Been There, Done That Bride Part Two: Melissa Montoya

Why Part Two you may ask? Well if you haven't read Amanda's story yet, I'd suggest you hop on over to yesterday's accompanying post first.

This week, it's my sincere pleasure to tell the story of Amanda and Melissa. Not only are these ladies near and dear to my heart, but they also have quite the story. Imagine getting engaged on the same day as your sister, and then hosting your weddings only seven weeks apart!

In addition to her sister's challenge of playing bride and Matron of Honor, Melissa was also a bridesmaid in her best friend's wedding within the seven week time frame as well. The good news is that she lived to tell the tale and happily shares her story with us.

Without further ado, here's Melissa-

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
I consider myself a “Been There, Done That” Bride because I survived a year of many weddings. In July 2009, I was overjoyed when my now husband proposed to me. Later that night, I was overjoyed AGAIN when my sister’s boyfriend proposed to her as well. To add to the mix, my best friend was engaged just two weeks earlier! So not only am I a Been There, Done That Bride, I am a Been There, Done That Maid of Honor and a Been There, Done That Bridesmaid.

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
How expensive everything was. I tell every new bride I talk to, “whatever you think something is going to cost, multiply it by three.” At the beginning of planning our wedding (the day after we were engaged), we started a wedding website and used their handy budget planner. After it divided our money into all the major categories, off I went to start my research. No sooner than my first stop, I realized there was no way I would be able to create my vision with the lesser amount that the budget recommended. But in the end you make it work, you realize what you absolutely can’t live without, what you can make on your own and what you can sacrifice, which in my case were the beautiful gold chivari chairs that my father would absolutely not budge on.

What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
Time and originality. Being involved in three weddings within seven weeks created quite the challenge. Being the maid of honor in my sister’s wedding and a bridesmaid in my best friend’s wedding meant three bridal showers, three dress fittings, three bachelorette parties, three dresses… need I say more. I really had to take a couple of weeks and focus on one wedding at a time and then switch gears, color schemes and themes in order to keep my sanity. Trying to make sure that each wedding was special and unique was enjoyable but definitely took a lot of creativity. My sister and I squabbled over the Father of the Bride song (my sister won since she says my dad sang it to her longer) and my best friend and I did go back and forth a couple of times on who would have the tall twigs in vases for centerpieces, but in the end all three weddings were completely different. We all created our own atmosphere, our own special touches and our own amazing memories.

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
My mother, my sister, the glue gun and many, many checklists….There was no way I could have achieved everything I did for my wedding without the support of my mother and sister. They were there for me every step of the way and for every project, whether it was creating wedding programs, pew cones, collecting acorns and pine cones, constructing a homemade trellis or just being a sounding board for my many wedding ideas. They both carried a glue gun with them at all times as pretty much every aspect of my wedding had some arts and craft project involved much to their dismay. Also a big believer in checklists, I had a checklist for everything. I may have taken it a little too far at my sister’s bridal shower reporting if we were over or under on our time period for each event, but what can I say, I wanted to keep everything running smoothly.

What would you have done differently?
I really would not have done anything differently for my wedding since it far exceeded any of my expectations, but if I had to pick one thing, I would say to not stress out so much about the cost of the photographer. That was the one expense that I really had a hard time committing to, but now looking at the beautiful pictures we have, I am so thankful I spent the extra money as these will always remind us of our amazing day. Still today when I view my wedding album, I feel as if I’m transported right back to that special day. We look forward to sharing these memories with our children someday.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
My one piece of advice, which I’m sure is the same with every “Been There, Done That” Bride, is to just enjoy the whole process. All the planning, stressful decisions and late night craft sessions lead up to the most amazing day of your life. It is so rewarding on your wedding day to sit back and look around and realize that you created this moment. The day of your wedding, you have done everything you can do, it is now your time to get pampered, marry your soul mate and then dance the night away!!

Melissa wore three very different hats during the planning process but found that with checklists and multiple glue guns really saved the day. She also knew that sometimes you have to make tough decisions and decide what are the "must haves" in the planning process. What's also great is that while Melissa took on many projects herself, she also realized the importance of having a professional capture her Big Day.

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Been There, Done That Bride Part One: Amanda Tauro

I know I've said this before, but this week, I'm really, really excited about our Been There, Done That Bride for two reasons: 1) they are dear friends of mine and 2) there are TWO of them.

I can't remember a day in my life when I didn't know these two so it brings me great joy to share their Big Day with you.

What makes their story so unique? Well it all happened one sunny July day when BOTH ladies become engaged on the same day. Fast forward a bit and suddenly they are getting married seven weeks apart and are each other's Matrons of Honor.

I don't want to give away too much, so I'll let Been There, Done That Bride #1 take it away-

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
I consider myself to be a “Been There, Done That” Bride because I not only successfully planned our wonderful August wedding but helped in the planning process of my sister’s wedding as well. Everything began on a hot and muggy July day that will never be forgotten because not only did my sister get engaged that morning but Eric had also planned on proposing to me that night in front of all of our closest friends and family. By the days end my sister and I were both newly engaged and we knew that the planning that was ahead of us would be one of the most memorable times in our lives. The most interesting part of this was that our weddings were only 7 short weeks apart from each other. My sister and I were about to embark on a new journey of our lives and we were able to celebrate and enjoy every little detail and decision that came along with it.

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
I think the thing that surprised me the most about the wedding process was the fact that there really are so many more details and decisions that are made behind the scenes of weddings that aren’t known of. Before planning my own wedding I don’t think I really understood what went into the whole planning process but now that I have been both a bride and a Matron-of-Honor myself, I am able to take in every small detail from the centerpieces to the color of the seating cards. Weddings truly are wonderful and are the perfect way to remember your big day. I have such an appreciation for future brides and their families!

What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
I really think that the wedding planning process wasn’t as stressful as it may have been for some other people. We got all of the big things done in the very beginning of the planning, that way there wasn’t as much that needed to be done in the end. I will say however that the last three months were more stressful than the beginning and I think that was because the planning was coming to an end. We were now trying to tie up all the lose ends and get the last minute details all taken care of. I made list upon list and then reorganized those lists which only lead to me getting more overwhelmed which is where my husband stepped in. He would go through the list and write something after each and every task listed, whether it was helpful or not. He knew just how to calm me down and I am so thankful for this!

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
The things that I wouldn’t have been able to live without during the wedding planning would have to be my husband, family and Post-Its!!! I can’t even begin to explain how supportive and easy going my husband was throughout the whole process and whenever I got nervous or stressed about anything he knew just how to calm me down and let me know that it really was going to be ok. Furthermore, my mother and sister were also a saving grace to me; knowing that I always had them to bounce ideas off of was amazing, they were my perfect sounding board! My last savior had to be Post-Its, and although I had to replenish my supply multiple times I couldn’t have imagined being able to keep all of the details straight without my many lists.

What would you have done differently?
I think the one thing that my husband I would have wanted to do differently would have been to have a Videographer. In the beginning of the planning process Eric and I thought that it wasn’t completely necessary to have a Videographer but one of our friends had it done and there really were so many more special moments that were captured. If there is something that you really feel like you can’t go without, then do it! Your wedding will be that much more memorable with a memento that will last you throughout your many years of wedded bliss.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
My one piece of advice to all of the other Brides out there would be to truly enjoy the whole process. Although it may get stressful at times and you may not think you will be able to get through it all, remember “Don’t sweat the small stuff!” Your guests aren’t going to notice that the table linens don’t perfectly match the color of the bridesmaids dresses or that the chairs for the ceremony aren’t perfectly even on each side. Remember to enjoy all of the little moments and the precious memories for you will only do this once and you may as well do it with a bang! The day is all about you and your soon to be husband and nothing else matters!

Amanda is proof that with enough support and a great attitude, you can enjoy planning your wedding AND being a Matron of Honor all at the same time. A steady supply of Post Its doesn't hurt either. :)

What about the other sister? Well stay tuned for tomorrow, as we feature Melissa.

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,
Meghan


Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Been There, Done That Bride: Casey Bunn

I'll admit it- I get a little giddy when a new Been There, Done That bride comes across my desk. This week, I'm especially delighted to share the story of my friend, and Richmond Twitter Celebster Casey Bunn with RSVPHere.com.

Think that planning a wedding is tough when trying to work at the same time? You haven't heard anything yet.

Take it away Casey...

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
I planned my entire wedding while holding down a job and running a company RSVPhere.com in my spare time! We were our own first customers! I was investing all of my money in my business, so opted out of a wedding planner, but boy do I see why brides use them! I planned a destination wedding in Hatteras, North Carolina where family and friends would spend a week together and the wedding would take place on Saturday. Planning a wedding on a budget in another city outside of a job and company is TOUGH! I loved getting married though-it was the best day ever. We got married in the backyard of our house on the water. Our chairs were set up in a circle around our alter so everyone had a good view. We danced our first song to Jack Johnson and broke out into Michael Jackson! Colin threw the garter on a football and we ended the night by jumping into the pool.

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
Detail detail detail. Who knew there could be so much detail? Any finding which details you handle in Richmond, and which ones to handle in Hatteras was really tough. And then there are things like, what happens when a storm comes the night before and knocks down your bamboo alter? Good thing we had a washer, a grandma, and an uncle who was a builder handy. Many hands make light work. I found that managing the details become a little easier through delegation :).

What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
Hmm, probably budget. Where do you splurge and where do you skimp? What matters most to you and what will make your day special? What can you live without, and what must you have? We found ways to save money so we could use it in other places-like having a stock the bar engagement party (where our guests brought top shelf!) so we could have a great bar at little cost to us as well as we hired a friend bartender and paid for his room. We also made our favors wine/martini glasses with homemade wine charms made out of earring hoops so that we doubled up on glasses for the party and favors. But overall, making all of those decisions was the most stressful part.

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
My mom, my girlfriends and Gregory-my stunt partner from college. They helped make everything that we made handmade- invitations, wine charms, programs, music selection etc- they also helped collect vases that people wanted to get rid of to use- they offered to do my flowers and even came through decorating my cake with fresh flowers the day of the wedding. They were lifesavers.

What would you have done differently?
I would have ordered my flowers from Costco to be delivered a little sooner. They came in on Thursday and were so fresh that the Lilies did not open but for a few by our wedding on Saturday.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
The day only happens once. Soak it in, each minute and say to yourself ok, now I'm doing this, and now I'm doing this in your head etc- take it in one piece at a time so you can remember everything. You can't please everyone or spend a ton of time with every single person at your wedding, so do what makes you happy so that your day it the most special to you and your husband.

Balancing wedding plans with full time work and simply having a life is tough enough, but to combine it with starting your own company? Casey is proof that with the right support system, you too can enjoy planning your Big Day, even if you probably won't get any sleep. :)

Non-sponsored overshare! I heart Casey's web site and recently made the switch over so now all of my Bridal Association meetings run through it. Thanks for giving me back a good three hours of time each month Mrs. Bunn!

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,

Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Surviving a Wedding Pro Break Up

It's an undeniable feeling. You're hearing "It's not you, it's me" but want you're really hearing is blah blah blah you're wedding is ruined.

Suddenly, your stomach falls into your butt and you need to sit down. Preferably with a big glass of wine.

If it hasn't happened to you, then it's happened to one of your friends. You have your wedding pros all lined up, contracts and all, in your bursting-at-the-seams binder. You then get the fateful phone call- suddenly, your reception venue has changed personnel (Disclaimer! This could happen with many wedding categories but based on my own experience, I'm sticking to what I know).

Suddenly you are in crisis mode. You find yourself shaking your fist in anger and kicking things. After all, didn't they see how much you had already bonded with Suzie Reception Planner? Didn't your forty-five minute chat about bengaline linens mean anything to her?

Now unless you're a particularly good crier or briber, there isn't much you can do to prevent this. The good news, however, is that there is quite a bit you can do to prepare yourself so if this challenge does come your way, you can face it head on. Take a few tid bits from this wedding pro who has, unfortunately, had to have broken up with a few brides in her hey day.

1) Fall in love with the location, not the person. Yes, it's imperative to get along with the on site coordinator BUT you must be honest with yourself and ask this question- Am I okay with losing this person and still being booked at this fabulous location? If the answer is no, then it's time to move on.

2) Discuss the scenario early on and be up front. Personally, I always called each and every wedding contact personally to tell them that I was leaving and how we were moving forward from a staffing standpoint. Unfortunately, this wasn't always the case with other venues. Have the discussion and have it early. Don't be afraid to ask for a guarantee that states that should the contact change, you will be informed in a timely manner.

3) Surround yourself with good people. The venue itself is a rather large piece to the reception puzzle. If you lose your venue contact and are left with your friend who takes photographs on the side, your cousin who is going to play an Ipod and be the DJ and your aunt who bakes cakes, then frankly, you're in trouble. If you experience a staff change but have taken the time to book true wedding professionals, then you are going to be far better off than the gal with the Ipod and homemade cake.

Life happens and you're going to learn that at one point or another during the planning process. The true test is how you react to it once the challenge has been thrown your way.

It also does hurt to have an emergency bottle of red wine in the cupboard.

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Fondant vs Buttercream

Hey ladies!

If you haven't done so already, head over to Wedology 101 teamster Kara with A Cake to Remember's Blog as she goes into the nitty gritty of dealing with cakes in this retched heat. As many discover far too late, oftentimes, fondant is simply a must for outdoor weddings this time of year.

Take it away Kara- http://acaketorememberva.blogspot.com/2010/06/wedding-cakes-sometimes-fondant-is.html


Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Been There, Done That Bride: Heather Walrath

I've had such a blast working with our Been There, Done That Brides thus far, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when a DC Bridal Blogger Heather Walrath, of Bicoastal Bride fame, reached out to us.

Brides can get handed all sorts of interesting challenges so you can only begin to imagine what it would be like to plan your wedding from across the country. Not only did Heather do it, but she did it with style. And without further ado, here's Heather:

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
I call my wedding-planning blog Bicoastal Bride because that’s exactly what I was! Following our engagement in April 2009, my fiancee and I spent over a year planning our wedding in my hometown of Thousand Oaks, Calif., while juggling our busy lives here in Washington, D.C. Stressful? Sometimes. But by working together, staying organized, and relying on the amazing help of our families and friends, we were able to create a fabulous day that was fun and memorable for everyone.

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
Going in, I knew that planning our wedding would be exciting, but I never dreamed it would become the most enjoyable time of my life. Through blogging and sharing my experience with other brides, I discovered so many great ideas to enhance our day and make the experience even more incredible than it already was. The support and positive energy I found in the wedding community were huge sources of inspiration throughout the entire process, and I’ve just loved sharing my own ideas and advice, as well.

What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
Though the seating chart is definitely in the running, I’d say the biggest stressor came about a week before the wedding, when we had to lug my gown through a total of three airports on our way out to California. Flight cancellations, delays, gate changes, and tiny storage spaces only added to the frustration throughout that long day. I would have been lost without my selfless fiancee, who lovingly carried the heavy gown from one terminal to another without so much as a single complaint. And when he saw me on our wedding day, he was the first to tell me that it had all been worth it!

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
Exercise! Though I used to be a complete couch potato, I took up running and strength training while planning the wedding. It made a huge difference, both mentally and physically. I found myself less frazzled and so much more energetic. Plus, I felt fit and beautiful on my wedding day. What could be better than that?

What would you have done differently?
This is a tough question, because even when things went wrong or didn’t work out quite as expected, I always learned from the situation, or at the very least came out of it with some funny and memorable stories!

If I had to change something, though, I might have built in a little more time for our “first look” before the ceremony to spend alone with my fiancé, just trying to relax and take it all in. Though I felt very calm throughout the morning, the fun but frantic pace had me feeling a little nervous by the afternoon. Seeing Stephen and sharing that special moment really did wonders for me, and having been able to stretch it out a few minutes longer would have made it even better.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but it can also be tons of fun, if you choose to focus on that aspect, instead of letting the little things get to you. No matter how much you prepare or plan, I guarantee that something will go wrong on your wedding day. But as with so many other areas in life, it’s how you choose to handle it that makes all the difference. You can get worked up and let it ruin your day, or you can instead just focus on how happy you feel and how much this day means to you and your partner. Stress and mishaps will happen no matter what, so you might as well just roll with them.

Heather took what could have been a very stressful situation, and turned it into the wedding of her dreams. You rock on with your bad self, Bicoastal Bride. :)

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Budget? What Budget!?

I can't stress enough how imperative it is to look at the big picture before making any decisions about the big day. If you don't gather all the facts and blow 70% of your wedding budget on the first category you decide to conquer it could spell trouble down the road. All too often I've seen a frazzled Bride trying to figure out how she can squeeze in some of the final touches, i.e. lighting and linens into a dwindling wedding budget.

When it's time to talk decor, those fabulous linens and lighting that could add the finishing touch to the big event could quickly become a no go. No one likes to settle, especially a bride so to ensure all your whims and wishes come to fruition make sure you get a real look at all your potential expenses before you start allocating funds.

A word to the wise:

• Gather all the information before you start making plans for your wedding bucks.


• Remember, you get what you pay for. Stick with professionals, let Mom and Aunt Sally actually enjoy themselves. Oh, and leave the ipod at home.


• Decide what is a priority for you and your groom and splurge there, i.e. you really want that 9 piece band.


• Have the discussion about money with all involved. Be clear about who is paying for what from the start. This is not the time and place for surprises, it's important to get it on the table before hand, there is no need for the holidays to be awkward for the next ten years.

Cheers,
Jenn

Jennifer McBride is owner of McBride Events (www.mcbrideevents.com), a Richmond based design and event planning company. She loves caffeine, and a good floor length linen. Visit www.wedology101.com to learn more about our upcoming seminar.

Been There, Done That Bride: Ashley Alphin

We’ve sent out word far and wide for former brides who embody the “Been There, Done That” mentality- they planned their wedding and lived to tell the tale!

The initial response has been fantastic and it’s with great pleasure that we feature Ashley Alphin as our inaugural “Been There, Done That” bride. Married this past August, Ashley literally pulled together her wedding in a month while having the majority of her wedding party come from out of state.

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
We went in with challenges but it was by far the most amazing day of my life!

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
Only planning in one month, I was surprised we were able to include all the little details that were important to us as a couple.
What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
Finding rooms for out of town guests; after people began to RSVP we realized not as many rooms were needed for wedding blocks. Our time schedule for planning was stressful in itself but we took one day at a time and worked as a team!

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
One thing I could not live without during the planning would be my mom. She was so helpful through the whole process and her creative input made quite the difference. She helped make our wedding day - the most amazing day of our lives!

What would you have done differently?
I would have liked to take a little more time to soak in the day, it went by so quick.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
Relax- don't stress over the little things!

Ashley is proof that you can face added challenges with planning your Big Day, and still make it a memorable one.

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,

Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Of 2am Bridal Romps at Kinko's- A Bridesmaid's Tale

I'm not sure how I got there, but there I was- standing next to the bride-to-be last Friday evening at 2am with a mittful of subpar wedding programs.

Well I do know how I got there - I eagerly said yes to my Best Friend when she asked me to be a bridesmaid, and frankly, I'd do anything for her. Except eat chicken pot pie, of course.

And with 200 weddings to my name, sometimes the definition of bridesmaid extends beyond the normal realms of responsibilities. Of course, it doesn't help when I match the bride's shower gift to her outfit. Clearly, I'm just asking for it.

It all began with an initial confirmation call from Printer #1 that the programs were ready to go- an ideal stop off before the rehearsal and dinner. As we arrived, the atmosphere grew tense on the other side of the counter as we were told that there had been a mix up and the programs would be ready momentarily. We were then thrown a stack of programs, and shoved out the door on our merry way, as Printer #1 turned their sign to Closed (as in, for the weekend).

As we drove to the rehearsal, neither of us wanted to say it. We both had had a good look at the programs. Surely, they hadn't been put on plain old copy paper.

After all, hadn't they seen the lovely invites with the rounded corners?

This had all the makings of a bridal meltdown but with a couple calls to Kinko's (thank you 24 hours!) and a craft store, we had a Plan B and C respectively, as well as an agreement that Plan D- skip the programs and just marry the fabulous fiancee, wouldn't be such a bad deal either.

And the bride? Cool as a cucumber- even standing beside me in her PJs at 2am as the other customers congratulated her.

The point in my tale of restless nights and midnight forays to Kinko's? Always have a Plan B.. and a Plan C.. and a Plan D if the others don't work out. When you hit an inevitable snafu in the wedding plans, let your next question be "What's the next best scenario?"

So why are we doing Wedology 101? I get this question often. After years of formulating back up plans, bridezilla-isms and happy endings, it's time to take our tips and tricks and bring it to the bridal community. Please join us August 15 as we bring Wedology 101 to Richmond at Wyndham Virginia Crossings.

And because frankly, I don't know how many more 2am Kinko's trips I can take.

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.