Weddingbee Blog

Hi Hive! A heads up from your friendly neighborhood Penguin!

We will be performing routine maintenance on the boards tomorrow, Thursday February 9th, around 10AM PST. We expect for the boards portion of the site to be down for about 1 hour. Feel free to join us right here on the blog during the outage!

Let me know if you have any questions, or if you want to commiserate about boards withdrawal symptoms you may be experiencing during the downtime, you can let us know in the comments. We feel you.

Hello, hive!! I am beyond excited to become part of Weddingbee and to be the new Miss Woodpecker. This is truly a dream come true for me—so much so that when I got Penguin’s email, I didn’t actually believe it. I quickly skimmed through it looking for the words “I’m sorry” when I saw “addition to the Weddingbee team.” I figured I had read it wrong so went back and read it twice more. Then, I still didn’t believe it. That’s when I decided I had figured out what was going on: I had been spammed! Turns out, that wasn’t true, either. Apparently people don’t spam other people with “you’ve been accepted to Weddingbee” emails. After a quick reality check from my BFF (and fellow Weddingbee lover) I nearly fell off my chair in excitement.

I have been reading Weddingbee for much longer than I’d like to admit. Before I even knew Mr. Woodpecker existed, I used Weddingbee to plan the imaginary wedding of my dreams and followed other bees on their glorious days. Once Mr. WP and I did get engaged, I realized that Weddingbee and the web were invaluable resources for planning my own day, and I have since been spending countless hours researching projects and ideas. I am thrilled that now I get to share our planning journey, and I hope to be able to inspire a few of you as those bees before me did for me.

(personal photo)

Read more…

The last icon in the Woodland Creatures generation has been snagged! I’m excited to hear all about what a Glazier is…I could clearly Google it, but I REFUSE! ;)  We’re so excited to welcome our newest bee to the hive…say hello to Miss Woodpecker!

Miss Woodpecker, Branford, CT
Age & Occupation: 27, Graduate Student/School Psych Intern
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 29, Glazier
Engagement Date: Christmas Eve 2010
Wedding Date: September 2012
Venue: Owenego Beach Club
About Me: I’m a Connecticut native planning a coastal beach wedding in our hometown. My loves in life include: food, family and the fiance. I’m a planner/organization fiend, by nature and by addiction, and am obsessed with all things wedding and design. We’re trying to put personal touches on everything we can in our wedding, to really make it personal to us, our family, and friends. In the middle of wedding planning, I’m also finishing up grad school, and will be starting a brand new career within weeks of our wedding. It’s going to be an adventure!

Howdy!!! I am so very excited to meet you! Forgive my gratuitous puns, but seriously it is scooooone nice to meet you! After obsessively checking my email and trying my hardest to be patient, one morning I received an email from Pengy and I thought I read the email wrong. I had to re-read it a few times in disbelief because it was way too exciting. Then I had to announce it in my office and call my better half…ahhh!!!

I am sooo very excited to be baking up some fun in the hive as Miss Scone! Why Miss Scone? Scones are one of my favorite breakfast treats, they are also one of my favorite things to bake (favorite recipe is below just in case you are tempted!). While I am not baking anything for the wedding, it is one of my favorite things to do…

Here’s a bit about us:

I grew up between Oregon and Northern California (think five hours north of San Francisco—what up Eureka and hey Eugene!), fled the West Coast for college (howdy Mount Holyoke!), decided snow wasn’t for me so I bounced between Oregon, Washington, and California until I finally settled in Napa. I am someone who must have projects on my plate (not one, sometimes two, usually three or more…), I love baking from scratch (bread, cake, SCONES, cookies, pies, etc.). Family is super important to both of us, and we know how to have a good time. Whenever I have the chance, I try to head outside to enjoy the beautiful area I live in, and I am actively trying to re-learn to like running…

(Personal photo)

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Happy Friday hive! This week positively zoomed by! The Weddingbee applications committee has been furiously reviewing applications that have come in this month (we’re positively thrilled that so many of you want to join the ranks of the bees!) and we’re excited to introduce our newest bee blogger: Miss Scone! Join me in giving her a warm welcome!

Miss Scone, Napa/Kansas City
Age & Occupation: 31, Recruiter
Fiancee’s Age & Occupation: 33, Motorcycle Mechanic
Engagement Date: April 15, 2010
Wedding Date: July 2012
Venue: Boulevard Brewery
About Me: I am a West Coast girl that fell for a Midwestern girl. I can’t get enough of baking, projecting, family and our fluffy dog child Darby. I bake by smell, haven’t used a timer in years and years. Having a major project on the horizon and a busy schedule keep me sane. I love beer even though I live in Napa (but I like wine too, just not as much as beer). We are planning a family friendly convivial affair in Kansas City and can’t wait to share the adventures.

Hi Hive!

Bzz bzz! It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve finally got all our ducks in a row and are going to begin sending out Weddingbee Newsletters and Offers next month! We know you’re a busy bride, and many of you have been asking for highlights and “best of the best” from Weddingbee via a newsletter.

In the newsletter, you can expect a run down of the hottest Weddingbee posts for the past couple weeks, some of the most discussed and helpful boards threads, as well as tips and advice from real hive members (that’s you!).

The newsletter is opt-in—you likely opted in or out of it when you registered for an account. To check to see whether you’ve opted in to the newsletter, view your profile (accessible in the top right-hand corner of the site), then navigate to “Profile” > “Edit.”

We’ll start off by sending newsletters every other week, and then depending on response, will consider going weekly…if you want it!

We’re so excited to continue to inspire your wedding planning with real posts and tips from REAL BRIDES like you.

We’ll see you in your inbox!

Love is in the air, and you know what that means…it’s time for our FIFTH annual Weddingbee Valentine’s Day swap, organized this year by our fab Community Coordinator, Bakerella!

If you’re new around the Hive, (welcome and congrats on your engagement!) we do these swaps a few times a year. Essentially you get three partners, they send you a card (and if you have amazing partners, sometimes recipes or sweets), you send your partners likewise. They’re easy peasy, and put a smile on your face because it’s mail that doesn’t come with a request for money at the end!

For all the details, head to this thread to check out how you can participate. The deadline to sign up is Monday, January 16, 2012, so head on over, sign up, and get swapping!

And for a fun trip down memory lane (and to get inspired this Valentine’s Day!), check out the previous swaps here, here, here, and here!

That’s Coyote for “Hello there, hive!!”

I’m Miss Coyote and I am so excited to be here! I saw the email from Pengy pop up right as I was leaving work last night and could hardly contain myself. Thankfully most of my coworkers had left for the day, so I’m hoping that no one saw me bouncing up and down like a little kid at Christmas! I quickly packed up my things and ran home to share the good news with the mister.

So who are we anyway? Well, Mr. Coyote and I met many moons ago at our alma mater in Westchester County, New York and have been inseparable ever since! We quickly bonded over our addiction to love for coffee and classic rock.

Personal pic / Mr. C and me rockin’ out at an AC/DC concert

Now, six years later, we live in Westchester, work in Manhattan, and are getting married in upstate New York. Whew, that’s a lotta love for the Big Apple!

Read more…

The hive is alive and back in full swing with our second bee introduction this week! What a way to kick off 2012! Join me in giving a warm welcome and friendly howl to Miss Coyote!

Miss Coyote, Westchester, NY
Age & Occupation: 26, Administrative Assistant
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 30, Computer Programmer
Engagement Date: August 2010
Wedding Date: June 2012
Venue: Franklin Plaza
About Me: I am an overly-caffeinated, sports-obsessed history nerd who loves a good book and hates bananas. Originally from a small town in Upstate NY, I made the move to Westchester County and never looked back! My loves include NBC Thursdays, red wine, fleece pajamas, and my amazing fiancé. Together we are planning a formal evening affair for 175 guests with a mix of new and old traditions and plenty of personal touches.

It went down a little like this.

*Ding*Ding*Ding* Flu-stricken me is awoken from an afternoon nap by the annoying sound of my cell phone’s new email alert. I groggily open the email—it’s from Pengy and I immediately think, “Finally, my rejection email!” But once I start reading “and think you’d be a great addition to the Weddingbee…”

WHAT!

Jumps out of bed (completely ignoring the protesting joints and bones), runs down the stairs, and screams “I’m a bee!” into the kitchen to Mami Boa and Lil Boa (my mom and lil sis/MOH). Both being aware of my Weddingbee addiction and post-blogger-application-sending anxiety, they gave me big hugs and said their congratulations. I ran back upstairs to text everyone who knew I had applied (a grand total of three people) and got my FI’s reply back in three seconds: “Awesome, who do I get to be?”

Well, you get to be Mr. Boa Constrictor (in desperate need of a nickname, though…Mr. B, Mr. Boa, Mr. BC, Mr. Anaconda or Python…any other ideas?).

Read more…

Our newest bee comes to us from gorgeous Puerto Rico! We can’t wait to follow her journey! Please join us in welcoming Miss Boa Constrictor to the hive!

Miss Boa Constrictor, Isabela, Puerto Rico
Age & Occupation: 22, Undergraduate Student
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 23, Soon-to-be Civil Engineer
Engagement Date: May 19, 2011
Wedding Date: May 2012
Venue: El Faro Convention Center
About Me: I’m a Caribbean gal, born and bred on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, finishing her last year as an undergrad. I describe myself as a “closet nerd” as I secretly enjoy reading research papers, playing video games, and geeking out on Lord of the Rings movie marathons. I will marry my college sweetheart, a soon-to-be civil engineer, who loves Legos and old-school Puerto Rican cooking. This is sure to be a fast-paced year with our wedding, honeymoon, college graduation, new jobs, and a cross-country move all within less than 30 days of each other!

Join us for a Post a Thon tonight on the boards beginning at 4PM PST and going on until 10PM PST! If you’ve never participated in a Weddingbee Post a Thon, we’d love for you to join us! It’s an opportunity for everyone site-wide (moderators, hostesses, blogger bees, and hive members) to gather on the boards for chat, advice, and discussion. It’s an especially great time to get lots of feedback on your current projects and ideas!

Please join us tonight for another great Post a Thon. We look forward to seeing you on the boards!

I can’t believe I am saying hello to THE hive right now. I opened the email inviting me to become a bee in the middle of a really tough day at my job as an after-school teacher…needless to say I squealed, jumped up and down (terrifying the kids that were sitting in my office), and totally finished my day off grinning from ear to ear. I had to let the shock wear off a little bit before I could sit down and write this post. Needless to say, it still hasn’t totally set in just yet!

I’ve been poking around on Weddingbee for years, long before there was an engagement ring in sight. What can I say? The hive is a pretty incredible place! I am so humbled to bee (sorry, it’s obligatory!) blogging among such an intelligent, creative, beautiful, and inspiring group of women.

So who are the Opossums? We’re ridiculously fun Floridians who have been dating since we were 16 years old…Mr. Opossum is the one thing I took with me from my high school biology class. Our last names just so happen to be close to each other in the alphabet, which meant we were forced to sit next to each other. He immediately started making goofy jokes, so of course I developed a girly little crush…one that has lasted for seven whole years! We’ve survived three high school proms, four years of long-distance commuting while in college, and four months on different continents while I was studying abroad in Italy. We’re finally back in one place and could not be more ready or excited to tie the knot!

I’m working toward becoming an interior architect, which means I’m putting together a design portfolio and applying to grad school while planning this wedding. I love being creative in pretty much every aspect of my life, so planning this wedding is just another great opportunity for me to flex my design muscle! I really enjoy traveling, trying new foods, running, hanging out with kids at my job, and forcing Mr. Opossum to take me on long drives.

Read more…

Happy Friday hive! We can hardly believe there are nine days until Christmas!!! We’re kicking today off with the introduction of our newest bee! Give a warm welcome to Miss Opossum, coming to us from sunny Florida!

Miss Opossum, Tallahassee
Age & Occupation: 23, Aspiring Interior Architect
Fiance’s Age & Occupation: 23, Soon to be Firefighter
Engagement Date: October 30, 2011
Wedding Date: April 2012
Venue: The Retreat at Bradley’s Pond
About Me: I am a recent design graduate and aspiring interior architect that is a compulsive list maker, a Christmas light fanatic, and an avid nap-taker. This freckle-faced Southern girl loves being on the back of a horse, hanging out at the gym, and watching SVU with her rugby-playing fiance. It is a dream come true to finally be planning a wedding (in five months) to my high school sweetheart (of seven years). While preparing to tie the knot we’re also balancing Fire College, grad school applications, jobs, and precious time with our supportive family and friends. We’re moving fast…but are excited about enjoying every moment of this time in our lives!

Hi Hive! We’ve been getting several reports from users that the Avast antivirus program  is marking Weddingbee as a suspicious/malicious site. We had tech look into this report and were able to reproduce the issue—the Avast Antivirus had recently upgraded their software which has incorrectly placed us on their block list.

You should no longer be receiving these messages as of this morning—Avast has corrected the issue in their release today at 9:45AM.

We just wanted to assure you that Weddingbee is safe to surf, and that this was an error on Avast’s end.  Please let us know here, on Facebook or on Twitter if you continue to receive malware messages.

Happy surfing, hive members!