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Bridal Guide
SPRING 2012
WEDDED BLISS How to avoid family drama on the big day
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The COURIER
The blend
Pg. 2 ~ Spring 2011
BRIDAL GUIDE
By GateHouse News Service
Saying “yes” once the question is popped is the easy part. But just because you and yours have agreed to spend the rest of your lives together doesn’t mean your families will blend in perfect harmony. The combination of different cultures or religions can be tricky ground during wedding planning, so take time to ensure that everyone’s beliefs are involved and honored. Read on for expert tips for weaving what’s important to everyone into your special day.
Get together
At first attempt, the blending of cultures at a wedding can seem a daunting task. Not all parents or grandparents are initially pleased when a child or grandchild chooses to marry outside of their culture or religion.
“I think that multicultural couples face a couple of challenges — the first is to gain understanding and acceptance from their families,” says Susan Southerland, president of Just Marry! Inc., national expert for Perfect Wedding Guide and A-List Planner for Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine. “It's
Combine cultures and religions for an event to remember
critical that the bride and groom get their families together early so that they have a chance to get to know each other and accept each other prior to the wedding weekend.” Celebrate together with your families early and often to develop relationships that break through cultural barriers.
Don’t shy away
Once everyone is on board and excited about the upcoming nuptials, don’t avoid the subject of how and when it makes sense to implement cultural or religious elements into the big day. “It is important to keep an
open dialogue about any concerns that their families might have,” says Southerland, who is based in Orlando, Fla., and plans events nationwide. “It’s easy and fun to incorporate family traditions. In fact, discussing which elements to incorporate into the wedding may break the ice between the two families.”
Be creative
Southerland has assisted clients from diverse backgrounds in putting together a seamless integration of cultures, no matter how different. “One of my favorite multicultural weddings included a bride
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who was Vietnamese and a groom who was Irish,” says Southerland, who goes on to describe a ceremony with parasol-carrying bridesmaids, a bamboo-lined aisle, a flower girl who tossed four-leaf clovers and a handfasting ceremony that followed the vows. “The cocktail hour included shooters of potato leek soup, mini corned beef and cabbage sandwiches and lycée martinis. Dinner included the bride’s mother’s recipe for nuoc mam and a stir-fry station.”
Enjoy
There’s nothing like the feeling of pulling off a wedding truly your own, and representing of each of your cultures ensures that will happen. “When the couple works together with their families to incorporate family traditions, it results in a wedding that truly reflects their history and the blending of the two families,” says Southerland. “It's those special touches, above all, that make their wedding unique.” So, dig in and do the work required to make sure both of your cultures or religions are celebrated during your affair. The outcome will be nothing less than perfect.
Jewish wedding tradition
Couples of the Jewish faith often spend their wedding ceremony underneath a "chuppah." This is a canopy or covering made from a cloth or sheet stretched over four poles. The chuppah may be freestanding, or it may be held aloft by members of the wedding party. According to tradition, the chuppah symbolizes the home the couple will build together. Although a chuppah isn't a required component of the ceremony and couples will be recognized as married without it, in more cases than not, a chuppah is an integral part of the ceremony.
Pg. 3 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
Dressed to impress BY MELISSA ERICKSON | GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
What’s new for 2012 brides? Something unique
W
hether a size 2 or a size 20, brides are ready to experiment with their wedding dresses, stepping away from the traditional gown and choosing to bedeck themselves in something a little different for the walk down the aisle. “The key word in 2012 is ‘unique,’” said Catalina Maddox, fashion director for David’s Bridal. “There are several key trends that we’re excited about.” Here they are:
THE SECOND DRESS Why stop at one wedding dress? Changing into a second dress for cake-cutting is nothing new. In 2012, brides will take it a step further with “white weddings.” They will be wearing white to their bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and other events. The dresses “can be short, sexy, long, fun or feathered, but they don’t have to be expensive,” Maddox said. And they can be worn again. David’s Bridal recently introduced the DB Studio Collection filled with dresses that fit the bill for that special day and beyond.
line down to spread across the floor, or sexy illusion backs with striking details or demure lace.
2-TIERED DRESSES Wedding dresses with two dis-
tinct tiers are a modern look with a good reason for catching on. It’s a figure-flattering style for the ladies with a little extra at the hip. A peplum paired with a longer layer adds up to a fun and flirty fusion of fashion.
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BACK INTEREST Looking great as you’re walking away is one of the newest trends, Maddox said. That can mean plunging backlines, extravagant embellishments, trains that dive from the neck-
THE KATE EFFECT The most bride-friendly neckline — the sweetheart strapless — is now overshadowed
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TEXTURE Whether it’s extreme beading, elaborate embroidery, daring fabric choices or ruffles, 2012 wedding dresses are “all about fabric, movement and volume,” said Maddox. Satin and silk are timeless, but today’s brides want something more. Maybe organza and chiffon? How about “lace, tulle and horsehair all in one dress,” Maddox said.
“You don’t have to have a great body to look hourglass and shapely,” Maddox said. A side-ruched dress flatters almost any body type and assures that the bride can glide into the room with confidence.
by illusion or altered necklines, which were made popular by Kate Middleton and her fabulous new-twist-on-traditional lace wedding dress. “The trend is to be more covered. You can look cool and classic with more coverage. Kate made not going strapless cool again,” said Maddox . Illusion necklines feature sheer fabrics over a section of skin that would otherwise be bared and are often highlighted with delicate details such as beading, jewels or lace.
“Any Size And Number Of Diamonds, Part Or All Around. Your Design, Your Choice”
HINTS OF COLOR For several years, color has made a splash down the bridal aisle, and it’s “a look for everyone,” Maddox said. White or ivory wedding dresses can seem plain and boring when the same gorgeous dresses are available in blush, lavender, cream or platinum blue. It can be the hard-to-keep-instock, watercolor blue, printed Vera Wang or the mermaid lace Oleg Cassini with 3-D flowers in splashes of pink. Color is big in 2012.
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Pg. 4 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
What’s in a name?
There’s a lot to consider in marital name changes
who have kept their own name, or use both last names, say there are practical and legal issues to consider, as well.
BY KAREN CAFFARINI
you don’t have to do anything. There’s no need to go through the process of changing your driver’s license, Social Security card, passport and other legal documents, says Susan Moss, a partner at Chemtob Moss Forman & Talbert LLP, a matrimonial
GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
For some new brides, saying “I do” to their groom is an easy decision, but taking his last name is not. Usually, emotional issues come into play, but experts and those
One of the best aspects PROS of keeping your last name is
law firm in New York City. It also is more desirable for work-related recognition, said Kathryn E. Nelson, a former Washington, D.C., resident who lives in Manila, Philippines, and who kept her maiden name. “Authoring papers under two different names would make online listings/searches a bit more problematic,” she said. But difficulties can CONS arise, especially when kids come into the picture. Moss
and Nelson say traveling by plane can be difficult if Mom and children have different last names. Moss said airlines need proof you are the children’s parent. “It started about 10 years ago with more examples of child abduction,” she said. Moss said to bring a copy of the children’s birth certificates with both their and your names on it and some other form of identification. Nelson said she brings a copy of her marriage certificate and her children’s birth certificates.
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Also, different last names can cause mix-ups at school and make enrollment confusing, Nelson said. You’ll need to provide proof of marriage or an “alias sheet” with your other name in order to get the benefit of your state’s marital laws regarding community property with your husband, said Tina B. Tessina, psychotherapist and author of “Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting about the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage.” And you could receive checks in your married name from relatives or investments, necessitating your opening a bank account in that name, too, said Danielle Tate, founder and president of www.MissNowMrs.com, a name-change service for brides. Even more confusion arises when a woman uses both last names, either by using one as a middle name or by hyphenating the two. Tate said people will use one or the other name. Kathy Doyle Thomas of Dallas encounters that problem when checking into hotels. “I once missed an important call from my husband because they could not find me under Thomas. They had me under Doyle,” she said. Finally, check with your state to see if your name change request is even legal. Tate said there are five states where women cannot take their maiden name as their middle name: Ohio, Washington, New Jersey, California and Pennsylvania.
Handmade wedding invitations
Pg. 5 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
Metro Creative Connection
To create a personalized invitation, many couples are opting to go the do-ityourself route. DIY invitations are even more common thanks to the popularity of scrapbooking and papercrafting. Although people may have different standards in terms of quality for their invitations, it's important to realize the invitation is the first thing guests often see concerning the wedding, and they will help set the tone of the upcoming nuptials. Today there are many options when it comes to making invitations oneself. Couples can be as handson or hands-off as they like. Here are some choices to consider. • Design it yourself, but hire a printer. Couples can visit Web sites that enable them to choose paper type, ink color, a certain template, wording, color scheme, embellishments, dye-cutting, and many other different options. Then the couple sits back and waits for the invites to come in the mail where they are put together before being sent out. These may be the most expensive of the DIY invites because a printer is still doing much of the work. • Use wedding invitation kits. Many stationery shops, craft stores and office supply retailers offer all-inone kits that can be purchased. These feature a standard design with the accoutrements of that particular design. Most will come with envelopes and small response cards. The couple simply uses the template provided to create text on a personal computer and then the invite can be run through a home printer.
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Pg. 6 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
WEDDING Continued from Pg. 5
• Mix and match components. Couples who want to be a little more hands-on can
purchase card stock and envelopes separately and design their own invitations according to color scheme.
Clip art included with some word processing or design software can embellish invites that are then
printed on a home printer. Ribbon can be added by punching holes into the invite and threading the rib-
bon through.
• Do it all yourself. The truly crafty couple can make their invitations from scratch. This involves drawing out a template, cutting the card stock to fit, selecting envelopes, creating and executing response cards, and decorating the invitations as they see fit. This will require some tools, including scrapbooking or papercrafting supplies. A paper trimmer will help ensure straight cuts, and decorative-edged scissors can help hide any small mistakes in the edges. While this may be a cheaper option if couples get good prices on all the paper components, it also entails the most work and the greatest margin of error.
Do-it-yourself bridal Need amazing accessories? Make them!
Pg. 7 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
BY CAROLYN SPERRY
GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Brides-to-be in 2012 are excited about lots of different trends, including feathplenty of ers, embellishments and gorgeous accessories that will complement the gown. But buying accessories can get expensive fast, and though it’s easy to get swept up in must-have-it thinking, you need to keep the reality of that budget in mind. “If you’re only going to wear it once, it is hard to rationalize spending hundreds of dollars on accessories,” says Danielle de Luna, designer and creator of the DSMeeBee crafting blog. That’s where DIY comes in. If you’ve ever looked at hair accessories or other wedding finery and thought they couldn’t be that hard to make, you might be right. Making your own bridal accessories not only gives you bragging rights, but it can also be a perfect way to achieve the look you want for less, de Luna says.
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For unique, one-of-a-kind designs ...
•MAKE, Pg. 8
Your Area's Wedding Specialist and Event Florist
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Where to start
Instructions abound online for making everything wedding-related, from invitations to centerpieces and even nontraditional bouquets out of fabric or specialty papers. But for the not-so-crafty and the time-challenged, some projects can be a bit intimidating. And you do need to be reasonable.
1. When you cut the netting, use the factory edge as the edge that will sweep along your face. This edge should be what will be seen, and the other sloppier edges will be tucked under to be less noticeable. Also be aware when you cut that the netting will look unfinished wherever you cut it with scissors. 2. Take the leaf-shaped felt and start hot gluing feathers on it. Fan them out the way you want them to look, and leave the tip completely open so you can have an area to sew the netting to. 3. Take the non-factory side of the netting, and fold the netting as shown in the photos. Then sew the folded netting to the felt base. 4.This is the tricky part; sit in front of the mirror and shape the netting how you want it to look. Bunching the netting at the felt and stitching it will help you get the look you desire. Keep repeating this method untill you get the shape you desire.
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Pg. 8 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
MAKE
Continued from Pg. 7
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De Luna confirms what every bride-to-be already knows: Wedding planning is plenty stressful without trying to make all the elements yourself. There are plenty of money-saving options if you’d like to make your wedding unique without going nuts. You don’t even have to start from scratch necessarily; you can put together available elements creatively and achieve a huge savings, as de Luna did when making her own birdcage veil for her wedding. She started with a hair clip that cost a dollar, then reworked it by carefully gluing together feathers, felt and netting for a unique finished product. (See her photos and instructions at http://dsmeebee.blogspot.com/2011/08/si mple-ish-bird-cageveil.html) Making accessories yourself also allows you to have one-of-a-kind elements that can be deeply meaningful. Try putting materials together in unexpected ways. For her own wedding, de Luna made “a personalized bouquet pin that had a picture on it of my mom, who passed away when I was 12. Honestly, in the end, it is the little touches that you can make for yourself that matter the most. “When I was promising to spend the rest of my life with my husband, I looked down at my pin with a picture of my mom’s smiling face, and I knew she was there with us.” That bouquet pin took only about 30 minutes to make and cost about $7. “I still tear up when I think about it,” de Luna admits. Inspired to get crafty and bring handmade allure to your wedding? Here’s de Luna’s lineup of accessories that look amazing and that you can make cheaply, with no special skills: • Make a necklace from a vintage brooch. • Buy plain shoes and dress them up with a fabric flower. • Make your own bridal clutch (easier with a sewing machine, but do-able without). • Make a “something blue” beaded anklet.
There’s no place like home Throw an elegant backyard wedding
Pg. 9 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
BY KATHRYN SUCICH | GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
The cost of weddings is astronomical – according to a survey by wedding website The Knot, the average wedding in the U.S. costs $27,000. But with the economy not recovering quickly and people wanting to pinch pennies more than ever, many brides and grooms want to trim their wedding budgets. One way to do so is to eliminate the cost of a venue and have the wedding in your own backyard. But how do you do so and still keep your event classy while keeping down the costs? Here are some tips:
your backyard so they are part of the natural décor. Just make sure you plan early enough so the flowers are in full bloom for your
big day.
Place settings Renting place settings can eat up a large chunk of your budget. So
Wedding Cakes Create Delicious Memories
cups (such as those made by Reflections) that look like bone china and real silver. •HOME.Pg. 10
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Pg. 10 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
HOME
Continued from Pg. 9
Unique to your home The Knot advises those who are throwing backyard weddings to
play up your backyard’s best features. For example, a trellis area can be used as an “altar” or serve as a focal point for your wedding photos. Have an enormous tree in
the middle of your lawn? You can incorporate it into your decorations by hanging lights from it. Transform your patio or lawn into a dance floor.
Just the necessities According to The Knot, there are some things you’ll just have to spend money on in order to keep
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your guests comfortable and the wedding running. For example, you’ll likely need a generator to power catering equipment and lighting, as well as portable bathrooms so there’s not a log jam in your house.
Feed on these wedding favor ideas
Pg. 11 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
Do you have a shelf or cabinet that's filled to the brim with wedding favors such as engraved ice cream scoopers, cake servers, cheese spreaders or tea light candle holders? If you do, you're not alone. As couples pore over guest favor options, many select trinkets or knickknacks that, while thoughtful, end up collecting dust in someone's home. Edible gifts also can be thoughtful -- and flavorful! Guests may look forward to an edible favor because it's a memento of the special occasion and it won't become a permanent fixture in their homes. There are many edible favors from which to choose. They can also be customized according to the theme of the wedding.
vors are refrigerated to avoid melting. Ideas for chocolate favors include individually packaged
truffles, gourmet brownie bites, candy-covered chocolates with an inscription, chocolate covered apples, chocolate coins, and
other similar creations. Chocolate molded designs (much like those chocolate Easter bunnies) are another idea.
Cookies Sweet cookies also make good edible favors. Butter cook • FEED, Pg. 13
Chocolate It's difficult to find an edible favor more universally beloved than chocolate. Rich and inviting, chocolate has long been given as a symbol of love and devotion. Chocolate candies and baked goods can work well for wedding favors, provided the fa-
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BRIDAL GUIDE
Pg. 12 ~ Spring 2012
Pg. 13 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
FEED
Continued from Pg. 11
ies are a favorite because they are sturdy enough to cut into different shapes. Professionally iced, these cookies can be a masterpiece to behold. Some couples opt for customized fortune cookies that express personalized sentiments to guests.
easy to follow a color theme when you have a bevy of different candies at your disposal. Many discount stores sell
inexpensive jars and candy dishes to house the candy. Designer Chinese takeouttype containers are available from craft stores and can be
the perfect way for guests to make that candy portable. Other edibles From cupcakes to maple
syrup to personalized bottles of barbecue sauce, couples have so many options for guest favors at their disposal.
Travel in Style
Make-your-own Sometimes it's less expensive to give guests kits that they can take home to create their own edible treasures. Options abound and can include everything from personalized packets of hot chocolate to tea bags. Other couples choose among mixes for making cookies or cakes.
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Candies It has become popular to have a self-serve candy bar at many weddings. Guests are invited to step up to the display and serve themselves from a series of different confections. Autumn weddings could have Halloween-inspired candies or those in fall hues. It's
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BRIDAL GUIDE
Pg. 14 ~ Spring 2012
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Unique reception touches personalize ceremony
Pg. 15 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
Over the course of their lifetimes, many people will be wedding guests on several occasions. During the height of wedding season, weddings can run into one another, as the format and the festivities are similar at various ceremonies. Couples interested in setting their nuptials apart may want to enhance the wedding reception with a few unique ideas. Who hasn't attended a wedding that seems formulaic? The couple enters, they do their spotlight dance, there's food, a bouquet toss and then the cake cutting. Guests may actually be able to predict what's coming next. While it is often customary and easy to follow tradition, that doesn't mean you cannot buck with tradition and offer a few creative ideas to make your event stand out. Here are several ideas you can introduce into your wedding to add something special to the reception. * Skip the big entrance. Those who were kind enough to
attend the ceremony have already been introduced to the newly minted happy couple. Instead of spending the cocktail hour in the isolation of the
STAY
wedding suite, mingle with your guests from start to finish. So much time is spent posing for pictures or being out of touch with guests, the cocktail
hour can be a great time to sit and chat. Being with guests during the cocktail hour means you don't have to make that big entrance from behind closed
doors. Guests will have all eyes on you when you step on the dance floor for your first dance together. •TOUCHES, Pg. 17
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Pg. 16 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
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Pg. 17 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
TOUCHES
Continued from Pg. 15 * Dance to an upbeat number. Guests are expecting a slow, sappy tune. What they may not expect is an upbeat song that shows you are willing to have a little fun. If you haven't mastered the waltz but enjoy a little quick step now and again, feel free to choose a tune that shows your excitement and love for each other. * Encourage couples to dance together. It's often customary for the bridal party to join the bride and groom on the dance floor midway through the first dance. However, that leaves spouses or significant others waiting in the wings while their dates tango with groomsmen or bridesmaids. Instead, don't have assigned partners. Rather, encourage your bridal party members to dance with whomever they choose. * Swap the garter/bouquet toss for something more meaningful. If you're part of a couple who feels the garter and bouquet toss has become trite, there are other ways to create
special moments in your celebration -- ones that don't single out the singletons who haven't yet found their special someones. Use this time to present a
small gift or token of your affection to someone on the guest list who has served as a mentor or source of inspiration. * Choose one special compo-
nent as an extra goodie for guests. Some couples feel the more they offer the better guests will view their wedding. Spending more money doesn't necessarily mean
guests will have a better time. If you want to go above and beyond the ordinary, find one thing that you absolutely love and offer that at the party. • TOUCHES, Pg. 23
For Those Special Moments When Only The Best Will Do Packages Available to Fit Your Needs Extensive Selection of Formal Albums Available More Than 15 Years Experience In The Industry Wedding Portraiture • Seniors & Family • All Your Photographic Needs
6396 Windfall Road, Bath, NY 14810
(607) 776-2638 www.expressionsbydarlene.com
The
Wedding Dress and Tuxedo Shop 37 E. South Street, 20A, Geneseo, NY 14454 585-243-5312 www.weddingdressny.com Dresses by: Maggie Sottero, Casablanca & Alfred Angelo, Bari Jay, Bill Levkoff, B2, Jade, Ursula and Tip Top Kids Tuxedos by Tuxedo Junction and Jim’s Formalwear Hours: M-W-F 10am-5pm T-TH 10am-8pm Sat. 10am-3pm
Brides ~ Purchase your dress with us and your bridesmaids
Receive 10% off At least six tuxedos purchased,
your Groom is Free! Services: Alterations, Pressing and Steaming We are a Full Service Bridal Store
BRIDAL GUIDE
Pg. 18 ~ Spring 2012
Pg. 19 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
Engagement Form THE STEUBEN COURIER 10 W. Steuben St. Bath, NY 14810 607-776-2121 www.steubencourier.com
THE TRIBUNE 85 Canisteo Street Hornell, NY 14843 607-324-1425 www.eveningtribune.com
GENESEE COUNTRY EXPRESS 113 Main St. Dansville, NY 14437 585-335-2271 www.dansvilleonline.com
There is a $20 charge for each engagement announcement published, with or without picture 1. Photograph and completed form should be submitted no later than four (4) weeks before the wedding date. Announcements will be published when space is available. 2. Don’t use “Miss” or “Mrs.” before women’s names. Don’t use husband’s names when listing women’s name, i.e. use Jane Brown vs. Mrs. Robert Brown. 3. If stepparents are listed, please note this. 4. Include only information requested on this form, avoid extra sheets of paper. 5. All information should be typed or printed to avoid errors. 6. Provide a local, daytime phone number for verification of information. 7. Professional black and white or color photographs are preferred. Polaroids are not acceptable. We reserve the right to reject poor quality photographs. 8. Photos may be returned either by enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope or by returning to the office where the item was submitted. Future Bride’s Full Name/Address
Future Bride’s Parents’ Full Name/Address
Future Groom’s Full Name/Address
Future Groom’s Parents’ Full Name/Address
Future Bride’s History: (Place of birth, education, occupation/employer, service record, etc.)
Future Groom’s History: (Place of birth, education, occupation/employer, service record, etc.)
Date and Location of Wedding Out of area couples: Please state your reasons for wanting your notice printed in this publication: Former resident, parents live in the area, etc.
Signature and Local Daytime Phone Number:
Wedding 101 Books to help plan the big day
Pg. 20 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
“The Busy Brides Bible” By Angela A. Kear $16.95
In a perfect world, weddings would be all about the bride and groom celebrating the beginning of a lifelong relationship. But, creating that event can become such a cumbersome task that a whole industry has grown up around it. Kear steers brides-to-be around many of the obstacles, offering concrete advice on everything from food to florists, and she even includes a guest list template.
“The Ultimate Wedding Planner & Organizer” By Alex A. Lluch $34.95
Presented in convenient ringbinder form, this guide to planning the perfect wedding is fully customizable. Couples can move items around and categorize them by priority, or even remove whole sections that may not apply to keep things simple as possible. Included pockets and dividers make storing items such as receipts and brochures easy. The book also can be converted into a scrapbook to preserve the memories from that day.
“Groomology” By Michael Essany $10.99
Often, the husband-to-be allows his fiancee to handle the bulk of planning a wedding, and even more often, that’s how the bride-to-be prefers it. But there are subtle ways that grooms can participate in preparing for a wedding that can pay off dividends for years down the road. Essany prepares grooms with pertinent advice on when to give an opinion and when to give up on an opinion, and when to just let the future wife vent a little bit.
“The Big White Book of
“The DIY Bride”
Weddings”
By Khris Cochran
By David Tutera $18.99 Having a wedding that guests will talk about for years doesn’t have to cost as much as a new house. Find out how in this book, subtitled “A How-to Guide for the Savvy, Stylish Bride.” Tutera, a television host who was named “Top Trendsetter of the Year” by Modern Bride magazine, offers advice on pairing food and drinks to create engaging menus, etiquette that will stand out and even making the right entertainment choices.
585-658-4595
Located near Golf Course on Rt 408 In Nunda, NY
johnna@runningwildpaintball.com
Bachelor Party’s are so much more fun at the paintball field!! The Guys Will Love It!
Non Stop Action And Fun!
• Speedball Field • Woodsball • Old West Town • Pallet Town Bring A Grill... Make A Day Of It!
Stop in and sign-out a couple of our MANY Invitation & Accessories Books. Take them home and go through them in your own time. When you return them, we can go over what you liked, disliked, and would like to see. We will discuss color, font, paper, style, theme, and budget!
$19.95 How can you make sure that your wedding is unique? Customize it with up to “40 Fun Projects” that will help ensure the wedding is a one-ofa-kind event. Included are creating handmade wedding announcements, invitations and personalized favors. Not only are the projects fun, but they'll save you money, too.
Pg. 21 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
Wedding Form THE STEUBEN COURIER 10 W. Steuben St. Bath, NY 14810 607-776-2121 www.steubencourier.com
THE TRIBUNE 85 Canisteo Street Hornell, NY 14843 607-324-1425 www.eveningtribune.com
GENESEE COUNTRY EXPRESS 113 Main St. Dansville, NY 14437 585-335-2271 www.dansvilleonline.com
There is a $20 charge for each wedding announcement published, with or without picture 1. Photograph and completed form should be submitted with six (6) weeks of ceremony. Announcements will be published when space is available. 2. Don’t use” Miss” or “Mrs.” before women’s names. Don’t use husband’s names when listing women’s name, i.e. use Jane Brown vs. Mrs. Robert Brown. 3. If stepparents are listed, please note this. 4. Include only information requested on this form, avoid extra sheets of paper. 5. All information should be typed or printed to avoid errors. 6. Provide a local, daytime phone number for verification of information. 7. Professional black and white or color photographs are preferred. Polaroids are not acceptable. We reserve the right to reject poor quality photographs. 8. Photos may be returned either by enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope or by returning to the office where the item was submitted. Bride & Groom’s Full Name/Address
Bride’s Parents’ Full Name/Address
Groom’s Parents’ Full Name/Address
When/Where Married:
Person Officiating, Name/Address: Soloist’s Name/Address: Organist’s Name/Address: Single/Double Ring Ceremony Given in Marriage by Whom - Name, Address, Relationship
Bride’s Gown, Veil and Bouquet
Pg. 22 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
Wedding Form, continued Maid of Honor’s Name, Address, Relationship to Couple: Maid of Honor’s Gown, Bouquet & Headpiece: Bridesmaids’ Names, Addresses, Relationship to Couple:
Bridesmaids’ Gowns, Bouquets & Headpieces: Flowergirl’s Gown, Bouquet & Headpiece: Groom/Usher Attire:
Best Man’s Name, Address, Relationship to Couple
Ushers’ Names, Addresses, Relationship to Couple:
Ringbearer’s Name, Address, Relationship to Couple Reception, Type and Location: Bride’s Schooling, Occupation, Etc.
Groom’s Schooling, Occupation, Etc.
Wedding Trip: Names/States of Out-of-Town Guests Out-Of-Area Couples, please state your reasons for wanting your notice published in this area:
Signature and Daytime Phone:
Just like the song ‘Little Brown Church in the Vale’ is a wedding hot spot
Pg. 24 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
By American Profile
There’s a church in the valley by the wildwood, no lovelier spot in the dale. These words to a sentimental
and popular old hymn, “The Church in the Wildwood,” describe a spot where something of a miracle occurred about 150 years ago.
It seems that a young music teacher named William Pitts was traveling to visit his brideto-be in 1857 when the stagecoach stopped briefly in a
Casual Elegance Buffets And Served Dinners Available Tailored menu to suit your needs & budget. Accommodates up to 200 people
Receptions • Showers • Business Meetings Scenic View • Dance Floor • Free Parking • Handicap Accessible
330 May St., Bath, N. Y. PH: 607-776-3390 www.bathcountryclub.net
Open To The Public • Everyone Is Welcome Also Open For Lunch & Dinner ~ (Please Call To Reserve) Tee times available. Please call 607-776-5043
wooded glade where Pitts envisioned a little church being built. Returning home, he wrote a poem, “Church in the Wildwood,” which he later set to music.
When Pitts and his bride returned to the area to settle five years later, they found a little brown church had just been built in the same glade that inspired him to write the hymn years earlier. Pitts’ song was sung at the church’s dedication service. Today, the Little Brown Church in the Vale still stands along the Cedar River two miles east of Nashua, Iowa. It is testament to the power of faith, love and marriage for the thousands of couples who have been wed there over the years. “I’d always heard that if you get married at the Little Brown Church, it will last forever,” says Rodney Speicher of Garwin, Iowa, who exchanged vows with his wife, Donna, in the church on Valentine’s Day in 1998. Each year, more than 400 couples from around the country come to the church to be married in every kind of ceremony and attire imaginable — from denim and lace to leather and satin. • VALE, Pg. 25
Berry Vine
Call Becky for your Free Floral Consultation
16 Main Street, Arkport, NY 14807 607-295-9900 • berryvinecreations.com
Pg. 23 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE TOUCHES
Continued from Pg. 17 It could be a flambe presentation, a chocolate or candy bar, a carving station with your all-time favorite food (even if that's PB&J), or a carnival-inspired automatic photo booth. * Hire a live performer. Although it's hard to beat the performance quality of your wedding song being performed by the original artist, unless you're cousins with Celine Dion, chances are she won't be available to sing "My Heart Will Go On" at your reception. However, a live band adds a certain level of excitement that a disk jockey may not be able to provide. Those who are adding a cultural or ethnic component to their wedding may want to hire a dance troupe or another type of performer, like a bagpiper, as an added measure of entertainment for guests. * Let them eat ... cookies? Some people just don't like cake. Therefore, why should a couple have to cut a seventiered white confection? Towers of different types of treats can be created from just about anything and serve as the perfect backdrop for that classic cake-cutting photo. A pyramid of cream puffs, stacks of brownies, a cookie castle, or cereal-cake concoctions can work. Some bakeries will decorate a "dummy" styrofoam cake, and then you can serve apple pie a la mode, if you desire. * Stage a costume switch. Let's face it, dancing all night in a long gown takes some stamina. As the bride, have a more comfortable cocktail dress available to switch into for the latter part of the reception. It will also add some variety to your wedding photos.
Use the bouquets of the bridal party as the centerpieces of some of the reception tables as one way to bring something different to your wedding.
The Campbell Legion is available for your ... Wedding • Reception • Rehearsal Dinner Corporate Functions • Family Reunions • Parties Spacious areas for inside or outside events - We can cater, or you can have kitchen privileges -
Call 607-527-8816 for details
Serving Twin Tiers Since 1982 William A. Hart - Graduate Gemologist
Pg. 25 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
Flowers make a beautiful wedding truly special Our Wedding Specialist Can Make Your Dreams ComeTrue ... All Within Your Budget
Call Today for a Wedding Consultation~ Appointment 30 Years of Experience Florist 7209 St. Rt. 54, Bath 776-2184 or 1-888-776-2185 Mon-Fri. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
VALE
Continued from Pg. 24
“There are people with small weddings and those with a bridal gown so elaborate it could be worn in the biggest cathedral,” says Juanita Goings, the church’s volunteer wedding coordinator for two decades. “Some wear white tails and drive up in a stretch limousine.” Large or small, the church’s 100-member congregation welcomes the weddings and takes great pride in maintaining its renowned church. In 1998, the bell tower was restored, and in 2000 the congregation raised money to renovate the church basement and install air conditioning. More than 40,000 visitors come to the Little Brown Church each year. In October 2009, the 73,000th wedding was held at the church. The congregation also hosts an annual gathering the first Sunday of every August for couples married in the Little Brown Church. The 60th reunion is this year. Couples can get hitched for $175 to $900, depending on number of guests, or renew their vows for $75 on a weekday or $150 on Saturdays. An organist and soloist cost $50 extra. At the end of each ceremony, the bridal couple is invited to ring the church bell together, a symbol that they will pull together throughout their married life.
Main Street Bride & Tuxedo Bar
Find The Gown of your dreams. You said “I will” now you need a dress to say “I do!”
With hundreds of dresses from a selection of wonderful designers, a variety of price ranges, and a friendly and knowledgeable sales staff. Bonjulie’s is here to help you find the gown of your dreams.
There are tuxedos and there are tuxedos. Because the people who helped you out were even more concerned about the fit than you were. They checked. And double checked. It fit. Your style. you. Every detail that went into it made it a notch better. “Somehow it just... felt right” Bonjulie’s. The difference is black and white.
819 S. Main St., Horseheads, NY 607-739-5321
www.bonjulies.com Hours: Tues. & Fri. 10-6 • Wed. & Thurs. 10-8 • Sat. 10-4
BRIDAL GUIDE
Trending toppers
Pg. 26 ~ Spring 2012
What’s new on top of the wedding cake Documenting your day with beautiful images that you will enjoy for years to come!
www.ScottSlattery.com www.facebook.com/ScottSlatteryPhoto 585-415-1641
By Cynthia Reyna | GateHouse News Service Cake toppers have been part of the American wedding cake tradition for more than a century, and while marriages have evolved over the years, so have cake toppers. While some couples still choose the traditional bride-andgroom toppers, more couples now prefer more self-reflective, whimsical pieces that are sure to get everyone at the reception talking. After starting his cake toppers business online 10 years ago, Aaron Ellsworth, vice president of sales and marketing of www.caketoppers.com, says wedding toppers have become more personalized over the years. Couples are beginning to veer away from the time-honored plastic figurines that were popular during their parents' time. Now, they want something that reflects their personalities, hobbies and interests as a couple. Pastry chef Lorelie Carvey of www.wedding-cakes-for-you.com, who baked her first wedding cake in 1984 and now has her own informational site on wedding cakes, has experienced the same trend from her customers: "More and more brides and grooms are choosing not to have the traditional figurines. A unique or personalized topper is what most brides and grooms want. The most popular are toppers that have some sort of meaning to the couple."
One of the most popular personalized selections, according to Ellsworth, is the monogram cake topper. Other trends include ethnic toppers and humorous toppers, such as a couch potato groom figurine, says Ellsworth. Carvey has also seen some topper choices beginning to trend such as cartoon characters, including Marge and Homer Simpson, and figurines to represent a couple's pet. Couples now have hundreds more selections for cake toppers than they did before, thanks to the Internet. At various cake topper sites, options include religious-, career-, music- and hobby-themed toppers, as well as floral ones.
BK’s Boutique & Florist Wtheedding flowers that capture joy of your special day 26 Greenwood Street, Canisteo
(607) 698-4416
M-F 9-5; Sat. 9-12 • bkboutiqueflorist.com
There’s enough to worry about when you’re getting married, so let us worry about the flowers.
Sources: http://www.theformationquest.org/ wedding/short-history-of-wedding-cake-toppings-w edding-cake-toppers.html and Lorelie Carvey
BRIDAL GUIDE
Pg. 27 ~ Spring 2012
68 River Street, Hornell Call us at (607) 324-9883 or (607) 324-0358 www.rbisportspub.com
Pg. 28 ~ Spring 2012
BRIDAL GUIDE
For your most lavish affair ... Yes, you can RENT the Furnishings and Save!
Sizes from 12’x12’ - 15’x18’ parquet sectional Dance Floor - 15’x16’ Vinyl Dance Floors require our installation, other sizes available 10’x10’ E-Z Up 15’x15’ to 20’x 30’ 20’x 30’ or 20’x 40’ Party Canopy Elite Party canopies area designed for the do-it-yourselfer and will fit in an automobile
14’x14’ to 30’x120’ Frame tents require our setup and take down. Rates include local delivery and pickup. Available in all white.
Wedding Arch Beverage Dispensers (Hot/cold) 3-ring Propane Burner Candelabras White or Brown Folding Chairs White Padded Chairs Tables - 6’ and 8’ Banquet tables, or 60” round tables Fill, Chill & Serve Tables Cocktail Tables 7 qt. full/or Split Pan Chafing Dishes Beverage Fountains in 3-5 gallon sizes, in either aluminum or stainless
40” Propane Griddle, 5’ Grill, Barbecue (charcoal) Grill, Barbecue w/Rotisserie (tow-behind) 65”x17” Grill, Barbecue (propane) Lectern, PA ~ Lighting for Tents Karaoke System ~ Mirror Ball w/Lights Staging in 4’x4’ sections
THE TOTAL RENTAL DEPARTMENT STORE
369 PARK AVENUE CORNING, NEWYORK 14830
PHONE (607) 962-8611 or (800) 640-2432 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
www.wilsonrentalcenter.com