By now you should have received your Saved the Date in the mail. For most Baltimoreans, these two iconic figures are easily recognizable - but for those who don't know, let's fill you in, and later we'll tell you the the personal touches we put on the characters and a bit of our family history involving the two figures that adorn our save the date.
On the left, representing Bobbie is the Little Utz girl. The rosy cheek cutie is the face of a local brand of potato chips, Utz Chips. Through all of our googling, we could not find much information on the origin of the Little Utz Girl, but we did find that she does write a blog and has a Facebook page, go ahead and become a fan.
Over on the right of the Save the Date, representing John is the one-eyed, mustached icon of Baltimore, Mr. Boh. Mr. Boh is the mascot for National Bohemian Beer or Natty Boh as it is referred to here in Baltimore, the place where the beer was first brewed. Mr. Boh is easily the most seen face in all of Baltimore and represents a damn fine beer!
Getting Them Together
We can not take credit for being the ones to put these icons together. It was an ad for Smyth Jewlers (the some spot where Bobbie's ring was purchased) shouting the slogan "Where Baltimore Gets Engaged."
The ad is prominently displayed in Baltimore, just a few blocks away from where Bobbie and John first lived together. The billboard was an obvious influence. It was often joked that the two characters would make great Halloween costumes for us.
Personal touches
For, us we loved the concept of the original Smyth ad, but certainly wanted to add some pieces of our personality. That's when we put Maid of Honor Katie O'Connell to work. Using her great graphic skills, Katie was able to add these personal touches to the save the date.
Check out the Utz girl and notice her Diet Coke shirt.
Bobbie endorses the Diet Coke product like NO other product. It makes up the majority of her favorite beverage - sing it with me "Captain and Diet, tall glass, but just a single, with 2 lemons."
Now check out Mr. Boh. Yup, old school Chuck Taylor Converse shoes. Easily John's favorite shoe and perhaps favorite article of clothing all together. In fact, every year for John's Birthday, Bobbie gives John a fresh pair, always black low tops.
Family History: The Laur - Mr. Boh Connection
Mr. Boh has shown himself a lot in John's life. John's Dad, Mr. John, has always had his father Charles' "Chic" beer mug. The mug features a Mr. Boh on the outside and a surprise Mr. Boh the pops out from the bottom of the mug.
While I have never seen the mug used as a beer mug, we hear that the mug was mostly used in the Laur house as the place to store the ping pong balls in the basement.
Family History: The Kemp/O'Connell - Utz Connection
Story about Family getting and giving UTZ chip tins
If there is an O'Connell/Kemp family gathering, whether 2 or 20 people, you can guarantee the presence of Utz potato chips and sour cream and onion dip. The Utz are so popular in their family that they have even shipped the tins, full of deliciousness, all around the country, mainly to make her Aunt Kitty's day.
Getting "Magnetic"
We were always really into following the trend of having our Save the Date put out as a magnet. Maybe its because we love food and being on the fridge is like home to us. Who knows.
Best Man Troy Laur was able, through magic, voodoo or some kind of odd super power able to get use a killer deal on getting the Save the Date printed on magnet. It is thanks to him that we now get to live side by side with some of our other favorite couples.
