Monday, October 31, 2011

Weddings are like college football games- they're just better in the south.

Last Sat. I worked at a wedding as "extra help" for a Birmingham area wedding planner and her staff. (I mentioned it in my last post.) Anyway, for not knowing the couple, their family, or even knowing the people I was working with more than one other meeting, I had an absolute awesome time! It was crazy, hectic, busy, cold, (I mean weather wise, lol) and just so much fun! I guess part of it was the fact the couple/ceremony was baptist, (close enough to my non-denominational Bible beliefs,) that it was sweet to over hear from the front hall of the church, the ceremony being presented and confirmed in much of the same way I would have it for myself if I was the one getting married. But besides that, the couple was so cute and fun, (bride was SO sweet!) the bridal party was having a grand ol' time, family and guests as well, the day was beautiful, (besides a little bit of colder temperatures in the morning and late evening,) and everything pretty much went just fine! Minor mis-hap's here or there, but that is common for any wedding, or big event, really.

I greatly loved how the bride, her mother, and the main wedding planner had thought out all the decorations and reception details. The mother was actually over doing most of it, and brought in (or actually had *us* bring in,) a LOT of stuff to use!!! I mean we're talking like three car loads of stuff. (too much! lol) So needless to say we had a LOT of decorating to do, but that is one of my most favorite parts of a wedding/event! I so very much enjoyed it! :) They were at first expecting 150 people to show, then it went up to 240. I don't think there was 240 people there, and by the middle of the reception, you could tell a lot of people had snuck out, most likely to go home to watch football games. No surprise there. I mean if you are from, or live in the south, and you plan to have your wedding on a Saturday in the fall, you are in no way allowed to be surprised to get declined invites or people leaving early from reception. That's if they make it to the reception.
Haha ok ok but I want to get back to why I love weddings in the south.

Weddings are normally bigger. And even if they are small in amount of guests, it's most likely there will be more money put into the event. Southern families stick to true and real traditions. They are classy, and beautiful. (Ok, don't get your hair in a tangled mess, I'm not saying weddings in the north or west or east have never been classy or beautiful. I've been to very beautiful weddings. I'm just stating southern weddings are *known* for it.) Anyways, I LOVVVVVED spotting out all the younger women at the wedding because of what they were wearing, and of course their shoes. Everyone looked nice. That's what southerners do here, they dress nice for weddings. Even if it's a casual event. And the shoes, seriously, were amazing. I spotted some awesome pairs I was temped to either sneak some pictures of, or ask those wearing them, where they got them. lol (I told you I love shoes.) However, I was being on my best behavior because I was "working" and trying to be professional. ;)

There was beer. An open bar to be exact. I mean, really, if you're going to spend the money on achohol at your wedding, an open bar is the right thing to do. Especially if you're not paying for a full meal/dinner, but only serving heavy (and oh so amazing) hors d'oeuvres, AND you're keeping people away from watching the game, then it is the kindest thing to serve your guests with an unending amount of beverages. It also helps get the dancing going. ;) BTW, the bride and groom: huge Auburn fans; groom's cake was football stadium; they entered reception to AU fight song; and we handed out AU shakers for everyone. Too cute!! See? The south also offers great college football fans and cute ideas to include the fave team into the special day! ;) There is another thing I enjoyed watching. The dancing was hilarious to watch, (mainly from the beverage of choice,) but they played lots of fun country songs. (not only country, but a lot of it.) Now, only for the last couple years, have I really admitted that I like country music. I tried not to for so long, but finally gave in (because really, I like pretty much any music!) But something about some good ol' country songs with a group of southerners, dressed up and having an awesome time together celebrating- it was very fun to watch. And I made a mental note to remember to play some country at my [future] reception. (Even though I KNOW I'll get ragged on about it by certain friends and family who for sure don't enjoy country music. Uh well. lol) One thing you would commonly find is some sort of t.v. playing the game, maybe by the bar, or in another room. Just to give a place for "score check ups." This wedding didn't, which was slightly surprising considering the couple's team, Auburn, was playing. But at least we won anyways. ;)

It's amazing I even stayed awake and alert allllll day. Because the night before I never really fell asleep. So no sleep + a long day of work (getting up at 6-going to sleep at midnight) *should* = crashing somewhere along the last minute arts and crafts project presented by the lovely (insane) mother of the bride an hour before showtime, or the hurrying the large flower arrangement from the church to the reception in the middle of 200 guests. HOWEVER, it didn't. I had prayed for strength that morning and boy did God hear me! Haha. He was awesome and gave me absolutely no "crashes" until my head hit my pillow that night!

Now are you wondering what's so great about college football in the south, that's not the same anywhere else? Well, I'm not sure I can explain that for you as well. It's something people who are from the south, have lived here, who have family here, or something along those lines, knows exactly what I'm talking about! It's just simply... more exciting. The fans are wild and true. The tailgating is a huge party. The games are incredibly intense and the game is never over until the clock has run out. I have always loved college sports more than high school or pro. Mainly, I was home schooled, so I never really went to high school sports events that meant anything special to me. And pro is just so big, that yeah sure, I'll watch the Monday night game, or pay attention to a few football, basketball or baseball teams, but I've never cared as much for pro as I do college. College, the fans are the students sitting in the same classrooms as the players. Or they are alumni. So it's just big enough to be on t.v. but just small enough, it's still a school and it's still family. Funny I say that though, because I didn't actually go to college. My favorite team is Auburn (from Alabama) because it's in my blood. Parents, grandparents, cousins- they all went to AU. I just didn't exactly see myself going to college because I have a love/hate relationship with school. (There's more, but it's not exciting enough to write about. ;)
Anyway, even though I'm not a current student, or alumni, or anything, I still have a love for that school, and that football team, like none other. Even when I'm cheering from my hometown in Idaho... just a few miles away *wink* from Auburn, Alabama. Games are SO exciting and fun. College football in the south, it just runs deep in your blood. I don't know how to describe it any other way.
 And last note on the wedding: I learned soooo much that day, and had lots of fun along the way too! I guess I found my happy place in the work field. ;) Who wants to plan a party?!? :P

Oh and, War Damn Eagle!

Fall Colors - An incredible sight to see!

Between the joys, freedom and love for summer, and the excitement and quick approach of Thanksgiving/Christmas (My favorite time of year), I always seem to forget how beautiful fall is. I guess when you are still in school, fall seems to be that awful thought of school. It also is when you see candy overflowing the shelves in the grocery stores, and costume adds on T.V., and, not being a huge Halloween fan myself, the other aspects of fall always seem to get covered up to easily. And then it's here, and I take a drive, noticing all the incredible colors that line the streets, and shadow the houses. It almost seems to surprise me every time. God is such an artist! I bet He loves it too, ;) I can just imagine Him "painting the world" (and even those gorgeous sunsets,) and I believe He has quite a fun time doing it.

Even back in the summer, my family took a "beach trip" with our cousins to Florida, and the contrast of the white (and I mean, WHITE,) sand, and then the turquoise and green clear water, it was breathtakingly stunning! I think there is always something beautiful to see in the world, every season. Yeah, sometimes, later February is dull and grey, probably ugly half melted dirty snow, (at least where I live) and you cannot wait for spring! But maybe we're always trying to just see right out the window, and if it's not pretty at first sight, then it's just ugly. When really, depending on how far out the door you walk, and how much detail you pay attention too, you might just see something beautiful.

But fall definitely is easy on the eyes at first sight! Not only are the colors pretty, but ever notice how fresh the air feels when you feel it, or breath it in? It's like the rain, you might get, washes away all the hot and muggy summerness (yeah I made that word up,) and then it's starts to cool off, so the air is crisp and refreshing.
When I was scrolling through my Facebook wall the other day, someone's status said something about how powerful a fall sunrise is. I had just happened to think the same thing the day before while I was down below the house, on the edge of a small lake, taking photos of such an amazing and beautiful scene in front of me! I was up early, heading to a (wedding) job for the day, and had about an hour before I needed to leave. When I noticed out the window that there was fog swifting across the water, and the sun had just merged it's way atop the hill and through the trees, I grabbed my camera and headed down the steep path that's covered in slippery leaves. It was just stunning to look deep into the colors that have taken everything green and turned it into a rainbow kind of forest! (Photos below.) I couldn't help but feel happy inside. I kept smiling (and talking to myself, unfortunately, lol) about just how pretty it was. I thanked God on my way to work, for the day He had given us. He truly reminds me that not everything is going so bad, after all.






I guess today is the 31st, so Happy Halloween. And guess what? Tomorrow is Nov. 1st! Oh my gosh I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!! Thank God the creepy costumes, spider webs, and weird commercials will be over! :P

Thursday, October 27, 2011

At least some kids liked it...

I have no skill in pumpkin carving, but considering my last post, I thought I'd share ;) and by the way, the shoe is supposed to look like a shoe I have, however I (stupidly) chose one of the more different pairs of heels I own. (The half cut through is supposed to be "lace" lol)

Eh.. I think I'll just stick to *wearing* my heels instead of carving them into pumpkins! :P

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Shoes. Oh my love!

You guessed it. I'm a shoe lover.

Ok, so maybe that's not what you were thinking, but now you know. I. Love. Shoes. Oh, it's almost ridiculous how much! ALMOST, I said. It's just one of those things to me, that "gets me." They are all so different and all have different attitudes. You can have a simple one colored (slightly boring) dress or outfit on, and pair it with an amazing pair of shoes and BAM the outfit speaks. (giggling) I'm serious! Or one of my favorite things to do is wear, say, a black dress and then put on a red pair of heels. Oh dang, what red heels can say! I love to wear so many different styles, and love it even more when someone (normally my best friend or mother,) gives me a look that says, "you're seriously wearing that?" Yes. Yes, I am. Bring it! Ahha.

See, you have to understand first, I am from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. (Yes, we are famous for potatos, but #1 we don't get to eat them because they export before we get them, & #2 we are the "Gem" state, fyi.) Anyways, Cd'A is not a huge city. No tall buildings or anything, so style and fashion is pretty low key, laid back, comfortable, however you want to call it. So wearing stilettos to church on Sunday mornings make quite the statement. Hehe. I tell you, it really is fun. My best friend told me one time, "Taylor, it doesn't matter what you wear to this party, you don't dress like you're from Idaho." However, she herself is like me and we try to bring fashion into our lovely hometown as much as possible for good fun. But funny thing is, we both are very "jeans and t-shirts" on most days, anyway. I am not saying we strut the Sex and the City look every day. (I'm just talking fashion, chill.) I mean I don't have the money or the effort to dress that much every day. Haha, but when I "go out" or go to church, (because seriously, it's fun to dress up for church, duh! Haha, no actually, because we don't have many big events, Sunday mornings are the only consistent thing we get to dress up for ;) or whatever, I like to make sure what I'm wearing shows what I like, how I like to act, or just the mood I'm in. Not to mention I have a couple rules for myself. I don't leave the house without earrings on. It's just my thing. My dad (don't take this weird.. it is, but don't,) raised my sister and I to always wear lipstick. He thinks every woman should and it's a sin to not. Lol, oh my father. Anyway, I might not be THAT extreme, but I do carry a few in my purse at all times.

Anyway, back to shoes. Most people don't realize what I truly mean when I say I have a lot of shoes. What they think is a lot, is soooo far off from what I mean in a lot. (But I also haven't grown since I was in, probably my freshman year of high school...? I forget now, but I still fit in shoes I bought years ago, and it's sad really.) But shoes are just so fun. I mean there are so many different styles. And within those styles, you have MORE styles. Let me take flats for example. You know, your basic ballet flat. You can have simple, super comfy slip ons to wear with jeans, you can have super stylish colorful crazy looking flats to wear with a skirt to work, OR you can wear the super crazy stylish flats *with* your jeans in order to "snaz" (that's a word, right?) up your jeans and t-shirt look! See?!? (I know you probably don't, but just go with me on this.)

For me, I can't just have one pair of brown heels to go with all my brown outfits. There are too many "brown" colors, first off, not to mention style. Wedges are better for spring and summer. Black heels are better for fall and winter- in the daytime. But in summer, black is only good for nighttime. Unless they are sandals. White shoes cannot be worn after Labor Day, and before Easter. (Although, people are slipping on that one.. *shaking head*) Don't wear sandal heels in late fall or winter. (If it's cold enough outside to not wear flat sandals, then it's time to put the heels away too.) Honestly, nothing's more awkward than wearing sandal heels with a parka. If you put on short booties, and they make your legs look short or fat, take them off. I know they are popular right now, but they really don't look that great on EVERYone. With super strappy sandals, (like the gladiator sandals,) be careful! Too many straps and it's too much! Also, if you are going to wear heels, say, around town, outside in the summer, in the daytime... don't wear a pair of heels you could wear to a club (dance) or semi-formal party that evening. I mean really, that's just taking a great pair of "cocktail" pumps and turning them into hooker heels, all because you're wearing them in the middle of the day walking on the boardwalk. That just doesn't make sense, or look right.

Oh my gosh I need to go to sleep! Uhg.. I drank to much sweet tea, and ate dessert too late tonight, and I am wide awake. Uh well. Twas' all for my passion for shoes. ;)

Last thought:
Some funny memories that will always be a part of my friendship with my bestie, are all the times there would be 3 feet of snow on the ground, and we'd be hurrying across the church parking lot, running late, in heels. Almost killing ourselves. It was awesome though. And even when it wasn't winter, we were always late. Still are normally. (We'd always spend the night together sat. nights, fyi.) But her mother told us once, "You girls might always be late to church, but at least you look good doing it!" And that, my friend, is how two North Idaho home-schooled girls do it! Ahhaha. And yes, I was home-schooled. But I think I turned out ok. . .

Movies. Wait, what?

Ok so last night I was with a group of people, hanging out, having fun, and we got into a conversation about top favorite movies. I didn't say much, but rather listened to everyone's top choices and the best of the best, in their mind. And after hearing one girl mention a few movies that she loves, and me thinking in my head, "She liked that? I thought it was horrible," I thought, now isn't that funny how we all think so differently? Now obviously, we all have different tastes in movies, music, fashion, well, EVERYTHING. But what had me thinking was how many things do we like or dislike based on either one small memory of that movie we watched ten years ago, or because someone else told us it was bad? Like one of the movies she mentioned was one I saw years ago, and I don't remember the movie at all except I was bored watching it. However, I watched it with my sister and her best friend, and they were the ones saying how "dumb" and "stupid" and "boring" it was. And if I am remembering correctly, we shut it off before it ended. Did I ever go back and watch it again? No. And what did I think every time I passed by it in the movie rental store? "Oh that's a dumb movie. (skip)"

But now, years later I'm hearing people talk about it as a great movie, and one they'll always remember. Hmmm. I mean, I can say I was young, and was with "the older girls" who I of course looked up to and all, so give me some credit in the fact I didn't know better. And hey maybe if I watched again, I would still not like it. However, I guess my whole point in this is, how much do we let the responses of people around us effect our initial grade of the movie, song, pair of shoes, price of something, or class? Do we wait to see what the person standing next to us will say first, before we "agree?" Or how about on that first date? How much do you say or not say, depending on how much you like that person? It's funny, we try not to. I myself have been getting better at just speaking my opinion whether I think, or know, the other person will agree or not. We try to be ourselves and speak our minds, but let's face it. We all do it at least a little bit here or there. I struggled through high school and even past, with trying to fit in the group I was currently with for the moment. I'd be "myself" but "myself" had too many levels and I eventually couldn't keep up. So I gave up.

Ya know, it never works anyway. If you try to be too much like the "group" you want to look or sound like, you end up stressed and not able to accomplish. However, opposites attract. ;)

Wow! I kinda got off my original topic. (lol) But I guess that just goes to show how much one thing can lead to another! I might have more to say on this topic later on, but at the moment, I should get back to my Wednesday afternoon responsibilities. :P

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Weddings. Oh the joys!

Ok, so I've been thinking a lot lately about things that go unnoticed in weddings these days. I guess me thinking about weddings really isn't or shouldn't be that surprising, because I am studying to be a wedding and event planner, and I do try to keep up with all things weddings whenever possible. But anyway, back to my point! ;)

Couples are normally so excited when they first get engaged that they want and believe their wedding should be a grand event, whether it's 200 guests, or 20 guests, they want it to be special and different from any other. That is what we all want. We always want different or unique. And it makes since. We, or couples, for one: don't want their wedding to look like "everyone else's," and two: they want their guests to be mesmerized by a different look, a different feel, and a different attitude.

But the other day I was thinking about some different things people have done to make their wedding like no other! Who remembers the YouTube video of the wedding party dancing down the aisle?? Of course. I thought it was one of the best things ever to watch. Me, loving to dance, thought it was so fun and so different. However, I am also very traditional and knew I'd never do that myself, but I knew it was something I would do if I wasn't so traditional. Wait, did that make sense? Uh well, anyway, there are so many other new things people do to put the stamp on their day. Changing Facebook statues during the ceremony is another new one that's catching on.

Ok but here is what got me thinking; people are trying to change up weddings and make new traditions, and I feel as though we are all forgetting how special and important a wedding really is. What each and every aspect of it is so important and means something huge! We all know how boring a long and drawn out ceremony can be for the guests sitting uncomfortably in formal wear (well, at least at some weddings) and so we now try to make ceremonies shorter and quicker. I happen to love that. I love a good party and as much as I love watching the bridal party enter and take note of every detail on the flowers, colors, dresses, smiles, and music, I am pretty much ready to head to the reception with food and dancing about half way through. So whenever the ceremony comes to a close even quicker than I am expecting, I'm a happy guest.

However, are we skipping over so much from what a ceremony is for and what it means? Sure, we get all the right things said, done, promised and kissed off, but are we not taking a good amount of time to express what we are standing there doing? A couple is standing in front of a group of witnesses to promise they will take their two different lives and become one flesh, one marriage, and to keep that promise till the day they die! That sounds like a big deal to me! They give each other a ring to wear not to be a sign of the fact they're married, but to be a symbol of their life together that is forever.

Another thing is music. I love music, and sometimes when people play fun sweet or personal favorites while they enter the ceremony or during, it sounds nice and it seems as though that song (or songs,) mean something special to that couple. But then there is something in me that lights a fire when an instrumental classical song is played loud and clear when the bride is escorted down the aisle by her father; that really brings it all into perspective for me. It's powerful and you immediately feel a part of something big. I'm not saying it's wrong to play the new single from Coldplay, or your favorite love song by Plain White T's, or Usher, but I just have to say that people never forget why they are sitting in those pews, when a classical begins. They are there to be witnesses of a new life starting before them. And the music is one way to establish that. I just wouldn't want to spot guests singing along when they are supposed to be in awe and respect for what's happening around them.

So I guess I'm just wondering if we are getting to much into the details of the colors of the right flowers, and what songs to not play during the reception, are we losing sight of it all? Weddings have been the same since the beginning, and their traditions are based on so many ideas, countries and religions, that even if you are from Spain, or are catholic, they typically have the same look to them. Yes they are different in ways, but still the same bride and groom making vows to each other. So I just don't want to see weddings become more of a party and less of an incredible, meaningful and important time of vows and promises made by two people completely in love. <3

And yes, this is a (soon to be) wedding planner saying this. But I can still take in as much detail to make sure those important aspects are noticed just as well as I make sure the roses and baby's breath are noticed. ;)