How controlling can brides be?

The answer: very. Evidence: The Smith-Bailey wedding.
"The bride chose a cake shaped like a Florida Gator football helmet as the groom's cake."
I thought the whole point was that the groom's cake was one of the few decisions the groom gets to make. Oh, well. He probably wouldn't have been more creative either.

Thank you, Steel Magnolias!

So far, I've read about a bride's color being "blush" (seems wrong without bashful). But this takes the cake. Literally. It's a catfish made of red velvet cake for the Barnett-Berry wedding (page A13), made in the shape of a catfish (the groom is the owner of Berry's Catfish House in Magee, after all). I can only imagine the scene once this was cut into. Almost as good as an armadillo. 

Find of the Century

I was in Greenwood for a wonderful weekend of relaxation and food consumption, but stopped in Turnrow Books to browse, and looked in the small used book section. There they were: 2 huge piles of old Mississippi Magazines. And mixed in: the Wedding Registers issues. Every year from 1994 until 2004 except one. Unfortunately, 2005 wasn't there, which is my favorite one. I miss it.

Anyway, a brief preview.

I really love this 1993 bride's hair and veil. I spent a few hours at the Alluvian Spa checking out the 1994 issue. I promise MANY more gems to come.

Where is Planned Parrenthood when you need it?

I got a flyer in the mail the other week from Baptist Hospital. It's for their classes for the public. I'll retype here: 

Bridal Nerves
When you're a bride-to-be, there's a lot to be happy about. There are a few things that make us nervous, too. Like the first visit to the OB/GYN and adjusting to birth control pills. Join OB/GYNs of the Woman's Clinic and OB-GYN Associates for girl talk and answers from the experts in this class just for brides-to-be.

1. When my brother picked me up in New Orleans 10 years ago to drive me to college, he told me we were stepping back in time 40 years. There are many times he has been wrong. But occasionally (unfortunately), he's right.
2. From purely a health professional viewpoint, this concerns me, because it can make women feel one of two ways:
a. I don't need to go to the OB/GYN until I get married (wrong: even if one has never been sexually active, one should begin to get PAP-smears at the age of 21. Also, there is more to the OB/GYN visit than discussing birth control.
b. That brides should be a virgin. (Also wrong)
3. It bothers me that the only birth control options are pills. We are lucky that women can now chose between patches, vaginal rings, injections, IUDs, condoms, female condoms, diaphragms, tubal ligation, and more when deciding birth control options. And if your MD only discusses pills, find a new one.
Full disclosure: The Woman's Clinic is where my OB/GYN is. He's actually pretty good, and willing to discuss all options. But my previous MD there was TERRIBLE and spent visits making me feel guilty for personal decisions that I feel totally comfortable about.

4. If I were a virginal bride-to-be, I could think of nothing less natural/comfortable than sitting in a room with a bunch of brides-to-be having "girl talk" with a bunch of strangers. The only way this could possibly be fun would be if they had a copy of the old game from the 80s called Girl Talk Girl Talk Wikipedia entry

Everyone would react the same way, right?

I was in clinic this morning with one of my students, and she told me she got engaged this weekend. My first question:
Do you think you'll put your announcement in Mississippi Magazine?


Hours later, I realize that probably wasn't the best reaction.

A little feedback never hurt anyone

Earlier today I was told that my blog needed some pictures. So as I was reading the MrS. Magazine (which might be a better name for it), I saw this ad. The same friend who recommended the pictures, also found this store years ago, when she was preparing for her wedding, and was traumatized by the name of the shop. I'm traumatized by the picture. Is the model posing to be named the Year's Best "Whore with a Heart"? Or thinking about the dime-store novel she just read? Or just wondering why her dress is made of fans?

I love this couple

Seriously. (want proof? I woke up and drove back from AL in time for the wedding. AND I DVR'd the SC-Clemsux game and didn't watch it until AFTER several hours of celebrating their wedding).
Anna and Walter rock. Which makes my comments a little different than the usual post. You can read the story of Anna and Walter in this JFP artilce. I'm also happy to say I was there, I seen it with my own 2 eyes. And it was just that special of a wedding. Perhaps my favorite touches:
1. Carolina played the music on an old piano. A piano with a few missing keys. Which meant that she had to give up on some of the songs. Which was actually pretty awesome, and a nice relaxing way to start things off.
2. The happy couple left to Snoopy music. (full details in the article). How cool is that?!?
3. Anna and Walter were bailing on several Monday-night Soup Nights prior to their wedding. I was beginning to wonder if they no longer liked us, but then I found out they were taking dance lessons. Their first dance was adorable. (And if you're wondering, Anna's the one with a touch of soul)
4. Cupcakes. I like em enough, but the BF was happy for days, enjoying the red velvet cupcakes he sneaked out of there.
5. There were lots of other awesome details (especially the owl theme which was cool). But I'll leave you to read the article.