What a great New Jersey wedding Ceremony!

Of course it’s Thanksgiving, and it’s the natural time that we give thanks for all that is great about our lives; our partners, our families and friends; the truly big things that make life so rich, no matter how many little things may be exploding right before our eyes.

To be able to recognize the gifts we’ve been given or earned or inherited; this is perhaps the greatest gift of all.  Keeping a perspective on our daily lives and how each one is studded with great stuff is a very good practice.

From now until your wedding day, why not try to keep a gratitude journal?  Nothing fancy; sometimes the best thing that can happen to us is totally small, and feel free to grasp at those small things when life/wedding plans/family/inlaws/kids/jobs seem to spiral out of control. Some mornings, the mere fact that the coffee maker actually made coffee might  be enough. Other mornings, the closure of a major contract or the success of a difficult project might be the ticket. The point is to take joy in all of them, in each stunning success that comes our way and to share that joy with everyone around us. Susan’s wonderful blog was the source of this illustration, and I think you’ll enjoy her positive outlook on life.

So happy Thanksgiving; make it a daily occurrence!  (Oh, and keep those marshmallows off the yams…it’s just wrong…..)

Those “save the dates”, that is!  If your wedding is happening next May or June, it’s the perfect time to send out “save the dates”. Those are incredibly busy months for everyone, with graduation, end of school activities, and well, yes, weddings!  Among your guest list, there are people who wouldn’t miss your celebration for anything……if they knew about it.

Make it easy for them!  Send a  fun headsup to your guests and let them start their planning as you start yours. Some of your guests may know, even this far ahead of time, that they can’t attend, and that may make room for some of the people that you wanted to include but just couldn’t fit in. It’s really a win-win situation for everyone.  Your guests get a sneak preview of your celebration, and you get a grip on who can come and who will be sending regrets instead.

Save the dates can take many forms, but I love the really playful ones that I get!  My cool couple, Laura and Adam used a wonderful vintage style postcard to announce their destination wedding last fall.  Nicole and Michael, who planned an funky, jazz themed wedding at the Jersey shore last summer used a classic “photobooth” strip to alert their guests.

Jennie and Brad sent one flip flop, imprinted with all the information about their beach wedding imprinted on the sole. Of course, all the guests got to add the missing partner to their pair when they arrived, and they all sported the festive flops during the sandy ceremony!

You need a guest book. Or a guest quilt. Or a guest picture frame or plate…you get the idea; you need a place for your friends and family to write you a little message of good luck and love.  How about something totally different?  How about this beautiful wall of wishes?  Your guests can pick their favorite color, write you a secret note and add their wish to this keepsake.  Or, you could buy one for yourselves, and add wishes as you think of them, opening them on your first anniversary. The possibilities are endless! 

I’m always on the lookout for interesting and beautiful products that  can add a unique touch to my couples’ weddings. And when those unique items can do some greater good, it is just a win win win!!!! This beauty is from a great company called Uncommon Goods, and I guarantee that when you go to their site or look through their catalog, you’re going to get a LOT of great ideas!~

Uncommon Goods is an online marketplace offering creatively designed, high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. They believe that creativity and the expression of individuality represent two great human treasures. Their beautiful site and catalog make uncommon goods accessible to everyone.

Uncommon Goods presents shoppers with an array of special features that make shopping an entertaining, convenient, and environmentally sound experience. Their print catalogs are printed on recycled paper (30% post consumer waste) and all their offerings are produced without harm to animals. The familiar  green recycled icon throughout the website will let you know which products are made of  recycled materials. 

In addition, they will  donate a portion of each order to your choice of non-profit organizations: Defenders of Wildlife, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, which aids artisans in need, Comprehensive Development, which assists underserved NYC high school students, and AmeriCares, which provides humanitarian assistance around the world and has played a major role in the relief effort for the victims of the recent tsunami in Asia.  It is truly a wonderful way to give and give back at the same time.

We’re back!!!  The computer got swine flu, and had to take the week off, but here we are, with all kinds of great ideas for your upcoming wedding! And we’d love to hear from you too. Great vendors?  Let us know. Great favors?  Ditto!  Share your brilliance with our list; we love it!