Reading: "Union" by Robert Fulgham

Like many brides, I'd like our wedding ceremony to be very personal, intimate, and romantic. Readings are one way to personalize your wedding ceremony and I've been searching beyond the standard wedding poetry, looking for some uncommon readings. As a lover of literature I've been scanning my bookshelf, searching through my books of poetry, and romantic literature.

A friend shared with me a reading I'd never come across in my searching or heard before in a wedding ceremony. It may not be new, but it's new to me! I thought I'd share it here:

Union by Robert Fulghum

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –
This is my husband. This is my wife.

I'm going to keep this reading in mind!

Centerpieces: High vs Low

I've been looking into possibilities for centerpieces and one thing I've been undecided on is the height. I always thought I'd go with traditional centerpieces, something along the lines of a low floral arrangement or floating candles in a lily bowl. 

I've seen tall centerpieces but often found them to be too dramatic and over-the-top for my taste. (See photo)

But I have also noticed that tall centerpieces add a nice element to the overall look of the room. It draws the eyes upward and adds a certain elegance.

Browsing at a craft store with my mom we paired a tall Eiffel tower vase with a single stem orchid. 

Taking this further, we discussed how we could add stones or beads and lights inside the vase for an added effect. We could set this vase on top of a mirror, then add other table enhancements like votive candles or other decorative lights (more on that later.)

That's when I realized tall centerpieces don't have to be over-the-top, they can be simple and elegant.

I think we have found a compromise in that we may alternate tall centerpieces with low ones. This way we can add the height without being too over-the-top.