Gratitude Week - Day 2.

Today I am most grateful for people willing to help. The past few months have been insane with trying to juggle school, work and wedding plans. I have had a lot of offers for help which has been incredibly life-saving. There are also those who are wonderful at reassuring me that everything will work out, and work out well, in the end. Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who keep me going!

Gratitude Week - Day 1.

This may seem rather trivial and mundane, but with the recent downpour of water from the sky, umbrellas have been a tremendous blessing. There are varieties of styles, colors and patterns that can make them a fashion statement as well as a useful gadget. Keeping you dry, you don't have to worry about fixing your hair or make-up, clothes soaking, or the rain ruining materials you are carrying. They are wonderful things that help prevent sickness from being wet and cold, and time/money spent on repairing damaged materials.

Gratitude Week.

With rainy weather, impatience building for the upcoming wedding, finals, and trying to find a job so my new husband and I can support each other, life has become a little bleak and for the lack of a better word, very tense. So my goal this week is to submit to you, dear reader, something I am grateful for in hopes to brighten the mood of a rather dark sky.

What it is like to be a Bride - Professional Relations

Something I struggle with is being rude to people. I don't want to make anyone feel stupid, unwanted, undervalued or second best. Even sales-people. They are just as much of a person as your friends are. But one thing I learned about people who are in the wedding business, whether retail, artistic or vendor, is that they see hundreds of brides. The wedding business is all about checking out your options, shopping around and coming back for a second look. Feel free to check things out as often as you want, and talk to lots of people. Just tell them you aren't ready to make a decision (thanking them for their help of course) and you will get back to them. If the person you work with is professional, they will be more than willing to let you think about something before you decide and won't push you. And if they do, you can tell them "no". If they get offended, don't take it personally because they'll be seeing a different bride soon enough.

Scholars

When you hear the phrase "Scholars believe...", or "Scholars think...", what should really be said is the following:

"Scholars found a miniscule piece of evidence about one circumstance during a single period of time in one group of people, that leads them to believe that this group of people at this single point in time did this certain thing at least once in their life-time. BUT, it should also be noted that this person might be lying or imagining an event or circumstance. Also, keep in mind that during translation or interpretation there can be many synonyms for a word that could change the entire message trying to be given. Mostly we just guess and try to say something that sounds logical and intelligent."

What it is like to be a Bride - Psychological Well-Being

You're planning the biggest event of your life. The day you will be the most beautiful you've ever been, or ever will be. Everyone you love will be coming to see you, and you want to impress them. Hundreds of couples are married daily, just in your city alone; You HAVE to be unique.

NO PRESSURE, right?

First of all, you need to acknowledge that nothing ever a) is perfect, b) goes as planned, c) turns out exactly how you expect.

Next, don't try to compete with anyone else. Be it magazines, the wedding you went to last week, or even with your dream wedding in your head. Make decisions based on who you are, what your resources are and what is available. You may not be able to afford 3 dresses, or live doves. Dresses for your bridesmaids may not come in the exact color you want. There are thousands of beautiful options of styles, flowers, and color combinations. Accept reality (see previous paragraph). You can still have a beautiful wedding even if it's not just how you have pictured it since you were 4.

Most importantly, remember that this day is about you and the man you love. Make it a day that the both of you will enjoy and will love to reflect on. It's about happiness, not stress. He is the reason for this endeavor. Share it with him. Whatever happens, as long as the two of you are together all will be well.

There are hundreds of things on your to-do list. Take them one at a time, make a schedule of when things need to be done and do them. You'll be amazed how much gets done just a step at a time.

Make sure you are nurturing this relationship you are about to tie yourself too. Don't get too caught up in all the planning and leave the poor man standing alone. He's the important part, your number ONE priority. Schedule dates and don't talk about the wedding. Remember that he's the shelter, not the storm. Let him help you through your stress, don't take it out on him.

Planning one of the biggest events of your life, which happens to be one of the biggest changes in your life can be overwhelming and scary. But keep a good attitude, and remember that one day (sooner than you think), it will all be over and you'll be with the man you love.

What it is like to be a Bride - Choose your battles

It is impossible to please everyone. IMPOSSIBLE. With 20 family members, there are 20 different ideas and choices. This event is supposed to highlight you and the groom, so make it what you like. But there are some things you should be prepared to budge on. Insist on the dress you want to wear, but let grandma chose your veil. Insist on the style of cake, but let some people give their two-cents for flavors. People want to be involved, not just told what they can and can't do, just like you. So, decide what is most important to you and let other people help make decisions. No one likes a bridezilla.

What it is like to be a Bride - Style Choices

A theme is the best way to make everything work for one purpose at any party. BBQ hot dogs don't go well with a black-tie affair. Since this is your wedding, it should reflect your personality. But there are a few warnings in choosing your theme and colors.

1. Do the colors you like go together well? You may love purple and orange, but side-by-side the colors are hideous. Choose colors that compliment each other in some way and will make a pleasing presentation.
2. Are there actual objects made in the colors you chose? You may love chartreuse, but no one makes a chartreuse bridesmaid dress. If you choose an odd color, you'll be stuck with custom making most of the clothing and decorations. If you want a certain color of shoe, keep in mind the same thing. There aren't many purple or green shoes in the world. 
3. Do people look good wearing these colors? If you have a few red-headed bridesmaids, making them wear orange is cruel. Make sure the people wearing the colors will feel comfortable in your choices.
4. Clothing styles: Do the girls feel ugly in the style of dress you chose? Do the men feel uncomfortable in the tux cut you chose? This IS your big day, but the people who are sharing the day with you will want to enjoy themselves too. Don't insist on something that no one feels comfortable with. 

What it is like to be a Bride - Reception Venue

There are many factors to keep in mind when choosing the venue for one's reception. First of all, location. Is it easy to find? If people don't know how in the world to get somewhere, they probably won't make the journey. Is it near the location of the guests? If they have to make an hour drive, again you will lose guests. Is it comfortable and clean? Will the atmosphere fit the theme of your wedding? If you're a city-girl, looking at barns probably won't suit your tastes. Is it big enough for all your guests? Is there anything annoying about the venue that you think will bother you? For example, a few places I visited had fountains. They were beautiful but the sound of running water drove me nuts. The thought of combining that noise with music was unbearable. What can you stand to lose? You love the atmosphere, but they don't have the kind of food you like? Weigh the pros and cons, decide what you can live without, and what you have to have. This is a good general ideal for just about everything to do with wedding decisions. For a reception place, convenience and comfort will be your biggest blessings. Helpful people, easy resources and a comfortable atmosphere.