Monday, August 31, 2009

More Wedding Poetry

I'm starting off the week with poetry.

Let's hear a cheer from all my fellow English majors out there!

(A little louder next time, okay?)


Here's another one of my favorite poems, by one of my favorite poets.....


love by e.e. cummings

love is more thicker than forget

more thinner than recall

more seldom than a wave is wet

more frequent than to fail

it is most mad and moonly

and less it shall unbe

than all the sea which only

is deeper than the sea

love is less always than to win

less never than alive

less bigger that the least begin

less littler than forgive

it is more sane and sunly

and more it cannot die

than all the sky which only

is higher that the sky

Friday, August 28, 2009

Friday Q & A : Showing Support for Marriage Equality


Question: I am getting married soon and would like to know how to show support for gay couples who are unable to get married in Illinois. Any ideas?

I have learned that several of my fellow celebrants have had the same question come up. What some couples have chosen to do is shown their support for gay marriage by quoting from "Goodridge Vs. Department of Health" by Massachusetts Supreme Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall.

The following excerpt is a powerful statement about marraige that would work well as a reading for a wedding ceremony.

"Marriage is a vital social institution. The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society. For those who choose to marry, and for their children, marriage provides an abundance of legal, financial, and social benefits. In return, it imposes weighty legal, financial, and social obligations....Without question, civil marriage enhances the "welfare of the community." It is a "social institution of the highest importance." ... Marriage also bestows enormous private and social advantages on those who choose to marry. Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family.... Because it fulfills yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express our common humanity, civil marriage is an esteemed institution, and the decision whether and whom to marry is among life's momentous acts of self-definition."

I would strongly recommend reading the post Honoring Marriage Equality in Your Wedding Ceremony for great suggestions.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A Magical Proposal!

Found on boingboing: a marriage proposal, with the assistance of magician Dan Trommater!


Monday, August 24, 2009

Picture Perfect!



I just came across the George Street Photo & Video blog and was tickled to see that they posted pictures of Amber and Evan, a couple I married on May 2nd. You may remember them from their Real Weddings feature.

Well, they're back - as you can see by these photos I found on the blog!

Be sure to check out the George Street Photo & Video blog for more deliciously gorgeous wedding photography.

But I'm
warning you - the pictures are so great, it's hard to stop!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Friday Q & A - Exchanging Rings

Question: At the last wedding I attended, when the couple exchanged rings they each said, "With this ring, I thee wed."
Is there something else we can use instead of this?


Answer: When you exchange rings, you can say what ever you want!
Here are samples of ring vows chosen by couples whose wedding ceremonies I've written:


  • I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness to you.
  • I give you this ring as a sign of my love and devotion. May its presence on your hand serve always to remind you of my love. May you find shelter, peace, and most of all happiness in the love I give to you for the rest of my life.
  • Please accept this ring in token of the vow made between us and as a sign of my love and commitment to you.
  • I, _____, take you, _____, to be my wife/husband. I gibe you this ring as a symbol of my love and a sign of my promise.

Remember, choose what feels right to you!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Put Your Own Stamp On It!


Did you know that you can order custom wedding postage?

My husband just mentioned that zazzle - a cool site that allows you to create all kinds of customized, fun stuff - allows you to get fun wedding-themed stamps.
Plus, you can even get stamps with your own photos.

So.... you can send out your invitations with a picture of you & your sweetie on the stamp.

How fun is that?!?!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Are YOU a Bad Daughter-in-Law?



This LOL Cat may not think you're a good daughter-in-law.
The question is ..... Are you?


We always hear about the evil mother-in-law. I have friends who have been cursed with some pretty wacky MILs. That being said, there are daughters-in-law that can make your skin crawl.

So, are you a bad daughter-in-law?

To find out if you qualify for this unsavory category, check out
12 Signs You're the Daughter-in-Law from Hell at Bridezilla.com.

The article include these lovely examples of dealing with your MIL:
  • When she gave you her secret family recipes, you ripped them up and said, "He has a new family now and won't be needing these."
  • You audibly snickered when she said, "Welcome to the family."
I sincerely hope you don't recognize yourself here. I'm crossing my fingers....

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Friday Q & A - Wedding music


Question:
I don't want traditional music for my ceremony, but I don't know what other songs to use. Any ideas?

Answer: I always tell couples to go with the things that have meaning for them.
Do the two of you have a special song?
Are there certain songs that will make you stay in the car after you've parked - just to hear the end?

Take some time to listen to
your favorite songs and see if they would fit into your ceremony.
One word of advice - check the lyrics and make sure your song is appropriate for a wedding!
You probably wouldn't want a "break-up" song for your processional!

To give you some ideas, here are a few songs used by some of the wonderful & creative couples I've married....

Processional songs:
"Solsbury Hill" - Peter Gabriel
"Is This Love?" - Bob Marley
"Sweet Child O' Mine" - (cover version) Angry String Orchestra (I LOVED this one!)

Recessional songs:
"For Once in My Life" - Stevie Wonder
"So Happy Together" - the Turtles
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered" - Stevie Wonder
"In My Life" - Beatles

Monday, August 10, 2009

Weddings are for Heroes

For the past few weeks I have been obsessively reading the Marvel Civil War graphic novels. I've been a fan of comics for some time, but I've always been more of a follower of the fantasy genre (Sandman, Books of Magic). But I recently discovered the Civil War series and can't get enough!

And then, I learned that a bride & groom I'm marrying next month are both big comic book fans. While working on the ceremony, I thought I'd look into comics for a good quote.

So, naturally, al
l this superhero stuff got me thinking about..... superhero weddings!

I thought this was a pretty novel idea on my part. Little did I know that Chris Sims of Comics Alliance had beaten me to the punch! Check out his article, The Greatest Superhero Weddings, for more superhero wedding pictures & information.

But be warned, superhero comic novices - you never know what you'll find. I was shocked to learn that Spiderman's sweet, old Aunt May almost married Doc Oc!


Sunday, August 9, 2009

Groomsman on Ukulele

So, besides my cupcake issue, my other love is .... the UKULELE!!

I bought my own uke last year - she's purple and her name is Violet. And I love her.

Anyways, I was disappointed to have missed Jake Shimabukuro's show at Tiki Terrace today. So, to console myself I sat here watching ukulele videos. Imagine my delight when I came across this video: a groomsman's tribute to the bride and groom -performed with his ukulele.


Now that is one cool guy!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Friday Q & A: Marriage Licenses

Question: When should we get our marriage license? How do we get it?

Answer:
You need to apply in-person for a marriage license in Illinois. You'll both need to go to the County Clerk's Office - in the county where you're getting married. (this may be different from the county you live in.) Click here for a list of Illinois County Clerk offices. To be married in Illinois, you must be over the age of 18 and cannot be blood relatives. You'll have to provide valid photo identification with proof of your age (ex: driver's license, state i.d., passport)


Licenses are issued while you wait. There is a one day waiting period, so you cannot get your license on the day you plan to be married. Licenses are valid for 60 days. Each county sets its own fee, which normally ranges from $25 to $40.

After your wedding, your officiant is responsible for completing the license and sending it to the County Clerk's office. If you need a copy of your marriage license, you have to get it directly from the county office.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Local Cupcakes!

My cupcake dreams have come true.
I have found delicious, beautiful cupcakes just a few minutes' drive from home!

Knowing about my cupcake obsession/addiction, my good friend Julia told me about le Sucre Cakes & Cupcakes a few months ago. I finally made my way over there with the kids in tow and, boy, was it
fantastic!

We sampled the Strawberry Cupcake (with fresh strawberries in it!), which was topped with Cream Cheese Frosting. Delicious! Also wonderful were the Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting and the Mocha with Espresso Buttercream Frosting. But the winner was the Salted Caramel Cupcake topped with Caramel Cream Cheese frosting. It was unbelievably wonderful! A perfect blend of sweet with a hint of salty. Heavenly!

We nibbled on our treats as I enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee in the cafe.
Of course, being the chatty gal that I am, I met the friendly owners - husband and wife team, Eric and Minja Lee. I learned that they've been in business about seven months and that Minja Lee is the chef. She's the brilliant inventor of these wonderful concoctions.... and she's really nice, too!

I'm still happy just thinking about my lovely experience. My daughter said she wants to go back for her birthday next month. (I don't know if I can wait that long!)

Now, just imagine these delectable little delights at your bridal shower or wedding!
And if the cakes taste as good as the cupcakes, you can't go wrong with ordering your wedding cake from le Sucre!

So, stop in at le Sucre soon. They're located at the corner of Oakton & Waukegan in Niles. Go meet these nice people and support a local business - you'll be glad you did!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Indian Wedding Music

I recently came across the topic of music for Indian weddings on Maharani, an Indian wedding blog I follow. Check out the posts on this topic for ideas on great songs for an Indian-themed wedding. One of my favorites, suggested for a processional by Shawna, the blog's author, is the song, "Jashn-e-Baharaa" by Jodhaa Akbar. Listen to it here: