tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92130982393357814642024-03-14T03:39:53.151-05:00The Proper Planner - A Wedding Planner's PerspectiveEtiquette tips, Planning advice and Bridal chat for today's Bride!Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-56817255184599250342014-06-05T23:47:00.002-05:002014-06-05T23:47:53.426-05:00New site for the Proper PlannerThank you all for sticking with me even though I haven't posted for so long. Please visit my new and improved Proper Planner Blog Site at:<br />
Properplanner.com<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you will start following the new blog site as this one will no longer be updated!<br />
<br />
Happy Planning!<br />
KellyKelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-54286561126844402442013-07-26T10:20:00.001-05:002013-07-26T10:20:09.262-05:00The Wedding Drunk
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Drinking at a New Orleans wedding
is not uncommon; as a matter of fact, I’ve never actually been a part of a
“dry” reception (and I am definitely okay with that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I know emotions are high, I always
keep an eye on the bride throughout the night to make sure that she’s having
fun, but not having so much fun that she does not remember what happened at the
reception!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been known to water down
a drink or two, but honestly, I have not had a problem with the bride or groom
getting too drunk or too out of control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The issues that I’ve seen with drinking come from the guests attending
the weddings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> A few
weeks ago, the band had an iPOD playing during one of their breaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bride decided, very last minute, that she
would like to throw the bouquet right then and there while the band was
breaking, that way she wouldn’t have to break into their play time upon their
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, we turned off the iPOD
and asked all the single ladies to come to the dance floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the bridesmaids was upset that we
turned off the iPOD, which happened to be playing what was apparently her
“favorite song”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She almost ripped the
microphone from the singer’s hand and started screaming profanities because she
wanted to hear the rest of her “favorite song”. She eventually got pulled off
the dance floor by one of her friends, but spent the rest of the night brooding
and giving “evil eyes” to the band and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Then,
there was a bride’s sister who threw a fit at the end of the reception because
she wanted the band to play longer, but the reception was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parents were not willing to pay the band
extra to stay nor would they pay the venue for the extra time, so we ended as
scheduled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This concept was so hard for this
bride’s sister to comprehend that she pretty much lost it on the dance
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was screaming profanities
because we “closed the reception” and her parents supposedly “paid enough money
to get whatever they want”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have
expected the bride’s parents to step in, but I’m afraid they were not in much
better shape than their intoxicated daughter, so the vendors just listened to
her bash us as we broke down the reception and got out of there.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I have seen guests go head-to-head
with the band, the DJ, the photographer and even the rental company picking up
chairs at the end of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
attending a wedding, please know that you are a guest; I repeat, a guest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means that you have not paid any money
to attend this fabulous party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This in
turn means that you have no idea what the plan is in terms of timeline, music
choices, events for the night or even who should be where at what time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because you are the sister of the bride
doesn’t mean you know what time the photographer is scheduled to leave the
reception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even though you are the
groom’s mother, you might not be aware that your son specifically requested not
to have “We Are Family” played at his reception – UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> As a wedding guest, when you find
yourself in a confrontation, especially with a vendor, please think back to
this blog and remember these things:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have not been drinking all night (well, most
of us haven’t), but you have been drinking since you were getting dressed 7
hours ago. So who do you think has a clearer grasp on the situation?</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are trying to get a job done, a job that has
been in the works for, on average, a year and you know nothing about the
details.</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even though every situation is different, I feel
pretty secure saying that you are definitely embarrassing yourself and making a
scene which will only have people talking about you, not us.</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whatever you are upset about is bigger in your
mind than it is in reality, so let it go!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Also know that
while most of the time, in my experience, the angry drunk is female, there’s
also the aggressive drunk, who is male.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let me speak for all female vendors when I say that we do not want to
dance with you, we do not need you to “buy” us a free drink, we do not need you
to be our date for the night and we certainly do not need you to take us out
after the wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I am sober, so
you slobbering all over me is not attractive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I must repeat one more time that I am working and here to do a job,
not to get a date (well, that last one pertains to most vendors, but not all of
them, so it might be worth a shot!).</span><br />
Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-75178383316180401402013-05-07T18:59:00.000-05:002013-05-07T18:59:12.408-05:00The most successful demise of a wedding is divorce<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Throughout the last few months, I have dealt with more
parental problems, both personally and professionally, than I care to
discuss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But guess what – I’m going to
discuss it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some weeks I don’t
blog because I don’t have a topic that anyone’s asked about, or there’s nothing
that I’m fired up about at the time, or (and the most popular reason) I do not
have the time due to a busy wedding season (Thank GOD!!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any rate, I am fired up and truly saddened
by the parental display that has been my life since I entered this industry,
but also adulthood.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are blessed enough to have children, be ready to be a
parent for your child’s whole life, not just until they reach the legal age of
adulthood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the past few years, I
have witnessed parents refusing to walk down the aisle if their ex is in the
procession (even though their ex is the parent of the bride/groom,) parents
refusing to walk down the aisle if a step parent is in the procession (most
common issue,) and then there are the parents who just plain do not show up to
the wedding due to some lame excuse that should really just be called what it
is: selfishness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, these
particular parental issues are only brought to us by our divorced parents, and
God knows we have enough of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As little girls, most of us start day dreaming at a very early
age about the wedding we will one day have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We dream about the man that will sweep us off of our feet, about the
beautiful flowers and what the wedding will look like, and we also dream about the
family that will share this day with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In most of our dreams, little girls see our parents together holding
hands as we kiss our husband at the altar and in that dream, our parents share
their own kiss and some tears of joy as we happily leave the church and enter
our new life together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does this sound
like a scenario you girls are familiar with, or does this sound like an
unrealistic idea of what life used to be?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How about the more common “broken home” scenario?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It includes my favorite parental issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the one where we spend a year planning
that little girl’s wedding, the whole time having the parents fight tooth and
nail every time the other parent’s name comes up causing them to list the
number of reasons for the divorce and why they feel the ex should have no
rights to the wedding (although cashing the checks to help pay for the wedding
is never an issue.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing about that
mom had an affair or that dad worked too much was never in the day dream that
little girls have and no matter how old we are. We are not here to take sides
and to throw loved ones out of our future because you can’t overcome your past.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overcoming divorce is hard enough at any age, but when we
get brought into the “picking sides” game, it becomes almost impossible to get
through and as adults, the children are all of a sudden the friends of the
parents rather than what we are – the children, no matter how old we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen it time and time again at many of
the weddings I’ve helped plan where the parents are divorced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how much time has gone by, the
bride’s mother is always chirping in the bride’s ear talking about the women
with the bride’s father or the bride’s father talking about the bride’s crazy
mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is it that for one day, for
one major event in your child’s life, two grown adults cannot put their issues
aside and act as such?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether you’re a parent that is divorced, married, single,
or dating, as children, all we care about is who you are as a parent - who you
were when we were children and who you are now that we are adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest is just nonsense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you there for us when we need you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you put aside your feelings for everyone
else in the room and show up because your feelings for us are more important than
anything or anyone else?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you support
our decisions because you trust that we know what’s best for us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you stop thinking of your failed marriage
long enough to give our marriage a chance to succeed and pray that ours has a
better outcome than yours?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s more to being a good parent than paying for the wedding,
and your drama around our special day affects us more than you’ll ever realize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is just something I thought that parents
out there would want to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you
truly have fresh wounds that cannot be closed temporarily to get through the
wedding, my suggestion is to hire me and call me every day if you’d like to (I
love to offer an ear and diffuse any situation), but please don’t talk to your child
about it!</span>Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-12837547426078884472013-03-15T13:46:00.000-05:002013-03-15T13:46:14.424-05:00<span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Orleans has a few wedding traditions that are specific
to us (or our Southern region), although some New Orleans natives do not
realize that things like our over the top groom’s cakes and police escorts to
and from the ceremony are not a part of weddings everywhere. My New Orleans
brides have always enjoyed keeping things traditional no matter what age they
get married, which is why they have changed some of the traditions to adjust to
their specific style, guests and desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the newest changes is the twist they have put on the tradition of
Cake Pulls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cake pulls, for my destination brides reading this blog, originally
consisted of the bride buying silver charms tied to the end of thin satin ribbons
which would be placed into the cake and pulled by the six to eight single girls
at the wedding, chosen by the bride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
girls might consist of single bridesmaids and close family or friends, but all
girls involved in the pull had to be single.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Typically, the charms were made up of such things as a clover
(symbolizing luck in your life), an anchor (symbolizing hope on the horizon), a
heart (symbolizing love or romance), and of course, the coveted ring, which
would indicate you are the next to get married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sorry to say that there’s even an old maid button which symbolizes
your eternal single status.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, brides want to have their bridesmaids involved in the
pulls, which means married women get the chance at the cake pulls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New charms have been added to the list, such
as a baby carriage indicating who will be the next to get pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there are charms that are all together
different such as the New Orleans charms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These consist of charms that are universal such as a mardi gras mask
(life will be a party), St. Louis Cathedral (your marriage will be filled with
peace and joy), a horse and carriage (life filled with romance), etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lists of charms that are out on the
market today are endless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And places to
buy the charms are a bit easier to come by these days as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your bakery may sell them or you can find
them online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cost will vary, depending on the quality of the charm
you are looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typically, the
charms were cheap and tied to a simple satin string.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More and more, brides are choosing to get
more expensive charms and attach them to pearl or sterling silver
bracelets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a place like Mignot Fagot,
you can spend up to $600 on a set of 8 cake pulls, but let’s discuss the
realism of putting a piece of nice jewelry into a cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like the guy that thinks putting a $20K
engagement ring into a baked potato is a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’d like to participate in this tradition and make the
charms something that your girls would want to keep and actually wear as
jewelry, I have two options for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First, you need to buy something worth wearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will need to buy the charms at a jewelry
store, more than likely, in order to make them worth keeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you decide to do that, my suggestion is to
have the charms wrapped in a small plastic jewelry bag to protect the charm
from the cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how many times
you wash the charm and how much you spent on it, there’s always going to be
cake somewhere in the details of your $100 charm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An even better idea for those who really want
the charms to be a gift to their bridesmaids is to pick an individual charm for
each of your girls and have them wrapped in jewelry boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place them in front of the cake where the
pulls would be and have each girl open the box instead of pull from the
cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This way, they still have the fun
of not knowing what charm they will get, but they will get to wear the charm on
a necklace or bracelet of their choice truly enjoying the gift you spent money
on.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nine times out of ten, the cake pulls will just be a fun,
girlie tradition that’s consistently practiced intending nothing more than
bragging rights for the ring puller and heckling for the “old maid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am finding more and more brides who
want to use these traditions as something special for their best girlfriends
and if that is the case, be different and pick your own charms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spend a little more money on them and give
them something that’s significant to them and your friendship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for God’s sake, do not make them stoop to
the level of licking cake of off their fine jewelry – for a trinket it is part
of the fun, but not for real jewelry!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">photo by Photography by Louis</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHQ534zCaSVNFuierut7dTqclrIwXkeVHASTUGp3xKTcBwuqs3Nv5El4f8-8HgIObVkk_EF0hQbXL7HI6c1H2akdpEGXC6zItUFV6VNGDn5-B1zvuLY3DeFso3Ric8t92xCWM_dqydsFx/s1600/cake+pulls+ribbons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHQ534zCaSVNFuierut7dTqclrIwXkeVHASTUGp3xKTcBwuqs3Nv5El4f8-8HgIObVkk_EF0hQbXL7HI6c1H2akdpEGXC6zItUFV6VNGDn5-B1zvuLY3DeFso3Ric8t92xCWM_dqydsFx/s320/cake+pulls+ribbons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-14900246419413876532013-03-08T10:15:00.000-06:002013-03-08T10:15:02.592-06:00Independent Venues and the Questions to Ask
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every destination bride has her own reasons for choosing New
Orleans as her wedding location. For some, it may be the place where she met
the groom. For others, this may have been the first place she and her groom
vacationed. Then there are the couples who have never even been here, yet they
have always loved us from afar and decided to make their wedding the get-a-way
they've always dreamed of. No matter what brought them here, nine times out of
ten, they all want the same thing; a venue that you won't find anywhere else. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What that means is that, if they can help it, hotel
ballrooms are not an option. They want unique, independent venues that offer
outdoor spaces or exposed brick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
want the character that this city is known for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But they aren’t always aware of what that character costs.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Independent venues such as The Board of Trade, the
plantations on Esplanade, the Chicory, the Wax Museum – basically, anything not
within the walls of a hotel – will offer the charm and “New Orleans appeal”
most destination brides are looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And for some reason, brides have an untrue notion that these venues are
more reasonably priced than downtown hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps it’s because, when glancing at price lists, the hotels list a
food and beverage minimum, but the independent venues just give you a rental
cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing that a venue only costs
$2500 seems like a great deal when you compare it to a $15K minimum at a hotel,
but when you consider bar packages, catering prices, linens, chairs, tables,
ceremony space, etc, the price can become a lot more than that $15K you were
thinking you could beat..</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you price out these independent venues, you will be
given their rental fee and then, either a fixed menu with a price per head that
you can add to if possible, or a list of caterers they approve you to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bar packages and catering menus are definite
things to pay attention to, but what you really need to find out is what’s
included in the rental fee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does the
venue provide linens or tables and chairs of any kind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, the answer is “no,” and you need
to find that out up front so you can price out what it’s going to take to
“build” the reception or ceremony you are dreaming of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For instance, if you are using the space for your ceremony
as well, you need to find out the ceremony fee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, if chairs are not included, you will have to rent those for the
ceremony, at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To give you an example,
even for white wooden chairs (the cheapest), you’re looking at about $2 a
chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For 100 guests, we have an
additional $200 plus deliverer and tax from the rental company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the rental fee that can sometimes be at
least $500, you just added $800 to the $2500 rental fee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that hasn’t broken your budget, tables can
range from $5 to $7 a piece plus linens to cover those tables can be $20 a
piece, minimum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Here’s a low estimate of
a floor plan with limited seating:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eight tables (48 inch rounds), seating for 8 at each table
plus linens for each of the eight tables – </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">$5 x 8 tables = $40 plus $20 x 8 linens
for the those tables = $160 plus $5 x 64 chairs (everyone wants chiavari chairs
for their reception and those are at least $5/chair) = $320.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So for seating for only 64 guests, we’re
looking at an additional $520 not including tax, set up charge, delivery and
pick up – which can be an additional $300 depending on set up times, etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve just listed two minor scenarios that added almost $1000
each for rentals of things that may not be included when glancing at the
venue’s rental price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My point in all of
this is that asking the right questions is crucial when trying to stay on
budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contracts are not hard to read,
but sometimes it’s what’s not written in that contract that we don’t think
about prior to booking which sticks us with the unexpected costs in the
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Courtyards need rain plans and
potential tenting and outdoor spaces also need heat in the winter so make sure
you think of all details before signing a contract based solely on a low rental
rate and a cool outdoor ceremony option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keeping in mind that New Orleans is known for 3 hour receptions should
also give you a heads up to ask if the rental fee includes three hours of
rental for the space or four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
fourth hour can be the budget breaker!</span><br />
Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-74413794885063744372013-02-07T13:11:00.002-06:002013-02-07T13:16:02.518-06:00New Orleans hospitality - Mardi Gras 101<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Coming
off of hosting the Super Bowl, the feedback about our great city has been
exactly what I would expect (except for that pesky black out which, let’s be
honest, definitely spiced up what might have been the most boring Super Bowl
thus far).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, it’s been said
that we corner the market in terms of our food, music, and general party
atmosphere, but it finally leaked to the media that our real hospitality comes
from our people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> We
were said to have some of the friendliest locals, which I’m sure could be
confusing to the average American watching our climbing murder rate, old
footage of looters from Katrina that will forever follow us, reality shows
about swamp people (that for some reason gets associated with the actual city
of New Orleans), and drunk people showing their boobs in order to get plastic
beads!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The media really does a great job
of showing who we really are (please sense the sarcasm in my voice).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> The reality is that, for the most
part, we are a city filled with tight-knit families that extend well beyond
genetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are a loyal group whether
it is loyalty to a city that was once under water and could very well be there
again with each hurricane season or loyalty to a football team that gave us
nothing but heartache until “the Brees” blew in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one loves talking about New Orleans more
than a New Orleanian, giving tourists the inside scoop on local hot spots,
little known “holes in the walls,” the truth about Katrina, or any topic related
to “ya mama and dem.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> I am hopeful that the good press of
our city will continue through this week with so many tourists staying, and
coming to join, in order to experience what we are known for - Mardi Gras!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, when using the media as a source
of reference, you might be misled in terms of what to expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to squash a few stereotypes and put
some local rules to the Mardi Gras season so you can make the most out of this
week and fit in with the locals! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mardi
Gras actually does not happen on Bourbon Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is true that many people party there after
the parades, although most of the people on Bourbon are tourists since most of
the locals are on the balconies above!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regardless, the reality is that New Orleans has a lot to offer off of
Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras has everything to offer nowhere near it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">DO
not flash, especially for beads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
definitely something that someone from out of town started and everyone who
ever visited followed suit. Locals do not do this.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Do
not show up five minutes before a parade and stand in front of the crowds of
people who slept on the route the night before in order to conserve their spot
– you will get your ass kicked and if you don’t, you should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Save your own spot or stand in the back. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Do
not throw beads at the floats as they pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The idea is for the riders to throw to us and because of that they are
not expecting to have something throw at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You will not look cool or funny, but you will look like an idiot who
does not get out much.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Do
not follow the float down the street, unless you know someone riding on that
float.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be another float right
behind the one that just passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait
patiently and get out of the street.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Do
not fight a child for a pair of beads; actually, do not fight anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beads cost nickels and dimes and are
essentially worth nothing.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Pace
yourself with the drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Mardi
Gras day and the weekend before, most people are out on the route for hours
before the parade even starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order
to make it through the whole day (and the whole season,) pace yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do drink water and eat when you can! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Do
not wear flip flops if you are planning to go to Bourbon Street (that is just a
rule no matter when you are here) and, for God’s sake, do not walk around bare
foot.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Now, for
your survival kit – pack a backpack and include the following:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A
roll of toilet paper</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Antibacterial
hand sanitizer</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Aspirin
or Excedrin Migraine – headaches are the worst</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Crackers,
a sandwich or some kind of snack if you are not packing a full lunch </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A
koozie in case you switch to beer</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A
few plastic cups in case you, or a friend, need to make a drink on the route</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A
bottle or two of water – stay hydrated</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Depending
on the weather, pack accordingly – a sweatshirt if it’s cooler weather – as the
sun goes down, it will get colder; an umbrella if rain is predicted at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pack for the entire day into the
night… not just the day time.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Extra
of whatever alcohol or beer you are drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tip: if you do not want to drag a cooler around all day, wrap your beer
can in foil and then put it in a zip lock bag with some ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will keep your beer cold if you do not
want to drag an ice chest around all day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, to conserve space, put your alcohol in empty water bottles.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> No matter
what, when you come to New Orleans, you will have a blast and if you stick with
some of the local traditions, it will be even better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Saturday before Mardi Gras, go to Orleans
Avenue and spend the day people watching and cooking out before Endymion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On that Sunday, watch Thoth on Magazine Street
and then walk up to St. Charles Avenue to catch Bacchus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If live music is your thing, go hear some of
the best cover bands New Orleans has to offer downtown at Bacchus Bash before
watching Bacchus, which rolls right down the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Head to Spanish Plaza on Lundi Gras for an
outdoor concert and to see Rex arrive and enjoy a huge crowd of locals and the
beautiful city setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in
Metairie, parades are rolling every night, so if a more family atmosphere and
smaller crowds are more your speed, that’s the place for you.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Take
advantage of the locals – we love to make new friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy everything Mardi Gras has to offer and
then you can head to Bourbon Street!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span>Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-18130194449426482042013-02-01T10:46:00.002-06:002013-02-02T10:28:07.197-06:00The Dynamic Duo To Trump Your Wedding<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span>This year, our great city of New
Orleans will host the most important NFL game of the year – The Super Bowl. And
following this “National Holiday,”we’ll host the most important “New Orleans
Holiday;” Mardi Gras. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> What does this mean for our city? It
means three months of last minute construction in order to get the city looking
nice and shiny; week-long events celebrating the big game; then, parades for a
week to follow. The city will welcome swarms of tourists, celebrities and
camera crews invading our streets to broadcast and experience the entire
celebration of the big events. As a result, we will not be able to do
anything unrelated to the Super Bowl or Mardi Gras from the time the parties commence until Ash Wednesday. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> What does this mean for your wedding vendors? It means working non-stop for the weeks
leading up to the major celebrations - providing venues, catering, décor,
itineraries, transportation and anything/everything to meet the expectations
of what our clients, tourists and devoted locals are expecting – the
parties of the year!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> What is my point? My point is that for
the last week, I have been fielding phone calls from some of my clients that
are getting married no sooner than the summer months, and my vendors have been
fielding phone calls from clients getting married as late as Spring 2014. Even
though we have explained that our response times are a bit slower right now due
to the craziness going on in the city, the clients insist that these are
emergency issues that need to be taken care of on the spot - “emergency issues”
that include everything from room blocks to catering menus all for weddings
that are more than four months away. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> I am the first person to push a vendor
for a quicker response as I know New Orleans runs on its on schedule. I am
always someone who answers emails right away, even if I’m on vacation. I take
phone calls on Sunday nights, and while celebrating Thanksgiving with my
family, I’ve been known to excuse myself to answer a client’s call. The
invasion of holidays, weekends and night time hours are a problem in and of
itself, but expecting every vendor to have the ability to operate accordingly
during what will be two of the biggest events New Orleans will see this year, is
more than demanding - it’s impossible.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> When you choose New Orleans as your
destination city for your wedding, you chose it because we throw a party like
no other, because we always have something going on and because we have the
best of everything there is to offer- from music to restaurants. With that being
said, please do your research and know when key events are in the city in which
you will wed. Know when the festivals are taking place, as they will drive up
the prices of hotel rooms. Know the city-wide convention dates that will make
it impossible for you to get a hotel room at all. Know when our high wedding
seasons occur so you don’t expect a weekend tasting. But most importantly, know
when our party of the year takes place; for when Mardi Gras rolls in, all bets
are off and we’re shut down for at least the week! Finally, when the apocalypse
of parties happen - Super Bowl and Mardi Gras fall within a week of each other -
either come on down and enjoy the party, or relax until Ash Wednesday. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> Unless your wedding will take place within a month of the
festivities, concentrate on the things that do not involve your
vendors. Know enough about what’s going on here to know that this is not like
being in the middle of wedding season, or the weekend of French Quarter Fest where one or two vendors are affected. This is all of those
festivities happening at the same time “x's 10” and there’s nothing we can do about it, so we sure as hell
will embrace it!<o:p></o:p></span>Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-21942479974638258522012-12-21T08:50:00.001-06:002012-12-21T08:50:56.857-06:00Mr. Bingle
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Coming up on the heels of
Christmas, all I’ve been hearing about are presents, presents, presents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a lot of friends with children, so I’m
hearing about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>everything from Mickey
Mouse toys to brand new cars <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(you know,
the necessary things that children of all ages need to survive.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all the talk of material things, I’ve
been thinking about what Christmas is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure I’m suppose to say it’s about Jesus
and it is, but that’s not what I think about when I think about such an amazing
holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think about Mr. Bingle!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Mr. Bingle is a snowman who came to life thanks to the
vision a window decorator employed by Maison Blanche department store (which
was originally located on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since 1948, the miniature snowman’s popularity
grew to reach more than just New Orleans, but eventually, the Maison Blanche
chain closed leaving Mr. Bingle out of sight for a short period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heavens blessed us when Dillard’s took
over the familiar New Orleans icon and he resides specifically with us, right
where he belongs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each year, Mr. Bingle’s
presence on the side of the department store building was always a clear sign
that Christmas was on its way, but in my house, Mr. Bingle was a clear sign
that my Grandmother was around.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> For as long as I can remember, my grandmother was
employed by Maison Blanche so Mr. Bingle was a huge part of our childhood with
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always had a Mr. Bingle stuffed animal
in all of our houses at Christmas and we always read the story of Mr. Bingle
(which is written below!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my
grandmother’s passing 10 years ago (wow, that’s a long time,) you can find some
kind of Mr. Bingle paraphernalia in each of her 8 grand children’s homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, I have a stuffed Mr.
Bingle that stays out all year round; I even dress him up for Halloween!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> The point of this is that the smallest things can take
you back to a place and time when life was simpler and we could just worry
about presents, presents, present like my niece and nephew will this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what this holiday is really all about is
family and the memories we’ve made each holiday we get to spend with each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Christmas, grab a Mr.
Bingle, read your children the story of the famous snowman, have yourself some
beignets and make some memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
favorite memories included <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this warm,
lovable New Orleans favorite and I remember Mr. Bingle’s jingle way more than I
remember what my grandmother gave me as a gift each year! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When Santa left his shop one
day<br />
He found a snowman near his sleigh.<br />
"You'll be my helper now," he said,<br />
And tapped the little fellow's head.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The snowman found that he could
talk--<br />
"Look, Santa, I can even walk!"<br />
And then he gave a little sigh...<br />
"Oh, how I wish that I could fly!"<br />
<br />
So, Santa gave him holly wings,<br />
Then, looking through his Christmas things,<br />
Found ornaments the very size<br />
To make a pair of shining eyes.<br />
<br />
Then Santa said, "You need a hat;<br />
An ice cream cone's just right for that.<br />
And keep this candy cane with you,<br />
You'll see what magic it can do!"<br />
<br />
The snowman laughed and sang a jingle,<br />
So Santa named him "Mr. Bingle."<br />
That's how it happened. Now he's here<br />
With us at Maison Blanche all year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibxbQkbS-WmALYjnRYlHPhkb7BkJlzg-CZAU2tIWQy7oUg4sARdnWT35telB1jq2kd64XkIDIRtp7o14aRGReBJt5Epe-R7M3B045NKqhD_s9Negxpy4MV1XnhabNss5aJujkCtImIIJV/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibxbQkbS-WmALYjnRYlHPhkb7BkJlzg-CZAU2tIWQy7oUg4sARdnWT35telB1jq2kd64XkIDIRtp7o14aRGReBJt5Epe-R7M3B045NKqhD_s9Negxpy4MV1XnhabNss5aJujkCtImIIJV/s200/IMG_0797.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiEc48i2FVU7qjPMR_dQi12lCXD-XPcFKXESPLsBKe5fUMWq_OWZlUEfN6I2B2w_wu7NrGvgZ-rTKdSx7ZvJajnfmsJlL48iUOWud3M0uIo2k3lkRs3RhptWEeeKvzyWgmTFjmNevr_5f/s1600/IMG_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiEc48i2FVU7qjPMR_dQi12lCXD-XPcFKXESPLsBKe5fUMWq_OWZlUEfN6I2B2w_wu7NrGvgZ-rTKdSx7ZvJajnfmsJlL48iUOWud3M0uIo2k3lkRs3RhptWEeeKvzyWgmTFjmNevr_5f/s200/IMG_0804.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandmother's old name tag </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-27190110519774133352012-12-01T11:56:00.003-06:002012-12-01T11:56:54.049-06:00Flops
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a child, my mother never allowed us to take our shoes off
at other people's houses. We went completely dressed in an outfit that included
shoes and were to remain dressed throughout the day/ event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never really appreciated that "drill sergeant"
rule of fashion until I got older and noticed the number of girls who were
quick to take their shoes off no matter where we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In high school, girls were always taking
their shoes off at sweet 16 parties, proms, etc., and as I continued to age,
weddings became the place where the shoes came off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This became the “norm” so much so that the
trend now is to give flip flops as the favor at receptions to make female
guests more comfortable.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Traditionally, I am a big believer in being different or making
things your own – always putting your personal touch on everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that’s why I’m not too bothered when
everyone partakes in the “flip flop wearing” as a group!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I do fall into the age old saying of
"if everybody's doing it, it must be ok.” I may even partake in the
"casual fun" from time to time (don’t tell my mom). But weddings are
starting to get so “casual shoe” friendly, that the flip flops are now becoming
the go-to shoe when guests get to the reception whether they are offered as
part of the wedding festivities or not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I saw a bridesmaid this past weekend wearing platform,
jeweled flip flops with a short bridesmaid dress. The last thing you should do
when ruining the look of your $200 bridesmaid dress is bring attention to the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because they have jewels on them does
not suddenly make flip flops a formal shoe. <br />
Here’s the etiquette girl - You don’t have to wear stilettos, you just have to
wear "dress shoes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you leave
the house not being able to walk in the shoes, it certainly will not get better
as you start drinking and dancing. Wear shoes that you can handle for the
entire night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But wait, unfortunately, I do have to take this one step
further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that this should go
without saying, but apparently I must say it, so let me tell you all that not
wearing any shoes is definitely not ok; EVER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And to make matters worse, it breaks my heart that I have to mention
that walking thru the French Quarter without shoes is not only repulsive and a
sure fire sign that you are a tourist, but it’s also a guarantee that you’re
going home with more than a hangover. That type of etiquette is something that
I'm not sure I can ever cover. But do keep this in mind; if you are so drunk
that you think taking your shoes off at a wedding reception is a good idea then
abort immediately. Have someone put you in a car and get you home right away
for you are more than likely about to black out, vomit or at least give the
videographer his award winning footage for the night!!!</span></div>
Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-85767397656283730962012-11-15T18:12:00.000-06:002012-11-15T18:12:02.729-06:00Pinterest
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm sure we are all aware of a little site called Pinterest,
which allows us to create a "bulletin board" of pictures to include
anything from home décor to the “perfect” guy we’d like to marry!
Pinterest primarily serves as a "book mark" to save the style and
ideas of what we love if we were ever to buy a house, plan a wedding, purchase
a new wardrobe, start a family or have the money for a complete makeover.
I'm not sure that I understand why pinterest is important to most people, but I
know that it is important to my brides so that they have a place to keep all of
their design ideas and "favorite looks" as it pertains to their
wedding. I think for that purpose, it is useful; but overall, Pinterest is the
disappointment of every fantasizing bride and the demise of every planner/
vendor involved in the bride’s wedding. Why do I feel this way? Well, there are
a few reasons. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have you ever seen a Wendy's commercial and the burger looks
so big and juicy that it forces you to rush over and order the very same burger
that you just saw on television; however, when you get it, it's flat and dry
and looks like it shrank in comparison? Well, that's because pictures of food
are traditionally fake or staged for the commercials/ ads in which they are
featured. This same theory can be true of the seven-tier, strawberry-filled
cake that you saw on Pinterest. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When my girls show up to the bakery with a picture of a cake
that is 7 feet tall and has to be filled with fresh strawberries because they
saw it on Pinterest, they do not understand why the bakery crushed their dreams
by telling them that a cake that size will slide if filled with fresh
strawberries. It's the realism that Pinterest takes away from my brides that
causes so much disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then there is the bride who asks her photographer to take a
picture of her, and she wants it to look exactly like a picture she saw on
Pinterest so much so that she went out and bought the very outfit that the girl
in the picture is wearing. This is not only frustrating because certain
things cannot be duplicated, but it also creates a total lack of
originality. The frantic desire to replicate something to be so exact is
a definite set up for a major disappointment (especially when the picture you
saw was taken during the day, with windows lining the back wall, with the New
York city skyline as its background, and you are asking for the picture to be
taken at night in your childhood bedroom with no windows.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As I am writing this, I realize that I should not blame
Pinterest, I should blame the girls that misuse it and take it to the extreme
(just like Facebook, but that’s for a different day). Just like anything
else, Pinterest is a great resource for most girls; but I guess when you are
living in a fantasy world, you will live in that world with or without
Pinterest. It is particularly hard for this planner to see the same design
ideas surfacing time and time again and even harder to see my vendors pressured
and limited because of Pinterest. Let's get original, ladies. And please for
the love of it all, keep things to a minimum. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just because you saw it on Pinterest doesn't mean it all
looks good together and should be used in the same space. I had a bride a few
months ago who had her reception looking like a real life Pinterest bulletin
board. Guests actually walked in and said "Oh my God, Pinterest threw up
in here." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's not good, girls!!!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, let's use these resources for good and not for evil. Be
your own person. Learn that others’ ideas should be used as inspiration; take
what you like and add a twist to it!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-14775181174167869162012-08-24T16:51:00.000-05:002012-08-26T10:42:32.428-05:00The Etiquette of Friendship<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am
a major fan of a little show called Sex and the City; maybe you’ve heard of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While watching a few episodes the
other day, for the millionth time, I started thinking about the friendships
between these four women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often wonder
how realistic is it to think that we can have friendships like Carrie, Samatha,
Charlotte and Miranda?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As a
New Yorker at heart, I am aware that the apartment size of Carrie Bradshaw’s is
completely unrealistic on a writer’s salary (that is until she got the book
deal and started writing for Vogue, but anyway…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the number of designer shoes and outfits
purchased by this New York columnist is definitely not feasible, especially
when she eats out for every single meal and only at the most expensive places
in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what about the actual
story line of the girls?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it possible
to have friends that accept you no matter what and put you first, or even in
the top three on the priority list?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
have a relationship with your girlfriends where you can make time for each
other even once a week is a definite feet, much less to see each other two and
three times a week no matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
rule of no cell phones while they are together?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My friends would die if I would adhere to that rule for even one hour at
a Daiquiri Bay night!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While their commitment to each
other is unbelievable enough in the hustle and bustle world of climbing the
corporate ladder, raising children and trying not to be included in the rising
rate of divorce, the bigger faux to this television friendship is the emotional
support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it possible to have friends
that support you and carry you thru life no matter what the obstacle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These girls have supported each other thru
the tragedies of dating, thru job promotions and job losses, thru changes of
address in boroughs and foreign countries, thru marriages and divorces, thru having
affairs with married men and having unfaithful spouses, thru child birth, child
loss and adoption and even thru cancer and chemo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have been there for it all with comments
and advice, but without judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judgment;
That is the key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many of us can say
that we have not only supported our friends thru the roughest phases and
decisions in life, but we didn’t judge them in the process?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the things that keep
these girls together is their ability to give each other their thoughts and opinions
(directly to each other’s faces), but still be okay if ultimately the person
doesn’t do as they advise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having the
ability to still see your friend as the person you always thought she was after
seeing her use poor judgment or react poorly to a circumstance in her life, is
often hard to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But isn’t it woman who
always say “if you can’t tell your girlfriends, who can you tell?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that the next time one of your best
friends confides in you and you barely hear the end of her thought before
running to call the other girls in the group to gossip about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I tell my girlfriends something, I
expect that they will say what they need to say right to my face, drink about
it with me, have a good cry and then move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I wanted the gossip and judgment, I’d put it on facebook (or I’d tell
my mother). </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At any rate, in my life, I have
been blessed with best friends that I have picked up at different stages of my
life (some from grammar school, high school and of course, college) and I’ve
been able to keep them with me thus far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ultimately, I realize that all of these women are different and I love
them because of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no two
of us that lead the same life or have made the same choices and I respect each
of them for who they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not
always agree with them and trust me, I let them know, but at the end of the
day, it’s their life and I’m just here to enjoy it with them, help them rebuild
it if it comes crashing down and kill who ever hurts them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do not have it all figured
out, that’s for sure, but I know that when I’ve gone thru the roughest patches
in my life, the last thing I needed was a swift kick to the gut by the people I
love the most when I’m already laying on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider how you feel and what type of
support you want before reacting to situations that your friends are going thru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when there comes a day that your friend
does something that you cannot comprehend and support; something so horrendous that
you just cannot see her the same way ever again, make sure your house isn’t
made out of glass before you throw the stone!</span></div>
Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-66776094346611275152012-07-28T14:34:00.000-05:002012-08-26T10:43:55.972-05:00Hair and Makeup Advice<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a bride on your
wedding day, before you can put on the perfect dress to pose for the perfect
pictures that will be the only physical evidence of your perfect day, you'll
need the perfect hair and makeup! A bride without hair and make-up is like a
dress with no alterations. Would you wear your wedding dress with those large orange
"chip clips" on your back? No. So let's give our entire look an
alteration or two. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some brides choose to tackle hair and make-up themselves, but the vast majorities
turn to the professions. When hiring any vendor for your wedding day, I believe
personality plays a huge part in being a good fit for each bride. I tend to
refer the vendors that will mesh well with my girls and lend themselves both to
the type of work the bride is looking for and the "character" that
works for that individual. When it comes to hair dressers and make-up artists,
I'm very particular about who my girls work with. These professionals start off
the day with the bride and essentially set the tone for the entire day and
whether or not we stay on schedule, stress out the bride by rushing or running
behind, or ease her mind by allowing her to relax with her girlfriends! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With that in mind,
I've spoken to some of my favorite professionals who always stay on schedule
and make my girls feel relaxed. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kellie Bode (Kellie
Bode Professional Make-up Artistry - <a href="http://www.kelliebode.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.kelliebode.com</span></a>),
Katie Malone (Katie Malone Make-up studio (pixie make-up salon) www.katiemalonemakeup.com),
Trish Popovich (style squared – www.stylesquaredneworleans.com) and Hair
stylist Anne Kirsch (anned324@yahoo.com). <br />
<br />
One way to keep the day relaxed is to let the bride sleep as long as she can!!!
No one wants the bride/bridesmaids to have to start their day at 7am just to so
that the there's enough time to get everyone's hair and make-up done. So you
have to decide whether or not you want one hair stylist/make-up artist or two
and that all depends on the number of girls you have who need the services and
the time that you have to get ready. Although all four of my professionals have
done and can do weddings of up to 15 girls on their own, the average number of
girls they feel works for majority of the time frames on a wedding day is 8.
Again, they can definitely handle more, but for a stress free, sleep-as-
late-as-you-can wedding day, that's the magic number.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was agreed upon
that it traditionally takes about 30 minutes per face on the wedding day (for
bridesmaids) and 45 minutes for the bride and it takes anywhere from 30 to 45
minutes per head (for bridesmaids) and an hour for the bride.<br />
But Kellie Bode reminds me that she "does an amazing job no matter what
the role in the wedding". She actually spends the last 30 minutes touching
up all of the girls, especially the girls that had their makeup done earlier in
the day (those that were first or second in the lineup). I think making sure
that each girl is fresh before pictures and the start of the actual event is so
important, especially since that's why no one ever wants to go first on the
morning of the big day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As far as the line up goes, I personally think the bride should be someone in
the middle of the pack, but closer to the end. I do not like for her to go
first, but I do not like saving her for last either. Katie and Kellie both
agree that the bride should be second to last or third to last so that she has
her morning free to spend time with her friends, get any last minute details
together and then she has time after her make-up is done to relax and get
dressed early if she needs to. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another suggestion
that I make to my girls is to do a trial with your hair dresser and make-up
artist if at all possible. And if you can use them prior to the wedding for
real events, that certainly helps as well. Katie tells me that she finds it
helpful when the girls come to her before their bridal portraits, engagement
session or rehearsal dinner. She says that it allows her to get to know the
bride's face and even her personality which can really make the wedding day
more personal to the girls.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do believe a hair
trial is a definite necessity so that the hair stylist can learn your hair
type, especially if you are hoping to have a more detailed hair style. But
truth be told, some of the most detailed styles are coming from the
bridesmaids. Trish has noticed the bridesmaids have gotten way more into their
hair styles as of late and it's not just about the bride anymore. I think it's
a great way for the bridesmaids to have their own individuality but we are
always careful to make the bride the star of the show. A good way to accomplish
that, and also a huge trend right now for brides, is to have a hair accessory
such as a feather or flower. And with the help of pinterest and etsy, there are
millions of options out there for the brides to find. What brides do not
realize is that these accessories are not always "one size fits all".
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes hair can be
too thin for the accessory the bride is bringing in, so Anne has taken things
one step further and she actually sells these accessories to her brides so that
she can match each bride with the best fit for her! Anytime you have an option
to buy something specifically from the professional you are working with thereby
making it a little more customized based on your hair, face, body or budget,
take it!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No matter what, choose
a hair dresser and make-up artist that make you feel comfortable. Create your
schedule wisely and make sure you book the appropriate number of stylists to
keep your day running smoothly. Take advice from the professionals whenever
possible and do a trial before your big day. And here are some last minute tips
I'd like to throw in: bring pictures of hair styles (and make-up), show up with
a clean face and clean/dry hair and have the hair dresser/make up artist come
to you whenever possible. Relax, sleep as late as you can and call one of my
professionals to ensure a great wedding day!!!<o:p></o:p></span>Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-38115979688724369342012-07-20T16:52:00.000-05:002012-07-20T16:52:19.009-05:00Cutting in LineA few weeks ago, a dear friend of mine got engaged (shout out Kelly!). I, of course, gave her three full days to revel in the glow of her new ring before hounding her with planning details and questions of wedding madness. Much to my surprise, she had yet to figure out when she would like to have this most precious event in her life, but it wasn’t because she hadn’t thought about it. The fact is, her future husband’s brother is engaged and has been engaged for quite some time, and he and his fiancé will not wed until May of 2013. Kelly’s fear is that she is suppose to wait until after May of 2013 before getting married since the other couple was engaged first. Can anyone guess my rule of thumb on this one? Yep, that’s right – YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE!
<br />
<br />
In this situation, by the time this other couple gets married, they will have been engaged for two years, which is their decision. But in the wedding world of waiting your turn, anything after a year is open season. Some couples are waiting to finish school, or move out of state, or start their careers. Does this mean that every bride should put her plans on hold because her best friend is marrying a doctor-to-be and they decided to be engaged for 5 years? No way!
<br />
<br />
For poor ole’ Kelly who got engaged early July, a Spring wedding is her first choice. If she were to wait on her future in laws, she’d have to be engaged for a year and a half and that just won’t fly for her. I say, get while the getting’ is good. As long as she does not make the wedding within a month of their wedding, she is fine. A March wedding would be the latest she could have it without interfering with the other couple. And as long as she doesn’t cross schedules in terms of showers, etc., she is good to go.
<br />
<br />
When it comes to multiple sisters being engaged at the same time, things can get a bit trickier, but a lot of that falls on the poor father who may be footing the bill for both weddings, which is a totally different topic all together. But as it relates to what order brides get married based on who was engaged first, you get married when you want to get married. There’s something to be said for the bride who has a three month engagement in order to beat her younger sister to the altar, but in most situations, timing is what it is and it’s just a preference of season or scheduling.
<br />
<br />
In any case, just be considerate of scheduling and making sure there’s enough time for you to get back from your honeymoon or them to get back from their honeymoon, etc (a month’s time to separate the events should be fine). Be considerate of showers and guests that are invited to both events and be considerate of the fact that there is another bride in your presence also going thru the planning and excitement that you are feeling (you may not be center of attention for the entire engagement), but other than that, pick your date and go for it!Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-90934474261043733542012-01-06T19:25:00.000-06:002012-01-06T19:26:22.583-06:00The New Orleans BridePart of the reason that I started this blog was because I was so frustrated with the “etiquette” blogs out there that are out dated and completely pretentious. The truth is, there really is no true piece of sound advice that works for everyone. Each family has their own set of traditions and “etiquette” and that is essentially what sets the tone for what is “right” and “wrong” in each individual’s situation. The idea that everyone is different is what started me thinking about a new voice for the etiquette of the future, but what is most important to me is to speak for an entirely different group of brides – The New Orleans Brides.<br /><br />Nothing frustrates me more than reading a book or blog from a writer who classifies New Orleans brides as “Southern” brides. We are not Southern brides; we are New Orleans brides and unless you’re from here, you just don’t get it! <br /><br />Sit down dinners are not traditional for us, an 80’s cover band will do just fine and we can just as easily have Abita beer in our toasting glass as champagne and no one gives it a second thought. Most of the time, the second line only happens at the reception, around the venue, but when we do venture out, we don’t mind second lining down Bourbon because we’re smart enough to hold our dress in such a way to avoid what might be growing on the streets. We think that cake pulls are a part of every wedding no matter where you are from and we firmly believe that the Groom’s cake is the only chance the guy gets to take part in the wedding. And speaking of cake, New Orleans is the only place where “wedding cake” is an actual flavor and the only acceptable flavor for our wedding cakes. <br /><br />We have a formula for the wedding day and it typically does not include seeing our groom prior to the ceremony, which will inevitably take place in a Catholic Church. We use police escorts even if we are only going down the street and the local drivers know better than to interrupt a wedding procession. We’re all about a buffet, carving stations and an open bar and the thought of a dry reception is actually confusing to us. <br /><br />Even the suburban New Orleanians (Metairie and Kenner citizens) who have the tradition of a Catholic Church paired with an all inclusive reception hall because the parents feel it’s rude to ask their friends to pay for downtown parking, follow these traditions as this New Orleans community as a whole is its own breed. Our breed has bridal parties filled with friends they’ve been with since grammar school and each of our guests will surely run into at least 2 sets of people they’ve known their whole life, yet did not realize were connected to the bride and groom. <br /><br />For the New Orleans bride, it’s all about family, friends you’ve known your whole life and celebrating everything! We’re more about bloody mary’s on the balcony, than iced tea on the porch. And we’re more likely to drink past the heat than to fan ourselves. Because of our saucy twist on Southern traditions, we are not like Southerners at all and that’s why so many people travel to our city every year for their big day! After all, no one does anything quite like we do things here in New Orleans. We do have that Southern charm, but it’s got a kick that translates to anyone who comes to visit and that’s why everyone loves it here – in New Orleans proper – not just the SOUTH!Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-56580375582980487742011-12-21T15:52:00.005-06:002011-12-21T16:12:47.593-06:00The "Perfect" Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcxvVphKGtS7OugaXni-be1rzeEG1BecIjb6ndqakiGw_LD_KtRCtvjKdocgXxgm5T5XySuUkuS-TwTutOarxX3T4-EofmURuT_WMkHhcKpiZiqCxR84I_lHjJI7XVYto4HKi4mF6BL5l/s1600/0472web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcxvVphKGtS7OugaXni-be1rzeEG1BecIjb6ndqakiGw_LD_KtRCtvjKdocgXxgm5T5XySuUkuS-TwTutOarxX3T4-EofmURuT_WMkHhcKpiZiqCxR84I_lHjJI7XVYto4HKi4mF6BL5l/s320/0472web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688708082655929474" /></a><br />Most people will tell you that there’s no such thing as a perfect anything – not a perfect marriage, or a perfect person, and they always say there’s no “perfect” wedding. I tend to disagree with the last part of that theory as I have attended many “perfect” weddings, as far as my clients know anyway. But this year, I experienced the most perfect wedding of all – but it wasn’t because of anything I did, or anything that any of the vendors did – it was because of the bride, the groom and the family involved.<br />Last week, Dee White passed away leaving behind four beautiful children and the “perfect” wife. One of those four children, Barrett, got married in March of this year and I was lucky enough to be a part of that most wonderful wedding. <br />I was first introduced to the family in August of 2010 and we began planning from there. Because the bride and groom lived out of town, I planned majority of the wedding with the bride’s mother, Jessica. From the very first meeting with Jessica, she spoke so lovingly of her children and husband that I knew this was a family I would fall in love with, and I did. Both Dee and Jessica did everything possible to give Barrett whatever she wanted, not what they wanted. Barrett traditionally came in around the holidays, so the house was filled with all four children, and significant others, plus all of their puppies! And every sibling wanted to be involved in the wedding details, including the only brother of the four children, Neal. <br />I had never seen such a supportive family, starting with the parents trickling down to each of the children. I realized the true bond of this family when Neal came home in the middle of our cake tasting and announced he had passed a certification exam and everyone quickly put the cake tasting on hold. It was his sisters who pulled out the champagne to toast his success immediately and they included me in every minute of the celebration. I knew his parents were proud of his accomplishment, but I was more proud of the way they had raised their children. <br />People often say that when planning a wedding, parents in particular get wrapped up with the bride and the bride can certainly forget that other things non-wedding even exist. This was not the case in this family and it was refreshing to see that weddings do not always cause drama and stress. They were one of the most even keeled families to work with and it paid off on the day of the wedding.<br />My point in having this tribute to this special family is this: often times the stereotype surrounding weddings has more to do with the drama it can cause for a family, the fights it can lead to with the mothers and the stress of the planning. This family was proof that when things are done correctly and kept in perspective, a wedding is the happiest day of your life and the one of the best memories we have with our families – and that’s exactly what it should be. But this all starts at the top of the chain with the parents.<br />So thank you, Dee and Jessica White, for raising your children to rejoice in each other’s time of joy and to share special times with each other. For allowing your children to be themselves instead of pushing them to be who you thought they should be. And for reminding me what makes the “perfect” wedding – Being on the dance floor all night long with your wife and children dancing like no one is watching, enjoying each other like no one else exists and knowing that it’s a moment they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-18114552712135827752011-12-16T15:29:00.000-06:002011-12-16T15:30:49.234-06:00The Vendor and the Wedding PlannerOnce upon a time, there was a very sweet, reliable, even keeled wedding planner with great communication skills! She worked really hard to please both her clients and her vendors by trying to get her job done while avoiding stepping on toes in the process. One day, she was hired to help a client with last minute details on the day of her wedding so she began calling vendors to make sure all of the details were finalized, arrival times were set and final payments were received. Things were going well until she got the florist on the phone. She gave her routine speech and asked the necessary questions:<br />“Hi, this is Kelly Sherlock. I’m the day-of wedding planner for Ms. Bride so I’m just calling her vendors to make sure we have the details finalized, that you have the most updated floor plan, to see if there’s a final balance and also to get an arrival time from you so I can add you to the schedule for the venue!”<br />Here’s what this florist had to say:<br />“Well thank you for reaching out to me, but I won’t be speaking with you. I am working directly with the bride and I really hate when planners call me and try to get involved. I’ve been in this business for 36 years and I know everything I need to know – there’s nothing that I need from you, but I will be calling the bride to give all of this information directly to her”.<br />That florist has never worked in New Orleans again – Just Kidding!!<br />What actually happen was that the florist delivered the flowers late because the bride forgot to tell her that picture times had been moved up and the floor plan had changed so she did not have enough arrangements. Both things could have been avoided if the florist would have taken my call and allowed me to run through the schedule with her.<br />This little fable is based on a true story, but unfortunately it happens more than you think because some vendors are concerned about working with planners, and the brides need to know this so that the expectation is set up front. With so many planners popping up in the city, the good ones are hard to spot, but we do exist. The problem is that so many vendors have had bad experiences with the other planners that by the time the good ones come into the picture, the vendors are jaded with an attitude and a closed door. The reality is that although I understand that, I still have a job to do. And we all have to consider that there’s a lot of competition in this industry so I can name at least one florist, one photographer, one videographer, one limo company and one band who have done a poor job on occasion and totally ruined someone’s wedding day. Does that mean that every time I come in contact with someone who performs one of those functions in this industry, I believe that they too will screw up? That doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.<br />My point is, everyone has horror stories, but allowing me to screw up, before you assume that I will, is very helpful to our clients – because these brides are OUR clients. Also, in the case of full service planning, I am with these brides for the entire engagement, not just one or two meetings like most vendors - so allowing me to pass along the trigger points of this particular bride and her family, is only beneficial to you. Plus, no bride wants to know that she’s paying me to take away the headaches and she’s paying you to buck that system.<br />As for the brides, if you are not hiring a planner until the end of the planning process, please let your vendors know that she will be contacting them the month prior and that you do not want to be bothered at that time – which is why you are paying the planner. In the case of full service, the same rules apply. If you want your planner to be the main contact and you do not want to be bothered with the details and questions, let the vendors know so that it’s coming straight from your mouth. And more than likely, if there’s a vendor that the planner will not work with, they aren’t worth the trouble they will create, but as always, it’s up to the girls.<br /><br />Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-75206759778099060952011-12-09T10:40:00.001-06:002011-12-09T10:43:50.887-06:00Congratulations Randy and Brianne<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEzNSKl_UIGxzxsLenkkjezVaCPOejH83gIN09bwOQw1uaaiz29ZQzUsBJbIHrXi-Eh3s7Udo5b4SharXbAmu98npBmKBI66rGBaRk2YNHbW68QGYKZ_5ogrgRpkOrHqojGz86miNhhF6/s1600/randy+and+breen.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEzNSKl_UIGxzxsLenkkjezVaCPOejH83gIN09bwOQw1uaaiz29ZQzUsBJbIHrXi-Eh3s7Udo5b4SharXbAmu98npBmKBI66rGBaRk2YNHbW68QGYKZ_5ogrgRpkOrHqojGz86miNhhF6/s200/randy+and+breen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684170059469898082" /></a><br />This blog has covered many different topics from budgets to bridesmaids, but there’s one thing that I have consistently preached no matter what the topic – make your wedding your own. Finally, I’ve found the couple who went against every grain possible to get the wedding that they wanted and it could not have been more fun! My brother and his new wife have never been considered a traditional couple, to say the least. They were best friends before they ever got together and neither of them has ever felt the need to explain their relationship to anyone nor have they ever been fans of public displays of affection. Their wedding day was no different!<br /><br />Last Saturday, they were married in the courtyard of the Board of Trade in an intimate ceremony attended by only immediately family and close friends. The vows, however traditional, were given their own twist of humor and personality and a hand shake sealed the marriage prior to the traditional kiss. The wedding pictures show a couple whose love is visible through laughter rather than a forced kiss and the family portraits displayed each person’s personality rather than robotic poses to declare uniformity.<br /><br />The reception followed at the same venue where 150 friends and family members joined the party to celebrate the marriage. Rather than a “go to” song, such as, I Will Always Love You, the couple danced to a song by a North Carolina band (which is where they met and reside) and then broke into Soldier Soulja Boy, which was always a favorite of the two at any party. Rather than floral center pieces, the tables were dressed with arrangements mixed and matched to include New Orleans favorites such as lanterns, coffee beans, candles on fleur de lis candle sticks and of course the sporadic mardi gras mask. <br /><br />Even with all of the touches that made this wedding their own, my favorite pieces of the non-traditional puzzle included the shoes worn by the bride and groom, the cake topper and the cake cutting. Since blue is the favorite of both Brianne and Randy, the bride wore blue platform heels while the groom sported blue Converse (with his groomsmen following suit in black Chuck Taylors). The groom had the cake topper custom made into characters from the movie “Up” – even though none of those characters bare any resemblance to them (not even the dog looks like their dog) so if you didn’t know the movie, you didn’t understand the topper. And for the cake cutting, my husband shared the first piece of cake with the bride as he is the only person in the world who could appreciate the cake the way that she could. Once the cake was cut and the traditional “sharing the first piece of cake” pictures were taken, my brother stepped in for the “token” pictures of the two of them with the cake. <br /><br />Every piece of this wedding was well thought out whether it was something that the couple included in their wedding or decided not to include. And all of their vendors were flexible enough to go with the flow that represented Brianne and Randy, specifically, which is another thing I always preach – picking the right vendors. No one rushed them, slowed them down, told them they had to be somewhere that they didn’t want to be, made them take a picture that they didn’t want to take or pose in a way that didn’t fit “Brianne and Randy”. This was a night true to the two of them, the way a wedding should be, and I was just happy to be a part of it as a sister to them both!<br />Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-57173533949117503662011-11-21T11:08:00.000-06:002011-11-21T11:11:26.550-06:00The Wedding AlbumFour years ago, on September 16th, one of my best friends got married in one of the most perfectly planned ceremonies and receptions I've ever seen. Every detail was thought out and every song was perfectly timed. For 9 months leading up to the wedding, all she thought about was this wedding so much so that after the wedding was over, she apparently wanted nothing more to do with it - hence the email that we all received the day after her four year anniversary that she had finally picked the pictures for her wedding album. FOUR YEARS later??!! <br />Knowing that I would blog about her, Bonnie Meteye, this topic is for you! <br />Most brides are similar to Bonnie in that they live and breathe for their wedding day while they are planning, but once it's over, they tend to let a lot of things fall by the wayside. Not to mention, the overwhelming task of picking 50 pictures from a proof book of over 500 images can be a bit much. But even with that being said, there has to be a deadline. In most cases, the bride gets home from her honey moon eager to see her wedding pictures and has no problem hounding the photographer about when they will be online or when the proof book will be in. Once the images are able to be viewed, suddenly, the bride does not have time to make selections and finish the process. And in that same token, when the day finally does come, a year, two years or even four years later, this bride has made her selections and is ready for the book to be made, she has no problem once again hounding the photographer as if he should have planned his work week around the fact that she would re-surface so many years later.<br />The fact is, in any job, there is a process and a shelf life for files and past projects. The same applies to a wedding photographer. Let's just pretend that Bonnie's photographer shoots one wedding every weekend - that's a little over 50 weddings a year. If he kept up that average for 4 years, by the time he heard from Bonnie with her decision of images, he would have shot over 200 weddings. What are the chances that this poor man has nothing else to house in his studio but old weddings with the hope that the lost bride will one day come to him to pick out images for an album that was inevitably included in the package that she bought 4 or more years ago. Yay, more work at a time that he didn't expect but for free! That's just what every professional wants!<br />The bottom line is, these brides should have up to 6 months, tops, to get the process completed. I think 3 months should be the cut off, but most photographers are more lenient with a 6 month reprieve. At any rate, I do understand that once the wedding is over, it's hard to get back into decision-making mode, but you have to give these vendors a break. I know, at the time of your wedding, the good vendors make you feel like you’re the only client they have, but the reality is, if they don't move forward after you, you won't have someone to call in 4 years for a book. So do not make their job more difficult and leave them stuck in limbo. Be grateful that you chose a photographer who gave you so many great images, pick your pictures and move on!<br />Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-67593875016838700612011-11-12T15:06:00.000-06:002011-11-12T15:08:09.083-06:00The Kardashian KrashAfter a much needed break from this blog due to a very busy wedding season, Kim Kardashian has given me the energy to once again get fired up about the stupidity of people. I am not only talking about the stupidity that is Kim Kardashian thinking that marrying Kris Humphries was a good idea, but I am talking about the ignorance that fans have shown by being shocked that this marriage didn’t work out.<br />First off, I found it extremely hard to even watch the wedding, which should say a lot since weddings are my favorite thing in life. I have tried at least four different times to watch the entire 2 hour event, but somehow I still can’t make it thru. The reason I cannot make it thru is because of the ridiculousness of Kris Humphries.<br />I am an extreme Kardashian fan and many people close to me know that I consider myself to be the fourth Kardashian and I would marry Rob just to make that my reality. My name already starts with a K and I have the black hair and everything so it’s a great fit, but that’s a different subject all together. At any rate, I think Kim is great and I think the idea of being married is wonderful, but Kris Humphries, really? He has been an idiot since day one and the wedding special showed him as the idiot for 2 hours instead of only 30 minutes.<br />Even with all of this said, my irritation does not come from Kim or Kris in this situation – it comes from the fans out there who thought this was going to last. And for those of you who are talking about how Lamar and Khloe have lasted longer even though they dated for a shorter period of time, I just have one main difference which should always be the dead give-away of the future a couple will have together. When we saw the special of Lamar and Khloe getting married, did you see Lamar anywhere near the planning of the wedding? No, I think not. Yet in the two hour time period that we had to suffer through the wedding special of Kim and Kris, I believe we saw Kris crying about the details more than the bride herself. That should say something.<br />Essentially, this entry should be all about one of my least favorite things in the world of weddings, the Groomzilla, but I shall rant about that another day. This entry will simply serve as a warning to the brides out there; if you learn only one thing from the Kardasians, learn this – if your groom is more interested in the flowers and the ice carving than you are, run, don’t walk, away immediately. If your groom won’t even let you have the wedding that you have always dreamed of, I doubt he’ll be supportive of anything else throughout your married life. Just a thought!<br />In this case, Kim got what she needed from Kris, 10 million dollars for the rights to her wedding. In the real world, with a groom like that, you’ll be getting a lot of heartache and backlash from your family. It’s reality TV people – don’t read too much into it, but always beware of the Groomzilla.<br />Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-44713506035471369412011-08-03T17:22:00.001-05:002011-08-03T17:33:02.920-05:00It’s not about you!When I was sixteen years old, my best friend (since the age of six) lost her father to a horrible battle with cancer. On the day of the funeral, after the service, I met my parents in the back of the church where I began crying uncontrollably for the first time since his diagnosis. The funny thing is that my immediate thought for my friend was, “Who will walk her down the aisle at her wedding?” Since I was not a person who grew up dreaming of her wedding day, that was an odd thought when you consider all of the other key moments her and her sisters would experience without their father.<br />The truth is no matter how cynical of a person you are and how non-traditional you think your wedding will be, most people who have relationships with their parents dream of having them involved in their wedding day. Some little girls grow up dreaming of planning their wedding with their mother while Daddy supportively writes checks and then swoops in on the day of the wedding to walk his baby girl down the aisle. The planning process is a breeze, the night flows perfectly and you can prove it all by the photographer catching that “money shot” of Dad kissing one cheek while Mom kisses the other. <br />Unfortunately, our parents do not always cooperate with our visions – much of the time because of reasons that could be helped – and their selfishness and stubborn attitudes prevent sane decisions. The reality is that I’ve had more than one client who had to deal with parents threatening not to attend their child’s wedding due to things not being done the way they wanted them done. In one case, I had a father follow through and not show up to the wedding at all and I am on the verge of a case where a mother will not be in attendance. <br />It is perfectly normal to get emotional about decisions made while planning such a big event. The wedding is essentially about the bride and the groom joining their lives, but I can see where Mom might get a bit competitive with her friends who recently had daughters get married. Wanting everything to be perfect is typical when you love someone, and we know that most parents always want everything perfect for their children. But there is a difference between the parents who want things perfect for their child – and those who want it for themselves.<br />When you start threatening to skip the wedding, if your child does not choose the favors that you want, you might want to step back and check yourself. When you are not even paying for the wedding and you cannot seem to stop saying the words “I want, I want, I want” that’s called selfish. And when you cut off all contact with your child in the middle of the planning process and then show up the week of the wedding just to look good to your friends, you probably do not deserve to be there.<br />Can any parent out there please explain to me why your child not getting married in a Catholic Church or not having the cake you were hoping for is worth losing the relationship and missing one of the most important days of their life? It is my job to up-sell and I make a living off of people believing that they need to consistently out-do the friend that married the weekend before them, but even I do not get it! I guess one of the things that sets me apart from other people in the business is that I’m still a realist, and the reality is that no amount of flowers or choirs singing at a wedding ceremony is worth jeopardizing a relationship with someone you love. <br />I know there are people out there who can flip this and say, “Why not just give in to your parents if it means that much to them?” The answer – because it’s not about them! It is hard enough to plan a wedding these days without having the extra drama of a parent who just needs attention.<br />I know this might be my most harsh entry yet, but I cannot stand to listen to one more crying bride who feels that she is at the mercy of a parent who couldn’t care less about the true meaning of her special day. You know that I will be the first to call out a bride on her attitude and I believe, especially when parents are paying, everyone needs to keep their priorities in check and pick their battles. But the parents’ threats and walking out is getting really old.<br />For all the parents out there who think that not inviting your seventh cousin once-removed is more emotionally draining then never speaking to your child again, please think about the parents who would do anything possible just to see their child get married. Life is short and monumental moments are few and far between, so if you are lucky enough to be on Earth to enjoy them together, sit back, enjoy the cocktails and thank God for giving you one more memory with your family!<br />Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-45177507039204629652011-07-28T17:10:00.000-05:002011-07-28T17:12:04.133-05:00The Perfect PrepYour wedding day is typically filled with anxiety and nerves which are perfectly normal for any bride – no matter how much you plan. The excitement of getting married and finally having reached the day you’ve dreamed of can overload even the most solid of brides-to-be with emotions she’s never felt before. However, there are ways to make the day run as smoothly as possible, keeping the stress to a minimum, and it’s all about scheduling, being prepared and going with the flow. Here are some tips to help you do just that:<br /><br />1. The schedule – One of the most important things to have on your wedding day is a schedule stating the flow of the day, in particular if you and your bridesmaids are getting your hair and make-up done. Although the schedule is most important, be careful not to be too controlling with the timing. You only need to schedule the time period that it will take to complete the entire group, you do not need to map out which girl will be in the chair at each time slot. Trying to control things too much will only make it impossible to obtain your goal, causing you to fail before you begin.<br />2. Let them come to you – Typically, the hair dresser and make-up artists will come to the bride’s house or hotel room the morning of the wedding. Having them come to you is the best thing possible so that you do not have to account for travel time, regrouping the troops, etc. Being able to wake up and have everyone come to you often makes the bride feel more relaxed and less rushed from the start of the day.<br />3. Make it possible to sleep in – Starting at a time that is later than the crack of dawn helps you feel relaxed and not worn out by the time the big event takes place. In order to ensure that you can sleep in, you want to assess just how many girls are getting their hair and make-up done and how long it will take each person to get each service completed. At that point, you need to decide if it’s best to have two hair dressers or make-up artists in order to get everyone done in less time. This could mean the difference between starting at 7:30am in order to get 7 girls ready by 3pm or being able to start the prep at 11am in order to get 7 girls ready by the start of photos. <br />4. Check with your photographer - Before finalizing the schedule for the prep, you’ll want to check with your photographer to make sure you are giving him/her enough time to complete pictures before heading to the church. You will want to check on the arrival time of the photographer if you want your prep photographed. Ultimately, you will need your bridesmaids to be dressed and completely ready before you get into your dress. After you are completely dressed with jewelry, the veil, etc. the photographer can begin taking portraits and group shots. You will want to check with the photographer to find out whether or not a second shooter will be on hand to photograph the groom and his groomsmen at the church before the ceremony. This can change the time that he/she will start pictures of the girls depending on whether or not he/she has to leave to make it to the church. <br />5. EAT, DRINK and RELAX - Make sure to have lunch brought in for you and your girls so that you have something in your stomach before the night begins. Most brides do not eat enough on the night of the wedding, even when time is allotted for such, but having lunch and snacks during the day helps to keep your energy up and absorb some of the alcohol that you will be consuming throughout the event. A glass of two of champagne or wine is nothing to worry about while relaxing with your girls on the day of your wedding, but make sure you save the real party for the reception. <br /><br />I should have prefaced by saying that this type of relaxation only comes from having a planner, a good friend or a great venue that provides someone you trust to set up the reception venue and make sure everything is in place. Not having to worry about when your vendors are showing up, travel schedules or who is handling the extra details at the church and/or reception venue is the top priority for any bride. Once you have that taken care of, you are free to work out the other steps to a relaxing day. Just make sure that you and your vendors know the schedule prior to the morning of the wedding and that the times match with everyone’s responsibilities. Try to have vendors come to you to avoid travel confusion and losing items. Do not forget to eat, eat, eat and have a cocktail if the spirit moves you!<br />Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-5925837388722209112011-07-09T18:43:00.000-05:002011-07-09T18:44:57.724-05:00The out-of-town photographerLast month I worked with a photographer who was from out of town and wanted to take pictures of the bride and groom after the ceremony, since they were not going to see each other before the big walk down the aisle. This sounds pretty traditional, but this particular photographer wanted over an hour for pictures of just the bride and groom (not including bridal party or families). I had to explain to this professional that the reception was only three hours long so we could not possibly dedicate an entire hour to a portrait session of the bride and groom. <br />This is just one example of the issues that I’ve found with the sudden outbreak of New Orleans brides bringing in photographers from other parts of the country. For the most part, I find that the brides are picking these out-of-town photographers in order to gain the fresh eye that he/she brings to the table. Often times, I hear brides say that they want something different from the photos on the websites of some New Orleans photographers, being that they can appear cookie-cutter or “insert bride here,” as I like to say. By bringing in a person who does not shoot in the church or reception venue with the same city background every weekend, you get to see a new perspective in turn making your pictures seem fresh, new or different.<br />While the fresh eye is a perk, some may rather the carbon copy of the wedding prior to theirs if it means they don’t have to spend 5 hours taking pictures before the reception or wake up at 7am in order to be ready 5 hours prior to their ceremony. <br />Some people may not get this, but New Orleans has its own way of doing everything, especially weddings. We are not representative of a traditional “Southern” wedding and we know we do not have any similarities to the way it’s done up North. We do it the way we do it here in New Orleans; plain and simple. <br />There’s a definite protocol or formula to a New Orleans wedding, and having a local means having someone who understands the sensitive time restraints that we are working with. The locals also understand the geographic time in which to travel and how to get from Uptown to Downtown in only 3 minutes when it takes the bridal party (with police escorts) 10 minutes. <br />We do not often have an hour of cocktails, a two hour seated dinner and then a 3 hour reception which would allow a photographer plenty of time to play with poses and creative range. In New Orleans we have three to four hour receptions, most of time. So the photographer has a certain amount of time prior to the ceremony to take the bride’s pictures with her bridesmaids and family members, the groom’s pictures with his groomsmen and family members and then after the ceremony there’s a 30 minute window to take the bride and groom with the entire bridal party and family members. In some cases, when taking pictures in the church, the photographers are only granted 15 minutes for said pictures before the “church lady” rushes us out.<br />In the Big Easy, part of the nature of the beast is being able to get the job done in a timely manner without rushing the bride and groom all the while still being creative and getting the perfect shot. Although some of the out-of-town talent that I’ve seen did the research and learned how to adjust to the New Orleans way, my suggestion for the girls out there who want something “different” is to dive into the local pool and meet with your photographer. Talk to him or her about what is visually important to you. There are cons to some of the photographers who do weddings here every weekend, but most of the time their attitudes and inabilities to be flexible are where they fall short, but being creative and capturing what you want in the creative way that you want it is something that can be fixed with a simple conversation. <br />Before you rush out to pay double the price for a photographer that may make you miss half of your special day, dig deeper into the locals who are just as great as the “fresh eye” you think you’ll be bringing in. Sometimes they just need a push to realize how far they can stretch their imaginations. And for the local shutterbugs who aren’t willing to get more creative and less rigid, you can find another photographer just around the corner who has the experience to know that this industry is ever changing, the courage to take risks when it comes to his or her creativity and the flexibility to roll with the punches. <br />Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-41338471669679395812011-06-09T17:47:00.002-05:002011-06-09T17:53:10.058-05:00The OnesieI had a wedding a few weeks ago and everything was perfect, if I do say so myself. The bride was dressed in a $10,000 Maggie Sottera gown, while the bridesmaids pranced around in their purple Vera Wang floor length formals, with the groomsmen sporting simple, formal, black tuxedos and the 1 year old baby who was not on the guest list showed off her best animal-printed onesie!! Did I mention is was 11:30pm when the mother of the child decided to bring this animal-printed baby on the dance floor with the bride and groom who specifically stated on their invitation “Adult Reception?”<br /> <br />In case there are parents out there that do not know what I am getting at, here’s the point. First, it’s 11:30pm; why is there a 1 year old hanging out at a party at this time of night? Secondly, why do people feel that the rules do not apply to them just because they have children? If I wanted to bring 5 guests instead of my “plus 1” wouldn’t I be considered rude for that? Third, an animal print onesie – I have no comment!<br /><br />Whether or not children should be invited to wedding receptions is a totally different topic all together. Children involved in weddings as a general subject seems to get a bit sticky for almost every couple that I’ve worked with or known when planning their weddings. I think it’s each person’s right to decide whether or not they invite or involve children in their special day but, trust me, I will have a future entry expressing my thought on that matter. Currently, my issue is with the guests/parents who ignore the couple’s wishes to not include little ones.<br /><br />Speaking for myself, as a guest who does not have children (but does have a lot of friends and a puppy), is it appropriate for me to bring my “wolf pack” all because I think everyone should support my lifestyle? I understand that sometimes a babysitter is hard to find, but it doesn’t mean that you disregard the hosts of a party and bring the person they asked you not to bring. As a parent, there are some things that you miss out on and perhaps this wedding was one thing the parent of this “printed princess” should have missed.<br /><br />My biggest issue with this specific situation is that the child was the bride’s niece (she was the bride’s brother’s baby). While some of you might think that makes the situation worse on the part of the bride, I think it makes it worse on the part of the parents. The bride was confronted by her brother and sister-in-law before the wedding and they expressed their desire to have their child in attendance and at that point, the bride explained why she decided not to include her niece. As far as we were concerned, the issue was over and done with, but I guess people will do what they wanna! The fact is this isn’t the only time this has happened and in some other cases, the children have been older – running around, screaming, jumping in pictures, sliding on the dance floor and all the while not realizing that their parents have turned them into “wedding crashers.”<br /><br />Parents out there, please, try to think about your wedding day. Think about the things that were important to you. Maybe it was most important to you to have purple flowers and fried oysters. What if the florist decided that she was in a pink mood that day so that’s what she brought and the chef decided that if he slipped in fried shrimp instead, no one would notice? To some people, their guest list takes precedence and, while I’m sure your child is just lovely, it’s not personal so stop making it about your children and start thinking of other people. I’m sure that when you got married, your friends were at your wedding drinking, dancing and concentrating on you. Give them the same courtesy. After all, people are inviting you to their event because you are a person that they are friends with, not because you are the mother of “Anna Animal Print”! <br />Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-54756970311625072282011-05-13T15:28:00.001-05:002011-05-13T15:28:46.902-05:00Calling It OffRecently I’ve had conversations with several different people regarding the same wedding related topic which leads me to believe that it is time to cover a subject that most brides will feel does not apply to them, until it does. The topic that I am referring to is the ever delicate” calling off the wedding”. How do you do it, when do you know you should do it and what about the money already spent on the wedding? Not to mention, what do you do with gifts that have already been received?<br /><br />Since I myself fell into the category of brides who thought they would only be engaged once, I can give you some first-hand answers and advice that I hope will help the confused brides realize that sometimes calling off the wedding can be a lot less stressful than going through with a marriage that is being questioned before you even make it down the aisle.<br /><br />So how do you know when it’s right to get married? Unfortunately I do not have one clear answer for that, but I can tell you that for me, I knew the wedding was bigger than the marriage. When I took a minute to stop thinking about the wedding day and thought about the days after the wedding; you know, when the honeymoon was over and we had to live together and raise a family, I realized that I was caught up in the planning of the wedding while the planning of the marriage had clearly stopped. I realized quickly that we were moving in two different directions, and I considered myself lucky to have admitted it before we took such a serious step.<br /><br />After the decision has been made, what about the vendors and the money that’s been paid? Nine times out of ten, the money that you’ve already spent on the wedding is gone never to be seen again. But in rare cases, such as mine, deposits can be used toward another event. I was very lucky in the fact that my photographer, venue and florist all put my previously paid deposits toward my actual wedding, which took place two years after I called off the first one. Often times, the sooner you tell the vendor about the cancelation the better chance they have at rebooking the date and that leaves you a better chance of either getting your deposit back or being able to use it toward a later event. In most cases though, you should assume that the money is gone and will not be used again – so be prepared for that as each vendor has their own policy and it is typically listed in the contract. Especially when it comes to the venue, read the contract because it lists interim payments and minimum guaranteed payments that you are locked into once you sign and are due whether you end up having your event there or not. <br /><br />The vendors are one thing, but what’s the proper way to handle gifts that were already received from guests and family members? If they are wedding gifts, they must be returned, plain and simple. If you had an engagement party or a shower and the gift can be returned, you should return it, but obviously if you’ve already used the gift, there’s nothing you can do. For example, I had an engagement party the first time around, but I did not call off the wedding until 5 months later so a lot of the gifts had already moved into the place we would live and were being used by the should-have-been groom. The gifts that were not yet touched were given back at the time we called the wedding off. <br /><br />The money lost and the awkwardness of returning a gift seem to be the only things that stick into the heads of the brides or grooms who may be second guessing their decision to get married. Trust me, it is not an easy decision to come to and the months following are filled with hurt feelings, bitter questions and empty pockets. I once heard a girl talking about her wedding saying “I just keep thinking that I’ll go thru with it without thinking, like taking medicine, and then it’s just done and I’ll be fine.” The thought of this girl going to her parents and telling them that she did not want to get married after all was too much for her to consider, and that’s usually the reason people go thru with something that they question so heavily. <br /><br />One of the biggest things I’ve realized by being in this business and opening up about my own experiences is that this happens a lot more often than people like to talk about. And it also enters the mind of a bride more than she’d like to admit, but I can also attest to the fact that the brides who followed their hearts and postponed or called off the wedding all together have been more grateful for their strength than the bride who wished she would have spoken up. I was amazed by the number of girls who came to me after I called my wedding off who told me that they thought about not going thru with their wedding up until the second they walked down the aisle. Those girls were all divorced within the first five years being married. On the other hand, the vast majority of girls I know who have called off their weddings are now happily married and had beautiful weddings (and despite the fact that all of our parents swore they would not pay for another wedding – they did)!Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213098239335781464.post-6640831614529527092011-05-06T10:49:00.003-05:002011-05-06T11:37:30.643-05:00For a very special mother this mother's day......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4bE1UUTkUpF-vjKIUqsTq-ajOow2MsLnVpdPQYpEC9FToaaqxoz3binjlBbegaYq_U5MwqXbm9EFaRkih_SgfShzkeJ5-Bk1f97VHFMu8U9PB2BTmFxyv4OX-jy9liDHsqERpBZgYT5P/s1600/Traci+n+nan.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4bE1UUTkUpF-vjKIUqsTq-ajOow2MsLnVpdPQYpEC9FToaaqxoz3binjlBbegaYq_U5MwqXbm9EFaRkih_SgfShzkeJ5-Bk1f97VHFMu8U9PB2BTmFxyv4OX-jy9liDHsqERpBZgYT5P/s200/Traci+n+nan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603642442031632642" /></a><br />This week’s blog is dedicated to my aunt who lost her battle with cancer two months ago. While going through her pictures in preparation for her memorial, we found her wedding album with all of her old receipts and planning details. I thought it might be fun to share the information from the past with all of you and take a look back at how pricing and details have changed when compared to today! In light of the fact that it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday and also the 1 year wedding anniversary for my cousin Traci, I thought I would compare my aunt’s retro wedding to her daughter’s more current affair.<br /><br />First and foremost, just to give a reference of the difference in financial status, the average salary in 1974 was $8,030.76, according to the national average wage index. In 2009 (since 2010 has yet to be updated), the average salary was $40,711.61 – that’s 5 times the money that was being made in a 35 year span.<br /><br />My aunt was married on May 18, 1974. Her invitation had a picture of a bride and a groom kissing on the front of it and the scenery appears to be a forest of some sort, which already screams “1970’s.” She was married at St. Christopher Church in Metairie and had her reception at the Champagne Room on Jefferson Highway, which was one of the most expensive reception halls at that time, according to my mother! The church, from my mother’s memory, was free as long as you paid the priest and gave “a little something” to the altar boys. My aunt had a 3 hour reception for 300 guests and the package included food, alcohol, the wedding cake, engraved napkins, coffee service and the use of palm trees, which was apparently serious back then! The service charge was 15% and the grand total - $1656.25 (which breaks down to $5.52/head)<br /><br />Her daughter, Traci, was married on May 8, 2010. Her invitation was on plain ivory thicker card stock with black print which is more traditional in this millennium – no picture, no fold, just a straight forward invitation! She was married at St. Patrick’s Church in New Orleans and her reception was at the Chicory on South Peters, which was brand new at the time of Traci’s wedding. St. Patrick’s charged $2,000.00 plus a coordinator fee, plus a fee to the music director and “a little something” for the priest. She had a 3 hour reception for 275 guests, which included food, alcohol, tables, chairs and linens, but no palm trees, however the Chicory provided potted plants for Traci to use if she do desired and she did!<br />Service charge is now 20% and the grand total was almost $25,000 (which breaks down to $90/head tax and tip included)<br /><br />My aunt purchased her invitations from Gem Printing, who is still in business and a company that I use regularly today. As a matter of fact, Traci ordered her invitations from GEM as well! For my aunt, 200 invitations and printed envelopes totaled $47.18. For Traci, 175 invitations, printed envelopes and thank you cards totaled $175. The most remarkable thing about finding the Gem Printing receipt was not the price. It was the fact that the receipt is exactly the same in 1974 as it is today – the only difference is the address!<br /><br />Some other comparable prices were the photographer which was $140 for my aunt and $1800 for Traci. Something that I found interesting about the photographer’s contract back then is that you paid the photographer in full once you picked up your product, not before the wedding/on the day of your wedding, and your order was ready 6 weeks after the wedding. Today, IF the photographer has the pictures ready, the bride certainly has not picked her pictures in enough time to produce an album 6 weeks after a wedding. The only other receipt I found was for flowers. I did not find a total for my aunt’s final order, but I can tell you that her bouquet was $15.00 versus Traci’s which was $150.00.<br /><br />What we can learn from this look back is that although the average salary has increased by 5 times the amount it was 35 years ago, the cost of a wedding has increased by a heck of a lot more. The reception alone is more than 10 times the amount today as it was in the 70’s. I think there are several contributing factors to why weddings have become so commercial and out of control, but one of those factors has to be the very generation that this blog goes out to: The Baby Boomers. The moms that got married when my aunt got married and grew up in the same time when times were tough, money was tight and women did not have their own money. Now, moms want to give their daughters everything they had and then some and since a lot of these women work, they can do just that. So next time you are fighting with your mother over wedding decisions, remember that they just want more for you, although how far these moms will go is a different entry all together. We can at least give them reprieve this weekend – it is Mother’s Day after all!Kelly Sherlockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01807776364412718158noreply@blogger.com2