What Ever Happened to Sleeves?

I have noticed something disturbing and wanted to bring it to your attention.

Sleeves have disappeared. It's true.
But don't be alarmed - this phenomenon appears to be limited to wedding gowns.

Seriously - just about every wedding gown I've seen in the past year has been sleeveless. So, where the heck did the sleeves go?

Well, I went on a mission to find out - and to see if wedding dresses with sleeves even exist.
It wasn't easy. I googled "long sleeve wedding dress" and "sleeve wedding dress" and tried other similar searches. Very often the dresses that showed up were (you guessed it!) sleeveless. One of the searches even resulted in my finding babydoll pajamas. I'm still trying to figure that one out.

But, I searched on and did ultimately find some lovely dresses.

So, for you brides out there who aren't as confident as Michelle Obama and may want to cover those upper arms - there is hope! It may take a bit of work, but your dress is out there.

Here are two of my favorites:

The one on the left, with the long jacket, is from ebay. The smoky-colored dress is by Jovani and listed as a bridesmaid dress, but I think it would be gorgeous for a bride.

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 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.

A Magical Proposal!

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

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 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!

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?!?!