Workin’ 9 to 5 – At Something Other Than Planning Your Wedding

my own office at work :-)
Remember - do some work at work!

What do you say when someone asks you what you do for a living? I’m guessing for 99% of you it’s not, “Oh I’m independently wealthy so I spend the work-week eating bon-bons and planning my wedding.” So that means there are brides in offices, retail establishments, and government jobs all over the country, brimming with news about your latest nuptial truimph or travail.  One word of advice:

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Guess what? Your co-workers are well aware you’re getting married. So is your boss. In this economy, we do not advise you to to keep reminding them that you’re really distracted by a big non-work project.  Surfing wedding websites during office hours is another way of pointing out that your focus is elsewhere for the next year or so.  And while that may be true, at least make an effort to show some enthusiasm for your work.

Take heart, little brides! One or two co-workers will want to live vicariously through you, and so inevitably dishing about flowers and dresses will occur.  But other than with Bridget in accounting, try to maintain the Separation of Work and Wedding.

Quick! Minimize the window! Here comes your manager!

Bottoms Up! A primer on enjoying a cocktail or two at your wedding without making a – um – bottom of yourself.

You’ve come back down the aisle, made your grand entrance and nailed the first dance.  Your beautiful reception is underway, time to relax and enjoy the celebration! Find that cocktail waiter, right?! Wrong.

Stay within your limits and enjoy your guests and your memories!

It’s key to realize that even though the year’s worth of stress has lifted, and you’re finally able to enjoy this big party you’ve so painstakingly planned, that downing three of the signature cocktails in the first half hour is a really bad idea.  Your celebrating is in the spotlight – you are the star attraction and everyone will be looking at you, talking to you (and about you) all night long.  Do you want to be remembered for the rest of your days as the girl who was sloshed at her wedding?  Keep the booze to a level you can control.  You may not have eaten much that day – so anything you drink will go straight to your head.  Last but not least,  put your glass down when your photographs are being taken.  Nothing makes you look like you drank your way through the big night than having a glass of champagne in your hand on every page of the wedding album.  Your banquet captain will be happy to put a bottle of the best stuff in your hotel suite, or your getaway car.  And you know it’s much more fun to drink champagne with your man than with Aunt Edna.  Cheers!

I’m not a Revolutionary War era bride, but I played one at a re-enactment.

funny wedding photos - Their Love Was Revolutionary
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Talk about a theme wedding…phew!  This apparently was a couple who met at Revolutionary War reenactment events.  They had their regular wedding, and then they, um, reenacted it at the reenactment.

So the question is, where is the line between, “oh I loved the touches that made things feel French” and “I am forever scarred: The Sound of Music played and she worked the whole nun-to-bride arc into her walk down the aisle, expecting us to yodel.”

The answer is: Less Is More. if at any point you say to yourself or your little sister “is this too much?” then it probably is.

In a wonderful charming movie we love, L.A. Story, MariLu Henner’s character, a corporate gift specialist, offers this style tip if you feel something’s hinky with an outfit.  Stand with your back to the mirror, and turn around quickly. The first accessory or item that catches your eye is the one you should take off.  Nine times out of ten, you’ll mutter “I knew that,” and take it off.

The point of the story is, you already know what’s right for your celebration.  You already know what’s too much , like the re-enactors, who cleverly had their modern era wedding for the friends who would be forever scarred by all the tri-cornered hats, and then reenacted with their reenactment buddies.  What a wonderful thing: planning sensitive to all involved, and that met the desires of the bride and groom.  Why it’s practically… revolutionary.