"Harper's Island" is a World Away From Real Brides

by June Hoffman of Megasound

In good faith, I feel unable to write any more on what real brides can learn from “Harper’s Island”. The most recent episode was filled with drama, mystery, and (a lot of) death. I, personally, will watch the remaining episodes of this “thriller”.

If there are lessons for real brides, I will most certainly share them. At this point though, I would hope that the couple makes it off Harper’s Island alive to elope at the justice of the peace.

Emotions Run High at Weddings and on “Harper’s Island”

from June Hoffman of Megasound

Weddings are already an emotionally charged event. The most recent “Harper’s Island” episode proves fighting based on emotions and fear can be just as bad as alcohol-induced fights.

In my 20+ years in the wedding industry, I have witnessed three physical fights at weddings. Two fights were fueled by emotions and alcohol and the third was aggravated by stupidity and hormones. With that being said, real Fort Wayne brides might want to consider limiting alcohol at their wedding reception. This will save money as well as unneeded stress during the party portion of the evening.

Most reception facilities require security at events hosting alcoholic beverages. Just think about it; if someone had hired security for the “Harper’s Island” wedding, there would be a wedding and less than thirteen episodes in this mini-series. Maybe, the next four episodes will bring some bliss to this unlucky couple.

"Harper's Island" Wedding Stress Builds

by June Hoffman of Megasound

“Mayhem” and “chaos” are the two words that fully describe the most recent “Harper’s Island” episode. I am sure that many brides CAN identify with this type of stress.

This episode sure may be a shocker to some real brides. The “Harper’s Island” pandemonium is not about “the bride”.

The real bride lesson is about reassurance. Even during the worst wedding havoc and confusion, families (and true friends) stick together. With that in mind, be sure to thank your loved ones for all that they are and all that they do for you (especially during the trying wedding times).

Enjoy your wedding planning and always ask for help when pre-nuptial anxiety takes hold of you.

Should They Call Off the Wedding on "Harper's Island"

by June Hoffman of Megasound

Is it Time to Call Off the Wedding?

I have been suffering over the last episode of “Harper’s Island”. As the chaos ensues, the idea of the wedding becomes bleak.

Real brides have surely experienced anxiety and strife before their wedding day. Apprehension and adversity cloud the idea of the “happiest day of your life”. Calling off the wedding is apparent for the fictional bride and groom on “Harper’s Island” and in some cases, very true for many real couples.

The real lesson this week on “Harper’s Island” is to determine the true reasons for considering breaking off the engagement and calling off the wedding. An unknown serial killer sounds like a “good” reason. Even the death in the family might be cause for additional stress and a possible reason to at least delay the wedding.

If unresolved issues or other serious concerns about your fiancé are causing doubt on marriage, then look into those areas. Open communication and working together are really useful tools and help you get to the alter and forever after. Hopefully, the next couple of weeks of “Harper’s Island” will show helpful means for brides and grooms to say “I do”.

Chilling Episode Offers One Lesson for Brides

from June Hoffman of Megasound

The most recent installment of “Harper’s Island” showed its true “horror/thriller/mystery” colors. It only took six episodes for the remaining characters to finally realize that something was very, very wrong at this destination wedding. I guess a macabre “accident” involving the father of the bride was a real wake up call.

For real brides, only one realistic lesson emerged from this chilling episode. Insurance for the engagement ring and/or wedding ring(s) would be an important purchase. If a ring was lost, stolen, or mistakenly thrown in the water, at least a replacement would be possible for the couple.

The series is at a half-way point. Hopefully, “Harper’s Island” will still offer some lessons for real brides in the weeks to come.

Real Brides Planning Help from "Harper's Island"

from June Hoffman of Megasound

This week’s installment of “Harper’s Island” certainly had a lot of action. It was almost as exhausting as a real wedding and certainly a lot messier. I spotted three interesting lessons that real brides could learn from this riveting episode of “Harper’s Island”.

When assigning your groom a decision-making task, make sure he completely understands the importance behind that part of the wedding. If his eyes glaze over when you talk about selecting napkin rings and salad forks, you may want to give your groom a different wedding chore. Otherwise, you might be surprised when each place setting is graced with paper napkins and plastic utensils.

The days leading up to the wedding are stressful. Brides and grooms need to agree ahead of time that the wedding comes first. Other people’s drama can wait until after the nuptials.

A rehearsal is important and beneficial to get logistics in place for the wedding ceremony. Make sure that all of your wedding party members know when and where to meet for the practice run. Pending any unforeseen situations, a wedding rehearsal will take less than a hour.

Happy planning to all brides and grooms. Your wedding should be less stressful when you plan ahead with the valuable lessons from “Harper’s Island”. We will have to wait two weeks to see what really happened with the falling chandelier. Hmm…maybe a lesson there about selecting a secure site that isn’t caving in around the wedding ceremony.

"Harper's Island" Portrays Real Wedding Whirlwind

by June Hoffman of Megasound

This last week’s episode of “Harper’s Island” reminded me that weddings are a whirlwind. Bridal couples can become consumed with the excitement of their wedding day and may become oblivious to what is going on around them. I guess that is why the “Harper’s Island” characters are so unaware of missing people (and even a little dog).

One lesson that “Harper’s Island” provides to real brides is to slow down and enjoy the wedding experience. Some suggestions inspired by this episode.

• Steal a few minutes to spend some time alone with your fiancé. That private time will serve as a re-energizer as well as a reminder of your love.



• Take pleasure in the special time with your bridesmaids and girlfriends. The bachelorette party or a bridal tea are great bonding sessions.



• Avoid other people’s drama. Expending that extra energy will only zap your resources. If you have to deal with it, try to put it off until after your wedding day.



• Limit your alcohol consumption. Drinking may be fun at the time, but the results of over-indulging will take their toll on you.



• A relaxing swim in a pool has its benefits. Schedule time to swim with a friend so you can watch out for each other.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Real brides might find that difficult to do sometimes. Just remember that you are going to marry the man that you love. Let’s hope the same is true for “Harper’s Island”. We will have to wait until next week.

"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.

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.