So intrigued with the idea of 40 weddings in 40 hours at a cost of only $80/couple (40 for the bride and 40 for the groom–hence the name) as a fundraiser for the Atlanta Children’s Shelter (we told you about it in our October blog post), we just had to see it for ourselves.

So, on Saturday afternoon, two of my coworkers and I ventured out to the Atlanta Northwest Marriott to see this thing that seemed too good to be true.  For some reason, we just couldn’t figure out how they would handle decorations,  keep up the hectic pace and manage to get everyone in and out on time…but they did!

We were blown away!

To our total amazement, it was a jaw-dropping experience from beginning to end.  We walked in and were greeted by a mini orchestra playing classical music (you can check them out at classychickstrio.com) and were immediately taken away by the elegance of the pristine white decor.  Every detail of a dream wedding was there–chairs covered with white satin and tie backs, glorious floral arrangements on tall columns, sheer backdrop with a hint of twinkling lights and spot lighting from the floor.  The white aisle runner led to an elevated stage that was simply breathtaking.  We couldn’t believe how well wedding coordinator Sylvia Wayfer-Clark had pulled everything together.  Even the tables in the reception area were adorned with fresh flower arrangements and beaded overlays from creative-tables.com.  Any bride would have been proud to get married here.  And, to be able to do it for only $40 each in support of a great charity—well, that’s just icing on the wedding cake!

Now that they had passed our design test, we were wondering if things were moving on schedule.  After all, they only have one hour to walk down the aisle, perform the ceremony, move to the reception where they would cut the cake, have the first dance, throw the garter, take pictures and serve cake to their guests.  Whew!  That’s a lot to get done in just 60 minutes.  Would they be able to pull it off? Would everything run according to plan?  The answer is a resounding YES!

On time and on point

Sylvia and her team made it seem effortless.  Having wedding couples and their guests arrive an hour in advance made sure each wedding started on time.  When I looked at my watch, it was EXACTLY 1:00 pm, and the minister was walking down the aisle followed by the groom and groomsmen, right on schedule.

Impressed beyond belief, there was actually enough time to get it all done.  Some couples even had time to place some cute wedding favors on the tables for their guests.  We even got a chance to be the “distant relatives” of a couple who didn’t have any family present.  Standing in for the bouquet toss and cheering them as they left the reception made our time there more meaningful–and more special for the couple.  I just wonder what they will say when they look at the pictures and people ask, “Who are these people?”  Hopefully, they’ll say, “We’re all just family.”

Congratulations on a wonderful event!

They’re calling it the biggest wedding in the nation. It’s definitely going to be one of the longest. To me, it’s just a fabulous idea! The 40-40-40 for Children is happening in Atlanta, GA November 14-15, and all advance proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Children’s Shelter.

This unusual event, the brainchild of Sylvia Wayfer-Clark of Weddings by Stephanie Marie in Atlanta, will take place over a 40-hour period. For only $40.00/bride and $40.00/groom, couples get a full wedding ceremony with bridal party and invited guests, followed by a complete reception with 1st dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc. Those of you putting off your wedding because you can’t afford it–here’s your chance!

For some of the couples, this will mean their wedding ceremony will be held at 2 or 3AM, but that just adds to excitement and uniqueness. I think it’s a great idea, and I raise my champagne glass in celebration of Sylvia Wayfer-Clark and all the couples who participate in this wonderful event. Just think of what you’re doing for the children—and just think of what you’re getting in return!

Here’s Sylvia with all the information:

Seriously. A recent blog post at YourFuneralGuy.com suggests that, because funerals have evolved from their somber beginnings to all-out celebrations, people are now hiring wedding planners to plan funerals.

This revolutionary concept has captured my imagination, and I simply cannot resist sharing with you my somewhat twisted perception of a funeral put together by a wedding planner.

Dearly Beloved…

Beautiful flower arrangements fill the (church, funeral home, bar, or the appropriate venue.) Weddings and funerals do have flowers in common, along with a guest book and pen. The guests are escorted into the venue by ushers while an organist entertains with a playlist of the deceased’s favorite music. When all the guests are assembled, our organist begins to play “Here Comes the Bod.”

The March Down the Aisle

The pallbearers enter carrying the coffin. Like bridesmaids, the pallbearers are style- and color-coordinated.

They’re also wearing boutonnieres. When the officiant asks, “Who gives this body to be buried,” naturally, they all answer, “We do.”

The casket is chosen like a bridal gown—something that fits the deceased’s style and personality.  The coffin below might be perfect for a sci-fi/fantasy fan. Let’s assume it’s an open casket. The guest of honor is wearing a “See You Later!” button.

After the officiant says a few words, he or she says “If there is anyone who would like to share memories of (John or Jane,) please speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The Party Goes Live!

After the service, the celebration begins, with music, a light buffet, a toast to the happy corpse and, of course, the cutting of the cake. Before the guest of honor and the mourners leave the venue to travel to the graveside, they are each given a funeral-themed favor filled with delicious treats.

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The Graveside Service

After a final, short prayer, the coffin is lowered into the ground as family and friends remove the rose petals from the tulle bags they were given when they arrived at the cemetery and scatter them on what can now only be described as the guest of honor’s getaway vehicle, to which someone has attached angel wings and a tiny harp at the bottom.  With the deceased well on the way to that final destination, the guests go home with their funeral favor and the comforting feeling that it wasn’t them.

Mr. Christopher reporting on news that you can roll your eyes too. Actress/Model Pamela Anderson has decided that marriage is not for her.  After being married three times and failing miserably each time, Pamela Anderson has decided that being married doesn’t suit her anymore.  Pamela appeared in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie spoof film “The Superhero Movie” in a tight white dress. One of her fans shouted that he was getting married in the Summer to which Pamela replied, “Really? I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t really recommend it.”

Maybe she would have a better shot at marriage if she actually fell in love with someone and stopped tramping herself out.  Her last marriage was annulled just recently.  That was the marriage where she indicated that she slept with Rick Salomon to pay off gambling debts and then fell in lust with him.  Most know Rick Salomon from his co-starring role in the Paris Hilton sex tape.   Of course the only thing they had in common was that she herself had made a sex tape with her previous husband Tommy Lee.  What more do you have to have in common with someone?  That’s love in the making baby!  Head to the kitchen folks! We have a great recipe for disaster.

So she let the tainting of her last 2 celebrity-marriages cloud her judgment on the beautiful ceremonial blessing of matrimony.  So if you’re getting married and must listen to or be influenced by what actors, actresses, singers or other talentless hacks have to say, do us a favor and just ignore the ramblings of this bleach blond bimbo.  Marriage is a God given right of passage for two people that truly love each other.  Pamela has yet to experience the true meaning of what marriage is.  She’s confused into thinking that marriage is simply a piece of paper that gives you permission to sleep with someone you’re temporarily attracted to so that people don’t call you a tramp.   In a world that increasingly looks upon marriage as simply a silly little ritual, I implore you to actually fall in love and realize how important and honorable that it actually is and ignore the ramblings of a woman whose claim to fame is completely based on sex.

Movie review: 27 Dresses
by guest blogger Donna L.
27 Dresses gets my two thumbs up! I had the pleasure of attending the special advanced screening of this hysterical chick flick last night in Atlanta. Of course, I brought three close friends with me — our first night out celebrating my December engagement! Hundreds of people lined up to see what turned out to be a very entertaining evening, complete with hors d’oeuvres and a delicious pink cocktail at the VIP reception.

Katherine Heigl (Jane) delivered an outstanding performance as the wedding-obsessed girl who is always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Her crush on her boss turns to jealousy and frustration when he falls in love with her kid sister. The movie follows her journey as she works through the now-strained relationship with her sister, her boss, and the journalist who relentlessly pursues her. I especially related to the scene where she tried on the multitude of ridiculous bridesmaids’ dresses that were crammed into her closet, and judging by the laughter in the audience, so did many others! We left with smiles on our faces and a fabulous goodie bag filled with Kate Aspen wedding favors and Vera Wang perfume to name just a few!

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