As a follow up to my previous post, I wanted to share some thoughts and observations on dealing with the stress associated with planning a wedding.

Common stressors stem from personal expectations, important decisions that must be made by you and your fiance, the involvement or interference of family members, time constraints, financial circumstances and so on. Depending on your situation, you may experience some of these challenges or struggle with all of them. It’s inevitable. Planning a wedding is not only a major investment of time and money, it’s a process that’s fraught with difficult choices. And if you’re generally hard to please or have a demanding or controlling personality, you’ll likely experience an even greater level of stress.

The stress level that a Bride-to-Be (or engaged couple) feels radiates in a ripple effect and can negatively impact the planning and flow of the wedding. It’s important to keep your cool and not CREATE the chaos you’re trying to AVOID.

{image via Weddingbee}

A (Bakers) Dozen Tips to Calm your Inner Bridezilla

by Sharon Naylor

WIN THE BOOK!

Would you like a FREE copy of Sharon Naylor’s book? Share your “Bridezilla moment” with us! We’re looking to hear from Brides, Grooms, Friends and Planners (just about anyone, really- lol!). Our staff will pick three favorite stories or comments and send the winners a copy of “The Bride’s Guide to Diplomacy“    Winners will be selected on February 15th, 2010.    {Spread the word!!}

© 2010 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

Add to Technorati Favorites

In early December I was approached by colleague Debbe King (Project Manager Special Events, LYNX) regarding a very special project: She needed to plan a wedding for a couple who had requested to have their wedding on a LYNX bus. With the date rapidly approaching, I worked quickly and contacted a few other colleagues who graciously offered their services to help make the couple’s wedding wishes come true.

Love Bus

LYNX’ “Love Bus’’ became a wedding chapel for Tonja Willis and Tyrone Smaw, who chose the place they met to be the place they were married.

Love Bus Wedding

Tonja & Tyrone’s Wedding Story…

The ceremony took place on brisk and sunny December afternoon inside the “Love Bus’’ painted for LYNX by local artist Donna Dowless.  Minister Michel Alvin McWhorter performed the wedding with 20 guests seated in the bus parked in front of LYNX Central Station in downtown Orlando.

The interior of the bus was decorated by A Flair for Affairs and Cheryl’s Distinctive Creations to give it that ‘ceremony’ feel. “This was even better than I expected,’’ Willis said, after stepping out of the bus to a round of applause from passengers and wedding vendors at the downtown bus terminal. “I thought it would be a little different to get married in a bus, and it turned out really nice.’’

The couple met while riding LYNX for transportation to work. “I’m usually very shy, but as soon as I saw Tonja, I felt like I had to take a chance on getting to know her,’’ Smaw said. “We ended up talking the whole time ‘til I got off the bus. After I called her, we started using the bus to go on dates because neither one of us had a car, so it’s kind of like it was meant for us to get married here.’’

LYNX has never hosted a wedding on one of its buses. Chief Executive Officer Linda S. Watson agreed to do it on a one-time basis because “it had the right feel for the holiday season.’’ “The timing and situation made it a nice event for us to participate in,’’ she said. “We are happy to help Tyrone and Tonja get their married life started the way they hoped for and wish them great success in the years ahead.’’

Tonja's dress fitting at Modern Bridal

Elisa Delgardio helped the couple by arranging flowers, photography, videography, a wedding cake and even the bride’s wedding gown. ”This wedding would not have been possible without the support an incredible vendor team! Everyone I contacted jumped on board immediately and graciously donated their services. I think I was as overwhelmed and excited as the bride!”

Photo left: “LaVoria slipped Tonja into a white satin gown that was literally a perfect fit – like it was made for her! – and Tonja was overcome with tears of joy… It was really lovely.” -Elisa Delgardio

The wedding cake and custom candles

A Flair for Affairs would like to acknowledge the generosity of the following companies:

Are you feeling stressed and anxious about your wedding?

Are you beginning to reach your boiling point because things are not going as planned?

Has the joy and excitement of wedding planning fizzled out like a glass of luke warm champagne?

Could this woman be you…?

Elisa’s Tips: How Not To Become Bridezilla

If you’re a bride who is struggling to cope with the stress of planning a wedding, I invite you to join me on Tuesday, November 23rd at 8pm for FREE Webinar.   As the featured guest, I’ll be sharing some important ideas and valuable advice about how to plan a wedding with zero stress!  You’ll definitely want to tune in for this one!   Take it from my co-host Michael Stedman:

“Elisa’s qualifications are through the roof and she’s giving away a ton of great tips that will save you time, effort, money, and most of all, frustration on the big day.  Believe me, in 20 years – she’s seen it all!  Even just one of these tips can help make the big day extra special.”

Michael and I encourage you to register now because space is limited.  After you click on the link, enter your email address and Michael will send you the details!

How Not to Become Bridezilla

Bridezilla_by_Xubbles

For assistance with your wedding plans please call 877.55FLAIR or email Elisa: eventstaff {at} aflairforaffairs.com

Media inquiries may be directed to media {at} aflairforaffairs.com

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

Add to Technorati Favorites

Today I have an exciting announcement!

I’m thrilled to share the news that A Flair for Affairs has been added to Style Me Pretty’s “Little Black Book of The Best Wedding Vendors”!

Style Me Pretty relies on recommendations from industry insiders, trusted LBB vendors and Style Me Pretty readers to identify outstanding service providers. Each invitation to participate is followed up with a personal interview to assure that vendors meet SMP’s high standards! Clearly this is a huge honor and I’m elated to be included among the country’s top wedding vendors!

The exclusive nature of the directory allows for only a few vendors to be showcased in each region. For example, there are only three event planners featured in Central Florida and I’m absolutely delighted to be the only wedding and event planner based in Orlando!

{ screenshot of our listing }

You may also be interested to know that in addition to the legendary Style Me Pretty blog, there is The Little Black Book Blog. In SMP’s own words, it’s described as “our official vendor blog…dedicated to showcasing the work of the vendors we love. It’s eye candy like you wouldn’t believe!”

I urge you to check it out on a regular basis because it’s incredibly inspiring!

PS: Is A Flair for Affairs in your little black book?