Mrs. Penguin, Northern CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 27, Weddingbee Editor in ChiefFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Doctor of Physical TherapyEngagement Date: January 29, 2007Wedding Date: June 7, 2008Blogging Since: September 14, 2007Venue: Winery in the Gold CountryAbout 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!
I’m just a month shy of my 3-year wedding anniversary and I have a confession to make: by the close of the holiday season this year, I’d officially gained 25 pounds since our wedding.
Being a newlywed is pretty blissful—lots of great meals, lots of travel, lots of basking in the glow of finally being done with wedding planning and moving on into the next stage of your life. Mr. Peng and I ate our way through Thailand this past winter, where I looked a lot like this:
Mouth agape, willing to accept whatever happened to fall in it, like a giant pummelo, for instance.
Mrs. Seal, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 25, Personal AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Sales and Support SpecialistEngagement Date: December 12, 2009Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Sts Peter and Paul Church/The Bently ReserveAbout Me: I am a goofy, wannabe crafty, well-intentioned Renaissance Woman (OK, perhaps "aimless wanderer" is a more aptly suited term for me, but hopefully you get the point)—basically I dabble in just about everything and pride myself in such. Without warning, I occasionally breakout into soulful improvised songs and interpretive dances and there's just no stopping me! As so many others before me, planning our wedding has unearthed a deep, intense passion for all things bridal and I secretly fear the day it will come to an end. Mr. Seal and I are quite the pair and life with him by my side is extremely rewarding—I am so thankful to have found him. Together we are planning a black-tie San Francisco affair for 250—light on the stuffiness and with lots of extra Seal-y flair.
Warning: For the purpose of telling a story, this particular blog contains a bunch of pictures of me. I personally found it pretty unnerving to see my face over ten times on a single page, so I thought I’d save you the shock and give you all a head’s up.
My “weight-loss journey” has been a long one. I wasn’t always overweight. Though I was over nine pounds when I was born, as a child I was pretty skinny (or at least average if nothing else).
Mrs. Biscuit, Morgantown, WVAge and Occupation: 24, Dental StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Chemist at a pharmaceutical companyEngagement Date: April 2010Wedding Date: July 2011Venue: Catholic Church, Lakeview Golf Resort and SpaAbout Me: I'm an engineer who decided to trek back to my hometown three years ago to become skilled in the arts of drilling and filling. I'm engaged to a pretty awesome guy who tests your assorted benzodiazepines by day and home brews by night. Together we have two fur children, Tsali and Tobias N. Fünkat. I'm a lazy perfectionist and eternal sorority girl who enjoys running, crafting, string cheese, good beer, and bad reality TV. We are planning a Big Fat Italian/Sicilian/Polish wedding filled with DIY details and are expecting 300 +/- 50 guests. Our whimsical summer affair is themed "Alice attends the Mad Hatter Vintage Garden Tea Party in a Ballroom. She Thinks That The Venue is Odd for a Vintage Garden Party, but is Tripping on LSD, so She Doesn't Really Care." Yes, I am the Dickens of themes.
I’ve been a pretty avid runner for years now. I may not look like it, but I often get crazy if I don’t get in my 6-8 miles per day.
When I’m really stressed out, I’ll up it to 10-13. Yeah, I’m that girl you make angry dagger eyes at while at the gym because I monopolize the treadmill or inclined elliptical. I only do that when the gym is empty though. I promise. Please stop stabbing me with your eyes.
I’m also not one of those cool, calm, and collected runners who find their solace running outside. For some reason, I hate it. I like to choose when I go up a hill, and I always have this underlying fear that a hobo on our Rails to Trails will cut out one of my kidneys or other vital organs.
Because I was already active and dare I say, in very good running shape, getting fit for the wedding seemed like a moot point. Except that, well, a few months ago, I kind of stopped. Read more…
Mrs. Magic, Chapel Hill, NCAge and Occupation: 30, Licensed Clinical Social WorkerFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, ResearcherEngagement Date: December 1, 2009Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Barn at ValhallaAbout Me: I’m a tall drink of water (5’10”!) and a Southern bride with an enormous appetite for Mexican food, good deals, anything French, and all things wedding! By day I am lucky enough to work with individuals with autism and their families. By night, I’m even luckier to be able to spend time hanging out with awesome friends, crafting, shopping, thinking about exercising, and kicking it with Mr. Magic and our two cats. I tend to have sudden, intense cravings that will not be denied (seafood enchiladas! new jeans!) and I’m prone to being a disorganized mess of anxiety and stress. After waiting (and waiting!) to get engaged, I am finally planning the colorful, fun, fabulously awesome Fall wedding of our dreams. In an effort to share the fun and craziness that is wedding planning, I’m gonna blog about it for y’all---the good, the bad, and the pretty!
Mrs. Zebra, Providence, RIAge and Occupation: 24 Marketing/Costume DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26 Management/Firefighter Engagement Date: December 12, 2008Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: The Providence BiltmoreAbout Me: I'm a small town New England girl with an affinity for procrastination, crossing the proverbial line, and putting her foot in her mouth. I'm a lover of history, all seasons, sewing and Incubus. I design costumes on the side for my old high school's theatre department, which is where I met my sexy man. Our motto for our Big Fat Lebanese/Portuguese/Irish near-300 person wedding is "the more the merrier"! We are marrying in a Catholic ceremony and are hammering out the details of our Victorian-inspired reception.
GTL… Gym, Tan, Laundry. I can’t help it, I’m trying to look fresh to death on the big day!
I’m going to skip over the whole tan situation because I’ve mentioned several times before that I’m Irish but what I haven’t mentioned is that I have a very strong history of skin cancers in my family. So… we’re just going to move on ahead and never mention this again. I figure all the good I’ve been doing at the G will off-set the bad I’m doing at the T. Denial is indeed a river in Egypt. Read more…
Mrs. Panther, Atlanta GA/Westport CTAge and Occupation: 24, Web WriterFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Music Recording EngineerEngagement Date: March 13, 2010Wedding Date: July 2011Venue: The Inn at LongshoreAbout Me: I'm a total goofball who goes through life at a breakneck pace, trying not to knock anything over. I tend to fall in love with everything I encounter, but more than anything, I love my two little kitties, Bela and Josie, and my big kitty, Mr. Panther! As a wannabe crafter, I'm still waiting for my artistic talents to emerge. (Any day now, really.) In the meantime, I spend my days eating anything put in front of me, buying every pair of shoes I see and absorbing wedding inspiration from every inch of my surroundings. Mr. Panther and I are hardcore New Englanders planning Connecticut nuptials from our new home in the Dirty South, and can't wait to mix our newfound love of classic Southern charm with some modern city touches.
I’ve been fairly active my whole life, but I go through some periods that are better than others. When I was 13, I started joining my parents at the gym. Just like them, I did a half hour of cardio and a half hour of weights. Ah, if only I’d kept that up.
I continued visiting the gym throughout high school, but when I got to college, I very quickly learned that the Freshman 15 was not a myth. I was too busy partying and eating pizza for every meal to exercise, and before I knew it, I was the heaviest I’d ever been.
Mrs. Eggs Benedict, SeattleAge and Occupation: 29, AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 35, AttorneyEngagement Date: December 5, 2009Wedding Date: February 2011Venue: IslandWoodAbout Me: I'm a Northwest girl who spends my time goofing around with Mr. Eggs Benedict and our dog, hiking, traveling, drinking wine and planning a wedding that will showcase the best of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer. I also love photography, beating Mr. Eggs Bene at Mario Kart, and watching the most ridiculous natural disaster flicks you can think of (seriously, how can you deny the awesomeness that is The Core or 2012?? That's right, you can't). We are planning our weekend wedding adventure at an environmental educational center, and I can't wait for the fun to begin!
Miss Eggs Benedict note: I wrote this post back in the beginning of January to help me stay on track for the final push to the wedding. But I still wanted to share this to let you know what I’ve been doing these last two months before the wedding with regards to fitness and my health.
Oops. It’s been 11 days since my last workout. And it’s only seven weeks until our wedding—the hazards of a wedding not too far after Christmas!
But, I’ve made a couple of decisions that should help me shed a few more pounds before the wedding. I know that it won’t be a lot, but my main goal at this point is toning and feeling good about myself, and I think these will help me reach those two goals. Read more…
Mrs. Pancakes, New York/Costa RicaAge and Occupation: 26, Law School StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Latin American Policy AnalystEngagement Date: March 12, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Casa Punto de VistaAbout Me: I’m a perfectionist with a big heart. I love a good laugh and firmly believe no one has ever regretted being prepared! My motto is “go big or go home.” I am incapable of doing anything in moderation, especially when it comes to shopping, TV, food and travel, and some would say wedding planning! The other half of this nearlywed team is a laid-back, adventure-loving, accident prone, sweetie from LA. He makes me laugh, is always down for an impromptu dance party, and totally indulges most of my hare-brained schemes. Now, in my final year of law school, we’ll be spending the spring abroad in Amsterdam and planning a DIY, whimsical, detail-filled destination wedding in Costa Rica!
In June, I got a Groupon for a 30-day pass at Bikram Yoga Harlem and, after months of procrastinating, finally got myself up there! It was A-mazing! Especially after two years of an unbelievably sedentary lifestyle (like, literally 20 hours a day sitting or lying in bed!).
Ms. Sloth, PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 35, Account Manager and Fashion BloggerFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Design AdminEngagement Date: December 25, 2009Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Bartram's GardenAbout Me: I'm an internet junkie and music snob with a good eye for a bargain. I couldn't live without thrift store shopping, cheeseburgers, sushi, Coke Zero, websites devoted to silly photos of baby animals, Photoshop, and Mr. Sloth. Speaking of which, he and I are a pair of goofball homebody nerds who love our beagle (the most ridiculously adorable dog EVER) to an embarrassing degree. We're planning a low-key and intimate yet festive and quirky outdoor wedding with DIY details and deeply personal touches, and it's all taking place in the city where we fell in love and call home: Philadelphia.
I started Weight Watchers on September 23rd, 2010. Four months later, I am down exactly 27 pounds. Thanks to the handy tools on WeightWatchers.com, I know that that means I’ve lost an average of 1.5 pounds per week and almost 15% of my total body weight.
I wish that things were going at a quicker rate, but 1.5 pounds a week is considered a healthy weight loss rate. And I’ll be honest: I slacked a bit around the holidays and gained almost 3 pounds. I lost it again (and then some) but it definitely slowed me down. But you know what? I don’t regret it. My future mother-in-law is an amazing cook and I didn’t want to miss a bite!
I didn’t think to take a before photo, but here is an engagement photo that was shot a few weeks before I started dieting. I put the same dress on today to take a progress photo (don’t judge on the wrinkled dress or my messy updo, please!)
Mrs. Hippo, New York City/Dallas, TXAge and Occupation: 34, Event Planner for a Non-Profit Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Finance ITEngagement Date: August 8, 2009Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: Samuel Lynne Galleries and Marc EventsAbout Me: I’m a thirty-something bride living in New York City and planning a modern-ish wedding in Dallas, Texas. I love trashy reality television (Jersey Shore, anyone?), online shopping, Sunday brunch, Central Park, and random celebrity spottings on the streets of Manhattan. While I love NYC, I miss good Tex-Mex, my college friends, central A/C, and being in close proximity to a Target. I’m thrilled to finally be planning an event that’s not work-related and to be marrying my best friend in what I hope will be a unique and personal ceremony followed by a reception with plenty of good food, good drinks, and dancing (regardless if it’s good or not).
I’m so glad that we’ve made it past all the holidays. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Christmas and New Year’s, but I am so glad to have all the sweets out of the office and to not be the only person on a mission to get in shape. Bring on 2011 resolutions!
I mentioned my workout calendar before, and I’m happy to report that it’s really helping me stay on track. Let’s take a look-see, shall we? Here’s how I did in December:
Mrs. Glasses, Tokyo/Los Angeles, CAAge and Occupation: 24, English teacherFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, English teacherEngagement Date: September 2008Wedding Date: October 2010 Venue: Parents' backyardAbout Me: I’m an expat living in Tokyo. I’ve been in Japan for almost three years now, where I met my fantastic English fiance. It’s time to leave Japan, so we are planning a fun, intimate, backyard ceremony back home in the suburbs of L.A. in October. Our wedding will be a mix of my love for food, beer, my Japanese culture, and Mr. G’s Englishness. We are on a tiny budget and DIYing almost everything!
It’s almost time. The impending New Year is coming, with the year of 2010 having come and gone ridiculously fast. With the New Year it’s time to make some resolutions. But more importantly, did you watch the premiere of I Used To Be Fat last night?
I can remember this time last year very clearly. It was 10 months before the wedding and I was convinced, “I’m never going to lose weight!”
I had been slightly overweight since high school. Read more…
Mrs. Jam, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 25, Writer/Associate Wedding CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Structural EngineerEngagement Date: December 23, 2009Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Hunter’s Ridge, Princeton, ILAbout Me: I’m a penny-pinching cat lady getting ready to marry the frugal dog lover of my dreams. Our ideal Saturday morning includes rummaging around people’s junk at garage and estate sales followed by an afternoon date to our favorite café, where we only eat sandwiches that include the word “salad.” We actually love it so much, it’s sort of our unofficial wedding theme: Look at our delicious finds, eat homemade ham salad, and celebrate our love…barndance style. When we’re not obsessing over our love-fest shindig, we’re planning themed parties for our best friends and jamming to '90s music.
I’m happy to say that Operation “Turn into a Yogini and Wear a Miniskirt to the Grocery Store” has begun!
[Note: My miniskirted days are likely over, but wouldn’t it be nice to just have that option?]
Yes, the pre-wedding workouts have begun. And if you associated the aforementioned word “yogini” with yoga, you are absolutely correct! My routine of choice? BIKRAM.
I’ll pause while everyone shudders. Or at least everyone who had an experience similar to that of Mrs. Ribbons.
I think at this point, most people have heard of Bikram yoga: It’s a 90-minute routine of 26 insane postures in 105-degree, humid, stagnant air. It’s chic, in a way, because it’s like the Ironman of yoga, complete with sweating, grunting, even the occasional ripping off of one’s shirt and fist-pumping in a fit of rage…or elation.
Mrs. French Toast, Pleasanton, CAAge and Occupation: 29, Marketing & PRFiance's Age and Occupation: IT geek by day, self-proclaimed handyman by nightEngagement Date: October 2009Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: Palm Event CenterAbout Me: I’m a city girl at heart who moved to the suburbs a year ago. Now I’m adjusting to life with a front lawn, nosy neighbors, cooking attempts, and making sure the garbage pail is pulled out on time every week! When I’m not traveling, Mr. FT and I enjoy marathon sessions of Law & Order: SVU, snowboarding, photography, spoiling our 3-year old yorkie-poodle Mokka and disagreeing over what music to listen to in the car. We’re planning a small winery wedding while incorporating some cultural elements into the day as a nod to our Chinese backgrounds.
Mrs. Hippo, New York City/Dallas, TXAge and Occupation: 34, Event Planner for a Non-Profit Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Finance ITEngagement Date: August 8, 2009Wedding Date: March 2011Venue: Samuel Lynne Galleries and Marc EventsAbout Me: I’m a thirty-something bride living in New York City and planning a modern-ish wedding in Dallas, Texas. I love trashy reality television (Jersey Shore, anyone?), online shopping, Sunday brunch, Central Park, and random celebrity spottings on the streets of Manhattan. While I love NYC, I miss good Tex-Mex, my college friends, central A/C, and being in close proximity to a Target. I’m thrilled to finally be planning an event that’s not work-related and to be marrying my best friend in what I hope will be a unique and personal ceremony followed by a reception with plenty of good food, good drinks, and dancing (regardless if it’s good or not).
I wish I was one of those people who simply loves to exercise. But I’m not. In fact…I hate working out. I know it’s important for my health. I know that I feel better about my body and that my clothes fit better when I do it. But I hate it. I really do. With our wedding less than 100 days away though, I’m trying to suck it up and get my ass to the gym so that I don’t regret NOT working out every time I look at my wedding pictures.
So, in order to con/guilt myself into working out, I started this wedding workout calendar earlier this month.
Ms. Sloth, PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 35, Account Manager and Fashion BloggerFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Design AdminEngagement Date: December 25, 2009Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Bartram's GardenAbout Me: I'm an internet junkie and music snob with a good eye for a bargain. I couldn't live without thrift store shopping, cheeseburgers, sushi, Coke Zero, websites devoted to silly photos of baby animals, Photoshop, and Mr. Sloth. Speaking of which, he and I are a pair of goofball homebody nerds who love our beagle (the most ridiculously adorable dog EVER) to an embarrassing degree. We're planning a low-key and intimate yet festive and quirky outdoor wedding with DIY details and deeply personal touches, and it's all taking place in the city where we fell in love and call home: Philadelphia.
The good news: After two solid months of hardcore Weight Watchers, I am down almost 20 pounds! I still don’t see a difference when I look in the mirror, but I’m able to fit into some clothes that I’d outgrown this past year, and other people are beginning to notice. It’s nice to see that my hard work is paying off!
Unique Wedding Favors
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