Wedding Wise

It's been awhile since I posted "Wedding Wise". I guess I needed to get a little older to become wiser. Today's tip is about "How do I personalize my Chuppah?"

 Planning your wedding allows you (hopefully) the chance to express your inner creative self. We all have it! Choosing color, dishes, flowers and dresses to show your  taste.

A Chuppah is no different. The only problem is when someone thinks about personalizing it all they think they can do are names and initials. Here's one example of a very personal Chuppah.

THE BASEBALL CHUPPAH - A couple spent most of their dating life going to baseball games. Luckily, they both loved baseball. Unfortunately,  a close member of the bride's family had passed away and she wanted to include a picture of this person. I designed a diamond (simulating the baseball field) set in a square. Each of the bases were a picture of deceased members of both families. This helped the bride feel that all these people were joining her at this moment in her life. Who was on the pitcher's mound? The couple of course.

Think outside the box. No pun intended. Chuppahs have fabric after that anything goes. You can have, embroidery, beads, silk flowers. Some clients choose Hebrew or English passages that express their love. Do you have pictures, ties, treasures from dates? All these items can be included in your chuppah.

A phone call is free so contact me and we will talk. Oh, I am getting so faklempt already.

My Coach in Life

This is a thank you note I sent to my coach in art. For those who don't know what a coach is here is an explanation:
Like in sports, it is someone who guides you to be the best that you can be. It is a person who pushes, hopefully not through yelling but through talking. A coach teaches you to set goals and offers suggestions on how to achieve them.

The person I thank for doing all of this with me is Lesley Riley. She has a program called "Artist Success".  I am the artist who creates your chuppah because of Lesley"s coaching. She helped lead me on the path to be your designer.

Please read below the letter for additional comments.

A year and a half ago I wouldn't have any words to fill in the last box "website".
In the Jewish religion there is a phrase "looking for your b'sheret". It is usually used when one is looking for their future partner in life. A b'sheret is someone who will stand along side you through life's trials and tribulations. It is someone who will help and support you to be the best you that you can be. The act of looking also implies working towards this goal.

Lesley, you are my b'sheret (in friendship). This last year you helped me see my potential. I am an artist who is capable of reaching goals I set for myself. I met you at a time when I was at a crossroad. I had public affirmations that my work was "good enough" to be recognized by experts in the field of art.  I knew I had "it" but I didn't know what "it" was. Our meeting was what I would call "the Hand of G-d" sending out a spiritual sign. At QBL you were just beginning your journey into a new venture at the same time I needed someone just like you to guide me on my journey.

My life will never be the same. You have made all the difference in my growth as an artist. Your gentle but direct insistence on helping me set my path in an organized fashion helped earn respect from those around me. I was no longer a "dabbler" but I was a serious artist and business woman. I am proud of who I have become. G-d sent you to me at just the right time for both of us. It was a spiritual hand as well as your hand that brought me to this point in my life. I have now combined my three loves in life; family, art and religion.

Today was our last phone call. I know that it will not be our last encounter. We will continue to share our successes and struggles. Our personal joys and concerns. You are my therapist, my coach, my support . You are my friend. Thank you for all that you have done for me and will continue to do for other artists. Do you realize your work literally makes this world a more beautiful place to live? 

 Thank you, Lesley

My prayer for you is that your b'sheret will support you and guide you to be the best you that you can be. Don't forget to do the same for your spouse.