Zen Bride (bride to be must read post)

One of the many amazing gifts i received from Mr. Steve's Aunt Pat at my shower was a little bath kit and a book called "The Zen Bride." Though i have not gotten around to using the bath kit, the book was AWESOME.
I am going to sum up some of the activities & quotes included in this book for you because they are super helpful and informative.




Positive Vibing

Take a piece of paper and divide it into 3 columns.
1. In the first column list your top five wedding/what could go wrong fears.
Example in the book: My fear is that it will be pouring rain on my wedding day.

2. Now take a moment to visualize how you would handle or solve each one of your five problems should they occur.
Example: It's pouring outside and the rained "plan b" i created goes into effect and all of my vendors are aware of plan b.

3. After each visualization write down briefly how you handled this problem in column two.

4. Now, finally in the 3rd column write down a positive statement after turning your negative fear into a positive.
Example: Everything is going to go smoothly rain or shine, and everyone knows that to do!

5. Now take a separate piece of paper and make a list of all positive statements from column three and carry it around with you. At any time you find yourself getting overwhelmed or worrying just read your positive statements.


"The Dessert Island Exercise" (My favorite)

Sit down with your fiance, each with a piece of paper and pen.
Pretend the two of you are stranded on a deserted island but it is full of everything you need in terms of necessities forever....food, bed, shelter, etc. You have everything except no personal items.
You both are allowed to bring only 5 personal items and they can be anything.

What are the 10 things you and your fiance would bring?

Our Example:

My List
1. Our dogs Smokey & Moo
2. Pictures of our family and friends
3. Steve's collection of music
4. Beer & wine
5. My pillie i have had since i was 3. (brings me comfort)

Mr. Steve's List (he only had four)
1.Our dogs
2.Dope Sneakers
3.Computer/Internet to stay in touch with our family and friends
4.music

Now review your lists, they show you the important elements you should have at your wedding. The items don't have to be so literal either. But they can be, in the book one of the examples was a surf board on his list and a journal on hers which could translate into a beach theme wedding, or journal favors with a surf board print on them.
What makes the exercise important is that it helps you bypass your logical/rational brain and helps you go directly to the heart.

What Mr. Steve and I lists in review.......

Our dogs were both our number one and we incorporated them into the wedding. They will be coming down the aisle in a wagon with our ring bearers.

Our love for our family and friends, hence a big wedding with everyone we love there to share it.

Beer & wine, which will be present at our wedding. Got to love open bar!!

Though my ratty old pillow "pillie" will not be attending the wedding and he will not be part of our theme haha i took it as more of a feeling of comfort which is why we decided to have the wedding and reception at the same location to keep that intimate feel.

Steve's Sneakers-His groomsman gifts were custom nike sneakers for all of them to wear for the wedding.