Don't knock it till you try it

Last week at this exact moment I was trying to calm down a nervous groom.  Yes, I said groom.  He wasn't nervous about the normal things, but he wanted to get chairs for the rehearsal dinner that was happening at his house in less than an hour.  We had practiced the "rain plan" walking down the aisle several times and he was itching to get out of there.  Later on at the dinner, once everyone was happily feed and had some beverages in them, he said something to me that really stuck with me.  It was about the rehearsal itself.  He said "I didn't really think we needed to practice, but once I got up there, I started getting nervous." 
He was not referring to the actual walking down the aisle...that's pretty easy, one foot in front of the other.  But more so the ceremony!  We had a wonderful priest who really took the time to explain what was going to happen and what would happen after that, and the couple even practiced the kiss and the turn and the walking down the stairs.  The groom realized that the rehearsal was for the ceremony and making sure everyone not only knew where to stand but what was going to happen during the ceremony.  The bride and groom were able to ask questions, several words could be changed if the need presented itself.  
So, for those of you out there wondering, "Do I really need to rehearse the day before?"  I have to say, "YES!"  Don't knock the practice of the big day, until you try it.  Most likely, you too will then agree, it was a good choice to make. 

The sun will come out tomorrow

Nicca and Timmy Powell were married yesterday in Bridgeville, delaware at Heritage Shores Country Club! Fun, smiles and laughter was had by all! Especially since mother nature and I had a serious talk Friday night! I had been so nervous about the rain plan but when we practiced the ceremony inside friday night (due to rain) the bride said "this feels right" and I had to agree with her....she was surrounded by people who loved and supported her and her groom! We were all on board for rain plan but the hope was that we could be outside. Jillian (heritage shores consultant) and I were thinking positive thoughts all morning. At 2:35 I said " alright, we are having this outside!". We had chairs set up and mother nature came through! We had a ceremony,
cocktail hour, pictures and even a send off all outside!!! I was the last to leave at 10:35. When I left the parking lot, the rain started and got a bit harder as I drove to the after party. I began to laugh so hard, tears filled my eyes. So even as you are looking at your 10 day forecast and things are looking worse and worse, and you lose hope when you start seriously talking rain plans with venue, just remember nothing! Is a sure thing. Think those positive thoughts! And no matter what keep your eye on the prize! Marrying your better half:)

The "Monsters"

Planning an event and especially a wedding, brings lots of stress to anyone involved! As the planner it's my job to keep the stress down...and hide the "monsters."  The running joke between bride (and friend) and me is that my amazingly supportive boyfriend sometimes forgets to feed me. 

A little back story..I am very capable of feeding myself, but when visiting him in Delaware we are using only his car, and usually on his police schedule.  He also lives like a total bachelor and never has any edible food in the house.  So I like to eat 3 meals a day and at least two snacks and he usually eats twice a day. We have a difference in eating schedules...hence the forgetting to feed me line.

 So as bride/friend and my efforts to solidify bridal luncheon plans, I wasn't adding me to the count and didn't even think about till she mentioned it.  She said in no way was she inviting the "hungry monster" to her wedding.  It made me laugh about the conversations she and I have had about me not "being fed".  

It also made me reflect on the other "monsters" that come out.  For example, vendors can become controlling and want to control not only their portion of the wedding, but also all the other sections too.  Let's call them the "Hog Monsters".  Photographers are notorious for this, but I have to say I have met with two amazing photographers here in the Charlotte area and they seem amazing (read not controlling) and would love to work with them!  

There are other monsters too.  We all know about "Bridezilla" and "Mom's in Chargesters" (I am lucky enough not to have experienced any of those yet)  There is a new trend forming for "Bridesmaids-zillas".  Seems they got their cue from "Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids."

I know there will be a time when I encounter even more "monsters." But for right now I have an amazing support group that laughs when I tell them my "monster" stories.  (Thanks Mom!)  They remind me that soon I will be laughing about it too, and sometimes we get to laugh about it as we are talking about. (Thanks Maggie)

So while there probably isn't any monsters under your bed or in your closet...beware! Because they most likely are the ones who will come out of nowhere when you start to plan an event like a wedding! 

Have no fear! Hire me....I'm like the Ghost-Busters, but way cuter, less messier and so much more fun to work with! 

All in a Night's Work

After a relaxing and enjoyable day, I got bit by the "planner bug"!  I had a short conversation with the MOB (46 minutes) and I was off!  Something that has been bothering me was the out of town bags for guests.  There had been discussion about baskets/bags and what to be put in them, but I wanted a solution.  And we found some super cute bags from papermart.com. 
    

We will be using both these colors as they are very similar to the wedding colors.

Another thing that I wanted figured out was the bridal luncheon.  Because the girls need to be ready by 2:15pm, for the photographer, we decided to have the bridal luncheon at the venue.  I thought we would be able to have outside food brought in, but alas, my plan was foiled!  So we are now working with the venue to create something more in the budget, fingers crossed they come through!

Bridal party gifts are also in the works, as well as a gift for the maid of honor.  I have a wonderful contact, Brenda, who I think could find me anything I ever wanted!  Check out her website: Idle Time Designs


Last night we also worked on a shot list for the photographer, a possible insert for the out of town bags and I am working hard on my "Emergency Day of Wedding" kit.  Today I even ordered an organizer that rolls and has pockets: