Flower Girl and Ring Bearer Act as Sign Bearer

Mother of the Bride, today I have a super cute idea for your darling daughter’s wedding ceremony. Don’t waste a minute suggesting this idea and showing her the above photo. Cuteness this sweet deserves immediate attention, right?

Just before the bride comes down the aisle, why not have the flower girl and ring bearer help announce her entry? They won’t have to say a word. They can simply walk in together while the ring bearer wears a sign proclaiming “Here Comes the Bride”.

The ring bearer is the best choice as the actual sign bearer. The sign will stand out better against his black tux or suit than it would in front of a flower girl’s dress. Plus, the flower girl will want to show off her dress and be as feminine as possible. The ring bearer on the other hand will be happy to have a more macho duty than just carrying a little pillow down the aisle. A ring bearer never carries the real rings anyway so why not let him do something fun like this?

Letting the flower girl and ring bearer serve as a sign bearer will also provide an adorable wedding day photo. Give your photographer a heads up about your plans for the sign, and he or she will be ready to capture some sweeter than sweet shots.

So MOB, suggest away—and be ready to tuck this precious memory away with all the others you’ll make on wedding weekend. Enjoy each moment to the fullest!

*You might also like to read Burlap Ring Bearer Pillow and Flower Girl Basket and Man’s Best Friend as Ring Bearer.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and my Wedding Inspiration cards, 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 May. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by outreachr.comCreative Commons License

Allowing Need to Birth Bravery

I remember one late February several years ago when I noticed our neighborhood cardinals needed an ice storm to bring out their bravery. I usually see them feeding only on the ground under my backyard feeder, but since ice covered the fallen birdseed that winter day, they were forced to take drastic action. They had to brave the feeder’s little ledges.

Cardinals have trouble balancing on such tiny ledges. It’s easier and safer for them to scavenge for food that drifts to the ground while smaller birds feed. They don’t often land on the feeder. They go straight for the ground. Straight to where they know they’ll find an easy meal.

But on the day of the ice storm, a sheet of ice and sleet covered their fast food. They still scoured the ground for nourishment but evidently weren’t satisfied. Their need inspired bravery. They ventured up to the ledges and hung on for dear life, flapping their wings wildly as they tried to balance themselves. Kudos to the cardinals for leaving the safe confines of their comfort zone to try a riskier solution.

Can you think of a situation in your life when need gave birth to bravery? I’ll never forget the time years ago when my mother-in-law’s life depended on getting her to the Mayo Clinic. The plans we had for her transportation fell through at the last minute, and since I was the only family member available to take her at the time, I was forced into drastic action.

I hated the thought of going alone so I talked my then-fourteen year old daughter Kelli into coming with us. So with an elderly woman—who could collapse at any moment—riding in the backseat and a teenager without a driver’s license riding shotgun, I pointed the car north and took off.

For the next two weeks, I not only stepped outside my comfort zone, I lived outside my comfort zone. I felt nervous and unsure of myself much of the time, but I had to meet the challenges head on. My mother-in-law’s need pushed me to bravery.

What about the needs in our lives today? Will we let them inspire us to boldness and bravery? Are we ready to take drastic action if that’s what’s called for? Is it time to push outside our comfort zones? Let’s do it. Let’s allow need to birth bravery.

“. . .‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. . .’” 1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV

*When has a need or desperate situation pushed you to boldness or bravery?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. 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

A Classic Bridal Veil: The Corded Veil

Mother of the Bride, if your daughter has already found the gown of her Big Day dreams, now is the time to start considering veils. Some brides prefer not wearing a veil at all, but if your bride-to-be is not in that group, you’ll want to help her carefully consider what would look best with her particular gown.

An elegant and classic choice that looks good with numerous bridal gowns is the corded veil. The simple cord adorning the edge of the veil, whether single or double-tiered, works especially well with gowns featuring a lot of detail. Something simple in a veil perfectly complements the gown then rather than competing with its already gorgeous detail.

Do you think a corded style might be the answer to your sweet girl’s bridal veil needs, MOB? If so, be sure to put it at the top of your list of suggestions. She just might agree!

*You might also like to read Bridal Veils: The Birdcage VeilIn Lieu of a Veil: Floral Bridal Combs or Hairpins, and Bridal Headpiece Idea: The Flower Crown.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and my Wedding Inspiration cards, 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 May. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Top photo – Flickr photo by outreachr.comCreative Commons License; bottom photo by Chris Humphrey of my daughter Kristin

Learning and Growing: Developing An Eye

One winter morning over a decade ago, I discovered something exciting. I was doing it! I was developing an eye for taking better photos!

How could I tell? Certain hallmark signs were there. I’d been spotting good light or noticing great vantage points. I’d been focusing on color but noticing backgrounds and striving for centered shots. I was giving attention to detail. (Notice the morning light and winter trees behind the icicles in the shot I took above that day? I didn’t even realize how cool that would look until after I took the picture. I was concentrating mainly on the icicles and got a shot with a bokeh effect before I even knew what that was!)

It’s important to note that developing an eye doesn’t happen by accident—in photography or other endeavors. By that winter, I’d invested time in taking lots of shots. I had endured the dross before the gold. And of course in the process, I had ended up with a lot more dross than gold.

At the same time, though, I’d benefited in several ways from taking time out for wonder while taking a host of photos. Not only was I becoming more adept at capturing better pictures, but I’d been energized by my new pursuit and had also grown more appreciative of the beautiful world God’s given us.

The concept of developing an eye certainly carries over into other areas of our lives as well. Consider the spiritual realm. Do we notice spiritual applications to things that we see or experience in our everyday lives? (Writing blog posts has helped me develop an awareness for this.) Do we spot God at work in people or situations or can we see him in the background? Do we notice when people are hurting or in need but also pick up on their joys?

If we don’t feel like we’re actively developing a spiritual eye, we can take steps to remedy that. Remember, developing an eye doesn’t happen by accident.

We need to invest time—time in learning to think in spiritual ways. We do this as we read, study, and meditate on God’s Word and as we talk with him. Talking with others about spiritual truths will also spur us on in our growth. And when we notice hurts or joys of others and interrupt our lives to share in what they’re going through, we’ll continue to develop that eye for spiritual things.

So what do you say? Let’s be people who continue to develop and grow in our lives, whether it be in our walk with the Lord or the pursuit of our interests and skills. Let’s continue to develop an eye!

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” 1 Peter 2:2 NIV

*What interest or skill are you developing an eye for?

*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.

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

*My photo

Cake Table Decor: Bride’s and Bridesmaids Bouquets

Mother of the Bride, have you and your darling daughter discussed décor for the cake tables yet? Remember, you will have two tables or areas to decorate—the main cake table and the table for the groom’s cake as well. Yes, the cakes will be decorative in themselves, but something more is really needed to add color and beauty to the white tablecloths you’ll more than likely use.

One smart and gorgeous solution is to use the bride’s and the bridesmaids’ bouquets to add beautiful accents to the cake tables. Since you already have money invested in the bouquets, why not use them beyond the ceremony?

Not only will the bouquets already be stunning, they will provide coordinating color, already be paid for, and will require no extra work. Just tell the bridesmaids ahead of time where they are to place their bouquets as soon as they arrive at the reception. Or have someone else assigned to gather the bouquets as soon as the post ceremony photos are taken so she can get them to the reception site asap.

MOB, this is one of those times you can kill two birds with one stone. Take advantage of it and move on to the next item on your to-do list. After all, you’ll probably be adding to that list as fast as you check things off, right?!

*You might also like to read Cake Table Tip for Weddings: Display Engagement PhotoTable Décor Finishing Touch: Fresh Rose Petals, and Wedding Table Décor: Add Pizzazz with Confetti.

0307*Top photo by Flowers Photography; bottom photo by Chris Humphrey

*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.