Trashing the Dress – Yay or Nay?

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“Trashing” the wedding dress seems to be a growing trend. Amid thoughts of “I’ll only wear it once”, and “It will make GREAT pictures”, many brides are searching for more and more unusual ways to destroy their wedding dresses. Jumping into a river, a lake, the ocean, running through sprinklers, paintball shootouts, setting it on fire (!!!!) – these are all examples of pictures I’ve seen. But I have to say I’m pretty old fashioned when it comes to saving a wedding dress. 34 years ago, I preserved my dress, in the romantic hope that maybe one day my daughter would want to wear it (of course, she doesn’t like it at all, but there’s still hope for my granddaughter – LOL). You may spend hours and hours searching for that perfect dress – going through magazines, watching every episode of “Say Yes To The Dress”, pinning your heart out on Pinterest. And then there’s all the dresses you actually try on, before you find just the right one. I personally can’t see destroying that beautiful dress, but that’s just me. You may feel differently. Whatever you do, give it a lot of thought first. You can’t go back and “untrash” the dress! And on yeah – my daughter’s not wearing my dress, but she is using lace from it to wrap around her bouquet, and you know what? That makes saving it all worthwhile 🙂

Happy Wedding Planning!

Wedding Reading of the Week – Edward Monkton

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This is absolutely one of my favorites. The tale of two dinosaurs just resonates with me for some reason. I hope you enjoy it 🙂

“The fierce Dinosaur was trapped inside his cage of ice. Although it was cold he was happy in there. It was, after all, his cage.
Then along came the Lovely Other Dinosaur. The Lovely Other Dinosaur melted the Dinosaur’s cage with kind words and loving thoughts.
I like this Dinosaur thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. Although he is fierce he is also tender and he is funny. He is also quite clever though I will not tell him this for now.
I like this Lovely Other Dinosaur, thought the Dinosaur. She is beautiful and she is different and she smells so nice. She is also a free spirit which is a quality I much admire in a dinosaur.
But he can be so distant and so peculiar at times, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. He is also overly fond of things. Are all Dinosaurs so overly fond of things?
But her mind skips from here to there so quickly thought the Dinosaur. She is also uncommonly keen on shopping. Are all Lovely Other Dinosaurs so uncommonly keen on shopping?
I will forgive his peculiarity and his concern for things, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. For they are part of what makes him a richly charactered individual.
I will forgive her skipping mind and her fondness for shopping, thought the Dinosaur. For she fills our life with beautiful thoughts and wonderful surprises. Besides, I am not unkeen on shopping either.
Now the Dinosaur and the Lovely Other Dinosaur are old. Look at them. Together they stand on the hill telling each other stories and feeling the warmth of the sun on their backs.
And that, my friends, is how it is with love. Let us all be Dinosaurs and Lovely Other Dinosaurs together. For the sun is warm. And the world is a beautiful place.”

Wedding Reading Of The Week – Hunter Hayes

Photo Courtesy of http://www.hunterhayes.com

This week’s reading is actually some song lyrics from a great new song by country singer Hunter Hayes. The song is called “I Want Crazy”:

“But I don’t want “good” and I don’t want “good enough”
I want “can’t sleep, can’t breathe without you” love
Front porch and one more kiss, it doesn’t make sense to anybody else
Who cares if you’re all I think about,
I’ve searched the world and I know now,
It ain’t right if you ain’t lost your mind.
Yeah, I don’t want easy, I want crazy.
Are you with me baby? Let’s be crazy.”

Want to hear it sung? Here’s the YouTube link:

Happy Wedding Planning 🙂

Wedding Reading Of The Week – Robert Fulghum

Photo courtesy of http://www.robertfulghum.com

Robert Fulghum may be best known for his wonderful book,

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten

He wrote a wonderful piece called “Union”, however, that you may find perfect for your wedding ceremony:

“You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks – all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this – is my husband, this – is my wife.”

Happy Wedding Planning!

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Southern Maryland Sealed With A Kiss Bridal Expo!

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend the Southern Maryland Sealed With A Kiss Bridal Expo! It’s being held on August 25, 2013 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Solomon’s. Click on the link below to see full information. See you there 🙂
SWAK Bridal Expo

What will my Officiant be wearing?

Have you given any thought to what your Officiant will be wearing? Since she/he will be in several of your photos, you might want to think about it! Are you having a religious ceremony? Then you’ll probably want your Officiant to wear a clerical robe (I personally give my couples a choice of black, pink, or light blue!) If it’s more of a secular service, then a nice dress or suit may be more appropriate. And on the beach? Something less formal, perhaps. This is one other thing you should discuss with your Officiant prior to your ceremony. It’s one of my questions to a couple when we meet – what would you like me to wear? I definitely want to present the appearance they were hoping for, and I also want to make sure I don’t clash with the wedding party! I know that a lot of couples spend a great deal of time picturing how the bridal party will look at the altar – colors, height, etc. Remember that your Officiant will be right in the middle, and he/she should blend well with everyone else 🙂 Happy Wedding Planning!

Wedding Reading of the Week – Thomas Hardy

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I found this passage from Thomas Hardy’s “Far From The Madding Crowd” when I was researching material for a couple who met while both were vacationing in Mexico. Though from different parts of the country, they began a long distance relationship that eventually led to marriage. I found the words in this excerpt to be so relevant as they applied in that situation. It may work well for you too!
“We are all on our own paths, all on our own journeys.
Sometimes the paths cross, and people arrive at the crossing points at the same time and meet each other. There are greetings, pleasantries are exchanged, and then they move on. But then once in a while the pleasantries become more, friendship grows, deeper links are made, hands are joined and love flies. The friendship has turned to love.”

Is Mom Feeling Left Out Of The Ceremony?

Every Mother dreams of watching her daughter walk down the aisle on her wedding day. It’s full of emotion – that’s her baby girl, will she be happy, oh my goodness, she looks so beautiful! All these thoughts and more are running through her mind. The Mother of the Groom has similar feelings. And yet, sometimes Mom might feel a little left out. Though some brides are having both their Mom and Dad walk them down the aisle, most are still escorted by just Dad. If you’d like to give Mom a little attention, here’s a suggestion, and it’s almost guaranteed to make her tear up. I call this “Roses To Moms” when I discuss it with my couples. Simply put, it’s a presentation of roses (eternal symbols of love) to the Moms during the ceremony, accompanied by words about how the marriage not only brings two people together, but two families as well, and the couple wish to express their gratitude to their families by presenting each Mom with a rose. Short, simple, and heartfelt. Consider if it you’d like to honor the families without a complete Family Unity Ceremony. Happy Wedding Planning!

St. Mary’s Wedding Venue – Greenwell State Park

If you are searching for a beautiful outdoor venue in Southern Maryland, be sure to check out Greenwell State Park. http://greenwellfoundation.org/site-rentals You will also hear it referred to as Rosedale Manor. It’s located in Hollywood, nestled high on the banks of the Patuxent River, and covers nearly 600 acres of woods and parkland. It also has a beach. There’s a small inn onsite where the couple can spend the night (Knott Lodge), and the historic Rosedale Manor house can be used to get ready on the big day. A tent is usually set up for the reception. I have the privilege of officiating several weddings here this year, and each one is always gorgeous! Definitely worth a look if you’re checking out the area!

Wedding Reading Of The Week – Bob Marley

This week’s reading comes from singer/songwriter Bob Marley, and is probably a little different from what you’d normally expect from him.  I find it very appropriate, depending on the couple.

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”