"Harper’s Island” Offers Planning Lessons for Real Brides

by June Hoffman of Megasound

For the first 55 minutes of this week's episode of “Harper’s Island,” I wondered if anyone would be killed this week. I also thought that it was rather odd that no one realized that several guests and even the little dog were missing from the island. I guess they were more interested in enjoying the week-long party at this destination wedding.

For real brides though, “Harper’s Island” offers some very real planning lessons.

Schedule relaxing activities for your guests and attendants especially during a destination wedding. An afternoon at the pool or spa will help everyone relax from their pre-wedding jitters. It may also be a good idea to keep your flower girl in mind too (just in case she wants to practice being a flower girl by destroying other people's flowers).

Make sure that your fiancé (or others who will be giving a toast) starts writing his toast ahead of time. Early preparation allows for the presenter to practice their toast. This will make the toasts more enjoyable for everyone.

Finally, all brides should be prepared to deal with family expectations. A wedding is a very stressful time. Remember to steer clear of any “drama black holes”. It is your wedding day, so enjoy it as much as possible.

Hopefully, next week's episode of “Harper’s Island” will bring some realizations to the bride and groom and maybe a little less stress of their own. We shall see what other lessons real brides can learn from this destination wedding.

Real Brides Can Learn From "Harper's Island"

Insights from June Hoffman of Megasound

Last night's installment of "Harper’s Island” made me think about three topics for real brides and grooms. After the shock subsided at how easy it was to “kill” off three people in an hour, the issues of “a wedding Officiant back up plan”, “trimming the guest list”, and “the wedding party” came to mind.

The most important legal point of a wedding is the person solemnizing the marriage. What happens if the judge, pastor, rabbi, minister, or the Officiant is late or, worse yet, does not show up at all? Couples should be proactive in their wedding planning. Ask your Officiant about their backup plan.

Keeping the guest list shorter reduces the food and beverage costs. It also keeps your receiving line shorter and gives you a chance to properly acknowledge all of your guests at the reception. By hosting a smaller reception, it allows you to leave the joke players (you know - the ones who might set traps or leave dead animal parts) off your list. I am sure than no one on “Harper’s Island” thought that they would get cut from the guest list once they were on the island though.

Select supportive wedding party members. You are not required to have someone in your wedding party just because you were in their wedding. This helps your attendants' costs (attire, travel, etc.) as well as knowing that your most caring friends are there to support you during your wedding (especially if there is a mass murderer on the loose) .

At the rate characters are “disappearing” from “Harper’s Island,” it makes me wonder if there will be anyone left for the wedding. Of course, other questions come to mind too. Maybe, in the next several weeks, the bride and groom will realize that they are missing some key people for their wedding. We shall see.

Four Helpful Tips for the Month Before Your Wedding

from June Hoffman of Megasound

The last thirty days as a single woman may feel very stressful. From the standpoint of a professional DJ/MC/Officiant, here are four helpful hints for the last four weeks before your wedding.

1. Get your marriage license. In Fort Wayne and Allen County, you can get your marriage license up to sixty days before your wedding. The license is good for sixty days once it is issued. So, if you were putting off traveling to the Allen County Courthouse, put it on your calendar a couple of weeks before your wedding. While it isn't absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to give your license to your officiant before your wedding so that they have it. Then that is one less thing you need to be concerned about the day of your wedding.

2. Write (or review and update) a detailed “wedding day” schedule. You have many things to get accomplished and the wedding day will be very busy. Take a quiet day with your fiancé and put the details of your wedding day on an agenda. This way you avoid the "day-of" confusion and stress. Give (or email) a copy to your wedding party and your wedding professionals about two weeks ahead of time.

3. Set a time to meet with your Officiant and your DJ/MC. The ceremony time line and logistics are important and your Officiant needs to know these details prior to your wedding rehearsal. Your disc jockey (DJ)/MC should work with you in person (if possible) prior to your reception. Planning a wedding reception takes time and you should have already talked to your caterer/venue, photographer, and/or video person so that your DJ/MC has your plan ready ahead of the wedding date.

4. Select your wedding ceremony music. Whether you are holding your ceremony in a church or other location, you should be able to select the ceremony music that best fits your style. Keep in mind that churches have specific rules on which songs are allowed at your wedding ceremony. Wedding ceremonies held at alternative locations (outdoors or reception location) allow for a wider variety of song assortments. Keep in mind that you will want about thirty minutes of prelude music, processional and recessional songs, and approximately thirty minutes of postlude selections. Your music coordinator should have suggestions for you.

Your DJ/MC and Officiant should be able to help you with the last three tips if you need ideas or suggestions. Of course, these tips are only a limited scope of your wedding, so be sure that you and your fiancé review your whole wedding plan together (ahead of time) so you can enjoy your wedding day.

When You Hope that Real Weddings Don’t Mirror Television

AKA What Lessons Real Brides Can Learn from “Harper’s Island”

by June Hoffman of Megasound

I took an hour last night to check out the new mini-series “Harper’s Island.” It is a thirteen week thriller, drama, horror, and wedding event. I read all of the buzz about the show where one person is supposed to die each week. I was shocked when the premiere had two deaths, and by the end of the hour, no one even knew these two characters were dead.

The premiere certainly had all of the real wedding drama. Drunk groomsmen, flirty bridesmaids, moody family members, and all of the anxieties of coming to your childhood home filled the screen. This is not to mention a jealous ex, parents with mixed feelings, a sullen flower girl, a barroom brawl, and more.

What do I think that brides can learn from the "Harper’s Island" premiere? Select a wedding venue that gives off positive vibes. I understand that people die. I would not want the guests having a mass murder as the biggest topic of conversation during the wedding festivities. Just my feelings though.

The previews look interesting for next week's installment of “Harper’s Island.” I know though that I would not want to be the guest who finds Harry Hamlin’s hacked body stuck in a bridge. Who knows what other lessons brides will learn from this new CBS mini-series. We shall see next Thursday.

Hop, Skip, and Jump on Over to the Covington Plaza Wedding Walk

by Sara Keltsch of the Monogram Shoppe

Weddings take a great deal of planning and decision making and to help in the process Covington Plaza is hosting a Wedding Walk. Saturday, April 25th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., the plaza is inviting brides, grooms, mothers and bridal party members to stroll the plaza to gain ideas for their upcoming nuptials.

"The plaza is filled with stores and shops that are filled with bridal items" according to Shelli Young, Property Manager of Covington Plaza. Many of the shops are holding special events that day to aid with the planning. Jophiel is holding a Mother of the Bride fashion show at 11:00 a.m. and Mitchell Books will have a book signing at 2:00 p.m. by Michael Essany, author of Groomology 101: How to avoid Brideszilla. The Monogram Shoppe is holding a Trunk Show to showcase all of the options for Bridesmaids and Groomsmen's gifts.

While walking the plaza, you will find wonderful ideas for you hair and make up at Merle Norman, Corner House, L Spa Modern and Woodhouse Spa. Opus 24, Taj Mahal, Yen Ching and Covington Bar and Grill would be the perfect place for Wedding Showers, Bachelor Parties, Bridal Luncheons or the Rehearsal Dinner. Andrew Davis has the Tuxes for your wedding party. Symmetry and Susan's have the clothes for your honeymoon. Get Fit for the big Day at Anytime Fitness. The Bead Source can make your jewelry or provide the beads for you to do it yourself. The Monogram Shoppe is a one stop Shoppe for your wedding with invitations, wedding accessories, and gifts for the wedding party, favors, and a Bridal Registry. Bradrick at Covington is the place for photography. Honey Baked Hams and Fresh Market are perfect places to get your food for the day after brunch or for a shower. Riegel's is a great shop for gifts for the men in the wedding party. Senator Lugar's office has prepared a booklet outlining all the things you need to do after the big day.

Many of the shops are offering specials and door prized that day. Covington Plaza will be drawing for a $100 gift card to be used at any of the participating shops. Each Bride will receive a card when they register. As you enjoy Covington Plaza, you will get your card stamped at each store and then leave them at the last shop to be entered in the drawing.

The Covington Plaza Wedding Walk will also feature some other wedding venders. Ceruti's Catering will be on hand as well as Elegant Cakes by Carolyn. Lillian Rose will be featuring flowers. Music will be provided by Megasound. The Wedding Place will be able to answer your questions about wedding gowns. The Fort Wayne Chocolate Fountain will be in attendance with their fountain. Bob Mutton Party Rental will be showcasing tables and Covington Travel will be available for honeymoon booking. Premiere Limo will have a car to view.

It should be a fun day for all brides and grooms. Bring you wedding questions to Covington Plaza and get all of your answers on Saturday, April 25, 2009. See you there.

Wrapping Up the Spring Season

Last week marked the wrap up of the spring season of Bridal Academy. The best part was of the “Wrap of Your Wedding in Style” session for November 2010 bride, Kathleen was “just the overall topics because I got a lot of awesome ideas.”

Sara Keltsch of the Monogram Shoppe shared helpful tips on writing thank you notes. Areas such as when to write notes, how to phrase note content, as well as new ideas on how to incorporate gift photos and how to select an appropriate thank you note style were covered. She also gave each bride their own personal copy of “Heartfelt Thank You Notes” by Beverly Clark.

Dawn Quick of the Wedding Place shared photos and the background secrets of wedding gown preservation. She also revealed the “miracles” performed by the Wedding Gown Preservation Company over the years. Dawn said that she has seen wedding dresses covered with alcohol, dirt, food, as well as mold and this companies intricate process has removed all of these stains and more. Dawn made sure that each bride attending received a $60 coupon in order to preserve their wedding gown after their wedding.

June Hoffman of Megasound literally wrapped up the Bridal Academy session with ideas on how brides and grooms can leave their wedding reception in style. She said that many past couples have added fireworks or sparklers as a way to close their reception with a “bang.” She has even had couples escape in horse-drawn carriages and hot air balloons. June shared a few guest treat ideas for the reception closing including cookies and candy. She made sure that each bride and guest in attendance had plenty of their own sweet treats to enjoy or take home.

All Bridal Academy attendees and sponsors rounded out the session with a game of matching singers and song titles for grand finale reception songs. The brides got a lot of fun last dance song ideas such as “You Want to Make a Memory,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” and “So Long, Farewell, Goodbye” as well as the traditional “Last Dance.”

Two brides won door prizes and all the brides received goodie bags full of wedding planning information, gifts, and wedding savings opportunities. December 2010 bride, Tiffany felt that the topics were “very informative.” As for May 2010 bride, Michelle, she thought that best parts were “the thank you and gown preservation.”

The Bridal Academy Sponsors are always available for questions and assisting Fort Wayne area brides with creating the wedding of their dreams. They look forward to the next session that is September 2009. If you have any special requests for wedding-related topics for the upcoming fall sessions, just let the Bridal Academy Sponsors know as NOW is planning time for these exciting events.

June 2009 bride, Julie pretty much summed up Bridal Academy when she commented that “I think it’s great that you provide this type of thing” for brides.

Happy planning to all brides!!