“And if she says no, I WILL NOT LISTEN!”

says my youngest daughter to me about playing Barbies with my oldest daughter.

ICYMI — I have 4 kids, two girls, two boys. It’s busy around here, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Watching them brings back memories of playing Barbies when I was a little girl.

Now, to be clear, they have informed me that I in fact do not know how to play Barbie’s correctly, so they don’t let me play with them.

Apparently I don’t follow the rules…

Are there rules to Barbies I was unaware of? If so, please do tell.

I do enjoy watching them and joining in occasionally when they let me.

And watching them reminded me of playing Barbies with my twin sister years ago.

Which is a funny story.

We played The Bachelor: Barbie Edition LONG before The Bachelor existed.

Why, you may ask?

A few reasons.

1. We only had 1 (maybe 2) boy Barbies. If we’re being honest, we probably only had one that we really liked.
2. BUT WE HAD 2539420934 girl Barbies.
3. And we had EVEN MORE outfits for dressing up our Barbies which was our favorite pasttime whether we used the outfits we had or made our own out of toilet paper, paper towels, or random scraps of fabric and ribbon. Ingenuity at its finest.

Well, we LOVED getting our girl barbies all dressed up and as little girls raised in a Disney era, we were focused on getting married to our prince charming. But as 6 year olds? That wasn’t happening anytime soon, but our BARBIES could definitely get married.

And so began THE CHOOSING.

Ken would go on dates with one or multiple of the dressed up Barbies (seriously, did ABC steal my childhood game and call it reality TV?)

And every so often, Ken would CHOOSE who could continue on in THE CHOOSING.

I am not even kidding about this.

The similarities to The Bachelor are making me LOL because how in the world did two little girls from OKLAHOMA come up with this idea that later became a MUST WATCH reality TV show?

Raise your hand if you watched Trista and Ryan? (Please respond and tell me I’m not the only one who watched for years, and yes, I know, Trista and Ryan is not the Bachelor, but it IS the spinoff of the Bachelorette, which we couldn’t play because we only had one good looking Ken.)

So what on earth possessed me to tell you this semi-embarassing amazing story about how my sister and I played Barbies as kids?

Looking back, it’s evident that even as kids, we were pushing boundaries, devising an early iteration of a hit reality show with our dolls. This same spirit of creativity and originality can be embraced and used to make a wedding stand out among the rest.

LIVE PAINTING

One of the more unique and interactive concepts that you can introduce to your wedding is live painting.

Imagine having an artist present at your wedding, palette in hand, capturing the ceremony or reception as it unfolds. This artist creates an exquisite piece of art in real time (kind of amazing if you think about it, like when Picasso drew on a napkin), serving as a lasting memento of your special day.

Guests would be fascinated, watching as the painting evolves and takes shape throughout the event.

It’s a beautiful and vivid way to chronicle the proceedings in a manner that photographs can’t quite replicate.

CUSTOM DRESS

There’s nothing quite like a custom dress to make your wedding day truly unique. Imagine walking down the aisle in a dress that was made just for you, tailored to fit your style and personality.

Designers like Luisa Beccaria and Oscar De La Renta are known for their exquisite designs, and they could craft a gown that’s as one-of-a-kind as you are.

This isn’t just a dress, it’s a statement piece that tells your story.

DESTINATION EVENT

What is better than having ALL YOUR BEST FRIENDS together for a party in a place that you chose?!

Literally, nothing.

Take your wedding to the next level by making it a destination event. This is more than just a ceremony, it’s a multi-day celebration that offers an unforgettable experience for your guests. You could host it in a beautiful location and plan activities that your guests will love.

This is not just a thank you for attending your special day, but a way to show your deep appreciation for their presence in your life.

PERSONALIZED AND CUSTOM EXPERIENCES

Lastly, consider adding personalized experiences to your wedding day. This could be anything from a private concert with your favorite band to a gourmet meal cooked by a renowned chef.

These experiences show your guests that you’ve put thought and effort into making your wedding day special, not just for you, but for them as well.

It’s a luxury touch that will make your wedding stand out and be remembered for years to come.

The incorporation of these creative and unconventional approaches ensures that your wedding doesn’t just blend into the sea of similar events. Instead, it becomes a unique celebration that truly reflects your personality and love story, leaving a lasting impression on all who attend.

Just like our imaginative Barbies game, your wedding could be a standout experience that people talk about for years to come.

Grab your spot on my email list here or inquire about live painting here.