Mother Lode Weddings

Weddings MotherLode

Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Amador Counties

BridesTell All

Shower Time Love

Complimentary Bridal Guide 2012 ISSU E

How We Met & Fell In

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Black Bear Inn Arnold, California

arnoldblackbearinn.com

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“If I get married, I want to be very married.�

- Audrey Hepburn

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Mother Lode Weddings Plan your wedding with the most talented and unique wedding vendors. Mother Lode Weddings has gathered together the ‘creme de la creme’ of the wedding industry experts. Turning your ideas into a dream day is our sincere desire. motherlodeweddings.com

Become a fan on facebook to find out about our latest promotions, giveaways and bridal tips!

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Edit or’s Note Congratulations on your engagement!

Planning your wedding should be a joyful experience rather than a stressful, overwhelming one. So, we have created an informative and fun wedding magazine, full of useful information, helpful tips and visual inspiration, to help the bride and groom in planning their dream wedding in the Mother Lode. We want to simplify the wedding planning process by bringing you all the resources you need, give you creative ideas, save you time and money, and introduce you to some really fantastic vendors.

Remember to just relax and enjoy this wonderful time in your life. It is meant to be a beautiful celebration of your love towards one another, among family and friends.

Enjoy!

Kevin and Michelle

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Mother Lode Weddings Design/Publisher Kevin White Michelle White Advertising Sales Kevin White 209.768.0432 www.motherlodeweddings.com Editorial Contributers Michelle White Joleen Willis Christine Tuohy Erin Milnik Photographs Still Memories Photography Joleen Willis Photography Erin Milnik Photography

Wedding planning checklist

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Hair & Makeup Sweets

Wedding style & themes Brides tell all Stylized shoot Mother Lode Ranch How to choose your wedding dress

Shower Time

Real Weddings

Cupcakes Take The Cake

Cover Photo

Floral Design

bouquet Columbia Florist Photographer Still Memories Photography Location Columbia Nursery & Florist

How we met...

Picture Perfect E-Session

Stylized Shoot Ironstone Vineyards

Up! from the ground Mother Lode Weddings has made every effort to insure the accuracy of the information contained herein, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or ommisions.

Building your Wedding

Contents MotherLodeWeddings.com

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Stylized Photo-Shoot Location

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Ironstone Vineyards

Cake

Sweet Creations at CornerSpace Cafe

ironstonevineyards.com

209-532-4112

Designers Save The Date

Photography

209-559-9975

Still Memories Photography stillmemoriesphotosite.com

Floral Design Mountain Laurel Florist mountainlaurelca.com

Hair/Makeup Flawless Hair & Makeup 209-559-6610

Models Coryn Njirich, Katie Broderick, Amanda Silva, Jennifer Waelty, Sarah White, Owen Denton

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Joleen Willis Photography

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“True love never grows old�

- Proverb

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How We Met , and Fell in Love Real Couples, Sharing Real Stories

Dirk & Julia

Still Memories Photography

One morning I was on the bus on my way to work and sat down across from a young handsome guy. He was on the phone speaking in German to his mom, not thinking anyone would be able to understand him.

Since I’m from Germany myself, I eavesdropped and learned that he also lived in San Francisco and had just joined a gym. Once he got off the phone I was too shy to say anything to him and he shortly thereafter got off the bus. Two days later I received my weekly email from Match.com where I had signed up a few weeks before. They always send you a list of suggestions of good matches once a week and as I scroll down the list, I see a picture of the guy from the bus. I contacted him and after a number of emails back and forth we met up a week later. And the rest is history :-)

Joleen Willis Photography

Neal & Taylor Neal and I met June 2009 at a mutual friend's party. I walked up to him and said, "Don't I know you?" and that's how it all began. Not soon after that he asked me to be his girlfriend. The more time that went, the more I started to think that this man could be my soul mate. He has all of the amazing qualities that I have always wanted in a man. We were inseparable. A year and a half went by, and he decided to join the Army. Six months after he signed, he went to boot camp. I didn't know how to get through the four months without him. We went from seeing each other every day, to only being able to communicate through letters. After four extremely long months, he got to come home. I was so happy to see him, but that happiness was short lived because he was only home for two weeks. His next stop was deployment and this time he would be gone for an entire year. Six months into his deployment he proposed. Our wedding is now only two months away and his due date home is a week before the wedding. Even with him gone, our love still grows stronger every day. With every passing day, I can't believe how lucky I am to be marrying my best friend.

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Floral Design

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History of the Wedding Ring -The practice of wearing wedding rings is thought to have started with the egyptians in 3000 BC. The first rings were made of braided hemp and Romans later constructed their wedding rings of iron. Today’s rings are made of gold to symbolize the purity and everlasting aspects of marriage, while the unbroken circle of the ring represents the continuity of marriage.

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Cupcakes are quickly becoming the latest wedding rage, and for good reason, as these little decadencies are both eye candy and sweet treats, sure to please both you and your guests. Read on to see why “cupcakes take the cake” for modern brides.

HOSPITALITY According to owner and cupcake artist at Shameless Cupcakes, Donyl Sebold, tells us cupcakes are one way to honor your guests with true hospitality. When you have cupcakes in place of cake at your wedding, “you’re truly accommodating most every guest by being able to offer a variety of flavors, fillings, and frosting options to please everybody. Nobody gets skimped with a dry piece of wedding cake, each guest may enjoy a self-contained, self-served, decadent dessert true to their liking.”

DECOR Cupcakes also score high points in our creative department, decor-savvy brides delighting over the many styles and options that can be embraced in a cupcake. True elegance can be found in the endless options of hand-painted, molded chocolate toppers, fashioned into bright poppies, custom monograms, or shimmering pearls.

PERSONAL Much in the way a couple selects a signature cocktail with the careful help of a mixologist, a cupcake artist can guide the couple to create a flavor that it truly unique to only them. Donyl has aided cupcake patrons in this selection, the sweet process yielding a wasabi lime cupcake (among others) that has now become a store favorite.

What do you and your fiance like? Are you vanilla, or are you wasabi lime, or chocolate chile?

Cupcakes offer the engaged couple the possibility of making even your dessert completely personal and special to your day.

COST-EFFECTIVE Nothing about offering an elegant cupcake will

say “skimp” to your guests. Each one is like a little gift. Your cupcake dollar will go farther, the average cost of a cupcake at about a $1.80, while the average cost of a slice of wedding cake is $5.50. What’s more, you will even cut the cost most venues charge to both cut and serve your wedding cake, your guests able to help themselves.

INTERACTIVE Looking for a way to entertain? Young and old alike will make good use of a cupcake bar! Kick off the opening of your cupcake bar with the traditional spousal feeding, and then allow your guests to get their sugar high while they delve into the butter creams, bavarian creams, coconut custards and candy toppings.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Donyl advises cupcakes shoppers to do their research, contacting bake shops to see how many flavors they offer, and especially if they allow you to customize. Shameless Cupcakes offers couples truly endless options, their scope ranging from chocolate chipotle, to root beer, to english coffee, to plain ole vanilla, with anything you can imagine in-between.

After finding a shop that offers flavors you prefer, be sure to ask to see the size of a cupcake. A quality cupcake should present with a fluffy, rounded pillow top, even before frosting, not a flat top. Be sure that your cupcake artist is willing to transport the cupcakes the day of the wedding, and that they have the proper equipment to do so. Finally, see if they offer a beautiful solution to display your cupcakes, either with a cupcake tree (built from the ground up) or with tiers (set on a table). If not, make sure you have something suitable for your decor.

“Love waits for one thing, the right moment”

-Anna

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Location Union Hill Inn www.unionhillinn.com

Photographer Still Memories Photography www.stillmemoriesphotosite.com

Floral Design Michaels www.michaels.com

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Location~Cake~Catering Wine & Roses www.winerose.com

Photographer Joleen Willis Photography www.joleenwillis.com

Florist The Flowery www.thefloweryatthetower.com

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Location

Men’s Formalwear

Eagle Meadow

Let”er Buck Western Wear 209-533-1144

Caterer

Disc Jockey

Alicia’s Catering

Bluz Broz Muzic

www.aliciascakesandcatering.com

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Location Santa Margarita Ranch

Hair & Makeup

Photographer

Rhyan Townsend

Erin Milnik Photography

www.rhyantownsend.com

www.erinmilnik.com

Florist

Bridal Attire

April Flowers

JCrew

www.aprilflowersslo.com

www.jcrew.com

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Photos Rich Miller Photography

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Shower Time

It’s time for the party preceeding your nuptials!

Here’s a list of ideas for party themes and games that’ll keep everyone having a great time.

Now that you have some shower ideas, it’s game time! Try the following games to keep the laughter rolling:

First, the basics. Anyone close to the bride can host the shower, be it the Maid of Honor, the bride’s sister, or Mom. The shower should be at least 2 weeks before the wedding itself, and showers are usually informal affairs that can be anything from a brunch in a restaurant to a pool party barbecue in your back yard. They can be ‘girls only’ or co-ed to include the whole gang!

Traditionally food is served, guests mingle, and the bride opens her gifts. (be sure to have a friend write down who gave which gift to make it easier for the bride later when she writes her thank-you notes)

Bridal Mad Libs. Type out the story of how the couple met, or how they got engaged and make a Mad Lib out of it!

As for the theme of the party, the sky is the limit. How about a day at the spa with you and your bridesmaids? Perfect pedicures, massages and facials, all in a relaxing, sweetly scented atmosphere. Spa parties can be held at a spa, or even do-it-yourself in your home!

Oven Mitt Pantyhose Game. Give all the ladies oven mitts and knee high panty hose and line them up. Start the timer, and the first to put on both panty hose while wearing the oven mitts wins a prize! (Baking Mix, perhaps?)

Honeymoon Scavenger Hunt. Hide wedding or honeymoon related items around the house or yard and get everyone searching!

Rule #1 at your wedding shower: Have fun!

At home, you can have a cupcake baking party, or a wine and cheese tasting with an array of tasty international cheeses from your local market.

How about a scrapbooking party? Set up the table with all sorts of scrapbook supplies and have your girlfriends bring photos, recipes, and other memorabilia to create a great book the bride can keep for years.

For the more casual shower (co-ed or not) have a barbecue with cocktails and music, or a Happy Hour theme with wings, mozzarella sticks and interesting beers and wines. A bowling party at the local bowling alley is also a fun option!

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Bridal Tip:

Erin Er i Millniik Photography 30

Do your dress shoppping ng as ea e rlyy as pos ossi siibl ble. e. Six to nine months is recommended, to alll ow eno noug ughh titime ug me for the dre ress sss to be ordered, shipped, and to ha have ve any altlter erat er a ioons com at mpllet e ed ed..

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Stylized Photo-Shoot Location Mother Lode Ranch

Photography

209-768-0432

Still Memories Photography stillmemoriesphotosite.com

Floral Design Mountain Laurel Florist

Makeup

mountainlaurelca.com

Flawless Hair & Makeup 209-559-6610

Designers Save The Date

Hair

209-559-9975

Identities Hair & Dayspa Sheree 209-532-6293

Models Katie Broderick & James McVey

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“You don’t marry someone you can live with - you marry the person who you cannot live without”

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SWEETS

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photo finish hair and makeup:

A professional can give you a smooth start to a beautiful day.

We make so many preparations for our wedding day to ensure the flow of the day and our personal experience is one we can enjoy and be present at. Surprisingly, one investment that is often overlooked that you can save you time, stress, and even burdening your bridal party is hiring a professional hair and make up artist. The benefits of which having one, we as brides tend to overlook in the planning process.

Heather Johnson at Flawless Hair and Make Up explains that hiring a professional will change both your day of experience, and the way you remember your wedding.

Most often brides that opt out of hiring a professional usually do so with the rational of "so and so can do it‌" or "my bridesmaid loves make up, she can do it." This seems perfectly reasonable, even seems to encourage a sense of female bonding the day of, but as we look closer at the benefits of professional make up, hopefully you'll agree that entrusting this task to your bestie may not always be the right route for your wedding day.

You've asked your entourage of ladies, your mom, your aunt all to be in the bridal suite with you because you love them. You want them to be a special part of the preparation process, and honor them in doing so.

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However, entrusting your make up to a friend may put you in wedding-day-prep position you weren't anticipating. As Heather explains, a friend that may be well versed in a beautiful everyday look, may not have the experience to do a truly bridal, stunning look.

And, in the worst case scenario, what if you don't like your hair and make up the day of?

The clock is ticking, your friend is standing by, and you don't like your make up! What do you do? Don't allow an opportunity on your wedding to hurt the feelings of a dear friend, hire a professional.

On arrival of your wedding day you will not have to wonder if your hair and make up will turn out how you want it when hiring a professional. In fact, you'll know exactly what to expect. Most all professional hair and make up artists include a complimentary trial weeks prior to your wedding. An artist such as Heather, is intent on learning the lines of your face, your colors, and even your personality to be sure that the make up you receive on your wedding day will suit you.

Professionals go to great lengths to ensure that there is as little unpredictability as possible. Heather notes, even making diagrams to ensure your colors and application are exactly as rehearsed.

At your complimentary trial, your artist will collaborate with you to choose a hair style that is both practical for your hair type, and flattering in the same style family. You can trust the advice of a professional, even if they may offer suggestions that are not the exact style you hoped for, relax knowing their goal is to give you a style that will stay put with your hair type, look flattering, and you won't regret.

Since you are now working with a professional in their field, they expect to hear your criticism. Their goal is to bring your look to complete satisfaction, so you are welcomed, encouraged, and even expected to speak up at the trial, a platform you may not feel comfortable using when working with a dear friend or family member.

Having a professional on your day of will not only streamline the preparation process, giving you an anticipated time to complete your look, as well as arriving with all components necessary to do so, but the professional will also change the way you remember your wedding: in your photos!

Heather has invested a wealth of time and research in her art, interviewing the photographers of the brides she's worked with in the past. She has opened her work up to critique to the photographers to gain valuable insight on make up for photography. She has even invested in the best possible application for photo-finish make up: airbrushing. Airbrusing provides a flawless finish, blends superbly with your natural skin tone, will not rub off on your grooms white color or the shoulder of his jacket, and will last the entirety of the event and beyond.

With so many decisions to make for your wedding day, ensure that you get the day started of right by hiring a professional hair and make up artist. You will not have to wonder about the end result. You will not have to entrust the task to a friend. You will photograph like a star.

“There are three things that last: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love�

-Bible 1 Corinthians 13:13

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Wedding Planning Checklist 1 Year to 6 Months Prior

6 Months To 3 Months Prior

Choose a wedding date Finalize your guest list Decide whether you want an indoor wedding or outdoor wedding Select the colors, theme, and details of your wedding

Choose your invitations Mail invitations Purchase the wedding gown and veil

Choose and book a location and officiant for your wedding

Purchase the bridesmaids dresses

Choose and book your reception location

Purchase or arrange for rental of groom and groomsmen tuxedos

Select the caterer and choose a wedding cake

Book your honeymoon destination Plan the rehearsal dinner

Choose a florist and start planning your wedding flowers Book the musical entertainment and master of ceremonies

Arrange transportation to and from the wedding and reception

3 Months to 1 Month Prior

Find a photographer and, or videographer Obtain the marriage license Write your guest list Purchase the wedding rings Make a bridal registry Decide on bridesmaids

Have the mothers of the bride and groom choose their dresses

Choose the remainder of your wedding party

Confirm all catering, floral, and travel details

Start shopping for your wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses

Create your wedding programs

Begin thinking about your preferred honeymoon location 48

Plan and invite everyone to the rehearsal dinner

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1 Month to Two Weeks Prior

Visit makeup artist and hairdresser Get dressed for your wedding and...

Plan makeup and hairstyling, book professional stylist if desired Purchase wedding accessories like favors and place cards Finalize all music with the DJ or entertainment provider

2 Weeks Ahead

Savor every wonderful moment of your special day!

“Love reminds you that nothing else matters” -Amy Bushell

Why is the Bride on the Groom’s Left?

Finalize all details with the caterer and give an updated guest count

Because grooms in Anglo-Saxon England often had to defend their brides, the bride would stand to the left of her groom so that his sword arm was free.

Confirm all plans with your florist Obtain your tickets for your honeymoon

1 Week Ahead

“I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you” -Unknown

Pack for your honeymoon

Origin of Tossing the Bouquet

Give the wedding party their gifts Hold the rehearsal dinner Attend bachelor/bachelorette party

Day Before

Tossing the bouquet is a tradition that stems from England. Women would try to rip pieces of the bride’s dress and flowers believing it would bring them some of her good luck. To escape from the crowd, the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. Today the bouquet is tossed to single women with the belief that whoever catches it will be the next to marry.

Relax with family and friends Get wedding manicure The bride should stay with loved ones and retire early

Your wedding day Stay calm!

Enjoy a healthy breakfast MotherLodeWeddings.com

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Firefall Jewelers Custom Designers

Over 25 years of quality jewelry and 3 locations to serve you

Angels Camp 1259 South Main Street 209.736.1550

Copperopolis 135 Stone Street 209.785.7888 MotherLodeWeddings.com

Valley Springs 1906 Vista Del Lago Ste.-E 209.772.7388 51