Weddings are said to be one of the best days of your life, and it should be. But weddings can often bring stress and sadness because of deceased love ones who are no longer physically able to be there. If you are spiritual as I am, you believe that the spirit of your loved ones will always be there. I am not a medium by any means, but please find comfort in knowing there are signs that the deceased are constantly among you, including days like your wedding day, some signs may include, instant ease to your nervousness, the blow of the wind, blowing your hair in your face as you’re walking down the isle, the random song the DJ plays that was their favorite song, finding pennies on the ground. There are many ways the deceased show their presence on your big day.
One of the most asked questions my brides ask me is “How can I honor my deceased dad, my mom, my grandma, my grandpa, etc. at my wedding. Here are a few of my favorite ideas

• Reserving a seat in their honor- Placing their photo or name on a seat during the ceremony.
• Pictures of them at ceremony and reception.
• A video of them to play at the reception.
• A Moment of silence.
• For deceased parents, playing your mother-son, father-daughter song with video of the two of you in background.
• Carrying/sewing a piece of their favorite clothing on your attire.

 
The key to honoring the lost at your wedding is to make them present, mention them at your ceremony, write them in your programs, have a moment of silence, have a special dish in their honor, make it unique to them. Find comfort in knowing that you are not alone on your special day, which they are not just at your wedding but they are right next to you the whole time. 

Photo credit: Sarah Faith images

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been in love with love. I have been dreaming of my own wedding since childhood. Many people throughout the years have asked me "why are you so obsessed?, Its only a day." My response has always been: "Yes, it is one day. However, its the first day of the rest of my life I spend not as a me" but as an "us". 
I sadly believe that the idea of a lasting marriage is slowly dying. Many people are getting married today, many more are not; out of fear of divorce. The issue with this is that people now think of marriage as an option. In my option Marriage is not an option. Marriage is a commitment to spend your life together. 
"For better, for worse, For richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death does us part". No one ever said that a marriage was easy. Its hard work and dedication every day. There will be fights, there will be moments when you cant stand each other, there will be days when you don't like each other yet you choose to always love each other. Like anything that is worth something, it takes work. Marriage is a choice to love each other through it all. 
I became a wedding planner because I still believe in love and marriage. A wedding is not just a party. A wedding is a celebration of the love you have for each other and the commitment to stay together through good times and in bad. Its the first day that you stop referring to yourself as a "me" and you start referring to yourself as an "us". 
My advice for anyone getting married is to do what you want to do. Do what defines your love, whether it be a big wedding or eloping in Vegas. Its your day and your day is going to be the foundation for the rest of your marriage, so make its yours. 
Photo credit Sarah faith images