Bridezilla? Never! Buy local, even on your wedding day

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

So as the day of my nuptials gets nearer and nearer, more and more people are asking me for details. What’s your dress like? What kind of flowers are you having? How many attendants do you have?

Once we get further into that conversation and I tell them about the beautiful flowers I’m getting from Amy at Petals Florist and the amazing 7-foot centerpieces that Michael and Marylou are putting together for me at Naturescapes, they gush about how lucky I am to have these connections all over town.

And they’re totally right. I am blessed to be getting married in the town that I grew up in. I played softball through middle school and high school with Amy’s daughter, Tori, and she graciously helped us come to a great price for gorgeous bouquets.

Two of Marylou’s kids had my father as a teacher in high school many moons ago, and she’s been one of my clients since I started at The Observer. When I came to them with my idea for flowers, they guided me to the fantastic 7-footers that will stand next to me at the altar and grace the tables at the reception.

I have another client who is handing over his limos and drivers for the day to cater to my whims. All great. All amazing. I’m a lucky gal.

On the other hand, knowing everyone in town has its downside. I have five (maybe more?) clients who do hair, nail, facials and the like. Almost everyone for the last year and a half that I’ve been engaged has asked me where am I getting my nails done? Who is doing my hair for my big day?

And I struggle to answer.

My sister and other bridesmaids have planned a day for me out at a spa that most of us frequent and I hate having to tell the rest of them that basically I chose this one specific client. It’s heartbreaking and hard to do but I can’t possibly use them all for one day!

The other thing I ran into in getting married in my hometown is lack of location choices. Looking at Flagler County, my options for a 100-plus guest list are slim. My count alone ruled out several of the local locations such as the Palm Coast Yacht Club and many of the clubhouses. I put an ax on the Hammock, not because it isn’t absolutely stunning, but because I can name at least seven girls I graduated with who recently got married there. I strive to be unique whenever I can ... so, sorry Hammock!

I ended up stumbling upon the beautiful Rockefeller Gardens at the Casements in Ormond Beach one afternoon and fell in love. I also fell for Plantation Bay and the stunning clubhouse at Club de Beaumont. I’m glad I ended up choosing Plantation Bay because it’s technically in Palm Coast, since the front gate teeters on the Palm Coast line of Old Dixie Highway. I preach both professionally and socially “buy local, spend local,” and I didn’t want to go out of county for my wedding.

So, with the pros and cons weighed, all in all, I’d definitely say I would do it again. I’m so grateful to those around me who have helped me prepare for this day and can’t wait to see it all come together. Thank you to all of those in this town, you have made me who I am, and continue to do so as I grow into a woman I will become.