Alternative Vows

I found these alternatives to standard wedding vows on the MyPhoenixWedding.com planning website's blog. I LOVE them!

Perhaps they'll inspire you...

"Do you, Emily, take John to be your husband from this day forward? Do you promise to remain faithful to him and share your feelings honestly, to live with him and laugh with him, to comfort him when he is in pain and delight in his successes? Do you promise to challenge him and bring out the best in him, to never take him for granted, forgive him if he disappoints you, and look for ways to grow together? And do you promise to nurture your love until the end of your days?"

"Emily, do you now choose John to be your life companion, to share your life openly with him, to speak truthfully and lovingly to him, to accept him fully as he is and delight in who he is becoming, to respect his uniqueness, encourage his fulfillment, and compassionately support him through all the changes of your years together?"

"I, Emily, take you, John, just as you are to be my husband. I will share with you the many adventures of this life. I gift you with my love, my respect, and pledge to you my care and commitment in times of joy and sorrow, for today and throughout our tomorrows. So will it be."

Happy Planning!

Wedding Ceremony Programs

{Photo courtesy of Ceci NY via Wedding Bee}

Providing your guests with a program at your ceremony is a great way to personalize your wedding. It also provides a great opportunity to share your and your fiance's cultures, family traditions or any other special things about you as a couple.

Perhaps you are having your ceremony at the church where you were christened or baptised as a child? Or maybe it's the same church where your parents took their vows.

If you are getting married in a location that has rich history attached to it, tell your guests about it in your program.

If you and your fiance are combining religious rituals into your ceremony, providing the meaning behind each of them in your program will allow your guests to share in the spiritual aspects of your ceremony.

Check out these wonderful suggestions on Wedding Bee for programs that cover EVERY budget range!

Your program doesn't have to be elaborate but make it special! By coordinating it with the other colors and elements of your wedding, it will not only stand out but it will let your guests know how much you appreciate their participation in your special day!

Happy Planning!

Ceremony Music

I was contacted the other day by Stacey Cashmore of the Campanillas del Sol Handbell Ensemble. What's a Handbell Ensemble? That was my question too, but I imagine it is a wonderfully talented group of people who make beautiful music with handbells! What a wonderful sound that must be!



"Campanillas del Sol is one of the Valley's premier handbell choirs. We play for weddings, church services, community functions and corporate events. We scale our fees to the size of each event."

"In preparation for our European tour this summer, we're giving a series of free concerts throughout the Valley. We would love for you to attend so you'll be familiar with the types of music we play."

"For more information, please call 480-998-5568 or visit us at our website

Our free concerts are as follows:

Sunday, May 4
First Presbyterian Church of Mesa
161 N. Mesa Dr.
Mesa, AZ 85201-6756
Concert start time 3:30PM

Sunday, May 11
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
13724 W. Meeker Blvd.
Sun City West, AZ 85375-3730
Concert start time 3:00PM

Sunday, May 18
Grace Bible Church
19280 N. 99th Ave
Sun City, AZ 85373-1401
Concert start time 6:00PM
*We will play from 6:00 to 6:30, the first half hour of the evening service.

Sunday, May 25
Valley Presbyterian Church
6947 E. McDonald Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253-5342
Concert start time 3:00PM

Sunday, June 1
Church of the Beatitudes
555 W. Glendale Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85021-8763
Concert start time 3:00PM

Sunday, June 8
First Baptist Church of Tempe
4525 S. McClintock Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282-7398
Concert start time 6:30PM
*We will play from 6:30 to 7:00, the second half hour of the evening service (which starts at 6:00)

If you're looking for something a little different for your ceremony music, I encorage you to check one of these concerts out. And if you do attend, let me know what you think!

Get With The Program!

{Photo courtesy of Ceci NY via Wedding Bee}

Providing your guests with a program at your ceremony is a great way to personalize your wedding. It also provides a great opportunity to share you and your fiances cultures, family traditions or any other special things about you as a couple.

Perhaps you are having your ceremony at the church where you were christened or baptised as a child? Or maybe it's the same church where your parents took their vows.

If you are getting married in a location that has rich history attached to it, tell your guests about it in your program.

If you and your fiance are combining religious rituals into your ceremony, providing the meaning behind each of them in your program will allow your guests to share in the spiritual aspects of your ceremony.

Check out these wonderful suggestions on Wedding Bee for programs that cover EVERY budget range!

Your program doesn't have to be elaborate but make it special! By coordinating it with the other colors and elements of your wedding, it will not only stand out but it will let your guests know how much you appreciate their participation in your special day!

The Ceremony...A Celebration of Love

When you said "Yes", you said yes to the rest of your life. That's a wonderful commitment...one that is sacred. It deserves to be celebrated with loving words, sweet music and loads of family and friends who love you.

I'm a BIG fan of personal vows and ceremonies that break slightly from tradition. I don't know about you, but that word "obey" just isn't appropriate anymore. Having someone do what you say do, just because you "said" it, isn't love. Having someone do what you say do because they LOVE you? Now THAT sweetums, is LOVE!

I have a friend who knows a thing or two about love. His name is Larry James and he is a relationship coach AND an ordained minister! He performs the most romantic ceremony I have ever seen in my life!

Hey...Don't just take my word for it...go see for your self!

Ask the Expert: Do You Know Any Nice Alternatives to the Traditional Vows?

I found these a few weeks ago on the MyPhoenixWedding.com planning website's blog. I LOVE them!

Perhaps they'll inspire you...

"Do you, Emily, take John to be your husband from this day forward? Do you promise to remain faithful to him and share your feelings honestly, to live with him and laugh with him, to comfort him when he is in pain and delight in his successes? Do you promise to challenge him and bring out the best in him, to never take him for granted, forgive him if he disappoints you, and look for ways to grow together? And do you promise to nurture your love until the end of your days?"

"Emily, do you now choose John to be your life companion, to share your life openly with him, to speak truthfully and lovingly to him, to accept him fully as he is and delight in who he is becoming, to respect his uniqueness, encourage his fulfillment, and compassionately support him through all the changes of your years together?"

"I, Emily, take you, John, just as you are to be my husband. I will share with you the many adventures of this life. I gift you with my love, my respect, and pledge to you my care and commitment in times of joy and sorrow, for today and throughout our tomorrows. So will it be."