2 The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide
4 The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide
You've picked the perfect ring. You've practiced the words you'll use when you propose. But you know she would be livid if you asked her on the big screen at a sporting event. Making an engagement truly memorable will win you points for a lifetime each time she retells your engagement story. These tips will help your engagement stick out. With so many engagements between Christmas and Valentine's Day, here are some great ways to make your engagement be one of a kind.
TAKE IT PERSONALLY You are proposing to the woman or man of your dreams. The one person you've chosen to spend the rest of your life with. The person who is the perfectly unique match to yourself. So, make the proposal just as personalized and special as that person. Yes, you may have chosen the perfect ring, but presentation is equally important. Choose something that will not only stun your betrothed, but also be something he or she can keep for years. Ditch the typical velvet box and go for a personalized, engraved keepsake box from Things Remembered. With dozens of box options, you can perfectly match the style of your new fiance, from classic and elegant to contemporary chic. Then, take it one step further and engrave something meaningful to commemorate this day. Your names, the date you were engaged or a personal love saying (that maybe only the two of you
understand) are ideal inscriptions.
MAKE IT A PARTY Yes, the holiday season is filled with parties, but a personal engagement party is something that you and your families will remember forever. Whether you choose a private, intimate locale to pop the question or a bustling public setting, convene family and friends during or afterward to celebrate together. Plan a special party to commemorate this momentous, life-changing occasion. Don't forget, a great party doesn't necessarily mean great expense. Gathering at home with champagne, maybe a cheese plate and a homemade music playlist can make for one of the most memorable occasions of your life. Just be sure your future spouse is the center of attention, and you'll be set to make the event unforgettable.
CAPTURE THE MOMENT Nearly all couples choose to hire photographers and videographers to capture the memories of their wedding day. But isn't the engagement just as momentous? As your heart begins to race when your knee bends toward the ground, the last thing on your mind will be your camera. But being able to actually look back at this moment will be something you'll treasure for years to come.
The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide 5 continued... The holidays are busy for everyone, so if you plan on hiring a professional photographer, make sure to call at least a few weeks in advance. Luckily, unlike your wedding day, you'll probably only need the photographer for an hour or so. If you're already on a shoestring budget, see if a photography enthusiast friend will take photos for you. They may not end up in The Louvre, but with a decent camera, you'll be sure to have some great snapshots of the big moment. When it's all said and done, you and your new fiance may not remember every tiny detail. But using these simple tips will ensure your engagement day is a truly unique, memorable experience for you both.
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A crucial part of planning a wedding is also planning for and creating a wedding registry. This is best done as early as possible. The bridal registry is extremely important if you want to avoid duplicate gifts. Starting a registry early lets your guests have enough time to choose what items they would like to give you. You may not have a comprehensive wedding registry ready early on, but make it large enough for your guests to have enough options to browse and choose. You also need to plan what kind of registry you want and what kinds of items and products need to be a part of it. The ideal wedding registry for a young couple is one that lists household items. Such a registry is perfect for a couple starting a new life together. Lets take a look at some of the wedding gifts that can be a part of the ideal wedding registry. Kitchenware A lot of young couples can benefit from creating a kitchenware wedding registry. Having a well-equipped kitchen means you can create and share more meals together at home, entertain at home, and cook whenever you want. Kitchenware items can range from regular silverware and glassware to appliances like
mixers, food processors, toasters, and coffee machines. Home Furnishings and Linen Equally as useful for a couple as a kitchenware registry is a home furnishing items and home linen registry that includes products like tablecloths, bedding, and bath towels. You can include items like duvĂŠt sets, bed sheets, pillows, bed skirts, and blankets. It is also a good idea to include home furnishings and home linen products like tablecloths, towels, cloth napkins, curtains, rugs, and more. Home Decor A wedding registry which covers home decor can also be a very helpful for a young couple. You can choose from furniture, decorative items and collectibles, wall pictures, photo frames, and lamps. Home decor that looks good and is also functional can be of great use to a couple starting a new life together. Create your wedding registry with care and loving attention. After all, its for your future and can give you a wonderful start to this exciting new phase of your life!
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Have you ever heard the song, “Chapel of Love”? The Dixie Cups recorded the chart-topper written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector in 1964. There have been numerous covers of the song, and it has been included in many soundtracks. The song tells of a couple about to get married in a wedding chapel. There are hundreds of wedding chapels around the United States, some that even go by the name of the “Chapel of Love.”? Probably the best-known Chapel of Love is located in the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. Over 5,000 people have gotten married in the chapel since it opened in 1994. The chapel offers onsite wedding packages as well as weddings to go. For further information, check out www.chapeloflove.com. There is also a Chapel of Love in Las Vegas, along with hundreds of other wedding chapels. For brides and grooms looking to get married in a wedding chapel, Las Vegas is THE place to be. One of the most famous wedding chapels in Las Vegas is the Little White Chapel. Over 800,000 people have gotten married in the chapel since it opened in 1951, including Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, and Natalie Maines and Adrian Pasdar. The chapel also features a unique drive-through marriage option. For further information, check out www.alittlewhitechapel.com.
The Graceland Wedding Chapel and the Chapel of the Bells are two other well-known wedding chapels in Las Vegas. The Graceland Wedding Chapel offers traditional wedding packages as well as Elvis-themed wedding packages and has hosted the weddings of hundreds of couples over the years, including Billy Ray Cyrus and his wife, Trish, and Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea. For further information, check out ww.gracelandchapel.com. The Chapel of the Bells also offers a number of wedding packages and has hosted the weddings of hundreds of couples over the years, including Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa. For further information, check out chapelofthebellslasvegas.com. Couples looking for something a little homier and farther east will appreciate the wedding chapels of Tennessee. There are several in and around the Smokey Mountains, including the Smokey Ridge Wedding Chapel, the Wedding Bell Chapel in Pigeon Forge and the Chalet Mountain Wedding Chapel in Gatlinburg. Dollywood also has a wedding chapel. All offer a number of affordable wedding packages. Wedding chapels offer great weddings at great prices. The services and amenities are many and range from dressing rooms and photography to flowers and food. For couples interested in a wedding without all of the hassle, a chapel wedding might be ideal. Take a look if you’re interested.
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Brides have been carrying bouquets for hundreds of years. In ancient times, bridal bouquets generally consisted of garlic, herbs and spices to keep evil spirits away. By Victorian times, fresh flowers had replaced the garlic, herbs and spices, and many of these f lowers carried special meanings, like innocence, faith and love. Floriography, the language of flowers, continues to this day, with some brides researching flower meanings and basing their bouquet selections on those meanings. Floriography isn’t the only trend in bridal bouquets. There are many others. Here is a brief review. Bridal bouquets are traditionally pale in color, but today’s brides are branching out and choosing bolder colors, like burgundy, red and purple. Bouquet color schemes can be monochromatic-all shades of purple, for example-or complementary. With bouquets getting brighter, they have become a real feature in wedding photography, in particular black and white photography with selective coloring. Roses remain a bridal bouquet standard, but other flowers are starting to make their way into the mix. Daisies, hydrangeas, lilies, peonies and tulips are popular choices, as are orchids. Many brides, in fact, are asking for more tropical f lowers in their bouquets, either because of their theme or for a unique twist. While cascades of flowers were once the norm in bridal bouquets, many brides today are opting to take a simpler route. Hand-tied bouquets are a popular choice. With the f lowers gathered together and wrapped in ribbon, the bouquets are easier to handle and have a contemporary look to them. While today’s bridal bouquets might be somewhat simpler in design, brides can still add some dazzle to
them with beads, crystals, feathers, pearls, sequins and other accessories. Brides with themed weddings can take it a step further and incorporate extra special touches into their bouquets, like miniature seashells, pinecones or butterf lies. Bouquets featuring vintage broaches are also becoming popular. Bridal bouquets can run the gamut from the traditional all-white hand-tied rose bouquet drenched in crystals to the sassy gold, red and purple bouquet cuffed by feathers. It is up to the bride how she wants her bouquet to be. Brides should check out some samples, talk to their florist and select a bouquet design that speaks to them.
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The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide 17 When it comes to the wedding cake, couples have many options. Some may skip the cake entirely and go with a dessert bar instead. Some may order one small wedding cake and |several sheet cakes to serve to their guests. Some may forgo the main cake and serve smaller cakes in various flavors at the reception tables. Whatever your personal preferences, make certain you discuss the matter in great detail with your fiancĂŠ, and should you decide to go with a wedding cake, keep the following trends in mind. The wedding cakes of today hardly resemble those of yesterday. Gone for the most part are the rich, three-tiered, heavily decorated cakes and in their place is a wide range of cakes customized specifically for the bride and groom. When selecting a wedding cake, couples often look to the location, theme and season of their celebration as a guide. A simple affair on the beach in the middle of summer might not call for the same type of cake as a formal evening affair in the winter. The actual design of the cake is up for grabs. Some couples may opt for the traditional three layers, while others may go for fewer or additional layers. Tiers can be of the same or different heights with the same or alternating designs. Some couples may request the design of their wedding cake incorporate the traditional flowers, either made of silk or frosting, while others may choose dots or
scrollwork. Although once popular, basket weaves and swags appear to be on their way out, as do plastic columns and foil boards. Common cake flavors include carrot, chocolate, lemon, spice and vanilla, with many couples requesting each layer of their cake to be a different flavor. Some couples go an alternative route and choose unusual flavors like espresso, hazelnut and gingerbread. Frosting may be buttercream or fondant, though many couples today seem to favor the former. As for the top of the cake, couples no longer have to stick to the traditional bride-and-groom cake toppers. They can go with flowers, sculptures or monograms. Monogrammed letters in silver or tin make for stylish cake toppers. For those that prefer bride-and-groom toppers, they'll be glad to know that the traditional toppers have made a comeback and can be customized. Many companies now make toppers that match the actual bride and groom in hair color, skin color, age and more. These are just some of the hottest trends in wedding cake design. Whatever type of cake you choose, make sure it is flavorful and presented well. It should serve as a focal point at your reception, so place it in a prominent position and decorate the area around it.
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The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide 19 She said YES! The next question is, "When's the Big Day"?
long-lasting marriage. Others who regarded seven
When it comes to picking the date for a wedding, many
significant due to religious or cultural beliefs (seven days of
factors could be considered. Some choices might include:
creation, Seven Wonders of the ancient world, seven deadly
• The anniversary date of when the couple met
sins, seven last words of Christ, Seven Seas, seven levels of
• The parents? or grandparents? wedding date
heaven, 007, etc.) found the date to be a good choice for
(a great way to honor their marriage!
their wedding also-and even more so since it fell on a
• Date when the desired reception site is available
Saturday.
• The least expensive night (anything but Saturday)
In selecting a date, couples should consider avoiding
• The least expensive month
Memorial Day or Labor Day weekend since many families
(January, March and December are usually open.)
use those particular three-day weekends for family
• On or near a favorite holiday (A Fourth of July early
holidays. A Super Bowl Sunday date would probably find
afternoon celebration allows for a full day of festivities.)
many men feeling a headache come on, preventing their
• In a preferred season (Chance of snow? Will the cake melt?)
attendance at a non-family member's nuptials. September 11, April Fool's Day and Halloween, as well as cultural or
• When the families will be available to come
religious holidays celebrated by family members, could also
• A date pulled from a hat (for the very indecisive)
be risky dates to attempt a gathering.
Sometimes a date is just obvious. July 7, 2007 was the pick
Of course, if the marriage date is limited to only a few
of a record number of couples who can forget that
attendees, any date goes. However, if a date is selected for a
anniversary? Those couples who considered
memorable reason, it might be interesting to include that
seven to be a lucky number found themselves in Las Vegas, hoping to increase their chances of a
information in the program to give the guests a glimpse into a bit more personal side of the couple. A wedding day is obviously more than a date-it's a whole day of celebration. However, anything to make that day even more memorable will make the anniversary date easy to remember-and both husband and wife will win with that! (Hint: 11/12/13 is a Tuesday-if the day of the week doesn't matter.)
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While some newlyweds can still afford to cap off their big day in grand style with a trip for two to someplace exotic, there are many that can't. Once they've paid for the wedding, there is little left for a honeymoon. Fortunately, you can still have a great honeymoon on a shoestring budget. Here's how. Leave at a later date Who says you must leave for your honeymoon immediately following your wedding reception? Enjoy your big day and postpone the honeymoon of your dreams until you can afford it. Wait six months or a year to book the trip. You'll have more cash to spare and more time to find the best deals. Go during the off-season Off-season prices are far cheaper than peak season prices. Schedule your honeymoon during the off-season, and to save more cash, consider going to a less popular destination. The rates will be cheaper, and there will be less people to contend with. Book way in advance Generally, the earlier you book your honeymoon, the cheaper the rates will be. Start looking for a destination long before your expected departure date and shop around for the best deals. Cut costs where you can You don't have to go all out to have a good time on your honeymoon. Think about your plans and find ways to save. Choose less expensive accommodations, especially if you intend to be out and about much of the day. Pack lunches instead of eating out. Take advantage of all free or low-cost activities. Stay close to home If you are really short on cash and can't afford to go away, stay in. Check out the deals in your area and arrange for a mini staycation. Book a room at an inexpensive hotel and spend the day checking out attractions and activities you've never had time for. If you can't afford a hotel room, stay at home and have a candlelit dinner. It doesn't really matter where you are as long as you are together. Honeymoons don't have to break the bank. You can still have fun and celebrate the beginning of your life together on a shoestring budget. It just takes some advance planning and creative thinking.
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6-12 _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Months Before Your Wedding Select a Wedding Date and Time Announce your engagement in the paper Plan an engagement party with family and friends Talk with a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator Find out what bridal shows are in the area and plan on attending Agree on a preliminary budget Decide who will pay for what and how expenses will be shared Call your church or synagogue for an appointment with the Officiant Ask friends and family to serve as wedding attendants Start a "planning system" and system of organization Start your wedding guest list Start ideas for your reception and catering plans Determine what type of entertainment you want to have for your reception Decide the type of wedding you would like to have (size, formality, and setting) Explore color schemes Consider pre-marital counseling Start health and fitness plan if you're not already in one! Select your reception location Select your professional photographer Select your videographer Select professional caterer (if necessary) Select Musician or Disc Jockey Select your florist Shop together for your wedding rings Select wedding dress and headpiece, and set a date for fittings and delivery Select your bridesmaids' dresses and accessories It's time to choose a honeymoon and location
4-6 Months Prior To The Wedding _______ Check the requirements for a marriage license _______ Select and discuss your color schemes with the florist/decorator of choice _______ Again consider pre-marital counseling _______ Reserve your wedding day rental equipment _______ Decide upon a gift registry and select your gift choices _______ Order your invitations and related stationery needs _______ Start shopping for the men's’ wedding attire _______ Reserve your wedding day transportation _______ Research and select readings for ceremony _______ Make music selections for ceremony and reception _______ Decide upon and order favors _______ Select your baker, choose your cake, & groom’s cake _______ Help both mothers coordinate and find their dresses/suits _______ Review your contracts with all of your service providers 2 Months Before Your Wedding _______ Have engagement portraits taken _______ Place your engagement announcement in the newspaper _______ Mail out invitations and announcements _______ Decide on the men's’ wedding attire _______ Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner
_______ Purchase your wedding day accessories _______ Arrange attendants' parties _______ Prepare accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests _______ Consider a hairdresser and/or makeup artist and book appointments _______ Finalize all honeymoon plans 1 Month Left! _______ Final wedding dress fitting _______ Final fitting for your wedding attendants _______ Obtain marriage license _______ Have your attendants' parties _______ Create a calendar of events for the wedding day. _______ Make sure your accessories are in order (rings, pillow, garter, etc.) 2 Weeks Remaining! _______ Finalize arrangements with the entertainer(s) _______ Provide a list of music you would like played _______ Finalize music during special events such as first dance, dance with dad, etc. _______ Pick up your wedding rings and make sure that the engravings are correct - Make sure they fit! 1 Week To GO! _______ If you can, take the week, or part of it, off from work! _______ Make sure your marriage license is in order _______ Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary _______ Purchase travelers checks, confirm honeymoon reservations _______ Pack your baggage for your honeymoon _______ Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal _______ Instruct your wedding party on what they will be doing on the day of the wedding _______ Have your rehearsal dinner _______ Make sure all wedding attire fits properly _______ Give the best man the amounts your vendors are to be paid on the day of the wedding _______ Inform your caterer of the total guest count _______ Confirm out-of-town guests have transportation and sleeping accommodations _______ Check with your florist to make sure they will arrive when scheduled. Your Wedding Day _______ Allow at least 2 hours for dressing _______ Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup and style your hair _______ If professionals are doing your hair and/or makeup, determine the time they need _______ If photographs are to be taken before the ceremony, allow plenty of time for that! _______ Remember to bring the rings and marriage license _______ Seat guests as they arrive _______ The groom’s parents should be seated about 5 minutes before start time _______ Mother of the bride is normally seated last _______ Take a deep breath, don't worry, be HAPPY and SMILE!
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When you are trying to plan a wedding reception in a short amount of time, you can definitely find yourself overwhelmed. Although in the past the typical time for an engagement was about six months, there is often a need for a longer engagement so that you can plan and reserve the venue you prefer to use for the reception. This runs specifically true for those who are planning a summer wedding or one throughout the Christmas holidays when it's sometimes necessary to book the hall a year or more before the wedding. Not surprisingly, there are several things necessary along with renting the reception hall when you're planning a reception. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are setting the date for your wedding and planning your reception. - Peak periods of Summer and Christmas are extremely busy for each and every venue, in every city. When you have a specific venue you wish to reserve, you may have to plan as much as a year in advance. Unless you're set on getting one particular venue, it's most effective to have a list of several you would think about using. - If you have a strict budget for flowers in the reception hall, you might consider using fresh flowers on the bridal table and silk flowers on the others. Asking associates to help you with creating flower arrangements can also save you lots of money. - Hotels and other banquet spots are frequently pricier than community neighborhood centers or church fellowship halls. - Hall rental fees can vary depending on the kind of
reception you're planning: buffet settings are less costly than sit down dinners. You will also pay more for much more elaborate setups such as steak, lobster and other expensive meals. - Remember that when you reserve the venue for your reception you will need to pay some money up front in order to solidify your reservation.
Creek Side Event Center_________
390
No
No
80
No
No
60
Yes
No
Holiday Inn Express_____________ 450
Yes
No
175
No
Yes
700
Yes
No
5801 E. Long School Road North Platte, NE 69101 Phone: (308) 530-0148 Website: www.creeksidenp.com
DaBuzzCoffee House____________ 1208 West A Street North Platte, NE 69101-4695 Phone: (308) 696-2800
Gracie Mae’s Bakery & Cafe______ 520 East Philip, Suite 1 North Platte, NE 69101 Phone: (308) 532-4677 Website: www.gracie-maes.com
300 Holiday Frontage Rd North Platte, NE 69101 (308) 532-9500 Website: www.hiexpress.com
Lakehouse The Inlet at Lake Maloney________ 206 W. North Lake Road North Platte, NE 69101 Phone: (308) 534-5315
Quality Inn & Suites Sandhills Convention Center_____ 2102 S. Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101 Phone: (308) 532-9090 Website: www.sandhillcc.com
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ATTIRE Bridal Images 2715 2nd Ave, #B Kearney, NE 68847 308-234-9333
Hirschfeld’s 401 N. Dewey North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-8700 BEAUTY & HEALTH Beyond Envy 721 E. B Street North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-3249 CAKES & CUPCAKES Bittersweet Bakery 109 W. 4th Ogallala, NE 69153 308-284-6800
Candy's Cupcakery 1420 W. C Street North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-5971 Gracie Mae’s Bakery & Cafe 520 E. Philip, Suite 1 North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-4677 CATERING Gracie Mae’s Bakery & Cafe 520 E. Philip, Suite 1 North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-4677
Lakehouse The Inlet at Lake Maloney 206 W. North Lake Road North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-5315
CEREMONY & RECEPTION SITES Creekside Event Center 5801 E. Long School Road North Platte, NE 69101 308-530-0148
GIFTS & GIFT REGISTRY Barmore’s 600 N. Washington Lexington, NE 68850 308-324-4611
DaBuzz Coffee House 1208 W. A Street North Platte, NE 69101 308-696-2800
GOWN PRESERVATION Orr's Drapery & Dry Cleaning 1805 W. A Street North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-2760
Holiday Inn Express 300 Holiday Frontage Rd North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-9500
HOTELS/MOTELS Hampton Inn & Suites 200 Platte Oasis Parkway North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-6000
Lakehouse The Inlet at Lake Maloney 206 W. North Lake Road North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-5315
Super 8 Motel 220 Eugene Ave. North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-4224
Quality Inn & Suites 2102 S. Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-9090 DJ & KARAOKE SERVICES Rascal’s DJ 308-386-6634 FLORISTS Prairie Friends & Flowers 320 W. 4th North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-2577
Westfield Floral 1845 W. A Street North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-9330
INVITATIONS & PRINTING Eakes Office Products 520 N. Vine North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-7800
The UPS Store 410 E. Leota, #5 North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-6634 JEWELRY Hoover’s Jewelers 2106 Central Ave. Kearney, NE 68847 308-234-3592
Riddle’s Jewelry Platte River Mall North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-9525
Tallmon Jewelers 503 N. Dewey North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-3384 PERSONALIZED GIFTS Bible Supplies 1923 West A Street North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-4199 PHOTOGRAPHY Kimberly Cordova Photography 308-660-0920 WEDDING PLANNING KW Wedding & Event Center PO Box 883 North Platte, NE 69103 308-530-2085