Merry Christmas

Peace on earth will come to stay,
When we live Christmas every day

-Helen Steiner Rice

Wedding Music Wednesday: Destiny Child

Destiny Child is today's selection. I hope you enjoy.

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks selection is by Darlene Love. Hope you enjoy and have a great Wednesday.

Wedding Music Wednesday

Starting my holiday music that would be perfect for a wedding this time of year.This weeks selection is Rhianna. I hope you enjoy and have a happy Wednesday.

Wedding Music Wednesday

I think that this is a beautiful song. Really listen to the words. Enjoy!!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

This is a beautiful song. A Song for You by Donny Hathaway is perfect for a wedding. Enjoy!!!

I am happy to have Ashanti's "Happy" as this weeks selection. Hope you are having a happy Wednesday.

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks selection is Ciara's "Speechless". Have a happy Wednesday.

Wedding Blog of the Week

You need a little photo inspiration, then check out the Wedding Cabaret. Each post is full of wonderful, colorful photos of wedding ideas. Enjoy and have a good weekend.

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks selection is "Loving You" by Minnie Riperton. Enjoy.

Wedding Blog of the Week

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Weddings are expensive, but reading The Broke-Ass Bride seems to take some of the sting out of it. Check all the real wedding videos, budget friendly wedding ideas and funny post.  Have a great weekend.

First Kiss



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One of the main attractions at a wedding is the first kiss after being pronounced husband and wife. What was yours like or how do you want yours to go? Per my photographer, my first kiss with my husband was to quick. It worked for us. We really are not much into slobbing each other down in public.

According to eHow there are some steps to ensure that you have that perfect wedding kiss...

•1 Talk to your spouse-to-be about the kiss. Discuss what you both want to do for a wedding kiss.



•2 Ask family members and friends about their wedding kiss. Find out what techniques other people that you're close with used for their wedding kiss. This will give you some idea about what you and your significant other want to do and not do for your wedding kiss.



•3 Watch other wedding kisses. You could watch videos online and even some of those wedding television shows to see how other couples kissed on their wedding day.



•4 Practice the wedding kiss with your future husband or wife. Just like with most activities, practice makes perfect. Once you know what type of kiss you want to have on your wedding day, practice doing it.



•5 Remember to keep the kiss classy. There should no tongue in your wedding kiss. The kiss should also last no longer than three seconds. Save the making out for your honeymoon.

So...what do you think about what is an appropriate wedding kiss? Let us know.

Wedding Music Wednesday

Phyllis Hyman has a beautiful voice. I hope you enjoy today's selection. Happy Wednesday.

Wedding Music Wednesday

Always a crowd pleaser, Ms. Mary J. Blige. Enjoy!!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

You need the scoop on weddings check out One Wed's Savvy Scoop. Have a good weekend.

Wedding Blog of the Week

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Have a lovely day with One Lovely Day by Project Wedding Blog. You will find fun and informative ideas for your lovely day. Have a good weekend!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

To find daily inspiration for sylish brides and grooms check out Brenda's Wedding Blog. Click here to see more.

Have a great weekend!!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

I love this song. This week's selection is "For You" by Kenny Lattimore. Enjoy!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

This one is an oldie but a goodie. I have this song on album. This weeks selection is "You Are My Lady" by Freddie Jackson.

Congratulations

A big congratulations, goes out to my friend Alena and her new husband Kennneth. They jumped the broom in beautiful Jamacia this past Saturday. I am sure it was a blessed day for all.

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks selection is "Never Gonna Let You Go" by Faith Evans. Enjoy!!!

My Invitation Must Have Gotten Lost In the Mail

Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs. Marc Mezinsky. My invitation must have gotten lost...like so many. Wishing Chelsea and Marc all the best.

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Wedding Blog of the Week

Bride and Soul is a blog written by Ms. M who loves the color yellow and weddings. Nice resource for brides and grooms of color. Click here to check her out.

Wedding Music Wednesday

This week's selection is "I Love You" by Faith Evans. I have this song on many of my slow song cd's. Enjoy!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

Brian and Nicole are getting hitched at To Have & To Hold. Check the this blog as the continue their wedding planning process. Have a great weekend.

Congratulations

Congrats go out to my friend Lynnette and her now husband Carence, on their wedding that took place last Saturday in Key West. Hope that you are having fun on your honeymoon.

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks selection is "He Proposed" by Kelly Price. Enjoy!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

Here is another bride who took the leap from Ms. to Mrs. on June 12, 2010. Check out Laura Lou at Lucky in Love to see how she made her wedding come true. Have a good weekend.

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks selection is Better Man by Musiq Soulchild. Love his music. Enjoy!!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

This little bird has flown the coop. Stephanie has gotten married at A little Birdie Weds. See her process as she went from Ms. to Mrs. in her June 2010 wedding. Have a good weekend.

Wedding Music Wednesday

Joy by Blackstreet is this weeks selection. Enjoy!!

Happy 4th of July

Today is a nice day for a red, white and blue wedding. Have a great 4th of July.

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Wedding Blog of the Week

Check out this Northern girl as she marries a Southern boy at he asked. i said yes. 

Have a great weekend!!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

Everytime I Close My Eyes is this weeks selection by Babyface. Enjoy!!!

Poll: What Type of Wedding Gifts Do You Give?

I know when I got gifts for my wedding, I got alot of gift cards and money. Which was great and the money helped on the honeymoon. What type of wedding gifts do you give?

Real Weddings: Lisa and Todd

I have been helping my friend Lisa over the past few months, with her wedding. I am her day of coordinator. She is gettting married next week. Over next week or so I will be posting about projects and ideas that you might want to use from her wedding to yours.

Their love story began over 4 years ago, when they met at a friends picnic and became inseperatble the rest of the evening. Even though they had to have a long distance relationship, love prevailed. I am so happy for them and the new start of their life together.

Wedding Music Wednesday

When I First Saw You is a song sung by Jamie Foxx and Beyonce' in the movie DreamGirls. I think that is pretty and could be fitting for a wedding. Enjoy!!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

This week's selection is the Wedding Song by Kenny G. I love the images that are shown during the song. Enjoy!!!

Poll: What is the best thing about your fiance?

Wedding Music Wednesday

This is one of my favorite songs of all time.  I actually had it on my wedding cd and played during my reception. Enjoy!!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

Looking for wedding resources from experts and brides alike. Check out the wedloft by weddingwindow.

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks selection is Incomplete by Sisqo. Enjoy!!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

Check out Ashley at Bride on a Budget and see how she put her pink themed wedding together.

Have a great weekend.




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Wedding Music Wednesday

Promise by Jagged Edge a pretty song. Really listen to the words. Enjoy!! Click here to hear the song.

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Tuesday Trends-- Party Dress

There are more and more brides who are opting to have two dresses for their big day, one for the ceremony and the other for reception.  This allows for the bride to get rid  of the heavy dress for a lighter and sometimes shorter one to party in. Not all budgets will allow for this to occur...I knew my did not. I fortunatly found a wedding dress that I could make some modiifcations on so that I could have what my mom called, "A twofer",(slang for two for one). My wedding dress had a jacket to it which my train was attached to. I wore the jacket to the ceremony and then for the reception I changed so that I did not have to hold it all night. My wedding dress without the jacket was a simple, white stapless white gown that did not have alot of fluff to it, so it allowed me to comfortable the whole night. Here are some other options if  you want " A twofer":

• Some designers are now creating dresses that you can detach certain parts of the dress to make it look totally different from ceremony to reception. 
• Check out sample or clearance sales for another dress that is within your budget.
• Check out wedding website for another brides dress that was worn once. You might be able to find a great deal on dress that you might be able to alter cheaply.
• Ask your local wedding shop. They might work a deal with you if you either have purchased your wedding dress or your bridesmaids dresses there.
• Ask a friend, your mom or a local seamstress to make your reception dress cheaply.

 Here is my wedding gown with my lace jacket that I wore for the ceremony. I loved the long train and all of the lace.

Here I am partying at the reception with my sorority sisters. I had my mom make me a shrug in my wedding colors and  a matching sash. The sash was attached with a rhinestone pin that matched my jewelry. I was so comfortable at my wedding reception and I was really able to enjoy the evening. I got lots of compliments on both of the looks.

Wedding Blog of the Week

Need more resources for planning you wedding. Check this site for some inspiration.

Have a good weekend!!!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

I hope you enjoy listening to Crazy Love by Brian McKnight.

Wedding Music Wednesday

Good Ole' Mary J. Blige with Be Without You is this weeks selection. The video have my man in it Terrance Howard...he is cute. Enjoy!!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

Taylor Swift's Love Story is this weeks pic. Enjoy!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

Yes Bride is a new bridal website where you can search, buy and sell bridal items. The site also has a blog and bridal forums. Check it out...you surely will find something to peak your interest.
Have a great weekend.

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks selection is Pachelbel Canon in D Major by Johanne Pachelbel. It is a pretty song and can be used as an interlude or as a processional song.

Wedding Blog of the Week

Follow Ms. Wedding Crasher as she plans her destination wedding at 

The Wedding's Crashers Guide to Planning

Have a Happy Friday!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks pick is one of the many pretty songs that Brian McKnight has to offer. This song is called "Love of My Life". Enjoy!!!

Happy 1st Anniversary

We took this step into marriage one year ago today. We continue to walk together through good times and bad. It has been a wonderful year of marriage and I have really been blessed. I pray for many more years, of walking through life together.

Wedding Blog of the Week

Follow  A Chocolate Lover's Confessions, as she plans her September 2010 wedding. You can find yummy recipes, her wedding planning process and things about her everyday life. Have a good weekend!!!

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Love Language

This weeks reading is called " True Love" and the author is unknown.

True Love

True love is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.
True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds,
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines.

poem found here

Wedding Music Wednesday

Since this Sunday is my first wedding anniversary, I wanted to share one of my songs from my ceremony. I used this song as the processional for my wedding party and myself. I think it is so pretty and speaks to my relationship to my husband and our relationship with God. Enjoy!!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

Trying to plan a cross country wedding. Get some tips from the Bicoastal Bride. Follow Heather as she plans her wedding while living in Washington D.C and getting married in California. Have a great weekend.

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Love Language

This weeks reading is by Anon. Enjoy!!!

 

Oath of Friendship -- Anon., China, 1st Century B.C.

I want to be your friend

For ever and ever without break or decay.

When the hills are all flat

And the rivers are all dry,

When it lightens and thunders in winter,

When it rains and snows in summer,

When Heaven and Earth mingle

Not 'til then will I part from you.

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Wedding Music Wednesday

This is a beautiful song. I had this song on my wedding cd that I gave to guest. This weeks selection is "Halo" by Mrs. Jay-Z, Beyonce'. Enjoy!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

To get wedding planning advice and to follow several brides to be...check out  The Weddzilla Blog.  I am sure that you will find something helpful or even a little funny. Have a great weekend!!

Love Language

This weeks reading comes from 1 Cornithians 13: 4-13. It is from the King James Version of the Bible.

⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Wedding Music Wednesday

Here is this weeks Wedding Music Wednesday, " You for Me" by Johnny Gill. You might recongize the movie from Tyler Perry's "Family Reunion". Enjoy!!!

Tuesday Trends--Comfort Foods

A new trend in 2010, which I feel that is not really new but been reintroduced is having comfort food being served. At one time is was thought of as taboo to have hamburgers and fries or mac-n-cheese with bar-b-cue beef for a wedding reception, but now a days brides and grooms want to have their favorite or familiar foods served, instead of the standard chicken and green beans. I was totally on this wave-length when planning my wedding reception food. I always said that I wanted a soul-food dinner, because I know there would be foods that I loved along with my guest. I think by having the menu that I did allowed for more of a party atmosphere which made our reception more fun. Click here to see my wedding reception menu.

Sometimes if you serve food that is unfamiliar to your guest and to you, if makes for a unpleasant environment. It will waste money if your guest will not eat the food that you purchased and had prepared for your special day. Choose wisely or it could be costly.

In serving food at your reception choose food that you like, because  it reflects you as a couple but also will make it more enjoyable for your guest.

Wedding Blog of the Week

She only has 56 days left, until she marries the man of her dreams. Come and follow Genevieve's Wedding as she finishes her final details for her May 15 wedding. 

Wedding Blog of the Week

Follow Karen at Serving Thirty-Nine to Wife as she plans her upcoming October wedding.  She has not dreamed of her wedding since she was 6, but now she is taking her inspiration to plan the wedding of her dreams. Enjoy reading!! Have a great weekend!!

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Love Language

This weeks reading comes from the Song of Solomon in the Bible. It will be coming from the King James version, but you can use any version that you choose.

Song of Solomon 2:10-13

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,and the vines with tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Wedding Music Wednesday

Welcome to wedding music Wednesday. This weeks selection is a song that I had played while we did the lighting of the unity candle. It is "I Promise" by CeCe Winans. Enjoy!!!  (P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day)

Love Language

This weeks reading is from "The Prophet" by Kahil Gibran. Enjoy!!!

Excerpt from "The Prophet" by Kahil Gibran
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise on your lips.

reading found here

Wedding Blog of the Week

For great wedding resources that vary from bridal shower games, how to pamper the flower or how to pick the right invitation..check out The Budget-Minded Bride Blog. There are several links for additional resources and vendors on the site. Have a great weekend.

One More Month to Go

One more month to go....until it is officially a year!!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks selection is "My Destiny" by Jim Brickman. Enjoy!!!

Wedding Blog of the Week

She is getting married this weekend. The Relentless Bride will go from Ms. to Mrs. Check out her blog to she what she did leading up to her big. Congratulations.....Relentless Bride. Have a good weekend!!!

Love Language

This weeks reading is by Lord Byron. Enjoy!!

"She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

reading found here

Wedding Music Wednesday

This weeks song is Ava Maria sung by Luciano Pavarotti. I actually had this song sung during my ceremony. I think it is just beautiful. Enjoy!!!

Tuesday Trends--- Homemade Favors

Favors are a big deal at a wedding. It is a way that the bride and groom express their thanks to their guest. Making the favors are a cost effective way to do this. When I was planning my wedding I knew that I wanted to have Cd's. I thought that the Cd's were really reflective of my husband and I as people, especially since we love music and our friends know that. I made two Cd's one that had christian music on it, since I had alot of people from my church and did not want to offend them, and one with secular music on it. I must admit that downloading the music and burning 200 Cd's was time consuming but it was worth it.  I have received lots of comments about the CD and people are still jamming to them today.

I did not want to leave the few kids and the kids at heart out, so I made a coloring book that had the bridal party in it along with some puzzles. I had to admit that I stocked up on crayons to give with the coloring books, during back to school season which made them boxes really cheap. Click here to see my previous post about the coloring books and the link to make one of your own.



Here are some of the cost effective ideas that you might be able to use:

• Cd's
• Have a food item as a favor such as jam with the wedding label on it or cookies in the shape of the first initial of your last name.
• Bookmarks
• Bottle stoppers

These are a few ideas, but find the one that is right for you.

When choosing a favor, make sure that it something that is cost effective, that your guest can use after the wedding, something that will make them remember your special day every time that they use it and that it reflects you.

Wedding Blog of the Week

If you need a resource guide for all things wedding...check out The Bridal Bar. You can find resources from photographers to linens to catering. Have a great weekend.

Love Language

I know  when I was planning my wedding, I was looking for just the right reading or poem to be apart of my special day. I will be posting, some of the readings that I have found that you might want to use for your wedding. Here is the poem that I had read at my ceremony.

" In and Out of Time" by Maya Angelou

The sun has come.

The mist has gone.

We see in the distance...our long way home.

I was always yours to have.

You were always mine.

We have loved each other

in and out of time.

When the first stone looked up at the blazing sun and the first tree struggled up from the forest floor

I had always loved you more.

You freed your braids...gave your hair to the breeze.

It hummed like a hive of honey bees.

I reached in the mass for the sweet honey comb there....Mmmm...God how I love your hair.

You saw me bludgeoned by circumstance.

Lost, injured, hurt by chance. 

I screamed to the heavens....loudly screamed....Trying to change our nightmares to dreams...

The sun has come.

The mist has gone.

We see in the distance our long way home.

I was always yours to have.

You were always mine.

We have loved each other in and out

in and out

in and out 

of time. 

Wedding Music Wednesday

"You" by Jesse Powell is the pick of the week. Enjoy!

Tuesday Trends---Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses

I have seen more and more weddings going this way. This can be done in two ways, one you can allow your bridesmaids to select a dress in the color of your choice. Allowing your bridesmaids to do this allows them to pick out a dress that they may want to wear again and also allows them to set their own budget point for their dress.

The second way, the way that I did it, I selected the skirt and allowed my bridesmaids to select the top that they were comfortable with . I also allowed them to select their own shoes, along as they were dyeable so that they could all be the same color. I must say they all went all out to see who chose the best shoes. I still think that mine were the best, since they were dyed the same color as theirs. I think that the benefits to this are that each person can select a top that they are comfortable in. Even though the tops are different they are uniformed by color. I got alot of compliments about how my bridal party looked. I think that they looked great, even if I do say so myself.

Are your bridesmaids wearing the same attire or are you doing something a little different?

Wedding Blog of the Week

She has 7 months to go until her wedding. Follow Kisha at Hoppin the Broom  as she gets her finalize preparations for her wedding and get some neat ideas  for yourself along the way. Have a Great weekend.

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Wedding Music Wednesday

K-Ci and JoJo are this weeks pick. They had a few songs that I could have selected but I chose "All My Life". Enjoy.

Tuesday Trends---Birdcage Veils

I am surprised that birdcage veils were suppose to be a trend for this year.  I thought that this was a trend last year. I actually wore one in my wedding and I loved it. The regular veils, just seemed to make me itch every time someone put one on my head. I felt so elegant, sophisticated and retro when I wore by birdcage veil.I think that birdcage veils come in so many different styles and colors, that they offer so many different choices for brides these days.

Click here to see some of my other postings about birdcage veils. I must say I did a few when I was planning my wedding wear.

Are you wearing or did you wear a birdcage veil or a regular veil?

Wedding Blog of the Week

Follow Christin at A Classy, Southern Bride  over the next few months as she plans her October 2010 wedding. She has lots of budget friendly ideas. Have a great weekend.

10 months Down .....2 To Go

Today is our 10 month anniversary. Happy 10 months...2 more until we make it officially a year.

Wedding Music Wednesday

"At Last" by Etta James is this weeks pick. Enjoy!!

Tuesday Trends--Beyond a Year Engagement

I do not think that this is a new trend, just that since weddings are expensive, more couples are taking there time to plan the wedding that they want along with obtaining the funds to pay for it. I must admit that when I got engaged that I wanted to get married the following year. I was kinda of pissed off when I could not, due to my now husband stating that we need more time to save money and plan. By time I actually got married I had been engaged for a year and 4 months.  Even though I had the support of my mother for my wedding, waiting longer to married really worked out. I was able to get the venue that I wanted and if I got married earlier I would not have since they book in advance. I was able to take the time to make alot of the things that I wanted for my wedding such as the programs, coloring books and petal cones. Even though it the expenses do not go down, but it was nice to spread the exprenses out.

Beyond the expenses, I think that a longer engagement allows you to reflect on the impending wedding and enjoy just being engaged. Most of my friends who now currently engaged, have been engaged since either late 2008 or early 2009 and will be getting married this year. Being engaged longer does not seem so much as a trend, but more of the norm.

What do you think about having an engagement past a year?

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Wedding Blog of the Week

Come and follow Bel at "And Stanley Makes Three"  as she tries to plan her 2010 wedding on the cheap. You might want to get some great ideas for a fabulous wedding on a budget. Have a great weekend!

Wedding Music Wednesday

This week it is the Righteous Brother singing "Unchained Melody". Enjoy.

Tuesday Trends

As so many brides get ready for their big day, each year there are new trends. From what I have been reading, some of these trends do not look so new, tell me what you think. Here is the 2010, trend for the week....

Backyard Weddings-- I think that part of this is due to the economy. It more economical. A backyard wedding, can create an intimate mood and allows for the whole family to get involved. I thought of this option when I was planning my wedding, but everyone told me that I was crazy. The idea kinda went out of the window when we changed the month of the wedding from October to April. Below are some ideas of what you can do at your backyard wedding.

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For more resources on how to plan your backyard wedding, check out Life123 and  Brides.com .

Wedding Blog of the Week

Check out Tina at "With This Ring, I Obsess". She is funny and full of resources. Have a great weekend!!

Wedding Music Wednesday

Music is big part of a wedding. It helps set the tone for the whole event. Over the next few weeks I will be sharing some of the best wedding songs of all time. If you have suggestions that you feel should be on the list, contact me.

Wedding Blog of the Week

She is almost to the finish line.  She also is using one of the colors that I used for my wedding. Follow her journey as she goes from Bridal Bliss to wedded bliss.

Have a Good weekend!!!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Dr. King and Mrs. King were married 15 years before his untimely death in 1968. If they can be married that long, though all the turmoil of the 60's, we can all find a way to work through any problem in our marriages. On this day not only remember Dr. King's dream for all of us, but also always remember the dreams that you have for your marriage.