Archive for September, 2011

‘Til the End of the Contract Do Us Part

Friday, September 30th, 2011


‘Til death do us part.

That’s the vow, right? That you’ll stay together until one or the other of you dies?

We all know couples who haven’t managed that one. Heck, I’m the second Mrs. Twistie! His first marriage didn’t end with a death, but with divorce. Some of you have talked in comments about previous marriages. Right now, I happen to be doing a lot of hand-holding for a very good friend who decided to call her marriage quits after ten years because she has never been happy in it.

I swore ’til death do us part, and I fully intend to honor that vow. But I completely get that not every relationship is going to work out that way. And so I was intrigued with the fact that Mexico City has a proposal currently on the table for temporary marriages.

The proposed temporary marriage would have a two-year minimum term, at the end of which couples would have the option to either extend the contract or dissolve the marriage without the legal hassles of a divorce. The marriage would simply end.
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Why a Pillow? You’re Not Napping

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

If you’re having your rings carried up to the altar by a ring bearer, chances are you expect that tad to carry some sort of lacy, white pillow. After all, that’s what the kid does, traditionally.

But what if you’re not married to the pillow idea? There are other ways of having the ring make it up front and center.

You could put it in a bird’s nest:

What could be better for a rustic wedding of two ornithologists? Or, you know, two people who just have a thing for bird’s nests.

And that’s not the only alternative idea going for ring pillows.
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Sometimes You Just Have to Roll With the Punches

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011


Something goes wrong at every wedding. Sometimes it’s something small, like an inopportune sneeze in the middle of the vows. Sometimes it’s something huge, like the caterer or the florist disappearing at the last minute. And sometimes it’s a photo op gone really, really wrong!

In the middle of this photoshoot, taken by Jeff Hayford and posted on reddit.com, the bridal party had gone out on a small pier for a formal shot, when the pier collapsed.

Nobody was hurt, but that’s one unforgettable wedding album this couple has. Go check out the photos. They’re priceless. If nothing else, they’ll certainly put any wedding day disaster you’ve been fearing into perspective!

LOVE/HATE: Having It Both Ways

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Goodness knows I’ve long wanted an end to the tyrannic reign of strapless wedding gowns. Not that I want all strapless gowns to simply disappear. It’s just that I’ve wanted choices for those who would like another option or three.

And things have changed. Spaghetti straps and halter necklines are now becoming pretty common. But what about this?

One side is strapless… and the other has a long sleeve.

I find myself kind of wishing this dress would make up its mind. It’s not horrible, but it comes across to me as somewhat wishy-washy. I know this sort of look comes along every once in a blue moon in the world of fashion… but I mostly consider it indecisive. I can’t work up the passion to actually hate it, but I certainly don’t love.

How about you? Is this a yea or a nay in your book?

Quickie Question: When Did You Know?

Monday, September 26th, 2011


There comes that moment when you just know. You look at that person across the restaurant table, or in the next seat at the big game, or wherever you happen to be and you just know. This is the person you’ll marry. This is the person to whom you’ll entrust your happiness.

Sometimes it’s a big thing that tells you. Sometimes it’s something seemingly trivial. Sometimes it’s just a feeling you get at a random moment… but it happens to pretty much every person who gets married.

Weirdly enough, my moment came on my first date with Mr. Twistie. It’s really not as creepy as it sounds. We’d known each other for more than five years before we had our first date. We’d been friends. But when he asked me out, I really wasn’t thinking about forever. I was just getting back into the dating scene after breaking up with a guy I’d spent a lot of heartache on. Forever was the last thing on my mind.

And then Mr. Twistie took me on the ultimate first date I hadn’t ever thought about. He took me to Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, where we went browsing through all the used book stores, and used record stores, and the hat shop. He took me to lunch at Fondue Fred, and even dared to share garlic fondue.

Then he took me back to his place, where we watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It’s one of my all-time favorite movies. He even chose that romantic moment in the film when the passing knight slashes the throat of the Famous Historian to kiss me for the first time.

That was it. The moment. As silly, and bizarre, and even tasteless as it is… that was the moment I knew I was going to marry this man. I fought it. I told him at the end of the evening that we should probably leave our options open for at least the next few months. I was panicked. And yet, there was a little piece of me that was absolutely certain, absolutely at peace, and absolutely on top of the world doing a merry jig on at least cloud twelve. I never dated anyone else.

It’s been more than twenty-five years since that first kiss, since that moment when my heart spoke up loud and clear, telling me this was where I would be at home. Never once have I doubted. Never once have I wavered in my commitment. The heart wants what the heart wants, and mine chose Mr. Twistie for all time.

So what was your moment when you knew? Was it a big moment, or a little one? Did you fight it or did you surrender immediately? Have you ever had reason to doubt or change your mind?

Tell us all about it.

Twistie’s Sunday Caption Madness: The Horror, The Horror Edition: The Result

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

Ah my dears, last week I inflicted this deathless image on you all:

… and you came back with… well… okay, only one of you responded. Still, if it’s good, one is all it takes.

Ripley, even if yours wasn’t the only response, it would still have been well up in the running. As things are, you win with this wildly appropriate response:

Dear God, who hired Nickelback to play at the reception?

Congratulations, Ripley! And thanks for playing.

Brides are Doing it for Themselves: Flowers

Friday, September 23rd, 2011


Here at Manolo for the Brides, we’re in favor of bridal DIY. It’s a great way to save a buck or three and create an intensely personal celebration.

Whether you’re looking to make centerpieces, design and make your own veil, or coming up with handmade favors, chances are you can find inspiration and instruction somewhere on the net. So I’m going to hunt down some of the coolest ideas and clearest instructions to help you get started finding what projects are right for you.

Today, we’re talking about flowers. I’ve been looking around and I’ve discovered some fun projects that nearly anyone can do.

First up, see that picture at the top of this article? Wouldn’t those be delightful on the tabletops at a spring wedding, particularly with a Japanese theme? They’re also origami. This is the sort of project you can do over time or organize a party to play with.
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