My Tucson Wedding

Bridezillas are a breed of engaged women who make unfair demands of their friends, family and those involved in the planning and creation of “their day.” They break the rules of etiquette to insure that they are noticed and recognized as the bride-to-be from the second they are engaged until the day after the honeymoon when reality slaps them upside the face. It’s hard to climb down from a pedestal like that with their dignity in tact and their friends and family still there for them. The vendors won’t really care, after the wedding is over, they will mostly be grateful for the Bridezilla tax they collected. And don’t think I am kidding. Bridezillas also loose money in ways they don’t even comprehend.Author and etiquette expert Gail Dunson, who goes by pen name, Noe Spaemme, has written a book about this scary breed of brides and she’s got some advice for the engaged on how to avoid becoming a Bridezilla.The following are some of Dunson’s tips on taming your inner Bridezilla:

• Remember to say thank you and cultivate an attitude of gratefulness.• Avoid talking about nothing but the wedding from the time you are engaged. It will bore people and you’ll lose friends. Leave a little suspense for the wedding! Don’t tell everyone what your dress looks like. Keep a little mystery.• Plan appropriately for receptions, and do not make guests pay for drinks or dinner or anything else. If you can’t afford a sit-down dinner, don’t have an evening wedding. Don’t plan over-the-top weddings and expect other people to pay for it.

Here is her best advice on getting out of the clutches of a Bridezilla:

“Think of it as a child in the middle of a storm, having a temper tantrum because she can’t have a lollipop. One of the methods that I recommend is to walk away, because if there is no audience what’s the point? So, if Bridezilla has no audience, who is she going to whine to?”

Happy Planning

At a recent wedding at Saguaro Buttes Community Church, the Groom and the Minister were dressed informally, wearing casual shirts, pants, and flip flops. The minister is in a white shirt and the groom is in a maroon colored shirt. The rest of the bridal party is in black. The Bride was in a traditional white dress. 

At a recent wedding at Saguaro Buttes in Tucson this Chocolate and Vanilla fountain was offered for guests immediately after the ceremony. We probably have one of these every month or so. I think it’s a great idea, and don’t know why it is not offered more often. I personally like having something for the guests while they are waiting for dinner and the Bride and Groom are having all their pictures taken. The kids love this of course, and I think the parents do also. I like the vanilla better than the chocolate, and it is nice of have fruit and other healthy edibles.

The Saguaro Cacti are unique and only grow in the Sonoran Desert. These stately cacti are a site to behold as the landscape is dotted with Saguaros much like a forest with trees.

A Few Facts:

These cacti are very slow growing and it generally takes about 150 years to reach its full height.

They sprout their first arms around 50-70 years, then have a variety of arms growing in many directions.

A mature Saguaro can weigh more than 6 tons and an average lifespan can be 150-170 years, however biologists believe that some may live for over 200 years.

Saguaro Buttes in East Tucson, has many of these majestic giants around the property.

Crested Saguaros

A crested saguaro is an anomaly to the cactus world. There is no real answer to why the cacti become crested but a few of theories are; it is malformed due to unusual development, it is a genetic mutation, or as a result of a lightening strike or freeze damage, causing a strange growth pattern in the main ribs. Even when saguaros grow in their normal form, they rarely grow symmetrically. In the crested saguaro, the growing tip will produce a fan-like form as if reaching for the sun.

Crested saguaros occur in less than one of every 200-thousand saguaros and are protected by state law. We feel very privileged to have our very own crested saguaro at Saguaro Buttes and as you come up the driveway stop to check it out. It will be on your left as you come into the property, take some pictures to show your family and friends.

The answer to this question is no. However, what would a wedding celebration be without the beauty, fragrance and color that flowers will add to your special day? They are a traditional part of every wedding celebration symbolizing fertility in the marriage.

How do I select a florist?

Finding a creative and intuitive florist who specializes in weddings can be an incredible help. Ask your caterer, photographer, baker, event site or anyone that might have used a professional event florist in the last year. I recommend booking your florist six to nine months in advance of your wedding. If you are planning to be married during the months of March through June or October and November in the Tucson area, you will want to book your florist well in advance.Set up an appointment to meet the florist and discuss your ideas and needs. Know in advance what your event site will provide for you. Look through Bridal magazines and on line resources to find flowers and bouquet styles that appeal to you and bring them to your potential florist. Tell him or her the style you wish to achieve along with color schemes or themes. Bring photos of your wedding gown and your attendant’s gowns. A swatch and a description of the dresses will usually suffice.It is very important that you feel comfortable and confident in your florist’s abilities. A professional designer will be able to show you photos of their work and suggest options. Inform your floral designer of your budget for flowers and what types of flowers you like. He or she should be able to determine if your desires and your budget are going to line up. Happy planning!

Many times when people come for pre-marital counseling, they have already made the decision to get married, set the date, booked the church, and sent out invitations. It makes it hard for them to back out if they decide they or their future spouse are not really ready for this lifetime commitment. Here is a list of questions to ask and answer before for you say “I Do”.Please don’t get married if . . . . .

• You’re unwilling to put the needs of another person above your own.
• You’re easily offended, carry grudges or unwilling to forgive.
• You’re an abusive person.
• You’re unwilling to commit.
• You have unresolved addiction problems.
• Your career is the most important thing in your life.
• You don’t share the same beliefs values life priorities or vision.
• You’re unwilling to be an active partner sexually with your spouse.
• You’re unwilling to agree on an approach to finances, children, life decisions.Or, if you expect your spouse to change after marriage.