Fall /Winter 2019
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here are many advantages to a fall wedding: the weather is gorgeous and so is fall foliage, it’s a season of celebration, choosing fall can result in off-peak wedding deals and bargains. Depending upon what part of the country you live in, an outdoor wedding might hold natural appeal and the season offers a chance to create a more unique experience. But before you fall for fall, take the expanded view of these considerations in mind from the website Here Comes The Guide. THE WEATHER Holding your wedding indoors or outdoors in the fall greatly depends on the type of weather your region experiences in the fall months. The west coast might be sunny and temperate. The southwest and south could still be warm. Northern and midwestern states will, obviously, get cooler sooner. Wherever you live, keep an eye on the weather as your wedding date nears and be sure to inform your guests of the type of venue and the appropriate dress. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, make a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. THE HOLIDAYS Fall is the gateway to the holiday season, with plenty of reason to add your wedding to the celebration calendar. It probably goes without saying, but you might want to avoid holding your wedding near or on major holidays. Other than that, the season is wide open (except for football fans). If you do choose a weekend wedding, look for such holidays as Veteran’s Day that might offer the
added value of an extra day off for your guests. THE COLORS The fall season offers an opportunity to take advantage of a color palette that separates your wedding from the traditional bright whites and spring and summer shades. But you don’t necessarily have to match those deep reds, oranges or browns. Take in the bigger picture of warm tones or choose a modern palette that might feature golds for a glitzy feel, emerald green or plum for a touch of elegance, or neutral shades such as champagne. THE FABRICS Regardless of where you live, and often because of that fact, autumn opens the door to the chance of chillier weather. For cooler climes, your bridesmaid dresses might demand a heavier fabric or accessories for warmth. Deep jewel tones and long-sleeved dresses are a natural for fall weddings. Groomsmen should choose navy or gray suits for a sophisticated fall look, perhaps offset by argyle socks or plaid ties. THE FLOWERS Again, the season provides you a whole new realm of possibilities when choosing flowers. Some of the site’s suggestions: Dahlias for an enchanting wedding bouquet. Deep burgundy varietals are especially elegant. Garden roses present the perfect alternative to peonies. Marigolds come in festive fall colors of gold, orange and red. For arrangements and table decor, look to autumn foliage, seasonal berries and nuts for a modern yet rustic look.
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e h t m o r f n o i t a r i Insp n o s a e S G
etting hitched in the fall opens up a whole new vista for wedding themes.
Although the season suggests being open to the outdoors and the beautiful colors, fall can take on many looks when it comes to wedding themes. From vintage to rustic, retro to regal, here are some ideas for themes drawn from the website Ever After Guide. BOUNTIFUL HARVEST The fall harvest suggests a colorful combination of oranges and browns that blend perfectly with the season. Everything about a harvest theme harkens a country-style wedding accented by the such unique elements as mason jars, dry leaves, lanterns and candles. Rustic invitations, an outdoor ceremony and a barn reception all complement the theme. The site also suggests wheat boutonnières for the groom and his party, and crowns of fall-hued colors for the bridesmaids.
WINE COUNTRY WEDDING Wine is a staple of wedding celebrations, so incorporating a wine country theme into your wedding offers a variety of romantic and decorative options. To up the ante, use grapes in centerpieces, add wine barrels and empty wine bottles to the decor against a palette of plums and reds with yellow, brown, gray or green accents. Select invitations that mimic wine labels — and, of course, set up your own wine bar with your favorites and guest recommendations. MODERN, ROMANTIC, GLAMOROUS Fall beckons the romance and glamor in all of us and provides the perfect setting for a softer and modern theme. Soft pinks and grays are as modern and romantic as they are inspired. Continue the soft hues for wedding decorations, floral decorations and alter decorations. Add a touch of glamor with metallic silver accents for a distinctive classic-modern look. Colorful macaroons, cupcakes and stylish cakes add to the flair.
A WOODSY WEDDING Fall is the perfect season for a woodsy, fairytale theme that plays off earthy materials and twilight hours, whether indoors or outside. Go rustic with decorative elements that include pine cones, leaves, fall flowers and wood accents. A classic color palette includes greens, browns and white, with bohemian-style dresses and floral accessories. Groomsmen can adopt an 18th century look with suit colors that reflect the season, lapeled vests and earth-tone ties. VINTAGE THEME A vintage-inspired theme immediately calls to mind the period of the 1920s through the 1940s. Recreating that era offers up myriad ideas encompassing all the charisma and style of the time period that can influence every element of the wedding. Choose antique-style dresses and decor featuring vases and to Gatsby-esque attire and makeup from the golden age. Perfectly elegant and charming for an indoor or outdoor setting.
2018
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all lends itself to a variety of charming wedding venue ideas indoors or outside. Each of these suggested vistas can host the perfect setting from rustic to modern, offering couples and their guests a unique experience. Access the great outdoors to take advantage of the fall foliage or invite the colors inside. No matter which location you choose, the season provides a bounty of gorgeous color palettes, decor and attire options. OUTDOORS Autumn weddings are idealized as outdoor affairs — and for good reason. The temperate weather, the beautiful colors, the romantic and celebratory atmosphere all conspire to almost demand an outdoor wedding. Here are three classic outdoor options. Farms and barns: No setting guarantees a rustic vibe more than an atmospheric country farm or barn. The outdoors lets nature take care of itself as a setting, but transforming a barn into a reception-worthy venue takes some diligence. But the result will be entirely memorable and worth the extra trouble. Vineyards and wineries: Postcard- and picture-perfect, rustic and elegant, choosing a vineyard venue literally says “celebration.” Pre-stocked with wine, gorgeous and unique settings indoors or outdoors, it’s no wonder vineyards have become popular wedding destinations. Decide early if you’re thinking of a particular destination. Gardens and forests: Fall weddings are all about nature, and the outdoorsy and nature-lovers will naturally be drawn to a forest- or garden-themed wedding. The valueadded, nature-provided decor makes these venues both beautiful and cost-effective. But take care to plan for a contingency if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. INDOORS Pulling off a fall wedding indoors can also be an inviting choice. The weather is no longer a concern and bringing the fall atmosphere indoors is all about the decor. Fall color
palettes and decorative elements can be easily adapted at these indoor settings. Restored warehouses: A different kind of vintage appeal can be easily achieved by booking a restored warehouse for a wedding venue. Many downtowns have reinvigorated their appeal with restorations that retain a location’s retro elements, and many offer open-air areas. Features such as vaulted ceilings, exposed brick, and natural light offer a warm canvas that can be made fall-perfect. Cozy inns or hotels: For a more intimate, charming setting in fall, small historic inns, lodges and hotels offer both the warmth and romance of dark, romantic rooms featuring fireplaces as well as terraces and patios that allow guests to bask in the fall weather and foliage. Botanical gardens or arboretums: No venue could be more in touch with nature and offer large enough covered spaces for weddings that botanical gardens or arboretums. Large windows provide gorgeous vistas of the fall season in all its glory and both settings easily customized with your choice of flowers and other decorative touches that take an indoor fall wedding to the next level.
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What''s (Not) Hot
S
ometime we focus so much on what’s trendy, we lose sight of trends that have seen better days.
So much of wedding advice is based on predictions based on trends that haven’t even occurred, but the untrendy is easier to target. Like so many things in our quickly changing times, these “trends to ditch,” as one top bridal site referred to them, are best avoided. Here’s an incomplete list top wedding planners say has to go. Which is to say, things will change. Welcome bags. Guests often leave these well-thought-out gifts behind, claims a top wedding planner. Better to give a nice bottle or wine, a handwritten note or a donation to charity in the names of the guests of honor. Photo booths: Exchange for video or virtual reality booths. Wedding favors. Doughnut walls. “Naked” wedding cakes and tables. Showing off. Planners suggest a return to more heartfelt, personal expressions of love and gifts. After parties. First looks. Guests are making a return to the excitement. All-inclusive options. Less cookie-cutter, more a timesaver. Short engagements. Makes more fall weddings likely. Ivory/white wedding dresses. Black and colorful dresses are becoming more popular. Palm leaves. So 2018. Pastel and copper. Brighter, richer colors are in for a range of settings and decor. Traditional transportation. More fire trucks and Teslas, fewer limos. Shabby chic. Less of the former, more of the latter. Buffets. Planners are seeing more stations and pre-set tables. Bad hashtags. Skip the puns, keep it timeless and classic. Unclear dress codes. Formal means formal, but otherwise, guests appreciate clarity. Changing dresses. The time it takes to make multiple changes impacts the bride’s experience. Monograms. Use them sparingly, if it all. Fake hedge walls. Plastic hedges? No thanks. Video mapping. Dramatic on building facades, not so much on cakes. Too many dinner choices. Slows the flow, adds to the budget. Bouquet tosses. Your girlfriends are too busy on their smartphones to catch them.flowers and other decorative touches that take an indoor fall wedding to the next level.
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Y I D g n i d d e W t s i l k c e h C S
o you’re engaged! Wonderful! Now comes the planning.
Planning a wedding can be a beautiful headache and a second job. Deciding who will decorate, cater, provide the entertainment and photograph the event are all choices that can make or break the perfect wedding day. Here is a helpful checklist designed to ease process. DECIDE ON YOUR STYLE Whether you’ve already spent years planning your eventual wedding or you’re just getting started, compiling all the ideas you’ve culled from bridal magazines and friends’ weddings into a binder will help you narrow your focus, from the venue to the decor, the theme to the all-important dress. CREATE A BUDGET Paying for your dream wedding is based on a variety of factors, but most importantly a budget will be determined how much you will rely on parents or your own money. Either way, creating a realistic budget will help you stay focused and pleased with the end results. MAKE A GUEST LIST The size of your wedding party will determine many elements of your wedding. Sitting down as a couple and making the easy and the tough decisions will spare both of you unnecessary disappointment.
wedding day goes off as planned without a hitch, so to speak. IN THIS ORDER …
Purchase the dress. Register. Select and purchase the invitations. Plan the honeymoon. Book the rehearsal venue and dinner. Order the cake. Purchase the rings. Send the invitations. Have a party. Get your wedding license. Purchase gifts. Choose or write your vows. Stay calm. The Big Day is at hand. Congratulations — you’re married!
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SAVE THE DATE, RESERVE THE VENUES Once you’ve chose a wedding date, now’s the time to choose the venue or venues (if the ceremony and reception are separate venues). If the venues aren’t local, factor in travel and be sure your guests are willing and able to make the special trip with as much advance notice as possible. BOOKING THE VENDORS The people you choose to serve and host your wedding will play a huge role in the celebration. Choosing professionals in each category — from the caterer to the florist, the officiant to the band or DJ and photographer or videographer — as early as possible and with the proper amount of diligence and investigation will ensure your
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any couples want to share their union with family and friends. But they also have to feed and entertain guests after the ceremony.
No reception is complete without music. The couples’ preferences have to be balanced with entertaining their guests. So, the big decision becomes, hire a band or a DJ? Here’s a list of pros and cons to both and how ensure you get the best entertainment value for your money.
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g n i d ed ? J W rD o d n a B
BUDGET As you might guess, bands are more expensive than DJs. But live music can create a specific atmosphere that can’t be achieved by a DJ. On the other hand, DJs can tailor music to a wide variety of preferences from the original artists. Check around online to get a feel for what either might cost and weigh your musical desires against your budget. Or split the difference — have a band play at the ceremony and a DJ spin at the reception. THE VIBE The size and type of your wedding event will dictate the vibe. If it’s a small, quiet ceremony and brief reception, the romantic feel created by a string quartet might be the perfect background music. If it’s an all-out bash with large numbers of people, a DJ might be the right choice to meet a variety of tastes and requests. But traditional wedding bands are also adept at playing a wide variety of music and can act as a focal point for guests who don’t want to dance, according to the Wedding Wire. THEME AND VENUE If your wedding has a theme, you might want to reflect that mood in the music. Make sure the band or DJ can meet your requirements. Also take into account the venue and any restrictions. A band will need a larger performance space than a DJ, of course, and special power and logistics may be involved (stages, amplifiers and PA systems, lights, etc.). MUSIC AND REVIEWS Whether you choose a band or a DJ, you’ll have some musical preferences, so ask either to send you a suggested playlist based on these choices and any music that is of particular interest (first dance, ethnic or theme music). Don’t forget to include the ability to handle requests from guests. Professional entertainers will be more than happy to also send you references and links to video of past performances. The bandleader or DJ will also act as an MC for the event, so get a feel for their personality. You might want to take in a live performance to gauge the music and rapport with an audience. AVAILABILITY AND COSTS Because top wedding bands and DJs are in demand, make sure you choose with enough advance notice to ensure availability on you wedding date. Six months in advance is good time to begin the booking process. Cost, of course, is also a factor. You’ll want to decide if they’ll play through the entire event or just the reception. Four hours of music is a good baseline to begin from when negotiating, but ask about overtime if the party goes into overdrive.
THE SHOW Make sure your band or DJ can dress and present their show appropriately. Fog machines and disco balls probably won’t work well with a black-tie event. Express this early on and share any themes or the venue location so the look of the show will match. Professional DJs and bands will always be prepared to reflect the vibe of almost any wedding ceremony or reception. THE DEAL After you’ve covered all these bases, it’s time to seal the deal with a contract. Within the contract, the specific terms of the length or the performance and any overtime costs should be covered, as well as break times, deposits and the refund policy should the show fall short of expectations. Also, if the bandleader or DJ you meet becomes ill or unavailable on the date of the event, ask who will replace them and set up a time to meet with them as well.
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Food and Drink Stations on the Rise T
here’s likely a vision in your head about wedding food, perhaps positively or negatively influenced by past weddings you may have attended. Maybe it was a buffet or limited-choice meal delivered by waiters. But don’t let the past lock you in. There are lots of new choices to consider this year. Here, we’ve collected a “buffet” of trends happening that will hopefully spark your culinary imagination and kick your own wedding event up a notch.
LATE-NIGHT SNACKS If you expect your wedding bash to extend into the wee hours, late-night snacks are an expected (and necessary) final touch to the party. Expect to see the food station and healthy trend extend to these snacks, featuring such items as açaí bowls, vegetarian options and cheese and fruit pairings. For more substantial fare, food trucks continue to dominate in popularity. Look into reserving one.
DRINKS Stations are in. Instead of a standard bar or roaming waiters, interaction is the keyword for wedding cocktails this year, claims an expert on the website Delish. Flavored syrups, fruits, edible flowers and herbs can be featured for guests to add to their drinks. Signature cocktails never go out of style, says another expert — but plastic straws have. The movement to eliminate single-use plastics is also trending at weddings, where you’ll see more paper straws and bamboo stir sticks. SEATING A mix of rectangular market tables and round tables are trending, as are wooden market tables. The juxtaposition creates different textures, shapes, dimensions along with textured linens and velvet, the site reports. An uptick in picnic-style seating should blend well for fall weddings held outdoors or in rustic spaces such as barns or warehouses. DINNER Wedding planner Kylie Carlson reports that the popularity of intimate weddings is leading to couples — especially foodies — developing tasting menus featuring six or seven small courses. The trend toward the less formal continues with wedding dinners. Roaming dinners in which guests visit food stations turn the event into an extended cocktail hour. The popularity of healthy, locally sourced ingredients is filling the choices at those food stations. DESSERT The iconic wedding cake also changes with the seasons. The once-popular “naked” cakes have given way to elegance and sophistication with wedding experts seeing more polished creations. To create a decidedly less traditional and fun feel, alternative cakes made of Belgian waffles or pancakes, cinnamon buns and donut cakes are trending options.
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Living Centerpieces Set Receptions Apart W
eddings are special occasions for all involved. Guests may look forward to the ceremony and festivities to follow, and couples who are hosting do not want to disappoint. Brides and grooms often look for new and innovative ideas to set their weddings apart from ones they may have attended in the past.
While budget often determines what couples can and can’t do at their wedding receptions, brides- and groomsto-be can prioritize certain components if they are looking to impress. Centerpieces are one aspect of the reception where couples can get creative without breaking the bank. Flowers are popular centerpieces at weddings. But even with cost-cutting measures, such as choosing in-season blooms, bumping up the filler-to-flower ratio and opting for low-profile centerpieces instead of towering alternatives, couples can expect to pay around $2,000 on wedding flowers, offers The Knot, a go-to resource for wedding planning. But opting for the following clever living centerpiece alternatives might not only impress guests, but also do so on budget.
· CHOOSE POTTED PLANTS. Potted plants can serve as both favors and reception centerpieces. Live plants also can be an eco-conscious decision for couples who are interested
in incorporating “green” elements into their weddings. Couples tying the knot in the autumn can place mums inside of a hollowed pumpkin or gourd. Spring and summer weddings can be enhanced by miniature rose bushes. Winter weddings may be dressed up with small evergreen trees or potted holly.
· MARINE LIFE DRAWS ATTENTION. Couples can opt for inexpensive freshwater fish to add ambiance and a focal point for the reception tables. Small goldfish bowls can be decorated with gravel that matches the color of the wedding theme. One lucky guest at each table can take home the miniature aquarium after the festivities. · BUTTERFLIES ARE WHIMSICAL. Some cultures or religions view butterflies as a symbol of endurance, change, hope, and vitality. Incorporating butterflies into reception centerpieces can make guests feel like they are stepping into a living garden. Small, mesh-lined cages filled with foliage and butterflies might add that special touch. Living centerpieces offer something different from floral centerpieces. However, because live plants and animals may be part of the display, couples need to account for their welfare. This means ensuring they will be cared for after the wedding, or in the event of butterflies, released into the evening sky.
How to Handle Rain on Your Wedding Day Brides and grooms fear the prospects of rainy wedding days. But even couples who have contended with everything from a few drops to an all-out deluge on their wedding days look back fondly on the ceremonies and receptions. In fact, how couples handle any precipitation can affect how happy the festivities may be.
not play in damp weather. Florists may need to make accommodations for arrangements blowing in the wind. Couples need to understand what they’re responsible for and what may be covered if a weather event occurs. Wedding insurance may help cover the costs of nonrefundable cancellations.
· Have a rainy day game plan. Rain affects outdoor weddings more than any other type of ceremony or reception. If the goal is to exchange vows outdoors, work with the venue to make this possible with a tent or gazebo. However, if the weather is especially foul and windy, move it indoors.
· Move past it quickly. It is okay to get upset if the weather turns for the worse. But don’t dwell on it. Guests will sense negative energy, and couples should set the tone of sticking it through despite a little adversity - which can be a good lesson for the marriage as well.
· Invest in golf umbrellas. Couples who live in notoriously damp climates can purchase golf umbrellas, which tend to be larger than the average umbrella, and keep them stationed in decorated stands to ease transitions between wedding sites and keep everyone as dry as possible.
· Embrace the rain. While a couple probably won’t wish for rain, there are some benefits to overcast skies, say the wedding professionals at Brides magazine. Flowers are less likely to wilt in rainy conditions. In the absence of bright sunlight, outdoor photographs can really pop. Rain is romantic and may compel couples and their guests to cuddle close.
· Wear waterproof cosmetics. Women in the bridal party, including the bride, can ask their makeup artists to use durable, waterproof products. This can help salvage beautifully composed looks should some drops begin to fall. · Know vendors’ rain policies. Some live musicians will
Don’t let rain on a wedding day become a drag. With preparation and perspective, couples can handle rainy wedding days.
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