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.
The mister and I had spoken of marriage before. But I was sure that it was going to happen during “boulder season.” (That’s what we call the time where the weather is actually cold enough for us to decide to go outside to climb.) Well, now it was February, and while the weather was still holding out, the days had slowly started turning warmer, and I knew for sure that it was going to be a longer wait than I had anticipated. Also, I had recently boogered up my left middle finger and wasn’t in the mood to go outside and watch everyone else climb while I had to sit back.
I finally got cabin fever and decided one weekend that I would go up to Chattanooga and stay at a friend’s house so I could at least hang out with everyone once the day was over. While everyone was getting ready, I at the last minute decided I couldn’t stand it, taped up my fingers, grabbed my gear, and got in the car. We were headed to Rocktown and, come hell or high water, I was gonna climb. I didn’t notice a single thing weird about the day except that, on the way up, the mister’s hands were much sweatier than normal. I figured he was just as antsy as I was to get on rock. But then at a fork in the road, he turned left to go to the lookout while everyone else followed right and went on up to the trail head for the boulder field.
Miss Doily, Cedar Rapids, IowaAge and Occupation: 25, Autism Paraeducator/ StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Freelance Writer/ PublisherEngagement Date: August 27th, 2010Wedding Date: March 2012Venue: Father’s Vineyard Church/ A Touch of Class Banquet CenterAbout Me: I’m an Iowan girl with a deep love of Harry Potter, classic movies, cardigans, and Post-Its. My type-A Virgo tendencies often cause me to drive my laid-back college sweetheart fiance batty with lists and PowerPoint presentations. I love to be crafty and do things myself, which explains why my two crazy kittens often will prance around the house covered in glitter and ribbons. When I am not bogged down with work, school, or wedding planning, I like to travel to visit my expansive family and have wild adventures with my best friends. After a rollercoaster ride of a love story, I’m ready to take that final plunge, marry the love of my life, and become a Mrs.!
I’m taking a moment from Mr. D’s and my ceremony brainstorm to share part of my weekend with you. Why is that? Well, let me promise you that at first it may not seem like it, it really is wedding related.
This weekend I went with MOH A to the Iowa State Fair. It’s a huge deal here in the Midwest as one of the largest fairs in the United States, period. We have our quaint traditions that only Iowans can have, such as a butter cow:
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!
September 25, 2010 seemed like any other ordinary Saturday.Mr. Ball Cap and I made plans to have my dad come over and help us with some landscaping and home-repair jobs.
Unbeknownst to me, while the guys returned some yard equipment, Mr. Ball Cap took the opportunity to ask my dad for permission to ask for my hand in marriage. I always loved this tradition and it was never a question for either of us whether Mr. Ball Cap would ask.My dad told him he and my mom would be honored to have him in our family.So sweet!
The guys returned to our house and grilled up lunch. Mr. Ball Cap’s phone was on the kitchen island and, while he was outside, it rang.The number on the caller ID didn’t have a name associated with it, so I opened the patio door and tossed him the phone.He answered and just kept saying, “Yes, uh huh, yes, OK, thank you” to the person on the other end.When he hung up, he just mumbled that he wasn’t sure who it was—some lady rambling on and he didn’t really remember what she said or was talking about.I was completely confused and shrugged it off as a wrong number. Read more…
Miss 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.
Mr. Kettle and I were freshly in love when I last left off. I was spending a lot of time in St. Louis where he worked. I was unemployed and making the most of my free time. I went to a lot of Mr. Kettle’s gigs.
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!
Sister Ticket and I decided to go out shopping on Saturday afternoon. Nothing particularly special, just a day out with my sister and niece. As we walked around the mall I admitted to Sister Ticket that I secretly hoped Mr. Ticket was ring shopping as we were out. I didn’t know why, but I just had this “feeling” that he was going to be. But I was SURE I had blown it by making some comment earlier that same day about proposals. (Darn my impatience!) Sure enough after we finished shopping and I headed over to Mr. Ticket’s apartment, he was sitting in precisely the same position I had left him in HOURS earlier in his “comfy” clothes (basketball shorts and a grungy old T-shirt) playing Call of Duty. With that, I pouted into his kitchen to make dinner and forgot all about my “feeling.”
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!
I had been hoping for a proposal for a couple of months (specifically since his brothers had both just proposed to their girlfriends), and I hinted. OK, I hinted heavily…I’m a bit ashamed of myself for that. I KNEW he was going to propose at some point. The man had moved across the country for me! A proposal was coming, it was just a matter of when…
Mrs. Parasol, San Ramon, CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 25, Non-profit writer, editor, and bloggerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Law school studentEngagement Date: December 19th, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Bent Creek Winery (Livermore, California); Reception: Family Residence (San Ramon, California) About Me: I am a California girl at heart. I love the outdoors, sunny days at the beach, and hiking in the woods and mountains. I also love good books and am fresh from completing my Master's degree in English and Comparative Literature in New York City. Living in NYC was an amazing experience, and while I'm glad to be back on the West Coast, I'm also thankful that my two years back East gave me an opportunity to explore new places, make new friends, and indulge my passion for Broadway shows. Oh, and I received a pretty awesome proposal from Mr. Parasol in Central Park. Above all else, Mr. Parasol is my biggest cheerleader and my best friend. But even though I'm thrilled to be marrying him, I wasn't always totally on board with this whole wedding thing and at first, I wanted to run off and elope. I've finally been convinced to throw the wedding I never thought I wanted, and so now I'm busy planning an intimate September wedding filled with DIY details. Along the way, I'm slowly learning to appreciate, perhaps even love the wedding planning process.
Today I’m mixing things up a bit around here, hive. Instead of writing about my latest DIY project or wedding crisis, I’ve invited a very special guest blogger to write today’s post. And who is this guest blogger? Mr. Parasol! You’ve heard so much about Mr. Parasol on here from me that I figure it is time to let him speak for himself. Plus, I appreciate having a day off from blogging. It can be hard work!
Be sure to leave him lots of love! I know you will.
*****
Hi hive!
Mr. Parasol here! I’m really excited (and kind of nervous!) to be writing to all of you today, and I want to share a little about my own experience and perspective on planning a wedding with Miss Parasol (who I’m sure you agree is pretty awesome!).
Most of us guys have no idea how many intricate details go into a wedding, at least not until we start planning one. If you’ve read our proposal story, then you can probably tell that I am the type of guy who likes to have a plan. I guess you could say I have a mind for logistics.
Mrs. Teacup, Santa CruzAge and Occupation: 34, Pharmaceutical SalesFiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Ditto! (For a different company)Engagement Date: October 1, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: ceremony in our family's Catholic church in Watsonville; reception at the Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkAbout Me: I’m learning to embrace my true spirit as GIRLY GIRL after previous careers in the Navy and consulting for the government. My favorite hobby is SLEEP, with dancing HULA a close second. An INTROVERT in extrovert clothing, I’m questing to UNDO 34 years of TYPE A conditioning. Constantly processing the details of our upcoming nuptials, peek into this late blooming bride & groom's roller coaster ride to the altar. Giant Dipper required, sold separately.
Post-proposal, we headed back home to start our normal Friday—except now we were ENGAGED! Yay!
Remember my man-gagement present? Well, so much time had elapsed since we bought it and, in the flurry of excitement in proposing, Mr. Hot Tea forgot that he could now wear his watch. Double yay!
Mrs. Teacup, Santa CruzAge and Occupation: 34, Pharmaceutical SalesFiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Ditto! (For a different company)Engagement Date: October 1, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: ceremony in our family's Catholic church in Watsonville; reception at the Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkAbout Me: I’m learning to embrace my true spirit as GIRLY GIRL after previous careers in the Navy and consulting for the government. My favorite hobby is SLEEP, with dancing HULA a close second. An INTROVERT in extrovert clothing, I’m questing to UNDO 34 years of TYPE A conditioning. Constantly processing the details of our upcoming nuptials, peek into this late blooming bride & groom's roller coaster ride to the altar. Giant Dipper required, sold separately.
If you type “marriage proposal” into a Google search, you’ll get back more that 5.5 million hits. And if you are a girl that really wants to get hitched, waiting tests even the strongest willpower.
I am embarrassed to admit it, but I was that girl. Starting to feel more than a little impatient, did I just need to go ahead with it myself already?!
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!
When I left off, we successfully took the sailboat down and kept my bling hidden from my best friend. The drive home was surreal as I sat there and stared at my left-hand ring finger. My parents and I are very close, and it was always important to me that my parents knew of the impending proposal. Mr. Honey did good and spoke to them before popping the question, so when I called to tell them, they were giddy with anticipation. Of course they were thrilled…and cried tears of happiness.
Celebration was clearly in order. We rode our cruisers downtown to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. We splurged and got seafood and prickly pear margaritas. I positioned my hand each time the waiter would come to our table to attempt to blind him with my new sparkly:
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!
Last summer, Mr. Honey purchased a sailboat to round out his collection of skateboards, kayaks, and snowboards. I frequently tell him we need a garage so that he can sit in all his manly glory and admire his toys. Side note: don’t Google images of man and his toys—weird things come up.
I had never been sailing before, and envisioned calm, relaxing afternoons in the high mountain lakes. Mr. Honey, of course, saw the new hobby as an addition to his extreme sports. You know, the kind of sailing that involves harnesses, high winds, and sailboats sailing sideways:
Mrs. Parasol, San Ramon, CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 25, Non-profit writer, editor, and bloggerFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Law school studentEngagement Date: December 19th, 2010Wedding Date: September 2011Venue: Bent Creek Winery (Livermore, California); Reception: Family Residence (San Ramon, California) About Me: I am a California girl at heart. I love the outdoors, sunny days at the beach, and hiking in the woods and mountains. I also love good books and am fresh from completing my Master's degree in English and Comparative Literature in New York City. Living in NYC was an amazing experience, and while I'm glad to be back on the West Coast, I'm also thankful that my two years back East gave me an opportunity to explore new places, make new friends, and indulge my passion for Broadway shows. Oh, and I received a pretty awesome proposal from Mr. Parasol in Central Park. Above all else, Mr. Parasol is my biggest cheerleader and my best friend. But even though I'm thrilled to be marrying him, I wasn't always totally on board with this whole wedding thing and at first, I wanted to run off and elope. I've finally been convinced to throw the wedding I never thought I wanted, and so now I'm busy planning an intimate September wedding filled with DIY details. Along the way, I'm slowly learning to appreciate, perhaps even love the wedding planning process.
So in Part I of the Story of Us, I told you all about how Mr. Parasol finally got me to go out with him and a little bit about our relationship. Now I want to share the over-the-moon amazing proposal he surprised me with on our three-year anniversary.
By this time, we had been living in New York City for about a year and a half and were getting close to finishing up our master’s degrees. Anyway, on Friday December 17th, 2010, I came home after taking my last final of the semester and working a long shift. I was exhausted, hungry, and looking forward to a relaxing evening at home. As I approached my door, though, I spotted a note. It was from Mr. Parasol, and the note said that in honor of our three-year anniversary on December 19th, he would be showering me with surprises for the next three days. The note also contained a clue to the first surprise, but I was so tired I didn’t have a chance at figuring it out. But even though I was exhausted, that note instantly lifted my spirits, and I found myself incredibly excited (and anxious!) to experience all that Mr. Parasol had planned for us.
When I walked in the door, I saw that Mr. Parasol had prepared a beautiful dinner for us that consisted of some of my favorite foods and a delicious bottle of apple wine.
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!
As I may or may not have mentioned, I got really antsy for a question’ poppin’ immediately after we moved in together. Mr. Ladyfingers made the tactical error of telling me last June that he already knew how he was going to do it, and that he’d talked to people about it, and that I wouldn’t have to wait that long.
Being the charming, laid-back creature that I am, this turned every major event between June and Christmas into a nervous freakout letdown session. Our trip to the beach in July, my 30th birthday party, Halloween, Thanksgiving, anytime we went out to dinner, most weekends, and some Tuesdays.
I was a constant ball of nerves, all because he had the audacity to tell me he was going to ask me to marry him eventually. I’m telling you, I seriously checked sock drawers from time to time to see if there was a ring in there. So shameful.
Miss Doily, Cedar Rapids, IowaAge and Occupation: 25, Autism Paraeducator/ StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Freelance Writer/ PublisherEngagement Date: August 27th, 2010Wedding Date: March 2012Venue: Father’s Vineyard Church/ A Touch of Class Banquet CenterAbout Me: I’m an Iowan girl with a deep love of Harry Potter, classic movies, cardigans, and Post-Its. My type-A Virgo tendencies often cause me to drive my laid-back college sweetheart fiance batty with lists and PowerPoint presentations. I love to be crafty and do things myself, which explains why my two crazy kittens often will prance around the house covered in glitter and ribbons. When I am not bogged down with work, school, or wedding planning, I like to travel to visit my expansive family and have wild adventures with my best friends. After a rollercoaster ride of a love story, I’m ready to take that final plunge, marry the love of my life, and become a Mrs.!
Mr. D and I have been doing the long-distance relationship for almost two years now. Let me preface this by saying I was not expecting a proposal while we were still living apart. (Well, maybe a part of me hoped.) I had come home for my 24th birthday in August 2010 because we were planning a fabulous weekend in Des Moines to celebrate with my friends. We were not going to drive down to Des Moines until the day after my birthday, which was a Saturday, so I spent my actual birthday on Friday holed up in the apartment with our two cats since Mr. D had to work most of the day. (This is while he still had a job where he had to work hours in an office.) While the cats were amusing, it wasn’t how I imagined spending my special birthday.
Personal photo
This is Smudge and Kelly Clarkson: My troublesome duo. Mr. D and I adopted these frisky sisters in June 2007 (and seriously, they are from the same litter). They are lounging here on Mr. D’s ugly man-chair that they fortunately clawed up before we fixed them, and I was able to throw it out.
Miss Doily, Cedar Rapids, IowaAge and Occupation: 25, Autism Paraeducator/ StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Freelance Writer/ PublisherEngagement Date: August 27th, 2010Wedding Date: March 2012Venue: Father’s Vineyard Church/ A Touch of Class Banquet CenterAbout Me: I’m an Iowan girl with a deep love of Harry Potter, classic movies, cardigans, and Post-Its. My type-A Virgo tendencies often cause me to drive my laid-back college sweetheart fiance batty with lists and PowerPoint presentations. I love to be crafty and do things myself, which explains why my two crazy kittens often will prance around the house covered in glitter and ribbons. When I am not bogged down with work, school, or wedding planning, I like to travel to visit my expansive family and have wild adventures with my best friends. After a rollercoaster ride of a love story, I’m ready to take that final plunge, marry the love of my life, and become a Mrs.!
Well, I guess I wouldn’t go as far as to call it bliss. Mr. D and I have had a lot of ups and downs. Back in college we spent a lot of time together. Mr. D was a junior and was two years older than me. We often spent time talking about football and watching games. Mr. D said jokingly that he even knew the exact moment he knew he loved me. It was when we were watching a Packers game and I got upset at a bad call from a referee. He said he was impressed that I even caught that it was bad call without someone who was really into football saying something. Of course, he quickly followed that up and said he loved more about me than just my deep love of football. He said he loved the way I snort when I laugh, the way that I dryly say certain things, and that I am super sarcastic. And after planning for a college experience without relationships, I was in love and suddenly in a pretty deep relationship with someone I definitely did not think was the kind of person I would fall for.
Mr. D and me having a deep conversation in his room with some friends in 2005
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
