It may not be relevant, but I just had to say how much I’m in love with the show Storm Chasers on the Discovery Channel.  I adore the show and I live vicariously through it, considering this is what I thought I’d be doing with my life.  My how plans change!  The show is such drama and I totally get caught up in it as I watch.  Love, love, love it!  I think back to my college days when I used to chase with my team.  So much fun!  We had some fun times and some very scary times and some exhilirating times.  It certainly teaches you to respect nature and to beware of power.  I remember very vividly a time when I was in a tiny car with one buddy and lightning was striking all around us.  It was amazing and beautiful.  Funny how you develop a sense of your surroundings and you can tell how things may turn wrong very quickly just by how it feels (like during an event, but that seems simpler).  We departed the lightning flurry when we both had a feeling it would turn bad, and we were right.  Did we go back?  Of course!  But it was a valuable lesson.  Who knows?  Maybe next year I’ll have time to go after a storm or two…  Who’s with me?

Effective September 2008, Texas counties will waive the marriage license fee (ranges from $31 - $41 cash depending on the county) IF the couple takes an 8 hour pre-marital preparation course that covers important marital skills and issues, such as conflict management and communication.  The course must be taken within 12 months prior to applying for the license.  While I’m not a fan of the state getting involved in marital manners, I think taking a class before marriage is a GREAT idea, if for no other reason that starting conversations couples may not think to have before walking down the aisle.  Go Texas!

So, what’s with all these names?  There are so many wedding planners out there, but they all come under different titles.  You might have seen wedding planner, consultant, coordinator, designer and producer, to name a few.  What’s the difference?  Well, there really isn’t a defined job description for anyone to point to, but here is my opinion. 

I chose the name “wedding planner” because of two reasons.  1st - this is the designation the two certification programs I have participated in elected to use.  They feel the word planner is an umbrella for all of the other names and I agree.  2nd - This is what I feel I do.  A planner is someone who plans out all the details of a wedding, determining all the logisitcs and coordinating those logistics, vendors and all the other details to make sure your wedding is what you want it to be.  The first program I was trained through, Dallas Wedding Planner, has given me the title of Certified Wedding Planner.  The American Association of Certified Wedding Planners has given me the title Trained Wedding Planner, as I have passed their training course, but not completed all the criteria for Certified Wedding Planner.  (Don’t worry, I should have all this sewn up by spring next year.  If you want to know more, I’d be happy to explain!  Training for wedding planners is an entirely different subject I plan on addressing for you later.)

For all the other names, want to know what they mean?  Ask the person using the title.  A friend of mine will be using the title wedding designer.  For her, this is because she will be offering floral, decor and design services.  This is what she prefers to focus on, instead of actual coordination.  I think each vendor defines these words for themselves, so make sure when you are looking at a vendor using these titles, you ask them to define those services so you know what you are getting, and when comparing, it’s all apples!

This tip is more for the men than the ladies, but I had to show you!  Check out this gold wedding ring box.  Not only does it shine almost as much as the ring, but it includes a 2-inch LCD AND records and plays video.  So, maybe capture that priceless moment and play it over and over?  Have fun! 

One of my fave brides told me about this website.  (Thank you Jennifer!)  Check out FiftyFlowers.com for bulk purchase of fresh rose petals.  I really mean bulk ladies!  You can get 6,000 petals for only $139.99, which is a great price, as any florist can probably tell you.  Of course, you can use them for all sorts of decorating, like the aisle of your wedding, on tables, floors, window ledges, tossing for your exit, and I bet you’ll even have some left to decorate your hotel room! 

 PS.  Ladies, when you visit sites like these, compare prices!  I highly recommend the petals here because the ones Jennifer ordered were wonderful and at a great price.  I checked other prices on this site and know you can get some items for much cheaper and at a great quality at your local wholesaler.  Just another tip!

Sorry I’ve been tardy in posts folks.  I promise to make up for it over the next week.  Keep an eye out!  In the meantime, if you haven’t found a gown yet, here’s some very important info passed on by Dallas Wedding Planner: 

Sponsored by Making Memories and Brides Against Breast Cancer, Brides Against Breast Cancer is having their annual wedding gown sale. Prices for the gowns range from $89 to $799, including hundreds of beautiful, new, name brand and designer gowns valued up to $4,000. A few designer and couture gowns are priced slightly higher range from 25% to 75% off. This is a very unique opportunity for brides-to-be to find one-of-a-kind gowns at fabulous prices and help grant a wish for a woman or man with terminal breast cancer. Brides Against Breast Cancer will accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and debit card.

Here are the specifics on the upcoming event in the Dallas area:

Event held at Las Colinas Country Club
4400 North O’Connor Blvd. Irving, TX 75062-2796

Thursday, October 18, 6:30 pm - 9 pm VIP NIGHT

VIP NIGHT - Tickets available at door - Bride and one guest $25, Additional tickets $10
First Choice of incredible designer gowns - Racks restocked throughout event.

Friday, October 19, 9 am - 8 pm FREE ADMISSION
Saturday, October 20, 8 am - 3 pm FREE ADMISSION

My hubbie adores the fact that the Wii is the #2 most wanted registered for gift on Amazon.  Curious as to what other couples are registering for?  Check it out at Amazon.com.

Ok, I was tagged by Kate to write 8 things about myself that you may not know about me yet.  So, here goes.

1. I love to storm chase.  I actually did this quite a bit in college, but as the years have passed by, I seem to have lost time for this hobby.  I’m hoping to get back into this at some point, maybe next year.
2. I have two absolutely spoiled cats.  These are my children, and they act like it, including talking while I’m on the phone and yelling at the top of their lungs for no reason.
3. I’m a computer software geek.  I grew up with computers, majored in them for a while in college and I’m married to a computer developer (the new cool title for computer programmer).  Yes, folks, we have at least 5 computers in the home, with a wireless network that we even have our Tivos and the Wii on.  Sad, I know.
4. I can play the flute and piccolo.  Yes, I was a band nerd and I even carried that on to college for the first couple of years.  (Why does everything seem to have died in college?)
5. I am allergic to almost everything (including the beloved cats).  Gotta love allergy medication!
6. I would love to be fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language.  (I took Spanish in high school, but who remembers stuff that long?)
7. I grew up in a tiny, tiny town in West Texas called Bronte, population of 1,000.  Yes, I only had 27 folks in my graduating high school class.  Now you know where my Texas drawl comes from. :) 
8. While many know I grew up on a ranch, most don’t know why.  My dad was the helicopter pilot for Ft. Chadbourne ranch and, among other things, he would help herd cattle in that thing.  Oh, and count deer for the deer season each year.

Ok, that was tough.  I’d tag someone else, but don’t know who.  So, anyone reading this, consider yourself tagged and COMMENT!