TOPICS OF INTEREST
ABOUT FACE
I've never been
a gal who put a lot of effort into her appearance. Like most Southern gals, I do know the importance of wearing
pearls and of NOT wearing jeans EVERYWHERE. But when faced with whether to spend a dollar on a plant or have my hair
professionally cut, the plant wins every time. So why do I recommend that you have your hair (no prom
do's, please) and makeup professionally done on your wedding day? Because IT'S YOUR WEDDING DAY! On
that day, there's no better place to put a few extra dollars than on YOU! You will love the way you look (and feel).
Your groom will love the way you look (and feel ;-). Sometimes it takes a professional to achieve that come-hither
look that you wouldn't wear any other day of the year.
FIRST TASTE/FIRST TEST
We're all familiar with the "first
sweet taste of marriage" -- the cake! But we recently had a "first test of marriage" out
here, and it was anything but sweet. There was miscommunication between the caterer and newlyweds about who was supplying
the spirits. The newlyweds were not happy. In fact, they were very, very unhappy. They decided to delay
the start of the meal until after the caterer had delivered the beer and wine, which threw the entire schedule behind
by an hour. In an effort to help out, the DJ (wonderful David Canty), the caterer, and Glen Garden all decided to extend
the time for the reception by an hour at no cost to the newlyweds. For a while, everything went well. Then the
bride and groom were faced with their "first test of marriage." They disagreed about paying the
caterer. What a shame their day ended on such a note. Weddings can be stressful. Things can happen.
When they do, how will you handle it? You've heard the expression: "Don't put off 'til tomorrow what
you can do today." Sometimes that doesn't apply. If you can avoid handling an unpleasant situation until
after your wedding day, do so. After a good night's sleep, you'll be better able to handle your "first test
of marriage."
CEREMONY MUSIC
Some people are multi-talented. Take my friend Teresa, for instance. She plays piano,
clarinet, bagpipes, and probably more instruments that I don't know about. She and another gal have formed
Shenandoah Winds, a delightful duo of flute and clarinet performing a variety of popular and classical music. Perfect for
a garden ceremony. And very reasonable (shenandoahwinds@gmail.com). If you want a change of music for the reception, you're welcome to use our sound system.
Just bring your CDs, or hook up your ipod or computer.
NO
INVITATION NEEDED! At a winter cottage wedding, the newlyweds invited Baile to join them for a photo
in the snow. No problem. Baile loves attention. And who is Baile? Why, he's our beloved, orange,
slightly obese, polydactyl cat. He doesn't mean to steal the spotlight, but he did walk the aisle and lie on the bride's
train during one garden ceremony. You can't imagine the relief I felt when the bride smiled with delight!
Whew. It's not like I can control him. I try without success to keep him behind closed doors during garden weddings. He's
an escape artist. If you're having a wedding here, you will most likely see him wandering the grounds. He
may even show up in some of your photos, invited or not.
CHOICES
When we started Glen Garden Weddings, we had practical couples in mind who wanted a
beautiful garden wedding with a minimum amount of stress and expense. For colder months, we now offer intimate
weddings in the cottage for the bride and groom and a few guests. During the month of December, we allow up
to 20 guests. A small reception with cake and coffee is an option. Couples may choose
to do what we did when we were married: We met our small group of guests at a restaurant before the
ceremony. Afterward, we traveled with our guests to our ceremony, followed by a simple cake reception. Of
course, some couples prefer to share the moment with only each other's company. Also, an excellent choice!
PROCREATING ISN'T PARENTING
At a recent wedding, I found myself repeatedly
telling (I ask children if they are hungry; I don't ask them to behave) a group of children
to stop running willy-nilly throughout the reception area. The parent of one child approached me, informed me that
running is what children do, and if his child wanted to run, he could. I informed him that children are welcome here
as long as they are supervised at all times, and if his child wanted to run, he was welcome to do so out in the pasture under
the supervision of his father. If you bring your child to a wedding here, please consider it an opportunity to
parent that child. Talk to him beforehand about the event and include consideration for the property and other guests. Ask
if he would like to bring an activity to amuse himself (such as a hand-held game -- no crayons or markers, please).
Let him run and play earlier in the day before he arrives here. And when all else fails, be prepared to supervise him
while he runs around the pasture. If you're not up to the task, hire a sitter.
THE RED, WHITE,
& BLUE
During a July 4 wedding, the bride had us decorate the chairs
with our navy, ivory, and burgundy sashes. She invited guests to wear their patriotism. Most dressed in red-white-and-blue.
Some wore patriotic hats; others wore festive pins. The bride added red-white-and-blue table decorations. Everywhere
you looked were reminders of our country's birthday. The bride's dress was even white with a burgundy sash. In
case you think it sounds tacky, it wasn't. It was really beautiful, and the guests seemed to enjoy getting into the
spirit of the day. (Now if I could just find a bride who shares my fondness for Hallowe'en!)
HIRING A DJ?
I recently received an email asking if we had a problem with same-sex ceremonies.
I replied that we have a problem with unsupervised children, and we have a problem with inconsiderate adults.
But we do not have a problem with a person's gender. Speaking of problems, we NEVER have a problem with DJ Randy
Metz and MixMasters DJ Steve. Both are super nice guys, super considerate, and very professional. You can
reach Randy at 540-850-6476, and Steve at 540-786-6655.
CLOTHES MAKE THE GROOMSMAN?
It's
absolutely amazing to see the transformation in the male members of the bridal party during a ceremony. During
rehearsal, they joke with their buddies to the point that it's sometimes hard to get their attention. But
when the ceremony begins, all dressed in suits or tuxes, they walk ceremoniously from the covered deck to their positions
under the pergola. And then instead of just standing there and looking pretty, we put them to work: As each bridesmaid
approaches the steps leading down to the ceremony deck, a groomsman steps forward to assist. The groom does
the same for his bride. Those guys take their roles seriously. Looks like clothes really do make the groomsman!
SETTING THE MOOD
If
you're using our sound system with outdoor speakers, you can bring CDs (holds 5) or hook up to your Ipod or computer.
When you're planning your music, don't forget the prelude music. This selection of songs plays while your guests
are arriving, and it should put your guests in the mood for a wedding! If you choose to do so, you may use the prelude
CD that we have here. It includes five classical songs that are traditionally heard at weddings. We
generally start the prelude music 30 minutes prior to the wedding and let it repeat. If you are hiring a DJ, don't
forget to discuss the type of prelude music that you want played.
GUESTS & CHILDREN (AGAIN!) This message is for guests! If you're not sure who is invited
to the wedding, check the names on the invitation envelope. Only those people are invited guests. If your child's
name is on the invitation, he is invited to the wedding. However, children may not roam unattended. So if you
are willing to keep him with you at all times, bring him along. Otherwise, hire a sitter and enjoy the time to
yourself.
HOW MANY GUESTS?
If you are planning a wedding for 50 people (that's 48 or fewer guests including bridal party and
children old enough to walk), we welcome you to Glen Garden. We cannot accommodate more than that per event. While
we would be tickled pink to have your wedding here, we must insist on the 50-people rule. It's only fair to your guests. It's
only fair to us. And it's only fair to the other brides who've cut their guest lists.
LESS IS MORE?
Many brides approach the big day feeling stressed to the point of wanting it all to be over. In a recent wedding magazine, one bride said, "We decided
not to have any attendants and just walk down the aisle side-by-side; it became just about the two of us making this
journey together." Isn't that what it's really all about?
NOT
EVERYTHING IS EXPENSIVE!
On a recent TV show, a newly married bride
and groom were asked to describe their favorite wedding moment. Theirs was a platinum wedding, costing well over
$1 million. What do you think their answers were? Walking into the reception and seeing $500,000 in flowers
and lighting? Cutting into their seven-tier cake? Feasting on lobster and caviar? Or having 300 of
their closest friends sharing the happy occasion? NO! Both the bride and groom agreed:
Their favorite moment was . . . seeing the look on the other's face as the bride was walking down the aisle. THE
BEST PART OF THEIR WEDDING COST NOTHING AT ALL.
BETTER SAFE
THAN SORRY
Some guests over-indulge. It happens.
We want people to have a good time and get home safely. If you notice a guest who's had too much to drink, give
him a ride home. He can leave his car and come back the next day to pick it up.
CAKE TABLE One of our 2008 brides had a darling
cupcake/candy table in lieu of a cake table. The cupcakes were displayed on 2 cake stands, and the bride ordered
lace-like papers online for their covers. Candies were "self-serve" with little baggies that had custom stickers
on them. Very cute and creative. But my favorite part of the whole table was the monogrammed runner! What
a great keepsake from a special day! I fell in love with it and decided to make one for my own daughter's wedding.
Kathy with Hobbit Embroidery had embroidered some aprons for me last year, and she did a great job. So I enlisted her
to put the monogram on the runner I made. If you would like a monogrammed runner for your wedding, call Kathy at 540-658-0054.
If you take your fabrics to her, she can also make the runner for you as well as embroider it.
SPEAKING OF CAKES . . .
The
round, silver cake tray we've purchased for your cakes is 14" in diameter. If you're planning to use it, be sure
to let your baker know the size so that your cake doesn't arrive on a board larger than 14 inches.
SECOND MARRIAGE?
So it's your second (or
third) marriage. Shouldn't your friends and family be happy for you? Don't you deserve a celebration?
Doesn't your marriage deserve recognition? This may not be your first marriage. But it's your last!
Isn't that what really matters?
