Weddings North 2014

Weddings North • 2014

ATTACK OF THE WEDDING PHOTO!

HOW PHOTOGS ARE CREATING SOME OF THE DAY’S BEST MEMORIES

THE BREWERY WEDDING THE HOTTEST, AND TASTIEST, WEDDING VENUE

THE STATE OF STATIONERY

THE PAPER TRENDS THAT WILL IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS

PLUS

• GIN: THE SPIRIT OF THE YEAR • GROOMS & WEDDING PLANNING • SOMETHING NEW FOR MOM • HIGHLIGHT YOUR HEELS • THE ONLY PLANNER YOU’LL NEED

New Comfort Zone Today’s bride wants to take some risks, and designers are stepping up to the challenge

‘Mel’: Two-piece silk and beaded lace knee-length A-line dress with half-sleeves, gathered skirt and silk charmeuse undress, from Leanne Marshall

In This Issue The Brewery Wedding

Meet the hot, new (and tasty!) wedding venue

2014 Gowns: The New Comfort Zone

Today’s bride wants to take some risks, and designers are stepping up to the challenge with alternative looks that are chic, youthful and luxurious

Hot 2014 Trends

Food, flowers, decor. Follow these tips for a stylish wedding in the coming year

The State of Stationery

The paper trends that will impress your guests

Attack of the Wedding Photo!

With some unique editing, wedding photographers are creating some of the day’s best memories

PLUS:

Gin: The Spirit of the Year Grooms & Wedding Planning Something New for Mom Highlight Your Heels And More!

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The Brewery Wedding America’s craft breweries aren’t just great places to get a beer. With unique indoor and outdoor spaces, and, yes, a steady supply of libations, couples are turning to them for creative, fun wedding venues. Cheers!

By Jill Jaracz, Brides 365 Some couples meet in a bar, but how many actually get married in one? Perhaps more than you think.

Meredith Cella Pellegrini did not have her heart set on such a location when she and her husband Patrick were scouting wedding venues for their May 2013 wedding.The Chicagoans looked at a number of loft spaces around the city, desiring a locale that was casual but cozy. But the place that ended up capturing their hearts was the Brewer’s Lounge at Chicago’s Revolution Brewing, an event space that doubles as the second level of Revolution’s brewpub restaurant.

Unlike a raw space that would have required a caterer, bringing in alcohol and perhaps table and chair rentals, the brewery space handled everything under one roof.

“A brewery that provides food and booze takes a lot of the guesswork out,” Pellegrini says.“Bottom line, in addition to being a really beautiful space … it was way more affordable than the other Page 4 | Weddings North 2014

options we were considering.”

The Pellegrinis’ wedding was one of more than 50 that took place in 2013 at Revolution’s Brewer’s Lounge, which catered to just three weddings when it opened in 2011, according to Meghan Rutledge, Revolution’s event planner. Rutledge anticipates around 70 weddings in 2014 and already is receiving requests for 2015.

Like Revolution, craft breweries all around the country, with their brewing facilities, brewpubs and taprooms, quickly are becoming hot wedding destinations for craft-beer enthusiasts like the Pellegrinis — “We’re both beer drinkers,” she says — who are looking for a unique backdrop for their big day.After all, craft beers value the same tenets as marriage: quality, care and love.

Couples want to share that love at their weddings, so they’re going straight to the source.

The Local Factor Although it may sound like a new concept, breweries have been

Although it may sound like a new concept, breweries have been hosting weddings for years.

The Look and Feel Craft breweries have taken care to create event spaces that provide a wide range of atmospheres, from casual to formal.

Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Ore., also has held wedding

Jessalyn Photography

hosting weddings for years.

Boulevard Brewing Co. has been creating craft beers in Kansas City, Mo., since 1989. When the company expanded operations to include a new 70,000-square-foot facility in 2006, event spaces were part of the plan alongside increasing brewing and bottling capacities. “[The brewery] was often the place you had community events,” says Blue Lawrence, director of hospitality at Boulevard, which hosts wedding receptions both large and small in its Muehlebach Suite (more than 200 guests) and Brewhouse Bar (up to 75 guests).

For KC couples, the idea of having their wedding at a brewery is a no-brainer.“Boulevard is an icon of the community,” Lawrence says. “[People] appreciate that and want to celebrate in a place that resonates as a city.

“It’s very local,” she adds.

According to the American Craft Brewers Association, on average most Americans live within 10 miles of a brewery.

And don’t be surprised to see that number get smaller.

According to a report from Demeter Group Investment Bank, the craft beer industry has grown at a 10 percent clip since 2007 and is expected to represent nearly 15 percent of the overall beer industry by 2020.

On the state level, as one example, the number of microbreweries in the state of Minnesota grew from just nine in 2010 to nearly 40 in 2013.

Jonalyn Lahr enjoys a tall glass of beer

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Breweries can offer unique experiences for guests that couples can’t get with traditional event spaces. receptions for more than a decade in its Mountain Room, which looks out onto the Cascade Mountains.“Views, that’s the draw right there,” says Allison Leach, Deschutes’ market marketing coordinator and private events manager.

Similarly, Boulevard’s Muehlebach Suite, which hosts more than 70 weddings a year, has a grand terrace that overlooks the city.“[It’s] embracing Kansas City the way Kansas City has embraced the brewery,” Lawrence says.

At Revolution, Rutledge says their spaces aim to be unique and beautiful without being too stuffy, nor too casual.

“We use a lot of repurposed wood [and] bourbon barrels that make the spaces warm and inviting,” she says.

In addition to its brewpub lounge, Revolution has a second space located in a taproom and production facility that is designed for cocktail party-style weddings. “It’s industrial and funky and has a little bit of a shock factor because it’s huge,” Rutledge says. One wall of the space is entirely glass and shows off the production lines.The space itself contains bourbon barrels that are aging beer.“You’re really in the mid middle of the building and brewing [production],” Rutledge says.

SweetWater Brewing Co. of Atlanta also has two spaces with different atmospheres. Its Tasting Room is a more casual space with a large wall of glass windows and an outdoor patio with a bandstand and bar. The Reel Room has more formal elements, including a custom SweetWater back bar, Georgia marble bar top and custom wood barstools, says Carrington Moore, SweetWater’s director of enjoyment and events.

Unique Experiences Breweries can offer unique experiences for guests that couples can’t get with traditional event spaces.

At Boulevard, guests get to have the full line of year-round Boulevard beers and wines that aren’t at other Kansas City event spaces. Deschutes, Revolution and SweetWater all offer private tours to wedding guests, and SweetWater includes a souvenir pint glass as a favor.The tours give guests a chance to learn about the beers from the brewery’s expert servers.

“We understand that not everybody drinks beer,” Rutledge says.“People who are not normally beer drinkers will go on the tour and try it.”

Some breweries can even provide a rustic outdoor farm experience.

Rogue Ales of Portland, Ore., operates two farms in the area, growing ingredients like barley and hops for its Chatoe line of beers.The brewer hosts weddings at its Hop Farm in Independence, Ore. Couples can marry outdoors amongst the vines of floral hops, and then move into the rustic barn

for the reception. Guests can enjoy the ambience of the farm and its surrounding fruit and nut orchards, and, of course, partake in Rogue’s beer and spirits.

Beyond the Beer As with their beers, brewers are passionate about food.

“People are always surprised by our food quality.They know we do a nice job but are blown away,” says SweetWater’s Leach.

Pellegrini needed a menu at Revolution to fit her and her husband’s vegetarian lifestyle.“They were super accommodating about creating a menu with vegetarian options,” she says.That even included a localinspired, late-night snack — vegan Chicago-style hot dogs — to match the local brews.

“The food and beer together were just outstanding at Revolution,” Pellegrini says. © Brides 365

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The New Comfort Zone With a range of necklines, sleeves, illusion elements and lace — lots and lots of lace — designers are showing off alternative looks that allow brides to take a few risks with dress styles that are chic, youthful and luxurious, without having to settle on the strapless standby

By Nola Sarkisian-Miller BRIDES 365

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This year, brides are hard-pressed to find something they dislike, as designers are giving them choices galore in terms of necklines, silhousilhou ettes and embellishment details. With brides flocking to social media for nonnon stop ideas, there’s a sense that brides are stepping out of comfort zones and want more choices from designers to feed their sartorial wedding dreams.

“The past couple of years felt safe, and this year designers took more chances and offered more breadth,” says Anna Walsh, owner of two Denver bridal boutiques, Anna Be and A & Be Bridal Shop.

Topping the list were the selection of necklines parading down the runrun ways. Strapless gowns had to make room for alternatives, such as silky cowl necks, shoulder straps, V-necks, cap sleeves and elbow sleeves.

Some highlights were the lessthan-demure, bias-cut sheath gown with a plunging cowl neckline by Sarah Janks, along with the designer’s

Lace, in accents and layers, on Amy Kuschel’s ‘Giorgia’ gown

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ladylike cap-sleeved silk marocain gown with a neckline framed in delicate, beaded French lace. Leanne Marshall’s looks included a coy lace gown with lace elbow sleeves.

And, Modern Trousseau paid homage to décolletage with a Thai silk ballgown featuring a draped bodice with off-the-shoulder straps.

“There isn’t just one neckline choice anymore,” Walsh says. “Brides can really pick and choose what they want. It used to be, I had only three dresses that weren’t strapless in the store.”

At the same time, there were more riffs on strapless looks with the help of illusion styles, a trend that shows no abatement. Modern Trousseau offered a cap-sleeve look made of Alencon lace over a blush silk duchess gown. An ivory and nude lace gown with

What’s not to love about 2014 trends in the bridal market?

‘Marena’: Thai silk ballgown with draped bodice and off-the-shoulder straps, from Modern Trousseau,.

an organza skirt by Leanne Marshall and a trumpet dress by Amy Kuschel, done in primrose lace with an appliqué of French grand peony, are feeding the fascination of modest, yet skin-baring looks.

“These gowns provide a level of comfort for brides who don’t want to feel overexposed,” says Leanne Marshall, the “Project Runway” season five winner, who also launched a diffusion bridal line for the season.

The Backs Have It

‘Amelia’: Trumpet gown in primrose lace with French grand peony appliqu, from Amy Kuschel, above

Bias-cut sheath gown with plunging cowl neckline, from Sarah Janks

For those brides eager to show off a little skin, designers didn’t disappoint.

Dramatic backs emerged as another recurring trend, whether detailed with beading or cut oh-so low, because of the way they flatter figures. Amy Kuschel kept the look sweet with scalloped edges and bows on her gowns. Designs by Katie May that featured completely open backs, like the corded lace slim-fit style, as well as Sarah Janks gowns, such as the shapehugging, handkerchief gown with embroidered appliqué and a deep V- back, caught the eye of retailers, including Ivy Kaplin, owner of Lovely Bride in Philadelphia.

“Wearing it is definitely a confidence thing,” Kaplin says. “Designers are taking it to the next level … and showing off the body in all the right ways.”

Lest brides worry that they can’t pull off the look, bear in mind that lingerie makers are selling those bare essentials — undergarment support

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Lace The fabric of choice for the season again seems to be lace, ‘Cathryn’: Fit-to-flare gown with cap sleeves and scalloped neckline in Alencon lace over silk duchess, from Modern Trousseau

lace and more lace, catering to brides’ sense of romance and whimsy.

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concepts — at a variety of price ranges. Nordstrom sells the “Uplunge” backless strapless underwire bra with wings to hold the bra in place. Kleinfeld Bridal sells the way-upmarket line of Ender Legard Corsetry, which offers backless bodices. And, HerRoom.com sells Braza Reveal Silicone Bras, which are just cups available in nude and clear.

Lace, Lace, Lace

The fabric of choice for the season again seems to be lace, lace and more lace, catering to brides’ sense of romance and whimsy.

“Brides still want to take a few risks, but they want something that feels luxurious and modern and vintage that can be an heirloom,” says Lynn Annatone, marketing director for Modern Trousseau.

Less was not more as designers experimented with texture and layered laces, such as Chantilly and Alencon and Guipure and Venice over a Chantilly layer. Lace was in abundance at Modern Trousseau, which offered the fit-and-flare gown with off-the-shoulder straps and a scalloped neckline and a capsleeved style in Alencon lace over a silk duchess gown. Amy Kuschel incorporated lace in layers and accents, such as in a strapless gown with a flared hem and scalloped edge. Anna Maier Ulla-Maija Couture offered a fluted floral lace gown with a high-neck and a one-shoulder column gown over silk double charmeuse.

Lea Ann Belter Bridal mixed and matched the fabric as exemplified by a silk dupioni gown layered with three kinds of French lace ending in tiers of sheer silk organza and sequin-dotted tulle ruffles.

It may sound as if designers are going head-overheels overboard and creating

overwrought fashions, but retailers praise the direction, which keeps lace chic and youthful.

“It seems like a lot, but it wasn’t,” says Stacy Fork, owner of The Gown Shop in Ann Arbor, Mich. “It gives us something new to present to the traditional bride.”

Designers also stepped up their beading with beaded sheaths and dazzling corsets, inspired by the sparkle and fun of Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” movie and Old Hollywood glamour. Anna Maier showcased an empirewaist pleated ballgown with a bodice glittering with silver thread and crystal beading and a duchess satin gown embroidered in pewter and bronze. Maggie Sottero featured a beaded dress with layers, necklines and shoulder straps. Sarah Janks incorporated a belt made of beaded French lace roses on an airy ballgown strung with beads and made of tulle and silk gazaar.

“We use a lot of tulle as a base for the embellishment to counter the surface interest,” Janks says. “There has to be a balance … so it doesn’t overwhelm the wearer.”

Subtle sparkle was even on display on Leanne Marshall’s collection with her use of hand-beaded lace. It’s an about-face for Marshall, who says for the longest time she avoided using anything reminiscent of shine.

“I grew up designing my own dance costumes so I had my fill of sequins for a lifetime,” Marshall says. “But, the last few seasons, it’s been growing on me to try something more subtle with nice shimmer.” © Brides 365

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TRENDS

Gin Up Your Bar

By Timothy R. Schulte BRIDES 365

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Want to know the secret to getting a great drink at a wedding? Ask a bartender.

“I’ll do straight spirits, man, every time. Gin and tonic or gin and soda,” says Danny Shapiro, co-owner of Scofflaw, a gin-focused cocktail bar in Chicago.

Such enlightenment, of course, is the product of some tribulation.

“I was at this wedding in Richmond,Va. I basically tried ordering an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan or something, and I had to walk the bartender through the steps,” he says, taking care to note that was during his “younger days” when he was first getting into cocktails. “There were people waiting for drinks, the bartender had no idea what I was talking about it.

“Ultimately, you don’t want to coach them too specifically,” Shapiro says. So, he gave only a basic rundown of the ingredients and ended up with a terrible drink. The lackluster cocktail caused him to be upset for the next “15 to 30 minutes,” he says.

“At that point I realized the way to go at weddings is straight spirits or a highball of something and soda or something and Coke.”

For a lot of folks these days, that something is gin, which has been riding a wave of popularity — be it in the press, the rise in small-batch distillers or literal gin joints like Shapiro’s (both he and Scofflaw were named Chicago’s top ’tender and bar in 2013).

So, naturally, the spirit deserves a spot at your wedding bar. Here’s what you need to know.

Get To Know Your Gin Shapiro stocks more than 80 varieties of gin at his bar.

“What’s cool with gin is there are so many variations on one

flavor profile, and those variations are so minute,” he says.

“It’s fun to explore.”

The takeaway: Whether you’re working to craft a signature cocktail or just want to make sure your mixers pair well with the spirit, spend some time getting to know its profile. And find out the ingredients in your gin. Orange or grapefruit?

Garnish with a peel. If it’s barrel-aged and you pick up some clove, stud the orange peel with a few cloves. Cassia bark? Try a cinnamon stick.

Rosemary, in its hardy glory, always makes a great cocktail garnish, too.

“I usually try to taste the spirit on its own and focus on what I believe to be interesting notes in that spirit, then play upon them and exaggerate them with other spirits or ingredients,” Shapiro says.

Mix It Right You want to be cognizant of your budget, but you also want to please your guests.

Don’t skimp on a great drink just to make your alcohol go longer.

Shapiro’s ratio for a great drink is one part alcohol to two parts water-based mixer.

“One and a half ounces gin, 3 ounces tonic. That way you can taste your booze, but it shouldn’t be too offensive,” Shapiro says.

Tweak the Classics If you’re unfamiliar with gin cocktails, just start with a classic drink — then modify it to make it work for you.

Take the Pegu Club — gin, Cointreau, lime juice, bitters.

Shapiro says subbing in blanco tequila would work just as well as the classic gin version.

The same works for the inverse, such as a Gin Old Fashioned, with gin taking the place of the bourbon.

You get the idea. © Brides 365

TRENDS

What’s the Groom Say?

It’s not his day. He just thinks it is.

According to retailer David’s Bridal’s 7th annual “What’s On Bride’s Minds?” survey, 83 percent of grooms are actively involved in making wedding decisions.

The David’s Bridal survey echoed research from Mintel, which found that not only are men becoming more involved in wedding planning, they’re becoming nearly as stressed as women when it comes to planning a wedding, with 32 percent of men calling the process “overwhelming,” compared to 42 percent of women.

Two-thirds of brides surveyed said there is at least one thing that would turn their groom into one of those little green guys at the top of the page (starts with “Groom,” ends with “zilla”).

The areas most likely to set off the groom? The guest list (31 percent), music selection (24 percent) and honeymoon planning (16 percent).

According to Mintel, 39 percent of men said they were in charge of picking the reception venue, and a quarter of men were in charge of selecting bridal party gifts. Forty-six percent of men in the Min-

tel research said the ceremony site was the most important aspect of the day (versus 36 percent of women).

That said, the bride still is calling the shots.

Nearly 20 percent of the brides surveyed by David’s Bridal said they wouldn’t trust their groom to make a wedding decision without input from them. In fact, more than 40 percent of brides said they didn’t even trust their groom to pick out their own tux for the wedding.Yikes! © Brides 365

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Hot Trends for 2014

By Julia HaskiNs Brides 365

Decor The rustic wedding theme is getting a cosmopolitan update in 2014, according to the experts.“People are tired of the shabby-chic thing, so they’re going for an old world glamour kind of vibe,” says Sara Burnett, the editor of wedding-inspira wedding-inspiration blog Burnett’s Boards.

Weddings in the coming year will take on more vintage elements to transport guests to a union that could have easily taken place decades ago. Think less whitewashed furniture and more classic mid-century pieces, says Erin Taylor of Bustle Events, a California-based, eventplanning firm. To help you set the scene, envision places with specific time periods, such as Venice, Italy, at the turn of the century.

“Vintage elements are romantic and bring an old-world charm to weddings,” says Deborah Collins Dunn, editor of the Wedding Thingz blog.And it’s the perfect way to incorporate the “something old” into the wedding tradition. “Many brides Page 14 | Weddings North 2014

add old photos, books, typewriters and suitcases to the decor,” Dunn says. “One of my favorites is seeing old books on the reception tables for centerpieces.”

Use your own family heirlooms to give the setting a personal touch. If you’re short on pieces with a nostalgic feel, Bur Burnett also suggests taking photographs with a double exposure. The effect will result in shadowy, beautifully haunting pictures.

When decorating, embrace elaborate prints. Solid colors and chevron are on their way out to make way for more unusual prints, like eye-catching geomet geometric shapes. Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns, either.

“Brides are getting a little more bold in their color palettes and rental choices,” Taylor says, and it extends all the way down to the smallest details like the invi invitations.

A few colors in particular are really making a splash. Expect weddings accents with hints of gray and mint green — a cousin of emerald, 2013’s color of the year.

“People are tired of the shabby-chic thing, so they’re going for an old world glamour kind of vibe,” says Sara Burnett.

Food and Cake For a trendy cocktail hour, presentation is key. Taylor suggests providing small tastes served in shot glasses. They can be filled with familiar hors d’oeuvres, or stuffed with bite-sized versions of homey favorites like macaroni and cheese or chicken potpie. But no matter the food, the local, farm-to-table trend still reigns, so look into venues and cater caterers who source from local farms. “More people are concerned about where their food is coming from,”Taylor says.

For cakes, both “naked” cakes — uniced, exposed layers, as made famous by New York’s Momofuku Milk Bar — and ombré-colored cakes remain popular, but at the end of the meal, consider mixing it up with a sweet assortment of miniature treats. Serve your guests a variety of the trendy snack-size desserts — doughnuts, scones or handheld pies, which also can be a savory snack with a twist on the filling. Small scoops of ice cream topped with wafers also make for a simply delicious dish.

Look for the doughnut — in all its forms — to be a hot dessert item in 2014.

No matter the food, the local, farm-to-table trend still reigns, so look into venues and caterers who source from local farms.

Flowers

Peonies are the flowers of the moment, and the bigger the better to make a statement piece that pops. Round out a peony bouquet with fillers like roses and hydrangeas.

Tulips are another hot flower that can stand on their own in a vase.

Pinks and peaches are classic flower colors that are especially popular for 2014, but your floral arrangements can veer off course to match your own theme. Keeping with the vintage trend, don’t be afraid to adorn the setting with flowers that go beyond traditional blush hues.To tie a darker color scheme together,

add in some dark floral arrangements for a look that’s elegant, not eerie. It’s perfect for making floral arrangements look like still-life art, a trend Burnett says florists will be experimenting with in the coming year.

Your floral arrangements don’t have to be relegated to table centerpieces. Brides of 2014 are playing with bold hair embellishments like dreamy flower crowns with tiny baby’s breath and large mixed bouquets. © Brides 365

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JessaLyn Photography

Real Couples

Brian and Jonalyn Lahr Ages: Brian, 27, and Jonalyn, 26 Together: 12 years Married: 3 months

It’s time again to feature another great lakes area couple.

Meet Brian and Jonalyn Lahr.

This Brainerd lakes couple dishes out all of the details on how they met, how he proposed, memorable wedding moments, future plans and more!

Occupations: Brian is a Registered Invasive Cardiovascular Specialist (RCIS) at Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd and Jonalyn is a Media Consultant with DE Media.

Hobbies and guilty pleasures: Brian loves hockey, hockey and hockey.

He also enjoys going to the gym, playing video games and roughhousing with the dogs. Jonalyn loves to draw, play video games and work on her cooking skills.

Together they love to spend as much time as possible with family members on the lake. Lately they’ve been putting a lot of work into their new home trying to put their personalities into it.

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How the couple ended up together: They met in 8th grade. Jonalyn chased Brian for almost two years before they finally started dating. They ended up going to college together and eventually moved to Brainerd together. They were very lucky to not only grow up together but grow together as a couple also.

The Proposal: Without Jonalyn knowing, Brian managed to sneak in to have the ring designed and drive down to Clearwater to ask her father for his permission. Later Brian picked up flowers and a box of chocolates and set the ring in the center of the box before putting the cover back on.

“Jonalyn was surprised, I think, but didn’t open the chocolates right away and the anticipation was killing me,” Brian says.

Jonalyn finally opened the box and Brian took the ring, got down on one knee and proposed.

Details of the big day: Brian and Jonalyn were married September 21, 2013, at the MAC Hockey Cen Cen-

ter in St. Cloud. The reception was at the Riverside Convention Center.

Most memorable moment: The funniest part of the whole day was during private pictures, they were skating on the ice and Jonalyn caught the edge of her dress under her skate. She flew forward and Brian was certain she either broke her wrist or hit her head. When Brian asked if she was OK and went to help her up, she just started laughing and started telling the photographer, “Candid moment, snap a picture!”

The most fun with planning the wedding: They made personalized hockey jer jerseys for each person in the wedding party that had their own crest. Usually we pur purchase NHL jerseys so it was fun to have the jerseys just be for us!

Most difficult thing about planning their wedding day: Making sure everything was scheduled and booked correctly for the right date and time. They had piles of paperwork on the dining room table to make sure every every-

thing was there when they needed it to be.

Wedding advice: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Something will inevitably go wrong but don’t let a bump in the road prevent you from enjoy enjoying your special day.

Honeymoon: They are planning on going to Cancun in January. It will be nice and cold - the perfect time to take a break from Minnesota.

Baby clock: They still feel like they have so many things they want to do before they start planning for kids but kids are part of the plan for the future.

Best thing about being Decorating style: married: We like the earth tones - blues, greens Jonalyn jokes that it’s nice to have a short last name and Brian says the best part is having the pressure off his shoulders to propose. Finally having their families united is probably the best part overall - joining traditions together and being able to create our own.

and brown. Their biggest decoration is pictures. They love to make sure pictures of family and friends are the focal point of each room.

Biggest future splurge: The honeymoon to Cancun.

Biggest challenge about being Where do you see yourself in married: the future?

People keep asking when they are going to have kids, which feels like pressure to start trying.

They would like to still be in Brainerd with a couple of kids and dogs.

Biggest worry as a couple:

An interesting fact about Brian and Jonalyn:

Planning for the future. Neither of them like surprises so they would like to be ready for anything.

They were actually married on their anniversary that they’ve had since High School.

Want to be featured as our next Real Couple? Email

Jess.vealetzek@brainerddispatch.com and tell us your story!

JessaLyn Photography

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Stay Energized Throughout Your Wedding Day

A couple’s wedding day is the culmination of months and months of planning. For most, it is one of the most memorable, magical days of their lives, filled with fond moments of time spent with close friends and family.

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As enjoyable as a wedding can be, most brides and grooms who have already tied the knot can attest that a wedding is a long, often tiring day. It is very easy for energy levels to wane.To ensure you have enough energy to last through to the final good-bye of the evening, follow these suggestions to remain energized. * Recognize your wedding day is a very long day. It’s possible to rise quite early

in the morning to begin prepping with makeup, hair styles, wardrobe and more. If the party is an evening reception, it could last until the wee hours of the night. You may find yourself up for nearly 24 hours, when the cameras will be flashing and the video rolling throughout. Naturally, you’ll want to look your best throughout. * Get a good night’s sleep the night before. Get to bed early the night before

so you will get ample sleep and look rest rested. It is understandable that nerves and excitement may get the best of you and make it difficult to fall asleep. If you often grow anxious and struggle to fall asleep before big events, talk to your doctor prior to the wedding to ask if you can be prescribed a one-time-only sleeping pill that will ensure you get to sleep promptly. Do not take this medication with alcohol, and

fruit and Greek yogurt makes for a filling start to the day. * Stay hydrated. Although drinking a lot of water can result in more frequent trips to the bathroom -- which can be cumber cumbersome for brides wearing their gowns -- it is essential to stay hydrated. Dehydration can result in headaches, weakness and dizziness and may make you feel cranky. Be sure to consume water throughout the day. * Pack some snacks. The time between breakfast and the cocktail hour of a wedding may be significant. In your wedding “survival” kit, be sure to pack some easy snacks to eat.Trail mix can be nibbled for a boost of energy, and a banana can take the edge off of hunger pangs. Avoid anything messy that can drip onto clothing or get stuck in your teeth.Arrange to have snacks stowed in the limousine or another mode of transportation so that you can refuel on the way to the ceremony or in transit to the reception. * Don’t overdo it with caffeine. It may be tempting to lean on an energy drink or a super-size cup of coffee to give you the boost you need. But caffeine is only a temporary fix. After the effects of the caffeine wear off, you could find yourself more tired than before and crash at an inopportune time during the day. Instead, a brisk walk outdoors may recharge your batteries. Afterward, time spent on the dance floor enjoying the reception will likely stimulate some adrenaline to keep you going. * Eat dinner. When family is beckoning and the photographer needs to get yet another pose, it is easy to skip dinner.

Be firm with your decision to enjoy your meal.After all, you paid for it and it should not go to waste. Besides, sitting down to dinner enables you to rest and absorb the atmosphere of the wedding. * Continue to drink plenty of water throughout the night.Alcoholic beverages may be flowing, but too many spirits can compromise your energy levels. Be sure to balance the booze with hydrating fluids, such as water or juice.

Weddings take up the entire day, and it can be easy to succumb to a lack of energy as the day progresses. But by heeding a few tips, it’s possible to remain in top form throughout the entire wedding.

be sure to take it only if you can get a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Otherwise you may experience medicine hangover. * Enjoy a hearty breakfast. At breakfast on the morning of your wedding, consume a combination of carbohydrates and protein. The carbs will provide the initial burst of energy you need to get going, and Metro creative coNNectioN the protein will keep you feeling full. A combination of whole wheat toast, fresh Page 19 | Weddings North 2014

Kleinfeld Paper

The Paper Trail By liNdsey roMaiN BRIDES 365

Stationery is perhaps the one style decisions that is present throughout the entire wedding process, from the savethe-date all the way to the thank-you. Here’s how to keep your choices on trend.

Like all things wedding, invitation and save-the-date stationery are amorphous trends, changing with the year, just like fashion. Stationery also is very couple-specific; lush fonts and classic framings are as popular as block letters and bright colors.

But another trend has emerged in the last few years that seemed at first glance a detrimental slight to the folks who make paper goods: the Internet invite.

Customizable down to the size, webgenerated stationery lets eager brides and grooms drag and drop, and highlight and delete, to their heart’s content. Great for them, but what does it mean to traditional wedding stationery?

Not too much, really.

Patti Murphy, a New London, Ct.-based designer who sells custom-made wedding stationery through Etsy and blogs at PattiMurphyDesigns.com, isn’t concerned about the online trend, nor does she think Page 20 | Weddings North 2014

the generators are as custom-specific as they seem.

“The couples who want every detail to be just right will steer away from the tem template options and go for something more custom,” Murphy says.

Kleinfeld, the iconic New York dress destination, in 2013 introduced its own line of wedding stationery called Kleinfeld Paper, which can be found in paper paperies around the country. Paul Wainman, paper president at Kleinfeld, says that instore experiences, as opposed to online, continue to yield the best results. “By shopping in store, the brides receive the etiquette expertise of the stationery store staff as well as the ability to touch and feel the tactile nature of paper and print tech techniques, which is critical in the purchase of wedding invitations.” Local retailers carry carrying the Kleinfeld line can be found via the KleinfeldPaper website.

However, James Hirschfield, founder and CEO of Paperless Post, one of the most popular online invite generators, says that people will likely continue to use both options.“Our feeling is that nei neither paper nor online wedding invitations is ‘correct’ as long as the message is considerably designed, thoughtfully worded and beautifully delivered.”

Whether they’re purchased online or custom designed in-store, the biggest trends aren’t necessarily market-specific.

Here are some of the most popular trends paper makers have noticed this year – both online and custom printed – and how they expect things to change in the coming seasons.

Typography

Blame it on Helvetica hype, but couples are more typography-obsessed these days than ever before.

Kleinfeld Paper

Kleinfeld Paper

Stationery is perhaps the one style decisions that is present throughout the entire wedding process, from the save-the-date all the way to the thank-you. Here’s how to keep your choices on trend.

Like all things wedding, invitation and save-the-date stationery are amorphous trends, changing with the year, just like fashion. Stationery also is very couple-specific; lush fonts and classic framings are as popular as block letters and bright colors.

But another trend has emerged in the last few years that seemed at first glance a detrimental slight to the folks who make paper goods: the Internet invite.

Customizable down to the size, webgenerated stationery lets eager brides and grooms drag and drop, and highlight and delete, to their heart’s content. Great for them, but what does it mean to traditional wedding stationery?

Not too much, really.

Patti Murphy, a New London, Ct.-based designer who sells custom-made wedding stationery through Etsy and blogs at PattiMurphyDesigns.com, isn’t concerned about the online trend, nor does she think the generators are as custom-specific as they seem.

“The couples who want every detail to be just right will steer away from the template options and go for something more custom,” Murphy says.

Kleinfeld, the iconic New York dress destination, in 2013 introduced its own line of wedding stationery called Klein-

feld Paper, which can be found in paperies around the country. Paul Wainman, paper president at Kleinfeld, says that in-store experiences, as opposed to online, continue to yield the best results. “By shopping in store, the brides receive the etiquette expertise of the stationery store staff as well as the ability to touch and feel the tactile nature of paper and print techniques, which is critical in the purchase of wedding invitations.” Local retailers carrying the Kleinfeld line can be found via the KleinfeldPaper website.

However, James Hirschfield, founder and CEO of Paperless Post, one of the most popular online invite generators, says that people will likely continue to use both options.“Our feeling is that neither paper nor online wedding invitations is ‘correct’ as long as the message is considerably designed, thoughtfully worded and beautifully delivered.”

Whether they’re purchased online or custom designed in-store, the biggest trends aren’t necessarily market-specific.

Here are some of the most popular trends paper makers have noticed this year – both online and custom printed – and how they expect things to change in the coming seasons.

Typography

Blame it on Helvetica hype, but couples are more typography-obsessed these days than ever before.

“Fonts with a hand-lettered look or vintage-inspired type are the biggest requests we receive from brides,” says Jennifer Faust, another Etsy seller and blogger at SomethingDetailed.com.

A look through any stationery catalogue or online retailer will show a plethora of options, ranging from bold letters

to delicate script, from the modern to the vintage-inspired. Faust’s personal favorites are “stacked fonts” and “bold typography with a nod to tradition.”

Dare to Be Different

Murphy says she’s noticed a lot of unconventional invites this year, both in wording and printing.

“I think each couple wants the invite to feel special for them and their guest, so custom illustrations or unique wording makes it feel made for them,” she says, noting that customizable rubber stamps have been one of her biggest hits.

Even traditional templates are being infused with something extra – like a pop of color, an incorporated pattern or an envelope liner, according to Faught. She calls this traditional update “class with sass.”

Designer Style

Bridal bigwigs like Preston Bailey and Vera Wang have long been putting their names on stationery lines. So it’s not big surprise that one of the biggest markets for Paperless Post, the popular online stationery generator, has been their collaboration with high-end fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.

The line, which is “runway inspired” according to Hirschfeld, has been a great success for the online retailer.

“Oscar has one of the more sophisticated fashion perspectives on the bridal world and this comes through in his stationery,” Hirschfeld says.

The prints range from gold embroiderystyle on a white background, to dark blues and pinks, to solid greys and floral-patterned blacks.They all retain the elegance and femininity of his custom gowns – a Page 21 | Weddings North 2014

traditional, romantic, option for soon-tobe-weds.

“Chic,” says Hirschfield of the pieces, which can be used for save the dates, wedding invites, engagement parties and more.

Foil

Foil-stamped and letterpress invites were popular styles at the Best New Product awards earlier this year, where eight National Stationery Show and Creative & Lifestyle Arts exhibitors were honored.

Foil stamping is a specialty process that involves heat and pressure to transfer foil type and patterns to paper. Because it’s applied with pressure, it leaves a slightly raised impression on the paper.

Faught has seen a lot of success with foil printing in her shop, a look that she calls “so very beautiful.”

The extra effort involved makes it a more laborious process for designers, but one that assures hard work and specific attention to detail went into the process.

Green Goings

With an abundance of paper comes environmental concern.

Minted.com is one site that offers ecofriendly invitation designs printed on recycled paper. Some Etsy shops and smaller retailers offer recycled paper options, too.

It’s a trend Murphy has her eye on.

“I think natural options will emerge even more,” she says. “I have a lot of couples concerned about using recycled papers, seeded papers and other earthy items.”

Kraft Paper

Those big rolls of cardboard-looking paper that kids scribble on for elementary school art projects? That’s called Kraft paper, and it’s been another big stationery trend this year.

“Our vintage-inspired invitation suite printed on Kraft paper has been the most popular invitation design this year,” says Faught.

She says it’s not just for DIY anymore – “it’s perfect for a fall or spring event, and can be dressed up for a more chic occasion.”

Who would have thought? © BRIDES 365

Page 22 | Weddings North 2014

Smart Buy

People love Moleskine notebooks for a lot of reasons:They’re sturdy, compact, kinda cool-looking. In short, they work.

And their Passions Journal collection even made it stylish to document your interests (movies, music, books) in ana analog fashion.The latest entrée in the line is perhaps the most obvious: the Wedding Journal.

Where most “wedding planners” resemble your junior high Trapper Keeper, the 5-by-8-inch Wedding Jour-

nal is easy to transport in your purse.

And because there are eight themed, tabbed sections across its 216 pages to keep all the planning details organized, you’ll actually want to use it, too.In addi addition, there is a removable Bridal Book (below) that allows brides to clandesclandes tinely plan out their wedding-day look so you-know-who does not get privy to the details. © Brides 365

Moleskin

The Only Wedding Planner You’ll Ever Need

Page 23 | Weddings North 2014

Wedding Dates to Avoid Metro Creative Connection

Some couples are excited by the prospect of hosting their weddings during holiday weekends. After all, having off on a Friday or a Monday provides an extra day for recovery or planning the wedding. But holiday weekends might not be embraced by potential guests. Travel costs and accommodations could be higher around holiday weekends, and some people have family traditions or other plans they may not want to miss during a holiday weekend. In terms of obstacles for couples, reception sites and vendors may charge higher fees to book a holiday weekend wedding, or they may be full on the dates Page 24 | Weddings North 2014

you request. Looking ahead to 2015, here are the prominent holidays and when they occur, so you can plan accordingly.

• • • • • • • •

Easter:Weekend of April 4 Mother’s Day:Weekend of May 9 Memorial Day:Weekend of May 23 Father’s Day:Weekend of June 20 Independence Day (Ca.):Wednesday, July 1 Independence Day (U.S.): Saturday, July 4 Labor Day:Weekend of September 5 Columbus Day:Weekend of

• • • • •

October 10 Halloween: Saturday, October 31 Remembrance Day/Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11 Thanksgiving:Thursday, November 26 Christmas: Friday, December 25 Boxing Day: Saturday, December 26

Quirky numerical dates tend to attract a lot of people who want a memorable date. July 7, 2007 was quite a popular date because it was “777,” or lucky 7s. In 2015, you may want to avoid 12/14/15.

Something

NEW for mom

Shined Lace Shift Dress, in teal, from BHLDN

It’s a big day for her, too!

And now, she doesn’t have to settle for a department store dress. Bring her along to the bridal boutique, where designers are introducing collections made just for her.

Shined Lace Shift Dress, in teal, from BHLDN

Dress 72749 from Watters C20, above.

Style 114915 from Montage by Mon Cheri, right.

Page 25 | Weddings North 2014

TRENDS

Show Off Your Heels

A great pair of shoes is just as important as the dress — maybe even more so. Luckily, higher hemlines are in mode, making it easier to shine the spotlight on the high-fashion footwear in which you’ll walk down the aisle.

Something Bleu cerulean d’Orsary peeptoe pumps from BHLDN

Satin Caged Strappy Sandal paired with Strapless Dress with Garza Tiers, from White by Vera Wang for David’s Bridal

Page 26 | Weddings North 2014

Badgley Mischka Baguet d’Orsay peeptoe heels paired with Tadashi Shoji crisscross shift dress for BHLDN

Page 27 | Weddings North 2014

ATTACK of the WEDDING PHOTO! Quinn Miller | facebook.com/quinnmillerphotography

By Taniesha Robinson Brides 365 A photo of a wedding party aligned in royal fashion around the bride and groom is a staple of wedding photography. Then there’s the classic black-andwhite photo. These elegant images will always have a place in wedding albums, but lately another shot has made it to the roster: the action-packed, staged Photoshop photo.

With the help of Photoshop, photographers don’t just capture moments of the big day, they create them. And we’re not talking about removing Dad’s redeye or altering the backdrop to change the mood of the photo. Photo editors are creating worlds and moments comparable to scenes out of blockbuster movies.

The trend came to forefront in May 2013 when a photo of a wedding party running away from a Tyrannosaurus rex went viral. “They really sold the idea in the photo,” says Quinn Miller, the Louisiana-based photographer and photo editor who took the shot.

Miller was inspired by another photo Page 28 | Weddings North 2014

and brought the idea to the couple just days before the wedding. “The groom loved dinosaurs, and they’re just a fun, kind of goofy couple,” Miller says. Many in the wedding party weren’t aware of their plan until moments before the shot was taken, but their expressions of pure horror and panic prove that they needed little prep time to sell the idea. Miller took care of the rest in the editing room, and the photo went viral just days after he posted it on Facebook. As of press time, it’s received nearly 15,000 “likes” and been shared more than 12,000 times.

Since then, Miller says he has seen an “unbelievable number of photos” in line with the disaster-wedding trend. Indeed, there was an explosion of cinematically edited photos after Miller’s dino photo, including a “Star Wars” battle and a Sharktopus attack.

However, a photo of a weddingturned-zombie-apocalypse created in October 2012 shows that the Photoshop-enabled, disaster-wedding

Soon-to-be-married couples who want the next viral, cinematic wedding photo should take note of the recipe for blockbuster movies:

The Original Plot Let’s face it. A dinosaur wedding-crasher photo isn’t likely to cause a stir these days. Both Miller and Moore agree that original ideas, or at least a twist on something familiar, garner the most attention.

Director/Editor A great idea isn’t enough. The photographer has to see the big picture to instruct the wedding party and have the chops to execute it in an editing program

after the shot is taken.

A-list Actors The successful Hollywood cast is goodlooking, and, hopefully, they can act. The same goes for the wedding party. Miller admits these two elements gave his photo a boost in popularity.

The ‘It’ Factor The work to create a memorable shot shouldn’t overshadow the joy and celebration of the day. In the end, it’s about having fun. © Brides 365

vimeo.com/sfst

trend has been brewing for quite some time.

Josiah Moore, a photographer based in Rochester, N.Y., staged and edited a photo of his own wedding party to look like zombies coming after him and his bride.

Moore says he never set out to create something popular when he persuaded his then-fiancée to include the shot in their wedding-day plans.

“People always like to do something fun and memorable,” Moore says. “One of the coolest aspects about it is that you can really cater the artwork or the custom photos to the individuals — what’s special to them, what’s important to them, or what fits their personality.”

Trends

The Slow-Mo Photo Booth Everything looks cooler in slow motion. Maybe that’s the reason the slow-mo video booth is replacing the traditional photo booth at wedding receptions across the country. In August 2013, Seattle-based video production group Super Frog Saves Tokyo posted a reception video shot with a Red Epic camera that made many brides-to-be and wedding planners slow down and pay attention. The video featured wedding guests celebrating under glitter and confetti showers, dancing in explosions of party poppers and silly string, and seemingly having the time of their life in slow motion and sped up to real-time. While still photos have captured the joyous faces of wedding guests for ages, the slow-mo video shows celebratory gestures materialize frameby-frame in a way that mesmerizes. It’s likely to captivate us for years to come. © Brides 365

Page 29 | Weddings North 2014

Weddings North Directory • 2014

Bachelor/Bachelorette

Printing/Invitations

Rental/Supplies

Risky Business 326 Washington Street Brainerd, MN 218-829-9361 www.riskybusinessmn.com

Lakes Printing, Inc. 1223 Oak Street Brainerd, MN 218-829-7790

some unique editParty With World weddingDrive photogra15867ing, Edgewood Baxter,phers MN don’t just capture 218-828-2127 the best moments of the www.partyworldbrainerd.com

Catering Connie’s Kitchen 9360 Wild Rice Road Brainerd, MN 218-821-3575 connieskitchenbrainerd.com Prairie Bay Grill and Catering 15115 Edgewood Drive Baxter, MN 218-824-6444 www.prairiebay.com

Jewelry Riddles Jewelry Westgate Mall, Baxter, MN 218-828-1254 www.riddlesjewelry.com

Photographers Kelli Engstrom Photography PO Box 83 Crosslake, MN 218-692-4626 www.kelliengstrom.com Picture Perfect 610 Front Street Brainerd, MN 218-454-0870 www.pictureperfectframingstudio.com

Page 30 | Weddings North 2014

Receptions/Banquets/ Rehearsals Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes 6967 Lake Forest Road Baxter, MN 877-687-5634 www.lodgehotelsbrainerd.com Breezy Point Resort 9201 Breezy Point Drive Breezy Point, MN 1-800-432-3777 218-562-7124 www.breezypointresort.com Cragun’s Resort on Gull Brainerd, MN 800-CRAGUNS (800-272-4867) ext. 8857 www.craguns.com/160 Falls Ballroom 15870 Minnesota 27 Little Falls, MN 320-632-9992 www.fallsballroom.com Lucky’s Tavern 31020 Government Dr. Pequot Lakes, MN 218-568-4177 Northland Arboretum 14250 Conservation Drive Brainerd, MN 218-829-8770 www.northlandarb.com

day, they help create them Rohlfing 293 Wright Street Brainerd, MN 218-829-0303

Salon/Spa/Cosmetic Inner Healing Hypnosis 324 South 5th Street Brainerd, MN 218-851-7082 www.innerhealinghypnosis.com

Transportation Ultimate Limo & Party Bus 326 Washington Street Brainerd, MN 218-829-9361 www.ultimatelimomn.com

Wedding/Party Planning Central MN Wedding Professionals www.perfectmnwedding.com

Engaged or Married? announce your exciting news!

Only $25 Engagements Weddings anniversaries Full Color

Must be Prepaid.

Marva Pearson 218-855-5824 Email: marva.pearson @brainerddispatch.com