bride

Waiting for a ring? Is he holding a box or a phone?

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I was chatting recently with my old friend Michael, who I hadn’t seen in a while, and told him I was writing a blog.  “Is it too technical, or would I be interested?” he asked.  I began to giggle. Why you ask? Because for all practical purposes, this is a wedding blog.  And Michael is not the marrying kind.  Now I’m not saying he’s gay, he’s dated women as long as I’ve known him.  He was even engaged once, but he couldn’t go through with it.  He’s just not cut out to function in the kind of arrangement that makes so many others so very happy.

I was delighted to hear yesterday that after all these years, he’d finally figured that out. He laughed too and shook his head – and basically said (out loud!) that he knew “it was never gonna happen.”  He knows he’s not meant to be married, and now he’s very upfront with anyone that comes into his life.

In this season of romantic jewelry store commercials pulling at the heartstrings of women across America, (see above for the kind that used to absolutely kill me as a single girl, and which will be EVERYWHERE until Valentine’s Day) I caution “someday brides” to tune in to their partners; make sure you’re not waiting for a ring from a guy who’ll never understand the way you love, and need to be loved in return.

Live well and love well.

-Dinah

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen’s Gifts – Avoid Envy!

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I’ll never forget a wedding rehearsal dinner I attended where the proud groom beamed as his groomsmen opened their gifts: (then brand-new to the market) ipod shuffles!  I stole a glance at the bride across the room gifting garnet jewelry to her dearest friends, matching the maroon dresses they’d wear the next day. Dresses they’d paid dearly for, and would likely be on their way to Goodwill within 48 hours of the bouquet toss.

Gifts that mean something will touch Bridesmaids more than matchy matchy jewelry.

The groomsmen were gleeful as they  tore open the little boxes from Apple like kids on Christmas morning, and high-fived one another.  The girls sat drinking champagne quietly.  Let this be a lesson, brides. Chances are, your bridesmaids already own lovely jewelry they can wear to your wedding. So what if it isn’t matchy matchy? They’ll all show a bit of personality. That leaves you free to give them something that really reflects how much you care, and is not made of Swarovski crystal. Best of all, you get to see your girls high-fiving at your rehearsal dinner. Christmas morning here we come!

Be well and love well,

-Dinah

Nothing better than a happy couple! Exhibit A: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel

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Yep – for wedding professional there is NOTHING better than the couple being happy after the wedding.  So congratulations to the planners (and judging by the grandeur of the affair – there must have been a full team) who pulled off the wedding Justin called “a magical experience.”

We’d like to think we do a fair bit of magic ourselves.  Every so often, we get confirmation that our “act” was a success.  We couldn’t resist sharing this sweet email from a recent bride we love, Gretchen.

Hi Gregory –

I just had to say THANK YOU for making my bouquet and flowers EXACTLY perfect for our wedding!! you nailed it! i will definitely write a good yelp review, and i will also pass along the pictures when i get them. (Abi Q did the photography). The attached pic is fuzzy, but

We’re so glad that our bride Gretchen loved her bouquet! A perfect Palm Springs bride!

nonetheless…thought i’d share. also, there maybe some on istagram #paulandgretchen.

Anwyay, thank you for getting my flowers TOTALLY right!!!

best,
Gretchen

Thanks for the wonderful note Gretchen! We love those Yelp! reviews, and also those on www.weddingwire.com.

Have a MAGICAL day everyone!

-Dinah