My Wedding Blooms will be a speaker at “Backstage Bridal”

(written by Kerim Albanes | My Wedding Blooms Blog)

Great news everybody, finally there is an event that is designed with the bride in mind. This event is called “Backstage Bridal“ and it will take place on February 28, 2010 at the Pacific Electric Lofts Penthouse Ballroom in downtown Los Angeles. Now, let me say that what makes this event so special is that this is NOT a “Bridal Show”. Backstage Bridal is a unique wedding experience where couples and vendors come together in a more relaxed way. Wedding professionals will be sharing knowledge with the couples that attend as well as answering questions. Panel discussions through out the whole day will include: ”Planning a wedding” by Tami Brown; ”How to get the most out of your flowers” by Lori and myself; ”How to enhance your event with lighting” by Jason Fox and many others. There are several speakers lined up for this event, from invitations and menu cards to financial planning and dancing tips for the first dance.

These are some of the professionals that are going to be a part of this amazing experience:

LA Wedding Planners - Wedding Planning

Mary Me Bridal, Deborah Lindquist Eco-Designs & Amal of Beverly Hills – Bridal Attire

Luna Gardens, My Wedding Blooms & Lori’s Flowers – Floral Design

Hey Mr. DJ – DJ/emcee

JFox Event Lighting – Lighting Design

I’ll Marry You… – Officiant

Charles + Lauren Films – Cinematography

Trilogy Financial Services – Financial Planning

Desi Baytan Photography – Wedding Photography

Skye Blu Photography – Wedding Photography & Boudoir Photography

Copper Willow paper Studio - Custom Designed Stationary

Dance Ten - Dance Instruction

This event has all the ingredients for a great experience, the location is amazing and the best part of all is that it will be like taking a class on how to make your wedding a total success.

I am really excited to be a part of this, I finally will get the chance to share with several brides at the same time some of the do’s and don’ts of flowers. We’ll get the myth of “In Season” out of the closet.

Check out all of the details at Backstage Bridal Coming Soon Hosted By Fabulously Wed

Your Mom, Your Wedding

I remember when I was in the midst of my own wedding plans, my mother was so excited and she was very vocal in her ideas and suggestions. However, I also learned very quickly that "mom's" ideas were rooted in the past and she had no idea what planning a wedding in the new millennium really meant.

Is your mom confused by wedding costs today? Do you have a hard time convincing her that Uncle Joe is not a good alternative to hiring a professional photographer or that Cousin Mark simply cannot emcee your wedding the way a DJ can?

Invite your mother to join you at Backstage Bridal. It's a great bonding experience and will help bring your mother up-to-date on wedding trends and styles. Not to mention it's just plain fun for the both of you.

Get your tickets HERE. Early Bird Specials going on now!

Wedding Laughs: Umm, ok

Handling Momzilla

A mom who takes control of their daughter's wedding day is nothing new. In fact, from the beginning, a mother's traditional role was to plan the wedding. But in our current wedding climate, 21st-century trends come into play and can turn what's supposed to be a beautiful union into a monster's ball.

CONTROLLING MOMS
Today, a mother's eagerness to have a piece of the wedding planning pie comes from a different place than it did when it was her sole responsibility. One type of mom is the controlling kind that is trying to plan the wedding she never had. Whether consciously or unconsciously, these moms start demanding that their daughter's wedding fit into a certain mold - one that was missing at their own wedding. Some of these moms try to re-create their wedding day vicariously through their daughter.

EMOTIONAL MOMS
With a mother who has controlling tendencies, you'll be able to anticipate how she will approach the planning process. Bit it's the gentle, caring mom-turned-momzilla that can really take brides by surprise. Unassuming moms who then become obsessed with planning their daughter's wedding is a common theme. It's important to realize, however, that these sweet, loving moms really do have your best interest at heart and they are not coming from an evil place. While you've been thinking about your wedding since the day your fiance slipped that ring on your finger, your mom has been thinking about your wedding ever since she knew she was having a girl. Your mom has an emotional investment in her vision for the wedding.

ANGRY MOMS
Divorce - one family dynamic that you can expect to see surface while you're making plans - adds a whole new set of emotions to the wedding paradigm that could have your mom spinning out of control. There may be competition with your dad to be the best parent. For that reason, divorced mothers may overcompensate and try too hard to outdo their ex-husband, letting deep-seated insecurities about the divorce carry over into the nuptials.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
This is a defining moment in your mother/daughter relationship and you have to find a way to talk to your mom using the same people skills you have with a difficult co-worker, or, as ironic as it may sound, with a child. It's a great time to learn something new about people management and communication - not only to better the relationship with your mom, but also to make you more effective at work.

Above all, it's critical to be strong and protect your plans for the wedding that you want. It's all about being diplomatic and assertive and knowing how to best talk to your mom. With all the different feeling that a mother experiences during this pivotal point in her daughter's life, everybody is really emotionally tweaked. And you have to take it upon yourself to be the leader in negotiating how things are going to go.

So how do you find the fine line between being respectful and still efficient? How about sandwiching all the issues that are hard to chew on in between loving statements. For example, the first part of your discussion can be reflective of the fact that you do really love your mom, even if you are momentarily at odds. Then comes all the dirt, where you can raffle off the baggage you've been carrying around about your mom's intrusive behavior. Be aware, though, that using "i" and not "you" will be much more productive. You can describe what you are feeling by saying, "I'm experiencing this kind of feeling and it's becoming a problem for me and I need your help in resolving it," rather than, "Mother, you are driving me crazy." Once you've let it all out, close with another loving comment that encourages your mom to embrace a solution - one that will allow you to have the wedding of your dreams.

If a divorce and a step-mom are causing your mother to forget who should be the focus of your wedding day, keep in mind that her fear may be that she is being replaced by another mom. You can make the whole thing better by saying things that will directly and indirectly assure her that she is not going to lose you.

And if you really want to show your mom that you appreciate her desire to be involved in your wedding planning process, I encourage you to bring her along with you to Backstage Bridal. Not only will she learn what it takes to plan a modern day wedding, she will have a good time and you will enjoy spending time bonding with her within the planning process. Afterall, she ultimately wants to share in the joy of planning your wedding with you.

However challenging your confrontation might be, don't lose sight of whose wedding day it is. Ultimately, it's your time to shine and you have the ability to create the environment you want to shine in.

Wedding Laughs: Shotgun Wedding

Wedding Laughs: The Kneeling Bench

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http://www.nesweddings.com/toronto-wedding-decorations

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www.cemotionsevents.com

http://www.lkphotography.com.au/

http://www.eventenvy.com/EventEnvy/Private_Events.html

Wedding Laughs: But I Don't Wanna!

We are giving away TWO COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS to one lucky Bride. To enter, leave a comment on this blog between now and September 9, 2009. Winners will be announced on Friday, September 11, 2009.