Category Archives: sassy saundra

is the wedding industry ripping you off?

This may be a potential controversial blog post, yet hopefully a teaching one. Then we’ll get back to other wedding goodness.

Why is there a perception that the wedding industry is there to rip you off? Are we?

I get it. It’s one day. And to invest that kind of money, for just one day, to some, may seem unreasonable. Then there are others that have dreamed of this day and either have or will find the financial means to make sure it is a day for them to remember.

It’s all relative.

What is expensive to me, may be inexpensive to you. What I find what is important to me to spend my money on, may not be what you feel is important.

Remember Mrs. Field’s cookies when they first came out? Seriously, that was one expensive chocolate chip cookie. Flour, sugar, chocolate chips and an oven. But they flew off their counters because consumers deemed them to be something they wanted, needed and enjoyed.

Have you considered that your wedding is actually assisting with stimulating the economy? Mostly stimulating local businesses that EMPLOY people in your area.

Listen, whatever the budget amount you spend on your wedding is absolutely at your discretion. Just please don’t buy into that hype that wedding vendors are all here to “rip you off”. We serve a purpose for those that wish to purchase from us and we’re just like you. We have families, bills and a passion for weddings.

elopement :: is it for everyone?

Elopement is a personal choice. I understand why some would want to do it. In fact, the truth be told, my husband and I were planning a sort of elopement before we got married. It was a situation that my parents were not exactly thrilled (although they have since recounted that decision) about me marrying my husband. There was not the support that we wanted, and I would not be deterred. I married at 25 years old, definitely old enough to make my own decisions.

We had planned on marrying at a resort in California with only our maid of honor and best man. Everything was set.

Then my mom went back into the hospital. It all changed. I realized that family there to support us was paramount to leaving and getting married and bringing back photos.

So, in four short months, I totally changed our plans (thank goodness I was a corporate event planner at the time, NOT a wedding planner, but I had the skills).

In the end, it was the best decision and my family was totally on board with being present and enjoying seeing us taking our vows. Because we paid for our own wedding, it was small (which is what I wanted) and exactly what we had wanted (that’s what you get when you pay for your own wedding).

The reason this all came to mind, I was watching the Real Housewives of Orange County this week (don’t judge me). Vicki’s daughter went to Las Vegas and on a whim, got married to her boyfriend. Someone who Vicki barely had met in the past and didn’t know.

Immediately, I went to my son (who is about to turn 16 years old and was a little confused at the conversation), and informed him how incredibly disappointed I would be if he eloped. He promised he wouldn’t.

Not because I want to throw a lavish wedding, like many of our clients plan. But because I would be hurt to the core not to be present at his nuptials. He is my only child. I have to be there. Whether I like the person he has chosen, or not. If he is old enough to make the decision, I want to be there for that important event of his life. Weddings ARE about family. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes … it’s not that good.

This is a little rant and it is not to put down others who elope. But please, take into consideration everything. Changing our wedding plans was the best decision we ever made. My father walked me down the aisle, both my brothers were present, my husband’s sister was there and our true, personal friends. It made all the difference in the world … as we move to celebrate our 19 years of marriage this July 4th. I’m grateful that I had the perspective, in time, to make the right decision.

most famous weddings of 2011 (oh, and the divorces)

We have enjoyed some pretty famous weddings in 2011 and since we talk about weddings and real life here, let’s go through some of the highlights. Oh and the real life, I’ll hit on the divorces as well. Enter: sad face.

Top 2011 Marriages:

1. Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge Oh yeah, this was definitely the biggest shin-dig all year long. It also launched me into mini-stardom by having the opportunity to co-host Local 7 morning show for 45 minutes. The most watched wedding in years and one that everyone had an opinion on.

2. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries Ugh, we had to add this. Of course it was watched, although I still have yet to catch it. I’m sure it’s being burned in the editing room somewhere. More about this farce of a marriage below in divorces.

3. Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Personally, I had doubt about these two, but after they both took home the gold at the latest CMA show, I think they may be a powerhouse to be reckoned with. Much like Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Hope they can keep themselves grounded.

4. Prince Albert and Charlene Whitstock Less popular to many, Prince Albert’s parents were Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III). This was the first royal wedding for this country in a jillion years. Was he named after the prank telephone joke, Prince Albert in a Can?

and now we are off Second Time’s a Charm (marriage number two or more….)

5. Shania Twain and Frederic Thiebaud Good for Shania. She has always been a favorite of mine, although I wish she had never recorded, “Any Man of Mine”, which happens to be the most popular song wailed by drunk women at karaoke bars. And it is sung extremely poorly, every single time.

6. Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth I just love Reese and have no idea who her husband is. Therefore, it will probably last.

7. Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo Love this couple. Pretty sure Vanessa knows that Chicken of the Sea is not chicken in a can. Smart and savvy, both of them! And I did see the wedding on TV. Absolutely beautiful, even when they both jumped in the pool with wedding attire on!

8. LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian Congrats LeAnn, you married a total DB. Good luck with this. Expect to see you both in the Divorce List shortly….

Top 2011 Divorces:

1. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries Congratulations you two. You win the most Ridiculous Wedding of the Year award, followed up by the most Ridiculous Divorce of the Year award 72 days later. I wish all the wedding vendors that gave you free stuff would send you a bill.

2. JLo and Marc Anthony Um, the only shocker is that it didn’t happen sooner. Never saw “it” with them.

3. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher They tricked me, thought they may start to have a chance. Oh. And. Dear Nikon: Dump Ashton cause he’s a loser and does nothing for the image of your cute little cameras which have been replaced by my iPhone. Mmm,k?

4. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver Wow. Power couple and after so many years. Arnold probably blames the ‘roids for his infidelities.

5. Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson Ok, I didn’t even know they were married. I prefer to always think of Ryan Reynolds as a single, hot man. Just makes me happy.

6. Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxleitner Called it quits after SIXTEEN years of marriage? I did catch Melissa recently on live TV, she has had so much work done to her face, she looks like a 18 year old. Now it makes sense…. Pa Ingall would be disappointed.

7. Tareq Salahi and Michaela Salahi You have to be a Real Housewives fan to know this couple, and this divorce sent me clapping and laughing with glee like a comedian with instant material. I know, I’m horrible. But seriously the weirdest two people that you’ll ever watch on TV. Poor Tareq ran out of money and lies to tell, so Michaela (super loyal) ran away with Neal Schon, a guitarist from Journey. Really?

8. Hulk Hogan and Linda Boella This gets mentioned only because they truly filed in 2009 and JUST NOW finally reached a settlement. Can you spell “bitter divorce”?

source: The Washington Post Lifestyle

ps Don’t forget to vote for your favorite couple to win a Wedding Day Management Service! It’s still going!

pss Featured photo from: lifefashionfy.com

recap on the Royal Wedding…

It’s here. The Super Bowl for wedding planners. The Championship Game. The Grand Finale.

Duke William and Dutchess Catherine of Cambridge have tied the knot.

Now there will be A LOT of recaps. Photos of the dress, the wedding cake, the kiss … blah, blah, blah. But that’s not how we roll here at planning…forever events. Nope, let’s talk about things most people won’t say. Out loud.

A few random thoughts:

• Pippa Middleton’s dress, just about upstaged Catherine’s wedding dress (which was perfect for her under the circumstances of getting married in an uber-uptight, albeit beautiful, Westminster Abbey).
• The Priest that was marrying William and Catherine had awful hat hair when he took off that huge hat. It was distracting.
• Loved that William had trouble getting the ring on Catherine’s finger. Wonder if she had some fish and chips last night? Salt does make the fingers puffy. It was a REAL moment.
• When William whispered, “You look beautiful” at the altar, yup. I lost it. Glad I was holding kleenex anyway.
• I think I caught the Queen sleeping during the ceremony. Or perhaps she was intently staring at her lap. Or memorized by her super yellow dress.
• What happened to Prince and Princess title? Kinda a let down with the Duke and Dutchess title, which was a gift from the Queen. This is what you get when you don’t have a real gift registry.
• You know what else was distracting? Some of the most atrocious hats that has ever been seen in public. If some lady sat in front of me at one of the most important weddings of the century, where the guest list had to be pared down to an intimate gathering of 1,900 people (*snort*), there would be a beat down, I assure you.

Lastly on this incredibly long yet exciting day …. special thanks to Lauren Matter, anchor for WTVW Fox 7 AM Evansville who invited me to co-anchor the Royal Wedding Recap. Even though I do a on-air segment weekly, this was super fun and I got to sit at the “big girl’s desk”.

Congrats again to the beautiful couple and England!

why the royal wedding 2011 is a big deal…

For all the people that are rolling their eyes and exhaling loudly about the Royal Wedding nausea of news … let me see if I can break this down for you.

It’s more than just a “wedding”. Yes, as wedding vendors we love to chat up the dress, flowers, etc. It’s what we do.

This wedding is huge for England and the world. Women, (Queens, Princesses, First Lady) often become “the face” of a country. We are comforting, beautiful and compassionate. The soon to be Princess Kate will do that for her country.

Princess Diana was the first to change how the Monarchy was perceived. She made it the Modern Monarchy, more approachable and definitely real. Remember she would take William and Harry to McDonalds to help them have as normal of a childhood as possible. Honestly, I think Diana was an “American” deep in her soul.

Prince William and Princess Kate will take this Modern Monarchy to even the next level. I expect to see them acting very differently with how they live and interact with the country. Which is a great thing. Everything moves forward … and I can’t wait to watch.