wedding

I’d like to thank the Academy…for ordering this FABULOUS stemware!

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Do the glittering parties surrounding awards shows like last nights’ Emmy Awards and the coming Grammys, and Oscars have anything to do with little ole’ non-celeb weddings?  You bet.

1 – They’re the inspiration. Design for big awards shows is adventurous, and usually very spendy.  The organizers want “wow” factor, so designers stretch themselves and set trends.  The hottest colors and themes trickle down- so a motif from the press check in table at the Grammys may show up on your escort card table.

2 – Goblets, and linens, and tables, oh my!  Being in the SoCal area can get you closer to Awards Show inspiration.  Many designers, not finding the “look” they need from existing stock at party rental companies, will have them buy a new pattern of glassware, create a custom linen, or even specially sized or shaped tables.  Those items don’t usually disappear from inventory after the event, the rental company wants to make their money back.
Governor's Ball
3 – The Lifetime Achievement Award – Another perk of being a SoCal bride is that you have access to professionals who have experience at fabulous events.  There are things that a designer can only learn at the Oscars. Lucky for our brides, the My Little Flower Shop staff has collectively done floral design and event planning for multiple years’ Emmys,  Oscars, and some of the hottest after-parties like the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.  That’s a lot of glamour, experience and flair we’re ready to put into your event.  After all, on you wedding day, you deserve the star treatment. And even a little ole’ wedding is hugely important to us.

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Bottoms Up! A primer on enjoying a cocktail or two at your wedding without making a – um – bottom of yourself.

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You’ve come back down the aisle, made your grand entrance and nailed the first dance.  Your beautiful reception is underway, time to relax and enjoy the celebration! Find that cocktail waiter, right?! Wrong.

Stay within your limits and enjoy your guests and your memories!

It’s key to realize that even though the year’s worth of stress has lifted, and you’re finally able to enjoy this big party you’ve so painstakingly planned, that downing three of the signature cocktails in the first half hour is a really bad idea.  Your celebrating is in the spotlight – you are the star attraction and everyone will be looking at you, talking to you (and about you) all night long.  Do you want to be remembered for the rest of your days as the girl who was sloshed at her wedding?  Keep the booze to a level you can control.  You may not have eaten much that day – so anything you drink will go straight to your head.  Last but not least,  put your glass down when your photographs are being taken.  Nothing makes you look like you drank your way through the big night than having a glass of champagne in your hand on every page of the wedding album.  Your banquet captain will be happy to put a bottle of the best stuff in your hotel suite, or your getaway car.  And you know it’s much more fun to drink champagne with your man than with Aunt Edna.  Cheers!

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The Best Wedding Advice Ever. Period. Exclamation point. Clouds part and angels sing.

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Bride and women
Image by spaceodissey via Flickr

Cutting to the chase, now that the angelic chorus has weighed in, The Best Wedding Advice Ever: Ask for help.  Yes, it’s that simple.  Ask for help.

There’s a false image in the bridal media of the “perfectly organized” bride.  TV and magazines are full of brides with the color coded binders who’ve got everything mapped out down to the last rose petal.  Then there are the articles about “easy breezy” brides for whom everything just drops into place – as if in a dream. Do we buy it? Bullfeathers.

We know the reality, weddings are hard work! And keeping a handle on all of it alone is harder still.  If you don’t want to be made completely crazy by it all, Ask for Help.  The beauty part is, everybody wants to help you.  They tell you that too – but in your “I must be the uber-bride” mode you don’t even hear the magic words at the end of practically every conversation you have.

 “Oh, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help with the wedding.” 

With a knee jerk no, you could be brushing off a retired lighting designer, your aunt who’s taken up calligraphy, or even your best friend’s wife who planned events for a museum.  Why miss out on a failsafe lighting company reference? or flawless placecards? Expert advice? Don’t send these people packing so you can keep up a facade of being in control.

To paraphrase Jerry Maguire, “Help them help you.”  Be open to delegating which means letting go of that color coded binder.  Well, opening it up at least.  Take heart. You never know when Martha and the other magazines might decide real brides who work for their fairy tale deserve column ink too.

Wishing you creativity, patience and style!

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