Southside Wedding 2018 by Margo Wininger

2018 Wedding Planner Published by the Daily Journal

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Contents Bridal fashion from Naeem Khan collection. AP Photo

Wedding Guide 2018

6 8 10 14 16 18

20 22 26 28 On the cover:

Alex and Benjamin Wheeler on July 8, 2017.

Photography by Maggie Huffer Photography

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Wedding Party Roles Countdown to the Big Day Color Schemes Attendant Gifts Headpieces Ring Protection Making an Entrance Daring Dresses Meals on Wheels Wheeler Wedding Wedding Budget Worksheet

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Checklist

wedding party roles

A wedding can be a wonderful and memorable experience for all of those involved. That’s why you ask friends or relatives to share in the event and serve in your wedding party. Your offer is a wonderful honor, one that carries with it varying degrees of responsibility depending on the role each person will be playing. To help you decide whom to ask to be in your wedding party, here is a list of titles and responsibilities for each participant’s role.

Maid of Honor

Best Man

The maid of honor is a role typically filled by a sister or a very close friend. It is the equivalent of the groom’s best man. The maid of honor’s role, therefore, is typically very involved. Among her many responsibilities, the maid of honor accompanies the bride on shopping trips for her wedding dress while also planning the bridal shower, bachelorette party and coordinating the bridal party gift for the bride. Also, the maid of honor helps the bride get dressed on her wedding day, holds the groom’s wedding ring during the wedding and may also help in the writing of invitations. The maid of honor will also typically act as a witness to the wedding and dance with the best man at the reception. If the woman you’re asking is married, her title will be matron of honor.

Perhaps the most well-known responsibilities of the best man are organizing the bachelor party and giving the toast at the reception. But the best man, who is typically a brother or best friend of the groom, also has a slew of other responsibilities. In addition to helping the groom choose his tuxedo and get dressed before the wedding, the best man coordinates the couple’s gift from the groomsmen and takes care of the newlyweds’ transportation to the airport after the reception or the next morning. The best man may also hold onto any payment that’s due to the reception site or the donation for the house of worship, and take care of any final financial details. He also holds the bride’s wedding ring during the ceremony.

Bridesmaids

Groomsmen

Along with walking in the wedding procession, bridesmaids attend the shower and contribute to the bridal gifts. Bridesmaids, who are typically sisters or friends of the bride or groom, also dance with the groomsmen during the reception. To be further involved, each can be given specific roles, like reading a religious passage at the ceremony, providing assistance with choosing wedding vendors or helping to address wedding invitations.

Groomsmen are the male equivalent of the bridesmaids, typically having nearly identical responsibilities. Sometimes, groomsmen can act as ushers for guests arriving at the ceremony. Groomsmen walk in the wedding processional and attend and help organize the bachelor party, as well.

Flower Girl

Ring Bearer

If the bride has a sister who is especially young, that sister typically fills the role of flower girl. Since most flower girls are very young, their responsibilities are generally limited to carrying a basket of flowers during the processional and, depending on the bride’s preference, tossing flower petals on the ground to mark the bride’s entrance.

Like the flower girl, the ring bearer is a very young member of the family, only the ring bearer is a male. The ring bearer’s role is to carry a pillow with the rings sewn on it during the processional. Some couples choose to have the ring bearer and the flower girl walk next to one another during the processional.

Parents of the Bride

Parents of the Groom

The bride’s parents may be responsible for hosting the wedding, if they will be completely financially responsible for the event. In some cases, the father of the bride escorts his daughter down the aisle alone, but in other instances or in religious ceremonies, both parents may accompany the bride. In all cases, it’s her preference. The mother of the bride may help fund or contribute to the planning of the bridal shower if the maid of honor needs assistance. These parents may also foot the cost of an engagement party or dinner to meet the groom’s family.

The groom’s parents should host a rehearsal dinner prior to the wedding. They may also choose to contribute to the wedding if they desire. In most cases, the groom’s parents have limited responsibilities, but can be involved as much as the wedding couple would like. Traditionally, the groom’s mother confers with the bride’s mother on what color gown she is wearing, so as not to go with the same shade. The groom’s parents may walk down the aisle in advance of the rest of the wedding processional and take their seats.

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Countdown to the big day

Checklist

To help you get a better understanding of how to plan a wedding and when you should be making certain decisions, here’s a time frame you can follow that should ensure that your wedding goes off as smoothly as possible.

10 to 12 Months Before

4 to 5 Months Before

1 to 2 Months Before

If you haven’t done it already, this is a good time to announce your engagement and introduce your respective families. Since most reception halls and churches have busy wedding schedules, it is also important to book both as early as possible, preferably at least a year in advance of your wedding day. It’s also a good idea to start putting together a guest list around this time and ask your parents whom they’d like to invite as well. Also, since your budget will determine just about every aspect of your wedding, sitting down and determining what you can spend and developing a savings plan should be first and foremost.

This is a good time to decide on wedding invitations, from which there are many styles to choose. Also, now is ideal to start hunting for a wedding cake by sampling a number of different bakeries’ cakes before ultimately making a decision. Just to be sure, confirm that all of the bridesmaids have ordered their gowns and start looking for a tuxedo for the groom as well as the groomsmen. If you haven’t done so already, purchase your wedding rings and let any other people you’d like to participate in your wedding (ushers, readers during the ceremony, etc.) know of your intentions.

Schedule the first bridal-gown fitting. Also finalize the readings you’d prefer during the ceremony and mail them out to anyone who has agreed to do a reading. If your family prefers to host a small gathering for close family and friends after the wedding rehearsal, the night before the wedding, this is a good time to order any food or drinks you might want to serve that night, or make a restaurant reservation.

6 to 9 Months Before

Finalize your guest list and mail out your invitations. If your guest list includes a considerable amount of people who are spread out geographically, mail the invitations as close to 12 weeks in advance as possible. This is also a good time to finalize your menu choices for your guests, and find all your wedding accessories such as the ring pillow, candles, etc. Also, since it is tradition to provide gifts for those in the wedding party as well as the parents of the bride and groom, this is a good time to decide on and purchase those gifts. Just to be safe, confirm that all groomsmen have ordered their tuxedos and finalize all transportation, both to and from the wedding and to the airport for your honeymoon.

This is the time when you want to start booking some services, such as a florist, caterer, a DJ/band and a photographer. However, some of the more experienced DJs and bands, as well as photographers, might have their schedules booked a year in advance, so this might be something you’ll want to consider doing shortly after you get engaged and choose a date. Also, this is a good time to inform any guests who will be traveling significant distances of the date of your wedding. The earlier your guests can book a flight, the less expensive that flight will be. This is also a good time to order gowns for both the bride and bridesmaids, as some manufacturers require a few months to ship to bridal shops. You might want to ask someone, such as your priest or rabbi, to be the officiant of your wedding. And much like out-of-town guests will save travel dollars the earlier they learn of your wedding date, you will likely save money, too, if you book your honeymoon around this time.

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2 to 3 Months Before

3 to 4 Weeks Before Confirm your honeymoon arrangements and see if your wedding rings are ready. This is also when you should get your marriage license and check the guest list to see who has and hasn’t RSVP’d. For those who have yet to RSVP, you might want to contact them so you can get a closer idea of what the head count will be. You should also prepare and order your wedding program around this time. 1 to 2 Weeks Before Get a final attendance count and submit it to the caterer as soon as you know of it, while also providing a final seating chart. Pick up the wedding gown and tuxedo. Make sure the wedding party picks up their attire. Also, finalize your vows and confirm all wedding-day details such as transportation, photo schedules and addresses. And don’t forget to pack for your honeymoon. The Day Before This is mainly when you rehearse for the ceremony and make any final confirmations you might have to make. Also, make sure to get some sleep so you’ll look good in all of your wedding-day photos.

trends

Color coordination Brides take their cues from nature By Amy May

Among the hundreds of choices a bridal couple must make — from the venue to the cake plates — somewhere in there they need to choose their colors. The color scheme is generally used in the bridesmaids’ dresses; the groomsmen’s cummerbunds, boutonnières and pocket squares; and the bouquets, centerpieces and other floral touches. It is carried through to the invitations, napkins and china. Couples want to choose colors that create a unified theme. The choices are limitless, so how do you narrow them down? Perhaps you can look to Pantone, a company that describes itself as an authority on color.

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Annually, Pantone selects its color of the year based on what it judges are current trends. The 2018 winner is ultraviolet, a cool, dusky purple with blue tones. Ultraviolet, according to the company, is “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade.” Purple has always been a popular wedding color choice, but Pantone’s approval promotes a more modern take on the color, according to Bride magazine. “Demure and dazzling, ultraviolet presents a bold choice that bridges the gap between masculinity and femininity.” The magazine suggests several ways to incorporate ultraviolet into a wedding: from little touches such as table runners, napkins or centerpieces for the reception to using special lighting to cast the whole ceremony in a purple haze. Various shades of purple make stylish and flattering bridesmaids’ dresses. Ultraviolet and silver create striking and elegant invitations. You can even get a cake with ultraviolet icing. And of course, flowers come in infinite varieties that either add ultraviolet or complement it. While trends can be fun and give you good ideas, don’t let the color of the year limit you, said Kim King Smith, an Edinburgh-based bridal consultant. She said brides tend to seek trends, especially looking at what’s hot on Pinterest, and they get plenty of input from family and friends, but she encourages her clients to think about what they want. “Go with what pleases you. Use the things you like. Maybe incorporate

a trend or two, but keep it classy and something you’ll be happy to remember 20 years down the road.” In the last few years, brides have preferred colors from nature, King Smith said. “I think people are using and working with nature’s palette. It’s very easy to incorporate other colors, and it’s pleasing to the eye,” she said. “Look at a sunset. There are so many colors there to draw inspiration from.” She likes mossy greens and grays, for example. When choosing multiple colors, she advises people to stay in the warm or cool families. Red, she explained, can be warm or cool depending on how much orange is added. A cool red might pair better with silver, while a warm red looks nice with gold or copper.

Winter weddings usually employ more muted colors, such as cool blues or grays, she said. One of the most obvious ways to use the color scheme is through flowers. Some brides may fall in love with a particular flower and base their color choices on it, said Karen Morgason, senior wedding designer with J.P. Parker Flowers. Brides often come into the florist meeting with Pinterest pictures, such as an ideal head table or bride’s bouquet, and the floral designer can create that and help expand on the color scheme, Morgason said. “If they come with a particular flower in mind, we can build the wedding around that, especially if it’s for the bride’s bouquet,” she said. “But what I’ve found when I meet with the brides is most of them already have their colors,” she said.

Color choices seem to be dictated by the season of the wedding, as well, Morgason said. For summer, she sees a lot of blush, which is a neutral, soft pink, that can be paired with a bright color. The floral designer can help the bride choose blooms that incorporate her colors and suggest varied textures and greenery. “In the fall, there are sunflowers. We grow sunflowers here (at J.P. Parker), so we get a lot of requests for sunflowers with orange accents, like gerbera daisies,” she said. Peonies are a popular flower, and some brides specifically ask for them. They come in a wide variety of colors, from delicate white and sunny yellow to a deep red-plum and even mahogany. So the flowers can fit in most wedding color palettes. Morgason said J.P. Parker grows peonies, which are late-spring flowers, so they are readily available and reasonably priced in season. “But they are also year-round because we can get them from all over the world,” she said. Brides are also choosing colors they simply like, regardless of the season. “We are seeing more mauve, lilac, lavender, and shades of blue are coming back,” Morgason said. Jim Myrick, florist and owner of Bud and Bloom in Franklin, said colors are a personal thing. Many brides come in with their colors already chosen, but he has also worked with brides who have seen a flower they liked and decided to choose their colors based on the flower. One interesting trend he is seeing is more brides using black in their weddings. “I guess it’s more of a gothic wedding,” he said. Black flowers don’t exist in nature, but there are some hybrids that are close, he said, such as roses, lilies and orchids. He recommends hypericum (St. John’s wort), which is a green plant with black berries.

trends

While black isn’t a typical wedding color, Bride magazine recommends using it as an accent. Black touches on the invitations, black bridesmaids’ dresses or shoes, and even a black cake, which is actually trending this year, can give a wedding an elegant and classy look. To avoid going “completely gothic,” the magazine suggests pairing it with clean white or a bright color or two. The venue is usually the first major choice the wedding couple makes, and it can also play a role in color selection. You don’t want to choose colors that clash with the venue’s carpeting or walls, for example. But ideally, the couple has chosen a venue based on what style they want to communicate, so the colors at the site should be acceptable, Morgason said. And if not, there are ways to work around a venue’s limitations, she added.

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Using bright colors or interesting floral designs can draw the eye away from the carpet or curtains, for example. King Smith agreed. “You want your decor to complement the venue; you don’t want them to clash. You wouldn’t want a chandelier and crystal in a rustic barn setting, for example,” she said. Myrick has done numerous floral designs for outdoor weddings and sees couples choosing native flowers set off with woodsy touches and greenery, even kale, he said. With so many choices and endless internet sites, it’s no surprise that brides change their minds several times during the planning process or begin to secondguess themselves. “Stay on the main road,” King Smith advises. “Stay focused on what you want the outcome to be. Don’t get distracted. Stay focused and streamlined and don’t be afraid to ask the professionals for help.” She enjoys helping clients narrow down their choices and even gives their colors a special flair. “I will rename them to make them romantic and special. So navy and coral become midnight and sunset, for example,” she said. While the bride’s gown usually isn’t part of the wedding color scheme, it is still something to consider, King Smith added. Most brides go with white or its many shades, such as cream, ivory, snowy, eggshell or antique white and even deeper tones like beige and ecru. “Go with your skin tone and pick the shade best for you. Work with the consultants at the dress shop and try on a variety of shades and styles,” she said. Morgason added that couples can choose a color scheme and still have fun with it and reflect their personalities. She’s often been asked to incorporate personal touches into the floral arrangements while still staying within the color scheme. The bride’s bouquet, for example, often includes a sentimental handkerchief or her “something blue.” “For the boutonnières, we’ve had superheroes, Matchbox cars and shotgun shells,” she said.

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trends

Jordan Newton Doggette gave her bridesmaids matching robes for her 2017 Columbus wedding. Photo by Stacy Able

attention for attendants Gifts for wedding party should reflect friendship By Jennifer Willhite

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Unique wedding gifts for the bridal party are no longer one-size-fitsall. Matching jewelry for the women? Matching ties for the guys? Not anymore. Those are gifts of a bygone era. Today’s couples are offering more personalized gifts that are setting a trend that doesn’t appear to be fading, says Jillian Keller, owner of Frame Worthy Events in Columbus. “They are thinking more outside the box,” she says. “Personalizing the gifts with the individual’s initials or name is a popular trend.” Popular for women is “getting ready”

attire, such as robes and button-down flannels, or something that can be incorporated on the wedding day that the bride might want pictures of, such as getting ready in the morning. As for the men, it’s all about a new interpretation of tradition. “The guys are still getting traditional guy stuff,” Keller says. “We’ve seen flasks this year and all sorts of personalized items, like pocket squares and cuff links.” Over the past several years, giving the wedding party something other than jewelry or accessories for the big day has continued to evolve, Keller says. Brides

“I would honestly suggest bridal party are really trying to find ways to comgifts are one of the things to get cut if the memorate their big day. budget is tight,” she says. “A really lovely “The good news is the gifts that are handwritten note to the bridesmaids or being given these days, they do not have groomsmen, just expressing your grateto match the color scheme of the day,” Keller says. “A wedding we did in the fulness for them being there and supportfall did plaid, flannel button-downs for ing your wedding, that is plenty.” their girls to get dressed in. So the flanIt is never too early to start planning what you would like to offer as wednel was a nod to an autumn wedding. In the summer you will see more cotton or ding party gifts, if you choose to go lightweight robes.” that route. If you are searching for gift Another popular trend is couples ideas, Pinterest is a great place to start. incorporating something unique to their However, don’t lose sight of what it is relationship, wedding location or theme that makes your group special, Keller in the gifts, says Sarah Agee, owner of says. For men who like to fish, maybe Plum & Poppy Weddings in Indianapoit’s a tackle box. If you go to IU football games often, maybe sealis. “We had a wedding at a tickets. “Look inward as son“Look lake so they did life jacket inward as far as far as what you beer cozies for all the what you do as a group, wedding party and had why these people are your do as a group, their names on it,” Agee friends and why they why these says. “So say, if you went are the ones you chose to college at Purdue with people are your to stand up with you on all the girls in your bridal friends and why your wedding day,” she party, you will find that says. “Find something they are the theme incorporated.” that really speaks to what Some couples are ones you chose you do together, why they opting to offer their your friends and try to stand up with are bridal party a single gift to turn that into a gift.” you on your containing multiple other It is easy to get carried items. For instance, a reaway when brainstormwedding day.” cent wedding coordinated ing ideas, but remember — Jillian Keller by Renea Gates, owner to not let the gifts become of Elite Coordinators, ofsomething that causes you to overspend. Wedding party gifts fered fanny packs containing travel-size can add up very quickly and consume a nail polish, makeup and jewelry for the larger portion of your budget than you big day. intended. The first rule is to definitely “I think the trend now is leaning tokeep it simple. And second, start early. ward what you give the gifts in,” Gates “Something like bridal party gifts you says. can pretty easily purchase early on in Planning what gifts you offer and planning and stow it away so it is done how they are presented is entirely an and it’s one item crossed off your list,” individual decision, Keller says. Each Keller says. couple’s budget and taste are going to Above all, make gift-giving memorabe different. However, walking that fine line of tasteful and unique can be tricky ble for you and your bridal party. “Only when you can’t afford to break the bank. give the gift if it is something you truly Just remember, there is no designated find meaning in and they will treasure amount of money that needs to be spent, for a long time,” she says. Keller says.

Flasks and cuff links are popular gifts for male attendants. Bridesmaids may appreciate robes or button-downs in a favorite material or color.

trends

On Top

of it all

Headpieces add glamorous touch to any look

By LISA A. FLAM, Associated Press

Brielyn Souza donned a cathedral-length veil for her church wedding in 2015, but popped on a fresh floral crown for the reception. With its earthly beauty, the crown fit the laidback, rustic-glam feel of her barn party, and felt true to a bride who often wore flowers in her hair as a girl. “It was my version of a bride,” Souza, 33, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, says of the crown. “Some people put on a veil and they feel like a bride. I put on that floral crown and I felt like a bride. I felt complete in my bridal look.” Crowns and other types of headpieces, often made with crystals, rhinestones and pearls, have become more popular among brides in recent years, experts say. Delicate or statement-making, a bridal headpiece serves as a finishing

touch, a way to add a little bit of extra glamour to a wedding-day outfit. “They’re really an exquisitely beautiful way to finish your look, and something that’s really special, rooted in tradition but really modern,” says New York luxury accessories designer Jennifer Behr, whose designs have been worn by many A-list celebrities. “It’s really jewelry for the hair,” she said, adding that like makeup, headpieces “bring a lot of brightness and attention and beauty to the face.” With all eyes (and cameras) on the bride, Behr, who has a namesake accessories company, says the headpiece is the bride’s most important accessory, and can be worn with or without a veil. The floral crown, made of fresh flowers or fashioned from metal or silk, is a AP photos

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standout among headpieces, says Shane Clark, senior fashion and accessories editor at Brides magazine. “Floral crowns are the biggest hair accessory trend we’ve been seeing,” Clark says. “It makes it feel more romantic. You have that ethereal, hippie, romantic, laid-back vibe.” Behr also offers several golden, metal floral styles she calls “a more sophisticated take on the floral crown. It’s a little bit more elegant.” If a crown’s not your thing, consider a decorative comb, clip or pins. A beautiful comb can hold your veil in place, or pins or combs could be tucked into an updo or low chignon. Headbands too, are plentiful. Newer versions, called circlets and halos, which often have ties at the ends, can be worn across the top of the head like a traditional headband or lower down, toward or across the forehead. Hair vines are flexible strands that can be woven into bridal braids. Tiaras, famously worn by British royals like the former Kate Middleton and Princess Diana, are there for those princess moments, and may soon be making a bridal comeback, Clark says. How to find your perfect hair accessory? Choose something that complements your gown, wedding venue and hairstyle, and a design that feels natural, Clark advises. “Make it your look, but make sure you feel comfortable,” she says. While a tiara is befitting the bride tying the knot in a ballgown in a castle, a flower crown works well with a boho, romantic gown or a beach wedding, Clark says. A deco or vintage look is often well suited by a comb or a pin. There are now many choices in metals, Clark notes, with yellow and rose gold mixing in with the traditional silver

finish among hair accessory options. A different color gives the same accessory a completely different feel, she says. Behr says her gold pieces work well with cream or lace gowns. Clark advises matching the metal in a headpiece to the finish of any jewelry. If you’re using the headpiece to add color, wear fresh blooms in the same color family as your bouquet and keep the colors appropriate for the season. Pay attention to scale so your hair accessory isn’t out of balance with or competing with details on your gown, Clark says. Remember to try the hair accessory on with your gown and, ideally, bring it to a trial hair appointment, so the stylist

can find the best placement to go with your bridal hairstyle, Clark says. If nothing else, remember this about your headpiece: “It shouldn’t be the center of attention,” Clark says, “because your gown should be.”

Getting Engaged?

Tell an insurance agent about the ring If you recently got engaged, the first person you might want to tell about your beautiful ring is an insurance agent. Engagement ring insurance isn’t exactly romantic, but it’s a relatively inexpensive way to make sure you can repair or replace your ring if something happens to it. By BETH BUCZYNSKI, NerdWallet

TWO WAYS TO INSURE YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING • Buy extra “scheduled” coverage — often called a rider, floater or endorsement — through your homeowners or renters insurance company. Standard homeowners insurance and renters insurance includes some coverage for jewelry, but theft coverage is often limited to $1,500. • Buy a stand-alone policy from a company that specializes in jewelry insurance. You’ll generally get reimbursed for the full value if your ring is stolen, lost or damaged. Your insurer might require an appraisal to finalize your policy. The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers website has a list of appraisers in each state. Don’t assume a jewelry warranty will cover you. Those apply only to defects.

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An affair

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Personal touches enhance wedding receptions By Jennifer Willhite

From Star Wars storm troopers to classic romance, unique entrances and departures are making wedding receptions a party to remember. If you are unsure about how to make your reception memorable, turn to tradition for inspiration, recommends Jillian Keller, owner of Frame Worthy Events in Columbus. Go back to the beginning. Look at your story as a couple. What is it that makes you unique? “People just really love to see classic romance, and that is something that will never go out of style,” she says. “You so rarely see the classic stuff anymore that now when it gets brought out, like a traditional waltz, people really stop and pay attention.” If you are thinking of something more like a dance number similar to the final scene in “Dirty Dancing,” you had better practice, practice, practice. The last thing you want your reception remembered for was the bride being dropped during an ill-timed dance move. Just as you personalize the gifts for your wedding party, your reception also should reflect your interests as a couple or something about your love story. For instance, say you love Harry Pot-

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ter. You can include magical elements in a subtle way, says Sarah Agee, owner of Plum & Poppy Weddings in Indianapolis. During her years as a wedding planner, she says, she has seen a range of unusual touches, from bagpipes ushering in the new couple to Star Wars storm troopers. “I would say the more out of the box you want to be, the further in advance you need to think about it,” Agee says. “Just because there is not a lot of storm trooper rental in the world; that is a pretty niche market, for instance. And if you have a popular wedding date, it might be something less available.” Understand that the reception’s venue determines more than just the number of guests it holds. Each has a personality that will affect the logistics. It will also play a significant role in the entrance and departure you plan. Keller says the most unique reception exit she has witnessed was via helicopter at a barn wedding. Fortunately, the adjacent field offered sufficient room for the takeoff and landing. However, if you are going to explore a similar plan of departure, definitely check with your venue. Many have strict guidelines as to what they will allow on their property. For instance, in Indiana you have to have a permit to set off fireworks at a reception, says Renea Gates, owner of Elite Coordinators in Indianapolis. “Whatever you do, you need to make it clear with the venue,” she says. In many cases, the DJ or band may have something specific they do for the couple, like telling your love story before your entrance or performing a special song, Agee says. If animals play a role, such as the couple arriving via horse-drawn carriage, it is best to check with the city to make sure you do not need a permit and what restrictions exist. In some cases, you may have to pay a fee to have special elements, like unique lighting outdoors, added to your reception plans, Agee says. For instance, Chinese lanterns

used to be quite popular for lighting a couple’s departure after dark. Since the lanterns cannot be controlled once they’re released and could potentially hit a nearby structure, many venues no longer allow their release. Other venues have restricted the use of other items, such as sparklers and confetti cannons, Agee says. “I think that is why you see the same things over and over,” she says. “If people cannot have sparklers, they will use glow sticks – the ones you buy now that can be personalized with names, the wedding date or hashtag on it.” To ensure you have the reception you envision, it is important to start the process at least six months ahead of time, if not more, Agee cautions. Lastly, do not overextend yourself once the planning is done and the big day has arrived. It may seem trivial, but sticking to a schedule is important. The celebratory atmosphere of the event may have you wanting to stay longer, but, odds are, you are going to be exhausted. “Do not extend your party beyond when it is scheduled to end,” Keller says. “A 10 or 11 p.m. exit from the reception is totally acceptable.”

“Whatever you do, you need to make it clear with the venue.” —Renea Gates

Designs by Naeem Khan

NEW YORK — Vera

Wang’s latest bride is feeling a touch of baroque romance, and Naeem Khan’s is ready for an after-party worthy of Studio 54. During a recent round of bridal shows in New York, Wang showed her Fall 2018 collection via appointment and dreamy, blackand-white look book shot by famed fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier in the Jardin du Luxembourg, a Paris garden created in the early 1600s by Marie de’Medici, the second wife of King Henry IV. Khan staged a runway show in his cozy garment district atelier, complete with huge disco balls and a dance party at the end with models dressed in minis sparkly with gold and silver sequins and crystals. But those were just half the story. Other looks by Khan are intended to please all his brides, from Japan to Dubai, New York to Nebraska.

Runway bride

Designers reveal fall dress collections

By LEANNE ITALIE, Associated Press

AP photos

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A few highlights from bridal week:

KHAN GETS POLITICAL He embraced his global bride in opulent and edgy looks with dramatic lace capes and shoulder bows with long fluttery ends to the floor. Only these models walked to ’60s standards like the counterculture Buffalo Springfield hit penned by Stephen Stills known for this line: “I think it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sound? Everybody look what’s going down.” When the slow walkers disappeared, the party began with a finale of dancing models in metallic beads, fringe and ostrich trim that put a smile on Khan’s face as he greeted guests on his front row. “We need a party to change our minds from all this craziness of what’s going on in America,” he said. Khan apprenticed for Halston in the ’70s, working with Liza Minnelli and Elizabeth Taylor. He’s also tight with former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, whom he dressed often. He wanted to say something about today’s times under President Donald Trump. “I feel that we are going on a journey with our political situation where it doesn’t look very right, and we don’t have strong leaders who can really take the bull by the horns and make things happen. We’re still divided,” he said. “All the music is from the time when it was Vietnam, it was rebellion. We got the music to say we are part of what’s going on right now.” Khan finds bridal a challenge because, he said, “Brides always think of themselves in a certain way,” usually princesses. “Each dress is important on its own. It’s not one story like ready to wear. You have to really create a collection that caters to all different women of the world,” he said.

Designs by Marchesa 23

Designs by Inbal Dror

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WANG IN THE GARDEN This bride from Wang wears bushy fur stoles and corset bodices. One of her new gowns has a peplum made to look like garters. In Wang’s Demarchelier-shot look book, her models wear large, loose feathers on their heads, their hair long and wavy, and with heavy black eyeliner as they take to the 6th arrondissement garden, palace in the background. “I was awarded the Legion of Honor in February and having lived and studied in Paris it was my personal connection to the Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter that made me choose the Jardin du Luxembourg as my location,” Wang said. “The Jardin du Luxembourg has always been a very special place to me.” She displayed the gowns in her showroom and let guests touch her finely crafted fabrics and trims. One, a light ivory ballgown, had long sleeves with macrame lace to the skirt. The skirt was stiff and gathered in the baroque style above the waist. Wang did Marie proud with that one. On other gowns, Wang used the quilting style of trapunto. It’s puffy and padded and produces a raised texture. She created trapunto on a silk corset and gartered gown of buff and ivory in an A-line silhouette, along with the front of a soft white silk crepe ballgown that had long sheer sleeves and Chantilly applique. “I feel it was a fashion statement for this season. The silhouettes and detailing of the dresses inferred a certain sense of scale and modern romance. Our clients create all sorts of weddings, but this collection was intended to create a sense of importance and celebration.” Sometimes, Wang’s skill comes in the tiniest details. She put a fishnet pattern of lace over a floral lace for a little extra oomph on one gown.

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INBAL DROR BOTH ORNATE AND LEGGY This is one bride not afraid of the sexy. High slits, sheer skirts with nothing but matching high-waisted undies underneath, sheaths with trains and removable overskirts, and a finale off-the-shoulder gown with embroidery made to look like feathers set this Israeli designer apart. Inbal Dror both embraces tradition and tosses it on its ear. Her V-necks were lower than low, as were plenty of her backs. Sparkly stone embellishment was all over rather than just a smidge. One heavily encrusted low-cut body hugger included a huge white bow at the waist. Yet, she told the AP, her bride “still looks noble; she still looks delicate like in the past.” Dror said her brides “look strong, more feminine. This is the signature of my designs.” Those designs included a strapless, fully sequined tulle ballerina dress with a short asymmetric kicky cancan hem. Dror mixed nudes with milk whites, blush and powder tones, with touches of silver and rose gold. And, of course, ivory.

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MARCHESA LOOKS BACK The collection this time around draws on the brand’s heritage and Marchesa brides through the years. Design duo Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman showed a lot of layering and transformable looks, ballgowns that turn into cocktail dresses, for instance, romantic all the while. “We were looking at the nostalgia aspect of getting married, the romance behind it,” Chapman said. “There’s also a very dreamy aspect, a haziness.” They threw in some little capes over strapless gowns for brides that need to cover up. And they used an engineered corded lace paired with Chantilly underlays. The two showed the second season of their lower-priced Notte bridal collection as well, with some beachy and more Bohemian gowns for destination brides. “All of our fabrics for Notte we work inhouse and are bespoke, too,” Craig said.

food trucks Just say ‘I do’ to

By CEDAR BURNETT, Associated Press

The Bumblebee truck at a wedding held in Lyons, Colo.

Bobby Hughes’ family was worried about the food truck. They were used to sit-down wedding dinners with towering cakes. But Hughes and his Colombian bride, Angelica, were opting for a more relaxed approach when they asked the owners of a local food truck to cook up a South American-inspired menu for their Houston wedding.

“My Texas relatives are meat-andpotatoes people,” Hughes says. “So there was some concern about the food. I was asked if people should bring their own sandwiches.” No sandwiches required. Hughes says his family and other guests ended up being impressed with the custom menu created by Consumed — a self-billed

“Mobile Food Dispensary.” Normally purveyors of upscale burgers and fries, the owners worked with the couple to offer Argentine empanadas, goat cheese and pesto-slathered sliders, veggie tacos and Arepa, a traditional Colombian flat cornbread topped with pulled chicken and jicama slaw. Hughes’ brother-in-law, Julian AlvaAP photos

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rez, had suggested using the food truck after learning that the couple’s wedding venue didn’t have a kitchen. Alvarez knew the owners of Consumed from their usual spot outside the Down the Street bar, and he offered to pay for the food as a wedding gift. The couple loved the idea, and appreciated not having to agonize over seating arrangements. Hughes recommends a food truck to anyone who wants something relaxed and different, but he says couples should manage their expectations. “It’s a food truck,” he says. “They’re not going to serve everyone at the same time, but in the meantime your guests can have drinks and talk. It really takes the edge off.”

Bobby and Angelica Hughes

Mei Li, owner of a Boston truck called Mei Mei, agrees that trucks add to a casual, fun atmosphere. “It’s fun for guests to walk up and order,” she says. “It’s a new experience for a lot of people and adds a level of excitement and options that a traditional caterer can’t provide.” Mei Mei, run by three siblings and offering a locally sourced, Chinese-American menu, has been so successful that it also now has a sit-down location and a shipping container-based lunch counter. Having done many weddings, Li sug-

Boston-based food truck, Mei Mei, at a wedding in Sagamore Beach, Mass.

AP photos

gests that couples consider the style of their wedding, the number of guests and the limitations of the venue when selecting a truck for their special day. Also, learn what a food truck can or can’t do. “Food trucks don’t usually offer table linens, wait staff or cleanup after the meal. You may need to negotiate that or hire an outside vendor for those services,” Li says. Chat directly with the chefs, she says, to make sure the menu items make sense for the crowd size. “Nobody wants to wait a long time to eat at a wedding,” Li says. “Be willing to be flexible and creative — the operator will know best what will work.” Li recommends using a truck for either the cocktail hour or the main meal, and limiting menu items to three or four options. Another option is to have chefs serve appetizers directly from the truck and then bring family-style portions to each table, or provide a buffet. For those who prefer a traditional sitdown dinner but still want the fun of a truck, consider a dessert van. “Everything is already made, so it’s like a dessert buffet that I’m constantly

refilling,” says Lora Kleinwachter, owner and head chef of The Bumblebee truck in Denver. The Bumblebee, a curvy, 1962 P-30 van that’s even cuter than its name, was rescued and refurbished into its current, Instagram-worthy state and has been traveling to weddings and events ever since. “People love to take pictures with the Bumblebee, and kids freak out when they see her,” Kleinwachter says. While her menu options include fullscale cakes, she often suggests the most portable treats — like baked doughnut holes or chocolate trifle cups. “By dessert time, people are often dancing and socializing,” she says. “Guests, especially the children, love anything that’s easy to eat and carry around.” While many savory food trucks can save couples money compared to a sit-down dinner, dessert trucks can be a splurge. With a $1,000 minimum plus travel and hourly service charges, Kleinwachter knows her truck can cost more than the average cake. Yet she says many couples hire her because they want something special.

Southside WEDDING feature

Following clues

An engagement in Australia turned into a local wedding for Alex and Ben Wheeler

By Jennifer Willhite

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When Alex Combs and Ben Wheeler met the summer before their junior year in high school in Greenwood, neither had any idea that would be the start of their love story. Ben was riding with a friend who stopped at Alex’s house to chat. As Ben struck up a conversation with her about Harry Potter, which was the easiest thing to talk to her about he says, the time flew by, and his friend was soon ready to leave. When Alex went into the house, Ben and his friend slipped away without saying goodbye. “I saw Alex a week later, and I immediately started apologizing and trying to get her number so I could see her again,” he says. “My friend ended up getting the number for me because Alex was still holding a grudge from when I left.” Ben’s persistence paid off, and Alex agreed to a date. Mrs. Curl Ice Cream Shop in Greenwood, with the little creek flowing behind it, served as the setting. “We got to talking and really hit it off; talked every day after that, and now six years later she is my wife,” Ben says. Fast forward to the fall of 2015 at Hanover College. The couple were set to study abroad in Australia the following spring. In November,

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Ben asked Alex’s father for permission to marry her and purchased her ring in December. In January 2016, they arrived in Australia, and Ben began thinking about how he was going to pop the question. “I know Alex likes the idea of a scavenger hunt, and we were in a new country, so I knew she would be game to go to different places and see different things,” he says. “And I had done something similar to ask her to prom and had a lot of fun doing it.” After a long Saturday at the beach, Alex recalls she was exhausted and went to bed early. So Ben took advantage of the time to gather five of their friends and plan the proposal for the next day. “If I had planned it any earlier, I risked someone letting her know when and where it would happen,” he says. “I met up with everyone, told them what was going on and gave them their assignments.” The next morning, Alex woke to find her first clue. She was to meet a friend for breakfast. After they ate, the friend would give Alex her next clue.

“I took a train about an hour and a half before she did so I could drop everyone off at their designated spots,” Ben says. “I received text updates throughout the day.” After a nearly two-hour train ride to Sydney and stops at a coffee shop and the Queen Victoria Building, Alex made her way to the Sydney Opera House, where she was given her final clue. “Attached to the opera house is the Royal Botanical Gardens,” Alex says. “It was one of the first places we went to when we first arrived.” Her final clue led her to a spot where one can see the opera house and the harbor bridge perfectly, and that was where she found Ben waiting to propose. “I was blindsided,” Alex says. When they returned to the United States in July, they had one year to plan their wedding for July 8, 2017. Alex is operations supervisor for Fullbeauty Brands in Indianapolis, and Ben is a patient support technician at Community Hospital South. From the start the Indianapolis residents wanted to keep everything local, from the venue to the catering and entertainment. “We didn’t try to use a lot of big names,” Alex

says. “We wanted to support local businesses in Johnson County.” The couple married at Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville. It was a site that was beautiful and held a lot of fond memories. “We always go to their summer picnic concert series,” Alex says. “I thought it would be so beautiful to get married there.” On the surface it would appear the wedding planning was smooth sailing, but the Wheelers say it was anything but stress-free. The lesson they learned early on was it needed to be a joint effort. The biggest piece of advice Alex says she would offer couples who are wedding planning is to trust your partner. “Turn to them for advice because that is who you are going to be turning to after you’re married, so you might as well turn to them now,” she says. “Realize it is one day, and you have a lifetime together.” Ben freely admits the reception planning was more Alex because she has a knack for “that stuff.” Using Pinterest for inspiration, she

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decided on a farmhouse chic approach that used neutral colors and simple décor. The more than 200 guests enjoyed food catered by Oaken Barrel Brewing Co. and music performed by local favorite Tastes Like Chicken. The couple’s arrival at the reception was heralded by “Feel Again” by One Republic. And their exit was marked by a sparkler tunnel formed by guests lining the sidewalk leading from the reception hall to a waiting red vintage sports car. After an evening at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, they left for a week-long honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. “We wanted to go somewhere we had never been but wasn’t too far away,” Ben says. “So any given anniversary we could go back down there to remember that is where we honeymooned.” They agree their wedding day couldn’t have been more perfect. For couples who are just starting to plan, Alex says, “Don’t hold yourself to a standard that is set by someone else. Stick to your budget, preplan and make whatever styles you find your own.”

Checklist

wedding budget

total wedding budget

Ceremony

Flowers

Location fee___________________________________

Ceremony___________________________________

Officiant fee___________________________________

Bride’s bouquet___________________________________

Marriage license___________________________________

Bridesmaids’ bouquets________________________________

Rings___________________________________

Corsages & boutonnieres______________________________

Pillow___________________________________

Reception centerpieces________________________________

Total Ceremony___________________________________

Flower girl basket___________________________________

Reception Reception site___________________________________

Bathroom arrangements_______________________________ Total flowers___________________________________

Food___________________________________

Photography

Drinks___________________________________

Photographer’s fees___________________________________

Rentals___________________________________

Videographer’s fees___________________________________

Cake___________________________________

Total photography___________________________________

Favors___________________________________ Total Reception___________________________________

Transportation Limousines___________________________________

Attire

Buses/transport for guests_____________________________

Gown___________________________________

Total transportation___________________________________

Headpiece/veil___________________________________ Undergarments/hosiery_________________________

Stationery

Shoes___________________________________

Invitations___________________________________

Accessories___________________________________

Calligraphy___________________________________

Jewelry___________________________________

Postage___________________________________

Makeup___________________________________

Thank-you cards___________________________________

Hair___________________________________

Total stationery___________________________________

Tuxedo___________________________________ Shoes___________________________________

Gifts

Cuff links___________________________________

Wedding party___________________________________

Men’s grooming___________________________________

Parents___________________________________

Total attire___________________________________

Other___________________________________ Total gifts___________________________________

Music Ceremony musicians_______________________________ Band/DJ___________________________________

Accommodations___________________________________

Extra musicians___________________________________

Food___________________________________

Total music___________________________________

Honeymoon

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Total honeymoon___________________________________

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