Weddings + Yoga = "You May Kiss the Bride, Then Do a Downward Facing Dog"
Love yoga? A new trend has brides and grooms planning yoga-inspired weddings. Seriously--white yoga clothing, "I do" poses, breathing exercises for the wedding guests, and a yoga instructor as the officiant. A fitness-centered wedding sounds like fun, but honestly, could you really walk down the aisle in yoga pants?
Lisa Helfer, owner of the New York City-based company, Yoga for Weddings, contacted me recently to tell me about her (fascinating!) business. "Brides and grooms are drawn to the ceremony idea because they either practice yoga together or are looking for an alternative to the traditional wedding," she says.
Want to know how your personality influences your yoga style?
When Helfer performs a yoga wedding, it's one part ceremony, one part yoga class. That means vows exchanged sitting on the ground, bowing, "namastes," and maybe a sitar playing in the background somewhere. Friends and family are encouraged to do poses along with the couple. "The guests definitely get into it," she says.
Then there's the question of what to wear: "I recommend loose comfortable clothing, but it is your wedding day, so you can keep it stylish," she says. "There are plenty of cute white yoga wear clothing options for the bride, and the bridesmaids/groomsmen can wear the same outfits if you want to keep it traditional." She suggests outfits from Lotus Blossom Style and Lululemon among others. "If the ceremony just incorporates a few elements of yoga," she continues, "the bride, groom, and guests can do them in dresses/nice clothes." So yes, in a strapless Vera Wang even. (But what about non-traditional--have you ever considered naked yoga?)
While a yoga wedding wouldn't have been for me (I was pretty happy with my traditional ceremony!), I do think it would be fun to be a guest at a yoga wedding. Instead of just sitting there while the officiant rambles on, I could be getting some exercise--and you've got to love that!
What about you (especially to all you engaged gals out there)--could you say "I do" in a pair of yoga pants, or would that be a bit too much for you?
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