Style Network's new show "I Propose" sinks both sexes deeper into the Bridal Wave

As part of their 21 Day Wedding Party,the Style Network is airing a new show called, "I Propose," in which:

"we follow a fellow who's poised to pop the question. While his unsuspecting girlfriend participates in what she thinks is a new series highlighting unique relationships, the groom-to-be is busy coordinating the magical moment."

I knew that men felt the pressure to propose in some kind of "right" way, but I am surprised that any guy would sign up for this show, considering it pays a measly $1,000 (a drop in the bucket of your average $26k wedding.) But then I read on and it seems like this show is tapping into the recent trend of what Erin likes to call the Princess Groom:

"and don't the gentlemen who bring extraordinary flair and finesse to the occasion deserve their own moment in the spotlight?"

Have men been feeling slighted by the Wedding Industrial Complex? Well now they too can feel the Big Day pressure,

"In each half-hour episode, Our cameras roll as the future groom tries to coordinate everything--from finding the right ring to booking the ideal location. It's hardly a piece of cake as he fights to stay within budget and on schedule, racing against the clock to pull everything together. And then there's the small matter of handling his future in-laws..."

So I am left torn between
1. Hating this show for adding yet another 30 minutes of Wedding hoopla to the air and
2. Loving that this seems to be leveling the playing field between the sexes. Not only are men going to feel the stres of "the spotlight," the Style Net doesn't want any uglies. Their casting call specifically called for "attractive" men only. Awesome.

I guess I am going to have to watch tonight.


[full disclosure: I sooo wish we had pitched our own wedding season show and I would love to be a partner with the Style Network at some point....seriously....call me.]

Wedding Season survival tips

Last night Erin and I shimmied in a burlesque class at Goddess Life as part of an event that the Step Up Women's Network had for us. After the class we read from our book, shared some of our bachelorette horror stories (which you can read here) and then we had the women break off into smaller groups to come up with different survival tips for a busy wedding season. Many of them are also in our book, but since 'tis the season, we thought we'd share them with you.

Ways to save on...

Ways to save on wedding attire:
1. H&M
2. Get one plain dress that you can wear over and over again and change it up by switching accessories
3. Go with a two-piece outfit so you can mix and match

Ways to have fun at your umpteenth wedding:
1. Drink

Ways to save when throwing a shower/bachelorette:
1. potluck
2. have the party at a house instead of a bar
3. delegate. Assign different tasks to attendees so everyone shares in the work (and cost)

Ways to save on gift/creative gift ideas:
1. Sweet Scrabble: buy Scrabble and glue in a cute, scrabbly way, the couple's names and their wedding day and maybe something sweet like "happy together" or whatever works with your letters. Then glue ribbon around it so the happy couple can hang it on their wall
2. Give the bride a lovely frame with an even lovelier photo of the two of you in it. Then insert a note that says "replace with a wedding photo of you and (husband's name.
3. Buy an inexpensive item from the registry and augment it with things that match. For example, buy some bbq tools and augment with an apron, mesquite chips, bbq sauce.

The event sparked a new Bachelorette idea: Find a local dance studio that offers a fun class like Burlesque, or belly dance and rent it out for your party. It's a great way to break the ice with girls who might not know each other and it is the perfect start to a risque evening. Remember ladies, leave the cameras at home!