Vendors - Don't Be Like The Hookah-Smoking Caterpillar

I haven't seen the latest Hollywood remake of "Alice in Wonderland," but ever since childhood I’ve delighted in Lewis Carroll’s dark fantasy tale of that down-the-rabbit-hole world in which things get, as Alice aptly puts it, “Curiouser and curiouser.”

Remember when poor Alice, disoriented but plucky, meets a Caterpillar sitting atop a mushroom puffing a hookah? She’s hoping for friendly conversation, but the Caterpillar nonplusses her by curtly and haughtily asking: “Who . . . are . . . you?”

When I arrive at a reception site, I greet the other vendors -- site coordinator, banquet manager, photographer -- in a friendly manner. If they respond curtly or brusquely or give me one of those "I can't be bothered" looks, they remind me of that Caterpillar.

My goal is to establish a good working relationship with all the wedding vendors. After all, even though we might not know each other and we work for different companies and have different roles at the reception, we need to work together as a team that night!

Fortunately, the vast majority of vendors “get it.” They appreciate the friendly greeting, the exchange of pleasantries, the sharing of information, the promise of teamwork, and even a bit of camaraderie. But, yes, there are some who give the other vendors that rude “Who . . . are . . . you?” treatment, like that silly, pompous Caterpillar.

10 Things I'm Thankful For

Some random things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving, in no particular order (except for the first) …..

(1) My son (the light of my life, and he’s coming back east to visit for the holiday!)

(2) The Enlightenment (it was, and still is, a great idea!)

(3) O.V. Wright & the Hi Rhythm Section of Memphis (who recorded the deepest soul music ever!)

(4) The Baltimore Orioles (although they’ve been bad so long, I still remember the good years!)

(5) Trees (any of them and all of them – including the Ents)

(6) The Marx Brothers (Groucho, Chico, and Harpo – but not Zeppo or Karl)

(7) Roast turkey (why do we have to wait until Thanksgiving to eat real turkey – so delicious! – rather than that processed, tasteless stuff served on sandwiches the other 364 days of the year!)

(8) My collection of the Complete Works of Mark Twain (to me, reading him is like sharing quality time with an old friend!)

(9) The neighborhood where I live, Takoma Park, Maryland (I love the look and feel of the place, the way everyone’s house and front yard is different!)

(10) All my wonderful clients who accord me the pleasure and privilege of helping to make their wedding celebrations fun and memorable!


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In Praise of Autumn Weddings

I love autumn weddings, because I love autumn.

There is a chill in the air, which can be invigorating. But not the bitter cold of winter. The autumn air is often crisp, autumn night skies often clear.

It’s a time of harvesting, gathering, bringing things home. A time celebrated with hearty food and the soothing aromas of spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. The start of the holiday season, with Thanksgiving and Christmas waiting in the wings.

There is a slight tinge of sadness in the air in autumn. Yet it is a beautiful kind of sadness – for as the leaves dry up and just before they fall, they give us those exquisite bursts of warm browns, orange, golden, and red. The color palette of autumn foliage is one of the beauties of nature. And we understand that the trees aren’t dying, they’re just going through a natural cycle, leading to the rebirth of all the greenery in the spring.

There is something cozy about an autumn wedding. With winter approaching, we’ll be spending more time indoors, doing cozy, intimate things. For a newly married couple, that means lots of quality time cuddled up together, curled up in front of a fire, enjoying the warmth of your home and of each other’s arms.

THE BIG PICTURE

You can find a lot of practical advice about all the details involved in wedding planning. You can immerse yourself in the particulars of floral arrangements, music selections, honeymoon destinations, and wedding dresses. You can refine your guest list, decide if your meal should be seated or buffet, determine who walks up the aisle in your processional and in what order. You can pick your first dance and last dance, and many of the songs in between.

But while attending to these -- and many more -- specifics, don't forget THE BIG PICTURE.

When it comes to your wedding day, the big picture has to do with love ... with celebration ... with dear friends and family.

So if you're feeling too much stress when planning your wedding -- if "sweating the details" has you breaking out in a sweat -- try to relax, take a break, and bathe yourself in the refreshing joyfulness of it all.