Weekend Wedding Activities – Woohoo!

It has become increasingly trendy to host a weekend gala event for couples-to-be, because a wedding is not just a celebration of their love; it is also a way to thank the special people in their life and have them participate.

As a number of families are geographically spread further apart, it is becoming more popular for couples to opt for weekend weddings. The festivities generally begin Friday evening, with the wedding being held on Saturday and a post-wedding breakfast or brunch concludes the activities on Sunday.

Rest assured planning activities for weekend-long celebrations does not have to be a nail-biting, hair-pulling difficult task, but planning the activities for the long weekend is essential. And it can actually be quite a bit of fun. First, consider everyone's needs. It's important that during the wedding weekend, planners keep in mind that the weekend itself might be expensive for some guests, particularly those who had to fly in for the occasion therefore; many of the activities should be free, or inexpensive. However, if planners choose more expensive activities to include the entire group, they should be paid for by either the bride and groom or their families and not the guests.

Of course, there are plenty of activities that don't have to be expensive, such as a scavenger hunt that incorporates the Bachelor and Bachelorette party activities. Simply draft a list of meaningful items and split the guests into two teams. Players can use digital cameras (or cell phone cameras) to photograph the crazy things on their scavenger hunt party list.  Since you are using pictures instead of collecting the items the list can be really crazy! The list could include items like, "Dancing with a Stripper" or "A member of the groom's party wearing women's underwear" or "A picture of a penny with the year of the Bride or Groom's date of birth on it." You will need to tailor the scavenger hunt list to the location and the guests who will participate, but the possibilities are endless.

Another suggested activity is to replace the formal rehearsal dinner with an informal barbecue dinner or picnic – this does not have to be catered, it's best to get family members involved for this shindig – every family has their own grill-master, and they should be used during this particular function. If you're lucky enough to be near a lake and the weather permits, consider planning the events for Saturday at the lake. Activities can include, swimming races, beach volleyball, canoe racers, and/or jet skiing.

An additional activity that's popular during weekend weddings is a competitive type sport activity, such as volleyball, flag football, baseball, softball or horseshoes. Again, add a unique twist. Offer prizes for performance (first touchdown gets a kiss from the bride or groom, first score the best man has to sing to, hug, or kiss maid of honor) or you can make-up ridiculous rules, like members of the bridal party have to wear veils while playing volleyball and/or members of the groom's party should have to wear tiaras.

You can even offer prizes for the team that wins the scavenger hunt or any of the other activities, such as gift certificates to Edible Arrangements, local sporting events, or wine baskets.

Although it might seem an obvious choice to divide the teams into groups who know or are related to the bride and teams who know or are related to the groom, think about how exciting it would be to mix it up a bit, by creating teams of friends versus family, youth versus aged, or men versus women (always a popular choice).

There are so many unique activities that the problem isn't what to do, but which of the number of activities to do. And with the large variety, there's bound to be one that fits into your budget and theme.

SUPERBOWL - WHAT CAN I SAY?

It is Superbowl weekend people, what else can I say?  I could say GO SAINTS! or listen to others foolishly say, go Colts.  I could even break down the Saints chances of winning and provide you with endless feedback from the season's wins that have lead up to this moment.  I could even give you the stats for that other team, but what would be the fun in that? At this moment and for me, it would be pointless.  So what I'm going to say instead is, I'm going to hang out with family and friends while watching the annual sporting event to end all sporting events.  Eat, drink, laugh, and talk trash about the opponents; and have far too much fun poking fun at the ridiculously overpriced under-achieved advertisements, that for what they cost could have perhaps fed me and ALL my family and friends for the rest of our lives - well maybe not for the rest of our lives, but for at least the next 10 years or more.

I will perhaps edit this entry tomorrow prior to kick off time, then again, maybe not.  It depends - I have so much to do and so little time to complete my tasks.  Let's just say if I am able to, I will clean this post up a bit.  I'm not making any promises, after all I do have other issues on my plate - getting ready for game time can be challenging you know.  Oh crap, I have a proposal I'm suppose to write I should stop messing around and get right on that.  Pause for reality check ---- What am I thinking, I don't work on Sundays unless it is absolutely necessary, and I can assure you or myself if that's what it boils down to, it is not absolutely necessary to do anything today, other than what I will be doing - and that is...

Enjoying each and every moment of the day that I can.  What can I say?  I deserve a break and I couldn't have chosen a better day than today to take a break.  So if you deserve a break, take one and shout: Go Team!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY – TO THE UNCELEBRATED PARENT

Father’s Day is a time to observe and have a good time with the father in your life. And to remember those fathers that are no longer with us. Father’s Day has never gotten the fan-fare that Mother’s Day has been afforded, nor have some fathers been shown the appreciation they may rightly deserve; perhaps that’s partly due to the misunderstanding of the Father and his role.

Fathers take on the role of protector and work hard to provide for their children and families. Some fathers have to work harder and longer than they’d like, which often results in less time spent with their children. This is difficult to explain to children – just another reason not to celebrate Dad.

Fathers are usually the flexible parent, at least in my household; when Mom said “this is the way it is.” That’s the way it was – no negotiation. Fathers are also likely to love with impulsiveness and surprises. They love having fun with their children and are generally the parent that pushes the children physically in an effort to toughen them up – while mothers are all for having spirited children, the father wants his children to be brave, aggressive, and fearless.

Then there is the optimistic nurturing side of a father, trying to be in tune with his children. Hoping his children will find out who they really are and become independent – if for no other reason than to stay out of his pocket; but seriously, fathers help serve to wing the child from the nest to become self-sufficient productive members of society.

Although my father didn’t die until I was grown with children and grandchildren of my own - I still truly miss my Dad. So for as long as you have breathe in your body and are able to do so, make an effort to celebrate, appreciate, and be glad to have that father figure in your life.