My Big Fat Greek Wedding part II: My Kid Sister’s Tiny Budget Greek Wedding

Get Me To The Church On Time - Athens-Style
A couple on their way to a wedding in Athens. Courtesy of Flickr

As we hear all over the news, things are a little precarious in Greece at the moment.  So what does that have to do with us in the United States?  And why should it matter to brides planning a wedding?

As a drive down any formerly bustling Main Street will tell you, things are precarious for a great many people and businesses here too.  But for engaged folks, the desire to have a beautiful wedding lives on.  And while our celebrities mindlessly plan expensive celebrations that set the ‘ dream wedding ‘ bar abnormally high, couples create  detailed wedding budget spreadsheets to see if they can afford to have a wedding at all.

Here’s our message to any brides worried about the high costs of a wedding. More often than not, (and for sure in our case) vendors want to help you have your celebration.  We believe in weddings, and beauty and love, or we wouldn’t be involved in this crazy/wonderful business.  And without you – wedding vendors would, in fact, be out of business.  So bring us your budget; big, small or anywhere in between and we’ll let you know what your best bet is – even if we end up referring you on to a colleague.

I read this review recently of a stationery store that sneered at a young woman, assuming she wasn’t their type of client.  As I wrote a few weeks ago, we can’t assume anything – vendors about brides or vice versa – if we’re going to celebrate together. So, to quote Kool and the Gang, Celebrate, Come on!

-Dinah

Ready, Set, G…wait a minute. Who said anything about ready?

“Are you ready?” Brides and event planners alike field this question as the wedding day approaches. What does that mean, ready? For the bridal magazines ready means every last detail settled. Bows tied, programs printed, Every I dotted, each t crossed.

One night, working a movie premiere party everything went wrong during set up, but we were finally back above water. Good thing too, as guest arrival was within the half hour.
I looked at my co worker, a more seasoned planner than I, by about 20 years, both of us still in our sweaty work clothes. “Are we ready? I asked. “ready?” he smiled, “we don’t open the doors because we’re ready. We open the doors because it’s the time they printed on the invitation.”

What do they call you if your ceremony's not perfect? Blissfully, happily, married.

There is no perfect.  There is no ready.  Let go of the oversized expectations, and pick up a champagne flute.  Always be ready for champagne.

Put your hands in the air! You and your Florist are going to Rock this Wedding!

Are students raising their hands distracting? One English school thinks so. Now they have to give a “thumbs up” if they know an answer in class. Parents think this is pretty goofy and that their kids look like The Fonz all day long.  (Remember Happy Days? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller)?
Whatever the hand signal, the kids are still involved, and demonstrating enthusiasm. Enthusiasm, when it comes to planning any event, especially a wedding, is key from everyone involved, especially the people creating your wedding flowers. No one should be blase about the most important day of your life – especially if you are paying them to perform a service.
Look for a specialty high end flower shop (Like My Little Flower Shop in Palm Springs, of course, but if you are in other parts of the country, call! We can guide you to the best florists). If you’re having a Palm Springs destination wedding, your florist should know the best Coachella Valley wedding vendors so as to refer you. Most important: your florist must be ENTHUSIASTIC about you, your wedding and your beautiful flowers. Make sure they get to know you and listen to your needs, wishes and wildest dreams, and don’t just hand you a list of prices.
To sum up, make any florist, in Palm Springs or elsewhere, raise their hand! You’re the one who gets to give the thumbs up. (And we know you’d give it to My Little Flower Shop …come visit)!
An inspired bouquet. Let us inspire you!