Here Comes Another Bride!

How do I catch up with all that has gone on my "little" world? I've been caught in a whirlwind of activity. Two wedding rehearsal dinners to decorate, grandchildren with us during the week, knee physical therapy, work, caring for parents, breathing, etc. I was cruising along yesterday and whamo! (What was that sound? )Oh, yes that was the sound of my car mirror (the one I tore off the car by hitting a sign a few months ago, remember?) Well, I just barely "touched" a concrete pillar in the parking garage...barely. I was trying to get close to the elevator with a car full of decorations for a rehearsal dinner (see below) and the only space was for "compacts"...well, neither my car nor I am particularly compact...so, the strategy of trying to force it into a too small space is a lot like trying to get into jeans that don't zip up well.....let's keep this little "bump" a secret, ok?

While driving to downtown Jackson yesterday to decorate for a friend's son's rehearsal dinner..(Wait! Is this a repeat of last weekend's post? No...it's not...it's another friend!) I was trying to make my destination time of arrival..3 p.m. We have a problem Houston. My car was literally packed to the roof of the car. I could see out the front windshield and my left window. Do you see a potential problem driving this way on the interstate at three-ish on Friday afternoon? I did a heap of praying every time I had to change lanes...especially the lanes to the right...all I could see was boxes of wreaths. However, I did arrive relatively intact...except for the slight collision with the concrete pillar. Another friend, Sheri, arrived at the same time, but she had sense enough to park in the right size space. When we arrived, the buffet line was being set up.

The buffet was great, guests gave sentimental toasts, and a video of the couple as they grew up was shown at the end of dinner. Of course, that had all mothers present looking in their purses for their hankies.

We had beautiful views of downtown Jackson. It was a pleasure to decorate and dine in such lovely surroundings. Two weekends in a row of lovely surroundings!

The assigned staff was great! We especially liked Amanda and these two gentlemen, who said we had the prettiest fall decorations they had seen! The one on the right even helped us load up in the deserted parking garage after un-decorating.

I promised them that they'd be internationally famous by Saturday night.

Decorating this venue was a lot like decorating a fine old home. It's big and spread out and I must have walked 15 miles between all the unloading and fluffing. My only complaint was the weird elevator setup. I never could get that figured out...thank goodness, my "helper" did. (Thanks, Sheri...you were a lifesaver. There is NO way I could have done it without you...and I sure couldn't have found my way home!)

Long view of dining room.

Of course, you know that lanterns are hot, hot, hot this season (both literally and figuratively speaking.) Around the lanterns, we used some of the prettiest autumn wreaths I have ever seen. Chapman's Florist was extremely helpful and had these shipped in just a few days. If you've never visited their shop in Pearl on Highway 80...run, don't walk to see it...their set ups for fall are the best! (Another blog for another day.)

TIP: I used tall prayer candles in glass containers for the lanterns...no messy wax to clean up and it looked very much like a glass cylinder in the middle of the lantern.

Vignette that greeted guests upon their arrival. Love that table!

Table numbers were in small matted frames and helped guide guests to their seats.

In the hallway was a long table that held pictures of the bride and groom. (May I say that I taught the sweet groom how to cook when he was in high school and he was a super nice fella! And so is his sister...and his dad...and naturally, his mom.) Also on this table was a bronze container to hold Best Wishes cards for the couple and the cute plate pictured below that all guests signed.

The statement above is my wish for all the new couples featured on my blog! Thanks for asking me to be a part of such a happy time in your life.

Join me at Beverly's Pink Saturday Party!
Eat lots of cake today,

* On the Scene: Rehearsal Dinner Report

My friend, Mrs. Anonymous and I were honored to help decorate for our friend, Linda's son's rehearsal dinner Friday, September 16. We arrived in Tupelo, Ms after lunch ready to "get her done"! Bishop's Florist assisted in carrying out our vision for the evening and did a really masterful job.

The dinner was held at twilight on the rooftop dining room of Park Heights Restaurant. I had never decorated "on the roof" before and it was quite an interesting afternoon. I was greatly concerned that our hair wouldn't "last" in the humidity and the breezy conditions ( I don't carry off the Jane Jetson hair look very well)...but it turned out to be a perfect day high atop the restaurant overlooking the park.

This was our view from one vantage point about 4 p.m. Below, the scenery changed dramatically as the sun set and the lights came on all throughout the city.

The seating area was quite a welcoming area for guests as they arrived.

Pictured below is Mr. Anonymous catching up on the day's news after driving Miss Daisy and Madame Butterfly (as he calls us) all over the country Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. What a brave and accommodating soul he was!


One of the restaurant's wait staff watches as a hot air balloon floats over the rooftops.

One of Mrs. Anonymous' (aka Miss Daisy) favorite decorations were the large sunflower heads sculpted into votive holders. (Last time I saw her, she was carrying them inside her house to do something with.)


As the sun set, we prepared for the arrival of the guests from the rehearsal.

The happy little couple poses for the four millionth picture and then led the way to the tables.

The color palette was beautiful. After the dinner, "Miss Daisy" insisted that we take the wreaths apart and put all the flowers together into one large wreath (see below). Mr. Anonymous and I helped her tear all the wreaths apart in the parking lot of the Hilton and dismantle them one by

one. (We had an audience by the time we were through and looked like a roving floral team of gypsies.) Then I "babysat" the thing in my room the rest of the weekend. I had to periodically "mist" it with my hair mister. It was like having a child with me. I digress...

Above is my weekend companion.
Below is the napkin setting for the dinner.

Every little detail was lovingly planned.
Ah, young love...such hopes and dreams! It restores your faith in humanity as you see a new couple launch out into the married world!!

I snapped lots of pictures for the family and just wanted to share some of the more public ones via the blog.

Perfect in every way except for one little hitch... let me explain.

The wedding took place at the bride's beautiful country home. Everyone was enchanted with the setting. As you approach the home, guests were seated looking toward the front walk entry, NOT the front porch. The bride entered from her front door and made her way down the steps, up the white mum lined walk and entered the wrought iron gazebo at the end of the sidewalk. It was traditionally beautiful....and we almost missed the whole thing.

Why, you ask? Please, let me tell you.

Miss Daisy overslept while taking her afternoon beauty nap and we left the hotel about twenty minutes late. As Mr. Daisy was cruising briskly down the highway, Miss Daisy remembered she hadn't turned off her hair curling iron...so back to the hotel we go...as she lept (and I use that term loosely) from the back of the Yukon, she sprinted (again, loosely) to the elevator and to her room. Except the card key had been demagnitized by her cell phone and she couldn't enter. Down she comes, screams that she can't get in, grabs Mr. Daisy's card and off she goes again for another try.

Finally, we get underway and drive the 25 minutes to the home...upon arriving it was now 2 minutes until the ceremony and as Mr. Daisy parks the car we both gingerly limp down the driveway and are met by 200 sets of eyes (that's 400 eyeballs if you are counting)...Just as we are just a few yards from the "goal line", I notice Daisy isn't beside me...she rasps..."I dropped my purse"..."So pick it up," I hiss. Everyone is watching..."NO! I can't it's in this ditch!". I turn and to my horror, see the silver metal purse at the bottom of a 4 foot culvert. It looks like a silver fish about to swim away. An official wedding man comes toward me and says, "Hurry, we've got to get you seated. The ceremony is about the begin." I turn and look at Daisy and have to make a decision, the ceremony or my friend....I make the decision and sign in and am seated....I know what you are thinking, but after all, she had Mr. Daisy to come to the rescue at some point and I wasn't missing this event because of some purse even if it did have all her important cards, breath mints and such in it. Besides, what could I do? I have two bum knees (just like she does). What if we had both fallen in? Then neither of us could have gotten up. At least this way, one of us would be able to say we saw the service.

For some reason, I began laughing convulsively....as did the audience as we approached the crowd. All of a sudden, she was there...with her purse. Then, out of no where, Mr. Daisy appeared and all ended well.
We had a great evening and returned to the hotel full of best wishes for the new couple (and full of the great dinner we had after the ceremony!) It was so special to be a part of such wonderful families and their heart felt wishes for a joyous life for their children.

If your purse has a strap, use it,

* MIA: The Wedding Director

I know my limitations. As I've aged, I've come face to face with what I absolutely CANNOT and can do. Directing a wedding is one of those CANNOTS....however, for my niece I acquiesced. Very small wedding, not many attendants...I took on the challenge.

Now, if you've never directed traffic at rush hour in NYC then do NOT ever criticize a Wedding Director. For no matter how small or how large the ceremony, it is a mine field. EVERYONE is tired, EVERYONE is ready to get the show on the road and there is the Director...standing in the middle of the lion's den, whip in hand, trying to get everyone from the 80+ year old grandparents to the 4 year old ringbearer down the aisle in some semblance of order...all the while trying to keep the random Chihauhau from running down the aisle too. (Now, I'm not saying these things occurred at this wedding...we had no ringbearer...I'm just saying...)

So off we go to a beautiful little church in the country...only, "we" picked the most humid day of this century with a slight chance of rain. Which brings me to another problem. Polyester pants...now I know you are horrified and wonder why on earth do you wear them? Let me explain...they are wrinkle free, have an elastic waist and will last for at least 15 years. There is one prob...on a July day when the temperature is soaring, the feeling you have in your polyesters is much like, well...let's just say that I have great respect for a link sausage that is being fried.

A few minutes before the Bridal party entrance, I decided to run to the ladies' room. I had minutes to spare..no big deal. However, all churches have their little quirks and not knowing anything about this one proved almost to be my downfall. Did I mention that my new black knee brace had lots of velcro on it and makes wearing polyesters a little more challenging...so after readjusting all my garments..I headed for the door...only the door wouldn't open. (This is the absolute truth.) I pulled, I yanked, I checked my watch....OMgosh...I was locked in. At first I timidly knocked on the door...didn't want to get the kitchen ladies all in a twirl...oh, I forgot they were heading to the sanctuary...then I pounded...I had visions of having to take the bathroom's shelving unit and use it as battering ram to free myself. Finally, I just did it...I screamed..."HELP, HELP, I can't get out!" Nothing. Nobody.

Time was a ticking...I pounded and screamed and finally I heard a lady say, "There's somebody locked in the bathroom.." "YES and it's the WEDDING DIRECTOR," I shrieked. So with several huge thuds that door popped open and I was a free woman. I sprinted to the front of the church and began the party's entrance. As I ran out, I heard the lady say, "She must not have read the sign." (Which I might add was on a 3 by 3 inch sticky note on the door in an unlit hall.) Now, maybe it's just me but I think that info might should be placed on a large blinking sign in the entrance to the fellowship hall. "If you don't want to spend the rest of the day locked in the ladies' restroom, Do NOT (repeat Do NOT) close and lock the bathroom door!"

All ended well and bride and groom are on their honeymoon enjoying themselves...the rest of us looked like what you might imagine the battlefield looked like after Vicksburg fell. But so it is...you do what you have to do...especially for family. Happy Wedding Day, Amy! I love you!