A supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Matthew & Cierra Hogan
Yellow is having a moment this year. One of Pantone’s colors of the year is Illuminating, a bright yellow that’s spirited and energetic.
If you’ve picked sunny tones for your wedding palette, the good news is that there are plenty of blossoms that will give a pop to your bouquets, boutonnières and more.
Yellow roses are classic additions to wedding bouquets.
There are hundreds of yellow rose varieties. Each has their own shading, fragrance and bloom shape. The National Gardening Association says there are several forms of rose blooms, including the spherical cupped shape, highcentered blooms, flat blooms, quartered blooms, rosettes, pompons and globular blooms. With so many shapes to choose from, it’s easy to find the right rose for your look.
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edding favors let your guests know you care and provide them with a tangible memory of your big day.
Wedding website The Knot says the average cost of favors is about $400, so it’s not a small part of your budget, either. Here are some great ideas for showing your guests that they’re your favorite on your wedding day.
Find miniature bottles of liquor, wine or beer to give out to your guests. Look for a brand that comes
from near the site of your wedding. You may even be able to order customized tags for your big day. Don’t forget to offer a nonalcoholic option, too, for those who don’t imbibe.
This category runs the gamut, but think along the lines of koozies if you live in a warmer area and have a list full of out outdoorsy
guests. For more upscale venues and budgets, look for customizable shot glasses, mugs or julep cups. These are great ways to give a reusable gift that can remind your guests of your big day.
If you’re friends and family never met a game they didn’t like, customized playing cards may be an ace in the hole. You can get cards with pictures of you and your love through customization sites such as Shutterfly.
Setting an outdoor scene? Let your guests take some of the gorgeousness home with them in the form of live plants. That way, your love can grow in everyone’s home. Look for succulents (trendy and easy to care for), seedling trees and more.
Visit a local nursery for ideas on native plants that will do especially well in your climate.
Hitting the road for your I-dos is a lot of fun and gives you a great opportunity to select some amazing wedding favors.
You can choose to go the travel route and pick items like luggage tags, hand sanitizers or some travel snacks. Or you can choose items specific to your destination, such as giving personalized jars of sunscreen out at a beach wedding.
Big Canyon Acres offers over 48 acres of unique event settings in Idaho's scenic Clearwater River Canyon.
Spectacular scenery combined with the professional and courteous event team allows you and your guests to truly enjoy your special day.
Pandemic restrictions have put a damper on both weddings and receptions. There are safety restrictions, and many areas that have limited restaurant and event capacity.
This means that couples can opt to spend more per guest, meaning plated and personalized reception dinners that will delight your guests.
Smaller guests lists mean that you can opt for a more intimate, luxe reception featuring plated, multicourse dinners. Seat your guests in well-spaced pods, where people sit with people they already associate
with. Leave plenty of room for both guests and staff to social distance. Encourage sanitization and maskwearing except for when eating and drinking. Consider offering intimate touches like handwritten place cards and personalized notes to make the experience special for those you choose to share in your special moment.
If you’re not serving a full meal and don’t want passed hors d’oeuvres to create a safety risk,
There are a million details to consider when planning your wedding.
One of them is the guest list and the part of the guest list that may get overlooked is how to treat your guests coming in from out of town.
Keep reading to find out how to treat your out-of-town guests.
The traveling part of your guest list needs to know your date and other plans as soon as possible so they can start saving for and plan their travel. You can also help plan their trip. Give them information on where to go while they’re in town, including shopping, dining and local attractions they shouldn’t miss. You’ll also want to repeat this
information on a variety of platforms. Mail traditional invitations and information, but also set up social media sites, send emails and make all your information as accessible as you can to your traveling guests.
Your out-of-town guests are taking a lot of their own time to be there for your big day. Consider leaving them a bag
in their hotel rooms to make them feel welcome and show your appreciate. Go beyond the old standbys of water and mints. Include things people often forget while traveling, like a toothbrush. Also drop in some hand lotion or soap from a local maker.
Metro Editorial magine reciting vows along the Mediterranean coast or amid pastel-hued homes and swaying palm trees. For the travel-inclined, destination weddings present the perfect opportunity to meld wedding and honeymoon all into one -
with family and friends around to enjoy the magic.
The Knot Real Weddings Study, the largest survey of its kind, surveys thousands of American brides and grooms to determine the latest wedding trends. In its 2016 report, the Knot revealed 20 percent of weddings
that took place that year were destination weddings.
Couples are increasingly leaning on entertainment and personalization to create memorable experiences for their guests, and destination weddings are great ways to create those unique experiences.
While planning a wedding inevitably involves some obstacles and even some stress, planning a destination wedding presents a unique set of obstacles. Before couples commit to a destination wedding, it’s important to first consider a few factors to ensure knots get tied without a hitch.
Exchanging vows at a favorite hiking spot can give guests an inside view into what makes you tick as a couple, but the location of the ceremony should not come at the expense of practicality. Choose a locale that speaks to you but will also offer the convenience and amenities that work for the guests who will be traveling.
If budget allows, book a trip to the intended destination to see the facilities and location, advise the experts at Brides magazine. Working with vendors in person also can simplify sorting out certain details.
Unlike traditional weddings in which reminders can be sent roughly six months before the wedding, save-the-date cards for destination weddings should be mailed at least nine months to a year in advance of the big day.
Professional wedding planners may prove invaluable when it comes to destination weddings. Rather than organizing everything on your own, you can hire a wedding planner to take care of itineraries, obtain information about necessary travel documents, coordinate with local vendors, and much more.
Weather tends to be best during tourist seasons. Therefore, make sure to reserve hotel room blocks and venues promptly. Slightly before or after peak season may still be fine, but ensure that vendors will be available and look into weather trends carefully before choosing a date.
According to The Knot, many countries have residency requirements, which means you must live in that country for a
certain period of time before the ceremony. Factor this into budget and availability.
Handling many of the details while getting married close to home can be challenging, but doing so for a destination wedding can be difficult to organize. Scale back on DIY, leaving many of the details to the professionals.
Destination weddings require extra planning, but they can be memorable ways for couples to start their new life together.
WMetro Editorial edding planning requires couples to make many decisions, including where the wedding will take place.
A couple’s wedding day is typically broken into two parts: the ceremony comes first, and the reception follows soon after. Depending on couples’ preferences and religious beliefs, ceremonies may take place at a house of worship or another location that is separate from the reception venue. In some instances, couples may choose one location for both the ceremony and the party to follow. Wedding venues are where the bulk of the day will unfold, and couples can consider these four tips to find a venue that suits their needs
Most couples know which sentiments they want to convey during their weddings. The venue should match the theme so the entire wedding will feel connected to the space. A modern wedding, for example, will be at home in an art gallery or warehouse. A wedding with natural elements may
work better on a ranch or in a botanical garden. Zeroing in on the wedding style helps narrow down potential venue options.
A couple may find what seems to be the perfect venue, only to realize that the cost of the space doesn’t fit their budget. Ampersand Travel says the venue accounts for the most significant wedding expense, at an average cost of $9,000. Finding a venue that will maximize dollars spent involves looking at what is included. Rentals for chairs, linens, lighting, a dance floor, and other extras can quickly add up. Couples should have a set limit they’re willing to spend on the venue and let that dictate the location.
When a couple wants to get married may determine their venue options, especially if they’re planning on a budget.
Summer is a great season for holding your ceremony outdoors.
Not only is the weather great, but there may be fewer restrictions and regulations, since being outdoors has been deemed more safe than being inside during the pandemic.
Summer breezes, lots of greenery, tents and twinkly lights set a fresh and airy mood for the ceremony and the reception. “Tented weddings are the new ballroom,” wedding planner and designer Jove Meyer told The Knot. “Couples are leaning into
nature and fresh air in ways they did not in the past.”
Entire weekends can be planned outdoors, including welcome ceremonies and receptions, as weddings contract into smaller, safer parties that, with those tinier crowds, can be more luxe and still make the budget. Think s’mores and campfires under the stars instead of star-spangled giant receptions under chandeliers.
Outdoor weddings can also be less formal occasions, including relaxed dress codes that make both guests and the happy couple more comfortable. Today’s ceremonies are heavy on the fun and sentimentality and light on the formality, and every detail should reflect that.
Mother Nature can be a welcome guest at your wedding with a spectacular backdrop or a jewel-toned sunset to end the day. Or she can crash the whole thing with a roaring thunderstorm or excessive heat. All your wedding plans need a back-up, especially those that are outside. The good news is that today’s smaller ceremonies can be a lot more agile and adapt to changing conditions easily.
Your wedding planner can help set up a variety of options for your and your guests. This will help you rest easier as you approach your wedding day, no matter what happens with the weather.
Depending on your venue, you’ll need to consider things like parking, facilities for your guests and plenty of room for staffing.
Wedding planners are pros at figuring out what each venue needs in terms of extras from other vendors.
Just like indoor ceremonies, you’ll also need to consider mask-wearing, social distancing and other precautions.
Even though your outdoors, follow all local restrictions and regulations for gatherings and events to stay safe.
Greenshoot Media
Historically, seating charts are the things headaches and nightmares are made of.
This group can’t sit with this group, Shelia can’t sit by Lindsay, and that’s Jim’s exwife. Nightmares and headaches. One good thing about the pandemic — tables are smaller, making seating easier. And social distancing means tables need to be far apart. Here’s a few more hints for making seating as easy as possible.
Ask people who is already in their bubble and seat those people together. Opt for tables of four or six, max, and leave plenty of room for two-top sweetheart tables to accommodate the rest. Another solution to this problem is lots of small tables, but enforce seating limits and don’t let people move tables together. Then, allow people to seat themselves according to their own pods. This works best with picked-up boxes of food or appetizers instead of plated meals.
Seating people on couches or in armchairs is a hot trend right now. Smaller groups lend themselves well to this luxe, cozy
approach to wedding seating.
Make sure your venue can accommodate this unique wedding style, which encourages conversation. You also could consider half-and-half seating, where guests who opt to dine can sit at tables and guests who’ve moved on to cocktails and conversation can take advantage of these cozy spaces.
If kids are invited to the ceremony, have a space set aside for them, perhaps with their own menu of finger foods, along with activities to keep little hands busy. Think coloring books, building brick sets, activity books and more. This should be a less formal setting where noise is OK and where parents can easily see (and discipline) their children.
Especially with pandemic protocols in place, skipping the singles tables is a good idea. Even in ordinary times, it’s an awkward grouping that ends up embarrassing your guests more often than not. Use your best judgment and treat people how you would want to be treated. Instead, opt for more sweetheart tables or conversation spots for single guests to gather with friends and family at their own pace.
Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. All of your bases can be covered by bridal baubles.
Jewelry is an integral part of your bridal ensemble, and not just your ring, either. Here’s how to make sure you shine on your big day.
Every little girl dreams of
being a princess on their big day and some of that dream can come true with a tiara. Tiaras can range into the hundreds of dollars and more, just like other kinds of jewelry. They can be luxe or minimalist, and are always a great way to dress up even the most simple dress. When choosing a tiara, keep your hairstyle and veil in mind. You may want to let your stylist know you’re planning on a tiara and have it on hand when they try out your hairstyle.
If you’re going with a tiara, you’ll want your earrings to coordinate. This may be a great place to get your something old (maybe a family set of simple diamond studs or pearls) in.
And, just like with the tiara,
you want to coordinate your earrings with your hairdresser. They’ll want to show off particularly dangle styles.
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Tossing rice or other grains at the newlyweds is a tradition as old as the hills.
Rice, Brides magazine says, symbolizes fertility and prosperity for the new couple. Tossing the rice means you’re blessing them with wishes of fruitfulness and wealth.
The ancient Celts, Brides says, threw rice, millet and other grains to appease their gods and ask for blessings on the newlyweds. Ancient Romans tossed wheat while in Morocco, they toss dried dates or figs. In India, it’s a rain of flower petals.
In more recent years, tossing rice has met with objections
that the leftover grains can harm wildlife. The state of Connecticut even introduced a bill in 1985 to ban throwing rice to save birds. However, Brides says that Audubon officials in the state never heard of rice killing birds and subsequent testing has shown it to be safe. What rice can do is be a slip hazard for your guests. So someone should be tasked with cleaning up after the rice throw to keep things picked up and safe.
Before your ceremony, have small packets of rice ready for your guests. They can be distributed by
your ushers, tied to your programs or left on chairs.
You should task people with letting people know when you would like rice to be tossed and also list it in the program. The rice toss can be when the couple walks out of the ceremony, during a group photo or when the couple arrives at the reception
There are several reasons why you want to skip the rice toss. Maybe you and your partner aren’t planning to have children. Perhaps you’d like to avoid the safety
hazards with rice or want a greener option. Here are some alternatives to consider.
• Bird seeds.
• Dried flowers.
• Herbs.
• Flower petals.
• Biodegradable confetti.
You can also pass out small bells to have guests ring or ribbons to wave. There are lots of options that can match your wedding theme, venue and personality. Get creative, just make sure you pick up after yourselves and have a safe celebration.
Wedding gifts are a fairly classic set of items. Couples usually register for things to help them set up housekeeping together, such as bedding and linens, kitchen accessories and more.
With couples delaying getting married and living on their own or together before saying I do, however, registries have gotten more creative in the past few years. They now include cash gift funds for things like honeymoons, first houses or experiences.
Of course, things for the home are always appreciated. Highend kitchenware makes a great group or office gift that makes a strong statement of love and support. Think KitchenAid mixers or LeCreuset cookware, or even expensive small appliances like vacuums.
Dishes, china, towels and glassware are also traditional gifts
that can hold a lot of meeting. Have pieces monogrammed or etched with the happy couples’ initials and the date of their wedding for a sentimental touch.
Cash is always a welcome gift to a couple just starting out. But more and more, couples are registering for cash funds that devote the money to things like a honeymoon, a first home together or gifted experiences, such as a weekend getaway, a private tour or a local historic site or park, and more. When choosing these types of gifts, give the amount you would’ve spent on a classic gift and make sure to include a note to the couple. Some online registries allow you to just pay online or you can always opt for the traditional check or cash in a lovely card.
Greenshoot Media
Marshall Field’s in Chicago started the first bridal registry in 1924 as a way for the happy couple to indicate chosen crystal, china and silver patterns to their friends and family.
Since then, the registry has come a long way. Couples can register online for any number of things for their new household or even for their honeymoon. Here are some of the hottest gifts to register for according to The Knot.
Coffee pots, vacuums and even the lowly toaster all have high-tech brains nowadays that connect them to the internet of things. The Revolution 2-slice high-speed smart toaster ($299) has 63 settings with technology that uses intelligent heating algorithms to sear rather than bake your baked goods for a crisp outside and a soft, chewy inside.
As more places open up post-pandemic, more couples are hitting the road. A set of luggage is a great, traditional gift for the adventurous couple. Make sure you choose a set that fits your lifestyle. If spend a lot of time camping, you should choose duffel bags instead of those hard-sided bags with a built-in charger.
Towels, sheets and other goods are also standbys on
the wedding registry. What’s new is the popularity of hightech fabrics that are more sustainable and last longer than traditional choices. Make sure to make color and pattern choices that are classic and will last you for years.
Today’s houses are hightech, as we’ve seen before with the toaster, so it’s not unusual to add some electronics to your wedding registry. Think of things such as soundbars, robotic vacuums and air purifiers. Consider the Cuisinart convection toaster oven ($179), which puts the power of a convection oven right on your countertop. It’s a budget-friendly way to get the versatility of the convection oven without having to replace a major appliance.
Beyond the smart appliances, many couples are also registering for some appliances that may not have been on your mom’s wedding registries. These include things like air fryers, espresso machines, electronic pressure cookers and immersion blenders. Another popular option is the Nomad sixquart traveling slow cooker ($74). It looks like a lunch cooler, but it cooks on the go. It features a nonstick surface for easy clean-up and has a cool-touch surface for safe handling.
Every wedding is different, even if many share some common components. As couples plan their weddings, learning about some popular wedding styles can help them create a ceremony that suits them.
Classic weddings are the
a white gown for the bride. Formal attire is reserved for the rest of the wedding party. The ceremony is conducted in a place of worship before everyone retires to a fancy catering hall for the reception. Traditional weddings also may include the time-honored customs like toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss, and parent-child dances.
Few things document weddings more effectively than photographs. Carefully curated wedding albums and portraits hung on walls serve as daily reminders of a couple’s special day.
Photography is often left in the very qualified hands of professional photographers. However, couples can pitch in to make their photos really pop. These picture pointers from industry insiders can help couples put their best smile forward.
A carefully orchestrated timeline can ensure photos are
the best they can be. Why? Because a couple who is relaxed and not overwhelmed will notice that attitude translates to their photographs. When planning wedding timelines, couples should leave ample opportunities for getting dressed, chatting with the wedding party and going through various photography settings to grab great photos, advise the experts at Martha Stewart.
The photographer will have his or her ideas of which shots to cover, but a couple with specific goals in mind should relay that information to their photographer. For example, if a grandparent is getting up in
years, request some solo photos of that person so you can look back on happy times together. Certain couples want to be snapped posing with a beloved pet. Putting that on the list helps ensure it will happen.
If the photographer does not have his or her own assistant, recruit someone who is assertive to help wrangle everyone for
the family shots. Attempt to get family photos when family members are relaxed but not too far rumpled by dancing or having a good time.
A wedding day is not a time for the bride or groom to try a dramatic new style, according to photographer Amanda Lamb. Resist the urge for a daring cut or color. It’s also likely not the place to try out new facial hair or heavy makeup. A couple unaccustomed to the way they look may be shy in front of the camera.
Prepare wedding details, like gowns, shoes, accessories, etc., in advance to save time once the photographer arrives, suggests
own.
Couples can practice posing in front of mirrors to get a feel for body positions that put them in their best light. A photographer’s advice in regard to posture is invaluable as well. Create space between arms and the body and learn how to angle the body so you look your best.
Photos will capture wedding day memories forever. Couples can put themselves in the best positions for success by following some photography guidelines.
Couples make many decisions when planning their weddings. Everything from the design of save-the-date cards to the color of the napkins at the reception tables requires couples’ input. Choice of officiant is another decision that’s worthy of significant consideration.
Many couples may have an officiant in mind before they begin planning their wedding. In such instances, couples may choose an officiant who’s affiliated with their place of worship or even a friend or family member who’s been ordained or certified to officiate weddings. Couples with no such option can ask the following questions as they look to hire an officiant for their wedding.
Each state has its own requirements regarding who can sign the paperwork necessary for couples to be considered legally married. An officiant should meet these requirements.
Some officiants will do more than officiate the wedding. Some will help couples obtain their marriage license and even submit the documentation after the wedding. Those services can
be important, but many couples are more concerned with what officiants will do before and during the ceremony. Ask if the officiant will write his or her own remarks to be delivered during the ceremony. Some couples may want to write remarks for the officiant, while others may need help crafting the message they want to convey.
Ask how officiants handle feedback and how willing they are to deliver remarks they did not necessarily write themselves. Some officiants may have a template they customarily follow, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t stray and personalize the ceremony based on couples’ wishes. Couples should ask such officiants how far they’re willing to stray from their routine if necessary.
Written testimonials from past clients can be invaluable, but couples can get a true feel for an officiant’s style by watching video of ceremonies they’ve officiated in the past. Ask prospective officiants if they can share video of weddings they’ve presided over. It’s not a red flag if officiants have no such video, which couples may have forgotten to share. But video can help couples get an accurate idea of how officiants may preside over their ceremony.
Many officiants will ask to meet with a couple at least once before the wedding so they can get to know them as well as possible. Ask each officiant if this is their policy. Pre-wedding meetings can be conducted in person or via Zoom. When discussing meeting before the wedding, ask the officiant if he or she will attend the wedding rehearsal. It’s not customary for officiants to do so, though some might be willing to attend the rehearsal, especially if the ceremony will feature any elaborate components that require their involvement.
Couples also may want to broach some additional topics when questioning prospective officiants. Such topics may include:
· Officiant’s attire
· Backups if the officiant falls ill prior to the ceremony
· Officiant fees, and if extra services like attending the rehearsal incurs additional charges
· Officiants’ experience
Couples can ask prospective officiants various questions in an effort to find the right person to officiate their wedding.
Editorial
The average cost of a wedding today is enough to make a sizable down payment on a home. According to The Knot’s 2019 Real Weddings Study, the average wedding in the United States cost $33,900 in 2019, though the price tag can vary widely from state to state. Canadians spend similarly, with Canadian Buzz stating a modest wedding will cost between $25,500 and $30,000 CAD, but more likely around $42,400 CAD.
Though love may not cost a thing, weddings certainly do. One of the best ways to maximize wedding budgets and ensure that all that money is well spent is to enlist the services of a wedding planner. Wedding planners wear many hats, which underscores how valuable they can be.
continued on page 33
No two weddings are the same. Some couples go to great lengths to personalize their weddings, while others make a few minor tweaks to traditional components to make ceremonies and receptions more reflective of their style and the sentiments they hope to convey.
Embracing modern trends is one way couples have looked to set their weddings apart from traditional ceremonies. There are no rules governing weddings, and that affords couples certain freedoms as they seek to incorporate a modern sensibility into the festivities. For example, couples can modernize
certain components of their weddings while remaining loyal to more traditional elements, or they can fully embrace a modern aesthetic. That choice of how modern to make a wedding is up to the couple tying the knot, but the following are some ways to give weddings a modern touch.
Eco-conscious couples can embrace an environmentalist ethos when planning their weddings by doing everything they can to eliminate waste and promote conservation. Send
electronic invitations and savethe-date cards in lieu of paper alternatives and choose a reception venue that serves only locally sourced food and beverages. In lieu of wedding favors, which tend to be individually wrapped, make a donation in guests’ names to a local environmental group and share that information with loved ones.
When picking a hotel for guests, find lodging that incorporates sustainability into its day-to-day operations.
Couples need not feel pressured to incorporate traditions that no longer reflect
modern sensibilities. It’s up to couples to determine which traditions to retire, but customs like the garter toss and bouquet toss may no longer resonate with modern couples or their guests. In addition, brides who want to be walked down the aisle by both of their parents, as opposed to just their father, should not hesitate to do so.
One of the most awe-inspiring ways to give a wedding a modern touch is to choose a venue that reflects a modern aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows can create a clean, modern feel.
Black tuxedos and white wedding dresses are among the first things to come to mind when imagining traditional weddings. Couples can stay formal but embrace a more modern look by choosing more colorful tuxes for grooms and groomsmen and picking a wedding gown with a flair of color. Brides also can allow bridesmaids to pick their own bridesmaid dresses to expand the modern look even further.
There’s
from page 21
Beach weddings often are casual, laid back affairs. Dresses may be less structured and flow with sea breezes, while guys may even don shorts with linen shirts or jackets. Guests can expect the party to be much more free-flowing and the traditions of classic weddings may not be part of the celebration.
Free-spirited individuals may dive head first into a bohemian style wedding. According to wedding planner David Tutera, a boho wedding is casual and comfortable. It tends to come off chic but appears that way with minimal effort. Decor is typically humble and blends harmoniously with nature. A boho wedding may take place outdoors or in another less traditional venue, such as a farmhouse or botanical garden. Wedding party attire may be
mismatched and showcase each person’s individual style.
Brides and grooms who crave contemporary and current trends may prefer a modern wedding. Graphic color schemes, clean lines and minimalistic flowers might be part of a modern wedding. Attire may be angular and edgy, and the venue may run the gamut from sleek museum to a city rooftop.
Couples who love to
travel and don’t want to worry about the minutiae of wedding planning may find a destination wedding is a good fit. Destination weddings last more than one day and focus on relaxation, activities and lots of fun. Destination weddings tend to be less formal and less traditional than classic weddings. Due to the remote locations, destination weddings also can be smaller and more intimate, as many invitees may be unable to attend. Yet
those who can attend often get to enjoy tropical islands or mountain retreats.
Wedding styles are as unique as the people getting married. Choosing a theme that has the right feeling can help couples make the most of their special days.
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Looking for a bloom of a different color? Hellebores have pointed, leathery leaves with textured centers that range in color from white to purple, including a variety of shades of green. Some yellow hellebores can even have edging or centers in other colors, including a stunning deep purple.
Showy, trumpet-shaped lilies are stunning stars of any bridal bouquet. Many varieties also have a pleasant fragrance that festoons many a spring wedding. You can get classic, star-shaped Asiatic lilies, Golden splendor trumpet lilies, dramatic Caucasian lilies and the classic, vase-shaped calla lily.
Tulips are spring classics. They come in almost every color of the rainbow and their simple cup shape and long stems make them perfect for elegant bridal bouquets. Tulips come in many shades from a creamy,
buttery tone all the way to neon yellow. Looking for more drama? Ask your florist for ruffled or double tulips.
If you’re going rustic for your nuptials, consider a bouquet of daisies. Gerbera daisies have big blooms that can get up to five inches in diameter and are more budget friendly than other flowers. Also look for black-eyed Susans. Their brown centers give your bouquet texture and depth, especially when paired with plenty of greenery.
These flat-topped bunches of tiny golden blooms are perfect to accent larger blooms in your bouquet. Yarrow can be arranged dried or fresh. Yarrow also has fernlike leaves that can be used in your arrangements.
There may not be a more yellow flower than sunflowers. They can get up to dinner-plate sized and make great cut flowers. With their dark centers and showy, sunny petals, these flowers make for beautiful bouquet centerpieces and lovely table arrangements.
September and October are now the most popular months to get married, so venues will book up quickly during that time of year. Those who have their hearts set on specific days
will have to begin the search earlier than couples with no attachment to a particular date. Concessions may need to be made if a certain date is a must.
Price, date and style will factor into wedding venues, but the number of guests also is a major consideration. A trendy restaurant may seem like the perfect locale, but it must be able to accommodate everyone on the guest list. Couples should sit down with their families and come up with a list of potential guests and look for a venue that
can accommodate everyone.
Couples also should visit potential venues in person to see which, if any, details might be missing from online or magazine advertisements. A host of factors, including accessibility, should be considered when looking for a venue.
Finding the right venue requires careful consideration of various factors that are unique to each couple.
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An experienced wedding planner can help couples keep their worries at bay. Countless decisions must be made when planning a wedding, and some couples may feel as if they need to micromanage their nuptials. A wedding planner can take tasks off of couples’ plates and serve as a sounding board as couples try to make the best decisions.
A wedding planner may help couples score insider deals and will know when a vendor’s price is on target or inflated. That savvy saves couples money in the long run. Wedding planners also can advise on ways to save money and allocate funds so couples’ biggest priorities get the financial attention they deserve.
Wedding planners step in to save the day when hiccups threaten to derail plans. A planner will know what to do should a
gown become torn or if a vendor fails to respond to calls on the day of the wedding. Removing some stressors allows couples to relax and more fully immerse themselves in their weddings.
Pulling together ideas from every corner requires a creative eye. Couples can rely on a professional wedding planner to help with brainstorming and putting different elements together. He or she likely has seen a vast array of celebrations and can make suggestions based on what’s worked before.
Wedding planners already have a bevy of industry contacts and can pull together wedding details in much less turnaround time than couples with no wedding planning experience.
Wedding planners are invaluable resources who wear multiple hats as they help couples plan the wedding of their dreams.
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Give the couple a gift they can enjoy all year with a subscription box tailored to their interests. Once reserved for beers and beauty, subscription boxes now run the gamut and are available at a wide variety of interests and price points. Pick a box that speaks to the couples’ common interests and one that will allow
them to celebrate their love for months to come.
Brides magazine says to spend anywhere between $75$250 as a wedding gift, but that it depends on how close you are to the couple and your budget. A gift doesn’t have to be expensive to be thoughtful. Less expensive options include a framed wedding invitation or a photo book for the happy couple.
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Don’t let your aunt’s pearls down. Instead, make them the centerpiece of your jewelry. And, experts at Brides say, it’s perfectly acceptable to mix your metals and gemstones, so don’t be afraid to make your look your own. If a piece is being given to you, not just loaned for the big day, Brides suggests working with a jeweler into remaking it into a piece you really love.
Match your necklace to your neckline, Brides says. That means
pendants with a V-neck, chokers and statement necklaces with strapless or sweetheart necklines, and so forth. The necklace should sit on your skin if any skin is showing.
Remember, though, don’t feel pressured to do anything. Make your look your own, whether it was old, new, borrowed or blue. And don’t be afraid to stand up to friends or family members to make your wedding day your own. You can also switch things up at any time, even the day of. If you find a jewelry piece or a look you love, find a place to wear it at the reception or a party or shower before or after your wedding.
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opt instead for individualized plates of appetizers on a theme. Think miniature charcuterie boards or small plates featuring four individual finger foods. Have plenty of pick-up points so that guests don’t congregate in any one area and can instead grab a plate and move to their table at their convenience.
Another pinch point at weddings is the line-up after the couple cuts the cake. Instead of serving slices of cake that have to be served, some couples are opting for miniature wedding
cakes that are individually plated and either served at the reception or packaged for guests to take home and enjoy later. This doesn’t have to just be a cupcake, either. Bakers are turning out tiny, fully decorated layered wedding cakes that perfectly match your theme, palette and budget. Of course, you can always think outside of the box and do another kind of individual sweet treat, such as cookies, brownies or even marshmallow treats.
Some couples are offering for boxes of prepackaged foods that come individually wrapped so that people can enjoy them at their own pace and knowing the food is safe to eat.
Bonus: These boxes can easily be shipped to guests attending via online platforms such as Zoom
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Arrange for transportation for your guests insofar as you can. You don’t have to rent them cars, but you should at least arrange for transportation to and from the ceremony and any related events. Organize carpools, use a shuttle, limo service, whatever your budget allows for. You can also arrange for trips from the airport, especially for infrequent travelers or people that don’t drive.
You’ve got a lot to do before your big day, so ask a friend or family member to host a welcome party for your out-of-towners, It can be a laid back affair with
just drinks and appetizers or a full-blown meal, depending on your schedule and the
independence of the people on your guest list. You want to strike a balance between letting
and social media so everyone can share in the fun.
your guests have time on their own and leaving them without anything to do.
