Everything we do must be done in God’s Honor.  Jesus, his disciples, and his mother were guest at a wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-11), towards the end of the wedding celebration the wine ran out.  Jesus performed his first miracle changing water to wine.  This wasn’t ordinary wine, but as the master of the feast exclaimed “it was the best wine”.  Many times after reading that passage I would ask God “why did he choose this act of Jesus changing water to wine at a wedding celebration” to be the place where his first miracle is performed and why use something unimportant as wine”.  I finally understood…no matter how small the act, in everything we must give God our best, this is Glorifying HIM. 

Those in love and planning such a sacred event as their wedding celebration must focus on GOD.  Most brides and grooms-to-be, tend to get caught up in the state of “I Want”, or travel the road “It’s all about ME”, or get stuck on the highway of “It’s MY Day”.  Let’s first take a moment to identify the difference between marriage and a wedding.  A wedding is an act or event, marriage is a state of Holiness; God creates marriages-you create your wedding.  Once we come to the realization that God is the primary factor in our celebrating, we will then begin to look for ways to glorify him through our planning process.  Thus leaving no room for Bridezillas or Groomzillas, because our focus is no longer on self but on a Higher purpose.

How do we glorify God through our wedding celebration?  By doing everything in excellence, by seeking his direction, by wanting to give HIM the primary focus.  One way of doing this is sitting down with your mate to discuss the type of wedding you both want and then setting a realistic budget.  Brides may feel “budget” is a bad word, that it takes away from the romantic side of the wedding.  Yes, budget isn’t romantic; neither is paying for a chicken dinner five years after the wedding.  Luke 14:28 speaks of setting budgets.

In knowing how God feels about budgeting I have created a Wedding Celebration Expense Spreadsheet, which covers well over 150 items connected to the wedding and reception.  I recommend that you create an expense spreadsheet which shows the agreed upon dollar amount allotted for the entire wedding. 

Your spreadsheet should have at least 3 columns:

Column 1 titled: Wedding Items: (list everything from catering hall to hosiery and everything in between)

Column 2 titled: Estimated Price Range: (should reflect the lowest-highest dollar amount you will be comfortable paying for each item)

Column 3 titled: Actual Price: (shows the dollar amount you spent per item)

Once the estimated price range is set for each item you must stay within that range.  You may come across one or two items you have underestimated the cost, if this happens and you can’t get around paying a lower rate, you may purchase the item at the higher rate and deduct the difference from another item on your spreadsheet.  This way you will not go over your budget.  With a realistic budget in place, the fun begins, you can start shopping and planning for your day.

The beauty and elegance of your wedding celebration is not limited by your financial situation.  You can have the most breathtaking, awe inspiring celebration by simply making time to be creative and praying to God to send you the right F.L.O.W.E.R.S.   

These F.L.O.W.E.R.S. are your Friends who Love you and will Offer their time assisting you in planning your Wedding, all the while Encouraging you and Respecting your feelings, these are your Sisters in Christ. 

Together you can redesign a church fellowship hall into a spectacular reception hall by simply draping fabric and adding soft lights, or create personalized wedding favors, just to name a few things you can do together.  These F.L.O.W.E.R.S. will be able to share their gifts, talents and experiences with you, be open to accept their wisdom and direction. 

Remember, take time to think about every detail of your special day, plan and pray with your mate, Proverbs 19:21 says there are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel-that will stand.  If you keep your focus on God and the blessings he has kissed you with, your day will truly be filled with love and HIS presence.  Together that’s all you will need to have a Platinum Wedding.

Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give HIM glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and HIS wife has made herself ready…

Feel free to contact LadyPamela for a wedding planning consultation session.

LadyPamela@ASTEP-UP.com

718-530-8935