Colin & Andrea's Wedding Day Extravaganza - Golden Gardens Park, Seattle, WA
As engaged couples move into 2011, many are sitting down with pen and pencil and making real their wishes, dreams and expectations for their wedding ceremony and wedding day.
Having been to more than a few wedding ceremonies and weddings, I invite a prospective bride and groom to consider the following:
1) It’s just one day. Yes, it’s a huge day AND it is one day. I am very taken with a couple who is focused on planning their wedding AND planning their marriage. As one plans a wedding, use the engagement period to deepen the relationship so a walk down the aisle comes with comfort, ease and grace.
2) A Pre-Wedding Freak-Out Is To Be Expected. Many years ago, I freaked out before my wedding to my husband, Greg, and we now laugh about it. Most brides and grooms do freak out before a wedding day. A wedding is big/huge and a momentous ritual of transition. If and when you freak out, hang on to your partner – have the intimate talks – chat up girlfriends and guy friends and be brave and look at what really is going on.
3) Challenge Yourself To Stay On Budget. Each year, I work with many wonderful couples. The happiest couples I see are the ones who create a wedding day budget and stick with out. Work to insure you don’t create post-wedding sticker shock.
4) Be Brave And Create A United Front. Sit down together and decide together what you want and what you don’t want for your wedding day. Keep a united front with family and friends. If things come up, deal with them…together. Navigate the choppy and joyful waters of wedding planning with joint intention.
5) A Wedding Is SO NOT About Perfection. It’s about imperfection. Most wedding days are imperfectly perfect and full of last minute juggling, snafus, funsy moments and unexpected surprises. And in the end, I often find it is the imperfect moments that create a perfect wedding day.
6) Bottom Line? Strive To Become a Bridechilla and Groomchilla! I was at a wedding last night at Willows Lodge and was chatting with band leader Michael Benson. He was at a wedding last month where the bride was toasted as a “Bridechilla” – happy, peaceful, calm and with a “roll with it attitude.” Here is to all of my Bridechillas and Groomchillas in 2011!
After months of creative endeavor and a moderate amount of creative angst, I am delighted to announce the launch of my new wedding website:
