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.
Mrs. Pain au Chocolat, Wilmington, DEAge and Occupation: 29, RealtorFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, RealtorEngagement Date: November 21, 2009Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Greenville Country ClubAbout Me: An ENFJ with an artistic streak who loves backgammon, sailing, graphic design, and sleeping in. Travel (near or far), good wine, and tasty food makes my heart sing. I'm a compulsive list-maker who lives to plan and organize. Mr. P and I have lived together for 4 years, all the while renovating our city townhome bit by bit. We're planning a whimsical, Anthropologie-inspired garden wedding in June 2011.
After what seems like forever, I’ve finally found jewelry for my sister and BM R! You see, it’s not that we couldn’t find jewelry we liked, it’s that we found TOO much jewelry we liked. How do you narrow down hundreds of awesome pieces when the choice is left up to you… and you’ve never done this before?
A marathon shopping trip (six hours in new wedges—ouch, dummy!) a few weeks ago turned up a few possibilities. BM R, who trends toward classic and blingy, was coveting this lovely pair:
They were even more sparkly spectacular under those Nordstrom lights, but $88/pair was more than I wanted to spend. (The girls’ dresses and jewelry are my wedding present to them.) Read more…
Mrs. Candy Apple, Princeton Junction, NJ/ Seattle, WAAge and Occupation: 26, Project EditorFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, AttorneyEngagement Date: May 9, 2010Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: St. Joseph's Parish, Seattle Tennis ClubAbout Me: I am a Pacific Northwesterner, born and bred. I have lived in many cities---Santa Clara, Durham (England); Florence; Boston; Princeton Junction---but my heart will always be nestled up near the Cascades and Olympics, which is why we are holding our wedding there. I am a bookworm and a History nerd: I love that my life consists of books, books, and more books, since I work in Publishing! Recently, all waking time not consumed by work and my daily commute has been overtaken by wedding planning. Well, that, and watching Premier-League soccer. There is nothing I love more than a good Tana French mystery, traveling to new places, Anthropologie shopping sprees, Iittala dishware, Kate Spade shoes, impeccable typefaces (think: Archer), and a nice English ale (hellooo, Old Speckled Hen!). Oh, and did I mention my obsession with wedding blogs? Yeah, there’s that too. Join Mr. Candy Apple and me as we prep for our wedding, and, more importantly, our marriage!
Now that my bridesmaids all finally have their fab dresses, we need to figure out what sorts of things they should wear with said dresses. You know, shoes and accessories and such.
Honestly, I don’t need or want them to all wear the same shoes or accessories. I don’t really care if they match or not, and I don’t want them to have to go and spend more money on shoes that they may not necessarily like. But, I would like to give them some sort of direction, so they’re not floundering around in the world of shoes with no idea of what to get (Or maybe I’m the only one that flounders around in the world of shoes? There are too many dang options—I get overwhelmed easily). And because, well, I would like them to look at least semi-coordinated, even if they’re not matching perfectly. 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.
Mrs. Pain au Chocolat, Wilmington, DEAge and Occupation: 29, RealtorFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, RealtorEngagement Date: November 21, 2009Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Greenville Country ClubAbout Me: An ENFJ with an artistic streak who loves backgammon, sailing, graphic design, and sleeping in. Travel (near or far), good wine, and tasty food makes my heart sing. I'm a compulsive list-maker who lives to plan and organize. Mr. P and I have lived together for 4 years, all the while renovating our city townhome bit by bit. We're planning a whimsical, Anthropologie-inspired garden wedding in June 2011.
As a nod to my avatar on Weddingbee, I’m doing something special and tiny—a tiny pain au chocolat charm will be attached to my bouquet. Sneaking in this little reminder of the hive will have me smiling all day… and undoubtedly craving the chocolatey breakfast treat!
Etsy, with it’s treasure trove of vendors, was my go-to source yet again. Miss Lox tipped me off about the shop, Inedible Jewelry, that created her super cute charm. One custom request later, my very own breakfast food charm had arrived. Read more…
Mrs. Hyena, College Station, TXAge and Occupation: 23, Marketing SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Aerospace Engineering Grad StudentEngagement Date: January 8, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Downtown 202About Me: I'm a Texas girl who met my future hubby in high school, then headed up to Oklahoma for a college education (BOOMER SOONER!) before moving back to the Lone Star State to be with him. I love reading and recycling, Photoshop and reality TV, making lame jokes and then laughing at them, quoting movies, and Mr. Hyena most of all. I'm perpetually early and I like to get things accomplished. When my cat meows at me, I meow back. We're planning a laid-back, unintentionally DIY wedding with a cocktail-party vibe, and can't wait to celebrate our nuptials with our nearest and dearest!
I know this is a little late coming since Part 1 and Part 2 of the Shiny! series were um…a long time ago. But! But! I now have all my wedding jewelry, and a couple of stories to boot.
Originally, I was going to borrow jewelry from Aunt Hyena as my “something borrowed.” Over time, that kind of fell through as she didn’t have a lot of jewelry that was silver or white gold, or I didn’t find anything that I liked, or the things I did like were broken. It’s OK, though. I have an even better “something borrowed” now, which I am not going to share here because it deserves a post of its own. (Coming soon to a theater near you: The Amazing Story of Two Women, Two Weddings, and an Unexpected Swap! It will make you laugh! It will make you cry…because you’re laughing too hard! Ebert and Roper give it two thumbs up!)
Oh, the crummy things you can throw together in Photoshop (top left and bottom pics by moi, top right pic by Bridesmaid J)
Mrs. Jaguar, SydneyAge and Occupation: 27, Primary School TeacherFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, IT ConsultantEngagement Date: August 8, 2009Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Curzon HallAbout Me: I'm an Australian girl who is a self-proclaimed nerd, loves all things stationery and would be lost without books, music and the internet. Mr. Jaguar and I have been together for the past eight years and he finally popped the question last August. Hurrah! We currently live in Sydney, Australia with our adorable cat who thinks he's a person. We're a couple who likes to multi-task: we've been planning a wedding abroad, a permanent move from London to Sydney, and preparing to build our own home all at the same time. Travelling makes me giddy...as does Mr. Jaguar, of course!
I’ve shared the biggest pieces of my wedding day attire with you here in the Hive—namely the dress. But there are so many more other little details that are still in the works, those little things that will hopefully set put the whole outfit together.
First things first, you know what this means Mr. Jaguar—it’s time to leave!
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.
Now that The Dress has been squared away (erm, again…) it’s finally time to add some flair! I’m actually a bit torn in the direction I want to go with the whole jewelry thing: Fresh and Modern or Romantic and Antique? The dress itself is traditional in shape, but the patterned fabric makes it pretty modern. I think it’s time for the Hive to help me decision!
Here are some examples of “Fresh and Modern” adornments: Read more…
Mrs. Hyena, College Station, TXAge and Occupation: 23, Marketing SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Aerospace Engineering Grad StudentEngagement Date: January 8, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Downtown 202About Me: I'm a Texas girl who met my future hubby in high school, then headed up to Oklahoma for a college education (BOOMER SOONER!) before moving back to the Lone Star State to be with him. I love reading and recycling, Photoshop and reality TV, making lame jokes and then laughing at them, quoting movies, and Mr. Hyena most of all. I'm perpetually early and I like to get things accomplished. When my cat meows at me, I meow back. We're planning a laid-back, unintentionally DIY wedding with a cocktail-party vibe, and can't wait to celebrate our nuptials with our nearest and dearest!
So. We’ve talked earrings. Now it’s time to think about bracelets! I’ll stop talking and just get on to the pictures. Remember to wipe the slobber off your keyboard when you’re done!
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.
My grandma picked it up in the ’60s on one of her many travels, and I’m honored she’s letting me borrow it for the wedding. Maybe now you can see why I was faced with the conundrum of finding the perfect dress based on this necklace, because HOW CAN I NOT WEAR THIS?! Read more…
Mrs. Hyena, College Station, TXAge and Occupation: 23, Marketing SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Aerospace Engineering Grad StudentEngagement Date: January 8, 2010Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Downtown 202About Me: I'm a Texas girl who met my future hubby in high school, then headed up to Oklahoma for a college education (BOOMER SOONER!) before moving back to the Lone Star State to be with him. I love reading and recycling, Photoshop and reality TV, making lame jokes and then laughing at them, quoting movies, and Mr. Hyena most of all. I'm perpetually early and I like to get things accomplished. When my cat meows at me, I meow back. We're planning a laid-back, unintentionally DIY wedding with a cocktail-party vibe, and can't wait to celebrate our nuptials with our nearest and dearest!
It’s time to talk wedding jewelry! I don’t like to over-accessorize, so when I started looking, I was looking for some very simple, pretty jewelry that was either rhinestone or pearl. (The beading of my dress has both sparkles and seed pearls.)
The accessories I’ve already picked are my veil, garter, and shoes. In addition, I would like a bracelet and some sparkly, dangly earrings. My dress has enough going on at the top of the bodice that I think I can get away with not wearing a necklace. (I don’t want to take away from the dress either.)
Mrs. Cinnamon Bun, Calgary, AlbertaAge and Occupation: 26, Stage ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Theatre TechnicianEngagement Date: June 22, 2010Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Calgary Opera CentreAbout Me: I'm a life-long crafter and bookworm living in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Some of my loves include Lord of the Rings, Sherlock Holmes, knitting, opera, musicals, Etsy, baking, and of course, Mr. Cinnamon Buns. We're keeping our wedding close to home---the venue isn't very far from our house, and we live within walking distance of 6 bridal salons. I'm using the wedding as an excuse to try out every craft project I possibly can, with the endless help and support of my fiance.
So, I’ve got a wedding dress. I’ve got shoes to wear with it. What else do I need?
I don’t really wear jewelry regularly. I’ve got a few delicate little necklaces that I wear every now and then, but not often. I probably don’t wear them to often because my work outfit always includes jeans, because I never know when I’ll end up moving furniture or crawling under the stage for whatever reason. This whole wedding thing though means that I should probably wear some jewelry at least. I used to always wear the same stud earrings every day, but I took them out a few months ago and keep forgetting to put them back in!
So, I’m asking for your help, hive. But first: Mr Cinnamon Bun - the next photo is going to be of a real lady (not a model) in the dress I’m wearing to the wedding. I will leave it to you to decide if you want to see it or not, as I did show you the photo of the dress on a model. Read more…
Mrs. Cotton Candy, Riverside, CAAge and Occupation: 29, Field CoordinatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Process ServerEngagement Date: July 5, 2007Wedding Date: June 2011Venue: Riverside Art MuseumAbout Me: I’m a girl in love with her best friend planning a small mid-century modern inspired wedding that’s been a long time coming. I love all things design, sewing, flea markets, and a good book. I’ve been known to swoon over a well-designed chair and often find myself craving a new addition to my chair collection regardless of the lack square footage in our home. I’m Mexican American girl who hates all things spicy but loves her rowdy Mexican family and her Latin roots. My wedding muses may not be your typical wedding superstars, but with a lot of DIY, a dash of offbeat style, and lots of love and laughs, Mr. Cotton and I plan to create a day that is unmistakably us.
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been driving myself mad searching for a wedding bracelet that would make me forget the one I originally liked. I became a woman obsessed—every day I would search like a mad women for THE perfect bracelet and every day I would moan to Mr. CCandy that nothing else compared to the Kate Spade and why can’t we be independently wealthy so I could buy a truck full of perfect bracelets.
Needless to say I was driving Mr. CCandy crazy so when I casually mentioned Kate Spade’s friends and family sale he tossed me his wallet and told me to buy the freaking bracelet. Surprisingly I said no, even with the discount I couldn’t justified spending almost 200 bucks on a piece of jewelry I would wear for one day.
Mr. CCandy wasn’t too happy with my decision; he was tired of hearing about the damn bracelet and gave me what he calls his David Tutera speech. He told me, and I quote, “for our wedding day, as long as it is within our means, you should get what you want. Yes, it’s only for one day but it’s THE day and he would hate knowing that on our wedding you would be regretting your choice of accessories because you wanted to save what equaled to a couple of dinners out.”
Swoon, Have I mentioned I love this man? I melted and agreed to head down to the Kate Spade store in Pasadena to see the bracelet in person. Read more…
Mrs. Sparkler, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 27, WriterFiance'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.
Did you feel that, hive? Because I’m pretty sure a 150 pound weight was lifted off my shoulders. I’m feeling extra light this Monday because this weekend we finally picked a dress for my bridesmaids! Woohoo!
You might remember that I was having a pretty hard time choosing the perfect dress. The thing is, I sort of knew all along which one I wanted, I just couldn’t man up and make the final decision. I just felt like the dress I wanted was missing… something. I couldn’t put my finger on it until I saw this picture:
Mrs. Sparkler, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 27, WriterFiance'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.
I knew I wanted something big and bold when it came to my wedding-day jewelry. I don’t do “dainty” very well, and intricate jewels kind of freak me out. Since I’m not very coordinated, and I tend to get the fragile stuff caught on door handles, zippers, dog paws, etc. So when it came time to start looking for the statement-making (but sturdy) jewelry I craved, I knew I would turn to my old pal Kendra Scott (OK, we aren’t really pals, but I feel like a jewelry-making friend would be a pretty great thing to have).
Unique Wedding Favors
