Spring 2008 by Bride & Groom Magazine

Yo u r F R E E R E G I O N A L P l a n n i n g R e s o u r c e

Spring/Summer 2008

PICTURE

PERFECT Tips for great wedding day photos

BALANCING

ACT Juggling wedding planning and your work

Distinctive receptions Unique sites throughout New England

Details inside

iit’s t ’s a all l i n tth h e d e t a iils l s .... ..

re h e a r s a l d i n n e r s bridal showers w e d d i n g s c e re m o n i e s re c e p t i o n s • Vi c t o r i a n We d d i n g C h a p e l • M a g n i fi c e n t G ra n d B a l l ro o m • Award-Winning Cuisine • Luxurious Rooms • Intimate Private Function Rooms • We d d i n g C o n s u l t a n t s • N u m e ro u s G u e s t A m e n i t i e s

8 0 0 - 3 4 4 - 2 5 8 9 • 3 6 3 P l a n t a t i o n S t re r e e t • Wo W o rc r c e s t e r, r, M A • b e e c h w o o d h o t e l . c o m

Katherine Jane Photography

New England’s Largest Selection of In-Stock Bridal and Dyeable Shoes

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Where Memories Begin Experience the charm and elegance of a traditional New England Inn. Exchange vows in our romantic garden and then celebrate in our new Laurelwood Ballroom or on our canopied deck. Best of all, when the day draws to a close our luxurious bridal suite and 26 suites await you and your guests.

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BRIDE&GROOM

Spring/Summer 2008

Contents

Features 58 West of Worcester Exceptional wedding sites 62 Uniquely New England Distinctive sites for you reception

Articles 24 All-inclusive Making planning fun with your groom 30 Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play Planning for the youngest guests 36 Sustainable weddings Eco-friendly flowers 42 Picture perfect Tips from the pros for great wedding-day photos

Near-by Nuptials 14 Sarah Davis and Matthew Cassell

10 Letter from the editor 68 Fashions Beachy keen

18 Lauren DiBenedetto and Richard Petit

70 Health & fitness The anti-stress workout

Planning 101

Directories

77 Wedding timetable What to do and when

48 Photo album trends Custom designs make for unique keepsakes

79 Spreading the news Guide to local engagement and wedding announcements

52 Your wedding and your work The brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to balancing both

80 Changing your name? How to do it

Departments

82 License to wed Getting your MA marriage license

103 Function facilities 50 Central MA sites listed 108 Wedding resources Everything from bagpipers to wedding planners

84 Tuning up A few notes about your reception music 86 Contract considerations What to know before you sign on the dotted line 88 Getting a great cake Questions to ask, terms to know 90 Topics of transportation Getting the right ride

Honeymoons

92 News you can use Local wedding info

94 Enchanting New Mexico 99 Boutique hotels

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Spring/Summer 2008

You deserve the Best. You deserve Cardoos. Elegant Wedding Receptions Engagement Parties Rehearsal Dinners Wedding Showers

Cardoos Gourmet Caterers Experience the difference! Owner/Chef Omar Sagastume 135 Westborough Road (Rte. 30) North Grafton, MA 508-839-2213 Toll Free 877-655-3911 www.cardooscater.com cardcater@aol.com Our policy is to never increase any prices once quoted no matter what the circumstances. We have no hidden fees, travel fees, cutting or corking fees.

LOOK BRIDAL

Magazine

Publishers Richard E. Chevalier Germaine A. Chevalier germaine@chevalierassociates.com

President Robert R. Chevalier

Your Perfect Wedding Begins Here

robert@chevalierassociates.com

Editor Lisa Dayne

Wedding Gowns Bridesmaids Gowns Mother Gowns Accessories Tux Rentals

lisa@chevalierassociates.com

Director of Sales Allen Lederman allen@chevalierassociates.com

Call for appointment at your convenience

Admistrative Coordinator Jaclyn Witkowski

1200 Main St., Worcester, MA

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508-459-9291 www.qlookbridal.net

Marketing Manager K.C. O’Brien

Mon. - Sat. 9 am to 8 pm Sun. 12 pm to 6 pm

Design Nancy Davis ShopTalk Marketing Communications Charlton, MA

kc@chevalierassociates.com

Come Celebrate Your Wedding With Us! Indoor & Outdoor Ceremony and Reception Areas

Contributing Writers Cynthia Allegrezza • Katharine Dyson Kelly James-Enger • Andrea E. McHugh Taryn Plumb BRIDE &GROOMTM Magazine is published in January, May and September and is a trademark of and published by:

BOSTON COLLEGE

THE CONNORS FAMILY RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER 20 Glen Street, Dover, MA 02030 617-552-9210 | MEET@BC.EDU www.bc.edu/retreat

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BRIDE&GROOMTM assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertisements. No portion of BRIDE&GROOMTM, advertising

or editorial, may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publisher. The information contained in this publication is believed to be accurate, however the publisher does not guarantee its accuracy. The opinions expressed by others within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or its employees. By accepting advertising neither BRIDE&GROOMTM Magazine nor Chevalier Associates, Inc. is endorsing or guaranteeing the quality of service or products within those advertisements. Every effort is made to ensure that the advertisements come from reputable companies, however we cannot take responsibility for how an advertiser deals with the public.

Colonial Elegance W 625 Betty Spring Road Gardner, MA 01440 978-630-2500 Reservations 888-214-4991 Fax 978-632-0913 www.colonial-hotel.com weddingsales@colonial-hotel.com

hile classic elegance, attentive service, and wonderful food surround the guests, the bride is able to relax knowing that the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional wedding consultant is available to assist in the arrangement and coordination of all the fine points of the wedding reception.

Grand Ballroom Accommodates 50 to 400 Outside Courtyard Tent accommodates up to 300 Magnificent Staircase for Pictures 112 Tastefully Decorated Guestrooms Brand New Bridal Suites Indoor & Outdoor ceremonies on-site

Bridal Suites Lemay Photography

Restaurant, Cracker Barrel Pub & Country Store

Letter from the editor

Let forever begin here . . . The 1761 Old Mill offers a unique serene atmosphere that is unsurpassed by most. Get married on our grounds listening to our flowing falls and then proceed with a delightful dinner in our classic New England surroundings. The Old Mill makes a perfect setting for your extraordinary day. The Old Mill has several dining rooms available for your reception and incredible photo options for your lasting memories. • Wedding Ceremonies • • Receptions from 10 to 150 • • Bridal Showers • • Intimate Rehearsal Dinners •

N OT H I N G QU I T E L I K E T H E

thrill of planning a wedding. The excitement at being engaged… the drama and glamour of trying on wedding gowns… the delight in sampling cake flavors and choosing floral arrangements… the joy of asking friends and family to share in your day… It all adds up to be an exhilarating time in your life that also happens to be a bit hectic and, dare we say, stressful.That’s why we strive to provide the most comprehensive local wedding planning information to make every issue of BRIDE&GROOM™ Magazine your best planning resource. This time around, we’ve zeroed in on a few of the fine points of wedding preparations that sometimes get dwarfed by the larger elements. For example, the article Child’s Play, on page 30, discusses how to make your wedding fun for your youngest guests—whether or not you were expecting them. If you’re finding that your job is distracting you from your wedding planning, instead of the other way around, Wedding and your work on page 52 will give you some perspective on how best to balance both. And with digital cameras and camera phones everywhere, couples are being “snapped” by more than just their professional photographer. Picture perfect on page 42 gives some great tips from hair, makeup and photography professionals on how to look your best for photos taken from any angle. In our previous edition, the feature articles focused on reception sites in Boston and

Sabine Vollmer von Falken Photography/www.sabinephotoart.com

THERE’S

along the New England shoreline. For this issue, we decided to “look the other way.” West ofWorcester on page 58 highlights some exceptional facilities in the western half of Massachusetts, while Uniquely New England on page 62 showcases some of most distinctive venues our region has to offer. Of course if you’re just looking for some overall inspiration, the couples featured in our Nearby Nuptials are always a great source. And don’t forget to de-stress. Our Health & Fitness article on page 70 will show you how. Happy planning!

Lisa Dayne Editor

Visit our website at

w ww.1761OldMill.com 69 State Road East • Rte. 2A Westminster, Massachusetts 01473

978-874-5941

On the cover: Alfred Angelo gown worn by Model Delphine of Ford Models. See page 68 for gown details. Photographer: Mary Henebry www.maryhenebry.com

10 Spring/Summer 2008 BRIDE&GROOM

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Correction: In the article Quintessential Boston in our Winter 2008 issue, the photo of the couple at Fenway Park should have been credited to Christopher Wakeen Photojournalist/ www.wakeenphotography.com.

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BUILT IN 1857 ~ NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

Nearby Nuptials Sarah Davis and Matthew Cassell Sturbridge, MA November 2007 by Andrea McHugh SENSING AN IMMINENT PROPOSAL, Sarah’s mother offered Matt the diamond that was once set in Sarah’s grandmother’s engagement ring. Soon Matt sought the expertise of a jeweler and flanked the center stone with diamond baguettes. “The three stones together represent three generations of women in my mom’s family: my grandmother, my mom and me,” says sentimental Sarah. One the eve of their third anniversary on a quiet moonlit porch, Matt asked Sarah to be his wife. Plans for a November nuptial celebration were soon in full swing.AVermont-based friend of Sarah’s mentioned that where she lives, they call November stick season: no longer peak foliage season but before the snow, exposed branches and sticks cover the ground. “From there the wedding theme was born, incorporating trees and branches,” says Sarah, “Eventually it became all about expanding our family tree.” Preparing for the big day was a family affair,

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and Sarah and her mother spent many hours toiling over unique details such as booklets for the reception constructed from handmade paper. “She and I spent a cool October afternoon outside cutting grapevines by hand for the bindings,” says the bride. “Then we had a party at our house with family members assembling the programs, grapevines and inner pages with twine and buttons.” Though laborious, the end result was beautiful and well appreciated by the bride and groom. “All in all, being together with all of our family and friends, and seeing everything come together after working endless hours planning made [the wedding] so much fun.” The heartfelt ceremony began with an emotional procession of Sarah and Matt’s attendants who carried candles inscribed with the names of the couple’s family members

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who had passed away.After exchanging vows, the couple and their guests gathered in the rustic surroundings of the Sturbridge Host Hotel on Cedar Lake. In keeping with the autumnal season, warm tones of champagne and chocolate brown emboldened all the paper products, the bridesmaids’ dresses and the groomsmen’s suits.The ballroom was transformed into the enchanted forest Sarah had envisioned, with oversized urns at each corner of the dance floor overflowing with curly willow, grasses and twinkling lights. Playing on their “stick season” theme, guests found their table assignments hanging from “leaves” on a tree, with each table named after a different tree specimen.Taking a cue from Mother Nature, ferns, mosses and ivies were placed throughout. As she danced in the arms of her new husband, Sarah unveiled a surprise for Matt: a slideshow of special memories the two have shared through the years. For memories to come, guests found origami paper and instructions for folding paper cranes included in the booklets assembled months before. “Everyone was invited to write good wishes on the back of the paper and then to create the cranes and place them on the bare branches of the trees that were located in various places around the reception hall,” says the bride.“This gave our guests a chance to interact while they sat at their tables awaiting our entrance into the reception hall.” With patience on their side, Sarah and Matt are saving the cranes to be read on their first anniversary. For this couple, crafting a personal, intimate wedding didn’t mean sacrificing for a small guest list. Calling on the offered talents of their friends and family, Sarah and Matt’s wedding was a hands-on affair for everything from the cake to the flowers to the music. “We wanted some of the elements of our wedding day to be planned without our involvement,” says Sarah. “We asked many of the people involved to make decisions for us so that we could be surprised.”And she meant it: the couple had not seen the wedding cake until the reception. “Don’t plan every moment of the day,” recommends the bride. “Give up some of the control and let others surprise you. It will exceed any expectations you have and will be B&G even more meaningful!”

The particulars Ceremony: St. Joseph’s Church, Charlton Reception: Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, Sturbridge Photographer: Lindsay Shaw Photography, Putnam, CT Cake: Happy’s Custom Cakes by Tami Hale, Worcester Florist: Janice Campbell, Halifax Music: ceremony by organist Marge Jalbert of Charlton and vocalists Connie Galli and Taylor Lawton of Dudley; cocktail hour by Peter and Helen Morrin of Sturbridge; reception by DJ Jim Dowse, Central MA; and band Pet Rock, Central MA Transportation: Metrowest Limo, North Grafton Bridal gown: Casablanca Bridal from Chrisanne Bridal & Tux (formerly in Auburn) Bridesmaids: David’s Bridal, Natick Groom/Groomsmen: Bonardi’s Formalwear, Sturbridge

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Spring/Summer 2008

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Nearby Nuptials Lauren DiBenedetto and Richard Petit York, ME October 2007

by Andrea McHugh

How they met Before she even knew his name, Lauren DiBenedetto admired Rich Petit from afar where they both worked at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. “[I] first officially met him while he was plowing out the driveway in front of my office building,” she remembers.

How they chose the date “I had always wanted to be married in autumn,” says Lauren, “and Rich liked the idea as well.” Sentimental spot York, ME, where Lauren spent summers as a child with her family, was chosen as the destination locale.The couple initially chose a November 2008 date, but while on vacation in York in August 2007 they were inspired to move the wedding to the following October instead.

the details, preparations went into high gear upon their return from their weekend getaway.Though Lauren did the bulk of planning (with the support of family and friends), she relied on input from Rich and their daughter Gracie to ensure nothing was overlooked. First on the docket: invitations. Though they had to trim the original guest list from 150 to just 50 guests in order to stay within their budget, Lauren and Rich wanted their invitations to be extraordinary. “With that in mind, our invitations noted that our daughter, Gracie, requested the presence of our guests to witness the marriage of

The planning The whimsical decision sent the couple on a wild goose chase throughout York, starting with a visit to the York Chamber of Commerce to gather all of the information they would need to start planning right away. “The marriage license, justice of the peace, gazebo reservation, flowers and reception plans were all completed within one afternoon,” says Lauren. “We were pleasantly surprised that all the vendors were so accommodating and spoke to us on the spot.” With only six weeks remaining to fine tune 18 Spring/Summer

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her parents,” says Lauren. As the wedding day edged closer, tying up lose ends became a family affair. “We had to make several trips to York,” says Lauren, “to confirm plans, have a hair trial run and even to piece together our out-of-town gift bags.” Traditional Maine-made canvas totes from legendary Maine-based retailer L.L. Bean were stuffed with a Maine bumper sticker, postcard, candy, bottled water and a map of the town and surrounding areas, and were accompanied by a special note from Lauren and Rich officially welcoming their guests to the Vacationland State.

Wedding day details Lauren grew up visiting the Maine coastline and had continued the tradition with her own family.Vows were exchanged under the gazebo overlooking their favorite beach, Short Sands Beach. True to her relaxed approach, all Lauren asked of her two attendants, her closest friends, was to show up in a black dress. “I never even saw their dresses until the day of the wedding,” she explains. But for her own ensemble, there was one very important accessory she could not wed without: her great-grandmother’s pearls, a sentimental “something old.” “Borrowed” was her veil and headpiece from Rich’s cousin, and “new” was an unexpected bit of comfort for her feet: clogs. “I have a love for Dansko shoes,” Lauren

confesses,“and decided to wear a pair of white Dansko clogs with my dress.” (“Blue,” for the record, was the color of the sun-drenched October sky.) In keeping with the casual coastal theme, guests were greeted by seashell,fish and starfish photo holders serving simultaneously as place cards and favors. In lieu of a traditional guest book, friends and family were encouraged to pen a message on a photo poster of the newlyweds with Gracie and the family’s two dogs. But making their debut as husband and wife would not have been complete without the couple’s dear daughter by their side. “Our favorite part of the day was when Rich, Gracie and I were announced at the reception as a family,” says Lauren. Not long after, the groom sliced into the sandcastle cake that Gracie was instrumental in choosing and fed his new bride a buttercream-covered slice.

Advice Lauren and Rich are proof positive that you don’t always need a year or more to craft an organized, heartfelt wedding. Six short weeks was all it took to pull everything together, but no matter how long (or short) the planning process, for this couple the most important thing was the day itself. “[It] went by so quickly,” says Lauren. “Enjoy each and every minute!” B&G

The particulars Ceremony site: Short Sands Beach Gazebo, York Beach Justice of the Peace: Melissa Moulton, York Reception Site/Caterer: Union Bluff Hotel, York Photographer: Raluca Chase, Laurelin Films, Portsmouth, NH Cake: confectionArt, York Florist: York Flower Shop, York Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal, Nashua, NH Jewelry: Elliott’s Jewelers, Fitchburg, MA

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Spring/Summer 2008

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22 Spring/Summer 2008 BRIDE&GROOM

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BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

ALL-INCLUSIVE

Making planning fun with your groom by Sharon Naylor

Right now, brides and grooms are doing much of their wedding planning together as a team, even if their parents are paying for the majority of the celebration. The days when the groom just shows up in a tux are over as so many guys want the wedding day to reflect their tastes as well. Sure, you may be the driving force behind “your day,” but he doesn’t want this to be a difficult partnership with you as “the boss,” nor does he want to plan the entire wedding in one weekend; he wants to enjoy preparing for it with you.The key for making any planning enjoyable—especially when it’s shared—

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800-287-5249 Visit

.com

is to keep everything light, fun and as stress-free as possible so that you can work well together right up to the wedding day. Here are our top tips for making this huge task of wedding planning as fun for him as it can be for you.

Timing is everything Your groom has said he wants to help, but that may not mean he wants to arrive home after a long, tough day at work and be

pounced on by you with a clipboard and a list of things to do. “That would make the wedding plans seem like work, like something else I have to do,” says one groom capturing the core of this universal complaint. Instead, give him some downtime and ask when would be a good time to do some wedding planning with you. He might be more receptive if he can say, “After I get back from the gym,” or “Let’s do the seating chart on

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Sunday,” as it affords him the same respect you would want if you were in his place. It’s the fairness and consideration of marriage.

Make it fun Let’s face it… Going over list upon list of songs to be played or options for floral arrangements isn’t always exciting. To keep things interesting—for both of you—try getting a little goofy. For example, make the first round of suggestions jokes, such as having the song “You Shook Me All Night Long” for your firstdance. He’ll join in with some outrageous suggestions of his own as the two of you turn a mundane to-do list item into a game you’ll remember long past your wedding day. This can apply to everything on your list. So from songs to menu items (hot dogs, anyone?), from your dress (polka dotted) to the wedding vows (promise to always pick up your wet towels from the bathroom floor), start off with a few just-for-fun ideas that bring your sense of humor into the mix. If you record these in a journal, you can laugh about them later.

Pad the schedule Build some cushion time into the deadlines. Nothing makes wedding planning less fun for anyone then being rushed does, so be sure to allow yourselves ample time to get your respective tasks done. If he’s taking cues from you for specific tasks, ask him how he’d like you to remind him of upcoming deadlines.Your fiancé may say that sending him one reminder e-mail is all he needs to stay on track. If so, respect that and try not to micromanage by calling every day about things like the groomsmen’s size numbers. “When I have them all, you’ll know,” says one groom who really didn’t enjoy being pestered.

Feed the habit Great food can make anything an event— even wedding-planning sessions.Try meeting over a home-cooked meal or taking your binder and laptop to a coffee shop for cinnamon swirl muffins.You can even share wedding talk when you’re out at a restaurant on your Friday night dates. When you mix your planning session with a date night or a deli-

cious meal or snack, you make it a treat to work on the wedding together.

Stay positive Giving positive reinforcement is a great way to make people feel appreciated, but be careful not to lapse into condescension. Exclaiming with great emphasis, “You’re so good at this!” may end up sounding like you’re talking to a child. Who wants over-the-top praise for writing down a list of addresses? Also, most of us don’t want to be talked down to, so don’t try to explain what everything is from an intermezzo to a French bustle. “If I don’t know a phrase, I’m going to look it up online,” says one groom. “Don’t look at me funny and spell things out like that.Yes, wedding world isn’t my thing,but I’m smart enough to understand what a four-tiered cake is.”

Don’t take a power trip As hard as it may be to do, try not to make the horrific mistake of re-doing tasks that your groom has completed (especially if it’s at your behest), such as re-tying the bows on the favors that took him hours to do. By suppressing your inner control freak you’ll keep yourself sane and allow your groom to feel the pride of knowing he did the task his way for a wedding that’s his as well.

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Keep yourself together Go out with your friends, keep up your social life, play your sports, go for massages… do whatever you need to do to keep your stress level down and encourage him to do the same. If either of you are tense, it will affect your wedding plans and your relationship, which isn’t fun for anyone. Establish a regular time with your fiancé for foot rubs or massages so that you can both relax. Pretty soon, working on wedding plans becomes synonymous with getting a great neck rub. Pairing a planning session with any other type of enjoyable and relaxing activity makes it something you’ll both look forward to. Who knows… he might just come home from work looking for you and your clipboard, B&G ready to go! Sharon Naylor is the author of over 30 wedding books, including The Bride’s Diplomacy Guide. www.sharonnaylor.net

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Planning for the youngest guests by Sharon Naylor

Child’s play It’s a universal concern for brides and grooms who know that kids will be at their wedding, whether or not it is ok with the bride and groom. Relatives and friends may live in different states or countries, so the occasion of a wedding becomes a great opportunity for those with children to introduce their kids to the family. Or parents uncomfortable with the idea of leaving their kids with friends or relatives over the long wedding weekend decide to send the response card with their children’s names written in. Of course, you could also be among those couples who want children at the wedding and love the idea of adorable kids in their party dresses or suits at your big celebration. Whichever situation you’re in, you must create concrete plans for the children at or near your wedding, both for you and as a service to your guests. They will love that you 30 Spring/Summer

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thought ahead about what will please their kids, and that it will give them a few hours of worry-free socializing with other adults. Here are some planning details.

Kids attending the ceremony Children might not be invited to the reception, but some parents will still opt to bring them to the ceremony. Unfortunately you can’t prevent crying babies or toddler tantrums from occurring during your big moment. Therefore, the best you can do is adopt a pre-emptive approach. Ask the manager of the ceremony site—whether a houseof-worship or a non-religious venue—if there is a separate room where you can provide a babysitting service for the duration of the ceremony. Many churches have classrooms nearby where your hired babysitting team can entertain and watch the little ones. Ushers and/or greeters can direct parents

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with kids to this kiddie center as they arrive for the ceremony. Should little ones show up in the seating area for the ceremony, your officiant can ask guests to take any fussy children outside to the gardens, into the vestibule or to that designated classroom. Most parents don’t want to take away from your day, so they’ll willingly oblige—especially when asked by an authority figure such as your officiant. After the ceremony, have your greeters give

each child a parting gift, such as a lollipop, to thank them for being well-behaved.

Kids attending the reception There’s no need to plan for special songs such as the Hokey Pokey or other kiddie music to be played to entertain the little ones—kids will dance to anything that’s playing and they may be savvier than you about the latest hit songs. However, your cocktail-hour menu and dinner fare may be a tad too gourmet for

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the little ones, so prevent any fussiness over ‘There’s nothing to eat!’ by arranging with your caterer to have special child-friendly menu options, such as mini pizzas, chicken fingers, fish sticks and pasta dishes. Serve these up on a big platter at the kids’ table (and keep them away from the buffet), or follow the new trend of having a kid-height food station with mini burgers and macaroni and cheese, French fries and other kid pleasers. A drink station just for them might also be a great idea, or you can have pitchers of soda or milk set on their table. Since they’ll often eat the cake or pastries you may serve, there isn’t any need for a special dessert. One big issue for kids these days about which you should be aware is food allergies. Most parents will bring baggies of snacks for their children who can’t eat nuts, flour or dairy, but it is still a good idea to check with parents of child guests about any specific allergies before you design the kid-friendly menu. However, you don’t want to be stuck special ordering fussy dishes, so inform parents that you’ll do your best to accommodate particular dietary needs by asking the caterer if he/she can create specialty dishes on site. Most can whip up a vegan meal or other unique dish quickly when asked. That way you’ve done your part by offering what you can, yet ultimately leaving the responsibility with the parents. Aside from food you’ll also need some kidspecific entertainment. One current trend is to stock the kids’ table with games, coloring books, cards, dolls and other fun items that will combat boredom. Sure, most will probably bring their own handheld computer games to the reception or their parents will come with a bag of toys, but it’s still a smart move to have something new and fun on their tables. If you have a wide age range of kids, such as four through 12, create separate bags with each child’s name on it in which you’ve placed age-appropriate toys that don’t make a lot of noise or that don’t encourage throwing things across the dance floor.

Alternate locations Another option is to provide child care at a location other than the reception room, such as in a hotel room when the wedding is taking place in a ballroom on the premises.

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Select trained and licensed babysitters, and let parents know they’re welcome to invite their own to watch kids at this location. It’s essential that you have good child care at this kiddie party so screen well, get referrals from friends and reward your sitters with a generous payment and a gift. Again, have kid-friendly food and drinks on hand and plan for age-appropriate activities, such as crafts for the younger ones and a parent-okayed movie for the older ones.

Some parents may want to can drop in to check on the kids during the event, so make sure you choose a spot that’s nearby. Also, having specific rules regarding the hotel pool (don’t go to it) or room service (ordering is not allowed) will help to keep kids in check and will make for some appreciative parents. Planning ahead for child guests removes the distraction factor from your wedding and allows everyone to have a good time. Still, there will be guests who want to show off

their kids—even if the child care is located elsewhere than the reception. Remind those proud mamas and papas that there are other events, such as the morning-after breakfast, that their kids are welcome to attend. B&G

Sharon Naylor is the author of over 30 wedding planning books, including 1000 Best Secrets For Your Perfect Wedding and The Complete Outdoor Wedding Planner. www.sharonnaylor.net

What kids may cost If children will be attending and dining at your reception, check with your caterer on costs. He/she may charge half-price for child guests between ages 11 and 16, and kids under age 10 may eat for free. Find out what your caterer’s kiddie discount rules are and remember to record your child headcount by age group (i.e., under age 10, between ages 11 and 15, etc.)

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Sustainable weddings Eco-friendly flowers by Andrea E. McHugh

“I love it just as much as the day I started,” Joan Moreschi says wistfully about her 40-plus years in the floral industry.Though the fundamentals may have stayed the same over that time—brides wanting beautiful bouquets, jaw-dropping centerpieces, noteworthy altar sprays and dainty floral touches at place settings, on the cake or around the sign-in table—the perspective, in some cases, has changed.

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As your special day approaches, explore Kohl’s Bridal Aisle® Gift Registry to find everything you need for every room in the house! If you’re looking for a gift registry that’s quick and easy to use, we’ve got it. You’ll enjoy: • Convenient shopping, great brands and incredible value at more than 800 stores nationwide • 24-hour registry access with an expanded selection of merchandise at Kohls.com • A 15% discount on items remaining on your registry (See Kohls.com for details) • Free Kohl’s Bridal Aisle® Gift Registry Enclosure Cards to share with shower guests • A hassle-free return policy Visit our gift registry in store or online at Kohls.com today!

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Moreschi, a floral designer catering to brides at the Herbert E. Berg Florist in Worcester, says that while there isn’t necessarily an overwhelming demand from couples who wish to go green, there is definitely a move in the right direction by florists ensuring a gentler footprint will be left on the planet. Eco-savvy brides and grooms will want to make conscious choices when it comes to their floral needs, and their first task will be selecting flowers that are locally grown. Start with locally-grown flowers that will be in season. Not only will it be an earthfriendly decision, but it will likely be kinder on your budget as well. Out-of-state/out-of season, conventionally cut flowers are more often than not imported from foreign countries, which means they fail to support the local economy and add to pollution as they need to be flown in by jet. When buying locally, there is greater opportunity to learn how the flowers are farmed. Does the farm use many pesticides? Do they practice fair trade and offer favorable working conditions? According to National Geographic’s Green Guide, the United States imports 70% of its flowers from Columbia and Ecuador, where there may not be strong pesticide regulations and workers often endure unsafe working environments. Nowadays, there are more organic growers working stateside, and when pesticide-free isn’t an option, reduced chemical usage is an alternative. Experienced florists like Herbert Berg, which continues to operate from the very same storefront that it has since 1935, know exactly where their flowers originate. “We buy from growers who use few pesticides,” says Moreschi, adding that many growers are moving toward using compost and other natural ingredients on farms. For a thoughtful, untraditional bouquet, organize designated aisle seating for special family and friends and place organicallygrown flowers from a local farm, such as Local Foods Farm in Grafton, a petite, one-

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acre, hand-cultivated farm that practices pesticide and chemical-free growing methods. The bride would collect the flowers as she makes her way down the aisle, making a sentimental un-bouquet while simultaneously recognizing the people in her life that have been with her all the way. Organic vegetables, which can make for unusual centerpiece options, are available year round at the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, while their herbs and flowers flourish during the summer and autumn seasons.

Pay attention to packaging If you’ve ever been a bridesmaid, you might remember the frenzy of getting prepped and pampered being interrupted by a knock on the door. In walks a delivery person carrying a long box of carefully aligned bouquets pertly sitting upright like rows of fresh cabbage. Then comes the parade of individually contained corsages and boutonnieres for mom, future mother-in-law, dad, future father-inlaw, groomsman, groomsman, groomsman… it’s a cacophony of color and a lot of packaging. In the spirit of those three Rs, during your final wrap-up appointment with the florist request that your bouquets, corsages, etc. arrive in recycled boxes and containers. Moreschi says that so many deliveries come to the shop in cardboard boxes that it is easy to reuse them for wedding-day deliveries. Hold up your end of the bargain by either retrieving the items right away and sending the packaging back to the florist with the delivery person for future reuse, or making sure the cardboard is recycled at home or by the hotel where you are getting ready. Just when you thought having an earthfriendly wedding was something done behind the scenes, think again. If your color palette includes any shades of white, off-white or cream, you will want to make sure the petals won’t start to brown before your grand exit. True, flowers in these delicate hues usually need to be handled with kid gloves to begin with, but the way flowers are stored play an intricate role in their wedding day performance. Pre-arranged flowers are often stored in water-filled buckets, and if the buckets are rinsed with chemical-laden cleansers, or not properly cleaned, lurking bacteria can spread 40 Spring/Summer

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to flowers making for dismal longevity on the big day.Ask your florist how their flowers are stored and cared for; hearing the right answer will ensure worry-free arrangements.

Presentation principles Centerpieces will take up a considerable portion of your flower budget, and contemporary arrangements incorporate unique display pieces including square glass containers, tall cylindrical glass vases and candelabras. Reuse rented pieces in lieu of buying new ones; it will save on your budget and create less waste. Usually your florist can assist in making choices to complement the ambiance of your reception site and can take care of securing the pieces through a rental company. Moreschi recommends asking your florist to hand tie arrangements whenever possible as standard floral foam is not biodegradable. In lieu of traditional flowers, consider flowering plants; they will last longer and guests who are lucky enough to take them home will have a lasting reminder of your special day. Herbert Berg Florist also makes silk arrangements upon request. Forget about the silk flowers of yesteryearâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;silk has come a long way, can be reused and some silks are organic. As you can see, conscious doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to mean compromise. Contrary to Kermitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lullaby, it is easy being green. And besides, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reducing global impact an admirable way to start the rest of your lives together? B&G Andrea E. McHugh, a frequent contributor to BRIDE&GROOMâ&#x201E;˘ Magazine, is a freelance writer based in Newport, RI.

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Picture

perfect

Tips from the pros for great wedding-day photos by Andrea E. McHugh

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Once the last dance is danced, the flowers have faded and you’ve returned from a fantasy honeymoon full of sipping piña coladas and giggling while saying “husband” and “wife,” you will quickly discover that your photographs are a lasting record of your wedding day. Looking your best in the photos that grace the pages of the album (and potential family heirloom) is less about luck and more about well-laid plans and thoughtful preparation.

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Since the onset of digital cameras, the first thing people seem to do after the flash casts its light is rush to the shutterbug and eagerly gasp, “Let me see!” On your wedding day every minute counts, and with hundreds (and in some cases thousands) of photos being taken of you and your new spouse from unexpected angles, you will not be afforded the luxury of deletions and do-overs. Eliminate the need to cast a

glance on every last image by looking and feeling your best for that walk down the aisle. “The dress is an accessory,” says Marna Orcutt, owner of the Sherborn Day Spa in Sherborn. “We try to make the focus on the bride.” Orcutt explains that looking picture perfect on your wedding day is the culmination of weeks, even months, of preparation. By working with a professional on your hair, skin and nails well in advance, getting

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ready hours before tying the knot will be a seamless, joyful experience. “We try to start six months before,” says Orcutt, who bonds with brides over carefully merging their thoughts and ideas with her 31 years of professional beauty experience. Yearning for a sweep of 1920s glamour with rose-dusted cheeks and pouty red lips peeking through a birdcage veil? Always curious how a smoky eye and faux lashes would look on your almond shaped eyes? By booking a makeup trial, you are setting aside time for you and your makeup artist to experiment and explore all the looks you’ve been thinking about, tearing out in magazines and dog-earring in books. “Tear sheets are very helpful for the client and the artist,” says Christine Lewis, a bridal and commercial makeup artist. Use the trial as your opportunity to get comfortable with a makeup artist that listens to your concerns and is keen to help you find a color pallette that makes you feel radiant. “A pre-wedding consultation gives you a chance to establish a relationship with your artist,” says Lewis. “Your makeup artist will achieve the polished look you are looking for, whether it’s classic natural makeup or a more trendsetting look.” Common misconceptions about wedding day makeup is that it is heavy or looks unnatural. But by blending new innovations with a trained hand, those rumors are put to rest. “A lot people say ‘I don’t want to wear a lot of makeup,’ when it’s really the type of makeup they should be thinking about,” says Orcutt. She and Lewis agree mineral makeup is more popular than ever, as it creates a natural look, provides a long-lasting foundation and complements most skin tones. Orcutt’s day spa custom blends their mineral makeup from shadows to powders to eyeliners, which allows the artist to consider the bride’s needs and skin type—including if she’s a crier or if she will need SPF coverage. Professionals also take into account factors that even a makeup maven bride might overlook, including lighting. Explains Orcutt, “We have all types in our makeup room–natural, artificial and camera,” so that the shades for the ceremony and reception, if at different times in the day, can be accounted for. In ad-

dition to mineral makeup, Lewis has been working with brides who want to try airbrush makeup, an application technique that sprays a fine mist on the face and décolletage known for its natural, smooth result.

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Hair to there Lest not we forget the all-important tresses! Orcutt says a hair style trial should be booked as soon as brides have their headpiece in hand. “We can look to see what style works best with their dress,” she continues, adding that maids of honor should be shown by the hairstylist how to anchor the headpiece with bobby pins and how to remove it as the bride may want to change her look throughout the course of the day. An elegant gardenia or orchid pinned in the hair is a light alternative to a headpiece and veil, if it is fastened correctly. “All these little things add up to a beautiful bride,” says Orcutt, “and if we work everything out ahead of time, you’ll be confident on the big day.”

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Confidence is key Self-assurance is one quality that will show through your images, so it surprises some photographers that more brides don’t make booking professional makeup artist a priority. “A regular beauty routine doesn’t always photograph well, especially after a long day under sun, heat and photographic lighting,” says Paxton-based photographer Lisa Davenock. “A professional will use products that hold up over the course of the day and aren’t distracting in photographs.” As with the professionals who aim to create your most beautiful you when you tie the knot, building a relaxed rapport with your photographer is essential to walking away with images to treasure. “Having a comfortable relationship really shows in the pictures,” says photographer Gaby McCarthy of North Reading. “We get our best work from couples that are not afraid to show their feelings.” Of course, letting your guard down can be challenging, but McCarthy suggests taking advantage of an engagement session before the big day. “It will take the edge off on the wedding day and it is a great way to get used to the way the photographer works.”

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BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

Step 1: Set a date for your special day.

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Davenock says the session, which usually lasts about an hour, benefits the pros as well. “From the photographer’s standpoint, it’s a great opportunity to better understand the couple’s dynamic and tailor the wedding shots accordingly.” Both Davenock and McCarthy stress the

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importance for couples to take time out to meet with a host of photographers in order to find one that understands both your vision for the day and your expectations. “You’re letting this person capture you at a very personal moment of your life,” says Davenock, “so take the time to choose a photographer who resonates with you, listens to you and whose style reflects your own.” Finding professionals who complement your personalities will ensure an exciting, stress-free wedding day from start to finish. Be confident in the pros you have chosen and their abilities, as making you look and feel phenomenal is a reflection of their own work as well. Finally, accept the fact that while things might not go perfectly according to plan and be prepared to roll with it. “You’ll be marrying the person you love, and that’s all that really matters,” says Davenock. “Relax and enjoy the ride!” B&G Andrea E. McHugh, a frequent contributor to BRIDE&GROOM™ Magazine, is a freelance writer based in Newport, RI.

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Photo album

trends quickly got stored away. Here is our guide to making the most of the myriad of wedding album design choices.

Custom designs

Style of album

make for unique keepsakes

by Sharon Naylor

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When it comes to wedding photo albums today, there are many more design options than ever before, which means that choosing the photo album will be just as exciting as selecting the photos that will go in it. Brides and grooms of decades past were left with little choice for their wedding albums: very formal, plain white books with an 8" x 10" print affixed to each gold-lined page. If they were lucky, they got 24 pictures in their albums and 12 in the parents’ albums. With new digital and printing technologies affecting photo album design, you can now create a beautiful book of photos to rival the best picture books on your coffee table and that looks like a decorative style choice, not just a wedding album that, in the past, BRIDE&GROOM www.bridegroommag.com

There are three main types of wedding albums. The slip-in album has photographs taped behind a thin paper matte, and this sheet is then slipped into a display page. Bound albums are the most commonly seen and they can be in the flush style, where one single photo is pressured glued to each page, or in a reversible format where the photo is pressure glued to the page and then covered with a matte layer “frame” that keeps the photos from touching each other when the album is closed. Vastly popular right now is the digital coffee table album, which uses digital technology to lay out the photos in scrapbook style that often features some photos overlapping others, or smaller photos arranged over a larger image. The photos might be pressureglued to the page or printed on a single page in layout format without any individual photo edges felt.

Photo layout You can opt for the traditional arrangement of one photo per page in your choice of sizes from 5" x 7", 8" x 10" or larger, or you can follow the trend of designing some or all of your pages in the aforementioned scrapbookstyle layout with several different photos arranged on each page. Most couples love the look of some traditional and some scrapbookstyle, as the variety provides an extra visual component when flipping through the pages. The technology available in digital imaging today allows you to arrange your photos so that they tell a story in sequence. For exam-

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ple, you can have all of the first dance photos on one page and a roundup of reception photos on another. Being able to include multiple images on each page allows you to fill your allotted number of pages with more variety in both size and type of images (i.e., family portraits, candids, etc.).

Color Color works both on the inside and outside of the album. On the inside, for example, your photos might be sepia-toned or all in black-and-white with only your bouquet tinted its glorious red color. Your photo expert can guide you on the best use of color effects with your album, since it might be too jarring to have some color, some black-and-white, some sepia and so on. A great mix is customblended. For the cover of your album—and even for the matte pages—look beyond white or blue to the new range of pastels. There are even textured leather covers in rich, deep hues to complement your décor, as well as photo covers featuring your favorite shot.

Texture Speaking of covers, you have many options such as Italian pebbled leather, which is engraved with an indented design, and even a metal cover, such as brushed steel with a red matte. Accents such as silver plates can be affixed to your front cover as can an engraved silver mini-plaque with your names on it.

Additional features These designer albums can also be ordered or made to feature a photo or CD pocket where for storing extra photos, a CD of your wedding or even additional keepsakes such as a printed cocktail napkin from your reception. Of course,consider separate designs for your parents’ and bridal party albums.You can even share the fun by having them design their own, if you’d like. Either way, with today’s myriad of photo album options, everyone will get a beautiful collection of photos that they’ll be proud B&G to display for years to come. Sharon Naylor is the author of over 30 wedding planning books, including 1000 Best Secrets For Your Perfect Wedding and The Complete Outdoor Wedding Planner. www.sharonnaylor.net

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Leicester Country Club Where lifelong vows are taken and elegant weddings are given. Thomas Neill

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BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

Your wedding and your work As you plan your wedding,

The bride’s guide to balancing both by Kelly James-Enger

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your head may be spinning with thoughts of locations, menu plans and entertainment choices—not to mention the dress. As a result, you may be a bit worried about finding the time to pull all the details together in time for the big day, especially when you have a career to attend to as well. How do you juggle your wedding plans and your work, without sacrificing either? By starting early, remaining flexible and asking for help when you need it.

The distraction factor A wedding is a life-changing event. Planning it—even thinking about it—has the potential to take your mind off the focus of your work because there are so many details to attend to, says career consultant Andrea Kay, author of Life’s a Bitch and Then You Change Careers (©2006, Stewart Tabori & Chang). “Even if

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you’re not coordinating the wedding yourself, you’re still the person who is going to make the final decision. You want to have more control and make sure things are getting done,” says Kay. “The wedding is really important, maybe the most important day in your life so far, and it’s taking up a piece of your mind and your concentration.” If you haven’t shared the big news with your boss and co-workers yet, now’s the time. Announcing your wedding plans also gives you an opportunity to remind your supervisor of your commitment to your job, and to start thinking of ways to address both your planning and career responsibilities. Bringing your boss into the loop is key, says Kay.You can say something like, “I don’t want this to distract from my work but there are certain meetings that have to take place during working hours, so I’d like to figure out a couple of days between now and then that I

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can take off or take a longer lunch hour.” Getting your boss’ agreement will ease the stress you may feel and will also clarify expectations on both sides. Pam McKiernan married her husband, Jason, in September 2006 at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Her job working as a waitress days and some evenings at a country club made it difficult to have meetings with potential vendors, and she admits she had a couple of close calls getting back to

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Sun Photographic

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The hidden jewel of Central Massachusetts

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work on time. But the day she was a half-hour late getting to work, McKiernan had forewarned her boss that her planning might run long, and her twin sister (who also works there) covered for her. “Definitely include your boss, because he or she can help you juggle your schedule, or be a little more lenient in letting you take an extra hour or come in later,” says McKiernan. “Some places aren’t open past 5:00 p.m. so you really need time to check out the differ-

ent venues and different caterers.” In addition, McKiernan did some planning at night and with approval from her boss, took off one full day just before the wedding to address some last-minute details.

Be an early bird In addition to arranging for time off or a more flexible schedule, starting your planning early can also alleviate stress and save you time in the long run. Law student Abigail Burns, who will be marrying her fiancé,Troy Patterson, in August in Booth Bay, ME, realized the benefits of early preparations. “We were actually engaged in July and then we were in Maine on vacation anyway, so we got started planning pretty early just for the venue and the catering,” says Burns, who lives in Brooklyn, NY. “Those were the most important things to get into place, and then everything else we’ve been doing gradually.” O’rya Hyde-Keller married Tom Humphreys in August 2005 in Bristol, RI, at the Blithewold Arboretum. Like Burns, she booked the reception site and a caterer about a year before the wedding. “In Rhode Island, if you want an outdoor wedding, the venues book up pretty fast,” says Hyde-Keller. Now a magazine editor, HydeKeller was a freelance writer while she planned her wedding long-distance from Madison,WI. She took some time off to make her wedding plans, figuring the lost income was worth the money she saved by not having to hire a wedding planner. She also enlisted the help of her mother-in-law, who lived in Rhode Island, with her plans.

Don’t go it alone In fact, having people help you with your plans saves time and can take a lot of pressure off of you as the primary planner. Manhattan resident Jessica Arinella turned to friends and family to help with wedding details. Her sister served as maid of honor for Arinella’s August 2006 wedding to Mathew Rashid at Lord Thompson Manor in Thompson, CT. “A wedding is a large production, but I didn’t need a wedding consultant because I had my sister, Alicia, who’s a producer,” says Arinella. In addition, a friend designed her wedding dress and a photographer friend agreed to

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shoot the wedding. Her mother-in-law, an artist, designed the couple’s wedding invitations.All that help meant less stress forArinella and a more personal, unique wedding. “I’d say relax and allow people to help with your big day,” she says. “I think that people forget that it is really a merging of two families. I do think there are a lot of people who would love to help you with a specific task and I feel like if you calm down a little bit, everything gets a lot easier.”

Know when to draw the line

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Friends and family are one thing—they’re interested in your wedding. But your coworkers have other things on their minds. Be careful that you don’t overwhelm or even alienate the people you work with by engaging in too much wedding talk, warns Kay. “You want to be really careful because nobody cares about this as much as you do,” she says. “It may be the center of your universe, but business wherever you work is still going on around you.” That means keeping distractions like phone calls to a minimum, making sure you meet your deadlines and being mentally present as well. “Stay part of the office and the team and all the people that you would be working with normally… and stay focused on the work that you’re doing,” says Kay. Arinella and her husband are both actors, and she admits that juggling plans with her career was a challenge. “Because I’m an actor I don’t have a nine-to-five job, so there are odd times that might be open, or there might be a day when I have a whole afternoon free,” she says. On the other hand, actors have to be constantly available for auditions. “You never know… they call you Monday to be somewhere Friday,” such as the weekend she had set aside to meet with florists and musicians out of town—but then had to cancel when she got a part in Six Degrees. With the unpredictability of acting jobs, Arinella and her husband talked about what would be a big enough offer to miss a couple of days of their honeymoon, for example.The consensus? If Spielberg calls, yes. An offBroadway show reading? Nope. In fact, your wedding plans may force you to put a few work projects on hold. Just make sure you’re not hurting your career longterm. Hyde-Keller did have to turn a few

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projects down, but in other cases was able to negotiate deadlines that were more flexible. “It’s just one day. It’s an important day, but your career is important too,” says HydeB&G Keller. “Don’t lose sight of that.” Kelly James-Enger is the co-author of Small Changes, Big Results: A 12-Week Action Plan to a Better Life (©2005,Three Rivers Press).

Smart planning strategies for career-savvy brides We know, we know… You’re crunched for time and that call to the florist will only take a minute. Will it really make a difference if you call from work? Ask yourself if your boss would care. If the answer is yes, save the call until your lunch hour or after office hours. Here are some other smart ways to juggle your wedding plans with your work. Read up. At home, do background research on venues and service providers using the Internet and local magazines to narrow down a list of possibilities. Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations before you start contacting locations and caterers. Think long-term. Your relationships with the people at work will continue after you’re married. Don’t jeopardize them by flaking out before the big day. Tell the truth. Better to ask for a personal day then to lie and say you’re sick when you’re getting fitted for your gown. Your boss—and possibly your co-workers—won’t appreciate it. Lighten up. No matter how organized (or controlling!) you are, chances are that some detail may be missed. Accept that and enjoy the excitement of this time rather than obsessing over “perfection.” –KJE

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BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

WESTof WORCESTER Exceptional wedding sites by Cynthia Allegrezza

Maybe it’s a carriage house tucked inside a city park or a classy mountaintop retreat. Perhaps it’s a former home brimming with OldWorld charm, a Berkshire-basedVictorian inn or a living history museum.Whatever your preference is for a nuptial site, there are a variety of suitable options from which to choose west ofWorcester. Here is a look at some of the more notable reception spots that make tying of the knot exciting, elegant and ever so memorable. V&R Photography Designs/www.vandrphoto.com

facility coordinate all the unique personal touches to make your day memorable. In fact, according to owner Peter Rosskothen, the Log Cabin and Delaney House are now creating individual customized menus for each couple to suit all wedding budgets. So whether it’s a sophisticated cocktail party or a pull-out-all-the-stops luxury reception dinner, this top-notch venue can deliver the goods for a lovely affair. The Delaney House, a private residence until 1966, features 13 elegant rooms each decorated with its own theme and bubbling over with Old World charm. These rooms have been lavishly redesigned with rich fabrics, carpeting and charming wall

The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House The Delaney House If it’s jaw-dropping elegance, refinement and exquisite food (even a personalized menu) you wish for your wedding celebration, place The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House and its sister facility, The Delaney House, five miles away, at the top of your must-see list of reception locales in Holyoke, MA. The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, a gracious New Englandstyle facility, boasts one of the area’s most beautiful settings atop the Mount Tom Range offering breathtaking views of the Easthampton and Connecticut River Valleys.This classy facility features three goodsized banquet rooms that can comfortably accommodate 50 to 450 guests, with each room opening onto private terraces. The spacious grounds are ideal for outdoor ceremonies and parties, with a spectacular mountaintop view from the private garden terrace for up to 250 seated guests. It is this attention to detail (their custom wedding guide is indispensable for keeping couples organized), exquisite cuisine and overthe-top service that contribute to the stellar reputation of both wedding reception establishments. On-staff event consultants at each 58 Spring/Summer

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treatments. Comfortably intimate yet strikingly grand, a Delaney House wedding pampers you and your guests with fine cuisine, tasteful ambience and over-the-top service. Well-designed ceremonies and receptions for up to 210 guests can be held in the elaborate Grand Salon, which features a stately mahogany bar and impressive fireplace with a dance floor, high ceilings and crystal chandeliers. For smaller, more intimate celebrations (such as a rehearsal dinner, morning-after-the-wedding brunch or bridal shower), choose one of the home’s other themed rooms; the living room, part of the original house, seats up to 40 and is festooned with beautiful draperies, custom moldings and a fireplace. Two garden terraces are lovely settings for cocktail hours and ceremonies. The Garden Knoll in particular—a pastoral oasis on the grounds—is a perfect backdrop for memorable photographs. The Grand Lobby and lush outdoor landscaping provide another pretty setting for photographs. Wedding parties also have the use of a wellappointed bridal suite on the mezzanine level.

BRIDE&GROOM www.bridegroommag.com

The Apple Tree Inn The charming Apple Tree Inn in Lenox, MA, is properly perched on a 22-acre hilltop estate in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains.The main house, a restored farmhouse, dates from 1885 and has had several additions and names over the years. Prior to 1976, when it became the last and best

known Alice’s Restaurant, it had been the Avaloch Inn. In 1979, folk singer Arlo Guthrie and Alice Brock gave up the business and in 1983 it became The Apple Tree Inn. Its location across the road fromTanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, makes it especially attractive to music lovers. Guests of the inn say they can clearly hear the sweet sound of music coming up the hill from the outdoor concert venue. This antique-filled, elegantVictorian inn— surrounded by a vast array of apple trees (a simply stunning site when they are in full bloom in the springtime)—can comfortably accommodate 200 guests for a wedding reception in a tent on the picturesque grounds. The circular gazebo dining room, with striking panoramic mountain views, can host 70 guests for a sit-down dinner. For a more intimate dining experience (perhaps a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower), opt for the wood-paneled McIntosh Tavern, which accommodates 40 and is also used for dancing after dinner is served. According to

owner Sharon Walker, the tavern was built as a billiards room in the 1890s. “It has a bar in it and a large fireplace,” she says. “I decorated it as a Victorian gentleman’s club with world map wallpaper and animal prints. Men always fall in love with it.” A deck accommodates 45 guests and is often used for rehearsal dinners or a smaller wedding reception.There isn’t a rental charge for the facilities used for a reception; a fee for the rental of chairs and set up covers the cost of a wedding ceremony. The Inn’s menu is influenced by a wide range of cultures and includes seasonally-inspired dishes emphasizing local ingredients. Couples who book a reception here are required to take all of the Inn’s 34 rooms for the wedding night. Be sure to request a 10 percent room discount for your wedding guests staying overnight.

Sabine Vollmer von Falken Photography/www.sabinephotoart.com

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BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

Old Sturbridge Village Ericson Photography/www.ericsonphoto.com

Having your marriage take place at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA, is stepping back in time—the 1830s to be specific. The setting is unique and certainly far from the distractions of modern life. By day, the village is host to visitors who come to explore early 19th-century New England. By night, it is an enchanting community where you and your guests can gather for the happiest celebration of your life. Begin creating your wedding memories by holding an evening ceremony (after the museum closes for the day) in the Center Meetinghouse. The exchange of vows in this historical setting is complemented by a costumed greeter, the lilting sounds of an antique organ and the soft glow of candles in the chandelier.You can also rent period “wedding” costumes from the village for you, your fiancé(e) and attendants to wear. After the ceremony, take your first pic-

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tures by the flower-laden arbor in the SalemTowne House Garden adjacent to this stately mansion. Stroll the candlelit pathways at dusk and then get whisked away by horse-drawn carriage to your reception on the grounds of the largest living history museum in New England. Celebrate your marriage at either the period-authentic, lantern-lit Bullard Tavern inside the museum grounds (seats 100 and also ideal for rehearsal dinners) or the Oliver Wight Tavern (near the village entrance). At the center of the village’s recent redesign, this is a modern adaptation of an 1830s rural New England tavern. This picture-perfect site, which reopened in 2007 to host events, has four distinct dining rooms reflecting the atmosphere, décor and social functions of a country tavern’s public gathering place. For example, the spacious

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Federal Ballroom and adjoining Federal Parlor seat 250 guests and include a dance floor. Cocktail hour can be enjoyed in theTap Room where you can sample the kind of hospitality early American travelers would have enjoyed. In the Grecian Parlor, experience the gracious service and elegant appointments of a period “ladies parlor.” This room is also ideal for rehearsal dinners, but if you opt for a village wedding reception package, a room rental fee is waived. Whichever tavern you choose, your meal is prepared by onsite chefs and served up village-style by a costumed banquet staff. The only drawback we can find to a village wedding experience is that you may not want to return to the real world.

The Carriage House at the Barney Estate Stepping inside this elegant estate you are immediately transported back to the romance and gentility that defined the Victorian era. Nestled inside the picture-perfect 735-acre Forest Park in Springfield, MA, and surrounded by impeccably manicured estate grounds and meticulously restored to its 19th century elegance, the Carriage House is an impressive oasis in the heart of this city. Everett Hosmer Barney was a wealthy Springfield businessman who invented the modern ice skate and donated much of the land comprising Forest Park. His mansion was demolished in 1959 to make way for I-91, but the Carriage House remained and was thoroughly restored to its current elegant status several years ago. With a sweeping view of the Connecticut River, this Victorian gem provides a breath-taking backdrop for wedding receptions. The Pecousic Villa room (named for Barney’s sprawling mansion) comfortably seats 110 guests for a sit-down dinner. There are three other distinctive rooms within the Carriage House if your wedding celebration requires a more intimate gathering. Warmer weather—from May to November—means a sophisticated draped tent is available for larger groups (150 to 170 seated guests), complete with chandeliers and cathedral window sides. Vows may be exchanged on the home’s landscaped terrace, under the gazebo, in the Pecousic Villa room or inside the tent. The Carriage House staff can assist you in selecting a caterer for your multi-course dinner, an extravagant buffet or a romantic champagne and cake reception. One nice feature is that only one wedding is scheduled at a time, so your dream day is shared only with your invited guests. Whether you and your fiancé envision a warm, sunny ceremony and reception set in the lavish gardens (an ideal backdrop for pictures) or a cozy wintertime reception amid the twinkling white-light holiday display, the Carriage House succeeds in making wedding dreams come true. B&G

Where to find them Apple Tree Inn 10 Richmond Mountain Road Lenox, MA 01240 (413) 637-1477 appletreeinn@adelphia.net www.appletree-inn.com

The Carriage House at the Barney Estate 200 Trafton Road Springfield, MA 01108 (413) 787-7733 www.barneycarriagehouse.com

The Delaney House 3 Country Club Road Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 532-1800 info@delaneyhouse.com www.logcabin-delaney.com

The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House 500 Easthampton Road Holyoke, MA 01040 413-535-5077 info@thelogcabin.com www.logcabin-delaney.com

Cynthia Allegrezza, a regular contributor to BRIDE&GROOM™ Magazine, is aWorcester-based freelance writer and editor. She enjoys the picturesque scenery and wide-open spaces of Western Massachusetts as often as she can.

Old Sturbridge Village 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road Sturbridge, MA 01566 (508) 347-3362 www.osv.org

The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House The Delaney House V&R Photography Designs/www.vandrphoto.com

www.bridegroommag.com

BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

Uniquely New England Distinctive sites for your wedding reception b y Ta r y n P l u m b

N O DOUBT, THERE ’ S CERTAIN POIGNANCY TO THE TRADITIONAL CHURCH WEDDING. The solemn timbre of the organ, the formality of the service, the gorgeous spectacle of the pomp and circumstance… Still, a time-honored ceremony such as this isn’t for every couple. Some husbands- and wives-to-be are more at home with the off-beat, the whimsical or with things just a bit left of center. For them, unconventional locations or extraordinary celebrations are a must for reflecting singular personalities and styles. So if you’re looking for some unorthodox inspiration, here’s a sampling of locales from our slice of the eastern region. They’re sure to make your nuptials unrivaled, unforgettable and uniquely you. 62 Spring/Summer

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BasketballHall ofFame Contrary to talk of flowers, dresses and hairstyles, weddings are not all about “girly stuff.” Final Four fanatics and NBA mavens, there is an option for you, too—and at center court, no less. At the Basketball Hall of Fame, couples can play the matrimonial game of “one-on-one” on a full-sized regulation court equipped with a sound system, dancing orbs of light and a four-sided scoreboard. The 5,400 square foot room that serves as a most unique reception site is also lined with various baskets depicting the evolution of the game, from the original, closed-bottom peach bushels that started it all in the 1890s to today’s regulation hoops. Keeping with the sport’s electronic crowd-revving tactics, the court has electronic “zippers” that can display messages of love (or game scores, for the real fanatics) in a constant loop. Giant TV screens can similarly project home videos, basketball footage or photo slideshows. The

most loyal fans might choose to set the swirling ceiling lights to the quintessential hoops anthem, “Rock and Roll, Part Two,” (more aptly referred to as the “Hey!” song), or require that the wedding party wear sneakers to generate the familiar squeaking chorus of soles on the glossed synthetic floor. “It’s a unique experience, something that will stand out,” noted Josh Belliveau, sales and event planner for the Hall, which is located in Springfield, MA. And here’s another thing that’ll leave your sports-loving guests quivering with anticipation: During the reception, the wedding ensemble, in their best bibs and tuckers, can gaze up at the “honors ring” of hall-of-fame inductees and tour the galleries displaying decades-old trophies and uniforms and historical basketballs deflated with time and use. Now that’s what any basketball fan would call a slam dunk.

Courtesy of the Basketball Hall of Fame

Courtesy of the New England Carousel Museum

The New England Carousel Museum If you were the kind of girl who amassed armies of stuffed animals and proudly decked out your childhood room with pink frills and lace, the New England Carousel Museum is for you. Housing the largest collection of antique carousel animals in the country, ceremonies can take place among a menagerie of prancing horses, roaring lions and graceful swans. “It’s a spectacular rustic Victorian setting with antique horses as a backdrop,” says Executive Director Louise DeMars. “It’s about as unique as you can get. The pieces are breathtaking, each and every one of them.” The Bristol, CT, institution offers evening weddings in each of its five galleries, which feature dozens of prancing magical steeds, fiery ponies and shield-emblazoned carriages. Couples can also wed at the Bushnell Park Carousel owned by the museum and operated in Hartford, CT. But if you want to get really whimsical, you can even take your vows on the whirling, singing merry-go-round. For large weddings, there’s an upstairs function hall at the gallery with its own collection of mystical and bewitching carousel animals, as well as views of the wood chip-piled workshops Courtesy of the New England Carousel Museum where skilled laborers restore and paint the chimerical pieces. And if you need further inspiration to marry in the magical setting, try this: Singer and American Idol host Paula Abdul chose the museum for a 1996 East Coast reception for her wedding to Brad Beckerman. That also gives you, perhaps, the perfect cue to unashamedly croon “Will you marry me boy?”

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Arrowhead Acres Leaves crunching underfoot and blazing above in red, yellow and orange; birds offering musical accompaniment; warm breezes passing through the stand of trees... It doesn’t get much more bucolic than Arrowhead Acres, in Uxbridge, MA. “It’s a beautiful spot,” says Dave Morin, owner of the 73-acre estate. For rustic weddings, brides and groomsto-be can wed in the Acres’ chapel-in-thepines, a pavilion set in a grotto of maple, oak and birch trees. And given the setting, autumn ceremonies are most popular. “We’re completely surrounded by some of the prettiest foliage you’ll ever see,” says Morin. “It’s a rainbow of color.” This pastoral location similarly lends itself to entrances by horse-drawn carriages or on hay wagons accompanied by the lyrical melodies of bagpipers, string quartets and bell choirs. Some more creative guests have released butterflies or doves, while others have held harvest weddings or Christmases in July with wedding gifts stacked under festive trees. Being outdoors, this picturesque spot is also animal-friendly. Couples have invited goats, sheep, ducks and horses to “watch” from the perimeter, while others have enlisted their dogs to be ring bearers. Music broadcast through a sound system tucked into the craggy trees adds to the ambience while Mother Nature provides a chorus of various birds, which guests can entice with bubbles or seed. After the ceremony, bridges over brooks, stone walls and perennial gardens lend themselves to rural pictures. For outdoor fun outside the banquet hall, horseshoe pits, volleyball and croquet courts and a campfire area are all available. To wind down after drinks and dancing, guests often sit by the roasting flames to play guitar and roast marshmallows. “It allows people to get closer to nature,” says Morin.

Joan Ross Photography/www.joanross.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION Arrowhead Acres 92 Aldrich St., Route 98 Uxbridge, MA (508) 278-5017 www.arrowheadacres.com Rental fee for the chapel-in-the-pines and indoor ceremony area is $200 per hour with a seating capacity for up to 350 guests. A $100 deposit is required. Rental fee for the indoor reception facility is $10 per person or a minimum of $1250; the outdoor fresh air pavilion costs $8 per person or a minimum of $400. A $100 deposit is required. Bookings are for a four-hour duration. Catering costs are separate. Basketball Hall of Fame 1000 West Columbus Ave. Springfield, MA (413)-231-5514 www.hoophall.com Cost ranges from $4,000 to $7,000 for up to 600 guests. Admission and catering from Max’s Tavern is included in the fee.

Continued on page 67

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The Connecticut Renaissance Faire 347 Gilead St. Hebron, CT (860) 423-2091 www.ctfaire.com Prices range from $300 to $3,500 in four packages; extras such as throw bouquets and wedding cakes range from $5 to $75. Food and entertainment are provided in the fee. The Faire offers weddings only on weekends during its run through September and October. The New England Carousel Museum 95 Riverside Ave., Route 72 Bristol, CT (860) 585-5411 www.thecarouselmuseum.org The museum is only available for rent during evening hours after closing. Rental fees for a four-hour block from 6 to 10 p.m. are $500, with additional hours costing $100. Couples are expected to provide a caterer.

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Connecticut Renaissance Faire Imagine horse-drawn chariots, ladies-inwaiting in tightly-cinched corsets and buccaneers with puffed sleeves; wenches planting red-lipstick kisses on the sword-bearing groom and suitors serenading the ribbon-covered bride with piles of roses. Such is a wedding at the Renaissance Faire. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was all color and fun and play-acting,â&#x20AC;? notes Karen Godin of Glastonbury, CT, who blended souls with her husband David in a medieval-themed ceremony at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire last October. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ambience was amazing.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the same-old, sameold,â&#x20AC;? says Susan Mead, the Faireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding coordinator. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They literally go back in time.â&#x20AC;? Couples choosing a themed wedding can have elaborate garish pageants fit for royalty ÂŠConnecticut Renaisance Faire or, conversely, rustic strippeddown ceremonies suitable for serfs. Depending on how deep they want their journey into the 16th century to go, they can also add scrolls printed with guest lists, tiaras of fresh flowers and Celtic wishing stones. The Godins, for their part, donned medieval garb and played the roles of lord and lady. After an announcement from the town crier, their 50 guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and any other fairgoers who chose to watch from afarâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;witnessed the couple trade vows under a wildflowerlined arbor. The presiding Justice of the Peace played along with the atmosphere, too, donning a feathered hat. Afterward, guests roamed the fairgrounds enjoying the white-faced mimes, acrobatic jugglers and spear throwers, daring sword swallowers, fire eaters and jousters, and morbidly, but amusing, singing executioners. At the reception tent, gaudily-dressed servers brought out platters of sumptuous medieval delights and food tasters sampled the fare for poisoning or spoiling, as was the custom 400 years ago. For this couple, it was more than a weddingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it was an experience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were the stars of the show,â&#x20AC;? says Karen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was hysterical. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think we could have found anyB&G thing that was more fun.â&#x20AC;?

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Taryn Plumb is a freelance writer based in Worcester, MA. www.bridegroommag.com

BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

Alfred Angelo Destiny Collection Princess line dress features a strapless neckline with pearl and crystal beading, re-embroidered lace on net, a dropped waist and a high-low hemline. Available in sizes 2 – 28W and in ivory or white. www.alfredangelo.com

Alfred Angelo Destiny Collection This net over satin gown features metallic embroidered lace, crystal beading, sequins and a trumpet skirt with chapel train. Optional spaghetti straps available. Sizes 2 – 28W in ivory, white, ivory/ gold, ivory/rum pink and white/ rum pink. www.alfredangelo.com

Beachy keen Whether it’s a destination wedding on a tropical island or a clambake on the South Shore or the Cape, these light and elegant gown styles will suit any seaside soirée. 68 Spring/Summer

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Jim Hjelm This silk-satin faced organza fit-and-flare gown features a sleeveless empire bodice with embroidered Chantilly lace, a V-neck, open back and chapel train. Available in ivory and white. www.jimhjelmvisions.com Destinations by Mon Cheri Sleeveless gathered chiffon informal wedding dress with V-neckline, front and back covered button accents, multiple crisscross back straps and bias skirt with brush train. Available in sizes 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 and in black, cocoa, white, ivory, ice blue and ice pink. www.moncheribridals.com

Jim Hjelm A blush silk satin A-line dress with strapless pleated bodice, high waist with crystal beaded trim on blush satin ribbon and pleated bubble hem with side pockets. Available in blush, white, ivory or antique. www.jimhjelmvisions.com

Mon Cheri Bridals The Clarabelle is a silk chiffon slim fluted couture bridal gown with draped cowl neckline. Front and back necklines are accented with delicate Swarovski crystal beaded illusion insets. Hand-beaded Empire waistline; tapered straps transition into V-back neckline with covered buttons and bias cut skirt with double streamer chapel length train. Available in sizes 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 and in natural and ivory. www.moncheribridals.com

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Moves to help you stay sane and stress-free during your wedding planning by Kelly James-Enger

The

Getting the perfect dress; winnowing

ANTISTRESS WORKOUT 70 Spring/Summer

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the guest list; finding a caterer—and then changing your mind; juggling your job, your fiancé and your wedding plans with everything else in your life.You… stressed? Sure, if your body is any indicator. Some nights, your neck and shoulders feel like they’re strung with piano wire and your back is killing you. If this sounds familiar, give our tension-taming moves a try. They’ll help you combat the inevitable stresses that the nine-to-five grind and wedding planning tend to create.

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BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

“People can become injured just from day after day and year after year of sitting at their desks,” says Jim Allivato, a certified athletic trainer and the Director of Athletico Sports Medicine inside East Bay Club in Chicago. “In a sitting environment, there’s overuse of the upper back and neck musculature, which can lead to injuries.” Some of the most common injuries are muscle spasms, or knots, that occur in the upper trapezius muscles that run from the base of the head to the tip of the shoulder. “Everyone has their own personal ‘tension spots,’ ” says Premshakti Stout, a yoga instructor at PGA Spa and Resort and Prem Yoga and Wellness Center inWest Palm Beach, FL. “But the most common ones are in the neck and shoulders, the back and the hip area.” We even breathe differently when we’re tense. “When we’re stressed, our breathing tends to become short and shallow,” says Dr. Deborah Johnston, an exercise physiologist and assistant professor at Baylor University in Waco, TX. “That doesn’t allow the air to get down into the lower part of the lungs, or the respiratory zone, where the oxygen is actually diffused throughout the body.” Breathing properly—drawing air deep into the bottom part of the lungs—is the quickest way to “break the stress loop,” says Johnston. “You should feel a difference almost immediately.” So the next time you feel that familiar tension in your shoulders, stop and take an “antistress break.” The following tension tamers will stretch and soothe your tight, achy muscles, reduce your blood pressure and boost your energy— and you can do most of them right at your desk. Belly breather: Increases oxygen flow to the brain and rest of body; calms and energizes you. Place your left hand on your stomach at

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navel-level, and your right hand on your chest. Breathe in to a count of four, and breathe out to a count of eight. Focus on breathing “from bottom up,” filling your lungs from the bottom to the top.You should feel your stomach moving in and out as you inhale and exhale but feel little movement in your chest. “Belly breathe” for several minutes twice a day—or whenever you feel your stress level begin to climb. (source: Deborah Johnston) Simple forward bend: Releases tension out of the back; calms the nerves. At your desk, sit on the edge of your seat with your feet flat on the floor. Lean forward and place both forearms on the desk so that you’re securely supported. Rest your forehead on your arms. Close your eyes and take slow deep breaths for several minutes. For a deeper stretch, move your chair away from your desk. Lengthen your spine upwards by sitting straight up in your chair and leaning forward until your head rests over your knees and your arms hang loosely at your sides. (For more support, you can cross your arms over your knees and rest your head on your arms.) Hold for several minutes. Be cautious if you’re more than three months pregnant or have a hiatal hernia. (source: Premshakti Stout) Modified spinal twist: Releases tension all the way up the back. Sitting in your chair, cross your right knee over your left knee, placing your left hand on the outside of your right knee. If your chair has armrests, you can brace your right palm on the right armrest; otherwise, place your right hand on the back of your chair. Lengthen your spine by sitting straight up in your chair and pressing your left hand into your knee and gently twisting to the right. Look over your right shoulder and hold for 20 to 60 seconds. Repeat on the other side. (source: Premshakti Stout)

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Neck stretch: Reduces muscular tension in the trapezoids. Reach your left arm over your head and gently grasp the right side of your head between your crown and your ear with your left hand. Place your other hand behind your

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back at about waist level. Gently pull your head away from your right shoulder with your left hand. Repeat five times, holding for 10 seconds each time; repeat on other side using your right hand. (source: Jim Allivato) Scapular squeeze: Opens your chest wall and activates the middle back muscles. With arms bent at a 90-degree angle, take your elbows and draw them behind your back as if you could touch your elbows together. You should feel the stretch in your chest as your shoulder blades come together. Hold for ten seconds and repeat five times. (source: Jim Allivato) For these last two moves, you’ll have to get up from your chair. Corner stretch: Opens anterior chest wall and stretches pectoral muscles. Stand between 12 and 24 four inches from the corner of the room, facing the corner, and place both of your hands or forearms flat on each wall equidistant from the corner at about shoulder height. With your feet together, lean in and try to touch the corner of the wall with your nose. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat five times, varying the position of your hands slightly each time. (source: Jim Allivato) Knee to chest stretch: Stretches the lower back and glutes. Lie flat on a bed or the floor. Using your hands to pull your knees toward you, bring each knee up to your chest one at a time and then hold them there with your hands until you feel a stretch in your lower back. Keep your head and neck relaxed; do not arch your back. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat five times. (source: Allivato) Give these moves a try the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed. Or, better yet, make time for them several times a week. You’ll feel better not only physically but mentally as well—which makes for a beautiful, radiB&G ant bride. Kelly James-Enger is the co-author of Small Changes, Big Results: A 12-Week Action Plan to a Better Life (©2005,Three Rivers Press).

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B&G Planning 101

Wedding timetable B&G’s guide for what to do and when This guide was set using a timeframe of 12 – 18 months prior to the wedding date. Given that your event may be in less (or more) time, this information can still be used as a handy checklist for what to do first (and second, and third…) This guide was set using a timeframe of 12 – 18 months prior to the wedding date. Given that your event may be in less (or more) time, this information can still be used as a handy checklist for what to do first (and second, and third…) At engagement • Discuss what size/type of wedding you want keeping style (formal or casual) and number of potential guests in mind. • Determine the budget, and who will be paying for what. • Book your reception location, making sure it coordinates with your ceremony (if it is being held elsewhere). • Attend a wedding Expo. Once the date is set 9 – 12 months • Research and interview potential vendors, such as photographers, bands/DJs, caterers (if necessary), bakeries, florists, videographers, transportation etc. Many book events a year or more in advance, so start this process quickly. • Decide on any theme/decorative elements for your reception. • Begin shopping for wedding dress and accessories (veil, headpiece, shoes, jewelry, undergarments, etc.). • Renew your passports (if necessary) if your honeymoon trip will outside of the U.S. • Select wedding party.

6 – 9 months • Go over ceremony details/ideas with officiant. • Order wedding dress and schedule fitting/ delivery dates. • Select and order bridesmaids’, mothers’ and flower girl dresses. • Have all of your major vendors (see #1 above) reserved. • Block off hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. • Decide on any extras for ceremony and reception (i.e. programs, favors, menus, etc.). • Finalize guest list and obtain updated addresses. • Send save-the-date cards. • Post wedding details on your wedding Web site. 4 – 6 months • Select and order groom and ushers’ attire. • Select and order invitations. • Hire calligrapher or schedule a printer to address invitations. • Plan honeymoon. • Experiment with hair and makeup styles. • Consider extras: teeth cleanings/ bleaching, regular facials, etc. • Shop for and order wedding rings. Have them engraved. 2 – 4 months • Order and/or begin to make favors and other wedding-day extras. • Check marriage license requirements (see page 82). www.bridegroommag.com

• Plan activities for out-of-town guests. • Purchase gifts for attendants. • Coordinate ceremony and reception music with entertainment specialists. • Finalize guest list. • Shop for lingerie and honeymoon clothes. • Arrange for rehearsal dinner. 6 – 8 weeks • Address and mail invitations. • Start/maintain records of RSVPs and gifts received. • Write and send thank-you notes for gifts received before the wedding. • Schedule final dress fittings and pick-up times. • Get marriage license. • Finalize details of rehearsal dinner. • Purchase all bridal accessories. Break in shoes. 2 – 6 weeks • Confirm ceremony details with officiant. • Discuss and confirm special requests with photographer. • Confirm final arrangements with florist, bakery, limo service, etc. • Give wedding-day itinerary to the wedding party and to any necessary vendors. • Start the seating chart. • Confirm honeymoon arrangements. • Arrange for a hold on your mail (while you’re away). One week • Pick up wedding attire. Last check for fit. • Do a final guest count and submit to reception facility/caterer. • Pick up tickets for honeymoon. • Confirm final details with vendors, such as time and place of delivery/arrival. • Check weather report. Wedding day Have fun! B&G

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B&G Planning 101

Got character?

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to your name after marriage you’ll need a certified copy of your marriage license. To obtain one or more, contact the clerk’s office where the license was filed for the required procedures. (You’ll either have to make the request in person or submit a written request. A processing fee generally applies.) The following are the likely places you’ll want/need to make your name change, and instructions on what you’ll need to do.

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From First Dates…

Social Security Number To obtain a new card with your new name, you must complete and submit form SS-5, which can be found online (www.ssa.gov) or at your local Social Security Office. Call (800) 772-1213 for more information or to locate an office near you. There is no fee for this service.You will also need to show proof of your U.S. citizenship or immigration status and your identity.

Driver’s License

…To “Happily Ever After”

Take your new social security card to a full service RMV branch office along with a completed License and ID Update Form (found online at www.mass.gov/rmv/forms) and $20.00.

Passport

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Traveling with your passport on your honeymoon? If so, the name on your tickets must match the one on your passport. Since you most likely bought the tickets before your wedding, it’s best to wait until after your return to make the change on your passport. To make the name change, you must complete the proper amendment form and submit it, along with a certified copy of your marriage license, your previous passport and two photos, to the National Passport Processing, P.O. Box 13290, Philadelphia, PA 19101-3290. Forms are available online

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(www.travel.state.gov) or by calling the public passport agency near you (generally either a post office or courthouse). There is no fee for this service unless you need expedited service ($60.00 per application, plus delivery costs).

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Don’t forget these • Employer (for payroll purposes) • Post office • Credit card companies or any other bills • Voter registration • Any legal documents like mortgages, leases, insurance policies, etc.

Same-sex marriages and name changes A party in a same-sex marriage in MA can legally change his/her surname with the Social Security Administration and on his/ her driver’s license. However, according to the Web site for GLAD, the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders organization (www.glad.org), “the Passport Agency, citing the federal 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, is refusing to honor the name change on the marriage license and is requiring couples to go through Probate Court to have their names changed.” Information on how to petition for a name change can be found at: www.lawlib.state.ma.us/name.html. B&G

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Specializing in ethnic events Custom creative menu of your choice A romantically designed Grand Ballroom Garden gazebo for your cocktail reception and pictures Can accommodate up to 500 guests

10 Lincoln Square Worcester, MA 01608 Tel: 508-791-1600 Fax: 508-791-1796 1-800-628-4240 email: smwor@lodgian.com

www.cpworcester.com 82 Spring/Summer

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YOU N E E D A H A L L , A P H OTO G -

rapher and some fancy duds… but don’t forget the most important must-have item for your wedding—your marriage license! Here’s what you need to know to get the legalities in order for your big day. If you’re getting married in MA, both parties must apply for the license together and in person—whether or not you are a resident. Applications are made by both parties (in person) in any city or town in MA. Where you apply is where the marriage certificate will be filed. There is a waiting period of three days.This includes Sundays and holidays, but not the day upon which the application is submitted. The license is valid for 60 days from the date you file and can be used in any city or town in MA. There is a state fee of $4.00 for the license, but each town is allowed to set their own fee in addition to that. Check with your town clerk’s office for cost information. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Some towns may require proof, such as a birth certificate. Please note: The requirements and information listed here are subject to change and may differ for same-sex couples. For the most up-to-date information, contact your clerk’s office directly. Information specific to same-sex weddings in MA can be found at: www.glad.org/marriage/howtogetmarried.html www.lawlib.state.ma.us/gaymarriage.html If you’re marrying out of state (or having a destination wedding), be sure to check out the requirements for that area. Because those requirements will differ per location, it’s best to take care of this early in your planning. B&G

O NE

LOOK

YOU ’ LL SEE THE DIFFERENCE .

Here is information on clerk’s offices in some larger towns in Central Massachusetts. (For those with URLs, look for direct links to the clerk’s office, or a department listing). To find other offices, check your local phone book for listings.

Auburn 104 Central St. (508) 832-7701 clerk@town.auburn.ma.us www.auburnguide.com Brookfield 6 Central St. (508) 867-2930 ext. 12 llincoln@brookfieldma.us www.brookfieldma.us Fitchburg 718 Main St. (978) 345-9592 www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/ cityclerk.htm Framingham 150 Concord St., Room 105 (508) 532-5520 townclerk@framinghamma. gov www.framinghamma.gov Holden 1196 Main St. (508) 829-0265 www.townofholden.net Hopkinton 18 Main St. (508) 497-9710 www.hopkinton.org Leominster 25 West. St., Room 5 (978) 534-7536 www.leominster-ma.gov

LEASANT

ALLEY

C OUNTRY C LUB

Lowell 375 Merrimack St., 1st Floor, Room 31 (978) 970-4161 www.lowellma.gov/depts/ clerk

PerfectWeddingPhoto.com

Andover 36 Bartlet St. (978) 623-8255 townclerk@andoverma.gov andoverma.gov/clerk

Marlborough 140 Main St. (508) 460-3775 cityclerk@marlboroughma.gov www.marlborough-ma.gov

Smaller intimate receptions in our Greenside Ballroom or larger more elaborate receptions in our Grandview Ballroom 95 Armsby Road, Sutton, MA (508) 865-4441 www.pleasantvalleycc.com

Millbury 127 Elm St. (508) 865-9110 www.millbury-ma.org Natick 13 East Central St. (508) 647-6430 jkuhn@natickma.org www.natickma.org Northampton 210 Main St., Room 4 (413) 587-1224 cclerk@northamptonma.gov www.northamptonma.gov/ cityclerk Springfield 36 Court St., Room 123 (413) 787-6094 www.springfieldcityhall. com Sturbridge 308 Main St. (508) 347-2510 www.town.sturbridge.ma.us Worcester 455 Main St., Room 206 (508) 799-1121 clerk@ci.worcester.ma.us www.ci.worcester.ma.us

The

DRESS www.bridegroommag.com

Steve Erikson

Town/ City Clerks

BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

Arrowhead Acres Elegant Year-Round Country Reception Facility Featuring the Chapel in the Pines ceremony area

Floral Elegance flowers spoke of romance joy. Everyone could feel it.

The and

B&G Planning 101

Tuning up A few notes about your reception music MUSIC

Your

dreams, Our designs .

Beverly McClure, AIFD 92 Aldrich St., Rte. 98 Uxbridge, MA 01569 (508) 278-5017 info@arrowheadacres.com www.arrowheadacres.com

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Accredited by American Institute of Floral Designers 204 Worcester St., N. Grafton, MA

508-839-9811 www.graftonflowers.com

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IS A

P OW E R F U L

MEDIUM.

Hearing a song now that you loved in high school can instantly bring you back to that time. The same can be said for the music played on your wedding day: If the song you’ll select for your first dance isn’t special to you already, it certainly will be for many years after. When looking for a band or DJ for your reception, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the right group for your gig. Here are some questions to help you narrow things down. (Some are generic enough that they apply to both; others are specific to one or the other. We’ve provided a range for you here.) Both 1. How many songs do you have in your library? 2. Will you take requests from guests during the reception? If so, how many will you take? Is there an extra charge? 3. I would like to help create the song list. How many requests can I make? 4. Do you provide music for the ceremony and/or cocktail hour? 5. How much time do you need to set up your equipment? 6. What type of attire will you wear for the reception? 7. How many breaks will you take? How long will they be? 8. Will you require a meal? 9. Do you have a travel fee? 10. Will I be able to meet with the DJ/band members who would perform at my wedding before I sign a contract? 11. Do you use a wireless microphone? Can you provide one for any speeches? 12. Do you do overtime? If so, is there a charge? 13. How many weddings do you perform at in a year? 14. How long have you been a DJ/musician? 15. Have you performed at events of this size before?

DJ 16. What format is the music (MP3, CD, tape, record)? 17. How many people will you use to cover the event? 18. Do you offer lighting effects? If so, are they included in the price? What do you charge for upgrades? Band 19. Will you provide music while on breaks? 20. Do you perform ethnic music? (Especially important if you’re incorporating your heritages into the day.) 21. Will you have backup staff available in the event of illness? Practical advice • When meeting with prospective entertainment professionals, find out if they will be able to perform (audition) for you. Getting some references might also help you with your decision. • Just as you know what song is best for your first dance, so too does your DJ or band leader know what will get everyone’s toes tapping. Still, there may be some songs that you’d rather not have played. By all means, give your expert a list; just keep in mind that some may be just what your guests would want to hear. Stay flexible. Would it be so terrible if one or two tunes were played by a guest’s request? B&G

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B&G Planning 101

Contract considerations WHEN Prime Dates Available

RESTAURANT, BAR, BANQUET & CONFERENCE FACILITY

Where lifelong memories begin... Voted #1 “People’s Pick” Banquet Facilities in Worcester County Conveniently located – Exit 4 off Route 190 42 West Boylston Street (Route 12), West Boylston, MA

508-835-4722 • www.ourmanor.com Outdoor Ceremony Site in Fall 2008 Weddings Engagements Rehearsal Dinners Showers Wedding Luncheons Corporate & Social Events

“We love what we do and you will too.” Media Photo Affordable Wedding Packages 63 Auburn St., Auburn, MA 01501 508-832-4716 Mediafoto@aol.com

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H I R I N G V E N D O R S F O R YOU R

wedding, be sure to have a contract for each one. It will protect you and your money, and will also help keep your many details organized. Contracts should include the basics: your name, wedding date, location of the event, name of the vendor, etc. Spelling counts, so be sure everything is correct. All of the vendor’s services should be listed in this agreement, including their standard offerings as well as anything extra you may want (such as votive candles surrounding your centerpieces or that your extra wedding cake will be boxed as favors to take home). Be very detailed. Specify the vendor’s expected arrival time and where they should go (i.e., the limo should pick you up first, then your bridesmaids and the photographer should meet you at the reception site). If they will be mingling with your guests, indicate what type of attire is acceptable and not acceptable. Itemize all costs: everything from basic rates to additional fees for any extra services and/or overtime. Indicate what your method of payment will be, the amounts and when those payments will be made. It’s also a good idea to have the contract list the amount of any deposits made at signing. Specify what happens should you need to cancel the wedding. How much notice do your vendors require? How much money, if any, will you be expected to pay anyway?Will your deposit be refunded if you give them enough notice to fill the date? Indicate any penalties the vendors will face if they arrive late to your wedding. Also specify a cancellation policy for each of your vendors, such as they must give more than 30 days notice of cancellation and that they must help you find a replacement. Read each contract thoroughly before you sign it. If this means taking it home, then do so. Don’t let any vendor rush you into signing. Update your contract with any changes/

updates/additions/deletions made by either you or the vendor. This can be as simple as writing it on the original agreement and having both parties initial it. Or, if it’s clearer, write up an amended contract and sign it. Be wary of any vendor that doesn’t want to have a contract. It is designed to help by protecting both parties and keeping the details organized. Don’t be pressured into working without one. Consider looking for a new vendor if they refuse to use/sign one. If you have any difficulty in understanding the wording of a contract, ask to have it rewritten so that it is clear. If they refuse, look for a new vendor.

Celebrate Your Wedding with the Distinctive Sound of the Bagpipes! Demo CD 4 Wedding Packages Reasonable Prices Professionally Attired Variety of Authentic Kilts Scottish & Irish Music Willing to Travel Over 30 Years Experience

Sound ’O the Pipes • George Kinney (978) 386-7797 www.soundothepipes.com

Never sign an agreement if you’re not clear on the terms.Always ask for clarification (and have it written in when necessary) and always read the fine print thoroughly.

Other helpful tips Keep receipts for each transaction with all vendors. File them with your copy of the contract for easy reference. Use your credit card whenever possible. Most offer buyer protection services at no extra charge. Consider giving yourself extra protection by taking out wedding (event) insurance. Basic policies cover acts of god, vendorrelated issues (such as no-shows, bad equipment, damaged goods, etc.) and the like. For more info, check out these web sites: www.wedsafe.com and www.rvnuccio.com (a Fireman’s Fund agency). B&G

The

CAKE www.bridegroommag.com

BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

A Special Setting for Your Special Event

B&G Planning 101

Getting a great cake WHETHER

YOU R W E D D I N G

CAKE

will be the primary dessert or just something sweet to send home with your guests, it’s usually a noteworthy focal point of the nuptial feast. As you talk with prospective bakers, ask these key questions—getting the cake you want will be as easy as pie.

The historic Asa Waters Mansion offers an elegant style and relaxed atmosphere in a stately house where guests can enjoy both indoor and outdoor functions. Available for wedding ceremonies and receptions, bridal showers, and rehearsal dinners

Asa Waters Mansion 123 Elm Street, Millbury, MA 01527 (508) 865-0855 www.asawaters.org

“We’ll Create a Wedding Day Image You’ll Cherish Forever.”

Real Human Human Hair Hair Real Extensions Extensions

Clip in in Extensions Extensions Clip

19thth Year Anniversary Voted Worcester’s Best Hair Salon – 6 Years

New! Eye Lash Extensions

Image Hair Salon

Ample Parking • Walk-in Service • 533 Park Avenue, Worcester 88 Spring/Summer

2008

(508) 754-5588

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1. Do you have a range of prices? Are they per slice or are they flat fees? What is included in each price? 2. Do you have a selection of cake styles from which to choose? 3. Will you custom design a cake? If so, do additional fees apply? 4. Is a deposit necessary to hold the date? If so, what does it cover (i.e., pillars and stands)? 5. Are you licensed by the state health department? 6. How many varieties of flavors—for the cake, filling and icing—do you have? How many combinations of cake and filling flavors are available? 7. Will I have an opportunity to taste various flavors of cake, filling and/or icing? 8. What size cake is best for the number of guests I am planning to have? 9. Will the cake be fresh or frozen? How far in advance of my wedding will the cake be made? 10. Will you deliver the cake? If so, at what

point during the day will you do it? Is there an additional delivery charge? 11. Will you set up the cake at the reception location? If so, is there an additional charge? Will you need any special considerations from the facility (such as refrigeration)? 12. I’d like my cake decorated with fresh flowers.Will you work with my florist to obtain them or will I have to provide them? 13. My budget is small, but I would still like you to make my cake.Are there any costsaving options you can suggest?

Most common decorations/icings Basket weave: A popular icing design using interlocking horizontal and vertical lines of icing that resemble a woven basket. Butter cream: A soft and creamy frosting made with butter, confectioners’ sugar, egg yolks and milk/light cream used as an icing, piping, filling or to make decorative borders. Can be colored and flavored; may melt in high heat or humidity. Dotted Swiss: A technique that decorates the wedding cake with small random dots of icing, resembling a fabric of the same name. Embroidery: A very detailed cake decoration that resembles embroidery done in needlework. Fondant: A sweet, malleable icing that can be swathed like fabric over a cake and to create a smooth, porcelain-like finish. Often used as the base for designs and elaborate decorations. Gum paste: A moldable mixture of confectioners’ sugar, gelatin and starch used to create realistic-looking edible flowers, fruits and ribbons that are used as garnishes. Latticework: A crisscross pattern of icing applied to a cake. Piping: Method of decorating a cake with intricate patterns, bows, flowers, etc. Icing is squeezed through a pastry bag and applied with a decorative metal tip in the desired pattern or shape. Royal icing:An icing used to create latticework, flowers, beading, etc. Made from confectioners’ sugar and egg whites, it starts out B&G soft then hardens when dry.

- Personal Coordinator - Gazebo Ceremony Area - Picturesque Gardens - Antique Cars & Buggy - Seating up to 180 - Handicap Accessible - Centrally located 20 miles from Providence & Worcester

Relax and enjoy your wedding day in our historic clubhouse overlooking the beautiful grounds that surround you. Your personal Wedding Coordinator will take care of all the details while you create memories with family and friends that will last a lifetime…

801 Chockalog Road, Uxbridge, MA (508) 278-6110 www.blissfulmeadows.com

The

TUX

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BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

B&G Planning 101

Topics of transportation

Personalized service for the entire wedding party. TRUNK SHOWS Alfred Angelo, June 6/8 Casablanca, August 28/30

Inquire about our custom, made to measure garments.

Hours: Mon. Wed. Thurs. 12 pm to 7 pm Sat. 10 am to 3 pm and by appointment Walk-ins welcomed

289 Main St. Webster, MA 01570 508-943-8008 866-943-8008 elainesbridal@verizon.net

Beautiful, intimate, memorable. Spend your special occasion with us.

216 Main Street Rutland, MA 01543

508-886-6505 2008

A R E A F E W T H I N G S TO K E E P in mind when making your wedding-day travel arrangements.

Need a lift? The bride & groom, their parents, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls, ring bearers and grandparents are the usual suspects for limotype rides. Get a head count to determine the best vehicle to do the job (and accurate estimates on price). Your out-of-town guests, howeverâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; unfamiliar with the local terrainâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;just might need one also. Many car services offer shuttle bus options to take guests from their hotels, to the ceremony and reception, and back. Where to? How many places do you have to go? To the ceremony from your house (or hotel) and from the ceremony to the reception is the typical service. Travel to any destinations after the reception is usually separate from the standard rental agreement. Fares and fees Most rental companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fees are by the hour, with considerations made for the number of people to be transported and the type of vehicle rented. There may also be an additional travel fee (if the car is coming from far away), and a gratuity might be automatically applied to your bill. Be sure to get these things itemized in writing before you sign a contract. B&G

Florabunda Tea Room

90 Spring/Summer

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Find these

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And more at Produced by

2-for-1 pass online at: www.originalweddingexpo.com 1-888-774-3976 Sponsored by

B&G Planning 101

News you can use Local florist goes greener Herbert Berg Florist of Worcester, MA, who works with international growers that use safer and more natural pesticides and fertilizers, is encouraging clients to be eco-minded as well. Customers who return five glass vases to Herbert Berg Florist will receive a hand tied European “thank you” bouquet. For more information, call (800) 383-2374.

A New England Family Tradition It is our pleasure to invite you to consider us for your very special event. Our wedding packages include the facilities of a unique Revolutionary War era mansion and its meticulously landscaped grounds.

Complete wedding packages at affordable prices. Specializing in weddings, rehearsal dinners and bridal showers.

240 S. Main St. Uxbridge, MA (508) 278-5517 Wheelchair accessible.

2008

The Original Wedding Expo™ in two new locations Chevalier Associates, Inc., producers of The OriginalWedding Expo™, announces the addition of two new Expo dates and locations: the Sheraton Hotel in Braintree, MA, on September 28, 2008, and the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI, on October 18 & 19, 2008. For more information, log on to www.originalweddingexpo.com. Elegance by Carbonneau has moved Elegance by Carbonneau, a Worcester-based bridal shop offering gowns, accessories and gifts for the entire wedding party has moved to 292West Boylston Street,Worcester, from its previous location on Grafton Street. The new location boasts 2,500 square feet of everything bridal! For more information and store hours, log on to www.mydress4less.com or call (508) 595-0400.

www.cockenkettle.com

92 Spring/Summer

Special ceremony offer for B&G readers Justice of the Peace Spiro J. Efsthiou of Worcester, MA, who has been helping couples personalize their wedding vows since 1994, is offering $25 off the cost of a ceremony if you mention this B&G notice. For more information, call (508) 826-7775 or email spiroje@yahoo.com.

BRIDE&GROOM www.bridegroommag.com

We welcome all couples for

Tuscany Room

any wedding related occasion.

We can accommodate 25–150 guests. Your hosts,

T he T uro Family T he inviting decor of wood and brick create an atmosphere that is warm and comfortable. Photos courtesy Ericson Photography

What’s new in tuxedo styles Bonardi’s Formalwear announces the arrival of two new Calvin Klein tuxedos for 2008: styles in rich chocolate brown and silver gray. Preview them, and Bonardi’s full line of formalwear, at one of their many Central MA stores or online at www.bonardis.com. New cake flavor available At wedding receptions, who doesn’t look forward to the wedding cake? Custom Wedding Cakes by Penny Eagleton of Auburn, MA, has announced the addition of the decadent Dark Chocolate-Covered Coconut cake to its already extensive offering of gourmet cake flavors that include the popular Strawberry White Chocolate, Peanut Butter Fudge. For a free consultation and tasting, visit www. customweddingcakesbypenny.com or call (508) 832-3814.

11 Brackett Court (off Shrewsbury Street) Worcester, MA 01604

Continental Room

(508) 753-9490

Ample free parking

where art celebrates you showers | rehearsal dinners | ceremonies | receptions

Arrive in style Able Limousine Inc. of Hopkinton, MA, providing wedding transportation throughout New England for over 20 years, announces the addition of a 1955 white Silver Cloud Rolls Royce. “This is a very special vehicle for a very special bride” says Wedding Specialist Kristi Callahan.Able Limousine also offers a wedding shuttle package consisting of four hours of guest transportation to be split as you choose. Visit www. ablelimousineinc.com for more information or call (800) 499-3903. B&G

WORCESTER ART MUSEUM | 55 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA www.worcesterart.org | specialevents@worcesterart.org | 508.799.4406 x3077 www.bridegroommag.com

BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

Enchanting New Mexico by Janet Strassman Perlmutter

Sante Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau: Doug Merriam

Every trip entails some risks. For example, the greatest risk in traveling toTaos or Santa Fe, New Mexico, might be that you want to stay permanently.You’d be in fine company, though: Georgia O’Keeffe, Eric Blumenschein, Nikolai Fechin and others did just that. For these great artists, and the painters and photographers who joined them, it was the quality of light that fascinated them, not to mention the low humidity, high elevations, clear skies and hundred-mile views of mesas, red rock canyons, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Rio Grande. Today that scenic beauty still beckons, as do the communities of artists that have grown since the late 1800s. Add the great restaurants, museums, galleries, hotels and inns and you’ve got two fabulous destinations with many common elements yet noticeably distinct personalities. SANTA FE The second oldest city in America, Santa Fe, population 60,000, is deemed by many to be among the country’s top three cities for art.A walk along gallery-lined Canyon Road confirms the nomination. Morning Star Gallery takes visitors back in time with their extensive collection of antique Sioux and Crow dresses, shirts and moccasins crafted from soft leather and vibrant beads. Nedra Matteucci’s

gallery returns visitors to the present with Jane DeDecker’s life-like sculptures of children at play. Navajo weavings, Mexican silver, Hopi masks, raku pottery, contemporary Judaica and traditional landscapes all beckon from Canyon Road, with fine quality as compelling as the galleries’ variety. The city’s museums reflect Santa Fe’s enthusiasm and reverence for art and culture. Wildly imaginative and highly popular, the

94 Spring/Summer 2008 BRIDE&GROOM

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Museum of International Folk Art houses the largest collection of folk art in the world, representing over 100 countries. Santa Fe’s newest addition is the intimate Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Be sure to check out the cutting edge Institute of American Indian Arts, the museum of the only fine arts college devoted solely to Native American art. But one cannot live on art alone. Santa Fe’s popularity is also built on its abundance of fine restaurants, some of which are found in the city’s best hotels. The refined Inn of the Anasazi, one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, features Southwest cuisines reflecting Spanish, cowboy and NativeAmerican influences. Renowned chef Peter Zimmer dazzles the palate at the rustic Bishop’s Lodge, the historic retreat of Archbishop Lamy. And at La Posada de Santa Fe, even the resident ghost, Julia Staab, seems to approve of the upgrades to the just re-opened restaurant and resort. TheVictorian-style Staab Mansion at La Posada is home to the new Fuego restaurant, which is lauded for its romantic setting, signature dish macadamia pesto grilled ahi with truffle

Sante Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau: Doug Merriam

Sante Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau: Mark Kane

Sante Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau: Doug Merriam

polenta and an unusual homemade lavender ice cream. The restful six-acre hotel, now under new ownership, features an exciting new chef, additional casitas and a delightful spa. Here’s your chance to try an Adobe Mud Wrap, Corn Dance Purification treatment or a eucalyptus-scented steam bath. In this town where meals are celebrated events, even breakfast is an occasion. Where else might you stand on line for a restaurant seating at 7 a.m.? Fall is Santa Fe’s off-peak season, however, so arise at your leisure then try the legendary breakfast burritos at Tia Sophia’s or crêpes at Guadeloupe Café. Deservedly popular is Chef Katharine Kagel’s Café Pasqual where breakfast is offered until 3 p.m. Forget pancakes and French toast; feast on the Yucatan breakfast of eggs topped with black beans and sautéed bananas, or the sweet corn tamale with mango and served with Mexican hot chocolate.

TAOS It’s worth prying yourself away from Santa Fe to see bothTaos and the countryside enroute. Get lost on the back roads and discover more galleries including Shidoni, the expansive sculpture garden and working foundry in the village ofTesuque.Take the High Road toTaos and visit the village of Chimayo, known for its weavers, the reputed healing powers of the Santuario and the Jaramillo family’s enchanting restaurant at Rancho de Chimayo. Taos is a town of many reputations. Descendants of the area’s earliest residents still live in the 1,000-year-old Taos Pueblo. Artists and socialites put Taos on the map in the early 1900s when it became home to O’Keeffe,Alfred Steiglitz,Ansel Adams, D.H. Lawrence,Willa Cather and Carl Jung. In the

1960s this mesa-top community was known as a counter-cultural mecca. Now a multicultural mix of residents and visitors appreciate the small town feel (pop. 6,000) and the big city culture. Outdoor activity is among the greatest draws to this friendly town. Taos Ski Valley offers some of the country’s best skiing (averaging over 300 inches of snow each winter) while warm-weather visitors get their adrenaline rush from rafting the Taos Box, mountain biking or rock climbing.Take in the view from a llama trek, a backcountry jeep tour or from a hot air balloon ride over the Rio Grande Gorge. But this isn’t just an outdoorsman’s paradise. The vibrant artist colony features the galleries of R.C. Gorman, J.D. Challenger and many others throughout the plaza area at Rancho de Taos and in nearby towns including Abiquiu, where O’Keeffe’s former home stands. Don’t miss the Lumina Gallery with its magical sculpture garden amidst calm waterfalls, a shimmering pond and the dra-

matic Taos mountain view. Tiny Taos holds its own in the culinary department as well. Zagats has named Doc Martin’s restaurant the best in the entire Santa Fe-Taos area while the Wine Spectator has bestowed its Best of Award of Excellence honor to the restaurant in each of the last four years. Named for the community’s beloved first physician, the restaurant (now owned in part by a local radiologist) occupies the former home and office of the late “Doc”Thomas Paul Martin, MD. The cozy Adobe Bar, dubbed “Taos’ living room,” sits adjacent to the restaurant. Its nickname recognizes the central place this bar has held as a meeting location for Taosenos and passersby for the past 60 years. Historic Taos Inn, part of the same property, has earned its share of honors as well. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, National Geographic Traveler recently acknowledged the Inn’s social atmosphere, local color, architectural style and exemplary service by naming it one of 54 Great American Inns. Like much you’ll find Don Laine

Pueblo in Taos

www.bridegroommag.com

BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

Larry Messin

San Geronimo

inTaos, great food and lodging at the inn come at surprisingly moderate prices. Taos is a town built by creative, quirky, strong-willed individualists and the legacy of many are recounted and memorialized in this imaginative and eccentric place.Visit the home of Mabel Dodge Luhan, writer and patron of the arts, responsible for bringing many ofTaos’ most engaging characters to town in the early and mid-1900s. Museums mark the turn-of-

the century home of Ernest Blumenschein, founder of the Taos Society of Artists, and the 1830s home of mountain man, scout and Southwestern legend, Kit Carson. The Fechin House stands as tribute to the Russian artist and architect who established hisAmerican home inTaos in the 1920s, which is noteworthy as much for the intricate wooden doors, gates, cabinets and pillars he carved as for the sketches and paintings he left. In 1997, guided by the vision of Nikolai Fechin’s daughter, Eya, the 85-room Fechin Inn opened its doors, conveying the spirit of Fechin’s home throughout the alluring guest property. Visitors at the Inn retreat among wildflowers and private terraces at this quiet, adobe-style resort, feeling quite remote from busy Taos Plaza just a 10-minute walk away. So don’t say you haven’t been warned. North Central New Mexico offers plenty of reasons to visit, yet not much help on reasons to leave. B&G

Janet Strassman Perlmutter is a writer and family therapist in Hopkinton, MA.

UP, UP AND AWAY Up, up and away New Mexico’s azure blue skies are dotted with brilliant hot air balloons during the month of October, when the predictably clear fall weather provides superb conditions for the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (October 2-10) and the Taos Balloon Rally (October 2225). The Albuquerque event is the largest in the world, launching 900 festive balloons during a week of races and competitions. Taos offers a more intimate event where Chamber of Commerce Director Joel Howard observes, “Here, anyone can get on a chase crew or help blow up the balloons. There’s lots of access to the pilots and a great party atmosphere.” But ballooning is a year-round activity, assures the staff at Paradise Balloons in Taos. “This area is great for ballooning because the air is relatively dry, which is good for balloons, then the mountains create little eddies of wind, which help you fly,” they explained. Balloon rides are generally scheduled before sunrise when the air is most calm. In Albuquerque balloonists often ride “The Box,” while in Taos the crafts float above the Rio Grande Gorge.

FOR MORE INFO The closest major airport to Santa Fe or Taos is in Albuquerque. Rio Grande Air now offers luxury commuter flights between Taos and Albuquerque. (877) I-FLY-RGA or rga.newmex.com. TOURISM INFORMATION New Mexico: (800) 545-2040 or www.newmexico.org Albuquerque: (800) 284-2282 or www.abqcvb.org Santa Fe: (800) 777-CITY or www.santafe.org Taos: (800) 732-TAOS or http://taoswebb.com 96 Spring/Summer

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BAHAMAS

is all you need

If marriages are made in heaven, then honeymooning at Sandals is like heaven on earth – because no other resorts in the world are so completely dedicated to couples in love. Our white-sand beaches are swept each morning in anticipation of your arrival. Every possible land and water sport – even scuba diving and golf N – is included for your enjoyment. We’ve recruited great chefs from around the world to prepare scintillating menus for your dining pleasure. And best of all, everything is included so you need only think of each other. You can even choose a lavish suite with an obliging personal butler. And for the ultimate in pampering, step into a Red Lane® Spa,* exclusively at Sandals. You only have one honeymoon, so choose Sandals because happily ever after begins here. U

RECEIVE A WEDDING GIF T OF WATERFORD CHINA OR CRYSTAL. SAY “I DO” WITH ONE OF OUR EXCLUSIVE PRESTON BAILEY WEDDINGMOONS® PACKAGES.

THE

Luxury Included N

™ VA C AT I O N

Golf not available in Antigua or the Bahamas. *Spa services additional. U Offer applies to a honeymoon stay of 6 nights or longer in a third room category or higher. Other restrictions may apply.

The ultimate beach, breezy, sunny days. Your Divi Aruba All Inclusive honeymoon getaway lets you choose from 10 dining options, 7 bars, snorkeling, biking, non-motorized watersports, live entertainment nightly and more. Plus, all guest rooms are just steps from the sand and pools. • Guaranteed Oceanview or Beachside accommodation with patio or balcony and king-size or queen-size bed

• Candlelight dinner at the Sunset Beach Bistro, including transfers

• Use of the facilities and features of the adjacent Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive

• Remembrance gift

• Bottle of champagne

• Free night first anniversary certificate

• Wedding packages available

Contact your travel professional or 1-800-554-2008 www.diviaruba.com

207-594-7888

info@diviaruba.com

Restrictions apply. Facilities and features are subject to change without notice. Additional charges apply for wedding packages, Windows on Aruba and spa treatments.

In-city gems by Katharine Dyson

You’re hip, you’re hot and you dig the excitement of city life, whether you’re sipping a cappuccino at a sidewalk café in New York’s SOHO, matching your footprints with the stars at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in LA or bargaining for knock-your-socks-off jewelry in Puerto Vallarta. Amidst all this happy mayhem in bustling cities across the globe, there are a variety of very seductive nests to tuck into at the end of the day… some are new, others are trendy remakes.

Orlando You know right away: The 250-room Grand Bohemian Hotel is the perfect place for your honeymoon. The lights are dim; velvet drapes of deep plum frame sheer electric blue curtains; and red plush velvet sofas beckon. Walls are adorned with boldly rendered paintings of landscapes, aged men, abstract jesters, lions, laughing faces and poppy fields. Art is everywhere… Is this a gallery or a hotel? Lest you think you stepped into the wrong lobby—whatever happened to Mickey?—just give in to the serendipity and opulence that is everywhere, including the bedroom where all-white pillow-top beds tempt you to turn off the alarm. Dine in the Boheme Restaurant and catch live jazz and entertainment in the sexy Bösendorfer Lounge. Or blow it all and order room service in your “boudoir.” For the leisure-challenged, there is a fitness center; for all others, the outdoor pool and whirlpool provide spectacular views of the city. And yes the masseuse will come to your room and give you the massage of your life. Goodbye stress, farewell tired feet. At the Grand Bohemian, all your sensual senses are tantalized. For a complimentary

Boutique HOTELS

Grand Bohemian Hotel

breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres (the shrimp are superb) and a quiet home away from home, book a room on the 15th-floor Concierge Level. www.grandbohemianhotel.com

London She feels sexy in her short brown skirt (the city’s new black), which she bought in Harvey Nichols just that afternoon. They’re sipping martinis at the Met Bar, glancing in the direction of a girl with green spiked hair, Spandex pink satin pants and a bit of skin showing beneath the tight electric blue top. This is London where dialects are as diverse as landscapes, dress codes and weather. Shabby chic is the mantra in London’s best addresses. In the country’s villages, streets wind tightly around houses built long before cars were imagined.And wherever you are, when you’re thirsty there’s bound to be a pub nearby. They’ve sat for hours over lunch in the Gaudiesque Beach Blanket Babylon in the heart of Notting Hill.Why not take in a current blockbuster or classic film at the Electric Cinema?You can sit in big comfy leather seats with footstools or sofas for two and sip wine while you watch. They whirl on the London Eye, the world’s tallest observation wheel, and later zero in on Brick Lane where, at Laden Showrooms, there are actually designer items at a bargain. Who knows who you might run into; this is celeb territory. London has a “Blue Book” of classy places to stay. For something new try the five-star www.bridegroommag.com

May Fair London which has undergone a $140 million renovation taking it from stogy to sophisticated.The new décor features a sleek and minimalist lobby with furnishings by Fendi, Baccarat chandeliers and paintings from St. Petersburg, as well as an Asian-inspired spa, a new chic bar and signature luxury suites. Both public and private areas are glossy contemporary bringing light, funky shapes and artwork to the table. And lest they be deemed a bit daft, the designers have made sure to include all the things travelers demand, such as marble baths with incredible showers, Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems and wireless Internet access. The location works too.Tucked behind Green Park station, it’s a stone’s throw from Berkeley Square and Old and New Bond streets.Yes,London is expensive—you’ll need twoAmerican dollars to buyonepound.WerecommendbuyingtheLondon Pass (www.londonpass.com), which gives reduced rates on attractions, transportation and other things. www.radissonedwardian. com/londonuk_mayfair

BRIDE&GROOM Spring/Summer 2008

Maison 140

Paris

Honolulu

Maison 140

Los Angeles Ooh la la is the buzz at Maison 140, an intimate 43-room hotel in Beverly Hills. Starting out as a residential apartment almost 70 years ago and once owned by silver-screen star Lillian Gish, it was redesigned by people who value style and reopened by the Kor Hotel Group in 2000. The façade is brick but inside it’s all about a clever mélange of Chinoiserie, 1920s styling and 1970s modernism. Each of the rooms create a different mood blending French antiques, London and Asian treasures, orchids, period wallpapers, toile fabrics and rich reds and yellows against stark blacks and whites. Have breakfast in your room or help yourself to an ample continental breakfast in the red, white and black Bar Noir. Regroup there again later for cocktails. Dine in your room— Maison 140 can arrange to have local chefs create a delicious gourmet meal—or head out to a local bistro. Expect must-haves like high-speed Internet connections, fine linens and robes, plump European-style pillows, DVD players, minibars, safe and two-line phones in every room. There is also plenty nearby to keep you busy: Rodeo Drive’s galleries and boutiques, Sunset Strip,Venice Beach, Chinatown, a drive along the Pacific Coast, Universal Studios and all the glitter and glamour of Hollywood. Several tour companies offer drive-bys past famous stars’ homes. www.maison140 beverlyhills.com 100 Spring/Summer

2008

At twilight, sounds of Hawaiian music float up to your private lanai overlooking the sea while candles flicker on your dining table. It’s not the largest, nor the most opulent hotel, yet the Halekulani, which means “house befitting heaven,” has everything you require to make it your own personal paradise. Book-ended between high rise hotels on Waikiki Beach amidst the hubbub of our country’s 11th largest city, returning to the quiet elegance of the Halekulani at the end of a funfilled day is a treat. Here marble, Italian terrazzo fine woods, gardens and the sea create a sensual Hawaiian oasis. Dine at House Without a Key, an indooroutdoor restaurant. Arrive in time to watch the sun go down—it’s one of the best seats in town for this nightly spectacle. French-style meals are served at La Mer with great ocean views where dishes of gourmet fare appear at your elbow like a series of gifts.At night, dance under the stars beneath aged Kiawe trees. Halekulani offers a full range of water sports, aerobics classes, jogging sessions and sightseeing programs.You may never want to leave the grounds, but outrigger canoes, party time at Duke’s, shopping, discos, nightclubs and streetcars are all close by.Try some rainbow-flavored shaved ice from the Waikiki store; shop for wild looking veggies in China Town; pick up a yummy malasado (fluffy Portuguese doughnut) at Leonard’s Bakery; and eat some great Thai food at Singha. Staying at Halekulani may not be at the low end of the budget scale, but for your vacation of a lifetime it’s worth going the extra mile. Where else can you return one evening to a “surprise” bubble bath waiting for you with a heart of live orchids floating in the suds? www.halekulani.com

BRIDE&GROOM www.bridegroommag.com

You’re in the City of Lights, home of the EiffelTower, the Louvre and moonlight walks along the left and right banks of the Seine. You never know who you are going to run into when you dine at the Café M in The Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine. It’s a favorite haunt of celebrities and other important types. Surprisingly un-Hyatt like in its intimacy, the 86-room hotel located on Malesherbes is an ideal residence for sightseeing as well as shopping in and around the Place de la Madeleine. It has a central and very comfortable lounge with a fireplace, a very inviting place to have breakfast, lunch or dinner in a livingroom-style setting. Here you sit comfortably in arm chairs around small round tables and watch the world come and go. Each of the rooms are quietly luxurious, designed with warm woods, chrome and marble and appointed with fine linens, super lighting, fluffy feather duvets and thick terry towels and robes. Colors are softly seductive, creamy whites and naturals; windows are full length. And guys, there is nothing frou frou about this hotel; in fact, the zebra animal prints on the Deluxe King Room might just bring out the animal in you. After a shower in the large marble bath, snuggle into a thick terry robe and order room service.What better way to enjoy a fine French wine, caviar, Camembert, foie gras and Godiva chocolates? www.paris.madeleine. hyatt.com The Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine

8* / " $36* 4 &

CasaVelas

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The designers of The Marmara Manhattan ignored the mundane by combining a tad of high jinks and a nod to the art scene with a gallery in the lobby showcasing work from talented local and international artists. Bar chairs, for example, look more like warped wood and there is a lavish use of glass and chrome, marble and red, black and white colors. With apartment-style accommodations featuring kitchens (a great thing to have in a city where meals can be pricey) as well as DVD players, high-speed Internet access, facsimile machines, laundry facilities and an onsite exercise room, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the Marmara makes a wonderful base for your city stay. Some rooms have balconies that, in a city where buildings soar, allow sunlight to find its way into your space.A selection of pillows and linens and towels speak quality. Located in a fashionably chic, residential area on the Upper East Side, your love nest is close to Central Park, Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design, the Guggenheim Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art and stylish boutiques and restaurants. Bagels and delis are steps away. www.marmara-manhattan.com B&G

U H N D % \ E

Upon landing at the Puerto Vallarta airport, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be whisked away (a 10-minute drive) to Casa Velas where a king bed, deliciously dressed with luxury cotton linens and a goose down duvet, awaits. But it is still mid-afternoon and right outside is the palm-fringed pool and gardens, comfy chaises and cabanas.You settle into a couple of loungers, slather on the suntan lotion and a crisply-dressed waiter stops by to see what you want: a rum punch for you, a piĂąa colada for your new spouse. Perfect. Tomorrow you may head to the private beach club for a lazy day by the sea and enjoy the sushi bar or other Pacific-Rim style selections at the Asiatic Bistro for dinner. Later in the week, you could take the shuttle into downtown Puerto Vallarta, an old city with a lot of history dating back to the Night of the Iguana. Golfers have many choices here. The onsite golf La Marina course is a pleasant warmup for the nearby Vista Vallarta Golf Club where you can tee off at the Nicklaus and Weiskoph-designed layouts, both challenging and scenic with plenty of challenges including ravines and slippery greens. Casa Velas has but 80 suites, many with private plunge pools and balconies along with a spa and fitness facility.There is a sense of peace at this adults-only retreat, perfect for your postnuptial getaway. www.hotelcasavelas.com

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Travel writer Katherine Dyson is a regular contributor to BRIDE&GROOMâ&#x201E;˘ Magazine. www.bridegroommag.com

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BRIDE&GROOM

Winter 2008

101

A L I T T L E P I E C E OF M A N H AT TA N I S R IG H T H E R E I N WORC E S T E R

G[X XeYXVg _TVX 9be!!!

5e\WT_ F[bjXef EX[XTefT_ 7\aaXef JXWW\aZ EXVXcg\baf • • • • • • • • •

Specialized menu designed for any occasion Private function room accommodates up to 30 guests Large dining room accommodates up to 130 guests Elegant private bar area featuring the finest liquors & cordials Temperature controlled wine room featuring over 1,800 bottles of some of the best wines Attentive wait staff providing the ultimate in table side service Complete audio visual wiring for music, videos or presentations Handicapped accessible upper level dining room Complimentary valet parking

Call us today to book an unforgettable function!

92 SShrewsbury hrewsbur ry SStreet treeet c W Worcester, or rcester, M Massachusetts assa achusetts 01604 508.754.7 508.754.7600 7600 c FFax ax x 508.754.7 508.754.7601 7601 c www www.tribeca92.com w.tribeca92.com

Function Facility P L A N N I N G

G U I D E

Grouped alphabetically by region: Worcester, West of Worcester, East of Worcester, South of Worcester and North of Worcester Types of Functions Offered:

Reception Facility

E - Engagement Parties

Contact Person

Worcester

Types of Functions

B - Bridal Showers

D - Rehearsal Dinners

Price Range

On-Site Catering

Package Plan Available

Min/Max Room Capacity

$30 – 50

Yes

1/50

W - Wedding Receptions

Number Overnight Ceremony of Events AccommoSite (Held at one time) dations

86 Winter (38)

David Lemenager/ E, B, D, W Bill Mignone

65 Water St., Worcester, MA 01604 Ph: (508) 459-5400 • Fx: (508) 459-7011 www.86winter.com

American Bistro housing Worcester’s most unique and intimate Function Room. Personalized events planned in our facility or out service catering. We make occasions special.

Beechwood Hotel (Inside Front Cover)

Emily Aghababain E, B, D, W

363 Plantation St., Worcester, MA Ph: (508) 754-5789 • Fx: (508) 754-0731 sales@beechwoodhotel.com www.beechwoodhotel.com

The perfect marriage of elegance and simplicity. Magnificent Grand Ballroom, suited for small and large affairs. Luxurious overnight accommodations, plus unrivaled personal service.

Brew City Grill & Brew House (78)

Michelle Frieswick

104 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA Ph: (508) 752-3862 • Fx: (508) 890-5094 www.Brew-City.com

Let Brew City Grill & Brew House plan that special event for you and your guests. Call for specialty catering menus.

Crowne Plaza - Worcester (82)

Mandy Cohen

10 Lincoln Square, Worcester, MA 01608 Ph: (508) 751-6515 • Fx: (508) 791-1796 csmwor@lodgian.com • www.cpworcester.com

Custom, creative menu of your choice, romantically designed grand ballroom garden gazebo for your cocktail reception and pictures. Discounted overnight rooms for your guests.

B, D

E, B, D, W

$63 – 90

Varies

$30 – 75

Yes

1–2

Yes

1–2

Yes

1–2

150/425

Yes

15/120

Max 250

Yes

25/100

50/250

Yes

1/400

Lee Hanson

A hidden jewel great for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions. Buffets, sitdown and family style meals available. Come and see for yourself. All couples welcome.

Mechanics Hall (13)

Sharon Onorato

321 Main Street, Worcester, MA Ph: (508) 752-5608 • Fx: (508) 754-8442 info@mechanicshall.org • www.mechanicshall.org

Celebrate your wedding surrounded by historic Victorian elegance. Our spacious facilities accommodate intimate gatherings or grand celebrations.

Tribeca (102)

Steven Greene

92 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA 01604 Ph: (508) 754-7600 • Fx: (508) 754-7601 tribeca4@verizon.net • www.tribeca92.com

Tribeca is one of the newest upscale restaurants providing excellent food and a beautiful, elegant setting for your bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or wedding reception.

Tuckerman Hall (34)

Paul Levenson

10 Tuckerman St., P.O. Box 20070 West Side Station, Worcester, MA 01602-0070 Ph: (508) 754-1234 • Fx: (508) 754-5329 www.tuckermanhall.org

Tuckerman Hall’s dazzling Gilded Age elegance makes it one of the finest facilities in America for weddings and other social occasions.

Viva Bene Italian Ristorante (57)

Keivon Mizrahi

144 Commercial St., Worcester, MA 01608 Ph: (508) 799-9999 • Fx: (508) 753-0434 www.vivabenerestaurant.com

Visit our elegant function room. We will cater to your event with exceptional food and attentive service. Mention this ad and receive a “special gift.”

E, B, D, W

$30 – 50

Varies

Under $30

Yes

1/35

11 Brackett Ct., Worcester, MA Ph: (508) 753-9490 • Fx: (508) 797-5123

Varies

Yes

Leo’s Ristorante (93)

E, B, D, W

Under $30

Yes

25/125

Worcester Art Museum (93)

Special Events

55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA Ph: (508) 799-4406 x3077 • Fx: (508) 799-4767 specialevents@worcesterart.org • www.worcesterart.org

Rent exquisite spaces for your next important social occasion, and allow the special events staff to help you create the event of your dreams.

25/120

Yes

Types of Functions Offered: E - Engagement Parties B - Bridal Showers D - Rehearsal Dinners W - Wedding Receptions Be sure to tell these advertisers you saw their ad in BRIDE&GROOM! Publisher and function facilities assume no responsibility for typographical errors. Prices are subject to change. www.bridegroommag.com

BRIDE&GROOM

Spring/Summer 2008

103

Reception Facility

Contact Person

Types of Functions

Price Range

On-Site Catering

Package Plan Available

Min/Max Room Capacity

Adam Dossas

E, B, D, W

$20 – 50

Yes

20/150

Number Overnight Ceremony of Events AccommoSite (Held at one time) dations

East of Worcester Aegean Restaurant (81) 257 Cochituate Road, Framingham, MA 01701 Ph: (508) 879-8424 info@aegeanrestaurants.com www.aegeanrestaurants.com

Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel (76) 181 Boston Post Rd., West, Marlboro, MA 01752 Ph: (508) 303-1782 Fx: (508) 480-9343 msmith@rplazahotels.com • www.rplazahotels.com

State of the art location features private function events accommodating 20-150 guests, providing full audio, visual, full bar and outdoor patio. Located off the Mass.Pike/Route 9. Flexible packages available.

Sales

E, B, D, W

$29 – 65

Yes

50/600

Yes

1–2

Yes

Make all your wedding dreams come true! Our attentive and professional wedding consultants are inviting you to experience uncompromised service in our enchanting ballroom.

Boston College - The Connors Family Retreat & Conference Center (8)

Susan Burton

20 Glen St., Dover, MA 02030 Ph: (617) 552-9210 (ext. 613) meet@bc.edu • www.bc.edu/retreat

Situated on 80 acres, this 55,000 square foot mansion offers the perfect setting for weddings. Accommodating 120 guests indoors and up to 500 outdoors.

Charter Oak Country Club (38)

Christine Mazri

Chestnut St., Hudson, MA 01749 Ph: (978) 562-0800 cmazri@charteroakcc.com • www.charteroakcc.com

Experience a wedding of extraordinary elegance when you select Charter Oak Country Club. Our Georgian-style private club setting offers an unparalleled level of service and culinary excellence.

Doubletree Hotel (16)

Stephanie Gagliano

5400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581 Ph: (508) 616-7436 • Fx: (508) 366-3950 stephanie_gagliano@hilton.com www.bostonwestborough.doubletree.com

Welcoming all couples to experience the Doubletree personalized wedding experience. Customized packages available including complimentary menu tasting, candle centerpieces, white glove service and much more.

Holiday Inn Boxborough (78)

Stephen Guay

242 Adams Place, Boxborough, MA 01719 Ph: (978) 889-1715 • Fx: (978) 266-9429 sguay@hiboxborough.com www.boxboroughweddings.com

Newly renovated facility with lush greenery courtyard and gazebo or elegant Grand Ballroom with Terrace Bar. Convenient location that offers flexible wedding packages and menus.

Indian Meadows Country Club (66)

Rebecca Nanof

275 Turnpike Road (Rte. 9), Westborough, MA Ph: (508) 366-6526 • Fx: (508) 836-0233 www.indianmeadowsfunctions.com

We offer lovely views of the golf course to enhance your special day. We will accommodate your wishes for a memorable reception.

Marlborough Country Club (74)

Ann-Marie Busby

200 Concord Rd., Marlborough, MA 01752 Ph: (508) 485-1660 ext.14 • Fx: (508) 460-8932 marlborocc@aol.com • www.marlboroughcountryclub.com

We offer three rooms of various sizes with sophisticated ambience and professional decor. Daytime and evening functions decorated as informally or as elegantly as you choose.

Sheraton Braintree Hotel (107)

Amy Kern

37 Forbes Road, Braintree, MA 02184 Ph: (781) 794-6255 amy.kern@sheraton.com www.sheraton.com/braintreeweddings

The Sheraton Braintree Hotel boasts the benefits of Boston at a suburban address, offering 374 spacious guestrooms and 20,000 feet of versatile function space.

Stow Acres Country Club (44)

Karen Giles

58 Randall Rd., Stow, MA 01775 Ph: (978) 568-1100 x107 • Fx: (978) 562-4573 kgiles@stowacres.com • www.stowacres.com

Our recently restored Victorian clubhouse features fireplaces, a large oak dance floor, and many windows. Enjoy cocktails on our wrap-around porch and brick patio.

White Cliffs Function Facility (16)

Phyllis Joseph

E, B, D, W

E, B, D ,W

E, B, D, W

$30-75

Yes

$75+

Yes

$30 – 70

Yes

$30 – 50

Yes

$30 – 50

Yes

Under $30

Yes

Varies

Yes

$30 – 65

Yes

$30 – 50

Yes

15/500

130/275

50/550

2/400

20/350

Max 180

10/350

50/250

100/350

Yes

1 or 2

Yes

167 Main St., P.O. Box 510, Northboro, MA 01532 Ph: (508) 393-3695 • Fx: (508) 393-0271 sales@whitecliffs.com • www.whitecliffs.com

1886 Victorian mansion specializing in elegant wedding receptions, Bar Mitzvahs and prestigious corporate functions. Two beautiful ballrooms available. Ceremony space and flexible hours considered.

West of Worcester Florabunda Tea Room (90)

Ellen Senecal

216 Main St., P.O. Box 240, Rutland, MA 01543 Ph: (508) 886-6505 • Fx: (508) 886-2289 florabundashop@yahoo.com

E, B, D, W

Celebrate in our elegant Tea Room with a memorable bridal shower or any special occasion. Located in the exact geographical center of Massachusetts.

Leicester Country Club (51)

Judy Hastings

1430 Main St., Leicester, MA 01524 Ph: (508) 281-4493 • Fx: (508) 892-1331 jhastingslcc@charterinternet.com • www.leicestercc.com

Spectacular views, affordable prices, ample parking and seating for 20-300 guests. Ask about our Winter and Summer Romance Wedding Packages. Friday and Sunday discounts available.

Old Sturbridge Village (39)

Craig Arnold

1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge, MA 01566 Ph: (508) 347-0398 • Fx: (508) 347-0375 carnold@osv.org • www.osv.org

Start your future in our past at Old Sturbridge Village where our historic backdrop creates a unique and timeless atmosphere for your wedding.

E, B, D, W

$25 – 50

$30 – 70

$50 – 85

Yes

0/45

20/300

20/290

Yes

Types of Functions Offered: E - Engagement Parties B - Bridal Showers D - Rehearsal Dinners W - Wedding Receptions

104 Spring/Summer

2008

BRIDE&GROOM

www.bridegroommag.com

Package Plan Available

Min/Max Room Capacity

Yes

15/200

Number Overnight Ceremony of Events AccommoSite (Held at one time) dations

Contact Person

Overlook Catering & Reception Room (66)

Sales Office

E, B, D ,W

88 Masonic Home Road, Charlton, MA 01507 Ph: (508) 434-2281 • Fx: (508) 434-2500 info@overlookcatering.org • www.overlookcatering.org

The perfect setting for wedding, showers, rehearsal dinners and other events. The Overlook Reception Room is located in Charlton, just minutes from Sturbridge and Worcester.

Periwinkles Garden Court (71)

Arnold Villatico, Jr.

892 Southbridge St., Rt. 20, Auburn/Oxford Line, MA Ph: (508) 832-9705 • Fx: (508) 832-7978 www.periwinkles-giorgios.com

For 90+ people (in Café Room), included in the per-person price are: liner, cake cutting, setup/breakdown charges, and the cost of serving two different meals.

Publick House (31)

Cathy O’Brien

On the Common, P.O. Box 187, Sturbridge, MA 01566 Ph: (800) PUBLICK, (508) 347-3313 x286 Fx: (508) 347-5073 sales@publickhouse.com • www.publickhouse.com

Rehearsal dinners to showers to overnight guest rooms, the Publick House makes every event special with a unique mix of location, charm and warm hospitality.

Salem Cross Inn (57)

Donna Bennett

260 W. Main St. (Rte. 9) W. Brookfield, MA Ph: (508) 867-8337 • Fx: (508) 867-0351 info@salemcrossinn.com • www.salemcrossinn.com

Authentic 1705 farmhouse, spectacular scenery, complimentary wedding planning, established reputation as one of the finest restaurants in New England.

Sturbridge Host Hotel (75)

Lise Soper

366 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA • Ph: (508) 347-7393 Fx: (508) 347-3824 •lsoper@sturbridgehosthotel.com www.sturbridgehosthotel.com

Sturbridge Host Hotel features beautiful lakeside offerings, indoor garden terrace and elegant ballroom. Personal attention and delectable cuisine will dazzle you.

Reception Facility

Price Range

On-Site Catering

Types of Functions

West of Worcester

The Harding Allen Estate (33) Rte. 122 off Barre Common, Barre, MA 01005 (978) 355-4920 • www.harding-allen.com

Grace Gugliotti or Gloria Barry

E, B, D ,W

E, B, D, W

Varies

Under $30

$35 and up

$30 – 50

$79 – 129

$30 – 50

Yes

90/250

Yes

Max 240

Yes

Varies

Yes

6/225

Yes

Max 350

Yes

Max 300

Yes

Varies

Massachusetts’ premier wedding and banquet historic mansion — for when it has to be special.

Zukas Hilltop Barn (55)

Lynn Zukas

89 Smithville Rd., Spencer, MA 01562 Ph: (508) 885-5320 • Fx: (508) 885-5546 zukasfarm@aol.com • www.zukas.com

The perfect setting for a country wedding. Hilltop views, private location with personal attention to every detail. Newly built function room seating up to 130 guests.

E, B, D, W

South of Worcester

$30 – 60

Under $30 to 50

E, B, W

Yes

50/250

David Morin

92 Aldrich St. (Rte. 98), Uxbridge, MA 01569 Ph: (508) 278-5017 • Fx: (508) 278-3841 info@arrowheadacres.com • www.arrowheadacres.com

An elegant Country Club style facility complete with “Chapel in the Pines,” decorative bridge, country stone wall locations, and a beautiful fireplace for group photographs.

Catherine Elliott

50 w/tent A beautifully restored, historical mansion with a charm and elegance rarely found today. Estate grounds feature a 19th century style bandstand for ceremonies and photographs.

Blissful Meadows Golf Club (89)

Melissa Laskowski

801 Chockalog Rd., Uxbridge, MA Ph: (508) 278-6110 • Fx: (508) 278-7223 info@blissfulmeadows.com • www.blissfulmeadows.com

Country setting in converted historic barn. Outdoor gazebo for ceremonies and picture taking. Oversized deck for cocktail hours. Easy access to Worcester and Providence via 146.

Colleen Sampson or Sarah Moore

E, B, D, W Under $30 to $50

Yes

Max 85 (inside)

Yes

50/175

25/200

Cocke ’n Kettle Restaurant has been pleasing brides & grooms for 35 years, offering complete wedding packages along with outdoor ceremonies in meticulously manicured gardens. Handicap accessible.

Anne Beck

Indian Ranch (46)

Under $30

50/500

P.O. Box 421, 123 Elm St., Millbury, MA Ph: (508) 865-0855 • www.asawaters.org

E, B, D, W

Varies

Yes

Asa Waters Mansion (88)

240 S. Main St., P.O. Box 368, Uxbridge, MA Ph: (508) 278-5517 • Fx: (508) 278-3903 ctsampson@verizon.net • www.cockenkettle.com

E, B, D, W

Yes

Arrowhead Acres (84)

Cocke ‘n Kettle Restaurant (92)

E, B, D, W

$20-$40

Yes

75/400

Yes

200 Gore Rd., Webster, MA 01507 Picturesque setting overlooking scenic Webster Lake. Outdoor gazebo, large indoor banquet hall with full bar, in house catering, and two outdoor Ph: (508) 943-3871 banquets@indianranch.com • www.indianranch.com covered pavilions. Central location off Route 146, 1 mile off route 935.

Pleasant Valley Country Club (83) 95 Armsby Rd., Sutton, MA Ph: (508) 865-4441 • Fx: (508) 865-2276 sales@pleasantvalleycc.com www.pleasantvalleycc.com

Michelle Violette or Kerry Bardon

E, B, D, W

Under $30 to $50

Yes

20/400

Yes

1 in each building

20/130

Yes

Our magnificent views, elegant dining and attention to every detail will make your special occasion a day to remember. Accommodating events from 20–400 guests.

The Grafton Inn (74)

Kate Loughan

25 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA 01519 Ph: (508) 839-5931• Fx: (508) 839-1592 www.thegraftoninn.com

E, B, D, W Under $30 to 70 Yes

Renovated historic inn under NEW ownership, serving the finest foods on beautiful Grafton Common. Let our caring staff make your event one to remember always.

Twin River (53)

Donna Wing

100 Twin River Rd., Lincoln, RI 02865 Ph: (401) 475-8438 • Fx: (401) 305-5188 dwing@twinriver.com • www.twinriver.com

Twin River promises to create the wedding of a lifetime. Distinctively unique. Custom designed wedding packages and menus. Attention to detail. Ideal location.

E, B, D, W

$30 to 75+

Yes

50/1200

Be sure to tell these advertisers you saw their ad in BRIDE&GROOM! Publisher and function facilities assume no responsibility for typographical errors. Prices are subject to change. www.bridegroommag.com

BRIDE&GROOM

Spring/Summer 2008

105

Contact Person

Types of Functions

Price Range

On-Site Catering

Package Plan Available

Chocksett Inn (4)

Paula Kwiatkowski

E, B, D, W

$50 – 75

Yes

59 Laurelwood Rd., Sterling, MA 01564 Ph: (978) 422-3355 • Fx: (978) 422-3187 info@chocksettinn.com • www.chocksettinn.com

Country romance – featuring a stunning garden, canopied deck, elegant reception rooms, luxurious overnight accommodations, warm hospitality and fabulous food.

Colonial Hotel (9)

Mary Whitman

Reception Facility

Min/Max Room Ceremony Capacity Site

Number of Events

Overnight Accommo(Held at one time) dations

North of Worcester

625 Betty Spring Rd., Gardner, MA Ph: (978) 630-2500 • Fx: (978) 632-0913 weddingsales@colonial-hotel.com www.colonial-hotel.com

E, B, D, W

$30 – 60

Yes

25/250

25/425

Yes

1–2

Yes

1–3

Yes

1–2

Yes

Nearby

Classic elegance, attentive service and wonderful food. Elegant grand ballroom accommodating 25 - 425 guests. Spacious courtyard tent allows for picturesque ceremonies.

Four Points by Sheraton, Leominster (46)

Jennifer Berube

99 Erdman Way, Jct. Rtes. 2 & 12 , Leominster, MA Ph: (978) 534-9000 • Fx: (978) 466-3400 jberube@fourpointsleom.com www.fourpoints.com/leominster

Make all your wedding dreams come true! Outstanding facilities, custom menus, special attention to every detail. Call for more information regarding facilities and service.

Harrington Farm (43)

Irena Clark

178 Westminster Rd., Princeton, MA (978) 464-5600 x11 • sales@harringtonfarm.com www.harringtonfarm.com

We offer an elegant country ambiance with spectacular food and service while Mother Nature provides the panoramic views and scenic backdrops for your special day.

Hidden Hills - Four Star Catering (85)

Mark Hagemeyer

202 Rindge Rd., Rindge, NH 03461 Ph: (603) 899-5001, (800) 698-5002 • Fx: (603) 899-2037

fourstarcatering@prodigy.net

E, B, D, W

$25 – 60

$50 – 75

$30 – 50

Yes

Available

Yes

25/600

50/225

50/600

Yes

Beautifully decorated indoor and outdoor facility serving up to 600 guests. Customized menus and services based on your complete satisfaction. All we need is you!

www.fourstarcatering.com

Mitch Marron

Mount Pleasant Country Club (54) 369 Cross Street, Boylston, MA 01505 Ph: (508) 869-2326 • Fx: (508) 869-3197 mmarron@mountpleasantcc.org www.mountpleasantcc.org

E, B, D, W

Under $30

Yes

30/250

Mount Pleasant is situated on 200 pristine acres in Central Massachusetts. The Clubhouse ballroom is the perfect venue for showers, rehearsal dinners and receptions.

Janice Potter

Shaker Hills Golf Club (20)

E, B, D, W

$50 – 75

Yes

100/150

146 Shaker Rd., Harvard, MA 01451 Ph: (978) 772-2227 (ext. 103) • Fx: (978) 772-3857 jpotter@shakerhills.com • www.shakerhills.com

Hosting only one reception a day—yours. Canopied terrace for cocktails, walls of windows with golf course views and scenic outdoor ceremony site available.

Shattuck Golf Club (71)

Kathie Saari

53 Dublin Road, Jaffrey, NH 03452 Ph: (603) 878-2000 Kathie@shattuckweddings.com www.shattuckweddings.com

E, B, D, W

$30 – 50

Yes

25/250

Breathtaking scenic vistas overlook the Mountain View Grille for bridal showers/rehearsal dinners, the Stone Terrace for ceremonies/photos and the Shattuck’s Cathedral Ballroom for idyllic receptions.

Sterling National Country Club (41)

Alexandra Bavosi

33 Albright Road, Sterling, MA Ph: (978) 422-0275 • Fx: (978) 422-8055 www.sterlingcc.com

E, B, D, W

Private club setting with panoramic views of championship golf course provides you with 200+ seating,an oversized dance floor, bridal room and award winning chefs.

The 1761 Old Mill Restaurant (10)

Kristy Ashley

Route 2A, P.O. Box 460, Westminster, MA 01473 Ph: (978) 874-5941 • Fx: (978) 874-0914 www.1761oldmill.com

The 1761 Old Mill offers the best of New England hospitality and charm. Our picturesque setting is the perfect location for your wedding, rehearsal dinner or shower.

E, B, D, W

$25 – 65

Yes

Under $30

Yes

25/225

10/150

Yes

The Manor Restaurant and Function Facilities (86)

Dianne Johnson

42 West Boylston St., West Boylston, MA Ph: (508) 835-5880 • Fx: (508) 835-3893 dianne@ourmanor.com • www.ourmanor.com

Come and enjoy our brand new beautiful facility, elegant ballrooms, private hospitality rooms, undivided attention, accommodating service. Prime dates for 2008/2009.

Wachusett Mountain (49)

Melissa Banks

499 Mountain Rd., Princeton, MA 01541 Ph: (978) 464-3175 • Fx: (978) 464-3185 missy@wachusett.com • www.wachusett.com

Surrounded by magical and breathtaking vistas, the ideal wedding location. From ceremonies to receptions, our attentitive staff is dedicated to serving you. Off-weekend discounts available.

Wachusett Village Inn (35)

Michelle Kupfer

9 Village Inn Rd., Westminster, MA Ph: (978) 571-2524 • Fx: (978) 874-1753 michelle@wachusettvillageinn.com www.wachusettvillageinn.com

Design your destination wedding weekend! Full service facility with salon and spa services. Exclusive to our package is a horse drawn carriage and chocolate fountain.

E, B, D, W

$20 – 60

$30 – 50

$42 – 52

Yes

25/375

300 Max

10/400

Yes

106 Spring/Summer

2008

BRIDE&GROOM

www.bridegroommag.com

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edding

Bagpiper Books Bouquet Preservation Bridal Registry Bridal Shops Bridal Shows Cakes Catering Ceremony Music Destination Weddings Donation Services Entertainment Favors Florists Hair & Makeup Honeymoon Spots Invitations Jewelry Limousines Mortgage Officiants Photography Pre-wedding Services Reception Facilities Rentals

108 108 108 108 108 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 111 111 103 111

Restaurants Shoes Tuxedos Videography Wedding Consulting Wedding Internet Services

111 111 111 111 111 111

esources

BAGPIPER Sound O’ the Pipes (87) 101 Turnpike Rd., Ashby, MA 01431 (978) 386-7797 www.soundothepipes.com Celebrate your special occasion with expert bagpiping. Over 30 years of experience, demo CD, four wedding packages, Scottish and Irish music and FREE T-shirts!

BOOKS Thomas O’Brien (80) www.thomaseobrien.com A Master Storyteller. Author of crime and mystery novels gripping enough to keep you wanting to know more. Promised to be a book club favorite.

BOUQUET PRESERVATION Holmes-Shusas Florist, Inc. (47) One Ararat Street, Worcester, MA 01606 (508) 853-2550 • (800) 638-1418 www.Holmes-Shusas.com Specializing in freeze dried wedding bouquets since 1989. All preservations done on site. Four styles to choose from. We can include your invitation! Visit us online.

BRIDAL REGISTRY Kohl’s Bridal Aisle® Gift Registry (37)

Elegance by Carbonneau (17) 292 West Boylston St., Worcester, MA (508) 595-0400 • www.mydress4less.com Everything Bridal! Offering a large selection of bridal gowns, shoes, tiaras, veils, accessories and much more!

Loren’s Bridal

For the Kohl’s store nearest you, call (800) 837-1500 www.kohls.com Kohl’s Bridal Aisle® Gift Registry. Visit our gift registry in store or online at Kohls.com today!

454 Main St., Sturbridge, MA 01566 (508) 347-5222 When choosing your wedding gown, discover Loren’s where we’ll treat your wedding like it was our own. Appointments suggested.

Macy’s (Back Cover)

Pronuptia Bridals (27)

(800) 568-8865 www.macysweddingchannel.com Macy’s Wedding & Gift Registry provides couples and guests with the ultimate registry experience with over 400 stores nationwide, a toll-free number and 24-hour online services.

Picadilly Plaza, 490 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA (508) 753-4426 www.pronuptiabridals.com Pronuptia Bridals is the leading full-service bridal salon in Worcester County, offering the best selection of bridal, bridesmaids, mothers, flowergirls and prom gowns.

Royal Prestige Products (67) (508) 285-5044 www.rpbridalconcepts.com Royal Prestige specializes in West Bend healthy cooking products, fine china, crystal, quality tableware, cutlery, water and air purification. Fifty-year warranties.

BRIDAL SHOPS Elaine’s Bridal (90) 289 Main St., Webster, MA 01570 (866) 943-8008 elainesbridal@verizon.net Personalized service for the entire wedding party. Featuring spacious dressing salons and walk-ins welcomed. Ample parking across from town hall.

108 Spring/Summer 2008 BRIDE&GROOM

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QLook Bridal (8) 1200 Main St., Worcester, MA 01603 (508) 459-9291 www.qlookbridal.net Everything you need for a perfect wedding. From wedding gowns, to bridesmaids and mothers dresses, accessories and event tux rentals. We offer make up, hair styles and wedding photographers.

The Special Event Bridal Shoppe (41) 114 Broad St., Marlboro, MA 01752 (508) 624-9392 • www.specialeventbridalshop.com Specializing in wedding gowns and party dresses for special occasions. Call for an appointment at your convenience.

BRIDAL SHOWS

Pepper’s Fine Foods Catering (50)

The Original Wedding Expo™ (22, 23)

43 Hudson St., Northboro, MA 01532 (508) 393-6844 • www.pepperscatering.com Your dreams and our experience... the taste and imagination of great catering. Over 16 years of experience with innovative cuisine and custom event design.

334 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (888) 774-3976 • Fax: 508-770-0065 info@originalweddingexpo.com www.originalweddingexpo.com Since 1978, The Original Wedding Expo™ has been the area’s longest running and most respected bridal show. Featuring six expos in September, October and January.

CAKES Bean Counter Cake & Pastry Shop (45) 288 Boston Turnpike Rd., Shrewsbury, MA (508) 754-0505 Allow Bean Counter Bakery to work with you in creating your dream wedding cake. We offer elegant designs and exquisite flavors.

Struck Catering (26) 130 Hamilton St., Worcester, MA 01604 (508) 755-5953 info@struckcatering.com • www.struckcatering.com Elegant, Whimsical... Simply Delicious! Let Struck Catering bring your ideas to the table. Please call for our full wedding package.

CEREMONY MUSIC Wedding Trumpeter

Why Me, Inc. 1152 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA 01602 (508) 757-7734 • info@WhyMe.org • www.whyme.org Why Me & Sherry’s House provide Central New England families with emotional and financial assistance, helping to alleviate the pain and isolation of childhood cancer.

Gold Star Blvd., Worcester, MA 01604 (508) 852-0746 www.thecrownbakery.com Let Crown Bakery create the wedding of your dreams with your own distinctive wedding cake. Specializing in party pastries, cookie trays and cake ornaments.

28 JFK Ave., Clinton, MA (978) 365-6337 weddingtrumpeter@excite.com www.weddingtrumpeter.com Mark Bacon “The Wedding Trumpeter” has been performing glorious and triumphant music since 1983. Your complimentary wedding music planner and MP3’s are online at: WeddingTrumpeter.com.

Culpepper’s Bakery (56)

DESTINATION WEDDINGS

500 Cambridge St., Worcester, MA 01610 (508) 755-8393 A quality cake you will be proud to serve. Full line of cookie and pastry trays also available.

Young’s/American Express Travel (96)

Festive Events (1)

31A Auburn St., Auburn, MA 01501 • (508) 721-2601 aanderson@youngstravel.com • www.youngstravel.com Exclusive desitination weddings and honeymoon programs. TOP 20 worldwide romance destinations. FREE personalized Web site. WORRY-FREE planning with our “certified specialists.” Voted Best of Worcester.

260 Long Pond Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360 (800) 370-8863 davelong@festiveevents.com www.festiveevents.com Festive Events believes that every wedding is special and unique. Our approach is designed to assist you in planning your perfect wedding.

DONATION SERVICES

New England Conservatory Music Referral Service (40)

Crown Bakery (28)

Custom Wedding Cakes by Penny Eagleton (20) Auburn, MA 01501 (508) 832-3814 www.customweddingcakesbypenny.com Beautiful cakes! Gourmet flavors including the original awardwinning “Kahlúa Cookie Cake.” For personalized service and free delivery in Worcester area, call Penny.

Dianne Rockwell – The Cake Lady 239 Sterling Rd., Lancaster, MA 01523 (978) 365-5092 cakelady@wwwisp.com • wwwisp.com/cakelady Custom designed wedding cakes, exquisitely decorated & available in dozens of delicious flavor combinations. Free local delivery. Consultations by appointment.

CATERING Buggy Whip Catering 343 Providence Road, South Grafton, MA 01560 (508) 839-3458 www.buggywhipcatering.com The Buggy Whip Catering Service has been serving traditional American fare to brides and grooms in Worcester and surrounding counties since 1953.

Cardoos Gourmet Caterers (6, 7)

Worcester County Food Bank 474 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 842-FOOD (3663) The Worcester County Food Bank distributes almost 4 million pounds of food to nearly 300 local shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, etc. in 60+ communities.

ENTERTAINMENT

I Do Foundation (67) 1202 Delafield Place NW, Washington, DC 20011 (202) 841-1563 info@idofoundation.org • www.idofoundation.org From charitable favors to registries that give back, we give couples an opportunity to raise donations for charity(s) of their choice in a variety of ways.

Joslin Diabetes Center

290 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115 (617) 585-1170 MRS@newenglandconservatory.edu www.newenglandconservatory.edu/MRS Bring the joy of music to any special event! NEC’s Music Referral Service provides artistic excellence and exceptional value. Perfect for any distinguished occasion.

1 Joslin Place, Development Office Boston, MA 02215 (617) 732-2412 catherine.marinello@joslin.harvard.edu • www.joslin.org Consider making a charitable donation to Joslin Diabetes Center in lieu of party favors and receive cards personalized by you for your guests!

Sonic DJ (84)

Rachel’s Table

The Marty Gilman Band

633 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609 (508) 799-7699 Brides, donate your excess food from your banquet to families at a local homeless shelter. Rachel’s Table will deliver for you.

(508) 752-4027 • mgband@charter.net www.martygilmanband.com Over 2000 great weddings! From 3–7 musicians, featuring male/female vocalists and horns. Swing, classic hits, Top 40. This band gets everyone up dancing!

135 Westborough Rd., North Grafton, MA (508) 839-2213, (877) 655-3911 cardcater@aol.com • www.cardooscater.com Catering to the brides of New England for over 30 years. Voted best wedding caterer for 11 years in Metro West by Community Newspapers.

Fitchburg, MA (978) 345-1354 brian@sonicdj.com • www.OurWeddingDJ.com Discover four things you absolutely must know before you book a DJ for your wedding, plus secrets to a stress-free reception at our Web site.

FAVORS Colonial Candies (81) 47 Sugar Rd., Bolton, MA • (978) 779-6586 KJHebert71@aol.com • www.colonialcandies.com Handmade chocolate wedding and party favors. Beautiful and delicious. Wonderful hostess gifts for you guest’s hotel rooms. Personalizing available.

Exclusive Chefs (65) P.O. Box 2522, Worcester, MA 01613 (508) 459-2888 exclusivechefs@yahoo.com • www.exclusivechefs.com We are a company that prides itself on its relentless search for visual perfection without sacrificing our quality or service. “The Catering Company for New England.”

www.bridegroommag.com

BRIDE&GROOM

Spring/Summer 2008

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FLORISTS

D’Iorio’s Salon (73)

Sachs Jewelers (3)

Danielson Flowers

335A Plantation St., Worcester, MA (508) 756-7791 For the ultimate in chic weddings, let our salon staff coordinate your entire bridal party’s hairstyles and makeup. Even color coordinate your hair color, too.

180 Route 9 East, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 792-2300 www.sachsjewelers.com Specializing in diamond engagement rings and wedding bands. Our showroom boasts Worcester County’s largest selection of diamonds and the latest styles, brands, and custom-designed bridal jewelry.

660 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 842-8992 www.danielsonflowers.com Let our experienced staff make your day beautiful. View our Web site for photos of our bouquets and information. See our private wedding area for ideas.

Flor-Al’s 372 Chandler St., Worcester, MA 01602 (508) 753-7005 aldeluca@flor-als.com • www.flor-als.com A creative and distinctive floral designer for classically elegant weddings and special occasions. Albert A. DeLuca AIFD, AAF.

Floral Elegance (84) 204 Worcester St, North Grafton, MA 01536 (508) 839-9811 floralelegance@charter.net • www.graftonflowers.com The flowers spoke of romance and joy. Everyone could feel it. Your dreams, our designs. Beverly McClure AIFD, accredited by American Institute of Floral Designers.

Herbert E. Berg Florist (32) 19 Blackstone River Rd., Worcester, MA 01607 (508) 755-5888, (800) 383-2374 www.bergflorist.com Herbert E. Berg offers personalized floral designs and superior service. Come in and take advantage of our 70th anniversary specials!

Holmes-Shusas Florists, Inc. (47) One Ararat St., Worcester, MA 01606 (508) 853-2550, (800) 638-1418 hshusas@aol.com • www.holmes-shusas.com The Bride’s Choice for 30 years. Wedding packages and freeze dried floral preservation. Call for a free color brochure. Visit us online.

KaBloom - Shrewsbury

Image Hair Salon (88) 533 Park Ave., Worcester, MA (508) 754-5588 Specializing in Wedding Day Image, hair styling, creative nails, foil highlighting, permanent waving & make-up. Human hair extensions. Featuring Motives customized makeup.

HONEYMOON SPOTS MEGA Divi & Tamarijn All-Inclusives (98) Oranjestad, Aruba • (800) 554-2008 • www.diviaruba.com MEGA means more all-inclusive choices! With the Divi Aruba or the Tamarijn Aruba’s Deluxe ocean-front MEGA category, you’ll have full use of both resorts.

SANDALS (97) www.destinationweddings.com Created exclusively for couples in love. Sandals is a collection of the most idyllic “Luxury Included Vacation” resorts on earth. Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia, The Bahamas.

INVITATIONS C.C. Lowell (28) 258 Park Ave., Worcester, MA 01609 (508) 757-7713 www.cclowellinvite.com Custom-designed, unique invitations to reflect YOUR style. Hundreds of decorative papers and stationery; fun, knowledgeable, creative staff! Visit our store or Web site for ideas.

Celebrations! Invitations (72)

50 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 799-0900 store637@kabloom.com • www.KaBloom.com/weddings Full service florist. Daily deliveries local and nationwide. Innovative and traditional floral designs. Weddings, showers, sympathy and special events.

12 Stonybrook Lane, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 845-3676 celebrations@townisp.com www.celebrations-invitations.com Choose from our extensive line of engagement and wedding announcements, invitations and favors. Mention this ad and receive a 20% discount.

The Frugal Flower, Inc. (55)

The Paper Store (92)

736 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776 (800) 582-4390 www.frugalflower.com Providing flowers that reflect your personality and style, The Frugal Flower is a full service florist where “Elegance is Made Affordable.”

20 Main St., Acton, MA 01720 adv@thepaperstore.com • www.thepaperstore.com It is your day! The perfect Announcements, Save-the-Dates, Invitations, Gifts and Stationery await you at The Paper Store, with 21 locations in New England.

HAIR & MAKEUP

94 Fitzpatrick Rd., Grafton, MA 01519 (508) 839-6401 theprtshop@aol.com • www.formalaffair.com/printshop 25% - 50% off all invitations and accessories, including premier lines such as William Arthur and Encore, or FREE calligraphy. Over 25 years experience assisting bridal clients.

Biancaneve (45) 83 Perkins St., Suite #3, Boston, MA 02130 (617) 524-8976 marydinino@biancaneve.us • www.biancaneve.us Unveil the beautiful bride in you with exceptional makeup artistry by Biancaneve! Hands-on expertise with celebrities, models, Miss USA—and discerning brides like you.

The Print Shop

JEWELRY Goldstein, Swank & Gordon (29) Auburn Mall, Auburn, MA (508) 832-9994 Solomon Pond Mall, Marlboro, MA (508) 624-9994 Exquisite fine jewelry and Swiss watches since 1899. Capture the moments of a lifetime with creations by David Yurman, Mikimoto and other acclaimed designers.

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LIMOUSINES A.A. Transportation Co., Inc. (79) 605 Hartford Tpke. (Rte. 20), Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 791-9100 www.aatransportation.com A full-service transportation company. From exotic 20-passenger Super Stretch SUVs to eight-passenger Lincolns. We have the limo to fit your needs.

Able Limousine, Inc. (33) (508) 435-3903, (800) 499-3903 www.ablelimousineinc.com

Gray’s Limousine (21, 31) P.O. Box 760, Boylston, MA 01505 (508) 756-7477, (508) 869-6365 www.grayslimo.com Specializing in weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties and airport transportation. Featuring Rolls Royces and other passenger limousines with uniformed chauffeurs. Visit our showroom.

MORTGAGE Sundeck Mortgage, Inc. (78) Markens Benoit 172 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA 01604 (508) 868-0248 markens@sundeckmortgage.com www.sundeckmortgage.com Our Approach Is: Advise & let you decide. Available to support your decisions. Establish trusting relationships. “We are Your Partners in Financing Your Dreams.” Contact us today.

OFFICIANTS Spiro J. Efstathiou, Justice of the Peace P.O. Box 2279, Worcester, MA 01613 (508) 826-7775 spiroje@yahoo.com Justice of the Peace.

PHOTOGRAPHY

TUXEDOS

Christopher Wakeen Photojournalist (80)

Bonardi’s Formalwear (39) WEDDING SPECIALISTS Worcester 179 Highland St. • (508) 754-4036 Auburn: 482 Southbridge St. • (508) 832-7579 Sturbridge: Rte. 20 West • (508) 347-3461 Milford: 156 Main St. • (508) 478-0466 Framingham: 1261 Worcester Rd. • (508) 875-6159 Nationwide Service call (800) 752-4036 www.bonardis.com Dressing men for special occasions since 1923. Sizes infant to 71 in stock! We take the worry out of looking your best on your wedding day.

178 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01605 (508) 753-8920 chris@wakeenphotography.com www.wakeenphotography.com “Chris is more than a ‘photographer.’ His artful, creative images captured the joy and beauty of our wedding day.” –Mr. & Mrs. JN, Worcester, MA.

Doros Photography (40) 315 Maple Ave., Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 755-9213 bill@dorosphotography.com • www.dorosphotography.com Exceptional husband and wife team with 17 years of experience specializing in portrait and photojournalist style weddings. Packages range from $1,299. to $6,000.

HJM Photography (12) 107 Elmwood St., Auburn, MA 01501 (508) 753-2230 www.hjmphotography.com The ultimate in professional photography. We offer a full service studio and in-house photography lab for customizing your wedding photos. Call for an appointment.

Media Photo (86) 63 Auburn St., Auburn, MA 01501 (508) 832-4716 mediafoto@aol.com Save your money for the honeymoon! Affordable wedding packages. Studio located in Auburn, MA. We love what we do and so do our clients.

RussRo Photography (25) 365 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540 (508) 987-5249, (800) 287-5249 www.russro.com Yours for the day, memories for a lifetime. Award-winning photographer specializing in personal service. Free travel throughout New England.

Twin Photo (50) 9 Hamilton St., Clinton, MA 01510 (800) 956-3306 joe@twinphoto.net • www.twinphoto.net Twin Photo has an all inclusive sale package for $1175. It includes everything you need for your special day! Call now to reserve your date.

Visions by Baker Photography (28, 101) 61 Harvard St., Worcester, MA 01609 (877) 901-7468 visionsphoto@usa.net • www.visionsbybaker.com If you’re not thrilled with your images, I’ll pay you for the trouble! Certified professional photographer and member of the BBB. Your memories, treasured forever!

PRE-WEDDING SERVICES Engaged Encounter (82) (508) 852-3048 It is a weekend designed to give couples planning marriage an opportunity for an intensive and honest look at their commitment to one another.

VIDEOGRAPHY Davagian Video Productions

Shop-For-U (27) 70 Richland St., Worcester, MA 01610 (508) 250-2270 tina@shop-for-u.com • www.shop-for-u.com Quality wedding gifts for brides, grooms, and the wedding party at a discounted price. Your reliable, convenient, personal shopping service!

Mark Willand Video Productions

RECEPTION FACILITIES

P.O. Box 1261, Douglas, MA 01516 • (508) 341-5860 mark@bridevideo.com • www.bridevideo.com Let the extraordinary talent of a Fox Television Producer make your wedding video a masterpiece. Unobtrusive and affordable. Check our Web site for reasonable prices.

(see page 103)

RENTALS A Perfect Setting (11) (888) 830-7887 info@aperfectsetting.com • www.aperfectsetting.com A Perfect Setting provides the quality wedding and party rentals that let you produce memorable events, styled with your personal taste.

Elegant Linens Ltd. 296 Providence Rd., S. Grafton, MA (508) 839-9332 www.elegantlinensltd.com If you’re planning a wedding, call Elegant Linens today for an appointment. See the difference our special touch can make for your special day.

RESTAURANTS Piccadilly Pub (80) Rte. 12, Auburn Rte. 85, Marlboro Rte. 28, N. Reading Rte. 20, Sturbridge Rte. 9, Worcester Rte. 5, West Springfield Rte. 1A Dedham

612 Beacon Park Rd., Webster, MA 01570 (508) 865-4145 davagianvideo@yahoo.com • www.davagianvideo.com Utilizing high definition cameras and a fine eye for detail, we preserve the emotions of your wedding day in a memorable DVD keepsake. Demo available.

Rte. 140, Foxboro Tri-Boro Plaza, N. Attleboro Rte. 28, Randolph Rte. 38, Tewksbury Connector Rd., Westboro Rtes. 140 & 495, Franklin Rte. 128 Waltham

McDonald Productions Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 845-9101 john@mcdonaldvideography.com www.mcdonaldvideography.com A professional videographer with over 20 years experience using the latest digital technology to capture the magic of your wedding. HIGH DEFINITION (HDTV) now available.

WEDDING CONSULTING New England Nuptials (72) 27 Prospect St., Auburn, MA 01501 (508) 832-4868 christine@nenuptials.com • www.nenuptials.com Dedicated to making your dream wedding a reality without the stress. Our focus is on personalizing the details to reflect the style of each couple.

SHOES Elegance by Carbonneau (17) 292 West Boylston St., Worcester, MA (508) 595-0400 • www.mydress4less.com Largest selection of shoes & tiaras/veils. Unbeatable prices on: jewelry, engrave-able gifts, headpieces, veils, invitations, and toasting glasses. M 11-5; Tues & Thur 11-7; Wed & Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5; Sun 12-4

Shoes to Dye For (2) 1 Apple Hill, Suite #5, Natick, MA 01760 (508) 653-6063 dyeable@aol.com • www.shoestodyefor.com Over 180 styles in-stock of bridal dyeable and evening shoes. Custom dyeing on premises. Designers: Kenneth Cole, Nina, Dyeables, Coloriffics, Touch-Ups, Colorful Creations and Grace.

WEDDING INTERNET SERVICES BrideGroomMag.com (51) BRIDE&GROOM™ Magazine’s first official Web site! Log on for sneak peeks at upcoming issues and to find out where to get your free copy.

OriginalWeddingExpo.com (91) Your connection to finding the best Wedding Expos. 2-for-1 passes available for download. Comprehensive Planning Guide features everything from bridal shops to videographers.

www.bridegroommag.com

BRIDE&GROOM

Spring/Summer 2008

111

PARTING SHOT

EDITH and JOSH ZIMMERING Second Beach Newport, RI November 2007 Photo: www.sarazarrella.com

112 Spring/Summer 2008 BRIDE&GROOM

www.bridegroommag.com

Premiering at

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Premiering at

Braintree, MA September 28, 2008 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

www.gabymccarthy.com

Presenting the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest Bands Beauty Consultants Bridal Accessories Bridal Registries Cakes Caterers

Disc Jockeys Favors Flowers Formalwear Gowns Invitations

Jewelry Limousines On-line Wedding Sites Photographers Reception Sites and more!

Exhibiting opportunities available. Call Allen Lederman 888-774-3976 www.originalweddingexpo.com

ever after WEDDING & GIFT REGISTRY

Shouldn’t your true love be rewarded? Join Macy's Wedding & Gift Registry Star Rewards Program today! Discover the first registry with this unique rewards program. At Macy’s Wedding & Gift Registry, you earn 10% Rewards on eligible Macy’s Star Rewards Card† purchases throughout the store and 5% Rewards on eligible gift purchases your guests make from your registry. Plus, Macy’s Completion Program will save you 10% on your remaining registry items. It's easy to enroll and start earning rewards. Macy’s Wedding & Gift Registry is a coast-to-coast love aﬀair! We provide couples and their guests with the ultimate registry experience with over 800 stores nationwide, a toll-free number, 1-800-568-8865, and 24-hour online services!

†Subject to credit approval. See a Bridal Consultant or Sales Associate for details and restrictions.