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

Let’s Be Wildflowers

Wildflowers make the world a better place, don’t they? They make a difference on this earth of ours. This earth God has created and given to us.

Wildflowers add color, beauty, and fresh life to their surroundings. Many spice up their corners of the world even more with distinctive scents. Their many species also offer variety and new discoveries when we visit places outside our own regions. In other words, they help keep life interesting.

In fact, the life of a wildflower is one we’d do well to emulate. Just think—wouldn’t it be great if when speaking about us, others might say,“ She adds such beauty and color and fresh life everywhere she goes. Her fragrance is the fragrance of Christ. There’s no one else quite like her. I love to be around her.”

What do you say? Want to make the world a better place? Want to make a difference? Let’s be wildflowers!

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV

*What kind of wildflower would you like to be? How would you like to make the world a better place?

*The current 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 (an Indian Paintbrush taken years ago in Grand Teton National Park)

Fun Nail Polish Gift from the Bride to Her Maids

Mother of the Bride, at some point in the days or weeks preceding the wedding, here’s a fun gift idea for the bride to give her bridesmaids—nail polish! And not just any nail polish, but nail polish in the color of their dresses or bouquets. Fun and pretty, too, huh?

Not only will your daughter’s maids appreciate this special treat, but it will help their overall wedding day look come together as well. Variety can look fun and festive on the big day, but uniformity has a special beauty too.

And just think of the great photos that might result if their nails are all done in the same color. The photographer could actually take a few shots with their hands in mind. Pretty shots with their bouquets, pops of the same color as they help the bride get into her gown, and even a shot specifically showing off their hands. And if they use the polish on their toes as well, you’ve got more cute photo possibilities ahead!

You or the bride might even want to take the gift of nail polish a step further and surprise the bridesmaids with a professional manicure and have them take their polish to the salon (would probably be a good idea to have purchased the polish there.) This extra treat is entirely optional, of course, but it could be a fun outing for all the girls—bride included—a couple of days before the wedding.

Worth suggesting to the bride, MOB? I think so! And why not get your nails done at the same time? Go ahead—have some fun and treat yourself!

*You might also like to read Bridesmaids’ Manicure: Polka Dots and More.

*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 August. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by Upupa4meCreative Commons License

Turn Wedding Day Rain Into a Positive

Mother of the Bride, since spring weddings will soon be upon us, the chance of rain on wedding day becomes a real possibility. If the unthinkable happens on your sweet girl’s big day, MOB, what can you do to somehow turn it into a good memory?

One way to turn wedding day rain into a positive is to capitalize on some fun photo opportunities. As with snow during winter weddings, ask your photographer to get creative and snap some great photos featuring the rain in some way. If rain is in the forecast, you might want to contact him or her earlier in the week and share any ideas you may have. But I’m sure an experienced photographer will already have several ideas up his photo-snapping sleeve.

One idea – why not buy umbrellas in one of the colors of the wedding (like in the photos above and below) and then feature the bridal couple cozied up under one while the attendants pair up under others. Keep the tags on the umbrellas until the day of the wedding just in case the rain doesn’t materialize. If it doesn’t rain, simply return the umbrellas and get your money back. If it does rain, you’ll be prepared. And a good MOB is always prepared, right?

Next time you talk to your daughter, MOB, go ahead and brainstorm other ideas for some great rainy wedding day photos. Maybe one of the bridal couple laughing as they seek shelter under an awning or in a doorway? Or the bridal bouquet covered in raindrops?

Whatever you come up with, share your ideas with your photographer—and turn the rain into some fun wedding day memories!6244880589_cea42a37ff_z*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer.

*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 photos by Corey AnnCreative 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