Uncategorized

The Bakery We Loved That Didn’t Make Our Wedding Cake.

by

As a vendor, there’s always that bride who comes in for a meeting and you instantly feel connected. You’re sure she’ll call within days to put in a deposit, but no word comes. You may think she’s forgotten you and your business entirely, but with the right level of customer engagement, you are 100% wrong.

When my husband and I started planning our wedding, it was going to be in Connecticut.  We traveled East, to meet with vendors there, accompanied by my indefatigable and saintly Mother.

The appointment we still talk about was at Palmer’s Bakery (inside Palmer’s Market) in Darien, CT, where we met with charming Executive Pastry Chef Megan Palmer Dean. And when I say, “met with” I really ought to say “fell in love with.” The cakes were heavenly, but more importantly, she was kind and patient and funny.  When it became clear that our celebration would have to be in California (we ended up in Palm Springs – lucky us!), I wrote Megan to tell her that, although we wished she could make our cake, it was not meant to be.  Since then we have not forgotten her, and are still on the Palmer’s mailing list.

 

An email arrived this week from Megan. She’s started a blog about sourcing gourmet foods for the market – starting with a trip to Italy September 8th.  You go Megan!  Welcome to adventures in blogging, I look forward to reading along.  And to stopping by to buy a cake for the family next time we are back East.

So don’t think you’re forgotten by any particular bride.  The take-away here: everyone you meet is an ambassador for your business. And it never hurts to serve a little cake.

*A side note this was late July – Gregory Goodman at Palm Springs florist My Little Flower Shop, took us on and produced a gorgeous wedding on October 2.  A 2 month planning period for a gorgeous full scale wedding for 100 people! Wow!).

 

My Little Flower Shop. A boutique florist in Palm Springs.

We can be your little flower shop too!

Don’t Blame It On The Rain! Have A Plan For Bad Weather On Your Wedding Day.

by

As Hurricane Isaac heads towards Tampa, site of the Republican National Convention, I feel a little empathy for the event planners in charge of the countless parties in the works for next week. There’s no way of knowing what the conditions will be – a little sprinkling? Gale force winds? Regardless, they have to have a plan. Rental companies from all over the South must be sending tents that direction.

Although your wedding may be a bit smaller in scale than a national political party convention, you’ve got to think ahead. A rain plan is a must. No matter what time of year it is, you just can’t tell when the skies are going to open up.  The weather has gotten bizarre all over the country (the Republicans won’t admit it, but people who believe in things like evolution have done studies and it has to do with global warming).

English: Hurricane Isaac
English: Hurricane Isaac (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Even here in Palm Springs with our  notoriously perfect weather, I was relieved to have options on our wedding day when – guess what? It started to rain.  The universe smiled on us, and we had a perfect evening by the time the ceremony rolled around, but if we had to move indoors, the Hotel Zoso was prepared.

So when deciding on a venue, ask about a rain option.  If they shrug their shoulders, shrug yours and move along.  Risking it is just that – a risk.  If you take that chance and everyone gets soaked, you can’t blame it on the rain.

Be well, and love well.

Dinah

FL readers, stay safe, and dry!  Good luck to any planners involved with the convention!

Counting Our Blessings – Everyone Is OK After Car Hits My Little Flower Shop

by

We are so thankful that no one was hurt in the accident that occurred at our store yesterday. For those of you who don’t know, here’s the news account of a car driving straight through our front window at 1:30 yesterday afternoon.  Luckily there was no one in the store at the time. While this in no way compares to the recent violence in Colorado, it jolted us out of our everyday existence in a similar way.

It shouldn’t take shocking events to make us count our blessings, and to be thankful for the people in our lives, but sometimes it does. Let’s take these events and turn them to our advantage. Ask yourself: have you been kind today? Have you told your significant other that you love them? Have you told your children you are proud of them? Have you given yourself and your co-workers credit for accomplishments, big and small? It’s never the wrong time to share loving, encouraging thoughts.

We extend a big ‘thank you’ to all the first responders, neighbors, fellow business owners, friends, family, and customers who have reached out to us. We are My ‘Little’ Flower Shop, but we feel BIG love from our community.  Consider it one more blessing – we’re losing count. Lucky us.

Be well, and love well.

Dinah

 

Enhanced by Zemanta