Category: Blog

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Today Is My Anniversary

We were married 14 years ago today.

We thought we knew what we were signing on for. We had a plan. If we would just stick to it we figured we couldn’t go wrong. But really, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.   What a surprise it was, once we got married, to find out that we were in over our heads. We thought we were in agreement on money and family issues. Together we have been through lots of mountain highs and plenty of valley lows.

But life doesn’t always work out exactly as you plan.  Sometimes it turns out better than what you could have imagined.  Through all the changes and lost dreams new ones take their place. And a partnership emerges that isn’t based on some pre-scripted end state but a winding journey that twists, turns and entangles us until we’re one couple that’s stronger than either of us would be on our own.

Money can’t buy this. Material things can’t replace this. Fame or popularity is empty compared to this.  Having a happy, fulfilled, blessed marriage, and family, is the most wonderful thing in the world.

For those of you who were there with us (or in the same town but slept through it) on May 23, 1998, and who have been a part of these past fourteen years, I thank you.  For those of you who are newly married or facing tough times, keep working at it until it’s right. It can get better. For all of you, near or far, who have trusted me with your friendship, and who have believed and supported me through the years, I thank you. My life is richer because you’re in it.

So, as I sit here in Maui looking out at this astonishing view, I am delighting in the joy of my marriage. I am enjoying the fullness of now.  I’m not waiting to live. I am not hoping to live. I am not planning to live. I am fully alive, Right Now. Alive with love, filled with gratitude, and overwhelmed by God’s goodness and favor.

Happy Anniversary to my husband!  I can’t wait to see what the next years will bring.

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Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Vows

You should take your time when deciding on your wedding vows and personalize them to suit you and your partner and don’t be influenced by what other people expect you to do.

This is one of the most important parts of the wedding because it is after the recital of your vows that you will be officially married.

More and more people are becoming very creative with their wedding vows and this adds a personal touch that represents what you and your partner believe your marriage means to the both of you.

It is a chance for you to both express your true thoughts on why you are getting married and what it will mean for you in the future.

Here are the typical wedding vows…

“I [your name] take you [your partners name] for my lawful [wife/husband] to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part”

Many people use these traditional vows as the foundation that they will modify to suit their needs by adding personalized touches where they like.

Some people find the traditional vows a bit too formal and the wording no longer appropriate to get the true meaning of their care for one another across. If that’s the way you feel then changing them is the right solution for you.

These words are more important than all the wedding speeches combined so it is well worth spending as much time as necessary to come up with something that is really special.

Get ideas from books and poetry and songs. Bounce ideas off one another and you will soon know when you have hit the perfect combination that will lead you into your married life.

Just remember to never stop having fun because that’s what it’s all about – getting the most happiness in your life by sharing it with someone you love.

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{Love Notes}

 

 

 

It takes a second to notice some one,
An hour to like some one,
A day to fall in love with some one,
And a life time to forget them.

~  Anonymous

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BRIDESMAID GIFT IDEA: MY FACE LIL’ BLING NAIL CHROME

Here is an idea for a COLORFUL BRIDESMAID GIFT: MY FACE LIL’ BLING NAIL CHROME

We all like getting our nails manicured. Bridesmaids.com posted about these polishes and suggested giving as a bridesmaid gift. Lil’ Bling Nail Chromes are a collection of ten, dramatic, metallic nail shades that are not “your mother’s nail varnish”. Each shade has been matched perfectly with a blingtone eye shadow. They’re available on Dessy.com. Go check them out and find your favorite color!

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Top Trends in Wedding Food

If you don’t care to serve the fancy plated dinner, then don’t. Wedding food has switched from the typical plated meal to a reception filled with food stations and a selection of several foods. When considering a stylish food option, think about your own preferences, your guests’ taste preferences — and your budget. You should also consider the time of the reception and how eager the guests will be.

Downsize to Minis

Guests love picking up bite sized minis.  Food items like a cheeseburger slider that they can eat in one bite. Mini sized tasters have become one of the hottest trends in wedding food, from shots of soups to large spoons of macaroni and cheese or whatever you prefer.

Comfort Foods

Dress up conventional comfort foods. Mashed potatoes look absolutely stylish at a martini potato bar. Guests create their own potato mixture in a martini glass and get both a side dish and a conversation piece out of it.

Food Stations

Giving your guests the option of visiting food stations creates a comfortable and informal atmosphere. Guests will enjoy the variety and being able to converse with people not seated at their table. Personalize your wedding by creating a food station that says something about you and your spouse. If one of you loves grits, then feature a grits station with different toppings — anything from cheese to spicy shrimp.

Fondue Station

Fondue isn’t new to weddings but it still feels new and fresh. Provide bread and vegetables for dipping and if you can, offer more than one fondue. Less courageous guests will enjoy a basic cheese offering, such as the traditional Gruyère, while other guests might prefer trying something unusual, such as a goat cheese fondue.

Cross-cultural Cuisine

Marriage is often a fusion of two cultures. Embrace it and create a wedding menu to reflect it. Creating a theme such as East meets West (Asian-Mex food, anyone?) can inspire creative and delicious dishes that will impress your guests. Be sure to talk to your caterer to see what they can create and make sure they can carry out your wishes.

Ordinary Transformed

Many foods can be elegantly transformed into an innovative entrée for wedding guests. Instead of serving the traditional filet of fresh fish, have the chef serve it as stuffed roulade medallions.

Sushi/Raw Bar

A sushi/raw bar will please the most health-conscious guests, but these can be expensive. This option is not recommended for couples who are on a tight budget.

Eco-Friendly Fare

This can run up the price tag of your wedding if you want all-organic, cage-free, wild-caught items. But there are ways to be eco-friendly and stick within a budget. Look to local, seasonal foods as inspiration for your menu, which require less gas to transport, lessening your wedding’s carbon footprint. Some farms practice green approaches to growing food, yet haven’t completed the process of becoming organic-certified. They tend to have lower prices than certified organic farms; your caterer may be familiar with these suppliers.

Nix the Cake

While cutting the wedding cake may be a tradition, don’t let it box you in if you’re more of a creme brulee kind of girl. You can serve whatever type of dessert you like at your wedding, whether that’s individual cobblers, milkshakes at a milkshake station, or an array of cookies and candies at a sweets table.

Original Article on DexKnows Weddings

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{Color Inspiration} Lime Green and Yellow

Green is such an adaptable color.  Think about it: a spring wedding party can wear radiant emerald-green, a summer event can be shades of grass and lime, a fall party can take on many different tones of olive with browns and golds, and a winter wedding can use evergreens as stunning centerpieces.

A bridal bouquet made up of yellow and white gerbera daisies, green Hypericum berries, white freesia, green roses, and lime button mums

Yellow painted tin buckets to line the bridal isle

 

A bright yellow fondant wedding cake with a lime green polka dot ribbon accent

 

Elegant, & Simple Tablescape

A Max Azria draped gown in a brilliant lime color. This is elegant, classy and a stand-out piece!

Lime Green & Yellow Flower Cupcakes

Carry the green throughout your event by creating a dessert buffet to surround the wedding cake.

Gorgeous strapless dress with an empire waist insert. A-line skirt with a bow-tie back

 

Sources: Bridal and Attendant Bouquets; Lime Green Fondant Wedding Cake; Lime Green and Yellow Tablescape;   Max Azria Gown; Lime Green and Yellow Cupcakes;  Amy Atlas; Strapless Empire Waist Dress

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Movie Trailer Turns Into Marriage Proposal

Gina goes out on a girls night to the movies where she thinks she’s going to see “Think Like a Man.”  They conveniently arrive after the previews have begun playing.  She doesn’t realize it but she’s about to watch an engagement trailer made for her by boyfriend Aris.  After the second preview the engagement trailer comes on and is followed by a live proposal in front of family and close friends.

While this proposal idea may not be unique it’s most definitely their own!

Congratulations Gina and Aris!