2014
Weddings It
takes a lot of planning to create the perfect wedding, and choosing the venue is the first, and many would agree, most important step. The venue often sets the tone for the entire wedding, whether it be rustic or contemporary, formal or casual. And size - as well as budget - does matter when it comes to selecting the ideal setting to say “I do.” In the local area, there is a wide variety of wedding venues available to couples. At the Original Bridal Expo to be held Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlborough, hotels, conference centers, inns, and country clubs are among the facilities represented. “Weddings are getting smaller in general,” explained Bob Chevalier, producer of the Wedding Expo. “The average wedding is now around 150 people; it used to be 250 to 300.” Because of this, there are many more options available for couples who may not need as much space. The 200-year-old Grafton Inn is perfect for the new trend of smaller, more intimate weddings.The Colonial-style inn can host 25 to 120 people, with a cozy atmosphere and fireplaces.
Local wedding venues offer couples wide variety of options By Valerie Franchi PHOTO/ SUE WAMBOLT
Venues page 4
Hannah (Haskell) and Scott Wambolt share a special moment.
Custom rings give brides infinite choices By Valerie Franchi
W
hile diamonds will always be the gem most associated with weddings, jewelers are expanding their choices and creating custom-made rings to satisfy engaged couples’ desire to express individuality. “Custom, custom, custom,” said Karl Sachs of Sachs Jewelers in Shrewsbury. “That is the trend.” Engagement rings and wedding bands now come in a multitude of designs, metals, and even gems. “White gold is still king,” ex-
plained Deb Bordeaux of Designer Jewelers of Westborough, “but yellow gold seems to be making a comeback. Also, we are seeing a movement toward rose or pink gold… It has a red-yellow hue that accentuates the diamond.” There are even combinations of gold tones. “We sometimes see white gold with rose accents,” Sachs said, adding his store also carries a line of rings by Scottish designer Custom rings page 2