Getting Ready

The bride dressed at her parents house. Tip - make sure you think about food, order some lunch in. Nibbles are always a good idea if you are a little nervous.
Erika and Matt decided to do a special meeting prior to the ceremony. A first glance without everyone around. I like this option because it takes some of the pressure off the groom. He can then concentrate on marrying you relaxed!
They met at the Alumni Building on campus, close to the chapel, then walked down together.


So the photographer Doug sent me some sneak peak pics - aren't them amazing?
Professional Photos by Douglas Benedict

Tip of the Day

Reminder:

Before you print your programs please have your officiant, priest or minister review it.
He or She will make sure the order is correct.

I would hate to have 200 beautiful tied programs that had wrong information....

Carving Pumpkins

Put your personal stamp on your pumpkins this year - Create a monogram or initial and carve on to a pumpkin! Great for your doorstep to greet trick or treaters, have it line the aisle at your next outdoor wedding ceremony or even use the smaller size as a centerpiece.

Many craft stores have the carvable pumpkins that you can keep year to year. You can't use real candles inside but you could put battery operated ones in there!

Get Away Idea

My husband and I just got back from a wonderful long weekend at Bedford Springs Resort - this was our Baby Moon! A time to get away with just the two of us before this little one arrives. I definitely recommend this place for a long weekend or a mini get away either before the wedding or baby or for your anniversary.

Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA

The place was built in 1796 and after being closed for 20 years recently reopened and newly renovated. There are 8 natural springs on site and the spa is awesome. We bathed in the springs then got a couples massage.

We choose a room with rocking chairs on the balcony - here I am enjoying the view after we had breakfast out there.


They have a fire pit and smores are available for a late night snack. The pool accommodations, dining and atmosphere is great. The only complaint was we couldn't check into our room until late on Friday - they were having some housekeeping issues. Either way it was a nice relaxing place in the middle of nowhere!

We also saw two weddings take place outside then heard them rocking to a band in the ballroom. The grounds and springs were beautiful and the weather perfect for an Aug wedding.

Ceremony Readings

In Staying with my theme from yesterday, here is a perfect poem to be read at your wedding.
The Art of Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Readings"A good marriage must be created. In marriage the "little" things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, ”I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is having a mutual sense of values, and common objectives. It is standing together and facing the world. It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner."

Your Wedding Ceremony

So you are getting married ! I know that you have been busy hiring a caterer, deciding on music and picking out invitations but have you stopped to think about the marriage? How about your ceremony - the time when you declare your forever love to your partner in front of your friends and family.

If you are getting married in a church you might not have much say on how the ceremony will go but you can choose some biblical readings and customize with songs or maybe even your own vows.

If you are getting married outside or in a historic local maybe you can write your own ceremony. I came across www.myweddingvows.com. It is a great resource for vows, love poems and bible verses. There are even great prayers your officiant can say over you after you are married.

I'm Back...

Sorry I haven't written in awhile - life has gotten crazy.

The Bahamas was wonderful and very relaxing. I saw about 2 weddings a day - very simple, small but beautiful. Some were just on the beach with the rocks and ocean behind them and others took advantage of preset gazebos. The Royal Bahamanian has an off shore Island - Sandals Cay. Here is a picture of their wedding site. Isn't the view beautiful??

I would say overall we had a nice time but service could use a little work. I would have been upset had we been on our honeymoon. I did like the all inclusive part b/c we didn't have to carry money all around so next time I want to try Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica.