You’re just going to have to click on the image!
Disclaimer: Received this from a client… trust me, I believe in marriage!

I can tell you who’s lovin’ beer. Cristy and Dave. That’s who. They love beer so much that I suggested they center their wedding around beer.
They like brewing their own beer and initially I suggested that they have a beer tasting station. They were loving that until they decided to brew and bottle three different kinds of beers. We gave them as favors. I’m sure the professional pics will be awesome but you have no professional photographer here so deal with this shot. Either way, you get the idea. They customized the labels and brewed 3 faves. When I get the professional shots I’ll be sure to post them. Trust me when I tell you that you won’t appreciate my shots. They’re ok but have no punch. I’m waiting for the punches!

Cristy and Dave are getting married on Saturday so if you contact me via email this is the message you’ll get - you’re probably wondering why I’m telling you this if you’re going to get the message anyway. ummm… I’m telling you just in case you don’t get the message - I’m no tech guru and I’m not sure that I set up the away message correctly. I never do it right…. it either goes only to my Blackberry or only to my site… never both….

Thank you for contacting me and considering Perfect Settings, LLC.
Please note; I will not be available on Friday, April 18th or Saturday, April 19th in preparation for Cristy and Dave’s wedding. However, your message is very important to me! I will be checking my messages on Sunday morning, so please be patient.
I will return all messages on Monday but should you need assistance today, please do not hesitate to contact me at 717.951.8541
If you are inquiring about our reception facilities, please note that all of the packages are outlined on our website. You may call the number above for specifics. Also, feel free to navigate my website and be sure to read the blog! - as our current events and happenings are always posted there.
www.perfectsettings.net
I’m off creating more Perfect Settings!
Cheers!
Daisy

A lot of folks ask me about favors and the relevance. I have to tell you, I personally love edible favors; candy bars, sweet endings bar, chocolate covered strawberries, mints … you get the picture. What I’m really not feeling are nick-nacks - they are soooo passé, people! I hate to tell you… no one is really interested in having another votive candle. They were cool back in the 90’s. I’m sure that you didn’t know that. However, when people go to weddings - trust me they do - the last thing they want is to go home with yet another nick-nack that won’t be finding a shelf at home.
There are a lot of tasteful wedding favors these days that could be re purposed… seeds, letting folks go home with the toasting flutes - un-engraved! , wine stoppers, wine!, champagne… follow? What we don’t want are pictures of the B&G left at every single placesetting - this is priceless to mom and dad - even your siblings may love it - but I hate to tell you, that coworker that you invited that is hoping you quit your job is not going to enjoy that picture of you and your boo on vacation.
I love this site: Stupid Wedding Crap The very old archives are hilarious, but now that she’s getting serious about planning everything doesn’t seem stupid anymore. This happens to most brides…

Oprah is having a show today about puppy mills. I’m embarrassed to say that it was filmed in Lancaster County - apparently, the Puppy Mill Capital of the World. This morning’s paper talks about how the host got Oprah’s attention for the show. He paid for a billboard outside her studio, with pictures of puppies being mistreated, and asked for Oprah’s help. She called a week later. I’m a dog lover - so much so that I won’t be watching this show. This stuff disturbs the crap out of me. So I’m asking you all to watch and support the effort to get rid of the puppy mills here.

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200804/tows_past_20080404.jhtml?promocode=HP21

Be advised… Lisa Ling cried for two days. I have enough drama in my life… thank you very much. I won’t be there.

I have just been approved by the Borough of Columbia… I’m just too excited… we have FINALLY (after long hours of secrecy) gotten the approval to have our reception hall turned into 2 studio apartments. This is going to produce sooo much more income than running a ballroom. I can not wait. It’s been a long time in the works… gotta love town hall.

April fool’s, everyone. One of my favorite days of the year.

Back by popular demand… an old post.
I get the question - a lot - of when a bride and groom should get their marriage license. I’m not sure where this source originally came from so I can’t give it proper credit but as far as I know, it’s correct info. Here’s the skinny:
Where to apply: Office of the Clerk or Orphans Court, second floor, Lancaster County Courthouse. Hours are: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm M-F. Phone number: 717.295.3522 The marriage may take place anywhere in PA.
When you apply: The couple must appear in person to complete the marriage application. Social Security numbers are required.
Remarriages: Applicants who have been previously married must provide additional information concerning the dissolution of the most recent marriage. Call for complete information.
Medical Exams: The state of PA no longer requires a blood test or medical exams. Who may not marry: Blood relatives down to and including first cousins may not marry according to PA law.
When to apply: In PA there is a three day waiting period before the license is available. Apply at least one week before the marriage date. The license is valid for 60 days after the license has been issued.
Fee: The fee in Lancaster County is $40, cash only. - and they really do mean only.

Most of my colleagues either take a day off, do site tours or thank God for a weekend off. What do I do… I work on a 200 year old warehouse.
When we were told that buying new flooring for our first floor was going to be close to $18,000.00 Tony and I decided that the sanding option wasn’t too bad. So we took on the sanding. I was in charge of the edging. I’m told that I was in charge of this task because 1. the drum sander is over 100 lbs. and 2. apparently, I’m a good edger. - don’t think I don’t know when someone is patronizing me.
Anyway, it took over 18 hours to do 3,000 square feet in May 2005. We didn’t have AC and it was so hot those 2 days. If you’ve ever edged floors you know you have to stoop and squat for all of the edging. Do that for 18 hours. My behind didn’t forgive me for months. We were so exhausted that at the end of the 2nd day of sanding we stopped at the threshold of our entrance doors. That means that the foyer outside my door and the first landing (2nd one too) were untouched. Of all the tours that we have had through our home I have told everyone that would listen to me that I’d never ever, as long as I lived, EVER sand again. Well, I lied.
We decided to sand my office, the foyer and the first landing - I convinced Tony that no one is interested in the 2nd landing. We started early on Saturday morning and we were finally done by 4:30. Not too bad is what you’re thinking… yeah, whatever, you weren’t the one edging!! I never want to see that God-forsaken edger ever again. We emptied my office and put it in the kitchen and dining room and it sure seemed like everything grew 2x it’s size! The stuff just kept pouring out of my office and I can’t believe that I crammed it all in there. Here’s what was done…

Am I happy with the results?… sure. I’d never do it again. Believe that one. I’m not even in the pictures to prove that I even was a part of the fiasco. How unfair. Next time there’s even a thought of edging, I’m going to do what Anthony did, fall on my back with Strep Throat. Take that one to the bank!

Good ol’ Oprey had Jen Groover in her magazine with her Butler bag… what you ask is a Butler Bag… I’m so very happy you asked. A Butler Bag is what got Tony and me in a heated discussion (operative word there) because when I saw it I had to have it. I don’t do this normally… not very materialistic… I just like nice things.

Well the Butler is a very nice thing. Jen Groover had an AHA moment when she stuck her dishwasher utensil rack into her purse. That would be something I’d do but I didn’t think of it first! Don’t you just HATE that?? But how honkin’ ingenious is that??? Anyway, she realized that life couldn’t be any better with this organizer in her bag. I gotta tell you… I have to agree. The thing is making me crazy with joy. I don’t know how I’ve gotten along without it before. Think I’m exaggerating? (I sometimes do) Buy one yourself. Seriously. I have never shown so many people the inside of my bag before. I tell total strangers at the grocery store “want to see the inside of my bag?” then I give them one of Karen’s cards. Karen owns the Village Boutique and she’s the only one in the county that has these bags - you could buy them on line but who wants to wait? (side note, Karen doesn’t have a web site; her number is: 717.560.4477) She said she’s having a hard time keeping them in stock - which is true because I really wanted a black or brown bag but settled on a Mustard colored one. I’m in heaven, people! Brown, black, mustard, green, orange or red… you are going to love it! Trust me on this one.

LOVE IT!!!

I’ve had the HUGE honor to coordinate the link to the e-mag for The Little Black Book. Abby Larson from Style Me Pretty has put together this book of wedding vendors that you just have to check out. I will be one among the elite vendors of Lancaster. How cool is that? I’m so honored to run next to these spectacular vendors. To quote Abby: The Little Black Book is a one stop source for the best wedding vendors in your city.
Look for Lancaster’s link on TLBB on March 15. The creme-de-la-creme has risen to the top… glad I wasn’t just cafe-au lait!
http://abbyjean.typepad.com/littleblackbook/