He called all the bridal party, and his mum (my parents don’t live in town) and everyone but our one out-of-town groomsman could make it over to our house for the Sunday before our Saturday wedding.
I planned a couple projects that could be done by many hands on that day—nice, easy things that we could do with a glass of wine nearby. Cinnamon Buns and I got some snacks and drinks in, and we crafted the day away.
We had people help fold our books to get that beautiful fanned look (fold every other page in half, and they look like that! Magic!).
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!
Hive, I have some bad news for you. *deep breath* I will not be showing you my dress before the wedding. I am so, SO, so sorry. But trust me, I have lots of posts about it up my sleeve for after the big day!
You see, I am having my dress made. Confession time: I purchased the dress pattern WAY before Mr. Aardvark and I got engaged (like over a year before). We were pre-gaged, and I had a bad habit of looking at dresses online. It was during this time that I stumbled across a vintage dress pattern that stuck in my head like a popcorn kernel between my teeth. It seemed perfect! Everything I was hoping for in a dress. Due to the fact that we were not engaged…I did not buy it right away. However, a few months later at the fabric store, there it was, and on sale too! So I bought it, and then went about my life for a year or so.
Fast forward to our engagement. I hit the internet hard looking for dress ideas. Nothing really seemed to knock my socks off. Then I remembered the pattern. I dug it out of my craft box and fell in love all over again. It seemed a little odd, giving up on dress shopping before even going dress shopping, but every time I looked at that pattern, it seemed so much more perfect than any of the dresses I’d found online.
Was it totally crazy to just have the dress made? Just jump right into it without trying others on? Yes. Is that what I did? It sure was! But not without some due diligence.
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!
When I began my seemingly endless search for venues, there was one phrase that made my nose turn up and brought a bitter taste to my mouth. What was the dreaded phrase, you ask?
Personal image
I was with filled a desire to hand-make table decor and dig through flea-market booths. I was looking forward to contacting every vendor who would talk to me and finding people that would make our wedding truly unique, truly ours. At the beginning, I thought the phrase “all-inclusive” was going to eliminate all of this.
Ms. Gazelle, Calgary/VancouverAge and Occupation: 32, EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Technology AnalystEngagement Date: September 3, 2010Wedding Date: July 2011Venue: Brock House Restaurant, VancouverAbout Me: I am a marathon runner, cyclist, Ironman triathlete and beautiful shoe fiend who also loves kicking back and watching Glee. I grew up a bit of a nomad as I traveled around the world with my family, living everywhere from Australia to England to South America and Indonesia. I finally settled in Calgary a few years ago and met Mr. Gazelle who loves me even though we cheer for different hockey teams. We are planning a bit of a destination wedding in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia and we can’t wait to share the day with our close family and friends.
After a few days in the interior of BC at my parents’ place for a bit of pre-wedding vacationing, it was time to make our way to Vancouver. My folks decided to rent a big house just a couple of blocks away from the wedding venue and it was large enough for both Mr. Gazelle, myself, my brother, sister-in-law, niece, and our best man to stay at, too.
It was one of the best decisions ever (good call mom!) as it was nice to have a home base as opposed to being in a hotel.
We were all supposed to arrive in Vancouver on Tuesday, but the morning we were to set off my mom said that she had way too much work left to do on the bridesmaids’ dresses. They wouldn’t be able to leave until a few days later, but we had to leave for Vancouver right away since I had my makeup trial scheduled for the next day. 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.
Each time I visit Mr. Raccoon in Nashville, we’re sure to stop by a little place called Gigi’s Cupcakes. Kentucky bourbon pie is Mr. Raccoon’s favorite, and I really like their champagne cupcake.
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 know what you are thinking. Oh, how embarrassing—poor Miss Doe has a typo in her title. Right?
Wrong. I deliberately put that question mark there because I never intended for there to be a part three. I am actually quite surprised I am writing a part three for these wish tags, but I am so glad I am. Remember how I ended my last post with wanting to tweak the color palette of the wish tags? I ran out to Michaels, again, last night to find some new supplies that would add some color to this project. By the way, I asked Mr. Buck what his guess is as to how many times I will go to Michaels before the wedding. His guess? Seventy-seven times. That seems somewhat high and dramatic, but I guess we will see when it is all said and done.
Well, I kind of did more than just tweak the color palette. More like completely change the entire thing. I thought that I should use our colors for the wedding. If I use sage-colored tags with light pink embossing, then maybe the wish tags would look like little leaves on the tree. I ended up buying large squares of card stock and then cutting them down into 4″ x 6″ squares. This was much cheaper than using the pre-cut tags, and I was able to make them bigger to give our guests more room for writing.
Mrs. Cotton Candy, Riverside, CAAge and Occupation: 29, Field CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Process ServerEngagement Date: July 5, 2007Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Riverside Art MuseumAbout Me: I’m a girl in love with her best friend planning a small mid-century modern inspired wedding that’s been a long time coming. I love all things design, sewing, flea markets, and a good book. I’ve been known to swoon over a well-designed chair and often find myself craving a new addition to my chair collection regardless of the lack square footage in our home. I’m Mexican American girl who hates all things spicy but loves her rowdy Mexican family and her Latin roots. My wedding muses may not be your typical wedding superstars, but with a lot of DIY, a dash of offbeat style, and lots of love and laughs, Mr. Cotton and I plan to create a day that is unmistakably us.
I originally planned to kick off my recaps with a rundown of all the madness leading up to our big day including the late night hours spent wiring a million and one pom poms to our giant wreath and my bridezilla moment at the bank after they informed me my debit card was canceled and I couldn’t take out any money. But really, who wants to read that? So, I decided to just jump in feet first with all the day-of goodies. I hope you enjoy it! 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!
Right now, I have five tattoos. My third was this simplistic beaut on my left wrist.
An infinity sign, you say? Well, yes. But look a bit closer (hi kitty!)…it’s really two S’s intertwined. I’ll give you a hint: both Mr. Foxy’s name and mine start with an S. Not exactly a coincidence.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
A peek at what’s to come! 
