Gratitude for my mani-pedi.

It never ceases to amaze me where ideas can show up.  While I was getting a mani-pedi today, sitting in one of those over-sized massage chairs with the swirling foot bath and a fabulous color of pink being painted on my nails, I was thinking about how lucky I was to be sitting there.  I wondered how many women in the world don't have the luxury of such treatment, and have never even heard of a "mani-pedi."  I was feeling very grateful for my life.  And then this idea came.

Wouldn't it be interesting to watch a ceremony that opened with the  bride and groom each taking a turn to say something about the gratitude they are feeling. These "Gratitude Offerings" would be the very first words spoken in the ceremony. Just a sentence or two (written on a pretty little card to read from) would ease you into your ceremony with a heart-opening tone and an opportunity for a little playfulness to set everyone at ease.

Here's an example of what I imagined:

Bride:  I am so grateful to be here today and for all the things that brought me here:  my parents, the good fortune of meeting my perfect mate, and the friends who have supported me through all my planning angst.  Today, I am also particularly grateful for my wedding dress, the fact that my groom let me pick out his suit, the food we will eat, and the joy to be shared. 

Groom:  I too feel grateful today -- for the chance to be a worthy partner to someone who is so good to me, for the fact that she didn't make me wear a tuxedo, for my basketball buddies, our dog Xenon, and for all of you, for coming to share our wedding day with us.

"Gratitude Offerings."  Whatcha think?

Comments

[Heather and Dan]

I love this idea! Wish I had thought of it for our wedding. My gratitude offering would have been for (among other things) the beautiful bouquet my friend Ladan made for me. And Dan's, I suspect, would be for the morning hike he and I took to John Dean Park and the mountain of delicious Indian food his friends fed him before the ceremony.
You could make this idea as lighthearted or and seriously sentimental as you wish. Nice!

[Jess]

L-O-V-E this idea!! Look what genius a mani-pedi can inspire.