DRESSES

Note: Some locations require appointments made online or by phone. Alexis Kay Bridal Home studio, Cherry Valley 815-762-6558 Email: alexiskaydesigns@gmail.com Online: alexiskaydesigns.com and Facebook Caroline DeVillo Couture 930 W. Main St., St. Charles 773-307-6188 Online: carolinedevillo.com and Facebook CaroLitza’s 2900 E. Lincolnway, Suite 20F (Northland Mall), Sterling 815-441-3185 Online: www.carolitzas.com and on Facebook Castronovo Bridal Shop 722 N. Main St., Rockford 815-962-4731 Email: castronovobridals@gmail.com Online: castronovobridal.com/ and Facebook Celebrate QC Find new, gently used and sample gowns 3203 Devils Glen Road, Bettendorf, Iowa 563-284-2410 Online: qccelebrate.business.site and Facebook Cheryl-Ann Bridals & Tuxedos 980 Main St., Dubuque, Iowa 563-582-6930 Online: cherylannbridals.net/ and Facebook, Instagram

The Crystal Bride 207 W. State St., Geneva 630-397-5040 Online: crystalbride.com/ and Facebook, Instagram Cloud Nine Bridal Boutique 4703 N. University St., Peora 309-693-3830 Online: cloudninepeoria.com and Facebook, Instagram David’s Bridal 5252 Elmore Ave., Davenport, Iowa 563-344-7902 or 713 S. Perryville Road, Rockford 815-227-5950 Online: davidsbridal.com and Facebook Great Hang-Ups Upscale consignment shop 613 S. Rockford Ave., Rockford 815-229-8500 Online: Facebook Hope’s Bridal & Prom 930 E. River Drive, Davenport, Iowa 563-324-5219 Online: hopesbridal.com and Facebook I Do Bridal 995 Galena Square Drive, Galena 815-777-2507 Online: idobridalllc.com and Facebook, Instagram

Marien Mae Bridal Boutique & Events 749 First St., LaSalle 815-220-0844 Email: info@marienmae.com Online: marienmae.com and Facebook, Instagram Sara Grace 5950 E. State St., Rockford 815-398-9896 Online: saragrace.com/ and Facebook, Instagram Savy’s Chic Bridal Boutique 111 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon 815-677-9579 Email: hello@savyschic.com Online: savyschic-bridal-boutique.wedding/ and Facebook, Instagram Storybook Ending Bridal Salon 704 Sixth Ave., DeWitt, Iowa 563-659-3983 Email: storybookbridal@iowatelecom.net Online: shopforbridals.com and Facebook, Instagram Vintage Chic Bridal Boutique 400 Bluff St., Dubuque, Iowa 563-581-9945 Online: vintagechicbridalboutique.com/ and Facebook, Instagram Zazou’s Bridal Boutique 955 Washington St., Dubuque, Iowa 536-213-2049 Online: zazousbridalandtuxedos.com/ and Facebook, Instagram

Saying I Do?

• Fresh or Silk flowers to create custom Bouquets, Boutonnieres, &

Ceremony/Reception Arrangements • Tuxedos by For Any Occasion

16 Sauk Valley Weddings | 2022/23

Since adding menswear last March, she quickly learned the ins and outs of the business. Michael Kors and Allure are among top-line brands she offers, and they come in a variety of colors and styles. Among the current trends: suits in navy, gray, or charcoal.

“I had never needed to get into it because there was already a niche in the community, and it was a whole other avenue to open up,” Selmi said. “It’s different because you’re measuring people and doing things that you have never done before.”

While Selmi’s has become a bigger part of people’s wedding, the seed that started it all — flowers — remain near and dear to her heart, and she knows her stuff. What’s trending right now? Ask Katy. She’ll tell you more neutral colors, such as greens and whites and blush pinks, are popular right now.

“I was just doing flowers at the time, and it just kind of gradually grew as you’re buying more product,” Selmi said. “It gradually became a one-stop shop, so you didn’t have to go somewhere to grab linens and chair covers, and then somewhere for your flowers, and somewhere for backdrops.”

The Selmi name is well known in the area. The family grows and sells fresh produce from their family farm east of Rock Falls — pumpkins and sweet corn are among customer favorites — and that knowhow of nature helped Katy in the flower business. She earned a degree in greenhouse management from the University of Illinois in 2003 and immediately began a career in floral design, earning many awards and certifications through the years, including the highest certification attainable from the American Institute of Floral Designers.

“There are a lot of letters after my name,” Selmi says, but those letters show just how much dedication and work she’s put into her profession.

The rise of social media has been the biggest change in wedding planning from the time Selmi started in business; many bridesto-be have brought favorite images and visual ideas from websites such as Pinterest and Etsy to help in planning. When you’ve made up your mind, don’t hesitate to get plans coordinated, Selmi said, as 2022 is shaping up to be a year chock full of weddings, after the pandemic put a lot of plans on hold in 2021.

SELMI’S cont’d to page 20

The Elegant Way to Go.

3 3 Styles Styles of of Formal Formal RestroomRestroom Units Units

Since 1975 BIG JOHN 815-946-2813 www.bigjohnusa.com

Go ahead: Tie one on for your wedding, and add a little pop to your tux with a selection of neckwear at Selmi’s that come in a variety of patterns and colors. Even with nearly 20 years in the event planning business under her belt, owner Katy Selmi is still picking up new skills. She recently began offering formalwear rentals after a local tuxedo shop closed its doors. “I had never needed to get into it because there was already a niche in the community, and it was a whole other avenue to open up,” she said. “It’s different because you’re measuring people and doing things that you have never done before.”

PHOTOS: ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM SELMI’S cont’d from page 19

When clients meet with Selmi to start planning their wedding, she helps them untangle all the myriad matrimonial details and come up with a plan, from the basics to those “things that you don’t think about,” she said. Rehearsal and day-of coordination services are available, and they come with the experience of having to think on her feet as last-minute additions, new ideas — or even the unexpected and unwelcome surprises — are thrown into the mix.

“When you put 200 to 300 people in a room, there’s a lot of detail and a lot of things to work out,” Selmi said. It helps “if they have someone that knows about all of the aspects — what the tables are supposed to look like, who the vendors are, or if there’s an issue with the clothes — we do it all.”

Want to utilize Selmi’s for more than just one aspect of the wedding? Discount bundle packages are available to help keep costs down.

“It’s really good to have an extra hand or two that day, because when you really think about it, throwing a party that big, it’s usually the only time in your life that you’re doing that,” she said.

It’s not just local residents who’ve come to trust Selmi; out-of-towners who’ve had their wedding in the Sauk Valley have turned to Selmi too.

“A lot of girls like to do those things themselves, but they also want a little guidance on what vendors are in town,” Selmi said. “There are a lot of girls that come from the suburbs, or are coming back home to get married — because we have a lot of good banquet facilities in town and it’s less expensive to do it here.”