Event Planning

My Little Etiquette Shop: Girls in white dresses – hold the blue satin sashes,

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Sorry Julie Andrews/Maria, we’ve got a bride on our hands who doesn’t want anyone wearing color at her wedding.  So in the coming Oprah-void, for Favorite Things she’ll have to stick to snowflakes and mittens – although this sounds like a summer wedding, so we’ll work on that one.  On to our latest reader dilemma:  Send yours for us to tackle!  Please email us at MyLittleFlowerShopPS@gmail.com, and include the word “etiquette” in the subject line.
Q:
My niece’s wedding invitation arrived and it requests that everyone wear white to her celebration.  I thought it was tacky to wear white to a wedding. Also, telling people what to wear seems bossy, and expensive for families. My kids don’t exactly wear a lot of white. Should I talk to  my niece about maybe not doing that part?
– Bleach Mum
A:
Mum,
There’s two ways to go here, and we’re advocates of family peace and harmony, so we’d actually advise you to stay, well, mum. Speaking up could upset your niece, which I guarantee will upset your sister. Whether or not your niece has put on her bossy pants, your sister is in the midst of planning her daughter’s wedding (trust me – an emotional time for mama bear) so it’s best to roll with the color scheme. As you hinted, your family will likely only use these outfits once – so they don’t have to be high end designer duds. Check out TJ Maxx, Target, or sites like Overstock.com for low priced, good looking options. And then, day of, admire the truly beautiful effect of a large group of people all in white. Should your niece want our opinion, we’d advise against all white flowers. With  monochromatic pastels, however, she’ll knock everyone’s (white) socks off.
Shop Nice!

dress on :: prøving

My Little Etiquette Shop: Places please! This is a rehearsal dinner, people!

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What the heck? Who needs to rehearse how to eat, right? May is here and from New York to San Francisco, wedding guests are digging through drawers trying to find invitation maps they buried under receipts and take-out menus.  Many will discover that they have been invited to a rehearsal dinner, whether or not they are in the wedding party.  We had some etiquette queries come in about rehearsals and the associated dinners, so we’re going to take them on. Do you have questions about being a wedding guest? Write us! We love questions, rehearsed or not.  MyLittleFlowerShopPS@gmail.com.  Please put the word “Etiquette” in your subject line.

Q:  HI MLFS,

Why was I invited to my friend’s Rehearsal Dinner? I’m not in the wedding party, and I’m not family.  Is it rude to decline the invitation?

-Barbara

A:   Well, Barbara, rehearsal dinners have changed over time.  Many are still intimate affairs where the people who are at the actual rehearsal go out to dinner.  Others, however, have become parties practically as elaborate as the weddings themselves.  Many couples have decided that with guests traveling from afar, it’s nice to invite out-of-towners to the dinner so as to have an activity their first night, and see friends and family.  Others choose to invite those closest to them who are not in the wedding party to join the group to recognize their special place in the bride or groom’s life. Regardless of what your friend’s reason was, it’s a nice invitation, and chances are the food will be better than at the Motel 6 coffee shop so hey – why not?  As to declining, no it’s not rude, as long as you actually decline according to the invitation’s instructions.  If it says to call your friend’s future Mother-in -Law, you should call her, and not just drop your friend an email.  People are dealing with caterers and the bride may not have time to communicate (or remember) all such details. She’s a little busy right now. And, needless to say, thank her FMIL for the invitation.

Let the toasting begin!  More on wedding guests to come.

Malin / Balestriere Rehearsal Dinner
Why am I here? For the party, of course! Photo by Sean O'Shaughnessy

Proms, Moms and Automobiles. No, that’s no good. Hmmmm.

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The title will continue to evolve.  In any case, we’re celebrating Moms and Proms this weekend at My Little Flower Shop. (A wedding too – note to self- order more white roses). Moms across the Valley (and the country!) will fill with pride, watching their kids stepping out on the town in their prom dresses and tuxedos.  Wait, they’ll be stepping into…Automobiles!  Hey! How about that! OK, a stretch. Back to the drawing board on the title.
What did your Mom whisper to you on your way out the door?  Here’s a distillation of some advice and wisdom My Little Flower Shop staff gleaned from our wise Moms once upon a time.  Feel free to pass any and all along to your little darlings for Prom Night 2011, in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, or all across these United States.
–Behave like a young lady/gentleman at dinner.  The other patrons of the restaurant aren’t paying to have dinner with a bunch of rowdy teenagers.
-Be polite to your date. You asked them/accepted the invitation for a reason. Don’t abandon them at a table and run off to be with your friends.
-Please don’t roll your eyes at Mom when she take lots of pictures. You’re going to love having them someday, so smile and have fun for the camera.
-Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with, or let anyone push you too far. Carry enough cash for cab fare home, and you’ll always have an “out.”
Last but not least…
– Make memories. As Lee Ann Womack (also a Mom) put it so well:
“And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Celebrate your prom!
Photo by Sean McGrath - Lic. by Creative Commons
We’re here for any and all corsages, boutonnieres, and prom posies you might need.  Just call. (760)778 7111 (855)500-7111 (psssst…order something for Mom too).