Real Wedding: Aileen and Troy Pt. One

We all know that true love endures all and gets stronger and today's couple have a story that shows how they did just that!


I have such a lovely wedding story to share with you today from the work Maria Angela. Lovely emotions, adorable details and a beautiful couple await you. I have divided this feature into two parts. Today the couple, Aileen and Troy, share an inspirational love story and tomorrow we will get some fantastic tips from the groom's perspective. :-)

Aileen and Troy met four years ago while playing pool at a hopping bar in Naples, Florida and had their first date start, of all places, at church. They attended a service and then went out for dinner where they clicked almost immediately. The couple finished the night with a quiet walk on the beach—listening to the surf gently encroach upon the shore, and knew they would be seeing each other again soon. 

 

Troy and Aileen had only recently settled into their respective lives—Troy a marine biology student and Aileen an esthetician—and it they weren’t long into their new relationship when they were hit with a disturbing revelation. On a routine doctor’s visit, the physician noticed ominous growths throughout Troy’s chest and abdomen. He was diagnosed with late-stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma and immediately pushed into chemotherapy. 

 

 

Throughout the hectic and often strenuous year-long treatment, Aileen stuck by Troy. She opened her home and allowed him to stay with her while he was unable to work. Halfway through the treatment a message of hope was delivered to the two; Troy’s doctor announced that the therapy was allaying his sickness, and the chances of an eventual full recovery were improving.

Troy waited over a month for the conditions to be perfect to “pop the question.” The day of, he gave Aileen a new dress and told her that they had a dinner reservation that night. On the way to the restaurant, Troy pulled off the road so that they could enjoy the vibrant Naples sunset. They decided to walk out onto the sand where at the moment after sunset, Aileen turned around to find Troy smiling up at her and asking a question that they both already knew would be her answer.

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow to get the groom's tips and see more lovely photos of Aileen and Andy!

Photography by Maria Angela Photography submitted via Two Bright Lights

Corinthians Series Pt. Two

In case you missed the start of this series, check out last week's kick off of breaking down this popular wedding ceremony reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 

Part Two looks at 

What does it mean to be kind? It is defined by dictionary.com as this:
–adjective

1. of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person: a kind and loving person.

2. having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence: kind words.

3. indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane (often followed by to ): to be kind to animals.

How might we see this in our relationship and marriage?
- Please and thank-you
- Saying "I love you" often
- Giving complements
- Making an extra cup of coffee without the other asking
- Not bringing up an issue that can wait when your spouse has had a bad day


My Example Story:
My husband is in training for the Marines right now and sometimes he has to be at work at 6am or even 4am. Then he would have days longer than 10 hours. Because he is a brown bagger, as they call the married guys who commute from off base, he has more trouble getting a parking spot in the morning. Thus he would lose about 15 minutes to find parking, and walk to his barracks. These guys don't get much sleep so 15 extra minutes of sleep is gold. Since I don't work, I get up with him, make him coffee and breakfast then take him to work, dropping him off right at the door. I don't do it to get anything in return, or to get wife of the year, I just do it out of kindness. (A lot of wives do this too, as I drive past them after dropping my husband off, I feel good to see others acting out of kindness to their man!)


Do you want to share an example story? Email me at weddingpickle@gmail.com with a story you have for any of the other phrases from 1 Corinthians that I will be featuring in the future, or feel free to comment with any of your stories as each post in the series publishes. Next Sunday we will look at Love not having Envy. 


Do you have any examples or stories to share today for how Love is Kind? Do share!

Bride's Prayer: Looking Perfect

Weddings have a way of changing our views of our selves. Maybe we always want to look good on a daily basis, but nothing compares to how we want to look on our wedding day. Professional hair and makeup, expensive jewelry, whitened teeth, tanned skin, toned arms, whatever it takes to look like a celebrity on the red carpet for a day right?

It is your wedding day and you deserve to do all of that to feel like you look your best. But, did you know that the natural glow of just being a bride sends out the most beautiful vibe about you?

I remember freaking out because I didn't lose that last 5 pounds giving up working out the week before my wedding and fighting my shiny face. But in the end, I felt like a million bucks just by being in the presence of my groom. Love was the best beauty enhancement!

Don't let all the little details of perfection bog you down. It could rain on your perfect hair and you can cry away your perfect makeup, and it wouldn't make you look any less beautiful and stunning on your day.

The model bride looks beautiful. . .

Source: popbee.com via Isabel on Pinterest

But the real bride in her glow is more beautiful! Don't you agree?

Source: stylemepretty.com via Taylor on Pinterest

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. - Psalm 139:14
You are already perfect because God made you that way. So any enhancement is just icing on the cake. Any missing enhancement won't be missed.

. . . For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7

The Prayer

God, my wedding tends to make me focus on that which fades in time when I know it is my heart that holds my real beauty. I want to look my best. Stress isn't beautiful but love is. Help me to appreciate what I have of myself, to do for myself what I need to do for your glory, and to know that by my wedding day, I have done all I can and that I look perfect no matter what I did or didn't do for my appearance.

Dialogue: Special Gifts Not from Registry

This is a topic of discussion is one that can be touching, funny or annoying. I'm talking about those who refuse to buy from your registry because they want to get you a more thoughtful and meaningful gift.

I got two examples to share:

Unique gift I liked- My aunt got me this abstract feeling, colorful chalice that when I first opened it I thought wow this is so cool! I never would have thought to ask for it. At first I worried how I would use it. Now, since my husband is a candy addict, we have it out in the living room all the time with candy in it. Even better, I have something that makes me think of my lovely aunt and how grateful I am for her love.

Unique gift I didn't- You ever see those tv shows where the guy buys a girl a star and she melts? Not in this case. Someone bought us a star and I was less than thrilled. I felt horrible because a) I didn't like it and b) that frame of the certificate was not going to be on any wall in my home. In fact right now it sits on a shelf in my coat closet extending the shelf space for the boxes sitting on top of it. :-( It is sweet to go thoughtful and I appreciate the thought but a gift card and cash for the amount it takes to buy a star would have gone to better use. Oh well. (Now I feel bad writing this article. Thank goodness it was from a person I do not know.)

I think I see my star!

Source: film-grain.tumblr.com via Owls on Pinterest

What are some unique gifts you have received from your showers, parties and/or your wedding? Do you have any ideas of unique gifts that don't end up being a waste of money and effort?

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - Ephesians 2:8

Pickle: Finding Time to Plan

The Pickle: It is difficult for a lot of today's brides to find time to plan. You either cut from your life to plan your wedding or you fall behind on planning your wedding because your life is way too busy.

Source: None via Danielle on Pinterest

The Solution: My number one tip is of course to hire a planner so that you can actually enjoy the process and your wedding day with out freaking out, however, I'm going to offer some tips since so many brides insist to do it themselves with no professional help.

All you have to do is P-L-A-N.

Prioritize- You need to know in your heart what is most important to you and maybe remind yourself what is most important. Your relationship may be priority, it is after all why you are getting married! Your job may be priority because maybe you need the money to pay for the wedding so taking days off isn't an option. Know your priorities. So if that vendor meeting is during your usual movie night with your fiance, skip it. Reschedule. If that gown fitting is scheduled on a work day and costs a bit of money to do it on the weekend, decide if the money lost on a day off is worth it. Reschedule. Make the wedding planning work around you. What needs to get done, will get done. Don't hinder yourself to make this wedding happen!

Let Go- Things won't go your way, things are going to go wrong, people are going to disappoint. Let it go, move on to the next plan. If you spend so much time freaking out, crying and complaining about what didn't happen, you waste the time you should use to come up with Plan B, or C or D.

Authorize- Okay superwoman guess what? You aren't superwoman. You can't do it alone. I know, I know, I am OCD too, but there are some tedious tasks that you can give to others to get done and you know what? They won't screw it up. Your bridesmaids, mothers, friends and family all want your wedding to go off without a hitch too because they love you! Give the authority to some to do some tasks for your wedding planning. Have your bridesmaids tie those bows, have your mom hunt down all the rental companies in the area, whatever task needs to be done that you can let go of, authorize someone else to do it.

No- Just say no if you have to. You don't owe everyone your time. You have to stick with your priorities and just decide what is worth your time and what is not. Someone wants to have a girlfriend's night before a bachelorette party just to have more time with you when you have none? Don't be afraid to say "No, I have so much going on, we can meet up during the bachelorette party."
What is most important is your priorities and that you haven't lost time that you truly needed for yourself or your relationship with your fiance which again, is the reason this whole wedding thing is going on.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. - Proverbs 31:30

Real Wedding: Elizabeth & Andy

Today's wedding is brought to you by the lovely photographer Sarah Christine who I also featured in the past. She shares with us the couple's story and some tips for you brides-to-be! I think you are going to love the cake topper on this one!

They had mutual friends for years, but never met. It was actually a blind date set up by his brother that finally got them together. They started hanging out slowly but surely and most of his family and friends couldn't believe how similar they were. They loved to run and the simple things in life.

... she always called Andy her prince charming and loved cinderella. They are very close with their family and friends, LOVE Disney, wine.

Pickle Tips:

Biggest tip, is great to get the photos out of the way before the wedding, everyone was very hard to get together after the wedding. Make sure someone knows how to bustle the dress and that it is secure 60% of gowns bustle comes undone in my experience. Plan early and have friends help. Pick 3 things that really matter to you, don't skimp on that.

Thank you Sarah Christine for sharing your tips to brides and your work!

Photos by Sarah Christine Photography submitted via Two Bright Lights

Pickle: Wedding Registry Crash Course

The Pickle: You don't know where to start for your registry

Vera Wang Vera Lace Bouquet Dinnerware

The Solution: Here is a crash course in Wedding Registries. Follow the steps below:

Who- the guests, income levels, for you and your groom
A registry is a great tool for your guests to shop for wedding gifts that you actually want or need. You will want to consider different income levels of your guests. You fresh out of college friend can't buy you fine china and your mother's rich client won't feel comfortable getting you plastic food storage. Another thing to consider, this is for you and your groom. You may never grill, but that grill set might be great for your groom.

What- different price level items, home, personal
After considering the income levels of your guests, be sure to register for items in all price level categories; cheap, affordable, expensive. Ex: plastic party tumblers, family set of silverware, Designer crystal toasting flutes.  Think of items for your home and car but also items of interest to you. If you want to register for that Wii Fit, go ahead! Many stores and wedding sites provide printouts of items you can register for if you are stumped. (I never knew about a lemon zester until I looked at a list that my Bed Bath and Beyond suggested items list)

When- before sending bridal shower invites out
You may be getting people asking about your registry as soon as your engaged. I don't think it is ever too early to start the registry because it doesn't hurt anyone. However, I suggest you have a good amount of registry items in all price ranges at least by the time the bridal shower invites are out. You don't want guests checking out the registry to get your gift only to find 5 items.

Where- regular department store, fancy store, specialized store
Registering to too many places can be frustrating to keep up with. I suggest picking a general popular store (Macy's, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc.) A nice store for those who want to get a special wedding gift (Williams Sonoma, Nieman Marcus, etc.) and maybe a specialized store (camping goods, electronic goods, etc.)

Why- easiest way to get gifts you actually want
Do you have to do a registry? No one is forcing you to, but it helps guests stress less about what to get you and if you have one already, and it keeps you from having to return too much because you should be getting what you asked for in the amount you asked for.

How- online, in store, on bridal shower invite, word of mouth
Register online, in store, whichever is more convenient for you. I say do both. I registered for items online but some of those items were online only. I didn't know this until people said they went to the store to get my gift and couldn't find it. I felt bad that it wasn't convenient for my guests wasting their time looking for an item that wasn't there.  How to tell people about your registry? It can be printed on your bridal shower invite and you and your family can tell people about it as they ask you. Just do not put it on your wedding invite!

What stores are you going to register with? Got a unique one? I want to hear it!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Corinthians Series Pt. One

I'm starting a new series on Sundays focused on the famous passage from the bible often used in weddings, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.


I thought to do this series because it seems when something is used a lot and is chosen by popularity or because it is the first one we know or because it is the perfect definition of what love is does not mean we know what it really means to apply it to our marriages. I decided to break this passage down to dig deeper of its meaning and application. 


We begin with

What is patience? It is defined by dictionary.com as this:
–noun

1. the quality of being patient,  as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, withoutcomplaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to havepatience with a slow learner.

3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

How might we see this in our relationship and marriage?
- Not snapping when he didn't put the dish in the dishwasher after you asked him.
- Not getting angry when she is making you late to that party because she can't decided on her shoes.
- Not getting angry when the trash wasn't taken out or the bathroom wasn't cleaned.
- Not getting frustrated when he/she can't decided what they want for dinner.
- Waiting for that apology you want without nagging about not getting it.


Example Story:
Right now in my marriage it is a waiting game knowing if we are going to be moving to Florida at the end of the summer or not because of my husband being in the Marines. I have been building a life that I love here in Virginia/D.C. and it is frustrating knowing that it will end and not knowing when. I have had to exercise a lot of patience and prayer to not get angry because I know that when he knows, he will tell me. He can't do anything about it until they tell him. So we wait. Patience. 


I want to build this series with many stories from all you! Email me at weddingpickle@gmail.com with a story you have for any of the other phrases from 1 Corinthians that I will be featuring in the future, or feel free to comment with any of your stories as each post in the series publishes. Next Sunday we will look at Love being Kind. 


Do you have any examples or stories to share today for how Love is Patient? Do share!

Inspiration Board: Coral

1. Amanda Hein Photography via Style Me Pretty

2. Momental Designs via Inspired by This

3. Rachel Thurston via LaBelle Bride

4. Rebecca Wood Photography via Style Me Pretty

5. Yvonne Wong Photography via Style Me Pretty

6. Yvonne Wong Photography via Style Me Pretty

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. - Habakkuk 3:17-18

Bride's Prayer: Jealous Bridesmaid

You know how it feels. You see it everywhere. The ring photos, the status updates, the invitations to weddings. Before you got engaged, you probably felt a little jealous. I know I did.

Now you are engaged. You are so happy and you have asked your closest friends to be your bridesmaids. They love you and they truly are happy for you, but depending on where they are in life and in their relationships, they may feel that pang of "I wish I was getting married too."

Source: oncewed.com via Tori on Pinterest

For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! - Ecclesiastes 4:10

You need to be sensitive to your bridesmaids' feelings and also be understanding if one happens to be a bit snippy or a debbie downer. How do you handle your relationship with her? Maybe you are considering removing her from your bridal party, confronting her, snapping back, etc. But none of it is worth losing that friendship.

A friendship is give and take. When you were down, she probably lifted you up. Why else did you ask her to be your bridesmaid? The wedding may be about you, but when a friend is in need, put that away to focus on her. She may be down, you need to lift her up.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. - John 15:12
Think about how you want to be treated. This applies to everything in life. 

The Prayer:

God, help me to put away the petty, the material, the earthly, and look towards the heavenly. Guide me towards love the way Christ loved. Help me approach my friend from a place of love and understanding so that we can further strengthen the bond of our friendship.

Dialogue: RSVP By Phone

I have been getting a lot of wedding invites from friends lately and a few things always spark my muse for a blog post. RSVP by card or RSVP by phone? Let's weigh the pros and cons for guests and for you.

Haha. How do you like me on the phone at my bridal shoot? I think I was trying to give my mother-in-law directions, which I'm bad at doing. Let's pretend someone is calling me to RSVP for the sake of this post, lol. I don't look happy! {photo by Piperbella Photography}

RSVP by Card

Pros:

Guests don't have to feel awkward turning down the invite by just mailing it in.

Guests get the feel of formality.

You have a concrete way to keep track of the guest list.



Cons:

The extra costs of stamps.

Not getting the card back and having to call people.



RSVP by Phone

Pros:

Saves paper and costs of stamps



Cons:

People may be too shy to call

It isn't formal

Some people are hard to understand on Voicemail. Who was that, great I got to call them back. This may end up in phone tag. Not cool.



I am always an advocate for doing what you feel is right for your wedding and style. However, I am curious to know what you all think about RSVP by phone. Would you do it? Is it what you are doing? Have you done it and are you glad you did?

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. - Acts 22:16