Mrs. Swan | Weddingbee

Mrs. Swan, New York City Age and Occupation: 31, Legislative Representative Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Finance Guy Engagement Date: August 9, 2008 Wedding Date: August 2009 Venue: Battery Gardens About Me: I am an un-crafty but resourceful, Caribbean-born but New York-raised woman who's been known to analyze "Dancing with the Stars" and “So You Think You Can Dance”, buy stinky cheese, and use way too many parentheses. I keep lists for fun, am constantly daydreaming of my next international travel adventure (four continents down, three to go), debating sports (let’s Got Mets/Giants!) and dancing around my apartment to stay sane. I am excited to share our wedding planning journey as I hope to plan a streamlined, personal, and fun wedding with the greatest life partner I could ever imagine, Mr. Swan.

B to the U to the D to the G to the E to the T

May 5th, 2009 @ 10:27 am by Mrs. Swan

It’s the most dreaded word in wedding planning: BUDGET. The word is sometimes used to describe weddings that are not as expensive as others, as well as a financial plan for the wedding. In the wedding world, you often hear of planning “on a budget” or of “budget” weddings. Our wedding is somewhere in between.

Honestly, do you know anyone who can just spend without consequences? I don’t. So aren’t we all really on a budget, to some extent? I am sure that there are many people who do not have to worry about prices, but I would venture to say that most of us are NOT included in that group.

Sadly, I did not luck out in the “I’m going to have an inexpensive wedding” lottery because:

I live in New York City. You know, the whole bride’s hometown thing, right? Well unfortunately, my hometown is one of the most expensive cities in the United States (if not THE most expensive). For a variety of reasons, we are having the wedding here. Yes, I know we can have a destination wedding, but New York has a place in our hearts, and for many reasons it’s also a practical place for us to have the wedding (ease of travel for many guests, many of whom are international, and because it’s easier to live and plan in the same place. And, well, we like it here). I know it’s expensive. Please don’t remind me. Sigh…
As much as I’d like this to be the case, I don’t really have any friends to hook me up with free services. I am amazed at blog posts about how people who have friends who are designers, caterers, photographers, tailors, etc. I love my friends, but they don’t have skills like that. Also I am not sure I would want them to do some of the things related to the wedding. I just want them to show up and enjoy the day with me. Maybe a few will help me get ready.

Whazzz Uuuuuup, Hive?!

May 4th, 2009 @ 2:06 pm by Mrs. Swan

Whazzz up, hive?!!! How are you all?

I know I am going to sound like a broken record, but I was literally out of my mind when I got the “call” to be a bee. I was sitting at my desk, eating lunch at 3:30 (I know you’ve all had one of THOSE days at some point), and there it was… that fateful email in my inbox. I almost cried at my desk out of happiness, and complete humility. I’d been reading Weddingbee waaaaayyyyy before I even got engaged, have learned so much, and have admired this community for a very long time. I’m thoroughly excited to be able to share some of my thoughts and the things I’ve learned so far in this wedding planning process.

So here’s the low-down of some of the many things you can expect from me:

The trials and tribulations of Weddingbee’s first bride with dreadlocks
How I came/am coming to feel comfortable wearing makeup (finally!) in my 30s
Random hip-hop references here and there (Wu Tang Clan, anyone?)
Planning a wedding when you’re barely home (I am currently traveling each week for work)
I will list things (and use parentheses a lot)

I picked Miss Swan because it reminded me a lot of dancing and our wedding, things that make me happy (don’t worry, I’m going somewhere with this I promise). I’ve danced a lot in my past (not very much now, except for in my apartment…boo!!). Dancing is a way for me to have fun, makes me feel strong, beautiful, and graceful… like a swan! I think that weddings can be simple, beautiful and understated, too… like a swan! I think you get the picture now, right?