The biggest wedding planning myth: this isn’t hard, folks.

Everybody says it, usually accompanied by an eye roll.  “Wedding planning is so hard!”  And it can see that way, when you avoid thinking outside your own bubble. I heard a tale today that put my problems into sharp focus: i.e. that they are about the size of a grain of rice in the grand scheme of things.  Listen up – let’s all start throwing rice in happiness. Why wait for a ceremony?

So what’s the biggest problem people planning a wedding face? Lack of perspective.  Today I had a conversation with a woman who grew up in rural Greece in the 1940s.  She described growing up after losing both her parents caring for four siblings, without heat, indoor plumbing and so little money they couldn’t afford shoes.  “I hear people complain about their shoes being the wrong color,” she said, “and I shake my head.” Honestly – this was a humbling conversation.  centerpiece by My Little Flower Shop in Palm Springs, CA

I did not dare explain the “problems” of helping people plan weddings. Discussing the fact that I wrote about wedding planning “problems” suddenly sounded incredibly shallow.  Seriously? Bottom line we’re talking about happy people, in love, planning a celebration.  When you’re having an issue, step back and think for a moment about the fact that you’re wearing shoes. And that you’ve been lucky enough to find an individual you want to marry. That’s pretty phenomenal.

Be well and love well.

Dinah

Who Should the Bride Be On Her Wedding Day? Herself!

Often brides have a tough time figuring out what they want to look like on the big day.  Sweet, or seductive? Classic, or modern?  Here’s the key.  You want to look like yourself!  Your groom fell in love and proposed to you because of who you are – don’t present some exotic version of yourself on the day of the wedding because of some fashion trend or pressure to create dramatic photographs.

Here are three important questions to ask yourself about your look on the big day including your bridal hairstyle, wedding dress, and make-up.

  • Are you comfortable?  Looking like you walked off a Paris runway isn’t worth having your dress duct taped to you and your hair pulled so tight it gives you a migraine.  Most of us don’t live in cultures where it’s a badge of honor to get bruises from your elaborate wedding dress, so find something that fits well, and feels good!
  • Will your fiancé recognize you?  Do you look like a glammed up version of yourself, or like someone you’ve never met?  Your man wants to see someone familiar underneath all the trappings of bride-dom.  Keep in mind you’re dressing up for him after all!
  • Don’t go for broke.  Debt is not cute.  If you can’t afford a hair and make-up team, or a $5,000 dress, don’t charge up a storm on credit cards.  If your look is important to you, compromise on other budget items to make sure you have the resources you need, or investigate ways around the expenses like bartering for services, or renting a designer gown.

If you stay true to yourself, keep your wits about you, and follow your heart, you’re sure to be a beautiful, comfortable, solvent bride!

Be well, and love well.

Dinah

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It’s 8:00am. Do You Know Where Your “Me Time” Is?

Sometimes, before the alarm clock goes off in the morning, I wake up on my own.  It’s a good feeling, knowing that I’ve gotten the right amount of sleep that I needed that night.  But by far the best part is looking at the clock and seeing that it’s a full hour before I am supposed to be awake and getting ready for the day.  An hour I can use however I want, with no strings attached.

English: The face of a black windup alarm clock
English: The face of a black windup alarm clock (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Because I wasn’t meant to be awake, I feel like a kid in a candy store choosing how to spend what I call “stolen time.”  I force myself to cross folding laundry or paying bills off the list, and do something delicious – like reading some of that novel I can’t ever seem to get to, or painting my toenails.  Or both!

Everyone needs “me time.”  OK, the phrase is corny and overused, but the concept is WAY underused.  Make sure you make time for yourself, even if you have to steal it!

Be well, and love well.

-Dinah

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