Book for the Engaged Couple: From Me to We

Hope you enjoy today’s guest post by Lucille Williams, author of From Me to We.

Mother of the Bride, have your daughter and future son-in-law gotten premarital guidance? This very delicate time of excitement and anticipation is the perfect time for the future bride and groom to obtain the necessary tools for their happily-ever-after. You, as the mother of the bride, no doubt would love nothing less than to see your daughter in a happy and thriving marriage.

We all know marriage can be challenging at times and preparation is key to a marriage full of passion, fulfillment, and joy. We all take that stroll down the aisle with many hopes and big dreams, but how do we make those dreams a reality?

The book From Me to We is exactly that resource tool tackling necessary topics like communication, finances, conflict resolution, and keeping a good relationship with in-laws. Each chapter closes with critical discussion questions for the couple to review and talk about together as they begin their forever marriage love story.

Here’s what others are saying about From Me to We:

“Are you approaching the altar? If you’re an engaged couple looking for a how-to guide that is both very helpful and very funny, this is the book for you! Although Lu doesn’t shy away from the tough conversations, she handles them in a way that is engaging and personal – and wise. This is a great read for a great start to a great marriage.”

-Shaunti Feldhahn, best-selling author of For Women Only and For Men Only

“This book will unpack the nuts and bolts of matrimony and give you tools to last the life of your marriage.”

-Dr. Kevin Leman, New York Times Bestselling author of Sheet Music and Have a New Husband by Friday

“Lucille Williams writes about marriage with refreshing honesty and candor. You will find her direct approach in addressing the difficulties of marriage to be challenging, and you will find her positive tone to be encouraging. I may have a shelf full of marriage books, but Lucille’s vulnerable transparency, biblical clarity, and practical counsel makes “From Me to We” a book I will recommend not only to engaged couples but to couples who have been married for years.”

-Kyle Idleman, Senior Pastor at Southeast Christian Church, and bestselling author of Not a Fan and The End of Me

Mother of the Bride, give your daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law the gift of preparation as they go from “me” to “we” and  help safeguard their forever love.

Lucille Williams is the author of From Me to We: A Premarital Guide for the Bride- and Groom-to-Be and The Intimacy You Crave: Straight Talk about Sex and Pancakes.  As a speaker, pastor’s wife, mom, and grandma with over 25 years of ministry experience, she has dedicated her life to helping couples thrive in their marriages. Lucille has been featured on Focus on the Family, and speaks at conferences and women’s events, helping to empower women to soar. You can visit her blog at LuSays.com.

*You might also like to read A Prayer for the Newlyweds.

*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 today. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

Engagement Photo Idea: Walking Hand in Hand

Walking hand in hand

Mother of the Bride, why not help make the engagement photo session of your darling daughter and the love of her life the very best it can be by helping them compile a list of possible shots the photographer can take.

When you see engagement photos you love, just be sure to jot down the ideas (or pin them on Pinterest) before the idea flits away never to return again. You’ve got lots on your mind so ideas can indeed be forgotten. You might like to take a look at my Engagement Photo Ideas board on Pinterest to find some great ideas.

I love the photo above which was taken during my daughter’s and son-in-law’s engagement photo shoot. Walking hand in hand, enjoying private conversation—such a simple shot but oh so precious and meaningful. I love how a shot like this can capture the couple looking so relaxed and natural.

Why not show this shot to your sweet couple, MOB, and see if they’d like to incorporate a similar shot into their photo shoot? If you’re like us, you will all love the outcome—and it’s a great one to frame and enjoy for years to come. I guarantee it!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photo Idea: Sweep Her Off Her Feet, Cute Engagement Photo Idea: Include the Dog!, Engagement Photo Idea: Include Heart Balloons!, Engagement Photo Idea: The Eskimo Kiss!, Engagement Photos: Consider a Night Shoot, Engagement Photo Idea: Bike Fun!, Engagement Photo Idea: Playground Fun, and Engagement Photo Idea: Frame That Moment!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out next week. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Photo by Chris Humphrey Photographer

Cute Engagement Photo Idea: Include the Dog!

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Mother of the Bride, does your daughter have a running list of possible engagement photo ideas to share with their wedding photographer?

If so—and if your little gal and her guy have a much loved dog (or other pet)—here’s an idea you’ll want to share with her pronto. Have the photographer include their pooch in a shot!

Including the couple’s dog is such a fun idea, and I especially like the super cute way it’s done in the photo above—doggie in the center with the Mr. & Mrs.-to-be planting kisses on him or her at the same time. Of course, the photographer will probably take a series of shots with the dog, so I’m sure they’ll be sure to get several great photos.

So MOB, share this photo with your sweet couple and keep your eyes peeled for other unique ideas. They’ll appreciate every great idea you can send their way!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photos: Consider a Night Shoot, Engagement Photo Idea: Bike Fun!, Engagement Photo Idea: Show Off the Ring, and Engagement Photo Idea: Frame That Moment!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Engagement Photo Idea: Include Heart Balloons!

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Mother of the Bride, don’t you love how fun and creative engagement photos are today? Sure, the photographer may have your soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. pose for a traditional shot or two, but the more creative shots capturing the personality of the couple or the depth of their love are the ones you’ll love the most.

Pictured above is an engagement photo idea too cute not to pass along—heart balloons included in a shot where the couple is kissing. Isn’t this a super sweet photo? So much love expressed through the kiss as well as the hearts. What a fun shot filled with the promise of a lifetime of love. Romance and fun at the same time make this shot a winner, a real must-have photo to commemorate your little girl’s engagement.

So why not show this heart balloon idea to your daughter, MOB, and see if she and her honey would like to include something similar in their engagement photo session. After all, their hearts are already soaring in love. They might as well picture it, right?!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photos: Consider a Night Shoot, Engagement Photo Idea: Bike Fun!, Engagement Photo Idea: Playground Fun, and Engagement Photo Idea: Frame That Moment!

*Flickr photo by Bert Palmer, Creative Commons License

Engagement Photo Idea: The Eskimo Kiss!

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Mother of the Bride, are you collecting engagement photo ideas for the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. in your life? If not, start your list today. There are some awesome ideas out there right now. I have a few here on my site (will list a few below) and I also have an Engagement Photos Pinterest board you might want to check out.

Today I have a super cute idea for you—an Eskimo kiss shot! Such a nose-to-nose shot could either look very romantic with the eyes closed (as pictured above) or playful and fun with eyes open and the couple laughing or scrunching noses. The photographer could take both kinds of shots. They’ll probably both be keepers, huh?

So save this idea, MOB. Your daughter and her intended will have a ball playing Eskimos—and you’ll all end up with another great engagement photo!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photo Idea: Show Off the Ring, Engagement Photos: Consider a Night Shoot, Engagement Photo Idea: Playground Fun, Engagement Photo Idea: Frame That Moment!, and Engagement Photo Idea: Bike Fun!

*Flickr photo by Tela Chhe, Creative Commons License