She’s back. And by God, worse than before.

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New Rule: Just a quick FYI– if at anytime during your wedding, your DJ or your photographer automagically turns into an event planner, I reserve the full right to do the “This is Sparta” kick…and probably AT your wedding. With absolutely no warning you will see me do this. I mean, really. What is SO hard about coming to a wedding and doing what you are contracted to do? You don’t see me going to McDonald’s and saying, “Yes. I’ll have a Number Four. But Oh wait. Let me be a fry cook for a minute. You see, I’ve eaten fries several times before, so I believe I’m qualified.” You don’t see me coming into the reception with my point and shoot and snapping all those “must-have” shots, or whipping out my trusty iPhone to play some tunes. Has Ray Ray had a convention in the past few weeks?! Is he still selling franchises of Ray Ray’s Chicken, Laundromats and Weddings?

New Rule: Stop telling people to send money for their meal back with their response cards. If you can’t afford your reception, you don’t charge your guests for their meal! You are just asking for the beatdown. It’s like asking for a cover charge at your wedding.

New Rule: Cease and desist with acting like you are doing vendors a favor by pitching the idea of a sponsored wedding. Your wedding is at the VFW, it’s not the Oscars. Seriously, how much exposure will your vendors get? Riiiiiiiiiggghhhhtttt– like toothless Aunt Ellie is going to hire XYZ caterer that sponsored your food. SHE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE TEETH. You’ve got business cards on everything– your tables, your cake, your favors…it looks like Vista Print blew up. Here’s an idea– Why don’t you wear a bridal dress that looks like a NASCAR dress with all your vendors’ logos on them. You know, because you’re a diva.

New Rule: Stop hating on the women on Platinum Weddings. Why are you catching an attitude every time Platinum Weddings comes on? You have called the bride everything but a child of God and are rolling your eyes every time she says how much something costs. It’s not her fault you’re broke! Leave her alone. Maybe you can write the network and pitch the idea of a show called “Brass Weddings”?

New Rule: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE stop thinking everyone on my staff, in your bridal party and guest list wants your man. Trust and believe you are the ONLY person that wants him. He has a gap in his teeth so wide you can stick a stack of dimes in them, my four month old has more hair than he does (and more social skills), and he is still wearing leisure suits. Trust me, he’s all yours.

There are a lot of gorgeous places around here in the Golden Isles. What makes it wonderful is that there is so much romance here that it is hard for it not to be contagious! If you want a quick getaway, and are thinking of popping the question, I’ll let you in on some fantastic spots, guys (and gals)!

One of our beautiful brides captured by the fabulous Eric Delaforce	The Tower of the Presidential Suite, Jekyll Club Hotel–When having a wedding at the Jekyll Club, many of our clients choose to have the Presidential Suite for their honeymoon. The room is absolutely gorgeous with its old world decor, and access to the property’s signature tower. The tower gives an exquisite view of the entire property as well as other areas of the island. You can also take your beloved on a beautiful carriage ride to see other parts of the natural island.
	The Village Pier at St. Simons Island–If that sunset doesn’t get you, then I don’t know what will! The beautiful pier is a great place to people watch or spot a dolphin or two. This is only a hop, skip and a jump away from one of our favorite restaurants, Georgia Sea Grill
	Historic Old City Hall– Totaly refurbished and renovated, it is now open for special events, and is a must see. Many people walk the streets of Historic downtown (very easily, I might add!) and make this a priority to see. A great visit that would be only made perfect after a glorious visit to my favorite downtown restaurant– Pearl.
	Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island– Jekyll Island has one of the best beaches of the area, because a majority of the island is all natural. You may even be lucky enough to see dolphins!
Picture courtesy of Brunswick Wedding Vendors	The Gazebo at the St. Simons Lighthouse– This gives you gorgeous views of the beach and the nearby lighthouse. A lot of wedding ceremonies are held here, and both (the gazebo and lighthouse) are great for photo ops.

These are just a few of my favorite places around town– there are TONS more! If you need help trying to find the perfect place, just give me a call! We’d be glad to help!

Last month my friend Kim from Parisian Events wrote about the latest in French fashion, the black wedding dress. Yes, black. You can read more about it out here.

Naturally, the fresh content from her post was a hit and soon after, several other bloggers were writing about it too. This isn’t a problem – blogs, especially wedding blogs, thrive on bringing you the latest in trends and styles. And a black wedding dress? Well that just goes against so much tradition that people just had to share it with the world.

The problem, however, is that several bloggers simply copied and pasted her article and failed to give her credit. Seriously, her post has been popping up all over the place, verbatim, with no link back to her. And yes, deleting one sentence is still considered plagiarism. I am not sharing which blogs plagiarized because I do not feel they deserve the extra traffic.

Here is the skinny on blogging etiquette in this arena (and this is nothing new): If someone has written about an idea that you love, some new bridal shoes that you absolutely adore, a pair of earrings that are sure to be gracing every bride’s lobes in 2008, then by all means blog about it. Just be sure to give credit to the original source.

The blogging community is a lot smaller than people think, especially in a niche market like weddings. Blog responsibly.

{photo via Max Chaoul Couture}

This was originally written by Liene because at the moment I lack the capacity to write about it as nicely as she has.  

And THAT ladies and gentleman is called a credit.

See– how hard was that?

Better yet, let me not hold back and REALLY give you my take on it.

Stop being so @*$*ing lazy. As Liene stated, the wedding blogging circles are so intertwined and close knit, that you will find a lot of people blogging about similar things or have posts that have been inspired by other bloggers.  A lot of us read each other’s blogs and have similar audiences and target markets, so it’s not that uncommon. However, there is a difference between being inspired and stealing.  We work hard at researching and writing a blog– if someone told you it was easy and quick, they lied and you should smack them in their mouth.  It irritates the buttercream out of me to see people do this– especially people who KNOW better.

A lot of us talk to each other every day, so we all take offense to this.  Don’t be the Napster of the Wedding Blogging World.

These are your rules! Let’s check ‘em out and see what’s bugging everyone else…

New Rule: Ok…your DJ is there to play music, this isn’t a radio show…tell him to shut up and play music!

Jennifer (Thank God for you, Jennifer!)

New Rule: Do not get wasted at your own wedding. Having your groom carry you out of the reception is just not attractive. Unless you’re going for the theme of “trashy” I suggest a little moderation. I did not get hired to babysit you (ie: hold your hair while you puke and keep you from falling into your five-tiered cake). But I WILL put it on YouTube so everyone can bask in your wedding gloriousness.

Stacey

New Rule: Enough with your silly paper aisle runners! For God’s Sake they just get all wrinkled gross and nasty! And why on God’s Green Earth do you want your groomsmen or ushers to mess with an extra large toilet paper role with a crappy ass double sided tape on one side for 20 minutes before you walk down the aisle! Deal with your beautiful marble floor, don’t cover it up with crap! We are not in the middle ages any more and there is no fear of getting mud on your dress!

Sugar and Spice

New Rule: Tulle will be outlawed at all venues. Anyone caught trying to bring in tulle for decorations shall be hit over the head repeatedly with the flimsy bolt of fabric until some sense is knocked in her. Tuck Fulle!

Saundra

New Rule: Just because you weigh 300 pounds and can cook does NOT mean you can cater!! Since nobody has taken you aside to tell you that dropping food off in an aluminum pan with a sterno is NOT catering, allow me… Dropping food off in an aluminum pan with sterno is NOT catering. You are merely providing the equivalent of a one cook pot luck meal. Really!! Ever heard of NACE – didn’t think so! Know about renting linens? HA! I could tell and don’t tell me the clients ain’t gotta spend that money cause you’ve got Chinet. There’s a lot more to catering than cooking and throwing it on a papered table, please get a clue!!!

Dragon Lady

These were great! I only do 5 rules a week, so if your rule isn’t here– stay tuned! And keep them coming! Vent about your *favorite* bride, vendor or wedding tradition and send them to terrica {at} onceuponyourwedding dot com!

A few years ago I got this awsome Miss A Kit as a gift for Christmas and I love it. Just recently I lost mine (tear) and am now getting ready to order a new one.

It is the total girl version of the Swiss Army knife.  It can fit into your purse, clutch or even your pocket. Almost everytime I used mine I got a comment from someone saying how cute it was, or asking me where I got it. I have given these as small gifts, and stocking stuffers and they are always a hit. So if you need a last minute gift for your girlfriends, mom or yourself, the Miss A Kit is perfect. They come in 12 different colors and the features included are:

They even came out with one for the guys, MetroLine Kit For Men.

Get 10% off your entire purchase at Get Married!  You have a choice between everything from jewelry, bags, frames and more!  Remember to use code 121607.

We haven’t had the opportunity to use our fireplace yet because it is a nice 80 degrees here. Bummer.

But for those of you who want to get into the Christmas spirit by adding on to your decor or cuddling by the fire, this post is for you.  You will remember I told you about what to do with your left over wedding votive candles.  But what about the big candles you get from retailers?  Your know the ones that you can’t burn anymore because it has tunneled (created a cylindric hole down the center due to poor burning) or is lopsided or the wick is gone?

Ok, ok. I’ll tell you.  You will need your old candle jars and some pinecones.  You may want to sanitize your pinecones beforehand or use them naturally. Sanitizing is easy, just put them in a bucket/bowl of cool water to get rid of any bugs, dirt, etc.  Let them dry for a day.

Get your candle jars and follow the same instructions as before to melt your wax.   But what next?

1. While your wax is melting, prepare a cardboard box and fill with newspaper and add pinecones.
2. Next to your box, lay out more newspaper on a flat surface.
3. Put on your oven mitts, and remove your old candle jars.
4. Pour your wax on top of your pinecones– you may want to take care as to how you pour these if you want them for decoration.  If not, just go BTTW and go for it.  You could also tie a string to your pine cones and dip them in the hot wax.
5. Lay your pine cones on the flat, newspaper covered surface. While the wax is congealing, you may want to add glitter, feathers, berries, spray paint etc. Whatever blows your skirt up. If you are using these as firestarters, nothing else is needed.

Now you have some nice pine cones that are now scented with your candle wax, and can be placed in any decorative bowl or placed on a wreath or on the tree as ornaments.

If you are using these as firestarters,  you can them place them under, on, and around your logs to get your fire started. Your home will be filled with a nice aroma as the wax melts (BONUS!)

This is a lot of fun and stupid easy.  It’s a great project and even be wedding-fied for a wedding craft, if necessary.   My kids love doing it and it pays off big.  Remember to keep your jars (just be sure to wipe out with paper towels until clean and never ever EVER pour wax down the sink).  You now have a new clean pencil jar, penny jar, or whatever jar.

Photo: Southern Lighterd

Uber sweet Harmony of the Bridal Blog tagged me, so here I go!

1.) I got my first tattoo at 18. It took 5 and a half hours. It’s on my back It is a replica of Shadow (shown below in black) from the video game “Eternal Champions”. I used to play that game a lot when I moved to L.A. as a kid, and loved Shadow’s character. She was a mouthy assassin for the Black Orchid Corp., and specialized in Ninjitsu. She could kill people with her words. Sound familiar?

2.) Even though I am a wedding planner, and have planned the hugest of fetes to the smallest, most intimate of nuptials, I myself, have never had a wedding…and I’ve been married for eight years.

(Photo by Going Bridal)

3.) In my first pageant, I made it to the semi-finals with the help of three words. They asked for three words to describe myself. All the others said, “Strong, Fun, Exciting” or “Intelligent, beautiful, Caring”. Me? “Visa, Mastercard and Discover”. Viva la Commerce!

(Photo by Binary Dollar Blog)

4.) I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE old movies. The movie that started it all for me was Gone With the Wind. I saw it as a young girl, and have loved it ever since. I even own an original edition of the book. But anything in black and white, I will watch. I heart Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth and the rest of the classic beauties.

5.) My husband and I met in July, he proposed in September, and we married in October. Still going strong after eight years

(Photo by my 5 yr old daughter)

6.) I was once a 44JJ….and a size 6/8. I had to get my bras and bikinis from England. I have since been nipped and tucked (surgery took 8 hrs) and my life has been uberfabulous ever since.

(from Big Girls Bras, where I was once a very happy customer)

7.) Before becoming a wedding planner, I was studying law. Yes, imagine the joy of my parents.

(Logo from Lexis)

Ok! Now I’m tagging some of my buddies! Let’s check out some of their answers!

• Saundra H., of Planning Forever
• Lisa , of Blushalicious
• Cicely of Life Design Events
• Tabitha D., of Dantzler Designz
• Scarlett W., of Scarlett Lillian
• Kimberley P., of Parisian Events
• Shanika B., of SJB Weddings and Events

The rules, my friends, are:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Did you know that food can put people in the mood for love?

Mmmhmmm! That’s right! But these same types of foods can also help people have a good time overall. We’ve been there before– we’ve either gone out and the food has been criminally awful, and it almost ruins the night, or we’ve gone out and the food has been exceptional and added to the overall appeal of the evening. Certain scents, colors, textures and tastes trigger a synapse in the brain that says, “Hey– Get off your butt! It’s time to party!”

Why not add them at your wedding?

1.) Add brightly colored foods to your menu. Brightly colored foods are not only appealing to the eyes, but serve many healthy benefits (think vegetables). Those same brightly colored foods stimulate the brain.

2.) Chocolate. Who would’ve thought! Chocolate also stimulates the nervous system and increases blood pressure, making your heart beat faster and “feel all in love”. No wonder I always feel pretty after a Hersey bar (And then have to kill myself working out…the irony is ridiculous). Believe it or not, because of its taste and texture, chocolate can be incorporated in a lot of mainstream meals. Think spring rolls with white chocolate wasabi fondue or other entrees enhanced with chocolate or cocoa powder. I know you’re saying “Terrica, that’s a no go”. But these are fun to play with, as they may not sound appetizing, but they really do tempt and caress the palate. But let’s say you’re not that adventurous– stick with passed chocolates or chocolate covered strawberries during cocktail our or chocolate martinis.

3.) Get some help from your friend, Al Q. Hall. Here is a shocker– alcohol is also a mood booster. This is another reason why you should make sure your wine pairings are on point and your signature bar or drink is appealing.

Photo: BBC Good Food