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!
Today, Mr. Warbs is gonna have to move over for my newest love! What, do you ask, has stolen me away from him? Jewelry—duh!
While perusing the hive, I saw Mrs. Penguin post about a new fashion website, Dress Rush. It’s targeted at brides and offers up daily sales in a similar fashion to Groupon. They’ll be offering gorgeous wedding dresses, veils, and accessories at discounted rates. Swoon! I swooped in on the first day when they were featuring the fantastic jewelry designer, Tejani Jewelry. Almost since the minute I bought my gown, Mother-in-Law Warbler has been asking about what jewelry I want to wear. I initially thought I wanted simple pearl stud earrings and I’d wear my tennis bracelet.
But after checking out Tejani Jewelry, I have to admit that I’ve had a change of heart. Can you blame me? Just look at all the pretty!
Mrs. Cannon, Toledo, OHAge and Occupation: 27, Financial AnalystFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, AssemblerEngagement Date: February 28, 2011Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Epworth UMC & Ward PavilionAbout Me: I'm the curious combination of being a go-with-the-flow, laid back, obsessive planner. I try desperately to stay as busy as possible at all times (and am succeeding big time right now!) My biggest loves in life are Law & Order: SVU, Community (the show, not the concept, although I like that, too), ice cream, white cheddar popcorn, beer, hiking, knitting, decorating, writing, being outside, spending time with friends and family and musical theater. Mr. Cannon is pretty sweet, too. We've had a lot of fun traveling and having adventures all over the country, but have finally moved back near our hometown to settle down. We're planning a low-key, colorful, fun wedding and an awesome-to-the-max reception.
I’ve been working on getting my something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue for the wedding. I’m almost there! Most of them are related to my accessories, so I thought I’d share some of my pretties for the big day.
Something Old - I had my idea for this for a while. Before my dad’s mother passed away, she told me she was going to leave me her pearl ring. She also told me to make sure my dad gave it to me, because she “knows how he can be.” I finally worked up the nerve to ask my dad about it this weekend, and he went to the safe and got it out for me. After making sure that I was going to take good care of it and inspecting it to make sure the pearls weren’t going to fall off, he finally gave it to me.
Mrs. Bacon, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 26, Digital Advertising ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, IT Client ServicesEngagement Date: June 17, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Ravenswood Billboard FactoryAbout Me: I'm a Midwestern girl that can't seem to commit to staying in one place for too long and is constantly daydreaming about my next adventure. I am an aspiring foodie with a weak spot for the unusual and I love semi-reality food television. My other loves easily include laughing as a form of exercise, a book that I can't put down, summer baseball games, espresso with whipped cream, couch potato days and nights with the ridiculous Mr. Bacon, and our two kitties, Lincoln and Sawyer. We're planning a faux-destination wedding for 150 of our closest friends and family in the city we've both adopted as home that has a modern, yet whimsical twist and as many personal touches as we can manage.
The other day a coworker sent me a link to mustache pillows at Urban Outfitters since she remembered our invitations. Of course, this snowballed into a mustache-seeking extravaganza.
Clearly those babies went immediately into our “Shopping Bag” and I started searching the site for any other mustache goodies that we could incorporate into the wedding. Who knew that Urban had so many mustache themed items?
We picked up all these goodies and I can’t wait to show them off next weekend… (OMG NEXT WEEKEND? When did that happen?) Read more…
Mrs. Sunhat, Dyer, IN Age and Occupation: 32, Tax AccountantFiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Landscape ForemanEngagement Date: September 25, 2010Wedding Date: December 2011Venues: St. Andrew the Apostle, Fiesta PalaceAbout Me: I'm a Midwest girl who grew up in the country and now works in the big city! I love cooking, entertaining, reading (addicted to my Kindle) and going to the movies. I don't miss an episode of Hoarders and I start cleaning every time I watch! My profession doesn't call for much creativity so wedding planning has been a great outlet. Mr. Sunhat and I met online three years ago, cheer for rival MLB teams and share a home with our dog, Wrigley. We are planning a traditional, Polish, Catholic wedding with lots of DIY elements and some fun surprises. I'm so excited to be married on New Year's Eve and we can't wait to ring in the new year as husband and wife!
On Friday, July 22nd, MOB and I had a mother-daughter day and went to another of Transworld’s Jewelry, Fashion & Accessories shows. I first discussed the show in this post, and we wanted to go to another to see what other wedding goods we could find.
Going on a Friday was a great choice. The doors opened at 9:30, and we arrived about 20 minutes early. We waited in a makeshift line and made a game plan on which way to go first. As the crowd filed in, we were handed some free goodies:
Ms. Ferris Wheel, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 29, PsychologistFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, PsychologistEngagement Date: May 23 and 28, 2010 (one for each of us!)Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Parc55 Hotel (city lights ceremony, ballroom reception)About Me: Born in the Southeast, educated in the Northeast, and over-educated on the West Coast, I finally earned my city-girl credentials and have put down roots in gorgeous San Francisco. I’m a raging perfectionist with a lightning quick wit and a terrible sense of both time and direction. Our wedding task list is endlessly growing because of my predilection to think that DIY projects I can make = DIY projects I should make (so not true!). I always go to bed wishing there were more hours in the day to enjoy all the things I adore, whether that be hobbies, friends, my career, our two dogs, or Mr. Ferris Wheel. Ours is a story of a non-traditional couple living an oddly traditional life planning a not-so-traditional wedding in this city we adore. Together we are bustin’ out all of our best skills (and some of our worst ones) to plan a laid-back-chic DIY-craftastic love-alicious affair!
My thoughts about wedding day earrings were along the same lines as everything else when it comes to this wedding: “I’m not sure what I’m looking for, but I don’t think this is it. I’m certain I’ll know it when I see it.” I’ve concocted a fuzzy mental image of the earrings I’m looking for, but as far as I can tell they’re not anything that’s ever been manufactured in the history of the world. Freaking out that my indecision would result in bare lobes, I sucked it up and bought some earrings that I knew weren’t “perfect” but would probably be “perfectly suitable.” Today they came in, and they’re quite lovely.
Generally jewelry isn’t really my thing, but I love earrings and I like them BIG. So I’m just not sure these baubles are as… ostentatious? distinctive? statement-y? as I want them to be. Read more…
Mrs. Sunhat, Dyer, IN Age and Occupation: 32, Tax AccountantFiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Landscape ForemanEngagement Date: September 25, 2010Wedding Date: December 2011Venues: St. Andrew the Apostle, Fiesta PalaceAbout Me: I'm a Midwest girl who grew up in the country and now works in the big city! I love cooking, entertaining, reading (addicted to my Kindle) and going to the movies. I don't miss an episode of Hoarders and I start cleaning every time I watch! My profession doesn't call for much creativity so wedding planning has been a great outlet. Mr. Sunhat and I met online three years ago, cheer for rival MLB teams and share a home with our dog, Wrigley. We are planning a traditional, Polish, Catholic wedding with lots of DIY elements and some fun surprises. I'm so excited to be married on New Year's Eve and we can't wait to ring in the new year as husband and wife!
I love flowers—I really do. I enjoy seeing all of the bright blooms as the weather warms up and a surprise bouquet from Mr. Ballcap is always welcomed and appreciated.
What I don’t love about flowers, specifically wedding flowers, is the COST. I’m trying to cut costs in our budget where ever I can. It’s become a bit of a game for me, actually. I have a pretty solid budget set up for our wedding, but if I can get the final tally to be under the estimate, I will jump for joy! To me, flowers seemed like a really good area to save money on.
We have already decided on a design for the boutonnières that requires no flowers (based upon my NYE inspiration post!) so we are already saving there. My mom and I also have an idea for no-flower bouquets for my girls. Once this DIY project gets under way, I’ll be sure to share.
So what about me? I originally envisioned carrying a large all white / ivory bouquet somewhat resembling a big snow ball. That vision was soon trumped when I ran across the likes of these:
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!
We last left off with my dramatic post about ear piercings. So, let’s continue on with that in mind.
Determined to get freshly punched holes in my ears before I came to my senses and changed my mind, I forged on to the mall. As I walked down the sidewalk looking in the store windows, I saw Claire’s in the distance. I knew they did piercings, yet as I walked closer, visions of teenage shop workers danced in my head. There is no way I was letting a 16 year old get anywhere near my ears with a piercing gun!
I wanted the new holes punched over the light, leftover indentations of the old holes, and it would’ve been great if there were an adult nearby to do that. As I approached Claire’s, I saw their piercing station was conveniently set up right outside their door practically calling my name. So, I walked up and started looking at the earrings they had to offer. I nonchalantly glanced over at the cash register to see a guy about my age behind the counter with earrings of his own, and I found a bit more comfort in my decision to come. Read more…
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!
…slam your head against the wall until you forget what you were trying to do in the first place.
Wait…that’s not how that saying goes at all. However, that is how I felt about this endeavor once I realized what was required to “succeed.” It’s all rather silly really; I’m almost embarrassed to share… ALMOST.
This was something I did at the age of 12 and again at the age of 19 (out of sheer stupidity—my own brand of ”rebellion”) and I had surely hoped would never need to do again. I mean really, who, at the ripe old age of 24, decides that despite her inability to manage this task in the past, should just dive right back in and do it again?
Okay, by now you think I’m crazy, right? You’re wondering what the heck I’m talking about? Read more…
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!
Mrs. Cucumber Sandwich, Washington, DC/Cape May, NJAge and Occupation: 28, School CounselorFiance's Age and Occupation: 40, Collegiate AthleticsEngagement Date: March 27, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Congress Hall HotelAbout Me: I am a school counselor who spends my day wrangling children and my nights attempting to be creative with wedding projects. My enthusiasm for each of these activities far surpasses my skill. Thank goodness Mr. Cucumber Sandwich is there to pick up the pieces and be the voice of reason about my DIY tries. I have an obsession with terrible romantic comedies (‘From Justin to Kelly’ anyone?, anyone?!?), competitive Scrabble play, and hot dogs. I could eat astronaut ice cream for every meal and can’t seem to resist buying more shoes. Our wedding is going to be a true hodge podge of semi-destination, tradition, Yuengling, New England charm, with just a dash of ‘Jersey Shore’ thrown in. It has been six years in the making and I can’t wait to marry my best friend.
If you are not getting married to me in October, please follow me after the jump. Read more…
Mrs. Funnel Cake, Zürich, Switzerland/Columbus, OhioAge and Occupation: 24, Visual Communication DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Application EngineerEngagement Date: May 30, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Catholic church followed by a botanical conservatoryAbout Me: I'm an American designer who moved to Switzerland for love after a fairytale beginning at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I love travel, photography, museums, learning German so I can speak with my mother-in-law, cooking (eating), cuddling, and I'm not afraid to try something new even if it terrifies me. My Swiss/Brazilian man and I are both down to earth people planning a traditional Catholic wedding in my hometown with some quirky cultural exceptions to reflect our different backgrounds. We look forward to celebrating with friends and family from all over the world in a classic, sophisticated fusion of heritage and love.
Woo hoo. Bees, my jewelry order has come in and I am so darn excited about it!
The jewelry arrived in a sweet little box from Lulu Splendor and I was itching to try it on as soon as I got home from work. But first, let’s take a minute to really soak in the sparkly details.
Mrs. Crepe, Queens, NY/Nashville, TNAge and Occupation: 28, Jewelry DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Animation DirectorEngagement Date: September 28, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: A church in downtown NashvilleAbout Me: I'm a native New Yorker who has always been a DIY kind of girl and loves tackling creative projects while getting the most out of a dollar. I'm marrying my college sweetheart and we love frequenting antique stores, exploring together, and playing with kittens. We're planning a fun, "us" wedding in his hometown---with as many handmade touches as we can pack into a day!
There are still quite a few little projects and finishing touches that I wanted to show you while I’m waiting on the pro photos! I was dying to show you all the gifts that I gave my girls for all their hard work, but I wanted to wait until after they had received them. It’s hard enough to keep secrets from my besties, especially fun secrets like presents!
Since I make jewelry as a profession, I definitely wanted to make them some special bling that they could also wear afterwards. They were both going to wear short, strapless cocktail dresses that suited their own tastes so I felt like it was important to create similarly styled jewelry to set them apart from all the guests. I thought a long, layered necklace would work best for both girls and unlike a huge statement necklace (which could also work with their dress styles), they could wear again much more easily.
My maid of honor was going to wear a shimmery beige number so I wanted to add a bit more color to her piece. Her style runs more on the feminine side so I took the liberty of adding lots of fun, sparkly pink topaz and huge amethysts.
Mrs. Macarons, TampaAge and Occupation: 26, Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Renaissance ManEngagement Date: September 12, 2009Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Lange FarmAbout Me: I'm creative at heart and a graphic designer with an unhealthy obsession with type. I love roller coasters, spicy foods, and a good glass of Crianza. We’re planning a soft and lovely vintage-meets-modern wedding in a state that’s known for its beaches, glitz and glam. I have a ton of DIY projects and lots of little details I’m dying to share and can't wait to celebrate with our closest friends and family.
I started collecting my “somethings” early on, the first of which was a silver sixpence. I originally wanted to get one of the year my parents married, but as Mrs. Husky pointed out, after 1947 they no longer contained silver. Instead I opted for 1946, the year my grandparents married. 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.
Yesterday I had my first dress fitting, which was super exciting (and made me feel super productive even though I just stood in front of a mirror and lifted my arms a couple of times), but it reminded me that I am utterly confused about how to complete my wedding look.
I’ve showed you my shoes, we’ve discussed earring options (which I’ve almost made a decision about thanks to all of you), and I’ve shared some other accessory inspiration that made my heart beat a little faster, but making final decisions is a lot harder than I imagined it would be.
As a reminder, this is what my dress looks like:
But first, time to go Mr. Pony. Don’t make me an angry Pony.
Via Cheezburger / Pretty sure that’s a horse, but whatever.
Mrs. Sparkler, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 27, Communications AficionadoFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, PublisherEngagement Date: July 21, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Chicago Illuminating CompanyAbout Me: I’m a Southern lady living in the big city of Chicago. Well, lady may be a stretch, but I’m working hard to keep some Virginia charm in our sleek, urban, wedding-palooza! I’m addicted to marathons, not-so-famous bands, Chicago restaurants, and Mark Twain. I cry during SPCA commercials, and I think LOST was the best show to ever hit television. Mr. S and I met at a classy college mixer and, 7 years later, he’s still by my side. He’s the only child, laid back, free spirit... I’m the oldest of five kids, type-A, organizer. It doesn’t work on paper, but we’ve never paid attention to that stuff anyway. Somehow it works. And like they say, sometimes when you know…you just know.
The wedding packages just keep on coming! Yesterday all of my (MUCH anticipated) bridal jewelry arrived! I’m pretty excited about all of it, so I’m going to stop blabbing and just show you the pictures.
If you remember… these are the earrings I wanted so badly: