PineStraw Bride & Groom 2013 by PineStraw Magazine

Featuring 8 Local Weddings

T h e A r t & S o u l o f t h e Pe r f e c t S a n d h i l l s We d d i n g

Private Lakeside Wedding Venue Just 30 minutes from Pinehurst!

Make your wedding unforgettably magical in one of our spectacular lakeside locations! Our pricing starts at $2400 for wedding day coverage. We offer 4 astonishingly beautiful waterfront settings for ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, parties, and bridal luncheons, all with breathtaking vistas. Absolute privacy in a 3000-acre wildlife refuge, yet with the food, music and concierge service of an upscale resort. For wedding hosting inquiries and to find out about our availability email us at weddings@kingfishersociety.com.

kingfishersociety.com/weddings 910.462-2324 ; weddings@kingfishersociety.com

Celebrate your special day at one of the

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The gardens, event tent, and tasting room at Cypress Bend Vineyards make an ideal romantic setting for both ceremony and reception. Call 910-369-0411 or email events@cypressbendvineyards.com for an appointment, or visit our website at www.cypressbendvineyards.com for more information. 21904 Riverton Road | Wagram, NC 28396

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Call today for an event to remember!

P a r t i e s | L u n c h e o n s | D i n n e rs | R e c e p t i o n s

National Golf Club is the perfect facility for your guests no matter the occasion, large or small. Whether social or business, we will provide you with flexible space that can be set up for casual seating, seated dinner or seminar-style row seating. We want to be a part of your next event. One Royal Tro on Drive | Village of Pinehurst, NC 28374 G olf Course lo cated in Southern Pines 910.295.4300 | 1.800.471.4339 | nationalgolfclub.com

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Bride& Groom

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W e d d i n g s | C o r p o r at e E v e n t s F a m i ly C e l e b r at i o n s

Jenny McRae Founding C o o r d i n at o r

Second Act FLORAL & EVENTS

Phone

910.280.0632

w w w. s e c o n d a c t f l or a l . c o m

Bride Groom

2013

The Ever Afters Eight local weddings Stories by Ashley Wahl

Ginny & Heath Trigg

Elizabeth & Matthew Schmitt

Julie & Mark Lisella

Brandee & Dustin James

Ashley & Leland McKeithen

Whitney & Will Newell

Kristi & Jason Huddleson

Celeste & Luke Harman

The Directory

The Cakes

All About Bouquets

Pre-registering for Gifts

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Cover Photograph of Brooke Slinger & Brendan Morley, Married May, 19, 2012, courtesy of: Sayer Photography 13 Photograph this page by Cassie Butler

ever afters

Ginny Heath Heath & Ginny (Kelly) Trigg | September 29, Two Thousand and Twelve Emmanuel Episcopal Church | Southern Pines | Photographs by Azul Photography

Ginny Kelly spent the morning of her wedding

day in tears. Ten months of planning, and not one minute spent thinking about rain. An outdoor reception was not in the cards. “I was blindsided and unnecessarily emotional,” Ginny admits. The wedding planner promised that Plan B would turn out fine. Ginny dried her eyes. At the end of the night, she was still going to be Heath’s bride. Heath and Ginny met in 2009 at the Darling House Pub in Pinehurst. They might have crossed paths any number of times before that. Conversation revealed that they had both studied at Appalachian State University, and were students there at the same time. “We even shared mutual friends,” says Ginny. Never mind that he was tall and handsome. Heath made Ginny laugh. Happy fortune that they finally met. “He made me want to be a better person, and that was

the kind of love I needed in my life.” The ceremony was held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Rain followed, but when Ginny saw the ballroom at CCNC, she squelched the vision of the outdoor terrace tent. The reception venue resembled an upscale lounge. Swanky white leather couches (rented) gave the space a club-like ambience. Lime green accent pillows popped. Even the cake was bright and funky. It echoed geometric patterns used throughout. Ginny’s favorite features: benches and drum lanterns handmade by Heath. Tender moments reigned. A live band played “Ms. Grace” in honor of Charlie Kelly, the bride’s late father. “It was really special,” says Ginny. Post cake, the dance floor came to life. “It was the moment when I finally got to let my hair down and party with all my friends, my family and my new husband,” says Ginny. “I don’t think I would have done any of it differently.” B&G

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The Details Photographs Azul Photography Cake The Bakehouse Ceremony Emmanuel Episcopal Church Reception Country Club of North Carolina Flowers Botanicals Engagement Ring Brendaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewelers Wedding Bands Honeycutt Jewelers Dress Lana Addison Bridal

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Offering Gift Registry Gifts for Wedding Party Embossed Cocktail Napkins Personalized Stationery

111 W. Main Street | Aberdeen, NC

910-944-1181

Mon. - Sat. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

www.one11main.com

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ever afters

Elizabeth Matthew Matthew & Elizabeth (Rothbeind) Schmitt | June 9, Two Thousand and Twelve Pinehurst Resort | Pinehurst | Photographs by Tim Sayer

Matthew Schmitt

had grown anxious waiting for the summer sun to set. He had not seen his bride all day. As he greeted friends and family on the cobblestone veranda, Elizabeth Rothbeind hid inside. Jewish customs breed anticipation. When he finally saw her, all but glowing in her custommade silk gown, time stood still. The Sabbath was over. They held hands beneath a luminous chuppah (canopy) as the pastel sky gave way to stars. Matthew and Elizabeth met three summers earlier. They lived in the same neighborhood in Orlando, Florida, and spent their evenings at a nearby lake, holding hands and watching sunsets. “He became my best friend,” says Elizabeth. Better yet, they practiced the same faith. After a rose-petal-proposal, the pair decided that a traditional Jewish wedding would be the perfect way to celebrate.

They broke glass on Pinehurst No. 5, just miles away from the house where Elizabeth grew up. “Several of our guests were from out-of-state,” says the bride. “We wanted them to enjoy their whole weekend here.” The reception was held at the Donald Ross Grill and Resort Club Veranda, where candlelight and elegant drapery transformed the space into a midsummer night’s dream. The naked cake was pure and simple: butter cream embellished with fresh cut roses. Guests erupted into song when bride and groom were hoisted into the air for the festive Hora (chair dance). “The air was happy and joyous,” says Elizabeth, and friends and family danced well into the night. Although she wouldn’t change a thing about their wedding, the bride offers some advice: “Enjoy every single moment. The planning goes by quickly but the day goes by even faster. Try to take a private moment with your groom to let everything sink in.” B&G

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The Details Photography Sayer Photography

Ceremony & Reception Pinehurst Resort Flowers Aldena Frye Cake Pinehurst Resort Hair & Makeup Evelisse Hanh Entertainment DJ King Curtiss Dress Monique Lhuillier

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ever afters

Julie Mark Mark & Julie (Garrison) Lisella | August 18, Two Thousand and Twelve The Village Chapel | Pinehurst | Photographs by Dana Atkins

“It had rained for two weeks leading up to the wed-

ding,” says Julie. “I was so nervous it would rain.” Miracle of miracles, the dark clouds disappeared. Mark Lisella and Julie Garrison were married on an uncharacteristically cool August afternoon in Pinehurst, the iconic steeple of The Village Chapel pointing up toward the clear blue heaven. Guests kept cooler still with custom-made wedding programs designed to double as paper fans. “We didn’t want formal or stuffy, but we did want to pamper our guests,” says Julie, who sought inspiration from the bygone days before there was air conditioning. The bride did her own hair and makeup. “It was important to me to look like I normally do,” she says — save for her vintage-inspired wedding gown. Embellished with lace, the ivory dress hung straight down to the floor. She wore her sister’s veil, and the diamond earrings Mark had given her earlier that day. He’d given her the ring months earlier, on a walk on the beach on his birthday.

Mark wore a white dinner jacket with black tuxedo pants. Pine cones were incorporated into flower arrangements and décor. “We were inspired by the beautiful pine trees in the area and wanted the wedding to have an outdoorsy feel,” says the bride. “We used colors found in nature. Several shades of browns and greens.” Guests waved ribbon wands as the newlyweds exited the church. A reception was held at the historic Fair Barn. “We loved the rustic elegance of the place, with its high ceilings and ample space,” says Julie, who spent her childhood in the Sandhills riding horses. Bottle trees, designed by Julie’s mother, were used as centerpieces. A traditional Southern menu included shrimp and grits, BBQ and pimento cheese sandwiches, while the buttercream cake offered two flavors: vanilla or red velvet. Their exit was simple. The next day, it rained. B&G

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The Details

Photography Dana Atkins Photography Ceremony The Village Chapel Reception The Fair Barn Flowers Aldena Frye Design Cake Enchanted Moments Sweet Shop

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The Tavern at Longleaf will help turn your

Dream Wedding into a reality! • Dining room and terrace overlook breathtaking views of the fairway • Customize your event menu to meet your exact specifications • Attention to every detail will be taken to see that your wedding day is truly spectacular!

Open

to the public 7 days a week

Contact us today for more information | 910-692-4411 10 Knoll Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387 Lunch 7 days a week • Dinner Thursday - Saturday

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ever afters

Brandee Dustin Dustin & Brandee (Dishner) James | November 10, Two Thousand and Twelve Forest Creek Golf Club | Pinehurst | Photographs by Cassie Butler

For years, Brandee Dishner wrote other people’s love

stories. She must have spun hundreds of them for publications such as Carolina Bride and Charleston Weddings, each one told from the winsome perspective of a girl who still believes in fairytales. And there’s no reason she shouldn’t. Less than three months before her storybook wedding, Brandee sat amid the lush landscape of the Biltmore gardens dressed like Lady Mary Crawley, the stunning beauty from her favorite television drama. Earlier, Dustin had showered her with gifts: elegant jewelry and a gorgeous blue dress inspired by post-Edwardian era fashion. “He thought it would be fun, since we were at the Biltmore Estate, to dress up like the characters of Downton Abbey,” says Brandee. The surprise wasn’t over. Dustin proposed. Brandee said yes to her high school sweetheart. She loves to tell the story of how fate reconnected them fifteen years after they met. “I’ve been in love with her half my life,” says Dustin.

The ceremony was held outside at Forest Creek Golf Club on a warm afternoon in late autumn. Brandee’s father walked her down the grassy aisle through a pair of old wooden doors they salvaged together from an antique store in Aberdeen. “It felt like a church or a home set outdoors,” says Brandee. During the ceremony, the couple lit unity torches and took Communion. Vows were original, and they each had one attendant — her sister and his best friend. “Best decision ever,” says the bride. For the reception, décor was Pinterest-inspired Southernvintage. Brandee chose runners to showcase the dark wooden tables. Guests enjoyed Southern-SoCal cuisine. Among an elaborate dessert display: whoopie pies and Mexican mocha chocolate cake. Ever full of surprises, Dustin cleared the dance floor for a sidesplitting choreographed performance for his bride. Brandee, who is currently working on a “How-To” guide for brides who don’t want long engagements. “Say yes to the right man,” she says, “and the rest is pretty easy.” B&G

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The Details

Photography Cassie Angeline Butler Images Cake Marsha Torres, executive pastry chef at Rhettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant Ceremony & Reception Forest Creek Golf Club Flowers Maggieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farm Hair Bamboo, A Boutique Salon Andy Pellegrino Entertainment Valerie Stancik, harpist Lighting Ward Productions

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ever afters

Ashley Leland Leland & Ashley (Tuell) McKeithen | October 13, Two Thousand and Twelve The Village Chapel | Pinehurst | Photographs by McKenzie Photography

Ashley Tuell

carried all the good-luck tokens — the old rhyme calls for four — but the lace handkerchief held particular significance. She wrapped it around the stem of her ivory bouquet of hydrangeas and roses and secured it with an heirloom pin. That delicate scrap of linen, pale blue and worn thin, belonged to her great-grandmother, Lurie Kiser. “She carried it [and the pin] to all of her children’s weddings,” says the bride. “My grandmother, Margaret, continued the tradition.” Ashley borrowed the old hankie to symbolize her infrangible link to the past. From this day forward, she and Leland would blend their cultures and traditions. Bagpipes sang out as guests trickled into The Village Chapel in Pinehurst. Ashley’s father wept when he saw her. Leland smiled. “It was a perfect fall day,” the bride recalls. “Seventy degrees and not a cloud in the sky.”

Land may have drawn the groom’s Scottish ancestors to the Sandhills, but surely the mild autumns are what kept his clan here for over two hundred years. Notice Leland’s tartan bow tie and cummerbund, made in Scotland. At the Pinehurst Member’s Club, guests spilled out onto the wrap-around veranda overlooking the illustrious No. 2. Mr. and Mrs. McKeithen arrived by horse-drawn carriage. “It definitely felt like we were in a fairy tale,” says the bride. Inside, deep purples and soft greens accented chairs and tables, but the theme was classic Southern. The couple danced to Al Green before the live band pleased the crowd with authentic Carolina beach music. The chow? Low country favorites like pork sliders and shrimp and grits. “The food was delicious,” says Ashley, but the three-tiered cake stole the show. The bottom tier: chocolate cake with peanut butter and vanilla filling. Sweeter still, after dating for nearly three years, Ashley and Leland could finally call each other husband and wife. B&G

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The Details Photography McKenzie Photography Ceremony The Village Chapel Reception Pinehurst Memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club Flowers Botanicals Cake Pinehurst Resort Hair Lux Salon | Stylist Erin Reese Rings Jewels of Pinehurst Dress Tre Bella Bridal, Durham

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ever afters

Whitney Will Will & Whitney (Szalankiewicz) Newell | April 21, Two Thousand and Twelve Emmanuel Episcopal Church | Southern Pines | Photographs by Mollie Tobias

“May I borrow your pen?” Whitney Szalankiewicz

asked Will Newell, the cute boy in her business law class. They were strangers then, both seniors at Clemson University. Small talk evolved into something more. On weekends, they hiked mountains. Mastered surfing. Slept beneath blankets of twinkling stars. They fell in love with each other and life outdoors. “It was refreshing to find someone who has similar interests,” says Whitney. After three years of dating, Will had a question for the cute girl. Whitney still laughs when she shares their proposal story: Will slipped the ring into his pocket when he left the jewelry store. Within twenty minutes, it was on her finger. Their wedding day was laid back. Will and his groomsmen grilled out at Pine Needles Resort while the girls were primped and pampered at Studio Elite. Nearly 300 guests filled the pews inside Emmanuel Episcopal, where Whitney’s parents attend church.

“We saw each other before the ceremony,” says Whitney, which helped steady their nerves. Bridesmaids looked like woodland fairies in their floorlength moss green dresses. Loose bouquets of lambs ear, peonies and hydrangeas were both casual and romantic. Whitney wore an ivory gown. The shoes? Comfort over fashion. The groom smiled but was unsurprised when he saw her wearing TOMS. Festivities continued at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst. “We weren’t announced when we entered the reception or when we went to cut the cake,” says Whitney. “We really wanted it to be a fun party for our guests.” For décor, nature was the muse. Note the wood slab beneath the buttercream spackled cake. “It truly looked like a fairytale, and it was fun to see how all the planning came together,” says Whitney. And what a perfect way to celebrate their next big adventure. B&G

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The Details

Photography Mollie Tobias Photography Ceremony Emmanuel Episcopal Church Reception The Fair Barn Flowers Aldena Frye Design Cake The Bakehouse Hair & Makeup Studio Elite Dress Traditions By Anna

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Historic Home & Gardens

For more information call - 910-692-6261 Hours: M-F 10am-2pm

555 East Connecticut Ave. P.O. Box 939 Southern Pines, NC 28388 weymouthcenter@pinehurst.net â&#x20AC;˘ www.weymouthcenter.org

Special Events Weddings Receptions 2011 Winner National Scottish Harp & Vocals 2009 Harp & Vocal Winner Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Carolan Festival, Ireland

Parties 910.528.1362

Piano, Harp, Vocals and Instrumental ensembles

910.692.0705 vstancik@mindspring.com po box 1990 Pinehurst, NC 28370

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ever afters

Kristi Jason Jason & Kristi (Caddell) Huddleson | October 6, Two Thousand and Twelve Thomas Walton Manor Bed & Breakfast | Laurinburg | Photographs by New Morning Weddings

It had been a long flight home from Seattle, Washing-

ton, and after a weeklong sales conference, Kristi was ready to see Jason. He met her at the terminal and took her to Bentley’s Restaurant on 27, a five-star eatery located on the 27th floor of the Charlotte Plaza and known for its panoramic skyline view of downtown. When they arrived, it occurred to Kristi that they had been there before. Once. Seven years earlier. This is where he brought her to tell her, for the first time, that he loved her. “We had not been back since,” says Kristi. “After a wonderful dinner, he joined me on my side of the table, and, on bended knee, asked me to marry him.” The setting was flawless, although Kristi would have said “yes” anywhere. Even the crowded little sports bar where the couple first met. A yearlong engagement gave Kristi time enough to plan. They tied the knot in the bride’s hometown at the Thomas Walton Manor, a stately and historic Georgian

Colonial in Laurinburg modeled after the plantation homes along the James River of Colonial Virginia. Hand-painted murals, stenciled floors and Italian chandeliers set an elegant ambience. Kristi’s dress — ivory satin with a ruched body and pleated chapel train — was timeless. The color scheme was warm and soft. Champagne dresses for the bridesmaids and hand-tied bouquets of ivory and pale pink roses. After the ceremony, a reception was held on the garden grounds. Cocktails were served poolside prior to a buffet dinner. They cut cake — a four-tiered buttercream adorned with a cascade of fresh flowers — and danced with friends and family beneath a white fabric tent. For Kristi and Jason, the old house was perfect. Now they enjoy married life together in their brand new home. B&G

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The Details Photography New Morning Weddings Ceremony & Reception Thomas Walton Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn Cake & Catering Rickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catering, Laurinburg

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Wedding Gowns and Bridesmaid Dresses for Sale Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tuxedos; Suits & Accessories For Sale or Rental N ATION WIDE & LOCA L

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Celeste Luke Luke & Celeste (Williams) Harman | June 9, Two Thousand and Twelve Holiday Inn Sunspree | Wrightsville Beach | Photographs by Michelle Bolton

No shoes? Not a problem for Luke and Celeste Har-

man. Their Wrightsville Beach wedding didn’t require them. “It was such a wonderful atmosphere,” says the bride. “We skipped out on the tiered cake, the garter and bouquet tosses, and tuxedos. Our guests wore shorts, sundresses and flip-flops. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” Their summer wedding was a perfect reflection of their pure and simple love. Luke popped the question on what was otherwise an ordinary Wednesday. “I knew he had the ring, but he had it for weeks,” says Celeste. He got down on one knee in their kitchen. Although roots hold them fast to Moore County — both were born and raised here — they opted for a destination wedding. “We love the beach,” says Celeste, and thought guests might like to spin the trip into a weekend getaway. The June weather was perfect: eighty degrees and sunny with a gentle ocean breeze.

From the balcony, Celeste looked out into the ocean — she’d called it “lotion” as a child — and let its vastness soothe her soul. Not everything would go as planned. She knew that. “At the end of the day, who cares?” says Celeste. Sure enough, the processional songs were mixed up. “I noticed, but no one else did. I just kept right on walking, soaking it all in.” She wore barefoot sandals. Luke wore a fedora. They stood before a bamboo arbor handmade by the bride’s cousin. Passersby stopped to watch them kiss. “Turning around and seeing all our friends and family was my favorite moment,” the groom says. For the reception, DIY centerpieces and homemade cakes made the venue feel like home. So did the ocean. “Because I had planned everything, it was really special to see how everything came together,” says Celeste. “That made the wedding ‘ours’ for me.” B&G

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The Details

Photography Michelle Bolton | (910) 673-8960 Ceremony & Reception Holiday Inn Sunspree, Wrightsville Beach Cake Robin Chriscoe

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Fine Stationery Since 1933

311 South King Street Laurinburg, North Carolina 28352 877-610-4499

www.ReavesEngraving.com

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The

Directory

Holiday Inn, Fayetteville (910) 323-0111

Pinehurst Resort (910) 235-8441

Holiday Inn Sunspree, Wrightsville Beach (877) 330-5050 wrightsville.sunspreeresorts.com

Pine Crest Inn (910) 295-6121

Homewood Suites (910) 255-0300 Ironwood Café (910) 255-0000 Jefferson Inn — (p. 59) (910) 692-9911 King Fisher Society — (p. 1) (910) 462-2324 www.kingfishersociety.com

Pine Needles & Mid Pines — (p. 35) (800) 292-1963 Richmond County Historical Society (910) 895-1660 Ext. 4 Table on the Green (910) 295-4118 The Old Buggy Inn (910) 947-1901 The Tavern at Longleaf (p. 23) (910) 692-4411

Lady Bedford’s Tea Parlour (p. 31) (910) 255-0100

The Village Chapel (910) 295-6003

Legacy Lakes (910) 944-2641

Thomas Walton Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn (910) 276-0551 www.thomaswaltonmanor. com

Little River Golf & Resort (910) 949-4600 Maggie’s Farm — (p. 10) (910) 295-1784 www.maggiesfarm4flowers.com

Woodlake Resort & Country Club (Inside back cover) — (910) 245-7137

Cassie Angeline Butler Images (910) 724-4821 cassieangeline.com Davis Video Productions — (p. 54) (910) 215-0986 www.davisvideopro.com Ward Productions — (p. 19) (910) 295-2158 www.wardproductions.com

Wedding Consultants A Designer’s Touch (910) 986-0158 P3 Weddings (910) 709-1597 Social Butterfly — (p. 6) (910) 690-5280 Southern Charm — (p. 59) (843) 206-9846 Stellar Inspirations (703) 408-3183 stellarinspirations.net Treasured Memories (910) 986-0515 treasuredmemories.com

Photograph by Azul Photography

National Golf Club — (p. 8) (910) 295-4300 www.nationalgolfclub.com

Weymouth Center — (p. 39) (910) 692-6261

Videographers

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From the proposal to the anniversary, we can help with all of your planning needs. Anniversary Parties • Bridal Luncheons • Bridal Showers Day of Wedding Coordination • Engagement Parties Full & Partial Wedding Planning • Proposal Planning • Rehearsal Dinners

Call us to chat about how we can add

a little “Southern Charm” to your event! Co-Owners/Coordinators: Schericka Bridges & Adrienne Harris info@southern-charm-events.com | 843.206.9846 | www.southern-charm-events.com

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The Cake

1| James Wedding

Marsha Torres, Rhett’s Restaurant

2| Trigg Wedding The Bakehouse

3| McKeithen Wedding Pinehurst Resort

4| Huddleson Wedding Rick’s Catering

4 Photos by: 1 – Cassie Angeline Butler Images; 2 – Azul Photography; 3 – McKenzie Photography; 4 – New Morning Weddings

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The Cake

5| Harman Wedding Robin Chriscoe

6| Newell Wedding The Bakehouse

7| Lisella Wedding

Enchanted Moments Sweet Shop

8| Schmitt Wedding Pinehurst Resort

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Photos by: 5 – Michelle Bolton; 6 – Mollie Tobias; 7 – Dana Atkins; 8 – Sayer Photography

All About Bouquets 7 bright ideas for bridal blooms

ou spend countless hours debating which wedding veil you’ll wear and which shoes you’ll step into – but don’t forget that your bouquet is a bridal accessory, too. You want to be sure your bunch of blooms suits your gown, the style of your event and, most importantly, your personality. There are numerous shapes to choose from, not to mention colors and types of flowers; so, to help get you started, the experts have compiled seven popular options that range from classic to cool:

Beidermeier

The most formal bouquet, the beidermeier is a tightly-structured nosegay made up of concentric circles of different-colored flowers, resulting in a striped effect, says Anja Winikka, senior editor of TheKnot.com. It’s best for formal or semi-formal events but works well with a wide range of blooms.

Cascade

According to Karen Bussen, an NYC-based floral stylist and author of the “Simple Stunning Wedding Flowers” (Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2007), back in the day, almost every bouquet was a cascade, with flowers and greenery wired and arranged to trail dramatically from the bride’s hands. They fell out of favor when brides began to prefer more tailored styles, but Bussen

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strongly advocates for an updated version of these romantic handfuls. “Whether your wedding is formal and opulent or more whimsical and funky, a bouquet that cascades – or just trails pretty ribbons or vines – is perfect for the new heirloom-inspired looks we’re seeing on the bridal runways and in richly patterned invitations,” she says. “Consider delicate jasmine blossoms, heavy-headed helleborus, elegant ferns and wayward tulips.”

Composite

A handmade creation in which different petals or buds are wired together on a single stem to create the illusion of one giant flower, this style works well in more intimate, sophisticated weddings, says Winikka.

Hand-tied

A dense bunch of naturally gathered blooms either anchored in a bouquet holder, wired or hand-tied with ribbon or raffia, this style is perfect for a garden wedding or informal affair, says Winikka. Think wildflowers like cosmos, daisies and grasses, as well as garden blossoms like tulips and delphinium, says Bussen.

Nosegay

All the rage in Victorian times and enjoying a renaissance today, these small, round clusters are usually made with one dominant flower or color, says Winikka. The blooms are cut to a uniform length and are either wrapped tightly with ribbon or lace or are carried in a silver cone known as a tussy mussy. They often feature delicate blooms, such as lily-of-the-valley, violets and tweedia, along with fragrant accents such as lavender, rosemary or scented geranium, says Bussen.

Pavé

This carefully tailored bouquet often features only one or two brands of blooms arranged in a refined, almost dome-like shape. “A beautiful choice for brides who like a polished, classic look, this style works well with many kinds of flowers, including roses, peonies, stephanotis and lisianthus,” says Bussen.

Single Flower

This sleek, modern one-stem-only style is usually seen with orchids or another flower variety that has a lot of blossoms on a single stem, says Winikka. B&G

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Pre-Registering for Gifts Before you go scan-happy in the store, give your home a solid assessment and decide both what you really need and what you really want With all the stress and fuss that goes into planning a wedding, registering for gifts is a rather enjoyable reprieve. You pick your favorite stores, and then you and your sweetie get to walk around with a magic scanner and zap! You now have a giant wish list of everything you’ve ever wanted for your home, and the kicker is that people are actually going to buy these things for you. But before you get too caught up in the excitement and end up with a full set of human-sized ceramic lawn gnomes or six Hypercolor hand towels, it’s a good idea to invest in a little mental preparation. “Couples should look to the future when selecting items for their registry,” says Hilleary Kehrli, a spokeswoman for Williams-Sonoma. “Although you may live in a small apartment now, the purchase of your first home may be on the horizon,” she says. “It’s important to select items and quantities that reflect the entertaining and living needs of your future together.” When Tara Johnson-Medinger, the former events director for the Shogren House Museum, a popular wedding venue in Portland, Ore., became engaged herself in 2002, she and her fiancé took some time to talk about what they truly wanted. “We were getting married in our early 30s, so we actually already had a lot of things,” says Johnson-Medinger, “but we looked at this as an opportunity to refresh. It was time to get rid of the college-age things that we had been lugging around for years. We registered for replacements – traditional items like a full set of dishes and matching silverware.” According to Kehrli, traditional choices usually include cookware, electric appliances such as stand mixers, blenders, waffle makers, coffee makers, cutlery and dinnerware, as well as linens for the bedroom and bathroom. Recently, she says, slow cookers and panini presses have also been especially popular choices. But with all the fabulous options out there, some couples can get overwhelmed. To help calm nerves and bring focus to the task, Kehrli recommends thinking about what you enjoy doing and how this applies to your future together.

“Key questions to consider are, ‘Am I an avid cook?’” points out Kehrli. “‘Am I a beginner with a passion to learn?’ ‘Someone who loves to entertain?’” Focusing on your interests can help you determine what practical gifts are best suited to your needs. If you need a little more guidance, you can attend in-store bridal registry events, or meet with bridal sales associates who can provide detailed information on specific products and make recommendations. And if couples just don’t need the more traditional items, they can always register for items that suit their needs and lifestyle at places like REI or Dick’s. No matter what stores you select, Johnson-Medinger recommends looking into the system for registry before you commit. It is much easier if you can scan items rather than having to write them down, it is easier on your guests if there is an online purchasing option and you want to make sure the store offers a range of options appropriate for the income of your friends and family. In addition to registering, Johnson-Medinger and her fiancé also created a personal Web site. The site contained information about their wedding and fun stories about how they met, but it also noted some larger items they were in need of, such as a couch, luggage and fun activities they could do on their honeymoon in Hawaii, like a helicopter ride. They tastefully suggested that if people would like to give a gift, they could simply contribute to these bigger, special items. “The gifts were great,” says Johnson-Medinger, “however, I really just wanted people to come to the wedding. I had friends flying in from all over the country; I tried to make it clear that just their presence was a gift.” Whether it’s people, places or things, gifts are a part of weddings. Gift registries make it easy to acquire those important, often timeless items for the home, from premium kitchen cookware to luxury bed and bath items. Spend some time thinking about what you need and want, even if it’s a lawn gnome, and then zap, zap, zap away.

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