Things Your Wedding Planners Really Don't Need to Know

My sis and I absolutely love planning weddings. We still squeal when the bride walks down the aisle, we still cry when they say their vows and we always dance at least once during the reception. (Hey, it's our party and we'll dance if we want to...)

We are noticing a funny and frightening trend, however....

Our clients and family like to share intimate secrets with us. Perhaps it is because we help plan such a special day, perhaps it is the hundreds of phone calls and e-mails we exchange during the planning...who knows? It's probably because we're sisters, and everyone knows that you can tell a sister anything.

Here, in no particular order, are our favorite confessions thus far...

*Mother of the Bride: "Now, Sara, I've been with a lot of men. I mean, A LOT of men, but my daughter is a virgin today!"

*Father of the Bride: "I've been married 3 times already. I think my next marriage is going to work now that I know what I'm doing. Are you single? What's your number?"

*Bride: "I think my bridesmaid just had sex in the bathroom."

*Bride: "My fiance' is really into alcohol- it's a big deal. No, we don't want premarital counseling in our wedding package"

*Bride: "My wedding day is all a girl gets in her life, so it's gotta be perfect."

*Bride: "It took me forever to get my fiancee' to marry me. I need to plan this wedding fast!"

*Bridesmaid: "Ummm...the bride has been drinking shots of Crown all night and she's puking outside."


Their confessions make me do this:


But, I admit, I have one, too: I usually eat 3 pieces of leftover wedding cake to get through the night. Just keeping it real.

Ode to my Sister

Because you were such a pleasant toddler...

Because I love how expressive you are...

Because you once put rotten eggs under my bed to "teach me a lesson"...

Because you kissed Chris. And I was the one that really, really wanted to kiss Chris...

Because you handcuffed me to the sink in front of Amanda...

Because you look great in red...



Love you, little sister!

Leopard Energy

My B/F/F and I were shopping recently, (the first time since we both decided that we couldn't wait to be mommies and got pregnant at the same time.) Our wild ones were with grandparents and it was blissful just walking through the mall with no noses to wipe, no diapers to change, no kid's meal to order....just peace and Starbuck's.

We went to our favorite store and saw this:



Our peace was disturbed. We groaned.

"I just don't have the energy to wear leopard prints anymore," she said.

Brilliant...that statement sums up life since motherhood.

Chapstick has replaced red lipstick, short skirts have been replaced by anything with an elastic waist, shopping sprees are now a good, sturdy shirt from Target and traveling has been replaced by breaking out in hives at the thought of flying with toddlers. We mourn it often during our daily chats, then get over it when it's time to pay attention to the ketchup-faces.

But, at the end of the day, we both rock our babies to sleep, smell their hair, kiss their cheeks and remember that this is, indeed, a season. So we snuggle in with them and put the leopard prints on a shelf for a few years...

Three weeks later, I invited my fabulous sister and her fun friends up for a birthday weekend. As I was cleaning up after they left, I discovered someone left behind a leopard thong. I laughed.

Nope, just don't have the energy for leopard, in any form, anymore...

He's Got Skills

The little guy has taken on a very rigorous program of summer learning.


A dedicated student of all things Seuess:


A sweeping and mopping enthusiast:



A budding peanut butter hair stylist:



Most importantly, my little man and his muscles are the fearless protectors of the innocent:


Beware bad dudes all around. Those guns are coming for you...

Why I am a Wedding Planner

I am often asked why I started a wedding business. Why would I want the stress of a wedding every weekend? Why would I want to deal with Bridezillas, Momzillas and Groomzillas? What if I screw up the most important day of their life???

Here is my deep, spiritual answer:








I sample every single one for quality assurance. Sometimes.....ahem.....always twice.

Breathe and Cry

Ever seen the "Friends" episode where Joey moves out to "be alone with his thoughts?" (After he moves, he realizes that he doesn't have that many thoughts...)

I've been alone with my thoughts for a couple of months.

Back in June, I witnessed an accident that killed 10 people in a horribly gruesome way. We were right behind it on the turnpike. I saw way too much and I completely shut down afterward.

I grieved like I knew them personally. I started having panic attacks when I saw emergency vehicles. I wouldn't leave my baby with anyone; I didn't want him out of my sight. My husband had to drive anytime we drove on the turnpike. I flipped out for weeks, mostly in private because I think there are times in life where the depth of your pain can only be reached and understood by your Savior. The most comforting advice I received at this time was, "breathe and cry."

So I've been breathing and crying, and that's about it. I stopped blogging to be alone with my thoughts and try to pull myself together. Honestly, I didn't think I had anything to say until I could process it all. Weird, but true.

Then, last night, my baby's butt turned blue. Apparently, I gave him too many blueberries. My sweet baby's hiney is stained blue and I can't figure out how to get it back to a nice pink color.

Yes, it's time to blog again.

Took to the Air with the Greatest of Ease

My very favorite "Sex and the City" episode involved Carrie taking trapeze lessons. She was too afraid to let go of the bar and fly through the air, but surmised that the catch wasn't as important as her safety net. The camera then panned to her 3 best friends cheering her on, and it made me cry every single time.

Why?

Because I know that safety net. They are the people in my life that catch me every time, and cheer me on from the sidelines. And they make me fearless.

So fearless, in fact, that I actually flew on a trapeze last week. Me and the post-baby body took a trapeze mini-lesson and this is what followed:







And you know what? The 4 girls cheering me on reminded me that I do, indeed, have a fabulous safety net in life.