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I wrote last month about replacing your bartenders’ tip cup with a dog bowl to benefit strays (you probably want to take care of the bartenders, however….) This is a photo sent to me by the Beagle rescue. How can you resist that face…
Whatever your “pet” cause is, there is a way to make your day their day as well, and what a wonderful way to start your new life together, by giving life to those creatures who need all the help we can give them.
You’re stressed. You’re tired. Frankly, you look a little pasty. RetroBungalow has just the ticket. They make gorgeous, scented sugar scrubs that will put the pink back in your skin and take the winter out of your soul. How about Mango Papaya Sugar Scrub? Peppermint Patty Foot Scrub? YUM YUM! You know you deserve it. Check out all of Nicole’s beautiful products at her lovely little website, www.retrobungalow.com. and treat yourself to something soothing and fragrant.
Sure you can; it’s your wedding…..I’ve had clients who’ve requested mac and cheese, White Castles, Twinkies, and one father who’s only wish was an ice bucket of Yoo Hoo behind the head table.
Why not a French Fry station, complete with toppings and cones to put them in? How about a mashed potato station with martini glasses to make mashed potato sundaes?
Those unexpected touches can make your wedding truly your own, and delight everyone who has had one too many servings of Chicken Picatta.
Cupcakes for dessert anyone?
How cool is this; Daniel and Evelyn’s friends and families thought they were coming to their engagement party at a lovely hotel in New Jersey. Afer a bit of mingling and guessing about where Evelyn was, the classic wedding march started, and I slid into position, (Daniel was introducing me as an old friend from college, lol). Evelyn walked onto the dance floor in all splendor, accompanied by her dad, who had just found out the truth minutes beforehand. I think it took about half the wedding ceremony for some of their guests to realize what was happening! It was a GREAT moment, and I was happy to be a willing accomplice to their ruse. I have the best job in the world!
They are happily married, living in Canada, and expecting their first baby boy this spring. Happy new year, Evelyn and Daniel, and best wishes. We’ll be waiting for the baby pictures!
I don’t care HOW comfortable those fabulous jeweled Peter Fox bridal shoes are, after eight or so hours, you will wish you had wings. Bring some classy white flats to the reception (or some classy bejeweled Keds, if you’d like) so you have something to change into when your “dogs are barking”. Your gown will be bustled so you won’t need the height, and you’ll be able to enjoy the last hours of the reception in comfort!
Me, that would be! I had the dubious luck of being in a gorgeous hotel for a couple of days….what a great retreat! However, after weeks of beautiful spring-like weather, it was hurricane force winds on Monday, with pelting, ice cold rain, freezing temperatures and a cloud of stinky gas (WRONGLY blamed on New Jersey, I might add….) Our hotel’s restaurant was closed for a beautiful renovation (didn’t help us; we ate take out…) and I think there was a marching band in the room upstairs.
Despite all that, we had a wonderful restful, relaxing time, punctuated by champagne, movies and just quality time. So take heart; what can we learn from this? No matter what is going wrong on your honeymoon, you’re still with the person you love the most, celebrating the start of your life together, and that’s really all that matters.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
You are going to want have SOMEONE toast you; usually one or two of your bridal party, your parents, the guy who owns the coffee truck who introduced you….who knows….
Whoever that may be, encourage them to write down the things they want to say, and not to feel dumb about reading from index cards when their moment happens. They will be much more focused, less nervous, and probably will not say something they didn’t plan on (which may be a haunting for both you and them). Their remarks should last between one and three minutes, not include references to anything funny but embarrassing (which may seem cute at the moment, but not after the fact).
It’s not mean for you to gently give direction here; almost everyone you ask has never been asked before. They want to to most wonderful job ever, and you can help them do that. It’s all good!
Your local Freecycle can be a wonderful resource for all sorts of things regarding weddings. You can find punchbowls; you can give away leftover favors. There are freecycles almost everywhere; coincidentally, my co mod and I run the one in Bergen County,the largest in New Jersey. We’ve had offerings that range from horseshoes to canoes to furniture. It’s a wonderful way to keep things out of the landfill and maybe find some of the things that you need. Yes, we’ve had members offer wedding gowns, cake toppers and photo albums. And no, we do not accept listings of ex’s!
If your officiant will allow you to include your favorite readings in your ceremony, it’s never too early to start thinking about your choices. There are romantic readings that range from biblical and torah scripture to the Anne Lamott, David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs, (of “Running with Scissors” fame). One of my bride’s readings was a note that her fiance had scrawled on the bathroom mirror in lipstick; the love and hope (and yes, the sacrifice of “Love That Red”) told her all she needed to know about that man.
Their invitations were in red, by the way!
(And of course, you’re welcome to my list of readings if you just email me!)
Take some. Take some now. Resolve to have “wedding free” days where conversation about entrees, flower dogs or the font on the invitation will not be discussed; you will simply enjoy life with the two people you love the most; yourself and your fiance.
It is so easy for the happy preparation for a wedding and reception to take on a sinister, overblown life of its own, which ineveitably causes more stress than festivity. If you keep everything in perspective and keep site of what is truly important to you, you’ll enjoy the everything even more!
