Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
As I’ve mentioned, my mother has put in countless hours sewing all sorts of things, major things (veil, BM dresses, Asian tea ceremony outfits, ring pillows, etc.), for our wedding. The latest project was my reception dress, which I told her to make ONLY if she had the time. Of course, she barely pieced together her own dress before finishing mine.
Unfortunately, she didn’t like the dress that she made. I had sketched out something that I thought she’d look good in, but it didn’t translate very well. Good thing it’s not totally finished. I called her today and told her not touch it. I bought a dress for her.
Here it is!!! She loves blue and Champagne, and I think the jacket has a slightly Asian feel with the brocade, Trapunto stitching and high collar. I hope she likes it.
Source
Did you have a lot of input on your mom’s dress, or did she choose one on her own?
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
Okay, you all already know about my obsession with Laduree packaging.
Source
And you probably also know about my penchant for cultural nods…
Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
A while back when I got the pattern for the BM dresses, I picked up a retro fifties-looking swing dress pattern just for kicks. I thought I’d have my mom make it for either my rehearsal dress, or maybe a dress for the reception.
Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
I’ve been skipping along, not at all stressed. Whenever anyone asked, the answer was, “I’m still waiting to feel overwhelmed or anxious.” Well, I finally got stressed. Yesterday, as I was going through my list and Mr. P was playing golf, I realized we hadn’t done anything with the seating chart. I always knew, and ALWAYS said that I’m probably forgetting something pretty major. So there I was. Prophecy fulfilled.
Thankfully, Mrs. Bee gave me a complimentary trial of this wonderful software called PerfectTablePlan. So I dug around in my email to find the license key for it. I gotta tell you, it was a life saver, and really, really easy to use. It sort of reminds me of Visio.
You upload (we have everything in a spreadsheet) or enter in your guests’ names by hand. You can do it in singles, couples or groups.
Read more…
Featured on Weddingbee
“Make an elegant invitation statement without the fuss. Stylish invitation sets with matching envelopes, reception and response cards included.”
Featured Product: Laura Ashley Delicate Damask Invitation
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
My FMIL sent out the rehearsal dinner invitations the other week. It’s more of a welcome dinner than a rehearsal dinner, as everyone coming to the wedding is invited to the party the night before.
The RSVP deadline is today. So far about 50 (out of 80) people will be coming.
Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
Pink ribbons, vintage roses, a long veil… I never knew I was that girl!! I’ve talked about her before here. It’s just uncanny how wedding planning turns a person into TG. So, I own it; I’m in love with all that flowery, pink, and sparkly stuff. I surprised myself. I know, it was obvious to everyone, but me.
Aaaaanyway, after I saw this image (like so many other bees) on Martha last week, I decided that I need the petal toss. I never planned on the toss, so this last-minute addition really was a surprise.
Source
I didn’t consider it before because, well, it didn’t appeal to me. Plus, the way the chairs are arranged around the boxwoods in the garden where our ceremony will take place, it would be difficult to get a good aim!
Read more…
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
Early in our planning, I stumbled across this favor bag idea on Oncewed.com. I love the old-timey, countrified simplicity of these!!! 
Source
So, I decided to co-op the idea for our welcome bags.
Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
So after a wonderful reader educated me about the Amnesia rose, I emailed the name to my florist, who hadn’t a clue.
She spoke with her wholesaler who said they looked really awful, almost grayish purple in person. So I went back to searching, having armed myself with a few key terms like, “vintage rose” and “bicolor”. I sent her the names of three different varieties:
- La Belle Bicolor Novelty Rose
- Peppermint Bicolor Cream with Pink Rose
- New Geraldine
She said they can source the La Belle. I think they’re a bit better since they’re more pink than purple (I don’t have anything purple in my color scheme–oy, color scheme?). Anyhoo, my fingers are crossed that they are not too pink or plain/uninteresting/ugly!!! At this point, I don’t really care…although I wonder if I should just go back to the calla lilies. No, Miss P. Shut down your browser and walk away. (I’m talking to myself–a bad sign.)
Source
Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
As you may know, we did not register for anything. Well, actually, we buried a pseudo registry (Honeyfund.com) in our wedding website, but didn’t think anyone would navigate to it. However, people are more tenacious than we thought! So we had some thank you cards to write (especially after the non-shower dinner the other night)!!
Initially I was going to order up some thank you notes from Lindsey (our invitation designer extraordinaire) to match our invitations. But we never got around to it. A little while back, Mr. P came up with the idea of using something that is reflective and specific to our venue (since it’s kind of like a third character in our wedding play!).
Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
Dear Lovey-Magilacutty,
Exactly one year ago, you truly surprised me with your thoughtful and well-planned proposal. I’m sorry we can’t be together to honor the occasion today, but we’ll be celebrating an even bigger event very soon! Miss you and stay warm in Seattle!!
Happy engage-a-versary!
Love,
Miss P
P.S. And spanks for the hilarious e-card!!
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
Is it Cool Water? Or Smooth Moonlight? Or something else???
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
Our great friends, Travis and Suzi, hosted a (non)shower dinner for us at their rustic country restaurant, the Heart in Hand, on Friday night. It was so lovely!!! There were about 30 people, and the fun part was that it was kind of like a neat run-up to the wedding. I gotta say, even with only 30 people, it was hard to get around to saying hello to everyone (given it was only two hours long, or so). To encourage mingling, Suzi scared up some name tags for all the guests… even for US!
Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
My mother, Mr. P and I went to FMIL’s for Mother’s Day. There, we celebrated with a nice lunch of ham and Champagne and toasted to our wonderful mothers and Mr. P’s SIL (who is the mother of our flower girl and ring bearer).
It felt so warm and happy, and it was a lovely day. The sun was shining as we laughed, chatted, and ate out on the deck. My mother and FILs have met on several occasions, but these past few get-togethers have brought them so much closer together. Everyone gets along, and I’m grateful for that.
Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
So, I had my first serious nightmare last night. Among other things, it was about flowers. I dreamed that the tiny start-up florist that we went with used purple mums and some rope for my bouquet. Oh yeah, and a single wilted rose. There were some flowers in some pails in the getting-ready-room (which, by the way, was the green room of a theater) and I tried to put them together, but they kept calling my cue. Wedding, theater, it’s all the same.
Source
Read more…
Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
When I visited my mom on Sunday, she gave me a gift that one of her friends had left for me. It was some lingerie. And it came just in time. (BTW, I didn’t know Victoria’s Secret sells Betsy Johnson.)
I had on my mental checklist to purchase a little something for our wedding night, but it was waaaay low on the priority list.
Source
So, now I don’t have to! It’s white, bridal-y, simple, and fits! I love when unexpected things work out just right!
What does your wedding night lingerie look like?
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
Dear Lovey-Magilacutty,
Our great friends, Travis and Suzi, hosted a (non)shower dinner for us at their rustic country restaurant, the Heart in Hand, on Friday night. It was so lovely!!! There were about 30 people, and the fun part was that it was kind of like a neat run-up to the wedding. I gotta say, even with only 30 people, it was hard to get around to saying hello to everyone (given it was only two hours long, or so). To encourage mingling, Suzi scared up some name tags for all the guests… even for US!
