Bridal by Midland Daily News

Fall/Winetr 2014

Outdoor Weddings Tips For Success

Simplify & Save

On Your Wedding

Classic Wedding Songs

To Include on Your Reception Playlist

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Featured 04

Outdoor Wedding Tips

I Dos

Seating Solutions

Simplify & Save

Taking the Ultimate Joy Ride

Finding the Right Wedding Vendors

Wedding Flowers

Honeymoon Planning

Classic Wedding Songs

Bridal Dress Comfort

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16 18

21 22

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Bridal | Fall & Winter 2014

TiPS For The PerFeCT

Outdoor Wedding

utdoor weddings are romantic when done right, and a growing number of couples are exchanging vows amid an expansive garden or with the splendor of the pounding surf providing a picturesque backdrop. If Mother Nature cooperates, outdoor weddings can go smoothly. But even if the weather does not cooperate, there still are ways couples can enjoy a memorable ceremony. Preparation and planning help keep outdoor weddings moving along. Weather can be unpredictable and unforgiving, so it is always best to account for various scenarios. The following are some tips to consider.

Be mindFul oF hoT WeaTher. Many outdoor weddings occur when temperatures are at their warmest. As anyone who has had to sit outdoors in the blazing sun for an extended period of time can attest, it can grow quite uncomfortable, especially when everyone is dressed to the nines. Advise guests in advance that the wedding will be taking place outdoors and to dress accordingly. Arrange to have shaded areas for guests who may struggle with the heat. Keep chilled bottled water nearby so guests can stay cool and refreshed. Ask the ofﬁciant to keep the ceremony brief so that guests are not melting away in their seats. keeP Wind in mind. A stiff breeze can upset tents and wreak havoc on hairstyles. Be sure everything outdoors is properly secured and weighted

down. Avoid light fabrics on a wedding gown that will get swept away by wind. A short, blusher veil may be more appropriate than a sweeping train. Couples should advise their hairstylists that they will be getting married outdoors, and looks should be well secured by bobby pins and gel to keep hair in place. Stick to real dishes for food service, as plastic or lightweight materials may get blown away.

CheCk For PoWer SourCeS. Choose a wedding location with easily accessible power outlets. Guests will certainly want to hear the vows, and that may require the use of microphones and a sound system. Having power available also makes it easier for bands and musicians to set up their equipment for an outdoor reception. If the wedding will be stretching into the evening hours, electricity will be needed to power supplemental lighting that illuminates the festivities. enSure aCCeSSiBiliTy. Outdoor terrain can prove tricky, especially for older guests or those with mobility issues. When scouting locations, select a wheelchair-accessible spot that can be easily traversed. Understand that turf can become water-logged and challenging to walk over should it rain the day of the wedding or prior. Plastic or fabric runners may make things easier. Also, choose a location that isn’t too far off the beaten path. It should be close enough to a parking lot and not require guests to have to take an extended hike through nature.

FaCe aWay From The Sun. Glares can make it difficult for guests to see the ceremony. Be sure to arrange seats so that guests do not have to look into the sun. This is best achieved by having the sun behind everyone for the ceremony. It also ensures that you won’t end up with washed-out photos or pictures of everyone squinting. enSure Food iS ProPerly Chilled or heaTed. Dining outdoors means keeping food safety in mind. Food that is supposed to be kept cool should remain on ice or be refrigerated until served. Hot foods should remain hot. Food in chafing dishes or served buffet-style also should be protected from insects. Improper handling of food can result in foodborne illnesses. No one wants to remember a wedding for intestinal discomfort. uSe FreSh FloWerS in PoTTed PlanTS. Cut flowers tend to wilt prematurely in hot weather. Rather than waste money and beautiful flowers, choose potted plants that will thrive if welltended. Guests can then take the plants home and continue to cherish the wedding long after it is over. BudgeT For a TenT. It is always better to have a contingency plan. Even if you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding, have a backup plan in place if the weather is uncooperative. A tent with surrounding sidewalls may be sufficient. Otherwise, determine if there is an indoor location that can be kept on standby. Fall & Winter 2014 | Bridal

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Bridal | Fall & Winter 2014

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Seating Solutions

HOW TO MANAGE SEATING ARRANGEMENTS

fter all of the invitations have been sent and RSVPs returned, engaged couples who are including a sit-down dinner as part of their wedding receptions must figure out the seating arrangements for their guests. Such a task can be both fun and stressful. The fun of making seating arrangements stems from reuniting friends and family members who couples feel will enjoy one another’s company and make the reception that much more fun. But feuding family members can make the task of assigning seats somewhat stressful. Couples need not be relationship experts to plan seating arrangements that ensure guests have a good time. The following tips can help couples enjoy the process of mapping out their wedding reception seating assignments as much as possible.

MAKE ASSIGNMENTS BY HAND. While there is software designed specifically to help couples map out seating assignments, many couples find it easier to do the seating assignments by hand, which allows couples more freedom to rearrange tables. In addition, making the seating arrangements by hand ensures that couples spread out guests who might not get along.

DON’T SEAT GUESTS IN THE HOPES OF QUASHING OLD CONFLICTS. While the jovial spirit of a wedding ceremony and reception might seem like the perfect atmosphere for feuding friends or family members to bury the hatchet with regard to old conflicts, this leaves open the potentially ugly possibility that such conflicts might escalate. Couples don’t want their weddings to be remembered for all the wrong reasons, so keep feuding factions apart when assigning seats.

KEEP SPECIAL NEEDS GUESTS IN MIND. Some guests at the wedding may have special needs, and this must be kept in mind when planning seating assignments. Guests with medical conditions may benefit from sitting close to the restroom, while those with mobility issues might be best served sitting in a spot where waitstaff can more easily recognize when they need something. Consider sitting older guests, whose vision might not be as strong as it once was, as close to the happy couple as possible so these guests can see everything and won’t feel left out.

MAKE SURE THE SEATING ASSIGNMENT TABLE IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE. The table on which seating assignment cards will be placed should be accessible upon entering the reception hall. A table that’s far off in the corner may confuse some guests, who might think the seating is a free-for-all and simply sit in the first empty seats they see.

CONSIDER THE FLOW BETWEEN TABLES. While you might have aced the seating assignments at each table, don’t overlook the importance of mapping out tables as well. No couple wants their guests to feel isolated from friends or family members at other tables, so do your best to ensure there’s a good flow between the tables. Plan for tables of family members to be placed next to one another, and do the same with groups of friends. This encourages guests to mingle and can make the night much more enjoyable for everyone involved. Planning seating assignments for a wedding reception is no small task. But couples can employ several strategies to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

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Bridal | Fall & Winter 2014

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Simplify & Save

on your Wedding

lanning a wedding is complicated. Once couples choose a date and location for their ceremony, they can then can get down to the nuts and bolts of the big day. When planning a wedding, many couples are governed by a budget. Budgets often get stretched, but even those brides- and grooms-to-be who spend more than they had initially hoped often ﬁnd themselves not going too far over budget. One of the best ways for couples to stay within spitting distance of their budget or even come in under budget is to take steps to simplify the ceremony and reception. Simplifying a few aspects of the wedding can save couples money without forcing them to make sacriﬁces that affect the look or feel of occasion.

SCale BaCk on The alCohol oFFeringS. Some couples opt for a fullservice, top-shelf bar at their wedding. While that’s a nice gesture, it’s also an expensive one. Couples can save a substantial amount of money by simplifying the alcoholic offerings at their reception. Instead of a full top-shelf bar, offer guests one or two choices of popular liquors such as whiskey, rum and vodka and steer clear of especially expensive brands. The majority of guests likely won’t even notice, but couples will notice how much money they save.

Trim The gueST liST. Trimming the guest list is arguably the most effective way to simplify a wedding while simultaneously saving some money. Once you have compiled a list of potential invitees, peruse that list to determine if there are any people who can be trimmed from the list. This is easier for couples paying for their own wedding, as they won’t feel pressured to invite any friends or colleagues of their parents whom they don’t know personally. But even couples splitting the cost of their weddings with their parents should speak with their parents about trimming the guest list to make the affair a little less expensive.

Turn Floral arrangemenTS inTo mulTi-PurPoSe aCCeSSorieS. Bridesmaids typically carry beautiful floral bouquets during the wedding ceremony. But such bouquets are quickly put down and forgotten once a couple has officially tied the knot. Couples can save a few dollars by repurposing floral bouquets and other floral arrangements used during the ceremony. Once the ceremony has ended, repurpose floral bouquets as centerpieces for the reception tables and turn flowers used as aisle markers during the ceremony into small centerpieces on the escort card table or place them alongside the guestbook. This saves you the trouble of choosing various floral arrangements to display throughout the reception venue and also saves you money.

ChooSe a ClaSSiC Cake. Elaborate cakes may be de rigueur, but the cost of an especially elaborate wedding cake can make a cost-conscious couple’s collective jaw drop. Instead of a specially designed, labor-intensive cake, choose a classic cake that won’t break the bank. Classic cakes can add an elegant touch to a wedding without extending a couple’s budget.

TradiTional WeddingS are anyThing BuT SimPle. BuT There are WayS For CouPleS To make Planning Their Wedding leSS ComPliCaTed While SaVing Some money aT The Same Time. Fall & Winter 2014 | Bridal

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Taking the ultimate joy ride By Lindsay henry for the Daily News

ith the breeze in their hair and rings on their hands, Richard Yeakel

and his bride Betty Lockwood-Yeakel enjoyed their first car ride as husband and wife. But it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just a regular joy ride. The newlyweds drove through downtown Midland in style: Sitting in the groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Model T Ford car. Though Richard is 86 and Betty is 73, the two grinned like lovesick teenagers. The couple tied the knot on Sept. 8, 2013, at the H Hotel in downtown Midland.

Continued on page 14

Taking the ultimate joy ride CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

their paths crossed again after years of knowing each other “from a distance,” Yeakel said. “I had known Richard for 50 years,” LockwoodYeakel said. “Richard is my sister-in-law’s brother. His sister is married to my brother. His sister got us together after both of our spouses deceased; my husband has been gone for 13 years and his wife for four years.” When Yeakel’s sister suggested he give Betty a call, their paths crossed again. This time, love intervened. “I’ve always known her, and I knew her husband,” Richard Yeakel

“My advice (for newly married couples) is to date for a lifetime”

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“I lived on a farm on Poseyville,” Richard Yeakel said. “I always wanted to buy me a Model T Ford because my parents had one. I learned to drive on a car like that, and I knew I wanted to drive Betty in a car like that.” In 1996, Richard Yeakel bought his Model T Ford for $7,000 in Flint. Years later, when he and Betty began planning their wedding, they “wanted to do something different,” Yeakel said. Incorporating the Model T into the wedding festivities brought that unique touch the couple wanted. “I wanted to drive in (the H Hotel) courtyard with my new bride,” Yeakel said. “I wanted to drive in it with Betty. We 14

marry me,” Yeakel said. “When she was riding with me in the car one day, I told her, ‘I’d like to have you with me’ and I thought she would say no. But she said, ‘No, that’s fine.’ She didn’t say no.” Currently, LockwoodYeakel lives in Plymouth while Yeakel resides in Midland. The two make their long-distance marriage work by visiting each other often and going on trips. “We go back and forth every couple of weeks,” Lockwood-Yeakel said. “And we’ve been on different trips. Richard calls them our ‘honeymoons.’

parked down by the hotel entrance in the back, and our first drive was on Main Street.” Lockwood-Yeakel said the car helped make their wedding day per fect. “It was like a fairy tale,” she said. “It was beautiful. It was much more than I ever anticipated and Richard helped make it that way. The car made everything complete. The car made the wedding unique, different, and it made it fun because it wasn’t something that people always do. It wasn’t a limo, it wasn’t a horse and buggy. It was per fect.” This is the second marriage for both Yeakel and Lockwood-Yeakel. The two were widows when

Bridal | Fall & Winter 2014

said. “Of course, when I lost (my wife) Joyce, it was devastating. We had been together for 60 years. I wasn’t going to get married because of my age. But my sister said ‘Hey Rich, why don’t you have lunch with Betty?’” Yeakel called Betty, who lives in Plymouth, and the two went to church and dinner together. “I sat in the car and thought, ‘Man, I didn’t know this gal was like this’,” Yeakel said. The two started dating in December, and at Yeakel’s 85th birthday party in January 2013, the couple announced their engagement to the family. “I didn’t think she’d

It’s working fine. It’s just that we have two homes. It’s where our bases are.” Yeakel said marriage is about being exactly who you are. “My advice (for newly married couples) is to date for a lifetime,” Richard Yeakel said. “What often happens is people change when they get married. I did not treat Betty any differ ent (after we married). It wasn’t like “Oh, I got you now.” She liked the way I treated her and I’m not changing that. Often, couples try to change and it doesn’t work. Betty sees me and I see her. We make commitments 100 percent until death do us die. That’s how it’s going to be.”

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Finding The

Right Vendor

eddings are a fun day to celebrate with family and friends, but they can also be stressful and overwhelming to plan. A lot of elements have to come together, culminating all on one day. It takes a lot of coordination. Vendors can include ﬂorists, transportation companies, musicians or DJs, wedding-dress makers and alterers, tuxedo rental companies, photographers, bakeries, venues, and more. This makes it important to hire competent wedding vendors that will deliver and help things run smoothly on the special day. Ask friends or family if they can give you recommendations. Inquire which wedding vendors they used for their own wedding. Or, if you attend a wedding and like what you see, ask who they hired. Word of mouth is a great way to ﬁnd vendors.

Terry King is the CEO of Today’s In Bride Café at the Midland Mall, a store that is a one-stop shop for wedding vendors, much like attending a wedding show. King also recommends meeting with the vendor before deciding. “Don’t ever book a vendor until you’ve had a chance to sit down and talk to them,” King said. He also says to use your gut. “If it’s telling you that something isn’t right, move on to another vendor – especially those vendors who are going to be with you on the day of your wedding. “You’re going to be spending your whole day with them.” King also says to look for vendors who are flexible. “It’s the ability to walk up to one of your wedding vendors and have something that’s changed in the last minute and know that they’re on your side enough to flow with it,” he said. He’s he has never had a wedding go exactly the way it was planned, so flexibility is important. Ask for references. Wedding vendors should be able to provide you with a list of names of satisfied customers. Ask the couples who used the vendors’ services what their experience was and if they would recommend them. Deposits should be a fraction of the total price of services, not a hefty sum. A deposit is a good-faith agreement. Don’t pay too far in advance. Many wedding vendors require the balance to be paid on the day of the wedding or shortly before. (Exceptions may be a caterer who needs the funds to order food and beverages in advance.) Paying off a vendor too early means you run the risk of that vendor having your money and then not coming through. Make contracts in writing. You have a better chance of getting a refund or restitution in court should come to that. Also consider consulting with a wedding planner. He or she should have an extensive list of vendors you can contact. Wedding planners want quality and efficiency, 16

Bridal | Fall & Winter 2014

and many have vetted certain vendors so you can be sure they will pull through. King advises hiring a wedding planner who has a broad list of vendors. He says when planners get money back from vendors a bias can develop for those particular vendors; then the planner may be less likely to seek out other vendors that would meet the couple’s needs better. Or, the planner simply might not have additional vetted contacts. King also says to ﬁnd a wedding planner who will charge you for their services, not as part of the total budget of your wedding. He says to get a personalized quote ﬁrst. Another thing to consider is wedding insurance. Insurance may cover vendors who fail to show up, cancellations, inclement weather, military deployment, medical emergencies, and travel delays. An insurance policy that covers loss of photos, videos, attire, presents, rings, and deposits usually costs between $155 and $550. Planning a wedding is a big undertaking, so it helps to have excellent vendors. “We tease our brides,” King said. “We tell them hopefully they’re only getting married once.”

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Wedding Flowers

SoCial media & WeBSiTeS helP ideaS Bloom

ver the past decade, the amount of resources for engaged couples have skyrocketed. Sites like theknot.com, social media platforms like Pinterest and television shows like “Say Yes to the Dress” can offer endless ideas for wedding whimsy. According to Joe Kozuch, this is a good thing — especially when it comes to flowers. As the owner of Village Green, a florist and gift shop at 715 S. Saginaw Road in Midland, Kozuch often works with brides to determine and design floral arrangements for their big day. He said social media “has made things easier.”

“We have found that a lot of people are going to sites like The Knot, they are going to a lot of the bridal shows and reading the bridal magazines,” he said. “They are finding this stuff before it gets to us, which is good. We had a bride last year come to us, and she had been on Pinterest. She showed us all these flowers and styles that she found on Pinterest. It definitely made things easier.” Though couples may already have ideas about what flowers they want for their wedding, figuring out the details is a thorough process, Kozuch said.

“You don’t do this overnight,” Kozuch said. “Typically, you meet with a bride three or four times (to make decisions about floral “Years ago, basically we had a few books arrangements). Normally, we consult and pictures and could tell brides, with them up until a month before their ‘This is what we can do’,” Kozuch said. wedding.” “Today, brides are coming to us like, Kozuch said budgets for flowers are ‘This is what I want.’ The resources for “all over the place.” Village Green, brides are unlimited now. “ who design and deliver flowers to the Kozuch said it is not uncommon for wedding ceremony and reception, have brides and grooms to come into Village done weddings with a floral budget of $500-$600 up to $8,000, Kozuch said. Green with ideas in hand.

Bridal | Fall & Winter 2014

“We do all sizes,” he said. “It’s all over the place.” And the most popular flower for weddings these days? “Hydrangeas have been very popular for quite a few years now,” Kozuch said. “It’s a nice, big, showy flower. We just did a large wedding that uses calla lilies. It was very rich-looking, very nice bouquets and arrangements. They used more natural looking flowers and greenery.” Peonies are also popular, Kozuch said. Despite what types or colors or styles, real flowers bring a certain sense of tradition to a wedding, Kozuch said. “Real flowers add a lot of class,” he said. “With nice bouquets using real flowers, especially for the bridal ceremony—to have those flowers there, its traditional. It’s a traditional look.” Village Green www.thevg.com

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Honeymoon Planning made eaSy

eddings are one-of-a-kind occasions. Weddings also tend to be stressful, even for the most laid-back people. But a honeymoon gives the couple a chance to enjoy uninterrupted moments together and serves as a way to recuperate from the months and sometimes years of wedding planning. Honeymoons are a beloved wedding tradition, and some couples even combine their weddings and honeymoons by opting for a destination wedding. Because the honeymoon should be a way to unwind on a dream vacation, booking the honeymoon and setting an itinerary should not add to the pressure of planning, and the following tips should make planning a honeymoon a snap.

Take Some Time. Give yourself a full day between the wedding and embarking on your trip. Scenes of couples being whisked away to the airport right after the reception dwindles down are commonplace. But that doesn’t mean you need to leave right after the ﬁnal dance. Allow some breathing room to pack, deposit wedding gifts, return tuxedoes, and tackle any other post-wedding tasks. Save the romantic “ﬁrst night” as a couple for the honeymoon and enjoy a well-deserved night’s sleep.

PaCk lighT. One way to alleviate the stress of planning a wedding is to ensure your honeymoon investment is protected in the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance is a safety net that can come in handy. Speak with a travel agent or insurance agent about how to secure travel insurance for the honeymoon.

reSearCh your deSTinaTion.

Book Well in adVanCe.

PurChaSe TraVel inSuranCe.

Learn all you can about a destination before booking your honeymoon. Study the weather for the time of year you will be on your honeymoon, and learn about currency exchange, local rules and regulations and other pertinent factors to determine the best places to visit. You do not want to be met with surprises that might compromise your trip upon arriving to your honeymoon destination.

The sooner you choose your destination, the faster you can begin the process of applying for passports, visas or other necessary documents. Booking early also guarantees you better seats on the ﬂight and the ability to negotiate pricing.

One way to alleviate the stress of planning a wedding is to ensure your honeymoon investment is protected in the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance is a safety net that can come in handy. Speak with a travel agent or insurance agent about how to secure travel insurance for the honeymoon.

Bridal | Fall & Winter 2014

Classic Wedding Songs

TO INCLUDE ON YOUR RECEPTION PLAYLIST

elix Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” is popular at wedding ceremonies near and far, but many songs also enjoy such widespread popularity. Sentimental standards help shape the celebration. Unless a couple intends to buck all trends, the following are some popular wedding reception staples.

“UNFORGETTABLE” Made popular in the early 1950s by Nat King Cole, “Unforgettable” experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s thanks to a remix of the song that turned it into a duet between the late Cole and his daughter, Natalie.

“Ghost.” Couples still love to cut a rug to this song at their wedding receptions.

“THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT” This oft-covered song is one of the more romantic songs to grace the American songbook. Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire have put their own unique spins on the song.

“AT LAST” Although Ella Fitzgerald was not the first artist to record this song, her version is arguably the most popular.

“UNCHAINED MELODY”

“WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD”

The Righteous Brothers classic was a hit in 1965 but rose to even greater popularity when it was included in the 1990 film

Louis Armstrong’s rousing rendition of this classic can make any reception even more upbeat.

Dress Comfort Beyond aPPearanCeS

edding attire is known more for style than comfort. Formal wear, high heels and the various trappings of

wedding day wardrobes do not always equate to a day of comfort. While dressing up will never be the same as slipping into a well-worn pair of jeans, there are ways for brides, grooms and guests to be comfortable on the big day.

DRESS FOR THE WEATHER. It’s tempting to put appearances before comfort. However, wearing clothing without regard for the weather is a sureﬁre way to be uncomfortable all day long. Choose lightweight fabrics for warm weather occasions, and heavier fabrics when attending a winter wedding. Wraps, short jackets, muffs, and decorative scarves allow women to cover up if there’s a chill from the weather or if air conditioning is set too cold.

INVEST IN ALTERATIONS. Few people can wear clothing, especially formal attire, right off the rack. The services of a good tailor can prove invaluable. Shortened hemlines or tightened sleeves can make dresses ﬁt better. Shapewear or support components may be added to the wedding gown so that extra undergarment layers can be avoided. The less you have to fuss with clothing, the more comfortable you will be. Try on your outﬁt without alterations and point out the areas that are bothersome. Is a bodice slipping down? Is the tuxedo jacket a little 22

Bridal | Fall & Winter 2014

too snug? Speak with the tailor about what can be done to remedy the situation.

FOCUS ON FOOTWEAR. Guests’ eyes likely won’t be on your feet. Still, many people subject themselves to uncomfortable shoes all in the name of fashion. The fastest way to an unenjoyable time is having to sit out a wedding because your shoes are causing excruciating pain. New shoes sometimes need a period of breaking in, so wear them around the house to determine if they’re comfortable enough to wear for several hours at a time. Women should opt for the lowest heel possible to avoid pressure on the balls and arches of their feet. Floor-length wedding gowns usually cover a bride’s feet, so she has more leeway with ﬁnding an attractive, yet comfortable shoe. Outdoor weddings tend to be more casual than indoor affairs, and guests may be perfectly comfortable wearing sandals.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE.

EAT & CHOOSE HEALTHY FOODS.

Formal wear is frequently governed by a different set of sizes from everyday attire. Formal items are cut smaller and more in line with high fashion couture sizing. Expect to have to go up in size with regard to formal gowns. Instead of concerning yourself with the size on the tag, focus on the ﬁt. Squeezing into something that is too small can make you uncomfortable all evening long and inhibit your ability to enjoy yourself on the dance ﬂoor. Avoid discomfort (and split seams) by leaving some wiggle room in wedding day ensembles.

Don’t skip meals the day of the wedding. Choose low-sodium, low-sugar foods that provide sustained energy without sitting heavily in your stomach or causing ﬂuid retention. In addition, be sure to drink plenty of water. Dehydration and hunger pangs can ruin a wedding by causing fatigue, headaches and even fainting.

BRIDES CAN GO MINIMALIST.

COMFORT MATTERS TO THEM TOO. Comfort may not be a top priority when planning a wedding. But wedding guests and participants alike should dress with some manner of comfort in mind in order to make the day more enjoyable.

Wedding dresses range from ethereal sheaths to layered princess gowns. The more fabric, tulle, boning and crinoline in the gown, the heavier it will be. Heavy gowns can make it difﬁcult to move around, particularly when dancing or visiting the restroom. Unless you have your heart set on a full Cinderella look, scale back on your gown.

Fall & Winter 2014 | Bridal

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