The 4th of July Non-Weekend. Bad for Brides? Good for Guests? You decide.

Ah the calendar.  Tomorrow, the 4th of July falls on a WEDNESDAY for the first time in many years.  For those with office jobs whose vacation days are comparable to certain rare truffles in the food world, this is a big deal. There are calculations by which you can take only a few days off, and yet stretch your vacation and/or wedding weekend to five days, all with the aid of a well placed Monday or Friday out of the office.  Thanksgiving is the ultimate centerpiece to the art of stretching PTO: you can take a full seven days and only “spend” three.

English: OAK HARBOR, Wash. (July 4, 2011) Memb...

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (July 4, 2011) Members of the color guard assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island march down Bayshore Drive during the Fourth of July Parade.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But this year (darned Gregorians) Fourth of July isn’t participating.  And some are breathing a sigh of relief.  Hint: it’s not the brides.  People who might have attended weddings this holiday, are attending barbeques.  And parades.  And celebrating Independence Day well, independently.  There are many people who don’t want to have their summer plans set for them by receiving a “save the date” in February and being expected to clear their calendars.

As a bride, it’s hard to see outside the bubble where your wedding is the Most Important Thing In The World, but sometimes people have fun things scheduled at the same time or want to have that option.  And that’s OK. (Well your sister really ought to keep her schedule open, but let the rest of your list plan their own vacations, and lead their own lives. It’s not anybody’s fault, and there shouldn’t be any lasting drama or upset about who had something else going on that day ).

All thoughts running through my head on a summer’s day… enjoy your barbeques tomorrow.  And the weddings that are happening this weekend!  Remember, you can always have sparklers no matter what time of year it is*  And no matter who comes, or what the season, your wedding will light up with joy and memories for everyone.

Live well, and love well.

Dinah

 

* please check the fire regulations in your area and at your venue!

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Why I love “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.” Hey TLC, We Want To Plan One! Call Us!

By now most people have heard about the raucous, Swarovski crystal-covered Gypsy wedding extravaganzas shown on TLC not just on their appointed night, but pretty much any time you turn on the TV.  Some people can’t take it, they have to turn it off. Others are fascinated, like they are watching a bad traffic accident and they can’t look away.  As for us, well, we want an invitation.

Weddings are full of joy in any community. Who’s to say they should be prim and proper? We lecture over and over again that brides should have the wedding they want, not what they see in the magazines or what’s “fashionable” just for the sake of it. Those magazines also say “be yourself!” and “It’s your day – make it what you want!” These families are realizing their vision, and it’s no one’s place to judge what they think is meaningful or beautiful.  We love these weddings (and the dresses, and the cakes, and all of what the conventional thinkers would call “over the top” details) for the energy and the feeling behind it. Here’s a community that’s marching to the beat of its own drum. And what a parade!

So TLC, we know you’re casting brides.  How ’bout letting some vendors in on the action?  We’ll hang a banner- My Little Gypsy Flower Shop. Have Swarovski, will travel.

Live well, and love well.

-Dinah

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Thank You for Creating Our Dream Wedding! A Walk-In-Florists’-Shoes Inspired Moment of Gratitude.

It is high wedding season here in Palm Springs! And inside My Little Flower Shop, the bouquets, boutonnières and centerpieces are flying. As a team member at MLFS, my participation is usually electronic. But this weekend found me riding shotgun in the My Little Flower Shop truck, spray bottle loaded and ribbon scissors at the ready.

At the end of the day, having dropped off and set up flowers for three different weddings, I was zonked as we celebrated Cinco De Mayo at the lobby bar (El Jefe) of the ever-so-colorful Saguaro Hotel.  I wasn’t just celebrating the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France, I was celebrating the victory of sitting down.  (BTW, Saguaro folks, that weird banquette thing in the front of the bar could use a little more cush for the tush).

So where am I going with this? I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. You see, I am a My Little Flower Shop bride.  Not only did they do the flowers, but were our event planners ensuring our beautiful day was flawless (see the album below). Yesterday I saw only a snapshot of how hard the team works.  We thanked Greg and Al on our wedding day, but this experience taught me to thank My Little Flower Shop over and over, whenever I can. There is no such thing as “too grateful.”

Live well, and love well.

Dinah

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

 

PS – Thanks to all the Wedding Warriors who made Friday’s Dream Wedding possible! You guys are AWESOME!

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My Little Flower Shop Wedding Centerpiece Goes To A “Kate Spade” Party

A modern wedding centerpiece from our website was featured in a blog today about translating your favorite clothing designer’s “look” into a look for an event. Our wedding centerpiece was put on an inspiration board for a Kate Spade-styled event.  How delightful!  Thanks to Dana from Big City Farm Girl, and to Lindsay from Pinklet and C for including us in this fun concept.

Reposted from Pinklet and C

Hi Everyone, I’m Dana – fashion lover, DIY enthusiast, blogger over at Big City Farm Girl, and good friend of Lindsey’s! I’m super excited to be posting over here at Pinklet and C. I wanted to make my post both fun and inspirational and came up with the idea of translating one of my favorite designers into an awesome party. When a designer creates a collection it needs to be cohesive, inspirational, eye catching, and make everyone go “wow.” Well don’t you want the same reaction when throwing a dinner party, birthday celebration, or bridal shower? Incorporating a certain designer’s aesthetic is a way to make your party both  fun and fashionable. One of my favorite designers out there right now is Kate Spade. I’m in love with her bold, gorgeous, bright pieces and jewel tone accessories and of course classic polka dot prints. So why not take this look and plan a party around in?

 

*all images from kate spade


If you’re looking for an easy DIY, colorful centerpiece check out these that I put together for a friend’s bridal shower!
Now who doesn’t want to throw a party based on their favorite designer?
Thanks Lindsey for having me over here at Pinklet and C. I would love for everyone to stop by my blog and say hello!

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What Makes A Bride Feel Like A Bride? Her Bouquet.

All brides’ bouquets are very important to the way they feel on their wedding day, but none so much as the women we meet who are here in Palm Springs to elope or have tiny family weddings.  The bouquet is central in making that bride feel no less important than Kate Middleton taking her vows in front of the entire world.  This inspiration board we’re sharing is from an elopement at The Lucy House here in Palm Springs. The bride, in an adorable cocktail style dress, was definitely in love with her bouquet. Oh yeah – and the groom too.  Enjoy.  Photography by Debi Parker.

 

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My Little Advice Shop: Wedding Centerpiece of My Mind – Avoiding The Overly Literal

We’ve all been to kid’s birthday parties where you walk in and you know right away that the guest-ette of honor is completely obsessed with Dora The Explorer.  How? There are Dora the Explorer balloons, a Dora The Explorer cake, Pin the Backpack On Dora The Explorer, and in this economy, poor Aunt Lisa has been talked into sweating it out inside the Dora costume.  We get the message – signed, sealed, explored.

To make a long blog entry short, don’t have a Dora The Explorer wedding.  OK, so you want it to feel “beachy.” If you pass out flip flops at the door, hire a Beach Boys tribute band, and have wedding centerpieces like this, it’s going to hit everyone over the head.  Pick your “theme” or colors, or “feel” and weave it in subtly.  We love the quirky romantic vibe of this wedding at Palm Springs own haven for quirky romantic occasions, The Viceroy. There is no Victorian lace, no vintage fabrics, no shabby chic floral containers. But, by the nature of the soft colors, the soft textures of the flowers contrasted with the bold graphics of the linens, there is a sweet romantic feel to the design.  See if you agree!

Grace and Don's wedding at the Viceroy. Photos by Jessica Fajardo.

 

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The Real Bollywood McCoy! Nisha and Jiten: A Magical Journey

This is a to-die-for, drop dead gorgeous, over the top Indian wedding straight off the Bollywood Big Screen. Apparently the British royals have nothing on this glamorous pair! Set in Thailand, complete with genuine Bollywood guest stars this visual feast could rival any big budget blockbuster. Enjoy.

Nisha & Jiten – A Magical Journey – Hua Hin, Thailand from MILI GHOSH (http://in-motionstud on Vimeo.

Palm Springs Destination Wedding Oooh la la!

We couldn’t help but share these few shots of a gorgeous recent wedding at Palm Springs’ Viceroy Resort and Spa. We loved the look! If you weren’t considering a Palm Springs destination wedding before, we bet you will now…

 

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You, Your Family, and Your Wedding.

Your family's right behind you, all the way. For this bride, literally!

By their nature, most weddings (the exceptions being these excercises in opulent navel gazing and their brethren) are about celebrating the family. Yours, his, and the great big new one that just came together.

But making planning the event a family affair makes a lot of brides break out in hives.  And it’s understandable. There are always enough opinions to go around, and when some of them come from people who drive you a little over the edge to begin with, things can get a little tense.  How can’t however, shut everyone out, particularly if they are helping pay for your big day.  Here are a few ways to integrate the bunch into your plans without going bananas.

  • Supermodel, Work!  Nothing makes female relatives feel more “in” on the process than a trip to the bridal salons to watch you do your best runway walk in gorgeous gowns.  It doesn’t have to be “the” time you plan to buy, or even “the” store you plan to visit.  Make an appointment, and try on a variety of shapes and styles.  Even better, let each woman who’s with you pick a dress for you to try.
  • Scavenger Hunt.  Have you been looking for ¾ inch gold ribbon? Rhinestone swizzle sticks? Is Aunt Sue on your last nerve about how you’re not organized properly? Send her on a treasure hunt for those last items you need that are hard to find, or available only at that one store on the other side of town.  She’ll feel useful, and you’ll get some peace and quiet.
  • Keep the content current on BNN – The Bridal News Network.  There are going to be people who you’re not in touch with daily who’ll want to feel like insiders.  Whether it’s a weekly call to Grandma, or a blog for far-flung sorority sisters, make sure that those who want news get it.

Families go a little haywire when it comes to weddings. But they love you, and are only making you crazy because they want to share this special experience, too. Handle as you do all things you love – with care.

Care well, and love well.

-Dinah

 

 

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Wedding Planners’ Social Networking Happens Over Cocktails

Sure a lot of good social networking and self promotion happens online.  You’re the CEO of SEO and doing it while sitting at home eating oreos. Great! Right? Well…sometimes a girl’s got to make some friends. Live and in person – not of the facebook variety.

Where does one do this? Meet sympatico types who share your passion for the wedding/event business, and want to share idea, inspiration and business tips, tricks and advice?  Professional associations and groups are a great way to go.

 

 

 

Here in the Coachella Valley, we started a group called Wedding Warriors.  As you can tell from the name, we’re a little more rock-and-roll than your average consortium of bridal professionals. Boiled down, our mission is to educate, to build relationships with other business people, and to give back to the community. In practice, we come together to learn from each other about the business climate in the wide variety of communities that make up our region – and the best ways for small businesses to survive and thrive.  We enjoy each other’s company at some HOT parties (these are not your Mama’s COC meetings)! And last, we raise money at each of our events for a community charity. Funds raised at our April 4 gathering will benefit the music department at Palm Sprinhs High School.

So want to get linked in in real life? RSVP now for the Wedding Warriors April Spring Fling Mixer.

We’ll be celebrating the season at Palm Springs’ most colorful new resort hotel, the Saguaro. Come join in the off-line, real-time actual live, in-person fun!

Hope to see you there, party people!

RSVP

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