Archives for August 2013

All Things “Loverly”

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Mother of the Bride, has your daughter-turned-bride discovered Loverly  yet? If not, score some MOB points by sharing the site with her pronto.

Loverly is an awesome website—a wedding search engine where brides, grooms, and anyone interested in all things wedding can search, save, share, and shop all in one place. You must be registered to save and bundle and also share the items you love, but creating an account is free.

The Frequently Asked Questions portion of the website fills you in on the details and shows you how to use the site. You can even use the site on the go by downloading the Loverly App.

Loverly has a Facebook page, too, where you and your daughter can benefit from more great wedding inspiration. What a great option to have as an extra source of ideas or as an alternative to taking time to visit the main website. With the Facebook page, you’ll be able to catch a quick look at wedding “loverlyness” right in your own newsfeed.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Loverly—and then share the link with your daughter. I’ll definitely be adding Loverly sometime soon to my Helpful Sites listed on the sidebar.

*What other websites have you found especially helpful as you and your daughter plan her wedding?

Midweek Morsel: A Winner and Some Inspiration

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We have a winner for the “Back At It” Giveaway! One lucky reader has some Barnes & Noble love headed her way, and that lucky reader is Kristin! Congrats, Kristin! I’ll get the gift card to you asap. Hope you enjoy!

As for the rest of you, I’m not sending you away empty-handed. I ran across a great quote a couple of weeks ago and knew right away that I wanted to share it with you. It offered great food for thought and inspiration as well. See what you think:

“Anything, everything, little or big becomes an adventure when the right person shares it.” Kathleen Norris, bestselling poet and essayist

You know what I thought as soon as I read this? I want to be the right person! Anyone else feel the same way?

Lord, help us each one to be the kind of person who can help make life an adventure for others!

“He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us . . .” 1 Thessalonians 3:6b

*What can we do to be the right person—a person who helps make life an adventure for others?

*Flickr photo by Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It.

When Danger Lurks Beneath

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Tragedy struck again this summer along our local river. Two teenaged boys drowned.

I won’t try to recount the details because I really don’t know them. I just know that the river’s currents are notoriously dangerous in a certain area and several have drowned as a result over the years.

I haven’t gone to this unforgiving section of the river to see for myself, but I’ve heard that it can look calm and appealing, that it can look safe. But beneath the surface the currents wait to grab anyone unlucky enough or unwise enough to tangle with them. These currents won’t let go. They bring death. They bring sorrow.

Some of the victims have acted carelessly and not taken warnings seriously. Others have bravely risked—and lost—their lives while trying to save another. And still others found themselves at the mercy of the currents purely by accident, from a fall or from being unfamiliar with the area. 

Today we may not be planning to test a dangerous river, but some of us may be entering life situations where an activity or an attitude or a relationship looks appealing, where on the surface it looks harmless. We might think it’s no big deal. It’s okay. It’s safe.

Let’s be wise. Let’s watch for caution signs. Let’s heed warnings of those who have traveled the road before us. Let’s educate ourselves before heading into unfamiliar territory.

We must remember that danger may be lurking beneath. Let’s not tangle with currents that are sure to grab us and not let us go until they wreak havoc—until they bring sorrow or even death. Let’s be on guard.

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12

*What can we do to stay alert to dangers?

*Flickr photo by Mohammed Alnaser (he has some amazing photos of African wildlife on his page)

*Don’t miss out on the “Back At It” Giveaway. Deadline to enter is 6 p.m. Aug. 28. Details are in my Aug. 15 post.

An MOB Prescription: Movie Fun!

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Mother of the Bride, today I’m writing a prescription for you—a prescription for fun!

Remember how I encouraged you a few weeks ago to take time for laughter in the midst of all the craziness of your current MOB life? Well, a one-time shot is not enough. Your demanding role requires regular doses. Yay, right?

My MOB-doctor’s-order is guaranteed to melt tension and put a smile on your face. Keep in mind that the fun-factor of this particular remedy is magnified if carried out with someone else who has weddings on the brain. So grab your daughter, your significant other, or a BFF who is thoroughly invested in your MOB journey and get ready to enjoy your dose of fun!

And what exactly is prescribed? Movie fun! Any flick you’ve been dying to see will work, but since you’re currently living the stuff wedding movies are made of, it’s the perfect time to choose a movie that includes a wedding theme. You will definitely be able to identify with it now in a way you never have before.

How about a classic like Father of the Bride with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton?  This movie absolutely nails the whole parents-of-the-bride experience. I’m sure you’ve probably seen it before, but it’s worth another watch during your MOB tenure. You will smile, giggle, belly laugh, and even get misty-eyed while you watch George and Nina Banks play out on the big screen the situations you’re navigating right now.

So go ahead and take your prescription. Relax and have fun—doctor’s orders, MOB style! :)

*What are some other wedding-themed movies that could fill this prescription for movie fun?

*My photo

*Join me over on my inspirational blog and throw your name in the hat for the “Back At It” Giveaway! Deadline to enter is 6 p.m. Aug. 28.

Idea for Displaying Programs: A Basket

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Details, details, details! They never seem to end when you’re planning a wedding. I wish I could tell you, Mother of the Bride, that you’ll get a brief reprieve right before the wedding, but to be completely honest, you’ll be dealing with details right up until the guests leave and all that’s left to do is box up the cake.

Here’s a detail you might not have considered yet: Have you and your daughter thought about how you’ll display the wedding programs?

Displaying the programs in a basket is an attractive and handy idea. We used this method (see photo above) when Kristin and Shawn got married.

A nice basket looks great on its own, or you can add a bow or ribbons along the side in the color of the wedding. You could even line the basket with coordinating fabric if you’d like. A basket also serves as an excellent way to keep the programs all in one place and makes them easy to move if needed.

If a basket won’t work for you or isn’t quite what your daughter has in mind, just brainstorm together for ideas that might provide the perfect solution. For Kelli and Jake’s wedding, we had room at the church’s welcome center to display the programs on either side of the guest book. The display looked beautiful—and so will yours!

*What are other great ways have you seen to display or distribute wedding programs?

*Photo by Chris Humphrey

*Join me over on my inspirational blog and throw your name in the hat for the “Back At It” Giveaway!