I Do — Fall/Winter 2023

Yesenia Saldana Rodriguez and Adrian Alize Alejandrez on their wedding day in October 2022 at Pineapple Manor in Millersville

See page 24.

Cover photo by: JUSTIN WARD PHOTOGRAPHY

General Manager: Chris Fidler

Art Direction: Andrew Albright

Content Editor: Margaret Gates

Design: Jenny Althouse

Writers: Rebecca Logan, Maddy Pontz

Production: Joelle Pacheco, Erica Feltenberger, Maggie Noon

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For advertising opportunities, call 717-291-8711

The wedding planner’s

From the pre-ceremony cocktails to the post-reception plunge: How the owner of Events by Gillian and Co. orchestrated her own special day

BY MARGARET GATES

hen Gillian and Kyle Joseph got engaged, there were plenty of decisions to make ahead of their July 2022 wedding at Conestoga House & Gardens. But the easiest one was choosing a wedding planner.

As the owner of Events by Gillian and Co., the bride-to-be had been helping other couples plan their special day since 2017, so it seemed only logical that she would plan her own.

“I planned the whole thing,” Gillian “Just being a planner, it was something wanted to do.”

While her professional experience of the process easier, it didn’t relie stress that comes with organizing

As a planner, Joseph can take a and budget and present them with of vendors and options tailored to needs For her own wedding, howe personally acquainted with so man and possibilities that she experienced of choice overload.

“I could tell you exactly what I didn’ want but now that I was on the side ing the bride and going through the cess myself, I feel like I became mor an indecisive person,” she says.

One decision she didn’t hesitate to make was choosing a day-of coordinator so she could fully enjoy the day.

“Just being on the other side of it, it’s a whole different approach,” Joseph says “You’re the one going through it mentally and I have a little bit of empathy for my than I might have had before.”

In the end, she says, “We’re still how great our day was.”

Here’s a look at some of the details Kyle’s wedding, along with some brides and grooms:

WEDDING DATE AND LOCATION: July 2, 2022

Conestoga House & Gardens, Lancaster

THEME

Timeless outdoor garden party with colors of black, white, gold and champagne.

“We really just wanted the property to speak for itself,” Joseph says. “We’re just kind of classic people in general. It really felt like us.”

Tip: Create a wedding that reflects you as a couple Joseph typically asks couples to tell her about their interests, hobbies and the things they like to do together. One couple she worked with had a favorite Friday night tradition of drinks and board games, so their reception included an area with whiskey barrels and vintage chairs where guests could hang out with a drink and play games.

SYMBOLIC TOUCHES

The officiant invited Kyle and Gillian’s mothers to come forward for a ring warming in which they cradled and blessed the rings like they once cradled their children before the couple exchanged them. “We really loved it,” Joseph says. “We wanted to incorporate the moms in our ceremony in a different way.”

Tip: Couples typically have a little more flexibility to be creative with their ceremonies outside a church setting, Joseph says While there are many options for symbolizing the couple’s union, such as the traditional lighting of the unity candle, Joseph says she is seeing a more recent trend toward tree planting ceremonies, where the couple plant a tree together using soil collected from their family homes or other places of significance to them.

COCKTAIL HOUR

Passed hors d’ oeuvres, Mediterranean grazing, charcuterie boards

(Note: The couple also welcomed guests with pre-wedding cocktails, iced tea or infused water to enjoy during the outdoor summer ceremony.)

Tip: For the Josephs, the best part of the cocktail hour wasn’t necessarily the food but the fact that they got to enjoy it. Couples often miss that portion of their wedding day between the ceremony and reception because they are busy having photos taken. That’s why the Josephs opted for a first look, where the bride and groom have an intimate moment together and have photos taken before the ceremony. (For more about first looks, see page 8.) “We both originally were a little bit more on the traditional side. But from a logistics standpoint it just makes the day run a little smoother,” she says “If you want to enjoy more of your day together and you want to do a first look, go ahead and do it. … The goal is that you get to go to your cocktail hour and be with your guests and start enjoying that portion.”

RECEPTION

Held under a tent on the Event Lawn, giving the Josephs a blank slate to customize their space. They chose a mix of round and rectangular tables and a white, marble-pattern dance floor

Tip: Do a reception reveal, Joseph says. It’s a chance for the bride and groom to sneak in during the cocktail hour and get a first look at the space with all the tables set and the candles lit. “You put so much time and effort in putting together all these little details It’s really special to see it all before your guests come in.”

MEAL

Mountain Laurel Catering served a family-style meal. “It was just like Christmas or Thanksgiving when you’re sitting down with your family,” Joseph says “It’s a more intimate experience.”

Tip: We definitely tell our couples, whatever your favorite food is, let’s try to incorporate that,” she says, even if it’s tacos and margaritas

CAKE

Three-tiered cake and ice cream from Fox Meadows Creamery

Tip: If you’re not a cake-loving family like the Josephs, consider just a small cake for cutting and opt for another favorite dessert. Joseph says small, assorted dessert options that guests can just pop in the mouth near the dance floor are growing in popularity “I had a couple last year who the bride’s favorite dessert was churros,” she says “It doesn’t hurt to ask the caterer

for something that’s outside the box.”

Want to eliminate the cake all together? Consider a champagne tower a pyramid of wider-rimmed coupe glasses stacked so that the couple can pour champagne into the top glass and it will trickle down to fill all the other glasses.

The Josephs had one of those at their wedding, too, stacked with enough glasses to serve their bridal party and immediate families.

MUSIC

Live string quartet for ceremony and cocktail hour, live acoustic guitarist during meal, DJ for reception.

Tip: Cost is a big factor in the type of music you choose, but there are other things to consider as well, Joseph says Live music can really lend to the ambience and offers the possibility of creating a more specific rendition of certain songs. However, not everyone likes when bands cover popular songs, and some venues have restrictions on live music due to sound ordinances. “If you just want a big dance party and you know your group enjoys a DJ, that’s great,” she says

FIRST — AND LAST — DANCE

The Josephs surprised their guests with a choreographed first dance that incorporated both the slow, acoustic version and original upbeat version of Sam Smith’s “Latch.”

“I danced all through elementary, middle and high school,” Joseph says, noting her husband was a hockey player and also a good sport. The owner of Encore Dance Center, where Gillian took lessons, helped them with choreography.

“Nobody knew about it but our vendors,” she says. “Our parents didn’t know. Our bridal party didn’t know.”

Tip: Choreographed or not, the first dance is meant to be seen by everyone Don’t miss the opportunity for a private last dance. It’s a chance for the couple to spend a special moment alone at the end of the night, soaking everything in one final time.

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THE SEND-OFF

While the Josephs were enjoying their private last dance, their guests were guided to the pool on the grounds of Conestoga House & Gardens, where a string light installation set the stage for the couple’s final appearance.

“We ran and jumped in the pool as our own send-off,” Joseph says “We were taking the final plunge into marriage.”

Gillian had changed into a simpler white dress and Kyle wore black shorts and a white button-down shirt for the surprise splash.

“We wanted to still look like the bride and groom, but we didn’t want to wear the clothes we invested heavily in,” she says. “It was actually one of my favorite memories of the night.”

Tip: Not all couples opt for a send-off, but if you do it doesn’t have to be as dramatic as jumping in a pool. Joseph has helped brides and grooms arrange everything from sparkler send-offs to fireworks. Even glow sticks will do the trick. And the send-off doesn’t

have to be at the end of the night, either, she says. It could be a flower petal toss as the couple walks down the aisle

THE EXPERIENCE

“One thing that was really important to me, especially as a planner, was creating an experience for our guests,” Joseph says “We tried to use each space of the property that was like this roundabout experience and tour.”

The couple had artists at Lancaster-based Cork and Chambers create custom stationery, including a map in the invitation suite that featured drawings of every area on the property where an event would take place, from pre-ceremony refreshments in the Orangery to the ceremony in the Hillside Garden to the reception in a tent on The Lawn.

Tip: The choice to design custom stationery depends on the couple and their budget, Joseph says, noting that about 50% of her clients will choose to do so. Incorporating artwork that reflects the venue is a growing trend, she says

“We ran and jumped in the pool as our own send-off. We were taking the final plunge into marriage.”

— GILLIAN JOSEPH

FIRSLOOKS T

More couples choosing a pre-ceremony reveal for personal, practical and even hilarious purposes

BY REBECCA LOGAN

ogistics have a lot to do with why so many couples are embracing “first looks” – i.e., getting photographed together on their wedding day before actually saying “I do.”

To understand why, first imagine your favorite movie wedding that didn’t involve a first look. Chances are an almost awestruck, adoring expression spreads across the groom’s face as he glimpses his bride gliding down the aisle. Only here’s the thing: In movies, those kinds of aspirational expressions are likely shot by multiple cameras panning back and forth between the bride and groom. Capturing that same vibe in a single, social-media-worthy shot is hard to do when a couple is an entire church-length away and not in the same frame.

Plus, those are actors. Real people may be more likely to react the way Heather Leicy says her husband did on their wedding day. He had “an almost blank stare with a halfsmile” because he was keenly aware that so many eyes were upon him and that the pressure was on, she says.

“Grooms can sometimes get really nervous at the aisle during the ceremony when everyone is looking at them waiting for them to cry or laugh or whatever their emotion is,” says Leicy, owner of Bird-in-Hand-based Heather Marie Photography. “So doing a first look takes off that pressure.”

Among 3,309 couples surveyed for a 2022 study by wedding registry site Zola, 53% were planning on a first look and 47% said they wouldn’t see each other before the ceremony. As for the future, Zola’s report said first looks are a tradition that’s “up in the air” while categorizing other traditions like the first dance and cutting the cake as “here to stay” and ones like tossing the garter and

smashing cake as “on the way out.”

Leicy would have done a first look if she had her own wedding to do over again. She advises her couples to at least consider it A large percentage do She says maybe half of those that decide to wait for eye contact in the aisle do opt to capture a pre-ceremony “first touch.” That’s where a couple stands out of view on either side of, say, a doorway or huge tree.

Kate and Witt Welch, of Lancaster Township, stood around a brick corner of a porch at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, where they had their ceremony and brunch reception in June.

Kate had seen first touches on social media and asked her photographer, Katherine Zell, if she would facilitate that. Zell got Witt into position and made sure he closed his eyes. Then she walked Kate to her spot. The couple held hands and talked for a few minutes

“We liked the idea of walking down the aisle, seeing each other for the first time,” Kate says “But we also wanted to have that moment to just be able to be together Just a moment of silence and peace before the craziness began.”

Leicy says the more photos she takes before the reception the more time couples get to spend with their guests They might even get to enjoy the appetizers they picked out for cocktail hour And they get to talk to each other

“Sometimes it’s several hours before the ceremony and so you’re truly maximizing your wedding day,” Leicy says. “Sometimes it actually brings up more emotions at the ceremony because they’re more relaxed and they really just get to take in the moment.”

A PRIVATE MOMENT

Megan Bolton and Anthony Shipe were torn about whether to do a first look. He was leaning against it But before they got married at 4 p.m. on an August day at Lakefield

Megan Bolton and Anthony Shipe decided to do a first look before their wedding at Lakefield Weddings in Manheim last August because they wanted a private, uninterrupted moment together

PHOTO BY HEATHER MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Weddings in Manheim last year, Megan did a first look for her father at 1:30 p.m. then met Anthony under some willow trees at 2 p.m. Leicy was there. As she does with all first looks, the photographer used a zoom lens

“Ultimately the main reason we chose to do the first look (was) because we wanted it to be private with just the two of us, no audience staring at us and anticipating our reactions,” Megan says “We both knew we were going to be emotional and seeing each other helped us relax and calm our nerves before the ceremony.”

She says that she and her husband, who live in Bucks County, are reserved and enjoyed the

uninterrupted time together.

“The rest of the day goes by so fast, and you’re constantly being pulled away,” she says. “So, to have that moment before the guests arrived was really special.”

Added bonus: That August day was a hot one.

“So, we weren’t as sweaty as we probably would have been had we taken our photos post ceremony,” she says.

A DINO SURPRISE

Bradley Brown knows the first look drill. He’d seen plenty of first look photos and says he was more than prepared to “deliver the tears” when a photographer positioned him near the waterfall at Drumore Mill in Drumore Township in April.

The Coatesville native, now a lawyer in New Jersey, looked at the water, felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around. There was his bride’s twin brother wearing a giant inflatable dinosaur costume. The resulting picture would indicate a full belly laugh.

That was Jessica Chilson-Brown’s idea. She’d seen dinosaurs incorporated into other weddings. (There is, coincidentally, one featured on page 12.) Bradley and Jessica also went with an inflatable bear as a ring bearer

They did do an actual first look by the waterfall after the dino surprise and weren’t hesitant at all about not waiting for the aisle. Brown notes that Jessica was waving out an upstairs window to guests as they arrived.

“I would have seen her anyway,” he says

NOT JUST FOR GROOMS

Bradley Brown was expecting a first look with his bride when he turned around next to the waterfall at Drumore Mill in the southern end. Instead, his bride’s twin brother was there in an inflatable dinosaur costume The couple did eventually do a real first look and posed for some traditional pictures before the ceremony.

Modern wedding photo galleries are filled with first looks with bridesmaids, brothers and fathers. Whitney McGinn did one with the students she coaches at Solanco High School a new one for the photographer and coordinators at her wedding.

“They asked if I wanted to do a first look with my dad or (now husband) Connor and I was like, ‘Well,

I really want to do one with my hockey team.’ ”

Players are accustomed to seeing the woman they used to call Coach Hawkins always wearing a T-shirt She wanted to switch things up on that front and the resulting photos captured surprise and joy as players turned around to see their coach in a gown.

The team was invited to the McGinn wedding at Osbornia Farm in Little Britain Township But the teens had to leave before the reception as alcohol would be served. That’s one reason their coach made a stop at the hockey field beforehand where the assistant coach had assembled the girls.

“Especially since they couldn’t stay for the reception, I wanted to make sure that they were still really heavily involved,” McGinn says. She did end up doing a first look with her father

“Connor and I were like, ‘We’ll just see each other going down the aisle,’ ” she says.

When wedding coordinators asked Whitney Hawkins (now McGinn) if she wanted to do a first look on her wedding day, her mind went straight to the Solanco High School field hockey players who she coaches, and who normally see her in a T-shirt.

Kate and Witt Welch did a first touch before their wedding at Landis Valley Museum in June

PHOTO BY KATHERINE ZELL PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY ASHLEY DESTEPHANO PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY THIS INSANE IDEA PHOTOGRAPHY

tò-dò lìst

12-18 months before

❑ Establish your budget.

❑ Hire a wedding planner (optional)

❑ Set a wedding date.

❑ Determine the size of the wedding.

❑ Book a venue

12 months before

❑ Determine the theme of the wedding.

❑ Start picking wedding colors and overall design.

❑ Have an engagement photo session.

❑ Start shopping for a wedding dress.

❑ Create your wedding website.

❑ Interview and hire vendors, such as photographers, bands and videographers.

8-10 months before

❑ Choose the wedding party

❑ Finalize the guest list and send save-the-date cards.

❑ Order invitations.

❑ Start shopping for wedding party attire.

❑ Visit stores to create registry gift lists.

❑ Look into reserving room blocks for out-of-town guests.

❑ Start planning your honeymoon.

6 months before

❑ Order wedding bands.

❑ Meet with a makeup and hair stylist and book a trial.

❑ Get passports for honeymoon, if necessary

❑ Meet with florists and other vendors, like transportation companies and hotels, to secure these arrangements.

❑ Inquire about any classes or preparatory meetings required by your place of worship If you will not be getting married in a place of worship, hire an officiant at this time

❑ Choose attire for groomsmen and give them a deadline for fittings and orders.

❑ Reserve any rentals.

❑ Book ceremony musicians.

❑ Book transportation to and from venues.

4 months before

❑ Get honeymoon travel plans in order

❑ Book cake tastings and order the cake if it is not part of the venue food and beverage package.

❑ Have an initial gown fitting if you haven’t already done so

❑ Compile rehearsal dinner guest list.

❑ Book rehearsal dinner venue.

❑ Order rehearsal dinner invitations.

3 months before

❑ Book a photo booth rental or other reception entertainment.

❑ Finalize ceremony readers and readings.

❑ Plan reception seating.

❑ Buy toasting flutes, serving pieces, a guest book, flower basket and ring bearer pillow.

❑ Finalize reception menu.

2 months before

❑ Apply for marriage license

❑ Buy wedding party gifts.

❑ Book beauty and spa treatments for you and your wedding party.

❑ Address and mail the wedding invitations.

❑ Finalize fittings for wedding party and parents. Work with the seamstress for the final fitting date just before the wedding.

❑ Create a wedding day timeline and send to venders, officiant and wedding party

❑ Finalize any song selections with the DJ or band.

1 month before

❑ Confirm all RSVPs.

❑ Touch base with all vendors.

❑ Finalize vows

❑ Attend final walk-through.

❑ Finalize decor.

❑ Finalize timeline for the day.

❑ Confirm honeymoon reservations.

❑ Pick up wedding rings.

❑ Order ceremony programs.

❑ Write thank-you notes as gifts are received.

2 weeks before

❑ Start breaking in wedding shoes.

❑ Make arrangements for pet and plant care during your honeymoon.

❑ Follow up with guests who haven’t RSVP’d

❑ Send final guest count to caterer.

❑ Delegate someone to return tuxes and rentals.

The day before

❑ Pamper yourself

❑ Rehearse ceremony with wedding party and attend rehearsal dinner.

❑ Get a good night’s sleep

Make sure you’ve got all the major wedding day elements covered with our at-a-glance checklist

11 years ago, I star ted this business out of the pure love and satisfaction I received from making my guests feel beautiful. Since then, so many love stories have come through this studio and we are so honored to be par t of each and ever y one.

I love, love. And there is nothing more special than the first time a bride sees herself in the mir ror and realizes that, today and forever, she is someone’s bride.

When you work with Envy Studio, we hope you feel that love as much as we feel yours. We look for ward to sharing in all your special moments!

I DO Featured Wedding

How did you meet?

“We met while working at his family business (Bomberger’s Store in Lititz),” Joanna says. “When I first met him, I was inspired by his hardworking, driven personality. He has a servant’s heart and was always willing to jump in and help people.” After college, Ben returned to work at the store and Joanna was still there. “Eventually, we went on a couple of dates, and something told us both this was no coincidence We were convinced it was a part of God’s plan for us.”

Wedding theme:

“One evening, we were discussing our honeymoon destination. In January, the three warmest states were Texas, Hawaii and Arizona. We had already been to Texas and weren’t so interested in Hawaii, so we decided on Arizona. … We then thought, why don’t we do a Southwestern-themed wedding ? Sure, it would be in the winter, but it felt like us. So, we brought the Southwest to Lititz, PA, in January!”

Wedding date and location: Jan. 21, 2023

CEREMONY: CALVARY CHURCH, LANCASTER

RECEPTION: BRICK GABLES, LITITZ

Color scheme:

Sage green and gray with terra cotta accents Bouquets featured warm white and terra cotta wooden flowers, eucalyptus, baby ’s breath and pampas grass, all wrapped tightly in burlap.

Were there any personal elements that you incorporated into the ceremony, the reception or the décor and details that made the day extra meaningful?

The dads: “My parents divorced when I was 7, and around age 9 my mother was remarried to Keenan Richard Gingrich (my stepdad). Stepdad is a technical term that I don’t often throw around because he has every right to adopt the term “Dad.” He, along with my mother and biological father, raised me as his own. So, I of course wanted both of my dads to shine in the spotlight in honor of their many years of raising me. We all decided that Rich (bonus dad) would walk me down the aisle and pass me off to my dad (Daniel Clawser), who would give me away. It was a very special moment for us all, especially me.

the center of our relationship and we will always be in submission to Him and looking for guidance from Him.”

The cake

Joanna’s uncle, Damian Clawser, created the cake from a photo the couple found online. “The first time I saw it was when it was being brought out for Ben and I to cut the cake and it looked gorgeous! It was on a wooden cake stand with my new last name and wedding date engraved along the front. Succulents were placed around and on top of the cake to fill in the Southwestern theme. Not only was it better than the photo I sent, but it tasted delicious!”

The moms: “Another special element we added in was the lighting of the candles There are three candles The outer candles are to be lit by the two mothers that raised the bride and groom, and the center candle is to be lit by both bride and groom. This signifies the bride and groom coming together as one flame, apart from the other two flames All still connected but separate as the two begin their new lives together After we lit our candle, Ben and I decided we wanted to take a few minutes and pray This was a very personal and spiritual moment we wanted to incorporate It was to show God is at

What about the dinosaur?

“The dinosaur was completely unexpected. Apparently, Ben’s cousin (Alan Jr.) had brought it along, planning to turn into a dinosaur during the reception. The kids loved it and would chase him around the dance floor The dino started dancing and later sparked a dance off with the groom!”

The baseball bats: Guests signed baseball bats instead of a guest book in honor of Ben’s many years playing the sport from elementary school through college.

Why did you choose a winter wedding, and did you have any challenges related to that?

“We decided to have our wedding day on the day we had our first real date. … The only challenge we had was taking outside photos after the ceremony. It was cold and started flurrying!”

What advice do you have for newly engaged couples?

“This may sound cliche, but our advice is: Be in the moment. That day goes by so fast and before you know it, it’s over. There were times I kept overthinking about what was coming next, but I realized you can think about that later. Right now, enjoy and celebrate the reason why you both are here.

“Another piece of advice is: This is your day, so whatever decision is made, make sure it’s yours, because these are your memories to look back on.

“Our last piece of advice is: Be patient with one another during this process. It’s tough for both parties and a serious commitment. If one is struggling, the other needs to be supportive and understanding.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: MELLONBERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

FLOWERS: HANDMADE BY MOTHER OF THE BRIDE (SHARON ANN GINGRICH) and MAID OF HONOR (SUSANNAH CLAWSER)

HAIR AND MAKEUP: MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

DRESS: COUNTRY THREADS BY GAIL

yesSay to a non-white

Sometimes I sell pretty wedding dresses & sometimes I like to try them on.

dress

Tiffany Rupert posted on Instagram with this shot of her modeling a black wedding dress at Stoudtburg Village, across the street from her Adamstown boutique

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

BY REBECCA LOGAN

Two gowns made it to the finish line of Kristin Lokey Brown’s wedding dress decision.

“One I liked. But it really wasn’t me. It was a little too much dress,” says Lokey Brown, who lives in Elizabethtown. “It was rose gold. And I kind of picked that to appease them, if that makes sense.”

By “them” she means the women who went dress shopping with her – the ones who ended up loving the gown she picked for herself That was a white creation with an intricate black lace overlay that covered the bodice and cascaded past the waist

“Brides are challenging the norm,” she says “They want their weddings to state their own personality more than ever before.”

That’s why Posh currently includes among its offerings options like a blush gown by Beccar and a floral gown by Mia Cee. Some customers walk into the Lancaster boutique and assume those two dresses are intended for bridesmaids, Berté says.

She adds over the phone (in a tone that suggests she may have just winked) that she would be more than happy to sell anyone enough of those dresses to outfit an entire bridal party. But they’re made for brides And they’re selling. As of June, Posh had already sold five of the

Why color?

Once some brides try something on in color, ivory just seems boring, Berté says

As for black dresses, she’s sold some. But Posh doesn’t keep any in stock. While designers did pump the gas last year to catch up with the attention black dresses were getting, black options are still far more abundant in social media feeds than on bridal boutique hangers, Berté says.

“What’s happening is that Instagram is getting ahold of every single black dress that’s out there,” she says “And most of these dresses are prom but they put them up there as wedding gowns And all the Chinese manufacturers put them as part of their taglines to get the attention.”

Those who follow TikTok dance trends may be humming “Goo Goo Muck” right about now. Brides of Today in Quarryville isn’t shying from that possibility.

“Anyone else been watching and LOVING the show ‘Wednesday’ on Netflix?” the boutique posted on Facebook last fall when that show aired. “Maybe you want to take some inspiration from Wednesday Addams and wear a black wedding dress on your big day? ”

Pam Scheffel, an employee there, says she’s sold a few black dresses – most for weddings still to come. One designer the boutique carries offers two or three black dresses and another seven or eight. Most are black overlay over nude.

é, Bridal, echoes that sentiment.

is completely upside down.

“But I do have a company that does custom. I actually have a young lady I’m working with who wants a completely black gown. It’s going to cost her, but they’ll do it,” she says “I actually had somebody who wanted blue. And I said, ‘Well, we don’t have any designers that do the blue. But you could get blue and

From blacks to florals, brides are challenging the norm

we could have our seamstress take it apart and work it in there somehow.’ ”

Tiffany Rupert, owner of Tiffany’s Bridal in Adamstown, sold one black dress so far this year – more of other colors.

“I’ve been doing this seven years, and since I’ve opened I’ve always had dresses in here that were blush and champagne. I’ve had lavender that I’ve sold a handful of times,” she says “Misty mauve is another color It’s been on trend for a while now.”

1964 to wed Richard Burton for the first time. Sarah Jessica Parker opted for a black dress for her 1997 marriage to Matthew Broderick – a style choice she later said in interviews that she regrets Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway and Kaley Cuoco all picked various shades of pink wedding gowns So did Gwen Stefani when she married Gavin Rossdale. She later wore white to wed Blake Shelton.

Colors

even if they are very muted – tend to work better with a lot of brides’ skin tones than bright white does, she says

“They’re pleasantly surprised that they look like they do,” she says. “And it really makes the lace stand out a lot if they have detail on their dress. … We tell our brides that we see a lot of our designers posting photos of dresses in color because they tend to photograph a little better.”

Celebrities have long made headlines when wandering from white at weddings.

Eight-time bride Elizabeth Taylor worked a veritable rainbow over the years – including a bright yellow number that she wore in

Jenna Ortega (who wears a lot of black while portraying Wednesday) was seen on the set of “Beetlejuice 2” this summer wearing a pink-and-white wedding dress. The bright red ruffled bridal monstrosity that Ortega’s on-screen mother, Lydia Deetz, wore against her will in 1988’s “Beetlejuice”

doesn’t typically make the multitude of whiteand-dream dominated lists of iconic movie wedding dresses that exist online. The dreamy gown with gold crystals and pink tule from 2018’s “Crazy Rich Asians” does Parker caused some bridal buzz again this year when, as Carrie Bradshaw, she wore the Vivienne Westwood gown that never quite made it down the aisle in the first “Sex and the City” movie. That dress – which Carrie repurposed on “And Just Like That” – was champagne. But during the Vogue bridal photo shoot for which Carrie first put it on, she also modeled a Vera Wang gown with a dramatic cream skirt, a Carolina Herrera with black and silver accents and a Christian Lacroix with a thin black bow tied at the waist.

Kristin Lokey Brown picked her black-and-white wedding dress before deciding on the red color scheme for her October 2022 wedding at Historic Acres of Hershey in Elizabethtown.

PHOTO BY BEATS AND FOCUS

Posh Bridal in Lancaster includes among its bridal gown offerings this blush gown by Beccar and this floral gown by Mia Cee.

PHOTO BY KYLEE B PHOTOGRAPHY

One of a kind

Ashley Fulmer, a designer who lives in Lancaster, wore a massive black bow on the back of her gown when she got married in November 2022. That was the year after she showed six of her designs at a New York Fashion Week show.

“I wanted a black wedding dress, and I couldn’t get one because at the time I was looking (summer 2021) they weren’t quite as trendy as they are now,” she says “So, I decided to put my own unique spin on it.”

Fulmer contemplated designing her own wedding dress but opted against the added stress. She instead found a white one she liked, designed the bow for the back and hired someone else to make it, ensuring the bow length could adjust with

her bustle.

She says she wanted her gown – like her reception décor and black French tip manicure – to evoke a “gothic, vintage but also traditional at the same time kind of vibe.” If Fulmer were shopping today, she might have more luck finding an all-black dress that she loved. But she says she wouldn’t have changed a thing about hers because it ended up being one of a kind.

“Find a good tailor that is willing to work with your vision,” Fulmer suggests. “And if you have something that you want to add to your dress, definitely do it Especially if they’re creative people like me, that’s very important to have the little aspects that are ‘you’ put into the piece.”

Ashley Fulmer, a designer who lives in Lancaster, wanted to put a unique spin on her gown when she married husband Jesse in November 2022, so she added a massive black bow to the back.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER SOFIA STUDIOS

BY MADDY PONTZ

Elaborate florals from bridal bouquets and wedding party boutonnieres to reception centerpieces and floral arches can serve as a true wedding day showpiece. Yet that beauty often comes with a significant price tag.

Among engaged couples hoping to save on their wedding flower budget, or perhaps those with a true knack for aesthetics and crafting, DIY wedding gaining popularity.

“When it comes to weddings always try to explain it as a buf fet,” says Nadine Clay, owner and founder of Lititz-based Lancaster Flower Co “You pick your most important things off of the buffet, and then if you have room for extras, you then place the extra little doodads on a plate

“It’s the same with weddings, she says “You pick the things that are most important to you. Some people might have a venue that is more important than food, or music is more important than cake, or something like that. Everybody has their own wedding budget … For so people, flowers don’t matter that’s OK But if they do want throughout their wedding, even important to them, they could do DIY because it’s a little bit cheaper that way.”

To meet couples where they are at both priority and budget-wise Lancaster Flower Co offers both full-service wedding florals as well as bulk flower ordering for DIY arranging, Clay says She estimates that around 15% of her business is currently made up of DIY brides

Flourish Flowers, in East Earl, also offers bulk flowers for DIY couples Trish Snyder, owner and founder of Flourish, sees a similar number of DIY weddings each season around 10% to 20% of her current business, she estimates.

For many couples who choose to arrange their own wedding flowers, price is a decid-

ing factor According to both Clay and Snyder, ordering in bulk and DIY-ing florals can save couples up to 50%, compared to working with a full-service florist for their big day.

An average wedding with Lancaster Flower Co. as a full-service florist ordering, designing and fully managing all florals for

factor for her clients who choose to design their own wedding flowers

“Ultimately, (my DIY clients) are trying to save cost,” Everhart Hanna says “They feel that when they have a consultation or conversation with a florist, they maybe were not understanding the overall cost involved and they didn’t have it in their budget.”

Nip challenges in the bud

It’s important to note, however, that the cost come with significant trade-offs, to wedding professionals ometimes, if you are not comfortworking with flowers, it can very stressful,” Snyder says “It’s a live product and if you damage it, it’s kind of gone The stress of it (is a con). It’s very perishable, so they have to do it right before the wedding, which is when it’s the busiest time for them. Probably the day before, or even the morning of. I just think that’s a lot of pressure to have that kind of responsibility the morning of your wedding.”

If a couple is considering managing their own wedding florals, Everhart Hanna suggests rking ahead to avoid undue on the big day or even calling and friends for support commend that (couples) do it at least two days ahead of time,” Everhart Hanna says “So, if their wedding is on Saturday, have those flowers there and have them assembled and in water by Thursday So, on Friday or Saturday if that’s the wedding day you might just have to snip the stems again to refresh and add fresh water. But ideally, having everything done ahead of time.”

the couple can cost between $3,000 and $8,000, Clay says

“We understand that everybody has their own budget and sometimes you can’t afford to have a professional do the flowers,” Clay says.

Diana Everhart Hanna owner of Planned Perfection, a wedding and event planning company serving Lancaster, York and Reading says she also has seen cost as a major

That’s what Maddie Jordan did for her wedding at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster in May. Her mother, Shanda Mortensen, took on floral responsibilities for the event.

After Jordan shared her Pinterest boards and wedding inspiration, Mortensen and her friends worked together to design her daughter’s bouquet, all bridesmaids bouquets, boutonnieres for the groom and his grooms-

Maddie Miller and Brady Jordan enlisted the help of Maddie’s mother, Shanda Mortensen, and her friends to make the bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces for their May wedding at Riverdale Manor.

PHOTO BY JACKLYN D PHOTOGRAPHY

men, centerpieces for both high- and low-top reception tables and a toss bouquet.

The florals featured white roses along with Italian Ruscus, baby’s breath and seeded eucalyptus. They did a trial run during Jordan’s bridal shower, and just as Everhart Hanna recommends to her clients the wedding florals themselves were completed a full two days before the wedding, Mortensen says

“The reason we did it was, obviously, to save money,” Mortensen says “It was 100% worth it It probably would have (cost us) thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars.”

the entire wedding, they spent about $700-$800 on owers in total, Mortensen says She recommends YouTube for how-to videos and to answer questions along the way.

“I’m telling you, they were absolutely beautiful,” Mortensen says.

Shuttle

PHOTOS BY JACKLYN D PHOTOGRAPHY

“I wasn’t stressed at all because I trusted my mom so much with everything,” Jordan says “She was studying for months, and I just knew she would do so good with it I was very, very impressed with how she did everything.”

Everhart Hanna also recalls a past client’s wedding that incorporated DIY florals to add a uniquely personal touch though the process did lead to additional stress for the bride’s family on the wedding day.

“I had a beautiful winter wedding where the family was out of Vermont, and they brought tons of evergreen and beautiful wreaths that were a piece of her home,” Everhart Hanna says. “She really enjoyed incorporating that piece. But I will admit her mom was a little stressed on wedding day. She was missing out on the getting-ready moments because she was doing all of the greens.”

Some couples are forgoing traditional florals entirely, choosing instead to use artificial flowers or other alternatives

“With DIY, we are seeing some artificial flowers, and even wooden flowers have been a trend,” Everhart Hanna says “It’s really fun, and it’s something that some couples have said they feel it’s a little bit more of a keepsake The wooden bouquets, of course, hold up much longer than a pressed or preserved bouquet It does take that stress and pressure off, as opposed to live flowers.”

Allyson M. McMullin worked with Snyder at Flourish and asked two close friends for their help with her May 2022 elopement ceremony and dessert and champagne reception at the The Cornwall Inn in Lebanon.

“We were looking to keep costs down, but still make everything look beautiful,” McMullin writes in an email. “I have two best friends that felt confident they could help create the archway pieces I was looking for after taking an archway class. Without my friends, I would have had to order those specific pieces I would absolutely do the DIY florals

again, as it was cost-effective and our wedding was beautiful.”

As McMullin’s friends did, Snyder recommends floral arranging workshops for couples who are considering the DIY route.

“We do classes here at Flourish, so sometimes if brides are not comfortable, they want to do DIY, but they’re not sure we (host) a wedding class,” Sndyer says “That really gives them confidence to kind of go all out.”

One thing to keep in mind during the wedding planning process is that the couple’s vision and budget is often what matters most, florals included.

“Everybody has their own budget, and that’s OK as long as you as the client are happy with what can be gotten with your budget,” Clay says. “You don’t have to worry about what is quote-unquote normal for a wedding … If you are happy with what you’re ordering, then it’s totally fine. There is no right and wrong in the wedding industry anymore.”

Yesenia Saldana Rodriguez and Adrian Alize Alejandrez

Wedding date and location:

Oct. 8, 2022

PINEAPPLE MANOR, MILLERSVILLE

How did you meet?

“Ironically, we always went to the same schools,” Yesenia says “We just never crossed paths till high school.” They didn’t start dating until they reconnected after high school when Yesenia was heading into QVC to start working and Adrian was on his way out. “My husband confessed having a crush on me in high school, but I never knew till we finally started dating.”

Wedding theme: An outdoor fall wedding

The couple started dating in the fall, and they take a trip every fall to celebrate their anniversary They wanted to marry close to that date and the Oct. 7 birthday of Adrian’s late aunt.

Color scheme

Autumn colors to represent fall leaves. Guests were also asked to dress in fall colors, and the flower girl tossed leaves instead of rose petals

PHOTOGRAPHY: JUSTIN WARD PHOTOGRAPHY

FLOWERS: ROYER’S FLOWERS & GIFTS (Bride added a smudge bundle, a feather and a butterfly to symbolize transformation.)

CAKE: GROOMSMAN’S MOTHER

HAIR: BRIDE, HER SISTER, MOTHER AND SISTER-IN-LAW

MAKEUP: NAVEAH VIOLET, FRIEND OF BRIDE

LASHES: @ATOUCHOFLEI (Instagram), FRIEND OF BRIDE

DRESS: IN WHITE

Were there any personal elements you incorporated into your day that made it extra meaningful?

“I wore the necklace he gave me for my birthday. Inside there’s a photo of us and carved it says, ‘Thank you for showing me your world.’ ” Two empty suits draped over chairs represented two friends of the groom who had died, including one who was supposed to be the best man. Ironically, he was buried in the cemetery behind the wedding venue. “We know he was there in spirit,” Yesenia says

Cake

The mother of one of the groomsmen made the cake, which had the look of tree bark and included sunflowers, the bride and groom at a bonfire on top, and their initials carved in a heart.

What was your biggest challenge planning the wedding?

“The biggest challenge was managing to still go on planning the wedding after our friend passed away.”

Would you change anything?

“That day was very special and memorable. We struggled but when that day came it was all worth it And if I would’ve changed anything I wouldn’t be where I am today, expecting our first child, and that I wouldn’t change for the world.”

Advice for engaged couples

“The advice we have is to be patient and communicate so the planning is not one-sided and to show up for each other Planning a wedding is high stress for both partners. Take time to not rush and really talk about what you want and plan accordingly and way ahead of time. Create a budget, but also remember you only marry once.”

What to do after ‘I do’

Don’t overlook these important post-wedding tasks

BY MARGARET GATES

From booking vendors to mailing invitations to planning the ceremony and reception, there’s a lengthy to-do list in the weeks and months leading up to a wedding day. If you’re the bride and groom, it’s no wonder you’re ready to kick back and relax once the last guest has left the venue. But don’t get too comfortable.

Just because the big day is over doesn’t mean the checklist is complete. Here are some tasks newly married couples should tackle while they’re still basking in that wedding glow.

RETURN THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

“That’s what makes it legal,” says Lancaster-based wedding planner Chela North, owner of Che and Co Weddings. The person solemnizing the marriage signs the original certificate, which the couple keeps, as well as a duplicate that must be returned within 10 days to the court where the license was issued, according to Pennsylvania law. In cases where the couple has a self-uniting ceremony, the certificate is signed by the couple and two witnesses.

“We will accept the return from either the officiant or one of the applicants we are just happy to receive it,” says Anne Cooper, Lancaster County register of wills, in an email. “It is not recorded as a legal marriage until we receive the return and enter the information into our computer system.”

Cooper says her office has accepted duplicate certificates received after 10 days, but she cannot speak for the policies of other counties

REVIEW YOUR VENDORS

A wedding is one of the biggest events of your life, and probably one of the most expensive. Vendors can play a huge part.

“It’s helpful to give an honest review of the people that helped make your day possible or maybe made your day worse,” North says with a laugh.

There are plenty of options for leaving your recommendations and reviews, including popular wedding websites like The Knot and WeddingWire, Google Reviews and social media

And remember to tag your vendors in your wedding posts on social media, North says

DON’T FORGET THE FLOWERS

If you have a lot of fresh floral arrangements and no use for them after the wedding, consider taking them to a local nursing home or retirement community, North says If you’re working with a company to preserve your bouquet, make sure you send it off within a few days of the wedding while the flowers are still fresh. There are many companies that handle floral preservation and the possibilities for creating a timeless memento from your bouquet are endless, from framing to coasters to jewelry Many of the options are pricey, North says, “But if it matters to you, it’s worth it.”

TAKE THE CAKE

It’s long been a tradition to save the top tier of the wedding cake for the couple to share on their first anniversary A 2021 study by The Knot found that 48% of couples did or were planning to do just that. If you plan to honor that tradition, you’ll want to freeze the cake as soon after the wedding as possible. Some cakes freeze better than others, so it’s a good idea to check with your baker.

For couples who opt for alternative desserts at their wedding and just a small cake for cutting or for those who simply turn up their noses at eating year-old defrosted cake there’s another option, North says Consider asking your baker to make a small replica cake on your anniversary so you can have a fresh reminder of your special day.

PRESERVE YOUR GOWN

If you plan on keeping your gown and possibly handing it down in the future, you’ll want to have it cleaned and preserved as soon after the wedding as possible, says Jay Heisey, owner of Highlander Cleaners in Elizabethtown and Mount Joy.

“If you wore the dress then it should be cleaned, just because of body oils or dirt at the hem. They’re naturally very long. They drag a little. You’re going to want to get that out,” Heisey says.

The ideal timeframe to take care of dress cleaning is within six weeks of the wedding, he says.

“The stains that set are food stains or body stains. Those you should attend to,” he says. “Once they oxidize, it’s difficult to remove them.”

Some gowns are easier to clean than others. Those made of 100% silk or with lots of embellishments, such as beads, sequins and lace, tend to be more challenging, Heisey says.

On average, brides can expect to pay about $200 to have their gowns cleaned and preserved, he says

Highlander Cleaners typically uses a dry-cleaning method, but sometimes wet cleaning is required, Heisey says Once the dress is clean, it is carefully packaged in a preservation box.

Heisey says the best way to store a wedding dress is in a box that is acid-free, rather than on a hanger It should be kept at room temperature in an environment that is not overly hot or damp

To avoid yellowing, keep the dress covered and out of sunlight, he says Wedding gowns often have fluorescent brighteners added to the fabric to make them appear whiter and brighter. Exposure to light can break down those agents and cause the fabric to yellow. Even with today’s penchant for outdoor wedding venues and photo shoots everywhere from livestock pastures to rocky outcroppings, today’s dresses are no harder

to clean than those of years past, Heisey says “Most brides take good care of their dresses,” he says “We do get the occasional you know they had a good time.”

TAKE A BREATHER

There’s a crash that comes after the wedding day, North says “You spend a year, or however long your engagement and planning process is, working up to this big moment, and the day comes and it’s the best day ever and then it’s over,” she says. “Then you wake up the next day and the next day and the next day and it’s like a crash of dopamine, like going from the highest high to the lowest low.”

There are ways to ease that crash, she says One is to plan a brunch or cocktails with family or friends in the days after the wedding to sort of recap the big day. Another is to wait at least a few days before heading

who has a year after the wedding to send a gift Ideally, thank-you notes should be sent within two weeks of receiving a gift, she says, but no more than six weeks.

Some tips from Hartley:

• Write as if you’re having a personal conversation.

• Start with a general note to the recipient, followed by a thank you for the gift.

• Always mention the gift and how you will use it In the case of a monetary gift, however, avoid mentioning the exact amount

• Avoid using impersonal, preprinted thank-you cards. But if you must, include a personal note on the card. “Surely you can find the time to think of and write a few words of gratitude for someone who has gone through the trouble and expense of sending you a present,” Hartley says.

SPREAD THE LOVE

on your honeymoon so you have time to tie up some loose ends, whether it’s returning your marriage license or your rented tux.

“Take a breath and take it in, and then that way you can actually enjoy the honeymoon,” North says.

SAY THANK YOU

“Writing ‘thank you’ notes seems to have been relegated to the Dark Ages,” Annie Ahm Hartley, an etiquette consultant and founder of Lancaster Modern Etiquette, writes in an email. “However, they are still as important as before, if not more.”

Thank-you notes show you appreciate the sender and you are grateful for the gift, Hartley says They also let the sender know that the gift was received.

There’s a common misconception that couples have a year to acknowledge a gift, Hartley says It is actually the gift-giver

Once the last guest has left the reception, you could find yourself with leftovers you don’t really need and we’re not talking about scalloped potatoes and red velvet cupcakes. Think rustic tree slices, glass vases and artificial greenery from those homemade centerpieces Or chalkboard signs, wedding arches and table numbers. Consider selling your stuff through a wedding reuse Facebook group You could earn a little cash, avoid some clutter and help another bride- and groom-to-be save a few bucks in the process.

“People are always looking to buy or rent decor,” North says “Do that unless you have endless storage in your basement and you can keep it.”

ENSURE YOU’RE INSURED

After preserving your wedding dress, it’s a good idea to protect a few other valuable symbols of your new union.

“Not only are your engagement and wedding rings the all-important symbols of your commitment, but they are a large financial investment, too,” says Joshua Hoffert, marketing specialist with Unruh Insurance Agency in Denver. “We encourage newly married couples to consider adding their rings to their insurance.”

Not only are your engagement and wedding rings the all-important symbols of your commitment, but they are a large financial investment, too. We encourage newly married couples to consider adding their rings to their insurance.

Joshua Hoffert, marketing specialist with Unruh Insurance Agency in Denver.

When it comes to insurance, there are some other important things a couple should consider soon after marriage, he says

• Auto policies: “Bundling your auto policies together can help you get a better rate,” Hoffert says, “and after your wedding is the perfect time to start saving money everywhere you can.”

• Home or renter’s insurance: If you’re just starting to live together in an apartment or you’re ready to upgrade to your first home, now is a good time to look at homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.

• Life insurance: “This is the time for the two of you to have a tough conversation about life insurance,” Hoffert says “More than ever, you want to make sure your loved one is protected.”

• Bundle: Bundling your auto, home and life policies under one insurance carrier typically gives you the greatest discount, he says

MANAGE YOUR MONEY

Even in cases where the couple has been living together already, a wedding usually signals the marriage of finances, says Sarah Kratsas, a financial coach with Kauffman CPA in Lancaster.

Having a conversation about money is an important first step in marriage. Whether you use pen and paper or an Excel spreadsheet, Kratsas recommends creating a joint budget and holding weekly budget meetings. Make them “wine and budget” meetings so they’re more fun, she says.

“It does not need to be terrible,” Kratsas says “We have three little kids, so for us, that’s date night.”

Those regular meetings are not strictly about money, she says They’re about building a plan for the future and setting goals for five, 10 or 20 years down the road. Money is a necessity for achieving many of life’s goals, Kratsas says, but managing money can be easier when there is a shared purpose for your budgeting, whether it’s paying off debt, saving for a house or building a financial cushion that will allow one of you to be a stay-at-home parent once children come along.

For couples who need help jump-starting the budgeting process, Kratsas suggests doing some online research to find a budgeting style that works best for you. One of her favorite blogs is Mister Money Mustache, which takes a fun approach to financial independence

It can also be helpful to form a support network with other young couples who are facing many of the same financial challenges, she says. “Parents are great, grandparents are great (for

advice),” she says, “but they’re not necessarily experiencing the same things as we are.”

Other financial to-dos for newly married couples:

• Look at health insurance to find the best and most cost-efficient options. Who has the better employee plan? Can they add a spouse to their plan if the spouse has coverage available through their own employer? If the newly married couple is under age 26, it may be cheaper for them to remain on their parents’ health insurance, Kratsas says

• Tax filing status: Married couples can file jointly or separately. Tax laws typically favor those filing jointly, but if you have unique circumstances or other questions, check with a tax accountant, Kratsas says. While there are plenty of financial considerations after the wedding ceremony, Kratsas says couples need to be open and honest with each other about their individual finances and their future goals long before they walk down the aisle

“Share your credit scores and full credit reports with each other before you’re married,” she says, noting no one wants to discover after the wedding that their partner was hiding a mountain of debt “That’s not a good place to start your marriage.”

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