December 28, 2009

{Take a Deep Breath & Choose with Love}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
Be patient with yourself during this busy wedding planning time. Sooooo many decisions to make--don't let frustration take over. Trust your intuition and keep your vision on the bigger picture--your well-being and your relationship--and allow the love and support you find there be a buoy for you. What you need will show up at the perfect time.

Here's a tip: Use the power of your breath and take a thoughtful pause before making a decision. Breathe deeply and slowly (inhaling and exhaling through your nose when you can). Let your breath settle you, and in that quiet space, pause. Inside that pause is the here and now...the present moment...a gift...all you need to know...the perfect you. Now, choose with love. (And see what a pleasure your choices become!)

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

[Photograph by: Brandon Bannon]

December 22, 2009

{Love Forever}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
Weddings are full of folklore and legends. Perhaps that's part of the mystery that draws us to them...as well as the appealing possibility of love forever. And flowers seem to hold the essence of that magic.

I've had brides tell me that when they've gotten nervous getting ready to walk down that long aisle -- whether a cathedral, a garden path, or an elegant ballroom corridor -- they paused and focused on their bouquet for a moment. Taking in its beauty, breathing in its scent, they then relaxed and settled back into knowing everything was okay.

Try it now: Take a deep, slow breath...breathing in the soothing fragrance of love. And again: deep, soft inhales and long, lingering exhales...relax and walk with confidence into love forever.

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

[Photograph: Julie Mikos]

December 17, 2009

{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]

December 14, 2009

{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]

December 7, 2009

{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]

December 3, 2009

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]

November 30, 2009

{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]

November 24, 2009

{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]

November 20, 2009

{The Essence of Rituals}


Dear Bride-to-Be: Have you thought about the rituals you're using for your wedding ceremony? Perhaps some are part of your family or community's customs, or a practice of a particular religious service, while perhaps others are traditions you've read about and want to incorporate into your own ceremony.

The essence of rituals comes out of the ancient past from early cultures where one’s life was deeply connected to nature and the spirit world. They may come from the past, but rituals are alive and creative, full of energy as vibrant as what you’re willing to put into them. The magic is not the ritual itself but where it takes you. And that journey is within.

“The origin of rituals overlaps our own origin to the beginning of the human story—to the core of what it is to be human,” scholars declare. When we participate in these ancient rituals today, we tap into the essence of our own origin. Even in our consumer-driven, frenetic technological world, rituals—when used consciously—are a way to stay linked to our true inner nature.

Learn about rituals, see what resonates with you, and choose from your heart.

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

[Photograph by Jason Hudson]

November 17, 2009

{The Woman Revealed}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
“ ‘My veil was magical. And so simple. Just one layer of tulle about six feet long. It floated in the wind as I walked down the aisle,’ ” a bride expresses in the charming book The Bride Revealed. When I had my bridal art-to-wear store years ago, I encouraged a bride to wear a veil—it seemed to complete the ritual of her costume, and I knew she would love how it made her feel.

I also liked how wearing a veil created a rather ethereal quality, bringing a lovely stillness to the bride’s presence, supporting her inner transformation. As I dressed and fitted brides in the intimacy of my shop, I shared this impression: Imagine the bridal veil as representing the mystery of womanhood. Wrapped in a gossamer cloud, the veil reveals the woman!

Then some enchantment would always follow. As I attached a veil to the headpiece in the bride’s hair, I watched closely as she turned to her image in the mirror. Her eyes widened, her face softened, her heart opened and then a little gasp as she looked at her reflection, like some long lost recognition remembered.

What would you like revealed during this rather mysterious and womanly rite-of-passage you are moving through? It’s a journey into a deeper part of your true self . . . just imagine the possibilities to be “unconcealed.” Look inside to your awareness. Your heart’s desire is waiting to speak to you.

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

[Photograph by David Willems]

November 13, 2009

{Listen to Your Heart}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
When the wedding planning bustle spins you away from yourself and you’re feeling a bit frazzled, what do you do to ease back into your heart center? It's important to take a quiet moment to listen to your heart each day. Close your eyes and take a few deep, soft breaths and listen in. What’s the message you hear?

Listen deep into the stillness so the message can get through. Fine-tune your heart radio! Listen for what soothes and supports your best self. Allow yourself to let love in from all directions and from all of life’s voices. When you find the quiet inside, you realize you’re not alone . . . your inner spirit is always there to guide and nurture you.

However, sometimes it’s not easy to find that quiet moment of relaxation and contemplation in your day or evening. However, your spirit calls for it! Take a walk in the park, in the woods, down the street, along a lane, beside a lake. Go sit by a tree or in a corner . . . or at least somewhere by yourself for a few moments of quiet each day. (A closet will do!) And listen for love.

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

[Photograph by Priscilla Wannamaker]

November 9, 2009

{Part of the Mystery}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Are you planning to follow the little folkloric rhyme, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence for your shoe,on your wedding day? We actually don't know the exact history or age of the now legendary rhyme, dear to generations of women, but the mystery may be part of the appeal and why modern brides continue to follow its “instruction” for their wedding.

I believe that part of its longevity is not because it’s simple and quaint and easy to follow, but because it calls forth your feminine nature and becomes a gesture of gratitude and inclusion at times when words are not always easily available.(Like if you asked your grandmother if she had a handkerchief  for you to carry on your wedding day; then you are including her in your special day and in your heart.)

As a bride, whether you borrow your grandmother’s handkerchief; carry your aunt’s beaded handbag; wear a friend’s heirloom veil; pin a blue silk ribbon to your corset; or tuck an old coin into your shoe or purse, you have put something magical into motion. This little bridal rhyme, in its intimate whimsy, links you to a long lineage of brides and to the beauty and mystery of womanhood.

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

[Photograph: Beth Ely for Missy McLamb Photography]

November 5, 2009

{Blue Forget-Me-Nots}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Flowers are important to brides not only for their beauty, but flowers seem to speak an irresistible language of love. For instance, folktales abound with stories of the romantic blue forget-me-not . . . the delicate flower that seems to reflect the color of the sky. In the charming language of flowers—where meanings are assigned to flowers and herbs—the forget-me-not speaks of human longing for loyalty and lastingness. No wonder that through the ages, poets speak of this captivating flower assisting people in having their heart’s desire.

What is your heart’s desire? Ask yourself that question, especially whenever you feel a little “off” . . . and be honest, be loyal to yourself. If your desire is hard to express, then look deeper and let whatever is in your heart spill forth like so many forget-me-nots from a secret garden! What shows up may not only get you back on track, but something deliciously abundant will grow from it.

Maybe all flowers—whatever you choose for your wedding—are “forget-me-nots” ... a sweet reminder to share our love! Give love away, and your heart’s desire magically appears.

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

November 2, 2009

{Love Pats Left & Right}



Dear Bride-to-Be:
I've read that the original custom regarding brides and lucky coins was for the bride to place her sixpence coin into her left shoe. Is that because ancient wisdom knew that the left side of the body is connected to the right side of the brain—your intuitive, creative side—therefore, becoming more of a guarantee for prosperity and even spiritual guidance?

On your wedding day, if there is no comfortable spot in "either" shoe to tuck your sixpence or penny, then perhaps tuck it into the hem of your dress or in your bodice (on the left side!) Or slip it in his left pocket as you meet him at the altar. Wherever it goes, give it a little love pat to extend its abundance a million fold!

Give yourself a little love pat right now—on your left shoulder, then your right shoulder for balance! Being your own best friend is an abundant gift indeed. So listen to your intuition, use your creativity and give yourself what feeds your feminine spirit, your love energy, and your generous heart. Now, go share those love pats—left and right!

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

[Photograph: Priscilla Wannamaker]

October 29, 2009

{Your Wedding Crown}



Dear Bride-to-Be:
Even if your wedding gown is new, it has roots in the past. Today’s bridal “ball gown” styles borrow from thousands of years of fashion design. So you may be wearing a style of gown inspired from something worn by a queen or empress or even a goddess.

Feeling “regal” as a bride is part of your natural inheritance. No wonder that tiaras—elegance borrowed from another time—remain a favorite bridal headpiece today. Throughout history, there have been wedding ceremonies that “crown” the bride and groom, like in the Russian or Greek Orthodox services, symbolizing the “royal” blessings of their wedding day. Undeniably, your wedding costume brings out a bit of princess fantasy—like a little girl playing “dress up”—and combines it with something grown-up and royal like the beautiful goddess you are!

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

[Photograph: Laurie Lambrecht]

October 26, 2009

{Treasured Relationships}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
A bridal gown not only reflects a woman’s personal style, but it also speaks eloquently of families and communities, relationship and history. As a treasured family inheritance, bridal attire is saved to share with future generations: from bits of lace and ribbon to the entire wedding ensemble. (Are you wearing something for your wedding that is a valued family heirloom?)

Through the years, I have visited dozens of popular exhibitions at museums around the world featuring bridal costumes and accessories, revealing an anthropologist-like view into the heart of a particular community. At times during my visits, it’s as though I can feel the relationships infused in the wedding garments: mother-daughter, daughter-father, friend to friend, beloved to beloved, woman to her culture. The universal appeal of these exhibits shows how bridal paraphernalia provides pleasure and memories, contributing to people’s lives long after the initial wearing, long beyond the ceremony’s end.

Relationships are also part of our “treasured inheritance,” and they come in all shapes and sizes: some easy to embrace and other relationships in need of a bit of “mending.” Wedding planning time—the scheduling, the parties, even the wedding day itself—is a perfect opportunity to tend to that mending! Reach out . . . love, listen, forgive, and let go.

...with love from Cornelia

[Photograph: Collection of author]

October 22, 2009

{Be Gentle with Yourself}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
Historically, pale blue is associated with tranquility, softness, and wise understanding. Let your wedding “something blue” be a cue to be gentle with yourself: relax, breathe deeply into your heart, allow your breath to center you, and feel your heart open.

Practice this as you plan your wedding, wrapping yourself in the tranquil spirit of your bridal blue until its soothing nature simply becomes second nature to you.

Gently take a deep breath, inhaling the peaceful color of heaven; slowly exhale, breathing out tensions and fear. Make this declaration: “I’m replacing what doesn’t serve me with love and inclusion.” And be true to that little bit of blue magic!

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia
 
[Photograph by: Beth Ely for Missy McLamb Photographers]

October 20, 2009

{Untie the Ribbons!}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
Whether you use a vintage sixpence, wedding penny, or lucky dime for your bridal coin, it represents the abundance of simple gifts all around you. “Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons,” author Ruth Ann Schabacker prompts us. Remember to keep your heart open so the riches of life have a place to land!

Indeed, your wedding coin is a reminder that every day is an abundant, beautiful day if you look with an open heart … and every day is an opportunity to celebrate simple gifts. Like the eighteenth century Shaker hymn reminds us: ’Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free, ’tis the gift to come down where we ought to be; and when we find ourselves in the place just right, ’twill be in the valley of love and delight.

Celebrate your abundance of love and delight!

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

[Photograph by Meg Smith]

October 16, 2009

{Honoring the Lineage of Women}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
For thousands of years in cultures worldwide, young girls were taught the art of needlework, spending the early years of their girlhood embroidering their wedding costume. But societies change, and today these girls—perhaps more skilled with a computer keyboard than with a needle—need to borrow their elaborate wedding costume from village elders. The world may change, but women always love to connect in rituals of the heart, sharing their talents to champion another woman. Share your best self today!

So whether you borrow a locket or brooch or tiara from another woman for your wedding—or even if everything you wear is brand new—you borrow skills, patience, beauty and courage from the lineage of women. Wear whatever you wear to honor that heritage.

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

[Photograph: Priscilla Wannamaker]

October 13, 2009

{True-Love Knots}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
Here's a “something blue” idea! Make a “Love Knot Bow” to wear on your wedding day lingerie out of narrow blue ribbons: tiny loops with knotted streamers called “true-love knots.” There is an ancient, romantic legend that the Danish phrase meaning “I plight thee my troth”—used in early wedding vows—was the origin of the expression “true-love knots.” As far as legends go, one might say that true love is untying all the knots to your lover’s heart!

And just a little reminder. If your love is indeed true, then it comes with a heart full of forgiveness. Love can get “knotty” at times, but as wise voices tell us: When we learn how to forgive, then we learn how to love.

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

[Photograph: Lacour Photography]

October 8, 2009

{A Gracious Plenty!}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
If you can’t find an old sixpence coin to use for your wedding, perhaps you can find a penny minted the year you were born, or a shiny new one that promises “a gracious plenty!” Keep your wedding coin tucked away in your jewelry case or keepsake box as a reminder of all the riches in your life.

And at each fitting for your gown or appointment with your florist or every time you make notes in your wedding planner, remember to take deep relaxing breaths, say an extra “thank you” to someone and count your blessings! Your wedding coin is a cue that being truly grateful for all of your experiences makes for a very abundant life.

Breathe in abundance ... and breathe out any concerns or fears or sense of lack. You indeed are surrounded by “a gracious plenty”... breatheeeeeeeee that in and abundance is yours!

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

[Photograph by: Missy McLamb]

October 5, 2009

{Veiled in Mystery}


Dear Bride-to-Be:
What has come to be known as a “bridal veil” in European-American heritage has its own unique story, borrowing the best from both Eastern and Western cultures. From Eastern tradition, you inherit a sense of being veiled as capturing a meditative space for your own private reverie. The Western lineage of the veil takes inspiration from the prestige and grandeur of old royal court dress traditions. Together they create an elegant heritage and a balance of pensive beauty for today's brides.

Whether you are aware of this legacy, or whether you wear a bridal veil or not, you are stepping into the past touched by women of the ages, offering a bit of themselves to your life. Open your heart and let that womanly support of strength and mystery in!

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


[Photograph: Kimberly Sayre & Shannon Stellmacher for Shannon Stellmacher Photography]

September 30, 2009

{Guest of Honor}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Weddings are undeniably about relationships, even including the bride’s relationship with her special dress—which can get a bit over-the-top at times. California photographer Leslie Barton remarked, “It seems to me the gown is really the guest of honor. It is treated with a delicacy and respect that few humans experience.”

A reminder, dear bride: Love your dress, treasure how it makes you feel, celebrate your day, honor your heritage, and treat all of your wedding guests as the “guest of honor”!

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

[Photograph: Leslie Barton]

September 28, 2009

{The Goddess Bride}


Dear Bride-to-be:
Did you know that in ancient cultures—and continued in some societies today—the bride was heralded as a heroine and attended to like a queen? She was bathed, perfumed, painted, pierced, coiffed, bejeweled, wrapped, draped, veiled, adorned with flowers, extravagantly dressed (sometimes in multiple costumes over days- or week-long ceremonies), and she was elevated to goddess stature!

Therefore, your bridal birthright, O Beautiful Bride, is indeed the legacy of the goddess! Open your heart to that feminine heritage—breathe it in—and feel that womanly beauty through ‘n through. Allow yourself to be cared for, attended to, and deeply loved. And in the generous, open-hearted goddess tradition, give that love and attention right back to everyone you meet—like the goddess you are!

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

[Photograph Courtesy of Donald Clay Johnson]

September 23, 2009

{Fabled Dress}


Dear Bride-to-Be: There is a great deal of romance and juicy energy around the fabled “wedding dress.” These costumes with a past have become mythical creatures, described as “gowns of ritual” by historian Carol McD. Wallace in her book All Dressed in White. Wedding dresses—whether you wear something old or something new—connect women in an echoing sisterly heritage.

Share with a girlfriend or aunt or your seamstress or any woman in your life how wearing your wedding dress makes/made you feel. Soak in feeling feminine and luscious and gorgeous in your own eyes. Enjoy “playing dress-up” in your princess gown and take that womanliness into “regular life” so you can draw from that delight—especially on one of those “frumpy” feeling days!

Slow down during your wedding planning time and wedding day. Savor it. Breathe deeply and easily into your heart center and just hang out there for a bit. And in this soft sweet place, remember the “feeling beautiful” feeling and carry it with you no matter what you are wearing.

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

[Photograph by Sarah Merians and Company]

September 21, 2009

{Lavender & Handkerchiefs}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Carrying a pretty handkerchief is an old custom that, even today, can inspire our feminine nature. Legends have been created just from stories about a lady’s scented handkerchief and her feminine wiles! Victorian ladies kept stems of English lavender in their decorative hankie cases, infusing the handkerchiefs with its relaxing, romantic fragrance. (Then it was always ready to calm excited nerves—perhaps when a special suitor came to call.)

Here’s a soothing tip for your wedding day. Buy a pretty but practical linen handkerchief to carry. It can be white or a soft pastel, vintage or new but not too fancy. (Or perhaps your grandmother has one to give you.) When your wedding day comes, scent your “sensible” hankie with a bit of calming lavender essential oil. Keep the scented hankie with you during your wedding activities to have its relaxing fragrance always available.

Remember that being relaxed and at ease brings out your feminine nature. And ’tis okay to share your secret: keep a little bottle of lavender essential oil in your wedding purse for a hankie refresher and even put a drop on his handkerchief as well!

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

[Photograph by Julie Mikos]

September 17, 2009

{Five-Minutes to Ease}


Dear Bride-to-be:
Yes, you’ve heard me say over and over how important it is to have a little quiet reverie in your day during your busy wedding planning time. And you’ve said, “I want to, but just don’t have the time!”
Okay, try this: Don’t add it to your “to do” list—it’s much too long anyway! And don’t think of it as “something else to do,” but more like a luscious gift to give yourself. Just say: “I’m taking care of myself inside and out today!”
Start now...it only takes five minutes. YOU deserve it!
Sitting quietly with your eyes closed, breathing through your nose, count each deep, slow inhale (one) and long, soft exhale (two), inhale (three), exhale (four); continue slowly until you get to thirty. And if you lose count, just start over at number one. Like planning your wedding, it’s not a race to the finish line; it’s a journey to enjoy as you explore your true heart’s desire.

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

[Photo: Cheryl Wiles of arisit i]

September 15, 2009

{Celebrating YOU}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Women usually remember the moment they first saw themselves in their wedding gown! Some recall that it was like seeing a cherished, intimate part of themselves seldom shared with anyone. Wedding dresses can evoke deeply personal, interlinking stories as women wistfully describe details of the design or how wearing it made them feel. “Every woman should see herself looking uniquely breathtaking, in something tailored to celebrate her body,” Susan Jane Gilman exclaims in Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress.

These wedding planning times are precious moments that invite you to celebrate your womanliness. And you don’t have to wait for your wedding day or stop doing it on your wedding day or even have a wedding day for such a celebration! You can celebrate you every day—body and spirit!

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

[Photograph: Julie Mikos]

September 11, 2009

{Pocket-Full of Love}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Are you planning to have a “sixpence in your shoe” or perhaps a “penny in your pocket” on your wedding day? Or maybe, like a lot of practical modern brides who like to follow some of the quaint old customs, you will tuck a lucky coin of some sort into your wedding purse!

History tells us that the first coins date back almost 3000 years, used by people who live in the area now known as Turkey. So if you use an old or new coin of any origin, you’re bringing a long lineage of riches and abundance into your wedding day from around the world!

But whether you use an old or new coin—or a dime or a franc—as your “bridal token,” remember that it’s only a “token.” True abundance is a full heart of love that you give away unconditionally and receive completely.

Now, that’s a pocket-full of riches!

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

[Photograph: Julie Mikos]

September 9, 2009

{Number Magic: Counting Your Blessings}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
On this 9-9-09 day of cosmic numerology, I'm reminded how numbers play a big part in planning a wedding: the size of the guest list, how many attendants to have, the price of the reception, the size of your wedding's carbon imprint. Whether it's about staying within your budget, being as "green" as possible, or including all of his relatives, you're busy counting while planning a wedding!

It's not always easy to get the numbers to match your heart's desire in the simplest of circumstances, but it becomes especially challenging when planning a wedding since you're attempting to stuff so much into one event! And you do want to please everyone, even when you know that's impossible, and that the more "enlightened" way to go about this is to take a deep breath, center yourself, and just be "at one with the universe." (But then there is his Aunt Hattie who is impossible to please and impossible to ignore!)

It's like that quote from writer Eric Hoffer: "The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." Hmmmm. What if planning your wedding became about "counting your blessings" first, then taking a head count second? What if being grateful was always first on your "to do" list? How would it change your life if everything followed "thank you"?

Philosopher Alfred Painter said: "Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality." So whether you have only a dozen people at your wedding or you fill a grand ballroom, the spirit of your wedding comes from the gratitude in your heart and how you share it, yes?

Another philiosopher, Meister Eckhart from the 14th century, said: "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." So if indeed saying "thank you" is like saying a prayer, then offer up your gratitude in countless ways, and the blessings of your wedding day will be abundant -- no matter how you count them!

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

[Photograph: Missy McLamb]

September 8, 2009

{Beautiful Relaxation}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Studies have shown (by people who know a thing of beauty when they see one!) that a more relaxed bride is a more beautiful bride.

The busyness around planning a wedding can get stressful and even overwhelming—especially when balancing work, family, and your relationship. So if you have a regular exercise routine or meditation practice, keep it up during this multi-tasking time! If you don’t already have a daily practice that takes care of you—mind, body and spirit—then this is the perfect time to start one.

Here are a few suggestions to do something quiet and relaxing. While listening to soothing music, do a twenty-ish minute gentle stretching routine as you keep your attention inward on the easy in 'n out flow of your breath. Or just sit quietly with your eyes closed for a couple of minutes during the day or evening—whenever you need a little refreshment of ease—and take ten or so deep, soft inhales along with long, slow exhales and just allow the noisy thoughts to float by.

Remember to slow down for some quiet, still time each day. It’ll make a big difference in how you feel, how you look, how you love. Now, breathe that in!

Love. Listen. Let go.
Cornelia

[Photograph: Priscilla Wannamaker]

September 7, 2009

{Wedding Rituals}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
What’s a wedding without some sort of ceremony, and what’s a ceremony without re-enacting a ritual or two, and what’s a ritual without a bit of mystery? The rituals of wedding ceremonies—such as exchanging rings, repeating vows, or even dressing in special clothes—are intended as outer expressions of your inner transformation. Rituals act as guideposts on this rather mysterious transformational journey called being a bride, this womanly rite-of-passage.

What rituals are you using for your wedding? Give them attention like wise gifts from the past and see how their magic goes deep into your heart.

Love. Listen. Let go.
Cornelia

[Photograph: Priscilla Wannamaker]

September 5, 2009

New Issue of "Weddings of Grace" Magazine Now Online!




The September-October issue of Weddings of Grace Magazine is now online! Featuring a beautiful Sonoma wedding honoring family heritage and the magic of nature with glorious photographs. Stories of the mysteries of the "something blue" bridal legend including answers to "Why Ritual?" A husband-wife relationship coaching duo share what they learned from their wedding and you'll find more tips for green weddings. Plus, as always, there's something there for all women who love matters of the heart! Enjoy.
[Photographs by: Kimberly Sayre and Shannon Stellmacher for Shannon Stellmacher Photography]