The perfect wedding decor doesn’t have to break the bank and it shouldn’t. In our case, the date made a difference. With a Christmas time wedding, most places are decorated for Christmas, a perfect theme for that time of year. Since it was Advent, the Church required no decorations.
Although I avoid Black Friday shopping like the plague, I made an exception for the wedding, but I confess to procrastinating on THE day.
Black Friday
Originally my goal was to hit JOANN’s when they opened early since they had great sales and I had a 20% coupon off the total purchase. BUT, I had to fight the crowds, so I procrastinated. In this particular case, it was the best thing that could have happened.
As I entered the store, I took a deep breath and grabbed a cart, determined to get done a.s.a.p. But I was drawn to these 2 ladies talking animatedly, grabbing floral garland off the wall and filling their baskets. I couldn’t help but ask what they were doing with all of that garland. It turned out that it was a mother/daughter team and the mother was a wedding decorator. Was this a God appointment or what?
I explained that I was trying to figure out how to decorate a mantle, head table, and guest tables for my daughter’s wedding, but was clueless. They put their shopping on hold to help me. By the time they were done with me, I had a video of the daughter on how to make large beautiful bows, the materials I needed to make it all, and their phone numbers just in case. My basket was piled so high I had to pull it from the front because I couldn’t see over the “mountain.”
The Book Club
With the release of my debut novel, Hidden Bloodlines, one of the local book clubs chose my book and asked me to visit while they discussed it. It was such a great group of ladies, I joined them as a member. That’s where I met 2 of my life savors with their offer of help — Carlene and Sandy.
I was so taken with their offer, that I mentioned it during a call to Kay, a longtime friend of mine from college. She told me in no uncertain terms, “You have to take them up on it.”
Lunch and Crafts
As the wedding approached I felt so overwhelmed, I knew Kay was right and I invited them and another close friend to my home for lunch and crafts. Although I had the “mountain” I purchased from JOANN’s, Carlene, an amazing porcelain artist asked what I had to put it all together. Ahhhh, I make jewelry and have all the jewelry tools, but nothing else. Carlene came with the rest, including tea lights, glue guns, plus … .
Photo – Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography
We started early, and by the time I served lunch, these amazing ladies created the center pieces, bouquets and decorations for the head table, as well as an emergency supply bag just in case.…
“No man is an island…” and when help and support is available, don’t go it alone or even try. I almost tried. THANK YOU Carlene, Sandy, and Joni for the gift of your talents and creativity! Thank you Kay for reminding me I needed them!
When have you found yourself in a similar situation?
(c) 2018, Karen Van Den Heuvel