Brides are fortunate.  Unlike our dear grooms, we have the marvelous privilege of enjoying not one but two beautiful rings.  Even though this tradition is entirely unfair to the groom, we chose to follow it.  Truthfully, I can’t complain.  I love my engagement ring so incredibly much, but the idea of getting a wedding band that matches Jordan’s delights me.  I enjoy the thought of having a visual connection to each other at all times.  In moments of anxiety or sadness, I simply need to glance down, see my rings, and feel gratified that he will always be there for me.  Note: I said rings rather than ring.

I believe it was two years ago around my Birthday that he presented me with the claddagh ring that I have worn every moment since.  (If you want to know what a claddagh ring is, take a look at my article on wedding traditions at http://www.squidoo.com/old-wedding-traditions-make-for-great-wedding-trends.)  Jordan had the ring inscribed with “Amare sine timore,” Latin for “to love without fear.”  (He is a Latin major and will be pursuing a Master’s degree in Latin and teaching starting in the Fall.)  Needless to say, my man has been spoiling me from the beginning.  I already have two rings that remind me of his love, and now I get another that will represent our union.  What more could a girl ask for?

My claddagh ring

Finding the perfect wedding band is no simple task.  My fiancé and I were looking at rings for several weeks trying to figure out the styles we mutually admired.  We decided we wanted something lasting and simple but also spectacularly out-of-the ordinary.  We came across a pair of rings online from a seller known as Minter & Richter.  They custom make very creative, beautifully crafted titanium rings.  They offer a variety of different inlay options, but we chose to get some wooden ones.  We felt wood suited us the best because we each have a deep appreciation for nature, especially forests.  I feel a great attachment to trees and still often find myself reading, writing or drawing beneath the many branches dancing in the breeze.  Jordan then proposed we improve the already flawless rings by inscribing them with the Latin words that he had previously used on my claddagh ring, “Amare sine timore.”  The rings could not be more perfect.

We ordered them far in advance, just in case we would need some extra time to tackle any complications.  Little did I know, we would actually soon confront an important issue.  Jordan already knew my rings size, having bought me two rings already, but he had to measure his own finger to the best of his ability.  I must now advise you all to make your man go and get his finger sized professionally so that you will know for sure his ring size.

When the rings arrived, my own fit phenomenally well.  Jordan’s, on the other hand, was rather large.  He took it into the local jeweler who sadly informed him that he could not resize a titanium and wood ring, nor could he weld a piece onto it.  I was worried for a while, and we were both disappointed; however, because the ring is slightly large rather than small, we have decided that we will simply place upon it a ring guard.  He would likely need it anyway to protect the underside of the valuable object as he often works laboriously with his hands.  Jordan has also convinced himself that his hands will fill out a bit as he ages.  My heart swells at the thought of us together for years to come.

Our wedding bands

Although the situation appeared bleak at first, we managed to get over the initial disappointment and come up with a beneficial solution.  I think we were lucky though, and I encourage you, fellow brides, to be certain of your ring size and you fiancé’s to avoid unnecessary stress.  Also, be sure to check out The Wedding Mile’s ring selection at: http://theweddingmile.com/category/180-rings.  The talented sellers have some really incredible pieces worth exploring.

Selecting members for your bridal party can be strenuous. You want to share the joy with all your closest friends, but choosing the right combination and amount of bridesmaids can be a tough decision to make!

Like me, you might struggle with not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings, and making everyone feel happy and included. Sometimes it can feel like creating the guest list for a middle school birthday party. “Well if I invite her, I have to invite her too….”

* First, check with your family members. If you have sisters or cousins you are close with, that you want to included in your bridal party, check with them first. This includes the family of your fiance. If he has a sister or family members that you both want to include in the party, this would be a great way to bring your two families together!

* How many bridesmaids you’re going to have usually depends on the size of your wedding. There is a common rule that for every 50 guests you have one bridesmaid, but your party can be as intimate or grandiose as you’d like! Just remember that the more people you choose, the harder it is for everyone to come to an agreement on dresses, bachelorette party, etc.

* If your wedding is low-key and you want to keep it simple with just a maid/matron of honor, go for it! There’s no law that says you must have any number of bridesmaids. Just don’t let yourself fall down a slippery slope and ask more people than you can handle!

* Being a bridesmaid can be demanding. Make sure the people you’re choosing don’t have too many prior responsibilities that would impede their ability to do they best job they can! People that you want to be involved in your wedding but not necessarily in your bridal party can be involved in other ways, such as reading religious texts, a poem, handing out programs, etc.

* Lastly, the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen does not have to be even. You shouldn’t have to pressure pick for the sake of symmetry.

You don’t have to justify to anyone why you chose who you did to be a part of your celebration. It all depends on who you really want to be a close part of your celebration. Choose who will be most supportive and who you will have the most fun with!

BOTTOM LINE: Your bridal party should be family or friends who are there for you, and who will make your wedding an even more memorable occasion.

Whenever we talk about the wedding, my fiancé asks me what I want.  He says he would have been satisfied with simply signing some papers at the courthouse, but I think deep down we both wanted to have a ceremony that included our families.  Even so, his question repeats.  You might imagine how incredibly difficult it would be to offer an easy answer when you have to consider all of pieces of the whole production.  I want to please our guests, keep the wedding as inexpensive as possible, and stay true to us as a couple.  How can we possibly achieve all of these goals?  Here’s the game plan so far:

We have decided to keep it simple and stay close to home with a backyard wedding compliments of Jordan’s Grandma, Sharon.  Both the ceremony and the reception will take place there on the same evening.  Her yard has a tremendous amount of space and is bordered by large trees which, to us, will provide a marvelous setting for our union.  If you like this idea for your own wedding, ask your friends and family members if you might be able to arrange a wedding using their space.  Keep in mind that with this option, you must absolutely be willing to cooperate with the property owner.

Because we are having the wedding in a backyard, we need to keep the guest numbers down.  This will also help out a lot with the overall budget and keep the ceremony more intimate.  Depending on the size of your family, the guest list may or may not prove an easy task.  My fiancé has a very high number of immediate relatives, but I have very few.  Since my side looks rather slim compared to Jordan’s, we have agreed to invite our closest friends.  Friends can prove incredibly difficult to choose between, but here is my strategy: Go by your own feelings and not by anyone else’s.  Invite the people for whom you feel the greatest happiness and deepest affections.  If you haven’t spoken to someone in a year, he/she is likely not the best choice.  Invite the people who mean the most to you, the ones you could not be without on your wedding day.  Keep in mind, you will still need to include your legal representative, priest or minister, photographer, musicians, etc.

We have been so lucky in finding friends to hire for our wedding.  Everything will be so much more meaningful than if strangers were to take part.  We are thrilled to have Jordan and his Grandma’s lovely friend, Carol, perform the ceremony.  We have also asked our good friend Ryan, who is a very talented young photographer, to take photos at our wedding.  The musicians we will be hiring were found through a friend of mine, and will be an amazing addition to the ceremony.  Ask around to see if your family and friends know of anyone to hire for a more intimate and potentially less expensive gathering.

Last but not least, I am adopting my mom’s old wedding dress.  My mom brought out her old dress, yellowed from the years, and bravely put it through the washing machine.  She treated the many spots until the dress looked nearly new again.  My mom is a home-economics teacher and works wonders with a needle and thread.  She has already begun to transform the out-of-date ruffles into a new unique gown that perfectly suits me.  Instead of searching endlessly for a dress that fits perfectly, looks spectacular, feels marvelous AND doesn’t cost a fortune, consider asking the women in your family if they have any secret gems hiding in some lonely corner of their closets.

How can I answer that simple question, what do I want?  I could create an endless list of everything I might desire: flowers, trees, lights, friends, family, the sun and the moon.  But what I really want is to be with Jordan for the rest of my life.  The wedding exists for us to let the world know that we will always be together.  Everything else is a detail, a trifle of the truth.  So if on your wedding day you find yourself in the center of chaos, remember the real reason you’re there and forget the little things.

While a wedding is a celebration of love and devotion, the overall feeling of joy is sometimes lost behind the small details. There are so many aspects of this one-day celebration to take care of that the real reason for even having a wedding can become blurred. Sometimes you just need a chance to kick back and de-stress.

1. Take a walk.

There’s something revitalizing about being outdoors, with the vast sky above and the fresh air around you. Get outside and stroll through the trees, or anywhere you feel at peace. Whether you bring along a friend or just your iPod, try not to think about the big day and the craziness surrounding it.

2. Take a bath.

Take some time to pamper yourself…it’s the ultimate therapy! Submerge yourself in warm water and bubbles, letting your stress drift away. Relieving yourself of all the thoughts and plans that are constantly bouncing around and taking time to just relax is necessary to keep your cool.

3. Take part in a wedding-free activity.

Any sort of wedding-free activity, really, will divert your attention for a while and help you to return to planning with a fresh perspective, allowing you to be more productive in the long run.

These activities don’t always have to be done solo. In fact, including your future spouse – but with a “no-wedding-talk” rule in place, can serve to bring the two of closer. Take your minds off of wedding planning and, instead, relive some of the moments that brought the two of you together.

Try something that will get your heart pumping. If it’s a nice day, try hiking or rollerblading through the park. The sound of skates against pavement, the melodious chirping of the birds serving as a soundtrack for your nature hike. If the weather is not as cheery, indoor rock climbing or ice skating will do the trick. These activities will not only relieve stress by releasing adrenaline into your bloodstream, but will give you and your partner something else to do with your time besides plan the wedding. You could also test your team working skills and spur some laughs. Everyone needs a change of pace sometimes.

Things to Remember When You’re Feeling Stressed:

1. This is your wedding, and you have the ultimate say in what goes down. All the others (mothers, cousins, friends, in-laws…) can take their ideas to their own wedding, or if they are already married, should be supportive and only provide advice if needed.

2. If you do need any sort of assistance, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Now that you are joining two families, your support system has doubled!

3. This is your time. If you’re not happy in the months leading up to the big day, you are missing out on all the excitement of planning this once-in-a-lifetime event!

4. Remind yourself the reasons you decided to embark on this journey, the happiness your partner brings you and how much you both have to look forward to.

A wedding is just the celebratory start of an even more wonderful life together! Remember that, put things into perspective, and everything will turn out fine!

When did you first start crafting?

In 2011 we started making gloves as a mother and daughter project. Tracey had been sewing since she was 8 and Audrey learned from mom. We work well together and spend summer months teaching sewing to young girls at an elementary school in Carmel, California. Audrey has a unique talent for creating new ideas. Tracey has the experience to make it happen. We love working as a mother and daughter team.

What do you use for inspiration?

My daughter Audrey’s love of gloves inspired the first pair to be created after we could not find something in stores that fit her needs for a graduation ensemble.

What makes Seamstress by the Sea so unique?

We find inspiriation in vintage gloves and photos and next we hunt down laces and fabrics all over the Globe to give buyers a unique product. We create many of our patterns based on requests from buyers for something different and unique.

What appeals to you specifically about Wedding and Bridal?

Making an accessory that enhances the brides dress or adds to her wedding theme with a bit of color. We love doing the entire wedding party including the tiny flower girls and mothers of the bride and groom.

What do you consider to be the most important elements of creating and selling your pieces online?

We want a high quality product but a reasonable and affordable price. We try to carry a wide range of laces at different price points so that anyone from a bride on a budget to someone that wants to splurge can get a pair of beautiful gloves.

Tell us a story!

My favorite story is of a beautiful bride that wanted to re-create some vintage gloves worn by her Grandmother. She sent me several photos of the old tattered gloves and I was able to make something for her that was very similar to honor her grandma.

The excitement I felt from the engagement was so overwhelming that the same night I told all of my closest of close friends.  Although this was my first impulse, I can’t help but wish I had held off until morning.  I realized soon after I had fully erupted with excitement that I didn’t want to receive any more text messages or phone calls.  I especially was not ready for the most popular question, “When’s the wedding?”

My advice to you: No matter how badly you want to tell your closest friends and family members about your new engagement, try to wait until later.  I was bombarded with very loving texts and phone calls that I would have enjoyed far more the following day.  After the first wave of enthusiasm subsided, all I wanted was to be with my fiancé.  I ended up stashing my phone away so that we could bask in the moment together.

From the get-go, I asked Jordan what he had in mind for the marriage.  Communication is key, especially if you haven’t discussed wedding wishes previously.  In my case, Jordan had been brushing off the topic for weeks in order to ensure my surprise when he actually proposed.  Needless to say, we had never really talked about what we wanted to do if we decided to get married.  The number one question in my mind was “When?”  It has become very ordinary for people to get engaged and remain engaged for years.  Like many others, Jordan can be rather sloth-like when it comes to planning.  I tried to read his mind but, instead, I think he read mine.  Jordan asked me the very question that I had been thinking, and we talked about what we really wanted and what we would be willing to do financially.

Right away Jordan and I decided all we really wanted was to be married without breaking our budget.  We discussed the many options: a quick ceremony at the courthouse, in the summer, the fall, the winter or next spring.  Jordan liked the idea of the courthouse, but I wanted to be able to be with my closest friends and family.  We decided to compromise between the courthouse and a big expensive celebration.  Our wedding would be small, outdoors, and put together ourselves.

I wanted to get married soon but not so soon that we would be hectically planning.  We landed on the date August 17 of this year.  I will be done with my summer classes and we will not have started fall semester yet.  Jordan will be going to graduate school and I will be on my final semester towards my Bachelors degree.

When you begin talking about your wedding, try your very best to sort out as many details as you can and as soon as you can.  If you’re like me, doing everything without a wedding planner, you will find out quickly that there are endless pieces to connect in order to create the event that is right for you and your fiancé.  Get the most basic things out of the way first.  Consider when, how, and where you would like to be married.  Then, take a closer look and decide how many people you would like to invite and who.  This will take several days and possibly weeks to figure out, so work on that until next week when I’ll finally spill about our inexpensive wedding plans…

From the moment I said “yes” to the love of my life, I have been incredibly happy.  In fact, I don’t know that the word “happy” successfully captures the experience.  It’s more like the gentle heat you feel in your chest when you drink hot cocoa, except this warmth doesn’t fade away.  When I imagine my ideal wedding, it involves sharing this wonderful warmth with my family and closest friends.  We want to recall the beauty of our engagement, but this time allow our loved ones to take part in the experience.  I want the wedding to somehow reflect our engagement which fit so perfectly with our personalities.  If you’re wondering what our engagement was actually like.  Here’s the story:

We were vacationing on Jekyll Island, GA, with my family for Christmas break when Jordan and I decided to go for a nighttime stroll down to the beach.  It was December 28 and the air was cool but comfortable.  We walked down the sidewalk to Nelson Lane discussing how much we wished my sisters, Mindy and Maria, lived closer to Bloomington.   

We reached the street’s end, where in front of us was a tiny path leading through a large, overarching thicket.   Although light flooded the street from neighboring porch lights, the path was enveloped  in darkness.  The large bushes stretched up the sides and entwined together at the top so that we couldn’t see where one side ended and the other began.  It was as if someone had simply cut a big hole in the center of one massive shrub.  We crouched through the arched canopy of leaves stumbling through the dark.  I could feel the soft, sandy ground beneath my feet.  Jordan’s hand held mine leading me as if he saw something I couldn’t see.  

Gradually, I saw glimmers of light on leaves and holes in the brambles.  Then the sky appeared above me and the branches opened to reveal the large rocks that led down to the beach.  The moon looked massive, levitating what seemed only a few feet above the ocean.  Waves drifted toward the sand dancing in the silver moonlight.  Suddenly, Jordan was on the ground saying excitedly, “Look at this!  This is so cool.”  To be honest, I was rather alarmed and thought he might have the claw of a crab or an ancient pacifier half buried in the sand.  Not understanding that this was the moment of all moments to listen to your boyfriend, I cried out, “Ew! Put it back! Seriously, don’t pickup random things you can’t see.”  He managed to convince me to shine my cellphone light on the mysterious object in his hand.  To my astonishment, I saw an incredibly beautiful ring.  The sincerest face I have ever seen gazed up at me with the most wonderful question flowing from his lips, “Cara, will you marry me?”

Of course we already know how this story ends, and I am now attempting to plan our wedding inspired by this magical moment.  So far, we have agreed to have the ceremony in the evening with the reception following shortly afterward.  This way a beautiful canopy of stars will accompany our promises to each other, when our wishes have come true. I would also like to have an arch of flowers or vines in memory of that very creepy but beloved thicket.  We could even incorporate the name “Nelson Lane” into the wedding through some form of decoration.

If you like any of these ideas, think about drawing some inspiration from your own engagement or another very special moment that you and your fiancé have experienced together.  Consider each detail that you adore and what made it most memorable for you.  Then start brainstorming creative ideas about how you might integrate these fond memories and emotions into your wedding ceremony or reception.

Jekyll Island, GA

For those of you who want to look and feel marvelous on your wedding day, I have found some must-have treats to munch on while you await your event.  With these natural supplements and easy-to-find foods you can glow from the inside out.  Check out these vitamins and find out what they can do to help you get in tip-top shape for your special day!

Luminous Skin

 Antioxidants are great for your skin, and can help keep any damage in check.  Load up on beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins C, E, and A to give yourself that extra oomph on your wedding day.  These can be found in foods like blueberries, kale, spinach, peppers, grapefruit and strawberries.

Photo from: www.justfoodnow.com

To control any of those annoying stress bumps and breakouts, use the previous vitamins plus vitamin B5 and zinc.  You can get both of these secret weapons by eating peanuts.

Photo from: www.babyzone.com

Long, Strong Locks

 Promote hair health and growth with my personal favorite vitamin H, a.k.a. “Biotin.”  Pair that with vitamin E to prevent any hair loss and you have one unstoppable force that will improve your hair health immensely.  Foods that contain both vitamin H and E include: almonds, peanuts, and broccoli.

Photo from: blogs.mcgill.ca

Smooth, Tough Nails

 To cure any nail-ment hit up some iron, zinc, and B12 to strengthen brittle nails and smooth out any rough edges.  Eat peanuts, leafy veggies, dark chocolate, turkey, cheese and eggs to get all three.

Photo from: www.marksdailyapple.com

Energize

 Boost your energy level with vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, H, magnesium, zinc, and iron.  This sounds like a lot, but any of the above will help!  To get all of these, I would recommend taking a well-rounded multivitamin each day.

Photo from: www.cookinglight.com

Soothe Your Nerves

 If you are experiencing a case of the nerves, calm your anxieties with L-theanine, or lactium.  You can get these soothing natural supplements by drinking green tea, chamomile tea, and milk.

Photo from: www.justlivejen.com

The word “wedding” constantly reverberates through my head.  I’m beginning to feel overwhelmed by all the expectations surrounding our wedding.  Even more unsettling, I’m completely clueless as to what all of these expectations actually are. Already it feels like we have broken a major unspoken wedding law.  Our divergence from tradition seems to have begun from the moment my fiancé, Jordan, was planning to propose.

Months before he asked me to marry him, Jordan was plotting sneakily behind my back.  The first event I had overlooked was when he and I went walking around the downtown area of our hometown, Bloomington, Indiana.  Along the way, we stopped in my favorite antique mall; a three-story brick building packed to the brim with unlimited vintage and old-fashioned items.  After about an hour of wandering through mazes of ancient wooden writing desks, old forgotten books, and incredibly fragile, anxiety-inducing china dishes, we came across the glass encasement that held a series of rings (including my future engagement ring).  I commented on the lovely style, shape and color of the ring I’m wearing now, never guessing that at that moment he was wondering if he could afford it.  Little did I know that soon after that day, Jordan returned to purchase the ring that seemed so fitting for me, and bravely proceeded to ask my father for his approval.

Although my fiancé followed the marital rules of conduct by “proposing” first to my father, the ring itself has proven a surprising choice to the lovers of tradition in our family because (cue dramatic music) it has no diamond.  Luckily, Jordan listened to me instead of just giving in and buying a diamond ring.  Since he has often seen my reaction in the presence of diamond jewelry displays, he knew that I would prefer just about anything over a diamond.

Now I want to give some personal advice to you ladies out there.  If you’re in a relationship with or without the possibility of marriage, you should feel free to vocalize what you like or dislike about various jewelry pieces.   Even if your man pretends not to care, he’s listening.

One other thing: if you start thinking about getting married, remember that you don’t have to follow the advice of others.  This is your time to decide what you want, and how you want it.  My fiancé bought me a ring that fits my personality to a T.  You may decide you want a traditional diamond ring or to abolish rings altogether.  The most important rules to follow are your own.

My engagement ring

Whether it’s the pastry display at Starbucks or the baking aisle of the supermarket, cake pops are cropping up everywhere. They’ve replaced cupcakes as the “IT” dessert craze of the moment!

These adorable little desserts have also crept their way into the wedding world, to be served as dainty appetizers, yummy snacks, or finger foods for the center of the table. Some even go as far as creating a funky wedding cake consisting entirely of cake balls!

These easy-to-eat treats are easy and enjoyable to eat, and are so versatile in design, flavors, and colors. They can reflect your color scheme, or simply serve as a snack.

Can you see yourself incorporating these into your celebration? Check out this display for some cake pop possibilities.

PHOTO CREDIT:

Picture 1. Photo by Ashleigh Jayne, cake Gabby Loubiere of Brew-Ha Ha, in Baton Rouge, LA
http://www.brides.com/blogs/aisle-say/2011/08/ombre-cake-balls-wedding-cake.html

Picture 2. Photo from Bakerella
http://www.bakerella.com/wedding-cake-pops/

Picture 3. Ashleigh Jayne Photography
http://iloveswmag.com/2012/09/19/colorful-louisiana-wedding-by-tying-the-knots/

Picture 4. Oh Sweet Balls
http://www.ohsweetballs.com/cake-balls/let-them-eat-wedding-cake-balls/

Picture 5. Butter Me Up Brooklyn
http://buttermeupbrooklyn.com/2012/05/how-to-make-150-cake-pops-for-your-friends-wedding/

Picture 6. Michelle’s Patisserie
http://www.michellespatisserie.com/cake-balls/chocolate-peppermint-cake-balls-3/

Picture 7 & 8. Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats
http://sweetcheekstastytreats.blogspot.com/p/cake-pops-balls.html