BRIDAL GUIDE
June 2016
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y r o t S g n i d d e W PHOTO CONTEST See the entire gallery at:
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2C | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016
Planning for the big day
How to build your wedding budget Couples engaged to be married have a lot on their plates as they begin planning their weddings. Whereas tradition once demanded parents of the bride pay for a couple’s wedding, nowadays more and more engaged couples are completely or partially financing their own nuptials. That means prospective brides and grooms must develop wedding budgets that won’t ensure their first act as Mr. and Mrs. is paying down debt. In its 2015 Real Weddings Study, online bridal resource The Knot found that many couples still receive substantial financial support from their parents to pay for their weddings. The survey found that, on average, the bride’s parent’s contributed 44 percent of the overall wedding budget in 2015, while couples financed 43 percent (the remaining 13 percent was financed by the groom’s parents and additional sources). Couples who hope to follow that formula or pay for their weddings on their own can heed the following tips to build wedding budgets that won’t break the bank but will still ensure a day to remember forever. Examine your collective finances. Few couples know the details of each other’s finances before getting engaged. While some may still hesitate to share their personal financial information upon getting engaged, an open and honest discussion and examination of each person’s finances is the only way to develop a realistic wedding budget that both partners can live with. Once couples know what they can contribute, they can then consult their parents to determine if their mothers and fathers are intending to contribute. Develop a preliminary guest list. A preliminary guest list can give couples an idea of how large and expensive their weddings will be. According to the Real Weddings Study, the average cost per
wedding guest in 2015 was $237. While that cost can vary greatly depending on geography and other factors, couples should keep that figure in mind when drafting their guest lists. If need be, keep costs down by trimming the guest list so it includes only close family members and friends. Don’t count on gifts. Many couples justify runaway wedding budgets by telling themselves that they will ultimately get the money back via wedding gifts. While many guests will give financial gifts, counting on such windfalls is a recipe for accruing debt. Do not build potential wedding gifts into your wedding budget. If you do so and your expectations fall short, you could be facing considerable debt upon returning home from your honeymoon. Gather quotes before choosing where to tie the knot. Where couples get married will have a great impact on how much money they will spend on their weddings. For example, the Real Weddings Study found that, in 2015, the average wedding in Manhattan cost couples slightly more than $82,000, while the average Alaskan wedding cost just over $17,000. Venues within the same city can vary greatly with regard to pricing and offerings as well, so couples should give themselves ample time to gather quotes and find an affordable venue they like. Build extra costs into your budget. When determining a budget you can live with, remember to include a little extra for unforeseen costs. Weddings are large undertakings, and it’s reasonable to expect some unforeseen costs to arise. Building such costs into your initial budget will make these unforeseen circumstances that much easier to handle. Budgets can help couples stay on track and avoid debt as they plan their weddings.
6140 Events puts a fresh spin on wedding venues While outdoor locales have been the go-to for many North Georgia weddings, 6140 Events adds an “Industrialstyle/DIY space” into the mix. With over 6,000 square feet, the Magnolia Ballroom boasts 20-foot high ceilings, patio lights, polished concrete floors, and neutral colors, making it easy to create any bride’s wedding vision. 6140 Events’ ballroom can host up to 250 guests, and includes a warming kitchen, banquet tables and chairs, A/V options, dedicated Wi-Fi, and handicap accessibility. A full-service caterer is also available onsite. Next to the Magnolia Ballroom is the Dogwood Room. Its more intimate feel
makes it the perfect setup for a bridal suite. It features a multi-purpose room, a private dressing room, a separate vanity area with 12-foot mirrored countertops and a spacious restroom. Together, these adjacent spaces offer a winning combination for your special celebration. 6140 Events is conveniently located on Ga. 400, just three miles south of the North Georgia Premium Outlets, between Crossroads and Jot Em Down roads. For more information, visit 6140events.com or call (706) 867-6455. Whether large or small, 6140 Events is the perfect venue for any occasion.
Weddings require a lot of planning. Couples hosting large weddings or even intimate gatherings can easily be overwhelmed by the amount of planning they must do to make their weddings into events they will remember and cherish forever. Staying organized when planning a wedding is a tall task. It’s wise to expect the unexpected when organizing a wedding, and the more organized couples can stay, the more fun they can have during the planning process and the better they can handle the unforeseen circumstances that are bound to arise in the months leading up to the wedding. Create separate filing systems for each aspect of the wedding. Rather than maintaining one massive file with information about various elements of the wedding, maintain separate files for each aspect of the wedding. For example, when receiving quotes from prospective florists, keep all florist quotes in a single folder that remains separate from information about other parts of the wedding. Separate filing systems make it easier to find quotes and contracts when you need to, saving you the trouble of digging through pages upon pages of quotes, notes and other information you store. Maintain a spending spreadsheet. Many couples plan weddings on carefully constructed budgets. But couples can easily exceed those budgets if they are not routinely monitoring and recording their spending or the spending they are committing to upon signing contracts with vendors. Create a spending spreadsheet that allows you to track how much you have already spent, how much you are committed to spending and when wedding bills are due. Update the spreadsheet whenever you write a check or sign a new contract, and periodically examine the sheet so you can make sure you are still on track to remain at or under budget. Hire a planner. If wedding planning is proving especially overwhelming or if you simply don’t have time to do all the legwork necessary to plan on your own, hire a wedding
planner. Wedding planners are invaluable resources who can help couples quickly connect with vendors who can meet their needs while staying within their budgets. Planners also can advise couples on ways to save money and which areas of the wedding should not be bargain basement. Couples planning destination weddings should inquire about resortaffiliated wedding planners before choosing a venue to host their ceremonies and/or guests. Start early. According to The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study, the average length of engagement for couples who wed in 2015 was 14.5 months. That means today’s average couples have more than a year to plan their nuptials. By starting their wedding planning early, couples can avoid having to plan everything at the last minute, which can be hectic, nervewracking and unorganized. In addition, starting early affords couples more time to find great deals and stay within their budgets. Staying organized when planning a wedding can make for more enjoyable planning and a happier wedding day.
Premier Event Venue in North Forsyth & Dawson Counties
Wedding Receptions | Reunions | Retirements Seminars | Networking Events
www.6140Events.com
6140 Highway 400, Suite H | Cumming, GA 30028
706-867-6455
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 3C
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016
Your
y r o t S g n i d d e W Submitted by Connor and Sammantha Kelly
Carl House will cater to all the bride’s needs Award winning Carl House! The home of “Extraordinary. Memorable. Events.” Why all the buzz? A sterling reputation, lavishly appointed interiors including a dramatic 4,000-square-foot grand ballroom with classic curved staircase, 10 working fireplaces, exquisite gazebo, lush private gardens, dramatic covered porches, 30-plus acres of tranquil pasture land, a charming rustic barn, exquisite culinary prepared in-house chef, in-house florals, and custom vendor services all designed to assist a busy bride. Carl House also features unique bride and groom suites, as well as inside and outside ceremony options. And now, Carl House is offering offsite catering where we will bring the party to you. Carl House boasts a host of awards, including “Best of Weddings” from
The Knot Magazine, “Best Place for a Wedding” from Gwinnett Magazine, “Best of Atlanta Bridal ” from atlantabridal.com, “Brides Choice Award” from weddingwire.com and “Best of and True Love” from mywedding.com, to name a few. Our team of experts will help you with as much or as little of the planning of your wedding, guiding you step by step. We begin with a relaxed, private planning session with our inhouse planner to best understand your vision, spending and menu preferences and a review of what other services you will be needing. Once your planning is mapped out, you’ll be on your way to putting together the wedding you’ve always envisioned. Visit carlhouse.com for more information. Contact us at (770) 586-0095 or info@carlhouse.com.
On the Front Top left: Kari & Andrew
Top right: Marlene & Eduardo
Middle left: Camille & Sam
Middle right: Janna & Ryan
Bottom left: Megan & Daniel
Bottom right: Ashley & Jason
North Georgia’s Vein Experts Too often at large vein clinics, the staff and physicians forget about the patient as a person. At North Georgia Vein Institute, our mission is to ensure that each patient receives first-class, individualized services – whether it’s a highly technical vein radiofrequency ablation or a simple prescription for compression stockings. To us, every patient is an individual, not a number. Our medical team has decades of training in vein disorders, nursing and aesthetic services. Serving as our
Medical Director is Dr. Peter Wrobel. A physician and expert in the treatment of vein disorders, he has almost 20 years of experience practicing medicine. The people of North Georgia no longer have to drive an hour or more to Atlanta to receive cutting-edge vein procedures or med spa treatments they want or deserve. Those services are available five days a week at North Georgia Vein Institute. If you want to look your very best on your big day, let North Georgia Vein be your one stop shop!
It’s Your Big Day... Call To Schedule Your FREE Vein Screening Award Winning - Sterling Reputation • Lush C olorful Gardens • Elegant 4000 square foot Ballroom with a Classic Cur ved Staircase • Exquisite Food Prepared by In-House Executive Chef • In-House and Of fsite Floral Design and Catering S er vices • S eparate Bride and Groom Suites
Procedures are covered by most major medical insurance plans.
North Georgia Vein Institute offers BOTOX®, JUVÉDERM®, Voluma® and Latisse®.
www.carlhouse.com 770.586.0095
Event Venue Catering Florals
Extraordinary. Memorable. Events. Photos by: Blume Photography, Julie Anne Photography, Gambol Photography, Brides & Dolls, and jaxonphoto
Peter Wrobel, M.D. 678.513.1600 1230 Bald Ridge Marina Road, Suite 500
Cumming, GA 30041 Across from Costco
www.NorthGeorgiaVein.com
4C | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016
Your
y r o t S g n i d d e W NEW
Helpful hints when planning your floral arrangements When planning their weddings, couples may find themselves becoming experts on subjects they previously Submitted by Ryan Unterreiner never gave much thought. Thanks to the cost of weddings, today’s couples must make each decision carefully, Fitz Tuxedoz & Suitz and that may result in hours of research and discussion. One of the big decisions couples must make when planning their wedTuxedos & Suits dings concerns their floral arrangements. The right floral arrangements Regular & Slimwon’t Fitz break the bank but will add subSince 1986 stantial aesthetic appeal to ceremonies Sales & Rentals CUMMING, GA and receptions. It can be difficult for 770-889-6889 couples to achieve that balance of cost and look on their own, so the following are a few helpful hints for couples when choosing their wedding day floScan for Scan for Early ral arrangements. Bird Early Bird Specials Specials • Work with a florist you trust and like. All florists are not the same, so finding one you can trust and will OR visit us @ enjoy working with can make all the www.TuxwearHouseWeddings.com difference. Many couples have little or no experience with floral arrangements prior to planning their weddings, so it can calm couples’ nerves to work with someone they trust in such situations. Florists with signifiTuxedo Rental* cant wedding experience will no doubt make a host of recommendations with rental of 5 or based on couples’ budgets and prefermore tuxedo’s. ences, so couples might be more inclined to listen to that advice if they *with this ad when are working with someone they trust. order placed. Ask relatives, friends or coworkers if they can recommend any florists whose wedding work they are familiar with.
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• Choose in-season or native flowers. Couples working with tight budgets may want to choose in-season flowers or those native to the area where they will be tying the knot. In-season and native flowers won’t need to be ordered or shipped in from afar, which can be costly. In-season and native flowers tend to be more abundant as well, and the greater their availability the less couples are likely to pay for them. • Repurpose floral arrangements. Another way to save on floral arrangements is to repurpose flowers throughout the day. Once bridesmaids no longer need their bouquets, use them to decorate gift tables or cocktail areas. Floral arrangements on display during the ceremony can be removed once you have both said “I do” and moved into the reception area where they can be enjoyed through the night. Go over any repurposing you plan to do with your reception hall manager prior to your wedding day so he knows where and when to move the arrangements. • Go big. Some flowers simply bloom larger than others, and choosing such flowers may help you save money since you won’t need to buy as many flowers as you would if you were to go with smaller blooms. Once you find a florist to work with, discuss your options with regard to doing more with less. Many florists embrace the challenge to be creative within a budget, so you might just be surprised and impressed by what they come up with. Floral arrangements can set the mood for a wedding ceremony and reception, and even couples with little or no experience choosing arrangements can end up with stunning displays.
“Must Knows” When Picking Out a Tux
1. Scheduling: Finalize ALL measurements, deposits, and details no less than 30 days before your Big Day. (April, May, and June weddings avoid prom chaos and finalize by March 15th.)
2. Style: It’s the groom’s day, too! Spare no expense to chose the style that looks and feels best on you. It’s OK for the dads and groomsmen to spend less and still look great
3. Pricing: What is included in the price you’re quoted? It’s an important question. “Add-ons, Add up”
4. Colors: When matching colors, fabric swatches are more reliable than your phone screen.
5. Pick Up: Renter beware: No one should leave the store without trying on his tuxedo. Avoid surprises on your wedding day.
6. Returns: A nice touch to make life easy: Suggest the best man or a volunteer return all tuxedos on the appropriate due date.
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 5C
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016
Experience hospitality at the Forsyth Conference Center The Forsyth Conference Center is the perfect location for all events north of Atlanta. The center offers a versatile floor plan to host corporate meetings, expos, conferences, special events and weddings ceremonies and receptions. Located just 30 miles north of Atlanta off of Ga. 400, the Forsyth Conference Center is a great alternative to downtown Atlanta. A two-story foyer with Italian tile and natural wood accents welcomes visitors. The lobby provides an open atrium with comfortable seating areas to host cocktail receptions and receive your guests. The ballroom offers 14,000 square feet that can be customized to fit your needs on your special day. Our flexible wall system allows for a ceremony and reception to be held here so your guests do not need to travel between venues. Our professional event management team is ready to help assist you in creating your perfect event. Our staff will provide guidance in planning and the decorating resources to create your custom look. We provide state of the art audio visual equipment with personnel on-site to assist you with multimedia event needs. A warming kitchen is available for approved caterers to provide you with appetizers, bar service, buffets or plated dinners. The Forsyth Conference Center is a flexible and versatile venue to decorate, cater and customize to make it your perfect event.
“It was a pleasure to work with the Forsyth Conference Center team. The facilities are excellent and the friendliness and hospitality of everyone we worked with was outstanding.”
“Thank you so very much for all your help leading up to our fairytale wedding weekend and helping execute during the wedding festivities. Thank you for transforming our vision into a reality and helping coordinate our wedding events so effortlessly!”
Choosing the right jeweler is an important decision When the time comes to purchase new jewelry, such as for an engagement or graduation, the choice of which jeweler to go to is an important one. In order to get the best deal, the consumer has to weigh many different options, balancing all of one’s options with what is wanted and for what price. This problem is made more difficult by the large number of jewelers active in the market today. While most jewelers have some merit, making the right choice requires knowing not only one’s own wants and needs, but also how the jewelry business works. While different jewelers possess different skill levels and qualities, there are a few things that jewelers should offer their customers, and without those things a customer is at a disadvantage. Essentially, consumers who are seeking out the right jeweler should find someone who is skilled, attentive and reasonable. The most important quality to look for is skill. Not all professional jewelers are equal in terms of their skill, and some of them will have more ability than others. This makes it very important for the consumer to search for a jeweler who has continuously demonstrated great skill. The best jewelry professionals are those who can create pieces with their own hands, and they are the ones who can fix just about anything without any problem. These kinds of jewelers understand every part of the process, and they are capable of performing their work on their own, from start to finish. The consumer who finds a jeweler with these kinds of skills will be pleased with their results. However, the jeweler’s business is not entirely about skill and expertise. Instead, a jeweler’s skill is coupled with how much care is offered for to each customer for his or her specific needs and wishes. When an individual makes a purchase, the product should be more than just a ring or a necklace. In addition to skill and service, the consumer should expect a guarantee. The top professionals in the industry will offer free repairs and unlimited service for their work. This means that if it breaks, it can be taken back
to the jeweler repairs. This guarantee can create a personal relationship with the jeweler, which is the best situation for consumers. Some jewelry purchases are a considerable financial and sentimental i nve s t m e n t . Fo r t h e bu y e r, t h i s means that they will want to know that the jeweler is going to create the best possible work. For those who have created a personal, working relationship a jeweler, it is possible to have faith in finished product. However, these relationships cannot be forged without first choosing and working with a jeweler for a long time. While price is an important factor to consider, choosing a jeweler on the basis of price alone is not always the best idea. While a jeweler may offer a solid price, they might not deliver in terms of quality or other important factors. When choosing a jeweler, the consumer should be assured of getting the best deal possible without any fear of being cheated. Many jewelers can provide this type of price assurance, while also providing a level of quality and service that is worth the investment. The good thing is that a large n u m b er o f r e l i ab l e j ewel er s ar e active in the market, but choosing the right jeweler is a process that should involve a long period of personal research. Deciding between all the available options can be a challenge, but by focusing on finding a skilled, experienced, and attentive jeweler, the process is certain to be a success. By demonstrating these qualities, jewelers become well-known in the industry, so figuring out who they are should not be difficult once you know what to look for.
6C | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016
Master wedding reception seating charts
Couples may find it challenging to lay out seating arrangements at their wedding receptions.
After the vows have been exchanged and couples have donned their wedding rings, newly married couples and their guests often enjoy some well-deserved fun at the wedding reception. Though wedding receptions are all about fun, couples may find it difficult to plan the reception seating arrangements. Such a task requires a good deal of time, sorting through guest responses and an intimate knowledge of which personalities will mesh and which will not. But some patience, diplomacy and even a little help can make the process of planning seating arrangements much easier. Group related people together. This relation does not have to be familial. For example, seat work friends together rather than scattering them at various tables. It’s easier for wedding guests to mingle when they have some common connection.
Younger guests are more flexible. Recognize that younger guests are less likely to complain about where they are seated than older guests, so you have more wiggle room when arranging their tables. They can be placed at tables closer to the dance floor, near the entertainment or by the kitchen door, while older guests might want to be closer to the bride and groom and further away from distractions. Seat immediate family members nearby. Seat immediate family members closest to the bride and groom. Guests who fall under the acquaintance category as opposed to the family category can be seated further away. Place friends or party animals near the entertainment. Guests who are up for a good party may appreciate being seated close to the dance floor or within arm’s length of the refreshments.
Address mobility concerns. If a guest is elderly or needs to be close to exits or the restroom, make those accommodations. Embrace the kids’ table. Seat young guests together if there are a number of them. Kids will have more fun sitting with one another than with adults or their parents. And seating kids together makes it easier for servers if children will be ordering from a special menu. Expect the unexpected. Some seating arrangements may not work out. Be sure the reception site is flexible and can easily put another place setting together if an unexpected guest arrives or if someone needs to be moved to another table. Couples must map out seating arrangements when planning their wedding receptions. Learn to master the techniques and etiquette to make the process easier.
Build a registry to relish
Registries are a wedding tradition, not unlike a couple’s first dance or the best man/ maid of honor toast. But as practical as wedding registries are, many couples approach their registries with a degree of hesitation, fearful that they might appear presumptuous or simply uncertain about what to include on their lists. The following tips can help engaged couples build a registry to relish and utilize for years to come. Establish an online registry. Whereas guests once had to visit a couple’s favorite retailer(s) and ask what remained on their registry, online registries now allow wellmeaning family members and friends to peruse potential gifts from the comforts of home and ship gifts directly to the
couple. Online registries e ve n i n d i c at e w h i c h items have already been purchased, saving couples the trouble of re t u r n i n g dup l i c at e s while reassuring buyers that their gifts are fulfilling a need or want. Share your registr y information on your wedding website and stationery. Guests need to know where you are registered, so share that infor mation on your wedding website and include it on your savethe-date cards and invitations. Register with multiple retailers. By registering w it h more t han one retailer, couples can give their guests more options to choose from. Try to include one brick-andmortar store, ideally one with a national presence, so guests who prefer to
shop in-person won’t be forced to buy online. Don’t be afraid to list expensive items. While few guests will break the bank to buy wedding gifts, that does not mean couples should avoid including expensive items on their registries. Some couples might feel it’s inappropriate, but it can actually prove practical. Many stores offer couples steep discounts on items they listed on their registries that ultimately were not purchased. If you have your e ye on an esp ecially expensive item, include it on your list without worrying about how it may look to your guests, as they will understand when you explain the post-wedding discount you’re eligible for. Don’t limit your registry to expensive items.
W h i l e i t’s p e r f e c t l y acceptable to include expensive items on your registry, remember that variety is the spice of life when adding items to your registr y. Include items at a range of price points for guests working
with various budgets. Don’t hesitate to include low-cost items, as some guests may enjoy building a wedding gift basket with various affordable items from your registry. Rememb er that no g i f t i s to o ob s c u re.
Thanks to the internet, just about any item can now be tracked down by ambitious gift givers. If you want to i nclud e items that might not be available at run-of-themill retailers, choose an online retailer such as Amazon to host one of your registr ies. Such sites are great places to find specialty items or more obscure offerings that might be out of stock at more traditional retailers. Encourage donations. If you are truly hesitant to ask for gifts or you’re tying the knot later in life and already have ever ything you need, encourage guests to d on ate to a f avor ite charity in lieu of making a donation. A wedding registr y provides a practical way for well-meaning wedding guests to show their love for br i d e s- and grooms-to-be.
e r a h S o t Want the Big News? Send your engagement or wedding announcements to: editor@forsythnews.com