Turn Ordinary Wedding Items Into Keepsakes

May 19, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, why not turn a few of the ordinary every-wedding-and-bride-must-have items into something more? Why not transform them into keepsakes that will remind the newlyweds of precious wedding day memories for years to come?

For instance, instead of picking up a set of standard wedding garters (one to keep and one to toss) at your favorite craft and hobby store, ask a family member or dear friend who loves to sew if she would be willing to make garters for your precious girl.

My friend Teri made garters for both of my girls (see Kelli’s above), and her loving touch and personal effort instantly transformed the garters into precious keepsakes for both Kristin and Kelli. And since Teri and I had great fun selecting the lace and ribbon she would use to craft this traditional part of the bride’s attire, the whole experience made for a great memory for us as well.

Toasting flutes can also become a treasured keepsake. I found a special and elegant set for Kristin’s wedding, but for Kelli’s, we decided to ask a friend to dress up some standard flutes. This time we asked Teri’s daughter Stephanie for help. With her creative knack and a little input from Kelli on what she would like, Stephanie transformed the flutes into something far more beautiful than we could have found at any wedding supply or craft store (see below; click on the photo to see it better).

MOB, these are just a couple of ideas—I’m sure other possibilities will come to mind as you think of your own daughter and her desires and style. Have fun turning the ordinary into keepsakes for her. She’ll be forever grateful—and you may make some great memories along the way!

*You might also like to read Craft It: Bridal Keepsake Box, A Keepsake Photo of the Wedding Invitation, Deciding On a Wedding Guest Book: Ideas to Get You Started, and Wedding-Themed Shower Gifts.

*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 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.)

*Photos by Will Flowers

Filed Under: accessories, bride, family, Friend, Gift, joy, memories, Mother of the Bride, preparation, tradition Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Pre-Ceremony Wedding Day Prayer Idea: The Mother of the Bride Prays for the Bride

May 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, before your precious daughter says I do on her wedding day, why not send her off into her next stage of life with a prayer? What could be more meaningful than a prayer falling from the lips of the one who has loved her, watched over her, taught her, and encouraged her from the moment she was born? Yes, dear MOB, you are that treasured. Your prayer will bless her in a way that no one else’s can.

On the big day, after your little-girl-turned-bride is all dressed and waiting with her bridesmaids for the appointed time to get into place, have everyone get in a circle and hold hands while you pray for your darling daughter and the love of her life.

You may want to give your prayer some thought ahead of time and make mental note of the things you want to mention so you won’t forget something important to you. After all, your brain may be on overload by the time you reach go-time. Or on the other hand, you may prefer to let it all come naturally in the moment from the overflow of your heart. Do what works best for you. There is no right or wrong way.

One thing is certain—your prayer asking for God’s blessing and protection and for encouraging their total, sold-out commitment to each other and to God will undergird your sweet girl with strength and love and send her off into her new life with the complete support and blessing of her mom. What better gift could be given? I only wish someone had suggested it to me when my girls got married. We missed this special time together because I simply didn’t think about it. But you don’t have to miss it, Mother of the Bride. Now you’ve heard the idea!

So MOB, gift your daughter—and yourself—with this once in a lifetime moment and memory. And rest assured that God will use your send-off prayer in mighty and wonderful ways!

*You might also like to read A Prayer for the Newlyweds, A Prayer for the Bridesmaids’ Luncheon, and Wedding Resource: Prayers for the Mother of the Bride. 

*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 last week. 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.)

*Stephtphotography photo of my nephew’s beautiful bride Kaitlynn and her sweet mom Shannon

Filed Under: advice, blessing, bride, faith, family, Gift, love, memories, Mother of the Bride, opportunity, prayer, preparation, protection, wisdom Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wedding Day Photo: Sweep Her Off Her Feet

May 2, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Formal poses certainly have their place in the wedding day photos, Mother of the Bride, but chances are some of the very best photos will be the fun shots.

Some of those may come at the suggestion of the photographer, but others will unfold quite spontaneously. And if you’ve hired a top-notch photographer, he or she will be watching to capture those moments with a few click-clicks of his trusty camera.

One super fun shot for wedding day is featured above—the groom sweeping the bride off her feet. This is a shot that can be taken inside or outside the venue, planned or unplanned. The main thing is that it will be fun and romantic all at once. A winner to be sure.

So MOB, pass along the suggestion to your daughter—or ask the photographer to be watching for the perfect opportunity for such a shot. You will be glad you did. And so will the bride and groom!

*You might also want to read Wedding Photo Idea: A Veiled Kiss, Wedding Photo Idea: Black and White Bubble Shot, and Wedding Photo Idea: Groom Admires His Bride.

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, comes out today. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by galeria_stefbu, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: action, bride, fun, groom, joy, love, memories, Mother of the Bride, photo fun Tagged With: , , , ,

Pre-Ceremony Tip for Wedding Day: Keep It Calm

March 14, 2017 by Leave a Comment

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*I won’t be posting next week during Spring Break, but I will see you back here on March 28. Maybe you can check out the archives and Favorite Post list in the meantime!

Mother of the Bride, one last gift you can give your daughter before she becomes a Mrs. is a calm environment in the hours leading up to the wedding.

Yes, MOB, make it your goal to keep those pre-ceremony hours on the big day as stress-free as possible for your baby girl. Do your best to help her to head into the glorious but demanding hours of the wedding and reception well-rested and focused only on her beloved and the joy of the day.

One thing you can do to keep things calm in the hours before the wedding is to make sure your girl has interactions with only a few people—her immediate family, bridesmaids, and hairdresser, etc.

Since extended family and friends are already gathered for the wedding weekend, it’s tempting to plan breakfast or lunch (or another activity) as a group, but resist that temptation. There will be plenty of time for more interaction with one another at the wedding and reception. No need for your daughter to be “on” any more than is necessary before the wedding. Once she heads to the ceremony site, there will be no slowing down for her until she rides off into the honeymoon sunset with her love.

For those few things she has to do early on the big day—like get her hair done—keep it as low-key as possible. Have only one or two people accompany the two of you to the salon. If you’re at a hotel or have company staying in your home, bring food to the bride’s room and let her eat without having to interact with a crowd. Suggest she ask only her sisters and/or bridesmaids to join her.

Every family’s circumstances will be different, but you get the idea, MOB. Adopt the spirit of the advice—keeping things calm for your sweet girl—and adapt it your individual situation. Your little girl-turned-bride will be forever grateful!

*You might also like to read Mother of the Bride’s Wedding Day Advice for the Bride and Most Important Part of the MOB’s Wedding Day Attire.

*Flickr photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: advice, bride, bridesmaids, family, Mother of the Bride, peace, protection, rest, stress Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Wedding Day Photo Idea: Sunset Silhouette

June 13, 2016 by Leave a Comment

23247205609_2f03491a1e_zWhat time of day is your darling daughter tying the knot, Mother of the Bride? If the nuptials are scheduled for late afternoon or early evening, she and her dashing groom will have a super special photo opportunity they can take advantage of if they alert their photographer to their wishes.

Have the happy couple tell their photographer they’d like him or her to take a sunset silhouette shot of their big day. If the photographer knows ahead of time, he’ll be able to scope out the best location for such a shot at or near their ceremony or reception venue.

Everything will work together to make this an absolutely gorgeous shot—the location, the couple, the setting sun, the romance. Wow, this will definitely be a keeper shot, huh?

So MOB, don’t delay—share this great photo idea with your sweet girl pronto. I predict a couple of more-than-willing participants!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photo Idea: Sweep Her Off Her Feet and Great Send-off For the Bride and Groom: Fireworks! 

*Flickr photo by Ryan Smith Photography, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: beauty, bride, groom, love, memories, Mother of the Bride, photo fun, time Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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