Sunday, April 29, 2007

Reality Check

Over the past few years, we have become inundated with reality TV. From The Amazing Race to Survivor and The Apprentice, reality TV is a big industry now -- affording networks relatively low budget shows that can mean ratings success. Just ask Fox - with its goldmine of American Idol.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love watching some of these shows. Our TV is regularly tuned to American Idol, and I get a guilty pleasure from watching The Bachelor! But there also are many wedding-related reality shows that I'm sure you're glued to: Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? started the trend, that is now being followed by Bridezillas, The Real Wedding Crashers, Real Weddings, A Wedding Story...the list goes on and on.

When I watch reality wedding shows, I do so with a critical eye. And so should you! Some of these makeover shows that promise a million-dollar wedding on a $5000 budget - and the wedding looks amazing! - are simply scary to me. What you don't see, or are not informed of, is that the shoestring budget is supplemented by donated gifts and labor. In order for the budget to stay so low, vendors simply give things to the couple. In real life, "giveaways" do happen, but on a much smaller scale. If you tried to go out and duplicate some of the "low budget" weddings shown on TV, I suspect that the real life budget would be at least 4 times the amount anticipated. So, please keep watching reality shows for their ideas and for inspiration, but remember, it's a TV show!

Until next time, happy planning ....

Monday, April 16, 2007

Class over!

I just finished teaching a course at the Montclair Adult School, titled "The Art of Planning Exceptional Events." I had 13 students in my class and, over the 4-week session, we covered all sorts of topics related to event and wedding planning. Everyone really enjoyed themselves, and started (or continued) their education into this exciting field.

In teaching this course, I learned a lot as well. I was forced to "break down" the many different areas involved in planning so that I could explain them to the class. In so doing, I was reminded why certain steps have to be taken first, rather than just jumping into the whole planning process at once. While my students gained an introductory education into planning, I also gained a deeper understanding of the "art" as well as the "science" of planning major milestones. And, I believe, I became a better wedding planner by being forced to think through all of the steps and details!

Of course, seeking education is important. For those just starting in the wedding planning industry, the best thing to do is take courses and learn how to run your business. For those of us who have been doing planning for a while, taking courses is equally important because you always are learning!

Until next time, happy planning ...

Monday, April 2, 2007

The Purrfect Day

I'm going to go slightly off wedding-topic today and write about something else that's near and dear to my heart: my 3 cats. Yesterday was Nutmeg & Phantom's 4th birthdays (they are litter mates). Mr. Whiskers' birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks; he'll also be 4. These 3 cats really give me and my husband a run for our money -- always trying to get into places they know they're not supposed to go, hiding when they know we want them to come out, playing shy around our friends. But they are great companions, sitting on our laps and purring at the end of a hard day. And boy can they sleep!

We were very fortunate because we - luckily - hadn't fed the cats with the tainted pet food that's been in all the headlines lately. Of course, our cats didn't even know of the health scare and have continued on their merry, mischievous ways. In fact, Mr. Whiskers is literally lying across my arms as I try to type this blog!

But I think we can learn a lot from our pets. Speaking on behalf of my 3 cats, they are most contented when they are around the people that they love, and who love them back. They are not afraid to show affection, and be playful. They don't worry about what can go wrong, but rather fully enjoy what is right, in the moment. So, take a cue from 3 cats in New Jersey, and appreciate what's going right in your lives, leaving for another hour the hassles with the reception site, caterer or musician! After all, there's no need "to save up all the fun" for your wedding day -- go out and enjoy just being with your fiance right now!

Until next time, happy planning ...