Holiday Weekend Weddings: Yay or Nay?

Most people I know fall into one of two camps when it comes to holiday weekend weddings. They either love them or hate them.

As for me, I’m solidly in the “love” category. When we’re invited to a wedding, a holiday weekend typically gives us plenty of time to have fun and then also relax a bit afterward without rushing back to daily life right away. When the wedding is out of town or held on a Sunday, this also gives us a nice time cushion, especially since I don’t typically have class on Mondays that are federal holidays.


One of the weddings I’m coordinating may also be held on a holiday weekend later this year once the date is set. That too sounds great to me, as it will give me extra time to get caught up on classwork and other obligations after what will surely be an exciting and busy week spent helping finalize things for the big day.

On the other hand, I know many others absolutely hate holiday weekend weddings, whether because they feel they interfere with making family vacation plans or because they force them to choose between multiple friends’ wedding taking place the same day.

What do you think? Are you a fan of holiday weekend weddings, or would you rather stick with your average Saturday?

(Photo Credit: Alex Neumann Photography)

For Japan With Love



Vintage Headband Inspiration

Last week, I shared a few fun details about the vintage Mardi Gras wedding I’ll be coordinating this fall. I can’t wait, and even though I’ll be working throughout the event, our friends still want Stephen and I to get into the spirit by dressing vintage.

Though I of course will need to choose an outfit I can work easily in, I thought I could perhaps add a touch of vintage flair with a fun headband or clip that will also help vendors and others who need to interact with me know who I am.

I have plenty of time to make up my mind, but just to get a little inspiration going, here are a few favorites I’ve found on Etsy.

What do you think? Is there a certain seller or vendor you recommend I check out? Leave me a comment and let me know! 

(Photo Credits: cheesecakemilkshake, BridalShoppe, OhhSoSweetBowtique, ChicPretties, moxiehairware)

Working From Home vs. At The Office

Since leaving my Capitol Hill job at the end of last year, I’ve become quite familiar with the strange new world of working from home. When it comes to working in this way, I know opinions are generally mixed. Some people hate it, and some people love it. Others simply have a lot of misconceptions about what working from home really entails.

And I can tell you, after a couple months of doing it, I am definitely in the “love” group, though that’s not to say it isn’t without its downsides at times. Here, in my opinion, are the top pros and cons of working from home.

Pro

• Space and privacy. Though I had my own private office on Capitol Hill, that didn’t stop people from walking in unannounced, catching me as I was headed out the door, and so on. Working from home allows me the space I need to be as efficient as possible, prioritizing as I see fit, with fewer distractions.

• No commute. When I worked on the Hill, I had to get up a full two hours before my start time to get ready and commute by Metro each day. Working from home, I’m able to easily stay in one place, no suit or perfect hairstyle required.

• More freedom. Working from home allows me to set up my office in any way I choose, and to schedule breaks as I find it necessary and appropriate. If I need to run a quick errand at lunchtime or stop at 4 p.m. to make it to class on time, I can. Working from home allows me to make basic adjustments to my schedule in this way, as long as I am still taking care of everything I need to.



Con

• While working from home allows me to tweak my schedule now and then, it also makes it harder to set limits on hours. It’s very easy to spend all of my time at the computer, literally working around the clock. I regularly have to remind myself that I still need to take breaks and set clear parameters between work time, classwork time, time with my husband, and so on. Working from home can definitely blur some of these boundaries.

• Less interaction and exercise. As much as I love my kitties who keep me company each day, I do at times miss being able to head down the hall to chit chat with coworkers or get their opinions about something. Physical activity is another issue, since I don't move around or walk as much throughout the day anymore.

• The misconception many people have that those of us who work from home somehow aren’t really “working,” like in the picture of Homer up above. This honestly drives me nuts. Trust me, when I say I am working from home, I honestly mean I am working, often including long hours and a hectic schedule, just like anyone else. Working from home definitely does not mean kicking back, watching daytime TV and being lazy! After all, I’ve got a blog to manage, brides to help, classes to pass and volunteer work to be done!

What do you think about working from home vs. working at the office? Which do you think you’d prefer, and why?

(Graphic Credit: scrapetv.com)

A Vintage Mardi Gras Wedding

When helping a bride to plan her wedding, one of my favorite parts of the process comes at the very beginning, when the possibilities seem endless and the options for theme and style have yet to be nailed down.

For many brides, however, this can also be the most stressful phase, because as we all know, infusing different ideas and interests into one cohesive vision can be tough. But with the right direction and inspiration, I know it’s also totally possible.

That’s why when one of my clients came to me a few weeks ago asking if I thought combining 1920s vintage style with a Mardi Gras atmosphere would be too disjointed, I told her absolutely not! Jumping into my blogger mode, I immediately started hunting for examples of the fabulous vintage New Orleans-style weddings I’ve seen.

Here’s just a sampling of what I found, including images and ideas she’s now using to give family and friends a peek inside her own developing vision.

What do you think of a vintage Mardi Gras wedding theme? What special touches would you throw into the mix? 

(Photo Credits: Postcards & Pretties, Postcards & Pretties, Nicole Nichols, bridefinds.com, susiesscrumptioussweets.com)