Weddings Winter 2017

WEDDINGS Volume 1, Issue 1 | Winter 2017

ChoOsing a hotel for wedding Guests Get the best prices by planning ahead Page 2

Incorporate flowers in various ways Traditional and nontraditional ideas for your wedding flowers Page 8

Bridal Trousseaus What they are and how to arrange one for any bride-to-be Page 4

Explore alternative reception sites Make a special memory by selecting a unique setting or venue Page 12

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Choosing a hotel for wedding guests

W

e all love a good wedding.

That is, until

we have to plan one ourselves.

Like any milestone, weddings bring about a polarizing sense of excitement and nerves, making

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it a perfect opportunity to dig deep into the bridal culture. Our newest magazine plans to give Many local hotels cater to wedding parties, but plan ahead for availability and best pricing.

As engaged couples compile their guest lists, many might realize their friends and family are spread out across the country, if not the world. Technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected to far away loved ones, and engaged couples no doubt have a handful of guests on their lists who will need lodging when the wedding weekend arrives. Finding the right hotel requires couples to consider a host of factors.

Location Location is arguably the most important consideration when choosing a wedding hotel. Hotels that are close to transportation hubs such as airports or train stations will be a welcome relief to guests who traveled far and wide to make it to your wedding. But hotels located in close proximity to your ceremony and reception sites will also be appreciated, especially come the end of the reception when guests who danced the night away will want to return to the hotel as quickly as possible.

If the wedding reception is

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WEDDINGS | Winter 2017

far from the nearest airport or train station, try to find a hotel close to the reception site so guests don’t feel like they have been traveling all weekend long.

Attractions Attractions are another important factor to consider when choosing a hotel for your wedding guests.

Brides- and grooms-to-be will be busy throughout the weekend, but wedding guests who arrive in town on Friday for a Saturday ceremony will have lots of free time on their hands. Unless your wedding weekend is intended to be a weekend retreat for you and your guests, try to find a hotel in a lively neighborhood with plenty of nearby attractions so guests have something to do in the days and hours before the wedding.

Cost Many hotels offer discounted rates to wedding guests, so couples should expect to do some negotiating before making a final decision regarding their wedding hotels. Travel is expensive, so if your list includes a lot

of out-of-town guests, try to find the most affordable rate without settling for unsightly accommodations.

Guests will appreciate the cost savings, and some might be more inclined to attend the wedding if the lodging is a bargain.

readers knowledge, advice and stories all about vows in the Valley. So whether you’re knee deep in wedding plans, looking to tie the knot or just a nuptials nerd, we hope you enjoy.

Corey Tierney Editor

Transportation Another thing to consider when arranging lodging for out-of-town guests is transportation to and from the wedding. Many hotels offer a shuttle service for wedding guests, which can save them the added expense of renting cars to get around on the day of the wedding.

Couples may need to foot the bill for hotel shuttle service, though some hotels include the service if enough guests book under a certain wedding party. Some hotels even offer airport shuttle service, which can save guests even more money.

Couples hosting many out-of-town guests for their weddings should do their best to find a hotel that’s easy to access, affordable, accommodating and close to their wedding venues.

Staff Corey Tierney, Editor Aleda Johnson, Staff Writer Shelby Mertens, Staff Writer Sherrie Good, Design Nikki Fox, Photographer Weddings is a publication of Rockingham Publishing Co., Inc. Copyright © 2017 Rockingham Publishing Co., Inc. 231 S. Liberty St. Harrisonburg, VA 22801 For advertising information, call 540-574-6220.

Melrose Caverns From its rustic beams and stone fireplaces within, to its rolling pastoral views without, Melrose offers a beautifully textured backdrop for your wedding, celebration or special event.

(540) 434-3500 6639 North Valley Pike, Harrisonburg VA 22802 MelroseCaverns@gmail.com www.melrosecaverns.com www.facebook.com/melrosecaverns

Visit our open house on April 1, 2017 from 2-5 Interior photo by Samantha Ritter Photography Large photo by Ward Photography

dressing for all occasio n s Navigating the bridal trousseau

By Aleda Johnson

Photos by Nikki Fox

O

nce the integral question is

popped and the ring is on the right — well, left — finger, months’ worth of planning ensues until a bride is ready to walk down the aisle for her happily ever after.

The venue has to be booked, guest list finalized, cake baked, photographer chosen and she must say yes to the dress.

But one thing she may not realize she has to plan is her bridal trousseau.

Trousseau Translated Although it sounds very expensive and very French, it’s much simpler than that, according to Brooke Driver, owner of Bridal Impressions in Harrisonburg.

“It’s everything you wear as a bride that’s not your wedding dress,” she said. “There are a collection of events around the wedding when you still want to look like a bride.”

Trousseau is another word for the hope chest or dowry that was often brought with the bride for her marriage, but today it means what is worn to the engagement photo shoot, engagement party, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner or on the honeymoon.

Most brides aren’t sure what a trousseau is until told by a motherly figure in her life, Bridal Impressions manager Rebecca Shelly said.

WEDDINGS | Winter 2017

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“I never heard about it until I was getting married, and my mom said, ‘We have to get you your trousseau,’” Shelly said.

“I don’t think many brides know it by name, but they know the idea of it.”

Bridal Impressions boasts a collection of long and short dresses that are formal, but not too formal, in their trousseau collection.

“I never heard about it until I was getting married, and my mom said, ‘We have to get you your trousseau.’”

Rebecca Shelly “It’s similar to the bridesmaids’ collection in that way,” Driver said. “You probably do want to wear it again, not only because sentimentally, you enjoyed wearing it the first time, but you get lots of wear out of it.”

Finding the right garments for a trousseau is easier than finding the perfect dress — and less expensive, too.

Shorter dresses in the Bridal Impressions collection are $40 and longer ones are $60. They can also be purchased on site, without having to be ordered like a wedding dress.

“At that point, the bride had already spent money on the gown or they know they have to spend money on the gown,” Driver said. “It’s not necessarily that they want something cheap, but something that is at least affordable because they know they will need more than one piece for the trousseau.”

Shopping for the trousseau is less stressful than wedding dress shopping as well.

Shelly enjoyed spending the time with her mom without the pressure of finding “the dress.”

“I think in a lot of ways, it’s a different and unique shopping experience in the bridal world because there’s a lot of pressure on getting the white dress and feeling like it’s the perfect dress, especially if you bring a large entourage,” Driver agreed. “For the trousseau, there’s less pressure and more variety and more events than just the wedding.”

Finding The Right Fit The style of apparel in a trousseau can vary as much as the bride, with one Bridal Impressions customer preferring to wear a white pantsuit for her bridal shower.

“Most people have a more formal rehearsal dinner, but some people do an outdoor barbecue,” Driver said. “You want to dress in accordance with the event, but mostly for rehearsal dinner dresses we see more formal, longer gowns and more expensive dresses. And dresses for the honeymoon are short and cute.”

The standard white rehearsal dinner dress is less popular than it once was as well, according to Shelly.

“I think it echoes the bridal trend. A lot of bridal dresses are pink or antique or champagne,” she said. “About 40 percent or fewer [brides] order white or ivory dresses, and I think that echoes what they’re wearing to their rehearsal dinner.”

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WEDDINGS | Winter 2017

Morgan Knott, a bridal specialist at Bridal Impressions, models a trousseau dress.

One trend that permeates the bridal spectrum is wearing their wedding shoes to the rehearsal, which helps dictate style.

Bride Amy Hall, who was married July 4, 2016, kept to her classic country look with her rehearsal dinner dress, but added some color.

“My grandparents got me a pink, lacey dress for my bridal shower, and I wore it again,” the 21-year-old Harrisonburg resident said. “It was short and ombré with dark pink at the top that was lighter as it got down to the bottom.”

But the trousseau can be fun as well.

Hall spent some money on matching labeled shirts for her and her husband, and her maid of honor got her a shirt that read “wifey.”

“I wore the labeled shirts on the plane ride down to our honeymoon in Mexico,” she said. “That’s really popular right now.”

Hall’s biggest tip on finding the right trousseau pieces for you is sticking with your own style and trying everything on.

“You can pin and look around, but my biggest tip is don’t be afraid to try on anything because you might end up in something you weren’t even looking at style-wise,” she said.

“And you’re making it a fun experience, even if you have to laugh at a few of them.”

But no matter what is chosen, the trousseau is what a bride makes it.

“Some brides have decided to order bridesmaid [dresses] as a trousseau item,” Shelly said. “Whatever you wear is a part of your trousseau.”

For more information about trousseaus, contact one of the many bridal shops in the area.

announces the opening of our winery,

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Indoor wedding receptions are now offered in our large tasting room.

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Incorporate flowers in various ways

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WEDDINGS | Winter 2017

thought to help keep trolls at bay.

Besides warding off spirits or hungry trolls, flowers also served more practical purposes throughout history.

During the Middle Ages, people bathed less frequently than they do today. Bathing might only have occurred twice a year, once during summer and then again at Christmastime.

Because many weddings took place in

the spring, flowers were used to mask bodily odors. Not only were flowers and herbs carried, but they also would be sewn into clothing.

Modern brides and grooms may no longer see their wedding days as times for opportunistic evil spirits.

But that doesn’t mean that couples cannot borrow from ancient traditions and incorporate flowers into their weddings in various ways.

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Weddings are special moments for couples and the guests they invite to share their happiness on their big days. Beautiful weddings require substantial planning, as every last detail must be considered for couples to experience the wedding of their dreams.

Flowers play a big role in many weddings, and couples can add beauty and ambiance to the event by using floral arrangements in various ways. Modern floral arrangements are stunning, but many couples may not know that herbs, spices and flowers have been used in weddings for centuries.

Today, flowers are used to decorate wedding venues, impart sweet fragrances and complement formal attire, but in ancient times, they were used differently.

Flowers were used to bestow good luck on the couple and keep bad omens away. Brides carried aromatic flowers and spices to keep evil spirits from spoiling the festivities, and some even tucked bulbs of garlic into their bouquets. In ancient Greece and Rome, both the bride and groom wore garlands made out of strong-smelling herbs and flowers around their necks or heads. These wreaths were considered gifts of nature, and thus extremely appropriate for a wedding. Traditionally, bridesmaids would be responsible for fashioning these floral components. In ancient Sweden, young girls would carry small bouquets of fragrant herbs down the aisle and the groom would put thyme in his pocket.

These aromatics were

Wreaths and garlands Ask the florist to weave small flower buds, berries and vines to a headband, wreath or piece of twine so that the bride and groom can wear these flowers in the way they were worn by ancient Greeks and Romans. When coupled with Grecian-styled wedding gowns, brides can look like beautiful goddesses on their wedding days.

Fragrant favors Tuck dried rose petals and other fragrant flowers into sachets that are embroidered with the wedding date and couple’s names. Guests can use these sachets to keep

clothing smelling fresh in drawers or as subtle air fresheners around the house.

Edible flowers Ask the caterer to make meals flower-friendly by including some edible blooms in the salad or as a garnish on meals.

Raining petals In lieu of bubbles or birdseed, guests can shower the newlyweds with rose petals after the ceremony.

Memorial Some couples like to honor departed family members.

Floral arrangements with small placards can make for fitting memorials.

Creating Memories from this Day Forward

DoubleTree by Hilton Harrisonburg | 1400 E. Market Street | Harrisonburg, VA 22801 | P. 540.433.2521 www.dtharrisonburg.doubletreebyhilton.com

Photograph by J. Ellis Photograph

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Make your Event Unforgettable.

Join us at our

Bridal Open House February 18

Harrisonburg and Shenandoah Valley garden weddings simply can’t be better than garden weddings at the

Edith J. Carrier Arboretum Shenandoah Caverns presents The

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Contact us to learn more about our two unique venues.

We handle bridal dreams with care... and deliver garden weddings with flair!

Visit the EJC Arboretum website at jmu.edu/arboretum, to find information on prices, accounterments and services.

Or call (540) 568-3194 for personal assistance, a Certified Wedding Venue Professional will help you. Experience Southern charm, as well as private and corporate event management hospitality at its best!

Browse the arboretum website for seasonal online blooming plant sales, and spring and fall event plant sales, carriage rides, lectures, workshops and more.

The Shenandoah Valley Greater Virginia Bridal Show Hosted By

Sunday, March 5 th 1-5 PM

at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds – Exhibit Hall

GET THE PARTY STARTED! You pick it, We play it!

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Admission - $10 per person

Abby Chick for

c The finest wedding vendors in the valley showcasing ideas, services and products

Blakemore’s Flowers

c Catering and wedding cake samples c Win thousands of dollars in door prizes

c Designer Fashion Show by

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Rebecca’s Well Gift Shoppe

One of the Valley’s Most Unique Shops!

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WEDDINGS | Winter 2017

11

Explore options with alternative reception sites A wedding can be an expensive endeavor for couples. The cost for a reception venue will vary depending on where the party is held, so couples looking to conserve cash or simply set their party apart can consider some different options.

Instead of booking with the first catering hall they find, couples should comparison shop to find a venue they find affordable and unique to their particular tastes.

A reception venue may charge from less than $100 to several hundred dollars per guest. Couples who don’t mind forgoing a more traditional setting may find more unique locations to hold their reception.

Oceanside Where there is a beach, there is the opportunity to have a wedding at the seashore. Beach weddings are usually casual affairs, and couples could have more leeway with regard to food and drinks.

Botanical gardens Enjoy the peak foliage of the current season at the botanical gardens nearest to

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Farmhouse A barn or farmhouse estate can make for the ideal place to hold a casual wedding reception.

Farms are typically located on a large piece of land that can easily accommodate a number of guests.

you. Many gardens offer some sort of wedding package and may contract with an outside caterer to provide everything from sit-down meals to passed appetizers. Couples looking for one-stop-shopping can also combine the ceremony and reception at the gardens for a magical experience amid flowers, trees and more.

Estate Dreaming of a fairy tale wedding? A historical building may make for the perfect backdrop for your ceremony.

Certain historical societies may rent out estates and other buildings for weddings. Or couples may be able to have their wedding on the grounds with the impressive home in the background.

At home Couples who really want to save money can opt to get married right at home. Potluck food and donations of other treats from family members can keep costs down without compromising on the fun factor.

CrossKeys Vineyards 6011 E. Timber Ridge Rd., Mt. Crawford, VA 22841

www.crosskeysvineyards.com

(540) 234-0505

Open daily for tours and wine tastings (11-5 PM)

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Let us take care of everything on your big day CrossKeys is a one-stop shop, book with us and experience the difference

WEDDINGS | Winter 2017

At Reflections our goal is to create an unforgettable experience, thus leaving each bride one hundred percent satisfied with all of her bridal decisions.

From the moment you step in to our store, our staff is here to assist you from start to finish. We pride ourselves on providing the personal attention and care that each bride deserves during this exciting time in her life.

Reflections Bridal 51-D Burgess Rd., Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 432-8700 | www.Reflectionsva.com Mon.-Fri. 11 AM – 7 PM | Sat. 10 AM – 5 PM | Sun. 1-5 PM Other Hours by Appointment