House united: Auburn bride and Georgia groom plan football-themed wedding for Saturday (photos)

 Photos of decorations and items for the "House United" wedding in Auburn on Nov. 23, 2013. AUBURN, Alabama -- Like many brides, Opelika native Donna Wood has imagined what her wedding will be like down to the very last detail.Unlike other women planning to walk down the aisle, however, Wood's vision for her wedding day involves an officiant dressed as a referee, an inflatable Aubie and the "Monday Night Football" theme song. On Saturday, Wood will marry her fiance Todd Rowey at the University Station RV Resort in Auburn, Ala. While the couple live in Boise, Idaho, Wood said they couldn't imagine getting married anywhere but in the South. Though the decision to get married below the Mason-Dixon line might have been an easy one to agree on, that's where the harmony ended.See, Rowey is from Warner Robbins, Ga. and is a die-hard Georgia Bulldogs fan, which put the duo at a bit of a headlock until they came up with the wedding theme "A House United," which allows both of them to sport their team colors during the big day."We just love to watch football and wanted to play up the rivalry," said Wood. "We really wanted to go to an Auburn vs. Georgia game, and this off weekend just fell right after so it was perfect. We went to the game on Saturday and let that kickoff the festivities."Wood, whose father and stepfather both played for the Auburn University football team in 1964, said the couple came up with the idea to get married at the RV resort her parents stay at during the football season while walking around the grounds one day."A year ago, we were walking in the woods and thought 'wouldn't it be funny if we got married here?' and it all just came from that," said Wood.Since then, Wood and her parents, Diane Jones and Ken Jones, have spent the past six months sorting out the details. In hopes of creating a tailgating atmosphere for guests to enjoy, Wood said they would be serving low country boil, taco soup, barbecue sliders and more. In keeping with the theme, there will also be a cheerleader in place of a flower girl and a football toss as opposed to a garter. In addition, the decorations will represent both teams and the officiant would serve as the only neutral party present. Well, sorta."My brother-in-law is a big Alabama fan," said Wood. "He is going to be the officiant and he's going to be in a referee outfit. He's going to work in a lot of football terminology during the ceremony. We don't really know what he's got planned."While the concept of wearing white cowboy boots with an orange-and-blue dress down the aisle might make some brides cringe, Wood, who has three children from a previous marriage, said she doesn't want the fuss of a traditional wedding. Instead, she wants the atmosphere to be fun and laid-back."I've already done a glitzy wedding," said Wood. "This is going to be a tailgating wedding. I just want it to be very relaxed so people have a good time. I want everyone to leave Auburn fans."

Weddings911-Mom Gets One Up On Stepmom

 I received the story below from a local wedding vendor several years ago. I had seen it before, and after the initial chuckle, I started thinking about all the brides I have worked with, and their moms that have had some type of issue along these lines. So, today I am posting it again for all of you; whether you are a bride, mom, step mom, or girlfriend of Dad, enjoy a good read, and the guidelines that follow.Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her excitement - not even her parent's nasty divorce. Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear, and would be the best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new, young wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother! Jennifer asked her father's new young wife toexchange it, but she refused. ''Absolutely not! I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm wearing it,'' she replied. Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, ''Never mind sweetheart. I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day.''A few days later, they went shopping, and they did find another gorgeous dress for her mother. When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, ''Aren't you going to return the other dress? You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it." Her mother just smiled and replied, ''Of course I do, dear, I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.''This is a great story and unfortunately it really does reflect what some brides have to endure. If you can identify with any part of this story, read on for 3 suggestions to help you avoid this kind of drama.  #1: This is not the day to get even, get back, or become the showstopper. Even if it is just for one weekend, everyone needs to "act" as if they are on friendly terms. I understand that there can be many hard feelings and possibly emotional pain that comes into play when there are broken families and new "replacements". Please do your best to lay all personal feelings aside, and do the right thing.  #2: The right thing is to remember that the bride is the star. This is the day that she has dreamed of since she was a little girl. It is all about her. This is not the time to draw any attention to yourself, but do whatever you can to make the bride feel like she is the most beautiful girl in the room.#3: The bride's mother gets to choose her dress first. She needs to find a dress to complement the style, formality, and colors of the wedding. The groom's mother can pick her dress next, hopefully complementing the bride's mother's dress, but in a different color. Next in line: step moms and then girlfriends, all following the same guidelines. So, please do your best to lay down all personal agendas, put a smile on your face, and do whatever you have to do to, to give the bride and groom a day they can remember with happy memories! HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911-Should you Have a Holiday Weekend Wedding?

 It sounds like a great idea; your family will all be together anyway right? And, most of them have to travel to the gathering spot regardless.So, why not? Well, as with most things there are pros and cons. I think once you know what they are; you will be able to make a good decision as to whether a holiday wedding will work for you. Let's look at the pros first. Decorating for a holiday wedding can be relatively easy and inexpensive, especially if your venue is already lavishly decorated. Just go with the colors and theme and you are set. You might need to coordinate with the florist working at the venue to get on the same page, but this is fairly easy. Since your friends and family love getting together during the holidays — it's the perfect time for a wedding-based family reunion. You might have a family member plan for activities or meals that are not wedding related. This can give everyone time to connect before or after the wedding with a holiday brunch, spa day, beach bonfire, or even Movie Night. Since many holidays fall on weekdays you might be able to save more $$ by having your wedding on a Friday or Monday. Many venues will offer a discount for choosing a low volume day. This sounds promising so far, but we still have the list of cons to talk through. If you have a lot of invited guests that will need to fly, this can be a major setback. Holiday travel is always more expensive and if you are thinking of a winter wedding, air travel can have serious weather delays and cancellations. Your last-minute wedding preparations might end up taking a backseat to your friends' and family's holiday parties and planning. For the rest of your life, you'll face scheduling conflicts on every anniversary, such as holiday parties, kids' activities, work related events and so on.A wedding on a major holiday may make your guests have to choose between your wedding and celebrating the holidays with other family members. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas are non-negotiable in many families. Another problem with a December wedding is that you are choosing a time of year when people are already spending lots of cash; they may be hesitant to spend more for a wedding gift or pay for travel expenses. With a summer holiday wedding: Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day, the roads and airports are busy. Resorts are crowded, restaurants have long waits, and generally things are busier than normal. Depending on which month you get married, you may have to cut short or postpone your honeymoon in order to not miss a special holiday with your family. This is by no means a complete list, but will give you some food for thought. Just keep in mind that the location can make or break the event just as much as the date can. Choosing a beach wedding on 4th of July could be a disaster. But, a 4th of July wedding in a secluded mountain resort could be amazing. The best advice to is plan well, and anticipate the pros and cons of each holiday and location, as nothing is worse than a wedding gone wrong. HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911--How to Find that Perfect Location

 Once you are engaged, one of the most important next steps is to find your ceremony and reception locations and lock in your date. This is vital to getting the planning rolling, and honestly not much else can happen if you do not have a date. Of course, you can find your dress, and choose your colors, but you cannot really do much else without that wedding date. From what I hear, finding a venue can be an overwhelming task if you do not know what to ask, or what to look for. So, today I have ten tips for you to keep in mind as you begin your search. 1.Have a budget already worked out. You will need to know if you can afford that ritzy hotel that charges 6000.00 just to walk in the door. If you can't, knowing what you can afford will save you time and effort. 2. Think about your style. Are you a casual bride dreaming of being married in a meadow of wildflowers? Or, are you a country club girl, wanting something very luxe? Or, maybe you just want that sweet chapel wedding? 3. Research your options: There are many ways to do this: Facebook, Wedding websites, and Pinterest may provide options. Checking with friends and family may help uncover a little known spot that might be perfect. New venues are popping up all over; country barns, old homes, and farms are hot right now. 4. Take the time to actually visit the location. In the wedding business it is not always certain that a picture is worth a thousand words. Many times pictures can be deceptive; and not give you the whole picture. You need to walk the property, see the lay of the land, and get a feel for how it is taken care of.   I know of one location in my city that shows gorgeous images of their property, but you have to drive through a part of town that is not so pretty to get there. You would never know, unless you made the effort to see it for yourself.5. Make sure it is big enough to handle all your guests. If you are booking a spot that has a maximum occupancy of 150, do not assume you can squeeze in 300 guests. 6. If you are looking at an outdoor venue, is it very important to ask about backup in the event of bad weather. It is a huge mistake not to plan ahead. Ensuring a reliable back up plan that you can live with is very valuable. 7. Ask about what is included. Does the venue have tables and linens included or will you have the additional expense of renting them? Check on how many tables they have. Inspect the chairs and linens to make sure you are happy with them. 8.Check on which vendors are allowed in. Many privately owned venues ask you to use their vendors, or you may "upgrade" and pay extra fees to use your own. If you have to use theirs, check them out online first! 9.Find out how many hours are included, and add extra if necessary. 10. Before signing any contracts, be sure that all necessary components fit within your budget, and that everything promised is in writing. HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

'Honey, I blew up the wedding venue' and other stupid excuses men make to avoid women (Column by Kelly Kazek)

  Hold on to your super-hero underpants before you start calling me a man hater ... again. Would you marry a man after he was arrested for calling police on your big day to report there was a bomb in the wedding hall? That’s a decision Liverpool bride Amy Williams is mulling after she arrived at St. George’s Hall in her gown, all set to unite with her honey in wedded bliss, only to find police and emergency crews on hand searching for a bomb, according to The Daily Mail. Turns out, her sweetie, Neil McArdle, didn’t do it because he was afraid of commitment. No, he was afraid of his bride-to-be’s reaction when she learned he had forgotten to book the hall for their ceremony, probably the only item on his wedding to-do list other than “show up.”Now, McArdle faces jail time and, six months later, Williams still hasn’t decided if she wants to share a ball-and-chain with him. But McArdle isn’t the only man in the news this month for doing something exceptionally stupid to avoid a woman’s wrath.I have to tread lightly with this column topic after I hurt some male readers’ feelings with a statement I made in a recent column. I quite innocently tossed out the comment “Men are pigs” in reference to guys who peruse airbrushed hotties in nudie magazines and set off a flurry of responses from some delicate male egos.One commenter, I suppose by way of awkward apples-to-Brussels-sprouts-type comparison, asked if I would be offended if he called women (bleeps) or (bleeps) or even (bleeeeeeeps).Nah. Even though anyone could tell by the (bleeps) the words are offensive – whereas the word “pigs” does not even require italics, much less parentheses – I know they don’t apply to me, so I don’t take them personally.But today I’m going to discuss some men who are – there’s no other way to put it – nimrods.Hold on to your super-hero underpants before you start calling me a man hater … again. I happen to like people of the male persuasion, one in particular. Besides, I’m not saying there isn’t a reason these men acted like nimrods, and the reason just might be their women.See? How’s that for fair and balanced reporting?Any-hoo, it turns out this was a second strike for McArdle, who had apparently also failed at planning a wedding for Williams the previous year. According to The Daily Mail, he’s unemployed. What was he doing all day that prevented him from calling the venue and ordering up a simple wedding ceremony?But here’s where I place some of the blame on the bride. Any woman knows not to let a man “help” with the wedding. If she does, she might end up with Seussian wedding vows like these by Marty Blase on About.com:Yes, I'll love her when we're fit, And when we're hurt, and when we're sick, And I will love her when we're rich And I will love her in a ditch And I will love through good and bad, And I will love when glad or sad, And I will have, and I will hold Ten years from now a thousandfold, Yes, I will love for my whole life This lovely woman as my wife!Read Blase’s rhyming vows in their entirety here.But the award for Stupid Man Trick of the Month So Far goes to Rogelio Andaverde of Texas, whose motives were pure – he wanted to go out for a few beers with friends – but his execution was arrest-worthy.Afraid of his wife’s reaction – notice a theme here? – rather than tell her what he was up to, Andaverde faked his own kidnapping. Yes, according to a report on MySanAntonio.com, two masked men with guns “forced” Andaverde into a car as his wife watched at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1.He returned home Thursday afternoon after having his fun – and after a helicopter and a slew of deputies spent hours searching for him. After his arrest, Andaverde was released on $5,000 bond, but I’m guessing not before he begged to be kept in jail … and out of reach of his wife.Because if she would be mad about a few beers, just think how she’ll feel now that the neighbors, and the rest of the world, know the lengths he’ll go to get out of the house.I bet masked men with guns are looking pretty good right about now.I’m just sayin.’Kelly Kazek's humor columns appear regularly on al.com and in The Huntsville Times, The Birmingham News and The Press-Register in Mobile. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook.

Your Monday Inspiration: Dying father didn't have to miss his proudest moment (video)

  Fotolanthropy captured these images of Fred Evans and a few special moments with the women in his life. (Fotolanthropy) Fred Evans had only months to live. He was recovering from a double lung transplant when doctors gave him more bad news: He had metastatic melanoma.But Evans and his wife, Karla, had always made the most of life, enjoying fun things like Jimmy Buffet concerts, scuba diving and underwater photography in Cozumel. They planned to savor the rest of their moments together.Many a father has looked forward to walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day, and Evans was no exception. He teamed up with his wife and oldest daughter, Martha, to arrange a surprise for their younger, unmarried daughters, Kate and Gracie. The event at Watermark Community Church in Dallas involved a special surprise for Karla, too.Fotolanthropy's Matt and Julie Norene captured these touching images of father-daughter love. (Warning: Grab a tissue before you hit play.)

Weddings911-Priest and Photogs Clash at wedding!

 Have you seen the latest buzz? A wedding video posted on CNN and ABP is making a big splash and is causing a lot of controversy. Why? At the beautiful wedding of Noelle and Rob, all was well; the lakeside setting a beautiful backdrop for the guests witnessing the small intimate ceremony. All was well, that is ... until the photographers moved behind the priest to get a good shot of Bride's and Groom's faces. At this point, things took a downhill turn as the priest stopped the ceremony, turned, and asked the photographers to move. He was firm and non-apologetic in his tone. The priest stated clearly that this was a sacred ceremony. The photographers then challenged him. The priest stood his ground, and would not continue the ceremony until they moved. The whole thing is captured on video, including the bride and grooms' faces during the altercation, and their thoughts about it afterward. I am happy to say that they are taking it all in with a grain of salt. But, it has become a hotly debated topic among wedding pros around the country. It is important for you to know what the issues are to avoid this happening to you. Even in my local networking groups I have entered into a discussion where there are strongly debated sides. One wedding pro thought the photographers had every right to stand where they wanted to get the shots they were being paid to get. Another said they were intrusive and could find other ways to get the shots they wanted. Another had very strong words about the priest making a bigger scene than the photographers. With everyone weighing in with their personal opinion, it is clear there is one view that all agree to. This should have been discussed beforehand! The priest should have discussed this with the photographers before the ceremony, or he could have asked the bride and groom to discuss it with them. The photographers could also have asked the priest what his "boundaries" are. When a wedding planner is present, the planner is the one that will direct the photographers and videographers to where they can stand, set up, etc. But, in the event there is no planner, all involved have to be extra vigilant in making sure there is clear communication on this issue before the ceremony starts. It is my feeling that a wedding is a sacred event, and as such, there should be no distraction during the ceremony. No cell phones vibrating, no guests standing up or leaning into the aisle taking photos, and no talking. The pros working the event, should also follow basic guidelines, and show respect for the families, the church, or synagogue. This means we do our jobs to the best of our abilities: capture the best photos, ensure the flowers and food are perfect, while not disrupting the event itself. While I do not like the way the priest handled this predicament, I feel that he did the best he could under the circumstances. I just wish the photographers had respected the first request from the priest and had moved to the side. At any rate, I know you are not going to want this to happen at your wedding, so make sure you have it all worked out before the wedding day!HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911-Vendor Price Discrimination?

 The NYTIMES recently posted an article by new bride Catherine Rampell, as she writes about her experience putting together her wedding. She writes, "Wedding vendors seemed to be trying to size me up to figure out how much I'm willing to pay; consumer advocates say this is a common practice, as is charging more for a given service for a wedding than for a "family function" or "corporate event." She also says, "I knew, of course, that weddings are notoriously expensive, but what I did not expect was the sheer difficulty of finding any price information at all. Not only will vendors not post prices online, but many will not even quote them over the phone, requiring a face-to-face meeting first." From time to time, I have heard comments like these, but generally have dismissed them, as I personally have not experienced any type of price fixing, nor do I support these practices. But, apparently there is a lot of mis-information out there as to how wedding vendors determine their pricing. Hopefully, you have not felt that you are being "sized up" or taken for a pot of gold, but have been treated fairly. Yes, it is true that many wedding vendors do not post pricing online or quote pricing on the phone, but there are very good reasons for this. Most wedding vendors have known for a while that our brides do not want cookie cutter weddings. We have brides that are all over Pinterest, making design boards, and putting together teams that will bring their vision to life. As vendors, we do not offer cookie cutter packages to brides that are looking for something different.In general, most hair and makeup artists, photographers, videographers, DJ, limo and shuttle services have set packages and online pricing. This means that their prices are the same regardless of whether you have a small simple wedding in your backyard or a ballroom fantasy wedding for 500. Caterers, florists, and floral designers may be able to give you initial pricing, but that just gives you a basic idea of a starting point. Your wedding planner many not have package pricing either. And, like the caterer or floral designer, all pricing is based on what the bride wants. With these vendors, so much of what they do is customized. Set pricing can be almost impossible as there are so many options. Options will always raise or lower total cost. Total cost can only be determined when a bride chooses her design plan, menu, wedding planning services, etc. A savvy bride can be pro-active and go to her potential vendors with a price in mind and ask if she is in range for their services.Remember too, not all vendors are created equal and not every florist or caterer can deliver the same product for the same price. Wedding planners charge based on experience and the services needed. The more help a bride needs or wants will translate into labor hours, increasing the fees. To set the record straight, you do need to be careful, and if you feel you are being "sized up" by your potential vendors, ask questions. From my experience though, pricing is not based on your checkbook, but on your wants. HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911- Celebrity Wedding Looks without the Pricetag?

 I know, you have been all over Facebook, Pinterest, and wedding blogs to check out the latest celebrity trends. I am right with you; they are stunning. Lavish florals, incredible tablescapes, and amazing locations leave us absolutely breathless. I also know it is easy to want to incorporate many of the ideas you see. And, to be honest not many of us can afford a $5,000,000.00 wedding. But, you really can take away a lot of ideas and make them work with your budget. This does not mean you will have a "Million Dollar" look, but you can take your wedding and reception up a few notches in "wow" power. According to Preston Bailey, the widely acclaimed celebrity event planner, there are 5 things you can do to get that celebrity look you love. Preston says that the first thing is to "Give your guests drama". He does not mean family drama, but says, "You are going to spoil your guests with every single luxury, food, music that you possibly can." He says your goal as a host should be to create an atmosphere that your guests will never want to leave.Next, Preston says to "Wow them right away"! Capturing the guests' attention from the moment they arrive will set the right tone and create lasting memories for all that attend. Even if other aspects of the wedding are subtler, a strong first impression will set the right tone. This can be done with a huge ice sculpture, an amazing cake centered in the room, servers passing pretty signature drinks, or even a gorgeous fountain dripping with flowers.He also makes a good point in reminding brides not to forget about the ceremony décor. He says, "You want to create an emotional environment that moves everyone to tears." How do you do that? Think candlelight, flowers, beauty, and romance. And do not forget the live music; that is a must! Music brings emotion and romance to your ceremony like nothing else. Preston's 4th tip, "Get Creative With Your Tablescapes. When designing an event, it's important to have variety". We have all seen those boring receptions that look more like conventions; they have 30 matching tables as far as the eye can see. It is much more fun and visually beautiful to spice it up a bit. Try 3 or more different arrangements spread throughout at different heights. Having different centerpieces and linen on every table might work as well. Remember though, these ideas will only work well when they follow the same theme and vision. Last tip from Preston, "Relax and Enjoy!" I think the greatest mistake that most brides make is that they're so tense the day of their wedding. You should be at your best on the day of your wedding," he says, "so let go, and have a great time!" I agree. Your wedding day should be fun, and not stressful. Hire the best pros you can and trust them do their magic.Can you have the celebrity wedding of your dreams? Yes, if you have the same budget! But, if you don't, take the ideas and tips above to create your own wedding day filled with amazing beauty, romance, fun and creativity! HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911-To Tip or Not to Tip?

 While meeting with a bride last night, we spent a good hour working on her budget to make sure she would be able to have everything that is important to her. Like most brides and their families, setting up a realistic wedding budget was vital. In the middle of our discussion, she asked about how tipping fits into the budget. She was under the impression that she was to tip every wedding vendor about 20%. This led into a pretty long conversation about who gets tipped and what they get tipped. Tipping has always been a personal expression of gratitude for service given and appreciated. After all, that's what a tip is -- acknowledgement of excellent service. While all of her vendors would really appreciate a nice tip, it is not expected or necessary for every vendor, not to mention being a budget buster! So, how do you know who gets a tip and who doesn't? Basically, vendors that are providing personal services to the bride or groom should be tipped and those just doing contracted labor, generally are not. Who would not be tipped? Florists, Photographers, Bakers, and Musicians are not tipped for providing their contracted services. Tipping is fairly unusual in our area for these vendors. Their contract states what they are providing, and how much they will be paid for these services. At most hotels, country clubs, or big venues, the caterer adds a service charge to your bill. This covers all gratuities for their staff. You will need to look on your paperwork to see if it is included. This figure is usually around 20-21%. If it is included, nothing else is required. The question has been asked, should you give a tip for receiving excellent service from the banquet manager or a member of the wait staff, even if they are already covered in the service charge?  What if your photographer spent more time than expected on your bridal portraits, or your wedding planner had unexpected challenges to overcome? If any vendor has gone above and beyond what they were contracted to do, then yes, a tip is a very thoughtful gesture. That being said there are a few vendors that you should be prepared to tip regardless. Your limousine driver, hair stylist, and makeup artists are tipped as usual. Plan for around 15 to 20 percent, depending on the service. Your officiant will accept an honorarium, as most do not accept fees. I suggest that this "donation" be in the $100.00-250.00 range. If travel is involved, an additional amount is appreciated. To sum it up; If you as a bride feel any of your vendors have provided you with services that went beyond their contract, or your expectations, a gift of appreciation is appropriate and very appreciated. There are many ways to extend your appreciation, and this does not necessarily mean a monetary tip. It is all right to think out of the box here. There are many ways you could thank a vendor for their hard work. I have received monetary tips, but also been given gift certificates, flowers, and been given sweet gifts. All very appreciated. And, do not forget that every vendor will treasure a sincere thank you note for a job well done. HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

New York woman makes 300 sandwiches to get proposal from boyfriend

 New York Post editor Stephanie Smith made this roasted chicken, sweet potato mash and swiss chard sandwich for her boyfriend, Eric. She is currently documenting her journey making 300 sandwiches in exchange for a marriage proposal at 300sandwiches.com. (Courtesy of Stephanie Smith)  Some say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.Stephanie Smith is currently 124 sandwiches from getting her boyfriend to propose, according to an editorial she wrote for the New York Post.Smith, Page Six senior editor for the publication, began documenting her quest for a ring through combinations of meat and bread on her blog 300sandwiches.com. She writes that she got the idea from her boyfriend’s reaction after she fixed him a turkey sandwich.“Honey, you’re 300 sandwiches away from an engagement ring,” he told her after eating the sandwich.She devised a plan to make him three sandwiches a week to reach the goal of 300.“I made sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert,” she wrote. “I made sandwiches to get myself out of the doghouse—like No. 67, a scrambled egg, smoked salmon and chive creation that combined some of Eric’s favorite things to make up for my being 45 minutes late for dinner the night before.”The sandwich experiment has brought her and boyfriend closer through food, which has always been a common thread in their relationship, according to Smith. She writes that Eric is also a good cook.“Making all of these sammies, I’ve learned how much Eric loves sharing cooking with me,” she wrote. “He enjoys going to the grocery store with me, picking out ingredients and planning dinners. Though I still want to get engaged and get married and live happily ever after, I’ve also put less pressure on the race to the 300th sandwich and I’m enjoying the cooking experience with Eric.”Read the rest of Smith’s experience here. 

Rush to wed on 11/12/13? 2 Alabama offices ready, just in case

 What’s in a number? For some people, a lifetime of good luck.Dates such as 10/10/2010 and 11/11/2011 and 12/12/2012 were popular dates for weddings.But now that we’ve reached the 13th year of the 21st century, outnumbering the number of calendar months, special dates are in short supply. That’s why Tuesday – 11/12/13 – is expected to be a popular date for weddings. The last such day will be late next year, on 12/13/14.After conducting a survey, the wedding store David's Bridal estimated more than 3,000 brides will marry on 11/12/13, a 722 percent increase over that day last year, which could also be because it fell on a Monday in 2012.“Iconic dates have become a trend in the United States, reaching new heights when over 65,000 couples tied the knot on 7/7/07," said Brian Beitler, chief marketing officer for David's Bridal. “11/12/13 is a sequential pattern, and we have learned that couples love dates that have patterns. The last consecutive series of the century will occur next year, 12/13/14. It falls on a Saturday, so we predict this date could reach record breaking numbers.”According to the annual David’s Bridal survey “What’s on a Bride’s Mind,” 40 percent of brides would consider planning their wedding on a special date, such as 11/12/13 or 12/13/14. Officials in two Alabama probate offices said they have no weddings scheduled for Tuesday but couples often just drop in for courthouse weddings.Charles Woodroof, who has served as probate judge of Limestone County since January, has not been in office for any of these numerological dates. “It’s my understanding from talking to marriage license clerks that on those particular days that had unique dates, like 9/9/09, 10/10/10 and 11/11/11, we had more than the average wedding licenses issued and ceremonies performed,” Woodroof said Friday.Although he has not received any calls from couples asking questions about Tuesday, he’ll be ready just in case. “We do everything on a first-come-first-served basis and people usually just show up on a particular day,” he said.Jamie Parton with the Madison County wedding license division said she also has not received any calls about ceremonies for Tuesday but “you just can’t ever tell.”To comment on this story, use online comments below or call Huntsville Times/AL.com reporter Kelly Kazek at 256-701-0576, find her on Facebook, or use contacts at the top of this story.