Fulfilling the role of mother of the bride is not simply a wedding day duty, but a life changing family journey. Mothers of the bride navigate the world of wedding planning, satin, tulle, family and in-law dynamics, all the while evolving into a bridal coach extraordinaire.
Today I'm delighted to introduce a new book by Cheryl Barker, a writer from Kansas who has followed my blog since its beginnings, always offering words of encouragement along the way.
Table of Contents
Introducing Cheryl Barker
Like me, Cheryl is a blogger, and I have followed her publication journey on her website, as she shared the trials and tribulations of writing, editing, submitting, and finally the joy and satisfaction of her book release.
This summer, Cheryl's new book Mother of the Bride: Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride has hit bookshelves everywhere. Even though this book may not be uniquely Irish or Irish American, I just had to feature it here on my blog, since the role of mother of the bride is universal, and shared by mothers all over the world.
And good news, I have a signed copy of Cheryl's wonderful book as a giveaway prize for one lucky reader to win. But before I share details of how to enter, first let's explore Cheryl's helpful advice for mothers of the bride everywhere.
Inspiration for Mother of the Bride
Here's how Cheryl introduces her companion guide for mothers of the bride....
"Mothers in today's world wear many hats and struggle to keep the stress in their lives at manageable levels.... Add the delightful but demanding new hat of mother of the bride and you have a host of middle-aged moms pushed to their limits."
And if you're an Irish mother of the bride you'll understand the stress level involved in simply choosing the perfect hat to wear on the special day.
Cheryl recognizes that mothers of the bride (MOB's) are in desperate need of an empathetic voice and moments of relaxation, especially since they are called upon to magically morph into wedding planners, all the while holding their daughter's hand as they navigate their way to the altar.
"With all focus, financial and otherwise, dedicated to the brides and the weddings themselves, the needs of mothers of the bride are overlooked. Mother of the Bride will help MOBs step away from the hurried pace of daily life complicated by a demanding new role."
"Through essays featuring relevant quotes or scriptures, personal stories, nuggets of wisdom, simple suggestions for personal pampering, journaling opportunities, communication aids, and practical tips for wedding planning, Mother of the Bride will nurture the all-important but too often neglected mother of the bride."
About Cheryl
Cheryl is a writer from Kansas who grew up in a house full of girls. Married to her college sweetheart Don, she taught English for a short time before becoming a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters, Kristin and Kelli. She became a freelance writer when her daughters were teenagers and now is a veteran mother of the bride.
As a mother of triplets, I can relate to Cheryl who is the proud grandma of precious twin grandsons with another set of twins on the way! Wow! Lots of busy happy days ahead for Cheryl and her family.
Cheryl’s work has appeared in magazines, compilation books, and other publications as well as in Blue Mountain Arts greeting cards and also their gift book anthologies and calendars. Her inspirational blog brings loving words of encouragement and strength to many. In 2013 she also launched a blog for mothers of the bride.
Cheryl loves to spend time with family and friends. She's an amazing photographer and dedicated writer. When she's not singing with her church choir, or helping in her church or writers' group, she's spending time with her husband or helping her daughters. She's definitely a candidate for a Grandma of the Year award.
Irish American Mom's Mother of the Bride Story
As I prepared this blog post my own mother of the bride wedding story came to mind. I could create a headline for this little tale called "The Runaway Bride - No Wait It's The Mother Of The Bride Who Is Missing."
My husband still recalls his painstaking wait at the altar, initially wondering where his bride might be, but then realizing it was the mother-of-the-bride who was missing in action, plus his very own parents.
Married in 1993 at the chapel in Trinity College Dublin, getting to the church on time required negotiating city center traffic. Since then, traffic patterns have changed in Dublin, but in the early 1990's when approaching Trinity College from the northside of the city, you had a choice to turn right or left at Pearse Street.
Well, everyone turned left, except the car with the mother of the bride and the groom's parents. And guess what? A protest march was in full swing on College Green that day, so lo and behold, my MOB had to wait patiently in traffic as the march passed by. You could say my MOB was stuck in the mob.
Irish American Mom's Review
My daughter is only nine years old, so I have at least a decade or two to wait before I must step into the demanding role of mother of the bride. But nonetheless I truly appreciate Cheryl's wonderful and inspiring companion volume for any mother of the bride.
A hardcover copy of this book is just perfect to become a family keepsake. At the end of each chapter there are pages provided to jot down thoughts and experiences, emotions and memories to treasure for years to come.
I highly recommend this book as a gift for any mother of the bride. It is the perfect way to help her on her journey to one of the happiest days of her life.
Cheryl shares her personal MOB stories, filling this book with practical and helpful hints. Encouraging, inspiring and humorous, each chapter is organized with due care and thought. Here are some examples ...
- It's Official: Let The Squeals Begin
- Sleep - What's That? The MOB Brain Stuck in Overdrive
- The Man of Her Dreams Becomes Your Son: Coming to Grips with the Groom
- Lean on Me: The MOB's Support Team
- Father of the Bride - Make Room for Daddy
- Be Very Careful - There Are No Do-Overs for the MOB
- Basking in the Joy: A Mother of the Bride Gives Thanks
Where To Purchase:
This book, designed especially for mothers of the bride everywhere, is a blessing for navigating this important family journey.
And for those, like me, who will not be a MOB for many years to come, don't forget this book is a perfect gift for any mothers of the bride you may know.
Cheryl's book can be purchased online:
The Giveaway
One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of Cheryl's book, Mother of the Bride: Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride.
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Wednesday July 20th, 2016.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration for your entry why not tell us a wedding story or mother of the bride story.
One winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday July 20th, 2016, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries by clicking here.
Thanks to everyone who supports this little giveaway by leaving a comment, and sharing it with family, friends and any busy mother of the bride you may know.
And a big thanks to Cheryl for providing a copy of her book as a prize.
Update – Winner Chosen
Good news. Our winner has been chosen using the randomized “Pick Giveaway Winner” WordPress plug-in.
Congratulations to …..
Pat Fordyce
I’ll send you a quick e-mail to let you know you are our prize winner.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and entered this Irish American Mom giveaway.
And a big thank you to Cheryl for sponsoring this prize and for introducing us to her writing. Wishing her every success with this publication and many more to come.
If you're planning a wedding you might be interested in reading some beautiful Irish wedding blessings. You might find some inspiration for your vows or ceremony.
Other Posts About Weddings and Mothers
Here are some other posts you might enjoy.
Canvas Ireland Shoulder Bag Giveaway
Irish Wedding Blessings Printable From Irish American Mom
Irish American Mothers Plus A Holiday Book Giveaway
Wise Old Words From Ireland For Mother's Day
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
If you enjoyed this post here are some other stories and tributes you might enjoy.
Mary
Thanks for letting us know about this great book and the opportunity to win a copy.
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - Thank you for stopping by to check out this blog post and giveaway. Really appreciate your support.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Pat Fordyce
Enjoyed your wedding story ! Looks like a wonderful book....thanks for the opportunity! ?
Irish American Mom
Thanks so much, Pat. Thanks, as always for stopping by.
Take care,
Mairéad
Sheila
Love the cover design - it makes this book even more special when given as a gift.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sheila - The cover design really is eye catching, simply, but classically artistic.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary Ann
I have had the most amazing experience of being the mother of the bride in 2011. I can't think of a more noble opportunity. I was so sad when it was over. I would love a copy to save for my sister who will have two upcoming opportunities someday soon.
Here's to my Irish luck! Thanks so much.
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary Ann - It's lovely to hear you treasured every moment in your role of mother of the bride. It truly is an important role. I hope your sister will relish the role as much as you did.
Best of Irish luck to you, and thanks for supporting this giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Patricia
I've got a daughter that's nearing that time...would need to read this book once everything is "official!"
Irish American Mom
Hi Patricia - Here's hoping it will be "official" very soon. This book would be a wonderful handbook for your journey as mother of the bride.
Take care,
Mairéad
Bernadette
loved your story, Mairead about your disappearing parents on your wedding day. I was at a rather more sombre occasion (funeral of a friend's mother) a few years ago which turned into a comedy of errors when, after the Mass, the cortege headed off to the cemetery. The cemetery is divided by a busy main road and that day there were 2 funerals travelling there through traffic at the same time. Well, half the mourners cars followed the wrong hearse, mistakenly heading right instead of left, and ended up at the wrong graveside wondering why they didn't recognise anyone.
they eventually arrived at the purvey meal afterwards looking a bit confused to say the least! Needless to say their story provided some much needed light relief and the story was retold many times.
My mother in law told me a story of a funeral many years ago in rural Donegal, where she came from, where it was the custom for a coffin to be carried by mourners all the way from the church to the graveyard (no cars in those distant days). At each house they passed they would rest and be offered a whiskey. After some time ( and more than a few whiskeys) they set off from the last house only for the neighbour to come running after them shouting ( in Irish) that they'd left the coffin behind!!
Irish American Mom
Hi Bernadette - Thanks for sharing your wonderful stories. Wayward mourners ending up at the wrong funeral definitely brought some levity to a very sad occasion. I love your Donegal story where the pall bearers forgot the coffin after a few too many whiskeys. I remember whiskey being served at the graveyard for funerals in West Cork - an ancient rural tradition. When I was young my granny was in her 60's and much of her social life revolved around funerals. During my summers in Skibbereen I attended many wakes and funerals with her. I love how we Irish can start out talking about weddings and end up talking about funerals. It definitely is an Irish thing.
All the best, and thanks so much for joining in our conversation.
Mairéad
Lisa tomey
I would love to win this book. I believe I will be a MOB very soon!
Irish American Mom
Congratulations, Lisa. I hope you enjoy your mother of the bride journey.
All the best,
Mairéad
Gene
Mairéad,
No apology needed; you have a blog and I just learned how to spell your name with a correct accent.
My comment was to notice the decrease in the function of some MOBs where the bride was no longer a teenager but a college grad with some years into her career. Grooms seem to have about the same input.
I wondered where we would be in another generation or two; and hoped that there would be more thought of their life together and not so much on the wedding process.
Irish American Mom
Hi Gene - Thanks so much for stopping by again to leave a comment. I'm afraid your last comment disappeared into the great unknown as I struggled with some technical issues behind the scenes on my blog. It took me so long to watch an instructional video and understand what I was supposed to be doing to transition my website to a better server, that by the time I caught up on my end, some comments were left on the old server, which I have no idea how to retrieve. The technical jargon and computer programming associated with blogging will do my poor head in.
Like you, I often wonder how weddings have turned into such huge affairs, often with no expense spared. I remember talking to my mom about her wedding reception and asking her about the meal. I was so surprised to learn her reception quite literally was a wedding breakfast. After the ceremony at 10 am everyone went to a hotel for a brunch type meal, not the lavish, multi-course affairs we know today.
More thought should be put into what married life entails rather than the actual wedding celebration. And I often wonder how my children will celebrate their weddings in 10 to 20 years time.
Take care, and thanks as always for stopping by.
Mairéad
irishnannie
God bless Cheryl for sharing her grace!
Mairead*...did you say triplets?!!! How did I miss that?!
Our daughter Kate's wedding was beautiful with as much Irishness as we could...hanging the Rosary on the clothesline on the rainy day before her day...now that has power! The ground wasn't even wet the next morning (her wedding day!) Our two sons are also married now, but it's altogether different when you are Mother of the Groom! This is such a fun topic!
God bless you and thank you for all your fun work!
Irish American Mom
Hi Irishannie - I sure am the proud mother of triplets. They're nine years old now, so life is a lot easier than when they were first born.
Lovely to hear that the old tradition of hanging a Rosary on the clothesline kept the rain at bay for your daughter. Another old tradition was to bury a statue of the Infant of Prague in the garden to stop the rain clouds gathering.
So glad you enjoyed this post and introduction to Cheryl's book, which is full of heart warming advice and inspirational quotations.
All the best, and blessings to you and yours too.
Mairéad
Chery Barker
Thanks so much, Irishannie! I feel supremely blessed to be able to share this book with so many!
Irish American Mom
🙂 🙂 🙂
Debbie Chartoff
Great gift idea for my close friends whose children are planning their special day. Thanks for sharing.
Irish American Mom
Hi Debbie - Congrats to your friend. Mother of the bride is such an important role. I hope she enjoys every minute.
All the best,
Mairéad
Chery Barker
Just popping in to thank everyone for all the great comments and interest in my book. Thanks so much for sharing it with your readers, Mairéad!
Irish American Mom
You are more than welcome, Cheryl and thank you so much for sponsoring this book giveaway. I really appreciate it. Wishing you every success with this book project and the many more publications I am quite sure will follow.
Best wishes, and have a lovely weekend.
Mairéad