Wedding Readings – Selection # 9

I’m always on the lookout for a great reading to incorporate into the wedding ceremony.  Here is another one for consideration…

“YOU WERE BORN TOGETHER” (from The Prophet) – Kahlil Gibran

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love,

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,

Even as the strings of the lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.

For only the hands of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together, yet not too near together,

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

Ashley & Sean’s 1st Anniversary

I can’t believe it’s been one year since Ashley & Sean said their “I dos” at Granite Bay Golf Club!  August 22, 2009 was a wonderful day with a  fabulous theme of “Hot August Nights”  –  no detail was left unturned.  The vibrant and “hot” colors of red, oranges, fuchsia and yellows were played well.  Katie with Ambience Floral Design created the fun, bright flowers and the ribbon spheres, and also installed the stunning red backdrop for the ceremonial alter.  We  repeated the backdrop behind the fabulous dessert table featuring yummy confections by Carissa of Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts.

 Sean is a firefighter (more “hot”), and so I had him cut the wedding cake with his fireman’s axe (quite a surprise for Ashley), plus he arranged for a vintage fire truck to whisk them away at the end of their reception. Mother Nature even provided a brilliant sunset for the evening.  Thanks to Jordan of Jordan’s Photographic Designs for capturing all the fun and beautiful moments!

  It was a great wedding!  I hope the First Anniversary is celebrated in Hot August Nights style.  Happy Anniversary Ashley & Sean! 

Makeup before putting on the gown?

Any professional hair or make-up stylist, will advise that you absolutely apply your make-up before slipping into your gown.  If possible try to step into your gown (without shoes), but if that isn’t do-able, have your bridesmaids assist with holding the opening of your gown as wide open as possible.  Raise your arms over your head and put your hands together as if you’re preparing to drive into water.  Your bridesmaids will then lower the gown over your head, and your arms will protect your face and hair.  The more girls helping, the better you’ll be.  Then, once you are dressed, you or your makeup artist can look at the whole picture and determine if any finishes touches are needed.

Becca & Dustin – More! (Part 2)

Because of Beth’s (True Love Photo)  extreme  photographic talent, and never missing a design detail, I have so many fantastic pictures to share of Becca & Dustin’s June 19th home wedding.  Sit back and enjoy!    Becca envisioned a little bit of Southern Elegance (she and her sister spent a few Saturdays on  ladders hanging  Spanish Moss from the trees), and wanted to upscale the vibe by adding lots of color, crystals, and hanging lanterns.  Check, check and done!

Tables were named and peacock feathers added to compliment the table linens selected.  It’s always a pleasure to work with the great gals at Celebrations Party Rentals.  And thank you so much to my pal Sarah with Cuttings Floral Design for the perfectly coordinated flowers.  Love ‘em!

To compliment that Southern feel,  The Zebra Club, our fun and accomplished bartending service, created Mint Juleps.  Hummmmmm (oh, I only sampled!)

This picture has histoy to it… Beth and I have been setting up this shot for a few years.  Becca and Dustin enjoy a great cold beer… thus their toasting goblets were filled.

And, have you ever seen a wedding cake that followed with the theme so beautifully?  Carissa with Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts really outdid herself!  What a focal piece!

Becca ‘s mom and dad love to garden and the entrance to their property had a long driveway lined with all sorts of flowers.  Daisies, cosmos, dahlias and a beautiful crop of just beginning to bloom sunflowers.

I gave Becca the suggestion of making a bride & groom scaregrow, as it seemed so fitting with the garden.  She had the best time shopping in thrift stores for what she referred to as “the ugliest ’70s style wedding gown.”  Rather than a top hat for the groom, they used a Billibong logo baseball cap.

After a scrumption and plentiful buffet dinner prepared by Bravo Pasteria, wedding cake, fun at the photo booth (complete with goofy hats) by Jensen Films, then the dancing began, under the light of paper lanterns.  Doug & Dara with Music on the Move added some wonderful special touches and a little interactive frivolity, and then the p-a-r-t-y dancing began.  Crewful at 10:00?  NOT!

Thank you Becca and Dustin, and also your wonderful families.  It was a delight to work with you over the year.  I’m going to miss you!  You’re great parents to baby Coralynne. Enjoy your wedded life and your beautiful family.  Also a huge thank you to all the vendors who worked so hard and so caringly to create a fantastic day for this couple.

Becca & Dustin – Married! (Part 1)

I had the best year working with Becca on her June 19th home wedding.  She is the sweetest girl, with the most loving family.  Dustin is the nicest gentleman… a real keeper (if you ask me)!  Becca and Dustin have been together since high school; soul mates, friends, and now proud parents to little baby Coralynne – who was a huge hit at the wedding!  I received a disk with  a zillion  images from the most wonderful photographer in all the world – Beth Baugher of True Love Photo.   So, here you go with Part 1!!   This first shot is of the wedding rings, held by the Best Man.  How perfectly appropriate!

The above photos of Becca is so lovely.  The ever so talented Shana Beals did the make-up artisty for the bride and several bridesmaids.  I loved the bridesmaids dresses and the fab colors of the bouquets.  Peacock feathers was one of the underlying themes to the day, and our fabulous florist, Sarah with Cuttings Floral Design, really outdid herself with the design concept.  Wait until you see more in Part 2!

 Sarah is quite the seamstress and she custom designs ring bearer pillows, too… soooo perfect; just darling! 

Meet baby Coralynne… Becca and Dustin’s 10 month old little sweetie!  We thought a halo of ”Baby’s Breath” was appropriate for this little angel.  She sat in a beautifully decorated wagon and was pulled by Dustin’s young brothers, the  ring bearers.  I had the sign made for the wagon by Lara of The Calligraphy Girl... pure delight.

Come back in the next couple of days  for more beautiful photos… design and special touches abound. 

Chelsea Clinton’s Wedding Reading

This last weekend, Chelsea Clinton married Marc Mezvinsky (from the photos I’ve seen so far, it was a beautiful wedding.  A lovely wedding reading was included within their inter-faith ceremony (and you know how much I enjoy a meaningful reading!).   Below, is the reading… maybe you’ll want to include it into your wedding ceremony?

The Life That I Have by Leo Marks

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.

Daddy’s little girl

I am a total mush ball when it comes to the relationship between daddys and daughters.  I can so imagine my sweet husband with our two daughters and how it will be on their wedding day (he’ll be a mess!).

Becca was married June 19th, at her family home in Orangevale.  There is a very special bond between Becca and her dad, Tim.  I love the images Beth Baugher of True Love Photo captured of these two waiting to walk out of the house, quiet, yet giddy, just moments before Tim would place his daughter’s hand in her husband’s hand.

And then that daddy/daughter dance… killer!

More posts to follow of this beautiful wedding.

Wedding Readings – Selection #7

Another heartfelt reading to share with my readers.  Many couples include readings within their ceremonies, and I ask for a copy to keep in my file.  This one is very nice, but unfortunately it has no title nor author.  Enjoy…

Marriage is a lifetime commitment to the best that two people can find and bring out in each other.  It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal.  Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life’s most important relationships.  A wife and husband are each other’s best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic.  Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.  Happiness is fuller; commitment is stronger; even anger is felt more intensly but passes away more quickly.  Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid.  When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique to themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken or written words.  Marriage is a promise that takes a lifetime to fulfill.

A personal post… my Granddog!

It’s been awhile since I bragged about Jemma, one of my ”Granddogs,” and so here she is.  This lovely (just turned 2 years old) boxer NEVER settles down.  When she comes to visit, she is constantly on the go (and I’m always fretting over her toe nails and our hardwood floors!).  So, when my daughter took this photo of Jemma sleeping, and sent it over to me to prove that she does sleep, well, how could I resist not showing you this little angel face?!  

To see each other before…?

I often recommend to my clients that seeing each other prior to all the pomp and circumstance of the wedding ceremony is truly a lovely experience and a very rewarding time to come together, take in what is about to occur, breath, enjoy your company, and calm your nerves.  Getting the majority of the photos handled prior to the ceremony allows more time at your reception.  A bonus!

However, while noodling around on the web, I came across these two photos and absolutely fell in love with this fun concept of being so close - yet having that blockade… does make the anticipation even more jucier, eh?

 Photo credit: Hagerty Photography