Wedding Wishes

Seven Prompts for the perfect Wedding card

It started with a move

I recently moved my studio to the main level of our Bungalow. In the midst of the move, I came across many cards from friends and family over the years. Naturally, I keep most cards that come my way that mean a lot to me. Truthfully, it isn’t hard to look through our home and find some form of card or note stashed in a random corner. I store these cards in multiple locations, so that when I need a boost of encouragement I don’t have to look far.

To some, writing a card does not come naturally. To them, the more pre-printed words, the better! Other people love the idea of a fully blank card, and the more blank space, the better! They like to write the longest note possible…these people typically even have the back of the card plastered with words. This may sound like a nightmare to some!

No matter where you find yourself on the card writing pendulum, the intent of writing a card is to show your support. For an occasion such as a wedding, the card is an opportunity to keep encouraging the couple long after their wedding. Christian and I will soon be celebrating our three year anniversary, and I still glean encouragement from our wedding cards!

That’s how much your cards mean to me! Whether someone wrote a silly note, or a serious note. I kept the cards because they wrote them. It was something they wanted to specifically tell Christian and I.

The fear of a blank space

Now, I acknowledge there are people who simply just don’t know how to put their thoughts on paper and that is why the help of a “pre-printed” card is so attractive to them.

This is why I have created seven prompts for you to use for the next wedding you attend. I will stand behind keeping the inside of my greeting cards blank because I truly believe in the power of a hand-written note. However, I want to be a resource to you. The whole reason I started this business is to help and encourage you to, well, encourage others! These seven prompts are a way of pursuing that mission.

I hope that you will find inspiration from these prompts, and if you find they are exactly what you want to say, USE THEM! You have my permission to use these words for the benefit of encouraging the ones you love. I encourage you to save this document by right clicking on the image. Refer back to it whenever you are in a crunch!

What is your favorite prompt? Which one are you most likely to use? I love to hear your feedback and plan on creating more resources like this for you!

The Mundane

What if I told you that I actually like the word, "mundane?" Would you think that I am crazy? Well, I guess that isn't news to, anyone. Let's grab our coffee and talk a little more about this.

I am currently drinking a kind of orange flavored latte; it's actually a lot better than it sounds. I also realize, I’m not helping myself sound any less crazy…orange flavored latte?? Well, what are you drinking?

Real Talk

“There is no sign of me stopping anytime soon, and I am incredibly grateful for that!”

Alright, real talk, the business has officially launched. The grind has been on for a long time, and who doesn’t get a little tired after so many late nights? There is no sign of me stopping anytime soon, and I am incredibly grateful for that! Actually, I am excited there’s starting to become a point of certain mundane qualities to my schedule. Let’s be clear, despite the average human’s definition (and the actual dictionary definition) of the word mundane, I don’t think of this word as negative.

Living to the hilt

Jim Elliot has a famous quote that I have constantly rehearsed over and over and over in my head for years! Jim said, “Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” I think this should especially be applied when you are in the day to day of “just life.” It’s especially important, and I am SO preaching to myself right now, that in the midst of what may seem to be dull, is actually where we can press into living to the fullest. It allows me to not be so worried about what “so and so” is achieving because I know that I am living to the hilt of where I, 100% know, the Lord has led me to.

“Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” - Jim Elliot

My Dear Husband

Do you know what really made the word mundane one of my favorites? When we were preparing to get married, I asked Christian what he was looking forward to most as a married couple. His reply, “Just living day to day with you, living in the mundane together.” That told me, that my soon to be husband at age of 22 cared most of all, about just being together. He saw the value in the Tuesday’s. In day’s that will not necessarily be memorable, but the day's that mean we had another opportunity to just live in the presence of one another. Goodness, I get butterflies just talking about him!

Do you see now?

Do you see why I’ve gained a certain love and appreciation of the word, “mundane”?

Admittedly, I have started to reach a point of some mundane days with Bungalow House. Days that I am not sure what I accomplished will make a difference. Days that seem like they may not have much weight, they will.

These days will make a difference. I may have days without receiving an order, but you bet that I am going to continue to press into this. I am going to continue to reach out, paint, create, live to the hilt of each day that I am given! Because, it is in the mundane when I can recognize to be thankful for just another day. If you find yourself in the mundane today, press into it. This is the day that you can live to the hilt of where you are.

Finish off that coffee and let’s get to it!

"Joy & Sorrow"

This week's new card reveal wasn’t just another piece to add to the collection. Nor was it a way to “promote” this business. It was much more personal than that.

While it may have a cheerful appearance and seem like something that wouldn’t have much meaning and depth to it, this card actually was an expression of my heart after I heard the news of my grandfather's passing. Before I go any further, let’s clarify. This is my full-blooded Italian grandfather, so to say “Grandpa” is strange…his real name is Papu to me.;)

More than a card

“This card actually was an expression of my heart after I heard the news of my grandfather's passing."

After I heard that Papu passed away, the only thing I could think to do was paint. I didn’t have much going on in my head. No plan. No palette. No story. I just had a brush in my hand. When I saw the final result, I was confused. Papu just passed and this is what I did??

Now, I’m no psychologist, but let me try to explain what I think happened. Overall, there is joy in this card. I mean, look at the color palette: pinks, light blues, splashes of yellow. My color choice confused me. But, as I reflected, I felt an indescribable feeling of joy & peace for my Papu.

Joy & Peace

Joy, knowing that Papu gave his life to Jesus. He has been welcomed into our Savior's arms!

Peace, knowing that Papu was no longer in pain.

But, take another look. Notice the deeper spots. Within the light blue streaks and pink swirls, you will see deep blue, almost black splotches and deep pink that is almost blacked out amidst the swirls. I believe this described my sorrow & sadness.

Sorrow & Sadness

Sorrow, knowing that Papu was no longer with the love of his life, Nana. He is no longer with my mom, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, he’s no longer here… with me.

Sadness, knowing that family gatherings will never look the same.

A Tribute

This card no longer has an aimless meaning. While I truly have joy and peace for what my Papu is currently experiencing, my family is still left without him. Until we see him again, we will continue to experience times of sorrow and sadness as we grieve the passing of such a great man. Yet we will always remember his life with great joy and celebration. This card is my tribute to you, dear Papu.