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February 2011 A special supplement to The Daily Nonpareil

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Wedding trends The 2011 wedding trends include rusticchic concepts, lots of details and a ton of creativity. Outdoor weddings are a big must as soon as the sun begins to shine (or not!) and indoor weddings are getting a little break. Discover the biggest wedding trends for 2011.

long and elegant instead of round, because long tables not only emphasize the decoration but are also reminiscent of other times, when they were part of homemade family celebrations.

Must trends: include country flowers, recycle small glass recipients (such as yogurt or mason jars) and tin tea cans, create an eco-chic and rustic ambience for the wedding, which is simultaneously original and elegant.

Pretty & Simple

After the weddings with huge and opulent flower arrangements come the small and simple ones, with less quantity. Tables should be

Baylisss Park Hall

to make yours an outdoor wedding, than do it! However, it’s very important that you have a plan B, just in case the rain decides to bless your big day!

Back to the past

Outdoor weddings The weather is hard to predict, but outdoor weddings are a huge trend for 2011 because a party in the outdoors is different, fun and relaxing. If it’s possible

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The past is back and all vintage ideas as well.

Incorporating modern

Top wedding colors for 2011 1. Turquoise 2. Coral 3. Black & White 4. Yellow 5. Fuchsia Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

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6. Deep Red 7. Chartreuse 8. Slate Grey 9. Purple 10. Latte February 2011

& ideas for elements that have a historical past is a growing trend, which is very appreciated by everyone that participates in weddings with these types of ideas. Presenting your guests with party favors from historical brands, building the wedding theme around this concept, recycling and wearing your mother or grandmother’s wedding dress, incorporating your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding pictures into the décor, creating an atmosphere of nostalgic romance is always nice and very, very trendy these days.

don’t have time for details, there’s nothing like hiring a wedding planner to transform your wedding dreams into reality. The wedding cake table is a main focal point, the place cards should be original and personalized, the chairs should have a special touch, the wedding color palette should be very well thought out – basically, think about all the small details that will make a big difference.

Old school photography

Photography is going to take a vintage spin, with wedding albums that are reminiscent of the seventies. Draped textiles as backgrounds for photographing the bride and the groom, as well as guests, in a relaxed setting is a big trend, so don’t forget to set up something like this at your wedding: it’s very simple and, best of all, loads of fun for everyone.

DIY

Details, details, details

Details are hardly overlooked but now they are more important than ever! No tiny detail should go unseen and everything should be planned right down to the last feature. If you February 2011

2011

The DIY concept – Do It Yourself – is definitely here to stay and it’s one of the biggest 2011 wedding trends, not only from an economical point of view, but also because there isn’t anything more special than incorporating handmade elements – made by the bride and the groom – into the wedding.

Simple but quality menus and food

Just as weddings in general are going to be

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simple and pretty in 2011, so should the menu. Traditional food presented in a very modern way or with a touch of originality is the way to go. Serving lemonade, mazagran, colorful teas – all in a special way – is definitely a very pretty trend.

Rustic wedding cakes

Wedding cakes will continue to be tall and elegant, but with a touch of rustic-chic, where fondant is replaced by a delicious butter cream and large sugar flowers are substituted by natural flowers, sugar glazed fruit or just fun details. The wedding cake table is a huge trend: it should be beautiful and a highlight at the reception venue.

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Budgeting tips for Brides & Grooms When it comes to planning a wedding, finances are first and foremost on the minds of many couples. As the costs associated with weddings continue to rise, the need for a budget only grows more apparent.

But how can a couple establish and stick to a budget? Doing so depends on each individual couple, how much they can spend and what they’re willing to sacrifice for their big day.

Establishing a Budget Wedding budgets can vary greatly depending on the couple and the type of wedding they desire. A wedding budget should be established as far in advance as possible.

When setting the budget, it’s best to determine exactly how much you can spend, and then set the budget lower than that. For example, if the most you can afford is $25,000, set your budget at $22,000. This will allow you some wiggle room when the inevitable hap-

invite friends over for the night. You’ll be surprised how much these subtle lifestyle changes can save you.

Stick to Your Guns When establishing a wedding budget, couples should be mindful of what they hope to offer their guests at the reception.

pens and you’re forced to go over budget.

Be Ready to Spend More

Monitor Your Spending

Regardless of how well you’ve planned the wedding, you’re going to end up spending more than your initial budget allowed. This happens for a number of reasons, ranging from overtime fees at the reception to tipping the vendors to larger guest lists than you might have originally intended.

Once a budget has been determined, a good way for couples to adhere to that budget is to establish a separate wedding spending account. This account should be separate from personal accounts, and all wedding expenses should be drawn solely from this wedding account. This is a good way to monitor how much you’re spending, and your monthly statement will provide an itemized list of how much is being deposited and spent.

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Prepare for the inevitable overspending by cutting back on other expenses leading up to the big day.

Rather than going out to dinner on weekends, make a homecooked meal to save some money. Instead of costly trips to a night club,

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While you should be prepared to spend more, that extra spending should be saved for things such as tipping the staff and possibly paying more for an additional guest or two.

Where couples should be budget-cautious is when vendors try to up-sell services. For example, while a topshelf bar might be a nice gesture, it can be considerably more expensive than just offering beer at your reception, and letting your guests pay for liquor.

If a vendor tries to up-sell, couples should not hold that against the vendor. After all, that is the vendor’s job.

Instead, prioritize what you want before you go visit any vendors.

You’re much more likely to be happy with your selections.

February 2011

Top 10 must-haves for a ‘green’ wedding Environmentally friendly ideals are now permeating all aspects of daily living.

Many people want to take the concept further and ensure their nuptials – and subsequent reception – are good for the planet as well.

Although there are no firm statistics on the number of green weddings being held each year, emerging trends point to the growing interest in ecoconscious weddings.

Individuals who already do their best to recycle, reuse and reduce want to employ those same values on their wedding day.

There are many ways to employ a green mindset to wedding planning and execution. Largely the carbon footprint of a wedding can be reduced simply by scaling back and avoiding overconsumption. Here are some ideas to think about.

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Reduce travel. Research indicates that more than two-thirds of emissions in the U.S. are produced by energy consumption and transportation. By reducing guests’ need to travel far for a wedding or offering transportation that can accommodate several people at once (like a bus), carbon emissions will be reduced.

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Home is where the heart is. Keeping weddings close to home is helpful. Those with big backyards or a park nearby can host the event at home or in a nearby park and reduce dependence on February 2011

large reception halls that use up large amounts of energy to operate. A home wedding also gives couples the opportunity to shop around for locally produced, organic foods.

brides. Many Web sites will match up brides with others looking to swap items at low or no cost.

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Skip the paper. Though etiquette experts frown on abandoning paper invitations for electronic ones, many couples are doing just that. For those who still prefer paper, print invitations on recycled paper.

Reduce other wedding stationery needs by posting information on a wedding Web site shared with family and friends.

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Shop for floral alternatives. Flowers would seem “green” in themselves.

However, many blooms available at florist shops are grown in hothouses with the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, something that is not very good for the environment at all.

Brides opting for something more eco-conscious could consider alternative options, such as bouquets made of sustainable succulent plants and centerpieces full of organic fruits and wildflowers.

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Go small scale. Instead of inviting every last cousin and distant uncle, couples are opting for more intimate affairs, including only the people they are closest

to, which saves on cost and helps the environment.

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Trim some of the wedding day fat. Some couples opt for an all-you-can-eat buffet and then a subsequent dessert bar later on in the evening. Stuffed guests may end up wasting more food than eating it. Instead of all-you-can, go for a more traditional meal.

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Choose a charitable party favor. Instead of a party favor that collects dust on a shelf, couples are choosing to gift with organic products or a donation to a charitable organization in the guests’ names.

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Choose an open registry.

Instead of fine china that may never be used, many couples are opting for open registries that enable guests to gift everything from ecofriendly housewares to charitable donations to cash for down payments on a home.

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Opt for mixed seating arrangements: Instead of formal escort cards indicating firm seating arrangements, couples are saving paper by allowing guests to choose their own seats from mix-matched options, such as long, communal benches and comfy sofas.

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Go with something old.

Recycled gowns and gently used items are good alternatives for eco-conscious

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Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Bridal hair trends move modern MIKE BROWNLEE Staff Writer mike.brownlee@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5732

Modern is in for bridal hairstyles this year.

Amie McMahan, hairstylist at The Gallery, 1860 Madison Ave., said that brides-to-be and bridesmaids lately are bucking tradition.

“We’ve been doing a lot more of the modern looks,” she said.

McMahan said one of the most popular styles right now is “a lot of the looser curls, down low.”

“A low, loose up-do,” she said.

“That basically sums it up.”

And a lot of women are doing the up-do off to the side instead of centered, McMahan added.

The half-up, half-down look is popular as well, McMahan said, describing a style that puts hair up, with hair underneath flowing down.

“We get quite a few people who add the clip-on extensions, especially for the half-up, half-down look,” she said.

Flowers, always an elegant and beautiful addition to hairdos, are

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

With the help of hair stylist Monica Spielman from The Gallery Salon, Marlee Price wears her hair low and to the side, an increasingly popular style.

also big lately, McMahan said.

The Gallery does see its share of traditional styles “every so often,” McMahan said.

“Women will wear their hair up high with curls and wear a tiara in the veil,” she said.

McMahan also described popular vintage looks, including styles that go well with the “birdcage” veil.

Create your

stylwiteh us.

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While there are occasional bridal parties during the winter months, The Gallery and other salons start to book up as spring and summer come around, according to McMahan.

712-256-5188

“We’ll have parties booked every weekend in the summer,” she said.

Brides and their maids generally meet with a stylist and do a trial run of their selected hairstyle, McMahan said, often on the day of the bachelorette party.

“Practice. We take pictures and bring those back for the day of.

They can tweak it however they want,” she said.

The “day of” is always fun, McMahan said.

“They bring mimosas and donuts and just hang out as a big group.

The vibe is high – it’s such a great time,” she said. “Most of the people we get in here we’ve been doing for years. You get to know them on a personal level. It’s fun to be involved in making their special day beautiful.”

www.magerhair.com

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

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February 2011

Wacky Wedding Facts According to TheKnot.com, the unofficial experts on all things weddings, there are some things that may surprise the average person about weddings across the country. Here are some facts to consider.

• Weddings in Iowa and Nebraska are the biggest, averaging 200 guests.

February 2011

• The average engagement ring costs more than $5,800.

• Only 19 percent of couples rely on a wedding planner.

• Most brides have one do-it-yourself element, such as favors or escort cards.

• Ancient Romans broke a cake over the bride’s head to symbolize fertility. Today, brides must be fortunate to have only a little cake smashed in their faces!

• “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Lady in Red” are the two most popular first dance songs (even though 87 percent of brides wear white).

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Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Wedding cake ideas this season The multi-tiered cake that is a favorite wedding tradition that’s often presented at the end of the night. The happy couple takes a slice and enjoys the first piece.

In recent years, wedding cakes have become more of an artistic centerpiece than just a confectionary treat. Couples often seek out renowned wedding cake bakers for a cake that will amaze the crowd and complete the theme of the wedding.

The average couple will spend between $700 to $800 for their wedding cake. Although many catering halls or reception sites will include the wedding cake in a package deal, many couples choose to order their cake from a specialty bakery who creates culinary masterpieces.

If television trends are any indication, many people are opting to spend several hundred to thousands of dollars on a customized wedding cake. These fondant and buttercream creations may be elaborate in nature, so much so they’ll likely need to be

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

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ordered several months in advance.

Couples looking for something a bit different for their upcoming nuptials, many want to consider these trends in wedding cakes.

• 3-D accents on the cake, such as graphic appliques.

• A black-and-white motif that gives the cake a simplistic, yet trendy appeal.

• A lot of bold color in the cake, instead of just white or ivory.

• Dramatic monograms that can add class to the cake.

• Cupcakes! There's just a bit more punch to a cupcake. You can dress them up or down, but they'll always be fun.

• Cakes that mirror the style of the wedding gown, including fondant ruffles and appliques.

Many couples still opt for the traditional, and that is always in style.

Instead of experimenting with the outside of the cake, couples can be creative with cake flavor and fillings. Imagine cutting open the cake to find red velvet or a chocolate ganache filling!

February 2011

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14 tips to lose weight

Make a calendar to lose weight

In order to lose weight in a coherent way, schedule a consistent calendar. You will have to establish the goal for a date previous to buying the wedding dress, and for the wedding day! Losing a lot of weight after buying the wedding dress means having to readjust the dress, and this makes things a lot more expensive. Imagine if you can not lose weight, you will end up by having to buy another dress!

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Have a month of strength

With some effort, in a month you can get some pretty good results. Make gymnastics for 5 days a week, with 30 minutes of cardio (runner, bicycle, step). If you work your abdominals and your back for one day, two days working the upper part of your body and another two days working the lower part of your body, you will get surprising results. Ask some advice to the gymnasium’s instructor; he will certainly know how to help you reach that goal.

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Know yourself

The best time of the day to work out is when you feel more energy, varying according to your personality. If you are a morning person, go to the gym before going to work. If you are not a morning person, you should work out in the end February 2011

of the afternoon, because your energy will be in its peak by that time.

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7

Read

Listen to your body

Do not eat because your watch tells you to, but eat because your body is asking for food. Pay attention to your body. Instead of having few and big meals during the day, eat lighter meals but more times a day.

Eating light meals more frequently tends to improve the functioning of the metabolism.

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Keep the hydration

Take a bottle of 1,5 L of water to your work place, place it besides you so that you won’t forget that YOU HAVE TO DRINK IT, therefore creating a habit.

When you go to the gymnasium, take some water with you, so that you won’t dehydrate. You prefer energetic drinks, dilute them placing two parts of water per each drink.

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Don’t skip meals

Have at least 3 meals a day. Base all your meals in elements like: chicken, turkey, fish, non fat cheese.

These elements are rich in protein and avoid the hunger attacks between meals. If you feel hungry, that is because you do not eat enough protein.

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Not much and slowly

Eating must not be seen as a contest to see who finishes first! Try to eat slowly, chewing the food properly and, above all, tasting it.

Serve the meal in a small plate and in a small portion.

You will notice that you will eat less and be more satisfied.

Make friends with snacks

Always carry small snacks with you. With the working agitated schedule, people don’t have time to have light meals between the main ones, making them eat less times but in bigger quantities. This is the right way to gain weight. Always carry with you an apple, a banana, a cereals bar, and you will feel less tempted to eat a flaky pastry before going home.

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Eat before going out for parties

A small snack before going out for a party will give you some energy and you will not eat huge quantities of Hors D’Oeuvres, loaded with calories.

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Lots of vegetables

Read the labels on the cereals and sodas and remember that a sugar spoon is equal to 4 grams, and it contains 16 calories and 0 nutrition. For example, a can of some soda contains about 160 calories and ten sugar spoons. Now, think… If you stop drinking sodas and juice and replace them by water, don’t you thing this will help your diet a lot?

Always serve the main elements of your meals with raw or boiled vegetables, not using excessive sauces.

You can eat as much vegetables a day as you wish.

Always choose integral products

The fibres on the integral products take longer to digest than the simple carbon hydrates. Use the same principle when making snacks, eat integral bread, dried fruits, apples or cereals like granola. You must avoid very processed food, with much fat and with a low nutritional value, like fast food, because this gives you a lot less energy.

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Avoid salt

Salt makes the organism retain more liquids and gain more volume, making your body swell. Avoid spicy food and snacks with a high level of salt.

Avoid caffeine

Limit the caffeine ingested to a coffee a day. Too much caffeine will destroy the energy the body naturally possesses, creating the need to eat to regain energy.

Replace coffee for green tea… besides the energy it provides, it also helps you to lose weight!

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Music to your ears Brides and grooms have a few options when it comes to the music played at their ceremony and reception. Live musicians or deejays are often the entertainment of choice. When hiring the entertainment, there are some important things to keep in mind.

hire out contract musicians, meaning the preview musicians may not be the same person who will perform at the ceremony. That can potentially prove disastrous. If a certain musician or deejay is requested, be sure it is put down in writing in the contract.

The music of the wedding will set the tone for the event and keep guests entertained during key moments of the day. Musicians will often work in conjunction with a maitre d’ to be sure the reception moves along smoothly and sticks to the schedule. Music will be played while guests are dining and when there are opportunities for dancing.

Provide the musical entertainment with some information to further help the wedding go off without a hitch. This may include but not be limited to the following:

It’s essential to listen to musicians or deejays before hiring anyone to ensure what they’re offering will fit in with the wedding. Also, it’s helpful to confirm the person or people being auditioned will be the exact individuals at the wedding.

Some entertainment companies

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• Names of all wedding party participants so they can be properly introduced.

• Name of the married couple, including pronunciation of the last name, if necessary.

• The title of the couple’s song.

• The titles of songs to be danced with mother/son or father/daughter.

• A listing of any preferred songs.

• The title of a “spotlight dance” song.

• Any music that is off-limits at the reception.

• Special announcements that should be made, such as mentioning a guest’s birthday or another special event involving guests.

• Whether a bouquet and garter toss will take place, and which songs should be played during these traditions.

In most cases, wedding musicians are professionals who have handled many weddings and are very accustomed to what should be done to make the night a memorable one.

Trust in the expertise of the musicians, and provide guidance where necessary.

most popular first dance songs for 2011

1. Everything by Michael Buble 2. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

6. Greatest Day by Take That 7. Let There Be Love by Nat King Cole 8. Fly Me To The Moon

by Andy Williams

3. Better Together by Jack Johnson 4. Let’s Stay Together by Al Green 5. Chasing Cars by The Postal Service Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

by Frank Sinatra

9. Rule The World by Take That 10. I’m Yours by Jason Mraz

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February 2011

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Honeymoon planning how-to With all the work that goes into planning a wedding, it can be easy for couples to overlook their own honeymoons. But in the middle of all those seating arrangements and reception hall negotiations, couples also need to plan and look forward to the rest and relaxation that awaits, which will no doubt be a well-deserved escape once the wedding has come and gone.

getaway, and couples will enjoy their welldeserved break no matter where it is they’re putting their feet up.

Couples can take the following advice to ensure their getaway goes off without a hitch.

• Plan an off-season honeymoon. That dream honeymoon might be affordable after all if couples can wait till it’s not the height of tourist season. Most weddings occur during the summer months, when tourist season is in full swing.Couples who can put off their honeymoon until the offseason will no doubt find their dream honeymoon is much more affordable.

• Be budget-conscious. Many couples could enjoy a honeymoon to Siberia in the dead of winter after their big day has passed. After all the stress of planning and paying for the wedding, couples will likely just enjoy the time away. Take this into consideration when planning a honeymoon. If a dream trip isn’t in the budget after all the wedding bills have come due, don’t fret. A less expensive getaway is still a

• Start early. It’s never too early to start planning the honeymoon. The earlier couples begin to research possible destinations, the better feel they will have for what they can and can’t afford. Research can be done well in advance to give couples an idea of what their dream trip will cost. But don’t book any flights or make any reservations too far in advance. The best deals are often available a few months before the trip.

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• Spread the news that you’re newlyweds. Hotels love hosting newlyweds, and many will upgrade rooms for recently married guests. Couples should not be too brash about it, as fully booked hotels won’t be able to upgrade their guests. But let the hotel know you’re on your honeymoon when checking in, and they might just upgrade your room and comp you a bottle of champagne as a gift.

• Think outside the box. When asked about a dream honeymoon, couples will often bring up Hawaii or even Paris. While those are beautiful places to spend a honeymoon, they’re also expensive.

Fortunately, there are a bevy of locales, be it domestic or international, that aren’t nearly as pricey as the most popular honeymoon destinations but still make wonderful options for a honeymoon getaway couples won’t soon forget.

favorite honeymoon destinations in 2011

1. HAWAII

2. MEXICO

3. ST. LUCIA

4. BAHAMAS

5. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

6. TAHITI

7. FIJI

8. VENICE

9. PARIS

10. ANTIGUA

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

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February 2011

Hot Color Combo Ideas AQUA & APPLE RED

February 2011

MOSS GREEN CHOCOLATE & NAVY BROWN & YELLOW

GRAPE & MAGENTA

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Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Buying gifts for the wedding party Lynch has been in the business for 35 years and said gifts for the groomsmen seem to remain fairly constant.

DENNIS FRIEND Staff Writer dennis.friend@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5746

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Brandy Brooks, an associate at Lynch's Jewelry, shows off several of the items available for wedding party gifts.

The wedding party works as a support system for the bride and groom during the planning process. In exchange, they traditionally receive a gift. The tradition began when brides would purchase white gloves for their bridesmaids. Today, the bride and groom often buy jewelry or keepsakes for members of the wedding party.

“Money clips and tie bars are popular. It doesn’t change much for the men,” he said. Monogrammed cuff links also remain popular choices.

For the bridesmaids, earrings and necklaces have been popular. Pearls or fake pearls are the classic choice.

“Gold-colored roses, preserved and dipped in 24-carat gold, are popular, too,” Lynch said.

For the women, “Right now, pearls and flowers are popular,” Mike Lynch of Lynch’s Jewelry said.

Lynch recently added a limited number of flower holders for the bridesmaids to his stock. The flower holders can be engraved with names and dates to recall the moment.

Extra Special Accessories & Gifts For People That Help Make Your Day Extra Special

The price of a gift for a member of the bridal party can range from $10 for a money clip or a small strand of pearls to “as high as you want, like a $20,000 ring or even higher,” Lynch said.

Starting at

16.00

$

- Engravable Tussies For a Personalized Gift For Bridesmaids & Brides

Lynch’s Jewelry is located at 126 E. Broadway in Council Bluffs. For more information, call (712) 325-0414.

- Pearl Strands Starting at

30.00

$

Gifts for the bridal party do not have to be limited to jewelry or cigarette lighters. Some members of wedding parties have received picture frames,

126 E. Broadway, Suite 3 - 325-0414 Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

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compact mirrors, jewelry boxes or monogrammed handkerchiefs. Keepsake gifts also can include key chains, monogrammed business card holders, desk clocks or pen-and-pencil sets.

Some less-traditional gifts have included tickets to movies, sporting events, concerts, museums or other special activities, and gift certificates to a spa for a massage, pedicure or facial.

The Knot wedding planning website lists a $9.99 Circle of Friendship bracelet and a $15.95 “waffle” cosmetic bag among the more popular bridesmaid gifts. The gifts can be personalized for free. Top groomsman gifts include $9.99 cuff links and a $29.95 silverplated pocket watch. Those items, too, can be personalized at no charge.

A check of other bridal stores on line revealed bridesmaid suggestions like compacts and lipstick cases for $20, necklaces and bracelets ranging from $30 to $65, keepsake boxes selling for $10 to $40 and photo frames selling for $15 to $20.

For groomsmen, gifts range from shotglasses and tankards selling for $7.50 to $19, flasks for $25 to $30, money clips at $20 to $30, cufflinks selling for $25 and photo frames ranging from $15 to $25.

February 2011

Pare down your wedding guest list Couples are faced with many decisions when planning a wedding. One often overlooked decision concerns the guest list. Ideally, couples would love to invite all their friends and family to share in their special day. Realistically, however, budget often dictates just how many guests a couple can invite.

That reality has led to a disagreement or two over the years, as both the bride-to-be and her future husband make their case for who makes the cut. To help avoid such disagreements, couples should consider the following tips when paring down their guest list.

• Make a master list as early as possible. It’s impossible to pare down a guest list if there’s no list to begin with. Once the planning process begins, couples should separately write down all the guests they would like to invite. Once each is finished with their list, the hard work of paring that list down can begin.

• Consider who’s footing the bill. If Mom and Dad are paying for the wedding, then their suggestions for the guest list should carry most of the weight. Weddings are February 2011

If the goal is to keep the guest list under control, only invite close friends and family members who have kept in touch with over the years.

Couples are often faced with tough decisions when it comes to paring down the guest list for their wedding.

very expensive, and if Mom and Dad are paying they should have a significant say who will in attendance. The same principle can be applied if the couple is paying for their own wedding. If the costs are being split down the middle, then both the groom- and bride-to-be should be allowed to invite the same number of guests.

dren not attend. This can be noted on the invitation, addressing friends as “Mr. John Doe and guest” or “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe.” Guests should take the hint, but if any RSVPs with their children, be sure to call them immediately and explain the situation.

Friends and family should understand the preference, particularly in the current economic climate.

• Ask that children stay home. Many couples request that their guests leave the children at home. While nieces and nephews might make the cut, it;s perfectly acceptable for couples to state their preference that chil-

• It’s not a reunion.

Couples are often tempted to invite long-lost friends to their wedding.

But cost-conscious couples must recognize their wedding is not a reunion.

17

• Stick to your guns.

Couples vary greatly with what they want out of their wedding. Some want a grandiose affair they can share with their whole family and all of their friends. Other couples want a more laidback affair with only those closest to them in attendance. Whatever their preference, couples should remain firm and not feel guilty no matter how many guests they choose to invite or not invite.

• Cut back in other areas. If it’s proving simply impossible to agree on a reduced guest list, consider inviting everyone and cutting back in other areas. Before signing any contracts, closely examine each one for items that can be removed without drastically changing the ceremony and celebration.

Chances are there are savings to be had, and those savings might make the difference between inviting and not inviting another friend or family member.

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Wedding traditions & superstitions Wedding superstitions are almost as old as marriage itself, starting with the tradition that the bride cannot be seen by the groom before the wedding. Whether you want to follow them or smile because of them, the truth is that wedding superstitions do exist…

Engagement A woman should marry a man whose name starts with same letter as her name.

tains a vein that leads directly to the heart.

the bride with flowers as a symbol of fertility.

Wedding day

If a younger sister gets married before her older sister, the older sister must dance barefoot at her younger sister’s wedding or she will never find a husband.

The bride should not see an open grave on her wedding day.

If the bride cries on her wedding day, it’s a good sign – a sign that those will be the last tears she will shed during her entire marriage.

not last the last

If the groom drops the wedding ring during the ceremony, the marriage will be blessed with good luck.

A woman should only ask a man to marry her during leap years, otherwise she risks a marriage that will not work out.

The vows should not be said after the hours of the day start rewinding, namely after 6 p.m.

The bride should not take off her engagement ring until the wedding day, otherwise it is bad luck.

Engagement and wedding rings should be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because that finger con-

It is good luck to get married on the day of the week on which the groom was born and even on his birthday.

Wedding attire A bride should not make or even help make her own wedding dress.

Borrowing a wedding dress means good luck to who is borrowing and bad luck to who is lending.

Saturday is the least happiest day to have a wedding.

The bridesmaids’ role is to confuse the evil spirits, so that they don’t know who the bride is.

The groom should arrive at the church before the bride and should enter it with his right foot first.

Wearing pearls on a wedding day means tears of sadness will be shed for each pearl.

The flower girl announces the arrival of

The wedding veil protects the bride from evil spirits.

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It is considered good luck if a bride finds a spider on her wedding dress on the day of the wedding.

Wedding cake The bride and groom cut the first slice of cake together so as to assure a lifetime of sharing.

The single women who attend the wedding should take a slice of wedding cake home and place it under their pillow so as to dream with the man they will marry.

After the wedding The first person to fall asleep on the wedding night will be the first to die.

After the wedding and when entering her new home for the first time, the bride must not trip or fall, in order to assure a problem-free marriage. That is why it is tradition that the groom carry the bride over the threshold of the door of their new home after the wedding.

Throwing rice, flowers or confetti at the bride and groom is a symbol of fertility.

February 2011

Gown styles for spring/summer 2011 It’s the season for engagement. Many brides are hunting for their favorite wedding dress for 2011 spring or summer wedding. Do you have any idea about the bridal gown trend for this season?

Let wedding dress pros share with some details.

Black is Back

shaped neck which looks sexy and elegant.

Asymmetrical design

In 2011, asymmetrical design is beyond ordinary bridal gown restrictions. Not only asymmetrical neckline, but also asymmetrical waistline and skirt...

Wedding gowns with black touches have always been a hot potato for brides. It’s elegant but less welcomed by most of senior family members. The latest black fashion is different from 2010 wedding gown which applied a lot of black fabrics. Instead, the black elements are used as embellishments this year, such as black bow, black belt or black gloves. 2011 spring summer bridal gown colors are more low-keyed than last year. 2011 wedding color includes blush, champagne, grey, coffee...Most of wedding gowns are still in ivory and white.

Tiers

Princess Style

Back Design

Princess wedding dress tends to be one of the most popular styles in 2011 spring summer. Trumpet dress and short princess wedding gown are the highlights of the whole year. Slim and curvy brides should have a try on trumpet bridal gowns which are similar to mermaids.

Brides with beautiful legs won’t miss short wedding gown which is lovely and perfect for dancing.

Neckline

2011 spring summer bridal dress with off-shoulder neckline is still in fashion. We’ll see sweetheart, one shoulder and V-neck are welcomed by most 2011 brides. Off-shoulder wedding dress is special-made for brides with a beautifullyFebruary 2011

This season, we’ll carry on 2010 autumn and winter skirt with tiers. Frills and pick-ups mix together and create a gorgeous bride.

Flowers

Spring flowers especially rosettes stand out in this season. Hundreds of flowers mixed together and the soft petals decorated a romantic wedding. 2011 spring summer flowers will be exaggerated in size. Huge flower design has become another trend which is romantic and fashionable.

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Back design tends to be more interesting. A unique back design can be very impressed since all the guests may focus on the bride’s back in the wedding day.

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10 things to do after the wedding proposal Determine a budget How much can you afford to spend on your wedding? What is your dream wedding? Can your budget cover it?

What can stay and what must go?

Put together the guest list

Just got engaged? First off, congratulations! Second: these are the 10 things you should do next…

Share the good news with family and friends This is a happy time and the great news must be shared with loved ones, preferably in a creative and fun way!

Create a digital postcard with a photograph of the engagement ring or of the bride and groom and email it to all your family and friends announcing your engagement! Share the good news on Facebook, Twitter or other social media and keep your account up to date with all the next steps.

Plan an engagement party Whether it’s a lunch, dinner or an all out engagement party, plan something special to announce and celebrate your engagement with close family and friends. Don’t forget to let them know that a fabulous wedding awaits them…

Choose the wedding date In order to choose the perfect wedding date decide if you want a Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter wedding. Is there a special date on which you would love to have your wedding?

Don’t forget to check the calendar so that you know exactly what day of the week you’re talking about when you decide to choose the wedding date.

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Many decisions go into putting together the guest list: how many guests does your budget permit? Who do you invite? Who don’t you invite?

Do you invite colleagues from work or just close family and friends? Do you want an intimate wedding or a traditional wedding with hundreds of guests?

Choose the place where the ceremony is going to be held The place where the wedding ceremony is going to be held should be in agreement with the guest list, as well as the venue for the reception. If you expect 200 guests, then maybe getting married in a small chapel is not the best idea.

Choose the venue for the reception

wedding and vice-versa. Make sure you get some very romantic shots and have fun doing it!

Decide if you’re going to hire a wedding planner Idealizing, organizing and coordinating a wedding can be a full time job and stressful at times. So, if DIY is not a concept that applies to you, consider hiring a wedding planner who will navigate all the pre-wedding organization like a pro. The result? Less hassles and unnecessary worrying for the bride and groom.

Choose the wedding dress The wedding dress is one of the star pieces of the big day and requires a lot of idealizing and research, preferably in advanced, so you have time to check out all your options before making a decision. You don’t have to buy the dress immediately after the wedding proposal, but it is a good idea to start window shopping, magazine and online browsing… so the dream can start to become reality.

Many popular venues, like hotels and other wedding appropriate spaces, require reservations a year or more in advanced, especially during wedding season.

Book an engagement shoot It’s the perfect time to book an engagement shoot and document your love in a beautiful engagement album that will be a wonderful memory of this precious time in your lives.

Since you have to hire a photographer for the wedding, look for one that also does engagement shoots – this is also a great way to get to know the photographer before the

20

February 2011

4

new hairstyle ideas for your wedding

“Don’t throw your flowers away!

Preserve them for a Lifetime!”

Brides often put just as much thought into their wedding day hairstyle as they do their dress. Are you still obsessively searching for a new look to match your gown? (Deciding is tough, we know!)

Here are four easy looks we love.

Old Hollywood Glam Channel the ritz and romance of Hollywood, prepapparazzi, with a vintage bob or curls and a sassy Art Deco-inspired hair piece.

‘80s Rock Take a cue from stars like Beyonce and Eva Longoria and go for a sleek bouffant.

Go Girly Play up a gorgeous neckline or balance out a super-sexy gown with a playful high ponytail.

A New Twist on an Old Trick Put a twist on the classic chignon with this updated look.

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Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Wedding videos get an upgrade CHAD NATION News Editor cnation@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5738

In the old days, an uncle might set up the 8mm camera in the back of the church to capture a wedding couple’s nuptials.

In the grainy, often soundless, movie, one could point out the major players, unless somebody’s head blocked the shot.

Today, while many family members still shoot weddings, the bride and groom have a multitude of options when it comes to capturing their special day on film.

Council Bluffs Video Services owner Robert Benson said wedding videography today is far less intrusive than it used to be.

“We have gotten rid of the excessively bright lights,” Benson said. “We are now less intrusive than a photographer’s flash.”

Benson said he and his wife, Linda, utilize professional low-light capable, broadcast-quality, compact digital video cameras, which usually eliminates the need for bright lights.

The couple has been shooting weddings since 1999, and in 2006 decided to dedicate more time to producing quality wedding packages.

Benson started doing photographic work in the mid-1980s. After a wide variety of projects, including weddings, Benson decided to start videotaping in order to capture those special moments that can only be experienced again, and truly appreciated, through video.

Council Bluffs Video Services offers several different packages, but the prices vary between $1,000 and $1,800, Benson said.

Same-day editing can be obtained with the top end package.

“We filmed a Lincoln wedding at 10:30 a.m. in small vineyard. Since the vineyard was small, it only accommodated 20 guests,” he said. “We were able to edit the video between the wedding and the reception and produce a five-minute highlight of the wedding for everyone at the reception who was not able to attend.”

He said only video will allow people to not only see but also hear the event all over again.

And newlyweds have a number of options for recording their day, not just a shot of the wedding vows.

Some couples want a standard documentary of the day, others want a fiveto 10-minute highlight reel. A video scrapbook can also be produced with still shots.

Whatever the request, Benson said anything is possible.

“We can even host a highlight video on our website so that relative from California who couldn’t make it can see it,” he said.

“It runs the gamut,” Benson said. “Some clients want you to just tape the vows while others want you to go everywhere on the day.”

Benson said he has filmed everything involved in weddings, from the bride getting her hair done at the salon in the morning to the last dance at the reception.

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“Some want shots of their mother zipping them into their gown, the best man helping the groom with a corsage and on through the reception with the couple arriving, interacting with people, the toasts, the cutting of the cake and the first dance,” he said.

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February 2011

C hanging your name If you haven’t done the deed yet, it’s time! Yep, we’re talking about making the decision to change your name or not.

Maybe you just haven’t gotten around to it, or maybe you’ve been putting it off because you really don’t know what to do.

Whatever you settle on, it should be soon – you’re officially married and the name you choose will affect your credit cards, bank accounts, taxes, and the way you sign your documents.

5. He Changes: Although this is not a common practice, the husband can certainly change his name to the wife’s surname.

Weighing Your Options

If you’re taking your husbands name, you don’t need to go to court to get an official order.

Institutions will recognize the new name just by “common usage”, but you need to remember to sign all documents in a consistent manner. If you are using another form of name change, consider a court proceeding, which leaves a public record of the change. To avoid any identity confusion, you need to inform all of your important financial and government agencies of your new name. You can get all the necessary forms online, and most of the time, it can be done via mail. They will need proof of your union, so be sure to order extra copies of your marriage certificate.

1. Tradition: While many women still follow the tradition of taking her husband’s name, this is only one option.

Assuming his name is not mandatory and it is certainly not a legal requirement.

2.

Hyphenating: Before hyphenating, consider the length of your last name. It may symbolize your unity, but it can also be a hassle to write 20 letters every time you fill out a form or sign a receipt.

3. Maiden to Middle: This is a great option for the gal who wants to maintain the tradition of taking her husband’s name, while still retaining her maiden name in some form.

4. His and Hers: You both keep your birth names and you don’t have to worry about the changing your name on any documents.

February 2011

6. New Name: Remember, this is your marriage and you don’t have to adhere to what society dictates. You can create a new last name for yourselves: mix your names, jumble the letters, or even choose an entirely unrelated name that you like.

Steps To Take

The most important agency to inform is the Social Security Administration (SSA). You must have your original marriage certificate or a certified copy, proof of U.S. citizenship, and proof of

23

identity. You will need to file a Form SS-5, which is conveniently available on the SSA website or by mail. The SSA will also notify the IRS so that your new name and identification number on your tax forms match your Social Security records.

Next, head down to the Department of Motor Vehicles to correct your driver’s license.

Changing this important identification card will make it easier to complete the process with other companies. Follow this checklist of important financial and government agencies you should inform: - Banks - Investment accounts - Mortgage lender or landlord - Employer - Credit card companies - Insurance companies - Doctors - Utilities (phone, electric, gas) - Passport office - Voter registration Miscellaneous accounts and memberships such as cable, DSL, magazine subscriptions, auto club, and gym.

Lawyer, if you need change your legal documents, such as your will or any other contracts.

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

Capture great wedding day photo memories

Your attitude The most important thing you can do is to relax, let go, and have fun on your wedding day. This will translate into beautiful photos. The most frequent culprits of less than perfect photos are stress, poor planning, and unrealistic expectations of the day. The more you can plan ahead to avoid these things (i.e. hiring exceptional vendors, planning a relaxing morning, planning for worst case scenarios, and padding your schedule), the better your photos will turn out.

In my experience, no matter how much you plan for your wedding day, something will invariably not go as planned. It’s very hard to maintain perspective when you have been planning so long for one day, but keep reminding yourself that this day is about marrying the love of your life, and don’t let the little things get to you. No one will notice if the favors don’t arrive, the dress gets dirty, or the flowers aren’t the right color. But they will notice if you are upset and that will show in your photos.

Style Make sure the photographer you hire is someone whose work, style, and personality you connect with.

Not many realize that they will spend more time with the photographer on their wedding than almost any other single person. It’s essential that you get along with your photographer, since that will definitely affect the photos.

If you have any specific photos you want, communicate your wishes with your photographer before the wedding.

This will help you both be on the same page and ensure that the photos that you expect are the photos that you will get. Keep in mind the reason why you hired the photographer (for example, if you hired a photographer that is known for a very candid look, don’t expect the photographer to spend hours taking posed pictures).

Timing The time of day, season, and location will have an enormous impact on your photos. Be sure to consult with your photographer and make sure you create

Happily Ever After – The Daily Nonpareil

24

a wedding day schedule that will allow you to take advantage of the best light of the day. The best light for photos is usually around sunrise and sunset, which photographers like to call “magic light.” Also keep in mind the climate – posing indoors could make for better pictures than outside, if it’s 100 degrees outside.

Unless you want your wedding day to be remembered as one long photo shoot, try to limit the number of posed group shots. The more groups you want photographed, the less time your photographer(s) will have capturing moments, candid shots of you and your guests, and you as a couple.

To ensure that the formal photo session runs as smoothly as possible, communicate before the wedding to everyone involved about where and when you’ll have the posed photographs.

Makeup and Hair Do a trial run with your hair and makeup and have photos taken to make sure you’re happy with your appearance.

Check out your makeup both in natural light and indoors to be sure it’s not too heavy. I cannot stress enough how important it is to make sure your makeup looks light, clean and natural. Even though your wedding is a very special day, keep in mind that you still want to look like you.

One last thing Remember that the goal of your wedding photos is to capture beautiful pictures of you and your day! Even though you’ll want everything to be perfect, your photographer will be looking for great expressions—and those usually come when everyone involved is relaxed and having a great time.

February 2011

Floral 411 for the big day Leading up to their big day, couples have lots to worry about before they finally get to walk down the aisle as man and wife. The trials and tribulations of planning a wedding is no small task, as even the most minor details must be accounted for.

Such is the case with the floral arrangements. Though not a minor detail in any way, preparing a wedding day floral arrangement does have its minor details, particularly when it comes to the more individual aspects of a floral plan. For instance, the following components must be considered when devising a floral plan.

• The bridal bouquet. It’s tradition for bridal bouquets to contain white or cream-colored flowers such as stephanotis, roses, orchids, or lilies. Many bridal bouquets also include fillers like baby’s breath as well as some green or ivy, as well as ribbons or additonal accessories.

• Bouquets for attendants.

Attendants’ bouquets should be identical, and it’s best to coordinate these bouquets with the attendants’ gowns. Only the maid of honor tra-

7 HANGING FLOWER CENTERPIECES February 2011

ditionally receives a slighlty different bouquet, as it’s customary to give her one apart from the rest, though not significantly so.

• Boutonnieres for groomsmen and ushers. The guy’s side of the wedding also needs to take part in the floral plan. Worn in a buttonhole or lapel, a boutonniere should be worn on the left lapel and match a flower from the bridesmaids’ bouquet. The groom should also wear a boutonniere, though his should match a flower from the bride’s bouquet. When wearing boutonnieres, men should not wear additional accessories such as pocket squares.

• Flowers for special guests.

Certain special guests, such as grandmothers and mothers, should receive corsages. While the corsages do not

need to be identical, they should match the bridesmaids’ bouquets.

It’s best to consult with a florist for a corsage color that matches all dresses, as typically the corsages must be ordered before the bride and groom know what their mothers, grandmothers and other special guests will be wearing. A corsage that goes with anything, therefore, is ideal.

unique flower ideas

PHOTO WALL FLOWERS

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BRIGHT FEATHERACCENTED BOUQUET

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