Cupid’s Come A Knockin’, Go Open The Door!

Well, it’s that time of year again.  Valentine’s Day. The terrible romantic comedies are on their way to the theaters (Reese Witherspoon being fought over by two CIA agents? Really)? And the jewelry stores ads for heart shaped pendants are in heavy rotation.  But you haven’t noticed.  Who’s watching TV? Or going to he movies? There are invitations to look at,  and flower girl dresses to order and you must keep an eye on Aunt Sue who keeps trying to invite her entire bridge club to your bachelorette spa weekend.

Pick up your head for a minute.  Valentine’s Day.  Love? Romance? The reason you’re wearing that sparkly little number on your left hand in the first place?  February 14 is a day (and a few days around it) to pay attention to your relationship rather than your wedding.  And I don’t care if the thing is next weekend, you still need to take some time, look that man in the eyes, and CONNECT.  No wedding talk allowed.  No guest lists, no groomsmen’s gifts, no nothing.

So ladies, when Cupid comes a knockin’, you open that door and let in the LOVE.

Go plan a Rockin’ Valentine’s Day!

-Dinah

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Sometimes Love is In The Stars. Or The Star Wars. Same diff, right?

funny wedding photos - star wars - bride's cake - Much Ado About R2D2
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Having met my husband at a Halloween party, dressed as Star Wars heroine Princess Leia, this cake photo struck near and dear to my heart. As I knew well at the time, Princess Leia revvs up the hearts of many men of a certain age, and my costume interpretation of “Leia goes to the disco on Hoth” was killer. I had him at cinnamon buns. Almost exactly two years later, we threw a party (aka destination wedding) in Palm Springs, (I had another killer up-do) and became husband and wife.

The night we met: Princess Leia goes to the disco on the Ice Planet, and Harry Potter

Just about everybody knows someone who is really into Star Wars.  And when it comes to weddings, many a shout out has been made to the citizens of the galaxy. Some are musical (a recessional from the movie’s score is a good one), pastry, like these folks did, or fashion (Leia did wear a lot of white..).  So don’t fear throwing a little George Lucas inspiration in the mix.  We do advise however, that a soup-to-nuts all out costumed, Star Wars themed wedding would make people uncomfortable, as does any 100% re-enactment wedding.   And in the end, we’re celebrating our friends and family as much as ourselves.  If they are all miserable in their storm trooper armor and ewok hats, they may as well have stayed far, far away.

On wedding day. Different outfits (but still a killer up-do)
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When A Wedding Vendor’s Reputation Precedes Them

Our fearless leaders Greg and Alan were in LA recently, and stayed at the Biltmore, a legendary and elegant hotel in the heart of downtown.  The Biltmore is a popular wedding venue, and has beautiful ballrooms that, should you visit them, would probably look familiar due to the number of films and television shows that have been shot there.

The service Greg and Al received was, to say the least, sub-par.  Thankfully, they’d gotten an internet deal and weren’t paying the normal rate of between $300-600 a night.  But, it proves a point.  You can check in to a world famous hotel, and get well below world-class service.

The wide aisles at the LA Flower Mart

Don’t hire vendors, or choose a venue because of their “legendary” reputation, or because they did a certain celebrity’s wedding.  In fact, if someone is billing themselves with a list of celebrity clients, you should ask for three non-celebrity references to make sure they received the same level of service.  Appearances (and sales people) can be deceiving, so make sure you’re getting service that lives up to your expectations.

Did I mention why the boys were at the Biltmore? So they could be close to the LA Flower Mart when they woke up at 1:00am to source peonies (out of season) for a bride who loved them.  They need to watch it with the super-attentive, every-bride-is-special thing.  They’re going to develop a reputation.

Flowers - beautiful even just arranged by accident in buckets at the Flower Mart!
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