Bridal Readiness

You're getting married. You've got the guy, the ring, the date, and the venue. Everything is falling into place perfectly. But wait. You are doing more than having the party of your life featuring a big white dress. You, my dear, are changing identities. You are leaving that single girl and that child/daughter behind...You are about to become a married woman, a grown woman with her own home, husband and family. The process of crossing this bridge entails a lot more than planning a wedding... When I coach Brides, they are dealing with the present and the future. But what about the past? Is there anything you haven't finished. Anyone you haven't said goodbye to? Any closure you need? If you say no, think again. Have you gotten rid of all the gifts and cards and trinkets from all your old boyfriends? What about the lingerie you wore with another man? Or the jewelry he gave you? Is there anyone you need to tell that you are getting married? Before you begin your new life, think of how you want to create a sacred space with your new husband. Part of that is letting go of the intimacy you may have shared with others. There is only room in your marriage for the two of you. Although you will not read this in popular magazines, my best advice to you is for both of you to leave all prior relationships in the past. Don't talk about them, don't bring them into your house. Why? Because they will be an invasion of the sacred space of two of you are creating. Best Wishes for a wonderful Married Life together!

Surprise!

From the TV show mobbed with Howie Mandell

And You Thought You Had Wedding Woes!!!

From Reuters -- ..HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's plan to get married this weekend faced a second legal challenge on Thursday from another woman who said she was romantically involved with him, fuelling a scandal that has already hurt his reputation. The dispute has handed long-serving President Robert Mugabe political ammunition as he seeks to extend his three-decade rule in an election expected within a year since Tsvangirai is his main rival. On Thursday, Nosipho Regina Shilubane, a South African woman, lodged a legal challenge to try to block the premier's wedding, the day after the High Court threw out an application by another former lover to halt the ceremony. In papers filed at a magistrates court she said she was engaged to Tsvangirai after being introduced to him by her church pastor at a hotel in South Africa in September 2009. Shilubane, who did not appear in court, said Tsvangirai had taken her on holiday to Singapore, the Seychelles and Botswana and that the two were "still engaged to be married". Tsvangirai's colorful private life has come under scrutiny since the death of his wife Susan in a car crash in 2009, with local media reveling in stories of his relationships with numerous women. The other woman keen to halt the wedding - Locardia Karimatsenga - is appealing a judge's decision to reject her challenge to Tsvangirai's marriage to fiancee Elizabeth Macheka. If the wedding were blocked it would be a major embarrassment for Tsvangirai, who had been expected to invite Mugabe, his political partner in a fractious coalition formed after a disputed 2008 election, as well as some foreign leaders to the ceremony. While 88-year-old Mugabe has been criticized for turning what was once one of Africa's strongest economies into a basket case, Tsvangirai is now being publicly questioned over his dealings with women and money. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

The Wedding Dance Video!

Watch them go! From You Tube

Thank you notes!

If you are the Bride, make sure you write your thank you notes as soon as possible for all your gifts -- Engagement, Bridal Shower and Wedding. Thank the giver, reference the gift and possibly your use of it, and if the giver attended the wedding, include wording to the effect that "We were happy you were able to share our special day with us." A handwritten thank you is still the gold standard for wedding, engagement and shower gifts. Many brides use thank you notes printed in the same font as their invitations. Others use a thank you care featuring a wedding photo. A cute idea is a photo of the Bride and Groom holding up signs (one each) with the words, Thank You! Some "high tech" brides are also texting or emailing friends, relatives, etc. photos of themselves holding or using the gift. This does not replace the formal thank you note, but is a sweet addition to those who have the time to do so. It connects the giver, receiver and gift and provides a kind of "history" of the giver's participation in the event! Note: If you do not like the gift, plan to use or even keep it, you are still obligated to write a thank you note. You can use phrases like "there are no words" or "thank you for your unique gift," thereby maintaining etiquette without having to lie. The most important elements are that the thank you notes are timely and heartfelt! And if you are overwhelmed, trying Bridal Coaching! Perfect Bridal Coaching for the Bride.

Engagement Gift Etiquette

The following etiquette rules are from Emily Post's Weddings by Peggy Post (her daughter-in-law), Third Edition (New York, HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1999): From the following website: http://www.do-it-yourself-gifts.com/wedding-gift-etiquette.html Wedding Gift Etiquette : Engagement Gifts

"Traditionally, engagement presents are given only by close relatives and intimate friends upon the announcement of your engagement and are almost always intended especially for the bride. When the engagement party is a small dinner, cocktail party, or luncheon and a guest wants to give a gift, he or she takes it to the party. If everyone brings a gift, the bride-to-be may open them as part of the festivities. When the party is a large reception or cocktail party, gifts are not generally taken; if they are, they should not be opened during the party, to avoid embarrassing those guests who (correctly) did not bring any. The bride-to-be may decide to give her fiance a small engagement present, such as a pair of cuff links, a watch, or a key chain. These items may be engraved with the date of the engagement."

From Australia -- Top 100 Love Songs for Weddings Chosing songs for your wedding DJ to play, Wedding Band to perform or even for your Wedding Video music has now been made easier with Wedding Central's Top 100 Hits, Songs, Singles. Wedding Love Songs Need some ideas for romantic wedding love songs? Romantic love songs are a feature of every wedding. The slower tempo of love songs is ideal for the first dance by the bride and groom and also the father-daughter dance. Top 20 Classic Love Songs Top 10 Popular Love Songs Top 10 Extra Cheesy Love Songs Top 100 Love Songs of All Time From: http://mag.weddingcentral.com.au/music/songs/love-songs.htm