Bridal Guide FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 DUBOIS COUNTY, INDIANA SECTION B
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PAGE 2 ■ BRIDAL GUIDE
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
8 movement tests for your wedding gown By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com Your dream wedding dress will surely be beautiful, but will you be able to move in it? Can you sit in it? Dance in it? Lift your arms to throw your bouquet? Can you bend over without giving the room too much of a view? As important as it is to choose a dress that looks beautiful on you while you’re standing in front of a fulllength mirror in a bridal salon, it’s even more important to test your dream dress to be sure it allows you full comfort and full coverage in any situation. As you try on dresses, move in them. Don’t stand still. You’ll get a feel for the tug of off-the-shoulder sleeves and decide whether the romantic look is worth the restriction on your movement. A tightly fitting mermaid-style dress also should be moved in to be sure you can walk in it. Don’t forget that a professional seamstress will provide several rounds of alterations to your chosen dress, so most sections of your gown can be adjusted to give you more comfort. Everything from sleeves and seams to lace sections can be moved and/or removed, to make that dress perfect for your shape and make you feel more confident wearing it. The best way to ensure comfort in your gown is to subject it to the following eight movement tests as your seamstress looks on, with pins ready to adjust whatever you might need. 1) Lift your arms. As you’re dancing with your groom, you’ll have your arms lifted to his shoulder height. It would be a disaster if your off-the shoulder or full sleeves didn’t allow you to lift your arms that high. If your raised arms stretch the dress as you’re dancing, it also ruins the lines of the dress and can create an unattractive bumpy look all down your back. Not only is it uncomfortable, your dress’ strain will show in your wedding photos and video. So lift your arms and allow your seamstress to tailor where the dress needs to be let out slightly or taken in slightly. 2) Swing your arms. If your dress has sleeveless straps, it’s important to be sure the armholes allow you plenty of room. A bad fit will cause the thicker fabric of the dress to rub against your inner arms, causing chafing. 3) Walk forward. Does the skirt of the dress allow you to take comfortable steps? A sleek-fitting mermaid dress could cause you to shuffle like Morticia Addams in your dress, which isn’t the effect you’re likely after. 4) Walk up and down stairs. At your wedding sites, you might need to walk down a flight of stairs, perhaps as part of your ceremony. It’s very important that you can do so gracefully. 5) Sit down. You will be sitting, albeit briefly, during your reception, so be sure that the dress’ shape and fit will allow you to sit without the risk of tearing your seams or making it hard for you to breathe. 6) Bend over. Too much cleavage showing is the danger here, so bend over as if to pick something up from a chair or talk to a flowergirl, and assess how much skin you’re showing. Bridal-gown expert Nancy Aucone says that having the right fit and style of bodice is key. For this portion of the movement tests, your corset or bra will play a part in your dress’s appearance on top. “Ideally, you should not even try on a bridal gown without the proper undergarment,” Aucone says. “And you
Make sure you can move in your dream wedding dress. WEDDING BY COLOR CREATORS.COM
certainly should not have your final fitting without one.” With your wedding-day undergarments on, test your neckline to be sure that the undergarment doesn’t show and that the dress alteration covers you well. 7) Dance. Yes, dance in the bridal boutique, to see whether you’ll be able to enjoy each and ev-
ery song, fast or slow. “I didn’t test this, and when my new husband went to dip me during our first dance, I almost fell to the floor,” says new bride Stacie Aarons. “If I could go back and do it again, I’d twirl around and bend backwards a little just to be sure the dress cooperated.” If you’re wearing a short dress, as is a popular casu-
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al style now, twirl in the dress to be sure it doesn’t fly up too high. Your seamstress can make adjustments to limit your skirt’s twirling height. 8) Stand up from a sitting position and walk. A too-long crinoline or slip might prove dangerous if you take your first step into it. Brides have torn the fronts
of their dresses and also taken a tumble because they didn’t test this particular movement in their dresses, especially when they hear a song they love and rush to get to the dance floor. When you test your dream dress, any solution can be created to help you look beautiful and move beautifully.
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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 3
Videographer captures precious moments By MICHAEL MAZUR Special Sections Writer Imagine sitting back on the couch, as newlyweds, sipping on beverages and munching on popcorn while reliving your very special day— your wedding day — in high definition. Although it was a memorable day, what part other than major details of that day do bridal couples really remember or even know happened? With so much preparation and focus to reach that day, the whirlwind moments — the vows, kiss, photographs, toast, first dance and cutting of the cake — required their attention. Some memories may be a blur. To have a second chance to relive that day, you might want to consider booking a videographer to capture precious behind-thescene moments. Jim Baugh of First Take Video recalls that while shooting one wedding, he noticed the groom was quite hungry after the vows. While waiting for the photographer to set up, the groom had brought with him a small dish of potato chips and began crunching on them. When the photographer noticed, she came over and took the chips away and said, “You can have those later.” “I captured that scene.” Baugh said. “It was a neat touch to the
overall wedding story.” Another precious scene he captured that otherwise would have vanished was while shooting Allie (Beckman) Sadowitz’s wedding last August. Baugh had come earlier in the morning to take footage of the bride getting ready. During that time, Sadowitzs’s mother presented her a wedding card from her grandfather who had died before the wedding. When Allie saw him in the hospital, she was not engaged yet, but her mother had the foresight to buy a card and have her grandfather write in it before he died. “When my mother handed me that card, I was so emotional,” Sadowitz said. “When I watched the video for the first time, he (Baugh) had captured my reaction to opening that card. I am so grateful.” Baugh, a corporate videographer for Jasper Engines & Transmissions, has parlayed that skill into videos at surprise birthday parties, family reunion and other special events. Three years ago, he was asked by a work associate to cover her wedding. Then came another request. That led to think of adding weddings to his list. For the most part, when a bridal couple books both a photographer to capture the traditional still moments of the wedding and a videographer to capture those
outside, more carefree moments, they work around each other and in some cases share items such as lighting, according to Baugh. Although his focus is on the bride, Baugh tries to capture as much as possible throughout the day, including the groom’s activities when the couple is separated. “Videos capture what (still photographs) can’t. The conversations, the spoken vows and the funny and happy things that happen,” said Sara (Rohleder) Schmidt. “It tells the rest of the story that stills can’t.” Schmidt was the work associate who asked Baugh to videotape her wedding, his first. When a prospective bride books a wedding, Baugh usually lets her tell him what she wants to be covered. Using a single camera, a far cry from the bulky camcorders of yore, Baugh can move in and around places without becoming a member of the wedding party. “I try to be as unobtrusive as a 6-foot-4 man with a camera can be,” he said. “I am constantly looking for things, moments to capture.” Many videographers offer different video packages to accommodate budgets. Baugh offers three choices — the basic, the premier and the epic, with each stage offering a little more. The basic package includes
five hours of shooting time — two hours at the church and three hours at the reception — cinematizing the usual moments like the ceremony, toasts, first dance and cutting of the cake. It includes two DVDs or two Blu-ray Discs. The premier package, his most popular, includes the basic package plus an extra hour of coverage. This extra hour can include filming events like the trip to the salon before the wedding. Scenes might include the bride sitting on a salon chair while the stylist behind her is styling her hair and the the bridesmaids are interacting; these are scenes the bride often can’t see from her vantage point. A special interview section is included in the premier package. Baugh asks family and friends if they have any advice for the bridal couple, such as what would it take for the bridal couple to stay happy down the road. At the end, they can add any congratulatory comments. The package includes four discs. And the epic package includes both the basic and premier coverage, plus a separate video called “Love Story Segment.” A couple of weeks prior to the wedding, Baugh interviews the bride and groom separately, asking them identical questions. Questions like, “What was your first impression?” and “How was your first
date?” The bride and groom each have an opportunity to say something special to each other prior to the ceremony. The package includes six discs. The completed 30- to 45-minute video ranges in cost from $750 to $1,000, with an extra $100 for raw (unedited footage) and $20 for additional DVDs or Blu-Ray Discs. Each package is ready in three to five weeks. Baugh suggests, like most wedding vendors, that brides and grooms book a videographer as soon as they have set the wedding date, probably a year in advance. He already has bookings for 2016. “Your whole day is such a blur,” Sadowitz said. “You think you remember everything but you don’t. Videos can capture the emotion.” Both Sadowitz and Schmidt were on the fence about hiring a videographer. Sadowitz wasn’t sure she wanted to spend money from her budget, but decided to go for it, not knowing what to expect. Both now highly recommend that future bridal couples book one. “It is money well-spent,” Schmidt said. The final wedding videos are delivered in a specially decorated gift bag that includes a couple of soft drinks and a bag of microwave popcorn so the newlyweds can sit back and get ready to cry, laugh and hug.
More husbands-to-be helping plan wedding By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com When it comes to wedding planning, if you think your groom should just nod his head, agree with you and write a check, think again. Today’s grooms are more involved in wedding planning than ever before. Grooms even have their own planning resources, such as the website The Man Registry, which was founded by Chris Easter and his brothers-in-law Jimmy and Bobby Horner in March 2008. The guys got the idea for The Man Registry when a friend of Easter’s got married. Easter wanted to buy a gift for the groom, but
he didn’t like the choices, so they developed an online wedding registry for guys, which grew into a resource for grooms. “Couples are getting older and spending their own money,” Easter says. “They’re really paying attention to money. If I’m spending my own money, it leads to more hands-on involvement.” Plus, Easter finds that more than ever, guys care about the wedding. “A new sense of manliness wants to tackle this,” he says, noting that marriage is a 50-50 split, so why shouldn’t wedding planning be split, too? “A guy can really have fun and learn a lot about the wedding process,” says Easter, who got married a month after launching
The Man Registry. He even had a groom’s cake featuring the logo of his favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Groomed for success From cakes to color schemes, a new groom is emerging, and he’s going to make his mark on his wedding. Just ask recent groom Jeff Kear. When he got married last year, he created a blog called “Groomasaurus.” Its slogan: “Move over bridezilla ... wedding planning is for grooms, too.” The blog attracted a following, especially among grooms-to-be. “I thought I’d post every once in a while, but I got interested in the mindset,” says Kear, who
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Help wanted! Many brides are excited, if not relieved, to have the groom’s help. “I think it is great for a bride to have her groom take on some of the responsibilities and not have to solely do it by herself,” says wedding and event planner Kathryn Kalabokes. “It makes the bride calmer, and she feels that her husband-to-be really cares about her and the wedding.” Kalabokes says many of her brides and grooms are paying for the wedding. “They want to have more of a say in where the money will be allocated and what the wedding will look like.” See HUSBANDS on Page 5
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blogged on many topics, including lessons learned (he suggests recruiting friends to help plan the wedding) and the importance of including guy gifts on a wedding registry. “I think guys want to have more of a say in what goes on,” he says. “Women are asking guys to be involved, wanting to ask his opinion. They’re pitching in.” Between creating a guest list and coordinating activities and other wedding tasks, Kear, who had a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, realized planning a wedding is a lot of work. “One thing I learned about the whole planning process: It’s not easy!”
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PAGE 4 ■ BRIDAL GUIDE
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
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Kids can be the life of the party, but some couples opt not to include them in the wedding reception.
Kids at weddings: Life of the party or problem? By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com Should kids be invited to the wedding? That’s a major dilemma for a bride and groom. Couples can weigh the pros and cons of the situation, but there’s no right answer. “It’s a really sticky topic,” says Peggy Post of The Emily Post Institute. She calls the kidsat-the-wedding debate “one of the hot-button issues of wedding planning.” At a wedding coordinated by Kimberly Pilson of The Wedding Sitter, the bride and groom honored the groom’s 6-year-old daughter throughout the wedding. They incorporated fun with a butterfly release at the ceremony and potato sack races at the reception. “They did so much because the kids were such a part of their lives,” says Pilson, who doesn’t see children often at weddings. Deciding yes or no “Children bring
an
ele-
ment of surprise to an otherwise very controlled day,” says Cathleya Schroeckenstein, editor-in-chief of the blog “Weddingbee.” “To many time- and detail-oriented couples, adding an element of unknown to the day is nerve-racking.” That wild card chance of a disruption dissuades lots of couples from inviting kids to the wedding. Also, even if the children are wellbehaved, it’s often tough for the kids’ parents to relax and have a good time. Still, there are advantages to inviting kids to a wedding. “Children often are the highlight of many wedding ceremonies,” Schroeckenstein says. “Nothing quite evokes ‘aw-w-w-w-w-w’ as much as an adorable troupe of flower girls and ring bearers. They’re often a huge part of our families, and many couples can’t imagine celebrating their day without the children who mean so much to them. And children are often the first on the dance floor
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and the life of the party.” Spreading the word Couples who don’t want kids at their weddings need to be careful with their invitations. “It’s still considered not a great idea to write ‘No Children, Please,’” says Post, who thinks it’s more effective not to include the kids’ names on the invitations. She also recommends that brides and grooms follow up with guests who have children, reminding them that kids are not included at the wedding. “Be really careful of making exceptions,” Post warns. “If you make exceptions, it can backfire.” Dealing with upset friends and family members can be tough, but brides and grooms need to be firm. “If someone tries to bully their way, be very gracious and say, ‘It’s a shame you feel this way. We hope you can join us,’” Post says. Small solutions Many times, the only children at the wedding are members of
the wedding party or close family members. Brides and grooms inviting kids to the wedding should be prepared with entertainment for the little guests, such as snacks, toys and books. In some instances, “couples will hire baby sitters to watch the children,” Post says. The sitter will entertain the children with coloring books and games, allowing the parents to cut loose and enjoy the wedding. “If you invite a sitter, make sure to seat parents somewhere where they have a good view of the kids’ table,” Schroeckenstein says. “That way, they can have peace of mind that their kids are happy and safe while they’re enjoying the wedding.” Other times, guests will bring baby sitters to chauffeur the children. “The kids stay for the ceremony and the cocktail party and then go home with the sitter,” Pilson says. “Above all, if you choose to in-
vite children, make sure they feel welcome,” Schroeckenstein says. “Happy children make for some of the best wedding guests.” Etiquette about kids Generally, kids older than 12 are OK to invite to the wedding because they’re mature enough to handle the events without acting out. If children of any age are invited to a wedding, Pilson says they should dress up. Boys should wear long-sleeve shirts and pants, and girls should wear dresses. A bride and groom should coordinate with their planner and their caterer for kids’ meals. A popular entree for kids is gourmet macaroni and cheese. Food and activities aside, the decision to include or exclude kids is up to the bride and groom. “Certainly, children can be at the wedding if that’s what the couple want,” Post says. “And it’s OK not to include children if people prefer.”
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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 5
Complement your look, but don’t overdo it By GINNY FRIZZI Creators.com It’s the little touches that can make something memorable, especially when it comes to accessorizing a bridal gown. “We like to say, ‘You shine first. Then comes the dress and finally the sparkle!’” says Lisa Sirlin Hall, a designer and boutique owner. Event coordinator Melissa Phillips agrees. “Wedding plans begin with the style and the impact of the bride’s attire and look in creating the mood,” she says. Carol Tuttle, author of “Dressing Your Truth,” considers the bride’s gown and hairstyle as the canvas for choosing accessories. “You don’t want the accessories to compete with the gown,” she says. “You have to ask, ‘Do you see the accessories or the bride first?’ If too much goes on the bride, you will see the accessories, not her, first. You want the full woman to be noticed.” Hall counsels brides to consider style and comfort first and then budget. “The brides usually come in stressed and are easily distracted by a million possibilities,” she says. “They are not focused when they come in late; they are all over the place.” Hall helps brides focus by listening to them talk about themselves and the style of their upcoming weddings. “Whether it’s formal, rustic, casual, outdoors or over-the-top, a wedding is all about the bride’s taste. She can talk about what she wants. Then we discuss her budget,” says Hall, who then can begin to design or locate accessories for the bride. “A bride might say, ‘I only wear gold,’ so we will discuss using 14-karat gold versus 18-karat gold. If her budget doesn’t cover gold, we might consider gold-filled. If she is allergic to certain metals, we will look for alternate materials,” she explains. Hall often designs bridal jewelry using semiprecious stones. She says more brides are choosing to have their jewelry made in mixed metals, including silver and gold, gold and oxidized silver and brass
wearing. “If you’re not generally a bracelet person, don’t wear one,” she says. “If you wear one, stick with a cuff bracelet — no bangles. You must keep in mind the scale and balance of accessories when choosing them.” Pearls remain a popular choice for bridal accessories. A family pearl necklace or earrings can be the “something borrowed,” but some brides are selecting costume pearls. “With a simple dress, such as a sheath, big pearls are worn in a whimsical, fun way. In fact, any large necklace can make a statement,” Phillips says. Some brides incorporate the color palettes of their weddings into their accessories, perhaps in the stones in their necklaces or the ribbons on their bouquets. Another idea is to forgo a veil and wear a pin holding a feather in your hair, perhaps in your wedding colors. “Many brides are skipping the full-length veil. They are choosing a small veil that sits on the head and is often paired with a hair ornament. It can be a very chic look,” according to Phillips. “They may also make a veil change after the ceremony. A bride wearing
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Nowadays guys can get very involved in everything from choosing the theme to hiring the florist. “It is natural for the groom to be interested in the food, bar and music, but I really like getting their input on colors, invitations and some personal touches that represent them,” Kalabokes says. “Sometimes their suggestions can make the bride cringe, but other times, they can have some really
great input.” Though brides typically take the lead, Kear says more and more guys are interested in planning their weddings. “I’m starting to see it more and more.” He says brides and grooms are questioning traditional wedding
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Husbands-to-be (Concluded from Page 3)
a long veil might switch into a shorter one for the reception.” Some brides are opting for colorful footwear. “They are having fun underneath the dress by wearing brightly colored shoes, including ruby red, sapphire blue and emerald green,” Phillips says. “Some winter brides are even wearing Uggs.” Brides often receive special wedding handbags as gifts from their mothers or other female relatives. Though they may have sentimental meaning, few are actually used on wedding days, according to Phillips. “Most brides have the bags but don’t carry them at the wedding or reception. The bag will usually get left on a chair,” she says. “If you want a handbag, pick something on theme. If your dress is ruffled, get a bag that is also ruffled.” Tuttle, however, believes that a bag and a wrap can be practical and useful bridal accessories. “She can carry her lipstick in the bag and use the wrap if she gets chilly during the day,” she says. Tuttle sums up the role of bridal accessories: “If nothing else, you want people to notice what the bride is wearing, not that her accessories are wearing the bride.”
roles and doing things their own way. “I think people have a lot of expectations of what it should be,” Kear says. “Throw that out, and make it what you want it to be. It’s your day. I think it should just be fun.”
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PAGE 6 ■ BRIDAL GUIDE
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
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Choosing the perfect honeymoon location By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com Your honeymoon is the romantic vacation of a lifetime, a dream getaway filled with unforgettable moments and adventures. The world is filled with gorgeous resorts, island escapes and overseas dream destinations, each offering unique indulgences and breathtaking scenery. How do you choose the right location for your honeymoon? The following 10 steps will help you select your dream getaway spot. 1) New or not new. Would you like to honeymoon at a destination that neither of you has visited before so that the experience is an entirely new adventure for both of you, or would you like to revisit a destination you’ve been to during your dating era? Going back to the first resort you vacationed at together creates an excitement that you’re returning as a married couple.
2) List your dream destinations. Where have you always dreamed of going? Costa Rica? Hawaii? Tuscany? Very often, a honeymoon site choice is a lifelong dream come true, someplace distant and exotic that always has been on one’s wish list. 3) Talk to recent honeymooners. Your recently married friends will be happy to recommend the stunning and sensational resorts where they honeymooned, and they can recommend activities for you to try. Firsthand experience is often more reliable than reviews posted on websites. 4) Check out recent awards. Outstanding resorts often are named to best-of lists, and one of the most popular websites for finding the world’s best locales is Travel + Leisure’s website (http://www.TravelAndLeisure. com). Search for “world’s best” and you’ll discover many different categories, including the best beaches and the best small re-
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sorts, as voted by the magazine’s well-traveled staff. 5) Check out destination wedding magazines. Find the most recent issue of Destination I Do magazine, one of the most illustrious in the travel industry, to read about the hottest island resorts and learn the editors’ most recommended locales. Editor Jennifer Stein and her team say they are invited to some of the best destinations in the world, and their travelogues offer insiders’ secrets to booking the perfect packages and extras. 6) List the activities you’d enjoy most. The ideal honeymoon location for you probably isn’t just a gorgeous beach and crystal-clear blue waters. It most likely offers such adventures as snorkeling, scuba diving, tennis, massages on the beach, rain forest canopy tours, etc. Check resorts’
websites to see which amenities are free and which are not. For instance, Caneel Bay on St. John offers free snorkeling and kayaking, and other resorts often charge for equipment rental. 7) Think about travel time. How far away would you like to travel? Some locations can take more than a day to reach, and some require multiple flights and boat rides to reach. If you have less than 10 days for your honeymoon, would you like to spend two of those days traveling? Does traveling exhaust you? Perhaps a honeymoon locale situated closer to you would provide easier access and a quicker start to your vacation. Decide on a travel-time radius, and explore locales within that range. 8) Think about money. Some resorts and hotel chains are quite pricy by nature, and a week’s stay might cost as much as your wed-
ding. Though many people are used to booking their travel plans online, a travel agent may be a wise resource for locating all-inclusive resorts that suit your budget and getaway wish list. 9) Talk to your wedding coordinator. Wedding planners often arrange destination weddings at resorts near and far, and they also attend “familiarization trips” run by resorts to introduce wedding experts to their offerings. So your friendly wedding coordinator may suggest the perfect honeymoon spot for you, seeing as she may have worked a wedding there last week. 10) Choose a safe locale. The State Department publishes a list of worldwide locations that are deemed unsafe for tourism, so adhere to its warnings list to avoid getting caught in civil unrest or being targeted for tourist crime.
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 7
Personalize cake to top off magical day By AMY WINTER Creators.com Brides and grooms have many options when searching for the perfect wedding cake. They are no longer limited to the traditional white cake with flowers and hearts. Tricia Spencer, the wedding planning feature writer for Suite101.com, says that personalized wedding cakes are becoming more popular. Couples choose the colors, flavors, fillings, shapes and décor that complement their wedding themes and individuality. “Today’s most sought-after cakes include those that are shaped and styled specifically to reflect the personalities of the bride and groom,” Spencer says. When looking for the right cake, a bride and groom should visit bakeries to taste cakes, ask questions and look at portfolios. Anja Winikka, senior editor for The Knot, recommends selecting a cake that’s “compatible with the style of the venue, the season, your gown, the flower arrangements or the menu.” Bring cake photos if you have a particular design in mind. When it comes to picking the cake’s style, TheKnot.com suggests answering these questions: What is your reception site like? Do you want an extravagant cake, or do you prefer a simpler design? Do you like the classic styles or a more personalized cake? Some common types of cakes include contemporary, dramatic, ornate, simple, traditional, unique or trendy. If you want an elegant cake, Megan Hermeling, senior marketing manager at WeddingWire, recommends picking a circular and boxed-shaped cake. Blackand-white cakes serve as a more traditional option; mod cakes provide funky designs; and twotiered cakes present a simpler style. For a more unique option, Winikka suggests custom cake stands or 3-D cake designs. If the couple want a certain design, a laser-printed fondant cake could be a good choice. What tier shape will fit your cake’s style — round, square, rectangular, topsy-turvy, mixed shapes, scalloped? The traditional white cake is still popular, but today’s brides and grooms want to add some color. If you are trying to decide on the perfect color, remember that you don’t want the cake to clash with the rest of the wedding décor. Show the baker your wedding colors to make sure the cake will go along with the rest of the reception’s style. Hermeling recommends natural hues, such as white, ivory and blush, sage green and delicate blues. Some couples choose to bring in other colors, such as ice blue, pale pistachio, rum pink and lavender splash, according to Winikka. These colors go with the bridesmaids’ dresses rather than the bride’s gown. When it comes to traditional cake accents, Spencer suggests rosebuds, cherry blossoms, leaves, lace and ribbon designs. For a more unique cake topper, Hermeling says to consider vintage details (family heirloom) or chic toppers (lovebirds) rather than the plastic figurines. The bride and groom should pick fillings and flavors based on their favorite tastes. Winikka says that lemon, vanilla, chocolate, spice and carrot are always popular choices. Recent trends include chocolate-covered or pistachioenhanced cakes. Or for a unique taste, look into fruit flavors, such as pineapple, wild cherry, passion fruit or mango. Red velvet is
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another option that is different but not too unusual, according to Hermeling. Couples might even choose to go the eco-friendly route. Cakes can be made with organic ingredients, as well as with components that are vegan and locally produced. Spencer says that recycled cake bags and serving papers add to the eco-friendly theme. Brides and grooms don’t have to pick cakes for their receptions. Spencer says cupcakes could serve
as a replacement to cake or as an add-on dessert. Benefits include beautiful cupcake trees, more variety in flavors and easier distribution. Forks are optional, according to Hermeling. Robin Ross, owner of Cupcakes Squared, says that chocolate, red velvet, lemon and carrot cake are popular flavors for wedding cupcakes. Another trend is the dessert bar, which consists of several mini-desserts for guests to enjoy. “Our square cupcakes are like
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little gifts,” Ross says. “They are less expensive because there is no cake cutting fee, and they are clean and neatly wrapped.” Now you know the type of cake you want, but how can you fit it into your budget? To save some money, Hermeling suggests using a buttercream icing with fondant accents because fondant icing can be pricey. Winikka recommends having your perfect cake produced on a smaller scale and then ordering sheet cake with the same
flavor to be sliced in the kitchen. Remember that more complicated decorations, more tiers, more detailed patterns and brighter colors will mean a higher price tag. “The cake, which is the focal point of the reception, should be chosen with care based upon budget, style and taste,” Spencer says. “A wedding budget is effective, but the cake represents one very spectacular life moment and should get to lead the wedding reception priority list.”
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PAGE 8 ■ BRIDAL GUIDE
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
The average length of engagements is 17 months. LAURA PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY CREATORS.COM
Choosing how long it will be until ‘I do’ By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com You’ve got the guy and the ring. Now you need to pick a date and plan the wedding. If you’re like some brides, you already know when you want to get hitched. Other brides aren’t so sure. “Brides have on their minds when the wedding will be,” says Sara Morgan, director of marketing for Weddzilla, a social networking site for the wedding industry. “Then they go with that. It’s less about budget and more about timing.” So sit down with your fiancé and a calendar so you can pick a date and time to say “I do.” Engagement timetable According to the Bridal Association of America, the average engagement time is 17 months. “The majority of our clients opt for approximately a yearlong engagement, plus or minus three months,” says Ashley Baber, own-
F
er and principal planner of Ashley Baber Weddings, noting that many engaged couples are working full time. Often, the decision to have a short or long engagement is tied to when the engagement happened. A Thanksgiving engagement could produce a New Year’s Eve wedding, but that would be a short turnaround. Some wedding days are more popular than others. Saturdays throughout the year are filled with weddings because most people don’t work on Saturdays. In many parts of the country, weddings are limited to certain times of the year because of extreme heat or cold. For example, Baber says spring and fall are popular seasons to get married in the South. Holiday weddings, such as Labor Day weekend nuptials, can be fun because of extra days off from work, but remember to give guests advance notice of at least nine months.
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Short notice A short engagement has some positive attributes. “Some brides love the shortterm gratification,” Morgan explains. “The bride pictures it her whole life and can’t wait to get it done.” Aside from the whirlwind of planning, there can be financial benefits, too. “One advantage of a shorter engagement is negotiating power,” Baber explains. “A venue or vendor may be willing to offer discounted pricing if it has not already booked a date that is just a few months away.” With a short-term engagement, build flexibility into your plans. Limited vendor and services availability can be a problem. “Brides are finding that venues and churches are booked, especially in big cities,” Morgan says. According to Baber, another downside of a short engagement “is increased stress from making
a lot of decisions in a short period of time.” With limited time, it can be a challenge to get the planning done. “I do not advise allotting much less than six months to plan a wedding unless the couple have a lot of time, motivation and, above all, the ability to be decisive,” Baber says. Long-range plans Couples with long engagements have more time to research and book wedding vendors. Though wedding planning is always stressful, a couple planning long term may have less to worry about at any given moment compared with a bride and groom planning a wedding on a quick timetable. Baber says most planning timelines found in books and magazines and on the Internet work around a one-year engagement. “So we tend to see a sense of comfort in couples that opt for roughly 12 months of planning time in
knowing they are ‘on track,’” she says. But a long engagement can pose problems. “One of the few disadvantages of having more time to plan a wedding is that we will occasionally see couples start to second-guess their decisions — food choices, flower colors, etc. — if given too much time to mull over the details,” Baber says. Economic impact The economy is affecting the length of time couples are engaged. “We are seeing a slightly longer average engagement as many couples opt to financially contribute to their wedding or, in some cases, pay for the entire thing themselves,” Baber says. Whether you have a short or a long engagement, remember that it’s your wedding and the start of your new life together. So take a deep breath; pick a date; and plan the event on your terms.
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 9
Big-day tips from wedding professionals By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com
Avoid sparkles Parker advises brides to stay away from shiny, glittery makeup. “I’m not a fan of glittery makeup because it sparkles in photos and needs to be Photoshopped,” Parker says. Parker, who shot the wedding of former “Bachelorette” Melissa Rycroft to Tye Strickland, also suggests professional makeup. “I’m a big fan of eyelash extensions. They’re spectacular.” Parker says. “Professional makeup is exceptional.”
Even if you just got engaged, chances are you’ve been planning your wedding for a long time. You know what you want to wear, the menu for the reception and your first dance song. Still, you might not even think about some of the planning tips wedding professionals want to share. Look for quality Don’t just hire the first wedding vendor you meet. Be choosy to get the best options for your event. “Find quality vendors who know what they are doing,” says Beth Outman, operations coordinator at RiverMill Event Centre. “Take the time to research them and ask for references. Once you have quality vendors, it will make planning the party a piece of cake!” Set a budget Outman also recommends “creative planning” through Web resources to help figure out your budget. “There are many great tools out on the Web right now, at The Knot, WeddingWire, etc.,” she says. “Experiment with these tools to get an idea of how best to allot the money available. Take these budgets and the estimates provided by the vendors you’re speaking to and see how they are comparing.” Get a sneak peak Check out entertainment professionals before you hire them. “See how they act and how they carry themselves,” says Peter Merry, the Wedding Entertainment Director and author of the new book “The Best Wedding Reception ... Ever!” “Get a taste of the people, their skills and capabilities,” says Merry, who recommends watching unedited video of the entertainers in action. “The biggest thing to know is you’re hiring entertainment, not just music,” Merry says. “You need to think about the person on the mic, the master of ceremonies.” Prioritize your day “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” says Laura Parker of Laura Parker Photography. “I tell them they need to prioritize what the three most important things are to them,” says Parker, who finds that most couples already know what they want. Be a good communicator You need to feel comfortable with your wedding vendors and be able to communicate with them. Ask your vendors how they prefer to communicate with you. Outman says she prefers email. “It allows both the bride and vendor to have written documentation of discussions for future reference. (It) also allows both the flexibility of sending at any time of day or night.” Let your vendors know how frequently you want to be in touch, and find out how soon they’ll get back to you. Take charge Parker suggests brides and grooms check out vendor reviews from recent newlyweds. “Reviews are the biggest new virtual marketing hiring tool for brides and grooms,” she says. Don’t wait a long time to make a decision. The longer you wait the smaller your chances are of getting the vendor you want. Deal with stress Wedding stress is inevitable for
Be prepared “Fun doesn’t just happen,” says Merry, who reminds brides and grooms to focus on the wedding
they want to have. “It requires planning and preparation.” “Most couples want to make the wedding unique to them,” Merry says. “They want to make sure what they’re delivering feels like them.” Maximize photo opportunities “Shooting engagement photos is a getting-to-know-you session,” says Parker, who uses these sessions to teach grooms how to dip the bride. She also suggests couples enjoy their first kiss. Holding the kiss for a moment should result in great kiss photos, but Parker says there’s more to it: “This kiss sets the tone for the rest of your marriage.”
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PAGE 10 ■ BRIDAL GUIDE
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
Advantages, disadvantages to non-Saturday weddings By LAUREN BAUMBAUER Creators.com Some women start thinking about their dream weddings from a very young age. Especially as a child, the traditional fluffy white dress, white horse and Saturday full of flowers and dancing play big roles in the fantasy. You’re probably guilty of this yourself and may secretly still have this in your dreams of the big day. This fantasy isn’t always practical, though, and it may limit some other fantastic options, especially when choosing the special day. Planning a wedding and checking out a date? It’s likely that the first days a bride-to-be will look up for her big day are Saturdays. Why is Saturday the most popular day to get married? The fact that it’s during the weekend, when many working people are off, plays a big part in it. According to The Knot, a Web site devoted to bridesto-be for all of their wedding planning needs and stresses, Saturday is easier for people who work during the week and live out of town, because they have time to come in, relax and leave without intruding on their normal schedules. Popularity does include problems. Saturday is often a very hard day on which to book a wedding. Reservations need to be made years in advance for some venues. Venues, caterers and other services that may be involved on the big day also often come with hefty prices on Saturdays because of competition. The wedding industry is an $86 billion industry, according to statistics from the Association for Wedding Professionals International, and those involved with making a wedding happen
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If you have your wedding on a day other than Saturday, who knows what you’ll be able to afford? know how to squeeze every dime out of the bride and groom. Also, Saturday isn’t a common day to tie the knot in Judaism. The Jewish Sabbath, falling from sunset on Fridays to sunset on Saturdays, is meant for relaxation. The stress and planning of a wedding completely go against the Sabbath, so Sunday is the most popular day for Jewish weddings. Sunday is becoming more and more popular as an “off-the-beaten-path” day to wed. With all of the hassles of Saturday weddings in mind, checking out another day may be the best bet for couples. What are the advantages of
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straying from the Saturday path? For the bride on a budget, the advantages are many. Supply and demand for Saturday weddings means Saturdays are generally costlier than other days. A Friday or Sunday wedding would be more pocketbook-friendly, and a nonweekend ceremony would be even more so.
Booking a venue also would be much easier, according to The Knot, because the lack of demand that makes the cost more reasonable also pertains to the time slot. Couples don’t have to set their weddings way in advance, and they’re likelier to get their dream locations on short notice. Make sure to check all of the days and times the
venue has available. Some places, such as churches, have to make special arrangements. The hardest days to get guests to arrive may be earlier in the week, when the daily grind sets in. A disadvantage to the non-Saturday wedding is convenience for the guests. Particularly if guests are arriving from out of town, they won’t want to take time from work, and they need to plan on drive time or flights. If the wedding is small and there aren’t a lot of out-of-towners or it’s planned near a holiday during typical vacation time, then this shouldn’t be a problem. Wedding ceremonies held on other days lend some time for creativity in the celebration, too. The Knot suggests the bridal party be held on Friday, with a day of relaxation on Saturday before the Sunday ceremony. Or a Friday night wedding may involve a more adult atmosphere, especially for those getting off work and ready to enjoy themselves at a ceremony meant for a good time. A destination wedding, which already may have a limited number of guests, can cut back several costs just by changing the day of the week. Your dream wedding still can be a reality. It may just be surprising how much easier it is to wear the fluffy white dress and ride the white horse with your prince into the sunset on a day other than Saturday.
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 11
Who picks up the tab for your wedding day? By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com A gown, shoes, a venue, music, transportation and food. Yikes! Weddings are expensive. According to costofwedding. com the average wedding costs $25,200. Paying for all the details of the day definitely adds up, so who’s picking up the bill? Breaking tradition It used to be that the bride’s parents almost always paid for the whole wedding, but that’s changing. “The biggest change I’m seeing is in the age of engaged couples,” says Meaghan Schmaltz, a wedding and event planner for Weddings Made Splendid. “The average age of an engaged couple is now 28 years old, whereas 10 years ago, it was 23 years old. Today’s ‘average’ engaged couple is now, oftentimes, self-sufficient enough to host their own wedding.” Schmaltz says half her brides and grooms have paid for their own weddings; 38 percent of weddings are paid for by the bride’s parents; and 12 percent of couples split the costs themselves and with both the bride’s and groom’s parents.
Money well-spent When it comes to honeymoon relaxation, couples also are picking up the check more often these days. “I definitely don’t see Mom and Dad pitching in,” says travel planner Ann Petronio. “I mostly see the bride and groom paying for the honeymoon themselves. It’s not just the groom’s responsibility. It’s the bride and groom together.” Petronio says she sees a range of budgets but finds that couples are willing to spend money for a nice honeymoon. “Five thousand dollars is a good average,” she says. “That’s higher than a normal trip. They definitely are willing to spend more on a honeymoon.” Europe has become a popular honeymoon destination, especially for its sightseeing. But all-inclusive resorts are trendy, too. “All-inclusive is always a popular honeymoon choice, especially because you know the budget
ahead of time,” Petronio says. Paying for the trip doesn’t necessarily happen all at once. Some couples pay upfront when they book the trip; others book travel options that require payment within 60 days of travel; and other couples set up a payment plan with a travel agent. Wedding wisdom Every wedding decision has a price tag. The person paying the bill gets to decide what is and what is not a wedding must-have. Schmaltz suggests setting and sticking to a budget, researching the true price of products and services, and getting details in writing. “Get contracts in writing from every vendor that outline the full costs of products and services to avoid nasty financial surprises at the end of the event,” she says. Plan your day your way, but do your best to avoid unnecessary wedding debt.
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Getting personal When a bride and groom pay the bill, they get to take charge, too. “By hosting their own wedding, a couple can make important personal decisions regarding style, theme and guest count, whereas when parents hosted the weddings in the past, the parents’ wants were a larger consideration,” Schmaltz explains. “As a result, I’m seeing a larger focus on a couple’s personal tastes, whether it’s through theme, meal selection or ceremony style.” Weddings are not so cookiecutter these days, and that means couples have the freedom to do things their way. They can spend their wedding budgets any way they want. Some couples may hire a band to rock the reception; others may focus on creating a tasty and memorable menu. “They are working harder to find the deal that will fit their budgets to achieve their wedding day priorities, whereas in the past, the wedding budget seemed a bit more ‘bottomless’ when the parents were hosting the events,” Schmaltz says. Budget basics Wedding budgets vary from couple to couple, but the need for a budget is universal. The wedding reception — including food, alcohol and staffing — is the biggest expense, often taking more than half of a couple’s budget. “I ask couples to talk about their wedding priorities and to define what these priorities are,” Schmaltz says. “For example, if a couple say that their priority is ‘food,’ I ask them to be specific. Are they looking for an out-of-thisworld display of hors d’oeuvres at cocktail hour? Or are they looking for the best cut of filet mignon for the entree course?” 2704 North Newton Street (Hwy 231 N) Jasper 634-7733 www.duboiscountymuseum.org
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PAGE 12 ■ BRIDAL GUIDE
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
BRIDAL PLAN
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BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 13
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PAGE 14 ■ BRIDAL GUIDE
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
Wedding bar list: All about signature drinks By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com The drinks served at weddings have come a long way since the days of beer, wine and classic mixed drinks. Now the trend is for signature cocktails to wow guests with their creative blends of flavors and their vivid colors. Contonna Peterson, COO of Bartending Unlimited, says: “Right now, the big trend is for signature fruity drinks. We’re combining flavors such as a peach nectar and cranberry Bellini, as just one example of the blends of flavors for trendy new drinks.” Another example of Peterson’s creations is fresh kiwi juice, Sprite and a hint of apple Pucker with a star-shaped kiwi perched on the edge of the glass. Peterson says that she’s using fresh fruits and fresh fruit nectars for the best taste. Mixologists are creating delectable blends of fruity flavors, which guests love because they are taste combinations they don’t experience at other events or make for themselves. Drink creation is a new artistry, and Peterson says the show of bartenders mixing and shaking these drinks, pouring them out with a flourish, makes the drink experience even more spectacular. “Brides and grooms who don’t want to do a full bar are choosing to serve a selection of signature drinks,” Peterson says, a fact that ties into today’s budget concerns for brides and grooms. A full open bar with unlimited top-shelf liquors can be very expensive. When you design a collection of fruity, bright signature drinks in addition to classic beer and wine, it can look as if you’ve spent a lot but, in reality, may have saved money. These trendy cocktails are most prevalent in bright colors, though paler drinks also may be on the menu. Peterson says many wedding couples are choosing vibrantly colored cocktails to match or coordinate with the color scheme of their wedding, for special effect that energizes the event’s palette when those drinks are served at the bar and carried around by guests. The bride and groom also could have photos taken of themselves holding these signature cocktails, creating a color-coordinated photo tying into their day’s overarching colors. Peterson advises having drinks made to order. Here’s why: ■■ Part of the excitement for guests is seeing the bartenders do the preparing in exciting steps, such as muddling and shaking, and guests see the lovely swirl of colors in their glasses as the drink is created. ■■ Guests prefer a fresh drink made just for them. It’s the realm of a dive bar to have cocktails premade in a big jug and poured out into a glass. That’s not good enough for your wedding and could turn guests off. ■■ Made-to-order drinks simply taste best, because premade drinks become diluted. So even though you might think having premixed drinks on display -- such as on the bar or at a drink station -- would be a great visual effect, as you may have seen on Pinterest, made-to-order is always the best plan. Let guests know what they have to look forward to, with a printed list of your signature cocktail flavors on display at the bar. It’s a big trend for brides and grooms to give their signature drinks a personalized name, such as Phoebe’s peach and cranberry Bellini, but you can simply list the drinks by their ingredients. Couples en-
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Wedding bar trends include signature cocktails that reflect the bride, groom and their guests. joy the fun of giving their drinks names personalized to their love story or favorite things, such as
a cocktail named after their alma mater — for example, a blue cocktail named for the North Carolina
Tar Heels. Additional drinks that are popular at weddings are cultural
drinks, such as sake or grappa, and even without a cultural connection, sangria is a very popular bar list choice for its colorful and fruity taste. And of course, classic cocktails, such as the Tom Collins and the sidecar, are still popular so that the traditional guests who love those particular drinks may enjoy what they’re used to. Beers and flavorful microbrewed beers — especially microbrews tailored to the season of the wedding, such as a pumpkin beer — are also top trends in wedding drink lists. Champagne may be offered for the entirety of the event, if that suits your budget, or you might choose to follow the popular budget strategy of just offering a fine Champagne to guests upon their arrival or for the toast during the reception. Prosecco and Spanish cava are also budget-friendly bubbly options. No matter the drink type, additional garnishes, such as raspberries popped into the glass or fruits set on the edge of the glass or even spears of olives, add that perfect finishing touch.
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 15
How best to display digitally captured memories By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com At many weddings over the years, brides and grooms have displayed elegantly framed family photos at their receptions. Now the trend has gone high-tech, with those priceless family photos kept safely at home and a slideshow of those same gorgeous photos displayed on a digital photo frame. Wedding guests delight in seeing generations-old photos, many of which have been digitally retouched or enhanced by a photo editor to correct coloring and fix fading. The digital photo frame has become a top decor choice for the reception, as well as for additional pre- and post-wedding parties, and it’s used to display a variety of photos -- not just ancestral wedding portraits. Here are some fun ways to use your high-definition digital photo frame to show images at your wedding celebrations. At the engagement party ■■ Display photos of the bride and groom from their dating days. Gather everything from their prom photos to shots of them at college football games to pictures of vacations and their engagement. ■■ Display childhood photos of the bride and groom in a slideshow that can then be inserted
into the wedding video. At the bridal shower ■■ Display childhood photos of the bride, showing her as a baby, in dancing school costumes, in Halloween costumes, in sporting uniforms and at milestone moments, such as her graduation. ■■ Display photos of the couple, especially if this is a coed shower. At the reception ■■ Display courtship photos. ■■ Display the couple’s official engagement portraits. ■■ Display not only family wedding photos but also fabulous casual family snapshots. ■■ Place a digital photo frame by the flowers set out in honor of departed loved ones, and display photos of those loved ones with family members. When you show happy family memories, it makes the remembrance display a more uplifting one, as opposed to a photos-of-the-departed-only slideshow that’s seen more often at funerals. At the after party ■■ Insert a flash drive or camera card into your digital photo frame and play a slideshow of photos from the wedding day that just happened. These will be candid shots from friends’ cameras, so expect a few out-of-focus pics among the gems. ■■ If you’re hosting a celebra-
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Digital photo frames play slideshows at many wedding parties. tion after your destination wedding, share your gorgeous wedding images on a digital photo frame slideshow so that guests who missed the wedding can see them. Styling your photo slideshow Just as professional photographers do, you can create a highly
stylized photo slideshow with artistic elements. For instance, your digital photo frame might have a fade-in/fade-out function that lets each image emerge from a white screen and then dissipate. You might take all of your digital images and show them in black and white, which lends a classy style to the photos.
According to The Wedding Report, 66 percent of wedding photos are chosen in black-and-white format. This elegant style could inspire you to create an all-blackand-white photo slideshow, which you can easily create using your photo software’s editing functionality as you compile the images for your slideshow. Another similar option is clicking on the “sepia” photo format button to show each image in vintage-inspired coloring. A great photo slideshow consists of more than 20 photos, yet not so many that guests crowd around the digital photo frame to watch the show for an extended period of time. If you do wish to display an extended collection of photos to a larger crowd, connect your image card or camera to a big-screen TV and just let the images play as a more dramatic background at the party. With well-chosen photos, your digital photo frame shares priceless images with all. Don’t have a digital photo frame? Find one at most top retailers. Many bridal couples are adding them to their registries and using that gift at post-wedding celebrations.
PAGE 16 ■ BRIDAL GUIDE
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
Focus on must-haves when setting budget By JULIA PRICE Creators.com Weddings are expensive. For the most part, there’s no getting around that. But sometimes, especially under pressure or stress, it’s easy to forget that at the end of the day everyone in attendance is there to celebrate the union of a loving couple. Those moments are more meaningful than the color of the bouquets, the way the napkins are folded and the presents left on the guest tables that most likely will be forgotten anyway. Of course, to the bride and groom who are planning their special day, these details are extremely important and contribute to the memories. But as you plan for your wedding, remember not to lose sight of what the day is actually about. That being said, how do you determine what you can and can’t leave out of the budget? Start by sitting with your partner, eyes closed. Then describe your perfect wedding to him or her. Which details stand out to you? Make sure one of you is writing down what you say. Then open your eyes and observe your list. Next, draw two columns, one for “must-haves” and one for “maybes.” Some people must have purple lilies everywhere because they signify something special to the twosome. Others couldn’t care less about flowers, but the music has to be epic. Once you begin to paint the picture of how your wedding day looks to you, you will be able to step back and see where you can cut costs. For example, if you have a playlist of your favorite tunes, perhaps you could cut costs on a live band or fancy DJ. You might have your heart set on a very pricey location for your reception, but feel nothing about expensive
and the food and alcohol suppliers. The photographs and video are extremely important because the day is going to fly by for you, and having everything documented will not only provide years of happy memories for you, but also for your future kids, their kids, etc. Don’t try to cut corners here. Go with someone reputable whose work you respect and value so that you can relax and enjoy the moments as they happen. Regarding food and alcohol, you want your guests to have enough to eat to fill them up, and you want the food to be quality. If providing high-end plates feels out of reach, there are creative ways to get around that without lowering expectations for quality. You could rent a food truck with excellent reviews, have a buffet or plan an earlier wedding and reception with an abundance of appetizers. Avoid hiring a catering company by which you aren’t completely blown away. And of
course, unless you’re throwing a dry wedding reception, make sure there is plenty of booze to go around. Once you are able to step back from the emotions associated with planning the “perfect” day, you can take comfort in knowing that for the most part people will only remember what they have in front of them, and not what they don’t. The thoughtful, sentimental details are the most significant elements of any wedding. Have fun, and find ways to tie in your personalities as often as possible. With more than 83 million hits to prove how much people want to see something unique, the viral wedding ceremony dance titled “JK Wedding Entrance Dance” on YouTube is a perfect tool for inspiration. Create an environment that allows people to cut loose. The more fun you have the more fun they will have in return. After all, it is a celebration!
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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
Dealing with parents By KATIE LANGROCK Creators.com How’s this for an understatement: Planning your wedding is a big deal. You are planning one of the most important days of your life. Your wedding day is a celebration of love and commitment you only get to experience once. Twice if you’re lucky. (Just kidding.) Then why is that sacred day, associated with white lace and drunken second cousins, so stressful? (Parents of brides, you may want to stop reading and pick up at the next parenthetical.) It’s the parents. Mom, dad, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandma, grandpa — every last one of them has something to add. An opinion. A retort. A request. Or was it a demand? Oh, nothing can add the blues to your something old, something new and something borrowed like family. (Parents may resume reading.) Our families may drive us crazy, but their hearts are in the right place. In the words of a loving mother I saw when I was shamefully watching “Say Yes to the Dress,” “I’m going to give my daughter the wedding of her dreams, whether she likes it or not.” Remember that your parents are only looking out for your best interest — or what they think is in your best interest. “A wedding is a precedentsetting event, and the choices you make set the tone for future relationships,” says Anna Post, an etiquette expert at The Emily Post Institute. How well you work with your parents and your future inlaws during the wedding-planning process dictates the strength of your relationships in the future. It’s important to keep in mind that the problems in planning a wedding don’t come from contrasting opinions between you and your parents. They come from the way you and your parents express these contrasting opinions. Every time you sit down with your family to talk about the wedding, the goal must be for both you and your loved ones to approach the discussion with respect and courtesy, minding that holiest of holy words: compromise. “Some couples go into total black-and-white mode, either capitulating to their parents’ wishes or adopting an ‘it’s our wedding day, and we’ll do it any way we please’ attitude,” warns Maureen Thomson, wedding officiant and owner of Lyssabeth’s Wedding Officiants. The best approach to planning a wedding with your family is to be crystal clear on what you want and what you will not bend on. Calm down, rabid bridezillas. This is not a permission slip to demand your every whim, climb your cake tower and throw poisonous bouquets at your mother’s dreams. Remember: compromise. Tell your parents how grateful you are for their help before you lay out your demands. This is not a hostage situation; it can be a fun and relaxed process. Choose your battles, and be selective. Pick five musts. They can be whatever you want: flowers, band, theme, officiant, guest list, colors, wedding party, future spouse. Pick five, only five, and be willing to bend on the rest. Seriously, take a yoga class. A successful wedding requires flexibility from everyone.
BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 17
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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
Gown trends: Full, glittering, cropped By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com Today’s top wedding gown style has been described as “light and airy,” “modern minimalist” and “ethereal,” but what exactly makes a wedding gown all of these things? It’s a delicate design at the bodice — as opposed to the stiff, constructed bodice style of years past — and a fuller flowing skirt, as opposed to the sleeker sheath dresses of years past. Brides want their wedding gowns to be fairy tale pretty, to look stunning from all angles. Diane Forden, editor in chief of Bridal Guide magazine, says that wedding gowns for 2015 “run the gamut from classic ballgowns to short, flirty dresses, romantic and vintage to city-chic. It’s up to the bride to decide what dress looks and feels best on her.” She encourages brides to try on many different styles of dresses (including ones they don’t think will look good on them) to find The One. Here are some of the top trends in wedding gown designs: ■■ Fuller skirts. In today’s gown style, tulle skirts designed in layers add volume, movement and softness to the full-length gown look. ■■ Glam vintage style. Think “The Great Gatsby”: long, elegant dresses with intricate beading reminiscent of the 1920s and ’30s. Hand-sewn beading in masterful artistry is a top look this year, making the wedding gown even more special to wear. Also included in this look are sequins, tiny pearls and lace. ■■ Drop-waist dresses. A dropped waist elongates the figure, leading into a full skirt. This, especially, is one of those gown styles that Forden referred to — the dress that might not look good on the hanger, but is in fact extremely flattering. ■■ Long lace sleeves. The Duchess of Cambridge set the standard with her lace-sleeved wedding gown, and it’s a trend that hasn’t faded. In fact, lace is even more popular now. We’ll
see lace collars, especially, for a regal wedding day look ala Kate Middleton. ■■ Illusion sleeves. “Illusion” material is a sheer fabric that allows for a sense of being covered up, but it is sheer, light, airy and delicate. Illusion material is used for pretty cap sleeves over the shoulder and as the material for the popular cape or jacket trend seen on bridal fashion runways. (The bride, then, gets two looks for her wedding gown: one with the illusion jacket and one without.) ■■ Off-the-shoulder sleeves. The exposed shoulder is all the rage in wedding gown styles, with the look encompassing many styles from strapless to a dropped loop of fabric extending from each strap, revealing the shoulder. Offthe-shoulder sleeves are seen in all manner of gown styles, from vintage to modern to rustic. ■■ Back details. An open back is one of the most popular looks for wedding gowns in 2015, with the bride’s back “framed” by the keyhole or portrait opening of the back of the dress. Intricate, artistic lace often surrounds the open back, adding softness and romance to what might be considered an ultra-sexy show of skin. Lace makes exposed backs look prettier and more princess-like. ■■ Dresses in color. While white and ivory will always be popular wedding gown colors (especially given how many different shades of white and ivory there are), today’s bride is open to a wedding dress in color. She pays no mind to the symbolism of the white dress and instead chooses her gown shade to complement her skin tone and meet her dream dress vision. Top colors of wedding dresses seen on the bridal fashion runways: blush colors of pink, pale blue, lavender, gray, silver, tan, mauve and mint green, for something different and more personalized. ■■ Metallics. Gowns with sparkle are in, with perhaps a shimmering wrap effect around the hips, in material that glitters in the light, making this more of a
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very subtle way, just for a glimpse of skin at the mid-section, above a short or full skirt. This is a top choice for destination weddings.
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BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 19
Registries go beyond salad bowls, gravy boats By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com According to a recent report by the wedding authority Web site BrideTide, more than 70 percent of today’s brides and grooms set up gift registries at Bed Bath & Beyond, Target or Macy’s. However, because many brides and grooms are marrying at older ages than in decades past, they may be fully stocked with their kitchen appliances and serveware. Couples who have lived together before marriage report that they already have their juice glasses, coffee mugs and bathroom towel sets. Still, most couples do like to register for upgrade items, such as coffee makers and martini sets, to bring a gourmet flair to their new household. With these smaller traditional housewares wish lists, couples like to create second or even third registries in more personalized categories. Here are some of the top new trends in fun and fresh registry types: Electronics We live in a techno-society, and brides and grooms want the latest gadgets and top-name equipment, such as digital cameras that cost less than bakeware sets but allow them to take amazing photos on their honeymoons. Or digital photo frames, such as those by top-rated brand Pandigital, allowing them to display their wedding photos in the future. GPS devices for their cars or for outdoor sports are also on many couples’ wish lists. The good news for wedding guests looking at price tags of more than $400 for some top-ofthe-line techno-gifts is that it’s now an etiquette “do” for groups of relatives, friends and colleagues to share the costs of bigticket presents in order to fulfill couples’ wish lists. Outdoor sports REI has burst onto the registry scene for those active-lifestyle and adventure-seeking couples who share a love of all things outdoorsy — camping, biking, hiking, etc. At the white-hot http:// www.rei.com, couples can sign on for new mountain bikes, kayaks, tents and even upscale backpacks. One of the top registry choices for couples who already have their bikes and boats is bike and boat racks that attach to their cars, allowing them to load those bikes or kayaks for weekend getaways. Car bike racks range from $135 to more than $400; kayak racks range from $65 to $350; and backpacks range from $95 to the $200-
animals. Speaking of animals, a hot new trend is setting up a gift registry at http://www.heifer. org, where the couple pick out affordable gifts of chickens, goats, honeybees and other donations all the way up to a water buffalo, which are donated to families and communities, allowing the recipients the gift of self-sufficiency and survival. Also in the givingto-others realm is the registry at http://www.TenThousandVillages.com, where you’ll find décor items, such as textiles from India, tabletop items fashioned from Nepalese silver, and more, all made by fair trade artisans.
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Many couples who have been living together and already have household items opt to register for adventures. plus realm, again allowing guests the option of giving solo or giving a group gift. The couple who plays together stays together, and a gift of this sort grants the couple better odds of a long and healthy life together in the future. The wine list Couples who have all of their basic home goods but wish for home wine cellars are thrilled to discover Bottlenotes. At http:// www.bottlenotes.com, they can start their wine collections by signing on for bottles or cases of award-winning vintages, as well as the makings of wine cellars, wine refrigerators and the traditional wine glasses and crystal decanters that add a flair of elegance to their future wine-tasting parties.
table registry. At http://www. IDoFoundation.org, the bride and groom can sign on for their favorite charities, adding personalized notes on what they love about each cause, their personal connection to it, and their thanks
to guests who opt to make donations as their wedding gifts to the couple. This site reports that its most popular charity categories are those related to health, children’s causes, the environment, international hunger and
Give the gift of ... flight? Skydiving, anyone? The adventurous and fearless couple can sign on for any of the 1,500 experiences from http://www.Cloud9Living.com, which offers the gift options of skydiving, driving a race car, going hot air ballooning and other unforgettable adventures to share. In this economy, it’s important to register for gifts in the less than $50 range, a collection in the $100 to $150 range and a collection in the group gift-friendly $150-plus price mark. Many couples say that as much as they loved that expensive cappuccino maker, they love their $8 glass cutting boards. All of this, plus a mountain bike and a Nintendo Wii system, makes for a happy newlywed home.
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PAGE 20 ■ BRIDAL GUIDE
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
Proper wedding correspondence in digital age By CHANDRA ORR Creators.com From email invites to blogging about the big day, more and more brides are turning to the Internet to spread the word about their weddings, but even in the digital age, proper etiquette still applies. Follow these simple do’s and don’ts to merge your wedding with the Web and you’ll come off looking classy: ■■ Do create a private wedding website. Facebook and Twitter are fine for posting news in the moment, but spring for a dedicated website to share official details of the big day. “A dedicated wedding website allows the couple to control who sees the information and when. Other electronic mediums do not have the same privacy settings,” explains etiquette expert Darlene Dennis, author of “Host or Hostage?” Easily accessible sites can pose safety issues -- strangers can find out when you will be away from home -- and give a false sense of involvement to those who won’t be invited to the wedding. A private website ensures that only those who need the information get the information. ■■ Don’t use the web for wedding invitations. For savethe-date announcements, bridal shower invites and photo sharing, the Web works wonders, but when it comes to the official wedding invitations, snail mail is still a must. “Wedding websites are a fabulous way to share the details of the engagement, travel information for out-of-town guests and registry information — but be sure the medium matches the message. A quick reminder is fine by email, but a formal invitation is best sent by mail,” says Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. After all, the invites reveal a lot about the ceremony to come. “The wedding invitation sets the tone of the wedding. Even though everything is moving to online avenues, a mailed invitation is still the proper way to invite guests,” says Curtrise Garner, author of “The New Rules of Etiquette.” ■■ Do think twice before you post. By openly sharing the details of the wedding planning pro-
Feel free to email, tweet and blog about the wedding planning process, but when it comes to the invites, paper correspondence is a must. WEDDING PAPER DIVAS CREATORS.COM
cess, you open yourself up to unsolicited comments, critiques and suggestions. “There are plenty of people with a multitude of opinions who feel they have a right to weigh in on almost any topic,” Smith says. “Cousins or college buddies who may not have made the guest list, the ceremony venue, the celebration menu, the honeymoon location — as soon as the information is posted, it is open to critique.” ■■ Don’t over-share. Feel free to share the highlights of the wedding planning process, but save the details for phone calls and face-to-face conversations. “Weddings are exciting and fun, but nobody is more excited than the bride. Share small tidbits and funny stories briefly and sporadically,” Garner says. Spread the news on finding your dress or a funny story about your fiancé’s booking the honeymoon. Skip the long rant detailing your struggle to choose between cream or white linens for the reception. ■■ Do consider the impact. Be respectful of your guests — and yourself — when sharing anecdotes and photos online. “Don’t be silly or reveal anything of a personal nature that will be an embarrassment to you or your family, either now or at a later date,” Dennis says. “Of
course, the wedding party and every member of both families need to be included, but toss out pictures of anyone in the act of doing anything socially inappropriate.” Friends and family will appreciate a few short video clips and a tasteful selection of wedding pictures — but don’t go overboard. “Very few people want to see all 675 pictures. Instead, choose 30 representative ones,” Smith says. ■■ Don’t click too soon. Whether sending email invites or posting travel information to a website, edit everything before you hit the send button — and ask a friend to proofread all communications before you commit. Nothing’s worse than giving guests the wrong date for the event or misspelling your future mother-inlaw’s name, so pay close attention to names, dates, addresses and driving directions. Also, be sure your mass email list includes only those invited to the wedding. ■■ Do send personal thankyou’s. Avoid using email to show appreciation for all those gifts. Thank-you notes deserve the personal touch — the kind that comes from handwritten snail mail. “Some things need to maintain
a traditional paper trail,” Dennis says. “Handwritten thankyou notes tell how well-mannered and educated you are. Use black or blue ink and your nicest cursive writing. Remember the names
of those who sent gifts, exactly which gifts they sent and how you plan to enjoy them — and mention a bit about how pleased you are with the givers’ presence on your big day.”
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BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 21
Don’t forget gifts for wedding attendants By GINNY FRIZZI Creators.com Though generally on the receiving end when it comes to wedding presents, brides and grooms must do some shopping of their own in connection with the big day. Gifts for attendants — including the maid or matron of honor, bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen — are a traditional way of thanking them for being in the wedding party and providing mementos of the day. When it comes to selecting the gift, the most important thing is to be thoughtful, no matter what your budget, according to Anna Post of The Emily Post Institute. “It’s a good idea for the bride and groom to get their respective attendants the same gift or a variation of the same gift,” says Post, the great-great-granddaughter of etiquette expert Emily Post. “This includes the maid or matron of honor and the best man. It is important that no one feels that they are being treated differently. You don’t want to get one an engraved pen and another a book,” although variations of the same basic gifts are fine. “An example would be if a bride gave all of her bridesmaids a pashmina shawl. She might get the same shawl in different colors to suit the individual coloring of each woman,” Post says. “A groom might choose to give each usher a CD of his favorite music. Again, the basic gift is the same, but the choice of music makes it personal.” Traditional gifts include those that can be monogrammed with the attendants’ initials or the wedding date. Popular choices include sterling silver necklaces or bracelets for women and cuff links, pens, business card cases and lager glasses for men. There is a growing interest in nontraditional gifts for attendants, according to Candice Lapin of Para ti Novia, a Web site for Latina brides. “What we are seeing in terms of trend are a lot of do-it-yourself or eco-friendly gifts from the heart, totally eco-friendly and reusable gifts, such as homemade jam or jelly in a recycled jar or hand-sewn totes,” she says. Lapin says that popular gifts are also ones that have an “oldtime” feel, such as handkerchiefs with embroidery and handmade frames, and anything that looks vintage, such as old aprons, journals and photo albums. Couples who are ecologically conscious or having green weddings have various attendant gift options — such as Earth to Gert reusable bags, which are made from cotton organically grown in the United States or from recycled plastic cloth. The bags can be personalized with the wedding date, a favorite quote or an image and can be reused long after the happy day. Other environmentally conscious gifts are personalized reusable drinking bottles or coffee tumblers engraved with the wedding date or a special message. Michael A. Aaron, president of Greensender.com, says his company has received orders of up to a dozen bottles for attendants’ gifts. Personalized bottle orders have included a fishing image with each groomsman’s name engraved on the bottle and a peace sign with the name of each bridesmaid. There are gift options that are appropriate for attendants of both sexes, such as photo albums customized with individual names. Freeze Frame Publishing produces a range of albums in various
traveling. One unique way to mark the day is to provide attendants with commemorative coins. Coins for Anything has seen a marked increase in wedding orders for its custom-designed coins. A photo inset technology is used to create the image desired, such as the bride and groom. Gifts to attendants normally are presented about the time of the wedding, Anna Post says. “The gifts can be given in private but
are usually presented as a group, such as at the rehearsal dinner,” she says. “It’s all right to give a gift for them to wear the next day at the wedding, such as necklaces, bracelets or cuff links.” When in doubt, traditional choices are safest, she advises. “The bride and groom should think carefully and ask themselves, ‘Am I sure this will go over well?’ If they’re not sure, then they should go with another gift,” Post says.
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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
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A DJ or a band? Both can keep your guests on the dance floor, but which is the right choice for you?
Best to hire DJ or band? Pros and cons of each By SHARON NAYLOR Creators.com Brides and grooms planning their wedding receptions know that it’s the music that makes the celebration unforgettable. With great entertainment, guests fill the dance floor and have the time of their lives, and the couple themselves dance to “their song” in a moment that’s captured forever on video. The big question facing these brides and grooms: Should we hire a DJ or a band? Both options have pros and cons. Music played by a DJ is instantly recognizable, with the celebrity singer’s voice filling the room. It’s almost as good as having Beyonce, Celine Dion, U2 and The Jackson 5 performing live for you. The artist versions you know — and that may have played a part in your love story, from the first date to the first mix you made for your partner to the songs played on the night you got engaged — become highlights of your reception. A band’s pros include that undeniable dynamic of the live performance, the energy a great group gives off as it blasts out a hit song, the vibration of the bass, the beat of the drums, the blare of the trumpet and the amazing collection of talented singers. A live band treats guests to a concert and creates an entirely different, charged vibe in the room. The DJ or band leader will act as your emcee for the event, introducing you into the room, interacting with guests and inviting them onto the dance floor, even inviting guests to spin music or sing. The personality factor of DJ vs. band depends on the personalities of the professionals involved. So that part is evenly matched. Hiring the perfect entertainer revolves around the entertainer’s personality.
“Mixing a DJ and a band ... is an option most couples forget to consider.” Meredith Bodgas Wedding blogger
The next consideration is the purse strings. A DJ almost always costs less to hire than a band. According to The Wedding Report, the average price of a DJ ranges from $900 to $1,200 for a four-hour package, which is approximately 30 percent of the cost of a live band. A band that is composed of 10 members obviously commands a higher booking price than a solo DJ. And don’t forget that each of your entertainers needs to be fed at the reception. Wedding experts advise that you should make your selection based on which option works best for the style of wedding you have in mind. Fran Hansen, author of “Our Wedding Wish Book & Keepsake Planner,” says: “Your typical DJ will have hundreds, maybe even thousands, of songs available. Your best options for entertainment should always include a large selection of musical styles.” A DJ, then, could play songs ranging from the top 40 and hip-hop music your younger crowd likes to Motown songs your parents’ generation likes to big band swing — and maybe even cultural music, such as polka. Bands filled with talented musicians and singers may have great range, as well, so have your wish list handy when interviewing potential bands. The first dance is an integral part of your decision. Stacie Ivers Francombe, founder and editor-
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in-chief of Get Married magazine, says: “Something to take into consideration: your first dance. I went to a beautiful wedding that had a terrific band, but when the bride and groom started the routine that they had practiced for months — and mastered, with the help of a dance instructor — they could not make it happen. That’s because they had practiced with a CD of the song, and the band played in a slightly different beat.” The perks of both a DJ and a live band or musicians have inspired the latest trend: having both. “Mixing a DJ and a band — and not just having one or the other play at different times — is an option most couples forget to consider,” says Meredith Bodgas, wedding blogger for Glamour magazine’s website. “Many entertainment companies will edit recorded song tracks and add the missing pieces back in with live musicians. The DJ and live musicians play together throughout the reception (except when the live musicians need the occasional break). It costs less than a band; the songs still sound like the originals; and you get the upscale feeling a band provides.” Another twist on hiring both a DJ and live performers is having live musicians play during your cocktail hour and dinner hour of the reception and then having a DJ take over for the dancing hours of the reception. Find professional entertainers to interview and audition through a great wedding coordinator or friends’ referrals, or see them in action at free bridal expos.
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BRIDAL GUIDE ■ PAGE 23
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You never know what kind of wedding photos you’ll find on Pinterest. The image-sharing site lets users get wild and crazy with their wedding plans.
Pinterest helps brides organize wedding ideas By ANICA WONG Creators.com It should be known upfront that though I do have a boyfriend, I am nowhere near getting a ring, buying a dress and planning what decades of advertising have told me will be the biggest day of my life. Don’t get me wrong; I have every good intention of doing all of those things and honestly, the sooner the better (hint, hint to a certain someone). While I draw the line at no dress shopping until I have a sparkle on my finger, the lack of bling doesn’t stop me from looking and pinning. Pinning on Pinterest, that is. And I’m not alone. For anyone who has ever been on the image-sharing site, Pinterest seems like it was made for women planning weddings, whether they are getting married or not. According to Modea, a digital ad agency, 68 percent of Pinterest’s users are female, and of those women, about 28 percent are in the age bracket of 25 to 34 years old. What all of these numbers translate to are a lot of women who are in the “marrying” age with millions upon millions of photos of DIY centerpieces, perfect proposals and stunning dresses literally a click away. How many women, exactly? According to a Pinterest spokesperson, “We don’t have an official count for wedding-related boards, but it’s safely in the order of tens of thousands, if not more.” The company doesn’t share data related to pins, boards or categories. Instead, I turned to a company who interacts with Pinterest on a daily basis. Paper Moon Weddings is an online wedding magazine, one I’m guilty of following on Pinterest because their pins are prolific and suit my taste for a subdued and natural-feeling celebration. Rebecca J. Hodges, the creative director, told me that Pinterest has changed their world
because their ideas and photos can go viral in minutes at the sound of a pin. “Because of the creative generation coming behind us with technology at their fingertips, more and more crafters are sharing their ideas,” she says. What I was most interested in, though, was what type of weddings might be crafted out of Pinterest boards. If one was to look at the 100 pins on my “Wedding Partay” board, you would think I loved typography (which I do), want a wedding cake that is made to look like a tree (preferably an aspen) and am undecided on what my color scheme is going to be (too many choices). But through my pinning, I kept coming across
some of the same bridesmaid dresses or mis-matching wedding bands — everyone and their mom (who probably also has a wedding board) were pinning these photos. Does this lead to the creation of more cookie-cutter weddings because a lot of today’s brides, and future brides, are using Pinterest as their inspiration? Hodges set my mind at ease: “It’s hard to say cookie cutter when brides are using circuses to inspire their day or if the ‘Great Gatsby’ is their greatest wedding dream.” Hodges stressed that while Pinterest may make you feel like you have to make all of your guest favors and place settings, or make sure that you don’t copy the next bride, its main purpose is what it
started out as: a visual representation of what we all like. “While many brides want their wedding to look personal and DIY, they don’t necessarily want to do-it-themselves. More than anything we are seeing more specialized vendors that make these unique projects for them,” Hodges says. “Pinterest feeds from these creative places. If anything I would say that Pinterest is keeping up with the growing creative and visual needs of the wedding industry.” In my experience of looking through wedding pins on Pinterest — which, if anyone asks, I only do once a week — I’ve learned that there are too many ideas out there to count. And while I don’t need
to copy the photos exactly, they at least get my mind thinking about ways to incorporate Mason jars into my future wedding. Hodges agrees with me, saying that Pinterest helps brides to organize their ideas in order to show their vendors what exactly they’re looking for. “Verbally communicating creative ideas can be tricky if you have never done it before,” she says. That’s where Pinterest comes in handy. So, girls, don’t be ashamed if you have a wedding board and no ring. Don’t even be ashamed if you have a wedding board and no man. I’m almost positive that you will thank yourself later for having pinned that photo of the perfect centerpiece.
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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
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If you’re stretched for time and money, you may want to go to a one-stop shop.
One-stop shopping could be bride’s best bet By CHELLE CORDERO Creators.com Couples want their wedding days to be totally unique and totally representative of them. They also hope that everything will fall into place without angst or lastminute surprises. Then, of course, there is the budget line. “One-stop shopping works well for today’s bride. The average bride today is financially contributing significantly to her wedding and is working full time while trying to plan a wedding. There are economies of scale with multiple services, which saves valuable time and ensures the professionals are well-orchestrated the day of the wedding,” says Brian M. Tessler, chief marketing officer for The Pros Entertainment Inc. of Pennsylvania. The Pros offer packages including photographer, videographer and DJ services. Packages are flexible and can be customized to meet the couple’s individual needs. “Brides are able to mix and match different levels of service and receive the same discount. For example, if a bride has a small wedding but wants a custom-built album, she can book the smallest disc jockey package with a top-end photography package,” explains Tessler. From photography and entertainment packages up to complete resort, activity and vacation packages, bridal couples are finding convenience, coordination and economy with the help of one-stop shopping. You can have a complete weekend, from rehearsal dinner to a parting brunch, at a local resort or a destination wedding that flows into a private honeymoon for two. With a limited number of vendor contacts and discounts for multiple services, the wedding affair becomes more affordable and more manageable. Full-service event planning companies, such as The Event Of A Lifetime Inc., coordinate details from the invitations through the planning and execution of your event. Overseen by proprietor and wedding planner Melisa Imber-
man and based in Greater New York, The Event Of A Lifetime will “hand-pick each vendor based on the couple’s personality, style and budget.” Imberman believes that customized weddings allow for more personalized tastes. “One-stop shopping obviously saves time, however not every vendor is right for every bride. When you go to a place that offers a multi-vendor package, you may end up hiring vendors that you wouldn’t have otherwise. You may end up with things that don’t suit your needs or style or perhaps with a generic wedding.” One-stop shopping can mean offers including photography, videography and entertainment; catering halls and hotels that provide menus, floral arrangements, centerpieces and accommodations; stationery, including invita-
tions, place cards, announcements and thank you notes; or resorts that program the activities from arrival to departure. The purpose of a coordinated package is for convenience, economy and a smooth and memorable event. Each package arrangement reduces the haggling and contacts. Silk Expressions in Seven Springs, N.C., is a wedding-planning, -coordinating and -decoration service. It offers packages that contain cakes, flowers, planning, coordinating, invitations, decorating and favors. “By combining our services, we are able to save our brides money,” owner Patricia Mudd says. “We relieve stress by taking on a lot of their planning and coordinating.” It’s Eventful, which is in Seattle, offers a “Full Production Package,” from initial planning through the day of the event. Its
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“Planning and coordinating an event can be a monumental task,” Imberman says. “Be organized, plan, pay attention to details, add personal touches, enjoy yourself and each other.” “If budget is the concern,” Tessler says, “set priorities to ensure your money goes to where it is most important.” Professionals also advise couples deciding whether to use packaged vendors or wedding services to be realistic about the time it takes to plan an affair, your time commitments and what your dreams are for a “perfect” wedding affair.