when your party kicks a$$
every host/hostess wants the ultimate reward - to know that their party kicked a$$ big time... here's the top clues:

folks still talking about the party 2 weeks later, 1 month later, a year later or more....

folks who weren't invited and weren't there still talking about the party 2 weeks later, 1 month later, a year later or more....

some of the photos aren't approved for public distribution (hehee)

people saying they wished they were at your party who missed it

strangers sayng they wished they were at your party

twenty years down the road - people still saying the party kicked a$$

cancellations
they sometimes happen - and well they aren't always clean....depending on who is doing the cancelling - deposits could be lost - lawsuits could ensue...and in general - it's just a stressful time for all parties involved.

take a number
well I will have the honor practically when my own cause de celebre is pau to guide another happy couple down the aisle. their special date is may 2006. i'm excited for the newly engaged as my own bridal meltdown quickly approaches in less than 15 weeks.

surprise
just attended a surprise anniversary party - a very laid back affair that started in the mid-afternoon - - the guests of honor arrived 3.5 hours after the start...surprised as ever and very apologetic for having made everyone wait for them....the hostess with the mostess had arranged fake invitations for them - and they arrived under the guise of attending someone else's anniversary party...food was potluck + byob - so there was more than enough for the 100+ guests. a smorgasborg of local favorites and some special "rare" potluck additions like pateles & dinaguan.

countdown to celebration
there are less than 24 weeks till the big day and my mind is still focused on minutae details of our celebration "of love". How cheesy is that..anyways - what should a bride with six months left be thinking about if she hasn't already?

Last weekend's Hawaii Bridal Expo was an extravaganza of wedding vendors ready to calm even the most nervous brides. I didn't go - what? didn't go to the expo - maybe the last one before the big day?? nope - been there done that...I'm on enough mailing lists and have already made vendor selections - so the expo was not on my to do list....several other brides in the office did their shopping there and were quite successful though- even taking their fiance's along - getting ideas for cake design, invitations and miscellanea.

here are my top 5 items:
1. bridal attire - scheduling fittings, design sessions, etc.
2. pairing down the guest list - and collecting snail mail addresses or emails
3. making my wine - so it has more time for aging...
4. finalizing - floor plan and equipment rental needs
5. finessing the catering menu and plan