Miss Unicycle, Chicago, ILAge and Occupation: 23, Editor for a Web Publishing CompanyFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, MD/PhD StudentEngagement Date: March 26, 2011Wedding Date: June 2012Venue: Bridges of Poplar CreekAbout Me: I’m a writer by trade who likes analyzing pop culture, making fun of celebrities, and laughing until I cry. I’m the queen of half-assed crafts, and there’s nothing I won’t try to DIY. You can usually find me reading blogs on my laptop in front of a good Lifetime movie, wine in hand. I’m planning a polka-dotted summertime wedding to my physics geek college sweetheart, and when I’m not making stupid puns I’m freaking out about my wedding timeline.
I’m at the point in wedding planning where I feel like I’ve lost the ability to make a decision. Every wedding-related activity is a series of decisions that I have to either make by myself or interrupt Mr. Unicycle’s med-school studying to bother him about. I’ll probably write a post complaining about this more in depth later, if you’re lucky.
One part of the wedding plans that didn’t require much effort in deciding was the father/daughter dance. Years ago, my dad and I were driving in the car (probably to Home Depot—he used to trick me into going with him by saying we were going on a fun shopping trip, which I fell for every single time), and I was making fun of his choice of music. He’s a big fan of terrible music from the ’70s like The Eagles, America, Chicago, and other bands that took inspiration from geography. When Fleetwood Mac came on, I stopped mid-snark when I realized that I actually kind of liked it.
Personal pic
This is us back when I was cute and he looked like Zorro.
I started requesting The Dance every time we were in the car, on the boat, around the campfire, or any time when I had to choose from his CD collection. My parents got tickets to a Fleetwood Mac concert when I was 14, and they let me and my brother go with. It was one of my favorite concerts ever! I even wrote a paper on the band in my high school freshman English class. A few years ago we went to another Fleetwood Mac concert, just the two of us, and it was possibly even better than the first one.
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.
Mr. Buck and I have grown up together listening to your music. It is one of the few music choices that we actually have in common. One of our favorite songs is of course, Better Together. The lyrics are absolutely perfect. You were able to write a beautiful love song while steering clear of being overly mushy. I thank you for that.
Better Together would be perfect for our first dance song. The issue that I am having is that it is much too fast. Either we awkwardly and quickly sway to this song, or we need to have some type of choreographed stint going on. Either way, it is not ideal for us. I have tried searching for different versions that you may have recorded, but this search has proved to be unsuccessful.
I think there is probably others out there who are in the same boat I am in. Read more…
Miss Elk, City: Syracuse/Long IslandAge and Occupation: 25, Medical StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Computer EngineerEngagement Date: November 22, 2010Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: The Old Field Club About Me: I’m a Long Island girl finishing my last year of medical school in western NY, on the road to becoming a pediatrician. When I’m not studying or sleeping at the hospital, I spend my free time watching bad TV (Vampire Diaries anyone?), playing with my pooch, singing incredibly off-key (to the annoyance of Mr. Elk ), and reading Harry Potter for the zillionth time. Mr. Elk and I are planning a secular wedding infused with both Irish and cultural Jewish traditions. Only a week after I become an M.D., I will get my Mrs. degree, too!
No, not Miss Warbler, but these Warblers from Glee:
AHHH, I love them!
Why, you may ask, am I talking about the Warblers? Well, as I’ve told you before, Mr. Elk and I met in college during our freshman orientation. During those four years, we had more fun than I can tell you! God I miss college, especially now in medical school. What I wouldn’t give to go back to those lazy days hanging out by the Japanese cherry blossoms…but I digress.
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!
I’m kind of in shock that I haven’t mentioned anything specific about our DJ Frank yet. After the venue, he was the first vendor we booked! (What can I say, we like music.) It’s actually kind of awesome because our new buddy Frank apparently works with our venue quite often, so he already knows the space, layout, and general flow of things on the big day. He came highly recommended by our DOC, and the fact that someone else was trying to book him for their wedding on the same day as ours almost two years in advance? Yea, I’d say he’s good at what he does. We’d hit that.
Mr. Foxy and I first met with Frank in July of 2010 and had an instant connection. Read more…
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.
Miss Elk, City: Syracuse/Long IslandAge and Occupation: 25, Medical StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Computer EngineerEngagement Date: November 22, 2010Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: The Old Field Club About Me: I’m a Long Island girl finishing my last year of medical school in western NY, on the road to becoming a pediatrician. When I’m not studying or sleeping at the hospital, I spend my free time watching bad TV (Vampire Diaries anyone?), playing with my pooch, singing incredibly off-key (to the annoyance of Mr. Elk ), and reading Harry Potter for the zillionth time. Mr. Elk and I are planning a secular wedding infused with both Irish and cultural Jewish traditions. Only a week after I become an M.D., I will get my Mrs. degree, too!
One of the first things Mama Elk requested when we announced we would be having a secular ceremony was that Mr. Elk break a glass at the end, and I agreed. If you are not Jewish or have never been to/seen on television a Jewish wedding, the man traditionally breaks a glass (or in the past a light bulb—easier to break, apparently) at the conclusion of the ceremony. I have always been taught that this is to symbolize the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem back in the day, but there are a lot of possible meanings. Still don’t know what I am talking about? You can refer to the only good scene from SATC2 for a movie version of the tradition.
Now, I know what you are thinking!Miss Elk—that is not secular at all! That is actually very religious.But, you have to understand—every wedding I have been to (for the most part) ends with the breaking of a glass.It is the grand finale (well, before the kiss!).It is how my relatives will know to say mazel tov and clap and get ready to party.
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.
I know few of the rules that may or may not exist about making appropriate music selections for a Catholic wedding, but I figured I should have some ideas before meeting in person with the woman who will be playing at our ceremony. I’ve heard she is the music coordinator for the church and also teaches the school’s music classes. It’s a blessing when things just kind of fall into place like that.
A lot of thought went into these, but I haven’t gotten my hopes up in case they won’t work for one reason or another. Get comfy, there are a lot of YouTube videos coming your way!
Mrs. Dalmatian, Nashville, TNAge and Occupation: 23, Pediatric NurseFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer Engineer and Entrepreneur Engagement Date: April 13, 2011Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: Historic CedarwoodAbout Me: I am a Northern girl from Chicago who is planning a wedding filled with Southern charm in Nashville, Tennessee. I love dogs, the White Sox, Full House reruns, and anything with ruffles on it. Mr. Dalmatian is my computer-genius problem-solving fiance who is constantly teaching me new things and making me a better person. We live with our adopted pup Echo, who is very excited that his parents are getting married!
With most wedding decisions, I did research until my head was spinning, contemplated every option that was even in the realm of possibility, and discussed said options with anyone who would listen until I was blue in the face. Picking a DJ, however, was not such a lengthy process, and I don’t really have an explanation as to why. It certainly wasn’t because I did not care about the music, because I think we can all agree that music can play a big role in getting the party started.
That would be Bridesmaid M, me, Mr. Dalmatian, and MOH K busting some moves at MOH A’s wedding. She had a great band that achieved a lively atmosphere and crowded dance floor that I am hoping to replicate at our wedding. Despite her great experience with a band, we decided to go with a DJ, mainly because of the lower price tag (because, let’s be honest, with regard to cutting costs so far my success rate is pretty shameful).
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!
Foxy and I have been having some really great wedding-related talks lately.
As I’ve mentioned previously, for the past year and few months, I’ve been the one researching, putting together inspiration boards, and getting the basic “skeleton” of the wedding in place. Now that we are about eight months away (OMG), it’s time to implement some of those abstract ideas and sit down and really work out what we want for our big day.
A few nights ago, we talked music—what we could use for the processional, recessional, and first-dance songs. While I’ve been compiling music for months, Foxy kind of opened my eyes to something: these songs need to be US. While we have similar taste in music, some things are definitely much more my taste and some are much more his. Naturally, I was picking things in “my style” of music; I was hellbent on using this one particular song for our first dance, but you know what? Foxy doesn’t even know the band. As perfect as the lyrics and the music may be, it’s not his thing. And we can’t be dancing to a song that will forever be “our song” if he doesn’t like it. So we spent an hour scouring our music collections and came up with some really great, unique possibilities that are so incredibly US.
Mrs. 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.
Unique Wedding Favors
