I want to know how you asked your bridesmaids to stand next to you on your big day!?

A year a half ago my sister wrote me a letter before my wedding and posted it on her blog.  This is her way of expressing herself and it was her speech to me and everyone who will read it, of what she would want me to know before I married Josh that day (We both ended up marrying Josh’s).  Today is her birthday and I want to celebrate all sisters, especially mine!  As a sister you are there no matter what to love and support the other, no matter how different you are or what the situation may be.  I have learned that is the funny thing about family, you stop asking why or how and you love blindly and unconditionally.  My sister was lucky to find her Josh who I know loves her and takes care of her every day.  Her hobbies and interests couldn’t be further from mine which makes them all the more interesting to me.  She is able to manipulate coupons to save money and harvest, can and cook with her own vegetables from her garden.  She will be programming a computer during the day and go home and cook a 4 course meal without any recipes.   I still have a lot to learn from her but am happy to be celebrating with her today! Happy 26th!

Speaking in front of a crowd is always nerve wrecking – if your sister’s or brother’s wedding is coming up make it personal and write them a letter… Mine Did!

Dear Caroline,

Four days.

In four days, you’ll be married. A lot will happen between now and then. Your friends and family will arrive in town. You’ll be whisked from place to place for all the dinners and luncheons leading up to the Big Day. Much giggling and anticipation and primping will go on, and this day you’ve waited years and years for will finally arrive, and you and Josh will be married.

Two years ago today, June 3rd, 2006, I married my Josh. The event was very different than all you have planned- but we’ve always known we are different. Our events reflect ourselves and the relationship we’re celebrating. I wouldn’t have changed one thing about our day, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same about yours! (Well, unless it rains.)

I challenge you for a moment, in the midst of the chaos and social events and preparations, to think of what YOUR next two years will look like. You’ve watched Josh and I, and we both know you and your Josh will have different adventures over the next two years. We moved to the suburbs less than half an hour from both our parents- you guys are headed to the Big City a few hours away, living the high life in a high rise. We chose to settle down in our psuedo-farm, and you guys will be jet-setting all over the country. Our lives will continue to be different, as they always have been.

As different as our circumstances will look, however, you will face many of the same things we have over the last two years. You’ll have to figure out how to manage your newfound salaries. You’ll have to learn to pay bills, deal with insurance, and make spending decisions together. You’ll have to decide what church to attend in the new area. You’ll have to decide together how to decorate the new place. You’ll have to cook. You’ll have to both figure out how to balance Couple Time with New Job time. You’ll have to figure out what chores each of you are good at or don’t mind doing and share responsibility in the home. These are all experiences every new couple has, and you guys will get comfortable with your own “groove”.

Figuring out who takes out the trash or who cooks dinner or who sends the check to the electric company will all fall into place- as long as you guys communicate often and well. Communication, frequently and respectfully, has been the biggest part of making us a Team. When we listen to each other, feelings don’t get hurt, no one gets misunderstood, and problems get solved better and faster. It will be especially critical for you guys, if Josh ends up traveling a good part of the time. Keeping up with each other, taking time each evening to reflect on your day and be a part of each other’s lives each evening after the rush and stress of work will be so important.

This morning Josh said to me, “I need you. That’s what I’ve learned over the past two years.” I can wholeheartedly agree. At my first anniversary, I looked back and saw that Josh had allowed me to blossom- to become more of who I am. This year, I look back and see how we’ve spent the last two years becoming one. We’re more a team today than we ever have been, and I know we will continue this mystical becoming-one, team-making process for the rest of our lives. We need each other more than ever before. We work together and alongside each other to get mutual and individual goals accomplished, and it is a joy to serve one another. On your wedding day, Caroline, you’ll be starry-eyed, head-over-heels in love with your Josh, absolutely certain the two of you could never be more in love. And then! After the wedding day! During the following months, you’ll be amazed (as I was) how you can become even more in love than you are right now. 

Marriage is great. I highly recommend it. I’m excited for you.

Love, 
Your big sister

The note you write your sister/brother won’t be forgotten, it will be saved and re-read later on.

Happy Birthday Joanna!

The only thing better about treating your girls to a spa day before your wedding, would be spending the day being pampered in an over-sized fluffy personalized robe.  Your girls can use these robes after and will love the personalization!  Don’t forget to specialize a robe for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom to wear proudly while celebrating that morning.

Along the same lines of robes, these bath towel dresses are also a fun way to thank your girlfriends for their support over the years.

**I am always thinking about ways to create great photography opportunities, and this is one of them!  Have your photographer meet you and your bridesmaids at the spa the morning of the wedding as you get your hair and nails done in your personalized robes!

Sources:  Pink Frosting, The Knot, Monograms Etc., Get Married

Your bridesmaids are there to support you every step of the way! Have them sign the soles of your shoes that you are walking down the aisle in as memorabilia (a mini guest book in a way!).

As all of the upcoming spring and summer brides are preparing for their outdoor weddings, why not create a program that is not only informative but functional and fun!  I love these fan programs for outdoor weddings, they are a great DIY project that your guests will appreciate!

They are a bit time consuming but worth every minute! Make sure you order heavy card stock for your paper so that your fans aren’t flimsy.  Cut the ribbons to the length and thickness that you desire and then gather a group of your bridesmaids and start an assembly line!

*Find the perfect wording/font and print them at a local copy shop

* Cut out each fan section very carefully!

* Punch a hole in the lower portion of the fan section

*Loop the ribbon through all of the fan sections

* Admire your great work!!

**UPDATE: If you are interested in creating your own DIY fan download it below!

Wedding Fan Template