{Don't Go Down the Aisle Without One!}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Let’s have a serious girl-to-girl chat! As modern and savvy as you are, you know that sometimes “old-fashioned” is the way to go, yes? So be sure to have a “serviceable” handkerchief with you during your wedding ceremony. It’s perhaps the most sensible and practical thing you can do on your wedding day: for tears, a runny nose, damp palms, or for dabbing his moist brow. Trust me . . . don’t go down the aisle without one!

In the days when I had my designer bridal store (where I always kept a stock of “best-selling” pretty vintage handkerchiefs), I went to hundreds of weddings. And the most frequent “mistake” I saw was a bride at the altar without something to discreetly take care of a runny nose. (And you don’t need an “extra hand” for your hankie. Just tuck it into your palm for easiest access.)

Part of our “feminine smarts” is to be able to take care of the little things gracefully and the big things with some clever planning. These practical—and sometimes old-fashioned—things (like having a hankie in hand) can add ease and comfort to nervous times . . . and make a beautiful bride even more beautiful.

Love. Listen. Let go.
....with love from Cornelia

[Photograph by Julie Mikos]

{Orange Blossom Legacy}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
In bridal folklore, the fragrant orange blossom became legendary. Native to China and one of the rare plants that blooms and bears fruit at the same time, the orange tree’s aromatic flowers became symbolic of fruitfulness and fertility. Inspired by the legend as well as its gloriously romantic scent, ancient brides in Mediterranean countries wrapped the creamy white blossoms and delicate greenery into nuptial halos. All wedding rituals are rooted in this hopeful promise of the continuity of life that the orange blossom epitomizes.

Whatever flowers you wear or carry on your wedding day—mixing nature’s fragrances and textures—they are beautiful reminders of that promise of abundance. Life follows life, and love makes it all worthwhile. Here’s a suggestion; give some of your wedding flowers to a little girl to take home with her…continuing the legacy and the love.

Love. Listen. Let go.
....with love from Cornelia

[Photograph of vintage wax orange blossom wreath from Cornelia Powell Antiques Inc. circa 1994]

{Love & Gratitude}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Have you noticed that love and gratitude are intertwined? It becomes very apparent when your wedding day arrives. Many people supported you to get to this place today—your beautifully planned, anticipated wedding day! Perhaps you’ve thanked them all, but saying “I love you” sometimes is more difficult (to say it to some is easy, to others maybe not.) So remember, love without forgiveness is not love. Let it go!

As author Lisa Clapier reminds us: “Gratitude is what returns us to love.” Let your wedding day be a day where saying “I love you” just slips off your tongue. “Thank you. I love you.” “I love you. Thank you.” (See how easy it is?)

Love. Listen. Let go.
....with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Sarah Merians & Company]

New Stories In "Weddings of Grace" Online Magazine!

Don't miss the new articles, notes, messages, and bits of wedding news now online in Weddings of Grace magazine!

From the ancient customs in "A Woman's Wedding Song: Honoring the Loss of Girlhood" to tips for staying centered while in the "Bridal Spotlight" to forgiveness lessons on the "After the Wedding" page to soothing advice from "The Wedding Goddess" to the magic available when "Borrowing From the Past" to bits of "Wedding News" that you just might not know about....

....you will want to make Weddings of Grace a relaxing, enlivening, heart-opening stop on your bridal journey!

Enjoy.

...love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Julie Mikos]

{Easy Does It!}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
On your wedding day, set aside a bit of “just for you” meditative time to center yourself and get grounded . . . by listening to music, stretching gently, reading a favorite poem, or doing a soothing deep-breathing exercise.

As you relax during your little “wedding day reverie,” the world gets quieter, and your inner voice can be heard. What messages are you hearing? Be grateful for everything that comes up—yes, even that! Don’t stuff anything back down; just breathe love into it.

Easy does it. As you continue to enjoy your reverie moments, relax more deeply and allow your body to remember that sweet moment of “falling in love.” Breathe in the feeling so you can recreate it fresh and new—and take that feeling with you throughout the day. Share it with friends, family, strangers.

Like love, weddings are about inclusion. Be the goddess of love today!

Love, listen, let go.
...with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Jason Hudson]

{All You Hold Dear}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
There are many ancient -- and some not so old -- rituals to choose from for your wedding day. But the ritual that may be the most intimate way to express your bridal femininity is the charming old rhyme,“something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence for your shoe.”

This familiar rhyme has connected and inspired and touched generations of brides to put attention on little details that are dear to women the world over. Bringing women together to borrow a keepsake to wear, or share an old-fashion notion, or hear a story about a wedding from long ago. Feminine exchanges of the heart.

Yes, the “something old, something new” folkloric ritual may inspire things for you to wear or carry on your wedding day. But the main point of participating in rituals -- including this quaint little rhyme -- is how they take you closer to the true expression of your heart, opening the way to make a lasting (and possibly healing) connection with family members and friends.

And when you participate in that spirit, rituals can invoke all you hold dear because they include a tender part of you!

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

[Photograph by: Julie Mikos]