Starfish

Photo Credit: Brass Paperclip

Photo Credit : Favors by Lisa

Photo Credit : Favors by Lisa

Wedding Readings and Poems

Photo Credit: Espana Photography

e.e. cummings' "i carry your heart with me"

i carry your heart with me  (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fearno fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Photo Credit : Jenna & Tristan

May you see your children's children. May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings. May you know nothing but happiness From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you, May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you. - Irish Blessing

 

Photo Credit : Karen Hendrix Photography

On Friendship, Roy Croft
I love you, not for what you are, but what I am, when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, But what you see in me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out. I love you for putting your hand within my heart and Drawing out into the light all the beautiful and  Radiant possibilities of the good in me. Perhaps, that is what being a friend means, after all. Perhaps that is true love.

Photo Credit: Lawson Photography

Hitting the Right Note

The key to selecting a great first-dance song is to pick a tune that resonates with both you and your groom, but that isn't played out or worse, a cliche. Here are some songs from can't-go-wrong classics to songs you've probably never heard of (but should definitely consider).

Tried and True

"Can't Help Falling In Love" - Elvis Presley
"Unforgettable" - Nat King Cole
"What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong
"The Way You Look Tonight" - Frank Sinatra
"Have I Told You Lately" - Van Morrison
"All You Need Is Love" - The Beatles

Enduringly Popular-

"This Years Love" - David Gray
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" - by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
"Everything" - Michael Buble
"When You Say Nothing at All" -Alison Krauss
"It's Your Love" - Tim McGraw
"Feels Like Home" - Chantal Kreviazuk


New Favorites-

"Forever" - Ben Harper
"I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz
"Better Together" - Jack Johnson


Up Next-



"Have a Little Faith in Me" - John Hiatt
"How Deep is Your Love" - The Bird and The Bee
"You Are The Best Thing" - Ray LaMontagne


Courtni's Top Picks-

"Angel" - Jack Johnson

"Home" - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
 

 "You Make It Real" - James Morrison

"Marry Me" - Train

"I'll Always Be Right There" - Bryan Adams

Countdown Calendar

Photo credit:  Audrey Hannah

12 Months

• Choose wedding theme and style
• Work out a basic budget; research reception venues
• Determine number of guests
• Research wedding pros (photography, videographers, reception bands or DJ's, ceremony musicians). Set up appointments to review portfolios, tapes and recordings.

11 Months

• Determine theme/decorations for your reception
• Meet with several caterers; arrange for tasting
• Select and book a caterer
• Reserve musicians/DJ for reception
• Begin making musical selections
• Book wedding videographer and photographer; make a list of photos, such as ceremony shots and reception shots that you would like your photography to recreate.
• Research and interview florists
• Select and reserve your ceremony venue and schedule a rehearsal dinner.
• Choose reception venue; negotiate contract and leave a deposit.
• Start browsing for gowns.
• Choose wedding party members and ask them to participate in your celebration
• Meet with your officiant to discuss the ceremony
• Determine your honeymoon budget

10 Months

• Select and order your wedding gown (it can take 6-9 months for a dress to come in)
• If your ceremony or reception will be held in a park or recreational area, obtain necessary permits

9 Months

• Register for gifts
• Decide on the food and liquor to be served at your reception
• Begin to prepare a playlist of wedding-reception musical selections. (must plays and do not plays.)
• Select and order your headpiece, veil, gloves and shoes.
• Research airline, hotel and rental-car reservations for guests.

8 Months

• Go to first gown fitting (invite your maid of honor to attend)
• Choose and order bridesmaid dresses and accessories
• Research a variety of wedding ring styles
• Select florist; discuss theme and style
• Mail Save the Dates to out-of-town guests

7 Months

• Discuss attire with groomsmen and make referrals to local formalwear store
• Select attire for flower girl and/or ring bearer
• Determine the design, wording, font and paperstock for your wedding invitations, stationery, table cards and thank-you cards; finalize order.
• (If needed) arrange a printer or hire a calligrapher for table cards
• Determine order of ceremony events and choose appropriate wording for your programs
• Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms for guests

6 Months

• Review and approve proofs of invitations and stationery
• Discuss the type of honeymoon you want, start reading up on potential destinations.
• Select and order your wedding rings
• Purchase bridal accessories; jewelry, lingerie and so on.
• (If needed) Choose and order something fun for guests to throw after your ceremony (rose petals, confetti, bird seed or my personal favorite, feathers.)
•  

5 Months

• Order table cards; place print order for programs
• Finalize choice of honeymoon destination
• Taste a variety of wedding cakes and select a baker; place cake order and arrange for delivery
• Secure reservations for rehearsal dinner and select menu

4 Months

• Determine method of addressing invitations and hire a calligrapher, if applicable
• Print labels, and hand address - or have a calligrapher address - invitations
• Write or choose your wedding vows
• Have groom visit formalwear shops and try on tuxedos
• Purchase or rent groom's wedding accessories, including tuxedo, cuff links, shoes, socks and so on.
• Make honeymoon reservations and place all deposits

3 Months

• Review and approve wedding announcement and printed printed program proofs
• Make appointment with stylist and/or hairdresser to discuss your wedding hairstyle. (Do same with make up artist if you're hiring a professional.)
• Take another look at your registry and update or add items
• Create hotel information cards and maps to include with your invitations
• Shop for wedding favors

2 Months

• Weigh, purchase postage for and mail invitations
• Go to final gown fitting; arrange for pickup or delivery 
• Have groom's formalwear fitted
• Purchase gifts for all wedding-party members
• Arrange transportation for bride and groom from the ceremony site to the reception
• Purchase ceremony accessories (unity candle or sand for sand ceremony.)

6 Weeks

• Send rehearsal dinner invitations
• Write thank-you notes as your receive gifts
• Confirm music selections with musician/DJ 
• Write newspaper announcement and gather photos
• Purchase a gift for your spouse-to-be

4 Weeks

• Confirm floral order and arrange for delivery time
• Meet with ushers and assign duties for the ceremony and reception
• Discuss the details of your ceremony with your officiant 
• Determine the placement or distribution of programs at the ceremony venues
• Go in for dry run with makeup artist and make a day-of-wedding appointment
• Schedule an appointment for a manicure and/or pedicure the day before your wedding
• Finalize details with photographer and videographer, determining arrival times at each nuptial venue
• Arrange for a table card setup at reception venue
• Schedule pickup/return of groom's formalwear

3 Weeks

• Finalize list of reception guests
• Call anyone who has not responded to his or her invitation
• Determine seating arrangements for guests
• Give the final headcount to the caterer and review details 
• Arrange for delivery and placement of flowers, candle and other decorations on the day of the ceremony

1 Week

• Start packing bags for honeymoon
• Pick up your wedding dress
• Get manicure and/or pedicure the day before the wedding

Wedding Day

• Attend hairstyle appointment
• Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
• Relax and enjoy yourself!

 Post Wedding

• Submit name-change forms to driver's license, passport, Social Security card, state and federal tax boards, banks, credit cards and so on.

Photo credit : Audrey Hannah