Forever After Wedding

December 2020

Social Distance Weddings Best Wedding Florists Christmas Day:

Popular for engagement

Allie Jackson Ties the knot FLIP THIS MAGAZINE The journey of love marriage family

Christmas Day is the most popular day to get engaged

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ccording to the 2020 WeddingWire Newlywed Report, more couples who were married in 2019 got engaged on Christmas Day than any other day during the year.

Christmas Eve was the second most popular day to pop the question, while the Sunday before Christmas Eve came in fourth (New Year’s Day rounded out the top three). The appeal of Christmastime proposals helped make December the most popular month to get engaged, as more than 19 percent of couples who married in 2019 got engaged in the final month of the year.

July proved the second most popular month to pop the question, as 9 percent of couples

who wed in 2019 reported getting engaged in July. Tradition still has a place in wedding proposals, as 84 percent of proposers reported asking on bended knee, while 65 percent acknowledged asking parents’ permission prior to popping the question.

How to find your

wedding florist

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eddings join the lives of two loving individuals so they can share their future with one another. Various elements help make weddings both momentous and magical. Floral arrangements are key components of wedding themes, as they help to establish ambiance at both the ceremony and reception. It is essential for couples to spend time vetting potential florists to find one who will produce their desired vision at a price that fits their budget. These guidelines can make the process go more smoothly.

Establish your theme early on.

Floral arrangements will complement and enhance other elements of the wedding, including color scheme and the wedding theme.

Bring swatches and photographs to consultations.

It is easier to explain color palettes to a florist with

examples in hand.

Create a list of desired items.

Florists may sell items a la carte or have packages of common floral pieces for wedding celebrations.

Go easy on aroma.

Tread lightly when selecting blooms that have strong aromas. They may be beautiful, but many people are sensitive to smells.

Explain your budget.

Research the average cost of floral arrangements and let the florist know what you can afford. This can help the florist narrow down options or make substitutions that fit your theme and your budget.

From precious stones to brilliant new creations, our exquisite jewelry collections are truly stunning.

JEWELRY

BartlettFineJewelry.com The Village Shopping Center 2002 Judson Road, Suite 101 Longview, Texas 75605 (903) 758 . 4367

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2019

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Allie and Dre Jackson : Local turtledoves tie the knot B y J OYC E LY N E FA D O J U T I M I

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llie started out as Dre’s sisters' friend. He was just the aggravating little brother. That was ten years ago, when they first met as parishioners at Life Bridge Christian Center. It took nine more years before her feelings for Dre Jackson would crystalize.

"I realized he was more than my friend or their annoying little brother," she says.

"He was my future husband."

She came to perceive and appreciate his compassion, patience, humility, and love of music. Even though it was not love at first sight, it was love, nevertheless.

"I know now without the shadow of a doubt that he is the love of my life," she says. "I wouldn't want to go a single day without him. He makes me a better woman."

Unlike his bride Allie, Dre is not a native East Texan. As a child, he relocated to Longview, Texas from the Virginia/Pennsylvania border region, and immediately hit it off with the locals. His musical ability makes him a favorite as he plays multiple musical instruments, sings, and writes music. Dre and loving wife Allie, have no plans to leave Longview.

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Jessica Cox Cox Photography

Grace Fountain

https://www.facebook.com/coxphotography2015.

936.554.9225

Allie and Dre Jackson

The bride with her parents: Cameron and Shana Strange with daughter Allyssa Jackson

Allie and Dre Jackson

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Allie and Dre Jackson

Allie and Dre Jackson

Allie and Dre Jackson

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Alyssa Strange

Alyssa Strange

Alyssa Strange

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L-r: The Campos’: Hilario, Lsabella, Megan and Dominic The Jacksons: Alondre, Alyssa, Grace and Tye.

Alyssa Strange

Sean, Kenny, Melonie Caudle; David, Lori Beth, Kassi, Brad, Grace and Owen Fountain; Cameron and Shana Strange; Vickie and David Owen; Alondre and Alyssa Jackson

L-r: Daniel Martinez, Aidan Smith, Alondre and Alyssa Jackson; Sarah Smith and Kayla Martinez

"We have our families and friends here, and we are flourishing on our jobs, so we are going to stick it out here for a while," she says. "Maybe one day we will move, but for now our roots are planted here."

Children are another consideration.

She grew up an only child, and now plans a future as mother to multiple children.

She and Dre speak of having a big family, and with such parental role models their children are certain to be a blessing to Longview and beyond.

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How to host a

I Do

socially distant

wedding

Stream the wedding online.

YOUR FLOORING, LIGHTING, APPLIANCE AND MORE STORE

Stream the wedding online for those guests who won’t be in attendance. By the end of 2020, millions of people had already attended weddings via platforms like Zoom, so loved ones may be experienced virtual guests by the time couples walk down the aisle in 2021.

www.stone-works.net

Pare down the in-person guest list.

(903) 663-3344 SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS

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t’s likely that few people heard of social distancing prior to 2020. That changed as the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spread rapidly across the globe and the world found itself in the midst of a deadly pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines social distancing as keeping a safe distance of at least six feet between yourself and other people who are not from your household. Perhaps nowhere was that more evident than at the altar, where many couples still tied the knot, albeit in scaled back ceremonies that adhered to social distancing guidelines in their communities.

Couples who planned large weddings prior to the pandemic can still invite all of their loved ones to witness the festivities online but pare down the in-person guest list to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Plan a party for down the road.

Couples can still celebrate their nuptials with family and friends down the road. Plan a postpandemic reception and let guests know you will fill them in on the details once social distancing restrictions have been lifted.

Spread the socially distant word.

Let guests know what they are in for should they decide to take part in the festivities.

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