Jack Canfield - Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul: Stories of Love, Laughter and Commitment to Last a Lifetime

What People Are Saying About
Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul...

This thoughtful and deeply moving selection of stories reminds us that love is the cornerstone of marriage, family and life itself. I smiled, laughed and cried my way through the book.

Rosanna McCollough
editor in chief, www.WeddingChannel.com

After a hectic day of wedding planning, reading Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul is the perfect way to unwind and be inspired by incredibly emotional stories of loves triumph before, during and after the wedding ceremony. These wonderful stories should not be missed by any one who has any part of the wedding planning process, including Mom, Dad, attendants, and especially the bride-and groom-to-be.

Debbie Hansen
director, Bridal Show Producers International
www.bspishows.com

Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul grounds us. It is a moving and gratifying book, full of real-life stories that give us a kind and warm reminder of what love and marriage are all about. This is a perfect book to be shared with anyone involved in a weddingits message will also touch those with relationships that need reconnecting.

Sherra Meyers
editor, Southern Bride Magazine

Being huge fans of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, we were genuinely excited to hear about Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul. To have a loving and fulfilling marriage takes much more than just planning a wedding. This resource of heartwarming and inspirational stories will definitely help couples in the first stages of a long and happy life together!

Erik and Beth Kent
copublishers, NJWedding.com

Of all the things brides needa little laughter and encouragement are what they truly cannot do without. This wonderful book will take you there with stories that will have you holding your sides and wiping away a few stray tears. Let Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul help you make this the start of a lifetime together....

Paula Rinehart
author, Strong Women, Soft Hearts and
Sex and the Soul of a Woman

Well-written and moving, the stories in Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul will help readers reflect on whats really important in their liveslight-hearted attitudes and a lifetime of loving commitment.

William S. Doddridge
CEO, The Jewelry Exchange
www.jewelryexchange.com

After reading Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul, the first thought that came to my mind was: Thanks for the memories. This book is a warm reminder of how precious life and the relationships we have are, and how they never should be taken for granted. Get together with someone special, light some candles, read Brides Soul to each other and just enjoy each others company.

Steve Dines, BridalMan
www.bridalman.com

What an ideal gift for a future bride to turn to while planning her big day! Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul is the perfect remedy for a chaotic time in a womans life. These true tales will inspire an emotional bride, remind her to enjoy time with loved ones and cherish her day with the love of her life.

Matteo Bossio
vice president of planning, iweddings.com

The Chicken Soup series has done it againthis time for all things wedding! From the proposal to the honeymoon, these heartwarming, funny and enlightening stories will inspire and entertain all readers involved in virtually any aspect of a wedding. Youll get a kick out of these fantastic stories.

Cynthia C. Muchnick
author, The Ultimate Wedding Idea Book and
The Frugal Bride

A gift, with a kind countenance, is a double present.

Thomas Fuller, M.D.

I had picked out the flowers in my wedding bouquet carefully, with thought for the meaning of each one. There was blue iris, my fiancs favorite flower; white roses, symbolizing purity; and strands of green ivy, to represent faithfulness.

Midway through our wedding reception, I found myself breathless and happy, chatting with friends and juggling a full champagne glass and my flowers. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see a woman I had met only briefly, a friend of my new mother-in-law. In her hand, she held a tendril of ivy.

This fell out of your bouquet when you were on the dance floor, she said. I thanked her and began to reach for it, when she added, Do you mind if I keep it?

I was startled at first. I hadnt even tossed my bouquet yet. And I barely knew this woman. What did she want with my ivy?

But then practicality kicked in. I was leaving on my honeymoon in the morning and certainly wouldnt take the bouquet along. I had no plans for preserving it. And Id been given so much today.

Go ahead. Keep it, I said with a smile, and congratulated myself for being gracious in the face of a rather odd request. Then the music started up, and I danced off in the crowd.

A few months later, the bell rang at our new home. I opened the door to find that same stranger on my porch. This time, I couldnt hide my surprise. I hadnt seen her since the wedding. What was this all about?

I have a wedding gift for you, she said, and held out a small planter crowded with foliage. Suddenly, I knew. Its the ivy you dropped at your wedding, she explained. I took it home and made a cutting and planted it for you.

Years ago, at her own wedding, someone had done the same for her. Its still growing, and I remember my wedding day every time I see it, she said. Now, I try to plant some for other brides when I can.

I was speechless. All the quirky thoughts Id had, and what a beautiful gift Id received!

My wedding ivy has thrived for many years, outliving any other effort I made at indoor gardening. As the giver predicted, a glance at the glossy green leaves brings back memories of white lace and wedding vows. I treasure the ivys story and have shared it many times.

Now, nearly twenty years later, Im the mother of three growing sons. Someday theyll be married, I know. And although I dont want to be an interfering in-law, surely the mother of the groom can suggest that the brides bouquet contain a bit of ivy?

I know just the plant to cut it from.

Carol Sturgulewski

We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.

Agnes Repplier

The year was 1972. Noel and I had just gotten married in southern California and were travelingby carto our new life together in Pennsylvania. My in-laws offered to pack the top layer of the wedding cake in dry ice and mail it after we got settled in our attic apartment.

Sure enough, a few weeks later the package arrived. We eagerly unpacked it and placed it in our freezer, a small metal box mounted inside the back of the refrigerator. The cake filled the entire compartment. Now we had a serious choice to make.

After some thought, a little deliberation, and a lot of conversation, we decided to forfeit ice cube trays and ice cream for the next twelve monthsin honor of tradition. It was a big price to pay, but eating the cake top on our first anniversary would make it worthwhile.

One year later our anniversary arrived. I gently removed the package from the freezer and was relieved to see that our perfectly preserved top layer looked as fresh as it had on our wedding day. I made a nice dinner while it defrosted and Noel prepared for our celebration. When the meal was over, I ceremoniously handed the cake knife to Noel and asked him to do the honors and cut the first slice.

Noel pressed down on the knife.

Something doesnt feel right, he said, pressing harder. We heard a strange noise, a squeaky crunch.

Something doesnt sound right.

What was wrong with the cake? Noel slid the small piece onto a dessert plate. We stared in disbelief, caught each others eyes, and burst out laughing.