Tag Archives: marriage

More Secrets from Your Wedding Planner

21 Oct

vintage cake topper coupleIt’s easy to think of Jennifer Lopez’s role in The Wedding Planner when hearing about people who plan weddings. Here, planners and pros from across the country pull back the curtain on what it takes to make dreams come true on a couple’s big day.

The second the ring goes on the finger, commonsense goes out the door.

This is a full time job, but on the big day we are steaming the bridal gown, pinning boutonnieres, making sure that the timelines are being met, making sure there are no spots on the glasses or silverware, allowing gum to be spit out in our hands before the ceremony, dealing with any situations that arise, and the list goes on!

I feel like a therapist when I am forced to step in to help with family drama. My insight is to be polite and respectful. Often, meddlesome people just want to be heard out. Since I’m an independent third party, I’m able to bring neutrality to emotionally charged situations.

Sisters are tough to work with. Often the Maid of Honor takes her role very seriously and doesn’t trust my capabilities. I take it in stride but have sometimes been forced to take sisters aside. By the end of the night, we’re friends! Continue reading

13 Things Wedding Planners Won’t Tell You

19 Jul
wedding table

via weheartit.com

1. I keep secrets.
At one wedding I planned, the cake went missing after the bride and groom cut it. The bride soon asked where the cake was. Turns out the servers had taken it upon themselves to eat it! We cut the pieces smaller and the bride never knew. Keeping things quiet is the secret behind making the bride think the wedding was flawless.

2. It stresses me out…
when the mother of the groom (it’s always the mother of the groom) steps in at the rehearsal to take over and change the plans. And it’s always the mother of the groom who hasn’t contributed a dime or offered even an hour of her time prior to the wedding who acts in this manner.

3. I hate feeling devalued.
When a potential client begins to nickel and dime me, I know they do not understand what it is I will be doing for them.

4. Don’t forget the tax and service charge.
Many couples overlook the “plus plus” when planning a menu. Everything has a tax and service charge, and it really adds up, trust me!

5. I still cry at weddings.
Being part of the family for that short amount of time is truly rewarding. It’s when I’m sent baby photos that I know I had a real impact on a couple.

6. Your parents are paying?
I hope you understand you may not get what you want!

7. I’ll go to great lengths to make sure your wedding is perfect.
Your wedding is my job and I’ll do everything I can to make it memorable, including walking miles to a florist in Jamaica to correct the $700 bouquet that arrived to you spray-painted purple.

8. We don’t wear headsets and heels.
We know the importance of comfortable shoes. People envision The Wedding Planner and think this job is all about glitz and glamour. We’re not Jennifer Lopez.

9. Just because you planned your own destination wedding…
doesn’t mean you can do my job better than I can. Yes, you may have found lower rates on Orbitz, but you don’t have access to the contract and package perks that I’m able to offer to my brides.

10. You’ve only known each other for 4 months?!
Can I get 100% upfront?

11. I do manual labor and other dreadful tasks.
I cannot even tell you how many times I’ve been on my hands and knees, sweating. I sometimes have to count the napkins and linens before they go back to the rental company. I’m talking dirty, smelly napkins, with food, gum and whatever else is on them. Talk about gross!

12. Flowers cost a great deal of money.
For the most part, they are flown around the world to their end user. Their prices are affected by jet fuel costs, inclement weather and by the fact that they’re living things that are not manufactured by machines and simply “cranked out.” Likewise, they don’t jump into their vases!

13. You can always elope!
It’s never too late to run away and have a relaxing wedding. You’ll have great memories to share with your friends and family once you’re home.

Courtesy yours truly, and a handful of sources from around the country.
First published on ReadersDigest.com

Local Threat: Marriage Fidelity Through the Lens of Science

11 May

Just read NYT’s The Science of a Happy Marriage, which explores genetic factors that may impact commitment.

Marriage Fortune Cookie

via flickr.com

Check it out for a fascinating read after you complete the puzzle below:

  • Fill-in-the-blank: LO_AL and THR__T.

Source: well.blogs.nytimes.com

♬ Listening to: If You Want to Be Happy for the Rest of Your Life (Jimmy Soul)

Good news about married people

19 Feb

CBS News polled married couples, asking that romantically-retrospective question, would you do it again? And to the same person? See the nuptial news here.

Cinderella Flees the Castle

img via aspotofwhimsy.blogspot.com

Learn more: FASTSTATS on Marriage & Divorce from cdc.gov.