2010 Bridal & Wedding Guide

& WEDDING GUIDE 2010

A Special Supplement to

Thisweek Newspapers February 5, 2010

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February 5, 2010 THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Enough to make any bride blush Pearls never go out of fashion for any style wedding party

by Kara Hildreth THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

During Victorian times a bride designed her wedding attire to incorporate something old, something new, something borrowed and some blue that was said to ensure good luck on the wedding day.

Today many modern brides have adopted this good fortune tradition by walking down the aisle to matrimony wearing a bridal gown and accessories that represent the old, new, borrowed and blue tradition from centuries ago.

Many times jewelry plays a part in this bridal custom. “Pearls are still a classic wedding jewelry and most brides wear some type of pearls,� said wedding jewel-

Photo by Kara Hildreth

Bridal jewelry designer Paula Sevenich said today most brides still choose to wear traditional pearls on their wedding day and some want to wear a family heirloom jewelry piece.

Grandmother’s pearls can be restrung into a more modern design to suit a bride’s personal style and the lines of the bridal gown. ry designer Paula Sevenich of Farmington.

A delicate set of pearls worn around the neck, as a bracelet or to adorn the hair, pearls have not gone

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out of style; Sevenich said who specializes in custom wedding jewelry that can be tailored made to the brides’ wishes.

The shine and sparkle of Swarovski Crystals appear similar to the brilliance of diamonds at a much more affordable price, Sevenich said. Just like a diamond, it depends on how many cuts to give the sparkle.

After a bride selects her wedding gown style, this decision sets the stage to pick out the flowers, bridesmaids’ dresses and jewelry.

Some brides choose to have their grandmother’s heirloom pearls be a part of their wedding attire after they have them updated so they wear something old and traditional with a new custom design, Sevenich said.

“Some even have a few leftover pearls and they can have a matching necklace made for one of the girls in the wedding party,� Sevenich said.

Brides should consider the bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses style when making decisions for wedding day pieces and bridal jewelry. “The style depends on the neckline of the bridesmaids’ dresses and the colors of the dresses,� Sevenich said.

Jewels for bridesmaids and the bride can be seSee Jewelry, 6B

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Brides can custom design jewelry to complement or contrast the color and style of bridesmaidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dresses. Many brides give the necklaces and earrings to the bridal party as thank you gifts for being part of the special wedding day.

THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT February 5, 2010

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Couples share what worked well for their weddings Readers respond to a call for advice on planning the perfect day

by Tad Johnson

roes. â&#x20AC;˘ If the bride wants a simple dress, look at bridesmaids dresses as the wedding gown to save money.

My dress was under $300 and the exact same style as one of the wedding gowns on the same line, but made from a different fabric. (And by save mon-

THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

ceremony. It is a very emotional moment to see your soon-to-be spouse for the first time on your wedding day. It was nice to share that with just us and it took the pressure off of walking down the aisle. Walking down the aisle still had a huge impact, but calmed the nerves a bit.

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A spirited spin on the dance floor is a moment most couples hope to have on their wedding night. it was scheduled just a little later in the afternoon.

That allowed most people to get there comfortably after a drive and have time to check in to their hotel and freshen up before hitting the church.

The rehearsal dinner was in two patches â&#x20AC;&#x201C; family was seated close to the bride and groom for maximum conversation early on. Afterwards, the bridal parties were able to mingle. Best men and ushers were specifically told to help keep a lid on things. No sense letting the first night get out of hand leading to headaches the next day. â&#x20AC;˘ Day of â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sleep in, if you can.

Have a hearty breakfast, once again, if you can.

Light lunch and snacks all along are a great idea.

Let the bride and bridesmaids have something to snack on during their time leading up to the wedding.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been to some weddings where people actually forgot to eat because things were so hectic.

We had a couple of â&#x20AC;&#x153;informal photographersâ&#x20AC;? taking candid snapshots during the whole weekend. These are some of my favorite pictures along with the more

traditional posed ones at the church. â&#x20AC;˘ I would say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice to not have a huge expensive honeymoon trip coming right on the heels of the wedding. Instead go somewhere nearby for a couple days and recoup from the wedding madness. Then you have another big event to look forward to. â&#x20AC;˘ As far as what worked well for us, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d reiterate maximizing the time by having something the night before. That was huge and really took the pressure off.

Other things that were really great: â&#x20AC;˘ Decide what is most important and focus on those things. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to do it all.

Pick a photographer based on portfolio and personality. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll spend a lot of time with this person and want someone you mesh with. And big bonus if they do an album as part of the package. â&#x20AC;˘ Infuse your personality into the wedding and reception. The personal touches are the most memorable pieces. For example, we did a comic book themed program with us as the main characters, since my husband loves superhe-

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Thisweek Newspapers sought some advice from readers like you for a column on what worked well and not so well during their weddings.

Following are some tidbits from those responses: â&#x20AC;˘ Maximize the time spent with those you have invited to your wedding.

As much as it seems like a hassle, plan your wedding ceremony as early in the day as you think is reasonable.

An early or mid-afternoon ceremony will mean that you will likely have more time at the reception to talk to people you have invited.

Ask your caterer/reception site coordinator what the maximum time you can have the room for based on different costs.

In addition to a reception, plan other ways to formally or informally spend time with people. A openinvitation cocktail hour after the groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dinner the night before the wedding is a way to informally meet with people. Just make sure you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have too many cocktails or stay out too late the night before the wedding.

An informal brunch the day after the wedding is another idea that allows you to spend more time with family and friends.

The time will zip by very fast and before you know it, the weekend will be over.

Many of the people have traveled a great distance to be there. Make sure you make their time worth the trip. â&#x20AC;˘ Different groups of people are going to want different pockets of time with you. Plan that as much as you plan the seating chart.

We made sure that some family could come in two days ahead â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that got everyone comfortable with each other.

Next, for the rehearsal,

ey, I mean just spend it on something else!) â&#x20AC;˘ We hired a wedding coordinator who was just starting her business. She was wonderful, inexpensive and allowed us to just focus on friends, family and fun! â&#x20AC;˘ If you are open to it, see each other before the

February 5, 2010 THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Modern confections enhance weddings Tradition states that wedding cakes are to be tiered masterpieces featuring white cake and white frosting.

However, todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modern couples are going in decidedly different directions with their wedding cakes. Often the dessert is as varied and unique as the couple themselves.

Wedding cakes can be created to match couplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; individual styles and tastes, as well as the color scheme of the wedding. Shapes and sizes can be mixed and matched depending upon what the bride and groom envision. Working closely with a skilled cake artist can yield a truly exceptional confection.

Here are some ideas for embellishing wedding cakes and making them mirror the personality of the wedding. â&#x20AC;˘ Consider a different shape other than standard round or square tiers. How about something that ties into your theme, such as a seashell or a sandcastle for a beachside wedding? â&#x20AC;˘ There are many decorating styles available and you may not have to go with the traditional buttercream icing. Rolled fondant can be cut and shaped into a variety

of embellishments. Talk with the cake designer about his or her specialties in cake design, and ask to see a lookbook of past cakes created.

Be sure the person whose work you are reviewing will be the actual person doing your cake. â&#x20AC;˘ Consider matching the flowers in bouquets and table settings on the cake.

Skilled decorators can create sugar or piped flowers that rival the look of the real thing. â&#x20AC;˘ Base the cake on the style of the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding gown. A cake artist may be able to mimic the look of lace, beading, appliques and more. A photo of the gown may be all the inspiration the professional needs. â&#x20AC;˘ Who says you need to have vanilla?

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cakes come in so many flavors, including chocolate fudge, banana, carrot, caramel, pumpkin, and so many more. Ask about the cake flavors and filling offerings.

Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t decide? Find out if you can have multiple flavors, where each tier is a different option. â&#x20AC;˘ Save your appetite. Consider skipping the extensive dessert bar so guests can truly savor your cake.

Wedding Budget Worksheet Ceremony

Flowers

Location fee ______________________ Officiant fee ______________________ Marriage license___________________ Rings____________________________ Pillow ___________________________ Total ceremony: ___________________

Ceremony ________________________ Brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bouquet ___________________ Bridesmaidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bouquets _____________ Corsages and boutonnieres__________ Reception centerpieces _____________ Flower girl basket _________________ Bathroom arrangements ____________ Total flowers: _____________________

Reception Reception Site ____________________ Food ____________________________ Drinks ___________________________ Rentals __________________________ Cake ____________________________ Favors ___________________________ Total reception: ___________________

Attire Gown ___________________________ Headpiece/veil ____________________ Undergarments/hosiery ____________ Shoes____________________________ Accessories _______________________ Jewelry __________________________ Makeup _________________________ Hair_____________________________ Tuxedo __________________________ Shoes____________________________ Cuff links ________________________ Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grooming ___________________ Total attire: _______________________

Music Ceremony musicians _______________ Band/DJ _________________________ Extra musicians ___________________ Total music: ______________________

Photography Photographerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fees ________________ Videographerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fees ________________ Total photography: ________________

Transportation Limousines _______________________ Buses/transport for guests___________ Total transportation: _______________

Stationery Invitations _______________________ Calligraphy _______________________ Postage __________________________ Thank-you cards __________________ Total stationery: ___________________

Gifts Wedding party ____________________ Parents __________________________ Other____________________________ Total gifts: _______________________ Honeymoon ______________________ Accommodations _________________ Food ____________________________ Total honeymoon: _________________

Style guidelines help couples make decisions

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Personal style and preference arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only things that dictate certain wedding day decisions. In fact, a host of style guidelines exist to help brides and grooms make the right choices on their big day.

For example, while a man might have a specific tuxedo style in mind for his wedding day, something such as the time of the ceremony can dictate which styles are appropriate.

A morning ceremony, for instance, typically

calls for a cutaway, or morning coat, with the ushers in matching strollers. For early afternoon ceremonies, however, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s typical for men in the wedding party to wear tuxedos without tails. Grooms who really want to wear tails should only do so for ceremonies that begin after 4 p.m., as tails are considered too formal for ceremonies beginning earlier in the day.

When wearing tails, a white vest and bow tie, but no cumberbund, is the traditional style.

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THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT February 5, 2010

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Register for some honeymoon rest and relaxation Online registries help newlyweds make dream honeymoons come true in spite of struggling economy A coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding day is one of the most important days of their lives. Typically months, if not years, of hard work and build up are involved until the big day finally arrives.

Along with that anticipation comes plenty of planning. Couples must decide on everything from when and where to get married to whom to invite and where to register. Traditionally, wedding registries have allowed couples to guide guests toward the perfect wedding gift for their home.

However as couplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs

have changed over the years, so have gift registries.

Take for example, Sarah and Patrick who, like many of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s couples, had already lived together before walking down the aisle.

When it came time to fill

out a registry, Sarah and Patrick were at a loss as to what to list, realizing their household wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really in need of anything. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We already lived together and had all the kitchen gadgets, towels and bed

sheets we could possibly need,â&#x20AC;? says Sarah.

Sarah and Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dilemma wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t unique, and neither was their eventual solution. After the rigors of planning a wedding, they were eager for the hardearned respite that every couple longs for: their honeymoon.

But as the economy has struggled, so, too, have many couples planning a dream honeymoon. With their hearts set on a Costa Rican getaway, Sarah and Patrick were unsure if they could afford the trip they had been looking forward to for months and months.

However, Sarah and Patrick soon discovered Honeyfund.com, an online honeymoon registry catering to couples who could use some help planning and paying for their perfect honeymoon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our true passion is trav-

ding industry. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because the average wedding budget is roughly $20,000, meaning weddings, even for brides and grooms who have been down the aisle before, remain a costly expense for the participants and a lucrative venture for those in the industry.

In fact, $72 billion is spent on weddings each year. To put that in better perspective, consider that only $8 billion per year is spent on honeymoons, meaning brides and grooms are liable to spend nine times more ontheir wedding than they are on their honeymoon.

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2008 to 2009. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was the perfect option for receiving gifts that we needed and could really use,â&#x20AC;? says Robert, who took his new bride, Kili, on a Mediterranean Cruise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our guests loved it,â&#x20AC;? says Denise, who along with her husband, Andy, enjoyed a dream honeymoon in Fiji. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Their response was overwhelmingly positive and they enjoyed reading about what we planned to do on our honeymoon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; really cool activities like bungee jumping, white water rafting, a helicopter ride, Americas Cup sailing adventure, etc.â&#x20AC;?

Couples are even counseled on etiquette with respect to requesting financial gifts. Online gift tracking also enables couples to manage their gift payments and thank-you notes, ensuring the process will go as smoothly as possible.

2 million U.S. couples marry each year According to the United States Census Bureau (USCB), more than 2 million couples get married each year in the United States.

The average bride is a shade over 25 years of age, while the average groom is nearly 27-years-old.

In a nod to the changing nature of society, one-third of those getting married each year have been married before. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s especially notable to those who make a living providing wedding services, be it reception halls, videographers, photographers, or others who make their living in the wed-

eling, but we typically do it â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;budgetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; style,â&#x20AC;? says Sarah. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A honeymoon registry allowed us to travel in a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;oncein-a-lifetimeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; kind of way.â&#x20AC;?

Wedding guests can conveniently choose from a host of activities listed by the newlyweds themselves.

From dinners and hotels to ferry and gondola rides, even airline and train tickets, Honeyfund enables cash-strapped newlyweds to get the R&R they deserve while ensuring guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gifts are being put to good use.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, many couples find registering for their honeymoon is both fun and makes for a better honeymoon. In fact, that popularity is growing faster than ever according to a report from online wedding resource TheKnot.com, which showed that online Honeymoon registrants increased 50 percent from

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February 5, 2010 THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Floral 411 for the big day Leading up to their big day, couples have lots to worry about before they finally get to walk down the aisle as man and wife.

The trials and tribulations of planning a wedding is no small task, as even the most minor details must be accounted for.

Such is the case with the floral arrangements.

Though not a minor detail in any way, preparing a wedding day floral arrangement does have its minor details, particularly when it comes to the more individual aspects of a floral plan.

For instance, the following components must be considered when devising a floral plan.

Bridal bouquet Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tradition for bridal bouquets to contain white or cream-colored flowers such as stephanotis, roses,

orchids, or lilies. Many bridal bouquets also include fillers like babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breath as well as some green or ivy, as well as ribbons or additonal accessories.

Attendants Attendantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bouquets should be identical, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to coordinate these bouquets with the attendantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gowns.

Only the maid of honor traditionally receives a slighlty different bouquet, as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customary to give her one apart from the rest, though not significantly so.

The men The guyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side of the wedding also needs to take part in the floral plan.

Worn in a buttonhole or lapel, a boutonniere should be worn on the left lapel and match a flower from the bridesmaidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bouquet.

The groom should also wear a boutonniere, though his should match a flower from the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bouquet.

When wearing boutonnieres, men should not wear additional accessories such as pocket squares.

Special guests Certain special guests, such as grandmothers and mothers, should receive corsages.

While the corsages do not need to be identical, they should match the bridesmaidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bouquets.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to consult with a florist for a corsage color that matches all dresses, as typically the corsages must be ordered before the bride and groom know what their mothers, grandmothers and other special guests will be wearing.

A corsage that goes with anything, therefore, is ideal.

Jewelry/from 2B lected in colors to match or complement the style and color of the dresses. Trends in seasonal fashion colors also make their way into the bridesmaid dress colors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year, there were browns and deep burgundy in the fall, and this spring and summer there will be a ton of bright colors like orange, turquoise, purple and hot pink,â&#x20AC;? Sevenich said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jewelry can then be picked out to offer a good contrast or the bride can look for a perfect match.â&#x20AC;?

Shades of pearls, which have some low-cost options, can be purchased to get an exact match of white, off white and cream for the bride. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some brides chose the classic, simple string of pearls to wear on the wedding day and some want some crystals,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I say the simple but classic is usually the best choice for

most brides.â&#x20AC;?

Many brides decide to give the jewelry pieces to her friends in the bridal party as a gift and a thank you for being part of the special day.

Besides necklaces, a pair of earrings or bracelets, jewels can adorn the hair for the wedding affair.

Hair adornments and simple pins with pearls are a big hit, according to Sevenich.

In the last few years many brides have gotten away from wearing large veils over the face and have chosen to wear jewels in the hair or a simple comb with pearls of crystals.

When shopping for wedding jewelry, brides should carry photographs of her bridal gown and bridesmaidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dresses. Then she can be prepared to select jewelry in the appropriate size and style to complement the dresses.

But if a bride can bring

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along the bridal gown in for a personal jewelry consultation, Sevenich said the design process will be more fun and the end result will be more rewarding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When a person shows up with the dress, it helps to spark a design that will fit the dress best,â&#x20AC;? Sevenich said.

Even with the exact style bridesmaidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dresses, jewelry can be custom designed to best suit the height and body type of each woman.

Many times brides will give a color like black or a shade of pink to the matron of honor or bridesmaids to select a dress and tell them to select their favorite dress style that looks and fits best.

Many times wedding photographs appear more interesting if not all the females are dressed alike in the bridal party.

Kara Hildreth is at farmington.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT February 5, 2010

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Tips for a toast to remember

Thank the guests Thanking the guests for attending is a good way to break the ice. Be sure to thank the hosts as well.

Traditionally, the hosts are the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents. However, thanks to the escalating costs of weddings, many are now financed by both the bride

and groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents, and oftentimes across to the bride and groom as well. by the bride and groom themselves.

Therefore, you can avoid any mis- Add an anecdote steps and simply thank the parents of The best man or maid of honor no the bride and groom after thanking doubt have many funny anecdotes to the guests for joining in the festivities. tell about the bride or groom. Add a light-hearted anecdote that illusIntroduce yourself trates your relationship to the bride While the bride and groom cer- or groom and how much they mean to tainly know who you are, chances are you. many of the guests do not.

An older brother, for instnace, Many weddings boast guest lists might tell a tale of the innocent joking with more than 100 people, so in- around brothers do, while a younger troduce yourself at the beginning of sister might spin a funny yarn about your toast. When doing so, you can how she once used all of her older sisexplain your relationship to the bride terâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s makeup. Just make sure the anecor groom (i.e., older/younger sibling, dote is appropriate for everyone in the college roommate, etc.). audience.

Keep things light

Raise a glass

While jokes should remain appropriate (every wedding has kids in attendance), keeping the toast jovial is a good way to keep the festive mood of the day going.

While itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to get across how much you cherish being the best man or maid of honor, a jovial approach to doing so will be enjoyed by all, and your message will still come

Raise a glass, but do so after the toast, and not before. While everyone knows to raise a glass at the end of the toast, some best men or maids of honor raise one too many glasses before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to give their toast. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Photo submitted drink to excess before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for you to give your toast, or youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll risk being Giving a wedding toast, after all, is not an everyday event, the talk of the reception for all the and for many people it will be a one-time experience, if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re even asked at all. wrong reasons.

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Being asked to be someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best man or maid of honor is an honor to be cherished. Often the best friend of the groom or bride, the best man and maid of honor often want to reciprocate the honor of their role with a toast that illustrates just how much they care for the bride or groom.

But once the time comes to sit down and think about their toast, the best man or maid of honor are often in the dark.

Giving a wedding toast, after all, is not an everyday event, and for many people it will be a one-time experience, if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re even asked at all.

Though a certain amount of pressure comes with the responsibility of giving a toast, keeping a few ideas in mind when writing a toast will make the process go more smoothly.

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February 5, 2010 THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Getting engaged is just the beginning; now what?

How to say: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Thank youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; It is customary for the bride- and groom-to-be to show their gratitude to all of the people who will make their wedding day special.

Weddings today feature people who have roles that go beyond the traditional, like interior decorators and musical soloists. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to remember to thank everyone who contributes to the celebration.

Thank-you gifts should be something thoughtful and enduring. Avoid fad or gag gifts. These gifts should be presented at a pre-wedding occasion. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customarily done at the rehearsal dinner.

Crafting personalized remarks is a nice way to call attention to the unique tasks of each wedding participant. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t simply pass the gifts out in one fell swoop. This way the gift will have more meaning through a personal message.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let thank-you gifts but one in scale with their be forgotten. Start thinking ages. of gift ideas early on and plan for any extra time for Clergy engraving or other personMany couples choose to alization. make a financial donation to their house of worship.

Groomsmen Additional tipping or monWhen selecting gifts for etary gifts for musicians, algroomsmen, think about ter boys/girls, etc. can also a gift they would like but be a thoughtful gesture. A probably wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy donation toward an officithemselves. This can be cuff antâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vestments may also be links, a fine watch, money appreciated. clip, or a high-quality wallet. Feel free to splurge a Parents of the Bride little more on the best man.

and Groom

Bridesmaids Traditional gifts for bridesmaids are different types of jewelry. Monogrammed stationery, a spa treatment, or another pampering session. As you have with the best man, feel free to bestow a little more thanks on the maid of honor with a more lavish gift.

Younger bridal party members can get a similar gift,

The couple may choose to bestow a gift on their parents, which can be especially meaningful if the parents are taking care of the financial responsibility of the wedding. Jewelry or fine gifts in similar scope to that of the bridal party are good ideas. Consider engraved picture frames that can house a wedding portrait down the road.

Are you one of the thousands of couples who got engaged over the holidays?

This is the time for you and your soon-to-be to get everything you ever wanted â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the time to start from scratch, to upgrade, expand and replace. To turn a whole bunch of mismatched mine and yours into a lifetime of ours. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When it comes to registering, relax, take your time and have fun,â&#x20AC;? recommends Audrey Stavish, a bridal and gift registry expert. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go back to the store as many times as needed, or update your registry online. There arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t any rules that you must follow.

Choose items that are right for you and your soon-to-be.

Go through the registry process together and have fun!â&#x20AC;?

Here are some additional tips to make wedding planning a breeze: Plan Ahead: Start a bridal registry as soon as you say â&#x20AC;&#x153;yes.â&#x20AC;? This way you will be prepared for your engage-

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ment party and bridal shower, as well as your wedding.

Periodically update your registry by adding more products if you need to, even after the wedding. Be kind to procrastinators.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be shy: Register for gifts in a range of prices and categories. This will give guests and group givers lots of options to choose from.

Look back and Plan Ahead: Discuss your background and personal preferences beforehand. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also important to consider your future. Consider things like how often youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll entertain and how much you will be cooking.

Visit a store: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in your best interest to visit a store and schedule an appointment with an expert consultant. Touch the towels, heft the flatware, see everything in person.

Do the math: Experts advise registering for 2-3 items times the number of guests you plan to have.

Close friends and family will rely on your registry for special events leading up to the wedding â&#x20AC;&#x201C; such as engagement parties, bridal showers and holidays. Your guests will appreciate having lots of choices when they shop for you. Be sure to refresh your list regularly as gifts get purchased.

Register Now, Because You Wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Buy it Later: You may think you will ... but you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Now is the time to let others get you the stuff youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never buy yourself. Your friends and family might even get together to purchase a higher priced â&#x20AC;&#x153;group gift.â&#x20AC;?

Remember the Rule of Three: When it comes to setting your table, if you choose bold patterns for your china and flatware, pick a more simple style of glassware.

Prefer intricate stemware?

Pair it with simpler patterns of china and flatware. So, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bold/bold/simple or simple/ simple/bold.