The kids are alright!

As I was perusing one of my favorite bridal sites today (www.OffbeatBride.com) I got to thinking about children taking part in the wedding ceremony.  Lot's of people will tell you not to do it,   "They'll mess something up"... well I say don't listen!!!! Kids are the BEST and if you have 'em - flaunt em! Even if you don't have your own, use someone else's!  Aside from the usual "Ring Bearing" and "Flower Girling"...which are of course traditional and beautiful AND can be done in a really unique way if you choose to do so (see Offbeat Bride article on Ring Pillows, etc.) there are many ways of incorporating children into a wedding ceremony.

 I've had couples with children from a previous relationship take part in a Sand Ceremony where they intermingle their own colored sand with the Brides and Grooms to symbolizing the coming together of one big family. 

Then there's the Unity Candle where children can take part by CAREFULLY lighting the center Unity Candle along with the Bride and Groom to once again symbolize the coming together of everyone. 

These are primarily "mini-ceremonies" that you would include your OWN children in but what if you have that adorable nephew who wants to do something special? Have him be not only the Ring-Bearer but the Ring-Warming attendant.  In a ceremony that incorporates a Ring Warming the guests are asked to pass the wedding bands and while they hold them for a short time, to make a wish for the future of the couple, this way, when the rings are returned for the ring exchange, "These rings will hold in their precious metals something which is even more precious, your good and loving wishes for the future of this couple."  This is the perfect job for a Ring-Bearer or even a Flower Girl.  They can take the rings (in a box or an organza bag, or even tied to a cute little Lamby, see below) to the first person, in the first row of guests and follow the rings as they are passed.  Once the rings get to the end of the crowd, the Ring Warming Attendant can bring them back to the officiant for the exchange.  This also keeps the little one busy with a job instead of fidgeting up front at the "altar".

Do you have more than one little girl who needs to take part in your ceremony? How about one flower girl and one "heralder"?  Have one of the sweeties carry a chalk-board over her head that says "Here comes the Bride" while she announces the same!  So cute, especially for really little ones that love to yell! 

Those are just a couple of ideas, make your ceremony your own and use those kids! They make for GREAT photos and the possibilities are endless!

something old, something new

Why are there so many June weddings?  Back in the Roman days, a wedding in the month named for Jun, the goddess of marriage, was most auspicious.  But there was also a practical side: A June wedding would ensure the bride could still work during the harvest and, unless another baby was coming along, would be totally ready for the next year's harvest as well.  The pre-harvest wedding was popular in many areas throughout the world.

A bride tripping while entering her new home was viewed as a very bad omen and was a welcome invitation for evil spirits to enter her body.  Apparently, the groom was somehow not prone to tripping, so he carried her over the threshold.

The bouquet? The flowers included spices and herbs that warded off those pesky evil spirits, as did the wedding bells.  The spices and herbs represented fertility, as did the rice thrown after the wedding ceremony.

The ancient Egyptians believed that an important vein ran from the fourth finger on the left hand to the heart, so that became the ring finger.  The circle of the ring itself symbolizes eternity and eternal love while gold represents purity.

In ancient Babylonia, the bride's father would supply his new son-in-law with all the beer - which in those days was made with honey - that he could drink for one month, one moon.  Our modern version of the honeymoon sounds like much more fun.

Something old represented the past, the bride's former life.  Something new represented the new life she was welcoming.  Something borrowed represented remembering to ask for the help that everyone needs in life.  Something blue represented the moon, which was thought to protect women, and symbolized faithfulness.

Those are the origins of some traditions as a new couple ties the knot.  That term has many potential origins including a reference to the marriage bed (which was made of robe) or knots being an important part of weddings in many cultures.  In our jargon, the term most likely comes from the Middle English cnotte, "the bond of wedlock."

-Taken from the June issue of Science of Mind magazine.

I'm back...and I'm better than ever!

I have so many thoughts to share with you, so much information has accumulated in my folder that I don't know where to begin!  Royal Wedding? Spring flings? Interfaith Prayers? Ceremony Music? OH there's so much to say!! 

First things first: I'm told that if you dust your face with a shimmery-pink-powder when you're done with your wedding make-up you will glow in your pics.  Just a little tip from a make-up artist I know. 

Moving on...I suppose I will start up from where I left off, it was right around Royal Wedding time.   I loved the Royal Wedding.  I was a little girl when Charles and Diana married, I had a sleepover with my BFF and my mom woke us up early to watch the Royal Wedding.  I reminded my friend of this recently and she wondered if we stayed home from school to watch.  We looked into it and realized it was a weekend BUT I have NO doubt we would've stayed home if it were during the week, it was very important!!!

This time for William and Kate's wedding I had a "living room" sleepover with my daughters and we woke up early to watch. It was a memory to be made and it was WONDERFUL!! My five year old is sooooooo into the whole Princess thing, just watching her face as she watched the Royal Wedding was worth all the sleepiness in the world.  If you haven't seen the wedding, I'm attaching the YOUTUBE ceremony here.  Pay close attention.  There are LOTS of things you can do for your own ceremony.  See what catches your attention and use it, you are a Princess after all.  You know you are.
William and Kate's Wedding

Transcript of Royal Vows:
Archbishop to Prince William: William Arthur Philip Louis, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony?
Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?
He answers: I will.
Archbishop to Catherine: Catherine Elizabeth, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?
She answers: I will.

The Archbishop continues: Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

The Archbishop receives Catherine from her father's hand. Taking Catherine's right hand, Prince William says after the Archbishop: I, William Arthur Philip Louis, take thee, Catherine Elizabeth to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.
They loose hands. Catherine, taking Prince William by his right hand, says after the Archbishop: I, Catherine Elizabeth, take thee, William Arthur Philip Louis, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.
They loose hands. The Archbishop blesses the ring: Bless, O Lord, this ring, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favour, and live together in love until their lives' end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prince William takes the ring and places it upon the fourth finger of Catherine's left hand. Prince William says after the Archbishop: With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honour; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The congregation remains standing as the couple kneels. The Archbishop says: Let us pray.
O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Archbishop joins their right hands together and says: Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
The Archbishop addresses the congregation: Forasmuch as William and Catherine have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Archbishop blesses the couple: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

Handfastings Part Duex

Happy Rainy Friday Everyone!!! Yuck.

Tomorrow's wedding is at

The Landis Valley Museum,

please send warm, SUNNY thoughts!

Tomorrow's couple liked the idea of a Handfasting/Blessing but didn't like the "wordiness" of it so, the bride herself reworded a snippet that I will read before the Vows...here it is:

"Bride and Groom as you hold one each others hands on your wedding day – know what a gift they are to you. Bless these hands. May they always be held by one another. Give them strength to hold on during storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their love."

Short and sweet yes? Just another example of how you can incorporate a handfasting/blessing into your ceremony if you choose to do so. Here's another:

(Bride), please face (Groom), and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. (Bride and Groom should be facing each other, his upturned hands resting in hers.)

These are the hands, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within your womb. These are the hands that look so large and clumsy, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.  These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.  These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.  These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief rack your mind.  These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his love and desire for you.


(Groom), please hold (Bride)'s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
(Bride should now place her upturned hands in the Groom's hands.)
These are the hands that are smooth, young, and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledge her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.  These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurts, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it's time to let go. These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings, after you've both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. They are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick or console you when you are grieving.  These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.  These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together, everything you wish for can be realized.


God, Bless the hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in grace, rich in caring, and devoted to reaching for perfection.

May (Bride) and (Groom) see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter, and guide.

Gotta run to a meeting with a couple about their September wedding. Talk soon!!

Winner! Me and Charlie Sheen.

Hey! I won! This means I'm in the top 5% of Wedding Vendors Nationwide!