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#Useful ways to incorporate
social media
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Hosting a socially distanced wedding during the pandemic
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contents
Wedding favor trends
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Hosting a socially distanced wedding Precautions that can keep wedding guests safe Did you know? Flower frenzy, special sparkeling wines Price negotiation with wedding vendors 'Plus one' wedding etiquette for guests Saving strategies Useful ways to incorporate social media
about iris Publisher Vince Johnson Editor Kayla Green Sales Karen Cave Devin McDonald Mark Pekuri
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How to find your
wedding
Weddings join the lives of two loving individuals so they can share their future with one another. Various elements help make weddings both momentous and magical. Some weddings adhere to themes that are designed to make an impression and showcase couples’ personalities. Floral arrangements are key components of wedding themes, as they help to establish ambiance at both the ceremony and reception. Flowers can easily help couples achieve a desired vibe, whether that’s rustic, romantic, modern or even whimsical. Skilled florists may use a variety of flowers and foliage as well as dramatic displays to help create the couple’s wedding day vision. According to an internal study from the wedding advice and planning resource The Knot, which surveyed more than 27,000 couples who got married in 2019, the average cost of wedding flowers was $2,000 in 2019. However, the cost of floral arrangements can vary depending on the scope of the arrangements and choice of flowers, including whether they’re in season or not. It is essential for couples to spend time vetting potential florists to find one who will produce their desired vision at a price that fits their budget. These guidelines can make the process go more smoothly. • Establish your theme early on. Floral arrangements will complement and enhance other elements of the wedding, including color scheme and the wedding theme. If your wedding theme ties into a specific season, you will work with the florist to find blooms and other pieces that coordinate. For example, winter weddings with white, ice blue and silver color schemes may coordinate with white ranunculus flowers, dahlias, dusty miller foliage, and viburnum berries. • Bring swatches and photographs to consultations. It is easier to explain color palettes to a florist with examples in hand. Show the florist the types of arrangements you prefer and have
actual fabric swatches from bridesmaid gowns or groomsmen vests so that colors can be complemented. • Create a list of desired items. Florists may sell items a la carte or have packages of common floral pieces for wedding celebrations. Types of floral arrangements include bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, maid of honor bouquet, corsages for mothers/grandmothers, boutonnieres for groomsmen and fathers/grandfathers, flower girl headpiece, petals to sprinkle, table centerpieces, altar arrangements, pew or chair decorations and cake decorations. • Go easy on aroma. Tread lightly when selecting blooms that have strong aromas. They may be beautiful, but many people are sensitive to smells. Allergies also may be exacerbated by flowers with strong aromas. Discuss options with the florist before proceeding. • Explain your budget. Research the average cost of floral arrangements and let the florist know what you can afford. This can help the florist narrow down options or make substitutions that fit your theme and your budget. Couples can take certain steps as they choose floral arrangements for their weddings. Cost should not be the only factor in the decision, even though it is an important one.
For wedding favors,
personalize, localize, do it yourself BY MELISSA RAYWORTH FROM AP PRESS
Kay. The answer for many couples is creative personalization: a gift that helps tell their story. Journalists Caitlin Kelly and Jose Lopez created a memorable favor for their 2011 wedding: Knowing that their colleagues often treasure press passes from major events, they designed authentic-looking laminated press passes for their reception. Guests could wear these tongue-in-cheek, all-access passes on lanyards throughout the event and take them home as mementos. Gifts on arrival Once, the little gifts that couples gave If your guests have traveled to reach a out to wedding guests were as elegantly wedding destination, your gift to them predictable as just about every other aspect may be waiting at their hotel. “Welcome of a traditional wedding. A little bud vase bags” usually offer a mix of practical things printed with the happy couple’s names, perhaps. Or a tiny faux-Lenox picture frame (cheese and crackers for the room, for example, and perhaps water and a packet inscribed with the date. of Advil for the morning after) and fun items Somewhere along the way, couples designed to highlight something about the and wedding planners took a different couple or location. approach. They figured out that fragile Pittsburgh-based wedding planner trinkets like these were often taken home Natasha Brody of Hello Productions has and ignored or, worse, left behind at the designed postcards with a striking photo reception. of Pittsburgh on one side and the wedding Happily, as with so much modern weekend itinerary printed on the back. She wedding planning, favors have gotten a also likes to add some local favorites to the whole lot more personalized, creative and, bag, like Clark bars or mini bottles of Heinz in some cases, delicious. ketchup (both from Pittsburgh) or small Telling your story bottles of locally distilled Wigle whiskey. Couples who opt to give guest favors In cases where many guests know one are seeking something that distinguishes of the people getting married but not the their wedding from others but is relatively other, welcome bags are a great place inexpensive, says Lauren Kay, deputy editor to put items that tell something about of the wedding website TheKnot.com. The the couple or how they met, Brody said. Knot’s 2016 survey found that of the 78% The more creative the better: “Do a little of couples giving favors to their guests, the write-up of how he proposed,” or include average investment ranged between $2 and information on the couple’s favorite $5 per guest, depending on the number of local spot for brunch or other places that guests and the budget. weekend guests shouldn’t miss. “What can you really get for $2 or $3 that Spending on these “swag bags” may people are really going to want to hang on range from about $6 to $15 per bag, to and that will really represent you?” asks
C. Anthony
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depending on the couple’s budget and the number of out-of-town guests. Give one bag per room or couple rather than individual bags for each visiting guest. Another money-saving move: Some couples who give welcome gifts to out-oftown guests then skip table favors at the reception. Money they might have spent on favors can be used toward extras like “an after-party band or a really cool bartender who is making special cocktails,”The Knot's Kay said. Delicious and DIY'D Edible (or drinkable) gifts solve the problem of guests having to pack unplanned items in a suitcase or carry something fragile home. Small succulent plants are advertised as great wedding favors and can be quite beautiful, but they leave guests with the challenge of getting them home intact. Wedding guests also get hungry. So some couples solve both problems by offering food gifts: a jar of local honey, perhaps, or a box of chocolates from a popular local business. For weddings at a winery, Kay said, a split of wine with a personalized label is a perfect gift. Another option that’s cost-effective: Offer pretty takeout containers that guests can fill with cookies as they leave the reception. Or, for couples not hosting a brunch the next day, offer gourmet muffins or jars of granola with bags of fancy tea to be enjoyed the next morning. Again, the local tie is popular, as is doit-yourself-ing: One of Hello Productions' Brody's clients "had family come over and they all made homemade apple butter,” she said. In the months before the wedding, the family made batches from local apples and then packed the apple butter by hand into mason jars tied with ribbons. “It was really precious,” Brody says. “No one forgot it.”
Hosting a socially distanced wedding It’s likely that few people heard of “social distancing” prior to 2020. That changed as the COVID-19 spread rapidly across the globe and the world found itself in the midst of a deadly pandemic.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines social distancing as keeping a safe distance of at least six feet between yourself and other people who are not from your household. Public health officials continue to champion social distancing while acknowledging the fatigue that many people have experienced as the pandemic has stretched on for almost a year now. Though much of the world hit the proverbial pause button, life went on during the pandemic. Perhaps nowhere was that more evident than at the altar, where many couples still tied the knot, albeit in scaled back ceremonies that adhered to social distancing guidelines in their communities. Engaged couples who have yet to tie the knot no doubt recognize that planning a socially distant wedding will not be the same as organizing more traditional ceremonies and receptions. While planning a socially distant wedding presents some unique challenges, couples can take certain steps to ensure their big day is memorable and safe. • Spread the socially distant word. Let guests know what they’re in for should they decide to take part in the festivities. Many people have strictly followed social distancing guidelines, while others have been reluctant to do so. Couples intent on keeping themselves and their guests safe from COVID-19 should emphasize that their weddings will be socially distant affairs so there’s no confusion come the big day.
• Stream the wedding online. Stream the wedding online for those guests who won’t be in attendance. By the end of 2020, millions of people had already “attended” weddings via platforms like Zoom, so loved ones may be experienced virtual guests by the time couples walk down the aisle in 2021. Couples who may need some help planning virtual affairs can visit the virtual wedding coordinators at Wedfuly.com, who recently partnered with Zoom to help couples bring their ceremonies online. • Pare down the in-person guest list. Couples who planned large weddings prior to the pandemic can still invite all of their loved ones to witness the festivities online, but pare down the in-person guest list to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Limit in-person guests to immediate family and those people who are part of your social distancing bubble. • Plan a party for down the road. Couples can still celebrate their nuptials with family and friends down the road. Plan a post-pandemic reception and let guests know you will fill them in on the details once social distancing restrictions have been lifted. Socially distant weddings may require couples to take some unusual steps as they try to tie the knot while keeping themselves and their loved ones safe.
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Precautions that can keep WEDDING GUESTS SAFE during the pandemic Happy couples planning to tie the knot in 2020 confronted a challenge they never saw coming. While many couples fear inclement weather on their wedding day, 2020’s prospective brides and grooms had to contend with something far more fearful than rain clouds. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus that began in the winter of 2019-20 and was ultimately declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization put many couples’ wedding plans in peril. In an effort to stop the spread of the virus and protect those most vulnerable to it, governments across the globe placed restrictions on social gatherings, including weddings. Those restrictions prompted some couples to postpone their nuptials until 2021, while others tied the knot at considerably smaller ceremonies than they initially planned for. Couples planning to tie the knot in the months ahead can still do so, but the WHO recommends they take certain precautions as they organize their ceremonies and receptions. • Confirm local regulations. Restrictions related to COVID19 differ greatly by region. Areas that were not hit hard by the virus may not have as
many restrictions in place as those that were devastated by the outbreak. In addition, cities or regions whose responses to the virus have been successful may have relaxed restrictions more than areas that are still struggling. WHO notes the importance of checking local guidelines prior to planning an event, and that’s especially important for couples who hope to get married in towns or cities where they do not currently reside. • Keep guests up to date about precautions. Include detailed information about the safety measures that will be implemented during the wedding on your wedding website. Insert a card detailing this information into your invitation envelopes, as well, so all guests know what to expect when they accept the invitation. In addition, remind guests of the safety precautions throughout the ceremony.
Popping
• Provide sanitary supplies. Make sure hand sanitizer, soap, water and masks are readily available for all guests. Social distance markers also can be placed on the ground throughout the venue to make it easy for guests to stay six feet apart from one another. • Choose an outdoor venue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the COVID-19 virus spreads very easily through person-toperson contact and that the risk of spreading the virus is greater when spending time indoors. Couples can mitigate some of that risk by tying the knot outdoors and then hosting an outdoor reception where tables are kept at least six feet apart. Weddings will be different until the world puts COVID-19 in its rearview mirror. In the meantime, it’s up to happy couples to keep their guests safe come the big day.
Did you know? Flowers can have sentimental value, particularly those received as gifts or those that were part of momentous occasions, like weddings. Fresh flowers have finite life spans unless measures are taken to preserve the blooms. The flower experts at ProFlowers say pressing flowers can preserve them for years to come. While flower lovers can invest in a flower press, other heavy objects also can be effective at pressing flowers. Start by choosing flowers that are either still in bud form or are freshly bloomed. Dry the flowers out as quickly as possible to prevent browning. Place the flower between two pieces of white, nontextured paper. Then place all within the pages of a book. Depending on the size of the book, you may be able to press more than one flower at a time. Place other books on top to weigh down the book with the flowers inside. Change the moisture blotting sheets every few days. After two to three weeks, the flowers will be completely dry and flat. Remove the flowers carefully using tweezers or fingertips. Store the fresh flowers in a cool, dry place or consider framing them in a shadow box.
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bottles DID YOU KNOW: Sparkling wines can make special occasions even more enjoyable. That is why they’re generally reserved for big events that warrant toasts, like weddings or New Year’s Eve celebrations. But bubbly can be enjoyed at any time of year. Many people mistakenly think that all sparkling wines are champagne, so much so that the term champagne has become something of an umbrella term. However, true champagne is made in the Champagne region of France from a combination of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes. It can only be made in the region’s traditional method, called Méthode Champenoise, and the taste will typically be nutty and toasty. Sparkling wines can be produced across the globe in various ways. The taste will vary depending on how it is produced. Sparkling wines are named depending on where they are made. Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine, cava a Spanish variety and sekt is a German version.
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Price
negotiation with
wedding vendors A couple’s wedding day is likely to be the most expensive party they ever host. The average cost of a wedding is $33,931, according to The Knot’s 2019 Real Wedding Study. However, that final cost can vary widely depending on where the wedding is held. In fact, in 2019, New Jersey was the most expensive state for getting hitched at an average cost of $53,400, followed closely by Rhode Island at $49,800. The average cost of a Canadian wedding, according to the lifestyle resource Slice, is around $31,000. Engaging in a dialogue with prospective vendors can help couples curtail the cost of their weddings. That’s especially so during the pandemic, as so many businesses have faced financial uncertainty due to the global pandemic. Vendors who already have been operating under less-thanideal circumstances may be more flexible with their pricing schedules. Then again, struggling business may have to increase
prices to cover losses. Negotiation may be necessary as couples look to get married without breaking the bank. Be open and honest Negotiating with vendors should not be mistaken for aggressive haggling as one might do at a garage sale or auction. Rather, it’s more about having a discussion about what can be modified to work with the budget. A vendor may not be able to dramatically drop his price, but may be accommodating in another respect. For example, florists may be able to throw in an extra floral arrangement, or a DJ may agree to stick around for an extra hour at no additional cost. Be gracious Letting a vendor know you’re a fan of their work or have received glowing recommendations from past customers may make them more inclined to work with
you if the budget doesn’t quite align with the pricing. Find work-arounds Even if the price seems out of reach, there are ways to negotiate with vendors to get things close and where all parties are in agreement. For example, a florist may be able to make suggestions on another type of bloom that looks similar to the desired flower but at a fraction of the cost. Vendors may be willing to discount some costs if the couple handles some of the work themselves, such as picking up and delivering materials to the reception or ceremony sites or handling alterations. Couples should speak freely with wedding vendors and discuss what they can spend after some careful research in regard to what standard services and products cost.
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‘Plus one’
etiquette for wedding guests When to consider extending a plus one to your wedding guests.
Making a wedding guest list is seldom an easy task. Couples often find that many people are worthy of an invitation, which can make creating a guest list tricky for those with budgets in mind. According to data from the online wedding resource The Knot, the average wedding catering cost per guest is roughly $70. However, catering costs will vary depending on the reception venue, the number of guests, the foods chosen and the region of the country where the wedding takes place. When creating their guest lists, couples may wonder if they have to offer all guests the option of bringing a “plus one” to the occasion. As with other wedding day etiquette questions, the plus one concept is not set in stone. Any guest who is married It’s typically standard to invite a couple as a whole to the wedding, even if you’ve never met the spouse. This often comes up when inviting work friends, according
to Vogue magazine. Even if you have never interacted with a coworker’s spouse, etiquette dictates that all married guests be allowed to bring their spouses along. Any guest who is engaged or is in a serious long-term relationship It can be challenging to know the relationship status of everyone who will be invited to the wedding, but chances are you’ll have a good idea of those people closest to you. Include a plus one for guests who are engaged or in long-term relationships. Consider guests who may not know others Weddings often are times when childhood friends reconnect, or people who haven’t seen each other in a while come together. If there’s a good chance someone who is single is invited to the wedding and may not know anyone else there except the couple, extend a plus one as a courtesy.
Include the wedding party All members of the wedding party should be offered the option of bringing a date to the wedding. Apart from these guidelines, couples can establish any other rules, such as no plus ones for guests under a certain age or those who are not in serious relationships. The Knot also says it is polite to find out who the plus one will be so that wedding reception seating cards include that person’s name instead of “and guest.”
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strategies for weddings
Ring Around The question was popped; the engagement ring presented. What’s the next step on the road to the wedding? Saving should definitely be on couples’ minds. There are many different costs associated with weddings. Some are predictable, while others are unexpected. Investopedia says the vast majority of couples budget too little for their weddings and also end up spending more than they had planned. Various strategies can make it easier to save for a wedding and avoid a post-wedding financial hangover. Get informed It’s impossible to budget for a wedding and ultimately save without knowledge of what services and items cost in the region where you live. A wedding in New York City will be expensive, while a wedding in Mississippi will cost a lot less, indicates SuperMoney’s guide to wedding costs. Conduct some research and find out what photographers, florists, transportation providers, reception halls and wedding wardrobe vendors charge for common services. This will paint a vivid picture of what a wedding may cost in your area. Flesh out the budget Once you have gathered estimates, you can then figure out a financial goal. This also is when you can determine where to rein in spending and where you might want to splurge. If having a video memory of the wedding is not a top priority, you can skip videography services. If you have a special flower that you like, you may want to budget more for that bloom even if it isn’t in season.
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Set up a dedicated savings account One of the easiest ways to save for big-ticket items like a wedding, home purchase or other financial goals is to use an automatic savings account that may be available through your bank or employer. An automatic savings plan will pull a set amount from a personal checking account into a savings account through auto-draft. The bride and groom can link individual checking accounts to one savings account to contribute jointly. Avoid overspending An analysis of your spending habits will likely reveal areas where you can scale back so you can devote more funds to wedding savings. Do you need a takeout coffee in the morning or can you brew a pot at home? Might you be able to scale back on streaming services? Do you feel comfortable buying less expensive store brand groceries over name brands? Small cost savings can quickly add up. Add up gifts Factor in deduction of expenses that other people will commit to covering for wedding expenses, but only if you have concrete con confirmation. A parent may host the rehearsal dinner. One’s relative may offer to pass down an antique wedding gown to wear. But rather than simply removing these gifts from your savings calculations, keep them as a safety net to put toward unforseen expenses. Saving for a wedding can be challenging. But various strategies can help couples plan their dream weddings without breaking the bank.
Useful ways to
incorporate social media in wedding planning
Since its inception decades ago, social media Instagram page and post all the photos you want to share. the popularity of social media has changed the world. As • Include guests who could not attend the festivities. No exploded in the early part of the 21st century, various platforms matter how hard couples may try to pick a date that’s convenient emerged and ultimately affected movements pertaining to for all of their guests, some invitees will inevitably decline the everything from politics to social justice to charitable efforts. invitation. That’s especially true while the world continues to Social media also has emerged as a great tool for couples confront the COVID-19 pandemic. Elderly guests or loved on the cusp of getting married. The following are some useful ones with underlying medical conditions that make them more ways that couples can employ social media into their wedding vulnerable to getting seriously ill from COVID-19 may be forced planning. to reluctantly decline their invitations. But couples can utilize • Create your own hashtag. A couple-specific hashtag can be social media platforms like Facebook Live to include loved ones a great and simple way to share information on Twitter, which who couldn’t make it in real time. remains one of the most popular social media platforms across • Encourage others to pitch in with the planning. Planning the globe. Your own hashtag can alert friends and family who are a wedding should be fun, and what better way to add to the on Twitter whenever you post new information and photos. fun factor than encouraging loved ones to share their ideas via • Share a photo album online. Photographers serve as something akin to unofficial documentarians on couples’ wedding a social media platform like Pinterest? Couples can create a Pinterest board and ask interested friends and family members days. Many photographers are there from the moment the bride to share ideas on everything from attire to decor to floral begins to get ready until the last person leaves the dance floor arrangements. This can be an especially effective way to involve at the end of the night. Many couples love leafing through their bridesmaids and groomsmen if social distancing guidelines and wedding albums for the rest of their lives together, but guests travel restrictions related to the pandemic are still in place when also may enjoy reliving the night. The photo sharing social planning your wedding. media platform Instagram is a great way for couples and their Social media has changed the world, and it also has changed guests to relive the special moment a couple ties the knot and all the ensuing fun at the reception. Create a wedding-specific how couples plan their weddings. A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SUMTER ITEM 2021 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 9
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