MISS TO MRS Spring 2012
THE
DIY
WEDDING
New ideas for making that special day your own!
www.misstomrs.com
Three Brides Three Different Walks Down the Aisle Plus: What they are most NERVOUS about
SO YOU’RE A GROOM, NOW WHAT?
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T N O C Miss to
e n i z a g Mrs Ma
Bridal Trends With the New Year, Comes New Trends …7 to be Exact “This compiled list of new trends is sure to give current and future bride-to-bes ideas on how to make that special day, perfect.”
s g n i 7 d d e W Y I D
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Miss to Mrs
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s e id
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“I am afraid that I’ll faint while I am saying my vows.”
A Guide to Planning Your Wedding 17 in Northeast Arkansas “With all of the businesses in Jonesboro, local brides are sure to find the right fit for their wedding needs.”
T N E T
Weddings 19 International “People want to
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g u r
al
have ther wedding outside merged with nature, for example near the lake, beach and mountain.”
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B ein Big Ideas; small prices
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“Pinterest has a lot of cute, fun ideas for weddings, and they don’t cost much to “It is very important for the groom to show make.” support, love and to have an opinion, because
“Here are some ideas that will stay within a newlywed budget and still be that fantasy honeymoon.”
Calendar Countdown
The 21 Honeymoon
the wedding is for both parties-the bride and the groom”
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www.MisstoMrsMagazine.worldpress.com
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Lindse
y Blake
Editorin
-Chief
ly
a. leans, L r O w e N ditorial News E
Online Editor
Jonesboro, Ark. News Editorial
Meet the Staff
Michelle Davis Table of Contents
Jonesboro, Ark. Photojournalism
rline
Kabe ichaela
ditor esign E
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Copy E
Rachel Carner
Bryant , News E Ark. ditoria l
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urry Jamie Cditor
, Ark. Bryant l ditoria News E
Raven Hearton Copy Editor
Augusta, Ark. News Editorial
Ashley Helliwell Photo Editor
Cabot, Ark. Photojournalism
Kim M
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Table o
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Jap Photoj an ournali s
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Spring 2012 This magazine is the class project of Spring 2012 News Design class in the Department of Journalism at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark. Our goal of this magazine was to give advice to brides-to-be in the Jonesboro area. Miss to Mrs. provides brides with the tools they need to plan their big day without going over budget. We came up with several articles about how a bride and her groom can plan their perfect wedding. Also in this magazine are ideas about international weddings. photos by Ernie Rice, Ashley Helliwell and Lindsey Blakely
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Miss to Mrs
{Wedding Planning} 12+ Months
Draw up a Budget Assemble “Planning Team Look for Ceremony Sites Set Date & Time Guest List Wedding Party Engagement Party
Four 2 Six Months
Pre wedding Counseling Order Invitations Rings Shop Formal wear Research/Order Cake
2-3 Days Gown Pressed & Steamed Groom: Final Fitting Final Detials w/ Vendors Guest Pick-up
6 8 Months
Shop for Gown Reception Food Entertainment Floral Decor Interview Vendors Reserve accommodation Register Contact Rental Companies
Book Musicians Order Bridesmaid dresses Send Save-the-Dates
8 to 10 Months Attend Wedding Shower Groom: Rent Formal wear Wedding day Transportaion Mail Invitations Book Stylist/ Have Trial Make-up Trial Marriage License Wedding Program
ONE to TWO Final Head Count Must Have Shots: Photographer Final song List to DJ Confirm Vendor Arrangements
WEEKS
1-3 Months Present Parents w/ Gifts Wedding Bands to Best Man & Maid of Honor Assign a Family Member to be the Photographer’s Contact BREATHE
the BIG day
Post Wedding Prearrange Rental returns Return Tux to Rental Shop Send Thank You Cards
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DIY weddings The trend has made a comeback, and we’re here to give you the best ideas for your wedding. by Lindsey Blakely
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t’s no surprise that the DIY trend has made a comeback. Nowadays, more brides are choosing to make wedding decorations in lieu of buying them. Not only does doing a DIY wedding save money, but it’s also a great way to spend time with your bridesmaids. Whether you’re looking for ceremony decorations, reception ideas or even a way to cut down on catering costs, DIY is a great way to work on your wedding yourself. One young bride, Casey Hosman, a 21-year-old ASU student from Paragould, says she’s excited to get started on her DIY crafts. “We got engaged on Valentine’s Day, and since then I’ve been researching all kinds of DIY ideas,” she said. “My mom and I have been working on a lot of stuff that we found on Pinterest. That’s what we spend our weekends doing now.” Pinterest is a new website that launched in 2010 which allows users to organize and share ideas they find on the web through “pin boards.” Users can browse pin boards by different categories, which include, hair and makeup, fashion, photography and even weddings. She says that she’s found quite a few ideas on Pinterest and is excited to display her work at her wedding. “I’m just a really crafty person,” she said. “Now, at my wedding the guests will not only see our wedding put together, but I can say that I made some of the decorations.” Another ASU student, Jennifer McCoy, who got engaged on Valentines Day as well said she has been working on DIY ideas for her trip down the aisle. “I had a friend who did a lot of stuff herself for her wedding, and that’s something that I just really wanted to do,” McCoy said. “I know one thing I’m looking at is a candy bar at the reception.” Mccoy said she is also trying to save money at her wedding, and DIY ideas are cheaper than buying premade arrangements. “I really don’t want to spend a lot of money on my wedding, so I knew that I needed to find a way to cut costs,” McCoy said. “I’m making my centerpieces myself so I don’t have to buy them from a florist. It’s a lot cheaper that way.” Whether you’re looking to show off your crafting skills at your wedding, or even save a few bucks, here are some DIY ideas from our brides.
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1
3. What you’ll need: Jelly Beans Cookies Fruit Vases and jars Ribbon Fabric Take-home bags
3 1 5 2
1. 2. What you’ll need: Vase - 3 1/4 inch wide, 1 foot tall Stem of faux orchids Floating Candle Glass Beads
First, take a handful of glass beads and place them in the bottom of the base. It should be about 2 inches thick. Next, cut the stems off of the orchids and set them to the side. Then, fill the vase with water and place the flowers into the water. Finally, put a floating candle on top of the water and light it.
What you’ll need: A jar Two glow sticks Scissors Rubber Gloves Safety Glasses Grab two glow sticks and cut at one end. Make sure they’re inside the jar when you cut them. Shake each glow stick while holding it inside the jar until contents are empty. In some glow sticks, there are pieces of plastic. So, just take those out when you’ve shaken all of the glow liquid out. These will glow for about two hours.
4.
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Jelly Beans are a creative way to add fruity fun to any wedding, and since they come in nearly every color, you’ll have no problem matching them to your wedding colors. You can use containers such as vases, mason jars, tall clear glasses or even wide bowls. You can also use decorative ribbons or fabric to wrap around the containers. By placing take-home bags on the table, you can also give your guests something to remember your wedding by when they go home.
What you’ll need: Strings of full-sized Christmas lights with clear bulbs Light-colored paper bags, 7 inches wide Utility knife Ruler 2 inch round self-stick labels 2 inch wide single-face satin ribbon, 48 inches for each lantern First, you’ll need to trim the tops of each bag to make straight edges. For the top of each lantern, stick a label on the inside bottom center of one bag to reinforce. Reach inside the bag with a utility knife and cut two 1 1/2 inch slits, making an X on the label. Next, you will need to attach the bags to lights. To do this, you must remove a bulb and slide the socket through the X. Then, screw the bulb back in. For the lantern bottom, slide a second bag up over the first one. Finally, lay the center of the ribbon on top of the wire at the socket; wrap ribbon snugly down sides of bags. Knot at bottom and let ends hang.
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What you’ll need: 3-inch Styrofoam balls Tissue paper, roughly 72 sheets of 5x7 inch papers Wire Wire cutters First you will need to create a stack of four tissue papers and fan fold it all the way up. Next, take wire and twist it around the middle, leaving about an inch of wire sticking out. After that, start pulling the edges of the tissue paper to make it look like flower petals. When you finish, push the excess wire into the Styrofoam ball. Now, continue to do that until the Styrofoam ball is covered with the tissue flowers.
Photos provided by: Casey Hosman, Jennifer McCoy, Abdullah Raslan and Still Sweet Photography
For more ideas and inspiration, visit our website at: MisstoMrsMagazine.WordPress.Com MisstoMrsMagazine
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2012
Bridal Trends With the New Year, Comes New Trends ‌
T
7 to be Exact
by Jamie Curry
he 2012 bride is beautiful, smart, optimistic and in love. From the style of her dress to the location of the honeymoon, she wants everything to be as special and as close to perfect as possible. Just like the brides that came before her, the 2012 bride is faced with many decisions. So, here’s to making it a little easier. This list of new trends is sure to give current and future bride-to-bes ideas on how to make that special day, perfect.
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Miss to Mrs
1. Photos courtesy of www.arbutusphotography.com Sources: Wedding To Be, Brides.com, Examiner.com, St. Louis Wedding Guide
DIY
No doubt the economy has seen better days. Brides of today, if nothing else, are budget cautious. Which is why DIY (do it yourself) weddings are becoming more and more popular. “I figured we (me and my mother) could do the planning ourselves,” said Renita Clark as to why she didn’t hire a wedding planner. Clark is a senior at Arkansas State University who will be getting married on June 30. Brides-to-be choosing the DIY route are creating everything from the invitations to the design on the wedding, cake and saving money in the meantime.
2.
THEMES
Primary wedding themes for weddings were a thing of the past, but lately have been making a big comeback. The bride and grooms preference is being incorporated into every aspect of the wedding from beginning to end. A seaside theme would have everything from shell décor to a seafood dinner.
4.
THE VENUE
Three words; nature is in! Everything from the invitations to the reception decorations is being inspired by nature. Last October in Chicago, The Wedding Salon showcased much of this for the upcoming 2012 year. The Wedding Salon is “the nations premiere luxury bridal event” (Examiner. com). Nature-inspired accents were everywhere, all looking to create a natural wedding look.
6.
THE HONEYMOON
It seems the honeymoon destinations are becoming more and more exotic. Now, newlyweds are saving their money and hitting the less traditional places like Bali, Morocco and Nepal. The activities are changing too. No more laying on the beach and hitting the pool. Couples are engaging in more adventurous activities like kite surfing, scuba diving and horseback riding.
3.
THE DRESS
New York’s fashion week proved that dramatic necklines are in. Illusion style; a sheer, delicate, and often embellished layer of fabric that covers skin that would otherwise be exposed, was seen the most. Apart from the sophisticated runways of New York, however, other trends such as high slits, soft colors, lingerie inspired bustiers and bridal belts are also some popular styles expected to be seen alot this year. “I wore a cream a-line dress with a cap sleeve, and gold cream belt,” senior Allyson Perry Wilborn said. Wilborn was married in November 2011. Another style still holding strong is the vintage look which is generally clothing inspired by the pre-1920s styles. From hairstyles, to the dress and the shoes, brides are becoming more and more intrigued with the old-style look.
5.
FOODS
The idea of variety is becoming a go-to option for the reception food, which helps explains why food trucks are the latest rage. Also referred to as catering trucks or restaurants on wheels, food trucks can offer everything from frozen treats, to hotdogs to full meals. Food stations are also another way some brides are choosing to add a little variety to the meal. And of course, we can’t forget about the dessert. Full on dessert tables are expected to become more popular through out the year with lots of typical homemade treats such as cupcakes and pies.
7.
GO GREEN
Brides are also becoming more ecofriendly. “Brides are not only saving money, but the environment as well,” says the St. Louis Wedding Guide. With all the talk of global warming and preserving earth’s resources, some brides are aiming to be less wasteful and more resourceful. A total green wedding isn’t easy to achieve. But by using recyclable invitation paper and repurposed old items for centerpieces, any bride can still add a little “green” to their wedding.
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Big ideas; small prices Two brides on budgets share money-saving tips
Borrowing different items or making decorations or flower arrangements can keep a couple under budget. Also, couples can come up with new traditions instead
“
of sticking to the old more expensive traditions to contain costs. Arkansas State University student, Sara Krimm, senior journalism major of Nashville, set her wedding budget at $10,000. With only about three months until her June wedding, she said
Pinterest has a lot of cute, fun ideas for weddings, and they don’t cost much to make.
she had spent about $5,000, not including her wedding dress, which her grandmother bought. “The $5,000 includes flowers, some decorations, tables, chairs and some smaller expenses,” Krimm said. “We haven’t paid for the food or alcohol, but I’m definitely thinking we aren’t going to spend $5,000 on just that. We should still be pretty well under our budget when we get the last minute things.” While Krimm has a set budget, Brooke Crittenden does not. She compared prices of items she needed and chose those that were cheaper but still exactly what she was looking Sara Krimm photo for. Crittenden of Piggott decided Sara Krimm made hostess gifts for her bridal shower. She filled each jar with homemade not to attend colsalsa. Each gift cost under $5.
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hose trying to control wedding expenses can use all the help they can get to save money.
by michaela kaberline
lege while she planned her wedding but works fulltime as a dental assistant. She plans to return to ASU after the wedding to work towards a degree in physical therapy. “I honestly didn’t sit down and set up a budget with my parents,” Crittenden said. “I didn’t want to go overboard. I knew that if something was a crazy amount that I wouldn’t want them to be spending, they would look somewhere else. As far as exact dollars, I have no clue (how much I’ve spent.)” Both brides-to-be said they are making several different decorations themselves. Krimm said she used Pinterest and Google to get ideas, while Crittenden looked at wedding magazines. “Pinterest has a lot of cute, fun ideas for weddings, and they don’t cost much to make,” Krimm said. “We go to Hobby Lobby for a lot of things, but we also got some of the things we needed from friends. We are making our own centerpieces, so we borrowed a ton of vases from a friend who used them at her wedding. That
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an arbor for the ceremony. They are also reusing some of the decorations from the ceremony for the reception. “Most of our money will be spent on the décor for the reception,” Crittenden said. “We are going to reuse the arrangements from the ceremony to save money. My advice is don’t double make something when you can reuse it for something else.” While reusing decorations can save m o n e y, you might still end up spending more money on food. By not serving a full mean at the reception, you can save money instead of pushing your food budget. Since they are having an evening wedding, Krimm decided not to serve a full meal but will serve snacks. “We are serving alcohol so we needed something for the guests to eat,” Krimm explained. “Noland (my fiancé) has a family member who does catering. They are going to make all the nondessert food. We only have to buy the actual ingredients for the food. I’m not sure on how much it’s going to cost yet, but we are saving money by going through Noland’s family instead of another catering place.” These brides are creating their own decorations and using money saving tips to stay under their budget. Staying under budget can be tough, but with a little research the soon-to-be husband and wife can come up with creative ideas for less and plan a wedding they can truly enjoy.
We saved a ton of money by renting tables, table cloths, and chairs.
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saved us some big money.” Vases can start at $1.99 each; by borrowing them, Krimm saved $160. Crittenden said she took magazine pictures into different places such as the florist and tried to create the same piece but at a lower price. “We showed our florist the central idea we wanted, and she would put together an arrangement with the colors we wanted for a cheaper price,” Crittenden said. “We saved a lot of money this way.” According to both women, renting items is the way to go. “We saved a ton of money by renting tables, table cloths and chairs,” Crittenden said. “In the long run, you don’t have to find a place to store all of this stuff that you will more than likely never use again.” Each bride is using different money saving tips for their ceremony and reception. Krimm is having an outside wedding in a friend’s backyard. She said they plan to use only a few flowers because the flowers will get lost in the scenery. Krimm is only using real flowers in her bouquet and in her bridesmaids’ bouquets. To save money for lighting, Krimm decided to create the lighting. “Since our wedding is later in the evening, we are stringing up our own lights and will have candles in the centerpieces,” Krimm said. For Crittenden’s wedding, her fiancé is building
Centerpieces for less Use filler products, such as rocks or buttons to create a base for the flowers or shrubbery. Prices range from $2.47 to $5.99 each. Fillers come in many sizes and colors to match your wedding.
Glass vases range from $1.99 to $49.99 each and come in many styles and shapes.
Use fake flowers and shrubbery to create the look you want. Flower bouquets range from $5.99 to $24.99 each.
Each centerpiece can cost less than $10 if you make it yourself. Plus, you can pick exactly what you want and know you are getting it for the lowest price. Using real flowers can be pricey. Fake flowers looks just as nice and won’t wither up halfway through the wedding.
prices from Hobby Lobby.
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Here come the
BRIDES Stories By Raven Hearton & Photos Courtesy of Brides
After waiting for what seems like forever to find the perfect guy, these three future brides are about to take the most important walk of their lives. The flowers are coming together, honeymoon destinations are planned and here come the nerves. Bride: Tamela Gill/Groom: Demario Davis/Wedding Day: July 7
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ho knew connecting over a class subject could lead to love? For Tamela Gill and Demario Davis that is just what happened. Almost a year ago, Tamela was sitting in a medieval history class when Davis walked in late saying that he had just registered for the class three minutes earlier. Gill said her first thought of him was “who is this creep,” but never did she imagine that “this creep” would soon be her husband. Around the third class meeting Davis started a conversation with Gill; that introduction sparked an interest, which developed into a friendship Gill says neither of them understood, and later their friendship transformed into a committed relationship. With a Christmas Eve engagement this past year to seal the deal on their future, the next step is becoming husband and wife this summer. The ceremony will take place at Truelight M.B. Church in Walnut Grove, Miss., with 300 guests. The wedding colors are blush pink, clover green and silver. These colors help to form Gill’s “Shabby Tam” or “Shabby Chic” theme, which is a mixture of modern and vintage. The couple will also be incorporating the African American tradition of jumping the broom, which Gill said is a way to bind them together with fertility and prosperity. “It also signifies our entrance into a new life and creation of a new family by symbolically sweeping away our former single lives, former problems and concerns, and jumping over the broom to enter upon a new adventure as husband and wife,” Gill said. After the ceremony, the couple will spend their honeymoon in Atlantis, Bahamas, where they will spend time on the beach and enjoy the “physical and mental rest.” “I am so excited about getting away and relaxing, because with school, work and wedding planning I have little time to kick back and relax,” Gill said. “I can’t wait to just turn my phone off, relax and just enjoy a non-busy life for a few days.”
What are these 3 brides nervous about? 13
Miss to Mrs
“I’m nervous about the wedding not starting and something major being the hold up.” -Tamela
Bride: Sara Krimm/Groom: Noland Gilmore/Wedding Day: June 30
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fter being nothing more than friends for more than three years, Sara Krimm and Noland Gilmore finally had the “I have feelings for you” talk in March 2011; they went on their first date in May, got engaged in December and will tie the knot in
June. Krimm and Noland met in November 2008 at mutual friends’ engagement party, but at that time in their lives, neither of them was thinking of dating each other. Both continued to date other people, but remained good friends. It wasn’t until Krimm’s family and friends started questioning their relationship status that she finally decided “wait a minute, I think I want him.” This summer they will marry in a backyard ceremony of yellow and gray in what Krimm described as a wedding that is “like us.” “It’s going to be a pretty laid-back backyard wedding. I probably won’t wear shoes, which kind of speaks my personality a little bit,” she said. “We’re having it a little later because we want it to be cool enough to be enjoyable to be outside, and we’re stringing up some cool lights to give it a whimsical, dreamy, sort of “dancin’ in the moonlight” feel. So the feeling I want people to walk away with is just that they feel like they experienced who we are. That it was full of fun, love and laughter — and of course lots of great music and dancing! I think that’s pretty much me and Noland in a nutshell.” The two will head to the beaches of Cabo and stay at an all-inclusive resort for their honeymoon. “We may go on an adventure or two if there are sites we feel like we need to see,” Krimm said.
Bride: Rachel Purtee/Groom: Mick Colannani/Wedding Day: May 27
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early four years ago, fate would have freshman Rachel Purtee meet junior Mick Colannani at an ASU event and from the beginning she always knew he was the one. Purtee and Colannani began dating in November of 2008 and have been together ever since. Even with Mick graduating two years ago and moving six hours away for work, the couple has managed to survive the distance, and plan their wedding as well. “There are so many details when it comes to planning a wedding and there is so much that I want to talk to him about, but distance and busy schedules don’t really allow that,” Purtee said. “We’ve done most of our planning over the phone or during visits. I can’t wait until we can be a normal couple that gets to see each other every day.” The big day is May 27 and will take place at the ASU Farmer’s Market at 6 p.m. The colors are aqua blue and orange with a lot of do it yourself touches. “I’m doing a lot of stuff on my own and I’m also trying some cheap alternatives. I’m making paper flowers for my centerpieces and incorporating some fake ones. I’m also having the bridesmaid dresses made by a family friend, which is saving me a ton of money,” Purtee said. The ceremony will be followed by a reception at the Cooper Alumni Center with 250 of the couple’s friends and family. “We just want a calm, stress-free day that everyone will enjoy and remember as truly being the best day of our lives,” she said. After the madness of the wedding is over, Purtee and Colannani will embark on a one-of-a-kind honeymoon in Florida. During the one week getaway, they will sky dive, go paddle boarding, visit Harry Potter World and Universal Studios, see a Blue Man Group concert and maybe spend a little time on the beach. “We just want to do everything that we’ve never done before together,” Purtee said. “Besides, who doesn’t want to jump off a plane on their honeymoon?”
“The weather! Praying for no rain and maybe not god-awful heat either.”
-Sara
“I’m afraid that I’ll faint while saying my vows and I’ve never even fainted before.” -Rachel
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for the
GROOM
You Purchased theR ing.
She saidYES!
NOW WHAT?
Written By: Ashley Helliwell
No longer is the wedding just the bride’s special day. This day is one that both the bride and the groom will never forget. Planning a wedding is often the first opportunity for an engaged couple to work on a major project as a team and will set the standard for their marriage. In the spirit of togetherness, what is the grooms role, other than pledging his love and carrying his bride over the threshold? Traditionally the bride does a majority of the work, but these traditions are changing. Grooms are sharing the responsibilities of planning the wedding details. When planning a wedding, remember that duties and responsibilities should not be divided according to gender-specific roles. Instead couples should map out a plan of action together.
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They will find it more enjoyable, if both are putting touches of their individual personalities into the big day. “Our wedding planning didn’t meet the typical standard of what a couple would experience,” said Benjamin Gallant, a groom and ASU student majoring in business administration. Gallant’s bride Sushmita Baroi, originally from India, was not familiar with the wedding traditions practiced in the United States. Both Benjamin and Sushmita wanted to incorporate elements and traditions from both of their cultures into to their wedding ceremony. “Sushumita knew that there is suppose to be food and people, so I decided to take a more active roll in planning the wedding,” Gallant said.
The first task is to rank wedding elements by importance. Each person should separately categorize things from most important to least important. As a groom, what are things that stand out to you: Is it the reception, the music or maybe the honeymoon? The bride should do the same. After creating separate lists, compare and combine them into one so both now where the priorities should be. One of the best ways to split responsibilities is to deal with the items that each has the most interest in or has the most knowledge about. Maybe for instance the groom has a love for photography and is fairly knowledgeable about music. It would only seem fitting then that the groom would handle picking a
photographer and musicians, while the bride-to-be handles the florist and details concerning wardrobe for the wedding. “I am a graphic designer, so I had an eye for those details and helped design the invitations to helping coordinate colors,” Gallant said. All final decisions should involve both bride and groom, but dividing the workload makes things easier. All grooms may not play such an active role in the wedding planning, but it is important to ask the bride about ways to contribute. ASU student Reese Porter of Collierville, Tenn., has been planning his wedding with his fiance since their engagement in November 2011. “My role as the groom is to make sure Laura gets what she wants,” Porter said. While planning their wedding, the couple has had some disagreements with their families. With both families offering different ideas, such as to send formal invitations, Porter fond he had to be the bad guy. “If there was a disagreement with family members, I would step in saying this is what Laura wants and this is what we
are going to do,” Porter said. One of the most important things a groom can do is serve his bride. “Women have been planning their weddings since they were little girls, so they know what they want and already have a vision,” Gallant said. A groom should not be intimidated by planning a wedding. The belief that a groom’s input or ideas are not good enough or his ideas are not appreciated is false. When a groom does initiate an active role, it shows the bride he values her, and in the end shows your bride-to-be that you will continue to support her through out their marriage. “It is very important for the groom to show support, love and to have an opinion, because the wedding is for both parties-- the bride and the groom,” Porter said. Lot of wedding magazines and books offer ideas, tips and advice about planning a wedding together. The bridal magazines and books are a helping tool for the bride and the groom as well. Several books have been created that offer advice geared towards the groom. A few selections to check out are:
The Idiot’s Pocket Guide to being a Groom by Jennifer Lata and Mark Rung The Groom’s Survival Manual by Micheal R. Perry What the Hell is a Groom and What’s he Suppose to do? By John Mitchell Several other wedding books can be read together. Surviving Your Wedding: A His and Her Guide, by Wendy and David Hubbert which teaches the art of compromise through short chapters that discusses both “his” and “her” points of view. Another good idea when it comes to planning a wedding is to seek out advice from newly married friends. Since they just planned their nuptials, they have been through the process and stress of planning a wedding and have valuable insight. From booking a venue to ordering the flowers to acquiring a guest list, the time and effort devoted to a wedding is a roller coaster of stress. “Dealing with expenses, family members, supporting your bride-to-be and being patient are the most important things when planning a wedding,” Porter said
“It is very important for the groom to show support, love and to have an opinion, because the wedding is for both parties”
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Going Local A Guide to Planning Your Wedding in Northeast Arkansas by Rachel Carner
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or most brides saying “yes” is the easy part of getting married — planning the big day is the challenging part. According to theknot.com, the average couple takes anywhere from eight months to a year to plan their wedding. So while this may seem like a long time to get everything together, it’s better to get a game plan going than to stress over it later. But where to start? What better place to start than locally. Luckily, many cities hold bridal expos that showcase local wedding resources. In Jonesboro, a bridal expo is held in the winter and spring, which cater to brides-to-be by offering local services from dresses to catering. Bridal expos are a great way for brides and family to get wedding ideas and to meet wedding professionals. At an expo, comparing photographers, DJs and cake artists is simple, as they are all in the same place, for brides to interview them. The Northeast Arkansas Bridal Expo, sponsored by Jessica’s Bridal and Formal Salon and 101.7 Kiss FM, hosted 50 vendors for brides and guests in January 2012; admission was just $5 per person.
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Miss to Mrs
Pam Statler, affiliated with 101.7 Kiss FM through East Arkansas Broadcasters, said brides can do one-stop shopping for their big day at an expo. Statler said events like these also allow for brides “to see what you haven’t thought of yet.” Door prizes available included a $1,000 travel voucher. One unique feature about this expo was a “mancave” for the grooms to enjoy as well as prizes catered especially to him. Can’t make it to an expo before your wedding? Here are a few Jonesboro-area businesses and their contact information to get started.
Bride/Bridesmaid Dresses
When you see brides flying to New York to Kleinfeld’s on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress,” the show offers a glimpse into the stressful, sometimes bridezilla-esque nature of choosing the all-important dress. The show also captures the realistic process of balancing the bridal budget. Brides in Jonesboro can do that as well without having to buy a plane ticket, by stopping by one of these bridal shops:
• Clark’s Bridal and Formal — Located on Southwest Drive, its large selection of gowns from American, European and Australian designers has allowed for brides over the past 27 years to browse a variety of gowns and bridesmaid dresses.http://www.clarksbridal.com/ • Jessica’s Bridal and Formal Salon — Based in Bay, Jessica’s has served the community for more than 20 years, with bridal and pageant wear. http://jessicasbridalandformal.com/index.html • The Wedding Gallery — Located on Southwest Drive, The Wedding Gallery is a one-stop shop for wedding planning needs. Bridal party dresses and tuxedos are available, as well as wedding packages and services to couples who want to bundle services from one source. http:// www.theweddinggalleryar.com/ jonesboro-ar-wedding-planning.htm
Tuxedos
Typically, all of the wedding day excitement is focused on the bride,
but it doesn’t have to be. If the groom wants to look his best without having to travel far, he should check out one of these local tuxedo shops: • Guy’s Tuxedo Shop — Located on Southwest Drive is Guy’s Tuxedo, a Memphis-based chain claiming to have the Midsouth’s largest inventory of men’s formal wear. http:// w w w. g u y s t u x . c o m / i n d e x . h t m l • Men N’ Black Tuxedos — Owned by Seth Southard, the son of Jessica’s Bridal and Formal owner, Jessica Southard, Men N’ Black recently opened on Highland next to GameStop as a place for guys to get their tuxedos. With unique sales such as a free groom’s tuxedo rental with five paid rentals to 50 percent off the father of the bride’s tuxedo with six paid rentals, Men N’ Black Tuxedos strives to provide the best deals for the groom and groomsmen.
Photography
There are only a few events beyond the wedding day at which you’ll be photographed so much, so when picking your wedding photographer, research is important. According to theknot.com, each photographer will come with a unique wedding photography vision. Many wedding photographers today have online galleries or even wedding photo blogs to peruse to get a clear idea of their wedding photography. Set time aside to browse photographers’ websites and make appointments. Here are some photographers from Northeast Arkansas:
• Tim Rand — http://www. trand.com/photography/wedding_ photography.htm • Amy Long — http://amylongphotos.com/main.php#home/ • Joey Glaub — http://www.joeyglaubphoto.com
Google Maps, c.2012. Illustration by Daniel Holt.
Venues
After getting engaged, one of the major things to choose, other than your wedding dress, is the venue. Once you have the right spot, the rest of those wedding day details (style, color, décor, parking availability, etc.) should fall into place. Local venues are a good idea because they are convenient for you and your family and reduce your stress levels. Jonesboro-native Beth Erby had her big day at Arkansas State’s beautiful Cooper Alumni Center last December for around $1,400. With its scenic lake in the background as well as pillars in the front and back, it was what Erby desired in a venue. “It was December, so I needed a venue that was totally enclosed, and I also wanted my reception in the same building. I really didn’t want to have to involve a church, so I think it was a great pick,” she said. Contact info for wedding venues in Jonesboro:
Need Directions?
Jonesboro • Cooper Alumni Center 2600 Alumni Blvd • Posey Peddler 135 Southwest Drive • Clark’s Bridal and Formal 436 Southwest Drive • Guy’s Tuxedo Shop 444 Southwest Drive • The Wedding Gallery 455 Southwest Drive • Men N’ Black Tuxedos 1810 E Highland Drive • Heather’s Way Flowers 2810 E Highland Dr, # N • Hearts of Fire Wedding Chapel 3905 E. Nettleton Ave • Amy Long Photography 314 S. Main Street, Suite A Bono • Joey Glaub Photography/ Gazebo at Cypress Falls 677 Arkansas 91
• Cooper Alumni Center — http: //www.astatealumni.org/ view/340
Paragould • Tim Rand Photography 200 Keasler Drive
• Hearts of Fire Wedding Chapel — http://heartsoffireweddingchapel.com/#
Bay • Jessica’s Bridal and Formal Salon 520 N Main St
• Gazebo at Cypress Falls — http://www.joeyglaubphoto.com/ view/55
Flowers
The cost of wedding flowers can be quite the surprising budget killer. As flowers are the most photographed subjects of your wedding (besides the bride, of course), it’s important to pick wedding centerpieces and bouquets that truly fit your wedding style. Heather McMinn of Heather’s Way Flowers (heatherswayflowers. com) recommends when searching for your bridal party flowers and decorations that you “get an idea of what you want to invest.” Bridgette Arnold of Posey Peddler (poseypeddlerweddings.com) said
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With all of the businesses in Jonesboro, local brides are sure to find the right fit for their wedding needs.
Check out the interactive map on our website! the average cost of flowers is $2,300. With all of the businesses in Jonesboro, local brides are sure to find the right fit for their wedding needs. Erby’s advice about the big day: “Don’t forget the little stuff, such as matching napkins, party favors, candles on the tables and programs. I mostly focused on the big picture up until the day of and I wish I had done just a little more.” Along with remembering details, Erby also advised, “Don’t forget: This event is yours and it should be fun. Don’t worry about it being perfect! What people, and you, will remember most is if they had fun.”
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S G N I D D E W L A N O I T A N R E T N I er
Weddings in oth
EGYPT like a dance party An Egyptian wedding is like a dance party. Typically the party is held at a hotel or a club. It starts around 8 p.m. and goes until midnight. After the wedding party, there is a reception party. “Our reception party started around 11 p.m. and it went until 3 a.m.,” said Nadia Mourad, an English teacher at a high school in Cairo, Egypt. Mourad got married in June 2010. “There was a dance floor in the center of the hall, and we danced for three hours,” Mourad said. The dance is called Al Zaffa. Everyone, including the bride and groom, march to the party place dancing and singing. After the party, the attendants start marching through town dancing and singing again.
SOUTH KOREA casual wedding
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INDIA trial of strength “Indian weddings are very grand and opulent,” said Sheetal Gupta, a photographer in New Delhi, India. Typically they last one month but at least they last one week. During this period, several parties and events are held. “People need stamina to attend all the parties,” Gupta added.
“It’s so gorgeous. Some people spend three times as much money as their annual income.” First, the groom and his family and friends go to the bride’s house, the place the wedding is held. Right after the wedding, they put the bride on a horse, elephant or car and take her to the groom’s house. And they have a party there again. After the parties the bride dresses up and stays in her house for another month. During that month, many relatives and friends come to her house to celebrate their marriage. It costs enormous amounts so they sometimes spend all their money on their wedding. “It is so gorgeous. Some people spend about three times as much money as their annual income,” Gupta said. “But in India, a wedding is that important because it shows our social status. Therefore we try to make it more gorgeous.”
JAPAN ritual wedding “South Korean weddings are very casual,” said Seoyoung Park, an ASU exchange student from South Korea. “Invitations are sent but people still can attend the wedding without invitations.” The door of the hall is left open throughout the party, which lasts about 30 minutes.
“People want to have their wedding outside merged with nature, for example near the lake, beach and mountain.” During the party, young people such as the bridegroom’s friends tend to emcee the wedding. “Many people want to have their wedding in Seoul because Seoul is the biggest city in South Korea and it is easy for attendants to access,” she said. “But these days, people want to have the wedding outside merged with nature, for example near a lake or mountain.” Until 1997, in South Korea, men and women who had the same last names could not marry. Still today relatives within eight degrees of relationship can’t marry.
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Miss to Mrs
Japanese weddings include many traditional customs, however, wedding trends are changing. “These days, more couples prefer western-influenced weddings, and the wedding is becoming smaller and more frugal,” said Ayumi Shingu, who has worked as a wedding dress coordinator, for three years.
“The wedding is becoming smaller and more frugal.“
Japanese brides today prefer a simple white dress rather than a Kimono - the Japanese traditional wedding costume for women, she added. Also in Japan a traditional wedding is held at a temple. Whereas the western-influenced wedding is held at a hotel or a church. ”Since many couples prefer a simple wedding, only a few people are invited to the wedding such as their close friends and family,” Shingu said. Regardless of the styles, the attendants give the couple money, called Goshugi. It tends to be around $300. What ever the amount, it should not include the numbers four and nine, which are unlucky numbers.
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Interesting Superstitions Around the World
SWEDEN surprise parties “Our country has an interesting tradition, before the wedding,” said Gudrun Larsson, an art instructor at a university in Stockholm, Sweden. “They are two different surprise parties.” Before the wedding, friends of the bride and groom hold parties called Mohippa and Sevensexa. Mohippa is the surprise party for the bride, which the bride’s female friends prepare. Sevensexa is the party for the groom, given by the groom’s male friends.
“We held Mohippa for her. It is still a good memory for us.“ “Last summer, I had a friend going to be married, so we held a Mohippa for her. We didn’t tell her anything, and she was so surprised,” Larsson said. Larsson and her female friends visited the bride’s house one day before the wedding, and took her to a restaurant, where they had reserved a whole floor. “We were there for 20 hours, chatting and drinking. It is still a good memory for us,” Larsson said.
Along with different wedding traditions, some countries have certain wedding superstitions.
Finland
Brides in Finland carry a match when they walk to the place of the wedding. The match is the symbol of the flaming passion of love and it shows the bride’s desire for the cuple’s love to last forever.
Mexico
Brides in Mexico wear colorful underwear, (the dress is white though) such as red, yellow and blue. They tend to sew colorful ribbons on their underwear. Red represents the passion of love, yellow symbolizes a blessing and blue brings the luck of money.
Sweden
In Sweden, parents of the bride give certain gifts to their daughter. The mother puts a gold coin into the bride’s right shoe, and the father puts a silver coin into the bride’s left shoe. Tradition says that if parents put coins into the bride’s shoes, their daughter will never have money problems after marriage.
Italy
A newly married couple in Italy breaks a vase or glass and the number of the fragments represents the lengths of their married life.
India
Brides in India tattoo their arms and legs a few days before their weddings. The initials of the groom are hidden in the design of the tattoo. If the groom can find his initials in the tattoo by the day of wedding, the couple will have a happy life forever. However if he can’t find his initials, he needs to give a gift to the bride.
The Age of Marriage
Sweden 34.5
3 Grenada 34.5 5
Barbados 34.3
44 The United States 28.6 Kimono - the traditional Japanese wedding costume.
1
Saint Lucia 33.7
2 Jamaica 33.2 3 Sweden 32.3 4 Barbados 31.8 5 Norway 31.4
Woman
3
Man
1 Saint Lucia 35.1 2 Jamaica 34.6
36 The United States 26.3
Statistics from the website “Economic and Social Data Rankings” http;//www.dataranking.com/index.cgi?LG=e
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The Honeymoon
HOW SHE DID IT
Q: How did you save? We were able to save money by one, having my wonderful sister buy us a beautiful hotel room during one night of our honQ: Married how long? Married on St. Patrick’s Day, eymoon and two, by planning ahead of time so we knew exact2012 ly how much money we needed Q: Destinations during honey- and that helped so we did not have to spend more than what moon? We went to Florida (visited Walt we needed. Disney World!), Mississippi and Georgia. Q: Name? Was Amanda Harp but now Amanda Harris.
21 Miss to Mrs
...here are some ideas that will stay within a newlywed budget and still be that fantasy honeymoon.
S
by Michelle Davis
Photos by Michelle Davis and provided by Amanda Harris
o, you just got married. You have been planning your big day for weeks, months or even years. All that time, all that worry and all that money for something to only last 30 minutes at best. It is all right though because you are about to partake in an adventure you will never forget; your honeymoon. However, there might be a problem; your budget. You spent so much money on your dream wedding that there is not enough left to go on that tropical destination honeymoon. No worries though, because here are some ideas that will stay within a newlywed budget and still be that fantasy honeymoon. Instead of staying in an expensive beach front hotel, try other lodging that will save you money. If your destination is to go to the ocean, then try camping on the beach for some or all of your stay. Not only can this be more romantic than a Holiday Inn, but it can be a good bond-
ing experience between you and your new spouse. Imagine a romantic fire, right by the ocean, wrapped up in your spouse’s arms. If the beach is not for you but instead you were planning on traveling or backpacking, think of staying in a hostel instead of a hotel every night. To get some ideas about what it would be like to honeymoon in a hostel, visit HostelHoneymoon.com. On this site you can find a journal kept by a newly married couple that traveled the world during their first year of marriage and afford to do so by staying in hostels. Maybe you are not trying to travel the world but just a particular state within the States, then look at hospitality websites. Here, travel sites can connect you with people who open up their homes for people to stay for a very low cost. Warning though, this might be for more adventurous couples because you never know whose home you might end up in. Creative Honeymoons Ideas is a site that offers cheap honneymoon ideas and one idea is staying at home for your honeymoon. Be a tourist: Ever try being a tourist in your hometown? Or maybe a town an hour or so from where you live? Look up your town on the Internet and see places that are considered a touristy spot and visit them. Who knows, maybe there is an adventure waiting for you within your town that you never knew about. Splurge: Since you are not going on a honeymoon, and saving money from doing so, then you can afford to splurge one night. Try going to a local bed and breakfast or get dressed up and
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach.” -- ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING
going to an expensive restaurant. Not staying home your idea of a dream honeymoon? Then maybe the list that vactionrentals.com created is for you. This site has a composed list of 10 locations that are affordable within the United States. Some locations include Wine Country, Calif., Scottsdale, Ariz. and Kiawah Island, S.C. Not only does this site give you the names of these locations but also why they are considered affordable and inexpensive places and restaurant and activities that you can do once you arrive there. Here is what was said about Wine Country, Calif.: If you love food, wine, and each other, the California wine country will set the mood just right. Snuggle up to your sweetie in a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards, shake off that wedding stress at the spa, find out who’s better at golf at a Napa Hills course, and enjoy an indulgent dinner for two at America’s #1 restaurant. But whatever you do, don’t wine, dine, and drive! Get a chaperone and cruise from winery to winery in a limo, instead. Even though honeymoons are mostly about the destination that you go to, it is important not to forget what the term honeymoon truly means: the period just after the wedding when things are at their sweetest. So no matter where you go on your honeymoon, if you go anywhere, remember that the person whom you are with makes anywhere a dream honeymoon.
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