JJC Bridal FALL 2023

Special Supplement to the

Weddings

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Nobody on this planet has a love story like yours!

Your story is unique, and there is nobody in the world that has the same one. Like fingerprints, every story is different. That’s where I come in, I want to tell your story and create a wedding film that will transport you back to those exact moments of your day, where you can hear your voice, feel the emotion, feel the nerves and anticipation all over again. Think about your Grandparents and how cool it would be to hear their voices from 50 years ago, to see how they interacted back when they were starting their lives together. That’s what your wedding film will be for future generations! A beautiful time capsule that freezes time on that one day in your lives

NOT HAVING A WEDDING VIDEO IS THE #1 REGRET OF COUPLES AFTER THEIR WEDDING DAY IS DONE.

After struggling through a once in a generation pandemic in 2020, people are realizing just how important a wedding film can be.

WEDDING VIDEO HAS BECOME A MUST HAVE ITEM ON COUPLES’ TO-DO LISTS.

There is something magical that comes from capturing video and audio together, finding the perfect music that elevates the footage, and then creating an emotional wedding film that tells your story. Every wedding is essentially the same, it’s the STORY that makes

each one unique. I want to tell that story, and that’s what sets my films apart.

WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER REACHES OUT TO TELL ME HOW MUCH THE WEDDING FILMS MEANT TO THEM, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME.

You deserve the absolute best, not just someone who shows up on the big day and presses “record”. I engage with my couples, I talk, laugh, and joke around with everyone and try to make the day as fun and relaxed as possible. I want you to look back after the day is over and say “hiring Steve Weber Films was the best decision we made”.

I want my wedding films to become a tradition for families, a beautiful way to be transported back in time to re-live their wedding day. My ultimate goal is to make a positive impact on the families I meet along the way, and if I can do that, it means more than all the money in the world. It’s humbling to know that the work I do will be enjoyed for generations to come, long after I’m gone. The wedding films I create will allow families to know their origin story, and that is pretty special.

Steve Weber Films is the premiere wedding videographer in the Central Illinois area. Established in 2018, I have had the honor of capturing over 100 weddings and amassing nearly 1/2 a million views on YouTube, this job is my passion!

You can find out more about who I am and what I do by visiting my website www.steveweberfilms.com.

2024 Wedding Attire Trends

Photos Submitted By: Girls In White Satin

Photo #1: Soft asymmetrical pleating enhances the strapless sweetheart neckline with a detachable bow train to complete an elegant look.

Photo #2: Romantic crepe sheath gown is adorned with three-dimensional flowers and pearls accented with a soft drop sleeve.

Photo #3: Striking mini dress with detachable sleeves and train overlay that are embellished with three-dimensional lace appliques.

Photo #4 The Legacy Performance tuxedo by Michael Kors is tailored in a unique fabric that gives you the upmost comfort and flexibility on your special day. Shown here in black but also available in a beautiful blue and medium grey.

Time-honored wedding traditions

Weddings are special events that celebrate two individuals’ love for one another. Weddings bring together friends and family to witness couples share vows and devote their lives to each other.

Wedding guests recognize that certain components are commonplace in ceremonies and receptions. Perhaps you were once a ring bearer or caught the bouquet? There’s a rich history behind the traditions that feature prominently at many weddings. Here’s a look at traditions past and present and the meaning behind these customs.

Marriage

The custom of marriage can be traced back thousands of years to when hunters and gatherers started coming together to form societies and farm land. In order to ensure the success of communities, couplings were developed to produce offspring and maintain households.

Tie the knot

Getting married is sometimes referred to as “tying the knot.” This stems from the custom of “handfasting,” which is a common practice among various cultures around the world, and notably in ancient Rome. The bride and groom’s hands are tied together for the duration of the ceremony, not to be released until the wedding is made official. This isn’t something you see too often at modern weddings, but can be something unique couples may want to consider.

Bridal bouquet

A bouquet of beautiful flowers is held by the bride on her wedding day. Roses, orchids, peonies, and other fragrant blooms are often included, but in ancient times brides’ bouquets were likely made of herbs. According to the resource Minted Weddings, these aromatic

herbs were used to ward off evil spirits.

Veil

Evil spirits also were the basis for the wearing of bridal veils, as they were utilized to hide brides from these miscreants. Veils now are more style than substance.

Bridesmaids

In ancient Rome, bridesmaids were tasked with protecting the bride. They wore the same dresses as the bride to confuse evil spirits from finding the soon-to-be-betrothed and cursing her. Today’s bridesmaids are less decoy and more helper. They may wear similar dresses to the bride and one another, but they aren’t trying to fool any spirits.

Tossing rice

Rice and grains were long regarded as signs of prosperity and fertility, according to the gifting company Personal Creations. Therefore, couples were showered with rice to ensure their good fortune. Consumption of uncooked rice has been proven to be detrimental to some wildlife, so rice has now been widely replaced with bubbles or birdseed.

Cutting the cake

At the reception, many couples link hands and make the first cut in their wedding cakes. Wedding Wire says it’s a tradition that around 80 percent of wedding couples partake in. It is believed this tradition symbolizes the couple’s first official task performed together, and marks the promise to support and take care of one another throughout the marriage. However, in the past, brides were responsible for cutting the wedding cake alone and distributed slices to guests to aid in fertility, according to BakingNook.com.

Weddings are full of traditions with interesting histories.

Did You Know?

Brides- and grooms-to-be rely on trusted friends and family to be part of their wedding parties. It is an honor to be asked to participate in the ceremony and share in the magic of the day. Many couples wrestle with the question of how many people to include in the wedding party. The trusted wedding resource The Knot says old school wedding etiquette experts advise there should be one groomsman and one corresponding bridesmaid for every 50 guests, but this isn’t mandatory. Brides magazine reports that American weddings tend to feature five bridesmaids and five groomsmen. According to YoungHipandMarried.com, at weddings in Canada, the wedding party can expect to spend roughly $366 to be in the wedding celebration. A 2020 Bankrate study indicates members of an American bridal party can expect to pay an average of $728 to attend a wedding and other related events. However, in recent years this price may have increased due to inflation and the rising cost of travel.

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