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erhaps the most romantic time in history were the days when poetry was the primary way lovers expressed their affection for each other. Poets have been putting pen to paper for centuries, and many evoke themes of love and romance. Couples looking for a poem to recite at their ceremony will find many to choose from through an internet search.
Sonnet 18 Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date. Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimm’d; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimm’d; But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st, Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st: So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. - William Shakespeare
Wedding Planner A Supplement to Times Community Newspapers • January 27, 2016
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Times Community Newspapers, Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 27, 2016
You’re invited! Wedding invitation tips
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edding invitations provide guests with a first glimpse of a wedding’s style. Amid the calligraphy and impressive paper stock is information that speaks to the importance of the day when two people will be joining their lives together. Guests will learn the time and the place as well as the formality of the event and scope of the party. Couples should keep the following things in mind as they begin to design their wedding invitations. • Before shopping for wedding invitations, it is key to have a strong idea of just
how many guests will be invited. This way you will know how many invitations you will need. Invitations vary widely in price. • Guests infer many things about the wedding from the invitations, which should match the formality of the event in style and the sentiments expressed. An ornate invitation written with classic wording suggests a more formal affair, while a whimsical invitation could indicate a more laid-back event. • Rectangular cards are standard for wedding invitations, but you can explore
your creativity by choosing more modern, artsy invitations. Circular invites or scalloped edges can add some whimsy to the wedding mood. Invitations that fold out or are embellished with ribbon or other decorations can be fun. Just keep in mind that cards that are not the standard shape and size could be more costly to send. Always have the entire wedding invitation weighed and priced at the post office so you will know what the postage will cost. • Your invitation may look beautiful, but it may prove ineffective if it is difficult to read. Do not risk guests misinterpreting the date or the location because they cannot read the writing on the invitation. Steer clear of pastel or yellow text colors, and remember to have a high contrast between the color of the invitation and the text you are using for easy reading. • It may be tempting to load the invitation with lots of information, but all you really need are the key pieces of information, such as the “who,” “what,” “where,” and “when.” Crowding the card will take away from its aesthetic appeal. Most stationers will suggest a separate, smaller insert in the wedding invitation for the reception information and response card. Never put information such as where you are registered or “no kids allowed.” This is material
better reserved for word of mouth or on a wedding Web site. • A good rule of thumb is to mail out the invitations at least two months before the wedding. Have an RSVP date of no more than three to four weeks before the wedding, giving ample time to the caterers and accommodating anyone who procrastinates in sending in a response. You will need the final headcount in order to confirm seating arrangements and plan for centerpieces and favors. • Be sure to put a stamp on the response card envelope and have that envelope already addressed with your home address so that guests will have no excuses not to mail a response back promptly. • Remember mistakes happen, always order extra invitations just to be on the safe side. And don’t forget you will probably want to keep one as a keepsake for yourself.
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Makeup tips for brides and bridesmaids
rides want guests to notice their faces and gowns and not their makeup. Here are some makeup tips brides can use to put their best faces forward. • If you will be enhancing your skin color with a spray-tan, do so at least two days prior to the wedding. By the third day the color will set and appear more natural. The same idea applies to your brows. Tweezing, waxing and threading can create irritation and redness. Have your brows professionally shaped a few days before the wedding and then do a minor touch-up with your tweezer the night before. This allows your skin to recover and redness to dissipate. • Apply a few layers of moisturizer, preferably one with an SPF if you will be spending time out in the sun. When the moisturizer is completely absorbed and dry, use a skin priming product that will help keep your foundation locked into place. • Match your foundation color to your natural skin color. When these colors don’t match, your face may look like it is a separate shade from your neck. If you will be tanning, then find a shade that matches the tanned color. A foundation that has slightly yellow undertones will
even out redness on the face and look better in photos. Apply the foundation thoroughly with a sponge or brush and be sure to blend it well at your neckline. Set the foundation with a matte powder. • Apply concealer to red spots or under eye circles after the foundation. Aim for a creamy, emollient concealer for under the eyes. A peach color that will contrast with the purple and blue tones of your eyelids. Putting on the concealer after the foundation means you may need less and won’t look like you’re caked with product. • Use an eyebrow pencil or powder to fill in your brows. This is a must and can really help to frame your eyes. Use small,
light flicks of the pencil rather than long strokes to make the color blend naturally. Use a brush to blend in further. Always go a shade or two lighter than your natural color. Finish with a gel that will set the hairs into place. • If you are going for a dramatic eye, opt for a more neutral lip, and vice versa. Neutral colors look best for weddings and will not appear dated in photos. Stick to subtle browns and taupes for universal flattery on most eye colors. Use a light hand to apply a neutral shade of light shadow all over the lid. Apply a medium brown to the crease of the eye and a darker brown to the very outer corner, and blend thoroughly. A very light shade of shadow can be used directly under the brow line and toward the inside of the eye to make eyes appear wide and bright. Stick with matte shades of eye shadow, with the exception of one pearlescent shade that is lightly dusted right in the center of the lid from the lashline to the crease. This will add just a touch of luster to catch the light and make eyes sparkle. • Apply liner before mascara, and blend it with a brush. Push the liner into the lashline to make lashes appear thicker. Use mascara to lengthen lashes. Place
a makeup sponge behind your lashes when applying mascara so you don’t risk hitting your lids with the mascara wand. If you will be using false lashes, apply them now. Err on the shorter side for fake lashes, and cut them as needed to fit your eye. Lashes that are too long or full may look silly and be uncomfortable to wear. Connect your natural and false lashes with mascara. Waterproof mascara will hold up through your tears of joy. • Use subtle blush in a peach-pink color to achieve that blushing bride appearance. Smile and apply the blush only to the apples of your cheeks. • Choose a long-lasting lip color that will hold up through kisses and smiles. Lip stains work very well, as they provide that hint of color but wear well during the day. Perform a practice run prior to the wedding, taking some photos to see how the makeup looks. Cameras and flashes can wash out makeup, so you may need to apply just a little bit more than usual. Also, some makeup products will reflect light more. Don’t forget to stock up on oil-blotting papers to touch up your face during the day.
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Times Community Newspapers, Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 27, 2016
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Your veil will complete the bridal look T
he perfect dress is on the wish list of many a bride-to-be, but no bridal ensemble is truly complete until the bride chooses her veil. Veils have been worn by brides at their weddings for centuries. Veils can be traced back to the Middle East, where veils helped protect against the weather while also preserving the modesty of the bride. In Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, veils were used as protection against evil spirits. According to popular wedding website The Knot.com, until Vatican II, all Catholic women were required to have their heads covered in church, including during their wedding ceremonies. Veils were worn for this purpose, but they also symbolized trust in the groom and his love and companionship. Some Christians also see the veil as a visual representation of submission to the Church and to God. Others think of the veil as another beautiful accompaniment to their bridal gown, without attaching any additional meaning to the veil itself. Veils come in various lengths and can complement the style of a wedding gown. They also tend to add glamour to brides’
Bridal veils come in many different lengths and can complement personalities and gown styles.
looks. Here are the types of veils from shortest to longest. • Blusher: Blushers cover the face, though some extend only to mid-cheek on the bride. • Flyaway: Flyaways cover just the back of the head. Shorter veils may work better on petite women. • Shoulder: Shoulder veils are about 20 inches in length and will hit at the bride’s shoulders or just below. • Waist: Waist-length veils cascade down to the middle of the bride’s waist. • Fingertip: These veils extend down 38 to 42 inches, brushing against the bride’s fingertips. • Waltz/Knee: For a dramatic look, many brides may opt for waltz-length veils, which fall to the back of the knees. • Chapel/Floor: Veils that extend to the floor may be referred to as chapel or floor-length veils. Such veils cascade slightly behind the bride. Veils can complete brides’ wedding day looks. Shorter veils may be comfortable to wear throughout the day and evening, but brides may want to consider detachable veils if they are selecting lengthier options.
Wedding day transportation
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ouples make so many decisions when planning their weddings, including choosing transportation for guests to and from wedding ceremonies. Whereas couples once left guests’ transportation up to their guests, nowadays it is customary to provide rides for guests so they can easily get to and from their hotel and the ceremony and reception safe and sound. • Speak with your hotel before booking transportation. While professional shuttle services are an option, couples whose guests will be staying in a specific hotel or hotels should speak with management of their hotels to determine if the hotels offer shuttle services for guests. Many hotels provide airport shuttle service to guests, and couples might be able to use such services to get their guests to and from their weddings and receptions. Hotels may charge a fee to use their shuttles, but they may offer discounts to couples whose guests book an agreed-upon number of rooms. An added benefit to using the hotel shuttle services is that bus drivers won’t get lost looking for the hotel. • Find an option that won’t bust your budget. Wedding budgets tend to be
big, and couples planning their weddings soon realize that budgets can quickly be busted. When choosing transportation for your guests, do not feel pressured to book especially lavish buses. So long as the buses are safe and on time, guests won’t mind if they ride in a school bus or a fancy bus worthy of a touring rock band. If you are concerned about the appearance of a bus, ask if you can decorate the bus before the wedding to make it more inviting. • Comparison shop. Many companies cater to couples looking for transportation for their wedding guests, and couples should explore all of their options before committing to a particular company. Receive formal estimates from several companies before making your final decision, and speak to companies about matching offers. When comparing companies, try to consider both cost and quality. While the lowest estimate might be the most budget-friendly, you should choose the company that you feel is most trustworthy and capable of fulfilling your contract. • Read the contract. Transportation contracts should be gone over with a fine-
tooth comb before couples sign on the dotted line. Check for hidden fees, such as mileage or overage charges if the reception runs a little late, and ask how much
flexibility you might have with regard to those fees. Make sure any agreements you reach with regard to fees are written into the contract before you sign it.