Bells are Ringing...

Wedding bells are ringing from Palmyra, Mo. Yep - you read that right, Palmyra. I don't have any idea where it is either, but my pals and I are bound to find it somewhere in Northwest Missouri on Saturday. We will be attending the Grisham/Frankenbach wedding. But the fun begins tomorrow. Ryan and Mel (from KC) and Robert and Julie (from Omaha) are venturing our way tomorrow for some wedding pre-fun! I am looking forward to having that gang together again.

As most of you know, I love weddings - okay, really I don't. It really doesn't matter who you are...I just don't like weddings. I think that occurred in 2003 when Blaine and I had 8 weddings from May thru Septmember including our own. We became versed in ironing our best duds, putting on our happiest "we love weddings look" and giving our best hugs to the bride while thinking....okay, now where is the food?

My true unlove for weddings could have also occurred the years that Mom had the bridal shop. All of those bitchy brides and their mothers - I am not sure how we kept from slapping most of them. Don't get me wrong - there were some pleasant brides, but most were...out...of...control.

When I shopped for a wedding dress, yes I was picky. But if I looked fat in a dress, that was my fault. I should have laid off the cheeseburgers. If I was just plain ugly in a dress, I should have bothered to comb my hair or put on makeup before I decided to try on gowns. If I walked like a baboon in a dress, I should have learned posture...oh I don't know....10 years ago. I put on my happy face, brushed my hair, slapped on some makeup and bought myself a wedding dress. I didn't blame the poor unsuspecting bridal shop owner for my fatness, lack of cuteness or ignorance. However, when working at the bridal shop, we were blamed for it all. I even drug out makeup to try to help some souls try to look beautiful, mom broke out the comb and starting teasing away on their hair to make the veil just right and I even showed a few how to walk in heels. I guess that's why we were successful at what we did - even if we sold the "hoochie" dresses that one shop referred to us as selling.

We were probably the first bridal shop in the Springfield area to carry strapless - otherwide know as Hoochie - dresses (insert horror film music here.) For those of you that don't know, Springfield is the bible belt of Missouri. Most of us now only see strapless gowns, but back in those days, it was unheard of and very "unbridely like and unwholesome". After getting over that hurdle, I can honestly say that we poured our heart and soul into that place and into each bride (that actually appreciated the full attention we would give.) I guess that's why we were successful!

But then, September 11th happened, family health issues needed to be tended to and the dreaded David's Bridal came to town. All of those above made us all look at each other and say - "do we really loooove this place anymore? Really? Because if we do, we will fight through. But if we don't, Hasta La Vista, Baby....we are outta here!!

So that is what we did. Mom & I walked away with pride....okay, Mom walked; I sprinted. We knew that we had made hundreds of brides beautiful for their big day, we had changed the industry in Springfield, met many memorable people and accomplished goals for ourselves that we never imagined. As bad as I didn't want to put up with the bridal brainiacs anymore, I learned a great deal about myself, the wedding industry, business and the world.

So maybe I shouldn't hate weddings anymore. Maybe I should look at them for what they are - two people joining their lives together and taking the plunge. Forget the wedding dress, the bridesmaid's shoes, the color of the flowers or the groomsmen's tuxedos....just enjoy the experience! Play dress up for the day with my hot date, mingle with aquaintances and friends, dance a little jig and eat the great food!