Eyes on the Bride: Jessica

So excited to share some more details for Jessica's wedding in a few weeks! This Eyes on the Bride sheds some light on the fun and hilarious snippets she's been sharing in the "Things I Learned" series.

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Bride's Name, Age, Occupation -- Jessica, 27, Civil Engineer & Two Wedding Belle

Groom's Name, Age, Occupation -- Sheil, 28, Sports Writer/Editor

City of Residence -- Ardmore,PA / Philadelphia

Wedding Location -- Philadelphia - Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing

How you met -- We met at Penn State during our senior year. I was part of a group for Dance Marathon (or THON) - a student-run philanthropy at PSU - that worked to get new on-campus groups involved in the event. Sheil and his friend were looking to participate in THON 2005, so a mutual friend put us in touch. Several non-memorable and a couple memorable run-ins around town ensued before we both ended up moving to Baltimore for work. But, I would like to have it firmly cemented in the reputable TWB archives that I moved to Baltimore first.

How long you've dated -- This question always makes me stop and do the math. I think my priest thought our relationship was a sham because I didn't have an immediate answer. But anyway...it's been a little more than 5 years.

How he proposed -- Playing into the fact that I can be lured easily by the promise of food, Sheil told me that there was an ice cream truck that stays near the Boathouse Row area of Philly and we should head there after we met for a post-work dinner one Friday night. It was pretty hot outside, and we had a bit of a walk to get to Boathouse Row, but that is my favorite place in the city and I was blinded by the thought of more food so I agreed to this plan. But when we got there, there wasn't an ice cream truck to be found. Our "plan" had been foiled. Sheil suggested we walk a little further down the boathouse path and then sit and hang out on a bench. I should've known something was up right here, because sitting on benches is not something we do. Ever. But I was just happy to sit...until I started getting freaked out by every little noise that a random jogger or animal in the brush would make. It was getting dark at this point and we were on a bench near the water that was pretty secluded. Getting attacked in between the boathouses was not how I wanted the night to end. So I said I wanted to leave. But Sheil wouldn't let me get up before he asked me one little question and pulled out a ring. I had been duped! And as it turns out, I still had a hankering for ice cream.

Wedding colors/theme -- I decided on different shades of blue and Sheil picked green. No real theme other than "wedding."

Bridesmaids' dresses info -- The BM's are all wearing traditional Indian saris during the ceremony, so I wanted to give them some fashion freedom when it came to their looks for the reception. They'll be wearing cocktail dresses of their choosing in different shades of blue. I can't wait to see what everyone has chosen!

Best part of planning -- Getting personal use of all the little things I've picked up over the past few years by working with Erin and other brides and from trolling the wedding blogosphere.

Worst part of planning -- There are times where it can get really overwhelming. As soon as one project is done, I have to move right onto another. Whenever one contract is all locked up, there is an issue with someone else's. Good thing I have my glue gun and my spreadsheets to keep everything in check.

Most surprising part of planning -- How much I am certain that I would much rather plan someone else's wedding than my own.

Favorite vendor so far -- This is a tough one because I feel like so many of our vendors are really great. I'm gonna have to say it's a tie between our day-of coordinator, Danielle Pasternak, and our photographer, Nicole Peterson. Whenever I look at either of their blogs or read their tweets, I feel totally reassured that we will be in good hands come wedding day. The worry-free vendors are the best ones, right?

Places you registered -- We kept it simple and only registered at one place - Macy's.

Any Do-It-Yourself (DIY) plans -- There have been a ton of little DIY projects along the way. At the reception we'll have some table decor and little things scattered throughout that is all DIY. I don't mean to be aloof - I just can't even remember all the things I have in boxes and bags right now.

Honeymoon Location -- Greece! So excited for our upcoming trip. We're hitting up Athens, a couple different towns on Santorini, and the beach on Mykonos.