RSVP Shindig

The beloved Estelle Getty has passed away.

 

Everyones favorite Golden Girl passed away this morning.  Obviously I had a love for her since I named my sweet little dog after her.

I am surprised it didn't happen before now.  She had been ill for several years with Lewy body dementia, a brain disorder that sounds very similar to Parkinson's.  I know that some of her cast mates said they would visit with her over the years, and she had trouble remembering who they were. 

I am pretty sad that she is gone.  I know it's corny.  But, I watch old episodes of Golden Girls, because I sometimes can remember the first time I saw a certain episode.  I guess that is partly what brings me such fond memories of the show.

Estelle Getty played the part of an Italian mother and grandmother that everyone wishes they had in their life.  Only in real life she was Jewish which is pretty funny. 

This week Lifetime is going to do a marathon of shows in honor of Estelle Getty.  If you go to www.myLifetime.com
you can vote.

Personally I think they should show twenty episodes.  Right now they say only ten.  HA!  The network as stayed a float because of those reruns of Golden Girls in my opinion.  Because seriously.  Who really watches those movies they turn out?

They could at least give us an entire day and evening of Sophia!

Either way I think I'm going to have some cheesecake tonight and find someone to call a slut (in honor of Blanche of course.) 

  It's back..........the contest..........

Only this year I am not going to let the crooked cake remain up there.  I have asked them to reset my information.  I still don't know who that was!

Welcome back RSVP Shindig!

 

The 2008 Best of Denver's 7 A-List Contest is here. RSVP Shindig has been nominated as one of the Denver area's best businesses in the Wedding Planner category this year. Be prepared to defend your title............



Defend my title?   That's hysterical!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday I flew to Durango for the day to meet with a bride, groom and her parents at their home. 

We went by the Glacier Club for lunch and they were chatting about a possible rehearsal dinner their at the club.  I got out of the car and I felt like I was at this other venue close to Beaver Creek.  I wish I had a photo to post beside one another.  Now I am obsessed with figuring out if the designer of the golf courses, over all plan were connected.

It was so similar!

Either way I could have easily stayed in Durango for the rest of the summer if asked.  There is water there. 

Things are green.

People are very nice.

It's a college town so there are things going on.  I wonder why I don't know more people that went to school there.  Or at least have had a client that went to school there. 

It reminds me a lot of Bozeman.  Jackson.  Then oddly it reminds me of the other Jackson.  As in Jackson, Mississippi. 

Oh and a little of Taos.  And of course everyone knows how I love to go to Taos.  I wish I had a wedding there this year. 

It was a great day!  I missed my baby.  But, she had a great day with her nanny.  I am very happy that I do not have to travel each week for work like I use to.  I am getting spoiled though with flying to my clients towns for the day for work.  It's fun!

Well, I need to get back to work.  I have buckets of work to do.  I've been going non-stop for three hours and I am probably going to be busy until midnight tonight!

 Last night as I am going over an rsvp list for my client, I get an email from Kelly with Weddings by Socialites.
http://www.weddingsbysocialites.blogspot.com/

I adore her!  She is just the BEST.

Anywho, after my post about my dislike of Mama Mia........this is just way too funny.

Email from Kelly:
So I am on I-10, reading blogs, and yours screams exactly what I've been thinking about abbacrappa.  But the BEST part is that at the bottom of your post...in your banner ad:

How nice is that?  I am in the process of changing blog formats........so maybe this is their way of punishing me.  By placing this ad of all the ads they have in my post of my non-love for Mama Mia and that thing called Abba!  It's hysterical!

 I don't like Mama Mia.

I don't like the songs.  I don't like the oddly put together cherography.  I can't stand the costumes. 

I've always enjoyed choregraphy that was more Bob Fosse and less disco.  Obviously Mama Mia is disco on stage or now on the big screen.

It also bugs me that Meryl Streep is singing.  When did this happen?  Who told her to sing?  Who told her she was a musical actress now? 

For the third day in a row all the news programs have had their love fest reviews of the movie that opens today.  Give me a break.  If it wasn't Meryl Streep nobody would be on it like white on rice. 

I honestly don't think that we should keep seeing Meryl jumping on her bed doing a midair split for a preview of this soon to be Tony nominee movie. 

It's been bugging me trying to figure out where I have seen her daughter in the movie.  Amanda Seyfried.  I looked her up.  She's the daughter on Big Love.  Type casting?  I mean on Big Love she has three moms.  Now in the movie three possible dads.

I am sure the movie is great.  I'm sure people will leave the theater singing.  Dare I suggest dancing in the lobby?  The only part I would probably enjoy is seeing the locations where they shot the movie in Greece.  The beach and Greece would be fine.

We rarely watch movies.  We never go to the movies.  So if I did choose to go to a movie it's not going to be for a musical with messy choreography and from what I've seen sunburned actors.   Seriously.   Have you seen the previews?  I think some of them were over heated and burned.  They are all kind of red at some point in the face.  Maybe too much grappa or whatever the drink is.

Even the costumes have gotten to me.  But, from the previews I am shocked at how many actors are in it and SINGING.  What's up?

If you go to see the movie and enjoy it I think that is great.  I will not judge.  Well, only a little.

I had a client call this morning upset over a wedding discussion she had with her soon to be in-laws and soon to be husband last night.  I talked her through it as much as I could.  But, I told her in the end that it's not a bad idea to meet with her minister or someone that is skilled in helping couples.

She said that she had some harsh things said to her about the wedding from her soon to be in-laws.  I told her she better get ready.  Because unfortunately this is probably only the beginning.  Not to say that the entire length of marriage is going to be 'bad times' when it comes to the new family she is marrying into.  But, in-laws just like anyone else in this world are only human.  They don't know you like your own parents do.  They don't get where they fall. 

Let me share a funny little story from my in-laws.  I had just given birth.  My in-laws came the next day to see our precious child.  My mother in law had barely sat down in the rocking chair to hold our daughter when she asked me (and I almost don't want to post it here but I will b/c hey.....it's a blog......) She asked me in front of my father in law and my husband if I had stitches.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Seriously?  I was blown away even with that many drugs left in my system and the champagne from the night before.  I know that night my mother in law when she sent out the photos of our daughter (that by the way we were not even on the email) she probably told everyone my response to her question.  

But, at the same time that story has made it's rounds at the cocktail parties and everyone always laughs. 

My mother in law just doesn't get it sometimes.  My father in law does.  But, he stays quiet.  You have to live with it.  I don't say much because it's my husbands family and he after all is FABULOUS.  We made a rule years ago.  You deal with your family.  I'll deal with mine.  That is in essence how it should be.  I don't know why but it seems like as a wife you are always supposed to be the one that buys the gifts for all the family members on both sides.  You are supposed to plan all gatherings.  I plan for my clients.  I like it when my husband helps plan our personal lives.  It's not all on me!   I also think there is nothing wrong with him buying his mother a Mother's day gift.  It's his mother.  I don't want my children seeing me do it.  Because after all one day they need to be the ones doing the same.  I'm always thinking ahead on how we do things, how will that be an example to our children.

There has been this debate with my clients for years.  You do or you don't marry the family in which your spouse comes from.  It depends I think.

You definitely don't want to live a life that doesn't include them.  But, you definitely don't want a life that you are living next door to them.  

When you get married you become your own family.  Kids or no kids.  Traditions are important for the people that live under your roof.  You need to figure out the balance.

I can't say it enough.  A man can be a good husband and a good son.  A husband and a wife need to make sure they are loyal to their spouse first.  The spouse comes first.  People can take that to mean harshness.  But, I think people that view that statement as harsh are probably people that can't let go or deal with the change of an added member of the family. 

It took my mom some time to let go I think.  She knew how to deal wtih a son in law better than she knew how to deal with a daughter in law.  I know my sister in law got her feelings hurt.  And believe me my mom heard about it from me when she did.  My mom is very loyal to my sister in law!  It took some time.  It's nice to see though.  My mom would never say anything hurtful behind her back to anyone.  Whenever I have a mother in law of a client ask for advice I share that tidbit.  Don't talk behind your daughter in laws back!  It doesn't help anything.  

My mom and dad in my opinion are pretty good about saying how much they love my husband and my sister in law.  In fact on our latest family vacation after my mom said how great they were she ended the sentence.  As in, hello?  What about us?  My brother and I were waiting for our praises.  We didn't get one.  We had a good run.  

My parents don't expect very much from any of us.  Oddly we all give them more because of it.  It's easy when there are not expectations.  There is not any pressure!

So that is what I told my client this morning.  Live each day without expectations from your in-laws.  It's easier that way.   You will learn to take what comes.  I know I am not a perfect daughter in law.  I am head strong and as my parents will tell you, never push me.  Because if you bug me over something.  I'll NEVER do it.  I do what I want when I want. 

Couples therapy is a thought as I told my client.  I am 110% for clients meeting with a pastor, counselor, whoever!  Before marriage.  You get an idea of what things you have between the two of you that could be a problem down the road.  Nobody is perfect.  There is something that each of you is concerned about.  It's kind of nice to know what to prepare for and how you may need to deal with it. 

I love the book 100 Questions.  It's a good read!
http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Questions-100-Ask-Before/dp/1585426210/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216234254&sr=8-1
We poured a few glasses of wine and stared reading it after dinner each night.  It was when I found out that the private school I was all about would not be happening since it was not a religion we were part of. 

Not totally related.......but marriage is funny because for years you discover new things about one another.

For instance I just told my husband I never saw the movie Alien.  Is this a big deal?  NO.  But, I am probably one of the only people that never did.

It was only three days after our wedding when I went to make a drink with club soda and my husband said he hated club soda!  Some how he also worked into the conversation that he loved peanut butter cookies.  They were his fave.  Two things I never knew.  I had this moment of "Who did I just marry?" 

You are going to constantly discover new things about your husband, and new family that you have married into.  I am very thankful for the fun times we have with my husbands family.  Those are the memories I hold near and dear to my heart.  I try to forget ones where I am asked questions surrounding me with my feet in stir ups.  Call me crazy.  But, that's how I try to survive!

I don't think Caroline feels great because she is super cuddly.  She is not a baby that cuddles.  She is more independent and likes to be able to kick wildly and see what is going on at all times.  So much like her father obviously.  

She is trying to crawl across me now to get to my wallet.  She has only slightly lost interest long enough to check out my pedicure or lack there of for this week.  

I have had a morning of non-stop work and it's been great.  I've talked to two new couples.  Both fabulous.  One couple is totally into their party to be and have a wicked sense of humor.  These are my people so to speak.  I liked them.  The other couple I fear I scared to death because they are planning a home wedding (which I like to think is my specialty) and I briefly named what they would have to have for the event.  They didn't know generators were only the beginning of the budget.  But, if I do their wedding I am kind of excited about the tennis courts they have and what we can do.  

I ordered labels for Montana.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the online vendor with the best price was in Denver!  Yeah!

I'm only a bit scared at how much stuff we have arriving daily to take to Montana.  I think I alone need a Uhaul.  But, whatever.  My husband is going with me to this one since I have to be on site for a week and I definitely do not want to leave Caroline behind for that long.  Plus, she obviously doesn't want to miss out on the shopping at this cute little chidrens store.  

We have so many cute items for the Montana wedding.  I wish I was a guest.  The little details are coming together and it's making me excited.  Even if the whole week is me working.  So that is how I know it's a good wedding.  I just want to see it come together!

I can't believe we are into July at this point.  I had a call this morning about a wedding for June of next year and my first thought was that I don't book out that early.  I only do 12 months out.  Then I quickly remembered we are past June!  Where did the time go?

I guess I've just had a lot on my mind with the second coming and all (Gelina and Brads twins.  Not impressed with the names at all by the way.)  

I need to get back to work!  I am working on vendor schedules and I am now on page three! 



 

 As do all her other vendors............

Because she has been in the dark for quite a few years now about something.



That's right she didn't even KNOW that Jessica had a book out on getting married.  My bride saw it for the first time yesterday.  Anyone that is in the wedding planning business has had at least one bride a year since 2002 ask for their wedding to have some if not all the elements that Jessica and Nick had for their own special day.

As she sat and looked at this book yesterday while we had a decor meeting it made me realize why she is probably one of the favorite current clients for all her vendors at the moment.  She hasn't been sitting at home for the last six years with a highlighter making notes of how she can save on food (serve chicken) and spend on flowers instead. 

Seriously.  That was advice from Jessica herself.  Because if you choose only to spend fifteen thousand on chicken for your guests, you definitely can have thirty thousand in flowers.  It's just that easy!

 Because in the middle of the non-stop madness I decide to always do some random project.

Last week I wrapped GiuGiu's Christmas present.  I had the gift and just felt it was the best time to take twenty minutes to wrap it.

This weeks project to add to everything is that I think we need a kegerator.  WHY?  Because I am tired of having parties and having to haul cases of beer in.  It's time to make this easier.  As in if the kegerator is full then it's all on my hubby.  If it's empty then he didn't get a new keg.  Because I definitely can't haul a keg around.

Plus, in an odd way I believe we are helping the environment.  Yeah.......that's it.  We are after all cutting down on glass bottles.

So I am currently on hold with a store to see if they have one.  I've been on hold for ten minutes an the only reason I haven't hung up is because their music is good.  Seriously.  They had this one Goo Goo Dolls song that was up for debate.  But, otherwise it's good.

For the record we are over the age of 22 and yes, we are about to buy one.  Sad?  Probably. 

It's kind of funny that there are not tons of books written on email etiquette.  The do's and don'ts.  There are some resources out there.  But, not enough.  Especially since people rely on it for their every day lives in business and their personal lives. 

I love email.  To a point.  I can shoot off an email in very little time to clients with information they need pronto.  I can send pixs of my little one off to my family back East to keep them in the loop of her growth and just her everyday life (although lately I have not been very good about keeping up with that.)  I can email a guy in Greece and ask him if he has a table with a wizard painted on it for a clients wedding in Mexico in less than two months.  In return I can get a response on such odd questions and not worry about the time of day I sent the email.  Email has made life easier. 

At the same time, I feel like it's an addiction that I never get to leave.  I have to check it ten times a day to make sure I am not ignoring a client or vendor.  I will never have a blackberry if I can help it.  I barely get away from the computer during the day as it is now.  If I had to check email while grocery shopping or getting a pedicure or running errands for an event then I'd be in trouble.  Sometimes I feel like I never get time away as it is.

I have to say as nice as email is, there are still some things that people seem to forget when emailing.

First off, nobody enjoys forwards that have been forwarded again and again.  If you are not familiar with the phrase "cut and paste" then don't forward. 

Jokes.  Please don't start off a 'funny' email with the phrase "I never send jokes but this one is FUNNY."  Chances are it's not that funny.  And second.  You know good and well you have forwarded a joke before.

I can't stand emails that say to send that email to x amount of people and something good or a blessing will happen to you.  Seriously?  If you have time to send that email or you truly believe it's going to bring good fortune to you, then take the time to go to church and get on your knees and ask for something positive.  Or at least look in your closets for things you no longer need and post them to craigslist and get your 'good fortune' there.  Jesus doesn't monitor your email.  FYI.

ALL CAPS.  All caps are considered to most to be yelling.  I know people freak out sometimes when they get an email or a post on a chat board that is typed in all caps.  It doesn't other me all that much.  But, I know others feel very strongly about it.  So keep it in mind.

Responding to emails.  My pet peeve is when I get an email from someone wanting to know something.  I reply and then I don't hear from them again for weeks or days at the very least.  But, in the mean time I get an email that is a forward.  I don't think anyone expects a long reply to an email.  But, a simple thank you goes a long way.  Not just in email either.....in every day life a nice thank you is always a welcome to most normal people.

Hiding behind email.  I'm not going to name names.....but I just love when I get an email from someone who is passive aggressive.  Those emails first get forwarded out to my close friends so we can make fun of them, then I delete.  If you have something to talk about with someone that is upsetting you, then CALL THEM (all caps.)  Or go see them in person.  Email is not the best way to tell someone that you feel hurt that they didn't do something right (in your opinion.)   

Email is hard to grasp at times.  You never really know the tone that someone means something.  My Montana bride right now will say in an email "I know right?"  And I totally can hear how she is saying something.  It cracks me up.  But, I've always gotten emails that seemed like they were attacking.  My favorite one was from someone once telling me that it shouldn't cost x amount of dollars to host a party for some family members and suggested that we could all cook for 100 plus people over a grill.  Ummmm no we couldn't.  No we didn't.  And what do I do for a living?  The email was just rude at the end of the day.  I am not sure they meant to sound the way they did in the email.  I try to believe they didn't.  But, it didn't come across as wanting to help.  

Don't email your political views if you are not 110% certain that the email address you are sending to is 150% with you politically.  

Before you send an email that says there is a missing child, or has a warning on it, or promises to give you 100 pairs of shoes for free from Nordstroms, do a search on www.truthorfiction.com and see what they say about the email.  Bill Gates is still not trying to give you a dollar for each email you forward his email to. 

Are you selling something like A-m-w-a-y?  If so be a careful offering special deals.  One of my brides was just talking about a friend that is selling something like this and how they all get emails in their group offering special deals.  Know your audience I guess is all you can say. 

Spell check.  Then hit send.

Don't use fancy fonts. 

Learn how to send emails where you reply only once with your contact information in the email.  Not each time you hit send to the same emailer with the same subject line.

If you are in business.  And I do suffer from this myself at times.  Try to keep the subject line related to the discussion.  Then when you save it you can find it later much easier to reference.  

It's just basic common sense I think when it comes to emailing.  That's all. 

I think we all need to make our emails cleaner, simpler and more on point.  And NICER (all caps.)

I use to always HAVE to have something planned for July 4th weekend.  Meaning we went to the beach in NC or at least were out of town.

After moving to the part of the country that lacks (and I do mean LACKS) an ocean, I just never really got into the mountains for July 4th.  We have been up to my husbands family cabin a few times.  That was fun.  But, it still is such a planning trip.  You have to pack, plan when you will leave town and then stick to that time because in Colorado there just aren't that many highways.  So you know some how some way you are going to sit in traffic.  You pray there is not an accident on 70 because it will either slow the highway for hours or close it down. 

The last few years we have stayed in Denver because either I had a wedding or we had plans.  The last time we camped for July 4th the grounds were so packed it just took the peacefulness away.  July 4th in the mountains of Colorado reminds me of Valentine's day at a restaurant.  Those that never go camping or go out to eat, pick that date to go out.  So it's crowded!

This year I think it has finally sunk in why we love being in town for July 4th. 

For one the Rockies always have a good game and fireworks.  You can see them from our house or just ride your bike down to the stadium to watch.  Or the best is if we get to hang out a friends roof top where you can see at least twenty displays going on at once.

We again were at friends on July 4th for a barbecue.  It seems like the more babies that we all have and the more we all work on our own businesses that we just don't see each other as often.  Instead of almost every weekend we are down to every other or every two.  So it was nice on Friday just to see everyone. 

Saturday I was in Montana for the day so Scott got to spend time with his little girl and find out what it's like to have her all to himself.  He did survive.  Which I knew he would.  But, it was nice that within ten minutes of being home he said that he had a new found respect for what I do every day.  THANK YOU!!!!!!!! 

Yesterday we went to the Cherry Creek art festival and met up with our friends.  We had a few hours alone with just the three of us.  There was this awesome band.  I don't know if they would do weddings, but I'd book them in a hearbeat. Their range was incredible.  The Spins.  If you are in the market for a band, definitely check them out.

We ate great food.  Had a few beers which for some reason tasted so much better when we were just sitting listening to the band and feeding Caroline lunch.  She loved people watching.  It was pretty funny.  It was cloudy and sprinkled for a few minutes and made the day so nice!  It was not sweltering hot.   

Last night we had dinner with our friends the Draugelis'.  We celebrated the option of buying liquor on Sunday by having a few bottles of champagne.  My client on Saturday had me craving champagne so it was just a good excuse to pop open a bottle. And I agree with her........the Mumm in rose is yummy!  It's my new fave for this week.  We have not had a normal Sunday night dinners with the Draugelis' in a while so it so nice catching up and seeing Caroline and Raines with one another.   

I know it sounds cheesy, but as we were sitting and listening to the band yesterday I just felt so blessed.  I feel like I need to knock on wood.  Business is thriving for me.  My husband is doing well and for the first time has a group of girls that work for him that are fabulous.  We have our health.  We have a precious child.  She is such a joy.  Our house is finally at the turning point of being done.  And we even finally have household help with a good cleaning person on the way and a day and evening sitter that we love (most importantly Caroline loves.)  

I have so much going on right now with my Montana wedding that is coming up that I literally can't even think about doing one thing that is not in our regular schedule.  I never thought I would say this, but if you handed me a plane ticket and a week at the beach I'd say no right now.  I can't take even a second to pack my child.  I adore my Montana clients so much (I am already in mourning for when their wedding is over) that I just want to make sure the bride and groom and parents have every expectation met.  

Staying in the city for the holiday weekend actually felt like we were alone more so.  It seems like everyone dashed out of town.  It was nice to just be alone in Denver.  Which kind of cracks me up!  I have to say July 4th weekend for a wedding in Denver might be nicer than you think.  Something to consider that is for sure!

First I have to say I have not had a moment to blog.  It's non-stop busy for me right now.  But, it's good!  I thought business would slow down.  HA!  I can't keep up with the demand.  I'm not complaining.

So first there was the Sex and the City movie. 

Now there are talks of a 90210 show/movie.  I just read that Shannon a.k.a Brenda Walsh has signed on.  I pray that she lets her eyebrows grow back out for the role.  That would be totally old school. 

Then I just read the best news ever.  I mean ever. 

Friends are talking about a movie.  OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE.

We know Matt LeBlanc is down since he hasn't made much of an appearance since his show was canceled.  Matthew Perry isn't exactly making Oscar worthy movies. 

The best would be if they brought some of the guest characters on.  I know I for one wouldn't mind seeing Will Colbert.  Monica's friend from high school who was part of the "I hate Rachel Green club"  I'm sorry but that episode was not only classic, it still makes me laugh out loud when watching.  

Okay so it's Brad Pitt that would have to reprise the role.  All the better.  Gelina wouldn't mind I'm sure of it. 

I love Friends.  I have watched that show a million times.  I could quote at least one line per episode if I really tried I am sure.  But, there are the classic lines.  Enjoy!

Will: Look at her holding those yams. Those are our two worst enemies, Ross - Rachel Green and complex carbohydrates. 

Ross: What? You're over me? When were you... under me? 

Joey: [about Rachel's assistant, Tag] If he doesn't like you, then this is all just a moo point.
Rachel: Huh. A moo point?
Joey: Yeah, it's like a cow's opinion, you know, it just doesn't matter. It's "moo".
Rachel: Have I been living with him for too long, or did that all just make sense? 

Chandler Bing: [about Janice, after accidentally hitting her in the eye] I hit her in the eye! I hit her in the eye! This is the worst breakup in the history of the world!

Ross: It tastes like feet!
Joey Tribbiani: Well, I like it.
Ross: Are you kidding?
Joey Tribbiani: I mean, what's not to like? Custard, good. Jam, good. Meat, good! 

Rachel: You know what I figure, If I can do laundry, there's nothing I can't do.

and you buy stamps specially made from one of your photos........they don't like to stick.  

I would have never guessed this.  Except the post master at one of the offices near me called to tell me this today. 

So as I type one of my invite helpers has gone to pick them up and redo the stamps.  Thankfully only a few had been hand stamped.  

I am so happy this was caught in time.  HOORAY.  You would think I would be stressed out or upset.  Nope.  I have good help for this project and I know it will be done in no time.  Also, it saves me since we have two other invites going out as well.  I would have hated to find this out in a few days. 

So maybe sticking with the good old stamps (stickers) from the USPS is the way to go. 

I sworny!

So first Platinum Weddings from Bravo......or Instyle......I can't even remember wanted to shoot one of my clients weddings. Of course the cut off was July and the wedding was after.

Then there was a show that was going to spotlight destination weddings.  Not one of my clients was getting married in the two month time period they wanted.

Today I get a call from MTV and they want destination. 
CHECK
Out of my state
CHECK
Out of the country
Dang it!  

I don't have a client out of country from now til August or September.  So that doesn't work.

I should probably count my blessings since I know that it's just added work when you have to deal with production crews and such.  But, when you know the weddings you are working on are going to be STUNNING and people will definitely want to copy a few of the ideas.........it kind of makes me sad.

But, not THAT SAD!

 

and as I made last minute menu changes this morning, I was reminded why having someone to manage your event is always such a good idea.

I had to make note with the caterer that I was the only one (I even over ride the hosts) that can decide on alcohol.  All too often people set a budget for their event, and then once they get to the event they have a few cocktails, they start to have a good time and suddenly they go from beer and wine only to adding in liquor and wanting to do shots all around.  That adds up to $$$$

It's nice to know that someone is monitoring how much money you are spending so you can enjoy it yourself.

I will never forget I had a wedding many years ago now up in Vail, where the bartender went around me as well as the catering manager on duty to the bride and groom.  They saw a chance to make more money in my opinion.  I didn't work with this company again (and for the record the bride had hired them without me since she hired me afterwards.)

I got to the venue that afternoon to do the last minute touch base and to compare notes with the catering manager on her BEO and my time line.  I told her that I was to be the only one (as discussed prior with the bride) to be asked any questions.  My bride wanted to enjoy herself.  

Well, wouldn't you know it.  I was over by the band toward the end of the evening and the bar was gong to be doing last call.  The bartender had a room full of people that were using the open bar to their advantage and tipping rather well.  I see the bartender make his way to the bride and ask if he could keep the bar opened an hour longer.

I swear to this day I know I heard him clear as day even over the music. 

The bride was.  Well.  How do I say this.  She had enjoyed the open bar as well.  So she was not really in a place to say yes, no or maybe to anything.

Long story short.  Bar stayed open.  The catering manager had even asked the groom if it was okay.  The bill came in later and all the booze the couple had over purchased was long gone.  They had padded the bar for the just in case.

And wouldn't you know it one of the guests who was way over served and left without anyone knowing it (the venue was huge and again this caterer was suppose to have one of their staff members monitoring the guests leaving per their contract since they were serving the alcohol.)  The guest got in their car and thankfully backed into the catering truck.  Oh the irony of that one.

He couldn't drive off thank goodness.  It could have been much worse.

So......again. It's good to have someone managing your event for you.  My job is to keep your best interest and checkbook in mind. 

Have a good weekend!

I'm not sure what to think of the latest company to come on the scene with bridesmaid dresses.

It was by accident that I found that Victoria's Secret is now selling a bridesmaid line. 

Wanna see a few?

I doubt these would take away from the bride.  NOT!  Unless of the course the bride is coming out in thigh high boots and a mini dress.

However they do have the 7 in 1 dress that I am a big fan of if all the girls are close or similar in body shape.  For instance you can't have all size 4 to 8 girls and then a size 16.  It's not fair and it's going to be hard for the 16 to make the dress work for her in the same way that the other girls will be able to.

Have you seen the 7 in 1 dress?  It's the talk of the town.   Well, it's the talk of some planners.



There are different' companies making them now.  The original costs around $300.00  I hope they sold a lot of them when they first came out, because anyone with a sewing machine could copy it for $100.00 if they tried. 

It's made of a jersey fabric.  Again, not the most forgiving fabric.  But, it is easy to twist.  Tie.  Drape and it doesn't wrinkle.

You can make it into seven different styles.  There are a few other companies that make them.  There is one that say you can do 13 different styles out of it.  I don't really like all 13 styles.  I think seven is plenty to choose from.

It's a great way to make sure all the dresses are the same color.  Some what the same style.  But, allow your friends that are standing up for you to show their personality.  

If nothing else.  Just try one on yourself.  You never know when you may have found the next best thing to the little black cocktail dress for the closet.  How nice to have something that you could play with and make into a new dress for numerous occassions! 

 Last night on the way to meet Scott's aunt for dessert, we took Downing for a change.

At the light close to the intersection of the old Children's hospital there was a police car sitting.  I automatically pointed it out in case we were speeding.

But, before I could all the trees were shaking, there was a noise and a propeller going a million miles an hour behind the police car and the trees.

It was a cute little Blackhawk helicopter.  We were surprised to see it because we thought they were only training the night before.

Well, apparently everyone that is around the neighborhood or downtown is talking.  People are apparently unsettled when watching a Rockies game to see helicopters training over head.

Personally I rather enjoy it.  But, then again I like to know that we have a strong military and that they are doing manuevers for the 'just in case.'  Sorry we have the DNC coming only five miles from our house this year.   I definitely worry that there are fruit loops out there that want to make a point about their views.

So if you have time come downtown or close to it and watch the helicopters taking off from Children's.  It's kind of fun!

 

I am super teary eyed looking at these this morning.

Monica and Flavia were my Maid/Matron of honors.  Monica has met someone new and gotten married and had a bambino.  It's hard to believe we've been friends now for over ten years!  Where did the time go?  If only I could have the skin back under my eyes (line free.)

Monica said that her advice for any bride would be to have a wedding with only 50 guests.  I think that advice is pretty interesting since her first wedding she had at least 150 guests.  It was a fun wedding too.   One of the nice parts of that wedding was that I was able to buy a bridesmaid dress and not have it altered.  It was a smidgen too long.  I had a loose hem sewn.  Then I cut it out and sold the dress on Ebay for only $10 less than I bought it.   

But, for her second marriage she had said she didn't want the wedding.  Her husband Kevin had not been married before so it was hard to get away without the wedding.  Kevin very much wanted to say their vows in front of loved ones and have his brothers stand up for him.  Even my husband said he should get a wedding.  So slowly Monica started planning still keeping it small and trying to have what she wanted without going over the top.

She actually planned the wedding in less than three months.  It was destination and she couldn't travel to see anything or meet with any vendors either.  I almost think that was a good thing!  Sometimes when there is too much time to plan brides end up second, third, fourth guessing themselves. 

The end result was really pretty.  I even like her dress.  Which I will be the first to admit I'm not a fan of white dresses for a second marriage.  But, if you know my friend this is her match.  It took a while to find him.  But, this is the one.  He has a fabulous family that she is in love with.  They adore her.  He loves and cherished Monica.  It's just the best!  Plus, with Moni's coloring white was a great choice!  Cream would have looked terrible.  The gray silk not so good.  Especially for a daytime beach wedding.  Light pink would have been pretty.  But, since she picked hot pink for accents I don't really think it would have been best.  Having the touch of white on the bridal party and even as accents was such a good thing. 

She picked the ever popular pink and green for her colors.  She had gorgeous linens too.  Again when you keep it small you can spend the extra money on items and still not spend buckets of money! 

http://www.carolinaphotostudios.com/proofs/veverka/

This was in South Carolina only a few weeks ago!

Okay, so we are home. Blah blah blah.........14 hours of traveling later yesterday and we were finally home. It was a long day and our poor child was melting down at the end of it. It was hot on the plane and it ended up being a long flight due to them sending us in a new direction due to storms.

This is what I am a little aggravated over. The lack of snacks on the plane. First off now they sell them to you. I don't know who had the bright idea to sell a snack pack with tuna on it in a confined space, but if only I could get their name.

I guess in Denver people are not familiar with Lance products. They are made in Charlotte and are ghetto cheap. Growing up you would grab a sleeve of cheese crackers and a coke for a snack. Or if you couldn't find the cheese and crackers you just got a bag of Nabs. I'm pretty certain it is a staple of many peoples lives in the South. Of course I will skip talking about the number of people in the South that are in fact over weight and that apparently millions of gallons of soda are consumed each year in the South alone.

As we were flying yesterday and they handed out those sickly little bags of pretzels I was reminded of how cheap it would be for the airlines to just go direct to Lance. We were on US Airways and United (don't even get me started about them. They are on my list today!) who both have quite a few flights running in and out of Charlotte. Why not just go on over and talk crackers and Nabs and make all of our lives more enjoyable?

You can buy a box of crackers with eight sleeves on sale at the BiLo or Piggly Wiggly for only 2 packs for 2.00 sometimes. It's a deal! 



They also make Honey Buns (delish)
Popcorn which I am not really into myself, but I know some people like immensly. Packets of little peanuts.  Which are super yummy.  Of course I do remember some of my friends at the pool in the summer tossing a few into the boottom of their coca-cola.  I never did understand why people did that.  

Meanwhile, I wonder how many people were left stranded by United in Denver last night.  We had a flight full of people trying to make a connection and we landed even later than they said we would.  We sat on the runway waiting for a gate to open, then they needed to get someone to pull the plane to the gate.  We waited an extra twenty minutes or more to unload.  It was horrible.

I had to remind my dear husband at that moment that he really needed to remember the moment, because only the day before he had tried to say it wasn't like my family and friends were that hard to get on a plane to see.  After all it's only half a day.  NOT.  I don't think it's going to get any better either.

So after being away for close to two weeks, I feel rejuvenated and ready for wedding season.  I am also focused and ready to really concentrate on certain areas of my business.  I have a plan.  It's called the beach, a house and being Southernfied again more than a week or so at a time. 

But, in the meantime if the dang airlines could just seve a pack of crackers to me as I fly back and forth I'd really appreciate it.