Archive for July, 2008

I am not much of a vacation person. Actually, the vacations I have taken in my life are far and few between. And now that we have four kids, the thought of taking a vacation for an extended period of time seems like a luxury that I could not even dream.
So when my new bride and I were married last weekend, we had already decided that the most we could do was a “mini honeymoon”. This would encompass three nights and two days at the Hotel Monteleon in the French Quarter of New Orleans. As a newly wedded couple, who are in our mid-thirties, we felt it was important that we got away for at least a couple days. But at the same time, we could not go away for an extended period time with our children, work, and life schedule.

We had an amazing time in New Orleans and really enjoyed our “mini honeymoon”. The net-net story for any newlywed couple is to make sure you take time for a honeymoon, even if you think your schedule does not seem like it lends itself to a trip. We had a great bonding time that we could not have had without being away from the demands of life.

Traditionally speaking, the purpose of a wedding engagement is to give the happy couple the opportunity to get to know each other as well as they possibly can. There is no diehard rule on how long an engagement is supposed to be as society has dramatically changed over the years.

A wedding engagement allows the family members on both sides to become well acquainted. This is important because they will soon become in-laws. Some people refer to this as “house blending”. Many talks need to occur between the engaged couple and the two families that make the period of engagement crucial.

The engagement period can be a stressful time, but the benefit of this is that it tests the strength of the bond that exists between the couple. How do they handle the difficulties and stressors that come their way? Each person gets a glimpse into how the other copes with pressure. It is essential to pay close attention, as this could play a much larger role once you cross the line from being engaged to being married.

How Much Time does it take to Plan a Wedding?

Another purpose of an engagement is that a wedding is not something that can be thrown together in an instant. Instead it takes planning. This also can be a source of stress, as family members from both sides are likely to want to be a part of the planning stage.

As a rule of thumb, wedding engagements should last long enough that your loved ones and close friends have ample time to get to know the person with whom you have chosen to spend your life. This should be the case for the bride and the groom. You are merging two families as your union is a uniting of his family and her family.

Engagements should never be shorter than three months but should not be stretched out for years and years. Look closely at your own circumstances and make the decision that is right for the two of you.

As a bride-to-be, I decided to enjoy the indulgence of a pedicure and manicure. However, instead of bringing a best friend or my mom, I brought my daughter and daughter-to-be, as I was preparing for my second marriage. Searching for a spa that would pamper all three of us I found Serendipity Day Spa.

This beautiful spa is housed in an old farmhouse that is wonderfully appointed. Upon notifying the front desk of our arrival, we were offered seats in a waiting room filled with comfortable couches and chairs.

Within a few minutes our aestheticians arrived, and we were taken to the nail room. After choosing our nail colors, we were seated in massage chairs and offered beverages. I chose a cup of coffee, as it was morning, (though wine was also an option!) and the girls continued with water.

The girls and I were to receive a pedicure, mine including a paraffin dip, and hand massages. When I scheduled the appointment they only had time to paint one set of nails, so I scheduled myself and told the girls I would purchase their chosen toenail colors and paint theirs at home. Everyone was fine with that plan.

While receiving our pedicures and hand massages, what impressed me the most about this spa was the attention paid to each client. The girls were treated like any other woman at the spa. They were given magazines to read and water in goblets. The girls had their treatments explained as they progressed, letting them be aware of what would happen next.

When the girls’ massages and pedicures were done, I still hadn’t finished my pedicure and needed to have my fingernails painted. After checking their schedules, the girls’ aestheticians offered to do a quick nail painting for each, if it was fine with me. I graciously agreed, and the girls’ delight was readily apparent.

When all three of us had our nails painted, we began the journey home. The girls eagerly discussed how fun it was going to a spa and when we could go again. I told them that it was the first visit in what should be a yearly tradition. I know for certain that the next time the girls and I want to have our nails done and receive some pampering, we will return to Serendipity.

Not only did our nails look wonderful, but the entire atmosphere – from furnishings to staff – was amazing. If you are fortunate enough to live anywhere near Concord, New Hampshire, and want to have a spa treatment before your big day, I wholeheartedly recommend Serendipity Day Spa.

A wedding planner is an individual who acts as a consultant of sorts when it comes to planning a wedding. A wedding planner works closely with the caterers and vendors that have been hired for the wedding. She looks after many of the details from the smallest to the largest.

A wedding planner can help a nervous and uncertain bride-to-be choose the right wedding dress and the right hairstyle for her wedding. She also can help her to contact the appropriate people in order to buy flowers and the cake.

Do you have to hire a wedding planner? Absolutely not. It is not a prerequisite of getting married. Does hiring a wedding planner make for a more organized schedule of events and less headaches for the bride and groom? Most certainly!

A wedding planner is an expert in the field of wedding preparation. Whether it is a question of where to hold the reception or whether to serve a sit down meal or a buffet, the wedding planner will have these areas covered so the couple can concentrate on exchanging their vows.

The wedding planner is not wrapped up emotionally in a wedding, as is everyone else concerned. Weddings bring together families, and this can make for plenty of emotional intimacy, as well as lessen the potential for conflicts. A wedding planner can encourage the happy aspects of the day and downplay the less stellar aspects.

Not all wedding planners are alike. Different wedding planners have their own strengths and their own style of doing business. For example, a wedding planner or coordinator often handles the booking of professionals for the wedding, such as florists, caterers, musicians and the like. She is also very well versed in the areas of style, etiquette and decorating.

Some of her other tasks may include (but are not limited to):

-choosing wedding colors and/or a wedding theme

-choosing music

-choosing the invitation style

-selecting decorations for the wedding reception