Happy new year everyone! Welcome to 2010…the year I will become Mrs. Dial.

Wow. Exciting!

Knowing we’re halfway through our engagement, you probably think I’m all aflurry between guest lists, decoration ideas, dress fittings, jewelry hunting, etc. While I am working on a few of those things, I’m nowhere near “aflurry” or stressed – mainly due to the fact that I am a conscious bride.

What does that mean? It means that planning our wedding is more than never-ending checklists that involve flowers, table linens, invitations, etc. We’re planning the ceremony and celebration of our love and life-long commitment to each other. That’s what truly matters.

When I say I’m a conscious bride, it means that Philip and I have started our planning by visualizing our wedding day. We’ve talked about our values and why we’re getting married. In all of our planning decisions, we’re comparing our options with the goals/vision/values we’ve set for our big day. The media and the wedding industry often focus on the materialistic, tangible objects of the marriage…but rarely does anyone urge the bride and groom to focus on the internal, intangible items.

Based on a recommendation from bridal coach Liza Hippler of Maiden to Married, whom I met at the Franklin Bridal Ball last May, I just started reading a fantastic book titled “The Conscious Bride: Women Unveil Their True Feelings About Getting Hitched” by Sheryl Paul.

I can’t think of a more perfect way to start the year than by taking time to relax and enjoy this book. I’m about halfway through it and will keep you posted with final thoughts! Hope you’ve had a wonderful New Year’s Day!