Letter from the Editor

Features

The Ritual of Self
Revealing a Woman’s Intimate Journey

Stories from three mothers-of-the-bride:

• “Artists Together” ~ Layne Conrad, mother-of-the-bride & her daughter Kimberly
• “The Voice of Intuition” ~Debora Ott, mother-of-the-bride & her daughter Alice
• “Mother-Daughter Partnership” ~Susan Creagh, mother-of-the-bride & her daughter Susie

A Bride's Story
Remembrances of Weddings Past

• “Mothers & Daughters” ~ A Wedding Essay by Cornelia Powell, 2003
  with Cornelia’s Musings for the Bride  
  “The relationship of mothers and daughters holds all the dimensions of the universe in its form and character. Weddings reveal the strengths and weaknesses, the tone and temperament of this primal relationship.”

• When I Was a Bride
  Women of all ages share their wedding remembrances with Cornelia.

Trappings of the Wedding
Exploring the Wedding’s Creative Elements

VEILS
In this issue of Weddings of Grace we explore the feminine mystery & folklore of the bridal veil.

• A Bit of Bridal Veil History & Lore
  What we know as the bridal veil has a mysterious and ancient history….much of it wrapped in what would be considered stories of mythology and goddess legends today. But, I dare say, there is more truth to these origin myths than even our imaginations can dream!

• “The Veil Reveals” ~A Wedding Essay by Cornelia Powell, 2003
  “I imagine the bridal veil as representing the mystery of womanhood….wrapped in a gossamer cloud, the veil reveals the woman.”

The Lineage of a Gown
Wedding Dresses Tell Their History

• “Every Bride Needs a Fairy Godmother! ~ Artist Nancy Bryant & Love Make a Wedding Gown!

• “From Bride to Mother-of-the-Bride” ~ The transformation of a masterpiece!

• “The Lineage of Women” ~ Wedding Essay by Cornelia Powell, 2004
  with Cornelia’s Musings for the Bride
  “…a woman is not only creating exquisite artwork, she is putting her love, intent and energy into the spirit of the process, encouraging and blessing another woman’s life—continuing the vibrant lineage of women.”

After the Wedding ~ New in this issue!
From Princess for a Day to Goddess for a Lifetime

• What’s Next? by Cornelia Powell
  “I have often said to brides: How you ‘be’ in planning your wedding is how you will ‘be’ in your marriage. So now the wedding is over—no spotlight, no wedding planner, no attendants looking out for you—it’s just you and him and a broad, open horizon. What’s next?”
  

Take a Breather!
Three Minutes to Ease: Exercises to Relax Your Mind & Body ~ Expanding Your Spirit

• Listening for Stillness
  “There’s a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen to it, as the personal self breaks open.” ~Rumi (as translated by Coleman Barks)
  

Cornelia Recommends
Resources & News of Interest for the Bride & Beyond

• Books ~ Old & new treasures (Plus, see our new Amazon Bookstore!)
• Green Weddings ~ Organic resources & gift registries
• Products & Services ~ Beautiful choices designed to serve you

Ask the Wedding Goddess ~ New in this issue!
The Reverend Laurie Sue Brockway, affectionately known as Rev. Laurie Sue, of New York City and author of The Wedding Goddess, answers your queries about ceremony, family, love.

Weddings of Grace Amazon Bookstore ~ New in this issue!
Selections of books, music & movies for making connections and lighting up your world!

Meet Cornelia
The Bride’s Sage & Wedding Folklorist

• Cornelia Powell has been the voice of conscious, intuitive weddings for over two decades—offering brides the wisdom of ancient rituals plus the freedom of modern culture to create ceremonies from their hearts. 

Resources
Contributors to Weddings of Grace

• Acknowledging the contributors to the Autumn/Winter 2007 Issue of Weddings of Grace.

Archives

• Weddings of Grace Online Magazine
  ~ Spring/Summer 2007 ~ "A New Mythology for Today's Bride"
  ~ Winter 2007 ~ “The Lingering Image of the Bride”
  ~ Autumn 2006 ~ “Rituals of the Heart”