Water
Water is the element of flow. When people use the cliché, “go with the flow” they are, in essence, talking about the element of water. At many points in your wedding planning and during your wedding, you will need to invoke the water element. Yes, what I am saying is that you will need to learn to just go with the flow. There will be unexpected and sometimes unwanted happenings even with the best laid plans. When things happen that are out of your control, remember to be like the element of water and find your way gracefully and smoothly over any metaphoric rocks that you may find in your path. Water is often used to depict tranquility and calm. Try to create a peaceful place inside of you (perhaps by reciting an affirmation or a mini-prayer or a biblical verse). Then when challenges do arise, you can go to this place of peace.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Gabrielle Gujjari is a newlywed who successfully survived planning her wedding. She is also a certified professional life coach who specializes in relationships and women’s issues. You can visit her blog here.
Fire
Fire is the element of action and transformation. It is my favorite element as it is used to get one going and to “burn out the old.” As with the other elements, using it in moderation and keeping it in balance is the key to a happy and sane wedding. Air helped you brainstorm and dream, earth helped you make practical plans. The element fire helps you to get moving. Think of it as your anti-procrastinator element at your service and use it well. Make a to-do list and start getting the things you know you need to do completed ahead of time. If there are some things that you wanted in your initial brainstorming session that don’t fit into your wedding budget, burn them out (figuratively of course). If there is something you’d love to have but can’t figure out how to do, use the fire element to enlist the help of supportive friends and family. Let the element of fire help you burn up your assumptions about how things “should” be so that you can enjoy your special day. When you come across frustrating situations and obstacles, let the fire element help you continue to blaze your path ahead and move forward.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Gabrielle Gujjari is a newlywed who successfully survived planning her wedding. She is also a certified professional life coach who specializes in relationships and women’s issues. You can visit her blog here.
Earth
Earth is the densest of all the elements-it is the element used for “grounding.” When I think of the element earth, I think of practicality and stability. After you spend some time with the air element, you’ll need to spend some time with the earth element. The earth element keeps us grounded. This element will help you to be realistic about your wedding. Maybe releasing doves at the end of your ceremony into the air seemed like a good idea, but once you conduct the research, and understand the costs, time and risks involved, it doesn’t seem so great after all. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of getting married at the top of a mountain, but once you see how impossible it will be for your beloved 90-year old grandma to make a trek to the top, you change your mind. The air element was all about brainstorming and getting your ideas out. The earth element helps put those ideas though the litmus test of practicality.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Gabrielle Gujjari is a newlywed who successfully survived planning her wedding. She is also a certified professional life coach who specializes in relationships and women’s issues. You can visit her blog here.
Introduction
Many cultural traditions have used the concept of balancing the four elements (air, earth, fire and water) in order to explain how one can lead a physically, spiritually and psychologically healthy life. The concept of each of these elements is interesting, especially when one thinks about one’s wedding. In order to truly enjoy your wedding (and the planning and preparations of it) you may want to do what sages have advised over thousands of years-Find a way to incorporate and balance all four of the elements.
Air
Air is the lightest of the four elements. It represents the dreamier aspects of life. After your engagement, when you are ready to think about planning your wedding, you’ll want to incorporate the air element because it’s so much fun to do. You’ll want to spend some time just thinking and dreaming about what you’d like your wedding to look, feel and be like. At this point in your planning, you just need to focus on your wedding vision. You may want to look through magazines and cut out pictures of dresses and flowers. You may want to spend some time daydreaming about how you’ll do your hair and your makeup. Using the element air means that you’re in the clouds-and you’ll want to be here first. Dreaming and envisioning helps inspire the hard work and dedicated planning that will soon follow.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Gabrielle Gujjari is a newlywed who successfully survived planning her wedding. She is also a certified professional life coach who specializes in relationships and women’s issues. You can visit her blog here.
We are THRILLED to announce that our “Scarlett” vine was chosen to be in the very fashionable Inside Weddings Magazine!! We can’t stop grinning and we can’t stop flipping through this beautiful magazine! You can find our fiery red Scarlett on page 40 along with other beauties to adorn your tresses.
We saw our first copy in Manhattan and quickly celebrated the news with some close friends! There are tons of gorgeous photos and ideas in this issue. And don’t miss the dozens of amazing wedding gowns!
