Be Prepared!

Tips for the Bride

* Wear a white kimono over your dress after you are put in it until your big reveal.
* Test your bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets for drops of water or color release by wiping the side of the bouquet across a white towel. (Some flowers do give off color).
* Have lambswool (sticky back type) available for your shoes, if needed
* Have an emergency kit -- bandaids, needle and thread (white or ivory, or the colors of your dress and your attendants' dresses), safety pins, styptic pencil, tweezers, q-tips, face tissue, make-up remover stick (works great on eye make-up smudges), aspirin, spot remover appropriate for your dress (note: you must check with your dress manufacturer or dry cleaner about which spot remover can be used on your dress), corn starch or baby powder for minor spills to your dress, extra stockings, extra underwear, masking tape, scotch tape, scissors and antacids.
* Don't drink -- you're already at risk of being spaced out -- don't ruin your reception by being drunk or sick (yes, it has happened...)
* If you don't have a coordinator, have a go-to friend who will handle details, like your purse, and taking you to the bathroom...
* Have someone (a friend or coordinator) with your photo checklist so you make sure you get all the shots you want. Your photographer is moving rapidly in the moment and may need to be reminded of certain shots.
* It is nice to take photos with each couple/guest so that they can have a photo keepsake -- even if you just email it to them. It makes guests feel that they are a part of your big day!
* Make sure you talk to each of your guests and thank him/her for coming!
* Don't fight with anyone on your wedding day. (Trust me -- this is a biggie!).
* Get sleep and don't drink the night before the wedding -- you will need all your energy. After all, you are going to be the star of a major production!
* Have fun at your Wedding!

And this post is written with love for my niece Linda, and my cousin, Elke -- two beautiful Brides-to-be! Love, Paula

Gone Bridal

I dreampt I walked down a very long petal-strewn aisle, on the arm of my father, and that everyone was looking at me. My cousin, Jenny smiled at me and stood up, and everyone else followed suit. But I didn't dream it. I did it. I only feels like a dream. And four and a half years later, the feeling of that walk is still there, the feeling of unreality that I was the one in the big white dress, with the veil and tiara, bouquet and long train. It is nice to have, what I call, endorphin memories -- memories that take one back to a time and a place of perfection and holiness. My wedding, for me, was such a time. Walking to the Chuppah was walking towards God, towards the sanctification of the union that would be my marriage. And which today, is my marriage.

Here Comes the Bride

Getting married is usually the biggest thing to happen to a girl or woman. Suddenly, not only is she in love and happy, she is about to change her whole entire life -- her identity, her responsibilities, her relationships, her lifestyle -- in short everything about her life will change the instant she is pronounced "Wife." Pretty scary, huh? It usually is, to most women. But most women don't have time to think about the scary part -- they are too busy with the registry, picking out china and silver and flatware, planning the wedding, deciding on a venue, D.J. or band, the flowers, the food, and, of course, the Dress. Once a Bride is into the process it hits them -- suddenly, it's not just fun and shopping and planning. Now everyone in the family has an opinion. The groom isn't happy. His mother wants to add her two cents. What do you do? Every bride needs someone to talk to -- someone outside the main event who can provide a safe space for the Bride to rest outside the experience and look at it. And see it. And that person is a Bridal Coach. A Bridal Coach is a professional Life Coach, trained in Life Coaching techniques and modalities, who adheres to Life Coaching ethics and standards and who specializes in coaching Brides. Most Bridal coaches have themselves been Brides and have walked the aisle. Bridal Coaching is available to empower the Bride in a true sense so that she can enjoy every aspect of her Engagement, Wedding planning, the Wedding itself and her new life as a Wife.