Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
After wrapping up our portraits, our guests began arriving quickly. We had a table welcoming them to the ceremony with programs, our guest book, escort cards, and yarmulkes for the men to wear if they wanted to.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
After our first look, newly armed with our flowers, we filled the last precious moments together before the ceremony with some more couple portraits. This session produced some of my favorite pictures as our excitement and nerves ebbed and flowed.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
After seeing Mr. Thimble for the first time on our wedding day, I was ready to get my bearings and make sure everything was in it’s place—or at least that the bridesmaids had a vague idea of what they should check up on. And it also meant finally getting my hands on my bouquet before continuing with more pictures.
I thought about calling this post this post “Epic Bouquet.” Our florist, upon looking through my inspiration pictures, surmised that I wanted a LARGE bouquet. I thought a regular bouquet would be just fine…but she handed me my flowers on wedding day and asked, “Is it big enough?” And I was enamored with the texture and the billy buttons and the chamomile and the pink and peachy fluffy bits. If it had to be big to fit them all in then bring on the big bouquet. =)
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
I had never heard of the “first look” until I found Weddingbee. I was opposed to the idea at first. I’m a traditional gal in a lot of ways, and when it came to my wedding day I always thought I would see my groom for the first time as I walked down the aisle. I would squeeze my father’s arm, Mr. Thimble would try to stay composed, but surely a tear would sneak down his cheek…but when I sat down with my timeline, I decided I would put those expectations aside in favor of more time for pictures and the prospect of enjoying some of our cocktail hour. =)
This proved to be an excellent idea for us Thimbles to work out our nerves before the big show.
This handsome fella was waiting for me when we pulled into the venue parking lot. I ducked down in the backseat while driver NY MoH hid the car from the guys behind the caterers’ setup. Meanwhile our photographers Lorraine and Greg coordinated timing and our meeting place.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
When I saw the photos of the guys “getting ready,” I wasn’t too surprised that they were already dressed when second-shooter Greg got to the scene. No bow-tying action shots for this group. Just hanging out, relaxing, passing the time.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Eeep…um…hi there! It has been a shameful length of time since I last recapped. And that was only about post number two of wedding day.
There’s usually a good reason for a blog pause, so I’ll explain mine: A few weeks ago, Mr. Thimble and I said goodbye to New York after five fun (and oftentimes busy and usually stressful) years and moved into our new home in central Pennsylvania. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a puppy, new jobs, major relocating and a house. Wait…that doesn’t rhyme…
But this is Weddingbee, and we’re interested (if not a little head-over-heels-obsessed) with the marriage part. So let’s rewind…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Once my bridesmaids and Momma Thimble were dressed and ready, all hands were on deck to help me into my dress and to share the big, (fluffy), wonderful, highly anticipated moment when I became a bride.
NY MoH helped me get my dress down from its hanging place. No one was too keen on me standing on a chair to get it, but I can be pretty stubborn.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
On wedding morning, LA MoH and I woke up, showered, grabbed some OJ from the hotel lobby and headed to Mr Thimble’s aunt’s salon at 9AM. There, we met the rest of the bridal party, Thimble Momma, and my relatives visiting from Ireland. Once our hair was done, we headed to my parents’ house where the real fun could begin, and where our photographers were meeting us to start capturing the day.
I asked a makeup artist I met at the Benefit counter to come to the house for my mom, my sister and me to ensure the perfect wedding look and of course, for the bloggable photo-ops. (Getting ready pics are some of my favorites.). Her name is Lori and she went to art school and she’s super sweet and cool.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
It’s finally time to get to the good stuff: Wedding day! These recaps have been a long time coming. I held off at first because I just wasn’t ready to dive back in. I didn’t want to rush them out like they were another time-sensitive obligation. But then life caught up with me (see Mrs. Panther’s recent post that really hits the nail on the head. I need not be redundant. My story: new puppy, moving, more responsibility at work, I lost sight of blogging in my inability to prioritize my life, and then it had been a year).
But now it’s time to share our beautiful pictures, all the details, and the touching and funny moments of our wedding day.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
After a quick sprint to the end of our last minute wedding crafts, we packed it in, dressed it up, and re-grouped at the Thimble-In-Law’s house for our improvised rehearsal in the backyard. The most stressful and most rewarding part of planning our wedding was putting together our interfaith ceremony. Part of that stress: The priest thought the rabbi would run the rehearsal and the rabbi told me they don’t rehearse. Huh.
Reading blog after blog of beautiful brides with beautiful weddings and documented rehearsals, and coming from a Catholic perspective where weddings are always rehearsed, I was disappointed and scared. I did not want to wonder what’s coming next while trying to take in and enjoy every moment during our ceremony. We were also among the first in our group of friends and the first of our siblings to get married, which meant that most of our wedding party had never gone down the aisle before. So I enlisted a newlywed friend and called upon my theatre training and led us in a very basic blocking and run-through rehearsal so we could all feel a little more confident. To make the event feel more official and attune to my expectations, I created an e-vite using Paperless Post:
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
In the final week (or, lets be honest, several weeks) leading up to our wedding, the Thimble apartment in Queens was a flurry of crafts and projects. Or… to be even more honest, in the words of my MOH from LA who was seeing my digs for the first time, it was a disaster. How, after a 2-year engagement, did I manage to save bridesmaids’ gifts, out of town bags, favors and my wedding garters for the last couple weeks? Well… I uhmm ehh…
Let’s just continue on. I finally got out of our messy apartment in NYC and on the road with my Mom, my sis, and LA MOH, en route to Pennsylvania…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Nearly a year ago already (yeesh!), I started getting nervous for my much-anticipated bridal shower. I shared with the hive my talented family’s hand-crafted shower invitations, my perfect bridal shower dress redesign, and I tapped Weddingbee’s incredible resources and hired the sweet Ms. Candy Corn to photograph the busy day.
My bridal shower combined all the women from both sides of the Thimble family and friends, which made for a large guest list. It would have been a beautiful outdoor affair, but it rained that day (so fitting for a shower! Err…). So NYMoH and I entered a jam-packed house. I had to shout out for anyone to realize we had arrived, but I spotted Candy Corn right away!
Despite the crowd, my mother’s (and godmother’s, and mother-in-law’s) decor details were not lost on me. I took it all in as I made my rounds and greeted my loved ones:
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Married life has opened the door to all new kinds of commitment for Mr. Thimble and me. We’ve been researching buying a home, which has led us to set up some long-term savings plans, I’ve been pondering my dream job that I can love for all time, and we fell in head over heels for a little puppy we’ve named Penny.
So no, this post is not about marital finances (phew!), or about good luck proverbs, but about our newest commitment and love of our lives. Hive, meet the newest edition to the Thimble family: bitty pretty puppy Penny!!
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
I really like the energetic tone and writing style in this post. I had more steam and excitement in the early days of blogging. Actually executing our plans started getting in the way just before the wedding. You know, minor detail…
Whenever I felt like I was losing my voice or a DIY or research-filled post was too dry, I’d re-read this one to get me back on track. I still feel the same excitement now, just after the wedding, as I did then. I hit some stress bumps in the road, but on the other side of it all, I am really proud of how our wedding turned out, and I’m not lying in this post: I want to be a wedding planner/event designer. The job search is on! This post is a glimpse into why I wanted to be a bee, and how (I hope) I’ve found my calling by way of a big love-filled life milestone.
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A match-up of me and planning our wedding… that is… {Fair warning- I’m letting you all in on my bridal crazy, right here from the start. Keeping it real for y’all.}
I love planning our wedding. I think I was born to plan this wedding. I’ve been waiting my whole life for the opportunity to plan my wedding.
I don’t mean to take one giant leap backward for womankind. Of course I cringe at traditional female roles-of-old and their lack of possibility. I know there are women out there who don’t necessarily see themselves settling down, and I respect that. A good part of me envies their drive and focus. But I. love. every. second. of planning this event.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
So, you want to know what I was like in high school, eh? Oh man.
High School Thimble was: Drama Club Actress, Stage Manager and Treasurer; Choir Alto 2, and Officer with a made-up title of Instrumental Liaison to communicate schedules with Marching Band in which I served as a Squad Leader in the Flute Section. Add to that a community service stint in a traveling educational puppet show called Kids on the Block, my weekend job as a Cashier and Bagger at Shop N’ Bag and occasional Babysitter, a fairly intense Social Life and All Honors Classes because I was gifted and I could do it all!
In other words, I was a disaster. An all-nighter-pulling, granola-bars-for-dinner on my way to rehearsal, struggling-to-keep-up with my school work while maintaining an academic elitist attitude. An over-extended teenager who would not listen to reason from my parents to chill the heck out.
AP English class with some friends I’ve hardly seen since then during finals week, or the last week… or sometime toward the end. On the left is the AP chalkboard where students of note were posted for all to see… Mr. T and I were listed under “AP Couples.”
While my best friends were celebrating senior week at the beach, I was performing Moliere at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska: Read more…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
This post is a glimpse into why I wanted to be a bee, and how (I hope) I’ve found my calling by way of a big love-filled life milestone.
