wedding

A Reality TV Bride Tells All: why I said “yes.”

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When my then fiancé, and I announced that our wedding was going to be taped for a TLC reality show, people were more than a little surprised.  Everyone was convinced we were adding to an already stressful time.  In fact, saying “yes” to TLC was one of our best decisions. Let me tell you why.

The last weeks before the wedding were a whirlwind.  There was one oasis: shooting the show. Stephen and I spent two hours talking and “being cute” together.  We walked down a street near the beach hand in hand, trailed by a camera, giggling. We sat on a beautiful, sunny,  patio, reading to each other. We talked about how we fell in love.  That afternoon was a brief shelter from the crazy wedding planning storm: we got to reconnect, and remember that under the tulle and the tablecloths, was our unique love story.

The bride and groom, showcasing our use of succulents in a bridal bouquet and boutonniere
incidentally, showcasing our use of succulents in a bridal bouquet and boutonniere

I treasure those two hours, every moment.  The lights, the cameras, and the questions that reminded me why I had said “yes.”

Note – Credit where credit is due: I got, hands down, the most amazing hair and make-up team in Southern California.  Dana and her team from Design Visage in Orange County made me feel like a movie star. Thanks ladies!

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A Real Reality Bride Tells All – Why the TV Show Brought Her Closer To Her Groom

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When my fiancé and I told family and friends that our wedding was going to be taped for a TLC reality show, they were more than a little surprised.  The most common question was, “why would you want to add that stress on yourselves?”  In fact, it was one of the best decisions we made.  Why?  It’s not why you think.

Two weeks before the wedding, Stephen and I spent two hours with the crew shooting an interview and footage of us “being cute” together.  We walked down a street near the beach hand in hand, trailed by a camera, giggling.  We sat in the sun, on a beautiful patio, reading to each other. We talked to the producer, and each other about how we fell in love.  It was a two hour shelter from the crazy wedding planning storm: we got to reconnect, and remember that under the tulle and the tablecloths, was our unique love story.

I treasure those two hours, every moment.  The lights, the cameras, and the questions that reminded me why I had said “yes.”

The Wedding Day Makeover crew in action

Note – Credit where credit is due: I got, hands down, the most amazing hair and make-up team in Southern California.  Dana and her team from Design Visage in Orange County made me feel like a movie star. Thanks ladies!

Great make-up and hair by Design Visage led to fantastic photos by Cheryl McPherson
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Do Not Invent An Angry Mariachi Band – Avoiding Avoidance Problems

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Mariachi trumpet
Keep good communiction with wedding vendors - in Palm Springs, or elsewhere!

I spent the last few days dodging the calls of what I feared would be a very agitated mariachi band leader.  This was silly behavior – I know better: being direct and honest is always the best policy.

A big corporation booked the mariachis for a charity event, and the band did not invoice the company until two days prior.  Unfortunately, in Corporate America, accounts payable departments are usually not staffed by magical gnomes.

I avoided the message from the band leader, and the legend of The Angry Mariachi grew in my head. I finally faced my big-girl clipboard, made the call and explained that I simply didn’t know when the check would get cut.  Surprise! As long as they knew what was going on, they were OK.

Long story short, both Planners and Brides, keep your vendors in the loop.  And don’t work yourselves up imagining problems you don’t have.

Happy Planning!

-Dinah

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