Wedding Guide
June 26, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia  |
gainesvilletimes com
Wedding Guide
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Wedding Guide
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
gainesvilletimes com
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Make the cake a tasty addition to the wedding ceremony Personialize the recipe for a sweet selection A tiered wedding cake is often a fitting conclusion to a wedding reception.Today’s brides and grooms are experimenting with cake flavors and designs so their cake is a unique representation of their persona as a couple. It’s no longer necessary to stick with a white cake with buttercream frosting for your wedding day. Think about exploring other flavor and filling combinations that will tempt the guests’ taste buds. For those who can’t settle on just one flavor, how about having a different flavor for each layer? Couples getting married in the fall may want to think about a spice cake that evokes the feelings of sipping a mug of spiced cider. Cream cheese frosting is often a pairing with spice cake, or think about a layer of caramel that will make it taste like you’re enjoying a candied Halloween apple. A hummingbird cake may fit the bill for a spring wedding. This is made with mashed bananas, pineapples and chopped pecans. This cake is perfect when paired with cream cheese frosting. Yellow or white cakes are universal favorites for weddings. Some pizzazz can be added through the
use of creative fillings. Consider something citrusy and summery for a summer wedding. Raspberry preserves or lemon curd are tart and sweet. For a tropical flair, mangoes or passion fruit can be mixed with touches of coconut. A winter wedding can be accented with rich flavors, like a decadent chocolate cake filled with chocolate ganache and black cherries — in a black forest style. Those toasting to the good life may want an almond cake enhanced with some fine liqueur and simple chocolate buttercream. Couples should sit down with their baker and sample a number of flavor combinations to determine a recipe that works for them. Pastry companies also may be able to develop a cake that encompasses a couple’s favorite flavors or symbolizes a special moment in their lives. A Boston Cream Pieinspired cake may liven up the wedding of a couple who became engaged in Boston. Maybe a cannoli cream filled cake will usher in memories of a trip to Italy. Kids at heart can enjoy candy confection cakes filled with gooey chocolate, nuts and marshmallows. Whatever the case, couples can use their cake as a centerpiece that wows the senses of taste as well as vision. Consider displaying this culinary masterpiece on a table with the seating cards placed around it so that it can be enjoyed the entire night.
Wedding cakes can be an array of shapes, sizes and flavors.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
Wedding Guide
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The wedding of your dreams, on a budget You’ve dreamed about your wedding day since you were old enough to hold a white pillowcase on your head. However, you’re currently experiencing extreme sticker shock after having seen the cost of all of the individual items you want to make your wedding distinct and beautiful. With a little creativity, you can still have the wedding of your dreams, on a realistic budget. Here are a couple of inexpensive projects to get you started for a day that you and your guests will never forget. The center of it all You and your groom will be the center of attention on your big day. However, you want the tables at your reception to shine as well. But with 120 people on the guest list, the number of tables is adding up fast. Lush floral centerpieces can quickly consume thousands of dollars from your decorating budget. Sometimes the most simple centerpiece can be the most elegant. One option is a glass container filled with colored stones and candles or water and floating flowers. Chances are, there is a container shaped to fit your theme, including a square cube, tall cylinder, round rose bowl or the more traditional tall vase. Another option is a wine bottle centerpiece.Ask family and friends to set aside their bottles, make friends with the owner of your favorite wine shop or start your own collection.The bottles can be spray painted different colors, or you can stencil a flower, image or other pattern that matches your theme. You can also add photos,
quotes, graphics, dried flowers or other embellishments that represent your relationship. Who doesn’t love candy? Give your guests a fun treat to say “thank you” with an inviting, inexpensive candy buffet. Start by spending some time at your local candy store. No matter what your color scheme and theme, you’ll find delicious treats in a variety of types and colors to stock your buffet. Next, it’s time to hit the discount store or thrift shop to find glass jars and containers to hold your sugary treasures. Mix it up; select different sizes and shapes, which will add another design element to your table. Don’t stop here, though. Head to your local craft store, because in its aisles, you’ll find myriad options to further embellish your candy jars. “For a wedding candyscape, one great alternative is a mirrored or frosted paint that adds some depth to the glass,” says Katherine Merkle, Krylon brand manager. “This gives your table a more sophisticated look that doesn’t have to come with an expensive price tag.” Before filling them with candy, wash your containers and allow them to dry thoroughly. If you’re going to use paint, set up in a wellventilated area and then spray the outside of your containers. You can also use a leafing pen to add additional details. Other decorating options include glitter, decoupage or stencils. To set the table up, bring a variety of sturdy boxes or books which can be stacked to varying heights and then draped with a match-
ing tablecloth. Embellish the table with your favorite quotes, ribbon, leaves or other adornments. Place your glass jars and containers across the table, fill them with candy and watch guests of all ages enjoy. Be sure to include small bags, so your guests can pick out their favorites and take them
home. These projects are just two examples of what you can create for the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank. For additional project ideas, you can visit hundreds of wedding and decorating websites to give you inspiration for your big day.
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Wedding Guide
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
gainesvilletimes com
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Modern brides put unique slant on ‘something old, something new’ Something old, something new, something borrowed, something — very unique. To make a wedding both fun and sophisticated, modern brides give the old wedding adage a playful twist. If you’re planning your wedding, or helping someone special plan her own, here are some modern variations on the tradition: Something old: Something old represents the bride’s past. Personalize this tradition by incorporating a small memento from you and your fiance’s past together. Did you keep something from one of your favorite dates? Maybe you still
have the ticket stub from the first concert you attended together, or the wine cork from your first date. Brides are tucking these small items into their bouquets to bring them good luck.At a special moment during the evening, you can reveal the keepsake to your husband and remember just how far you’ve come as a couple.
of your wedding day. A wedding what song played during their calls for a memorable scent. first dance and surprise them by borrowing it for your own. Something borrowed: To inherit luck, tradition says Something blue: that something borrowed should Looking for something fun for be from a person who has a your guests to take home as a happy marriage. thank you token? Wrap up blue Thinking outside the box lollipops and or other blue canmay mean that your something dies in gift bags with a special borrowed isn’t an actual item. note thanking them for being Perhaps you want to honor your part of your special day. grandparents on your wedding The modern bride is always Something new: Scent creates powerful memo- and “borrow” parts of the vows finding new ways to incorpories and brides today are taking they said so many years ago. Or rate tradition into their wedding. notice. For your wedding, find maybe your best friend has a Finding something that is pera new fragrance that perfectly marriage philosophy you admire sonal and meaningful to both fits your special moment. For that you can print on the dessert you and your husband to be will years to come, the fragrance will napkins for all guests to enjoy. make your wedding day even remind you and your husband Feeling musical? Ask your parents more memorable.
Children in a wedding means no kidding around A wedding is a joyous event that couples want to share with as many people as possible. Couples commonly ask family and friends to take part in the ceremony as ushers, bridesmaids or readers. Before enlisting the help of a child to fill such roles, couples should carefully consider whether a youngster is capable of participating in the wedding ceremony or if he or she may not be up to the task. Millions of people tuned into the British Royal wedding in April. Among the participants were six young children. The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Miss Eliza Lopes, Miss Grace van
Cutsem, Lady Louise Windsor, Master Tom Pettifer, and Master William Lowther-Pinkerton were bridesmaids and pages in attendance.The children were as young as 3 years old and as old as 10. Although the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were confident enough in the kids’ maturity to include them, reportedly some measures were taken to keep the tots in line. For instance, Prince Henry reportedly delighted little Eliza Lopes with a pink “wiggly worm” so she wouldn’t be frightened by the crowds. Said wiggly worm actually made it into the Please see Children page 9
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
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Wedding Guide
Plan ahead to pick the perfect reception venue Engaged couples must make assorted important decisions with regards to their wedding day. For some, the process of planning a wedding can be overwhelming, while others revel in each and every decision. Among the many decisions couples must make is which venue to use for their reception. The wedding reception venue is where most of the day will be spent, and where the majority of the people will do their mingling. When looking for a wedding venue, there are a number factors to take into consideration. The accommodations The facility itself should be able to accommodate the wedding size. Some weddings are grandiose events with large guests’ lists, while others are more understated and intimate, with only a small number of family and friends in attendance. Couples should know which type of wedding they will be having, and should have at least an estimate figure in mind of the number of guests before visiting any facilities. Once that estimate has been made, look for a facility that can comfortably accommodate that number of people, and ideally find one that has a done so in the past. Couples won’t want a facility where everyone is crammed together, nor will they want one where a relatively small number of guests are in a large ballroom with lots of empty space. More minor details regarding the facility must also be considered. Ask if the facility is handicapped accessible. If the wedding is in the warmer months, make sure the venue is air con-
ditioned. Since most weddings have a break in between the ceremony and the reception, ask if the facility has a room in which the bride and groom can freshen up before the reception begins. The date Couples may choose the date of their wedding based on the availability of a church they attend or a specific wedding officiant they want to perform their ceremony. Once that date has been chosen, it’s time to look for a reception venue. Couples who have a specific venue in mind might want to ask about the venue’s availability before settling on a wedding date. When seeking out a reception venue, ask if the venue has any other events scheduled for that day. Some couples prefer to have the facility all to themselves and their guests. The location The facility’s location should be a priority. Couples won’t want their guests to have to drive too far from the wedding ceremony to the reception venue or from the reception venue back to the hotel. Since many wedding guests come from out of town, they likely won’t know the area well and could get lost if the facility is too far away from their hotel. Keep things simple by finding a reception venue that’s close to the hotel or hotels where guests will be staying.
Couples must consider a host of factors when choosing a reception venue for their wedding.
couples want to go beyond that, they might have to pay an hourly rate. Ask if the facility charges an hourly rate or if the venue can simply be rented for as long as the party keeps going.
ers, venue decor, and even staff tips be included in the rental fee? If not, is there room for negotiation? When facilities expand the services they include in their rental fee, that can save couples substantial amounts of money. The hours The price When choosing a reception Couples who want their recepMany facilities offer a flat rate venue, couples must consider tions to last into the wee hours should inquire about the facili- to rent the venue. When dis- a host of factors that stretch ty’s hourly rate. A typical recep- cussing the rate, be sure to ask beyond a venue’s aesthetic tion lasts five or six hours. If what’s included. Will food, flow- appeal.
Wedding Guide
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
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Sunday, June 26, 2011
Bridesmaid’s dresses are not just for weddings anymore You bought the dress, the shoes and the special accessories. Now the big day is over and you’re left with yet another bridesmaid’s dress cluttering the back of your closet. No matter how many brides have told you that you’ll totally be able to wear that dress again ... you’ve never worn that dress again. Halloween doesn’t count. But wouldn’t it be nice if you could? What if it wasn’t just another few hundred dollars down the drain? Design experts say go ahead and take those dresses out of the closet and introduce them into your wardrobe. Step one:“Take a look at the overall silhouette of the dress and say, ‘What changes can I make that still keep the silhouette?’” says Rosalind Grenfell, academic director for fashion design and fashion retail management at The Art Institute of Colorado. Next, if that dress is floor length, it’s time to cut it down to size. “Shorten the skirt to a mini,” suggests Zoya Nudelman, fashion design instructor at The Illinois Institute of Art Chicago and while you’re at it, Nudelman says you may as well remove any extraneous bows. Now that you have all that extra material left over after hemming your dress, it’s time to use it.“Make it asymmetrical, add a shoulder to a strapless dress,” recommends Marina Saba, fashion design instructor at The Art Institute of Houston. You can also add beaded spaghetti straps to a strapless dress to change the look says Nudelman. But you don’t have to have a tailor on retainer in order to make your bridesmaid’s dress not look like a bridesmaid’s dress anymore, especially if it’s already cocktail length to begin with.“Re-accessorize,” says Grenfell.“Put a shawl with it, change
the shoes or put a cardigan with it for a more casual look.” Nudelman also suggests chunky jewelry. Since most brides pick the same dress for all of their bridesmaids even though the ladies usually all come in different sizes, make sure the changes you are making are enhancing your best features and that the new look will complement you and fit your personality, adds Saba. And speaking of brides, your dresses can get a once over, too. “Some brides make their wedding dresses into cocktail dresses and wear them out on their first anniversary,” says Grenfell. Saba says if brides do go that route, they should choose a tailor carefully. “Make sure that you can retain some of the special effects of the dress while still getting more use out of it.” Nudelman acknowledges most brides are too afraid to ruin the dress and choose to preserve it.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
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Wedding Guide
The color of love: Customizing your wedding with color White will probably never lose its place in a wedding, but a growing number of brides are turning to color to help personalize their special day. From a pop of color on a white or ivory wedding gown, to entire themes that carry throughout the flowers, decor, favors and accessories, you can use color to set the mood for guests or make a statement about your personal style. “Brides are embracing color as another way to customize their weddings,” says Ray Miller of My Wedding Reception Ideas.com. “Customizing with color offers brides such a range of creativity. They can choose colors that honor their heritage, evoke the atmosphere of a specific place, or celebrate a memory or experience that is special to the wedding couple.” If you’ll be saying your “I do’s” in 2011, Miller offers some advice for using color to help create the wedding of your dreams. Tips for choosing a color “When it comes to choosing colors for your wedding — whether it’s for accessories, table linens, bridesmaid gowns or even a wedding gown accent — the only unbreakable rule should be that you must love the colors you choose,” Miller says. Keep in mind, however, that different colors will create different moods and not all colors will feel like a good fit for your wedding depending upon where and when you have it. For example, if your goal is to create a wedding that captures the fresh, innocent aura of spring, vibrant red table linens and iceblue bridesmaids’ gowns will be
in conflict with that atmosphere. “Certain colors are traditionally associated with each season,” Miller notes. “If you’re emphasizing a seasonal effect, keep in mind the colors that the natural world wears during that season.” Colors that will be popular this spring and summer include hot pink, apple green, celadon, pine green, clementine orange and yellow. Heading into fall, look for amber, chestnut, dark tangerine and brick red. Winter weddings will sport colors ranging from Santa’s suit red and Christmas tree green to oyster gray, ice blue and pale purple.
colors can be used in virtually every aspect of your big day, from the bridal bouquet and decor in the ceremony location, to table linens and accessories for the reception. Accessory collections are an easy way to carry your chosen color throughout the wedding. These collections allow you to continue your color theme — whether it’s a traditional shell pink, a rich royal purple or even camouflage — with color-specific accessories such as flower girl baskets, ring bearer pillows, guestbooks and garters. What’s more, you can customize table linens and even guest favors using your chosen colors.
began last year with pops of color appearing on bridal fashion runways has continued in 2011. This year, brides have more options than ever if they’re looking to use color to make a personal statement with their wedding gown. From gowns that feature beading and crystals in sparkling hues, to floral accents that capture a season’s signature colors, and even bodices or skirts in contrasting colors, bridal gowns in 2011 are going colorful. If you’ve already chosen a traditional white or ivory gown, you can still dress it up with your wedding color. A simple sash or floral accent that matches your color theme will look great against the Carrying it through Once you’ve chosen your wedpure, fresh background of white. ding colors, you’ll need to think And if you haven’t yet chosen a Wedding gowns and color about how you’ll use them — in For decades in America, white gown, you may just discover one both the ceremony and recep- and ivory have reigned when with a touch of color that can tion. Your creativity will serve it comes to wedding gowns. become the color theme for your you well here. Your wedding However, the color trend that entire wedding.
Wedding Guide
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
Children Continued from page 5 official group bridal photo, being clutched by Miss Lopes. Couples worrying about all the little details of their own weddings may not want to fret about kiddie meltdowns or the bloopers that can occur when kids act like kids. Each child’s personal maturity level should be considered before enlisting their help. There are some other strategies to use as well. • Young children serving as flower girls or ring bearers should be able to walk down the aisle without coaxing. If they cannot handle this task, then they should not be asked to take part in the wedding. • Should children prove competent to walk down the aisle unattended, couples can have them then make their way to the seats next to their parents, rather than awkwardly standing with the rest of the bridal party for the ceremony. • A minimum age requirement for wedding participants might be a good idea. A child age 5 or up may be able to appreciate the importance of the event. • Consult with the pastor or officiant of the ceremony. The ceremony location may have rules governing children in the ceremony. • All people who have participated in the ceremony will be invited to the reception. If couples decide to have a kids-free party, then reconsider children in the ceremony. • Think about another role for a young child that will not disrupt the proceedings. Perhaps he or
she can help hand out birdseed or small bottles of bubbles to use when the couple has finished their vows. Or give children disposable cameras and allow them to capture a kids’-eye view of the wedding. Couples who choose to have children participate in the ceremony have to realize that there is the potential for slip-ups. Keeping an open mind and some patience can make for some memorable moments and a little humor as well.
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Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
gainesvilletimes com
Wedding Guide
Make second trip down the aisle a personalized event A second wedding is a chance to focus more on what you want as a couple instead of the wedding your parents may have hoped for you. Today there are no rules in second weddings; the happy couple can customize it as they see fit. Chances are someone you know will make another trip down the aisle at one point in his or her life. Individuals who have lost a spouse or have divorced may eventually choose to remarry. Second weddings are a great way for couples to showcase their personalities and don’t have to be constrained by tradition. Here are some top tips for taking that trip down the aisle the second time around. • Put your first wedding out of your mind. Now is not the time to make comparisons. This wedding should be all about you and your new spouse-to-be. Go for something completely different than your prior wedding so there will be no side-by-side comparisons. • Choose a wedding party you really want. You can have a lavish wedding again, complete with a big bridal party. However, this time around you can choose the friends and family members you really desire to stand beside you, instead of individuals you may have felt obligated to include the first time around. • Go ahead and wear white. Tradition once stated that taketwo brides were not supposed to wear white. Toss tradition aside and go ahead and do what you want. Just be sure the gown compliments your age and body shape and doesn’t seem too virginal. If your previous wedding was annulled, you also may be able to
wear a wedding veil. • Include your children in the festivities and planning. If you or your future spouse has children from a previous marriage, make them feel a part of this new blended family by including them in the second wedding. They may play a role in the ceremony, such as making a speech or reading a religious passage. Other brides and grooms choose to have their children walk them down the aisle this time around. Also, involve the kids in the planning.They may be excited to help you choose wedding vendors or address invitations. • Personalize your event. Take the time to write your own vows, make handmade favors or single out the special people in your lives. • Feel free to be extravagant. You may be more established in life with a secure job and bigger paycheck. Therefore you can expand the wedding budget a little more. Go for all of the goodies you may have passed on with your previous marriage, such as exotic foods or that extra-long honeymoon.
• Involve the groom as well. Today’s modern men want a say in their wedding just as much as the bride, say wedding experts. Make sure he is apprised of all the details and ensure that he is
able to make it to vendor appointments and the like. Just as a second wedding is a second chance for happiness, it is another opportunity to throw the wedding of your dreams.
Wedding Guide
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
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Sunday, June 26, 2011
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Planning tips for the perfect honeymoon He proposed, you said “Yes!” and now you’re in the throes of planning your dream wedding.Among all the ceremony details, no doubt part of your wedding planning process also involves scheduling a romantic honeymoon. Honeymoon planning can be very easy, or very complicated, depending on the trip you want to take. For example, signing up for an all-inclusive resort hotel on a beach somewhere, or a cruise trip with limited ports of call, tend to be easier vacations to organize because they don’t require multiple lodging or transportation details. But you might discover that you and your sweetheart can save a little money as you start your new life together and plan a more localized tour. For example, maybe you are both baseball fans. Touring several cities with major league fields and catching a couple home games would make a very memorable honeymoon vacation that you both would enjoy. Here are some tips to help you plan your honeymoon so you’ll have memorable stories to share through your life together: • Pick a destination together. Discuss with your soon-to-be spouse what activities or sights you want to see together. You might want to pick a location where neither of you has traveled previously. Or maybe you can plan your entire honeymoon around an event that brought the two of you together. • If you plan to change your name once you’re married, make sure you book all your tickets
in your maiden name, because you probably won’t have time between the wedding ceremony and the honeymoon to get your official identification cards and passport changed. And with tightened security at airports, you don’t want to be left behind because your ticket name doesn’t match your ID. • Research and plan for what you’ll need to pack. If you’re leaving the country, make sure you have your passport and visa (if needed) ready. The U.S. Department of State provides plenty of information about travel warnings and alerts for different countries based on political uprisings and natural disasters, as well as information on shots needed for different countries. Also, research average temperatures for the time of year you’ll be traveling so you can bring along the proper clothes. You can register your travel plans with the U.S. Department of State to help ensure you are easy to reach should something happen with your family in the United States or if something important is happening in the location where you will be traveling. Visit the State Department at www.travel.state. gov. • No matter if you’re flying overseas or just driving to the other side of the state you live in for your honeymoon, consider investing in medical evacuation and travel assistance memberships. Such programs offer members help for major and minor mishaps ranging from lost passports and other travel documents to help with tracking lost baggage or assistance if your flights
are canceled or postponed. And if you or your spouse were to get sick or injured while on your vacation, they can help you get to the right medical care and back home to recover. Time will fly by as you plan
your wedding and honeymoon, and before you know it, you’ll be packing your bags for a romantic trip with your honey. Follow these tips to help prepare for a safe and fun honeymoon, and enjoy the start to your life together.
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Sunday, June 26, 2011
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Wedding Guide
Tips for planning the perfect outdoor wedding There’s something magical about an outdoor wedding. Being surrounded by nature as you say your vows can make your day even more special. Whether you’re thinking of holding your event at a neighborhood park, at a favorite garden, or on the shoreline of a local lake, there are some important things to keep in mind so your day is perfect no matter what. Many couples choose outdoor weddings and receptions because the event can be highly customizable. Additionally, the venue provides the opportunity to save money because you can rent everything you need. According to the American Rental Association (ARA), many rental businesses have Certified Event Rental Professionals on staff that are trained to help you choose the right rentals to plan your outdoor wedding without a lot of stress. 1. Tents protect from all types of weather Making sure you and your guests are comfortable is very important, and renting tents is the easy way to add comfort and protection to your outdoor wedding space. During hot summer months, tents protect from the harsh sun. If Mother Nature decides to be testy, tents can protect from rain and minor wind issues. Your local rental store can help provide insight into the type of weather to expect for the time of year you’re getting married, and can give advice on any extras you may want to order. From simple open-air tents to options with flooring, fans or air conditioning, you will find the right one for your dream wedding.
2. Customize with the ideal decorations A tent provides a blank canvas, and from there you can create the atmosphere you desire. First decide on your vision. Are you thinking a casual outdoor event, or something more formal? How about a color scheme or a theme you’d like to follow? Next, prioritize the most important elements. For example, if you want a formal, ocean-themed wedding, you might want to rent chandeliers for inside the tents, along with a fountain for the centerpiece and blue linens and sashes for the tables and chairs. Almost anything you can imagine can be rented, saving you time and money. 3. Decide on the right food options Serving food and drinks in an outdoor environment takes a bit of extra planning. Be sure to interview caterers who have experience working outdoors with tented events and are familiar with the area where you’ll be getting married. An experienced caterer can help ensure that cold foods stay cold and hot ones stay warm so that guests have an enjoyable meal. If you’re planning to provide the food yourself, make sure to rent the appropriate equipment to keep food temperatures safe. To make food prep easier, consider renting a portable kitchen if the facility doesn’t have an option for you to use. 4. Plan for a seamless experience Unless you’re planning a backyard wedding, most of your guests will not be familiar with
the event space. Clearly mark any areas where guests might get confused or lost. For example, use signs to tell guests where the tents are located and provide luminaries and strings of lights on pathways to the bathrooms or parking facilities. Being able to hear well can
also be an issue outdoors. Rent speakers for the ceremony and be sure to have the proper music equipment for the reception. Remember, most public outdoor spaces have noise ordinances, so check with the city to see about any restrictions or permits you may need.
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Make the most of a rainy wedding day When a couple envisions their ideal wedding day, rain rarely comes into the picture. Unless a couple likes things soggy, chances are rain on the big day will be a bit of a disappointment. While there’s no way couples can keep it from raining on their wedding days, there are ways to prevent rain from ruining the ceremony and the ensuing festivities. • Have a contingency plan in place well in advance. Weather is unpredictable, but couples who choose an outdoor wedding should begin making a contingency plan well in advance of the wedding. This doesn’t mean couples need to plan two weddings, they just need to discuss with vendors what the plan of action is going to be should rain arrive. When booking a venue, discuss with the venue manager what the venue can do if it rains. Many venues will set up a tent and have an umbrella station for arriving guests.When getting married outdoors, choose a venue that’s both idyllic and capable of handling a wet wedding. It’s best to also have a contingency photography plan in place as well. When choosing a photographer, ask about his or her history with rainy weddings. Find out if the photographer has an indoor studio where portraits can be taken if the conditions outside are not ideal. Or, maybe he or she is familiar with the reception site and knows a few areas that would make good backdrops. • Get dressed at the venue.
Brides understandably fear their wedding dress won’t survive a soggy ceremony. To reduce the gown’s exposure to rain, brides should consider getting dressed at the venue.This means they will only have to wear the dress outside during the actual ceremony. Wrap the gown and other accessories including shoes, in plastic to keep them safe from rain and mud. If the wedding is slated for later in the day, call the venue and determine how early the wedding parties can arrive and how much space will be provided for the party to get dressed. This won’t be too big an issue for the groom and his groomsmen, but the bride and her bridal party will likely want to get there several hours in advance of the ceremony. • Wear waterproof makeup. Brides-to-be should wear waterproof makeup. In addition, bring a collection of items, including hairspray and extra makeup, that can help combat the elements. • Prepare the ushers. Ushers will need to be extra diligent during a rainy ceremony. Instruct the ushers before guests begin to arrive that their roles have taken on greater importance thanks to the weather. Ushers should keep an eye out and an umbrella open for arriving guests, escorting guests to their seats under a cloak of dryness. Once the happy couple has said their “I dos” and all the guests have managed to stay dry, the bride and groom should offer some special thanks to the ushers who helped keep everyone dry.
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Colorful accents chic for this year’s bridal gowns Almost as long as there have been bridal gowns, white or ivory have been the colors of choice for firsttime brides. These light hues represent the purity and innocence of the bride. Although a few brides-to-be choose to forego wedding white for something a bit more flashy — like pink or yellow gowns — a popular trend today is to wear gowns with accents of black or other deep colors to add dimension to the white canvas. Considering the groom and groomsmen will be dressed in black tuxedos, black accents on a wedding gown have been growing in popularity and add a formal, regal look to a wedding. Darker color embellishments can add drama to a gown. Another advantage is they can call
out pattern or adornments not easily seen on a white-on-white gown. Furthermore, deep colors against the white backdrop of the gown show well in photography, particularly the black-and-white journalistic style that is very trendy as well. Women shopping for bridal gowns who are considering colored accents should be careful that these embellishments are subtle and do not overwhelm the gown — or the person who will be wearing it! Popular enhancements include appliques on the bodice or the train of the gown. Another idea is to select a white gown and then tie a black bow or sash around the waist or put a lace shrug over bare shoulders. BlackPlease see Color page 14
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Color Continued from page 13 and-white lace gloves are also an option for those who want to add just a little splash of dimension. The same concept can be applied to any accent color. Burgundy or plum colors also work well to add the contrast of dark against light and aren’t as extreme as black. Some brides can also opt for a paler, more pastel shade to serve as an accompaniment to the white gown. Many times the accent colors chosen are replicated in the hue of the bridesmaids’ gowns, so the entire wedding party looks cohesive. Because the spectacle will be the beauty of the gown, it’s best to carry a neutral-colored bouquet in a small size. Or, a black-and-white gown can be accented with a small nosegay of red flowers or roses.
Consider black stitching in the appliques of a gown for some drama. Many gowns come with colorful accents or they can be added later by a talented seamstress.
Wedding Guide
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Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |
gainesvilletimes com
Wedding Guide