The Beginning Bridal Magazine, Wausau 2016

2016 • Gratis

The

beginning

Brida l

Ma ga z i ne

and

Wo rk bo o k

Serving Couples in Wausau and Surrounding Communities Photo by Walkowski Photography

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Publisher: Arwen Rasmussen Graphic Design: Kathy Nelson Advertising Sales: Arwen Rasmussen Writers: Jan Carroll and local wedding professionals Printer: W.D. Hoard & Sons, Co. Fort Atkinson, WI The Beginning Bridal Magazine © 2015-2016 All Rights Reserved Published by AKRE Enterprises 3315 Nimitz Street Eau Claire, WI 54701 Arwen Rasmussen, Publisher 715.831.0325 beginningsbridalmagazine@gmail.com Materials in

The Beginning

Bridal Magzine including artwork and articles may not be reprinted without permission of the publishers.

Real Wedding

Jenny

&

Matt

August 16, 2014

pg 34

Front Cover Picture:

Meet Marie

I truly try to live my life giving my best to everyone and to treat each and every one of my clients like family.

When it comes to my clients, I want them to have the best images and memories possible. My favorite part of being a photographer is being able to share in my clients' excitement and being able to get involved in their lives.

To be able to see the moments for what they are allows them to be truly captured and cherished forever. walkowskiphoto.com ♥ 715.218.0636

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<<<

i n th is iss u e 4 What Every Wedding Planner Wants You to Know 6 Khloris Boquets 8 5 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding 10 Have You Considered a Harpist 11 Melissa Marie Salon 12 Workbook 13-26 Changing Your Name 27 Making the Most of Bridal Shows 27 Dress for Your Body Type 28 Wedding Myths Debunked 30 Tent Rental Tips for Your Outdoor Wedding 32 Beyond Cake 38 Grand Ideas

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The “B list”

Grand Ideas

If there are a handful of guests that you can’t include in your original invitation list, consider making a “B list” to whom you can mail invitations as you receive negative RSVPs. This option gives you a little wiggle room on your list, but try to send your “B list” invites as soon as you can to avoid hurt feelings (as no one wants to know that they’re on the “B list”).

Think Outside of the Banquet Room

Rent out campsites or rustic woodsy cabins for an entire weekend and send out fun invitations, giving guests a headsup that they are going to be heading off to summer camp.

After the ceremony, everyone can huddle around a crackling bonfire, sip apple-cider spiked with whiskey, and dance almost until dawn.

Consider creating different "rooms” so that guests can lounge in one area, have fun at a photo booth in one corner, maybe play table games in another, and so on.

Instead of a standard guest book, have everyone sign something that has meaning to the new couple like baseballs, custom t-shirts, squares of cloth for a quilt, etc.

Put a “Fifteen-Minute Warning” into Your Contract with the Photographer A lot of photographers and videographers charge big-time fees if your wedding goes longer than the time you’ve booked them for. To prevent that unexpected bill, put a “fifteen-minute warning” clause into your contract stating that they must give you a fifteen-minute heads up before they begin charging you overtime, and that if they don’t, you will not have to pay for those overages.

Who Pays for What?

Establishing the budget for your wedding should be one of the first things you do, because all the planning that comes after that will depend on the budget. How much, if any, will your families contribute?

How much do the two of you have to spend? If families are going to help financially, they may decide to pay for certain things, or they may decide to offer a certain amount of money for you to spend where needed. Be careful not to underestimate all the expenses that will occur.

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Even if family members do help out, costs incurred are ultimately the responsibility of the couple.

Make a budget that includes all the expenses you anticipate—and maybe even a “miscellaneous” fund.

Decide how much you are able to spend on each budget area. When working with vendors, be sure to get everything in writing, rather than just relying on a verbal agreement.

You don’t want any misunderstandings to suddenly wreak havoc with your plan.

Traditionally, there are certain things the bride or bride’s family

pays for and certain things the groom or groom’s family pays for. Here is a sampling: Bride/bride’s family: invitations, bride’s wedding dress and accessories, some flowers for wedding party and decoration, engagement and wedding photography, music at wedding and reception, meal and wedding cake, groom’s gift and ring.

Groom/groom’s family: marriage license, rehearsal dinner, fee for whoever officiates, some flowers for wedding party, bride’s gift and rings, honeymoon, groom’s wedding clothing.

You can get a tax deduction for donating some of your wedding purchases to a qualified charitable organization or even just by having your wedding ceremony at certain venues.

If you think you’ll have leftover food from your reception, contact a local homeless shelter and see if you can donate it. If you’re not going to reuse your flowers, contact your church to ask if you can donate them (if you had a church wedding, you may be able to leave your flowers there as

a donation) or reach out to a local hospital or nursing home. If you have a wedding in a church or synagogue, or at a government-owned locale like a state park, you may be able to deduct the fee paid for the ceremony (check with the locale to make sure it’s tax deductible).

Mother of the bride is the last person seated at the ceremony and the first guest to exit after the recessional.

Photo by Stacy Bengs Photography

Take a tax deduction — on your wedding

Grand Ideas Best Man Duties

▪ The best man is the person the groom asks to take care of any details, such as returning his formal wear, while he is honeymooning.

▪ Deliver the ceremony officiant’s fee.

▪ Traditionally does not stand in the receiving line.

Not the ballroom rental type?

Consider other ideas like state fairs or when the circus is in town. Of course it may require more planning to plan around local fairs or circuses, but you’d certainly have the party that everyone remembered.

The bride’s guests usually sit on the left side and the groom’s guests on the right side. These sides are reversed in an Orthodox Jewish ceremony.

Wedding Crashers of the Worst Sort You definitely didn't invite them to your wedding, but as it turns out, bugs don't give a hoot. Outsmart them with these tips!

◘ Tape fabric softener sheets to seats

Countless folks swear by dryer sheets! For whatever reason, they seem to really work. Since you don't want them to be eyesores though, try having your planner strategically tape them to the bottom of your wedding chairs so that they're hidden from the naked eye and guests are clueless.

Why Take Dance Lessons?

• • • • •

Impress your guests Something fun to learn together Release stress of planning a wedding Romantic date night Create a lifelong memory Learn to dance and more at Get Out and Dance in Wausau!

◘ Rent some fans

Cool off your guests and get rid of flies as well! Fans are particularly important to have around your buffet table and any other food, like your cake, that's outside.

The bugs will literally be blown away.

◘ Pick flowers bugs despise

Ask your florist to incorporate flowers and plants that mosquitos are known to hate into your centerpieces and bouquet. "Some good options are citronella, lemon balm, lavender, marigolds and peppermint." They’ll smell sweet to you but not to uninvited crashers!

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Contact Info The Bridal Bug 715-409-0464 www.thebridalbug.com

What Every Wedding Planner Wants You to Know

By Nicole Campos, Wedding Planner

It’s all about you, it never was about me.

It’s an honor when someone picks me to be their wedding planner. It’s a moment when someone says, “I trust your experience, your skill, and your organization on one of the biggest days of my life.” Making other people’s vision come to life is what I do. So when someone chooses me to make that happen, it’s a humbling thing. Planners should never try to make the vision their own—but rather assist and guide the bride away from things that haven’t worked in the past.

Know what is included in the contract and what’s not.

More times then not, brides forget that only certain things are included in the contract. Our love for planning often puts us in a place where we feel obligated to oblige.

This puts us in a tough spot when you ask us to come dress shopping with you—which is typically an up charge—since we want you to have your dream wedding. Think of it like this: say a planner has fifteen

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weddings a year, and each bride has requested three additional favors that they don’t want to be charged for. Each favor takes about four hours, including gas, insurance, possibly child care if your planner is a mom, food while they are away from home, and sometimes staff.

That’s sixty hours a year where your planner is actually spending money to help rather than earning money.

Respect that your planner does have a personal life, and your relationship will be a lot smoother.

Trust me.

We get it, you’re nervous, excited, thrilled, scared, and in summary just emotional. We’ve done this before, and we know what we’re doing. I assure you, you can trust us. If we tell you something is taken care of, my friend, it is taken care of. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard a bride say, “It was amazing how you pulled every detail together.” Your planner has got everything in order.

Trust your planner.

Pinterest is not a wedding planner.

There are an amazing list of ideas and images on Pinterest. In fact I

often use this site for inspiration.

However, the little “DIY centerpieces” summaries aren’t always what they seem. I highly encourage you to search “Pinterest fails” before creating a list a mile long of “DIY Pinterest Wedding Ideas.” It becomes overwhelming very fast, and though we want you to have a pinable wedding, we don’t want you drowning in DIY the week before your wedding.

We care about your budget.

Most wedding planners don’t want to blow your budget out of the water.

We want to give you a wedding that you both love and can afford. Things get very expensive very quickly when it comes to wedding planning.

Our job is to avoid unnecessary up charges for you. Oftentimes even just hiring a planner for day of coordination saves you money. This reduces charges for set up and gives you peace of mind. Oftentimes couples think of a planner as just another vendor to pay, when in reality, this is the most important vendor for your budget.

Rosalie Gilbert

Harpist

Music For Every Occasion www.rosalieharp.com gilbert.rosalie@gmail.com 240-429-8610 www.facebook.com/rosalieharp www.youtube.com.rosalieharp

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Meet Khloris Bouquets How long have you been doing this and how did you start?

Hello! I'm Britnie and I’ve been making paper flowers for about a year and a half. I was in a car accident and injured my back, which put me out of work. During my time off, I ran across paper flowers on the Internet and fell in love with them, so I taught myself how to do it. I decided to try to sell a bouquet, and it sold, so I just kept with it and decided to open an Etsy shop in April 2014. I ended up leaving my job for other reasons; and focused on going to school and making flowers.

What inspires you or your bouquets?

I love color, texture, and patterns, I try to think outside the box when making bouquets. I also look

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to nature quite often for inspiration, especially bold, off-beat color schemes like a peacock for instance.

With custom bouquets, my clients are my inspiration, they tell me what they want, send photos of their inspiration, and I do my best to bring it to life for them!

I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of less than perfect service, and far too many people don’t realize the importance of it. I love seeing the smiles on my clients faces—or hearing the positive feedback when they receive their bouquets—that is a priceless feeling.

Have you always been creative?

What is your 5-year plan with Khloris Bouquets?

Yes! I have always loved making things, and may have a slight addiction to craft stores and thrift shops.

I have an endless list of things I want to make.

What drives you to be successful? Is there something that has kept the drive alive?

My clients! I strive to provide the best customer service I possibly can,

I would really love to just keep expanding, although I want to keep my business relatively small in order to keep the customer experience intimate. I have been contemplating starting a website rather than having just a Facebook page and Etsy shop. Eventually a retail space would be incredible; I’d love to have a place for clients to view and enjoy the flowers and bouquets.

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5 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

P

lanning a wedding in a beautiful, warm, sunny location— far from home—is a whole different ball game than planning one right where you live. If you’ve always dreamed of a wedding on a beach just as the sun is setting— maybe in one of the top three destinations for weddings: the Caribbean, Mexico, or Hawaii—but the planning part of it makes you nervous, relax and read these tips from experienced destination wedding planner Lisa Waak from Travel Leaders in Chippewa Falls.

1.

Plan way ahead. Begin inquiring about doing a destination wedding ten to twelve months before the date you wish to get married. Sandals Resorts and Karisma Hotels allow the bride and groom to visit in advance and make choices and decisions about the ceremony.

Waak notes that this is a chance to “test drive your wedding.”

2.

Work with a destination wedding coordinator. Let the coor-

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dinator’s experience save you time, energy, money, and headaches. The coordinator already has trusted contacts, is familiar with all the details of the venue, and can advise you regarding travel insurance, cancellation policies, and other details.

3.

Be aware of local restrictions. “In Mexico you have to be there three business days before the actual wedding and you need a blood test. If you arrive on a Saturday, the first day you can be married is Thursday, with Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as the three business days.” This can increase your lodging costs and may affect your travel costs as well—for you and your guests! Waak suggests getting married here in the States first, perhaps at the local courthouse, and then having a renewal of vows in Mexico. In that case, the three-business-day rule does not apply.

4.

Consider group rates and packages. Typically, “with a group there are great discounts out

there, as well as complimentary room upgrades for the bride and groom, cocktail parties, and rebates. For group rates, a group is considered ten or more people.

Some packages can work well too, but packages for a destination wedding are generally for ten guests, so Waak advises that you consider that you may have to arrange a private reception in another venue, as the restaurants onsite often cannot accommodate more than ten guests for a dinner.

5.

Remember that timing is everything. High season (read “higher prices”) is December through April. Hurricane season (read “weather worries”) is June through the end of October. Schedule accordingly. Regarding time of day for the wedding, Waak says, “I always recommend a wedding later in the day, for example 4:00 p.m. First, it is cooler than a 1:00 p.m. wedding, and sometimes you can get the sunset pictures later in the day too.”

Have You Considered a Harpist?

H

arp music is not something you hear every day. Maybe that is one good reason to consider it for your wedding. It’s not a rock ‘n’ roll band or a bluegrass hoe-down, but live harp music is a lovely and classic choice. Rosalie Gilbert and Linda Cannon offer more reasons to choose live harp music for your big day: ■ The sound of a live harp is more rich, intimate, and unique than prerecorded music. The soothing, beautiful tones of the harp can calm pre-wedding jitters and foster comfort and conversation among guests.

■ The harp presents a visually striking appearance that enhances the beauty of your wedding day—no extension cords required.

■ Not only is a harp the epitome of elegance both aurally and visually, it also offers flexibility and affordability. The harp can play a wide variety of music is any venue, and can easily stand alone or be combined with other instruments.

You might assume that harpists only play classical music, but a harpist can play music from any genre. As wedding professionals, Gilbert and Cannon are both willing to find and learn new music, so even if a song is not in their playlist already, it is not out of the question. If you have a special song you’d like played, they can learn it. That being said, if you’re really into heavy metal, a harp might not be the best option for you. Some of the styles they play are: ■ Classical ■ Religious ■ Popular ■ Country ■ Contemporary ■ Jazz ■ Show Tunes ■ Love Songs ■ Ethnic ■ Rock Neither Rosalie nor Linda are singers, however they can perform with singers. They can often find a vocalist or other instrumentalist to perform with them, or they can accompany a friend or family member for a special song with one or more

added rehearsals.

When considering harp music for your wedding, don’t just consider it for the reception/dance. Gilbert and Cannon have extensive experience playing for ceremonies, cocktails, rehearsal dinners, or bridal showers.

Many factors are taken into consideration when determining price.

There may be slight variation in charges. Gilbert and Cannon are each happy to speak with couples about their unique wedding details and give personalized price quotes.

Both harpists travel all over the state, and sometimes beyond, however mileage fees may apply. Rosalie is based in Stevens Point, and Linda is in Wausau.

Providing customized, professional, friendly, timely music service is their passion. As wedding professionals with many years of experience, they take great pride in helping each couple to have fun, beautiful, stressfree wedding music.

Contact Info Linda Cannon 715-842-3831 cannon17@charter.net www.cwiharp.com

Rosalie Gilbert 240-429-8610 gilbert.rosalie@gmail.com www.rosalieharp.com

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A

t Melissa Marie Salon, we know you want your hair and makeup to be perfect on your wedding day. That is our goal as well. After consulting with you about your hair and makeup wishes, we will schedule a day for you to come in for a trial run.

On your big day, you will have the whole salon to yourself and your bridal party. We provide a beverage bar with coffee, tea, hot cocoa, spa water, and champagne with orange juice. Your party is welcome to bring in snacks and goodies, and there will be a table available for your convenience. Your wedding photographer is more than welcome to come in and take photos. Our services include hair styling, custom makeup, and Reiki massage. Each member of the bridal party will receive a coupon for a complimentary deep conditioning treatment to use during a future visit to the salon.

Our staff has between four and twenty years of experience providing high-end service. We are proud to have just been voted #1 Hair Salon in Wausau from Voted Best in Wisconsin.

Our mission: We are dedicated to providing a memorable experience for each guest through exceptional service and technical excellence. We will go the extra mile to accomplish this mission with passion, expert advice, and the utmost professionalism. Call or email today to make an appointment.

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[

[

2702 Martin Ave. Ste B, Wausau 715-675- HAIR www.melissamariesalon.com

Wedding Countdown 12-18 Months Before ����� Determine wedding style ����� Select location and reserve dates for ceremony and reception ����� Decide on budget and expense sharing ����� Begin compiling guest list ����� Select your attendants ����� Select caterer ����� Select reception entertainment

9-12 Months Before ����� Register at bridal registries ����� Reserve rental supplies ����� Visit officiant to discuss ceremony plans ����� Choose gown and accessories ����� Choose bridesmaid dresses and accessories ����� Select and book ceremony musicians ����� Select and book florists ����� Select and book photographer ����� Select and book videographer ����� Discuss honeymoon plans

4-6 Months Before ����� Select men’s formalwear ����� Order wedding invitations and stationery ����� Finish compiling guest list ����� Check marriage license requirements ����� Select baker and order wedding cake ����� Reserve accommodations for out of town guests ����� Help mothers select dresses ����� Make final floral decisions ����� Arrange wedding day transportation

2-4 Months Before ����� Start addressing invitations ����� Confirm ceremony plans with officiant ����� Plan rehearsal and rehearsal dinner ����� Arrange for decorations ����� Finalize honeymoon plans ����� Plan ceremony music with musicians

1-2 Months Before ����� Mail invitations to arrive 4-6 weeks before wedding ����� Confirm details with all contracted services ����� Have final gown fitting ����� Have final fittings for attendants ����� Get marriage license and blood tests (if necessary) ����� Purchase gifts for attendants ����� Get your accessories ready: ring pillow, candles, guest book, etc. ����� Maintain record of gifts received and mail thank you notes immediately ����� Confirm pre-nuptial dinner arrangements

2 Weeks Before ����� Confirm rehearsal time and date with all wedding party members ����� Arrange name and address changes on bank accounts, credit cards, drivers license, etc. ����� Contact guests who have not yet R.S.V.P.’d ����� Keep up with thank you notes

1 Week Before ����� Provide final guest count to caterer ����� Plan seating arrangements ����� Confirm honeymoon reservations, pick up tickets ����� Pick up wedding attire and check fit

Wedding Day ����� Rings and marriage license ����� If pictures are being taken before the ceremony, the entire wedding party should be ready two hours before ����� Bring all accessories and an emergency kit including spare stockings, sewing needs, safety pins, etc. ����� Give officiant’s fee to best man for presentation after the ceremony

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The Bride Bride’s Checklist Bridal Shop _______________________________________________

_Phone # _____________________

Fitting Date _____________________________ 2nd Fitting ______________________________________ Final Fitting _____________________________ Pick-up Date_ _____________________________________ Dress Description __________________________________________________________________________ Accessories _____________________________________________________________________________ Headpiece/Veil ___________________________ Price __________________ Date Ready ______________ Bra/Bustier ______________________________ Price __________________ Date Ready ______________ Stockings & Garter _______________________ Price __________________ Date Ready ______________ Shoes _____________________ Size _____________ Price ____________ Date Ready ______________ Jewelry ________________________________ Price __________________ Date Ready ______________ Wrap/Cape _____________________________ Price __________________ Date Ready _______________ Other __________________________________ Price __________________ Date Ready _______________

Something Old ______________________________ Something New _______________________________ Something Borrowed ____________________________ Something Blue ____________________________

Notes _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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,

Bride's Attendants

Bridal Shop_________________________ Consultant___________________ Fitting Date _____________ 2nd Fitting Date________________ Final Fitting______________ Phone #____________________________ Dress Description _________________ Style ____________________________ Price _________________ Shoe Description __________________ Style ____________________________ Price _________________

Size Shoe Size Pick-up Maid of Honor ______________________________________ __________ ___________ ____________ Bridesmaid ________________________________________ __________ ___________ ____________ Bridesmaid ________________________________________ __________ ___________ ____________ Bridesmaid ________________________________________ __________ ___________ ____________ Bridesmaid ________________________________________ __________ ___________ ____________ Bridesmaid ________________________________________ __________ ___________ ____________ Flower Girl ________________________________________

__________ ___________ ____________

Bride's Mother Groom's Mother Store _______________________________________

Store ___________________________________

Consultant ___________________________________

Consultant _______________________________

Phone # _____________________________________

Phone # _________________________________

Address _____________________________________

Address _________________________________

Description ___________________________________

Description _______________________________

Fitting _______________________________________

Fitting ___________________________________

Pick-up ______________________________________

Pick-up __________________________________

Create the Perfect Ambiance with Linda Cannon, harpist

(715)-842-3831

cannon17@charter.net â&#x2014;&#x2020; cwiharp.net

We Specialize in Budget Weddings

Eden Evolutions Wedding Planning 715-218-5085

edenevolutions.weddings@gmail.com

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Groom's Attire Fitting Deadline _________________ Bridal Shop _______________________Phone #______________ Fitting Date_________________________ Final Fitting ____________ Pick-up Date ______________ Package Includes:______________________________________________________________________ Accessories__________________________________________________________________________ Style/Color____________________________________________________________________________ Sizes: Coat _____________ Trousers_____________ Shirt_____________ Shoes___________

Groom's Attendants Style/Color____________________________________________________________________________

Coat Trousers Shirt Shoes Size Size Size Size

Groomsman_______________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ Groomsman_______________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ Groomsman_______________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ Groomsman_______________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ Groomsman_______________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ Usher____________________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ Usher____________________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ Usher____________________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ Ring-bearer_______________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________

Fathers Style/Color____________________________________________________________________________

Phone # Coat Trousers Shirt Shoes

Size Size Size Size

Bride’s Father_____________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Groom’s Father____________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Other Special Men__________________ ____________ ________ ________ ________ ________

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Pre-Wedding Details Invitations & Stationery Stationery _________________________________ Phone ____________________________________ Order Date ________________________________ Date Ready ________________________________ Notes _____________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

Response Cards _____________________________ Place Cards ________________________________ Escort Cards ________________________________ Table Cards/Menus ___________________________ Guest Book _________________________________ Rehearsal Dinner Invitations ____________________ Thank You Cards ____________________________ Napkins ___________________________________

Stationary Checklist __________________________ Items ______________________________________ Price ______________________________________ Quantity ___________________________________

Favors ____________________________________ Other _____________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

Save the Date _______________________________ Invitations __________________________________ Wedding Announcements ______________________ Programs __________________________________

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

Favors

Wedding Rings

Favor item _________________________________

Jeweler ___________________________________

Favor item _________________________________

Phone ____________________________________

Store From _________________________________

Address ___________________________________

Date Ordered _______________________________

__________________________________________

Date Ready ________________________________

Description of Ring ___________________________

Notes _____________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

Price _____________________________________

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The Cake

Bakery ________________________________ Address __________________________________________ Phone ___________________________ Contact _______________________________________________ Consult/Sample Date __________________ Date Ordered _____________ Date Promised ______________ Price ________________________________ Number Served ______________________________________ Delivery Info ______________________________________________________________________________

Other Confections Store _______________________________ Address ____________________________________________ Phone ____________________________ Contact _______________________________________________ Consult/Sample Date _________________ Date Ordered _______________ Date Promised _____________ Price _______________________________ Number Served ______________________________________ Delivery Info ______________________________________________________________________________ ________Cupcakes __________Cookies __________Candies __________Pies ___________Ice Cream Notes ___________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

The Ride Company Name _____________________________________ Phone _______________________________ Contact/Driver ____________________________ Limo __________________ Carriage _________________ PIck-up Time ____________________________ Length of Rental Time ______________________________ Capacity _________________________ Price ____________ Additional Price/Time ____________________

What’s Included

□ Bachelor/ette Party □ Bride and Groom to Ceremony □ Bride and Groom to Reception the beginning

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□ Bride and Groom to Hotel □ Others to Ceremony □ Others to Reception

Rehearsal Dinner

Date_______________________________________ Time_______________________________________ Site _________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ Phone _______________________ Contact _____________________ Menu Price ___________________

Guest List Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________ Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________ Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________ Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________ Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________ Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________ Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________ Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________ Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________ Guest Name___________________________________________________ Invite Sent ________________

Your Adult Party Store!

Ignite the Flames of Passion

Darlings

4 Mile S. of Minoqua on Bus. 51 Minocqua/Hazelhurst 715-358-5683

Visit Our Super Store

15 Miles S. of Eau Claire Osseo 715-597-5683

Eldorado’s 1 Mile S. of Downtown on Bus. 51 Next to BP Station Stevens Point 715-343-9877

Where you get more for your money and much, much more for your honey!

Specializing in Videos & DVDs (6,000+) Lingerie ◆ Shoes ◆ Toys Greeting Cards ◆ Full Tobacco Shop Sensual Books & Magazines Perfumes ◆ Jewelry Mon - Thurs: 9am - 10pm; Fri & Sat: 9am - Midnight; Sun: Noon - 9pm the begi nning

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Music Ceremony Musician 1 __________________________________ Phone _____________________ Price ___________

Musician 2 __________________________________ Phone _____________________ Price ___________

Musical Selection Bride and Groom First Dance ___________________ Wedding Party Dance _________________________ Parents Dance _______________________________ Dollar Dance Songs ___________________________

Other Entertainment

Songs Processional ________________________________ Ceremony __________________________________ Recessional _________________________________

Photobooth __________ Flipbooks_______________ Other ______________________________________ Company ___________________________________ Phone _____________________________________ Contact ____________________________________

Reception

Date Ordered _____________ TIme On __________

Musician 1 __________________________________

Date Promised _______________________________

Phone ___________________ Price _____________

Price ______________________________________

Musician 2 _________________________________

Details _____________________________________

Phone ___________________ Price _____________

___________________________________________

Contact Tunes2Go today for entertainment services for weddings, holiday parties, graduations, company picnics, school dances, bars, nightclubs, public events, charity fundraisers or any event where affordable quality music, karaoke, sound, and lighting services are a must.

Call Today 715-218-2528

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James Stokes Photography

Flowers

Florist____________________________________ Contact__________________________________ Address__________________________________

Phone #__________________________________

Date Ordered______________________________

Delivery Date/Time/Place____________________

Floral & Decor Checklist Item ______________________________________ Quanitity __________________________________ Price _____________________________________ Bride’s Bouquet ____________________________ Flowers in Bride’s Hair _______________________ Corsages (Pin On/Wrist/Hand Tied; Mothers, Grandmothers, Attendants, Honored Guests) ______

Reception Entrance __________________________ Guest Table ________________________________ Place Card Table ____________________________ High Top Cocktail Tables ______________________ Hors d’Oeuvres Area _________________________ Head Table ________________________________ Centerpieces _______________________________

__________________________________________

Buffet Line _________________________________

Toss Bouquet _______________________________

Cake Table ________________________________

Maid of Honor Bouquet _______________________

Ceiling ____________________________________

Bridemaid’s Bouquets # _______________________

Bar Decor _________________________________

Flower Girl _________________________________

Bathroom Decor _____________________________

Boutonniere (Groom, Groomsmen, Ushers, Fathers, Grandfathers, Ringbearer, Godparents, Honored Guests) ___________________________________

Lounges ___________________________________

Ceremony Entrance _________________________ Aisle ______________________________________ Alter Arrangements __________________________ Unity Candle _______________________________ Memorial Flowers (in honor of deceased relatives) __________________________________________

Bridal Suite ________________________________ Others ____________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

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Photography Studio_______________________________________ Phone_______________________ Contact______________________________________ Price________________________ Take List to Photographer: Discuss Which Stops Are Posed, Candid, in Color or Black and White.

Before Ceremony

□ Bride Alone □ Bride and Her Mother □ Bride and Her Father □ Bride and Both Parents □ Bride and Maid/Matron of Honor □ Bride and Bridesmaids □ Fixing Hair/Makeup

At Ceremony

□ Guests Outside the Church □ Guests Being Seated □ Giving Away the Bride □ Groom Watching Bride Coming Down the Aisle Alter During Ceremony Saying Vows

□ □

Before Reception □ Bride and Groom’s Hands □ Flower Arrangements □ Bride and Groom

At Reception

□ Bride and Groom Arriving □ Going into Reception □ Receiving Line □ Tables

□ Groom Alone □ Groom and His Mother □ Groom and His Father □ Groom and Both Parents □ Groom and Best Man □ Groom and Groomsmen □ Other □ Rings Exchange □ Flower Girl/Ring Bearer □ The Kiss □ Recession Up the Aisle □ Leaving Church □ Getting into Car □ Other

□ Bride with Parents □ Groom with Parents □ Group Picture

□ Other

□ Place Cards □ Favors □ Cake/Desserts □ Cutting Cake Toasts

□ Throwing Bouquet □ Dancing

Videography Studio______________________________________ Phone _______________________ Contact_____________________________________ Price_________________________

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Photos top to bottom: James Stokes Photography, Andi Stempniak Photography, stock photo, Unique Expressions by Melissa ‌| 22

Ceremony Location__________________________________ Phone #__________________________________ Address_________________________________ Officiant(s) & Phone #â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s______________________

Contact & Phone #_________________________

Rehearsal Date/Time________________________ Fee_____________________________________ Ceremony Time____________________________

Arrival Time_______________________________

Does the Facility Provide Aisle Runner ______ Canopy ______ Candles_______ Rice/Birdseed______ Dressing Rooms_______

Items to Bring to Ceremony Marriage License __________ Vows_____________ All Clothing__________ All Jewelry____________ Unity Candle________ Programs__________ Flowers___________ Decorations__________________ Send Off Items (birdseed, bubbles, balloons, sparklers)________________________________________ Other_______________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

Notes ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

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Catering Caterer___________________________________ Address__________________________________ Phone #__________________________________

_________________________________________

Service Date/Time__________________________ Contact___________________________________ Reception Location_________________________ Price_____________________________________

Cost Per Person______________ x # Guests__________ = $_____________________________________

Menu ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

Does the Cost Cover . . .

All Necessary Equipment?___________________

Room Set-up?_____________________________

China & Flatware?__________________________

Cake Cutting?_____________________________

Servers (how many)?_______________________

Set-up & Clean-up?_________________________

Taxes & Gratuity?__________________________ Other?___________________________________

Liquor Supplier__________________________________ Address__________________________________ Phone #__________________________________ Contact___________________________________ Pick-up or Deliver?_________________________ Ice______________________________________ Open Bar from_____________________________ to_______________________________________ Cash Bar from_____________________________ to_______________________________________ Champagne for Toast_______________________

Wine(s) for Dinner__________________________

Other Beverages Punch___________________________________

Soft Drinks________________________________

Non-Alcoholic Wine/Beer/Champagne______________________________________________________

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James Stokes Photography, Munson Bridge Winery â&#x20AC;&#x152;| 24

The Reception Date/Time________________________________ Address__________________________________ Phone #__________________________________

_________________________________________

Food Service Time__________________________ Contact___________________________________ Cost_________ Deposit____________________

Cancellation Terms__________________________

Does the Facility Provide . . .

Catering Service?__________________________

Servers (how many)?________________________

Liquor?___________________________________ Bartenders?_______________________________ Access for Decorating?______________________

Tables & Chairs?___________________________

Dance Floor?______________________________

Ample Power Outlets?_______________________

Security?_________________________________

Handicapped Access?_______________________

Adequate Parking?_________________________

Valet Parking?_____________________________

Clean-up?________________________________

Representative During?______________________

Notes ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

Dinner/Reception Music

Dance Music

Group____________________________________ Band/DJ__________________________________ Contact__________________________________ Contact___________________________________ Phone #__________________________________

Phone #__________________________________

Playing from____________ to ________________

Playing from___________ to _________________

Types of Music_____________________________

Continuous Music or Breaks?_________________

Musicians Attire____________________________

How Often? ___________ How Long?__________

Need Early Set-Up Time?____________________

Overtime Policy____________________________

Cost _______________ Deposit______________

Types of Music_____________________________

Balance Due When?________________________

Musicians/DJ’s Attire________________________

________________________________________

Early Set-Up Time__________________________

________________________________________

Is Leader/DJ Going to Emcee?________________

_________________________________

Cost _______________ Deposit_______________

________________________________________

Balance Due When?________________________

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Rehea r Dinne sal rs

Outdo o Facili r t ie s

Cake C Servic utting e

Liquo

r

OK ?

Privat e Cater ing

In-Ho us Cater e ing/B ar

Dance Floor

e Room Renta l Fe

it y Capac

Reception and Rehearsal Dinner Guide B.A. & Esther Greenheck Lounge (Reception) Wausau 715-842-0988 www.grandtheater.org

75

$300

No

Bar

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

B.A. & Esther Greenheck Lounge (Ceremony) Wausau 715-842-0988 www.grandtheater.org

130

$250

No

Bar

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Caroline S. Mark Gallery Wausau ▪ 715-842-0988 www.grandtheater.org

100

$400

Yes

Bar

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Granite Peak Ski Area Wausau ▪ 715-845-2846 skigranitepeak.com

325

$1675 Yes + Tax

Bar

6 Caterers

Yes

Cater

Yes

N/A

The Grand Theater - House (Ceremony) Wausau 715-842-0988 www.grandtheater.org

1200

$800 +Tech

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

The Grand Theater - Stage (Reception) Wausau 715-842-0988 www.grandtheater.org

150

$1400

Yes

Bar

Yes

Yes

No

N/A

Yes

The Great Hall @ The Grand Wausau ▪ 715-842-0988 www.grandtheater.org

300

$1500

Yes

Bar

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Hangar Lounge Banquet Hall Wausau ▪ 715-842-0388 www.hangarwausau.com

8 to 550

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

The Loft Wausau ▪ 715-842-0988 www.grandtheater.org

110

$400

Yes

Bar

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Memories Marathon ▪ 715-443-2649 www.memoriesbr.com

25 to 500

Varies

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Limited

Yes

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Changing Your Name

Get a copy of your new marriage certificate from the Register of Deeds. Take the certificate to the Social Security Office and change your name there. Take the certificate to the Department of Motor Vehicles and change your name. Update the following with your new name. ◆ Banks ◆ Contracts ◆ County tax assessor ◆ Credit cards ◆ Employer (fill out new W-2) ◆ Insurance ◆ Investment ◆ Lease/Mortgage company ◆ Legal documents (wills, powers of attorney, etc.) ◆ Medical care provider ◆ WI Department of Revenue ◆ US Passport ◆ US Postal Service ◆ Utility company ◆ Voter registration ◆ Any other companies you get mail or bills from

Wisconsin Marriage License Laws Application may be made before the county clerk of the county in which either party has resided for at least thirty days. The marriage may take place anywhere in the state, except that non-residents must apply and marry in the same county. Both parties must appear in person and supply identification (certified copy of birth certificate), social security numbers, and proof of residence. You will need to know parents’ full names (mother’s maiden name), where and when the ceremony will be, and who will officiate.

No blood test is required, and the application fee varies depending on the county. There is a five-day waiting period, and the license is valid for thirty days from the date of issuance. If either of you have been previously married, special requirements may apply. For more information call one of the numbers listed below.

Marathon County 715-261-1500 500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

(Open during noon hour.) www.co.marathon.wi.us/Departments/CountyClerk/Licenses/ Marriage.aspx Wood County 715- 421-8460 Wood County Courthouse 2nd Floor, Room 203 A-B 8:00am - 4:30pm M-F www.co.wood.wi.us/Departments/Clerk/MarriageLicenses.aspx

Making the Most of Bridal Shows

►Prepare. Before you even head out to the fabulous bridal show you saw advertised, do some important prep work. First of all, you can save money by buying tickets ahead instead of at the door. Keeping your budget and overall plan in mind, decide what products and services you need and how much you’re willing to spend. This will help you narrow down what vendors you’ll want to spend time talking with. Another good idea is to create and print out labels ahead of time that have your name, wedding date, and contact information listed clearly.

This will make it fast and easy to sign up for lots of drawings for discounts and/or free services and products. Also, arrange to have key wedding-plan decision makers attend with you. With all of you there, you will be able to make decisions on the spot if a good deal or perfect service comes up.

►Special email. It’s a good idea to create an email account that is totally just for wedding-related correspondence. This assures that you don’t miss a wedding-planning email in the midst of all your other email. ►Optimize the show’s program. Use it to mark fashions you like that you saw during the fashion show. Look it over when you first arrive, or even ahead of time if possible, and circle vendors you especially want to visit. Use the contact info listed in the program to later contact those vendors that you want to talk with further.

►Enjoy it! Yes, you have many plans to make, things to buy, and venues to rent. But the main thing is that you are getting married. Have fun at the show! the begi nning

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What Dress is Best for Your Body Type?

Pear or Triangle: small bust with full hips You want dressed that emphasize your upper half. Think capped, poufy sleeves. Add appliqué or beading to the bodice.

In contrast, chose a dress with a plain skirt and high waistline.

Pear

Ball Gown

Do NOT choose clingy fabric or cuts, and steer away from dresses with ruffly skirts or bustles.

Apple or Full-figure: full bust, hips, and waistline Simple design is your friend. A fuller skirt, angled lines, V-neckline and waist. Princess A-line dresses work well for you.

Don’t go with form-fitted dresses or ones with lots of detailing.

Petite: short height, overall smaller bust, hips, and waistline

Apple

Vertical lines will add height visually. Try mermaid or sheath dresses. Use high necklines to lengthen the torso. Try Princess style or dresses with an empire waist.

Empire

Avoid large, poufy dresses. They will only make you look wider not taller.

Rectangle: proportional bust and hips, undefined waistline Rectangle

Look for a dress that will add curves to your body, such as the Princess style. Or try an empire waistline and lots of detail on the bodice. Off-the-shoulder necklines provide horizontal lines to break up the straighter line of your figure.

Sheath

Better not to choose a dress that clings or one requiring you to fill it out (like a darted bustline).

Inverted Triangle: full bust with small hips Seek to highlight your lower half while de-emphasizing your upper half. Stick with a simple bodice. Try a dropped waist design, or use bows, pleats, or beading to emphasize the skirt.

Inverted Triangle

Don’t go with low-cut bodices, high waistlines, slim skirts, or decorated, accented sleeves.

Mermaid

Hourglass: full bust and hips, small waistline You can go with almost any style of dress. A mermaid style dress would show off your curves. Or to downplay your curves, go with a simple, classic look.

Just be sure to avoid very high necklines, and avoid too much decoration because it may make you look heavier than you really are.

Hourglass

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Professional, full-service catering and event company

Wedding Dinner The

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Contact Info Eden Evolutions 715 - 218 - 5 0 8 5 edenevolutions.weddings@gmail.com

Wedding Myths Debunked

By Carly Gross, Wedding Planner

1. You have to wear a white dress. White used to be THE go-to color for a

dress, because it represented purity. However, as the decades have passed, dresses in other colors have become a lot more popular. Cream, a very light salmon color, and bolder colors are seen more often. Personally, I think any neutral color looks elegant, but the wedding is YOUR day, and you should wear whatever makes you feel beautiful.

2. You must invite everyone who’s ever invited you to their wedding. Not true. There is no need to invite acquaintances who invited you to their

wedding. However, it is a good idea to invite family and friends who invited you to their wedding. It’s best to invite any immediate family, and other close relatives and friends.

3. You can save money by doing it all yourself. Because I specialize in

budget and DIY weddings, I can tell you that it is definitely possible to do everything on your own. However, it is very time consuming. Your best bet is to find a wedding planner that has the same goal in mind—to keep it cheap. That also means that they don’t charge an arm and a leg for their services.

4. You must have a certain number of groomsmen and bridesmaids. While many people in the past have done an unequal number of groomsmen

and bridesmaids, it is definitely easier for each party to have the same amount. Plus it gives the wedding a good flow. Unless you walk each individual person down by themselves, which is going to eat up a lot of time, it’s a good idea to keep things even, creating less work and stress for you and everyone else.

5. Your wedding will cost a lot. The average cost of weddings in the United

States is $20,000. My love for wedding planning started when I planned my own wedding. I’m very cheap and love to find a bargain. I did just that and my $4,000 wedding looked like I spent the average $20,000, and nobody knew how cheap we really were.

I specialize in budget weddings to let people know that times have changed. More resources are available. All the aspects of a wedding are becoming more and more DIY-friendly.

6. You have to have a traditional wedding. Everything has to be like all other weddings. This is far from the truth. How many weddings have

you been to where you truly enjoyed EVERY minute of the wedding ceremony?

The whole concept is a very special, memorable thing, but years from now, will you remember everything that happened at that person’s ceremony? The chances are not likely. If you are a fun-loving couple, have the whole wedding party dance down the aisle and have a dance off at the reception. These totally nontraditional ideas will be a cause for fun and people remembering your day for years to come.

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Banquets and Catering

A perfect cake baked fresh in our ovens decorated to precision by skilled and caring hands.

715.443.2649

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Site

Rental of outdoor site includes use of girls dressing room. Ask about shuttle service. www.memoriesbr.com Marathon, Wisconsin ◆ Minutes from Hotels 5-1/2 miles west of I39/51 on Hwy. NN

You choose the style. Let us do the rest!

You can trust us to create the perfect cake, following your exact specifiactions so everthing will be just right for your wedding day!

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Contact Info Total Rental Center 715 - 3 5 9 - 7 2 5 9 totalrentalweston.net

Tent Rental Tips for Your Outdoor Wedding

I

f you are planning an outdoor wedding, you really should plan to rent a tent. You can’t control the weather, and you don’t want to get caught in the rain.

Dave Barnes, of Total Rental Center in Weston, Wisconsin, recommends you always have a Plan B. “Before you solidify Plan A (your main wedding plans), have a good solid Plan B.” Once you have a tent reserved, you still have the option of canceling it if you are reasonably sure the weather will not be a factor and you’d love to hold the entire event outdoors. Barnes says as long as you have a pre-arranged plan set up with his company, you are free to not use the tent if you choose, although you will still have to pay the deposit.

The best time to start thinking about renting a tent is when you start looking at venues. If a location doesn’t have indoor options, you will want to know that up front so that you can factor the tent rental cost into your budget. To be sure you get the tent(s) you want, Barnes says it’s good to reserve them about four to six months ahead. “Around Valentine’s Day for a summer wedding.”

As with all the vendors for your wedding, do your research. Look for reputable vendors, read reviews, and ask other vendors who they recommend.

Next, estimate what size tent you’ll need. Talk to tent rental businesses to get a better idea of how much square footage you’ll need for 1) the ceremony, 2) the reception—and ask about how big of a tent is needed for each of the various types of reception: cocktail party,

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seated dinner, or buffet.

Once you know the size tent you’ll need, decide what type of tent you prefer, keeping in mind space, looks, and cost. Think about what style and type of tent will best suit your needs.

Last, ask about other extras, such as lighting, flooring, and heating or cooling.

Then you are ready to get a quote. Make sure the quote includes delivery fees, setup fees, any permits needed, and take-down. Be sure you understand and can live with the cancellation policy. Make sure the vendor realizes this tent will be for a wedding and you are expecting a nice-looking tent. Find out how long they estimate setup will take, so you can factor that into the overall schedule—will they need to come the day before to set up? If so, how would that affect cost? Compare quotes and features of each vendor and choose the one you think will work best for you.

Total Rental Center does computerized drawings of the layout of tents and tables and other items within the tent. That way both you and the setup crew will know right where everything goes and how it will look when everything is ready to go.

“All sizes of weddings are important to us—large or small,” Barnes notes. One bit of advice he offers is to recognize that having a reception in your yard isn’t necessarily going to be cheaper than having it at some other venue. “There will be a cost, so bear your budget in mind.”

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Jenny & Matt August 16, 2014

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â&#x20AC;&#x152;| 34

Jenny is from Wisconsin & Matt is from Leeds, England. Together they live in Chicago. They wanted to have a destination wedding where their family could fly in and enjoy a week of celebration and vacation. The Heidel House in Green Lake, Wisconsin, served as the perfect location for their outdoor lakeside wedding.

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Venue: Heidel House Resort & Spa Photographer: James Stokes Photography Florist: Lauren Picado Hair Salon: Giovanni Makeup: Karolina Kwasniak Linens: (Sash) I Do Decorating & Rental

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good things to come

We want to capture simple true to life moments of you playing, laughing, loving - that bring joy to your heart, tell your journey, and enrich your soul!

Photographs can change lives that transcend generations. One day we hope we capture moments that will remind you and your loved ones of how blessed you are to have lived and exerienced joy in life. Check out our site for more information: james-stokes.com. We would be STOKED to capture your journey whatever it may be!

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Contact Info

Beyond Cake

Sugar ‘n Spice Cheesecakes, Sweets & Other Treats 7 15 . 5 74 . 6 811

www.sugarnspicecheesecakes.com

By Hannah Steege, Owner and Pastry Chef

G

one are the days of needing to stick to the traditional stories-high, waterfall wielding, staircases to the sky wedding cakes. A new trend of cakes and desserts is emerging in the wedding industry coming in the form of cheesecakes and sweets tables. Here are a few tricks of the trade and pointers to keep costs in check and help you find the perfect choice of dessert for your sweet day.

If the bride and groom don’t care for cake, why not try cheesecake or offer a dessert table with mini desserts? Sweets tables offer a beautiful, fun, and creative touch to a wedding reception. By giving your guests the opportunity to pick and choose what they would like to eat, they feel more a part of the activity in the special day. It also allows for many different dessert choices, including gluten-free options, making sure to please every guest’s taste.

There are three main ways of offering a dessert table instead of sliced wedding cakes.

■ The first one is plated. Each guest receives a dessert plate with the chosen sweets. Everyone is given the same items. The guest list is usually known, making it easy to know how many desserts will be needed. This is a good option if space in the venue is tight as no one will need to get up to make his or her way to the buffet. Many times the bakery will charge per guest. (Make sure to clear this with the caterer in order for them to staff appropriately.)

■ The second option for serving is the family style choice. Here each table will be given one tray of desserts at the assigned time. The difference in serving family style is the bride and groom will be charged per table and not per seat as in the plated style. This is the result of usually having extra seating available for the guests in case every table is not filled. However, family style allows for complete control when ordering quantities from the chosen baker because the number of tables being used is known. Many times this price point will be slightly less than a buffet.

■ The last type of dessert service is the buffet or sweets table. Choosing three to four mini dessert options for this set-up is suggested. The more choices offered, the more the guests will likely take to sample, resulting in a higher price point per person. This set-up allows for the guests to really get a choice and options of what sweets they would like. It makes it more of an

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interactive event in the reception.

The sky is the limit on dessert options other than serving traditional wedding cakes or sheet cakes. These items can be a standard, one serving each, or can be mini desserts that allow the guests to sample numerous sweets. Some of the desserts can be cheesecakes, cookies, truffles, cake pops, dipped berries, pretzels, or Oreos, bars, brownies, chocolate bark, tarts, pies, cupcakes, mousse cups, or candies to name a few.

When finalizing your dessert table menu, make sure to pick at least one of your favorite items for the couple table as well as sweets everyone will love. A good breakdown for the dessert table is in finding one “safe” item like a vanilla bean cupcake, one fruity option like dipped berries or key lime pie, one chocolate item such as dark chocolate mousse cups or triple chocolate cake pops, and one more “out there” choice like someIf the bride and thing with nuts or a notgroom don’t care too-common flavor such for cake, why not as spiced chai or tiramisu try cheesecake or cheesecakes. offer a dessert table In the past, the cutting with mini desserts? of the cake was a big deal Sweets tables offer and everyone gathered to a beautiful, fun, and watch.

These days, many creative touch to a times the photographer wedding reception. will grab the bride and groom with close family members and wedding party to sneak off to cut the cake. So even if you have chosen to have a buffet-style dessert table, it is important to keep to some of the past traditions by ordering a small cake, and cheesecakes are a perfect choice for the cutting. This way you will still have the photo ops for the album later on.

Whatever cake is left can be used to serve to the attendants or be saved for the one year anniversary. (Make sure to freeze and wrap the cake very well if planning to save for a year.)

Find a theme or style to go along with the décor for the dessert table. A dessert table isn’t only about flavors. It can and should be beautiful! So make sure to keep enough items set aside in order to continue on with the décor of the reception. Whether it be old crates for the rustic wedding to Grandma’s china for the vintage weddings, keep the theme going throughout the dinner. And don’t forget to make cute menu boards with

Hang Onto Your Hats Photography all the available items being served.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it: at the end of the night, many of the beautiful, well thought out bubble wands, tiny picture frames, and bags of potpourri party favors are left at the table. Instead, use a pretty decorated and wrapped cake pop as a place card holder and a thank you note from the bride and groom. Less cake or desserts would need to be purchased for the dessert course and the favors would be taken care of. Two birds with one stone.

At the end of the night, it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to have been so busy enjoying their wedding that they have forgotten to stop to eat. Ask the caterer or baker to pack a honeymoon sweets box for the road.

If any desserts are left after the meal, have the caterer or baker either bring extra to-go boxes for the guests to help themselves or have them bring the sweets out again later on the in the evening during the dance.

If a budget is tight, make sure to notify the baker of what price point you want to stay at. Oftentimes they will be able to make it happen by pairing a more expensive item with a less expensive one to balance out the cost. Renting the stands or hiring someone to deliver, set up, and maintain the table might cost more than you would like to pay. So why not get creative by building your own stands and display and asking a friend or family member to pick up the desserts and watch the bar?

In the end, a dessert table can be a fun, costeffective way to serve your friends and family and a special treat at your wedding. Make it your own taste.

Make it beautiful. And make sweet memories on your sweet day!

Specializing in Cheesecakes, Sweets Tables, Mini Desserts, Party Favors, & Wedding Cakes.

Pastry Chef Hannah Steege

sugarnspicecheesecakes.com Wausau, Wisconsin â&#x2014;&#x2020; 715-574-6811

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Trig s’ Wedding Services l beautiful, personalized, easy and affordable weddings

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Tasteful flavors on every plate. To make your dream into a lasting memory requires attention to all the details.

Trig’s highly-trained and experienced staff will help you plan your flowers, wine, wedding cake and food choices all from one convenient location. We can also help with all the other events that surround your wedding day, including rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and the gift opening.

Rely on our experience to help you plan a day that all your senses will remember.

The Experts At Cellar 70

We here to give you beverage advice, help with planning, and offer budget expertise.

From our first meeting to after the reception, we’ll make sure your day is everything you’ve dreamed.

We start with a private consultation and wine tasting and discuss your budget options and expectations. Cellar 70 offers delivery and pick-up the unused portion of your order from the reception at local venues, parks, or private residences.

Call a Cellar 70’s event coordinator today at 715-849-9044.

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