event planning – Palm Springs Florist, Palm Springs Event Services

Who Walks The Bride Down The Aisle? You Get To Pick!

June 17, 2013 By Dinah Leave a Comment

Father’s Day brings walking down the aisle to a wedding planner’s mind. But some brides want a non-traditional ceremony entrance. Here are three suggestions for anyone who is looking for aisle traveling companions for their wedding:

Your Mom. She’s been there from the very beginning, loves you like crazy, and will be thrilled to be asked.
Your 2nd Favorite Man. Ranked just below the ring-bearing hunk, chances are there’s an uncle, cousin or best friend in your life that you’d love to have with you on that special stroll.
Your fabulous self! Trust us- you’re going to be radiant, and perfectly capable of coming down that aisle

In the Jewish tradition, both parents walk the bride down the aisle. Photo by Super 8 Girl

In the Jewish tradition, both parents walk down the aisle. Photo by Super 8 Girl

Filed Under: advice, Palm Springs, weddings Tagged With: aisle, bride, event planning, My Little Flower Shop, Palm Springs Florist, Palm Springs wedding planner, Relationships, wedding, wedding planner, Weddings

POLL! The Garter Toss. Should We Toss It From The Wedding Reception?

May 20, 2013 By Dinah Leave a Comment

Last post we talked about the bouquet. Today we pick up the garter toss. In theory this is a bit of bawdy fun where the groom reaches under the bride’s wedding dress, and pulls a special garter off her leg (ooh la la!). The garter is then thrown, bouquet style to the eager groomsmen. Problem is, at some weddings, it’s turned into a cringe inducing lap-dance/up-skirt flashing fiasco. At a wedding I attended, prior to the garter removal (teeth, of course)

look like fun? or humiliating? Weigh in!

the groom donned a blindfold, and fondled the legs of female guests to see if he could find the bride! All in front of Grandma. That put me off this particular tradition personally but I’m all for grooms who want to have their fun embracing their inner Chippendale. My advice would be to discuss in advance exactly what you’re comfortable with – good practice for married life!

So, what do you think? To toss, or not to toss?

Filed Under: advice, humor, weddings Tagged With: event planning, garter toss, garter toss tradition, Grandma, groom, groomsman, Relationships, the garter toss, wedding, wedding dress, Weddings

Wedding Movie Wednesday: Classic Comedy -The Princess Bride

May 8, 2013 By Dinah Leave a Comment

Cover of 20th Anniversary Edition (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As any bride or event planner knows, the process of planning a wedding can get stressful. What’s a good escape? A fun movie, and why not one with a fairytale wedding? We came across The Princess Bride on cable the other night and it’s a perfect antidote to real world stress, wedding related or otherwise. A few belly laughs and you’re back on the road to happily ever after.

Happy viewing.

Be well and love well.

Dinah

Filed Under: advice, humor, weddings Tagged With: event planning, Help and Advice, Inigo Montoya, Princess Bride, Relationships, shopping, wedding, wedding movie, wedding movies, Weddings

Wedding Planning Ideas: Write Them Down!

February 20, 2013 By Dinah Leave a Comment

We’ve been re-arranging, decorating and cleaning our humble home recently. The blog Apartment Therapy and their guided “January Cure,” (a task-a-day kick start to a year of clutter clearing and nesting activities,) got us going and now we’re off on all sorts of projects and improvements.

When we get on this sort of kick, the ideas start flowing. There was one brilliant idea we were super excited about that was going to revolutionize our space and make our lives easier – but we can’t remember what it was. During our burst of creativity and inspiration, we neglected to take out pad and pencil, (or Ipad and finger) and write it down.

Write down how you see your decor, so we can get it just right, like this wedding canopy.

Do not follow our example with your wedding planning light bulb moments! Write EVERYTHING down that inspires you. Later on you’ll combine the decor idea from your co-worker’s cousin’s buffet with the recipe you read in Gourmet magazine at the dentist’s office, the classical music you heard driving after admiring a scene in a Bollywood movie with gauzy fabric and a zillion candles. But it will only come together if you keep paper & a pen (or your favorite way to make notes- Ipad, voice memo, etc)

in your desk at work
in your purse
in the car
next to your fave spot to watch TV

Another great (and quite common) source of inspiration? Your dreams. So don’t forget one more pad by the bed. Sleep tight.

Live well and love well.

-Dinah

Filed Under: advice, humor, Wedding planning, weddings Tagged With: advice, Bollywood, bride, centerpiece, Dinah, event planning, humor, IPad, My Little Flower Shop, Palm Springs, Relationships, Vieques Puerto Rico, wedding, wedding planner, Weddings

The Wedding Planner Goes To A Wedding

September 28, 2012 By Dinah Leave a Comment

I have to go to a wedding this weekend – as a guest. At one point in my career in events I moaned “Why can’t I ever just go and be a guest?” but these days I actually feel kind of uneasy at a wedding without a timeline in my hands, or a headset in my ear. I’m the ultimate accessory at this shindig – a groomsman’s wife. So while my husband stands up looking handsome in his suit and tie, the poor bride, bless her heart, will have an event professional perched on a folding chair analyzing her celebration. It has nothing to do with her – she’s a perfectly lovely girl. It’s a hazard of the profession that parties and weddings I attend personally (and didn’t have a hand in planning) become case studies. Sometimes I come away with brilliant, unique ideas. Other times, things are woefully underplanned, and it’s painful to watch. Even then, I end up making notes and learning a thing or two.

English: Wedding Planning also includes table ...

Picture me here – this weekend.

So I guess in the end, when you work in the event industry, anytime you go to an event, guess what? It’s work. So to paraphrase seven little men, “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to the wedding I go!”

I’ll be sure to share lessons learned and/or brilliant ideas.

Be well, and love well

Dinah

Filed Under: event planning, humor, weddings Tagged With: bride, Consultants and Coordinators, event planning, Palm Springs Florist, Palm Springs wedding planner, Relationships, United States, wedding, wedding planner, Weddings

Gold Medal Wedding Advice

August 8, 2012 By Dinah Leave a Comment

Ah the Olympics. Young smiling athletes performing at their best representing us all. In a way, we see the best in our country as we watch the competitions in London.

But what else do we see? We see hear a lot from commentators about “the Olympic Ideals” which seem like things we all ought to live up to. Respect, friendship, education, world peace…etc. As a wedding professional, and drawing from my experience at a top Palm Springs florist, I see lessons brides can take from these young athletes and apply to their planning. Here are three:

Have a Positive Attitude. From the moment they stepped out onto the track for opening ceremonies, the athletes were thrilled. They were full of energy,confidence, and smiles! Thinking positive changes your outlook, and makes you a happier bride. Through it all this is a celebration you’re planning! What fun, right?
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Fireworks explode over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Listen to your coach. The athletes (well, the smart ones, anyway,) know when it’s time to let someone else make a decision. They have faith that they’re working with someone they trust to do what’s best for everyone involved. This can be a hard one for brides, who frequently feel they need to direct every detail of their wedding. Sometimes though, your vendor, or bridesmaid, or even (gasp) your mother knows better, so it’s important to listen, and learn to let go.
Live In The Moment. Listening to the athletes’ interviews, each one repeated that their overall Olympic experience was the most important thing to them. You could tell they were soaking in their time as Olympians, and relishing their time in London. Brides should keep that in mind. Wedding planning can be a drag, for sure, but this is a time of your life that you’ll never get back. Enjoy every minute.

Our Olympic athletes are kicking serious butt in London. And it’s a delight to see the country rally around a group of bright, talented young people. Be patient as you, or the bride in your life, move through the wedding planning process. In the end, everyone will rally to see you win something better than a gold medal: a happy married life.

Filed Under: advice, humor, wedding, weddings Tagged With: advice, bride, Bridesmaid, California destination wedding, centerpiece, centerpieces, destination wedding, event planning, flower shop Palm Springs, Help and Advice, humor, linen rental, London, My Little Flower Shop, Olympic Games, Palm Springs linen rental, Palm Springs wedding planner, Relationships, wedding, wedding advice, wedding planning tips, Weddings

My Little Marital Bliss Shop: Never Stop Dating

July 26, 2012 By Dinah Leave a Comment

Cadillac CTS Coupé Concept (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Who’s dating your man? It had better be you honey boo boo child, before, during AND after the wedding. He was beguiled by your charm and fun personality, and fell in love on dates with you. Keep the initial spark alive by still going out regularly- and I don’t mean some kind of obligatory once-a-week dinner that you drag yourselves through. Snooze fest. Think about what you really enjoy doing together, or separately, and have some adventures! You can go as far as a weekend get-away, or stay as close as your own kitchen, but be creative.

Recently I told my husband we were going on a mystery outing. He had no idea where, but loved trying to guess! He’d been talking for the last few weeks about wanting to test-drive a Cadillac CTS Coupe, so I had found a local dealer, and we went on a “Sunday Drive” to go take a look. He was very surprised that I would even come up with such a thing, and was thrilled to pieces. The date was a hit because it was something he was really into, and it warmed his heart that I had been listening.

If your imagination is running a little slow these days, The Dating Divas have a website chock full of ideas to spice things up. (No, not that way. Get your mind out of the gutter). They have themed dates, bargain dates, at-home dates for after the kids go to bed… you get the idea. So go out and get dating!

Be well, and love well.

Dinah

Does Your Relationship Pass the 1920s Marriage Test? [Romance](jezebel.com)
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Who Should the Bride Be On Her Wedding Day? Herself!

July 19, 2012 By Dinah 1 Comment

Often brides have a tough time figuring out what they want to look like on the big day. Sweet, or seductive? Classic, or modern? Here’s the key. You want to look like yourself! Your groom fell in love and proposed to you because of who you are – don’t present some exotic version of yourself on the day of the wedding because of some fashion trend or pressure to create dramatic photographs.

Here are three important questions to ask yourself about your look on the big day including your bridal hairstyle, wedding dress, and make-up.

Are you comfortable? Looking like you walked off a Paris runway isn’t worth having your dress duct taped to you and your hair pulled so tight it gives you a migraine. Most of us don’t live in cultures where it’s a badge of honor to get bruises from your elaborate wedding dress, so find something that fits well, and feels good!
Will your fiancé recognize you? Do you look like a glammed up version of yourself, or like someone you’ve never met? Your man wants to see someone familiar underneath all the trappings of bride-dom. Keep in mind you’re dressing up for him after all!
Don’t go for broke. Debt is not cute. If you can’t afford a hair and make-up team, or a $5,000 dress, don’t charge up a storm on credit cards. If your look is important to you, compromise on other budget items to make sure you have the resources you need, or investigate ways around the expenses like bartering for services, or renting a designer gown.

If you stay true to yourself, keep your wits about you, and follow your heart, you’re sure to be a beautiful, comfortable, solvent bride!

Be well, and love well.

Dinah

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It’s 8:00am. Do You Know Where Your “Me Time” Is?

July 16, 2012 By Dinah Leave a Comment

Sometimes, before the alarm clock goes off in the morning, I wake up on my own. It’s a good feeling, knowing that I’ve gotten the right amount of sleep that I needed that night. But by far the best part is looking at the clock and seeing that it’s a full hour before I am supposed to be awake and getting ready for the day. An hour I can use however I want, with no strings attached.

English: The face of a black windup alarm clock (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Because I wasn’t meant to be awake, I feel like a kid in a candy store choosing how to spend what I call “stolen time.” I force myself to cross folding laundry or paying bills off the list, and do something delicious – like reading some of that novel I can’t ever seem to get to, or painting my toenails. Or both!

Everyone needs “me time.” OK, the phrase is corny and overused, but the concept is WAY underused. Make sure you make time for yourself, even if you have to steal it!

Be well, and love well.

-Dinah

The Not So Accidental Tourist(mylittleflowershop.com)
Banana leaf v/s Buffet(ashwinknan.wordpress.com)
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The Not So Accidental Tourist

July 7, 2012 By Dinah 5 Comments

My Little Flower Shop LOVES tourists. We rejoice when we see families consulting maps, large groups of people wearing matching visors, or most importantly, a “tourist” bride coming to have her destination wedding in Palm Springs. We are also big advocates of being unashamed of tourist-y behavior while travelling. See the sights! Take pictures! Consult your maps!

So this summer, why not be a tourist at home? I’ll bet you dollars to donuts there are attractions or historic sites nearby that you either have never seen, or not visited in 10+ years. Goodness knows here in Southern California it would take a lifetime to do all the possible day trips.

One of our beautiful brides, Stephanie Orson, at her wedding venue /local sight to see: the lavender fields. (Highland Springs Resort, photo by Alan Gough)

Even if you can’t leave your city, town or neighborhood, investigate a little. Find the tourist office for your city, and see what the “highlights” are. You’ll be surprised what you’ve been missing all these years. Architectural gems, birthplaces of interesting people…there’s a lot out there.

What are you waiting for? Dust off your matching visors and head out on a homegrown adventure.

Live well, and love well.

-Dinah