NNY Living Weddings Winter-Spring 2017

weddings NNY L I v Ing

JANUARY 2017 Vol. 1 No. 1

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COVER STORY

An autumn wedding survival story {p.12}

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STYLE

Wedding day dress code

FAMILY

Non-traditional families

PLANNING Holiday weddings

THE RING Alternative ring choices

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>> INSIDE JANUARY 2017

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43 DEPARTMENTS | 6 CONTRIBUTORS |

6 MARKETPLACE 8 EDITOR’S NOTE 9 DATEBOOK

33 SELECTING INVITATIONS

23 TIPS FOR A PERFECT DAY

35 NEW TIMES, TRADITIONS

FEATURES | 10 CHOOSE DATES WISELY |

34 MEMORABLE MUSIC 36 WHY HIRE A PLANNER 37 WEDDING PARTY ROLES

18 VENUES ABOUND IN NNY

40 FIND DEALS ON SERVICES

21 LEWIS COUNTY PLANNER

22 OVERCOME BLUNDERS

41 FIND THE RIGHT DRESS

38 ST. LAWRENCE PLANNER

26 WARM WEATHER ATTIRE

42 PLAN REHEARSAL DINNER

COVER STORY | 12 WEDDING TRENDS Northern New York brides and grooms are a trendy lot. Several experts weigh in on just how.

27 ARRANGING GUESTS

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28 DESTINATION WEDDING 30 FRESH FLOWER TIPS 32 UNIQUE CAKE FLAVORS

PHOTOGRAPHY | 43 BEST OF 2013 IN PHOTOS Five north country wedding photographers shared some of their best shots from ’13

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PLANNING | 7 NNY PLANNER |

STYLE | 23 LOOK YOUR BEST Best bridal looks for any age. |

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CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Compo is the owner of Soiree NNY and works for the New York State Senate. To contact Ms. Compo for event services or additional information email info@soireenny.com.

Holly Boname is a magazine associate editor for NNY Magazines. In this issue, she writes about the impacts of unpredictable weather on your wedding day. She features Elizabeth and Michael Netto’s fall wedding that was held at Lucky Star Ranch.

Chairman of the Board John B. Johnson Jr.

Publishers

John B. Johnson Harold B. Johnson II

MARKETPLACE

Magazine Editor Brian Kelly

Associate Magazine Editor

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Holly C. Boname

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1844 House ........................................... 8 A Touch of Grace ................................. 33 Akwesasne Mohawk Casino ................ 2 Amazing Occasions ..............................19 Amvets Post 4 ..................................... 32 April’s Cake Shop ................................ 33 Basta’s Flowers and Gifts .....................19 Bella-Brooke Vineyards ........................25 Best Western Canton ............................11 Boldt Castle ......................................... 31 Candlewood Suites ..............................39 Canton Carriage ...................................17 Carthage Elks Lodge ........................... 41 Vincent Cesario .................................... 7 Chair Affair .......................................... 28 Clayton Dental Office ........................... 47 Clayton Opera House ........................... 11 Clipper Inn Restaurant ........................ 40 Coyote Moon Vineyards ...................... 48 E L Baird Fine Jewelry ......................... 36 Elks Club .............................................. 6 Europe Cakes ...................................... 33 Feathers and Boughs ........................... 22 Fellion’s Diamond ................................ 28 Flemings Fine Furniture ....................... 28 Forevermore Studio ............................ 22 Fountains Enchanted Gardens ............. 28 Gardners ............................................. 25 Gary Waltz Photography ...................... 8 Holiday Inn Express ............................ 26 Jammin Beats ..................................... 33 Jefferson County Historical Society .....18 Jewel Box ............................................ 23 Josephs Fine Jewelry .......................... 42 Juliannah’s Bridal ................................ 29 Lisks Floral .......................................... 35 Lucky Star Ranch ................................ 26 Malone Golf Club ................................. 28 Malone Lodge of Elks........................... 28 Martha Janes Photography ................. 28 Masseys Furniture Barn ...................... 31

Florals By Vinnie ............................... 11 Monarch Photography ...................... 17 Montague Inn ................................... 35 Moose River House .......................... 32 Moule A Le Gateau ........................... 36 NNY Photobooths ............................ 32 North Franklin Center ....................... 28 Obsidian Custom Video................…. 32 Party Rentals ................................ 33, 42 Pine Tree Inn .................................... 21 Potsdam Laundry and Dry Cleaners ..32 Kevin Poupore DDS .......................... 30 R & H Creations ............................... 34 Ramada Inn ...................................... 3 Ridge View Inn Restaurant ................4 Ridge View Lodge .............................4 Roethel Graphics .............................. 32 Sahara Restaurant ............................ 33 Sea Comm Federal ............................ 3 Sherman Electric .............................. 33 Singer Castle .................................... 34 Snow Ridge Ski Resort ..................... 35 Sourwine Photography ..................... 33 Sunnycrest Flowers…. 35 T & R Wines and Liquors ................. 32 Tailwater Lodge ................................ 21 The Hayloft at Moonshine Farms. 35, 38 Bonnie Castle Resort ........................ 26 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel ................ 2 Fairfield Inn & Suites .........................46 Thousand Islands Winery ................. 23 Town of Duane….............................. 28 Trailside ............................................ 36 Trinity Catering ................................. 36 Traux & Sons .................................... 25 Tuggers Family Restaurant ............... 35 Tunes 92.5 ........................................ 20 Bridal Showcase ............................... 27 Tuxedo Studio ....................................28

Photography

Justin Sorensen, Amanda Morrison, Stephen Sowfford

Cover Photo

Mary Madison Studios

Director of Advertising Michelle Bowers

Magazine Advertising Manager Michelle Bowers

Ad Graphics, Design

Brian Mitchell, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules, Rick Gaskin

Circulation Director Mary Sawyer

NNY Living Weddings is published twice a year by Northern New York Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, a Johnson Newspaper Corp. company. © 2014-2017. All material submitted to NNY Living Weddings becomes property of Northern New York Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, and will not be returned.

Subscription Rates NNY Living Weddings is included with a subscription to NNY Living.

Call 315-782-1000 for details.

Submissions Send all editorial correspondence to bkelly@wdt.net Advertising For advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, email mbowers@wdt.net, or call 661-2456. In St. Lawrence County, e-mail gvalik@wdt.net, or call 661-2358.

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Monday-Friday

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EDITOR’S NOTE

As you plan the big day

I

Brian Kelly

did a quick Google search to see if I could find when the words “wedding” and “industry” were first, well, wedded.

The connection seems to have been made sometime between the 1920s and 1950s, when companies realized they had products that

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could be tied to the special day or event planners recognized they had organizational talents that a harried bride and groom may not possess.

In either case, an industry was born and terms like wedding insurance and wedding journalism came into existence, joining the more common and traditional wedding ceremony, wedding ring and wedding reception.

Today, weddings are a multi-billion dollar industry and navigating it is not for the faint of heart. With the excitement of the proposal and the setting of a date having leveled off, it’s time to get down to the business of planning the wedding day.

The seventh edition of NNY Living Weddings will not answer all of your questions about what gown or tuxedo is right for you, or whether a church, forest or castle is the appropriate venue for your ceremony.

It is designed, instead, to help you start thinking about these types of things:. Where should the rehearsal dinner be held? Where should out-of-town guests stay?

What should I worry about and at what point should I hire someone to do the worrying for me?

Some of these questions may be answered in our feature stories, while others may be answered by reviewing and considering our advertisers’ offerings.

No one can tell you how to plan and pull off a perfect wedding. I looked at a photo gallery today of Please see EDITORS NOTE, page 11

F E AT U R E D E V E N T

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Bridal Expo set for Sunday, Jan. 8 showcase’s ‘silver anniversary’ celebrating its 25th bridal showcase in NNY. Both Intrepid & the Mead family are proud to recognize the achievements Judith Mead and her husband Larry started so many years ago. All of us will have Judith in our thoughts this year and have felt her absence since her passing in 2015. Speak to any vendor that has been with the show since the beginning and they’ll be the first to tell you that Judith was the heart a soul of the show. A tribute to Judith is available online and was produced by friends of the show at ‘VideoWorx’ located in Watertown.

Since 2009, the team at TUNES 92.5 & 104.5 FM have taken to the task of running the North Country’s largest and longest running bridal event with utmost seriousness and sincerity. This dedication has led to the show enjoying upwards of 165 brides and/or grooms in attendance and hundreds more in visitors each year.

With up to eighty wedding experts on site, the show truly transforms into the pinnacle of wedding season kick offs. Now, with the help Eric Mead (ELP Solutions, LLC.) also Judith Mead’s son, the show has been able to continue its

family tradition as it passes its quarter century threshold.

The New Year will be upon us before we know it and the 2017 NNY Bridal Showcase thereafter. If you are recently engaged, we say congratulations and good luck. If by chance you could use a hand getting a few things in order for you wedding – we’d like to think we can help check a lot of boxes on the ole’ checklist. We look forward to seeing you on Jan. 8th, 2017.

On a closing note, we’d like to thank the exceptional group of wedding professionals that help make our show come to fruition each and every January. Your expertise, participation, positivism and loyalty to the show helps create an extremely unique event and resource that we can all be proud of each year. We thank you for every snow driven mile and freezing set up day. You are ALL another ‘family’ we look forward to seeing at the end of this holiday season.

‘Save the Date’ – 2017 NNY Bridal Showcase, 25th Anniversary Show: Jan. 8, 2017 from 11a to 4p at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown, NY. For more info or questions, call (315) 786.0925.

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race yourself. The brides and grooms are coming. Snow is on the ground in northern New York and that can only mean one thing – sore backs. Okay, perhaps it means a few other things outside of the obligatory shoveling and subsequent cursing of the gods.

It also means that the Dulles State Office building in Watertown will soon be filled with low hum of brides and grooms from around the North Country eagerly speaking with wedding experts from near and far, excited to plan their ‘big days’.

Sunday, January 8th 2017 marks the cordial invitation to all of the ‘soon to be’ married couples from Jefferson and surrounding counties to attend the annual ‘NNY Bridal Showcase’. The 70 to 80 vendor show hosted each year

by Intrepid Broadcasting, Inc.’s TUNES 92.5 & 104.5 FM as well as the Mead family packs a lot into its 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule of events complete with a honeymoon vacation for two to Las Vegas as well as cake dives, fashion shows and thousands of prizes to be handed out to lucky couples in attendance.

This year’s show also marks the

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F E AT U R E S

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How to handle a wedding around a holiday

hile summer and fall are the most popular times of year to get married, couples can tie the knot whenever they choose, including on holidays.

Holiday weddings tend to stray from the norm, and that can make for a memorable night for couples and their guests. For example, couples who choose to get married on Halloween may encourage their guests to arrive and celebrate in costume, making for a unique experience for all in attendance. But planning weddings that take place on a holiday or holiday weekend may require a little extra effort.

RESEARCH VENUES before finalizing the date.

Couples who have their eyes set on certain venues to host their ceremonies and receptions should research the availability of those venues on holidays or holiday

weekends before finalizing their wedding date. Some venues may have preexisting agreements with local community organizations that may prohibit them from hosting weddings or limit their available time slots. Confirm the availability of your ideal venues before making your date official.

ALLOW FOR A LONGER ENGAGEMENT. Regardless of which holiday you choose, keep in mind that many people make plans well in advance of a holiday. Holidays tend to be accompanied by long weekends, and your guests may already have plans for that time off from the office. In addition, families often travel to visit relatives during the holiday season at the end of the calendar year. If you plan to wed on a holiday or holiday weekend, allow for a longer engagement so your guests won’t have to cancel existing plans or miss the wedding because they already have travel plans that weekend. Let guests know your holiday-wedding intentions as soon as you finalize the date.

START LOOKING FOR VENDORS as soon as possible. Vendors, including caterers and photographers, tend to be busy on holiday weekends, so start looking as early as possible. It’s important to comparison shop, but couples who wait too long to sign contracts with vendors might find themselves paying more and/or choosing whoever is available as opposed to their top choices.

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PLAN TO PAY A LITTLE MORE. As noted, vendors tend to be busy on holidays and during holiday weekends, and their prices may reflect the high demand for their services. Budget-conscious couples should anticipate paying more on holidays than they might pay on other weekends.

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EXPECTSOME DECLINED INVITATIONS. While an extended holiday weekend may seem like the perfect time to tie the knot, guests may not share that perspective. Many would-be guests likely cherish their existing holiday traditions and may be unwilling to abandon those traditions to attend a wedding. Every couple has at least a few friends or family members decline their wedding invitations, but those numbers may be more substantial for couples hosting holiday weddings.

Holiday weddings can make for some great memories, but couples must be especially diligent when planning weddings on holidays or holiday weekends.

EDITORS NOTE, from page 8

an outdoor wedding that ended in rain. The bride’s gown was caked with mud and the bridesmaids’ shoes had been replaced with muck boots. The groom’s jacket was dappled with raindrops.

Wedding ruined, right? Not according to the looks on the faces of the people in the pictures. Everyone appeared to be having a blast.

A story about this potential-disas-

ter-turned-memorable-celebration is included in this issue of NNY Living Weddings.

So relish your big day, no matter the circumstances, and look for us in August with the next issue of NNY Living Weddings.

Enjoy,

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Let the Best Western University Inn make your wedding day memorable, from an outdoor ceremony on the green to an elegant dinner reception. Serving the North Country for over 45 years, the hotel has been carefuly designed to accommodate up to 200 guests. We look forward to working with you and your Let the Best Western University Innmaking make your special day truly unforgettable. wedding day memorable, from an outdoor ceremony on the green to an elegant dinner Let the Best Western Inn make your reception.

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Rain, Sleet or Snow Embrassing the unpredictable

BY HOLLY C BONAME | NNY LIVING WEDDINGS

It’s a beautiful autumn day and the tables are set, the party tent is adorn with birch tree branches welcoming the guests to begin in celebration. But there is one guest who wasn’t invited; Mother Nature.

Wiley and Michael Netto. Guests arrived to the unique country venue, a 2,000-acre wildlife management facility with whitetail deer, red deer and pere david deer which includes a 100-acre private lake on the property. Staff at Lucky Star prepared the tent next to a pool The landscape and scenery in northern New area, where there is an outdoor bar, two fireYork is the perfect stage for spring, summer places and several sitting areas with a lake and fall weddings but there is always one eleview. The stage was set, but Mother Nature ment that cannot be controlled and that is the was ensuring the day would never be forgotweather. ten.

“The Farmer’s Almanac said dry, warm    fall. So, I said let’s do it!” said Elizabeth Netto, bride and Cape Vincent native who knew exTHE BEGINNING actly what could happen planning a wedding On October 22, family and friends gathered late in the fall. “People thought we were crazy together at Lucky Star Ranch in Chaumont to planning a wedding in only six months, but I celebrate the love and marriage of Elizabeth didn’t want to wait any longer and I’m happy

marketing coordinator at Lucky Star Ranch. “We knew from the very beginning that October 22 was late in the season for an outdoor wedding. Mike and Elizabeth were optimistic from the get-go that no matter what the weather, they were going to have a great day.”

Leading up to the wedding both families prepared DIY decorations, food stations and goodies for their guests.

From the Thursday prior to the wedding to the day of the event, the families decorated in their rain boots not forgetting a single detail from the birch trees that dressed the tent poles to the hot chocolate bar and endless dessert table.

“It takes a very special bride to be able to dance in their rain boots with a tied up, mud-lined wedding dress in nearly freezing temperatures,” Ms. Kraeger said.

And that’s exactly what the bride and the guests did. The weather that day was a chilly 42 degrees with northwest winds at approximately 15 mph and it was raining. The wedding party, which stayed

at Lucky Star Ranch the night prior, began to get ready at the on-site cabins and remained in high spirits, as northern New Yorkers tend to do knowing that Mother Nature is always unpredictable.

It poured Thursday and into Friday, but Lucky Star Ranch had prepared the tent ensuring the tables and arrangements would remain dry. Mrs. Netto began to get nervous about the conditions early in the day, but according to Mr. Netto kept a positive attitude the entire time, realizing that there was nothing that could be done about it and that they were going to enjoy their special day no matter what the conditions.

“We weren’t fazed,” he said. “And Elizabeth didn’t complain once. Weather didn’t play a factor in it for us, it was going to be a great day.”

The rain caused the entrance of the tent to be muddy but still nothing the wedding party couldn’t handle. “Luckily, the guys put their heads together and built a bridge type entrance to the dance floor and everything worked

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we did it so quickly.”

The couple first met at Ives Hill Country Club, very briefly, in 2014. Mrs. Netto was talking with Michael’s parents and soon realized that the two had mutual friends.

“I thought it was weird we had never met before,” Mrs. Netto recalled. “He found me on Facebook, and we went to Goodfello’s on our first date, and the rest is history.”

After beginning their relationship in June 2014, Michael proposed in April of 2016 and soon after the couple was married in October- a quick engagement but a wedding they will never forget.

Both Elizabeth and Michael come from large families, Elizabeth’s from Cape Vincent and Michael’s from Watertown. The couple knew they wanted to have an outdoor wedding, specifically at Lucky Star Ranch which was the only venue they visited.

“The Wiley’s and Netto’s were wonderful to work with right from the very start, not just Mike and Elizabeth, but both extended families,” said Jenna Kraeger, events and

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THE KNOT

out,” Mrs. Netto said.

The couple placed calls to their guests prior to the ceremony encouraging them to not wear their best dress shoes, but instead to bring their rain boots and warm jackets. 





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THE ACCOMMODATIONS The Netto-Wiley wedding was nothing short of a spectacularly planned country wedding, with attention to details from the custom laser cut wooden coasters featuring the date and families’ names, to the embroidered blankets and gloves that would ensure the comfort of their guests.

“It all came together better than I had expected. Things were last minute, as they would be planning a wedding in six months, and we turned to Pinterest. We called family members for tree branches and all the little signs throughout the grounds were done by a local friend,” Mrs. Netto said.

Another thoughtfully planned custom addition to

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the weddings décor was a hot chocolate bar, ensuring guests were warm and toasty throughout the day. The bride’s mother came up with the idea, gathering supplies and the grandmother’s old cabinet to use as the table for the hot chocolate bar.

“My mom was all about the hot chocolate bar,” Mrs. Netto said. “I wasn’t convinced, saying it was a wedding and that it wouldn’t fit, but with the weather being cold and rainy it was one of the biggest hits among guests.”

The grandmother’s cabinet added yet another personal touch to the wedding and lent perfectly to the set up by allowing space for the custom embroidered blankets for their guests.

While much of the wedding was DIY, Mrs. Netto said it was the thoughtfulness of Lucky Star Ranch’s staff that eased their minds leading up to the event.

“We offer on-site accommodations for the weekend of the wedding,” said Ms. Kraeger.

“We have two lodges overlooking our private lake that are great to accommodate the wedding party or guests of the bride and groom’s choice. The Boar’s Head Lodge is complete with three bedrooms and accompanying bathrooms. We also have a room in the main Lodge to host smaller gatherings including the rehearsal dinner.”

With the cold weather nipping outside the tent Lucky Star Ranch worked diligently to keep guests not only cozy during their stay at the lodge, but also provided outdoor heaters, maintained the fire place throughout the evening and kept the hot water filled for the hot chocolate bar.

“Unfortunately weather is one thing we cannot control,” Ms. Kraeger said. “all you can do is hope for the best and prepare for the worst, which is exactly what we did.” 





THE PHOTOGRAPHY It’s no secret that while

The details / Elizabeth Wiley and Michael Netto OCTOBER 22, 2016 HOMETOWNS: Bride: Cape Vincent (bride) and Watertown (groom)

GROOMSMEN: Bryan Wiley, Sean Audin, Kris Boynton HAIRDRESSER: Creative Edge Salon DRESSES: David’s Bridal, Azazie.com

PARENTS OF THE BRIDE: Michael and Lori Wiley

TUXEDOS: Burlington Coat Factory

PARENTS OF THE GROOM: Anthony G. and Denise Netto

CAKE: Cathy Gallagher, Desserts by Design

CEREMONY: St. Vincent De Paul Church, Cape Vincent OFFICIANT: Father Leo Wiley RECEPTION: Lucky Star Ranch Estate MATRONS OF HONOR: Stephanie Russo, Jessica Griffin BEST MAN: Anthony Netto, Gregory Netto BRIDESMAIDS: Abigail Wiley, Mikayla Netto

FLORIST: Hallett’s Florist BAR: Lucky Star Ranch CATERING: Savory Downtown PHOTOGRAPHER: Mary Madison Studios, Horizon Aerial Media Services HONEYMOON: St. Lucia POST-WEDDING RESIDENCE: Chaumont

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your planning a wedding the photography is a major component to long-lasting memories and moments shared by guests and family members, captured and kept by the bride and groom to treasure their big day.

Many people, when they first start planning their wedding, research pricing and packages, but for Mr. and Mrs. Netto they knew who they had in mind from the start, Mary Madison Studios from Cape Vincent.

The local photography pair knew the Wiley family which added a level of calm to the couple. David Bonnie and Kathleen Trottier are experienced photographers and knew that the weather may play a big factor in the photography that day.

“It was fun for this one. It wasn’t the nicest day, it was rainy so we did a lot of prep work for this one,” Ms. Trottier said. “We prefer a much more candid approach, we don’t do a lot of planning – we usually show up shoot and capture the event as it’s happening.”

So the photographers turned to Pintrest according to Ms. Trottier. They looked up their favorite photographers and made plans to brave the elements and how to use Mother Nature’s uncertainty to their advantage.

“The willingness of our clients to get outside and brave the elements was astonishing, really,” Mr. Bonnie said. “A lot of times people will shun away from adverse weather like that, but the foliage blowing at the same time as the rain was a contrast to what we usually do. You wish for great weather but this was a bit

THE KNOT

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THE KNOT different.”

As the bridesmaids began to get ready Ms. Trottier focused on shooting the intimate moments shared by the women as they prepared Mrs. Netto for her walk down the aisle and Mr. Bonnie focused on the men.

As the ceremony reached its conclusion it was time for

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family photos, and with two large families there was one specific shot that Mrs. Netto wanted to make sure they got, her grandparents at the family farm house in Cape Vincent.

“We talked with the photographers and decided that no matter what the weather we wanted to be at the family farm and I am so happy we

did. It was cold, it was rainy but we went up there and the photos came out perfect,” Mrs. Netto said. “Having my grandparents be able to be in the photos was very special to me.”

And it is those photos that distinctly showcased the couples day, embracing the unpredictable autumn weather and beaming with love through the entire event. The images captured Mrs. Netto’s mud covered dress, while the women were in rain boots and winter coats.

Mr. and Mrs. Netto’s day could have been ruined by the unforeseen weather conditions, they could have spent the day under the tent staying warm, but instead as any Northern New York native couple would, they seized the day and wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“Keep an open mind,” Mrs. Netto said. “If rain is going to ruin your day don’t plan an outdoor wedding because chances are it will rain.”

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HOLLY BONAME is a magazine associate editor for NNY Magazines. Contact her at 661-2381 or hboname@wdt.net.

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A mishap moment doesn’t mean a misfortunate day big day, making it hard to tote around stain-solving products. Cover all your bases by making a “day-of survival kit” for your bridesmaids. In addition to a stain remover, you should also consider including breath mints, tissues, blotting papers, dental floss, aspirin and granola bars or another small snack.

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YOU RUN OUT OF TIME WHILE SETTING UP YOUR VENUE: Setting up and decorating for a wedding is hard work. It’s made even harder when the clock is ticking—especially for those who can only have access to their venue on the day of. Hiring a day-of coordinator who handles all the details on the day of—everything from setting up table layout and arranging décor to making sure your day runs according to schedule and being on call for last minute errands—can help to eliminate stress and to make sure your wedding and reception go off without a hitch.

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YOU BOOK A DJ—AND THE DJ DOESN’T SHOW: For many people, the music is the most important part of the night. It sets the tone and if you pick it right, can help your photographer capture some amazing dance floor moments. But what happens if your DJ—or whomever you’ve hired to be responsible for music—doesn’t show?

That’s what happened to a friend of mine, who was easygoing enough to use an iPhone and Spotify playlist until another DJ—who luckily was free that evening and could fill the void—showed up. To prevent this from happening, confirm by with your service providers (whether it’s the DJ, band, caterer, etc.) the day before. Make sure they arrive well in advance of when their duties are slated to begin and plan to have someone there—a friend, family member or day-of coordinator—to greet them.

YOU FORGET A MAJOR ELEMENT OF THE CEREMONY: It goes without saying that a couple planning their own wedding has a lot on their plate—and it’s easy to let a to-do list item or two fall through the cracks. I’ve seen—on more than one occasion—couples that forget to print off readings for a friend or family member to read during their ceremony. An easy fix? Of course, you should email it to the person delivering the reading. But, you should also go one step further, and make sure that at least three people who will be there the day of (bridesmaids, groomsmen, another family member or close friend) have access to it and be able to pull it up on their phones in a pinch.

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YOU SPILL SOMETHING ON YOUR DRESS OR SUIT: With lots of good food and drink at weddings, spills— and stains—are common. Most brides carry a small clutch with just the necessities, or no purse at all on their

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YOU’RE DEALING WITH PUBLIC SPACE PROBLEMS: If you’re having a wedding ceremony and/or reception in a public place—think a park, public garden or library— you have to be willing to deal with issues that may arise from others who might also want to be using that same space when you are. While your venue may allow you to rent out a portion of the public place, you can’t always stop others from stopping to spectate during your ceremony or from being loud—which I’ve seen (and heard)—when you’re walking down the aisle. If your heart is set on having your wedding ceremony or reception at a public location, make sure you have someone—a close friend who doesn’t mind lending a hand or a day-of coordinator—who can be on standby to address challenging situations as they arise.

While snafus that might come up on your wedding day can seem like a big deal at the time, for many couples the mishaps— everything from the spilled glass of champagne to the DJ who didn’t show—give you something to look back on and laugh long after your big day is over.

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I‘ve always been told, “failing to plan is planning to fail.” I guess that’s why my tote bag includes everything from an extra pair of shoes to a sewing kit. In my line of work—day-of coordinating, which in other words means being an extra set of hands on the day of a person’s or couple’s event—looking ahead and seeing things that could go wrong before they do is imperative. But as we all know, no matter how much we plan there are always mishaps or to-do list items that slip our minds. In my time as a day-of event coordinator I’ve seen quite a few. Here are some that I’ve encountered and tips for how to solve them:

the Canadian border, there’s no shortage of beautiful wedding locations in the North Country. However, what there can be a shortage of is cell service. Plan ahead by alerting your guests to this—especially the out-of-towners—and making sure you include a printout of directions to your ceremony or reception so guests won’t have to rely on their phones to guide them to where they need to be.

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F E AT U R E S

Thinking outside the traditional setting: Stunning Ring Alternatives

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White diamonds have been the traditional engagement ring stones for decades. While shoppers have experimented with gold, silver, platinum, and other

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precious metals for ring bands, the star of the show has long been that twinkling, pristine diamond.

Even though diamonds may

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be a “girl’s best friend,” they may not fit every woman’s style, particularly the bride who likes to buck tradition and think outside the box. According to Money magazine, the average engagement ring costs more than $5,800. In addition to being one of the most expensive gemstones, diamonds have become quite commonplace. Some women even eschew diamonds for moral reasons.

Whatever the driving force behind shopping for alternative gems, women who want to set themselves apart from others and men who want to “wow” their significant others with unique and eye-catching rings - may opt for other dazzling stones.

Moissanite: This crystal naturally occurs in meteorites and is nearly as hard, dense and scuff-resistant as a diamond. Some feel moissanite offers more brilliance and fire than diamonds. Moissanite is a white-colored stone, so it can mimic the look of a diamond. And since it can be made

in the laboratory at a fraction of the cost of even lab-made diamonds, it›s a frugal option. A nearly flawless one-carat moissanite gem can cost less than $1,000.

Lemon quartz: This is the trade name for a lemon-yellow stone that is a variety of color-enhanced transparent quartz. Quartz is turned into this sunny hue through an artificial gamma ray irradiation process. Like other quartz gemstones, lemon quartz is considered to be very durable and is therefore suitable for all types of jewelry.

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Sapphire: Sapphires tend to be blue stones (of varying intensity), but they also come in peach, pink, yellow, green, and white.

Sapphire may not sparkle as much as a diamond or even moissanite. However, with the right cut, it can be hard to distinguish any lack of luster. Sapphires are the third hardest mineral, and at about one-third the price of diamonds, they make an ideal diamond substitute. · Morganite: According to the blog Bridal Musings, morganite is currently one of the most popular choices for engagement rings. Its pretty pink hue is romantic and feminine. It also sits at around the same hardness as sapphires, ensuring the rings will endure.

Vividly cut rubies, emeralds and tanzanite - all gems that are rarer yet less expensive than diamonds - can make beautiful engagement rings. Some couples also may opt for rings without gemstones, such as traditional Claddagh or true lover’s knot rings to signify their union.

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F E AT U R E S

Weddings & nontraditional families

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Families come in all shapes and sizes. During special events - particularly those steeped in tradition, such as weddings - blended families may have to employ certain tactics to ensure the events go off without a hitch.

When planning their weddings, couples must give consideration to the needs of their families. Even though a wedding is about the union of two people, oftentimes couples engaged to be married must contend with the politics of divorce or other familial issues.

This includes if and how to incorporate stepparents and stepsiblings into the ceremony and celebration.

There are no traditional rules regarding how to handle blended families, so brides- and groomsto-be can customize their decisions based on their own unique situations. Even when families have been happy through the years, the unique circumstances and traditions surrounding the nuptials can dredge up former insecurities, and certain aspects may require extra patience and tact. Here’s how to navigate the process.

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CONSIDER STEPPARENTS AND STEPSIBLINGS VIPS Brides and grooms who are not particularly close to their stepfamilies still have to recognize the role they play in the family dynamics. These people are still family, so respect and courtesy should be offered. If there is any lingering animosity, extend the olive branch on this day and try not to let anyone be made to feel as if they are unimportant. A simple announcement of ������������ who stepparents are at the wedding reception or inclusion of their names on wedding itineraries can help smooth over any potential bumps.

PUT OTHERS’ NEEDS BEFORE YOUR OWN While the wedding may be about you and your future spouse, you must consider the feelings of others. Biological parents and stepparents may act defensively if they feel uncomfortable or hurt, and that can create an air of negativity to the day. Try to avoid this by considering potential areas of conflict. For example,

mothers might be hurt if their ex-husbands’ new girlfriends are asked to be in a group family photo. Instead, select separate times to have everyone included.

Remember to give parents and stepparents priority seating as well, and they each should be seated next to someone they love and someone with whom they can converse comfortably. You may think everyone can play nice, but it’s best not to push the issue just to make a point at the wedding.

RECOGNIZE THAT SOME FAMILIES BREAK THE MOLD Recently, a father made waves on the Internet when a video of him pulling the bride’s stepfather up to assist in walking her down the aisle went viral. This was a wonderful image of families making it work despite their differences or the awkwardness that can result when brides or grooms have parents and stepparents in attendance. Although this scenario might not play out for all, find ways to impart a special touch, especially if you’re close to both your biological parents and

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F E AT U R E S

‘I do,’ take two: Guide to a second marriage

Couples are returning to the altar in increasing numbers, as second and third weddings are becoming ever more popular.

Pew Research Center indicates that, as of 2014, 64 percent of divorced or widowed men have remarried, compared with 52 percent of previously married women.

Lavish second weddings were once uncommon, but that trend is also shifting. Couples who are taking another crack at marriage are tying the knot with renewed vigor and with weddings that may rival some first-timers’.

Men and women who are remarrying after divorce or being widowed may not know how to approach planning their upcoming nuptials. The following

are some guidelines to making the wedding sequel a success.

Wardrobe Couples who have been married before often find that they have more leeway with regard to their wedding wardrobes than they did when tying the knot for the first time.

Brides may choose something less traditional than a long, white dress. In fact, this can be a time to let loose and select something that is festive or even funky. This also may provide a great opportunity to choose clothing styles from different cultures or ties into one’s heritage. This freedom also allows brides to broaden their horizons with regard to where to buy their wedding

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wardrobes.

Grooms may opt for something more casual than a tuxedo or coordinate with their brides-to-be so they are on the same creative page. Colored tuxedos and vintage suits are acceptable, even though such attire might have raised a few eyebrows the first time around.

Guest list The guest list doesn’t have to be a source of anxiety. Others will understand that there may be a melange of people at a second wedding. Children from previous marriages as well as divorced spouses or former parents-in-law are not out of the question. Even if exes will not be included, make sure they know about the nuptials in advance of others. It’s common courtesy, and it can help head off feelings of ill-will.

Some couples choosing to tie the knot again scale back the size of the wedding this time around, feeling something smaller and more intimate with only the closest of friends and family - is more suitable.

Registries and wedding gifts Considering couples who have been married previously

likely have many of the housewares and items for daily living that first-timers may not, registering for these gifts is not necessary. What’s more, some of the same guests may have been present at first marriages and gifted then. In lieu of gifts, couples may ask guests to donate to a specific charity or forgo gifts altogether.

Vows Couples can use experience to draft vows that have personal meaning to their unique situations and make the wedding ceremony even more special.

People getting married again can impart their own personalities into the ceremony and party to follow. There are no hard rules governing second weddings, so couples can plan their weddings with good times in mind.

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F E AT U R E S

Farmer’s marriage proposal goes viral

By MATT LEADER

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Leslie Hamilton thought it was a little weird when her boyfriend, Dan Stein, asked her out to lunch one day this fall.

“Because it’s the middle of harvest season and he wanted to go to lunch in the middle of the week,” said Hamilton who, like Stein, is a farmer. “It kind of caught my attention.”

Things went from weird to downright confusing when, after lunch, the couple headed out to one of Stein’s fields off River Road in Caledonia to see

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Hamilton an iPad bearing aerial images of the field they were standing in did things start to make sense The photos, captured via drone by a photographer friend, Kevin Keenan, showed that what Hamilton had initially taken for imperfectly harvested soybeans actually spelled out two words: “MARRY ME?” “I looked up (from the iPad) and he had the ring out, he got down on one knee – I was like ‘oh my god,’” recalled Hamilton with a laugh. “I was pretty

KEVIN KEENAN PHOTOGRAPHY Dan Stein proposes to his girlfriend, Leslie Hamilton, on Oct. 19 in Caledonia, Livingston County, NY.

if its soybeans were dry enough to harvest and Hamilton caught sight of the ragged state the field was in.

“You could see he had chopped it all up (and) he’s very much a perfectionist,” said Hamilton. “So I was like ‘what did you do out there?’”

Only when Stein handed

shocked.”

After the proposal (and a kiss), Stein jumped back into the combine the pair had taken out to the field and proceeded to harvest the field’s remaining soybeans, as any good farmer would.

“I (harvested) that field right afterwards because it was go-

ing to rain that night again and the rain hasn’t shut off since,” Stein said. “We got those done, all the soybeans done before it ended up raining but it worked out (because of the rain) we could do some things yesterday and today.”

Stein said he’d been planning the marriage proposal for “at least a year” and, ever the perfectionist, wanted to make sure fall foliage was at its height before popping the question.

“It really didn’t take long to do it — only a half hour maybe,” said Stein. “I figured out where I had to do it, pretty much free hand cut it out. I didn’t use GPS or anything like that (and) it turned out pretty good.”

As if popping the question in soybeans wasn’t enough, the ring Stein proposed to Hamilton with also has a story.

The couple had gone to the annual antique show at the Armory in Geneseo last April where Hamilton stumbled upon a ring she liked.

“He went back the next day and secretly got it and has had it since then,” said Hamilton.

“He’s pretty good. He did good.”

Keenan, the couple’s photographer friend, was in the field snapping shots at the time of the proposal.

After, he put his photos up on Facebook, where they can only be said to have gone viral.

“It’s super crazy,” said Hamilton who was excited about Keenan’s post reaching about 580,000 Facebook users.

“Over half a million people for the two of us!”

Keenan’s photos later reached more than 1 million Facebook users.

“I honestly cannot believe how much exposure it’s gotten — it’s ridiculous,” said Stein. “I really never planned it to take off like that — I just wanted to do something extremely special for her.”

The couple first met about two years ago at Lakelands Equipment, a John Deere dealership in Avon.

“We have a mutual friend, he tried to set us up for the longest time (and) we actually ended up seeing each other over at the John Deere dealer over in Avon,” said Hamilton.

“We just kind of started talking from there.”

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FEATURE, from page 25

with the theme of where and how they first met as well as their engagement, is firmly rooted in farming.

“Seeing as we’re both farmers, the summers are fairly busy, so August is a little bit slower of a month,” Hamilton explained. “It’s kind of a traditional farmer wedding time of year.”

But once the couple’s photos run their course online and social media, they’ll still have the memories of their one-of-akind engagement and the field where it all happened.

“It’ll be a good story to tell our kids some day,” joked Stein. “It really worked out perfectly.”

“We’ll never forget it that’s for sure,” added Hamilton.

“That field will always be the special field where we got engaged.”

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F E AT U R E S

Determining wedding day dress code Wedding ivitations do more than merely announce that a celebration is on the horizon. Invitations provide key information about the ceremony and festivities to

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Even though wedding invitations rarely offer specific information regarding attire, chances are the wording will provide clues that can help guests interpret the desired dress code.

CASUAL

If the invitation mentions casual attire, it’s important to realize that everyday casual is different from wedding casual. Jeans, shorts and tank tops are unacceptable unless otherwise noted.

Err on the side of caution and go with business casual, which includes chinos, slacks, a polo shirt or button-down shirt for men.

Women can wear a sundress or slacks or a skirt and an attractive blouse. If the invitation mentions beach casual, shorts and even sandals are likely acceptable.

SEMIFORMAL

Semiformal dresswear, sometimes referred to as “dressy casual,” is a step up from casual clothing. Cocktail dresses or a more elegant skirt and top are the norms. Gentleman generally

wear a suit and tie. Coordinate the colors of clothing to the time of day. Fabrics should represent the season. For example, a linen suit will not pass at a winter wedding.

FORMAL

Formal attire is the default dress code for the majority of weddings. When the invitation does not specify a dress code, it is safe to assume formal attire is expected. Men can choose among a dark suit and tie or a tuxedo.

Women can opt for a formal cocktail-length dress, a classic suit or a long dress. Select among tones that are gray, black or brown.

BLACK TIE

Black tie events also require formal attire. Black tie typically goes hand-in-hand with an evening wedding. Black tie is more rigid for male guests, who should wear a tuxedo, black bow tie, cummerbund, and patent leather shoes. Women have a little more leeway with their attire at such gatherings. A long evening gown might be preferable. However, a chic cocktail dress also can be acceptable, and darker, neutral colors are most appropriate.

Some invitations may reference “Black Tie Preferred.” While men may opt for a tuxedo, a black suit also can be worn.

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The most formal of occasions will request white tie attire. Ball gowns and tuxedoes with tails are the norm, as are dramatic jewelry and hairstyles. White tie attire is akin to what one might see worn to awards shows.

When attending a wedding, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Guests can consult with fellow guests or the bride and groom if they are unsure of the dress code.

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Small Weddings, BBQ’s, Graduation Parties, Showers, Small Gatherings Under 125 People Old Fashion Cakes & Cupcakes for all occasions Julene M. Fayle 5483 Trinity Ave., Lowville, NY 13367

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315-376-7932 cell 315-221-0732 julenefayle@gmail.com

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BEST PHOTOS 2016 ‘Glitz & glam ballroom’ LOCATION: 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, Clayton, NY SEASON: Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Kristen Smith \ Kristen Charles Photography

“The couple worked tirelessly to curate their perfect day. From gold sequence to towering candles and flower center pieces, the ball room transformed into a glittering dream that took everyones breath away.

They smiled all night.”

‘Love in the details’ LOCATION: Maple Ridge, Lowville, NY SEASON: Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Kristen Smith \ Kristen Charles Photography

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“The ring shot. Simple and new perspectives are what make wedding day images so unique. Sometimes a little sneaky detail shot can really help glue their story together in their images. While the bride and groom had a minute to talk and embrace I noticed how the groom sweetly grabbed his brides hand. For a few minutes they stood and just watched eachtoher, not letting go.”

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6615 Buneo Road Port Leyden, NY 13433

315-783-2740

Call Pam for more information or to make an appointment to come see us.

BEST PHOTOS 2016 ‘Love and scenery’ LOCATION: Antique Boat Museum, Clayton, NY SEASON: Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Kristen Smith \ Kristen Charles Photography “The bride wasn’t feeling well with it being the hottest day of the year so we limited the amount of shoot time and had to get creative. The berries and lush greens provided excellent color while the bride and groom embraced.”

‘Diamond details’ LOCATION: 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, Clayton, NY SEASON: Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Kristen Smith \ Kristen Charles Photography

‘Embrace the breeze’ LOCATION: 1,000 Islands SEASON: Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Kristen Smith \ Kristen Charles Photography

“It was a windy day on the st.

Lawrence river for the Ringwoods wedding day but that didn’t stop us from creating magic! The wind although an annoyance, made for some real drama and helped bring out the couples true emotion. It’s very clear that these two are mean to be.”

“Diamond shoes, vintage lace from her mothers wedding dress and a romantic scent are the finishing touches to make the bride ready to walk down the isle. Every detail, down to the “I DO” on the bottom of the shoes were carefully thought out and very much so represents the bride and her fun, sweet and beautiful personality ”

Kristen Charles Photography Watertown www.thepinksmith.com JANUARY 2017 | NN Y LI VI NG W EDDIN GS

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BEST PHOTOS 2016

‘As the sun sets’ LOCATION: Rainbow Shores Lodge, Pulaski, NY SEASON: Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Jenny Haury Photography

Courtney and Chuck had only one request for their must have shots- sunset. So while the guests were heating up the dance floor and the sun was slowly sinking, I followed the bride and groom to a rocky beach. The sunset was a spectacular end to this couple’s nautical inspired wedding.

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Jenny Haury Photography Watertown, NY www.jennyhaury.com

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CATERING • BARTENDING High Quality & Consistency “Bring the Clipper Inn To Your Next Wedding”

126 State St., Clayton, NY • 686-3842 www.clipperinn.com

BEST PHOTOS 2016 ‘Between two boats’ LOCATION: Antique Boat Museum, Clayton, NY SEASON: Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Jenny Haury Photography

‘Succulent details’ LOCATION: Ridgeview Inn, Lowville, NY SEASON: Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Jenny Haury Photography

The gusty winds from the St. Lawrence were of no concern to Samantha and Justin as they cuddled, giggled and danced between the displays of historical boats at their wedding venue.

Highlighting the beautiful details that the bride and groom pour so much thought and time into can give others a rich view of what the wedding day was really like. Guests were wowed by the beautiful succulent bouquets that graced Shaddai and Jonathan’s wedding.

728 Bradley Street Watertown, NY 13601

~ Our Dining Room Will Accommodate 225 People ~ Our Game Room & Lodge Room Hold 100 Each

Contact Our Event Coordinator at 315-788-1270 for more information. * You must be an Elk Member or sponsored by an Elk Member in order to use our facility “Mention this ad and receive $100 OFF the total bill of your wedding!”

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Watertown Elks lodge #496

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BEST PHOTOS 2016

‘A walk in the park’ LOCATION: Keewaydin State Park, Alex Bay, NY SEASON: Early Fall PHOTOGRAPHER: Jovial Photography

Meghan and Brian Dawson walk near a small pavilion at Keewaydin State Park.

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Jovial Photography Sakets Harbor, NY www.jovial-photography.com

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Two Words. Two People One Perfect Ring

Twin Leaf Plaza 8 St. Rt. 37, Hogansburg (518) 333-0428

We Are Ta x FREE

Mon-Fri 10am-6pm Sat. 10am-5pm Sun. Closed

BEST PHOTOS 2016 ‘Along the riverwalk’ LOCATION: 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, Clayton, NY SEASON: Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Jovial Photography

‘As the sun sets’ LOCATION: Boldt Castle, Alex Bay, NY SEASON: Late Summer PHOTOGRAPHER: Jovial Photography

The bride joins together with her bridesmaids on the Riverwalk, located infront of the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel. The location was perfect to feature the St. Lawrence River behind the group.

Karina and Peyton Amato share an embrassing kiss on Heart Island, home of Boldt Castle. Time seems to stop as the calm waters on the St. Lawrence River wripple behind the couple.

We Rent Everything You Need For Any Event!

30 Years Of

Tents, Dance Floors, Tables, Chairs, Linens, & Place Settings.

Also Wedding Invitations.

780 W.Main Watertown, NY • (315)788-5097 www.partyrentalsplus.com

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ice

liable Serv

al And Re Profession

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Feature:

n 2017 Outlook For Northern New York And The Region’s Economy

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Contact your local advertising account executive to reserve space today.

Unsure who to call?

Contact Us at (315) 661-2310

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Publication Date: January 14, 2017.

Advertising Deadline: December 30, 2016.

The response from my ad in Northern New York Newspapers’

FLY NNY MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

Emily Herman

Manager of The Scrub Hub 19033 US-11 (Outer Washington St.) Watertown, NY

has seen such an immediate and continued response after advertising in the “Fly NNY” Magazine which was distributed into the Canadian Market ,

“

As a specialty store, it is often hard to advertise to our specific customers base. Since there are few scrubs stores along the Canadian border we try to let them know that we are here in Watertown. We sent out ads in the Fly NNY Magazine for our Black Friday specials and had a great response. We had numerous new Canadian customers throughout the weekend that had never heard of us. And we are still getting customers from Canada saying that they saw the ad. We will defiantly advertise in the Fly NNY insert as we hope to continue to grow the number of Canadian customers

”

Manager at The Scrub Hub

The

we have!!

Emily Herman – Manager

Watertown (315) 661-2310

Emily Herman

Hub LLC.

Ogdensburg (315) 393-1003

Massena (315) 769-2451

Canton (315) 661-2528

F E AT U R E S

Throw a casual wedding to remember Although wedding costs have gone up, the average number of wedding guests has gone down.

As such, certain couples might look to rein in other aspects of their wedding. Transforming the festivities into a casual affair can help keep the overall budget low while still allowing for an exciting and enjoyable event. To put casual plans into motion, consider these ideas to help the wedding vision come to fruition.

Elegant, lavish weddings provide moments couples will remember for years to come. But while such storybook ceremonies and receptions remain popular, casual affairs are gaining popularity.

According to the bridal re-

source The Knot, more and more couples are opting for less pageantry and more laid back panache when planning their weddings. For those who prefer something more intimate and more personalized, casual weddings may be right on target.

There are many advantages to having a “luxe with less” wedding, including the ability to break molds and impart more of the couple’s personality into the event.

Another advantage is the price tag. The average U.S. wedding, according to The Knot 2014 Real Weddings Study, costs $31,213.

In some urban areas, particularly New York City, average costs are three times that amount. Golden Girl Finance, a leader in finan-

cial digital media, has found that Canadian weddings average $31,000 with honeymoon included. Although wedding costs have gone up, the average number of wedding guests has gone down.

As such, certain couples might look to rein in other aspects of their wedding. Transforming the festivities into a casual affair can help keep the overall budget low while still allowing for an exciting and enjoyable event. To put casual plans into motion, consider these ideas to help the wedding vision come to fruition.

VENUE Catering halls and other reception sites do a wonderful job of meeting the needs of their clien-

t es n w I n!

Ne tel tow Ho ter Wa

250 Commerce Park Drive ~ Watertown ~ NY ~ 13601 (315) 788-2800 www.fairfieldinn.com/artfi

“2015 Hotel of the Year for Marriott”

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(Named on April 26, 2016 out of 789 Fairfield Inn & Suites Globally)

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Scott LaClair, DDS Natashya Fraser, DDS Chelsea A. Eppolito, DDS

A nice white, straight smile helps a face light up. Call today to experience a dental care approach like no other.

tele. However, food and beverage costs are often the most expensive wedding expense. To reduce the perguest cost and also incorporate some variety into their wedding days, couples can consider a venue change.

Look for public locations that allow couples to hire their own caterer, which may be a favorite restaurant or specialty food shop. The cost per person may decrease dramatically from the venue costs.

Changing the venue also enables couples to pick unique spots that may hold special meaning to them.

For example, couples can choose the site of their first date or the location where their proposal took place.

CONTRAST Enjoy a casual, free-spirited wedding that incorporates some aspects of formality in an off-beat way.

Think about serving fast food, such as fried chicken or pizza, on fine china. Those wearing tuxedos and gowns can opt for casual footwear, such as athletic shoes. Place wildflowers in crystal vases. These are just some methods to give a rich feel without removing the fun element.

WARDROBE Clothing often indicates the formality of an occasion. Everyone from the wedding party to the guests can dress down. Sundresses can replace taffeta bridesmaids’ gowns. Guys can opt for tailored sports coats with jeans. Guests may feel comfortable in less formal attire that facilitates dancing and mingling.

Casual weddings are becoming more popular as many couples are playing down the party for various reasons.

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PERSONAL TOUCHES Menus or wedding programs printed at home in a fun font can set the casual tone couples are looking for. Look for eclectic fabrics to use as gift tags or napkin holders. Handpainted signs or a hodge-podge of picture frames can display pertinent information, such as itineraries or seating arrangements. Encourage friends or family to contribute a favorite menu item to the food offerings. A home-baked dessert can be delicious and budget-friendly.

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