Advice

What’s The Best Use Of Wedding Planning Time? Hint: You’re not going to “like” it.

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Planning a wedding can feel like a black hole where you throw your time. Remember those days when you went out for drinks? As Spring hits, the weather is making us all long to put on some shorts and go play. So what’s the most efficient way to plan, so we can get out and enjoy the beautiful weather? Well, for starters, finish reading this blog and power down your shiny screen. Bottom line: you gotta stop pinning, liking and tweeting to focus and get things done.

Photo by Deirdre Buck

Don’t get me wrong.  Wedding websites, blogs and software have moved event planning lightyears ahead of where we were. But then you get to the “rabbit hole” type of phenomenon like Pinterest.  You start out admiring a pretty veil someone posted, and three hours later you’re in a pinning frenzy finding recipes, houses to buy, cars you like…it can spin out of control.

So if you want to get out and enjoy the cherry blossoms, tiptoe through the tulips or just have general fun in the sun, put away the electronics, get down to the task at hand and try not to get distracted. Ready, set, focus!

See you in the park…we’ll be the ones putting up the wedding arbor. Watch it with the frisbee. K?

Be well, and love well.

-Dinah

 

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Friends Don’t Let Friends go Into Debt To Be A Bridesmaid

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It’s your day, Bride, no question about it.  But take time to think about your friends and their circumstances.  Chances are you know all too well how expensive it can get being a bridesmaid, or even just being a friend-of-the-bride, what with showers, bachelorettes, wedding gifts…it adds up.  Here are some “dos and don’ts” for keeping your friends feelings and finances in mind.

DON’T

  • Keep Up With The Jolies.  Yes, we all read the magazines of celebrity excesses and glamorous getaways, but celebrate in a way all your gals can afford.  Does your entire gaggle of girls need to go to Puerto Rico for a long bachelorette weekend? Does your shower need to be at the Ritz? Keep your expectations within everyone’s budget.
  • Have a Surprise Party.  No one likes expensive surprises.  When your maids find out on wedding day that they owe $150 plus tip for hair and make-up (that is “optional,” but everyone else is doing it), you can’t expect they’ll be feeling celebratory.
Nora and Julie - the world's greatest bridesmaids

DO

  • Be choosy (in a good way). Pay attention when choosing your wedding party.  Did your cousin just get laid off? Does your best friend have college loans up the wazoo? If you think someone might feel less than honored – ask her in a neutral way that allows a graceful “out.”
  • Adopt an attitude of gratitude! Thank everyone.  This seems like a no-brainer, but tell everyone how much you appreciate the love and support.  The more your friends hear this during the lead up to your wedding, the better the experience will be for everyone!

 There you have it.  Keep your friendships together, and everyone’s wallet (relatively) intact.

 Be well, and love well!

 -Dinah

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Are Your Wedding Vendors Hands On?

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Being as close as we are to one of the biggest fresh flower markets in the world, it would be a crime to not get into Los Angeles from time to time and get hands on while picking our stock of flowers.  Sure, there are wholesalers that ship gorgeous blooms straight to My Little Flower Shop for our wonderful parties and weddings, but there’s no substitute for getting in there and looking at the riot of color on offer in the Los Angeles Flower District.  So Greg and Al make their way there at least once a week to stay in touch with what’s in season, the latest trends, and the best suppliers.

Greg at the LA Flower mart with a cartload of beautiful arrangements-to-be

When choosing wedding vendors, don’t forget to ask how each one keeps up with industry trends, and makes sure they are in touch with what inspires them.  When it comes to your wedding, you want all the hands you can get – and you want people who are willing to get in there and get ’em dirty. If your designer is doing a lot of gesturing and pointing, but hasn’t laid a hand on anything organic, time to say “hands off my wedding!”

be well, and love well!

-Dinah

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