Fall Upstate Bride Magazine

BRIDE

AUGUST 2018

Upstate

MAGAZINE

A groom’s guide to looking good Wedding cake trends How to build a wedding budget

Romantic beauty:Trends in bridal gowns

& More!

BRIDE Upstate

MAGAZINE

Upstate Bride Magazine The Daily Star, P.O. Box 250, 102 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, New York 13820 © 2018 - All rights reserved.

Publisher Fred Scheller Advertising Manager Valerie Secor Layout Tracy Bender Interested in advertising in Upstate Bride Magazine? Call toll-free, 1-800-721-1000, ext 235 Upstate Bride Magazine content is provided in party by Gatehouse Media LLC, and distributed by King Features. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

Opinions expressed in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the management of the publication. ©2018 GATEHOUSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 2018 Romantic beauty: Trends in bridal gowns..................................Page 3 Factors to consider before choosing a honeymoon destination.........Page 5 More dresses more dreams...................................................Page 6 How to build a wedding budget..............................................Page 8 Hot mamas: Tips for the mother of the bride or groom............... Page 10 Stealing the show: Creative ideas for ring bearers, flower girls....... Page 12 A groom’s guide to looking good.......................................... Page 15 Invitation etiquette........................................................... Page 16 Is wedding insurance worth it?............................................. Page 18 Wedding cake trends......................................................... Page 20 Various ways to preserve wedding memories........................... Page 22

Cover Photo: Joe Damone Photography www.joedamonephotography.com 2 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2018

ROMANTIC beauty

Trends in bridal gowns

By Melissa Erickson

F

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emininity and romance are trending for bridal gowns along with soft hues, body-hugging silhouettes, exquisite details and high-style elements.

“It’s all about the romance,” Jessica McGuinn, spokeswomann for BHLDN, Anthropologie’s bridal line. “Impossibly dreamy, feminine and frothy silhouettes are key. Think all-over lace, fuller tulle skirts and delicate blossoms throughout.”

w Two pieces Many brides are requesting bridal separates such as tops and skirts worn together to look like a one-piece dress, said Nicole Kwoh, head of experience for Lace & Liberty, an online luxurycustom wedding gown boutique.

“Brides can then have more control over the design of their dress by choosing a neckline and then selecting a skirt.

Separates can offer more comfort than a one-piece gown, allowing more movement,” Kwoh said. “Some brides re-wear their top or skirt after the wedding for another occasion.”

w Covering up “We get lots of brides who want the soft, romantic boho look without the actual see-through components of a naked dress, high slit or dramatic crop top,” Kwoh said. Long-sleeve lace tops, illusion necklines or nude mesh lining give a look an ethereal sense without actually being see-through, she said.

For the winter bride looking for a bit more coverage, “fur wraps are definitely on the upswing. Undeniably glamorous and luxuriously warm, these pieces help create a dynamic, ethereal look that will keep her warm while also maintaining an air of mystery,” McGuinn said.

“Brides also love a gown with sleeve interest, whether it be bohemian bell sleeves, flutter cap sleeves or a great offthe-shoulder style,” McGuinn said.

“Impossibly dreamy, feminine and frothy silhouettes are key.

Think all-over lace, fuller tulle skirts and delicate blossoms throughout.”

Jessica McGuinn

AUGUST 2018 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | 3

Continued from Page 3 w Blushing brides Not all brides yearn for a white or ivory gown.

“We have brides who want dresses all over the board like black, mustard yellow and light green,” Kwoh said.

Tulle, chiffon and organza skirts can be custom-colored.

“The most popular requests are blue gray, light blue and blush,” she said.

While blush is the safest and most popular option, McGuinn said, brides are choosing apricot, gray and even metallic styles.

w No to the gown Modern brides are ditching ballgowns and choosing more casual, shorterlength dresses.

“From the bride who wants to keep things small to the bride who wants to change three times before her wedding day is over,” these dresses are transitional, McGuinn said. “These styles come in the form of the perfect tealength gown, flirty LWD (little white dress) or even sophisticated separates.

There’s no right or wrong way to wear them.”

Brides are “moving away from the ballgown look for the reception, but

they want the white dress experience for the ceremony. We find that they’ll opt for a little white dress with a slimmer fit, like a sheath, and then wear a bigger skirt like our Celebration skirt over it. They’ll be able to take photos with the fuller skirt on. Then, they remove the outer skirt to wear the short dress during the reception,” Kwoh said.

w Attention to detail It’s all about dimensional blossoms, all-over sequins and perfectly placed lace, McGuinn said.

“We’re also seeing increased interest in pearl accents and bigger bows,” she said.

Toppers, capes and capelets “are beautiful additions to a dress that the bride can remove from ceremony to reception,” Kwoh said. “It’s a traditional piece with an incredible modern vibe.”

w Renting the dress Many brides opt to rent because they want a high-quality dress that they love without the sentimentality of keeping it, Kwoh said. For example, Lace & Liberty allows brides to fall in love with a dress and rent it for three days for their wedding.

How to shop a bridal sample sale

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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inding a wedding gown is tricky, and shopping a sample sale is even trickier. But, it can be worth it if you’re a budget-savvy bride.

“Shopping at a sample sale allows you to get a designer wedding dress at a major discount. Many times bridal salons will sell their gently-used gowns for over 50 percent off the retail price,” said

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Jessica Bishop, founder of TheBudgetSavvyBride.com.

Bring help “It’s always helpful to bring someone with you to shop for wedding gowns, if not just to offer opinions but also to help in getting in and out of the dresses. Most wedding gowns have layers of fabric or are more substantial and heavy than regular clothing, so you’ll likely need help trying them on,” Bishop said.

Have a vision “Know the types of styles you look best in or are most interested in trying, but stay open-minded to possibilities.You might just discover your favorite dress is a style you never would’ve tried on. It’s also important to know your budget so you don’t fall in love with a dress that’s too

pricey for you,” Bishop said.

Be prepared “Bring a pair of shoes at a similar heel height to what you plan to wear on your wedding day. The types of undergarments you’ll need to wear will depend on the dress style you choose, but it’s a good idea to bring a regular bra, a strapless bra and perhaps some Spanx,” she said.

Designer deals “If you’re interested in a particular designer’s gowns, visit their website to find local stockists in your area. Then call and inquire about when they typically run their sample sales so you can be in-theknow and take advantage of those deals,” Bishop said.

Factors to consider before choosing a

HONEYMOON destination

E

ngaged couples spend lots of time and money planning their weddings.The Knot 2017 Real Weddings Study found that the average couple who married in 2017 spent more than $33,000 on their weddings. If that figure raises eyebrows, couples may be even more surprised to learn it does not include the cost of a honeymoon.

Honeymoons often mark couples’ first trip together after tying the knot.The 2017 Real Weddings Study found that the average engagement length in 2017 was 14 months, and many couples are no doubt ready for a getaway after spending more than a year planning their weddings.Whether couples are working with shoestring budgets or have some financial flexibility, it’s wise to consider various factors before choosing a honeymoon destination.

Distance A remote, exotic island might sound like the perfect place for couples to visit on their honeymoons. However, couples who spent more than a year planning their weddings may prefer somewhere less remote than an exotic isle that requires multiple flight transfers and possibly even

days of travel to get to. Couples should discuss how much travel they’re willing to endure during their honeymoons, and then find somewhere that both partners are excited about.

Amenities Many resorts offer honeymoon packages that include a host of amenities, including all-inclusive food and beverage, spa access, access to water sports, and even airport pickup and dropoff. Such packages can save couples substantial amounts of money, which can help those who might have spent more on their weddings than they initially intended.

may not include off-site resort activities. Couples who want to do some exploring away from their resorts should investigate both the accessibility and safety of doing so.

Budget If budgets were stretched for the wedding, couples should not discount the benefits of planning a post-wedding weekend

getaway and then saving some money for a more traditional honeymoon down the road.

This option still affords couples a chance to spend a few postwedding days away from home and can help them save for a honeymoon trip they will never forget.

Couples should consider a host of factors before choosing a honeymoon destination.

Recreation Couples also may want to consider the accessibility of local recreational activities before choosing a honeymoon destination. Some couples may just want to spend the duration of their honeymoons unwinding on a beach, while others may want to mix relaxation with exploration. All-inclusive resort packages may or

AUGUST 2018 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | 5

more DRESSES more

By Melissa Erickson

DREAMS

are available at Lovely Bride stores.

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T

w Size-inclusive fashion While the bridal industry has always included some options for plus-size brides, “the designer brands tended to lag behind,” said Don O’Neill, creative director of THEIA Bridal. Things are changing “with the introduction of curvier models on the runways, kicking to the curb the fashion runway stereotype that women have to be size 2 to look good.

A door has been opened, and more designer brands are embracing the plus-size woman,” O’Neill said.

At the fall 2018 Bridal Week, THEIA and Rebecca 6 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2018

w Shopping tips

REBECCA SCHONEVELD GOWN, IMAGE BY MONICA BADDAR

he bridal industry has long ignored curvy women who don’t fit into a size 6 gown. But now designers are becoming more inclusive, hoping to attract more customers and even simply do the right thing.

“I have a sense of purpose in the fashion industry as a brand to celebrate people as how they are rather than how they are perceived that they should be,” said designer Rebecca Schoneveld of Rebecca Schoneveld Bridal, based in Brooklyn.

Schoneveld were two of the four brands that used plussize models on the runway, according to Fashionista. com.

“Style is not a size,” Schoneveld said.

The average American women is a size 16, Schoneveld said. Yet, “size 10 has been the industry’s

standard for brides to try on,” O’Neill said.

“It can be embarrassing and intimidating for women” to enter a dressing room with a gown they know will not fit, Schoneveld said.

The Rebecca Schoneveld collection is available in sizes 00 to 30. The THEIA collection’s larger sizes, to 20W,

When shopping, “the advice is the same for all girls — bring a trusted companion, not an entourage. Try on everything that the sales girls suggest — they are experts — and then let your heart speak to you,” O’Neill said.

Look for styles that “define your curves and let the fabric flow” around the parts of your body you may want to hide, Schoneveld said.

“A fuller figure comes in many shapes, and girls already know what they look best in (for the most part),” O’Neill said. “V necks are always flattering for a fuller bust. Heavilybeaded gowns are awesome on curvaceous hourglass figures.”

Since many women are unhappy with their upper arms, try looks with sleeves (long, sheer, flutter), which are trending now, Schoneveld said.

“It’s your special day.

Don’t be afraid to embrace the dress of your dreams,” O’Neill said. “Dress for you and your future husband and not to please Aunty Mary and Mrs. Jones across the street.”

Fall weddings claim the

top spot According to Zola, a free suite of wedding tools, summer has been upstaged by autumn as the most popular time of the year to tie the knot. For the first time, this year 40 percent of all weddings will take place during the months of September and October. Additionally, the site identified October 20, October 13 and September 29, each a Saturday, as the most popular wedding dates, respectively, of 2018.

AUGUST 2018 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | 7

BIGSTOCK.COM

HOW TO BUILD A

WEDDING BUDGET Take a look at the big picture, experts advise

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

W

hen you’re in love and planning a wedding, the cost many seem secondary to the idea of the perfect day, but planning and sticking to a wedding budget makes great financial sense as you start your new life together.

“Couples should start talking about how much their wedding will cost as soon as they get engaged, if not sooner,” Said Shannah Compton Game, certified

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financial planner and host of Millennial Money Podcast. “It’s so easy to not want to talk about money because it’s not a sexy topic, but having open and honest discussions about how much you want to spend on your wedding and where that money will come from will help diffuse arguments and hurt feelings down the road.”

w Lay it out “When starting discussions, it’s important to lay it all out there so you know what’s important to you and your significant other, long

before there’s a ring on your finger,” said Kimmie Greene, Mint financial expert. “By talking about your money early, you can find out where you stand and start planning.”

The wedding can be arguably your biggest expense as a couple, so there will be a lot to talk about, “plus, it’s very easy to overspend if you’re not careful,” said Andrew Schrage, editorin-chief at MoneyCrashers. com.

w Be open and honest “If you’re not on the same page about something, like

a big wedding versus a small one, weigh the pros and cons and come to a solution together. And remember, if the cost of the wedding will cause credit card debt to kick in, you’ll need to come up with a plan for how to pay that off as well,” Schrage said.

Once you’ve established an open line of communication, “figure out the budget you’re working with before you start to create your dream Pinterest board,” Game said. “Who’s paying for the wedding and how much do you have to work with? Then you can start

filling in the blanks with actual costs to figure out where you can save and where you can spend. Just like you’d create a monthly budget for your personal finances, you should also create a separate budget for your wedding expenses so you can visualize your spending.”

w Cost factors “Everyone knows the reception will take the most out of the budget, but what they don’t realize is that all of those little details (the invites, the flowers, the lighting) can be cost more than you think if you don’t set a budget. According to The Knot, you should expect about 50 percent of

the budget to go into the reception and the remaining toward the ceremony, flowers, wedding rings, photography, parking/ transportation and more,” Greene said.

w Savings tricks “These days there are so many sneaky ways you can save on costs.You can use Airbnb to rent a location for your wedding that will save on venue costs, you can set up your own DIY bar and offer a specialty cocktail, and you can utilize apps like WedPic.com that allow your guests to turn into your photographer and videographer to save some money,” Game said.

w Online tools “There are plenty of wedding-related websites that can offer tools, resources and calculators for help with budgeting.You could also use a generic budgeting website like Mint, or simply customize your own wedding budget spreadsheet,” Schrage said.

someone in debt? Regardless, make sure to create a family budget including all expenses and any future plans including children, a down payment on a house or more,” Greene said.

w After the ceremony A wedding budget conversation can lead to ones about future family finances.

“While budgeting for the wedding is important, it’s just as smart to discuss future financial plans together and come up with common goals. Should finances be combined? Is

AUGUST 2018 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | 9

HOT MAMAS Tips for the mother of the bride or groom

By Melissa Erickson

A

SIMPLYDRESSES.COM

10 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2018

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s mother of the bride or groom, you’ve done your part to get your son or daughter ready for the life that lies ahead. On the wedding day, your dress should be fabulous and flattering, because you are a big part of this milestone moment.

When shopping, it’s customary to consider what the bride and groom’s vision is for the event so that you will blend in. Additionally, great fit makes all the difference.

“Being able to have fun and dance and not being constrained by an uncomfortable dress is key.You want to look and feel your best,” said Stephanie Mahoney, spokeswoman for SimplyDresses.com.

Traditionally for the mother of the bride, black is shunned and red deemed too flashy, but really there are no hard-and-fast rules. These days, there is no typical mother of the bride dress, Mahoney said.

“I think the main rule is to stay away from ivory and white and any styling that may resemble bridal,” said Mahoney. “Keeping the dress ageappropriate is definitely important and knowing what works best for your body, because yes, the bride is the star of the day, but mothers of the bride are also very important and they should feel special and beautiful.

“Styling for mothers has evolved so much over the last few years that now there is so much more to choose from depending on your personal style. We used to think of the classic taffeta jacket

“I think the main rule is to stay away from ivory and white and any styling that may resemble bridal. Keeping the dress age-appropriate is definitely important and knowing what works best for your body, because yes, the bride is the star of the day, but mothers of the bride are also very important and they should feel special and beautiful.

Stephanie Mahoney

dress when it came to mothers of the bride, but now sleeves, beading and lace are very on trend. ... Sleeves are the biggest trend in this category. This can range from cap sleeves to long sleeves and still give that elegant yet age-appropriate feel,” Mahoney said.

Moms should not feel that they need to be too conservative, either, Mahoney said. If you’ve got a great figure, show it off, as long as it compliments the wedding’s vibe. Be yourself and be confident.

“An off-the-shoulder or sleeveless fitted gown with some embellishments or lace would be a great choice for a mom that has a terrific figure,” Mahoney said. Cinched waistlines, cross-over bodices and see-through bateau necklines all flatter a woman’s body, while sleeves in a variety of styles like three-quarter, full length, flutter or statement are all about drawing attention (and hiding what you want hidden).

As for necklines, stay on trend with a boat neck, high neck, V neck or off-theshoulder, Mahoney said. Steer clear of halter-style necklines, which are more dated.

Avoid stand-out colors and vibrant prints, “but at the same time it’s a personal preference, and it also depends on the bride and her expectations. Some brides love when the mother of the bride coordinates with the bridal party, so they may choose to blend the colors or prints in with the bridesmaids. It is all personal preference of both the mother and of the bride,” Mahoney said.

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12 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2018

TEALING the show

Creative ideas for ring bearers, flower girls

By Melissa Erickson

Y

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oung honor attendants draw oohhs and aahhs from wedding guests, but they can be more creative than simply standard ring bearers or flower girls.

“Most couples today are constantly looking for small ways to make their wedding more personal and to tell their own story instead of using what is considered traditional, and this certainly doesn’t stop with details such as the traditional ring bearer pillow and flower girl basket,” said Lisa Pleasant, owner of Lisa Pleasant Events, serving Charlotte and Asheville, North Carolina, and the surrounding areas.

“We have sent little ones down the aisle carrying candles to be lit up front, lanterns, flower purses or simply smaller versions of the attendants’ bouquets.

Our favorites, however, have been the ones with sentimental value — a grandmother’s jewelry box with love letters the couple have written, a favorite Harry Potter book with rings tied to a bookmark ribbon, an engraved wooden box with mementos from their childhoods or rings tied to a shell that the groom used to propose. These details all come together to tell the unique story of the couple,” Pleasant said.

“Using something whimsical and fun can match your wedding style while letting the little ones be little ones,” said Samie Roberts, owner of Something Perfect in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Remember, this is the last thing your guests will see before seeing the bride, so make it something memorable.”

Try some of these clever alternatives from expert wedding planners:

w Ring security The ring bearer is carrying precious cargo, so make him dress the part as ring security, said Donchell Johnson, owner of New Jersey’s Weddings2Plan. Dressed in black suits like security guards with sunglasses and ear pieces, they can carry the rings down the aisle in stainless steel cases.

w Family pets “If there are animals involved — doggy ring bearers, for

instance — and they are wellbehaved, the little attendants can often be in charge of guiding them down the aisle as well. If there are kids who can’t walk down, older kids may be able to pull them down the aisle in a decorated wagon,” said Emilie Duncan, owner of Emilie Duncan Event Planning in Columbus, Ohio.

w Flower fairies Flower girls can carry wands made of real flowers or paper, which is really trending now, and wear wings to become flower fairies, said Duncan.

w Infinity circles Circles are a symbol of infinite love and a fitting choice for a wedding. One bride getting married this spring will have her young attendant carry an embroidery hoop decorated with flowers as well as other hoop decor incorporated in the wedding, said Cherie Riley of Southern California’s Cherie Riley Weddings. The hoop will be filled with olive and lavender that are native to the ranch the couple is getting married at, as well as natural blush and sage green colors with streaming ivory ribbons.

w Introducing ...

“A sign announcing ‘here comes the bride,’ a large balloon, entering in a wagon/pulling a wagon, walking the bride/groom’s dog — all add a bit of whimsy and playfulness to a ceremony and make for fab pictures and sweet memories for the bride and groom, the child and the guests,” said Adrianne Mellen Ramstack, owner and lead planner at Adrianne Elizabeth Events, Columbus, Ohio.

AUGUST 2018 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | 13

Continued from Page 13 w Balloons For a cute idea “create a ‘balloonzilla’ with different items inside such as floral or greenery, tulle and anything that works with your wedding,” said Desi Wojtowicz, owner of Las Vegas’ Desirable Events by Desi.

w Outside the box “For the ring bearer, consider having a box made that matches your wedding style with your initials on it so it’s a keepsake. Or have him carry another alternative like a book with pages cut out for your ring, a cute stuffed animal with the rings tied around its neck, a small suitcase, a mini potted succulent, or even a geometricshaped container that matches your wedding décor,” Roberts said.

w Get personal Instead of rose petals, have the flower girl toss something more personal, such as sprinkles for a bride who owns a cupcake shop, said Kate Lewis, wedding and event planner at Mountain View Vineyard, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

“At my own wedding, my ring bearer carried a copy of ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ down the aisle because that was one of my favorite books growing up. My aunt later read an except from the book as a part of the ceremony,” she said. “​Another idea for your flower girl is to have her toss something season-appropriate down the aisle, like glittered ‘snow’ for a winter wedding or dried lavender for the summer. The added bonus of the lavender is that as you step on the flowers, it releases the most amazing scent in the air,” Lewis said.

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FREEPIK.COM

A GROOM’S GUIDE TO LOOKING GOOD

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

Here comes the … groom.

When it comes to wedding fashion it’s not all about the wedding gown. He’s got to look good, too.

“He’s got two main reasons to look good. One, he’s the groom and he needs to look the part.

Two, he also wants to look good for his bride,” said menswear designer Joseph Abboud, chief creative director of Men’s Wearhouse.

These days brides and grooms try to “blend” with each other and the wedding party rather than appear to match, Abboud said.

“It’s all about how they blend, from the color, type of wedding, formal or casual, and location,” he said.

w Fit is everything

While everyone is eyeing the bride, the groom is still going to get attention.

“No matter what, fit is everything. It takes a look from good to great. Whether you rent or buy or have it custom-made,” make sure your tuxedo or suit is fitted well, Abboud said.

“The key is to shop at a

location where they are experts in what they do,” he said.

Take your time when shopping. Be open to trying on a few things before deciding what you feel comfortable in. Listen to advice from the experts, who can help you decide what you look good in, he said.

trouble buying that look.

But make sure it fits with the overall aesthetic. If the bride’s blinged out in an over-the-top gown, “a white or black tux is the perfect blend,” Abboud said.

If she’s wearing ivory or other seasonal color, a linen dinner jacket would be a good choice.

If a man is paying attention to what celebrities are wearing on the red carpet, they’ll know that slim-fit tuxedos and flat-front pants give a man a modern, tailored look. For the man who can carry it off, there’s even extreme slim-fit that’s a little edgier.

Designers are also playing with lapel styles and number of buttons. Some of the popular choices are two-button jackets with a notched lapel, two-button jackets with a peaked lapel, one-buttons with peak lapel and one-buttons with shawl lapel.

The rules about color have loosened up, but Abboud is a fan of traditional looks in black, white or ivory.

“I’m not a big color guy. A dark navy could be beautiful. It depends on the individual,” he said. If a man wants to stand out in blues, grays, tans, charcoal or even burgundy, he will have no

The biggest hitter in the accessories department is the bow tie, which “is making a great comeback. It looks appropriate with formal or casual,” Abboud said.

Instead of opting for pre-tied, “learn to tie your own.You’ll look better, more personalized,” Abboud said.

Another element to play around with is the boutonniere.

A great suit or tuxedo looks perfect on its own, and some men may opt to skip the flower.

“A subtle, white flower is an extra detail that’s traditional” and elevates a groom, Abboud said.

One last piece of advice: Make sure the groom stands out from the groomsmen. That can be as easy as wearing a vest while the others don’t or wearing a white vest, Abboud said. “You don’t want to see eight great-looking guys and wonder which one’s the groom.”

w Staying in style

“No matter what, fit is everything. It takes a look from good to great.

Whether you rent or buy or have it custom-made,” make sure your tuxedo or suit is fitted well.

Joseph Abboud

w Bow ties are big

AUGUST 2018 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | 15

INVITATION

ETIQUETTE

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

A

ssembling wedding invitations can be confusing, considering the wording and proper etiquette, whom to invite as well as special instructions.

w Save the date

“Ideally invitations are sent six to eight weeks in advance of the wedding date. For more formal weddings or for weddings where many guests will be arranging travel, eight weeks is best,” said Heather Wiese Alexander, creative director with Dallas,Texas-based Bell’Invito stationers.

If a wedding is planned during a common holiday season or your guests have to travel to a special destination, save-the-date cards are highly recommended, Alexander said. Put them in the mail about four months ahead, she suggested.

w Ceremony only?

For people trying to keep the budget down, inviting people to only the ceremony and not the reception may seem like a way to save money.

“This is definitely not OK,” Alexander said. “If you have an intimate ceremony and can’t have everyone inside the venue, there is an argument for inviting people to the reception but not the ceremony.The reverse is always considered poor taste.”

w Dress code and other suggestions Wording an invitation so your guests will know how to dress is tricky.

“Speaking in the manner of traditional etiquette, a gracious host never tells guests what to wear.

This is acting outside of an understood demeanor that is an unwritten rule of the practice of correct etiquette,” Alexander said.

There are clever and polite ways to inform your guests what the tone of the event will be.

“It is broadly accepted and arguably even considerate to indicate to guests what type of occasion the wedding might be by indicating an attire,” Alexander said.

If you choose to go the modern route and indicate the formality of your wedding by a statement of attire, there are two things you need to know.

“First, the directive should be placed in relation to the reception, not the ceremony. For weddings taking place in a church, synagogue or other religious sanctuary, it is never OK to require formal dress ... If you are to be married in a church and your reception is in a ballroom, your attire should be placed on the reception card, not the ceremony card,” Alexander said.

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Second, the attire should be clear, such as “black tie,” rather than something vague like “festive chic” or “creative formal.”

“Your attire directive should simply indicate a level of formality in the case that your guests might not know how to dress by the hour of day on your invitation.This is definitely not the place to give descriptions that are meant to style your Pinterest-perfect wedding photos,” Alexander said.

Extra information should be given cautiously and politely by word of mouth, which can include social media.

w A little extra help An informed wedding guest is a happy and prepared wedding guest.

“If you have traveling guests, an information card is useful.This can have hotels, recommended restaurants and a line that sends guests to a website to get more information, including the attire suggestion for the wedding,” Alexander said.

Is wedding insurance worth it? the price tag can be much higher in certain areas.

“In the New York City area, for example, where it can cost more ith so much effort, planning than $70,000 to get married, who would make that large of an and expectainvestment without insuring it?” tion, weddings don’t always come off as perfectly Mylott asked.

Vendor problems top the list as imagined. Wilted flowers, of wedding-related insurance dropped cakes and missing DJs claims, according to the Travelare just some of the headaches ers Companies, which marked its brides and grooms may have to 10th anniversary of offering weddeal with. Wedding insurance is ding insurance by highlighting a one way to protect yourself and decade’s worth of wedding costs your wedding dollars. and claims trends.

“Anyone who is spending a One-third of vendor issues significant amount of money involved venues that closed on their wedding should insure unexpectedly or couldn’t accomtheir event,” said Sperry Mylott, modate the wedding as promised. spokesman for the Travelers Twenty percent of all vendorCompanies. “It’s not just the wedding ceremony you’re insur- related claims were caused by photographers failing to deliver ing. Wedding insurance covers agreed-upon photos, videos or the complete celebration — the other services. Weather issues rehearsal dinner, reception and accounted for just 9 percent of even the next-day brunch (in claims on average over the past most states).”

The Wedding Report estimates decade, but in 2012 it made up that the average cost of a wedding 20 percent of all wedding insuris approximately $26,000, but ance claims.

w How it works

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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18 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2018

“For couples who are planning a wedding, we recommend researching vendors thoroughly before placing deposits. Check with the Better Business Bureau for reviews. And ask for references.”

Sperry Mylott

Couples can add liability coverage to their core coverage plan, which many venues require in case someone at the wedding is injured or causes damage to property of others.

Wedding insurance can be purchased up to two years before your wedding, and as late as 24 hours before your wedding in most states, but it’s best not to wait — many insurers require a policy purchase 14 days prior to the wedding to cover weatherrelated events, Mylott said.

w How much it costs For such a big event, plans can be as affordable as $160, Mylott said. Be sure to check if your policy carries a deductible (Travelers’ doesn’t).

“For couples who are planning a wedding, we recommend researching vendors thoroughly before placing deposits. Check with the Better Business Bureau for reviews. And ask for references,” Mylott said.

WEDDING CAKE trends

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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edding cakes play a traditional part on the big day as a backdrop for photos, as a fun and interactive part of the reception, and hopefully, a tasty treat at the end of the night. Big, beautiful, tiered wedding cakes are making a comeback.

“We have done every kind of wedding cake imaginable,” said chef Mindy Gohr, chef and co-owner of Bittersweet Pastry Shop and Cafe, Chicago.

“Overwhelmingly, couples these days are opting for the classic wedding cake silhouette; that is, the three-tiered round.”

It may be traditional in shape, but it’s anything but old-fashioned.

“The cake might be topped with fresh flowers or ribbon-like layers of buttercream or even the Chicago skyline. Cakes are something that a couple can get really creative with at their wedding,” Gohr said.

Other prevalent trends are whiteon-white, textured buttercream and lace, said Jessica Haskell, owner 20 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2018

of Sweet Surrender in Louisville, Kentucky.

Even more inventive are barelydressed cakes.

“These are cakes that are given a scratch (thin) coat of buttercream icing with the cake still being visible within the icing. A lot of times couples choose to have either sculpted fondant flowers, fresh flowers or fruit such as figs, pomegranates, blackberries, etc., scattered on the cake,” said Chad Weldon, owner of The Master’s Baker, Chester, Pennsylvania.

w Color and texture “One of our favorite trends is moody florals: Darker jewel tones, deeper hues,” said Amy Berman, founder of Vanilla Bake Shop, with three locations in Pasadena, Santa Monica and Los Angeles International Airport, California.

“These are in line with fashion trends now, interior design elements and food becoming more natural and authentic.”

“We are seeing more and more heavily textured cakes. Bas relief has become very popular in the past year,” said pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac, owner of Buttercream Bakeshop in Washington, D.C. “Trending in 2017 were pops of

PHOTO FROM THE MASTER’S BAKER

PHOTO FROM BUTTERCREAM BAKESHOP

PHOTO FROM BUTTERCREAM BAKESHOP STEWART UY

color,” said Stacey León, partner, Butterfly Bakeshop, New York City. “Marble fondant and watercolor buttercream were popular techniques that brought color into play.

Gold was another big trend ... In 2018 unstructured painted gold looks to be trending,” she said.

w Part of the indulgence “The cake used to be the only dessert at a wedding, but now many couples are opting to do a sweets table as well,” Gohr said. “Some couples do opt to do smaller wedding cakes, but they rarely completely go away because the cake-cutting at a

wedding is such a special moment, and always a beautiful photo op.”

“We are seeing a trend with smaller wedding cakes and then having a full dessert bar such as mini pies, doughnuts, cannolis, truffles, etc., to give their guests a lot of options. A lot of couples are also ordering a small gluten-free, dairy-free and other allergen-free cakes and desserts to accommodate all their guests,” Weldon said.

Another way wedding cakes have evolved is that they have become more delicious. No more dry cake with stiff, sugary icing.

“Now wedding cakes taste as good as any dessert around,” Gohr said. Chefs whip up “some incredible flavor combinations like almond strawberry brulee (almond butter cake layered with vanilla bean creme brulee and homemade strawberry preserves) and chocolate hazelnut (hazelnut butter cake layered with hazelnut buttercream and finished with a chocolate glaze). This is where the three-tier cake wins big because you can have a different flavor combination for each layer,” Gohr said.

AUGUST 2018 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | 21

Couples’ wedding days are momentous occasions, and couples want their memories of the day they tied the knot to endure long after the final guest has departed.

Weddings can be amazing, but they only last a few hours. Memories can be forever if they are effectively documented.The following are some ways for couples to permanently memorialize their wedding days. w Dry the bouquet. Wedding bouquets can be freeze-dried and/or chemically preserved so that the colors, textures and the volume of the blooms can appear just as vibrant as they were on couples’ wedding days. After preservation, the bouquet can be displayed in a vase or in a specially prepared shadow box with other mementos. w Create a custom locket.

Brides can wear a piece of their wedding gown day after day with a custom necklace or locket.

All they need to do is trim a small piece of the lace or other

Various ways to preserve

WEDDING MEMORIES

embellishment from the gown and enclose it in the locket.

Jewelry designers also may be able to convert a section of the gown pattern into metal through a casting process. w Have guests sign the label.

Purchase a special bottle of wine or champagne and ask guests to sign the label or the bottle itself.

Store the bottle until a special occasion, such as a memorable anniversary, and then toast to a happy marriage. w Make a cake replica. Ask an artist to make a miniature replica

22 | UPSTATE BRIDE MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2018

of the wedding cake out of pottery. Put the clay cake out for display or ask for it to be made small enough to serve as a Christmas tree ornament. w Teddy bear transformation: Have tuxedo fabric or wedding gown material turned into a keepsake teddy bear. Bowman Bears produces such bears, which can be passed down to future generations. w Create bouquet jewelry.

Encapsulate favorite wedding flowers into a resin pendant, bracelet or earrings.

w Frame the invitation. Display the wedding invitation in a beautiful frame with custom matting. w Revisit the site. On their anniversaries, couples can visit their ceremony site or have brunch or dinner at the venue where the reception took place.Take an “after” picture to display with the “before” shot from the wedding day. w Make an invitation ornament. Cut the wedding invitation into strips and place it inside of a hollow glass ornament. Seal the top and hang with a ribbon. w Design a greeting card scrapbook. Turn all of those special handwritten messages and well-wishes into a scrapbook so that memories can be revisited time and again.

The planning may take months and the wedding mere hours, but well-documented wedding day memories can last forever.

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