The Wedding Planners

Friday, July 18, 2008

Wedding Movies

I've been on a movie watching binge lately. Unfortunately not all the DVDs I've rented have lived up to my expectations which means I'm picking the wrong movies. I started thinking about what kind of movies might give me the happily ever after endings I'm seeking and the answer seemed obvious...movies about weddings!

Here's the list I came up with along with movie trailers for those I could find so I could see what wedding movie I might want to watch next:

1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

2. Wedding Crashers

3. Runaway Bride

4. My Best Friend's Wedding

5. American Wedding

6. Father of the Bride

7. The Wedding Singer

8. 27 Dresses

9. The Wedding Planner

10. Four Weddings and a Funeral

11. Made of Honor

12. License to Wed

13. The Best Man

14. The Wedding Date

15. Mamma Mia! (In theaters this summer)

Are there any movies on that list you've seen or might want to see?

Labels: movies, weddings

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Wedding Flowers on a Budget from Tori

Tori Shelton is a talented homeschool Mom whose side business is wedding flowers. Her specialty is making gorgeous arrangements for brides on a budget. Listen in to some great ideas:

Wedding flowers are, in my opinion, one of the most creative ways to express yourself in your matrimony planning.

Maybe you’re simple and elegant, and dream of clean lines and pure white calla lilies. Maybe you’re colorful in actions and in words, and have a preference for loud, bold displays of many textures of poppies, hydrangeas, and berries. Maybe you’re classic, and have always hoped for a beautiful blushing bouquet of red roses. Maybe you’re perfectly sweet, and you dream of that ideal mixture of peonies simply because their meaning is “happy marriage”.

Whoever you are, being a bride allows you the opportunity to express that beauty in the display of your own unique arrangements of flowers. “Unique” sometimes sparks the thought of “expensive”, although it doesn’t always have to. There are many ways to make your wedding flowers all yours without breaking the bank.

✿ After accumulating several ideas, decide what’s most important: always allow for your favorite flower, even if only in small quantities.

✿ Visit your local florist, but don’t be discouraged by price. Sometimes, they can assist you in figuring out what is in season and what can be substituted for your wedding day, which will save you immensely.

✿ After precisely deciding what you want, it is often very much worth the trip to visit your local farmer’s market to contact the florist there. Most of the time, it will cut your cost at least in half.

✿ Go by referrals. If a friend raves about a florist, at least give them a shot. Take your budget, and be clear about what you can spend… then allow the florist to do what they do best… and often, together, you can create arrangements that both fit your budget and live up to your expectations!

✿ Add something to your bouquet. It doesn’t have to be costly, just special. If your personality allows, maybe you could add feathers or twigs. Polka dot ribbon adds character to a bouquet, and doesn’t

spike the budget. A bride I knew recently added a small picture of her mother to her bouquet. Although it only cost her a few more dollars, it was priceless that she had a reminder of her mother, who had passed away two years earlier, with her on her wedding day. She made her bouquet uniquely hers.

✿ Remember that small pops of color and variation of flowers add dimension, and texture. And, monochromatic bouquets speak loudly when in contrast to a dress. Bouquets of simplicity sometimes make the most impact, and cost the least.

The most important thing for all brides to remember, is to enjoy the planning and preparation. Spend evenings with your mother or your best friends finding pictures of those perfect flowers. Make memories, be yourself, and give purpose to all you do. A wedding is a grand event, but it’s also so much more. It is the beginning of a marriage… and that, is even more beautiful than any floral arrangement known to man.

Now it's your turn: What is your favorite flower? Tell about your bouquet? Did you do anything special or have you seen some unique use of flowers at a wedding?

Labels: bouquets, flowers, wedding budget, wedding planners

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

A Quality-Time Engagement...

Am I going crazy? I’ve been wondering lately. My fiancé, Matt, is the absolute man of my dreams. I’ve never known a man like him, so deeply responsible, so caring and always determined to do the right thing by others. I love him so much it hurts, and have since the day I literally fell at his feet –
And he loves me the same way. At least, I think he loves me the same way. We fell in love so fast, and were engaged so soon, I thought I'd found a miracle: that a wonderful, handsome, caring man like Matt truly loved me…me, plain, red-haired Julie Montgomery, who in no way fits into his socialite world…
But then his father died, the family business went on the rocks – and he had to save 400 jobs. Of course he did. He’s making something he hopes will revolutionize the boating industry – he’s a marine engineer, but really, is more of an inventor. It’s some sort of water converter for boating engines, I think – he kept it a secret even from me, in case of competitors. He’s had to work really long hours on it, early morning to late at night. I understand it, I really do. But since it was patented and was a success, pulling McLachlan Marine Industries our of the red, and the media took an interest, he’s still working the same hours. He comes to see me, of course, and it’s always wonderful while it lasts…but when I only see him for an hour, and then nothing but the occasional phone call or a fly-by visit for days, and he keeps promising, I'll make it up to you…
I guess the simple truth is, I'm beginning to wonder if he ever truly loved me at all.
And now my darling friends at The Wedding Belles are taking turns finding men of their own to love, and spending their time with them as I do - did - with Matt, when we fell in love. It's only natural, and I’m so happy for them; but I guess the only way to put it is, I’m feeling lost.
It wouldn’t be so hard if all my family wasn’t 10,000 miles away in Australia. I wouldn’t be feeling so lonely, or crying myself to sleep at night, if just sometimes, he would not thank me for being so understanding as he has to go back to work or to a press conference; if he’d just look at me, and know I’m not always as strong as he thinks, and hold me…
But how can I tell him, when he’s being so selfless? How do I say to him, Matt, please look at me and see I’m trying not to cry? Please stay with me, just this once? Matt, I feel so alone, without family or even friends now, and I need you? I can’t say it. I just can’t.
Especially when he’s throwing me the Engagement Party of the Season in two weeks.
I just wish the media wasn’t taking such an interest in me. As if I didn’t already feel unworthy of my wonderful man – now I have to be gentle and gracious and dignified, all the things I’m not. I’m kind of a free spirit, you know? And Matt loves – loved – that in me.
I hope he meant what he said: that he’ll have more time for me soon. After the engagement party. Is it so wrong to want him to put me first, just once in a while?

Julie, general assistant at The Wedding Belles

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A Bachelorette Party

It was two days before my close friend, Kristen's wedding..... and it was time for the Bridesmaids to throw the Bachelorette a party she wouldn't soon forget! The meeting spot--the Target parking lot. The mission--to give a big farewell party to Kristen's single days! As we gathered in the parking lot Kristen was getting a little concerned because two of the bridesmaids were late for the party. But what she didn't know is that the bridesmaids had a surprise for her. A few minutes later a stretch limo came driving through the parking lot and the two "late" bridesmaids jumped out of the limo and ambushed Kristen . We placed a princess sash and tiara on the bride and the seven of us piled into the "diva" decorated-limousine, complete with boas. All the single-bridesmaids (one of whom would be me) wore gargantuan, matching, costume wedding diamond rings (in Bridal party style). The limo was packed with champagne and long-stem glasses, as well as chocolate-covered strawberries and we all gave a toast to the bride (I, in t-totaler fashion, chose water for my toast)! Glammed up and ready to party, our first stop was the Spaghetti Factory in downtown Nashville. We enjoyed a great dinner and, of course, we got the "scoop" on all the wedding details. Kristen shared her favorite and least favorite qualities about the groom....and the married women were quick to give Kristen some honeymoon tips (and, for your sake, I'll leave those out of this G-rated blog) :))! After a wonderful dinner, the limo driver escorted us through downtown Nashville and we stopped at the Parthenon (some big Greek historical building) to take some group photos. As we got out of the limousine onlookers wanted to know who we were. I must add--we all did look famous!! I was tempted to say--"the Dixie Chicks"--but refrained. :) The bride is a professional ballroom dance instructor and an incredible singer, so we felt the best way to complete this party was in Nashville's historic Printers Alley at Kelli's Karaoke. The club was not really hopping, until---well, we came in! The DJ at the karaoke club was quick to get the bride and bridal party up on the stage to sing "Like a Virgin"! It wasn't long after we showed up until the karaoke club was booming with business! Though we were having tons of fun, all the bridesmaids were looking at our watches because it was past 10pm and we had only rented the limo until 10 O'clock (life is never perfect)! So, we ended our party at Kelli's Karaoke and used our womanly powers to get the limo driver to give us a little extra time. It worked.... we spent the remaining time in the limo reminiscing memories of Kristen's single days, finishing off the chocolate covered strawberries (can't let good chocolate go to waste), and singing at the top or our lungs. Just a girls will be girls, all brides need a bachelorette party......and I must say this one was a lot of fun!

Okay, everyone, time to confess. Have you attended a bachelorette party? If so, where did you go? What did you do?

Labels: weddings

Monday, July 14, 2008

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER!

The winner of Liz Fielding's blog prize, drawn from the comments on that day, is Robyni! Robyni, please email me with your contact info so I can pass it along to Liz. linda@lindagoodnight.com

CONGRATULATIONS AND ENJOY!

Labels: books, liz fielding, prize, wedding planners

Rose and Lily, The Twins, Stop By with Mouse Cake

Shh. Mommy’s taking a nap. Her blood sugar went crazy again. That’s why my sister, Lily and I are here today. My name is Rose. Rose Isabella Thompson. Mom says my entire name a lot. She must really like it. Maybe better than Lily Alexandra. She doesn’t say it as much.

Anyway, Mom wanted to blog real bad today. She’s says it’s good promo, whatever that is, for the Wedding Belles. That’s where Mom works. The Wedding Belles. She’s a cake fairy, you know. She makes the best cakes in the universe and people come from all over Boston to buy them. She works real hard since Daddy died. That’s why Lily and me are going to help her today. But don’t wake her. It’s a surprise.

I think my mom has a new boyfriend. I don’t like him. He’s trying to take my daddy’s place. Mom says he’s not a boyfriend, but I’m eight years old. I know about that kissy stuff. Yuck! Lily likes him, too, but she’s just a dumb kid. She’s a whole five minutes younger than me! Mom’s boyfriend is Doctor Cooper Sullivan. He knew my daddy. I have this puppy named, well, Puppy, but he’s invisible, see. And he’s going to bite Dr. Cooper Sullivan if he doesn’t stop coming over here.

Okay, sorry. I have to get busy. Lily gets nervous when we work in Mom’s kitchen, so I have to take charge. Mom left this chocolate mousse cake recipe out on the counter. Lily says it’s weird to put a mouse in a cake. I guess it’s a surprise for the bride when it pops out, but I don’t know where to get a mouse. Except I have a toy one. I’ll put that in with the eggs and sugar.

What do you think? Isn’t beautiful? Won’t Mom be surprised?

Love,
Rose Isabella Thompson

PS Last week Mommy forgot to post the goth cake. She couldn’t find the picture. I know why, but I’m not telling.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

What's Coming Up This Week

REMEMBER THIS MONTH'S PRIZE: Leave a comment for a chance at a $25 gift certificate to any online store.

Monday – A visit from Natalie’s dynamic duo, Lily and Rose. Don’t miss what they’ve been up to while Mom was not looking….

Tuesday – Hear about a good time at a bachelorette party and share your own night on the town experiences

Wednesday – Melissa James, author of book 6, “The Bridegroom’s Secret” blogs.

Thursday – Come and hear expert advice about “flowers on a budget”.

Friday – Our other Melissa (McClone), author of book 3, “SOS, Marry Me” blogs.