Wedding Planning Help During May Blogging Break

May 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, even though I’m not planning a wedding myself right now, I’ve found that May is always crazy busy for me so for the past few years, I’ve been taking a blogging break the last half of May. When things get too busy, it’s always good to step back and rest from a few responsibilities as we can, isn’t it?

I’ll return with regular weekly posts on June 5th, but in the meantime I’ll leave with you some wedding planning help. Here are three resources for you:

  1. Look through the list of Favorite Posts on the sidebar and click the links to the ones that spark your interest. (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find the sidebar items.)
  2. Use the drop-down feature in the Archives to spot some posts that might be especially helpful to you at this stage in your Mother of the Bride journey. You’ll find the Archives on the sidebar too so use the directions above to find it if you’re on a mobile device.
  3. Check out my Pinterest page. Among other things, it features eighteen wedding-related boards!

I hope you find these resources helpful over the next couple of weeks. Have fun looking through everything—and don’t forget to share all your favorite finds with your daughter!

*Flickr photo by Silvia Sala, Creative Commons License

Leave a Comment Filed Under: balance, blogs, bride, help, joy, Mother of the Bride, preparation, refresh, rest, simplify, tradition, wisdom Tagged With: , , , , ,

Pre-Ceremony Wedding Day Prayer Idea: The Mother of the Bride Prays for the Bride

May 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, before your precious daughter says I do on her wedding day, why not send her off into her next stage of life with a prayer? What could be more meaningful than a prayer falling from the lips of the one who has loved her, watched over her, taught her, and encouraged her from the moment she was born? Yes, dear MOB, you are that treasured. Your prayer will bless her in a way that no one else’s can.

On the big day, after your little-girl-turned-bride is all dressed and waiting with her bridesmaids for the appointed time to get into place, have everyone get in a circle and hold hands while you pray for your darling daughter and the love of her life.

You may want to give your prayer some thought ahead of time and make mental note of the things you want to mention so you won’t forget something important to you. After all, your brain may be on overload by the time you reach go-time. Or on the other hand, you may prefer to let it all come naturally in the moment from the overflow of your heart. Do what works best for you. There is no right or wrong way.

One thing is certain—your prayer asking for God’s blessing and protection and for encouraging their total, sold-out commitment to each other and to God will undergird your sweet girl with strength and love and send her off into her new life with the complete support and blessing of her mom. What better gift could be given? I only wish someone had suggested it to me when my girls got married. We missed this special time together because I simply didn’t think about it. But you don’t have to miss it, Mother of the Bride. Now you’ve heard the idea!

So MOB, gift your daughter—and yourself—with this once in a lifetime moment and memory. And rest assured that God will use your send-off prayer in mighty and wonderful ways!

*You might also like to read A Prayer for the Newlyweds, A Prayer for the Bridesmaids’ Luncheon, and Wedding Resource: Prayers for the Mother of the Bride. 

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Stephtphotography photo of my nephew’s beautiful bride Kaitlynn and her sweet mom Shannon

Leave a Comment Filed Under: advice, blessing, bride, faith, family, Gift, love, memories, Mother of the Bride, opportunity, prayer, preparation, protection, wisdom Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Preprinted Labels For Use At Bridal Fairs

April 24, 2018 By 4 Comments

Mother of the Bride, today I have a tip to pass along to your darling daughter turned bride-to-be. And the sooner you pass it along the better. Why? She needs this tip before attending bridal fairs during the early stages of planning.

When your daughter goes to bridal fairs and wedding expos—and hopefully you’ll get to go with her—she’ll be asked to write down her contact info time and again. Vendors will be offering giveaways and special offers and she will need to list her contact info to qualify for them. Of course, there will also be vendors she leaves her contact info with because of her strong interest in their services.

Instead of repeatedly handwriting her contact info, tell her to bring along a sheet of small pre-printed labels that list her name, address, phone number, and email address. She will be so glad she did—and so will the vendors. From personal experience when signing and selling my books at bridal fairs, many times I can’t make out some of the handwriting that is left for me to decipher.

I actually got this idea from a bride at one of the bridal fairs where I was a vendor. When she whipped out her contact info labels, I saw immediately what a huge help the labels were. I complimented her for being so well prepared and was super excited when she was the one who actually won the giveaway I offered that day. She deserved it for making life easier for both herself and us vendors alike!

So pass along this idea pronto, MOB. It will be one more time your girl thanks her lucky stars for having such a great mom!

*You might also like to read Bridal Shows—Both Fun and Practical!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out next week. One lucky subscriber will receive a $15 gift card to Barnes & Noble and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Flickr photo by Aurimas Adomavicius, Creative Commons License

4 Comments Filed Under: advice, bride, help, Mother of the Bride, organize, preparation, simplify, stationery, trick Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wedding Planning Tip: Post-Wedding Inventory

April 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, one of the smartest things you can do in the days following your daughter’s wedding is to take inventory of all the décor and supplies you have left. If you are planning to save items for another daughter’s wedding or for friends or family members’ use, a list of available items will be a lifesaver.

If you make a detailed list, you won’t have to waste time looking for things and unpacking them in order to get a count. When it comes time for your next daughter’s wedding or when a friend asks to borrow something, you’ll know exactly what you have left and how many of each item. What a huge help and timesaver.

To take inventory, simply make your list as you go through the leftover supplies when you’re preparing to store them after the wedding. When you and your helpers packed up everything as you left the reception, things most likely got disorganized. Instead of storing them like that, group like items together and take a count as you go.

Make note of how many white rose garlands you have left. Jot down the number of crystal candle bases you have available. Write down everything. You never know what might be useful to someone later.

Yes, MOB, there are a few duties to attend to after the wedding and taking inventory is one of them. Give yourself a few days reprieve and then dive in. Don’t neglect it. It will end up being a blessing to you and to others as well.

*You might also like to read After the Wedding: Thank Top-Notch Vendors and Prediction: A Special Memento for the Couple.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early May. One lucky subscriber will receive a $15 gift card to Barnes & Noble and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Flickr photo by DoNotLick, Creative Commons License

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Above and Beyond, advice, cleaning, finish, help, inventory, Mother of the Bride, organize, preparation, simplify Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wedding Flowers: Baby’s Breath Boutonnieres

April 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, have you started talking wedding flowers with your girl yet? If not, don’t put it off too long because lots of decisions await concerning the flowers. Altar flowers, reception flowers, bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages all around, flower girl petals, etc. The list goes on.

Today let’s focus on a simple and inexpensive boutonniere idea—baby’s breath! The number of boutonnieres needed can add up quickly so expense might be a very important factor in deciding what flowers to go with. Baby’s breath is inexpensive but looks very classy, as you can see from the photo above.

Baby’s breath is an idea that can work for all the men and boys in the wedding party, unless the bride and groom would like to have something slightly different for the groom. It’s always a nice touch to have something special for him. After all, he’s one of the two main stars on wedding day!

Why not check with your happy couple, MOB, and see if baby’s breath boutonnieres will strike their wedding flower fancy. Classy and inexpensive is always a good choice, right?!

*You might also like to read Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere Sheet Music Idea, Table Decor for Rustic Weddings, and Inexpensive Bridal Bouquet Idea: Baby’s Breath!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early May. One lucky subscriber will receive a $15 gift card to Barnes & Noble and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Flickr photo by domwlive, Creative Commons License

Leave a Comment Filed Under: bride, flowers, groom, money, Mother of the Bride, preparation, simplify Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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