Miss Mink, Charlottesville, VirginiaAge and Occupation: 34, College AdministratorFiance's Age and Occupation: 40, Craft Beer ConsultantEngagement Date: November 26, 2010Wedding Date: June 2012Venue: Pippin Hill Farm & VineyardsAbout Me: I left a pre-war brownstone in Boston six years ago to live in a funky, Southern city where Thomas Jefferson, Dave Matthews, and urban chicken keepers enjoy equal social standing. I still love my Patriots and Red Sox, but have fallen in love with Virginia. I work in education and specialize in integrating technology into my work to improve the student experience. I’m a diehard blogger, animal lover, jamband follower, and DIYer. I paint to relax and have transferred by energy from home projects to wedding projects in recent months. When Mr. Mink and I started talking about marriage, we knew our wedding would be outdoors, that my golden retriever would be part of the day, and that the music would be fantastic. We’ve taken a few risks during our planning process and we’ve been enjoying the process immensely!
Do you remember the boutonnieres I made for our ring bearers, which I shared a few weeks ago? I stacked rosettes made out of ribbon and added a little puppy figurine to make them a little less stuffy than the traditional boutonnieres that the groomsmen will be wearing. Junior Mink, my golden retriever, is our constant companion (so constant that people seem surprised if they see us downtown without him!), and I thought it’d be fun to have a few references to him at our wedding.
Photo by Miss Mink
In addition to our four ring bearers, Mr. Mink’s niece is going to serve as our flower girl. I have a feeling Mini Mink is going to love her role. I wanted to give her something along the lines of the boutonnieres that would fit in with her position. I decided to make her a fabric-flower corsage.
Miss Doe, Northern CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 24, Real Estate AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Recycling ManagerEngagement Date: December 25, 2010Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: Monte Verde InnAbout Me: I’m a Rat Pack fan and a Christmas nut that loves to read, good wine, cheesy ’80s movies and ’90s sitcoms. My wiener dog with an attitude problem and lazy basset hound are my constant source of entertainment. He's a hunter and I like cooking so it's not rare to see wild game on our dinner menu. Both of us were born and raised in a small historic farming town where our feet are still firmly planted. We have been together for nearly a decade and have shared many life experiences together, including birthdays that are only one day apart. We are two old souls that are creating our long-awaited wedding with loads of tradition that blends our two styles into rustic elegance in the foothills of Northern California.
Our flower girl has quite the important role in our ceremony. Not only is she the keeper of the flower petals, but she is bringing in some fun family history. You see, my dad comes from a family of ten kids. The youngest was only five years old when my mom and dad got married. Naturally, she was their flower girl.
Miss Warbler, Long Beach/MalibuAge and Occupation: 24, Quality Assurance EditorFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Handheld AdministratorEngagement Date: December 7, 2010Wedding Date: April 2012Venue: Calamigos Ranch MalibuAbout Me: I’m a Korean BBQ loving, cheesecake enthusiast bride living in the LBC! By day I write and edit for an online search engine marketing company. By night I am a volunteer food taster of all that is delicious. I am fortunate to be marrying an amazing man who loves me and my quirky ways. I love food, books, indie music, and Harry Potter. We are planning a small, intimate wedding up in the Malibu Hills with our closest family and friends. With the help of my wonderful fiance, our loved ones, and red velvet cheesecake, our wedding will be glorious!
Remember the frustration I felt shopping with my mom for her dress? Well, it was all for naught because she found her dress! Without me. I guess shopping with me put too much pressure on her shoulders. Sometimes it’s better to just step back and trust the woman who brought you into this world. I received an excited phone call from her over the weekend. Not only did she find her dress, she also found dresses for my Special Ops Flower Girls (shhh, we’re working on something). Sweet. Now that all of my ladies have their dresses, it’s the guys’ turn! Good luck Mr. Warbs!
I have no idea which store she purchased these dresses from. When I asked she could only say, “Um…it was a store next to Target.” Only my mother. Here are the dresses! Sorry about the photo quality.
Flower Girl Apple, Mama Warbs and Flower Girl Lala
Miss Ticket, Riverside, CAAge and Occupation: 25, Executive AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, HVAC TechnicianEngagement Date: November 14, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Crestmore ManorAbout Me: I'm a lifelong So Cal gal, a chocoholic, a closet gamer, and a television enthusiast (love me some Vampire Diaries!) who adores playing in the kitchen and lives in flip flops. Mr. Ticket and I are best known for singing and dancing in the car, our World of Warcraft addiction, adoring food, crane game playing, and our general homebody ways. Oh, and GO STEELERS!
So there is one project that I alluded to and I’ve been stupidly excited about. It involves our flower baby. In case you forgot how cute she is, here’s a brief reminder.
Seeing as how she will only be 14 months old for our wedding and she’s still a touch wobbly when she walks long distances, we wanted to give her some help getting down the aisle. So we bought this…
Mrs. Honey, Durango, COAge and Occupation: 28, Financial AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Lab Tech/PhlebotomistEngagement Date: August 1, 2010Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Vallecito LakeAbout Me: I am a Colorado girl through and through, marrying an adrenaline-fueled Alabama boy. We love the outdoors just about as much as we love spoiling our dog and three cats. On any given weekend you can find us being adventurous, doing anything from rafting to snowboarding, and everything in between. We live in an outdoor mecca and truly believe in "Work Hard, Play Harder." I'm an optimist to the core, a crafter wannabe, a Southern food cook-in-training and a big time believer in girls nights. We met, fell in love and got engaged in eight short months and are now knee-deep in planning what we hope to be a super-fun, very us wedding celebration. Join us as we plan a rustic meets whimsical, Colorado winter wedding with loads of personal touches and good food!
I’m not sure where my inspiration stemmed from, but I knew early on that our three flower girls would be in a skirt of tulle as they prepare my aisle. Tutus are just so whimsical, fun and girly:
Miss Porcupine, NYC/Lancaster, PAAge and Occupation: 26, Sales Coordinator/PublishingFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Assistant Manager/SalesEngagement Date: August 8, 2010Wedding Date: March 2012Venue: Riverdale ManorAbout Me: I'm a born and bred New Yorker with a love/hate relationship for the city I have always called home. Although I may seem quiet from afar, I have a loud personality once you get to know me. I am a book nerd at heart, but love a night out in the city with good friends. I have a serious addiction to all things cheese, chocolate, cardigans, Mexican food, and reality TV. The future hubs and I met in college, settled in New York, and decided to go with a rustic/peacock infused wedding in Lancaster, PA, right near his hometown. Come the big day, we will be together 5 years, and we're looking forward to making it official!
Miss Ticket, Riverside, CAAge and Occupation: 25, Executive AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, HVAC TechnicianEngagement Date: November 14, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Crestmore ManorAbout Me: I'm a lifelong So Cal gal, a chocoholic, a closet gamer, and a television enthusiast (love me some Vampire Diaries!) who adores playing in the kitchen and lives in flip flops. Mr. Ticket and I are best known for singing and dancing in the car, our World of Warcraft addiction, adoring food, crane game playing, and our general homebody ways. Oh, and GO STEELERS!
I once read a magazine article about brides in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. It mentioned the key differences in age groups, from style of dress to size of bridal party. I recall loving the style of the 30s bride’s wedding. It was a simple backyard-like affair and her dress was beautiful, but the part that captured my attention the most was her flower baby. Rather than a flower girl between the ages of three and seven, around the average, she had a flower baby that was roughly between one-and-a-half and two years old. She was the cutest thing I had ever seen in a bridal magazine! I wish I could remember which magazine or issue it was. I believe it was a Brides magazine from 2009, but I really can’t be sure. I have scoured the internet for the article, and it appears it simply doesn’t exist in the digital world.
That being said, let’s get on to the main point of this story: I now have a flower baby of my very own! My sister, MOH Ticket, had a little girl in August of 2010, and that child has a hold over my brain in a simply uncanny way. Her smile makes me smile; simply put, the moment we met at 4:00 AM about two hours after she was born, I knew this little girl would be a MAJOR part of my life from here on out. The moment Mr. Ticket and I got engaged, I knew she had to be included in our special day. I wasn’t even sure how at the time, but the day wouldn’t be the same without her being a big part of it. I’m not sure what triggered it, but something reminded me of that article and I realized that by the time our day rolled around my niece would be 14 months old and would make the PERFECT flower baby!
After having asked permission from this little beauty’s mommy before sharing her picture over the internet (she’s all over Facebook already), I would like to introduce you to…
Miss Kettle, Chicago, ILAge and Occupation: 26, Non-Profit Donor Resource CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Musician & TeacherEngagement Date: May 29, 2011Wedding Date: February 2012Venue: Patrick C. Haley Mansion, Joliet, ILAbout Me: I'm a city girl who loves a good escape, so I'm planning a Chicago wedding outside of the city. I've been described as a quirky yet down-to-earth drama queen who loves fiercely. I used to be a scientist, but now I'm learning to navigate the world of non-profit organizations. I love cooking, blogging, shopping, and music, and movies (Hans Zimmer is my favorite movie composer). Mr. Kettle and I had a short courtship and now we have a happy home with our cat-who-thinks-she's-people, Belle. We spend our days and nights with good food, live music, video games, family, and friends. Our wedding has become this wonderful excuse to bring together hundreds of people we can't bear to be without.
Miss Doily, Cedar Rapids, IowaAge and Occupation: 25, Autism Paraeducator/ StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Freelance Writer/ PublisherEngagement Date: August 27th, 2010Wedding Date: March 2012Venue: Father’s Vineyard Church/ A Touch of Class Banquet CenterAbout Me: I’m an Iowan girl with a deep love of Harry Potter, classic movies, cardigans, and Post-Its. My type-A Virgo tendencies often cause me to drive my laid-back college sweetheart fiance batty with lists and PowerPoint presentations. I love to be crafty and do things myself, which explains why my two crazy kittens often will prance around the house covered in glitter and ribbons. When I am not bogged down with work, school, or wedding planning, I like to travel to visit my expansive family and have wild adventures with my best friends. After a rollercoaster ride of a love story, I’m ready to take that final plunge, marry the love of my life, and become a Mrs.!
I thought flower girls’ dresses were going to be much, much easier than bridesmaids’ dresses. After all, it’s just two little girls, right? Wrong.
The first little girl is my stepsister J. I was 21 and J was four when my parents got married. My stepdad and his first wife got divorced when J was one, so her first memories are really of my mom and her dad together and of us being her older siblings. She told me the first time Mr. D and I got engaged that she was going to be a flower girl and that she wanted a poufy dress and a tiara. And if I didn’t provide these things, she wasn’t going to do it. She is very, very precocious. Now that she is almost nine, she said she will still be a flower girl, even if she doesn’t get all of the other stuff.
Little Miss J: My littlest sibling, and by far one of the biggest handfuls (Personal photo)
Mrs. High Wire, DallasAge and Occupation: 23, Legal AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Director of CommunicationsEngagement Date: October 9, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Clark GardensAbout Me: My loves include yoga, anything spicy, our eccentric cat, our rambunctious dog, and Mr. High Wire, of course! Like the steadiness act of the tightrope walker, this gal is busy balancing life while planning a wedding to the man of her dreams. We’re hosting a laid-back, vintage-inspired, bird themed wedding with heavy doses of love, good eats (did someone say tacos and margaritas?), and endless Texas charm. Mr. High Wire and I are so happy to have you along for the walk across the tight rope.
We took our annual Easter trip to Mr. High Wire’s hometown to celebrate with the family a few weeks ago. One of the perks of being in an interfaith relationship is that we don’t have to split our time during the holidays throughout the year. His family gets us for Easter, and we celebrate Passover with my family earlier in the week. Win-win for all!
Our two little flower girls for the wedding spent some time frolicking in the grass. They look like sisters, don’t they? Well, they are actually first cousins!
Mrs. Pashmina, NYC/Catalina Island, CAAge and Occupation: 28, Arts EducationFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, IT AdministratorEngagement Date: April 26th, 2009Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: Catalina Country Club, Catalina Island, CaliforniaAbout Me: I'm a laid-back Cali girl who moved to NYC for school, and ended up staying for love. My fiance is a quick-witted Jersey boy, a self-proclaimed Foodie and the funniest man I've ever met. Together we love exploring the city streets embarking on our next misadventure---and yes, this often involves eating off food carts and trying "the next big thing". I'm the girl in the sundress, snapping photos and collecting trinkets of memorabilia along the way. As a girly girl at heart, I am excited about our romantic natural island wedding incorporating our American & Filipino traditions.
In three words: too much fun! If you know me it isn’t a stretch to know why I had the most enjoyable time picking out the flower girls’ dresses. Frilly? Flowers? Count me in! Our flower girls are totally the perfect age to play dress up, at five and two years old. They are the age when they are super adorable in whatever they wear!
One reason why it was so easy is because I knew their style: “flower princess butterfly,” as the five year old expressed it. As long as it was puffy and some shade of pink, I knew they’d love it. Read more…
Mrs. Pony, Bloomington, ILAge and Occupation: 25, AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 22, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard; Bloomington Center for the Performing ArtsAbout Me: I found my Southern counterpart in law school and since he popped the question last March, we have been busy graduating, job searching, bar taking, and wedding planning. My loves include must see TV, magnets, quotes, anything green, my car, fun socks, the Cubs, and my Mr. Together we love wine, playing outside, and exploring the world together. Stay tuned to see our Midwest wedding full of Southern charm, vintage flair, lots of DIY details, and a whole lot o’ wine.
Sounds crazy, right? But I’m trying to figure out how to do just that.
You see, I have some very opinionated family members. Some people might appreciate it. Some people call it pushy. I call it awkward.
So, here’s the deal. My very kind, generous, and well-intentioned family member keeps asking me if I want to borrow certain items to use for our wedding. Specifically, she has mentioned a ring bearer’s pillow and flower-girl basket. My mother made both of these things for her to use on her wedding day, and now she is offering them to me. On the surface, this seems like a sweet gesture. But, I don’t want them and it is making me feel uncomfortable.
First, we are still undecided on whether we are having a ring bearer and/or flower girl. Mr. Pony has a nephew that is the perfect age to be a ring bearer, but he can be unpredictable (like most five-year-olds are). There is also a severe lack of age-appropriate girls in our families to fulfill the role of flower girl.
Second, these things are not my style. My aunt got married in 1997. And it shows. Plus, they are über traditional looking, which is really not my style.
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!
I am so blessed to have an amazing family. I was raised in a very traditional (codependent) family and am super close to my fam. I talk to my baby sisters every day, sometimes even three or four times a day. I also talk to my parents four to five times a week…did I mention we are uber codependent?
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!
I love tutus…obviously. I haven’t given up on my own tutu dress dreams but I am now also obsessed with flower girl tutus. I know it’s pretty cheesy, but adorably so, in my opinion. Over Thanksgiving, while I was in Manhattan Beach, I saw this Manhattan Beach wedding on Style Me Pretty. Read more…
Mrs. Brooch, Arlington, VAAge and Occupation: 25, Writer/EditorFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Front Desk ManagerEngagement Date: October 3, 2009Wedding Date: April 2011Venue: Oxon Hill ManorAbout Me: I’m an indecisive girlie-girl with a motor mouth, can-do attitude, and knack for making others laugh. I dream of becoming a best selling novelist like Elizabeth Gilbert or Julie Powell (a girl can dream, right?), and love long road trips, a beautiful countryside, music, blogs, books, and all things vintage/thrift/antique/or homemade. I’m a Virgo, i.e. overly sensitive, emotional, and critical, and there’s no such thing as short and sweet in my world. I want to say and do it all. Mr. Brooch grounds me. I point where to go and he figures out the way. He’s a pragmatic fancy-pants who enjoys video games and movies. We both adore our mutt, Rocky, and spending time with our amazingly supportive family and friends. We’re planning a garden wedding with a formal reception with lots of whimsy and unique, Southern-inspired details.
Since we’re on the topic of wedding attire, I thought I’d go ahead and share my ideas for dressing the little ones, too! We’re not having children at our wedding, except for those in the bridal party, my brother’s young children, and my dad’s two young daughters, and I suspect all eyes will be on them!
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
