Wedding Blog

I got to be a guest! Okay, I wasn’t at a wedding. I was actually at the Bohemian Ball, a fund raiser for Hospice. We in the wedding industry here in Orlando lost a very close friend this year to pancreatic cancer. Jonathan Panzuck was one of the most talented floral designers I have ever known. Many of the photos you see on my website are of his designs. He was also a passionate supporter of Hospice. Ironically, Jonathan and his family were in need of Hospice’s services just six weeks ago.

The reason for me bringing this up is that I have never seen so many wardrobe malfunctions in my life — and I was with a bunch of wedding planners! The lessons that I learned that evening may come in handy for brides when it comes to their bridal attire.

• Rule number one: Try on your wedding dress and make sure it fits. One of my friends bought a beautiful gown. She tried it on at the store and the zipper was not acting right. She really wanted the dress and just figured that she was in a hurry and all would be fine. That is not what happened. While she was zipping her dress on the day of the ball, the zipper broke. Her wonderful boyfriend ran all the way to the mall to get her a new dress. He is a saint! She made it to the ball, a bit late and very frazzled. Trying on your dress is crucial to prevent potential bridal attire malfunctions AHEAD of time!
• Rule number two: Try on your shoes before you leave the store. So my other friend, who is well known for her shoes, had the most fabulous pair of shoes on. Well, my dear friend didn’t try on the shoes before she left the store. She had two left shoes. We were hysterical. She made a joke of it by walking in circles to the left all night. Her feet were killing her, but she still had a good sense of humor.

None of us were walking down the aisle that night, but we still wanted to be our best. Cool heads prevailed on the day and we all had a good time. Sense of humor was key, but all could have been avoided with a bit of pre-planning. (Sorry girls, I am sure you will publish my next big guffaws.)

Below are two of my lovely friends. Kristy (left) didn’t have any wardrobe malfunction, but she gets the award for quickest dresser. She had just hopped off a plane from Washington State (we are in Orlando, Florida) an hour before the ball. She tossed on her dress, in her office! Isn’t she stunning? Michele on the right, is the one with the saintly boyfriend.

I just returned from my annual family vacation. Every year my entire family, mom, brothers, sisters-in-law, my kids and I take a cruise. This has been going on for more than twelve years. During that time, I have noticed more and more brides and grooms aboard the cruise ships. It is really fascinating. I personally think it it a great way to celebrate with family and friends. All the food is included. Everyone gets to travel to interesting locations together. This certainly falls right in with the trend for group honeymoons.

Years ago, I did a wedding on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The ceremony took place on board at the port before the cruise cast off. The ship catered the event Not all of the guests stayed for the voyage, but there was ample time for dining and dancing until those who were not staying aboard had to leave. I have also seen groups exit the cruise ship at some of the exotic destinations and travel together to the wedding location.

The cruise lines have really risen to meet the trend of cruise weddings and group honeymoons. Throughout the week I saw various private events taking place on the ship. If you are considering a destination wedding, cruise wedding, or group honeymoon, check with the cruise lines. Its a great option.

I had dinner with a bunch of friends tonight. The conversation wandered again to what, if any, regrets did each of them have with their wedding day. The answers were similar to the answers from the other day.

My friend Lisa, who is also a wonderful wedding planner, said that she regretted having a big wedding party. She said that it caused a lot of stress. There were too many egos and opinions to appease. She also said that most of them are not in her life anymore. It is funny how people who seem so important at the time, fade over the years.

My other friend Lisa, who is a catering manager at a hotel, mentioned that color was her issue. She chose something trendy at the time and now looks back at photographs and cringes. Well, it gave all of us a good giggle.

My friend Susie had a very sweet answer. She will be celebrating her 42nd anniversary soon. Her first wedding was very small. That was her regret. She wanted the big wedding. Well, she eventually got that. Susie and her husband renewed their vows and had a second wedding. She got the big celebration that she always wanted.

I have been having a really great time talking with my friends about “wedding regrets”. You might have some fun talking to the important women and men in your life to ask them what their regrets are. It might put any of your wedding planning stress into perspective.