As I begin to wind down Grad School and become more settled in Frederick and with the new (day) job, I thought it would be a good time to pick back up on my blog covering event planning, weddings, catering, food and random thoughts. Wedding season is definitely upon us, I'm currently working with 3 brides, and have invitations for a few more weddings in 2012-- and it's only MAY! 

Now, I haven't been actively working on weddings in the last two years while I've been working on my Masters, but I tried to stay on the peripheral so as to not lose touch. Two weeks ago, I spoke to a bride and agreed to help with her wedding. After that meeting I did the natural thing: I went to TheKnot.com, brides.com and a few other sites to check in on trends, tips, articles and then bought a few magazines at the checkout stand at Giant (p.s., fun way to freak out your boyfriend, don't mention you have a new client and start unabashedly admiring dresses and cakes). 

After a weekend of research, I came to the following conclusions: 

1) I will never understand what some people choose to spend their money on. I'm not talking about a couture gown or a seated dinner for 400, I understand wanting certain niceties and if you can afford it, why not? No way would I begrudge Chelsea Clinton a $20,000 Vera Wang gown or Kim Kardashian's mom getting a $50,000 face lift for the big day- their bank accounts will never know the difference. No, I'm speaking about things that are so over the top, even I wince at the price tag. Things like the invitation that is a 14 page book (yes, bound with a leather cover), with photos of the bride and groom, details about their lives, love poems, etc. Cost of this invite? $15 each. And the catch? $4.00 to SHIP these to the 150 guests. For all you playing the home game, that's $2,850. For invitations. I love it when people personalize the small things, this seems a bit excessive. 

My recessionista suggestion? Go to an online QR code generator (I like qrstuff.net) and allow people to scan your Save the Date or invitation to instantly access your wedding website where they can spend some time perusing through your story, your photos and wish you well on your virtual guest book. Added bonus?  You can direct guests to RSVP online and not have to worry about mail getting lost or being late, then automatically export to a spreadsheet for tracking!

2) All big-name, corporate wedding websites are exactly the same. And you know what else? Their content is about as fresh a university dining hall doughnut. "25 new color combos you won't believe work!" Cut to an article about how it's ok to mix fuschia and tangerine, or have a black and white wedding. I got married nine years ago and I promise you that the SAME article was online then. I realize not THAT many people who were on The Knot nine years ago would be on now (hopefully), but between your wedding, your friends and family's weddings, and watching any show on TLC, it starts to feel like there are NO new ideas; its like Hollywood and plots for Indiana Jones (I know, I need to get over Crystal Skull, I just feel so betrayed.) 

3) Across the board, the most beautiful and memorable weddings are the ones where the couple is happy and in love, the family and friends thrilled to see them so, and the details are reflections of who they are as a couple and as a family. I can't tell you how many weddings I've been to that were lovely, expensive, cookie cutter versions of the one in Father of the Bride or Charlotte's in Sex and the City (either one). Yes, the bride and groom were thrilled with their fete, but I'll tell you what, I can't remember anything about them. And guess what? That's fine, it was the wedding of their dreams! But for those Brides who want to make a splash on their big day? Make it yours. Remember, the people coming are the ones that are the most important in your lives, and they love you for what makes you you, so put as much of that into the day as possible, and whether it's a backyard barbecue or a ballroom at the Ritz, it will be perfect.