Aisle Decor Idea for Outdoor Weddings: Fresh Flowers!

Mother of the Bride, is your daughter planning an outdoor wedding for next spring or summer? If so, the two of you may want to come up with some ideas to spruce up the folding chairs you’ll probably be using.

Fresh flowers provide the perfect aisle/chair décor when the ceremony is held in the great outdoors. Not only do they fit right in with the outdoor setting, but they add gorgeous pops of color to the sea of seats. And colorful flowers look especially striking when the chairs are white (as pictured above).

Fresh flowers along the aisle will also result in some beautiful wedding photos. Just think of all the shots that will be enhanced by this touch of floral beauty. Not only will the bride enter down that aisle, but parents and grandparents will be seated, bridesmaids will enter, the flower girl and ring bearer will make their trip down the aisle, and then, of course, before all of that, the photographer can snap a shot before any of the guests arrive. That just-before-it-all-starts shot will look so pristine and full of anticipation.

So MOB, if an outdoor wedding is in your future, share this idea with the bride-to-be. She may think it will add the perfect touch to the seating area—and she’ll be right! It will look super romantic and everyone will enjoy the beauty!

*You might also like to read Pew or Chair Décor Idea: Sunflowers!

*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, but 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 Corey AnnCreative Commons License

Unexpected Opportunities: Seize the Moment

Unexpected opportunities can sure mess with our schedules. A moment packed with potential presents itself, and we’re met with the dilemma of either staying on task or pulling away and taking advantage of the opportunity before us. Which will we do?

More and more I’m learning to seize the moment before it disappears. Whether it’s taking time to take photos of beautiful birds at the birdbath or feeder or putting my work on hold to offer some encouraging words, to help someone, or to take time with our kids and grandkids, I’m learning to set aside my agenda and give attention to the things God brings before me.

I admit I feel guilty and frustrated many times when I don’t get as much done in a day as I’d hoped to. But we type-A, goal-oriented people need to learn that God’s plan is sometimes different from ours—and his is better.

Let’s be ready to accept the gifts of potential-packed moments God sends our way. Let’s take time to unwrap them. Let’s seize our opportunities.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

*What unexpected gift of opportunity have you unwrapped lately?

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out yesterday, but 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.

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

*My photo

Wedding Day Checklist: Leftover Cake Containers

Mother of the Bride, here’s a short and sweet reminder for wedding day: Don’t forget containers for the leftover cake!

I know it’s hard to imagine that your guests might leave some of that wedding cake yumminess uneaten, but they sure do. Chances are you planned for more than enough cake because cake is one thing you don’t want to have in short supply at the reception. Plus, not everyone will eat cake. Hard to believe, but true.

Check with your wedding cake baker to see if he or she provides boxes for the leftovers, and if not, be sure to bring your own containers. Something like the inexpensive food storage containers above works perfectly. These are even better than boxes because they’re air tight.

So, MOB, add containers to your wedding day checklist. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to indulge in extra bites as you pack the leftovers away. I call that a win!

*You might also like to read Comfy Shoes—Add This to Your Wedding Day List and Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer.

*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 yesterday, but 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.

*My photo

A Special Touch: The Kiss of God

Special touches from God—those moments that fill and warm the heart. Those moments when we feel his presence so vividly. Our spirits long for such moments, don’t they?

I think God may give more special touches than we recognize. We may know we’ve been touched by joy or peace or contentment. But sometimes we fail to recognize the Giver of these good gifts.

Let’s not miss him. Let’s not miss the kiss of God.

The Kiss of God

Sometimes it catches us
completely unaware,
other times it answers
our longing.
The kiss of God
a balm so sweet,
the touch that washes us
in his love.
The warmth of spring sunshine
on our skin,
the liquid life-giving drink
to a dry desperate earth,
the word that refreshes
a parched soul.
Forgiveness given
and arms extended,
a moment of comfort divine,
needed words received
at just the right moment,
it’s more than coincidence—
it’s the Lord.
A touch from him
to savor forever,
the moment we’re changed—
the kiss of God.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights . . .” James 1:17 NIV

*When have you felt the kiss of God?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regular issue, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

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

Photo by Anton Darius on Unsplash

Ultimate Guide to Looking Your Best on Wedding Day

Mother of the Bride, would you like to point your bride-to-be-daughter (and yourself) to a fantastic and comprehensive beauty guide for her wedding day? You’ll be surprised at how much you both can do to prepare to look your best on the big day, starting even six to ten months ahead of time if you so choose.

Théia Aesthetics’ article on essential bridal beauty rituals covers a range of tips and approaches to help brides achieve the appearance they want and feel good about it. It undoubtedly includes some helpful info and tips that will be new to both your daughter and you, MOB.

Some topics included in this guide:
Setting goals for the wedding day
At-home skincare essentials
Personal skincare treatments and Botox
Recommended schedule for skincare treatment
More resources for brides who want to look their best

Read all about it and then share this link with your sweet girl, Mother of the Bride – Théia Aesthetics’ article on essential bridal beauty rituals. She (or you for yourself!) may want to choose a few things to try or perhaps follow the entire guide. May both of you thrill in looking your best on the big day!

*You may also like to read Mother of the Bride Beauty Prep: Face Yoga Exercises!, Hairstyles For the Mother of the Bride or Groom, and Mother of the Bride: Spruce Up Your Smile!

*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 November. One lucky subscriber will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Photo from Unsplash