A Reality TV Bride Tells All: why I said “yes.”

When my then fiancé, and I announced that our wedding was going to be taped for a TLC reality show, people were more than a little surprised.  Everyone was convinced we were adding to an already stressful time.  In fact, saying “yes” to TLC was one of our best decisions. Let me tell you why.

The last weeks before the wedding were a whirlwind.  There was one oasis: shooting the show. Stephen and I spent two hours talking and “being cute” together.  We walked down a street near the beach hand in hand, trailed by a camera, giggling. We sat on a beautiful, sunny,  patio, reading to each other. We talked about how we fell in love.  That afternoon was a brief shelter from the crazy wedding planning storm: we got to reconnect, and remember that under the tulle and the tablecloths, was our unique love story.

The bride and groom, showcasing our use of succulents in a bridal bouquet and boutonniere
incidentally, showcasing our use of succulents in a bridal bouquet and boutonniere

I treasure those two hours, every moment.  The lights, the cameras, and the questions that reminded me why I had said “yes.”

Note – Credit where credit is due: I got, hands down, the most amazing hair and make-up team in Southern California.  Dana and her team from Design Visage in Orange County made me feel like a movie star. Thanks ladies!

Do Not Invent An Angry Mariachi Band – Avoiding Avoidance Problems

Mariachi trumpet
Keep good communiction with wedding vendors - in Palm Springs, or elsewhere!

I spent the last few days dodging the calls of what I feared would be a very agitated mariachi band leader.  This was silly behavior – I know better: being direct and honest is always the best policy.

A big corporation booked the mariachis for a charity event, and the band did not invoice the company until two days prior.  Unfortunately, in Corporate America, accounts payable departments are usually not staffed by magical gnomes.

I avoided the message from the band leader, and the legend of The Angry Mariachi grew in my head. I finally faced my big-girl clipboard, made the call and explained that I simply didn’t know when the check would get cut.  Surprise! As long as they knew what was going on, they were OK.

Long story short, both Planners and Brides, keep your vendors in the loop.  And don’t work yourselves up imagining problems you don’t have.

Happy Planning!

-Dinah

She’s coming out of the wedding blog closet: Our Mystery Wedding Expert Unveiled

Ever wonder why you see a lot of this bride and groom on the blog?

Well,  here’s your answer: that’s me, Dinah, and my husband Stephen on our wedding day in Palm Springs.  I have been writing the My Little Flower Shop blog since February, 2011. In this shot, I’m holding my gorgeous bouquet, clearly, the My Little Flower Shop team knocked it out of the park.

My job with the blog is to help all who read it get in the game.  Getting married? This is a great source of inspiration, practical advice and laughs on your road down the aisle. Starting your own wedding business or blog? Why not stay inside the head of a successful small business in a U.S. destination wedding-heaven resort community?  Enjoy slightly corny special event humor? You definitely have found the right place.

Beyond My Little Flower Shop, my experience ranges from writing etiquette advice at Wedding Channel.com, to helping coordinate celebrity weddings for Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Carmen Electra, Robert Wagner and Dustin Hoffman.  Most importantly, I was a bride – just a year ago.  I know how it feels from both sides, and can share that unique view of the crazy, beautiful world of weddings, flowers and high end special events.

So I’m taking the blog first person.  What do you want to read about?  How can I help you? Write me!  MyLittleFlowerShopPS@gmail.com  Let’s hit it out of the park.

More soon!

-Dinah