Wedding Centerpiece Peace Of Mind

One day, a bride arrived at My Little Flower Shop in complete panic mode. People were asking about her wedding centerpieces, and everyone was horrified to learn that (gasp!) she had no earthly idea.

Her mother had obviously watched too many Katherine Heigel movies about girls longing for the big day, and having detailed plans worked out in their heads. The rest of the craziness making this poor girl feel underprepared must have been a combination of pressure from the bridal magazines, wedding shows, and probably well-meaning friends and family just wanting to feel like they are a part of things.

Centerpieces on a tablescape from a wedding at the Viceroy, Palm Springs

But here’s the point: if you don’t know what you want…that’s ok. You’ll still have a beautiful wedding. As you settle in to the role of “bride-to-be” you’ll find inspiration all over the place. Hotel lobbies, elegant department stores, anywhere you like the “feel” of, get that phone out and snap a few photos. Soon enough you’ll have an idea of what you love, and what you hate.

So resist the idea that you must know, right away exactly what everything will look like. Let it go, and embrace some Wedding centerpiece Peace of Mind

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The Stressed Bride Asks, Do They Make Wedding Centerpieces Out Of Cookies?

Truth be told, you can find a centerpiece made out of anything you want, as these baby shower masterpieces demonstrate.  (personally, I would throttle friends who decorated a party in my honor with poop receptacles).

But as wedding planning progresses, stress can start to get the better of you.  And many of us, when stressed, start munching.  The sticky point is that the very reason brides are stressed, is an event where they want to look their best. Not exactly the time to pick up the family size package of Oreos, is it?

Long before my wedding, I completed the Weight Watchers program to “lifetime” status. After that, WW encourages you to come once a month, and stay on top of your eating habits.  And so when I got engaged, I was within shooting distance of my goal weight. With Weight Watchers’ support, I got to where I wanted to be, and had the support to make sure I stayed there.  They aren’t paying me or anything – this is straight from the heart: If you have some weight to lose, for your wedding or any other reason and want to do it in a healthy way, I highly recommend Weight Watchers.

As for those wedding centerpiece cookies, I’m including this Weight Watchers cookie recipe that, whether you’re on the program or not, is a much better option than diving for the Double Stuffs.  All things in moderation of course, but healthier recipes are a good way to start.

Be well, and love well.

-Dinah

Weight Watchers Caramel Cookies- 1point plus/cookie

½ cup unsalted butter

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Cup flour

¾ Cup flour, whole wheat

¼ tsp table salt

½ tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Add remaining ingredients and beat thoroughly. Scrape dough out of bowl and onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Roll dough into a log, about 2.5 inches wide. Completely wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 20 minutes or up to overnight.  Cut dough into 1/8 inch slices and arrange on ungreased cookie sheets 1 inch apart. Bake until lightly browned around edges, about 8-10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on sheet 1 minute, then remove to wire rack to cool.

 

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My Little Etiquette Shop: Keeping Showers Clean (Great Aunt Estelle can explore body frosting on her own time).

Oh we’ve all been there – the very decorous, ladylike bridal shower with sweet games, and tea sandwiches given with love by an aunt.  And we’ve all been there when the mortified guest of honor opened the one “off-color” gift that makes her turn beet red.  Whether it’s fur lined handcuffs, edible underwear, or the aforementioned (and disgusting-but ever popular) body frosting, our poor bride is stuck in front of an audience, often including her future mother in law, holding some accessory to her intimate life, which certainly until now has not been dinner conversation among the family.

So this is a very simple “My Little Etiquette Shop.”  I’m not even bothering with a question- just putting the advice out there for all shower goers to read and pass along to generations to come.  Leave the hijinks for the bachelorette party.  Really.  You might think it’s funny to shake things up a little at your friend’s afternoon tea. Think about doing it, laugh to yourself, and then go buy some towels off her registry.

Yes, it’s the High Road.  Look for the exits.  Then take one.

Ok, this is in my top 10

photo by Deborah Austin