Hitched 2017

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Hitched - February 2017 Edition Is a product of the

Show off your fun and unique personalities with these creative engagement photo ideas

A Casual Wedding to Remember While storybook ceremonies and receptions remain popular, casual affairs are gaining popularity

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How to keep your cool when wedding day jitters set in

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8 Picture-Perfect Engagement Shoot Ideas

Honeymoon travel is made easier with smart packing

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General Inquiries | 250-562-2441 Publisher | Colleen Sparrow Editor | Neil Godbout Director of Advertising | Cheryl Stewart Graphic Designer | Grace Flack

Wedding Vows Create a more personalized ceremony by writing your own unique sentiments

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www.pgcitizen.ca

Mid-Morning Glory

6 Inspired Reasons to Consider Having a Brunch Wedding Reception

Hiring a professional to do your wedding day makeup can help guarantee a flawless face

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Available on-line at:

contents

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Why you should hire a professional makeup artist

Packing for your honeymoon

Tame Wedding Day Nerves

Test out wedding music vendors Spending time and money selecting the right band or deejay can ensure your wedding is a fun filled event

17 sensational gowns for 2017 From lace and long sleeves to capes and colour, here are the styles brides will be wearing down the aisle in 2017

A bohemian dream Give your wedding a romantic and rustic look with these dreamy details right out of a fairytale

Tips for making seating arrangements One of the biggest decisions couples make regarding their wedding receptions concerns where to seat their guests

Wedding Invite 101 Keep your guests in the know with this handy how-to guide for invitations

Hidden expenses that can sink your wedding budget Couples should remember to build hidden expenses into their budgets when planning their weddings

Rehearsal dinner how-to Many couples find their wedding rehearsal dinners to be relaxing respites from the whirlwind of wedding planning

Wedding transportation tips Arranging transportation can be difficult, but there are ways to make the process go more smoothly

Honeymoon havens Get away with your newly wedded sweetie to one of these 4 fabulous foreign locales

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Mid-Morning

glory

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6 Inspired reasons to consider having a brunch wedding reception

By Cathy Cassata

Maybe you’re a morning couple and always choose breakfast over dinner. Or perhaps you simply want to gaze into each other’s eyes during the daylight.

Whatever your motivation, if you’re leaning towards a brunch reception over a nighttime celebration, you’re not alone. Brunch receptions are trending, and here are a few good reasons why.

Cut Costs No doubt money is on the minds of all brides- and groomsto-be. While dinner plates can cost $50 or more, some brunch plates run as low as $17 per person. Plus, at a daytime event, you can get away with serving less alcohol than at an evening reception.

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Do the math and you can save big. Of course, if cost isn’t a concern, there’s plenty of ways to go all out on a brunch reception and impress your guests.

Book Your Dream Venue Weekend evening wedding receptions held May through October are difficult to book unless you do so far in advance.

But, if your heart is set on a dream spot, chances are you may find an opening there in the morning.

Plus, the cost most likely will be far less than your dinner throwing counterparts. Seems like a win-win!

Have Fun with Food The chicken or beef option can get old at weddings. Not at yours!

Give guests more variety with an omelet, pancake, French toast or muffin station. Perhaps even

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offer a wrap or panini station for those who prefer lunch.

Craving a little more elegance?

Consider frittatas or smoked options like salmon or tuna. And if you’re serving alcohol, options abound like mimosas, bloody marys, tequila sunrises, champagne or punch.

Embrace the Ambiance You have daylight on your side when you throw a brunch reception. Why not consider a backyard garden party or renting your favorite park space to celebrate?

If the great outdoors are out of the question, look into facilities that have lots of windows and offer views of the seasonal nature.

Keep it Intimate If you want to limit your guest list to those most nearest and dearest, a brunch is the way to go. After all, this type of party screams intimate.

Added bonus: If children are a

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big part of your day, they’ll fit right in.

Let the Honeymoon Begin It’s no secret that one of the best parts of a wedding is the honeymoon.

So get to it! Having an early reception allows for plenty of time to get to the airport or start driving to your dream destination. It’s no fun having to wait until the next day to set sail.

Best of all, your guests will get the chance to send you off on your merry way!

Photography: Jennifer Xu Photography Event Design and Decor: Shaw Events Backdrop and Decor: Bueno Market Doughnuts: Sweet Celebrations

© CTW Features

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Wedding

vows

Create a more personalized ceremony by writing your own unique sentiments A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many couples, so brides and grooms wish for the event to be momentous and memorable.

As such, couples are increasingly integrating personal nuances into their ceremonies and receptions to tailor weddings to their unique visions. The desire to include personalized wedding vows continues to be a popular trend.

If you are considering personalized wedding vows, first realize that it may not be a simple task. That’s because you want the message conveyed to be dear to your heart, and that can be challenging when faced with the pressures and planning of the rest of the wedding. That isn’t to say that writing your own vows is impossible. Here are some guidelines for personalizing your ceremony with your own sentiments.

Schedule time for writing.

Amid the bustle of dress fittings and interviews with photographers, it can be easy to put off the important task of writing vows for another day. But as any great writer can

attest, it takes writing -- and rewriting -- to achieve a finished product you can be proud of. Give the task of writing your vows your undivided attention. Mark it in on your calendar or set a reminder on your computer just as you would any other appointment.

Be aware of ceremony guidelines.

It is best to check with your officiant and confirm that personalized wedding vows are allowed. During civil ceremonies it’s often acceptable to customize vows as you see fit.

However, during religious ceremonies there may be lines of scripture that need to be read or certain passages required. Before you spend hours working on the task, be sure that it is allowed and that your spouse and you are on the same page.

Jot down your feelings.

Answer some questions about what marriage means to you and how you feel about your spouse. Try to avoid trite sayings and think from your heart and personal experiences. Think about what is the most important thing you want to promise to your future partner.

These notes can serve as the starting points for the actual vows.

Read inspirational writings.

Perhaps there is an author or a poet who inspires you?

You can quote certain writers in your vows or let the tone of their works help shape the words of

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your vows. There also are suggested wedding readings and other quotes about marriage readily available at the library or with a quick search online.

Decide on a tone.

Although the day is based on love and affection, you may not feel comfortable spouting words of adoration in front of friends and family. Feel free to tap into your unique personality. Humor can be used if it aligns with the way you normally express your affections. Be sure to weave this tone into more traditional passages to create a cohesive expression of your feelings.

Establish an outline.

Put together all of the words and phrases you’ve jotted down into an outline to help you organize the flow of the vows, using these words as a blueprint for the vows and building upon them. Make sure the vows will be concise. Aim for your entire speech to be around 1 minute in length to keep everyone engaged and the ceremony moving along.

Put everything together.

Draft your vows and then practice them by reading out loud. You want to avoid long sentences or anything that trips you up.

Although large words may sound impressive, they could make the vows seem too academic and not necessarily heartfelt. Enlist the help of a friend or two to act as your audience to see if the vows sound good and are easily understandable.

Writing your own vows can be a way to include personal expressions of love into a couple’s wedding day. Public speaking is seldom easy, nor is finding the perfect words to convey feelings about a future spouse.

However, with some practice and inspiration, anyone can draft personalized vows.

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8 Picture-

Perfect

Engagement Shoot Ideas

Show off your fun and unique personalities with these creative engagement photo ideas

By Jill Jaracz

You said ‘Yes!’ when he popped the question, so now you need to mark the occasion – and what better way than with an engagement photo shoot?

Engagement photos are perfect for save the dates or invitations, and a great way to test your photographer before the big day. Today’s couples are taking full advantage of talented wedding photographers to make fun and exciting engagement photos.

The key? Making it meaningful. Use these ideas to make your engagement photos stand out.

1. Go On Location “Studio shoots are not en vogue,” says Nicole Ettenhofer, director of marketing for Chicago-based George Street Photo & Video. Get outside and really tailor your pictures to what you and your fiancé love most.

Love hiking? Head to the woods for your photo shoot.

Or, see if there are some nearby fields of flowers in which to frolic. Even playing in a local park will produce fun, personality-filled shots.

2. Give a Sneak Preview For save the date cards, give your guests a sneak peek of the wedding venue by using it as the backdrop for your photos. Check with the venue first to make sure it’s open and will allow you to take pictures there, says Central Texas-based photographer Yvonne Overstreet.

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3. Showcase the Destination For destination weddings, show off the city your guests will be visiting. Amelia Hale of amelia + dan photography in Charleston, S.C., recommends shooting near iconic or unique local scenes.

When Hale’s clients want to highlight Charleston’s assets, she suggests locations that feature large oaks, Spanish moss, Palmetto trees, large houses or cobblestones.

4. Grab a Prop Props can break the tension and help you forget the camera’s there, says Ettenhofer. “Mr. and Mrs.” signs or a wooden ampersand are classic ways to send an effective message.

But don’t forget to consider also items in your life that are meaningful. New Jersey photographer Yana Shellman once had a client who was an active Marine, so she took photos of the couple wrapped in an American flag.

5. Hit The Beach Love the surf? Take some pics walking along the beach or draw a heart along the shore. Overstreet likes asking her clients whether they’re willing to wade in the water and splash to get fun pictures.

6. Go for a Ride Grab your bicycles and have your photographer take action shots of you rolling along your favorite bike paths.

You’re sure to capture some fun and silly moments!

7. Take a Trip Globetrotters can show off their love of travel by hav-

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ing their shoot at a train station or aviation museum. Use suitcases or maps as fun props to fully set the scene.

8. Visit a Sweet Spot Let your tastes shine through by having your picture taken in your favorite coffee or ice cream shop. Coffee mugs and ice cream cones also make great props that let you forget the camera’s there. Don’t forget to get permission from the store manager before you start shooting.

Photos courtesy of: amelia + dan photography (main & 4); Yana Shellman Photography (2 &3). © CTW Features

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Casual

Wedding To Remember

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.

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According to the bridal resource 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 financial 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.

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

Venue Catering halls and other reception sites do a wonderful job of meeting the needs of their clientele. However, food and beverage costs are often the most expensive wedding expense. To reduce the per-guest 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.

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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.

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.

Hand-painted 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.

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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Why you should hire a

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Makeup Artist

Hiring a professional to do your wedding day makeup can help guarantee a flawless face.

Have you ever had your makeup professionally applied? Apart from a trial application at a department store makeup counter, many women likely have no experience with professional makeup artists. While one may not hire a makeup artist for everyday events, a wedding is an occasion that often warrants the expertise of a professional.

Many brides-to-be and their attendants book the services of a hairstylist to achieve beautiful wedding day hair but may not find it necessary to enlist the services of a makeup artist, figuring they can apply makeup effectively enough. But a makeup artist has a wealth of information in makeup application, as well as knowledge of what looks best under the lights and flashes of a camera. For those spending several thousand dollars on professional photography, an investment in a makeup artist can help ensure the faces smiling back from the photos look their best.

Hiring a professional who understands how makeup reads in a photograph and how it looks in everyday light can help any bride-to-be put her best face forward. It also takes away some of the stress of readying for the wedding day. Many do-it-yourself brides do not use the right products and can end up looking washed out in photographs.

Brides, especially those who typically do not wear a lot of makeup, may not know how much to apply, resulting in a lackluster finished product. Here’s why the makeup artist can prove invaluable.

He or she can pinpoint your best features and play them up.

As an unbiased observer, the makeup artist will not see your flaws but rather will look at your best assets.

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A makeup artist knows that the bride wants to see herself and not the makeup.

He or she is creating the best version of the bride.

Makeup artists use tricks of the trade to enhance or camouflage certain features.

They have an intimate knowledge of highlighting and shading they are capable of, through applying makeup, sculpting the face.

A professional will know the products available and be familiar with which formulations work best on all types of skin.

If you have oily or dry skin, they can work to minimize any appearances of flaws. Also, a makeup artist will have many products and tools at the ready, reducing your need to shop prior to your wedding for all of the makeup essentials.

You get a trial run with a makeup artist.

Sitting down with a professional gives you the opportunity to try on a few different looks and decide on which you prefer. Do-it-yourself

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brides sometimes leave makeup decisions to the last minute and really do not have a game plan the day of the wedding.

A professional can advise on the right tone.

A common mistake made by do-ityourselfers is choosing the wrong shade of foundation. Brides may end up looking like a pasty vampire or someone who has spent too much time in the sun. A makeup artist can help find the right shade and blend it in so there are no apparent lines from the face to the neck and decolletage.

A makeup artist can get those tricky false lashes to look natural.

Lush, full lashes really get eyes noticed, but many women are unsure of just how to apply false lashes.

Lashes may be part of the makeup artist’s insider tricks, and he or she can apply them so no one knows they are not real.

Hiring a makeup artist to apply your wedding day look could be a smart investment, particularly if you want to stand out and be noticed on your big day.

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Packing for your honeymoon Honeymoon travel is made easier with smart packing.

When basking in the afterglow of a momentous wedding, most couples would rather think about scores of other things than packing for their honeymoons. But with ever-changing restrictions on what and how much a person can bring along on airlines and other modes of travel, packing is something that eventually must be done.

According to the Honeymoon Study 2010 by The Wedding Report, a Wedding Statistics and Market Research organization, 81 percent of newly married couples take a honeymoon. The top honeymoon destination for those in North America is the Caribbean, where the average couple will spend $3,500 on their honeymoon. Although 15 percent choose to cruise to their destinations, the remaining likely drive or fly. In any case, packing becomes a part of the honeymoon planning.

Some people are good at packing and can execute the task rather easily. Others are left with a bulging suitcase that won’t pass 18

muster at security clearance or meet size and weight guidelines imposed by airlines. Nevertheless, anyone can become a packing pro with a few guidelines.

• If you don’t already have a suitcase, choose a design with a hard case. This way it won’t expand while packing, and there’s no chance it will ever exceed the size limits.

• Roll clothes because it will limit wrinkling.

• Use a layering technique to fit a multitude of items and protect against displacement during transit.

- Fill the bottom of the suitcase with the heavier items: shoes, jeans, jackets, and any gear or tech items.

- Next, layer dresses and slacks so they lay lengthwise on top of the first layer of items. It’s okay if the ends extend over the edge of the suitcase.

- Shirts and sweaters (if applicable) can be rolled and then

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layered next. Use any overhanging slacks and dresses to fold over the shirts and keep them in place.

- Lightweight items, like lingerie and undergarments, can be placed on top. Also, include toiletries that are sealed in leak-proof bags.

• Be sure to know airline requirements in advance. While some restrictions have been lifted, the Traffic Safety Administration and the airlines themselves may have rules regarding how much liquid or sharp items you can bring along.

• Keep important documents, such as tickets, reservation numbers and emergency contacts, with you in a travel bag. Any prescriptions you need should be carried as well.

• Place an emergency outfit in your carry-on in the event your luggage is lost or temporarily detained.

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• Consider packing lightly and buying some necessities at your destination.

• Sometimes it is less expensive to ship items instead of paying airline baggage fees.

Investigate these options, especially on the return trip.

• Take advantage of laundry service on honeymoons so you won’t return with a bag full of dirty items that need laundering right away. Also, doing laundry on your trip limits the number of things you need to pack because you can wash and rewear.

• Make the most of the honeymoon by packing early.

Come your travel day, you can simply hop in the car and look forward to the vacation ahead.

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Most couples would rather think about scores of other things than packing for their honeymoons.

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nerves

Tame wedding day When couples tie the knot, many changes are in store, many compromises will be made and many lasting memories will be created. But in the weeks and months before their big days, couples can easily get caught up in the whirlwind of wedding planning, never taking inventory of their feelings until their wedding days have arrived.

Come their wedding days, couples should not be surprised if some nerves set in. A survey from the anxiety self-help resource The Fear Source indicated 71 percent of brides-to-be suffered from some type of nerves during the lead-up to their weddings.

Ninety-two percent of brides experienced nerves on the day of the wedding or the evening before, while 66 percent reported that it affected their daily lives prior to their weddings or hampered their performance and enjoyment during the day itself.

According to Psych Central, a modern online voice for mental health information, emotional support and advocacy, pre-wedding jitters are common and can be the subconscious telling a person that something needs to be remedied. Wedding nerves do not mean a wedding is doomed; it just means certain issues may need to be worked through. The following are some ways to tame wedding day nerves.

• Keep an open dialogue. Speak with your future spouse about the things that may be causing your anxiety. Maybe you have doubts on financial choices or where you will be living after the wedding.

Communicating openly and honestly is one of the foundations of a strong relationship.

• Slow down and breathe. Wedding planning involves making many decisions, and sometimes couples move at breakneck

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Keeping an open dialogue with your husband to be, can help tame wedding day nerves.

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speeds. Make slowing down a priority. Try to enjoy a quiet dinner with just the two of you. When enjoying peaceful moments, take deep breaths, which can be calming and revitalizing. If need be, consider signing up for a yoga or tai chi class to force you to slow down.

• Address performance anxiety. It’s easy to build up the big day in your mind and hope that everything goes according to plan. But it’s impossible to plan for each and every outcome on your wedding day.

Focus on everything that can go right, rather than worrying about what might go wrong. Also, realize that your guests are your friends and family members who will be forgiving of any hiccups along the way. You’re bound to recover gracefully from any mishaps.

• Work on confidence. Wedding fears may stem from inadequate self-confidence. Give yourself a pep talk and surround yourself with positive people. Keep the worry-warts at arms’ length for the time being.

• Recruit more help. Weddings are huge undertakings, so it’s no surprise that couples sometimes feel overwhelmed. Ask reliable relatives or friends to doublecheck all of the last-minute details. This way you don’t feel it is all on your shoulders.

Wedding days nerves are to be expected and often have little to do with the decision to get married.

Planning such a big event can be nerve-wracking, but there are ways to combat any anxiety that builds up as the big day draws near.

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music vendors Test out wedding

Spending time and money selecting the right band or deejay can ensure your wedding is a fun-filled event Music is an integral element of many of life’s special events. The score of a movie can carry a film, and a tender song can bring tears to a person’s eyes during a stage production.

Many couples spend lots of time choosing a song for their first dance at their wedding. While that song is significant, couples should devote lots of time to choosing a band or deejay for the reception as well.

Statistics compiled from a variety of sources, including USA Today, TheKnot.com and Brides

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magazine, point out that roughly 80 percent of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment. When asked, many couples admit they wish they spent more time and money choosing their wedding entertainment.

Music helps make memories and gets guests on their feet. Those who enjoy themselves most at the wedding are often the people who are on the dance floor. It is important to note that price shouldn’t be the deciding factor for wedding day entertainment. It is crucial to

see the entertainment provider in action to judge for oneself just how good he or she is.

One of the best ways to witness a deejay or band in action is to attend a wedding where they will be working. Find out if you can spend a little while peeking into a wedding and gauge guests’ responses to the music and find out how the entertainment engages the crowd. The entertainer may be able to arrange this with a couple from an upcoming wedding so that you don’t necessarily have to crash the wedding. If a musical

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entertainment company is wary of letting you see players in action, it may be an indication to look elsewhere.

Another good way to see for yourself if the entertainment factor is high is to pay attention to the bands and deejays used at weddings you attend. If you are planning nuptials in a year or the months to come, take the cards or information of the entertainers you come across at weddings and any special event parties. If there is someone who is doing an impeccable job, there should be no hesitation to hire that person for your own wedding. Don’t be embarrassed to ask a friend or family member for the name and number of their deejay.

If you have specific music requirements, such as cultural music or certain versions of songs you prefer to be played, it is key to discuss this with the deejay or band ahead of time and confirm they can meet your needs. Certain wedding vendors may promise you the world but

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fail to deliver. Ask the deejay for a playlist to see his or her selections for the wedding. Find out if the band has a compilation they can send to you so you can see how they sound performing some of the more popular songs typically played at wedding receptions.

If you like a particular band or deejay, double-check that the people you see playing are actually the ones who will be performing at your wedding. Many times performers are part of larger companies that have many people working under one name. If you’re not careful, you may not get the same performer you had hoped for.

Request specific individuals if you want to guarantee that the music will be what you heard at a previous wedding or during a trial performance.

Music can make or break a wedding reception. Invest ample time into selecting and trying out vendors to ensure fun is to be had by all.

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Gowns by Angel Sanchez Spring 2017

From lace and long sleeves to capes and colour, here are the styles brides will be wearing down the aisle in 2017

By Nola Sarkisian-Miller Fashion Week themes are spilling over into 2017 bridal fashions.

Check them out with these 17 stunning styles.

Randi Rham Fall 2017

gowns

17 Sensational for 2017 26

Layers of Lace Lace is in abundance for 2017 in a variety of creations from macramé to threadwork, some in bodyrevealing styles for the uber-confident bride.

For an understated approach, Angel Sanchez incorporates a dotted illusion lace neckline on a corseted gazar ball gown. If brides want a showier look, there’s Angel Sanchez’ macramé lace and gazar gown with a high neck and racer back.

Randi Rham’s fall collection features a number of sheer gowns, including a piece with a trumpet skirt and embroidered applique.

The embroidery covers the entire torso and arms, creating a bold peek-a-boo effect.

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While strapless dresses are an easy way to show a little skin, designers are testing new silhouettes and cuts for dramatic impact or adding capes for a svelte finish.

A floral fil coupe A-line gown by Lela

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2017

Lela Rose Fall 2017

Reem Acra Fall 2017

Strong Shoulders It’s all about the shoulders this season, emphasizing both femininity and strength.

Rose also includes a removable off-theshoulder cape, while Reem Acra’s lacey gown highlights collarbones over décolletage.

For a soft, ethereal touch, Oscar de la Renta offers an ivory tulle and organza gown with draped, off-the-shoulder tulle sleeves and sequin embroidery.

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Spot Of Tea-Length Designers love to play with hems – economy gyrations or not. This season it’s about high-low hems and tea-length looks.

The uneven look creates unexpected sass and the mid-calf height creates a demure silhouette.

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Muse/Callie Tein Fall 2017

Dramatic Sleeves The long sleeve sensation created by Princess Kate at her wedding six years ago shows no sign of abating. With the help of Claire Pettibone Fall 2017

Lela Rose Fall 2017

For a dramatic entrance, brides can opt for a short and Italian beaded lace gown by Muse/Callie Tein with a statement-making, high-low Italian silk dropped overskirt with pockets.

Lela Rose created a tea-length ribbon cut gown with a silk bustier neckline and organza bodice. Inspired by Eos, the Greek goddess of dawn, Marchesa’s light and airy designs include a short-sleeved gown with a high-low hem that’s part one part fierce and one part elegant.

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2017

Marchesa Fall 2017

Marchesa Fall 2017

Combining the best of the trends, Oscar de la Renta showcases a white, strapless gown with a high-low skirt with embroidered tulle overlaying silk organza.

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disco and bohemian influences, interest is still strong when it comes to sheathing your arms in long sleeves or nonconforming bell sleeves.

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Modern Trousseau Fall 2017

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details and fluttery, sheer quarter-length sleeves. Marchesa also took on the trend with billowy, opaque sleeves.

Modern Trousseau keeps it sleek with a long-sleeved lace gown over layers of chiffon voile and silk charmeuse with a keyhole back and chapel train.

Wtoo by Watters Fall 2017

Modern Trousseau Fall 2017

Claire Pettibone’s Theia gown paints a light and ethereal picture with its empire waist, delicate lace

Pocket Details Pockets serve a dual role – they’re both functional and fashionable. Plus, it’s an opportunity to insert something meaningful into your wedding as well, such as a

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Blush by Hayley Paige Fall 2017

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lucky coin or a love note or even a practical silk handkerchief.

Modern Trousseau highlights an off-the-shoulder French Alencon lace gown with a softly gathered Thai silk skirt with pockets. Wtoo by Watters’ version is a capsleeved gown with a taffeta skirt and pockets.

Blushing Bride Is it the dress or the bride?

Brides may be overcome with emotion and blush on their day. Or, they simply may wear a dress in the shade sure to complement every skin tone.

Hayley Paige offers a flirty spaghetti strap number in the trendy shade.

Or Claire Pettibone’s strappy number with floral embroidery and a sheer overlay is another stunning option for brides who want a little pop of color. © CTW Features

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Claire Pettibone Fall 2017

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A bohemian

dream

Give your wedding a romantic and rustic look with these dreamy details right out of a fairytale

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By Renee Lee Lacy tambourines, colorful floral headpieces, eclectic rugs, crochet backdrop – You’re likely to find all that at more at bohemian weddings, the ultimate hip, romantic and elegant wedding style that has taken off in recent years.

While the word bohemian, or boho for short, originally referred to a resident of Bohemia (a region in what’s now the Czech Republic), it has evolved to describe someone who is free-spirited, artistic and eclectic. Martha Stewart Weddings says a bohemian wedding is one that “incorporates an eclectic mix of natural, rustic and vintage details.” It’s this mix of elements that Kristi Richardson, owner of Bloomed to Last Designs, points to as a telltale signature of bohemian weddings, in which she has seen an increase over the past few years.

“A wedding and marriage is a blending of two people with more than one style,” Richardson says.

“It’s eclectic by nature and the bohemian wedding style embraces

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that blending. I also feel that the bohemian wedding style is fluid and allows the couple to emphasize themes within a theme. For example, the boho look could take on a more beach vibe, or more woodland feeling without being dedicated to either.”

No matter what vibe you’re going for, a beautiful bohemian wedding may be just the way to showcase your unique day. Here’s how to add that boho flair to every element of your wedding.

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The Dress It’s all about the casual, carefree style when it comes to the wedding dress. Flowy skirts and elements like lace and crochet are perfect details for a boho gown.

Don’t go with anything too rigid like satin; silk works well instead if you still want a flowy fabric with a bit of shine.

Last summer’s lookbook from dress purveyor BHDLN featured a section on boho gowns, with styles like the Sky dress with full lace. Dreamers & Lovers, Torrance, Calif., specializes in simple, boho-

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style gowns, like the two-piece Camelia dress with a flowy silk skirt and three-quarter sleeve cotton embroidered top.

The Hair Long, wavy, beachy hair is a great casual look to complement your eclectic boho theme, so let those looks loose! Or, go with romantic braids or messy updos (similar to the dress, nothing too rigid or formal here).

Elements of nature are quintessential to boho weddings, so go ahead and add some greenery to your ‘do – vines intertwined in your hair. Or you can incorporate what’s possibly the most well-known and iconic detail in boho weddings: the floral garland crown.

For bride Emily Schrag, Greenville, S.C., who has always wanted a nontraditional wedding, a boho theme was the perfect way to incorporate her love of the outdoors, and her love of textures and fabrics (she’s a fiber artist).

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She, of course, sported a floral crown for her May 2016 wedding. She also rocked wavy hair and a lacy dress from Los Angeles’ Kite and Butterfly, a dress shop that makes “true bohemian chic” gowns.

The Floral Natural elements are huge for boho weddings, which often take inspiration from flowers and trees. The florals were a major part of Emily and Bryn’s wedding, where they featured loose, cascading bits of greenery as well as hanging centerpieces and green garlands.

The Decor An eclectic mix of details is key for boho weddings, says Richardson.

But while the decor should be eclectic, Richardson suggests that couples stick to a cohesive color palette. Different textures, patterns and materials are great, but add in too much color and brides run the risk of having a “mish-mash” wedding rather than a cohesive aesthetic.

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The Cake & Invitations As everything boho continues to trend, you’ll find sections dedicated to the style on many vendor websites. Companies like Invitations by Dawn feature boho-inspired invites, glammedup with tons of floral elements, shiny foil accents and laceesque details.

As for cakes, boho details that inspire a cohesive design include floral garlands that spiral through cake layers or simplistic “naked” cakes (with just hints of frosting in between layers) adorned with pops of colorful floral.

You’ll also find funky geode wedding cakes, designs with whimsical geometric shapes and rustic cakes set atop tree stumps.

Emily’s favorite detail from her wedding was a crochet backdrop she handmade for the ceremony. Other quintessential boho touches, she says, include textiles like rugs, lace or draping fabric, along with greenery.

Photos: Angela Shae (main, bride); XO Azuree Photography (bride/groom signs & aisle) Cake: Intricate Icings; photo by Ali N Garrett © CTW Features

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Tips for making

Seating Arrangements

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One of the biggest decisions couples make regarding their wedding receptions concerns where to seat their guests.

Many a bride and groom has felt the crunch of compiling responses and then coming up with an acceptable seating arrangement for the reception.

Seating guests is not a task exclusive to brides- and grooms-tobe. Anyone holding a special party, whether it’s at a reception hall or a restaurant, must determine seating arrangements.

Before you begin to make seating arrangements, you will need the entire list of people attending the event. Having a final headcount is essential. While you may want to do a seating chart early into the reception planning, it’s best left until a few weeks before your wedding day, when you know who will and will not be in attendance.

Next, know the number of tables you will be alloted in the party space. A catering hall may have a set number of seats that can fit at each table and can usually provide you with a map of the room or a blank seating chart.

Many standard reception tables can comfortably seat between eight to 10 people. Squeezing in more people can make for an uncomfortable dining experience.

If you are a visual person, you may benefit from writing guests’ names on small pieces of paper and physically moving them around your seating chart, much as you would do if you were trying to arrange furniture on a room layout. Otherwise, write things down as you plan.

When arranging the seating, figure out the head or bridal table.

This is one of the easier tables to seat because it is traditionally filled with members of your bridal party and their respective spouses or

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dates. If your bridal party is especially large, consider flanking your own sweetheart table with two tables for the bridal party on either side.

After arranging the bridal table, focus on seating parents and close relatives of the bride and groom next. Many couples prefer to separate their families at the wedding, so the groom’s family may sit on one side of the room and the bride’s family will sit on the other. This means there will be two parental tables.

Consider seating grandparents or other close family members at these tables to ensure they have a place of prominence in the room. This usually means being close to the dance floor to have a good view of all of the festivities. If your parents are divorced or there are any other strained feelings among parents, you can further separate into another table for stepparents, to avoid any unpleasantness or confrontation.

Many wedding receptions are full of friends and even coworkers of parents whom the couple tying the knot does not even know. You may need further clarification of their relationships and who gets along before seating them. In fact, ask a parent to take care of arranging their own friends so you will be certain the arrangements will be comfortable for everyone.

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A friends’ table is usually a mingling of friends or your own coworkers who are of similar ages. A friends’ table can make guests who arrived solo feel more comfortable because they can converse with others who are likeminded.

Seating children can be tricky. You may be inclined to seat youngsters at their own table, which is fine if the children are mature enough to handle sitting by themselves.

But young children sitting apart from their parents may be nervous. Furthermore, the parents will continually have to get up and check on the kids. Very young children are best seated alongside their folks.

When arranging seating, you also must consider special needs’ individuals who may have mobility issues. Such individuals should be seated near doors and restrooms so it’s easier for them to get around once the reception hits full swing. Try to accommodate special requests, like not seating the elderly too close to music speakers.

Keep in mind that there is software and even some smartphone apps that make it even easier to make seating arrangements. Tech-savvy couples may prefer this method to the old-fashioned pencil and paper technique.

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Wedding Invite 101 Keep your guests in the know with this handy how-to guide for invitations

By Jill Jaracz So you’ve got the perfect engagement pictures for your invites, but what should they actually say?

The perfectly written invitation tells your guests what they need to know about your big day. Amber Harrison, style and trend expert at Wedding Paper Divas, explains exactly what to say.

“The wedding invitation is your opportunity to communicate with your guests before the big day,” she says. So don’t skip the important details, or you’ll be bombarded with calls, emails and texts.

Start with the basics: Who, what, where, when. “You must include the couples’ names and the date, time and location of the wedding.”

After that, tell other helpful information,

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like dress code or whether the ceremony will be outdoors.

Should you include your parents’ names?

“Traditionally one or both sets of parents are listed on an invitation, but today families come in all shapes and sizes, which can make wording a wedding invitation trickier than ever.” Choose what works best for your situation. Some tried and true phrases include: “Together with their families” and “Please join us for the wedding of…”

When listing times, either follow traditional etiquette and spell out all of the numbers, or use an informal style depending on the tone of your celebration. “The most important rule?

Keep it consistent.”

Don’t forget to ask for an RSVP to get an accurate guest count.

“Whether you include the RSVP line on your invitation or just include a self-explanatory response card, make sure that you list the ‘reply by’ date.”

Enclosure cards give you flexibility to share important information without distracting from the main message. Use them for directions, travel arrangements, accommodations, hashtags and websites.

One important thing to leave off: the registry. “Listing registry details on your invitation is akin to demanding gifts.”

Instead, let your family, wedding party and website spread those details. © CTW Features

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Hidden Expenses That can sink your wedding Budget

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Couples should remember to build hidden expenses into their budgets when planning their weddings.

In the days of yore, the responsibility of paying for a wedding fell to the bride’s parents. But that tradition has largely fallen by the wayside in recent years, when more and more couples have used their own savings to finance their weddings. Few couples enter the process of planning their weddings unaware of just how expensive weddings can get, but costs can easily begin to escalate if couples are not careful.

Couples know that certain wedding expenses, such as the cost of booking a reception hall, will eat up a large portion of their budgets. But there are some

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hidden expenses that couples must build into their budgets to avoid finding themselves in debt as they walk down the aisle as husband and wife.

Taxes Sales tax might not seem so significant when you’re buying everyday items, but the taxes add up quickly when paying for a wedding. Depending on where you live, state and local sales tax can exceed 9 percent in the United States, and some Canadians pay as much as 15 percent in combined sales taxes depending on where they live.

Before signing contracts with any vendors, couples should get the price including sales tax written into their contracts, as failing to do so may result in a several thousand dollar surprise when the time to pay up arrives.

Gratuities Gratuities are another potentially hefty expense that often takes engaged couples by surprise as they start to plan their weddings. Some reception halls build gratuities for staff into their estimates, and these tips for the staff can be as high as 25 percent at some venues. But even if gratuities for reception hall staff are already accounted for, don’t forget to include tips for additional vendors the day of the wedding. Couples may be expected to tip the florist, photographer, band or deejay and even the reception hall maitre d’ if his or her gratuity is not included in the aforementioned staff tip. Brides-to-be typically tip their hairstylist and makeup artist on the day of the wedding as well.

Postage Couples who plan to invite guests via email or online invitations can skirt the cost of postage. But many couples still prefer traditional paper invitations, which include return envelopes that tradition suggests should also be stamped. Save-the-date cards have grown in popularity as well, and these cards must also be stamped and mailed.

Depending on the size of your guest list, postage can cost sever-

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al hundred dollars before you mail your last invitation. And don’t forget to save some money for postage to mail thank-you cards once the big day has come and gone.

Overtime Overtime fees for reception hall staff and additional outside vendors are typically written into contracts, but few couples imagine needing more than the predetermined allotment of time noted in their contracts. But it’s better to be safe than sorry, as unanticipated events such as a misplaced wedding license or heavy traffic on the way to the venue can force the party to start late and thus extend past its deadline. Set aside some money for overtime so you don’t find yourselves scrounging for dollars or charging the extra few hundred dollars on your credit cards.

Weddings are expensive, and even more so when hidden fees start to make their presence felt.

Couples who build such fees into their budgets will find it easier to avoid breaking the bank than those who don’t.

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Rehearsal dinner how-to Many couples find their wedding rehearsal dinners to be relaxing respites from the whirlwind of wedding planning.

Such dinners enable the happy couple to slow down and enjoy themselves in a relatively casual gathering with their closest friends and family members.

Rehearsal dinners typically take place in the night or two before the wedding. The couple, members of their wedding party, the parents of the bride and groom and others involved in the wedding typically attend this dinner. The couple generally takes the time at the dinner to thank everyone for their contributions to the wedding and to offer some small gifts of appreciation. No rules govern rehearsal dinners, so couples have the freedom to plan the dinners as they see fit.

Rehearsal dinners often come immediately after the ceremony rehearsal, when the wedding party and the officiant go over the timing and details of the wedding. Make arrangements with the ceremony site and officiant prior to making dinner reservations.

Parents of the groom traditionally host the rehearsal dinner, so they will be integral in planning the event. That means couples should keep an open and gracious mind. Remember, the rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to be a lavish affair, and it can be customized to any budget or preference.

Some couples feel that hosting rehearsal dinners in casual settings can make the dinner more

comfortable for members of the wedding, who can use the dinner as an opportunity to mingle and get to know one another before the wedding. This will help to tame nerves and enable the wedding party to loosen up and enjoy themselves even more. Some people may be more inclined to socialize and have fun when they’re not worried about putting on airs.

Restaurants that have special meaning to the couple often make for great places to hold rehearsal dinners. The bride and groom can suggest their ideas, but ultimately it is the person handling the bill who has the final say. Couples who want greater control over the rehearsal dinner festivities can suggest hosting it themselves.

Despite its name, the rehearsal dinner doesn’t actually have to be a dinner, as couples can opt for meals at a different time of the day, like brunch or lunch. An earlier occasion gives guests plenty of time to get home and rest up for the festivities of the wedding to come.

Toasts are expected at the rehearsal dinner, but they tend to be spontaneous, off-the-cuff remarks. A couple with a good sense of humor might not mind being roasted at their rehearsal dinners. The bride and groom should expect to say a few words of thanks to all in attendance, but remarks need not be too formal.

Rehearsal dinners may even feature a little entertainment.

Tech-savvy parents may put together a presentation with videos or photographs that chronicles the couple’s lives separately and their life together.

Rehearsal dinners provide an

opportunity for couples and their families to spend time together before the larger festivities of the wedding pull them in multiple directions. Plus, they set a fun tone for the wedding weekend to come.

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Wedding Transportation

tips

Weddings are momentous events for the couple tying the knot as well as all of the friends and family invited to share in the big day.

Before couples can tie the knot and cut a rug at their receptions, everyone, couple and guests included, must arrive at the location (or locations if the ceremony site differs from the reception area). Though arranging wedding day transportation can be difficult, there are ways to make the process go more smoothly for guests and bridal party members.

Determine your needs Before a transportation plan can be made, couples must first map out their needs. Everything should be built around the ceremony. Once the ceremony time has been set, the rest of the day can be arranged around that time.

Determine how much time is needed to travel from the ceremony to the reception area. Allocate enough time before the cocktail hour to allow for traffic, photos and any other needs that may take up time. Couples do not want anyone, included themselves, to feel rushed.

Once the timing has been orchestrated, couples can figure out exactly which types of transportation will be required.

Book personal transportation first Happy couples must make their own transportation their top priority.

Arrange for the couples’ transportation between five and seven months in advance of the wedding. It could be preferable to book it even further in advance if a couple is getting married around a holiday or during prom season when limousines and party buses are in high demand. Remember, unless the bride-to-be plans to be seen by her groom, couples will need separate transportation to the ceremony site.

Factor multiple vehicles into the wedding transportation budget.

Explore your personality Brides and grooms have many transportation options at their disposal. If a limousine doesn’t add the spark of cre-

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ativity they desire, they can opt for a VW bus or a retro roadster. Outdoor enthusiasts might want to ride off on horseback, while easy riders might prefer to rev up the engine on a Harley-Davidson. Couples should never feel penned in by tradition, especially when something else makes them feel remarkable and the budget allows for it.

Have your getaway car ready Couples generally opt to arrive to the wedding and reception in style, but take their own vehicles or cabs home afterward.

This requires some advanced planning.

Enlist the help of friends to park the return-trip car in a convenient location.

Check with the catering hall to see if a vehicle can be left in their lot overnight.

Otherwise, arrange to grab a ride home with friends or family.

Consider others’ needs Have the names and phone numbers of taxi or ridesharing services available for those who may not be able to drive after the party. Elderly or disabled guests might appreciate prearranged transportation as well. Although couples can arrange for transportation as a courtesy to others, they don’t need to make arrangements for everyone.

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HOneymoon

havens

Get away with your newly wedded sweetie to one of these 4 fabulous foreign locales

By Kristen Fischer Planning a honeymoon and want to escape stateside? From luxury spas to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, these destinations have plenty to offer for any newlywed couple.

Delightful Romance in Dubai Dubai offers plenty of options for those that want to experience international travel in a luxurious yet adventurous way, says Megan Velez, spokesperson for the Destination Weddings Travel Group in Massachusetts.

Stay at the Anantara Spa, an Asian-inspired sanctuary that boasts a traditional Turkish Hammam, or the Bab Al Shams Resort, a spa hideaway that offers drives through the dunes or camel rides.

Thrills await at Skydive Dubai, where you can glide out 44

of a plane 13,000 feet over the Palm Jumeirah, while Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort with five runs – snow penguins included.

Take in panoramic views with a hot-air balloon ride or top off the trip at the SKY Lounge at the world’s highest observation deck, the Burj Khalifa.

British Virgin Islands Nestled at the end of Little Deadman’s Beach, Peter Island Resort & Spa has plenty of extravagances with exhilarating experiences built-in. Relish a beach picnic or hike along the 3-mile Sunset Loop route. The Anegada Beach Club’s beach tents have king canopy beds, showers and ocean views.

Nearby on Virgin Gorda’s north shore, The Baths granite boulders form must-soak-in sea pools. Outdoor adventures await at Gorda Peak National Park, the highest point on

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Virgin Gorda with spectacular panoramic views, while the Bitter End Yacht Club has scuba diving, kiteboarding, snorkeling, and a sailing school. There are 60 islands in the area, so chartering a yacht for some island hopping isn’t out of the question either.

Fall in Love Again in Fiji Fiji makes this list because it offers effortless romance and beachside relaxation. The Jean-

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Michel Cousteau Resort is a mountainous eco-resort with bures – thatched-roof Fijian huts – along the Savusavu Bay. The Namale resort and spa offers five-star luxury bures with private plunge pools.

Take a day trip to the private island Naviavia, or scuba dive along the Namena reefs. Inland attractions include hiking through the rain forest or touring the Upper Navua River by raft.

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British Columbia Meghan Ely with OFD Consulting, a wedding marketing company in Virginia, says you don’t have to go to the tropics for a great honeymoon.

“British Columbia has become a popular choice for honeymooning couples, with its breathtaking scenery and abundance of activities,” she says.

Whistler’s summer hikes and winter snow sports are great at the Four Seasons Resort. Or you 46

can venture into the upscale wilderness Sonora Resort, which boasts a spa and eco tours that feature orcas and grizzly bears. Check out the Peak2Peak Gondola, which connects Blackcomb Mountain to Whistler Mountain and is the longest and highest lift on the globe.

Main photo courtesy of: Dubai Tourism © CTW Features

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