Daisy in the Blue Bells

I love my clients.

I recently received this email:

Dear Cynthea,
Thanks for your response to questions about Pranzo.  Pass the baton to us...we will take it from here.  You have helped us think, rethink and think again what we want to do for 9-10.  Your input has been extremely helpful and D and K seem pleased with what we are doing...including the rental house…. In fact, they think the rental house is a great plan.  (Go girl!) ....

The groom's mom had hired me to find the perfect Friday night welcome dinner for their son’s Santa Fe destination wedding.

The parents ultimately chose the 2nd level Terrace Room at Pranzo Italian Grill. Great room, great food, fabulous views. While emailing, we exchanged photos of our canine pets.

Gotta love their dog Daisy, in a field of Texas Blue Bells.

Darling husband asked, "How long do you think Daisy sat after the photo was taken?"

etsy wedding

ARGGGG... Spent too much time on etsy this morning looking at cool wedding stuff. Not that I didn't enjoy every minute of it. It's just that I can't afford to spend the morning etsying away. So I'll share two things and then get on with today's to-do list:

#1 The Basilica Bridal Bolero. Solves the problem of bare shoulders, which are a no-no in New Mexico's Roman Catholic churches.

A stylish solution available in a host of colors. Available from UptownUrbanCraft. Tell her Cynthea sent you.

Now here's the find of the day:

#2  Let someone else do the sorting and finding the cool stuff on etsy for you at The ETSY WEDDING blog.

Offbeat finds for the eclectic bride.

oh em gee those wedding chicks did it again

Gotta love the wedding chicks.
Handing out free downloads for great DIY projects.
THAT ARE EASY!!
No small task.
Oh wait... *this* could be considered a small task!

Run, don't walk to www.weddingchicks.com

Check out this free heather gray and butter yellow wedding save the date. It's an easy download available right on their site. Bless their hearts.

Check out the stamps. Available at your nearest post office.

Scouting the perfect rehearsal dinner restaurant

I love it when a client tasks me with something that allows me to go out and scout either new locations or new dinner sites. It often means making a new discovery.

And sometimes, because I can't possibly see or taste everything that Santa Fe has to offer, a restaurant or site may well be a Santa Fe mainstay and still be new to me.

Such is the case with my first-time visit to Ristra.

Named for the garlands of dried red chiles that hang from the portals of Santa Fe homes, the restaurant is tucked into a lovely, modest adobe home at 548 Agua Fria Street, just west of Our Lady of Guadalupe church.

Warmly welcomed by owner Eric Lamalle, I sit inside and pour over the menu while staff hustled in the background setting up for the evening's dinner. Lamelle speaks with pride about both the menu and his executive chef, Xavier Grenet, who worked in Paris under Chef Joel Robuchon, one of the world's most celebrated chefs. While Robuchon is a master of Japanese-inspired French cuisine, Grenet specializes in what Lamalle calls a "new American cuisine with Southwestern and French influences."

So if you're seeking a venue for a rehearsal dinner or Friday night Welcome Dinner for up to 80 plus out-of-town guests on the vine-covered patio in spring, summer or fall, or a more intimate dinner inside in the winter, give Eric a call at 505.982.8608. He will be happy to customize a special menu quite reasonably for your event, complete with appetizers (try the Black Mediterranean Mussels with chipotle), a choice of entrees (may I suggest the Crispy King Salmon or Grilled Elk Tenderloin), seasonal wines and dessert.

For more menu ideas, visit www.ristrarestaurant.com

At ART  & SOUL, ninety percent of our clients come from outside the state of New Mexico to be married in Santa Fe. That means we need to be their ears and eyes in the City Different.

Want us to be *your* eyes and ears? Do you live out of state and want us to visit a venue you've been considering for your ceremony or reception? Have camera, will travel... Call us today!

Dream Wedding for a Deserving Couple

I've just been contacted by a national cable television program and have I got a deal for you!

Do you know of a couple who are planning on getting married or would like to marry Summer or Fall of 2009 who really DESERVE an amazing wedding but cannot afford it in these tough economic times?

They are seeking to cast inspirational couples for their next season!

Here's what they say...

Teachers, real-life heroes, survivors, volunteers, social workers, charity workers, etc. … we want to hear from you!

If you had to downgrade or delay your wedding plans due to job loss, injury, illness or deployment … we want to hear from you!

If you know of a couple who is so busy helping others they deserve someone to help them out … we want to hear from you – Nominate someone today!

Send a brief paragraph about your situation, or another couple's situation, the current wedding budget, a recent photo of the couple (in .jpg format), and your contact information to me, cynthea (at) artandsoulvents.com. I'd love to help you get your dream wedding! Please respond by May 20^th, 2009.

More wedding trends for 2009

From Beverly Clark's "Hospitality Newsletter," Jan 2009, Vol.2, Issue 1 comes some tried-and-true (outdoor weddings, of course)... and some things old (vintage inspired) and new...

Outdoor Weddings
Barns, wineries, vineyards, backyards, hilltops with a view. . . Tent weddings are all the rage! Outdoor settings can be personalized to reflect a spirited and casual vibe, or totally elegant. The décor possibilities are endless.

Vintage Inspired
It's the ultimate in recycling - from vintage cake toppers to vases and pottery for your centerpieces to completely mis-matched vintage china settings, a return to "all things old" makes for a beautiful and relaxed ambience. If the mother or grandmother's wedding dress is not a viable option, have it re-created from a picture!

Local Farm Produce, Eggs and Meats
From pesticide-free flowers to organic menus, local farms are the best place for everything fresh and abundant. When the Chef goes shopping, make sure he wears his chef's jacket so the locals can see he supports the community. Nice to list the name of the farm on your menus as well. . .

Something that Creates a "Buzz"
Personal and whimsical touches add just the perfect "something extra" that brides are looking for. Have just one unexpected thing that guests will talk about for decades to come - incorporating their grandmother's best recipe as part of the menu, a champagne station in the restroom, a whimsical favor from the city in which the bride & groom met, or forgoing favors and making charity donations. Even in the most sophisticated of events, just one whimsical touch will get guests talking and give them something to remember.

Color Combos & Patterns!
One of everyone's favorite things to speculate on!

This year waves goodbye to pastels and hello to rich colors like navy, orange with dark ruby reds, plum, and amber.

• Chocolate brown is still a great color to mix with, however basic black is coming back strong – brown has had the spotlight for too long! The ever sophisticated black comes on strong in 2009, and carries through into flowers, cakes and accent colors (your bridesmaids will thank you forever for this one if they get to wear a "little black dress"!)
• Bronzes and coppers are the metallic of choice this year.
• For people looking for a color that reflects a fresh, new beginning, beautiful bright greens make a great splash. Especially fun if paired with other "brights" – robin's egg blue, bright yellow or orange.
• Patterns everywhere, mixed and matched – linens, bridesmaid's dresses, china. . .Toile, florals, damask, polka dots, even gingham – there's a pattern to fit any mood and style.

Tapas and Sample Stations

• Great for sophisticated evening weddings, or when you're short on space for a sit-down dinner.
• Also fun for a cocktail hour, creating an "urban lounge" atmosphere.
• "Foodies" love tasting bars - every whim granted! Wine and cheese stations will be educational as well if you hire a professional sommelier to provide pairing pointers.
• Update the "old standards" with fresh takes on the menus – breathe new life into "South of the Border", "Asian infused" and "Americana"

Ethnic Entertainment
To showcase the different cultural backgrounds of the bride & groom, try one ethnic mix for the cocktail hour and a different one for dinner and dancing

Wedding Logos
Still hot into 2009, graphic elements create a unified look for your wedding stationery, and can be anything from a flower to a bird, to a non-representational graphical element. They may reflect the location of the wedding, the wedding theme, or one of the bride & groom's favorite things.

Libations, Wine Collections, Bar Chefs and Awesome Signature drinks

• Wine is still a major focus in 2009 – pair for your client, offer to pour their own collection with a corkage fee (offer to decant as well).
• Bar Chefs are all the rage, creating "Signature drinks" from the bride and groom, and creating drink "recipes" that pair beautifully with the menu and incorporate local fresh herbs, produce and purees (yes, produce!) such as a 6-flavor bellini bar with fruit purees (peach, pomegranate) and fresh herbs (mint lavender, fresh flowers).
• Champagne bar - pick your favorite bottles of bubbly and don't forget the mixers, such as Chambord, Midori, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice. Guests will have so much fun making their own signature cocktails.
• Along with the vintage craze, "vintage" cocktails are back as well. Make sure your bartenders brush up on their "Manhattans" and "Sidecars". . .

Late Night Snacks
Guests need a little "pick-me-up" as the night goes on. . .! Gourmet popcorn or french fries served in brown paper cups or mini Chinese food containers, after dinner cheese boards, tray passed sweets like cheesecake lollipops, mini ice cream sandwiches, mini root beer floats, and warm chocolate chip cookies with milk shots – make it fun and whimsical!

Trends for 2009: Engagement rings

From msn.com, "Engagement Ring Trends 2008"
According to MSN Shopping's Shannon McCarthy, gem trends for the upcoming engagement season include:

Three-Stone
This style was previously pitched as an anniversary ring with the three stones symbolizing a couple's past, present and future. In recent years, its popularity as an engagement ring has skyrocketed. The romantic symbolism here can't be beat — the sparkling triplets are a testament to the couple's confidence that their union will be a long and happy one. Whether you choose side stones that match the carat weight and shape of the center solitaire, or decide to go with the chic contrast of pear, trillion or princess cuts flanking a round or oval gem, the overall visual impact of the ring will be more spectacular than that of a traditional single stone. And while rubies and sapphires may not always take center stage, they can still be dazzling supporting players.

Eternity Bands

Just as the three-stone ring has morphed from an anniversary-only choice to a popular engagement piece, the sublime round of endless gems known as an eternity ring has come into its own as a particularly meaningful betrothal band. It’s now quite chic to forgo the solitaire altogether and opt for stones that travel around the circumference of the ring, symbolizing a love without beginning or end. Channel and bezel settings keep those sparklers secure, and while white diamonds populate most choices, look for scatterings of deep blue sapphires or crimson rubies to really catch the eye. The band metal of the moment is platinum. Rarer and more durable than gold, it’s also recommended for women sensitive to the alloys used in gold — it’s 90 to 95% pure.

$500 and under

Love for sale? Not exactly, but you can find fabulous bargain baubles to seal the deal. Start with your metals — white gold will give you the look of platinum without the sticker shock. Smaller side diamonds, especially in pave or channel settings snugged into the band, will enhance a main stone that may not be mega, as will bezel-set center stones (just make sure your bezel metal is white). Many diamonds a half-carat and below sport clarity and color superior to their larger-carat cousins, and when you’re choosing cuts, keep in mind that marquis, princess, pear and oval all appear larger than their same-carat round counterparts. Ditching that diamond altogether and going with alternative gemstones can make for a beautiful, and less conventional, rock of ages.

Colored Gemstones

"I know what women want," says McCarthy. "Well, at least when it comes to our engagement rings. We'd like them to both reflect our individual sense of style and pay tribute to our relationship. Classic stones like the diamond solitaire are enduringly popular, but gaining ground is something akin to hue love. Colored stones have transcended trend and are now widely available and quite affordable (especially if we aren't talking colored diamonds). Sapphires, rubies and emeralds are all properly precious stones whose hardness is suitable for this most important piece of jewelry. Less expensive sparklers like garnet and topaz are also used now to dazzling effect. A gorgeous substitute for a canary diamond is the yellow sapphire and try a tourmaline if you’re looking to replicate a pink diamond."

Vintage

Yearning for some good old-fashioned romance? Jewelry designers are crafting engagement rings that echo those your great-grandmother, even your great-great grandmother would've worn. And contemporary brides-to-be are happily going the retro route, embracing a ladylike look that’s at once both delicate and incredibly detailed. Settings are covered with intricate handiwork like carved scrolling, delicate floral and filigree patterns and airy latticework. Stones also reflect an antique aesthetic — cushion, round, pillow and Asscher cuts are classic shapes and their larger facets radiate more fire under less light (this was especially important in the past when the main sources of illumination were candles). Another reason to consider these bygone beauties — the shanks shine with ornate diamond micro-pavé, milgrain beading and intricate engraving for extra overall bling that still radiates pure class.

For more information, visit MSN Shopping.

New ideas for the New Year

From the Luxurious Wedding Style Report comes news of 160 luxurious wedding bouquet ideas by Seattle wedding flower designer, Kimberly Aurora Kapur and Romantic Flowers.

According to the report, "Bouquet Chic is a must have addition to your wedding book collection. 160 bountiful, creative and chic wedding bouquets fill the pages of Bouquet Chic, which shows us inventive and luxurious wedding bouquet concepts with unexpected floral combinations, color mixtures, texture and shine. Her bouquets are beautiful, different, romantic and startling."

(stylereport@luxuriouswedding.com)

Question from a groom

Inquiry:

We would like to get married at the end of July or the first weekend in August of 2009. We would really like to get married in Santa Fe outside surrounded by the mountains. Due to the fact that neither of us live there, it makes it difficult to plan a wedding.... we don't even know where to start....Our budget is $10,000. Do you think we can get married in Santa Fe for that amount of money?

ART & SOUL response:

First of all, congratulations on your engagement!

The budget issue is a sticky question. It depends entirely on how many guests you are expecting will attend.

Not wanting to burst your bubble...I'm assuming you are interested in hosting an elegant wedding with great food and beverages, good music and some simple decor in a beautiful location. If so, 10K doesn’t go very far in Santa Fe, for a couple of reasons:

1. You’re looking at the most expensive season to be married in.

• In 2009, Santa Fe Opera starts July 3rd and runs through Aug. 29th. SF Opera pushes all hotel room prices up. Spanish Market is the weekend of July 24-26, 2009, which will also push hotel prices up. This is a consideration if you have many guests that will be traveling to Santa Fe for the wedding.
  
• Because of the aforementioned events, there isn't much negotiating room with vendors -- the best vendors in Santa Fe will often have $ minimums and will need to be booked in advance.

2. Site rental costs can be high if you are planning on a wedding site that can accommodate a guest list of more than 50 or so guests.

• Sites for 100+ guests are even more challenging if you are working with a smaller budget.
  
• Current wedding research shows that the average wedding costs 27K; we have found that to be true. And this was for weddings in 2006.
  

3. Monsoon season can occur mid-July through Labor Day. You'll need to have a covering for your guests in case of rain.

The good news it that rain is considered good luck for the married couple! :-)

Here's the reality: There are limited sites in Santa Fe with mountain views. Santa Fe has a wonderful selection of venues and sites, but those with mountain vistas are harder to come by.

Hyde Park Lodge is one of the few that are affordable. But they do not book 2009 dates until Jan. 2nd or so in 2009 and one would need to stand in line at the park to reserve a date for 2009. There are always a dozen or so couples who stand in line right after the New Year to book the lodge. They don’t book any dates for 2009 until after the 1st of the year, because they are part of the national park system. So another question to ask those who are planning a destination wedding, is...Do you have any family in New Mexico that could stand in line for you after the New Years?

Consider setting a wedding date in the off-season

Considering an off-season date for your wedding is something you may want to think about. May (before Memorial Day weekend) is a beautiful time for weddings and hotel rooms and site fees might be a tad more affordable. Also consider the last half of October (after Balloon Fiesta), which is lovely in New Mexico.

March, April and November of course, are good to consider if you'd like to be able to do some price negotiating.

I hope this helps!

A whirlwind of a summer

Photographer Vlad Chaloupka shared photos of a wedding we all worked on together at the Hacienda Antigua B&B in Albuquerque. Hacienda Antigua is one of Albuquerque' best secrets. Photographer Vlad did an absolutely stunning job of telling this couple's love story on their wedding day.

More photos of Elaina and Matt can be viewed at vlad's blog.

Matt and Elaina's slideshow.

ART & SOUL would like to thank Tonya at Tiger Lily Floral for the wonderful job on the florals--simple, yet so lovely; Michael Chapdelaine for his awesome guitar at the ceremony (he makes it seem so effortless) and Los Paisanos for so thoroughly entertaining the guests during cocktails and dinner.

City Treats Catering served the meal family style. I have never witnessed such hard-working staff at the end of the night when the skies opened up and it didn't just rain... it poured... and poured. Thank you to all for your tireless service to a wonderful couple.

It is always such a privilege to be part of a couple's most special day.

Congratulations to the beautiful bride Elaina, and her handsome husband Matt.

Brides, get thee to the post office

Price Of Postage Stamps Rising Again
Increase To Begin May 12

POSTED: 3:09 pm EST February 11, 2008
UPDATED: 10:41 pm EST February 11, 2008

WASHINGTON -- Mailing a letter will soon cost a penny more.

The cost of a first-class stamp will rise to 42 cents starting May 12, the U.S. Postal Service said Monday.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, the price of the Forever stamp will go up at the same time, meaning those stamps can still be purchased for 41 cents but will remain good for first-class postage after the rate increase takes effect.

The post office has sold 5 billion Forever stamps since they were introduced last April and plans to have an additional 5 billion in stock to meet the expected demand before the May price change, the agency said.

The charge for other services, such as advertising mail, periodicals, packages special services will also change. Changes in the price for Priority Mail and Express Mail will be announced later, the agency said.

www.usps.com

Score One for the Aliens

New Mexico's 'Passport to Our World & Beyond' Float Wins Coveted Grand Marshal's Trophy in 2008 Tournament of Roses® Parade

Pasadena, CA (Vocus) January 2, 2008 -- More than one million spectators lining Colorado Blvd. and millions more watching around the world were treated to the New Mexico Tourism Department's "Passport to Our World & Beyond" float, winner of the coveted Grand Marshal's Trophy in the 119th Tournament of Roses® Parade.

The Grand Marshal's Trophy is given "for excellence in creative concept and design" and is one of the top three awards given each year. It is also the first award earned by the State of New Mexico in only its second appearance in the Tournament of Roses® Parade.

"The Land of Enchantment is leading the way into the final Frontier, and New Mexico welcomes its visitors to share in the bold new adventure"

--- Michael Cerletti, New Mexico Secretary of the Tourism Department

The space creatures on the float, created in crushed split peas, flew through clouds of crisp white coconut as they maneuvered around colorful planets of hot pink, orange, and purple roses and carnations. The spacecraft of shimmering silverleaf protea had accents of gray poppy seeds and white coconut flakes. The space port, decorated in yellow strawflower and button mums, soared to a height of 24 feet over gardens of 50,000 green roses including Jade, Limbo and Super Green. The space craft rocked from side to side as blasts of carbon dioxide rose from the rear of the craft. Whimsical music added to the fun.

ART & SOUL Weddings and Events would like to thank Ballantines PR for the above quotes.

Ballantines PR http://www.ballantinespr.com/

http://www.newmexico.gov/ [New Mexico Tourism]

Good things come in small packages

The month of December, New Years Eve and Valentines Day are the three most popular times for “popping the question.”

So to all who became engaged this month, or who anticipate setting a date within the next month or two, let me be the first to say… CONGRATULATIONS!!

It’s an exciting time, planning a wedding. It’s also full of stress and often overwhelming for the uninitiated.

Here are just a few of the many REAL questions potential clients call ART & SOUL Weddings and Events looking for answers to…

* How much is my wedding going to cost?
* How much do you guys charge to plan a wedding?
* I have a tight budget for the wedding. What are some things I can do to make my dollars stretch the farthest?
* What are the best sites for having an outdoor ceremony?
* Do you know of any Native American flutists who can play for my ceremony? How about a flamenco guitarist for the cocktail hour?
* Which photographer will give me the best value?
* I don’t need a wedding planner, I want to plan the wedding myself. Can you just help me find a place to have the reception that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?
* Do you plan weddings in Las Vegas?
* I want a small wedding at a private estate. Do you know of any gorgeous estates in Santa Fe where my fiancé and I can be married?
* How can I find the florist who will give me the biggest bang for my buck?
* The florist wants to charge me $250 for my bridal bouquet. How can flowers cost that much?
* Why does a “Day of” Wedding Coordinator cost so dang much, and is it worth it?!?

In the weeks to come, I’d like to address each of these queries and more. Feel free to email me with your own questions. Send your questions to cynthea(at)artandsoulevents.com

Merry Cakemas!

I received this joyful holiday greeting yesterday from the Cake Queen of Santa Fe, Maggie Faralla. Too perfect not to share with you!

Ms. Mags, as she calls herself, can be reached at 505-980-1416, for all you 2008 brides. Maggie is an artiste extraordinaire.

And to all visitors to ART & SOUL Weddings and Events, we thank you for your business in 2007. As always, it is a privilege to serve you. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels to ALL and MERRY CAKEMAS!!

Whose Wedding is it Anyway?!?

I have acquaintances in the wedding industry who have been the featured wedding planners on the series of nuptial dramas, "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?"-- Baltimore planner Linnyette Richardson, "Premier Event Management" and Mark Kingsdorf, owner of Philadelphia-based "The Queen of Hearts."

Both Linnyette and Mark have bemoaned the heavy editing that goes on and how often the wedding they planned and coordinated is so vastly different than the time-manipulated/drama-spun versions they eventually view on WWIIA.

Which leads me to today's topic: "You, Me and MTV: Shows Influence Event Clients"

The following is taken from a recent article of the same name in Special Events Magazine, © 2007 Penton Media Inc. http://specialevents.com/weddings/TV_shows_influence_event_clients/

Clients "absolutely" base their expectations for their event on TV shows, says Chicago's Frank Andonoplas, MBC, head of Frank Event Design. Particularly popular among his wedding clientele are the programs "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway," "Platinum Weddings," "Bridezillas" and "the one-timers like 'In Style Celebrity Weddings,' which appear once a year," he explains.

Sheldon Sloan, director of sales with South San Francisco-based Melons Catering, notes that even shows not directly based on special events can have influence. "'Dancing with the Stars' seems to have renewed interest in ballroom dancing," he says. "All things Hollywood are popular, from celebrity look-alikes to red carpets and so on." The bar and bat mitzvah market in particular goes for themes based on reality shows and hit movies, he says. Carolyn Arthurs, founder of All About Events with offices in New Orleans and Los Angeles, has appeared on the MTV phenomenon "My Super Sweet 16" and says, "I have noticed that the younger clients for bat mitzvahs, bar mitzvahs and Sweet 16s are often referencing what they've seen on the show."

How realistic is this?

The problem with the event-based shows in particular, planners agree, is they set unrealistic expectations about budgets. "Many do not show the price tag associated with the over-the-top" events, Andonoplas notes.

Another quarrel planners have with event-based reality shows in particular is how the editing distorts reality. "I have to let [clients] know that the order of certain things and the way that things are shot will affect their perception of the event," [Carolyn] Arthurs explains. "From being a part of MTV's reality show as well as working with another show on TLC, I know that what they say and what's really happening are drastically different."

On top of that, TV shows sometimes prove the adage that a little learning is a dangerous thing. "I blame [TV cook] Rachel Ray for teaching people to open cans and use pre-grated cheese--if you can call it cheese," grouses Lee Gregory, head of San Francisco-based McCall Catering. "I might blame the Food Network for creating a community of people who think they are food experts. But all they really do is watch other people cook."

Beyond that, though, Andonoplas says he doesn't find that the shows lead clients to make consistently outrageous requests. "If what [the clients] want is not affordable, not realistic for space, or just plain not going to happen in Chicago, I always try to find an alternative," he says.

Indeed, Andonoplas himself has his Tivo DVR "set for 'bride,' 'wedding' and 'weddings' so I can see what is out there," he says.

The one program several social planners say they would banish from the airways if they could: "Bridezillas," which documents the outbursts of bratty brides. "I hate that they show all that can go wrong in an event," Arthurs says. "That makes brides expect the worst and panic for no reason."

Your job must be so much FUN!!

Andonoplas' other pet peeve: TV shows that make the job of a planner look easy. "There was a series that died quickly, called the 'Wedding Belles,' about a team of three sisters who ran a one-stop ceremony/reception/we-can-do-it-all-from-catering-to-flowers-type facility," he says. "When they were not sleeping with the vendors and dealing with their own baggage, it was, again, completely unrealistic. They don't show how hard it really is to do what we do."

Finally, a legacy from planner shows that Andonoplas could do without: "The daily call I get--seriously--for someone wanting me to 'take them under my wing' and teach them how to do this because it looks like fun. They need to stop making this look like a glamour job. Again, editing!"

Note from Cynthea:

From this planner's point-of-view, programs like WWIIA are fun, but not realistic. And they're not particularly inspiring anymore. They used to be filled with ideas, like Mark's Pirate wedding. Now I'm seeing rehashing old ideas and spinning even more drama.

And please! Think twice before calling me and telling me your DREAAAAAAAAAAAM is to be a wedding planner, because it looks like so much fun. Even with the drama, the TV shows often portray wedding planners as spending the majority of their time picking out flowers, driving around in a brand new SUV and going to cake tastings. That's about 2 percent of my job (and I don't have a new SUV, BTW). The majority of my time is spent responding to email inquiries; writing proposals; trying to find an available site that is both charming AND affordable on short notice; hammering out budgets; paying bills; explaining to the bride who insists for her outdoor wedding that she doesn't need a tent as a back-up plan, that it DOES rain in New Mexico; putting out fires; straightening out messed up room reservations at lodging establishments and managing clients' expectations.

That's Reality-- not the TV shows!