We love this unique Ring Bearer Bowl™ from Paloma’s Nest.   You can customize the little white ceramic bowl with a special wording, a scripture verse, a line from a poem or simply your names and wedding date.  Each bowl measures 3.5 inches in diameter and will fit perfectly into the hand of your ring bearer.  It  comes with a silky cotton cord laced through two holes near the top rim to safely hold your rings during the ceremony.  You may chose to replace the cord with a ribbon to coordinate with your wedding colors.

We think this would make a perfect heirloom that could be passed to your children or other family members.

One of the things that most brides tell me in our initial consultation is that they want their wedding to be unique.  They want it to be a day that their family and friends will remember all the details of for years to come.  When planning your ceremony and reception it is important to remember that no matter how lovely your ceremony and reception venues are, your wedding will look no different than the wedding the previous weekend unless you personalize it.  You want to make the space “yours” for the night.   

I like to think of your wedding day in a similar way to the start-up of a new company.   You need to incorporate the things that make you…you.  And then, create an identity for your newly formed “company”.  One of the first things a start-up company does is to chose a logo that identifies them.  Chose a monogram that can be used on all your stationary, on your cake and illuminated on the dance floor.  There are several companies that will provide this service for just a few dollars.

One of those companies is I Do Originals .  They will create a monogram and then incorporate it into aisle runners, table runners, your unity candle and on many other wedding day accessories.  Now until Feb. 28th receive 10% off all items in the I Do Originals embroidery line! Enter code LOVE10. 

Make sure to work with your florist to pay special attention to what your entire ceremony area will look like in your photos. Particularly the large arrangements that you are spending tons of money on! If you have several attendants you could potentially cover up those expensive blooms. Or, like in the photo below, the bride and groom are framed by something that looks like it might reach around and grab them!

Effective September 1, the state of Texas has adopted a new healthy marriage law. The cost of the state fee for a marriage license will double from the current $30 to $60. Additionally, the county charges a fee which differs from county to county but typically is around $11-$12.

In conjunction with this cost increase the state has launched the “Twogether in Texas” initiative as an incentive for couples not yet married to take a free premarital education course. The course is funded with $16 million in federal monies to promote healthy marriages and reduce the frequency of divorce.  It will provide couples contemplating marriage with the tools they need to manage the challenges inherent in relationships.

Classes will be taught around the state and will include eight hours of training focusing on communication skills, conflict resolution and the elements of a healthy marriage. The free classes will be open to all couples – those who are seriously dating, engaged to be married or those who have been married any length of time.

Those that complete the course will not have to pay the state fee for a marriage license. (Note: You will still be required to pay the county’s portion of the marriage license fee.) They also will be able to forgo the 72-hour waiting period before getting married.

For more information on where to find one of these free classes go to the Texas Health and Human Services site for a list of regional intermediaries.

For all of you fans of Brothers and Sisters…here are Kitty and Robert’s vows.

Robert: “Kitty, I ask you to marry me. To say I love you seems inadequate because I cannot imagine my life without you. Because when I’m cynical you give me hope. In times where I felt I was loosing my way you’ve been my guidepost. I love you more with each passing day, so I give you my hand, my heart, and my love. “

Kitty: “You are so many things to me… you’re this brilliant poised diplomat, and then your this really crazy romantic that just takes my breath away. And when you’re tired and when you’re stressed you get really grumpy. Then I can feel your head on my shoulder at night and I know you’re asleep and you’re so peaceful and you’re so vulnerable. I love all those parts so much that I want to have you as my partner for the rest of my life. Sick, healthy, rich, poor. As long as I’m with you I will be complete and that’s it. Oh, one more thing Robert…will you be my husband?”

And my very favorite part of the wedding was Nora’s response to the minister’s question about who gives this woman to be married! “She gives herself freely with my love and my blessing.”

You’ve spent countless hours on the details of your wedding. Some of your guests have traveled long distances to witness your vows of marriage. You look beautiful as you walk down the aisle…you’re groom beams as he looks at you. The minister asks everyone to be seated after you arrive at the front of the church and your father gives you a tearful kiss on the cheek. It’s now the biggest moment of the day…”Do you Dashing Groom take Beautiful Bride to be your wedded wife. The guests wait…they see your lips moving, but what did he say?

Oops! No one thought to mike the bride and groom! It happens all the time. The minister is miked, but often times the sound person at your ceremony site or your dj neglects to make sure that at the very least the groom is wearing a lapel mike (lavaliere). Make sure to discuss this important detail with whomever will be providing the sound or music for your ceremony.

Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life and one you will remember forever. Why not make it something that your guests will remember as well?

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending a wedding where the couple did just that. Both the bride and the groom are avid mountaineers. Their love of the outdoors was reflected in the Native American ceremony, which they chose to use.

Native American weddings are simple yet elaborate ceremonies. Simple because traditionally not a lot of preparation was necessary for the location; nature provides its own flowers and beauty. Elaborate because of the importance placed on sacred vows, tradition and prayer.

The ceremony began with the shaman (officiant) inviting the spirits of the north, east, south and west to the wedding to add their blessing to the marriage. The shaman brings a smudge pot, which holds a smoking mixture of sage or sweet grass to carry the guest’s prayers and well wishes to the Creator.

The whole ceremony was symbolized by a circle of love – the spirits from each quadrant bringing blessings, the family and friends surrounding the couple as they publicly declare their commitment and the exchange of rings.

After traditional wedding vows were exchanged, a non-traditional ring ceremony followed. The bride and groom and their mothers participated in the Blanket Ceremony.

While the couple exchanged their rings, both mothers held a Native American blanket behind them. After they had both recited their vows, the mothers wrapped them in the blanket representing their love and protection for the newlyweds.

Whatever your traditions are and wherever your interests lie, here are some ideas to help make your ceremony one which your guests will remember long after the last candle is blown out and the cake top is put in the freezer.

• Look for ways that your unique interests can fit into a traditional wedding concept
• Build bridges into the ceremony to connect the non-traditional to the traditional
• Have fun, but don’t make your wedding a joke
• Keep an open mind, but maintain the dignity of the moment

Remember you are making a public pledge that you will love and trust each other for the rest of your lives. This is important and it should be treated like an important occasion.