It's wedding season, so we thought we'd talk shop with Linnyette Richardson-Hall, wedding planner extraordinaire and a featured expert on The Style Network's Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?
Who would play you in the movie of your life?
I'd want someone who has my same sarcastic, in-your-face kind of humor. With that in mind, I choose comedienne Wanda Sykes. Oh yeah, she'd get me spot on!
What was your favorite Smalltimore moment?
When a group of eight or nine women chased me down in the parking lot at Sam's Club in Catonsville. I thought something was wrong when I heard all of this screaming. They were fans of the show; they wanted my autograph!
What is your guilty pleasure?
Reading trashy romance novels--you know, the ones with the half-naked men on the cover.
What is the biggest mistake people make when planning a wedding?
Having unrealistic expectations about how much a wedding really costs. Forget about what you read in the magazines or see on television. I'm here to tell you the pure gospel and sometimes it's not the message you want to hear.
What do you do when the bride and groom completely disagree on their vision for the wedding?
Ask a simple question: "At the end of the day, what is it that you both want to see, feel, hear, and experience?" That generally reins them in and they can start thinking in accord.
Strangest request you've gotten for a wedding?
A wedding I produced a few years ago had a Beauty and The Beast theme--held on Halloween and complete with the groom dressed as Vincent (face prosthetic and all) and each of the guests in costume.
Your best "I saved the day!" wedding moment?
Sitting on the church step with a bride's foot in my lap and repairing her lovely stiletto heel with Krazy Glue. Hey, I have to be prepared for anything.
What's the hottest trend in weddings?
Personalization--making your wedding look like who you really are.
Does being the woman behind the curtain make weddings less romantic to you?
No, quite the opposite. I am an avowed romantic and I think love is a wonderful, wonderful thing. However, if I ever tie the knot again, I'm headed for Vegas!
