Blog Archives

Brides.com: Why Are You Marrying Him?

11/28/2014

Have you written your "elevator pitch" about why you're marrying your guys, of all the guys on the planet?

Here's why you should, and how you can do it.

Why Are You Marrying Him? on Brides.com

I love this blog post, if I do say so myself :)

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Brides.com: How to Deal with Differing Opinions

11/20/2014

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Today's post just went live!

Please check out my blog on brides.com:

"You Call It 'Elegant.'
Your Mom Calls It 'Funeral.' "

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Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!

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How to Work Effectively With Your Wedding Vendors, So You Can Focus on You

11/18/2014

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I recently participated in a panel discussion in front of 200+ Boston-area wedding vendors.

The conversation centered completely on YOU BRIDES: how vendors can understand you brides better, so they can serve you better.

I was impressed with the vendors I met, and thought it would be helpful to offer my perspective on the vendors you are hiring.

Wedding vendors are professionals:

• whose reputations and livelihoods live and die on your satisfaction.

• who are single-mindedly service-focused.

• who are expert problem-solvers.

• who know what information they need from you; they’ll ask the right questions.

• whose job is to execute your wedding

They do it every day. Every weekend, month after month, year after year. They’ve seen it all and learned from their mistakes.

This isn’t their first wedding, like it is yours.

My advice to you?
Hire vendors you click with,
then let them do their jobs

Because you have enough going on as a bride-to-be.

You’ve just taken on another fulltime job. Planning one of today’s elaborate weddings, you’ve taken on another demanding, detail-focused, fulltime job, in addition to your career.

If it were your wedding – and your wedding alone – planning would be a piece of cake. Tons of decisions, yes, but you basically know the answers from the get-go: you have a vision (your bridesmaids will absolutely wear black dresses), you know how much you want to spend, and you trust your own ability to get things done.

This guy you love has his own opinions. This isn’t just your show, however. You’re constantly negotiating with him on what the wedding will be like, and by doing so, building the foundation of your marriage, sometimes through conflict.

Your family has their vision, too. Often very firm ideas about what your wedding should (and more often should not) be like. Emotions run high and hot, since you instinctively know your mom is having a fit over the black bridesmaids dresses.

And then there’s his family, who are basically complete strangers. They have a different family culture – different definitions of what’s tasteful vs. tacky, how much is “too much” to spend, even what a wedding looks like. Face it: Do you really know what you’re mother-in-law-to-be is saying about the black bridesmaid dresses behind your back?

Plus the Pinterest-perfect wedding pressure. Endless options, infinite ideas, all exquisitely executed. I often limit my Pinterest-obsessed brides to 5-minute time blocks.

Yowsa, that's A LOT.

Allison Moir-Smith at Marketing to the High-End Bride with Carolyn Croisier and Shelley Hall

Speaking at the High-End Bride "The Difficult Client" Breakfast with Carolyn Croisier, The Charles Hotel, and Shelley Hall of Catalytic Management. Thank you Arlene Cronk of Invitations & Co. for including me! http://www.johnsonphotography.com/

Artists for Humanity Epicenter hosts Marketing to the High-End Bride

Cool industrial setting at Artists for Humanity Epicenter, with students fine art displayed http://www.johnsonphotography.com/

Creative autumnal flowers by New Leaf flores

Gorgeous flowers by New Leaf flores http://www.johnsonphotography.com/

This doesn’t even include the emotional heavy-lifting you’re doing

Grieving the end your single life and identity, changing family dynamics, ending the simple dating days, all while planning your wedding.

My advice?

Let the wedding professionals do their jobs for you.

Let them guide you.

Answer their questions.

Then trust them to do their work. They do this every day.

So you can focus on what’s really important: your own psychological transition from single woman to married woman and your new marriage.

Boston view from Artists for Humanity Epicenter http://www.johnsonphotography.com/

PS Practical fact: Never call a vendor on a Friday and expect to hear back: they’re focused on that weekend’s wedding – as they should be. You’ll want their undivided attention when it’s your turn.

Like the content? Get 5 unique tips that will instantly make your wedding planning less stressful.
Click here!

Thank you to

Arlene Cronk, Invitations & Co.
Theresa Johnson, Johnson Photography
Alexis Orellana, Artists of Humanity Epicenter
Gabrielle Stone, Stone Event Planning
Carolyn Croisier, The Charles Hotel
Noel Velez, Neil Cerbone Associates
Shelley Hall, Catalytic Management
Amy Porchenick, Gourmet Caterers
Larry Green,Rentals Unlimited
Mike Amado,Entertainment Specialists
Anthony D'Elia, Revelation Productions
Daniel Ospina-Lopez, Jeb Taylor, New Leaf flores

Wedding-dress-like tablecloth, Stone Event Planning

I don't usually get excited about table cloths, but this wedding-dress-like one blew me away. Flawless event design by Stone Event Planning http://www.johnsonphotography.com/

Allison Moir-Smith

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Brides.com: Have You Had the Money Talk Yet?

11/14/2014

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My second post as a blogger on brides.com is live:
Check out my advice to help you talk about the tricky topic of money -- with special tips for engaged couples, in "Are You Financially Naked With Your Fiance Yet?"

Click here for full blog, and look for next week's post!

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Brides.com: How to Deal with Bad Wedding Ideas

11/6/2014

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Finally, I get to share with you that I'm now a blogger on brides.com!

This has been in the works for a few months, and I'm thrilled to announce my first post just went live. I'll post all forthcoming weekly blogs here.

Visit brides.com and learn "How to Deal with Bad Wedding Ideas in 3 Easy Steps." And do the 3 steps!

Don't miss next week's post!
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Brides.com: Why Are You Marrying Him?

I love this blog post, if I do say so myself :)

Don't miss next week's post! Follow me on Twitter or Facebook

Brides.com: How to Deal with Differing Opinions

"You Call It 'Elegant.'
Your Mom Calls It 'Funeral.' "

Don't miss next week's post!
Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!

How to Work Effectively With Your Wedding Vendors, So You Can Focus on You

Wedding vendors are professionals:

My advice to you?
Hire vendors you click with,
then let them do their jobs

This doesn’t even include the emotional heavy-lifting you’re doing

Like the content? Get 5 unique tips that will instantly make your wedding planning less stressful.
Click here!

Thank you to

Brides.com: Have You Had the Money Talk Yet?

Don't miss next week's post!
Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!

Brides.com: How to Deal with Bad Wedding Ideas

Don't miss next week's post!
Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!

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I love this blog post, if I do say so myself :)

Don't miss next week's post! Follow me on Twitter or Facebook

Don't miss next week's post! Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!

Wedding vendors are professionals:

My advice to you? Hire vendors you click with, then let them do their jobs

This doesn’t even include the emotional heavy-lifting you’re doing

Thank you to

Don't miss next week's post! Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!

Don't miss next week's post! Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!

Blog Categories

Archives

Don't miss next week's post!
Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!

My advice to you?
Hire vendors you click with,
then let them do their jobs

Don't miss next week's post!
Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!

Don't miss next week's post!
Click to follow on Twitter or Facebook -- thanks!