My daughter said YES!..now what?

Welcome MoBs everywhere. this blog is for you.
Before I begin, some credits : our amazing photographer for the photo above:David Mielcarek,  my daughter Lizzie for being a wonderful bride to be.
Now here we go.
49 days ago we celebrated the marriage of Lizzie & Bo. How we got from Oct 2 to April 23rd is an amazing journey,one that you are taking as you read this blog. Whether you have 6months or 2 years to plan a wedding, you still have to start somewhere. I will tell you about my journey and hopefully will help you with yours..
 As soon as we heard the news I hightailed it to the bookstore and bought over $150.00 worth of wedding guides, magazine, planning binders and books. I poured through them looking for ideas and information. Every bit of advice was sugar coated and wedding-dream-like..and i KNEW that was a load of BS! Yes I've seen incredible love and understanding, but more often than i not I've seen mothers and daughters ready to pull each others hair out. Brides in tears and mothers exasperated over the bridezilla that used to be a lovely person... budgets woefully out of sync with expectations and families so stressed out that they want to forget the whole wedding. This is supposed to be a happy time and YES IT IS, but it is also fraught with landminds everywhere you turn. it sometimes feels like Murphy's Law is in overdrive.
So how do you navigate through this????? Well you start at the beginning
The first thing you and your daughter need to do is frankly discuss her expectations. Consider it a brainstorming session where nothing is written in stone and all ideas are IDEAS. Hear her out-just listen. Do NOT negate her ideas...there's time for changing minds later...just find out how she wants to progress..does she want a long engagement, does she love a certain time of year, has she dreamed of a big wedding,a small gathering etc etc...get a feel for what she wants to do. Be positive so that you 2 get started on the right track and let her know you are respecting her as an adult-even though she's still and always will be, your little girl.
Let her know that you are there to help her and to support her. Don't get the "I'm paying for it so you have to do what i say" attitude. On the other hand, don't get your feelings hurt if she acts like you know nothing and she is ready to run the show! Just let her express all the dreams she has for her wedding day..reality will hit soon enough.
It is soooooo vitally important that you and your daughter maintain an open and respectful dialog..never ever let your egos override your love for one another.

stay tuned!