Dcnnbridalguide2016

2016

The Ultimate

Bridal Guide FEBRUARY 2016 A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

Get the Latest Advice on Planning the Perfect Wedding With Tips From the Pros...

Plus Words of Wisdom From Former Brides on Keeping Calm and Staying Organized as Your Wedding Day Approaches.

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| BRIDAL GUIDE | DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK

FEBRUARY 2016

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Rehearsal dinner how-to Many couples find their wedding rehearsal dinners to be relaxing respites from the whirlwind of wedding planning. Such dinners enable the happy couple to slow down and enjoy themselves in a relatively casual gathering with their closest friends and family members.

Rehearsal dinners typically take place in the night or two before the wedding. The couple, members of their wedding party, the parents of the bride and groom and others involved in the wedding typically attend this dinner. The couple generally takes the time at the dinner to thank everyone for their contributions to the wedding and to offer some small gifts of appreciation. No rules govern rehearsal dinners, so couples have the freedom to plan the dinners as they see fit.

Rehearsal dinners often come immediately after the ceremony rehearsal, when the wedding party and the officiant go over the timing and details of the wedding.

Make arrangements with the ceremony site and officiant prior to making dinner reservations.

Parents of the groom traditionally host the rehearsal dinner, so they will be integral in planning the event. That means couples should keep an open and gracious mind. Remember, the rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to be a lavish affair, and it can be customized to any budget or preference.

Some couples feel that hosting

for great places to hold rehearsal dinners. The bride and groom can suggest their ideas, but ultimately it is the person handling the bill who has the final say. Couples who want greater control over the rehearsal dinner festivities can suggest hosting it themselves.

Despite its name, the rehearsal dinner doesn’t actually have to be a dinner, as couples can opt for meals at a different time of the day, like brunch or lunch. An earlier occasion gives guests plenty of time to get home and rest up for the festivities of the wedding to come.

Toasts are expected at the rehearsal dinner, but they tend to be spontaneous, off-the-cuff remarks. A couple with a good sense of humor might not mind being roasted at their rehearsal dinners.

The bride and groom should expect to say a few words of thanks to all in attendance, but remarks need not be too formal.

Rehearsal dinners may even feature a little entertainment.

Tech-savvy parents may put together a presentation with videos or photographs that chronicles the couple’s lives separately and their life together.

METRO Rehearsal dinners provide an Rehearsal dinners provide an opportunity for couples and their families to spend time together before the opportunity for couples and their larger festivities of the wedding pull them in multiple directions. families to spend time together before the larger festivities of the rehearsal dinners in casual set- and get to know one another be- ple may be more inclined to so- wedding pull them in multiple ditings can make the dinner more fore the wedding. This will help to cialize and have fun when they’re rections. Plus, they set a fun tone comfortable for members of the tame nerves and enable the wed- not worried about putting on airs. for the wedding weekend to come. wedding, who can use the din- ding party to loosen up and enjoy Restaurants that have special ner as an opportunity to mingle themselves even more. Some peo- meaning to the couple often make Courtesy of Metro

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FEBRUARY 2016

DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK

| BRIDAL GUIDE    | 3 A

Raining gifts

MAJESTIC VENUE

The modern bridal shower may trace its origins the 1890s. “The Old Farmer’s Almanac� says the first bridal shower hostess filled a paper parasol with small presents and turned it over the head of the bride-to-be. Soon the concept caught on, and many other women began “showering� future brides in such a manner. Naturally, as presents became larger and heavier, the tradition of literally showering the bride with gifts was modified — but the name has stuck.

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This Greek revival building with towering columns in Newtown Square is Finley Catering’s newest location.

Finley Catering debuts new Delco venue Finley Catering is excited and busy preparing for the year 2016. The company is celebrating its 40th anniversary and recently completed a $2 million renovation of one of its Center City locations, The Ballroom at the Ben. But, that is only part of their news!

Finley Catering is moving back to its roots in Delaware County and is extremely excited about its newest venue, The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve, located in Newtown Square. Steeped in history, Ellis Preserve continues to honor the legacy of Charles E. Ellis, a local entrepreneur who made his fortune through a horse drawn trolley company and created a school for father-

less girls in 1932.

The Ballroom, originally the school’s administrative building, is a grandiose Greek revival building with towering columns that sits in all its grandeur in a pastoral green setting.

Finley Catering is thrilled to add this newest yet historic and architecturally majestic venue to its Center City locations. Conveniently located on Route 3 and close to 476, Finley can now offer brides and corporate clients a sloping green landscape and a picturesque building for future events.

Please contact us at 484315-8539 or trishfinley@finleycatering.com for more information.

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DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK

FEBRUARY 2016

TAKING THE PLUNGE

Tame wedding day nerves When couples tie the knot, many changes are in store, many compromises will be made and many lasting memories will be created. But in the weeks and months before their big days, couples can easily get caught up in the whirlwind

of wedding planning, never taking inventory of their feelings until their wedding days have arrived.

Come their wedding days, couples should not be surprised if some nerves set in.

A survey from the anxiety self-help resource The Fear SHARON GOODSPEED REALTOR® 1055 E. Baltimore Pike Suite 100 Office: 610-892-8300 Cell: 215-990-8415 Fax: 610-892-8301 sharon.goodspeed@longandfoster.com

Source indicated 71 percent of brides-to-be suffered from some type of nerves during the lead-up to their weddings. Ninety-two percent of brides experienced nerves on the day of the wedding or the evening before, while 66 percent reported that it affected their daily lives prior to their weddings or hampered their performance and enjoyment during the day itself.

According to Psych Central, a modern online voice for mental health information, emotional support and advocacy, pre-wedding jitters are common and can be the subconscious telling a person that something needs to be remedied. Wedding nerves do not mean a

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The following are some ways to tame wedding day nerves. ● Keep an open dialogue.

Speak with your future spouse about the things that may be causing your anxiety. Maybe you have doubts on financial choices or where you will be living after the wedding. Communicating openly and honestly is one of the foundations of a strong relationship. ● Slow down and breathe.

Wedding planning involves making many decisions, and sometimes couples move at breakneck speeds.

Make slowing down a priority. Try to enjoy a quiet dinner with just the two of you. When enjoying peaceful moments, take deep breaths, which can be calming and revitalizing. If need be, consider signing up for a yoga or tai chi class to force you to slow down. ● Address performance anxiety. It’s easy to build up the big day in your mind and hope that everything

According to Psych Central, a modern online voice for mental health information, emotional support and advocacy, prewedding jitters are common. goes according to plan. But it’s impossible to plan for each and every outcome on your wedding day. Focus on everything that can go right, rather than worrying about what might go wrong. Also, realize that your guests are your friends and family members who will be forgiving of any hiccups along the way. You’re bound to recover gracefully from any mishaps. ● Work on confidence.

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A survey from the anxiety self-help resource The Fear Source indicated 71 percent of brides-to-be suffered from some type of nerves during the lead-up to their weddings. Sixty-six percent reported that it affected their daily lives prior to their weddings or hampered their performance and enjoyment during the day itself. talk and surround yourself with positive people. Keep the worry-warts at arms’ length for the time being. ● Recruit more help.

Weddings are huge undertakings, so it’s no surprise that couples sometimes feel overwhelmed. Ask reliable relatives or friends to double-check all of the last-minute details. This way you don’t feel it is all on your shoulders.

Wedding days nerves are to be expected and often have little to do with the decision to get married.

Planning such a big event can be nerve-wracking, but there are ways to combat any anxiety that builds up as the big day draws near.

Courtesy of Metro

FEBRUARY 2016

DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK

| BRIDAL GUIDE | 5

ONE OF A KIND SETTINGS. ONE OF A KIND CELEBRATIONS.

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DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK

FEBRUARY 2016

TRADITION

Clever takes on ‘something old ....’

Wedding day tokens of good luck come in many forms, but “the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue (a sixpence in your shoe)” adage remains one of the most popular luck-enhancing wedding traditions.

According to the bridal resource The Knot, this tradition stems from an Olde English rhyme. Something old represents continuity; something new is for optimism for the future; something borrowed stands for borrowed happiness; and something blue is for purity, love and fidelity. The sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity, but this is not a tradition widely celebrated outside of the United Kingdom or British territories.

These traditions can add some creative flair and personality to wedding ceremonies. There’s no end to the inventive combinations of items brides can carry to increase their good fortunes.

Something old

Something new Brides already purchase many new items for their wedding day looks, so “something new” should not be too hard to find. Couples may want to work together to find something new they can both carry so they have a matching set upon tying the knot. Interlocking charm bracelets or keychains may work. What about the groom carrying a small padlock and the bride the key? Quirky couples can each wear one sock from a pair. Get clever and have fun.

Something old is one of the easier mementos to obtain. There is a good chance that someone in the family is willing to pass an item down to the bride that she can include in her wedding wardrobe. It also can be something the bride may have in her own memory box. Beads taken from a grandmother’s dress or a swatch of fabric from a be- Something borrowed loved toy doll are creative Much like something old, ideas that can be sewn into something borrowed is yet inconspicuous places on another way to pay homage gowns. to a friend or family mem-

ber. It’s also one way to add a sentimental twist to everyday items. Borrow a grandfather’s handkerchief to wrap around the stems of the wedding bouquet. Exchange vows with the original rings used by a distant relative at their own wedding. Flatter a close friend by wearing the same veil she did.

Something blue There are many ways to incorporate “something blue” into your wedding ceremony. Brides can paint their toenails blue or wear blue shoes under their gowns. Sew a patch from a pair of denim jeans into the bodice of the dress. Paint the bottom of your shoes bright blue so they stand out when kneeling at the altar. Blue sapphire or topaz jewelry can add an exotic look to the wedding wardrobe.

With a little ingenuity, brides can easily incorporate “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” into their wedding ceremonies.

Courtesy of Metro

METRO

Blue gloves and garter can fulfill the “something blue” in the popular good-luck wedding tradition.

Phoning it in More couples are utilizing their smartphones when planning their weddings, according to the The Knot 2014Real Weddings Study. The study, which

surveyed nearly 16,000 brides and grooms married in 2014, found that the use of smartphones to access weddingplanning websites nearly dou-

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bled from 2011to 2014. In 2011, just 33 percent of couples surveyed acknowledged accessing wedding-planning websites via their smartphones. But that figure rose to 61 percent in 2014.

Sixty-one percent of brides admitted to researching gowns on their smartphones, marking a substantial increase from 2011, when 27 percent acknowledged using their mobile devices to research gowns.

Wedding vendors also can benefit from strong mobile sites, as 57 percent (up from 22 percent in 2011) of survey respondents in 2014 admitted to researching prospective vendors on their mobile devices.

FEBRUARY 2016

DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK

| BRIDAL GUIDE |

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FEBRUARY 2016

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