Miss Petit Four, San Antonio/Isla MujeresAge and Occupation: 25, Technology teacherFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Math Teacher and Football CoachEngagement Date: Feb 13, 2010Wedding Date: March 2012Venue: Zama Beach Club, Isla Mujeres, MexicoAbout Me: I am a polka-dot obsessed, destination wedding diva living and loving in the great state of Texas. I am an island girl at heart and I visit the beach as often as I can. I am a wannabe DIY goddess, but that doesn’t mean I won’t give it my best shot. I love pearl earrings, the color pink, and ruffles are a part of my everyday wardrobe. My wonderful fiance and I are planning a destination wedding with our closest family and friends and we’re leaving a trail of glitter in our path!
I really want something that is going to tie the whole wedding together and leave everyone thinking… “That was the best wedding EVER”. I know for sure I want it to be upbeat and something we can all dance to, so I am turning to the Hive to help me decide!
I have narrowed down my choices to these three songs. Read more…
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.
Just when we were feeling a little down in the dumps about music and had started surveying our friends for who would be good manning an iPod, our luck changed.
Don’t get me wrong—I had warmed up to the iPod idea. Our friends that will be there who are interested in dancing boogie down to an iPod every weekend. On top of that, I kind of liked the idea that I could pick every song. It was the lady from our reception venue that said the iPod weddings there before didn’t work out well. The sound was off and not loud enough. Also, your playlist is your playlist, and it can’t be adjusted easily to play more of what the dancing people want to hear. There are a lot of pros and cons out there.
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!
I am getting married next week, y’all. NEXT. WEEK. That is, like, practically tomorrow.
Also, I drank three glasses of wine tonight.
Also, I haven’t been sleeping and I feel kind of nauseous all the time. (No, I am not pregnant.) Yes, the wine helps with that…OK, with the sleeping part at least.
I’m not nauseous about marrying Mr. Magic. I mean, we fight and stuff, sure, but we are good together. He’s like the yin to my yang. Or, like 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!
While I wait for evidence pictures of my bachelorette party, I thought I’d talk about music. I big puffy heart dancing, and while I was gettin’ down with my ladies this past weekend it really made me excited to dance on our wedding day. Really excited.
When we first started planning our wedding way back when, in an effort to save money, we decided an iPod reception was the way to go. I would make the playlists, simple and free. Done and done, right? Wrong. I have read posts and comments about doing this, and while it is still the right choice for some couples, I got scared. An iPod reception is totally doable, we just changed our minds.
We are saving money and DIY’ing 97% (I just made that percentage up) of this wedding ourselves. I realized a few months ago that there were two areas I didn’t want to do ourselves: the food (I know, I haven’t talked about our food—that is coming!) and the music. There are too many wild cards. What happens if someone wants to request a song? I’m that girl who always requests a song songs; I’d probably be mad I couldn’t do that at my own wedding. What if the party is really diggin’ the ’90s music and I’ve got a whole bunch of country music lined up after “Juicy” plays? And, AND what if we had a technical error?! I cannot have a music-less reception. Too much stress.
Mrs. Skunk, AtlantaAge and Occupation: 23, Post baccalaureate studentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Mechanical DesignerEngagement Date: February 13, 2011Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Neverland Farms About Me: I’m a Georgia peach born and raised in the dirty dirty. I love reading, baking lots of sweets and forcing them on my friends, and most of all, rock climbing. I am in the process of applying to graduate school in physical therapy and I work at farmers’ markets around town selling bread for a local bakery. The mister and I met while rock climbing just over two years ago and have been inseparable ever since. Our climbing friends mean the world to us and have played an integral role in our relationship. We’re planning a barnyard shindig filled with good food, good friends, and lots of love.
Mrs. Knitting, TorontoAge and Occupation: 24, Student Recruitment Assistant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Neuroscience PhD CandidateEngagement Date: October 2009Wedding Date: December 2010Venue: University of Toronto Faculty Club
About Me: I'm a pearl wearing, etiquette book reading Toronto girl who loves cooking and baking, museums, charm bracelets, and collecting books on Jackie Kennedy (a lot). I've been known to spend Sunday mornings at the antique market, Wednesday evenings at sister sushi dinners, and any bit of spare time reading. After six and a half years of many late night walks, watching DVDs together in bed, travelling to places like New York, and Tobermory, doing Sudokus together on the couch, lots of Indian food, the occasional yoga class, moving in together and so much more, Mr. Knitting and I are planning a cozy Christmasy (it's a word!), vintage wedding in Toronto complete with many DIY projects (eek!) and lots of help from our amazing group of family and friends.
I had so much fun putting together the playlists for our wedding. It meant that we got to listen to a lot of really meaningful songs that we really love throughout our cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. Here’s a few examples.
“Little Jeannie” by Elton John:
“Little Jeannie” is my little sister’s “song,” so it was important to me to include it.
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!
Let’s veer back to music. It’s an essential part of any wedding day, yes? It can really set the tone for the ceremony, reception, etc…from the processional to the recessional to the first dance to the last song, and everything in between.
I kind of wish we could do, like, 27 first dances so we could use every song that’s in our “Wedding Possibilities” playlist right now. Sure, “Stolen“is always a possibility, but there are SO MANY other beautiful, perfect songs out there as well.
I discovered a lot of the songs that I’m loving right now thanks to TV and movie soundtracks. In fact, Mr. Foxy and I were watching Juno for the eleventy-billionth (not exaggerating) time a few months ago…you know the opening scene, with the credits and cartoon? The song that plays during it…I’m obsessed.
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.
Finding a DJ was something I wanted to do very early on in the planning process. It was among one of the most important vendors to me to book. They are basically responsible for keeping everything flowing smoothly, from ceremony to reception. I was preparing myself for the search to be difficult. You see, my taste in music is quite eclectic. My iPod is fairly interesting to browse through because the bulk of it is this:
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!
Mr. Foxy scored major awesome points in my book last Friday night.
See…I find ideas for wedding music daily. I have a whole playlist on iTunes called “Wedding Possibilities” that is full of songs I dream of using for our processional, recessional, first dance, whatever. Too many songs, honestly. I need more “moments” so I can have more songs.
Anyway. My teenage heart and I big puffy heart love Dashboard Confessional—always have, always will. One of my favorite lovey-dovey songs for the longest time has be “Stolen.”
Mrs. Frog, Phoenix, AZ/Chelan, WA
Age and Occupation: 29, Public Relations
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Online SalesEngagement Date: February 8, 2009Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: Amy's ManorAbout Me: I'm an opinionated Midwestern girl now living in the Valley of the Sun marrying a laid back Northwestern guy. I'm equal parts sass, silly and sweet. I'm fiercely loyal with a strong devotion to my family and friends. I have a not-so-secret obsession with apple juice, a new obsession with DIY projects and I love a really good cheese plate...with lots of wine. After 7 blissful years of dating, I'm having the time of my life planning the destination wedding of my dreams to my Mr. Frog-turned-Prince Charming.
Ms. Gazelle, Calgary/VancouverAge and Occupation: 32, EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Technology AnalystEngagement Date: September 3, 2010Wedding Date: July 2011Venue: Brock House Restaurant, VancouverAbout Me: I am a marathon runner, cyclist, Ironman triathlete and beautiful shoe fiend who also loves kicking back and watching Glee. I grew up a bit of a nomad as I traveled around the world with my family, living everywhere from Australia to England to South America and Indonesia. I finally settled in Calgary a few years ago and met Mr. Gazelle who loves me even though we cheer for different hockey teams. We are planning a bit of a destination wedding in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia and we can’t wait to share the day with our close family and friends.
Mrs. Mouse, AustinAge and Occupation: 25, Weddingbee Editor/AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Civil EngineerEngagement Date: December 19, 2007Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Barr MansionAbout Me: I just graduated from law school and will be taking the bar, getting married, going on a honeymoon with my guy, and then trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I was born and raised in a small East Texas town, but I'm no country girl! I'm obsessed with British accents, fantasy (including Harry Potter, of course), and classic rock. My fiance and I consider ourselves both music and beer snobs--but every once in awhile we love to hear a crappy band and drink a cheap brew or two. We're planning an eco-friendly, casual, English garden affair for the end of summer, and we can't wait for it to get here!
Mrs. Skunk, AtlantaAge and Occupation: 23, Post baccalaureate studentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Mechanical DesignerEngagement Date: February 13, 2011Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Neverland Farms About Me: I’m a Georgia peach born and raised in the dirty dirty. I love reading, baking lots of sweets and forcing them on my friends, and most of all, rock climbing. I am in the process of applying to graduate school in physical therapy and I work at farmers’ markets around town selling bread for a local bakery. The mister and I met while rock climbing just over two years ago and have been inseparable ever since. Our climbing friends mean the world to us and have played an integral role in our relationship. We’re planning a barnyard shindig filled with good food, good friends, and lots of love.
In meeting with Suzy at Neverland, she kept mentioning that she needed a CD with our ceremony music on it. At first I was a little confused. I kinda just assumed there would be set music. “Here comes the bride. Dun dun dun-dun.” And as you all know, this Skunk isn’t a good decision maker. So I started looking early. And once I found what I like and it passed the Mr. Skunk test, it’s been set in stone since April. Maybe this wedding is making me more decisive after all! I’ll quit hemming and hawing and get down to business.
This will be playing during the escorting of the moms and grandmas, and then Jonathan, the best man, and the pastor coming to the altar. I’ve been obsessed with Led Zeppelin for as long as I can remember. There’s nothing quite like driving with the windows down and singing along with Robert Plant.
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.
Some people sink their time and energy into a super unique and personalized ceremony. Others slave over DIY flowers because they are the only ones who can guarantee their vision for floral arrangements. Me? I just want to dance!
We’re doing a few of the usual reception traditions, (first dance, garter toss, bouquet toss) but made sure to leave multiple hours completely free so that everyone can boogie down on the dance floor.
This past weekend, I went ahead and created The Most Awesome Wedding Playlist of All Time. Read more…
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!
Now that I’ve confessed to my one and only princessy bridal moment, it’s time to put that into some context for you. My musical ear is pretty finely tuned, so I was super picky when it came to ceremony music—not just what songs we chose but how those songs would fit together to set the stage for our celebration. I wanted them to create a mood, to flow from one to the other in a sensible and meaningful way. I guess you could say that I wanted to create something of a soundtrack for our ceremony that was reflective of both our personalities as well as the significance of the occasion.
This was another one of those times where not being tied down to any traditional or venue-imposed ceremony music “rules” was both a blessing and a curse. We had to figure out our own preferences (lyrics vs. instrumental, contemporary vs. classic, edit songs ourselves or play from the beginning) in order to narrow down an incredibly vast world of music. Mr. FW and I pretty quickly agreed on a few songs we liked, but finding the perfect arrangements took me for-freakin’-ever. In fact I almost abandoned the project on several occasions because I couldn’t find a useable copy of something, or the arrangements of two songs were each beautiful but didn’t work well together, etc. Read more…
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
Anyone recognize this magazine? Yep…that’s the October 2011 issue of Brides magazine!
