Wedding Keepsake Photo Including the Invitation

Mother of the Bride, here’s a keepsake photo that’s easy to forget on wedding day: one that features the invitation. The photographer will take shots of the programs, the tent cards for the reception tables, and place cards for the bride and groom, but if a copy of the wedding invitation is not on hand on the big day, chances are you’ll miss getting a professional photo of it.

In the photo above, I love how the wedding invitation is featured along with the bride’s rings and shoes. What a beautiful shot capturing these precious elements of a once-in-a-lifetime day!

MOB, don’t let the invitation get overlooked. Take a moment right now to add it to the list of shots you’d like the photographer to take. You and your sweet couple will be glad you did!

*You might also like to read Turning the Ordinary into Keepsakes, Add Sparkle to the Bridal Garter, and Craft It: Bridal Keepsake Box.

*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 with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by shannylynneCreative Commons License

Add Sparkle to the Bridal Garter

Mother of the Bride, would you like to add some sparkle to your darling daughter’s bridal garter? The traditional ribbons and lace are always feminine and pretty, but why not add another special touch? Why not add some jewels!

As you shop for or create a bridal garter for your sweet bride-to-be, be on the lookout for a small brooch or earring that will make the garter really shine. If you’re making the garter yourself or having it custom-made, you can get as creative as you’d like in your design. I love the look of the dangly earring used in the photo above. Fun and elegant at the same time, right?

So go ahead, MOB—sparkle up the garter. I bet your daughter will be glad you did!

*You might also like to read Turning the Ordinary into KeepsakesBridal Bouquet Idea: Add Some Sparkle with Gemstones, and Wedding Idea That Sparkles: A Brooch Bouquet!

*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 earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by Bellafaye GardenCreative Commons License

Wedding Photo Idea: Program Amid the Bouquets

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Mother of the Bride, I love to share wedding photo ideas with you from time to time so you can share them with your daughter. If she loves a particular photo idea, she might want to pass it along to her photographer—or ask you to keep a list of ideas or start a Pinterest board to save them on. Better for your daughter to share her desires with the photographer than hope he or she is a mind-reader and magically captures  the shots she’d really like to have, right?

Today’s idea frames the wedding program in flowers. Don’t you love the beautiful shot above? All that’s needed are the bridal bouquets and the program, and voila—an elegant photo of the wedding program amid a sea of gorgeous flowers.

Why not pass this idea along to your little girl turned bride, MOB? She may think it’s the perfect way to save a memory of the program. And I would have to agree!

*You might also like to read Idea for Displaying Programs: A Basket and A Keepsake Photo of the Wedding Invitation. You might like to take a look at my Wedding Photography Pinterest board as well.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. I feature a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue so don’t miss out. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Accent Bridal or Bridesmaid Sash with a Brooch

3544373981_1e396ca374_zMother of the Bride, here is a gorgeous way to accent a sash worn on Wedding Day—a dazzling brooch! The sash itself, of course, is a beautiful accent, but by adding a brooch, the wow factor is taken up to a whole new level.

A sparkling brooch accent will work well for anyone in the bridal party whose attire includes a sash. Whether it’s the bride, the bridesmaids, or even you, MOB, a beautiful brooch will add a special touch that can perfectly complete the wearer’s ensemble for the day.

A brooch will also provide a keepsake memento from this most special of occasions. It can easily be used with other outfits over the years and be a sweet reminder of a wonderful celebration with people you love. Definitely a win-win when it comes to accessories!

If your daughter has chosen gowns—hers or her maids—with sashes, be sure to show her this idea, MOB. And you might even want to shop for a dress with a sash now for yourself, right?!

*You might also like to read Wedding Cake Idea: Beautiful Brooch Accents! and Wedding Idea That Sparkles: A Brooch Bouquet!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Sweet Carolina Photography, Creative Commons License

Craft a Bridal Keepsake Box

Bridal Box Teri made for Kristin

*Since the readership of the Mother of the Bride Blog is ever-changing, here is an updated encore post I hope will be helpful to those of you who weren’t MOBs when I originally posted it in January 2014. Also, I’ll be taking a blogging break next week for Thanksgiving. I hope you all have a wonderful week celebrating Thanksgiving with your families. See you November 30th! (In the meantime you might like to read A Mother of the Bride’s Thanksgiving Prayer.)

Mothers of the Bride, for those of you who are crafters—or have friends who are crafters (yes!)—delight your daughter with a gorgeous bridal keepsake box like the one pictured above. I’m not a crafter at all, but thank goodness my good friend Teri is. She made the beauty above for my daughter Kristin when she was a bride-to-be.

Start with an oval shaped box. Right away this makes it special by using a shape that’s not as common. Believe it or not, this box is actually a Harry & David Dark Chocolate Truffles box. And if you don’t happen to have one lying around the way I did (chocolate lover that I am!), go ahead and treat yourself so you can use the box later. That’s as good a reason to eat truffles as you need, MOB! :)

Think about what bridal-themed adornment might appeal to your daughter and cover the box accordingly. Teri and I chose a variety of lace, pearls, and pretty silk rosebuds for Kristin’s box. Teri then styled the box, using her trusty hot-glue gun as her right-hand man.

So why not give it a try, MOB? It’s fairly simple to do (if you’re someone like Teri!) and can be used to store any number of wedding keepsakes. Teri included homemade garters in Kristin’s box. Take my word for it, whatever you do, your daughter will treasure it.

*You might also like to read Knitted Bridal Bouquet and More , Sparkle Up the Bridal Garter, Turning the Ordinary into Keepsakes, and Wedding Decor: Craft It with Paper.

*Photo by Kristin