I used to dislike wedding cake. But then I sampled some truly good recipes, from bakeries who know their stuff. Here’s what I like about these local bakeries:

Dewey’s Bakery:  A few years ago, this famous Winston-Salem bakery gained a real star. Pastry chef Katy Hites revitalized their offerings and created new designs, all in their effort to redesign the wedding cake department at Dewey’s. Their Wedding Cake Boutique is now open at 224 S. Cherry Street in downtown Winston-Salem. Katy works with brides to design and create the perfect cake for their special day, offering a variety of traditional and contemporary cake designs, icings, fillings and more. They deliver to locations through the Triad, but, like most bakeries, do include a delivery fee.

One thing I love about Katy is she is very personable and friendly. She shares her thoughts in a very welcoming and warm manner inside the cake studio and really gets to know her clients. And one thing I love about Dewey’s is they give brides a free and fresh one year anniversary cake! (This is truly a special and rare treat!)

My personal favorite is pumpkin spice in the fall and pink lemonade in the summer. Here are some photos of Katy’s great designs.

To set up a private consultation and tasting for wedding cakes with Katy, please call (336) 397-5587 or email katy@deweys.com.

Maxie B’s Bakery & Dessert Cafe: They have been in Greensboro for 25 years and each day they have fresh cakes on display for customers to try. All of their cakes are made from scratch, and they like to refer to their style as “Southern”. They are able to design a wedding cake to feed any size group, from 2 to hundreds. Shannon Barbee is their wedding cake specialist who conducts the Bridal Consultations. They are very personal and in-depth, one-on-one chats where Shannon talks you through all the possibilities for your cake design. This consultation does come at a $50 fee, but if you book with them you can apply that towards your deposit.

I love the flexibility of Maxie B’s and their ability to stretch the boundaries of cake design to fit with any creative idea brides have. I’ve seen tons of interesting designs from them and tasted several that are simply wonderful.

I happen to love their lemon almond buttercream cake, but also cannot resist their caramel cake. Here are some pictures:

Feel free to email Shannon Barbee (Shannon@maxieb.com) if you are interested in setting up a Bridal Consultation; these are held Monday through Saturday.

Cakes by Manfred: Manfred Schmidt has been making cakes in Kernersville out of his home bakery for about 10 years. He is very passionate about what he does and will explain to you his process for creating the perfect cake. He is limited in the amount of cakes he makes each week, because he insists on delivering the cakes himself. He thinks this a very important task — that your cake arrives at your wedding in perfect condition — and does not trust anyone else to handle this part of the process. Personally, this makes me feel great!

Manfred makes his cakes with traditional European buttercream. His European culinary training has taught him to focus more on the cake taste with a light, airy icing, and incorporates cake fillings. He does not believe in using the more American style of oils and sugars in his icing, and for this reason, has a truly unique taste. He is one of two certified pastry chefs in our area (Katy at Dewey’s is the other) and has over 30 years experience in designing and creating cakes all over the country and the world. His initial consultation is free and some of his delicious fillings include: apricot rum, pineapple, tiramisu, strawberry amaretto, khalua, and grand maniere.

I love Manfred’s Mocha and Tiramisu cake as well as his Strawberry Amaretto. Here are some pictures of his designs:

You can call Manfred to set up an appointment: 336-993-3985.

One thing that sometimes gets overlooked in wedding planning is sending out “Save-the-Dates.” Though these are not required, a lot of brides choose to send them. If you are thinking about it or have decided to do Save-the-Dates, keep reading for some tips and some fun ideas you can try.

• What is a Save-the-Date?
  An announcement of your wedding date that precedes your formal wedding invitation.
• Why Should I send a Save-the-Date?
  It is imperative to send advance notice of your wedding date if you are planning a destination wedding, a wedding weekend, during holiday seasons or busy travel times.
• When should I mail them?
  You will want to order your formal invitations around 6-7 months prior to your wedding date. This is generally the time to send out save-the-dates, since they are typically done in conjunction with the formal invites. Plus, the more you order, the bigger discount they will give you. If you’re planning on doing save-the-dates yourself, they should still be sent out 6-7 months prior to the wedding. If you are having a destination wedding, make it 7-8 months prior.
• Should I include “& Guest” on the save-the-date?
  I think you should always be clear about who you are inviting to your wedding. Don’t want your distant relatives to bring their girlfriend of the month? Don’t put “& Guest,” just address it to your relative. However, if you are encouraging friends to bring their significant others, include their full names on the envelopes (no & Guest for people you know or are close to you!)

Here are some fun ideas for Save-the-Dates:

Sidewalk chalk isn't just for kids!

I love this idea. Get someone to photograph you from above (your professional photographer you’ve hired for your wedding will be perfect and you can add this to your engagement session).

You don’t need to add too much text, just the date and your names.

  Here’s another clever use of photography from ISWP.    

Match books are fun and small. They won’t require much postage!

Twig & Thistle Etsy shop

A current trend is to take a picture of the bride and groom and either spell out the date (left), “Save-the-Date” (right), or include some personal photos with a message (below). I love the creative use of cut out letters and numbers. You will also want to start your color theme here.

Because I’m such a book lover, I especially love the creative use of books and words from books in Save-the-Dates. It is especially nice if you can include your favorite books and authors. Add a nice literary quote to the bottom with the date and your names.

This is good if you’re well-known readers, or if you’re having a literary-themed wedding. A literary quote is nice if your family is not particularly religious, or if there are multiple religions represented and you don’t wish to offend anyone.

Poetry from Pablo Neruda (left) or someone like Shakespeare appeals to everyone world-wide.

Here’s another clever idea that you can make yourself. Print out a postcard size card with the date and details you want. Then cut it into a puzzle pattern and mail.

1. It’s all about planning. It really is. If you plan ahead of time, you won’t feel as stressed. Make sure you set yourself little tasks to do in the weeks prior to the event so that you’re not trying to do everything the day before. What are some small things you can get ready ahead of time and what are those last-minute things that you’ll have to do?

2. Make a list. I live my life by lists, and it’s not just because I’m anal and a control freak. I really have an easier time keeping track of all I have to do if I have a list to go by. A list helps you sort out tasks that you can delegate (to a reluctant husband, usually) and set a time frame for getting things done.

3. Leave yourself plenty of breathing room. As always, last-minute things come up. Plan in some extra time to put out any fires without stressing yourself out.

4. Relax. After you’ve followed your plan, checked off your list, and put out any last-minute fires, you will have plenty of time to get yourself ready and enjoy a nice cup of cider (of glass of wine!) while waiting for your guests to arrive. And for goodness sake, enjoy your party! There’s nothing worse than going to a party where the host/hostess seem stressed and tired. It’s so much easier to enjoy yourself if your host is as well.

Unless your Donald Trump, you’ve got budget constraints for your holiday party. Well, just like in wedding planning, there are ways to cut corners that are thrifty but not “cheap.” Here are some fun decorating ideas that won’t break the bank:

Image from Take the Side Street blog

I love any idea that brings nature into your decorations. They are always interesting to look at and easy to make!

This one is a centerpiece and corresponding place settings. Usually this time of year, branches need to be trimmed off the trees in your yard. If you, or your neighbor, is out doing this one day, it’s always a good idea to snag a few pieces of wood…you never know where you’ll incorporate it in decorations.

These log pieces are taken from one branch and cut at different heights. Add a very simple votive inside mason jars and simple glass candle holders and decorate with moss, pine cones, and sprigs that have fallen off your Christmas tree.

Branches off Christmas trees can also be used all around the house. When you go pick out a tree, take a plastic bag with you and pick up scraps on the ground as you shop.

Picture from Funky Junk Interiors

I love the ideas presented on Funky Junk Interiors website. They really know how to recycle old junk parts and create unique and really stunning decorations!

If you’re like me, you hate paying $50, $75, $100 on wreaths you’re just going to store in the attic for the majority of the year. This is a fun alternative you can create by stringing together canning lids. They’ve added some sprigs of evergreen to make it look like a Christmas wreath, but you could really use it year round.

Though it might not be the wreath you want on your front door, it would make a cute one to hang on the back door or in the kitchen.

You could even add some branches of berries to add color or tie a burlap bow on it.

from Martha Stewart

This is a crafty idea from Martha Stewart, who else?

You can make this craft with those same pieces of sticks you picked up outside and those pieces of Christmas trees you picked up at the tree farm.

All you need to do is print out the names of your guests, preferably on cardstock, and using your hot glue gun, glue the sticks together. The crease between the sticks will create a nice wedge where you can set the name card and decorate it with a sprig of evergreen.

 This is a great idea, because I love using hurricanes of all shapes and sizes in any kind of decorating. I also love using pine cones in the winter because they are not strictly “Christmas” and you can use them all season.

You can either use a small strand of LED Christmas lights, or a flameless candle in the bottom of the vase. Then fill it with pinecones. You can either use decorator curly sticks, or again grab them from the yard.

Then, hang icicle ornaments from the sturdy branches. The light below will reflect nicely from the icicles in the branches and it will make a lovely centerpiece or table decoration.

One benefit to learning about North Carolina’s wine history, is learning all the great wedding and event locations they provide. This post will talk a little about the history of the wine culture in North Carolina, and then will highlight a few vineyards I’ve recently visited that are sure to please anyone throwing a party or wedding.

It is an interesting history, that I feel, shows the resourcefulness of North Carolinians. I am so excited to have so many so close by, and I can’t wait to visit more of our state’s beautiful and productive vineyards and wineries! I think one of the things I love the most is that almost all the vineyards and wineries are family owned and operated. They are welcoming and make you feel like part of their family when you are visiting. 

Childress Vineyards

NASCAR owner Richard Childress’s passion for wine led him to open Childress Vineyards, with the help of nationally acclaimed winemaker Mark Friszolowski. They released their first wines in 2004 and haven’t looked back since. But the fact that the vineyard is owned by legend Richard Childress isn’t what makes this place so cool. They have a 35,000 square foot facility that rivals any Italian villa. It makes Childress an exquisite location for a dream wedding.

Misty Creek Vineyards

Misty Creek is a family owned and operated vineyard established in 2001. They are located in Mocksville, but I was surprised to get there very quickly from Winston-Salem, only about 15 minutes. I will always hold a special place in my Alabama heart for the Nichols family since Barry and Kathy lived in Hunstville, while Barry worked for NASA. What a small world! Their lovely tasting room was opened in 2009 and they also have a small lake and two pavilions on their property for weddings and events.

Shadow Springs Vineyard

Shadow Springs Vineyard is located in the Swan Creek section of the Yadkin Valley. The family owned and operated vineyard was established in 2005. Their 5,000 square foot, two-story tasting room overlooks a 2-acre pond and outdoor gazebo which is used for wedding ceremonies and events.

When thinking about who to involve in your wedding party, you should consider who you want surrounding you on the most important day of your life. There should be a few people who come to mind immediately. They should be the people you include.

But, it’s not always that easy, is it? Sometimes the groom has a female cousin he is really close to. Do you invite her to be a bridesmaid? Or, you have a friend you used to be close to but haven’t seen in 15 years. She saw on Facebook that you’re engaged and assumes she’s going to be a bridesmaid…what do you do?

Here are some specific examples of difficult situations, and ways to help you deal with them.

1. ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS EXPECTS TO BE ASKED TO BE IN YOUR WEDDING

First, talk to your friend (face-to-face is best) and explain the situation. Tell her how excited you are about your wedding, and how much you are looking forward to sharing it with her. Tell her straight up that you were only able to choose a small number of attendants (due to size of the ceremony/altar, due to the size of your/your groom’s family, or no specific reason at all) but that you would like her to be involved in another way. There are several other important duties you can assign to a good, reliable friend: guest book attendant, pass out programs, sing a solo, play an instrument, etc.

If they live out of town, you can always say something like, “I’m not going to trouble any of my friends who live out-of-town about being bridesmaids, there’s too much money and travel involved. But, I hope you will be able to attend the wedding and enjoy it as a guest without the pressure of being in the wedding party.”

The crucial thing here is to not let a friend bully you into making them a bridesmaid. If you try the subtle approach and it doesn’t work, you will have to be straightforward with her and tell her you have already chosen your bridesmaids, but you hope she will still attend the wedding.

2. YOUR BRIDESMAID IS BEING UNCOMMUNICATIVE AND UNCOOPERATIVE

from "Bridesmaids"

When someone agrees to be your bridesmaid (or any kind of attendant) they are making a big commitment. It can be expensive and time consuming. Try to remember this and think about what they’re going through outside of your wedding. Having said that, they should remember that this is your wedding that they’ve agreed to be a part of, and, there are certain duties they are expected to carryout. If you are having trouble getting in touch with a bridesmaid, or if she seems stressed out, you can give her an easy out. Say something like: “It seems like you’re really busy and stressed lately. Would you like to step down from being a bridesmaid? It wouldn’t hurt my feelings. I just want you to be able to enjoy our wedding and if this would make it easier, I certainly understand.”

But, if your bridesmaid is adamant about remaining a part of your wedding, you will have to be direct with her and say something like: “I know being a bridesmaid is time-consuming, but in order for me to have everything planned on time, I really need you to be more responsive and helpful about [insert problem here].”

The ultimate party animal...watch out!

3. THE BEST MAN IS A PARTY ANIMAL

Your groom might have some friends who are still stuck in their fraternity days. If you are worried about them being a problem at your wedding, do something ahead of time. First, talk to your fiance. Make him see your position, both socially (embarrassing!) and financially. You are liable if someone gets hurt at your wedding! If you still can’t motivate him into action, it will be up to you. Tell the groomsman you want him to have an active role in the reception, like saying a toast, but you will not allow it if he has had too much to drink. Be diplomatic, but firm.

If you are still worried, talk to your caterer, or bartender, about being especially diligent, and you should also notify your wedding planner about anyone who might be problematic.

4. YOUR MOTHER IS INSISTING…

Don't let your mom turn into this...

Brides often have arguments with their mothers about who to include in the wedding party. It’s a delicate situation, especially if your parents are footing the bill. Determine the situation and how appropriate your mom’s request is. If your mother thinks you should ask a cousin you’ve never met, then I’d say (politely, but firmly) that you’ve already chosen your bridesmaids and there isn’t room. You can use a similar tactic as you did with #1 and suggest this person be involved in another way.

If it is someone your family is very close to, someone who has always been involved in your life, then you will most likely need to invite them. Not to would be a huge slight that the family might not recover from.

13 bridesmaids is too many! (from WeddingWire)

5. FLAKY BRIDESMAIDS

If your friend is chronically late or is always getting lost…you should not ask them to be in your wedding party. If she’s your absolute best friend and you can’t imagine having your wedding without her, you’re going to have to figure out how to deal with her. To avoid disasters, make a list of assignments for her. Make a timeline complete with addresses, phone numbers, and directions to everywhere she needs to be. Reiterate the importance of being on time and go over everything with her several times. Make sure your Maid of Honor is keeping tabs on the unruly lady throughout your planning process.

Note that the best preparation for difficult attendants is to think of these things ahead of time. Don’t choose people to be involved in your wedding if they are unreliable or don’t like to share the spotlight. You wouldn’t choose a caterer for your reception that you don’t trust, right? The same thing goes for anyone involved in your wedding party.

There are many factors that go into choosing a venue. Obviously, there’s price. The venue will set the tone for your entire wedding, so you don’t want cost to be your only consideration. Here are some tips for finding the perfect venue for your wedding.

Size:
Is it large enough to accommodate (comfortably!) the amount of guests you expect to invite? If not, you have two options: 1. Cut some of those third cousins off your guest list so that you could fit everyone comfortably if everyone you invite attends, or 2. Find a different venue. Seriously…those are your only options. Do not try to fit 250 people into a space that comfortably sits 125. It will not work. Your guests will be unhappy, leave early, and you will look like a bad host.

Graylyn (left) and WinMock (right)

Availability:
The top venues are going to be very difficult to reserve. For most, you will need at least a year’s advance for booking. For this reason (and for budget reasons as well) many couples are choosing not to get married on Saturday. If you’re having a large wedding, you will most likely not want to have a weekday wedding simply because the majority of your guests will not be able to come. Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons have become very popular alternatives in the past couple of years.

Price:
Although it shouldn’t be your first consideration (after all you want a place you love!) the cost of renting the venue is unavoidably important. Regardless of the budget size you’re working with, you can expect to spend 15% of your total on reception venue rental and 3% on ceremony venue rental.

Adaumont Farm outside ceremony site by lake and indoor barn reception area

Accessibility:
As a gracious host, you will want to make sure you select a venue that is comfortable and accessible to everyone you invite to your wedding. Is parking far away from the entrance? Is parking covered or outdoors? Think of any elderly or handicapped guests you might invite and if they will be able to get around easily. Are there stairs to get inside or to get to the reception site?

Distance:
If you have a large number of guests arriving from out-of-town, or out-of-state, consider how far they will have to drive once in town. How far is the ceremony site from the reception site? Will there be transportation for out-of-town guests? Or, if the majority of your guests are in town, how far out-of-town are you asking them to drive for your wedding? Factor in traffic and alternate routes to get to the venue…because you should always plan for delays when traveling.

Childress Vineyard (left), Misty Creek Vineyard by OneShot Photography (top right), and Shadow Springs Vineyard (bottom right)

Weather:
If you want a winter wedding, you should not be considering an outdoor venue. And frankly if you live in the south, you shouldn’t consider an outdoor wedding in the summer either! (unless you have lots of fans and ice water!) If your heart is set on an outdoor venue–and there are so many lovely ones to choose from–make sure the venue has a backup plan in the case of inclement weather.

Design/Formality:
After these basic considerations, you will want to think about the look of the venue. Some brides like a ballroom feel, while some love the informality of a backyard. Every bride is different. You just have to find a place that suits your personality. Find a way to incorporate the venue’s natural reputation, while adding your unique wedding theme, in order to make it personal.

After these main points are considered, you can ask more detailed questions of the venue director or facilitator. You will always want to know things like:

1. Who is on their preferred vendor list?
2. Who will be the person on-site during the event?
3. Do you set up for the event and clean up after?
4. Do you have an alcohol license?
5. Will my wedding be the only wedding you host that day?

Probably the most valuable thing I learned that I carry with me still today is how to properly set a table.

You might not think this is a valuable skill, but it comes in handy not only when planning a wedding, but also when you’re having a dinner party. You might ask why it is important to know how to properly set a table. I can give you five good reasons:

• It is convenient. There is a reason why proper etiquette dictates you set the table a certain way. Glasses and plates are easily within reach and the wait staff can easily remove used utensils and dishes as the meal progresses.

• It shows you care about your guests. Whether you’re hosting a wedding or a dinner party, your guests like to feel welcomed. When you take the extra care to do things properly you show them that you are happy to have them at your home, event, etc.

• You can avoid unsolicited advice. You will never receive so much advice in your life than when you get engaged (perhaps while pregnant as well!). And whether you want it or not, there will be that one busybody who will bring it to your attention that the table isn’t set properly.

• Even if they don’t say anything, they will be thinking it. Again, you can avoid this by following very simple steps.

• My number one reason for following etiquette in wedding and event planning: “Weddings planned by those interested in adhering to proper etiquette run smoothly, have a greater proportion of happy guests, and, generally lead to fewer family arguments than those planned by people whose favorite catchphrases are ‘who’s going to notice?’ and ‘no one cares.’” — from The New Book of Wedding Etiquette 

In honor of this beautiful time of year, I thought I’d spend this post sharing some decorating ideas for fall weddings.  Enjoy!

First, let’s start with Fall wedding food.

Cake on left from Dewey's, Right from Maxie B's

Using leaves to decorate a cake is a common trend for fall weddings. I like how Dewey’s uses berries as well in their design. And Maxie B’s has a great use of brown without being ugly. Caramel is a good flavor for the fall.

Soup is a common food for the fall and winter. I love serving pumpkin soup inside a pumpkin shell! But thick and creamy potato and squash soups are also good choices. Pumpkin-tinis…can be great if made correctly so make sure you sample them. Hot cider is a good option, instead of coffee, for a warm drink.

A Halloween wedding can be very fun! I love this  dessert table from Amy Atlas Events. You have so many  possibilities with a Halloween wedding.

You cannot have a fall wedding without using pumpkins in your decorations or food. There is a lot you can do with pumpkins and since they are relatively cheap (much cheaper than flowers) you can get a lot of decor for little money. Try using some of these creative ways to decorate with pumpkins.

You can even use a pumpkin for an ice chest!

In addition to Halloween, you can also choose to have a Thanksgiving themed wedding. Some of the same values apply to both celebrations, so why not? You can include harvest time by bringing in wheat stalks or bales of hay (make sure you check with your venue first!). You can also use different colored seeds to fill hurricanes or mason jars. That’s an easy way to add color to your table for little expense.

Think about how to use apples in your decorations, too. See picture below of apple votives. Bird cages are very popular right now. If you don’t have an antique one lying around, there are plenty of places you can get on online. And if you’re lucky, you might find one at an antique store or garage sale. Tie a fall colored ribbon around it, add a personal sign and you’ve got a great place for guests to put cards.

Perhaps the best thing about fall weddings are the gorgeous fall bouquets. I could easily spend thousands of dollars on fall flowers for centerpieces, simply because I love their colors so much. But, since a bride typically doesn’t have thousands for flowers, here are some interesting fall bouquets that might cost less.

OK, maybe not the middle bouquet…that one’s pretty pricey. Top left and bottom right use leaves, which is a good alternative. You can still get lots of great, natural color with fall leaves. And why not? They are easy to find. The bottom left bouquet uses feathers, which is another popular choice now. These are also good for winter bouquets. The top right bouquet is made from wheat stalks. I love this idea. It is simple and you can do it yourself.

With all of these ideas, how could you not want to have a fall wedding? Send me your photos if you’ve had a fall wedding and would like to share!

The Bridezilla:

For some reason that I’ll never understand, WE tv decided to create a show about Bridezillas. And for some reason, Americans keep watching spoiled self-involved girls make their wedding day a living hell for everyone else involved. Don’t ask me why this show is popular because I simply cannot wrap my brain around it. What I do know is these brides do exist…but they are few and far between.

How is a bridezilla birthed? She simply does not exist in nature…she is a creation of man.

Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect. The problem comes when that demand for perfection takes over what’s supposed to be the happiest day of her life.

Here are some simple strategies to restore your chi and help you discover if you are a Bridezilla or not:

• Look deep down inside yourself and find out why you are getting married. If your answer is anything other than because you love this person more than anything else in the world…maybe you should call it off.
• Love should be unconditional. This should be true for  your parents, bridesmaids, and fiance. Unconditional love means you love them no matter what and not if they do this or that for you.
• Yes, it is your day. No, it is not all about you. You are the bride so everyone’s attention will be on you no matter what. But this wedding is a culmination of your parents and grandparents’ lives as well. Same thing for your fiance’s family and your friends. They share in your day and your enjoyment.
• If you want your wedding to be only about you…ELOPE. Spare us the wedding dramatics, please.
• You cannot control everyone and everything. Problems will arise. Children will cry during your vows. It will rain. Your limo will get a flat tire. The minister will drop your rings. Your soloist will lose her voice the day of your wedding, and the best man will drink too much and strip on the dance floor. ALL of these things could happen and guess what? YOU WILL STILL BE MARRIED! If this is not your goal, then quit now.

 The other person who can ruin a wedding is the Mother of the Bride:

Step 1: Admit it’s going to happen. Not even the closest relationship is safe from at least one wedding stress explosion. That’s a fact. The sooner you can admit it, the sooner you can move on.

Your daughter's wedding is not the time to wear that little black dress. I don't care how much weight you've lost for the wedding. Just don't.

Step 2: I’ve listed some essential tips for moms and daughters to prepare for this momentous occasion in both your lives.

Let’s start with mom:

• Be happy. It’s hard…your baby is getting married! But, it is so important to your daughter that you are happy for her and excited. Ooh’s and ahh’s over her engagement ring are expected. Tons of questions and ideas should spill from your mouth. However, don’t be so happy that you shout their engagement to the world before they give the say-so.
• Listen. You will have plenty of time to offer your suggestions, but be sure you do more listening than talking.
• Don’t be intrusive. It is natural and quite expected for you to want to learn more about your future son-in-law. If you haven’t had the occasion to sit down and chat with him one-on-one, do that now. It is great to ask personal questions about his job, his kids, his personal interests, and his plans for the future, but stay away from topics like what his parents do for a living, anything concerning his divorce, exactly how much he earns, and if he has any debt. I know you’re concerned, but trust that you’ve provided your daughter with enough intelligence to find these things out before they get engaged. (It’s not your business.)
• Don’t try to recreate your wedding. Even if you are paying for most (or all) of your daughter’s wedding, that does not mean it is your wedding. Of course, your opinion matters and should count, as opposed to if she were paying for the wedding herself, but when it comes down to it, all you can offer is your opinion. If you’re paying for the wedding, you should give your money without strings.
• Pull it together, mom. No, your daughter does not realize how much things cost. It’s going to come as a shock to her, and it will be even more of a shock to learn that you’re not made of money. It is essential that you help her budget her wedding right away. You can suggest a wedding planner at this point, too.

DO NOT wear a white dress to your daughter's wedding...unless it is a white wedding and she has approved it.

Bride-to-be: