Happy Thursday, hive! It’s been a wonderful week of reflection and love for me…lots of exciting things happening, and lots of time to get back to what really matters in life: family.
The Geefay family—my family—is small and mighty. My grandpa came over here from China, his full Chinese name was Gee Ying Fay. Fresh off the boat (Oh my god. Did I just say that?) he changed his name to Frank Geefay, and eventually met and married my grandmother and that’s where our little family began.
(Ed. note: My uncle commented on this post to let me know that my grandfather changed his name in the 1920s after facing discrimination, and not right when he arrived in this country, as I’d mentioned. Thanks Uncle Frank, for the correction!)
There are only 7 Geefays in the world: my dad and mom, my uncle and aunt, and their combined 3 children, all girls, which means that the Geefay family name could quite possibly die with us. 3 generations.
The end.
When I married I didn’t actually legally take my husband’s name, but use it “professionally.” I haven’t quite decided what to do there yet (5 years into marriage)…the thought of no longer being a Geefay is so frightening and feels like I’m 1/3rd responsible for killing off the Geefay name. I can’t bear that responsibility, so I don’t. And so Geefay, legally, I remain, indefinitely.
There are 2 girls left to make the decision, one being my cousin Frances, who took the leap to move from California to Texas a few years ago to start a life with her boyfriend, Nic.
Avid outdoorspeople (in the spirit of our upbringing, when as a family we’d camp…EVERYWHERE. All the time.), Nic and Frances headed to Amarillo one weekend to hike and mountain bike in Palo Duro Canyon. They happened upon Cadillac Ranch, an art installation of junk Cadillacs, and learned that spray painting the cars is encouraged. Nic challenged Fran to a graffiti competition, one she knew she’d easily win because Nic’s “the opposite of artistic” (and I like to think us Geefay girls have a bit of artistic flair, eh?). So with cans of paint in tow, Nic and Fran set out to leave their mark on Cadillac Ranch. Nic’s challenge was a ruse for something bigger he wanted to accomplish that day.
When they got there, fate stepped in:
Read more…
Hi hive – look up. Up top. Notice anything different?
We made a small (or significant, depending on your point of view) change to our header. For many of you, the site may be showing up funky as your computer is registering a crossbreed of the older look and the new (possibly with the “Weddingbee” logo cut off).
To fix this, simply clear your cache. To learn how to do this on your browser, go here.
Let us know if you’re experiencing any issues with the new header. Happy Tuesday, Hive!
Bringing it back to the West Coast! Join me in welcoming Miss Campfire to the hive!
Miss Campfire, Seattle, WA
Age and Occupation: 26, Researcher, Counselor, Student
Fiance’s Age and Occupation: 29, Software Developer Manager
Engagement Date: January 14, 2012
Wedding Date: September 2013
Venue: Sodo Park
About Me: I’m currently a graduate student in mental health counseling, and I work at two super-awesome jobs. I love dinosaurs, shoes, macaroni and cheese, and fancy dresses. I love to cook and bake, and I’m very excited about getting crafty. Mr. Campfire and I met totally by chance at a party of a mutual friend, and the rest is history. Together we’re planning a wedding that is lighthearted and sweet, featuring a ridiculous amount of lights/lanterns and some delicious food!
Our newest bee is driving on into the hive! All I can think about is Clark Griswold and his family heading out on the long trip to Walley World right now…
Join me in welcoming Miss Road Trip to the hive!
Miss Road Trip, Tallahassee
Age and Occupation: 36, Writer, Artist & Bookkeeper
Fiance’s Age and Occupation: 47, Accountant
Engagement Date: September 30, 2011
Wedding Date: November, 2013
Venue: Honey Lake Plantation
About Me: Born in Louisiana (I share my birthday with the state, which I think is pretty cool), I’m a Florida transplant who has (mostly) stopped trying to escape the state and surrendered to its particular charms. I believe in the power of creativity, cocktails, (parenthetical asides), and laughter (usually at my own expense). Riding shotgun, Mr. Road Trip is a Nebraska native who still hasn’t gotten used to the Florida version of “winter” but loves woodworking as much as I love paper and paints. We’re a couple of sci-fi and gaming geeks who always break for wine tastings. Our wine-a-plenty morning wedding will be small with lots of DIY touches. And lots of bacon.
Ahh, a bee after my own heart! I’m a spinning fiend, so I’ve anxiously been awaiting the lucky gal who snapped up this icon…and appropriately, she and her FI are triathletes! Join me in welcoming Miss Bicycle to the hive!
Miss Bicycle, Tallahassee, FL/Savannah, GA
Age & Occupation: 30, Staff Director for Florida Legislature
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 46, Government Affairs
Engagement Date: August 16, 2012
Wedding Date: October 2013
Venue: Trinity United Methodist Church/Garibaldi
About Me: I’m a Northerner by birth and a Southerner at heart, rooting for the New York Yankees all summer and the New Orleans Saints in the fall. Mr. Bicycle is a born-and-raised Floridian who lives for Gator football. We are political junkies and triathletes who love to travel and enjoy good food and wine. We have 16 years between us, and I am excited about becoming a step-mom to two great children. Our fleur de lis-filled wedding will be held one magical October evening in Savannah, Georgia, and we cannot wait!
Vroom! Our newest bee is coming straight from the Midwest into the hive! Join me in welcoming Miss Scooter!
Miss Scooter, Indianapolis
Age & Occupation: 27, IT Project Manager
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 27, Operations Manager
Engagement Date: July 27, 2012
Wedding Date: September 2013
Venue: Indianapolis Artsgarden
About Me: I am a fun-loving list-obsessed gal who enjoys watching the Food Network on Saturday mornings and then butchering the recipes in real life. I have fun blogging, chatting with my friends, and trying new crafts. My fiancé enjoys gentlemanly pursuits (a fancy way of saying whiskey and golf) but also likes his quiet personal time. We met at Purdue University and are planning a fun-filled wedding with many personal touches. We are so excited to share this journey with you.
Wedding registries are always tricky. Where to register? What to register for? If we register for expensive items, will our guests judge us? If we register for a bunch of affordable items we don’t really need, and then return them for what we really want, is that rude?
SimpleRegistry eliminates all of these issues and is changing the way you register for your wedding! With SimpleRegistry, create a registry that is reflective of your personality and don’t feel bound to what’s available right now at retail stores.
What’s even more fun is that if you register with SimpleRegistry before April 30, 2013, you will automatically be entered to win a $5,000 credit toward your SimpleRegistry!
What makes SimpleRegistry different?
See what real brides and grooms have to say about SimpleRegistry or browse what real couples are registering for right now.
Head on over to SimpleRegistry and start your registry today to be entered to win $5,000! Good luck, Hive!
We always like to be two steps ahead when it comes to bee blogger generations and icons, so while the Honeymoon Generation was just recently introduced, we’re busy dreaming up the icons for the next round!
We like to rotate generations between ones that have eyes and ones that don’t—meaning this last round (Honeymoon) wasn’t animal heavy, so for our next round we’re focusing on icons that can/do have eyes. We’re brainstorming one we think would be adorable…the Farm Generation! At first, we pictured all the cute little farm animals that there are…and then realized we already have a lot of those bees already represented! Miss Piglet, Miss Lamb, Miss Apple, Miss Jackrabbit and more.
A farm generation could be a mix of both animals and inanimate objects…Billy Goat, Hen, Mare, Barn, Eggs, even Windmill. What other icons/names could we add to our farm generation roster that would make cute icons? Would anyone want to be Miss Cow? 
In the meantime, we’re currently accepting fun, stylish brides-to-bee to join the bee bloggers in our Honeymoon Generation! If you’re blogging about your wedding plans and are getting married through November 2013, check out our application guidelines and blog with us!
Oh, snap! We’re so excited to welcome our newest bee blogger to the hive, Miss Camera!
Miss Camera, Charlotte, NC/Charleston, SC
Age & Occupation: 27 & Emergency Room Physician Assistant
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 31 & Newspaper Editor/Designer
Engagement Date: October 7, 2012
Wedding Date: September 2013
Venue: The Island House, Charleston, SC
About Me: I’m a north-to-south transplant, currently living in Charlotte, North Carolina, but still representing all things Pittsburgh, PA. One month after I moved to NC, I went on a date with a guy I met on Match.com, and now we’re getting married! I work in a busy Emergency Room as a Physician Assistant and while the hours are sometimes difficult, I can’t see myself doing anything else. I live with my fiance in uptown Charlotte. We have an opinionated 5 year old tabby cat named Milo and a sweet, but rambunctious 8 month old mutt named Charlie (short for Charlotte – she’s a girl!). I’ve embraced Southern culture, and our wedding is no exception—what better location than Charleston, SC? I watch too much TV and know every word to every episode of Friends (I’ve watched The One With Monica and Chandler’s Wedding at least a hundred times…hope I have enough money for Wedding Scenario A!). I love baking cupcakes, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions and am openly addicted to celebrity gossip and pop culture.
We’re welcoming our second bee in the Honeymoon Generation to the hive today! Join me in welcoming Miss Airplane to the hive!
Miss Airplane, Plymouth, Michigan
Age & Occupation: 26, Fundraising Project Coordinator
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 27, Food & Beverage Manager
Engagement Date: March 31, 2012
Wedding Date: September 2013
Venue: Fox Hills Golf Club & Banquet Center
About Me: I’m a true Michigander (born and raised) and a die-hard Wolverine. I am the definition of a multi-tasker and like to believe I am also a perfectionist, but my horrible short-term memory likes to prove otherwise. I’m an English major and a pretty punny girl, so get ready for some really horrible plays on words! When I’m not consumed with wedding planning, I enjoy copious amounts of television and an equally unhealthy addiction to bacon.
Happy Friday Hive! It’s a pleasure to announce our first bee from the Honeymoon Generation. Say hello to Miss Palm Tree!
Miss Palm Tree, Pittsburgh, PA
Age & Occupation: 23, Lease Analyst
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 25, Associate Systems Analyst (Computer Engineer)
Engagement Date: December 22, 2011
Wedding Date: May 2013
Venue: The Fez in Aliquippa, PA
About Me: I’m Miss Palm Tree – an opinionated, loyal and outgoing bride-to-be. I currently work as a Lease Analyst by day and a catering assistant by night. Mr. Palm Tree is a Computer Engineer with a love for all things cats. Mr. Palm Tree and I are absolute soul mates. Having grown up across the street from each other (I have the scars to prove it), we have been a part of each other’s lives for almost as long as we can remember. We are far from perfect: we fight, we get annoyed with each other and we certainly take advantage of knowing one another so well when pushed to the edge, but ultimately, what truly defines us as a couple is our love. He is a textbook Virgo, a true good guy with a laid-back and easy-going attitude and a penchant for finishing video games on the ‘Advanced’ level the first time through without any guidance. I am almost a textbook Pisces, a living embodiment of the ‘exception to every rule’ adage with a serious passion for reading, writing and all things pop culture (furthermore, I have ‘beat’ two video games in my entire life). Together, though, we spend more time laughing and making adventures out of a grocery shopping trip than we do anything else.
Happy Valentine’s Day, hive!
Our sweet friend Jackie of Merci New York launched her line of stylist-approved lingerie, accessories and clutches, specifically for brides. Since getting a sneak peek of them at market this year I couldn’t wait to share them with all of you, and with a discount code available today only in honor of V-Day, what perfect timing!
These romantic little pieces of arm candy are embellished with vintage-inspired brooches…perfect for bridesmaids gifts, but even more perfect for yourself. How cute would your bridesmaids looks carrying one in each color?
Classic Coral Faux Leather Clutch
Happy Monday Hive!
We’re so thrilled to announce our newest generation of bee blogger icons: the Honeymoon generation! Our amazing icons artist Mrs. Bunting created the 15 little masterpieces below:
With our newest release of icons comes our newest call for bee bloggers! If you’re a current personal wedding blogger and would love to have your wedding journey featured for an adoring hive, check out our application guidelines to apply to become our next bee! We’re currently accepting applications from brides getting married through October 2013.
Do you have the travel bug? Which icon from this generation is your fave?
We’ve been fielding some juicy shoe questions from one of our favorite news outlets in the past few days, and rather than report on general sentiments on our shoe obsessions, we wanted to bring the questions STRAIGHT to the hive! While you’re at it, check out some of our favorite wedding day shoe p0rn, too. Yerrr welcome.
TGIF hive! I’m thrilled to welcome our latest bee coming to us from across the pond. Join me in giving a warm welcome to Miss Jackrabbit!
Miss Jackrabbit, Brighton, UK
Age & Occupation: 26, Office Manager
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 25, Songwriter
Engagement Date: 5th October 2012
Wedding Date: September 2013
Venue: Fabrica Gallery, Brighton
About Me: I honestly thought I’d go all Monica Geller when I started planning our wedding, but in truth, things couldn’t have gone much differently. I am working my way through this venture, figuring things out as I go, and adopting a ’Que Sera, Sera,’ approach to making decisions. When I’m not organising the biggest day of my life, I can usually be found drinking a glass of wine, crafting up one thing or another, or stopping my cat from head-butting me in the face.
Mrs. Penguin, Northern California Age and Occupation: 27, Weddingbee Editor in Chief Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Doctor of Physical Therapy Engagement Date: January 29, 2007 Wedding Date: June 7, 2008 Blogging Since: September 14, 2007 Venue: Winery in the Gold Country About Me: I love the Spice Girls, dogs with underbites, bean burritos, making messes, high fives, avoiding showers, crossword puzzles, blogs, weddings, and blogs about weddings!
