You may Kiss the Bride- How to Kiss at the Alter

How to Kiss at the Alter

 

 By Danielle M Baker
 "The Wedding Lady"

"You may kiss the bride."

You have heard that phrase hundreds of times. In fact, I have said  it hundreds of times, or something close, such as: "Please share your first kiss as a married couple" or "You may seal your marriage with a kiss."

As much as we like to think of kissing as spontaneous, you would be surprised how much thought some brides put into the kiss. Having to contend with make-up, big dresses with trains, shyness, performance anxiety, and possibly conservative relatives, there is often talk in our consultations of how they will kiss and for how long.

I have also seen every kiss imaginable between bride and groom at the altar: A peck on the cheek, a hug, a fist bump, a long kiss on the lips, a series if kisses on the mouth, a full open-mouth tongue kiss, kissing through tears of joy, and kissing so passionately that friends and loved one scream, "get a room."

Everyone has their own feelings about kissing and their individual preferences about public smooching.  This is something to be aware of on your wedding day. With that in mind, come up with a comfortable way to kiss at the wedding altar. Have a blast practicing!

 1. Consider you and your Fiance's level of comfort with public affection. If this is not something you or your fiance are used to, you can do a very small, brief kiss just to seal your nuptials. I have married more than one bride who kissed her beloved on the cheek at the end of the ceremony, and that was just about as much that either one of them could handle as they turned beet red.

 

2. Is one of you a bigger kisser than the other. Some couples don't see eye to eye about kissing at the wedding. She wants a big passionate smooch, he thinks it is embarrassing, and so on. It is good to get a sense of which way things will go on your big day, before the big day is here. Hell hath no furry like a woman whose lipstick has been smeared, kissed off or just ruined before the photos are taken of the couple walking back up the aisle.  Guys, her color may not be your color.

3. Think about your family. Are your mom and dad affectionate with one another in public? Will seeing a big, wet wedding kiss make your grandmother faint? Does your family clank wine glasses with spoons or ring bells demanding that you kiss?  Some couples adapt their kiss to the comfort level of the family.

4. Go For It. When everything is said and done, it is your wedding and you can kiss any way you choose!

There is no right or wrong way to kiss on your wedding day. Like anything else in the ceremony, having a sense of how you would like to kiss and be kissed can relieve any "performance" pressure.  

In truth, the kiss is the big moment when you can sigh and say, "The ceremony is over... and  we are married!"  I hope your wedding day kiss is perfect!

There is NO wrong way when it comes to YOUR wedding day!

There is NO wrong way when it comes to 

YOUR wedding day!

  Little girls grow up envisioning their "Dream Wedding Day" their entire life.  You have found your Dream Man and now it is time to plan your Dream Day!  I have brides tell me in our meeting all the time that they just don't want to do it wrong.  There is no right or wrong way to design your wedding day.  

 

  After performing the nuptials of hundreds of couples, the most important advice I can give you is to follow your vision on your dream day!  Family, coworkers, friends and vendors will all have opinions on what you should do to make your wedding perfect.  The problem with this is it's their vision and not yours.  Have the day you always wanted by sticking to what you love!

A Dream Wedding- Pinterest Style-

 Many of today's brides want to be creative in their wedding planning.  Style, ambiance and trends are all a big part in planning a wedding.  If you love Pinterest like I do, you know there are amazing ideas.  Don't get discouraged and think that you can not have those things.  Many of my brides ideas for their perfect wedding came from Pinterest and were made into a reality!  Here are just a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dress of your Dreams-

If you are more of a traditional person, you may envision a traditional ceremony and reception.  There are many wonderful wedding ideas and sites to assist you in keeping with your vision. 









 
 Instead of wearing a traditional white wedding dress maybe you want a pink dress?  

Do you love Red and want your wedding dress to show it? 





  

No matter what style or color you choose, You will be a beautiful bride in the dress that you LOVE!

 Ceremony and Reception-

  Instead of the traditional Saturday night ceremony and reception, consider this: Having an enjoyable early afternoon ceremony followed by an entertaining mid afternoon happy hour style reception.  

  This gets you out of being committed to serving a full course dinner and drinks. This in turn, will lighten your catering bill substantially, but will leave you and your guest with a radiant and memorable celebration. 

  Pick an Experienced Officiant, Minister or Pastor to perform your nuptials. You can read more on this in my prior blog.  Click Here To Read 

Now these were just a few wedding tips, but don’t forget to stay to your plan.   So these tips were just a handful of the most important must haves or things to consider when planning your wedding!  Being organized and fully prepared is the beltway to save and have a fabulous event. 

Pick and choose what you find appropriate and your dream wedding will transform right in front of you!!! It is all in how you present your wedding and timing is the ultimate way to save in all areas of your wedding! 

Have fun planning and never forget to keep it simple so you can enjoy every moment of this cherished day!!!!

Sunrise Wedding in a Hot Air Balloon- Dennis & Linda

Dennis & Linda Osborne

I had the honor of performing the nuptials of this beautiful couple on 10/10/2012.  They were married in a hot air balloon at sunrise in Anderson, SC.

Dennis & Linda met as they headed back to college after retiring for second careers!  They never imagined when they headed back to school that their lives would be changed forever!

http://emiliecarol.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/10/-i-do-dennis-linda 

I had the pleasure of working along side two wonderful vendors-

Emilie Carol with EmilieCarol Photography

http://www.emiliecarol.com

 &

 Steve & Connie Lambert with Skyscapes of America

http://www.skyscapesofamerica.com/

  

If you want to learn more about this special package please visit: http://www.theweddinglady.us/Packages.html

{Real Wedding) Even after a Stroke... Nothing would stop this Father's from walking his Daughter down the aisle!

 

On June 3, 2012, I had the honor of officiating the wedding of Ashley & Chris Weld at The Red Horse Inn in Landrum, SC.  I am blessed to being a part of many beautiful wedding days, but on this particular day I was truly moved and bought to tears.

 

A FATHERS LOVE...

     It's most every father's dream to walk their daughter down the wedding aisle and dance with his baby girl on her wedding day.  Ashley's Father was no different than any loving father with the exception that he had suffered a stroke and he is unable to walk or talk.   He decided there was no way that he would not walk her down the aisle!  Everyone in attendance was moved as he exited his wheelchair and with a cane, took his daughters arm and led her down the aisle.  He smiled the entire way! 

 

Once they reached the alter, Ashley's mother joined his other side and the three of them stood together as I asked "Whom has the honor of presenting this woman to marry this man?"  He silently raised his hand and smiled and Ashley's mother said "Her Father & I."  

 

Mr. Fudge sat in the front row the entire ceremony and there was nothing in this world that could wipe the smile off of his face.  He was so proud.  The ceremony was beautiful.  I had already been so moved by this man and his will to walk his daughter on her wedding day, I could not imagine it could get any better.  

 

 

The reception was beautiful.  The happy couple cut their cake and then we all watched as Ashley & Chris took to the dance floor as the music began to play for their first dance.  

All of a sudden "Butterfly Kisses at Night" began to play and again Mr. Fudge carefully stood with assistance from his wheelchair.  He joined his daughter in the middle of the dance floor and held his beautiful daughter for their dance.  I lost it.  It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!

 

 

On this day I not only witnessed the true WILL that this man has, but an undying Love for his daughter.  

I dedicate this story to you Mr. Fudge because this day forever changed me!

God Bless You!

{Real Wedding} Norm & Sue- 5-26-2012 Childhood sweethearts marry three decades later.

Norm and Sue first met over thirty years ago at a small campground in Upstate New York.  They were engaged to be married while in high school.  Both being young, they unfortunately  drifted apart and went their separate ways.  They both married and were blessed with children of their own.  Eight years ago, while Sue was searching on Facebook, she found Norm again!  She contacted him and fate brought them back together and today we celebrate the rejoining of these two hearts.  

On May 26, 2012, As their elderly parents were seated in the front row and the friends and family that are closest to them witnessed, I had the honor of marring the childhood sweethearts. 

 I asked them you each write me a private letter on why they loved each other to read as a part of their ceremony. 

Norm wrote...

 

When we first met back in high school, we were a good match from the start.  Just too young to know how important that was. Like the song goes "You don't know what you got, till it's gone". I was young and dumb and let her get away, and have regretted it ever since.

Luckily for me, ole fate stepped in and gave me a second chance. Now that I am a lot older, and a little smarter, I am not making the same mistake again.  When we met again 9 years ago, we both had been through most of life's experiences, except for true happiness.  After hours of phone calls, and spending time together, I quickly realized she was "The One".

Why do I love "my girl?"  The main reason I fell in love with Sue is she is the "Real Deal".  There is nothing pretentious about her.  She's the most awesome woman I have ever known. 

I love her for her nurturing spirit and positive attitude and that she is able to forgive and forget without a second thought.

She’s kind, compassionate, thoughtful, and generous of herself and her time, asking nothing in return.

I love her because at times she is pure entertainment, all by herself. She cracks me up!!!

I love that she wants to spend time with me in my man cave, works on projects with me, and loves the outdoors, camping, and riding our ATVs.  She has been my pit crew, helper, ladder holder, teammate, doctor, nurse and riding buddy,

Now a road trip driver she is not. Her specialty is being “Sleepy the Co-Pilot". It usually requires me breaking a bone, for her to take the wheel on a trip.  That has happened a few times, and she did a great job.

But I love her most when I pull a dryer sheet out of my shirt sleeve at work, or find a little love note in my lunch.  She loves me even in times when I am sometimes not loveable.

I love to hear her laugh and make her laugh, and her happiness is my priority.

She is the best thing that has ever happened to me, my best friend, my buddy, and the love of my life!

 Sue  wrote...

When I first found Norm again my heart skipped a beat.  When I saw him again after 25 years I thought it was a dream, because it literally was a dream came true for me.  Over the many, many months we spent talking, I knew that I had found my soul mate and best friend again.

He is loving and compassionate, caring and thoughtful, generous, sensitive and emotional, and he's not afraid to show it.   Although he puts on a good manly front, he is an old softie !!  I love how he always grabs my hand to hold it and opens doors for me. I love when he is always there with umbrella in hand when it rains. 

I love that when we go to restaurants, he always sits so his "eye" is on the door.  He always has my best interest, safety and happiness in mind, and he makes me laugh every day - usually at his own expense!!

He makes the very best campfires, cooks anything to perfection on the grill, picks out the best greeting cards ever, and can tear apart anything and put it back together in record time. He is a perfectionist and his motto is measure twice, cut once and if you want something done right, do it yourself!! All these things and more are what made me fall back in love with him, and love him for every day.   He is my rock, my best friend, my soul mate and the love of my life. 

I wish them a lifetime of happiness now that they have reunited!    

Danielle M Baker

"The Wedding Lady"

Wedding Officiant & Minister

 www.TheWeddingLady.us

864-303-8748