weddings inside columbia
2013
YOUR ULTIMATE RESOURCE GUIDE TO GETTING MARRIED IN COLUMBIA
how to choose the perfect veil 5 fresh ideas in flowers
School of
Rocks
diamond shapes and cuts explained
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Table of Contents
On The Cover
by t h e s ta f f o f
Inside Columbia Publisher Fred Parry Associate Publisher Melody Parry Editor-in-Chief Sandy Selby Copy Editor Kathy Casteel Editorial Assistants Ren Bishop Morgan McCarty
photo by scott patrick myers Photography
y o u r u lti m ate g u i d e t o g ettin g m a rrie d in C o l u m b i a
emily spain & travis critchfield married june 9, 2012
Creative Director Carolyn Preul
P h oto By scott patric k m yer s
Graphic Designers Casey Loring Kate Moore Photo Editor L.G. Patterson Director of Sales Bill Bales Director of Marketing Kevin Magee Marketing Representatives Dinah Alfaro Whitney Davis Kyle Gross Crystal Midkiff Bobby Remis Sales Assistants Jessica Card Kalie Clennin Director of Customer Retention Gerri Shelton
In This Issue
Getting Organized..................................................................................... 4 the budget quiz............................................................................................ 8 diamond shapes and cuts explained.................................................. 10
Assistant Finance Manager Brenda Brooks
5 fresh ideas in flowers............................................................................ 14
Distribution Manager John Lapsley
making your guests feel special........................................................... 16
Contributing Writers Briana Brooks Elizabeth Gallaway Anita Neal Harrison Contributing Photographers Scott Patrick Myers Art & Soul Photography YouPhotography Kate Podjan
a wedding story: emily spain & travis critchfield...................... 20 how to choose the perfect veil......................................................... 24 tips for staying organized..................................................................... 26 finding the perfect honeymoon........................................................ 28 alternative ideas to the traditional cake.................................... 30
Inside Columbia’s Weddings is produced by OutFront Communications LLC., 47 E. Broadway, Columbia, Mo., 65203, 573-442-1430. Copyright OutFront Communications, 2013. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.
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To - Do by a nita ne a l h a rri s o n
Getting Organized t h e b ri d e ’ s m o nt h - by- m o nt h we d d in g c h ec k l i s t
Y
You’re getting married! Congratulations! Now it’s time to get planning. With some good organization, you can keep your excitement level high and your stress level low as you move toward the big day. This month-by-month checklist will help. If it seems overwhelming at first, remember this is everything (or nearly everything) that needs to be done. Don’t expect to take it all on at once. Just take it one month at a time, and the overwhelming job will become quite manageable.
family members to be your attendants.
12 months to go o Set the date. o Settle your budget. Decide who will pay for what. o Hire your wedding consultant. o Speak with your minister. o Begin premarital counseling. o Reserve wedding and reception sites. o Book the caterer, baker, florist, photographer, videographer, musicians and DJ.
o Other: ______________
o Select music for the ceremony and reception.
o Order all the female attendants’ dresses.
o Choose the men’s formal wear. o Book all transportation.
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o Other: ______________
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10 months to go
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o Begin planning the honeymoon.
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o Ask chosen friends and
o Order invitations and announcements.
o Other: ______________
o Create the guest list.
7 months to go
o Put together a things-todo/sights-to-see guide for out-of-town guests.
o Register with at least three places.
11 months to go
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o Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
9 months to go
o Order your wedding gown. o Other: ______________
8 months to go o Schedule an engagement photo session in time to have photos by Month 6. o Begin planning the rehearsal dinner.
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o Meet with your florist for an ideas session.
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o Other: ______________
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o Other: ______________
6 months to go o Send engagement announcement to papers and submit the information online to Inside Columbia at www.InsideColumbia.net. o Meet with your baker to choose the wedding cake and groom’s cake.
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To - Do o Choose your hairstyle, and purchase your accessories, shoes, etc.
o Other: ______________
1 month to go
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o Pick up wedding rings.
o Other: ______________
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o Have your bridal portrait taken.
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o Finalize plans for the rehearsal dinner.
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5 months to go o Meet with your florist to finalize decisions, place order.
o Order the wedding bands. o Purchase gifts for all the attendants and your fiancé. o Plan the seating arrangements for the rehearsal dinner and reception.
o Order napkins and other reception necessities not covered by caterer.
o Make two appointments with your hairstylist — one for a trial run and one for your wedding day (if you’re having a bridal portrait, schedule the trial run for the same day).
o Other: ______________
o Other: ______________
o Order all decorations not covered by florist, including rental items.
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4 months to go o Meet with your caterer to select menu. o Meet with your photographer and videographer to select packages. o Meet with the musicians and DJ to finalize decisions. o Make an appointment at your nail salon this month to begin prepping your nails. o Finalize your honeymoon plans, make all the reservations, and order all the tickets.
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3 months to go
2 months to go o Mail the wedding invitations. o Finalize accommodation arrangements for out-oftown guests. o Submit all tuxedo sizes with the formal wear store.
o Have all final fittings.
o Prepare all the necessary forms for name and address changes. o Have your programs printed.
o Create a wedding day schedule to hand out at the rehearsal. o Other: ______________
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o Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts. o Other: ______________
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2 weeks to go o Get the marriage license. o Give invitations to the rehearsal dinner. o Make sure you have all the clothes, shoes and accessories you’ll need before, during and after the wedding. o Buy clothes and supplies for the honeymoon.
o Shop for lingerie.
o Reconfirm honeymoon reservations.
o Other: ______________
o Confirm all transportation plans.
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o Address announcements to mail on your wedding day.
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o Start “breaking in” your wedding shoes at home.
o Touch base with caterer, baker, florist, photographer, videographer, musicians and DJ.
1 week to go o Provide the caterer with a final guest count. o Throw or attend the bridesmaids’ party. Give the bridesmaids their gifts there. o Appoint someone not in the wedding party to handle last-minute concerns. o Review expectations with all wedding party members. o Try on everything you plan to wear the day of the wedding, including undergarments and jewelry. o Go for your final manicure. o Pack for the honeymoon. o Pack your wedding day bag. o Other: ______________
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the day before o Relax! Enjoy the company of a few close friends and family members. o Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. o Get plenty of rest. P
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Budget by m o r g a n m c c a rt y / / i l l u s tr ati o n by k ate m o o re
Money Matters
D
ta k e o u r q u i z t o re v e a l y o u r s pen d in g s t y l e
Do you splurge or save? Take our quiz to find out and become more aware of your spending habits before you begin to plan your wedding. 1. Do you make purchases on a whim? A yes B no C occasionally 2. Do you have trouble paying off your credit card bill? A yes B no C occasionally
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3. Do you deposit part of your paycheck into a savings account each month? A no B yes C occasionally 4. Do you wait for a sale to purchase something expensive? A no B yes C occasionally
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5. Do you have a monthly budget? A no B yes C occasionally 6. Do you always feel a need to have the latest gadget or wear the newest clothing trend? A yes B no C occasionally
scoring guide Mostly A’s: You like to splurge. When planning your wedding, take extra time considering purchases and deciding how much to pay a vendor. A budget is a musthave for your wedding. Mostly B’s: You are a saver. When planning your wedding, it will be easy for you to seek out deals and stick to your budget. You can be trusted to indulge yourself in small ways. Mostly C’s: You save while you splurge. You strive to find a balance between splurging and saving. Try to keep a level head while planning your wedding to ensure your savings don’t suffer from your splurges. A budget will be a good tool to use to help keep you on track.
Jewelry by e l i z a b et h g a l l a way a n d s a n d y s e l by / / p h o t o by Art & S o u l P h o t o g r a p h y
Tori Skirvin’s ring by Buchroeder’s Jewelers features a marquise-cut center diamond.
School of
E
Every bride dreams of the perfect engagement ring but before you go shopping, take our crash course in diamond shapes and cuts. The Gemological Institute of America points out that most people use the terms “cut” and “shape” interchangeably when describing the look they’re going for, but you can impress your jeweler by knowing the difference. Diamond shape refers to the stone’s outline — round, pear, oval, etc. — and the diamond’s cut is the arrangement of those light-catching facets.
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Rocks
d i a m o n d s h a pe s a n d c u t s e x p l a ine d
Brilliant Cut This is the most common facet arrangement and is applied to many shapes. The most popular choice for engagement rings is the round brilliant cut, which consists of 58 facets (if a culet facet is included at the bottom of the gemstone) or 57 facets (if the culet is pointed). There will be one octagonal table, or top flat surface of the diamond, 16 kite-shaped facets and 40 triangular-shaped facets, with an optional small octagonal facet at the culet. Other popular shapes for brilliant cut diamonds are: v Heart Shape The symbol of romance, the heart shape speaks of everlasting love with extra sparkle. This shape also requires a four-pronged setting. v Pear Shape Pear shape diamonds resemble a sparkling teardrop. This sophisticated style requires specialized settings.
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v Marquise Shape The marquise shape is an oval with pointed ends. The stone can be placed either horizontally or vertically across the band. This style looks best by itself or surrounded by smaller stones.
v Oval Shape This shape is very popular with women who wish to accentuate long, slender fingers. The oval diamond requires a six-pronged setting. Any shape that is not the round, brilliant shape is referred to as a fancy shaped diamond.
Jewelry
A rectangular cut shows off the clarity and color of the diamond with its large table and elegant facets.
Step Cut The step cut has shown up on many a royal finger. What step-cut diamonds lose in flash and sparkle, they more than make up for in clarity. The facets tend to be larger than those in brilliant-cut diamonds. Popular cuts in the subset of step cuts are: v Emerald Cut This cut was originally developed for cutting emeralds instead of diamonds, but makes for a lovely stone all the same. An emerald cut requires a four-pronged setting. v Asscher Cut The Asscher cut has a truly mesmerizing effect and mimics infinite depth. The cut was named after its creator, Joseph Asscher, and was a popular cut for jewelry of the Art Deco era. It is similar to the emerald cut, but its facets are generally larger and the
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cut tends to appear more often in square rather than rectangular-shaped diamonds. This cut creates a sophisticated look. v Cushion Cut This shape made its debut in the 1700s and was the most popular cut until the early 1900s. Lately, it’s been making a comeback with brides who appreciate its classic look. The cushion shape is available in varying styles, but most commonly a round-edged square or rectangle. It requires at least a four-pronged setting to secure its romantic and antique style.
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A princess-cut diamond is a classic alternative to the brilliant cut.
Mixed Cut Brides who want the best of both worlds may select a mixed-cut diamond, which incorporates some features of both brilliant and step-cut diamonds. v Princess Cut The most popular example of this style is the princess cut, which was developed in the 1960s and has emerged as the second most popular diamond shape, behind the round diamond. The princess cut is used with
square or rectangularshaped diamonds and it is popular because a diamond cutter can start with a rougher diamond than he might normally use. Because there’s less waste, the result is a more affordable price for the consumer.
Flowers by b ri a n a b r o o k s
The
FabulousFive g o r g e o u s f l o wer s yo u h a d n ’ t t h o u g h t to u s e
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B
Be unique at your wedding with unexpected floral arrangements. Here are five, out-of-the-ordinary flower types to consider using in your bouquet or decorations.
1. Watsonia flowers are beautiful spring annuals that can become a stunning arm sheaf bouquet. Watsonia flowers come in many bright colors, including white, pink, red and orange, perfect for spring and early summer espousals. 2. Blue lace flowers lend a dainty, romantic feel to any wedding. These pale, lavender-blue flowers are in bloom during the summer months. A single stem can have numerous clusters of smaller stems, each with many blooming and budding flowers. Mix blue lace flowers with hydrangeas for a soft, summery effect. 3. Gerbera daisies not only add a touch of color, but also a sense of fun to any nuptials. Gerbera daisies come in an assortment of eye-popping colors, including pink, red, orange, blue and yellow. These flowers are available yearround but are an especially fun addition to late summer and early fall weddings.
4. Anemone flowers come in an assortment of colors. These perennials are typically available from January to May and then again from August to December. When mixed with sweet peas, anemone flowers give a sense of elegance and formality with their striking dark centers. 5. Bouvardia flowers offer a simple touch to a fall ceremony. These blossoms have a delicate single or double star-like bloom, which comes in salmon, pink, white and red. The blooming seasons for these demure flowers make them perfect for fall and spring weddings.
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Guests by m o r g a n m c c a rt y
The Royal Treatment
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Your big day is all about you and your fiancé, but don’t forget about your guests’ needs. Make sure they have a good time — the entire time — at your wedding, and find small ways to make them feel welcome and comfortable. Accommodations Reserve a block of hotel rooms in a nice, but affordable hotel or bed and breakfast that is close to the church and venues you plan to use for your wedding. Ask for a group discount rate and find out if there is a concierge available to cater to your guests’ needs. The Emily Post Institute (the definitive source for etiquette, maintained by descendants of Emily Post, author of the seminal guide Etiquette) suggests that if local friends offer to host out-of-towners, don’t refuse. Pair hosts with guests who would be comfortable staying with them and make an introduction ahead of time.
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Welcome basket Anna Post of the Emily Post Institute suggests placing a welcome basket in each room. This is a nice way to welcome your guests to town with a few personal touches. Here are some ideas for packaging those welcome gifts: a tote bag (which can be monogrammed for each guest or imprinted with a simple logo or design of your choice); a colorful, nice paper bag, gable boxes; or a small picnic basket. Some standard things to include in your basket are bottled water, sweet and savory snacks, breath mints or gum, guides to getting around town and a detailed itinerary of your wedding festivities. Consider tying a local souvenir to your welcome basket, but make sure it’s small enough to travel. Fresh flowers in each room are also a nice touch. Itinerary This detailed guide should outline all activities and
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photo by Art & Soul Photography
s i m p l e w ay s t o m a k e y o u r g u e s t s f ee l s peci a l
events you have scheduled. Consider mailing a copy one month before the wedding and include an extra copy in guests’ welcome basket. For intown guests, make the schedule or itinerary readily available at the ceremony and reception. Give your guests a good idea of where they need to be and when, plus information on how they will be transported to and from those locations. At minimum, provide your guests with a wedding day schedule on the big day, to ensure the day’s flow
is expected and natural. Don’t forget to stick to your schedule and keep things moving at a natural pace. Receiving line This part of the wedding can be the most frustrating for guests. All of your guests want to wish the new couple well, and have a few moments of face-to-face time, but they don’t want to stand in line for a long time to do it. The Emily Post Institute suggests sending waiters down
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Guests
photo by scott patrick myers Photography
the line with drinks and appetizers. Strategically place tables along the line so guests can set down their food, drinks and bags before greeting the couple and their family. Think ahead about where to start the receiving line to ensure the line doesn’t get too congested or cramped. Seating arrangements It may be obvious, but when planning the seating for your reception, pay attention to where you seat your guests and with whom. If you have elderly family members or friends, make sure they are not too far from the entrances and exits of the venue. The same suggestion applies to guests with disabilities who may have difficulty moving around. Younger guests might enjoy being closer to the bar. When planning tables, think about who has previous
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relationships with one another, if they are in good standing, and if there are any guests who might benefit from or enjoy meeting another guest. Flow and layout of reception When searching for a reception hall or venue, think about the space and how it will affect your guests. Take into consideration the number of guests attending and how they, and the tables and chairs, will fill the space. Make it easy and natural to navigate the space and enjoy the reception. And if the space is spread out, the Emily Post Institute suggests using speakers to ensure all of your guests will hear announcements, speeches and music. Signage Guests should never have to ask for directions. It doesn’t take much time to ensure that your
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guests will always know where to go for what. Signs and obvious spatial demarcations can make it natural and easy for guests to find the restrooms, coat check or bar. Table numbers help guide guests to their seats. Don’t confuse your guests with a strange or difficult layout; make table numbers highly visible and sequential. If there is a complicated table arrangement, consider placing a map of the tables next to the table assignments. Special requests Find out ahead of time if any of your guests have special dietary or physical needs. Provide your caterer with an informed estimate of dietary constraints ahead of time. Reserve transportation that is disability friendly and think ahead about the accessibility of your venues. Consider appointing someone to be the go-to
person to figure out day-of needs and special requests that may pop up. Thank-you notes Sending a handwritten thank-you note for gifts is a personal and kind way to say “thank you.” Ideally, you should write these notes as soon as you receive a gift, but in any event, thank-you notes should be sent within three months of the wedding, according to Anna Post of the Emily Post Institute. Genuinely thank each person by specifically mentioning how each one’s gift, favor, participation in the wedding party, or extraordinary kindness means something to you or how you plan to use a gift. Above all, you enjoy yourself — and your guests will, too. Don’t put too much pressure on them or yourself. Enjoy each other’s company and celebrate!
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A Wedding Story
Emily Spain
&
Travis Critchfield m a rrie d j u ne 9, 2 0 1 2
T
Travis Critchfield had it all planned. He was going to ask Emily Spain to marry him on Friday night, April 22, 2011, and then take her to a surprise engagement party with their families and several close friends. But early that week, Emily, a University of Missouri student working at KOMU-TV8, told Travis she had picked up a co-worker’s shift for Friday night. It was time to panic. “Everyone was invited; everything was planned,” Travis says. “I called one of Emily’s friends from KOMU to help me find someone else to cover for the Friday shift Emily picked up.” The friend came through, and so Friday night, Travis took Emily to
dinner at Murry’s, then to Hot Box Cookies, and finally for a stroll on the MU campus. The two of them climbed up on one of the iconic columns, and there, Travis proposed. After Emily said yes, she tried to call her mom. There was no answer. She tried her sister. Again, no answer. Travis suggested going to Emily’s apartment and telling her roommates. Little did Emily realize what awaited her there. “The living room was packed with all of our family and friends,” Emily says. “I barely got through the door before I lost it. I hugged my sister first; she was about as big of a mess as I was! I’ll also never forget hugging my dad. It was the best way to celebrate our engagement!”
by a nita ne a l h a rri s o n p h o t o s by s c o tt patric k m y er s p h o t o g r a p h y
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Emily’s bridesmaids wore teal-blue strapless dresses with sweetheart necklines and skirts that hit above the knee. They accessorized with chunky crystal necklaces that matched the sparkle in the bridal gown. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of peonies, dahlias, spray roses and roses, all in a dark pink that popped against the teal of the bridesmaids’ dresses. Travis and his groomsmen wore black suits with black bowties. Travis had a white rose boutonniere; his groomsmen wore pink ranunculus boutonnieres.
Travis and Emily were wed on June 9, 2012, at an outdoor wedding at Olivet Christian Church, where Emily had grown up attending. The Rev. Dennis Swearngin served as the minister. Emily wore a classic strapless princess ball gown. Beading swirled over the bodice, which featured a sweetheart neckline, and more beading and embroidery graced the tulle skirt. Crystals bordered her veil, which was tucked under a low, side-swept arrangement of loose curls. Emily chose simple accessories for the lavish gown — dangling crystal earrings and a pearl bracelet that had belonged to one of her grandmothers— and she carried peonies, hydrangeas and roses in a white bouquet with touches of blush.
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Travis and Emily did not see each other before the ceremony but did exchange gifts while standing on opposite sides of two doors opened back-to-back in the church. “That was such an exciting moment,” Emily says. “We couldn’t wait to see each other, but it was comforting to hold hands for just a bit before the ceremony got started.” The ceremony took place at the church’s gazebo amid beautiful flowers and ornamental grasses. Instead of entering to traditional processional music, the bridal party and the bride entered to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” sung by friends of the couple, Kristen and Andrew Camp, with Andrew also providing accompaniment on the guitar.
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Kristen and Andrew also sang “Love Never Fails” by Brandon Heath for the ceremony, “Lead Me to the Cross” by Hillsong during Communion and “You and Me” by Dave Matthews for the recessional. The vows were both the practical and the emotional climax of the ceremony. Emily and Travis had written their own. “We loved this part of our ceremony,” Emily says. “One of our favorite lines: ‘I promise to make you laugh.’ ” “I teared up a lot more than I thought I would when I said my vows,” Travis adds. “It was just a surreal moment, and Emily looked so beautiful. I honestly didn’t notice anyone in the crowd. It just seemed like Emily and I up there — a moment I’ll never forget.” The reception followed at the Reynolds Alumni Center. An abundance of candles and uplighting on the walls lent a glow to the room. Ivory linens, topped with teal fabric squares, covered the tables; centerpiece designs included pink flower arrangements, hurricane globes and votive candles, and an arrangement of crystal votive holders, mint julep cups with flowers and glass vases with floating candles. The four-tiered round wedding cake was a simple and classic design, all white with different designs on
each tier. The top held a few pink peonies to match the bridesmaids’ bouquets and pink reception flowers. The celebration had a formal air. There were the traditional dances, toasts and cake cutting to start the night. A slideshow shared pictures of Travis and Emily growing up and of their dating years. Both the bride and groom grew up in Columbia and were in the same class at Rock Bridge High School, but their interest in each other didn’t spark until their freshman year at MU. “Seeing how many times our lives probably crossed while growing up in Columbia was so bizarre,” Emily says. “Finally, we crossed paths at just the perfect time for our love story to begin!” For their honeymoon, the newlyweds spent a week in Riviera Maya, Mexico. “We stayed at the Secret Silversands Resort and can’t wait to go back again someday,” Emily says. Today, Emily and Travis continue to live in Columbia. Emily works as a morning anchor and assignment editor for KOMU-TV8 News and Travis is a system support administrator for Veterans United Home Loans. Emily is the daughter of Jim and Vickie Spain of Columbia, and Travis is the son of Mark and KP Critchfield of Columbia.
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Fashion by m o r g a n m c c a rt y / / p h o t o by y o u p h o t o g r a p h y
Jaclyn Harrison’s cathedral-length veil added drama to her strapless satin gown.
pic k in g y o u r per f ect v ei l
Sheer
Perfection
Style To Fit Your Face Becky Burgin of The Knot offers these tips for selecting a veil to suit your facial shape. • Round: With your nose as the center point of your face, search for veils that fall along the sides of your face, thereby narrowing it. • Oblong: With a little more length than an ovalshaped face, consider veils that give the illusion of width, such as waterfallstyle veils. • Heart-shaped: Create balance by choosing a veil with enough material that will appear behind the neckline and add depth to the area between the shoulders and cheekbones.
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• Oval: Slightly longer than wide, you have a face shape that will work with most, if not all, veil styles. Aim to complement your neckline. • Square: Choosing a veil to suit an equally proportioned face requires softness and length. Consider face-framing details to show off your strong facial features. Length Respected wedding resource eleGALA. com notes the variety of lengths veils are available in and the different levels of formality their lengths convey. The company’s experts also offer notes
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on color, tier style, fabric, embellishment, type of veils and hairstyle suggestions. • Elbow: This style hits right at the elbows and is perfect for a more casual look. • Fingertip: As the name implies, this length falls to the fingertips and is an easy complement to most wedding gowns. • Chapel: A more formal choice, this length extends 2½ yards from the headpiece to the floor and flows over the train. • Cathedral: Also known as the “royal veil”, the cathedral veil is the most formal length with 3½ yards falling from the headpiece. • Double-tier: This veil
style consists of two layers of different lengths. It can also be worn with a veil and blusher. • Waltz/Ballet: This option falls between the knees and ankles and is named for some of the dances its length permits. • Fountain: This veil gathers at the crown of the head and cascades down like a fountain, around the face to the shoulders, creating movement. • Mantilla: This Spanishinspired style drapes over the head to varying lengths and is often made of lace. • Pouf: The pouf adds gathered material to the back of the head to give a boost of volume.
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Advice by m o r g a n m c c a rt y
That’s A Plan 1 0 tip s f o r s tay in g o r g a ni z e d
1. Put together a binder. Keep everything in one
place by purchasing a binder and several dividers with tabs. Divide your binder into the necessary categories your wedding requires, allotting space for clear plastic sleeves in each section to collect tear sheets, inspiration images and ideas. 2. Create a guest list database. Keep a
digital guest list that you can update and customize. Make a spreadsheet on your computer with columns for contact info, gifts, RSVP, special needs and any other relevant information to your wedding. Update it as you receive RSVPs or gifts. 3. Select a wedding planner. Should you choose
to hire a wedding planner, he or she should have experience in planning weddings and a broad base of vendors for you to utilize. Choose after meeting a few times to familiarize yourself with the planner’s personality and manner of working. 4. Delegate. Designate certain family members or
individuals in your wedding party to do specific tasks or plan details for you. Give them enough information that you won’t have to hover over them to get things completed the way you want. 5. Build a contact list. Keep a list of all helpers,
vendors and frequent contacts for your wedding in the back of your binder. Think of it as your personal wedding phone book. Keep it simple with names, roles, phone numbers and emails, and give this page its own tab for easy access. 6. Set a realistic budget. Set a budget that is
within your financial abilities, and then stick to it. You and your bank account will be grateful after the wedding if you don’t go over the expected amount. 7. Devote consistent time. Do you have a few free
hours on a certain day each week? Try to set aside that time to plan, make reservations, shop or balance your budget. If something comes up during that time, be flexible and try to fit it in another time during that week.
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8. Write things down. Keep a running log of people
you talk with — when you talk and what you talk about. Try to be as specific as you can. Detail is helpful should you need to go back and reference a conversation you had with someone. Use this log to organize your random thoughts and ideas, too. 9. Take photographs. If there’s a camera on your
phone, use it, or take a digital camera with you everywhere you go to avoid confusing one dress or venue with another. After each visit or outing, organize your pictures into folders on your computer or print them out and file them in your binder for future reference. Remember, though, that some wedding suppliers are sensitive about allowing their products to be photographed. Ask permission and if photographs are not allowed, take detailed notes. 10. Communicate. Keep a conversation going with your partner. He or she wants to know what’s going on. Don’t overwhelm them with details if they don’t want to hear about every little thing, but make sure they’re in the loop every step of the way, helping to make decisions so there aren’t any unplanned surprises.
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Travel by m o r g a n m c c a rt y
HoneymoonHeaven tip s f o r f in d in g t h e per f ect g etaway f o r t h e tw o o f y o u
I
It’s hard to believe, but your wedding will eventually pass and it will be time to go on your honeymoon! Don’t wait until the last minute to begin planning this exciting trip with your new spouse. You should begin to plan your honeymoon about 10 months in advance and have all of your reservations and tickets finalized four months in advance. To get you started — and make sure you select the perfect destination — here are some questions to ask yourself when planning the trip of a lifetime!
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How much are we willing to spend? This question will help you budget travel and accommodation expenses as well as extra money for activities or extra indulgences while away. Do we want to travel to an exotic location or stay closer to home? Don’t overlook the possibilities
of staying close to home. There are a lot of weekend trips you can take. Otherwise, take into account the expense and time it takes to travel farther away. It doesn’t always matter how exotic you make your honeymoon. What matters is where you and your new spouse will enjoy the most relaxation, celebration and time together.
Alone on an island or surrounded by happy vacationers? You should consider whether or not you want to be surrounded by other vacationing couples or families, or if you want to enjoy only each other’s company. Some trips are just for two. Are my travel dates flexible? If they are, you could get a deal. Some hotels and resorts offer “off-season” pricing or pricing for nonpeak dates. When booking your reservations, ask your travel agent or the booking agent if there are dates when pricing might be adjusted to lower than advertised or usual. What amenities or activities do I want to experience? Are you outdoorsy or do you enjoy spa treatments? Does your husband-to-be want to go skydiving while you hit the spa? Do you want to go sightseeing or sunbathing? When picking your honeymoon destination, think about which activities both you and your partner like to do and make sure there’s enough for you to enjoy as a couple and as individuals. Do you want to work with a travel agent? Working with a travel agent can make booking your honeymoon that much easier. Once you know where you want to go and when, an agent can book all of your reservations and activities and provide follow-up attention before, during and after your trip.
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Dessert by e l i z a b et h g a l l away
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Desserts
5 a ltern ati v e i d e a s t o t h e tr a d iti o n a l c a k e
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For those who don’t like traditional wedding cake or are in need of a fun alternative or side dessert, check out these five creative choices. 1. Tarts Give your guests a taste of a little English bakery with individual tartlets. The typical size of these mini-desserts is roughly the size of your palm. With dozens of fruit combinations to choose from, these treats are a nice escape from the typical wedding cake. 2. Sundae Bar Put the perfect cherry on top of your reception with an ice cream sundae station. Consider a sundae bar with chocolate and vanilla ice cream and lots of mix-ins and toppings, such as chocolates and fruit. And for those with a serious sweet tooth, don’t forget the candy! Remember that ice cream must be kept nice and cold for the guests during the reception. 3. Pies There’s nothing wrong with a little comfort food on your special day. A table full of pies
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will be a fun surprise for your wedding guests. From key lime to chocolate, pecan to apple, there’s a flavor for everyone.
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4. Cake in a Jar If you love the look of vintage Mason jars, consider small, individual cakes in glass jars. Top each serving of cake with whipped cream or sprinkles. A simple ribbon or string of pearls from the craft store around the neck of the jar will also give the trendy dessert a lovely, classic look. 5. Chocolate Fondue Fountain What could be more striking than a chocolate fountain at the center table? The sweet, cascading chocolate is not only a great centerpiece, but also a delicious twist on wedding desserts. Serve with a variety of foods to smother in chocolate such as fruit, pretzels and other sweets.
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