Proposing Dreams Wedding & Events

10 Questions from Wedding Guests You Don't Need to Answer

I am friends with The Knot on Facebook and today’s status update was this article -  

Love it!! Here are the Wedding Problems: 10 Questions from Wedding Guests You Don't Need to Answer along with my thoughts about each one!

 

1. How much is the wedding reception costing you?

**Unless it’s your very best friend who is also planning her wedding and needs to know if she’s getting ripped off then this person is just being nosy! And honestly.... your BFF could be too! Tread lightly – it’s no ones business unless they are paying the bill or your planner who is monitoring the bills.

2. Can you make sure not to set your date for [insert date here] -- I have a vacation already planned!

**Bon Voage!! Hope you enjoy your vacation! No one should be setting stipulations on your wedding date. Maybe a siblings wedding, graduation, or due date – things that would truly prevent your closest family from being there or having to make a decision on which to attend.

3. What table am I sitting at?

**The one with chairs! The one I put you at! The one in the back hall with the dusty lampshade! The one where you are served good food and conversation! The one I paid for! These are all acceptable answers to that question.

4. Why didn't you invite [insert name here]?

**Well occationally this isn’t a bad thing a) maybe your actually did forget someone b) maybe their invite got lost in the mail and you didn’t even know it c)maybe you didn’t know so and so had been seeing a new guy for 6 months and he should have been invited. But if you knew all this and chose not to invite someone for your own reasons, then that is all the Nosy Nancy needs to know. If it’s the uninvited themselves asking – answer as honestly as possible, or blame it on the space allowance, the budget, whatever.

5. Is this really a "white wedding"?

**HA! LOL!! Do people really ask this question?? UM, geez I don’t even know if I have a smart arse come back or if I would just look at them and say “Really? Honestly? Really? You’re going to ask me that?” Then shake my head and walk away!

6. How many carats is that ring anyway?

Oh come on your jealous I mean curious girlfriends are going to ask that question! And you are going to proudly tell them the answer!

7. Who's your favorite bridesmaid?

Just them all they are your favorite. That’s what I plan to do with my kids!

8. Did you get that idea from my wedding?

Yes, matter of fact I did. You should be honored I liked anything from your tacky wedding!

9. Are you paying for any of this?

Well actually we robbed a bank, sold some blood and organs, and pawned Steve’s grandmothers furniture but yeah we’re paying for it.

10. Don't you think the six-tiered wedding cake is a bit much?

No way, we have cake for every birthday between now and next year – want some?

All kidding aside, don’t get wrapped up in rude questions or comments! Answer honestly and without emotion when you need to and confront someone if it’s becoming a problem. Simply say “Listen, I really enjoy sharing my wedding details with you but you’re bumming me out! Please if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”

Got a rude question from a wedding guest? Share it with us…

Give and you shall receive with Proposing Dreams

Throughout the month of December Proposing Dreams is offering 3 ways to save and give at the same time!! Choose to donate to one of the 3 following charities and PD will double your contribution in PD $dollars$. Therefore if you bring us $25 in donations we’ll give you $50 to spend with Proposing Dreams!!

Dec 1^st – Dec 10^th

Bring in a new, unopened, unwrapped toy by Dec 10^th and we will double your donation. *Drop off during studio hours shown below. **Please bring a proof of purchase to assess value. Any item without a receipt will be assessed at our discretion and no more than $20 (or $40 in trade).

Dec 1^st – Dec 24^th

 

Proposing Dreams is hosting a nonperishable food collection all season long! Make a difference in the lives of our neighbors by dropping off cans, bags, and boxes of nutritious food. Bring in a nonperishable food item and collect $1 per item in Proposing Dreams dollars.

Canned Meats

Peanut Butter

Canned Fruits

Canned Soups  

Dried Beans

Rice Products

Baby Items

Baby Formula

Canned Vegetable

Hot & Cold Cereal

Powdered Milk

 

Dec 1^st – Dec 31^st

You can make a difference in the lives of women and children that have experienced domestic violence. All items donated to Lydia’s House will be doubled in value with Proposing Dreams. Proof of purchase is required or a value will be assessed by Proposing Dreams, not to exceed $20 (or $40 PD value).

Lydia's House is unable to take any furniture items except those listed below.

Lydia's House also does not accept clothing or sample-sized items. We ask that all previously used items are clean, operational, and need no repair.

Children's needs:

·     Arts & crafts supplies

·     Basket balls & portable backboards, soccer balls

·     Learning software/all ages

·     Children's bedspreads/comforters and sheets - twin size

·     Diapers (sizes 5 & 6 only) Pull-ups assorted sizes

·     Elementary & High school dictionaries

·     Headphones

·     Playstation II Rated E or T (non-violent only)

·     Snacks (non-perishable, including drink mixes & juice boxes)

·     Sunscreen

Furniture:

·     Car seats and car booster seats (must be clean & less than 5 yrs. old)

·     Highchairs (must be clean & less than 5 yrs. old)

·     Toddler beds

Gift cards:

·     Schnucks, Shop & Save, Target, Wal-Mart, Gasoline cards, Home Depot, Lowe's

Household needs:

·     15 & 30 gallon trash cans & liners

·     Bath towels & wash cloths

·     Batteries/9 volt & AA

·     Blankets

·     Brooms, mops, buckets, dust pans

·     Cleaning Supplies – dish soap, glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner

·     Compact florescent light bulbs (75 & 100 watt)

·     Cordless phones with & w/o answering machines

·     Deodorant (women's and men's)

·     Food storage containers

·     Kitchen towels & potholders

·     Laundry detergent and softener, laundry baskets

·     Mattress covers (twin size, zippered plastic)

·     Mixing bowls, measuring cups & spoons

·     Paper towels & toilet paper

·     Pillows & pillow cases

·     Plastic pitchers

·     Television Converter Boxes for the 2/09 digital conversion

·     Vacuum cleaners

Bolded Items are urgently needed

The Wedding Design Studio - Grand Opening!!

Mark your calendars.  You don’t want to miss it.  After many months of planning, Proposing Dreams is excited to announce the grand opening of The Wedding Design Studio.  Located in the heart of Maplewood, The Wedding Design Studio is a comprehensive studio offering brides complimentary access to an extensive vault of wedding resources including the portfolios of our handpicked wedding professionals, each carefully chosen based on their reputation for flawless style, innovative spirit and integrity.

Our grand opening will be celebrated with a three day open house on December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.  Mingle with St. Louis’ most in demand wedding professionals, browse inspiring portfolios and view the latest in table top design and couture wedding décor.  Open house bonuses will run throughout the three day event including a magazine swap, color sample sets and free planning advice with a Proposing Dreams coordinator.  Hours for the Open House are Tuesday, Dec. 1^st and Thursday, Dec. 3^rd, 12pm to 5pm, and Wednesday, December 2^nd, 12pm to 6pm with followed by a happy hour from 6pm to 7pm with complimentary drinks, hors d’oeuvres and giveaways!

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

 

Ann & Rakesh with Avia Photography at the Sheldon Concert Hall...

I was tickled just to see the images of Ann & Rakesh's wedding let alone the blog love from the team at Avia and then email love from Ann - warms my heart:

http://aviaphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/meet-patels.html

Be sure to take a look at the slideshow too!

http://aviaphotography.zenfolio.com/patelfaves

From Avia: I will say that the day went so well in large part because of Sabrina and her assistant Cassie, their incredibly talented wedding planner (check out their website at proposingdreams.com) who were there the whole day and took care of everything. I arrived to hear Sabrina say to Ann, "Don't let Rakesh worry about anything. I know he loves lists and crossing things off, but he's not to worry about any of it today. I have it covered." Seeing the relief and comfort on Ann's face was fantastic. As a result of Sabrina being there, Ann & Rakesh had to do nothing but relax and enjoy their celebration together! Before we started doing wedding photography, I thought that wedding planners were silly. However, after seeing the same pattern over and over the day of the wedding (sleep-deprived brides, family feuds brought on by reception decorations, cellphones that run out of juice halfway through the day from use, frantic last minute trips to wal-mart, scrambling to finish the programs the day before, hemming bridesmaids dresses the day of...) and then being at the few weddings with wedding planners... what a HUGE difference they make. With wedding planners around the relatives and bridal party are calm and relaxed and have all slept the night before. Peace of mind is so totally worth it!

From Ann: I wanted to share with you a wonderful blog post by Mallory Taulbee with Avia Photography -- as you know our photographers from the wedding.
 
Specifically, she included a flattering paragraph about your help with our wedding -- and I couldn't have said it better myself.  The part she mentioned about you snatching away the to-do list from Rakesh and told him to not worry about anything was one of my favorite parts of the day, believe it or not -- because someone needed to snatch it away from him b/c he was too much enjoying checking things off the list, and his expression afterwards of having nothing to do except enjoy and finally getting a bit nervous was priceless.  
 
Enjoy and thanks again!
Ann Patel

 

New Family Photos by Clark+Walker Studios

For the long time follower of my blog, you know Alisha Clark of www.clarkwalkerstudios.com is a good friend of mine and has been photography my family and staff for a long time! We this year marks this 6th anniversary and our second pregnancy shoot with Alisha. By threatening to showing all my unfavorable shots, I have agreed not so show some of her earliest work as she was learning so we will stick to this years new photos:

I think we get this pose every year, it's Mason's favorite!

He's sweet isn't he, and we don't know what we have coming next boy or girl?

Either way Mason is VERY excited to be a big brother!

26 week belly....
 
 

he's not always cooperating but she still gets the best stuff

love this, then she wants us to look in each others eyes - we haven't have time for that lately and it's too funny to us:
 
 

love this - enough said:

Ali found a wooly worm but Mason wouldn't hold it so I put it on my belly:

my boys...

he will always be my baby no matter how big he gets!

love it...again, enough said!

 
 So....thank you for looking, thank you to Alisha for taking them, thank you to Mason for being such a sweet, fun, loving little boy, and thank you to my hubby for making gorgeous babies (yes, I'm assuming on the next one) and being by my side for 15 years!

Sabrina

Keep www.clarkwalkerstudios.com in mind when looking for your wedding or family photographer, I can't recommend them enough!! :o)

Engagement Season is approaching are you ready??

Do you know what happens between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day?? Besides me eating a lot of food!! There are TONS of marriage proposals! The holidays are a special and sentimental time of year for many and “the question” is getting popped all over the place.

Come in and see us at The Wedding Design Studio and get a head start on your wedding planning! Don’t wait until February when you think the holiday dust has settled and it’s too late because all the best professionals have been snatched up already!

We are working three days of Open House Bonuses, edited **Dec 1st, 2nd, & 3rd** come in for loads of Free Advice, our Magazine Swap, Colors Sample Sets, and so much more!! Meet with our featured vendors for a chance to check everyone availability all at once and save yourself tons of precious holiday time!

STAY TUNED MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW!!

New Song I like....

I heard this on the radio this morning on my way in to the Studio and thought that lyrically it works for both a first dance and mother-son dance - check it out!!

Martina McBride - I Just Call You Mine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcZoNBngAnM

Blog love from Tim at Artisan Photography...

Click here to read a little blog love from Tim Pastor at Artisan Photography....

One correction we were the Full Wedding Planners for Alicia & Chris's Sept 19th wedding.

it's slowing down here more blog posts to come!!

Alicia & Chris - Artisan Photography Slideshow

Hot off the presses -

www.stlphotography.com/slideshows/aliciachris

My boys in StudioB!

This is what happens when I leave my boys alone with the Browers: