Mrs. Hawk, Richmond, VAAge and Occupation: 26, FinanceFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, District SupervisorEngagement Date: March 13, 2011Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: The Chapel of the Sir Christopher Wren Building, 2007 Legacy HallAbout Me: I’m an Arizona-born girl who has spent the majority of my life living below the Mason-Dixon line. The South has definitely earned a special place in my heart (alongside my Virginia born and bred fiance, of course!). We are planning a traditional Christian ceremony at my alma mater in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, followed by a rocking reception filled with Southern cooking and vintage/shabby chic details. When we’re not wedding planning, we enjoy spending time with our three dogs, going for runs together, watching plenty of football (or baseball depending on the season), and sampling new wine.
Throughout the whole planning process, Mr. Hawk has been pretty darn laid back. (Thank God at least one of us is as cool as a cucumber!) Besides the occasional, “Do you really need that?” or “Um, I thought we were thinking of ways to save money?” he’s happily let me take the reins and be little miss type-A. But when it came to discussing the food, it was a bit of a different story. I am obviously madly in love Mr. Hawk, but sometimes his obsession with all things food (well, mainly pork) kills me.
When we started discussing menu ideas, we knew we didn’t necessarily want to go the traditional reception route of a steak dish, a chicken dish, and veggies. We threw some ideas around and landed on serving Southern-style comfort food. It fit our location and us as a couple. (Plus, who doesn’t enjoy gourmet mac and cheese?!) I was thinking Virginia ham, biscuits and corn bread, and some Southern-style veggies (all perhaps with a little elegant twist). Mr. Hawk heard Southern and thought “PULLED PORK!” I think a lot of men have an obsession with all things pork that us women may never understand, but this was ridiculous. (We weren’t discussing what to eat for your average Saturday night dinner here!) I just didn’t see having pulled pork sandwiches as being as elegant as I wanted for our evening reception. Apparently it was all Mr. Hawk could see. (Sigh.)
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!
We did it—we finally decided on our food. Yes, we waited until just over two months before our wedding to do so, but it’s done. I’m sure you are wondering why in the world we waited so long, especially when we’ve been engaged for fifteen months now. We’ve actually known for quite a few months what we would be doing, but it just kept getting pushed to the bottom of the list, until I couldn’t take it anymore—I needed to get this checked off!
Food is very important to Mr. Honey. He really enjoys food he likes. I call it picky, but he doesn’t like that word. We both agreed that we wanted it casual, tasty, and plentiful. We love prime rib and roasted chicken as much as the next person but between our budget and the feel we are going for, we knew a simple meal would be more fitting. We tossed around a couple of ideas, looked at some of our catering options in Durango and ultimately decided on BBQ. Enter Serious Texas BBQ.
We started talking with our neighbor one day a few months back, who happens to be part of the Serious Texas empire and it just made sense that we serve a local staple at our wedding. Read more…
Mrs. Locket, Ithaca, NYAge and Occupation: 25, Research TechnicianFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, former Banker hoping to become an Officer of the LawEngagement Date: June 15, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: Heron Hill WineryAbout Me: I am a little bit of everything all rolled into one: A girly gal with rough edges---I love to get dolled up just as much as I enjoy throwing on some sneaks to toss a ball with Mr. Locket. My love for crafting and creating is quite apparent and I've been referred to as a Wonder Woman/Martha Stewart/Stepford Wife hybrid (yup, I'll take that as a compliment). I adore sewing, photography, sculpture, good eats (mmm tapas), baking, snugging and oh, pretty much everything in between (there's not much I dislike). I am super excited to be planning our vineyard wedding and couldn't be happier to be marrying Mr. Locket. We are a quirky, fun-loving couple residing in our college town with our two pups Maple and Molly. We love to go on hikes, visit our local dog park and to bask in the beauty of many of the local falls and gorges. We are an indecisive pair, but together we somehow manage to make up our minds (it's the easy stuff that's tricky).
Mrs. Mole, Los Angeles/Las VegasAge and Occupation: 29, Test Prep InstructorFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, User Experience ArchitectEngagement Date: April 2011Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Wynn Las Vegas/Bouchon BistroAbout Me: I’m a Wisconsinite-turned-Angeleno who is planning a destination wedding in Las Vegas. I am passionate about education: I spent 23 (!) consecutive years in school, and now I work to help other people get into graduate programs. I love running on the treadmill, buying bath products from Lush, learning new moves in step aerobics, and exploring my neighborhood on foot. I am sometimes snobby about food, but I am rarely snobby about books. I read everything from Geoffrey Chaucer to Iris Murdoch to Chuck Klosterman to Candace Bushnell. My fiance and I are getting married on our third anniversary!
In a previous post, I explained some of the reasons we decided to get married in Vegas. I left one off of the list: one of our favorite restaurants is in Vegas. We are having our dinner reception in Bouchon Bistro, which is located in the Venetian. Go there next time you are in Las Vegas (or Yountville or Beverly Hills). It’s amazing!
Mr. Mole and I first went there last winter when we were visiting his family for the holidays. The whole trip was full of food: noodles at Beijing Noodle No. 9, steaks and monkey bread at Craftsteak, dim sum in Chinatown, and lobsters at home on Christmas. We saved the best for last. On our final night in Vegas, we went to Bouchon. This dinner was one of the best dinners that I have had in my life, not merely because of the food but also because of the warm atmosphere in the room.
Mrs. Raccoon, IndianapolisAge and Occupation: 22, StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Graduate StudentEngagement Date: Christmas 2010Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Catholic Church, Chateau Thomas WineryAbout Me: I'm a wholesome Midwestern girl, TV series junkie, professional shower singer, and Anglophile. I love my fiance, crock pot cooking, my cat Heepo, going for the gusto, and all things wedding. Mr. Raccoon is pretty sweet, too! He’s a mad scientist that loves to travel. We met my first night on campus and have been inseparable since.
Mrs. Raccoon, IndianapolisAge and Occupation: 22, StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Graduate StudentEngagement Date: Christmas 2010Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Catholic Church, Chateau Thomas WineryAbout Me: I'm a wholesome Midwestern girl, TV series junkie, professional shower singer, and Anglophile. I love my fiance, crock pot cooking, my cat Heepo, going for the gusto, and all things wedding. Mr. Raccoon is pretty sweet, too! He’s a mad scientist that loves to travel. We met my first night on campus and have been inseparable since.
We had a chance to go to a bridal tasting and try the food at the winery!
No one else seemed interested in taking photographs, so I tried to snap some ninja-style with my phone when no one else was looking. I promise the actual displays were much more attractive than how we piled everything onto our plates!
There were pretty standard crudites and domestic cheese and fruit trays.
Miss Fox, Washington DC/Havre de Grace, MDAge and Occupation: 26, Massage TherapistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Field Support EngineerEngagement Date: April 18, 2010Wedding Date: June 2012Venue: Vandiver InnAbout Me: I’m a dancer turned massage therapist who was born and raised in New York. Alas, true love has brought me “south” where I still maintain my penchants for pretty shoes, wine, crossword puzzles, cherry blossoms, and the Mets. I own more sunglasses than a normal person should and don’t eat red meat (though I make up for it by eating my weight in sushi). I tend to be a big planner who likes to get things started early, but generally end up being indecisive and procrastinating when it comes down to it. I have a (not so) secret crush on Chris Carrabba, but my loyalty and love ultimately goes to the future hubs, of course! Together, my Foxy man and I love to discuss (read: debate) politics and current events, have Mario Kart and Scrabble duels, and just laugh. A lot. We’re hoping and planning for a laid back, fun, summery, rustic vibe to our June wedding that will be genuinely “us” – that is, if we finally make some decisions. Huzzah!
Mrs. Ladyfingers, Saint Petersburg, FLAge and Occupation: 30, Marketing ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Sports WriterEngagement Date: December 24, 2010Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Palma Sola Botanical ParkAbout Me: I hail from Oklahoma, he was born and raised in Long Island. Fate brought us together, and now we live in a cute little rental house with our nutty dog, and our aloof cat. We both love to read, watch movies, explore our town, and laugh like hyenas. When I’m not obsessively wedding crafting, I enjoy stalking style and decorating blogs, making collages and painting, napping, thrifting, rearranging our bookshelves, and being a total weirdo with my friends. Hi!
I agonized over favors! First, there were none. Then, there were many. After writing this post and getting plenty of feedback on my options, I settled upon the one that would require the most effort, but the least amount of money: Homemade fudge.
Let me clarify: By “effort,” I mean melting chocolate, pouring it into a pan, and sticking it in the fridge. Yeah. Sooooo hard.
I used my mom’s fudge recipe, since it was the only fudge I can ever remember liking. I had it so much growing up that any other fudge just tastes too sugary, or too “off” to me.
Miss Fox, Washington DC/Havre de Grace, MDAge and Occupation: 26, Massage TherapistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Field Support EngineerEngagement Date: April 18, 2010Wedding Date: June 2012Venue: Vandiver InnAbout Me: I’m a dancer turned massage therapist who was born and raised in New York. Alas, true love has brought me “south” where I still maintain my penchants for pretty shoes, wine, crossword puzzles, cherry blossoms, and the Mets. I own more sunglasses than a normal person should and don’t eat red meat (though I make up for it by eating my weight in sushi). I tend to be a big planner who likes to get things started early, but generally end up being indecisive and procrastinating when it comes down to it. I have a (not so) secret crush on Chris Carrabba, but my loyalty and love ultimately goes to the future hubs, of course! Together, my Foxy man and I love to discuss (read: debate) politics and current events, have Mario Kart and Scrabble duels, and just laugh. A lot. We’re hoping and planning for a laid back, fun, summery, rustic vibe to our June wedding that will be genuinely “us” – that is, if we finally make some decisions. Huzzah!
One of the millions of things we love about our venue is that catering is included. Everything is cooked and prepared by Susan, one half of the Vanper Inn’s husband-wife ownership team (another reason we love it—it’s family own and run!). Since they don’t technically have a “full service kitchen” and thus need to prepare food über-fresh the day of and is specific to each event, they don’t do formal, traditional tastings.
What they do have are these super fun Monday Night Supper Clubs almost every week. The theme of each dinner varies, but Susan typically makes a multi-course family style meal for whoever decides to attend that week (usually locals). When we signed our contract with the venue, we were told that we were more than welcome to attend one (or several!) of these dinners free of charge to count as our “tasting” of sorts. The idea is that you get a feel for the food as a whole, even if you aren’t getting those exact menu items for your wedding. Think of it as when you go to restaurant; you only try one or two dishes, but you can definitely tell whether a place makes fantastic food or not based off of that meal. Same deal at the Vanper!
So back in June, Foxy and I decided to visit the venue again for two reasons. Read more…
Mrs. 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!
A New York wedding can be many things. A traditional New York wedding consists of TONS of delicious food, is held in a beautiful chandelier-ed ballroom, and consists of lots and lots of partying. I mentioned before that I don’t want a traditional New York wedding and am going for a more rustic-chic look. This is not to say that I don’t LOVE attending a New York-style wedding. I’ve found that they are some of the best to go to, but I may be a little biased on that. I thought I would give the hive a taste of what a “New York style” wedding is, something that Miss Foxand I mentioned that may have left people from other parts of the United States/earth stumped. Plus, who doesn’t love some wedding visuals on Weddingbee?
Here goes! Let’s refer to my friends as Mr. and Mrs. Bear. I’ve known the Bears for quite some time. Mr. Bear and I went to high school together, and then we moved on to the same college. Mrs. Bear was my first college friend (after my roommate). Sometime during the first week of freshmen year I had a dorm party. Mr. and Mrs. Bear both attended, they met each other, and the rest is history! So, if you’re counting, that would mean they have been together for almost eight years. We have all been waiting patiently for this wedding day. Prepare for picture overload!
The day was pretty dreary until right before the ceremony was set to begin. The sun came out just in time for them to get all those first-look/wedding-party pics. Good karma juju at its best!
The sun coming out on the beautiful property at The Swan Club
Mrs. 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.
The tasting was sophisticated and classy. But the food was so good, I just wanted to dance up and down and go, “mmmmmm, yummy.” In fact, I still do. So there you have it.
I don’t know where my camera is. I thought I’d left it at work and was kicking myself for not having it for the entire five days I was off (birthday celebration, woot!), but I’m back at work and still can’t find it. So all pics from here on will be taken on my super-cool new Blackberry that was a birthday gift to myself. I apologize in advance.
Mr. Kettle and I picked up Grandmother Kettle and drove out to Joliet for the tasting. There, we met Momma and Daddy Kettle, Mima and Poppa Kettle, and FSIL Grand. Yeah, we took eight people there. I tried to take pictures, but it was an afterthought.
Mrs. Aardvark, Beaver Dam, WIAge and Occupation: 23, Assistant Product ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Business Analyst Engagement Date: May 28th, 2011Wedding Date: April 2012Venue: St. Philip Catholic Church/Arcadia Brewing Co.About Me: I am a resourceful lady who love surprises and adventure. At the same time, I value traditions, family and friends. I like to make crafty messes, sometimes, clean them up, and do pretty much anything outdoors. The Mister and I are pretty avid cyclists---we have nine bikes in our home right now...and one motorcycle! We both enjoy eating food we can't pronounce (language doesn't really matter) and going places we've never been. We currently reside in rural Wisconsin, enjoying the cheese and beer it has to offer, and getting outside whenever we can!
I just got an email of the menu from our contact at Arcadia. All I can say is YUM-O. I don’t know how I…rather, Mr. Aardvark and I are going to pick and choose from this list! Seriously!
We are having a buffet style dinner and are picking food off of the regular menu (the menu they have while they are a restaurant and not my wedding reception venue).
One of the appetizers is called the “Garden and Goat Quesadilla” and it’s described as having pesto, mushroom, and fresh salsa.
Umm, hello? That sounds amazing! Also I love the name so that will probs have to be on our “For Sure” list. Not into goat cheese? They have AMAZING pepperoni rolls that I could eat all.day.long.
Their pulled pork and brisket are also STUPENDOUS! I am not really sure how I will choose one type of BBQ…maybe I will have to flip a coin.
But best of all are their pizzas! So good, and so many choices… Now, I know you are thinking what I am thinking right now…Aardvark, pizza? At a wedding??? Surely this will happen:
Mrs. Aardvark, Beaver Dam, WIAge and Occupation: 23, Assistant Product ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Business Analyst Engagement Date: May 28th, 2011Wedding Date: April 2012Venue: St. Philip Catholic Church/Arcadia Brewing Co.About Me: I am a resourceful lady who love surprises and adventure. At the same time, I value traditions, family and friends. I like to make crafty messes, sometimes, clean them up, and do pretty much anything outdoors. The Mister and I are pretty avid cyclists---we have nine bikes in our home right now...and one motorcycle! We both enjoy eating food we can't pronounce (language doesn't really matter) and going places we've never been. We currently reside in rural Wisconsin, enjoying the cheese and beer it has to offer, and getting outside whenever we can!
OK, I may or may not have a problem with my brain running away with thoughts faster than I can sort them into orderly piles. However, I was at work yesterday, in a timeline meeting, and realized it was almost APRIL!!! AHH!! How did that happen!?
What’s that you say? It’s only October, and that is not really April or anywhere near April, for that matter. Well, I think you are mistaken—the whole rest of our engagement can be broken up into pretty small chunks. And everyone knows small chunks go by WAY faster than big chunks of time! Would you like me to prove this? OK:
Starting this week: Bridesmaid weekend (more on this to come—I am SO stoked. SO so stoked to see all my ladies!)
The following weekend: Mission Find a Suit for Mr. Aardvark…Also, Mr. Aardvark’s and my three year date-iversary.
Then, our Pre-Cana class the next weekend, as well as a little thing I like to call MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY EVER, AKA HALLOWEEN.
Mrs. Raccoon, IndianapolisAge and Occupation: 22, StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Graduate StudentEngagement Date: Christmas 2010Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Catholic Church, Chateau Thomas WineryAbout Me: I'm a wholesome Midwestern girl, TV series junkie, professional shower singer, and Anglophile. I love my fiance, crock pot cooking, my cat Heepo, going for the gusto, and all things wedding. Mr. Raccoon is pretty sweet, too! He’s a mad scientist that loves to travel. We met my first night on campus and have been inseparable since.
Each time I visit Mr. Raccoon in Nashville, we’re sure to stop by a little place called Gigi’s Cupcakes. Kentucky bourbon pie is Mr. Raccoon’s favorite, and I really like their champagne cupcake.
Mrs. 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.
The time is finally coming up this weekend for our tasting with our wedding venue. I’m so excited. I feel like I should store up extra free space for all the food we’ll be trying that day. It will be me, Mr. Kettle, Momma and Daddy Kettle, Mima and Poppa Kettle, FSIL Grand, and Grandmother Kettle. We take entourages everywhere we go now, apparently…
All the food possibilities overwhelmed me just a bit. Luckily, we only had to choose three entree options. I’m guessing they’ll fill in the sides with options that complement those choices best.
I just had a scary thought. What if we don’t try any sides?! Oh, the horror! I’d hate to have to choose sides without knowing how they taste.
I must admit that I’m not so worried about side dishes. I’m really thinking about…cake! Read more…
Unique Wedding Favors
