Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Funny that the wedding ceremony is so often a side note in the wedding-planning process. It’s easy to get caught up in menus and floral arrangements and invitation wording, and forget the part that actually gets you married!
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Our ceremony was held at The Athenaeum, in old town Alexandria, VA. The room was a big, empty gallery space with beautiful natural light and a nicely historic feel.
The folding chairs belonged to the Athenaeum. Our groomsmen and ushers set them up before the ceremony. As much as I drool with desire over a pretty Chiavari … these were free. And, after all, people just sit in them. (Or so I kept telling myself!) Read more…
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Once I pulled my wedding dress out of the closet on the day before the wedding, I couldn’t WAIT to put it on! The morning of the wedding, I woke up bouncing up and down with excitement that I finally got “to wear my dress, wear my dress, wear my dresssssssss.”
After we finished with hair and makeup, the time finally arrived. My MOH (a dear friend from college) and BM (Mr. T’s beautiful sister) came to my room at the Hotel Monaco for the dressing and final preparations.
As much as I love the traditional photos of an army preparing the woman in the huge white dress, I didn’t need much help with my simple, step-in-and-zip-up model. In fact, the gals needed as much help as I did:
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
OK, so this is jumping ahead in the wedding-day recap. But I couldn’t resist sharing photos of our beloved Sheltie Ring Bearer!! (Photos, as always, are by Punam Bean.)
(Zoe in the arms of the Sheltie Wrangler — a friend who kept her for the weekend, brought her to the wedding, and pointed her down the aisle when the time came.) Read more…
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
When I first started researching the cost of professional hair and makeup for weddings, I was SHOCKED! For a girl who usually gets her hair cut at the Aveda Institute for $18 a pop, prices in the hundreds of dollars were awe-inspiring. And that was just for the bride — bringing my mother and bridesmaids along for the ride would cost, roughly, one gazillion dollars.
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
While planning our wedding, I loved the idea of staying at a nice hotel the night before the wedding (by myself) and on the wedding night (joined by Mr. T). Unfortunately, we couldn’t spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars for the privilege. Originally, my plan was to bid on Priceline a few days beforehand and see what came up. But then my favorite travel discount site, Travelzoo, shared the great news that a new Hotel Monaco had opened in Alexandria, just 3 blocks from our ceremony site, and they were having a $99/night special.
And it turns out, staying there was a fantastic decision — they made the wedding weekend an absolute dream!
(Taking a pre-ceremony break on the world’s most comfortable bed) Read more…
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Well, it’s official. We’re back from our honeymoon. Let the long years of married life begin!
Our honeymoon started in San Francisco. We took a few days to see the city (best tips: ride the city’s 1940s streetcars, and check out the food stalls at the Ferry Building) and met with several friends, including the lovely and talented Mrs. Eggplant.
Unfortunately, I was under the weather part of the time, and Mr. T had to go to one dinner without me. He took this pic to show to the other couple, lest they accuse him of having made up the whole wife thing:
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Perhaps it’s the lesson of many long years of illness, but for the most part I’ve been easy-going about this wedding thing. As with most of my life, I do what I can given the time and energy available. And if something becomes impossible, I learn to do without.
So it was a bit of a surprise this week when I had my first genuine Bridezilla moment!
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
But for anyone else who might be using a lantern theme or hanging a lot of lanterns at the wedding site, how great is this new fabric from Ikea? It will be out in April.
(Sneak peek courtesy of Desire to Inspire, one of my favorite eye-candy design blogs)
The only use I can think of is stunning table runners, but I’m sure the more creative among you can think of more…. How would you use this, or how are you incorporating fabrics into your wedding?
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
With the wedding only a few weeks away, and March weather doing its usual crazy March weather thing, I’ve become slightly obsessed with the question of what the weather will be like on our wedding day.
The other night, I combed the Internet for month-long weather forecasts, and there were a few. But they were hard to read and didn’t seem to agree with one another.
And then? I found my Holy Grail. Turns out my usual go-to weather website, Weather Underground, has something called a “Trip Planner” that analyzes 30 years of statistical data for any location and date. Yes, it’s intended for travel, and I’ve definitely run our honeymoon locations to check the typical temperatures. But what a great idea for weddings too.
Or, maybe not so great. Apparently, we have a 17% chance that the weather will dip below freezing (though the average high is 55 degrees) and a 31% chance of rain. So now I’m obsessing about THOSE numbers!
(This is what it’s like outside at the moment….)
Anyone else keeping your fingers crossed in a big way??!
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Virgin America came to the DC area about 6 months ago, offering flights to California and other parts West. I’m a sucker for anything “budget with style”, and Virgin America has that in spades. Extra legroom, advanced in-flight entertainment, and plug-ins at each seat for your electronics make me one happy girl. (Even better, word is they have in-flight Wi-Fi in the works.) And even their full fares run around $150 each-way between DC and SFO/LAX, with frequent sales. Read more…
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Zoe is 14 months old, and the love of our lives. She adores everyone in the world, perhaps because she’s been fawned over by strangers from the moment she first put her pointy snout out into public. Our main pastimes seem to be Walking the Sheltie, Playing Fetch/Soccer with the Sheltie, Hanging out with the Sheltie at the Coffee Shop … you get the idea. Read more…
Mrs. Tulip, DCAge and Occupation: 36, RetiredFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't ContractorEngagement Date: August 8, 2007Wedding Date: March, 2008Venue: Still Looking!About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
