2—The Sentinel
Pandemic waning, but be prepared
Wedded bliss in times like this (Family Features) During preCOVID times, wedding concerns like venue capacity had far more to do with budget and vision than with the health and safety of guests. It’s a different world today, but with some careful planning you can still find ways to safely celebrate your love. As the vows say, marriage is in good times and in bad. It may simply require some flexibility and creativity to make your dream day a reality. Enlist help from an experienced coordinator. If you weren’t planning to use a wedding coordinator, the pandemic is a compelling reason to reconsider. Keeping track of changing mandates and how they affect gatherings, crowd sizes and more is a job in its own right. Allowing your coordinator to keep
tabs on the latest recommendations, and adjust arrangements with your vendors accordingly, may save a great deal of time and frustration. Be realistic about your invite list. A year ago, it would have been unthinkable to create a tiered guest list and even consider making cuts even after invites go out. Today, that decision may be out of your hands. Rather than waiting until you get news that you’ll have to make cuts, take time now, with a level head and less emotion affecting your decisions, to segment your list. Determine who absolutely must be present as you exchange vows then expand in increments. Your coordinator or venue contact can help you determine thresholds (e.g., 25, 50 or 100 guests) based on the
guidelines in your community. Understand expectations. Vendors are required to enforce local guidelines, so ensure you’re clear on what measures they will implement on your day. This may include everything from masks and distancing to whether you’re allowed to use a dance floor during the reception. Keep guests informed. If you haven’t already, create a blog or send out regular updates about wedding plans to guests. If circumstances require you to uninvite someone, be conscious of timing and give plenty of notice so travel can be canceled, if necessary. As the event approaches, be clear about expectations so guests can arrive prepared or bow out if they’re not comfortable with what you’re planning. Make safety convenient. Pro-
viding masks, gloves and sanitizer can all go a long way to help make guests feel more secure at your event. A personalized hand sanitizer holder might even be a practical gift that guests can use and think fondly of your wedding day. Forego traditions, for now. The pandemic won’t last forever, but while it’s still here, consider skipping high-contact traditions like photos that bring multiple households together or a receiving line where everyone is in close contact. One alternative is to plan a mini-wedding (or even elope) now, and save the bigger celebration for later, when everyone can honor your marriage more safely. Find more wedding advice and tips for daily life at eLivingtoday.com.
You’ll be taken back with our natural beauty and the newly renovated farmhouse and pavilion. Proudly owned and operated by the fifth generation, the Felmlee Family, the 1800’s farmhouse is great for rehearsal dinners and the bridal party to get ready. Have your dream wedding in our backyard beside our big blue pond, followed by the reception in our pavilion. Set up, tear down and staff are provided to make your day extra special.
BELL MOUNTAIN ESTATES
717-348-5526 • bellmountainestates.com • 25 Sweitzer Lane, Lewistown, PA 17044 Now offering off-site equipment rentals for any event need.
The Sentinel—3
After a year with fewer weddings — and certain fewer large weddings — the Big Day is back. Wedding planning involves many movable pieces that ultimately need to come together on the big day. Planning is typically a months-long process, and adhering to certain monthly benchmarks can help couples stay the course. Brides magazine offers that the perfect engagement period is 12 to 14 months, which affords ample time to get organized and work with vendors. With that in mind, here’s a 12-month timeline for couples getting ready to say “I do.”
12 MONTHS OUT At the start of the planning process, establish your budget, hire a wedding planner (optional), choose the wedding party, pick a date, and start to assemble a cursory guest list. This also is a great time to begin touring venues to get a feel for potential ceremony and reception locales.
11 MONTHS OUT Now is the time to get a firm handle on the theme and scope of the wedding. Start picking wedding colors and overall design. Also, interview and hire vendors, such as photographers, bands and
videographers. These vendors tend to book up quickly as wedding season draws near, so it’s never too early to book them.
10 MONTHS OUT This is a good time to start shopping for a wedding gown because it might take some trial and error to find the perfect dress. You also can start shopping for wedding party attire at this time. Check with formalwear vendors to see how long it will take for the gowns to arrive in the shop for alterations. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to book the wedding venue.
of worship also may require certain classes or preparatory meetings, so be sure to inquire about these. Meet with a makeup and hair stylist and book a trial. Choose attire for groomsmen and give them a deadline for fittings and orders. If you will not be getting married in a place of worship,
hire an officiant at this time.
4 MONTHS OUT Grooms traditionally arrange the honeymoon, so this is a fine time to get those travel plans in order. If you need passports, you should secure them as early as possible, and See Timeline / Page 7
8 MONTHS OUT Reception halls may have their own schedules, but you should think about setting your menu at this time, including deciding if you will host a seated dinner, a buffet or something else. Eight months out also is a good time to finalize the guest list and send save-thedate cards. This also is a good time to visit stores to create registry gift lists.
Call us to schedule a free wedding consultation at 717-248-7843
6 MONTHS OUT Meet with potential florists and other vendors, like transportation companies and hotels, to secure these arrangements. Your place
1 Parkview Terrace, Burnham
Please visit our shop or go online at ZZZ GHLKOVćRZHUVLQF FRP To view our ggalleryy of weddingg pphotos.
4—The Sentinel
(Don’t) do it yourself wedding
Avoid stress, cost with rentals By GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel correspondent MCALISTERVILLE — If you are planning your big day, you know how exciting this process is. At the same time, it is incredibly stressful. From planning the tiny details to organizing an entire event, there are so many aspects that must magically fit together for this big event. You want everything to go perfectly on your wedding day, but you are also drowning in stress. Stress? Who needs it? Thanks to Angie Reinford and her mom, Tonda Brubaker, owners of Con-
sider Inspired Rentals of McAlisterville, for bringing the soon-to-be brides and grooms wonderful things to avoid experiencing the pre-wedding panic. Your wedding day is an event to remember, and you want to remember it for the right reasons. Consider Inspired Rentals offers brides and party planners a variety of furnishings that can be rented for a wedding, shower, birthday party or other special event. Reinford and Brubaker have been collecting various items that they feel can help ease the burden of planning the big day. From tablecloths, candlesticks, mason jars and lan-
ON THE WEB ConsiderInspiredRe.wixsite. com/website terns to buffets, entrance tables, chalkboards, chairs and couches, more than 100sign options, Whiskey barrels, arbors, pallet walls and farmhouse tables, they have something for every need. “We offer furniture and larger items for rent and lanterns, and smaller things, too,” says Reinford of her business, which opened in 2017. “We can do country rustic or fancier weddings. We have different options for all the different brides. Selection and personal service are two advantages
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We offer a nice variety of food items and dinners. You just pick what you want and tell us how many people we will be serving and we do all the rest! We provide the plates, cups, napkins, and silverware. We set up, serve, tear down, and strive to make sure everyone is satisfied. All our meals include drink.
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that Consider Inspired Rentals can offer over other retailers. “Even if you go to a store to buy the things you need for a wedding, you can’t buy it all in one place,” she says. “It has taken us years to accumulate everything that we have.” Plus, you cannot return them after the event. Renting them from Consider Inspired Rentals means you can. “Brides spend a lot of money purchasing decorations for their weddings and then end up having to store them in their house after the event,” she adds. By using Consider Inspired Rentals’ services, wedding See Rentals / Page 6
The Sentinel—5
A rental company can provide everything you need for a beautiful wedding, saving you time, stress and maybe even cost.
6—The Sentinel
Rentals
Continued from Page 4
parties can pick up and drop off items with ease or they can make arrangement to have delivered on location. It is all about making the special day, less stressful, Reinford says. And there is help available for those who do not know exactly what they want. “Lots of people come in and don’t exactly know what they want to do for things like center pieces,” she says. “We give them ideas based on what we have. We also do packages, so much of what they want will come in a package. They can choose what they want to use. “A lot of people are like, ‘I am so glad I do not have to buy this. I can just return this. This saves me a lot of
money,” Reinford adds. “Plus, it’s a lot of work (to find the right dÈcor).” Getting into wedding rentals has brought her career full circle. “I used to do wedding photography,” she says. “Then making signs. I have always been interested in working in the wedding industry. I like creating things.” So Reinford and Brubaker started out in Brubaker’s garage then moved to the upper level of their family-owned farm store at 1105 Main Street. Over the course
of four years, they have been adding inventory and will be opening a new facility along Route 35 North in McAlisterville in early 2022. “It’s gone really well,” Reinford says of her busi-
16 Glenlew Drive, Lewistown, PA
717-437-5949 Find us on facebook, Kickin’ Kater Email: customerservice@kicknkater.com
ness. “We didn’t know how it would go in a small town. But word of mouth has meant everything to us. Someone uses us then tells someone See Rentals / Page 7
The Sentinel—7
Rentals
Timeline
else then they tell someone else.” Consider Inspired Rentals’ new facility will be located at a brand-new wedding venue, Stone Ridge Acres, operated by her brother, Mike Brubaker. Consider Inspired Rentals, along with Stone Ridge Acres, will hold an open house on March 19, with other wedding vendors. “People can come check us out,” she explains. Consider Inspired Rentals is currently located at 1105 Main Street, McAlisterville, but in March is moving to 32184 Route 35 North, McAlisterville. To view items available site, or Facebook page. Hours are by appointment for rent, you can visit the shop’s website, ConsiderIn- only. For more information, spiredRe.wixsite.com/web- call (717) 953-5681.
no later than four months prior to the wedding to ensure processing times. Book cake tastings and order the cake if it is not part of the venue food and beverage package. If you haven’t already done so, the bride should have an initial gown fitting, and wedding invitations should be ordered at this time.
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Let the Good Times Bowl! Host Your Call for more details BIRTHDAY about parties and PARTIES special events & SPECIAL EVENTS Summer Hours Thursday 4pm~10pm Friday 4pm~11pm Saturday 2pm~11pm
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2 MONTHS OUT Secure your wedding license and buy wedding party gifts. Address and mail the wedding invitations. Under-
go a second gown fitting and work with the seamstress for the final fitting date just before the wedding. Finalize any song selections with the DJ or band. The final details will occur in the last weeks before the wedding. Buy all the small accessories and items, undergo final fittings and check in with all vendors for final payments and to ensure they are on schedule. Notify the reception hall of the final guest count. Once the wedding day arrives, couples who have done their best to stay on schedule can relax and have a great time with family and friends.
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www.lewistownsentinel.com
Delivering Beautiful, Fresh Arrangements for Your Big Day! We offer a wide selection of bridal bouquets, wedding flowers, floral cake decorations & centerpieces to fit any budget. 129 S. Main St. Ste 200. Lewistown www.lewistownflorist.com • (717) 248-9683
8—The Sentinel
Make your wedding as unique as you
Halloween: Their special day By GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel correspondent MCVEYTOWN — When it came to planning their wedding, Terry and Courtney Deckman wanted their ceremony to be spooktacular. A traditional walk down the aisle just wasn’t in the cards for the McVeytown couple. “We wanted something different,” Terry says. “We looked at what holidays were coming up and saw Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. “We thought having a Halloween-themed wedding would be something different,” he adds. On Oct. 31, 2020, in front of 50 costume-clad friends and family, Terry and Courtney tied
the knot. Terry was dressed as Chucky with his face sporting a huge scar, while Courtney wore a black leather jacket with matching makeup as the Bride of Chucky. “They love scary movies, corn mazes and field of screams,” says Tonya Gardner, Courtney’s grandmother. “I’m very proud of her (Courtney) and her choices in life. ... Everyone smiled all evening.” The event was held in the backyard of Gardner’s McClure home. There was a big sign at the altar, which read simply, “Til Death.” Although the bride and groom chose the theme, they certainly credit Courtney’s aunt, Rose Glenny, and cousin, Kiley Gardner, for planning and organizing the event. The dec-
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orations and costumes were purchased online or at a Halloween store. Cousin Amanda Glenney made the wedding cake. “The grandparents had as much fun as the kids,” Gardner adds. “There is nothing better than spending time with family and friends.” Especially when tricks and treats are involved. Courtney graduated from Mifflin County High School in 2015 and Terry got his GED in 2009 then went on to college and graduated in 2013. The two dated about three years and have created a loving blended family. Courtney has a son Shane, 3, who was dressed as Chase from Paw Patrol. Terry has two daughters, Jenny, 12, who wore a hor-
ror-themed prom dress; Amara, 9, in a costume from Disney’s Descendants; and a son, Donovan, 12. Together, they have Blaise, now 1, who dressed up as a dalmatian from Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. Courtney works as a CNA at Ohesson Manor, while Terry is employed as a caretake at Skills, Lewistown. “I liked this one (theme) because they like to dress up,” Terry says of the children. “With Halloween, they were able to dress up and do the kid thing. It came together real well.” Courtney’s uncle, Michael Mohr, officiated the ceremony, dressed as a clown from the See Unique / Page 9
The Sentinel—9
Unique
Continued from Page 8
Rob Zombie scary movie, “The Devil’s Rejects.” Terry and Courtney agree the Halloween theme definitely made the day more memorable. “Everybody who was there dressed up,” Courtney says. The Halloween theme also made the preparations less stressful. Family and friends brought covered dishes to provide the food for the festivities. “Once we figured out we were going to do the Halloween theme, we were not rushed,” Terry says. “We were able to take our time and put it together how we wanted.” Having the event on Halloween made it the perfect holiday. “We had already planned to have a Halloween party, so we Terry, left, and Courtney Deckman made their wedding persondecided to have the wedding,” al, allowing their love of Halloween to dictate the decor, down to Courtney says. every detail.
Weddings, Proms & Events • Arrangements, Center Pieces Bouquets, Boutineers & More • D.I.Y. Pick Your Own, Create Your Own • Flowers Sold By the Basket or in Bulk
On pages 10 to 15 — Contest photos submitted by our readers
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10—The Sentinel
J.D. and Abby Turner
Carli Walters Photography
Seth and Darcy Knable
Lewistown
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Loren Robinette Photography
The Sentinel—11
David and Morgan Vallimont
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Beautiful venue for your bridal showers, engagement parties, small weddings and more! The perfect space with the perfect cocktail!
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12—The Sentinel
David and Kelsey Rickert
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Every Love Story Has A Different Beginning... Customize Yours With Us. UNDER ROOF PATIO AND BANQUET FACILITY AVAILABLE. For On-Site or Off-Site Catering Contact Bobbi at 717-269-6647 or email bobbiunger14@gmail.com
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The Sentinel—13
Dwayne and Rachel Zook
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14—The Sentinel
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The Sentinel—15
Colby and Sydney Hoffman Angela and Ryan Lutz
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To request a date or learn more about our event space, Please Call 717-667-6110 16 Fire House Blvd., Reedsville
Photo’s provided by Amanda Byler Photography
16—The Sentinel
Wedding Vendor
OPEN HOUSE
- March 19, 2022 • 10AM – 2PM Stone Ridge Acres & Consider Inspired Rentals will be hosting a
WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA!
Come check out our newly renovated property! Book a wedding or party. Door prizes and Discounts will be available. Vendors from all wedding categories will be in attendance available for booking and answering any questions you may have.
Consider Inspired Rentals Supplying brides & party planners with unique decor for their special day/event.
Contact Angie and Tonda, mother daughter duo, for An Appointment 717-953-5681
https://considerinspiredre.wixsite.com/website New Location! 32184 Route 35 North McAlisterville