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Wedding Woes: Writing my vows + Tips to complete them

Omaha, Nebraska Wedding Planner

{a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/3151361" target="_blank"} Image: We heart it{/a}

One of the first decisions Rich and I made as a newly engaged couple was to write our own vows, but since I have always loved the tradition and deep meaning of reciting the same promise, we decided to include traditional vows in our ceremony as well. We effortlessly picked out traditional vows that we felt spoke true to our relationship, but the personalized vows didn’t come as easy for me…

I started writing my vows early because I knew I would need a lot of time to perfect them. Writing your wedding vows is incredibly difficult. Give me a thesis topic, and I’ll organize my research and present a conclusion in a cohesive manner, but writing based on complex and life-changing emotions is not my strength. Rich, on the other hand, is a gifted writer. He makes the best holiday and birthday cards (they’re usually handmade with sharpie drawings and accompanied by a thoughtful and well-written letter).

Over the past few weeks, I got so worked up about writing my vows for fear that I wasn’t going to adequately express my gratitude and love for Rich. Every time I think of Rich, I instantly smile and I begin to wiggle and squirm with joy (picture a spaz-tastic puppy), but when I’d try to put that feeling into words, writers block would immediately set in. When it comes to love, words can be extremely limiting.

After many rough drafts, I finally feel like I’m on the right track. I compiled a list of tips that helped me, and I hope they can help you too!

  • Discuss expectations with your fiance – Will you write them together? Will you share your vows before the ceremony?
  • If you are not writing them together, decide on a structure and a maximum word count (150 words is a good place to start).
  • Get inspired by your past love letters, a meaningful song, old pictures and date souvenirs or go online and look for inspiring poetry and prose. Rich and I each have boxes filled with mementos from our relationship. I love opening them up and reliving those memories.
  • Remember to speak in your language. Don’t pick a poem or passage to recite because it sounds eloquent.
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Pretties by Elva Fields

I always check my google reader while I’m blow drying my hair in the morning (gotta multitask!), and I came across these Elva Fields necklaces this morning. I had a wedding woe post planned for today (and I’ll still get that posted this afternoon), but I was so excited by these amazing accessories that I wanted to share them with you right away. She’ll even make something custom for your wedding…..

Which one would you wear? I’ve got my eye on the purple one…

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Inspiration: All that Glitters…

I try to look for design inspiration in unexpected places. Bridal magazines and blogs are great resources, but in order to create something unique, you have to think outside of the box. This bride was inspired by Laduree, a famous French Pastry House. Isn’t that wedding lovely!?!

I was recently inspired by my sister’s pedicure. Her little piggies were painted with OPI Glow up Already!. This polish provides a grown-up alternative to the glitter polish we wore as kids. I immediately thought it would be great polish for a bride to wear, but why not shower an entire event in glitter? You might be thinking that glitter is only appropriate for New Years Eve, but glitter in bright colors or a glowing gold tone would be great for a summer f

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Planning a Wedding in 4 Days…..

Last Monday, I received an email from a woman in Colorado asking to help coordinate her wedding in Iowa on Friday (yep that’s right, four days later…). Sensing the distress in her email, I jumped at the opportunity to help her. The couple was simply focused on getting married, so I worked with the Iowa County Clerk to coordinate the ceremony with a judge and make sure they had fulfilled all of the requirements for a marriage license.

No matter how big or small an event, it gives me so much satisfaction knowing that I helped a couple to achieve a huge milestone in their lives. I wish them all the best!

Rich and I had a fun weekend. We each tried different selections from the three-course menu at Bread and Cup, and we kept score on who picked the best from each course. Rich won with the best appetizer (caprese salad) and dessert (bacon ice cream), but my eggplant parmesean with pesto beat out his beef short rib for best entree. Rich took me to Harry Potter on Sunday. I’m proud to admit that I bawled my eyes out. Who wants to go see it with me again!?

Speaking of emotions, I have spent the last couple of weeks gathering pictures for our wedding slideshow. As I was grouping pictures together, I ran across this combination, and I couldn’t stop laughing. Can anyone tell which one is Rich and which one is me…? Some of you know that I was haunted by the bowl-cut as a child, and I think the picture below explains why.

Omaha, Nebraska Wedding Planner rich-candace-cowboys

Rich and Candace? or… Candace and Rich?

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Happy Weekend!

Kissing Train

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I’m going on a date this weekend, so the romantic kiss pictured above is the perfect way to start my weekend! Rich and I have been so busy running to and from Omaha that we haven’t been able to spend quality time together. Now we have to decide where to eat… I’m open to suggestions!

Have a relaxing weekend! See you on Monday!

Here

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Flowers in her Hair

Yesterday’s blog post was pretty serious, so I want to get back to the fun/inspirational side of weddings with today’s post. I’m not a big fan of bridal tiaras (Kate, you’re the exception!), but I’m all for a beautiful crown of flowers! I think any of the women pictured below are perfectly adorned to say “I Do” in an casual outdoor setting.

What do you think? Would you rock a floral head wreath on your big day or even on a summer evening?

Check out all of the gorgeous examples below!

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Wedding Woes: Playing to your Families' Strengths

As I’ve explained before, I was drawn to event planning at a young age. I was reading interior decorating and event planning blogs before I got engaged, and I knew that once Rich popped the question, I was going to work hard to create an event that truly expressed our relationship from the ceremony wording to the decorations. I also knew this wedding was going to take a lot of work.

I immediately called my mom when Rich proposed on March 7, 2010. She was incredibly happy for me. After she asked about the proposal details (you can read about them here), I could sense a little hesitation in her voice as she asked “Well what do we do next?”. Her concern didn’t surprise me. My mom has never been type to enjoy party planning, but after I hung up the phone with her, I began to worry that I was completely alone in planning our wedding.

Omaha, Nebraska Wedding Planner

{a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/photo/219844" target="_blank"} Image by Lauren Larsen Via Style Me Pretty {/a}

Now don’t get me wrong. I love my mom so incredibly much. She is one of the hardest working women I know, and she has instilled in me a strong sense of self-motivation and dedication that I pride myself on. I could have never taken the leap to start my own business or have the motivation to work long hours without those personality traits. It is also those traits that helped to reassure me I could plan this wedding by myself…

I spent over a year gathering visual inspiration, writing the ceremony, designing and developing our website, and crafting up a storm. My parents were very helpful attending vendor meetings when I asked, but I could still sense that my mom was uncomfortable when I talked about the visual aspects of the wedding. And to be completely honest, that bothered me a little. Aren’t all mothers suppose to be waving their hands back and forth in celebration as they help pick out table linens and color schemes? I’m only getting married once you know!

Omaha, Nebraska Wedding Planner

{a href="http://imgfave.com/view/1452976" target="_blank"}Image by Hendrickson Photography Via imgfave{/a}

It wasn’t until my family trip to Two Harbors, MN a couple of weeks ago that my perspective changed. I had begun to dig into the wedding day logistics (read about that here) when my mom started requesting that I set aside time to run through the timeline to tie up the loose ends with her. I could sense her genuine desire to help, and she was a great sounding board. She helped me think of things I hadn’t thought about before. When we got back from vacation, she sent me the following email:

I have to admit, I am now getting more into the planning. I wish I had just a day to spend with you to go over the details and talk them through with you. Actually, anything I can do to ease your mind and allow you to enjoy the day more, I am interested in.

It was then that I realized my mom had wanted to help me all along, but as a women focused on her career rather than home decorating and party planning, she probably felt out of her element when I talked about my plans to decorate the venue. Once I started working on the scheduling and logistics, tasks she does on a daily basis at her job, she was eager to provide her expertise. I wasted a lot of time resenting the fact that my mom isn’t a “traditional” mother enthusiastic about picking out flowers and attire.

Omaha, Nebraska Wedding Planner

{a href="http://www.sjtclient.com/Wedding/2010-04-18-Bethany-Jules/12279139_QHgbz#878434940_vGBbd" target="_blank"}Image by Scott Townsley {/a}

It’s important to assess your families’ strengths when planning your wedding. Theses strengths might not meet your initial expectations, but by delegating tasks based on your family members skills, you will help them feel included and increase their desire to help.

Explain your wedding vision to your family, and be upfront with the things you’d like help with. (Be honest! You cannot do everything yourself!) You might find that your family members have hidden talents that can save you time and money.

Once I gave them the chance, both my family and Rich’s family have been incredibly helpful with our wedding. I cannot wait to show you the outcome!

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Wedding Woes

As a business owner and blogger, I want to inspire my clients and readers to create unique and memorable events. Most people know that planning weddings isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. Not only are you coordinating the biggest event of your life, you’re bringing together two families with different expectations and financial situations.

I decided to write a blog series called Wedding Woes to highlight some of the uncomfortable and stressful parts of event planning in hopes to better prepare you to deal with or even avoid these unpleasant situations. If you find yourself in a wedding pickle, email me with your questions, and I’d be happy to help you using my knowledge of conflict resolution and etiquette.

I’m going to start with a topic that hits close to home, so (WARNING!) we’re about to get all personal up in here.

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