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After graduating and getting kicked out of our apartments (AKA our leases expired), Mr. Pony and I figured it was time to move in with one another. There was a slight problem at that time, however. We were unemployed—and hopelessly broke. So, we did what every other self-respecting recent grad does when no immediate solutions present themselves—we moved back home. Together. With my dad. In a 1,300-square-foot home.
It reminds me of this (minus the awkward sexual tension and mullets):
We really are living the dream. (Image credit: ABC via Andy Wibbels)
Sometimes I get sad that we won’t be able to have the rustic wedding in the woods that we originally envisioned. I spent a good six months researching and planning this rustic-yet-elegant wooded affair, and sometimes it is hard to stop myself from collecting and cataloging ideas for that type of wedding. I do love our new ceremony location (See what I did? I called it new even though we never “had” the other location—clearly I need more time to heal.), but I still get jealous when I see images like these:
Above two images by Our Labor of Love / via Green Wedding Shoes (Just a little jealous)
After looking at a number of reception venues, Mr. Pony and I decided that the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts fit our wedding dreams perfectly. But, perhaps you would like to get to know it a little better with some pictures and history?
This place has everything we want in a reception venue—character, beauty, and a great location.
{Pony photo}
I am going to rewind a bit for this post (reverse reverse, everybody clap your hands).
Like most newly engaged couples, one of the first things Mr. P and I decided was where our wedding festivities were going to happen. Basically, we had three options: 1. my hometown; 2. Mr. Pony’s hometown; or 3. a tropical destination. We thought long and hard about the benefits and drawbacks to each option. Well, not really. But we did make a pros/cons list for each option and picked the one that worked the best for us and our loved ones.
My hometown—Bloomington/Normal, Illinois
Image by A. Strickler via Inhabitat (The Normal Part)
Featured on Weddingbee
Unique Wedding Favors
“Add a memorable touch to your wedding with unique favors that match your theme.”
One of the few requests Mr. Pony has made for our wedding is that we get married outside. After a few searches, we stumbled across the perfect venue in our area: a chapel in a grove of trees with a quaint church available in case of inclement weather.
We visited, loved it, and were ready to book it immediately…but the venue refused to take reservations until it was a year out from the wedding. So we waited and waited, and my anxiety grew. When the day to book the chapel finally came, we called at the exact time we were told we should, but were told that someone else had already booked it right before we called. Damn.
After waiting five months to book what we hoped to be our ceremony location, we were heartbroken when we realized our ceremony plans had to be completely reworked. Mr. Pony and I were definitely anxious that we would not find a suitable ceremony location with exactly a year left before our wedding. Adding to that, I was scheduled to start work in two days, so the opportunity to visit new locations was slim.
We decided to check out some places that looked promising immediately. As in less than an hour after we lost our ideal ceremony location.
Our first stop was the Davis Lodge at Lake Bloomington. I loved that it was cheap and pretty, had an indoor area, and was very close to my house.
I did not like that we would need to rent chairs, that the ground sloped too much where we would want to have the ceremony, and that the indoor space was so small.
Personal Pony picture
One great piece of advice I made sure to follow after getting engaged was to wait and do my research before booking any vendors or buying anything wedding related. I heard this advice from all over the place—the web, my friends, family, potential vendors, strangers on the street…you get the idea. But what great advice it is! Planning a wedding requires a million and ten decisions to be made; even the most decisive person is bound to buy something that goes unused for the wedding.
Taking this lesson to heart, I waited and waited and waited to buy anything. (It helped that I was pretty much broke.) I wanted to have a clear idea of our colors, the atmosphere, and the design before spending our money on anything for the wedding.
Eventually, I caved. I. HAD. to. buy. something.
The majority of my summer last year was spent staring at bar-prep books and being stressed. I decided I needed a mental break. A pretty, creative mental break from all the boring law stuff. I knew exactly what I wanted. Not a dress. Not shoes. A font.
Image via Typenuts
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
Since Mr. Pony and I got engaged last March, five other couple friends (friends that are couples? I don’t know) have gotten engaged and are planning to wed in 2011. Out of these weddings, I will be a bridesmaid, maid of honor, guest, and, of course, bride. Needless to say, my life is pretty much all things wedding right now (which I love—not gonna lie).
Initially, I thought that having so many friends planning weddings at the same time would be super fun because we could bounce tons of ideas off each other. I know there are so many ideas I would love to incorporate into our wedding that simply won’t happen due to the location, season, or other aesthetic choices we have already made for our wedding. Naturally, I want to share these ideas with my friends who are brides-to-be.
Some ideas I would love to incorporate but sadly will not be able to include:
Trolley Transportation
Image by Pilster Photography via Weddingbee
Knowing that after graduation we would never again have glorious week-long breaks from school/life to do whatever we desired, Mr. Pony and I decided to make the most of our final spring break from school. (I’m really going to miss you, spring break.) At first I resisted this idea. We didn’t have jobs lined up and spending money on vacation seemed frivolous and irresponsible. But, Mr. Pony insisted that we should go somewhere and enjoy our last spring break. Eventually, I agreed.
Normally when I think of spring break, I think of this scene from Arrested Development:
Image credit: Fox via Daicy Not Daisy
G! What’s that spell? Wedding-table letters!
In an effort to get some more menial projects out of the way while I have some desire and patience left, I decided to dedicate some time recently to making table numbers. First, I had to make the all-important decision of what they should be. There are so many creative, fun, and gorgeous ideas out there it can be hard to choose.
For example, the customary number can be fun and creative, as evidenced by Mrs. Lovebug:
Image via Mrs. Lovebug
I hope I didn’t leave anyone in too much suspense after my last “how we met” post, so here is the final installment of our Pony dating tale:
As I explained, when Mr. Pony and I first met he had a girlfriend. We’ll call her Liz. Not only was Mr. Pony dating Liz, but she was also a law student at our school. Now, at this point in time I did not have feelings for Mr. Pony. Guys with girlfriends were really not my thing. Mr. Pony was no different. Sorry, Ponyman.
Mr. Pony and I continued to hang out in study group and at school, but I never considered him anything other than a friend. I am sure he didn’t think of me as anything other than a friend either.
At one of our final study sessions of first semester, Mr. Pony announced to our group that he and Liz had split up. I don’t know why, but at that moment I knew we would end up together. I can’t figure out how or why I thought this, but it just felt right. (That is officially the cheesiest thing I’ve ever said, but I swear it’s true.)
I thought I would start my morning with a little color inspiration and a blog post.
I present to you Miss Pony’s very first inspiration board:
Top row: (1) Pretty Images via SMP / Invitations by Paisley Quill (2) Image via VWLimo (3) Image via Slashfood / Photo by Bella Grace Studios
Center: (4) Image via Green Event Shop
Bottom row: (5) Image via J.Crew (6) Image via Blue Nile (7) Image via Casa Sugar / Photo by Josh McCullock
What do you think of the red-green-gray-white color scheme now that you can see the colors all mashed together?
The short story is that Mr. Pony and I met, began dating, and got engaged during law school. That story would suffice, but that would not fit with my loquacious personality, so you get to hear the whole thing. 
I will set the scene for you.
It’s my first semester of grad school. I am stressed and overwhelmed by the all the changes occurring in my life. I meet about 400 people in the first week, including Mr. Pony. Despite the whirlwind of the first few weeks of school, I can still vividly remember my first memories of Mr. Pony, including:
Then one night, Mr. Pony and I both attended a pre-gaming party before heading to an ’80s night at the bar. At the party we bonded over our matching cameras, being beer-pong partners, and his recent campaign victory. Our group then headed out to the bar and had a great time dancing and drinking to the hits of the ’80s.
Some proof of the fun:
Our very first (rockin’) picture together!
After I boldly declared our red and green color scheme, I began thinking about adding an accent color to the mix. Accent colors can add a pop of unexpected fun or elegance while adding depth to the colors already in the mix. In our case, I was just hoping an accent color would help our wedding look less like a Christmas party and more like a wedding.
First, I decided to add white as an accent color. This one was pretty easy. I don’t think I have been to a wedding where white/ivory wasn’t involved somewhere. It kinda goes with the territory, so to speak.
But adding white did not help alleviate the feeling that Santa is coming to town.
Image via Suggestsoft
Wedding colors are one of the most important wedding decisions couples make. These colors show up in every aspect of the wedding and can give your wedding an overall theme and ambiance. So it makes sense that brides (…and grooms?) spend a decent amount of time and energy developing their color schemes.
Yeah. We didn’t do that.
Our colors didn’t speak to us. We didn’t have any divine inspiration. I kind of just declared what our colors would be. I love green. I also love red.
I didn’t really think this through.
Christmas overload!!! (Pony personal picture)
Well hello, hive. Miss Pony here! It’s great to finally meet you! I’m still not convinced this is real yet, so please forgive me if I ramble a bit or seem discombobulated. I never dreamed I would actually be writing on the mane (ha!) page for the hive!
I was sitting at work (clearly working very hard) when my phone made a familiar buzz. I thought, “I bet that’s an email from Weddingbee.” Lo and behold, it was from our very own Pengy telling me I had been chosen to be a bee. With hands shaking, I texted Mr. Pony: “OMG. I think they picked me to be a bee.” (Yes, I am very eloquent.) After letting my heart rate return to a normal level, I needed to celebrate.
Since my office is full of windows, I managed to find the only enclosed space in our entire office (the bathroom) to do my happy dance, Love Actually style.
Image credit: Universal Pictures via Bully Comics
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Mrs. Pony, Bloomington, IL Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Attorney Engagement Date: March 22, 2010 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard; Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts About Me: I found my Southern counterpart in law school and since he popped the question last March, we have been busy graduating, job searching, bar taking, and wedding planning. My loves include must see TV, magnets, quotes, anything green, my car, fun socks, the Cubs, and my Mr. Together we love wine, playing outside, and exploring the world together. Stay tuned to see our Midwest wedding full of Southern charm, vintage flair, lots of DIY details, and a whole lot o’ wine.
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