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)

Sheet Music Design for Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere

Mother of the Bride, are your sweet Mr. & Mrs.-to-Be music lovers? If so, they may want to plan some of the elements of their wedding with a music motif. And that’s wonderful because possibilities abound!

One way to incorporate a music theme into a wedding is to use sheet music to make the bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere. Isn’t this a clever idea? Not only is it unique, but it’s actually quite attractive—not to mention the fact that it reflects the couple’s love for music. Definitely a win-win, right?

The bride and groom could add even more significance to their bouquet and boutonniere choice by finding the sheet music to songs especially meaningful to them. They could each choose their favorite song or composer/songwriter, or they might want to use the song they consider to be their song. Again, lots of possibilities.

If you’re wondering about the bridesmaids’ bouquets and groomsmen’s bouts, they could be something different but yet coordinate in some way. Your floral designer can probably suggest some terrific ideas.

MOB, share this idea with your girl and her guy and see if it strikes their musical fancy. They might like it even if they’re not musicians—they may just enjoy music and think it’s a cool idea!

*You might also like to read Wedding Decor: Craft It with PaperKnitted Bridal Bouquet and More, 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 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.

*Flickr photo by jessica.hanrahanCreative Commons License

Flower Crown Bridal Headpiece

Mother of the Bride, has your daughter has settled on her dress for her big day? If so, now is the time to start considering veils and/or headpieces. What will look best with her dress? Her hair? What fits her personality?

The flower crown is one option that is done less often than others, but it could be just right for your sweet girl. If she tends to be playful, likes whimsy, or has earthy leanings and also wants part of her attire to look a little more casual, a crown of roses, daisies, baby’s breath, or any number of other flower combinations might be the answer to her headpiece decision.

The bride-to-be can choose fresh, dried, or even fabric flowers and shop for her dream flower crown in stores or online. Or she could of course ask the florist, a family member, or a friend to fashion one for her.

More of than not, veils aren’t used with flower crown headpieces, but that’s not always the case. Brides can do whatever they want. However, flower crown headpieces don’t need a veil. So if your daughter prefers not to wear a veil, this particular headpiece option might be perfect for her.

Why not toss out the flower crown headpiece idea, MOB, and see if it strikes your daughter’s bridal-hair fancy. If it does, you’re one step closer to completing her big day look!

*You might also like to read In Lieu of a Veil: Floral Bridal Combs or Hairpins and Bride’s Hair Accessory: Baby’s Breath.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also 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. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Barnes & Noble and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library.  *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photos by~ Hatty PhotoCreative Commons License

Wedding Centerpiece: A Watering Can!

Mother of the Bride, if you and your beautiful bride-to-be daughter are looking ahead to a spring or summer (or even fall) wedding and she hasn’t decided on centerpieces for the guest tables yet,  I have an idea that just might catch her decorating fancy.

A watering can centerpiece, like the one shown above, is super cute and could be appropriate for several wedding styles or themes. This unique centerpiece featuring a watering can, flowers, and kerchief (or bandana, depending on your terminology) would be the perfect addition to weddings featuring rustic/country, cowboy/western, or picnic and other casual outdoor themes. As shown above in reds and blues, it could even be a great choice for a Fourth of July wedding.

This adorable centerpiece could be done in a variety of colors, too. Kerchief/bandanas can be found in tons of colors so if you and your daughter can find them in one of her wedding colors, MOB, just start from there and work up. If you can’t find watering cans in one of your daughter’s colors, just go with a standard metallic finish and then tie your colors in with flowers in the wedding colors.

Why not show this creative and fun idea to your darling girl, MOB? Your centerpiece search might just be over!

*You might also like to read Centerpiece Idea: Mirror MagicCenterpiece Idea: Flower Ring and CandleWedding Cake Trend: Multiple Mini Cakes, and Wedding Centerpiece: Cupcake Bouquets!

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

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. 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.

*Flickr photo by katinalynnCreative Commons License

Wedding Planning Help During July Blogging Break

Mother of the Bride, I’m taking a blogging break during July but never fear—I will not leave you without some help. Below you’ll find a variety of ideas and links to help you with you and your sweet girl’s wedding planning while I allow myself a little blogging vacation.

So here you go—hope you find tons of ideas that will really help!

Here are five resources from yours truly:

  1. Read my book Mother of the Bride: Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride. Allow me to be your friend for the journey!
  2. Look through the list of Favorite Posts on the sidebar and click the links to the ones that spark your interest. (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find the sidebar items.)
  3. Use the drop-down feature in the Archives to spot some posts that might be especially helpful to you at this stage in your Mother of the Bride journey. You’ll find the Archives on the sidebar on my home page so use the directions above to find it if you’re on a mobile device.
  4. Check out my Pinterest pageAmong other things, it features eighteen wedding-related boards!
  5. Glance through the roundup posts I’ve written. They are listed below. Roundups can be very helpful:

Wedding Photography: Bridal Portrait Roundup

Roundup: Popular Mother of the Bride Blog Posts

Bridal Bouquet Roundup

Wedding Cake Roundup

Wedding Registry Roundup

Wedding Photo Ideas Roundup That Star the Groom

Finally, if your daughter is in the beginning stages of gathering ideas and investigating her options, try Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, and Brides.  And if she wants a rustic wedding, check out Rustic Wedding Chic.

Hope this helps you and your sweet bride-to-be daughter, MOB!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also 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, comes out in early August. Sign-up is free and to the right! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by smcgeeCreative Commons License