2
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
Vol. 5 No. 1 • Winter 2008
you’re invited... features 4 6 7 8 11 15 16 17 19 21 22
love notes 2008 Vera Wang beautiful skin simplicity itself: a real wedding
23 24 25 26
bake your own cake finding the right officiant writing your own vows honeymoon q&a
you’re invited who’s in, who’s out DIY favors
wedding essentials
going green
27 28 29
online planning if the shoe fits... pots and pans
bride’s checklist groom’s checklist reception hall directory
on the cover: Brandon Pollock, Weddings Photographer Beaded invitation from SWAK in Cedar Falls
Weddings is a publication of
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
3
lovenotes A publication of The Courier, Waterloo-Cedar Falls
COLOR COMBOS
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
Color sets the tone for your wedding. What cool hues will you choose for a spring/summer ceremony? Some of the hottest combos from TheKnot.com include: • Aqua and chartreuse • Soft pink and hot pink • Pink and chocolate • Hydrangea blue and soft green • Cobalt blue and crisp white • Sunflower yellow and cornflower blue • Dusty yellow and green • Lavender • Pink, soft orange and green • Any shade of green • Chocolate and aqua • Chocolate and chartreuse
WINTER 2008 Vol. 5 Issue 1 Publisher Nancy L. Green Advertising Director David Braton Weddings Editor Melody Parker (319) 291-1429 melody.parker@wcfcourier.com Graphic Designer Johanna Kramer-Weston (319) 291-1567 johanna.kramer@wcfcourier.com Weddings Advertising Sales Alaina Flater (319) 291-1524 alaina.flater@wcfcourier.com
“Marriage is like a golden ring in a chain, whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is in eternity.” – Kahlil Gibran
Sheila Kerns (319) 291-1448 sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com Advertising Designer Carrie Heeren (319) 291-1512 carrie.heeren@wcfcourier.com Online Sales Manager Jason Davis (319) 291-1458 jason.davis@wcfcourier.com Contributing Writer Amie Steffen (319) 291-1405 amie.steffen@wcfcourier.com Contributing Photographers Rick Chase Annie Humble Brandon Pollock Rick Tibbott
Weddings is published quarterly by Courier Communications. Weddings may be contacted at: 501 Commercial St. P.O. Box 540 Waterloo, IA 50704 Copyright, Weddings, 2008 All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.
4
“Two hearts that have been merged is marriage; two souls that have been merged is fate.” – Anonymous TATTOO COVER UP KIT If that logo on your ankle or back doesn’t fit your wedding-day look, conceal it with the Tattoo Cover Up Kit. When applied correctly, it is flawless, undetectable and water- and smudge-proof. Also covers freckles, birthmarks, etc. Each kit contains Leg Magic with SPF 16 (in 2 shades), primer powder, finishing powder, camellia lotion, application sponge, powder brush and application.
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
lovenotes kiss me quick
G
loss. Matte. Nude. Frosted. It’s no wonder brides find themselves in lipstick limbo. Whether it’s an exfoliating treatment to slough away flaky skin or a gloss to plump up our puckers, a bride’s lip beauty regime is more than just a swipe of ChapStick – way more. ●
LAURA MERCIER LIMITED EDITION MINI LIP PLUMPERS Swipe on the gloss and you’ll experience a cooling effect that builds for more than 20 minutes and lasts up to two hours. A subtle pearl undertone gives lips a soft sheen. Keep all three shades tidy in the accompanying brown leather, zip-top case. $40.
THE LIP SCRUB BY SARA HAPP This tasty lip exfoliator comes in six flavors: almond creme, brown sugar, cinnamon sugar, peppermint, cocoa and vanilla bean. $24 for a 1-ounce jar, www.thelipscrub.com.
CHANEL AQUA CRAYON IN ROSEY Chanel’s “Rosey” liner is so universally flattering, you might not even bother with lipstick. The waterproof liner is an automatic pencil, which means no sharpening and precise application. $24.
ORIGINS SMILEAGE PLUS LIP TINT SET These 95 percent organic lip tints from Origins are a blend of natural products, including beeswax, sunflower oil, coconut oil and aloe vera with tangerine and lime essential oils. The fourpack set comes with sheer shades of Raw Honey, Eco-Pink, Vintage and Organic Plum that offers just a bit of color and shimmer. $27.50.
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
5
TRENDS 2008 Vera Wang likes the look of yesteryear for today’s brides
6
Text and Images | The Associated Press
T
o talk about bridal fashion trends is almost moot: Yes, there are subtle differences from season to season but, in the end, the gowns are almost always white, feminine and pretty. A subtle shift away from floaty, ethereal gowns toward more fitted, glamorous ones – as in Vera Wang’s newest collection – actually is a notable change. “The shape I was feeling for was extremely fitted. It’s not something I’ve been doing a lot of,” says Wang. A slinky, sexy silhouette is often easier to pull off in bridal than in everyday clothes or even eveningwear because the market for show-stopping wedding gowns tends to be a specific demographic: youthful women eager to have all eyes on themselves. “It’s a finite group,” the designer says. “In ready-to-wear, it’s from my daughters all the way up to someone who is 60 – and I’m headed in that direction myself.” (Wang, 58, won the Council of Fashion Designers of America award as the industry’s top womenswear designer for her ready-to-wear collections in 2005.) If the silhouette was going to hug the body, Wang says, it became important to her to make the surface details, including cabbage-rose corsages, interesting. That led to a look that seemed rooted in the 1950s and early ’60s on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, though modern enough to be worn by the granddaughters of that era’s famed socialites. “Once I saw a little Jackie Kennedy in it, I knew we were heading in a very sophisticated direction. It reminded me of women who were the predecessors of Jackie: Babe Paley and the other women Truman Capote ran with,” Wang says. “That formality looks very new to me. The glamour was fresh to me.” It’s also a classic American look, notes Wang. “It’s sweet and racy. ... The women from the ’40s to the early ’60s had a polish and a thoroughbred good look. They were just to me what American glamour was about.” ●
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
Want beautiful skin? Take care of your whole body Text | ARA Content
A
recent survey by Garnier found that 98 percent of women agree having healthy skin is very important for their self-confidence, particularly on their wedding day. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on costly injections and treatments, dermatologists tell us the best way to care for skin is to take care of your entire body. “To optimize your skin, optimize your diet,” says Ellie Krieger, MS, RD, a registered dietitian specializing in nutrition and health communications. “A healthy diet is the true foundation for healthy looking skin.” Krieger and dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD, have partnered with beauty company Garnier on their new skin care line, Garnier Nutritioniste. Krieger and Madfes used the strategy of keeping things simple in advising on product creation. “Eating well is critical for your skin to be able to repair itself properly. Focus on lean protein, grains, healthy fats and lots of colorful fruits and vegetables each day and avoid high-fat, salty snack foods and refined sugar,” Krieger said. “You should also use a sun block daily to decrease damage from the sun’s harmful rays as they can thin your skin and make redness more prominent.” Drink eight glasses of water every day. Water helps to
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
maintain the skin’s elasticity and suppleness. Other healthy activities that can make your body happy and your skin glow include: • Exercise! It improves circulation and blood flow throughout the whole body. • Get enough sleep. If you are not getting enough sleep your skin can show it through dark under-eye circles, puffiness and breakouts. • Don’t smoke.
Madfes and Krieger recommend Garnier Nutritioniste products such as Skin Renew Daily Regenerating Serum and Nutri-Pure Detoxifying Cream Cleanser precisely because they include such “dermatological nutrients.” In addition to building beauty from the inside out, women should pay particular attention to their skin care regimen. Careful cleansing and moisturizing can help deliver radiant, smooth, even-toned skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. A good moisturizer with added vitamins and nutrients works as a barrier to block out pollutants. Moisturizing regularly will provide a seal over the skin to keep moisture from escaping and also slowly release moisture into the skin. Using a gentle cleanser, without perfumes and dyes, will prevent skin irritations as will patting skin dry after cleansing. Cleaning and replacing cosmetic brushes and applicators regularly will help avoid introducing germs and bacteria into your skin care routine. ●
7
Text | Melody Parker, Weddings Editor Images | Courtesy
R
Outdoor summer wedding suited couple’s style
8
yan Clark wanted his groomsmen to wear dress shirts and ties, not tuxedos. His fiance, Ashley Junker, agreed. Then dressed her bridal attendants in white capri pants and black tops with black sandals. The attire was perfectly suited to the couple’s wedding and reception at the Cedar Falls Rotary Reserve. “Ours was an outdoor wedding Aug. 11. It was 92 degrees and not a cloud in the sky,” recalls Ashley. “It was important for him to know his guys were comfortable. They wore dress shirts and ties. He wore a tux. The bridesmaids carried three stems of royal blue delphiniums.” Ashley carried a bouquet filled with white hydrangeas, royal blue roses, delphiniums and white lilies. Her ballgown-style wedding gown with embroidered, strapless bodice was purchased on eBay. “We paid for 98 percent of the wedding ourselves, and I didn’t want to spend $1,000 for a dress to wear once and put in a box. It was a brand-new in-the-box dress and the gal selling it bought it in Europe for $1,200. I’d shopped in the stores but the minute I saw this dress on eBay, I knew it was exactly what I wanted. I liked the style, the modern look of it. It was pure white. I actually bid against someone else in the last four seconds, but ended up getting it for $150,” she explains. She bought the dress a year before the wedding. The couple had dated 3 1/2 years before Ryan popped the question on Valentine’s Day 2007. It was important for both Ashley and Ryan to be involved in the planning. Ryan suggested the Rotary Reserve. A popular wedding and reception site, the Rotary Reserve, like most facilities, usually
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
Clockwise from top: The bride’s bouquet was a marriage of white and blue; Ashley wore a wedding gown and Ryan a tux, but their attendants were dressed down for the outdoor setting; pretty cupcakes were easier to serve than slices of cake; the Junker-Clark wedding party.
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
9
simplicityitself has a long waiting list. The only date open for the next two years was Aug. 11, and that was a cancellation. “We were really fortunate. We booked that four days after we were engaged,” Ashley recalls. The couple wanted a simple, rather than extravagant, wedding. “Originally we wanted family only, then a bigger reception. But when we got down to it, we didn’t want to leave people out.” About 200 people attended the event, which included a sit-down dinner of marinated chicken breast, barbecue brisket, cheesy potatoes, barbecue baked beans, macaroni salad and relish trays. Country Barbecue and Catering in New Hartford provided the fare. Ashley chose to serve decorative cupcakes rather than a wedding cake. “It was easier. We actually had a small cake for us to cut, but that was it. Cupcakes just seemed a natural in the setting.” Decorations were simple – twig wreaths with three-wick candles and polished rocks as table centerpieces. ●
Small jars of honey made sweet favors, above, and large candles surrounded by smooth, polished stones were elegant and simple table centerpieces.
10
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
11
Whatever the invitation style, make it your own Text | Melody Parker, Weddings Editor Images | Brandon Pollock
P
lanning a wedding fit for a princess? Then choose a Cinderella carriage-style card as your invitation. A Christmas engagement that deserves a holiday wedding? Take a look at the box-shaped card with its red flocked flourishes and bow. All it needs is the printed paper slipped inside that invites family and friends to share the gift of your love. Want an elegant but modern look? There are laser-cut designs, tassels and beading enough to transform an invitation from ordinary to extraordinary. Today’s brides are looking for unique invitations that reflect the couple’s personal style or wedding theme, says Deb Berstler, co-owner of SWAK, the stationery and gift shop on the Cedar Falls Parkade The timeless tradition of white and ecru wedding invitations is a look that has served brides since Victorian times. But it doesn’t suit every bride’s taste or satisfy the desire for an attention-getting invitation, an out-of-the ordinary personal statement. Color, too, is part of the story, from the most delicate pastels to jewel tones and bright, bold graphics. Couples are also monogramming, embossing and engraving invitations, accessorizing with add-ons like charms, ribbons, bows, even bits of tulle and lace. Some include photographs, prose or poetic verses. Stationery stores, card shops and printers have numerous preprinted designs that can be easily adapted as wedding invitations, particularly for smaller, intimate weddings. When ordering invitations, make sure to order a few extras. You’ll want them as keepsakes in your wedding album. They’re also handy in case you make a mistake in addressing an envelope or overlooked someone on the guest list, etiquette expert Luanne
12
Alemao advises. Beyond the actual invitation, Bertsler reminds brides that there are save-thedate cards, thank-you notes and personal stationery needs, as well. Whatever theme or motif you choose, make sure to carry it throughout for consistency. Don’t order invitations in piecemeal fashion. One large order will save more
money than two smaller ones. Whatever style you choose, make it personal. “Handwritten addresses – no printed labels, please. You’re inviting people to the most important event in your life, and it should be personal. And no e-mail invitations. That’s not unique, that’s businesslike or seems like an afterthought,” says Alemao.
Every princess bride desires a carriage-shaped invitation, top. Save-the-date cards and invitations take on fun, graphic looks with add-ons and contemporary designs.
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
You’ll also want to stuff the reply card, reception card, if desired, and possibly a map into the envelope. Traditional invitations usually include an inner envelope that holds and protects the actual invitation Remember bulky envelopes may cost more than a 41-cent stamp to mail. When you go to the post office to purchase stamps, take a full invitation and have it weighed
before affixing postage, Alemao suggests. Include a stamped envelope for the reply card or, if it’s a postcard, make sure it is self-addressed with postage attached. Even if it’s just a few cents, it’s tacky to make your guests pay to return the card. Including registry information in the invitation is an etiquette faux pas, she says. “It lacks class ... that’s something that can be included on save-the-date card or the couple’s Web site. Print the Web address on save-the-date cards, that’s perfectly fine and makes good sense.”
THE LAST WORD
Red flocked cards, bow-topped are perfect for a holiday wedding invitation.
Piecework – An invitation will include the outer envelope, unsealed inner envelope, the invitation, a reception card if the reception is at a different location than the ceremony, a reply card with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. It’s OK to include maps and accommodation information. Traditional – 100-percent cotton or linen paper in white or ecru, heavy stock, engraved with black or dark ink, with a piece of opaque tissue to protect
Save the date basics
Y
ou’ve set the date! Now is the time to start spreading the news with a great-looking savethe-date card. What it is: A fun way to let family and friends on your guest list know the time, date and location of where you’re getting hitched. This allows people time to arrange their schedules, book travel and hotel accommodations and make plans to attend your special day. How it looks: Make them reflect the personality or theme of your wedding, something seasonal or add-ons such as charms, ribbon and tulle. How they help: If you’re sending save-thedate cards, you won’t waste any time putting together the guest list. Handy tool: Print your names, wedding date
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
and location, and include your couple’s Web site. Couples who don’t have a Web site may use the mailing to provide travel and accommodation information, a map, information on planned events surrounding the wedding and registry information. Wording doesn’t have to be anything formal – “Amy Brown and Joe Smith are tying the knot ...” or “He proposed ... she said ’Yes!’ Amy and Joe are getting married ...”, for example. When to send: Order the cards and mail at least six months in advance. Invitations follow about six to eight weeks before the wedding. Source: TheKnot.com
13
you’reinvited the type. Contemporary – Choice of colors, textures, motifs, graphics, size, commercially designed and/or printed or selfdesigned and printed on a home computer. The inner unsealed envelope is often left out of contemporary invitations. When to order – At least three or four months before the wedding date. Ask if you can receive the outer envelopes sooner so you can begin addressing. If a calligrapher has been hired to address the invitations, it may take an additional two to three weeks. Proofread – Triple-check the invitation for spelling errors. Make sure the date, time and location are correct. In the mail – Send out invitations eight to six weeks before the date. Send save-the-date cards as soon as possible so guests can arrange their schedules. RSVP – The reply card asks that guests respond to the invitation. Make sure there is a “return by” card. Reception cards – If the reception will take place at a different location, include a card that informs guests. Wedding programs – As much memento as the ceremony’s agenda, the wedding program provides such information as the names of the officiant, bridal party and their relationship to the bride or groom, the soloists or musicians, the order of events, reading and song titles. It is also a chance for the couple to thank people, explain the ceremony, honor deceased loved ones, etc. Menu cards – It’s OK to include menu options for a sit-down dinner so guests can choose their meal, in case of allergies or dietary concerns. Order these at least six weeks before the wedding day. Place cards – Tells guests were to sit. Usually additional, these small cards are printed with each guest’s name and placed at the top of the place setting. Modern brides are opting for different props that fit their wedding theme. Order with your invitations if printed. Start working on them at least a month in advance if you’re doing something
14
creative. Tissue paper – These see-through or opaque pieces of paper are a nice embellishment and protect the invitation. Thank-you cards – After the invitation, this is the single most important item in the wedding arsenal. These notecards should contain handwritten messages from the couple, thanking them for attending your wedding and/or for their gifts. Even a postcard with your wedding photo and a handwritten message acknowledges their presence. Mail out no later than one month after your honeymoon for gifts received at your wedding. For gifts received at showers, send thank-you cards out before the wedding day. ●
A wisp of tulle evokes the bride’s veil on this invitation.
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
who’s in, who’s out How to determine your wedding guest list
McKenna McNelly Photography
Text | Melody Parker, Weddings Editor
F
orget the flowers. The cake. The dress. One of the biggest stresses in planning a wedding is the guest list – who’s in, who’s out. Your mom wants even your most distant relatives (the fourth cousin you’ve never met) on the list. And somehow your fiance’s old flame’s name has popped up on his parents’ list. He wants his poker-playing buds on the list, but you can’t stand one of them, and you’ve got a girlfriend or two he says drives him crazy. It gets even more complicated if one or both sets of parents are divorced or blended families are involved. His mom doesn’t want her ex-husband’s new wife on the list, and your dad’s new girlfriend makes you feel uncomfortable. Setting the guest list, it turns out, is an emotional minefield. “It truly can be agony,” says Cedar Valley etiquette expert Luanne Alemao, author of several etiquette books. “There are so many decisions to make about the
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
guest list.” No couple wants to cause ill feelings, arguments and tears or be accused of malice if someone’s name is left off the list. That’s where factors like who’s financing the wedding, the budget and total number of guests can help determine the guest list (and perhaps, salve hurt feelings). “Most couples have a budget and just can’t afford to invite everyone. And
couple and a family. The reception – food and beverages – takes the biggest slice of the budget, and where the guest list has the most impact. A sit-down dinner, generally, costs more than a buffet or a cake-andchampagne reception. Doing some advance legwork by contacting potential caterers for average per-person costs, can help determine how much you’lll spend on the meal and how many people you can afford to serve. “You can squeeze in more people with a buffet, and you won’t need a wait staff that’s required at a sit-down dinner. It’s a matter of determining priorities on where to put the most budget,” explains Alemao. Traditionally, the bride’s family had the most influence on the guest list because they were paying for the wedding. Today, it’s more likely the couple, and both families will compromise on how to allocate the guest list. That can still cause awkwardness if one side has a larger family or adds more guests to the list than the other side. The situation gets even more confusing if the
“Most couples have a budget and just can’t afford to invite everyone...some people are going to be discontent no matter what. A couple has to be prepared to deal with those situations.” – Luanne Alemao frankly, some people are going to be discontent no matter what. A couple has to be prepared to deal with those situations.” What’s important is to focus on the people who matter in your life as a
groom’s family decides to pitch in and help finance the big day. If the bride and groom are footing the bill themselves, the couple makes the initial list, then both sets of parents add to the guest list.
15
A better idea, no matter who’s paying, is for the couple to detemine how many guests they want, reception style and budget, and set their master guest list. Then decide on how many guests each side can invite. Any additional guests will be paid for by the party who invites them. “And the groom is just as responsible as the bride – all of this shouldn’t fall exclusively in her lap,” the etiquette expert points out.
••• Start the guest list as soon as possible. Create a handwritten list or computerized list that includes names of family, friends and business associations, their current addresses and zip codes. You’ll need this information for save-the-date cards and invitations. Phone numbers are a plus, in case you need to call if a guest does not RSVP. Don’t feel guilty about not inviting distant relatives. Their feelings won’t be hurt, and receiving an invitation with a return address they don’t recognize may be perceived as “gift fishing.” Even if that fourth cousin invited you to their wedding, you don’t have to return the favor. “But if people have been asked to the bridal shower, you must invite them to the wedding. A shower is an intimate event with people who have a connection to you, and it’s understood that they’re going to be invited to the wedding,” the etiquette expert points out. “Can I bring a date?” That’s easy. A single may feel awkward attending a wedding without an escort, especially if they won’t know anyone. Write “and guest” on the invitation, which gives permission for the single person to invite an escort. If the person has a significant other, send a separate invitation to that person. If you simply can’t afford any extra guests, write the invitation to the guest only. Seat singles at the same table during the reception so no one feels abandoned.
who’s in, who’s out continued on p.20 16
DIY favors Text and Image | ARA
T
he average wedding costs thousands of dollars. Is it any wonder the do-it-yourself movement is gaining popularity among brides-to-be? Smart brides are saving thousands by taking over wedding tasks usually handled by the professionals, from printing invitations to creating their own bouquets. “Making key elements of your wedding yourself, such as favors, centerpieces and even headpieces, is rewarding on many levels,” says Cheryl Galvez, editor of Pashweddings.com, a Web site that specializes in information and products for do-it-yourselfer brides. “You save money, plus you can really mold the look of your wedding. Making your own favors is one of the easiest ways to save money.” Here are three of Galvez’s favorite do-it-yourself wedding favor recipes, ranging from the simple to more challenging. Brides can find more ideas for favors and other doit-yourself wedding projects at www.pashwedings.com. ●
A PERFECT PEAR You will need: • Anjou pears • Clear or colored cellophane or wrap • Satin ribbon Wrap each pear in the cellophane. Tie each package with the satin ribbon. For a personalized touch, use ribbon imprinted with your names and/or wedding date.
LOVE IS BREWING You will need: • Small burlap bags • Whole coffee beans • Hang tags or labels • Ribbon
Fill burlap bags with coffee beans. Pull the drawstrings, then tuck them into the bag. Wrap each bag with a rustic-colored smooth satinfaced ribbon and tag.
LUCKY IN LOVE
You will need: • Your state’s $1 scratch-off lottery tickets • Glassine envelopes (remember to measure to ensure the tickets will fit in the bags) • Labels • Pennies minted in your wedding year
Slip a lottery ticket and one penny into a glassine envelope. Seal the flap with doublesided tape. Place a label on the front with your personalized clever saying such as “Lucky in Love,” “Wishing you riches from the new Mr. and Mrs.,” or “Hope our luck rubs off on you.”
Lucky in love favors
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
GOING green Text | Amie Steffen, Weddings Staff Writer
P
lanning a wedding is hard enough. Trying to plan a wedding that fits your eco-friendly lifestyle can almost be an impossible task. All the disposable items – paper plates, plastic tablecloths, throwaway bouquets, balloons and bubble containers – add to the energy costs of heating/cooling a church and reception hall, pollution of hundreds of your relatives’ cars and a synthetic wedding dress you’ll wear just once. It’s enough to make any green bride fume red with anger. But not to worry. We’ve come up with a few ways you and yours can celebrate your big day without sacrificing your values or your style. For more ideas, visit any of the sites listed below.
cus native to Africa, and sold through www.VisionPaper.com. Like bamboo, it’s faster growing than trees (harvested after just 4-5 months) and is usually paired with recycled paper to produce the desired effect. And take your invites a step further with soy ink – it’s a much better alternative than petroleumb a s e d conven-
tional ink, is renewable, uses less energy to make and the soybeans could be grown right here in Iowa.
WAR FOR JEWELRY Since the movie “Blood Diamond” and a Kanye West song, “Diamonds Courtesy Photos Recyled paper, soy ink and other ’green’ ideas for everything from invitations to place holders are hits with eco-sensitive couples.
HOW INVITING Just the thought of the number of trees and energy processing it takes to send invitations and RSVP cards, plus envelopes, to hundreds of guests is enough to make you want to hug a tree. Luckily, you don’t have to purchase new-tree, bleached-white cardstock to let guests know of your impending nuptials. Recycled paper is a popular option, as is e-mailing all your guests, although many find the latter too informal. A way to avoid cutting down trees altogether is by using kenaf, a type of hibis-
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
17
goinggreen Are Forever,” several have bemoaned the diamond engagement ring as the root cause of warring and oppression in Sierra Leone. Even if you circumvent that part – buying a Canadian diamond, for example – it’s still hard to ignore the energy waste and pollution caused by the mining and manufacture of just one ring. There are several options available. GreatGreenWedding.com has a large listing of fair trade, eco-friendly, manmade and recycled rings. You can still get a diamond if you’d like (and feel good about the purchase), or you can choose from a wide variety of stones, gold or even wooden or coconut rings.
PAPER TRAIL Most people know rice isn’t good for the environment – and some still think birds can explode if they ingest it – but eco-conscious couples also know confetti is a pain to clean up and bubbles come in hundreds of tiny plastic containers that most guests just toss. One solution, from http://Ecoparti.com, gives couples the option of a biodegradable type of confetti dubbed “ecofetti.” Guests grab a handful from a basket (or pick up one of the company’s recycled paper envelopes) and toss one of the 13 colors. Once the ecofetti gets wet, either by rain or a hose, it completely disintegrates.
TABLE-READY Neither kind of grocery bag – paper or plastic – is particularly better for the environment, and the eco-conscious know cloth bags are the way to go. But did you know the same goes for your wedding reception tablecloths? If you decide to go that route, try organic tablecloths: Cotton is one of the most heavily-sprayed crops as far as pesticides go, and you can even get naturally-colored cotton without the harsh dyes at GreenSage.com. The online store also offers up tablecloths made of hemp, as well as an assortment of recycled glass goblets and tumblers to adorn Organic linens the tables. ●
Ecofetti 18
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
Associated Press photo cutline goes here
ONLINE PLANNING Giving up ’perfect wedding’ is a good thing Text | Kathleen Hennessey, The Associated Press
M
y wedding felt like a blind date. Not with my groom, of course – that part looked familiar. But the rest – the village church with the bright orange walls, the better-than-the-pictures flowers, the 1960s-era organ – they were all nearly as new to me as they were to the 50 Americans I had persuaded to come to Scotland for the event. I planned my wedding entirely online and lived to tell about it. In fact, I’d recommend it. Not that it was perfect. Had I known about the orange walls, I might not have gone for purple kilts. But planning online, with a mix of shrewd, targeted research and aimless Googling, forced me to accept something many brides don’t realize until crunch time: Perfection is overrated. Couples spent nearly $10 billion on “destination weddings” last year, according to Mintel, a market research firm in Chicago. No doubt much of this expense was justified with phrases
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
like “you only do it once” and “most important day of my life.” Still, these same people, like me, take sizable risks with the day and the cash. Many don’t see the venue beforehand, and depend on online brochures for information. Forty-three percent rated wedding Web sites as influential in helping them pick a destination, Mintel found. More than 20 percent used social networking sites, like MySpace, and blogs. Theresa DiMasi, editor-in-chief of Conde Nast’s Brides.com, says many of the 1 million visitors who come to that online site each month are looking for inspiration and stay for research and community. “I think the Internet gives you much more opportunity and accessibility to information. You’re a savvier shopper. You can hear what other people have said about a vendor, or see people who have negotiated deals and learn from awful experiences other brides have had,” DiMasi said, adding that most people leave the virtual world before cutting a real check.
My fiance and I would have if we could have. There are 5,000 miles and a wallet-busting 2-to-1 exchange rate between us in Las Vegas and his childhood home, Glasgow, our destination of choice. A planning expedition would have blown the budget. So my mother in Minnesota, my partner in planning, and I turned immediately to the Internet. We started with long sessions on the phone, each at our respective computers, e-mailing links back and forth. It was slow. If something looked promising we would e-mail the venue, and often not hear back for days. There is another way, though I’m not convinced it’s a better one. Online wedding clearinghouses such as TheKnot.com and Brides.com, offer a mix of planning tools, articles, and lists of ideas, registry help and vendor directories. Both sites have budget trackers that are far easier than an Excel spreadsheet and are accessible to anyone who knows your password, making it easy to share with, say, your mom. ●
19
who’s in, who’s out continued from p.16 Guests should never asssume that they can bring uninvited guests. “It’s really presumptious and very uncomfortable for the couple, If ‘and guest’ isn’t on the invitation, don’t bring anyone else. The caterer is planning on X-number of plates of food and there may not be enough to serve everyone if univited guests appear.” And if someone doesn’t receive an invitation? Again, don’t assume it’s OK to show up. Being omitted from the guest list is not a personal slight. And if the bride or groom is asked “Why haven’t I been invited,” tell the truth. “We had a difficult time limiting guests” or “we’ve decided to have a smaller wedding” are acceptable Kids not allowed. That’s not something you can stamp in big, red letters on the invitation envelope or scrawl across the guest list. The way you address the envelope makes it clear ... if it is addressed to ‘Mr. and Mrs.,’ then it’s just them. If it’s addressed to ‘Mr. and Mrs. and family,’ it’s OK to bring children. It’s much kinder and doesn’t put the bride and groom in an awkward situation,” Alemao says. Children can cause unexpected disruptions, such as crying or throwing a tantrum during the ceremony, or running amok at the reception. If there are special children, such as little brothers or sisters or nieces and nephews you want to attend, make them part of the ceremony. Otherwise, if you invite some guests’ children, you’ll have to invite everyone’s children.
••• Inviting business associates to the wedding, particularly for parents of the couple, is a worthwhile gesture. The couple’s colleagues and fellow employees may expect to be added to the guest list, too. “You certainly don’t have to invite everyone at work, only the people who you have direct and regular connections with, and parents may need to limit their list of business associates to people the bride and groom know personally,” Alemao suggests. If costs are mounting, business associates are the first ones to cross off the list.
••• If you absolutely know a family member or friend isn’t going to be able to attend, send them the invitation anyway. “Don’t make the assumption that someone can’t come to the wedding, even if they live a long distance away, have a disability or can’t afford to travel. Let them make the decision whether or not to attend. Don’t scratch them off the list. It’s also a thoughtful gesture to call them and say ‘I hope you can come.’ It makes them feel remembered, and it’s a simple, meaningful gesture,” Alemao says. It’s an expected courtesy to put the officiant and spouse’s name on the guest list. Be courteous and ask the photographer/videographer, musicians, etc., to eat, as well. Let them know it’s OK to take time out to enjoy the meal. ●
20
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
Courtesy Photos Shoes were painted, decorated and stuffed with colorful tulle for Katie McMullen’s shoe shower.
If the shoe fits... K
atie McMullen of Cedar Falls loves shoes – and her friends and family know it. This summer, she was surprised at a shoe-themed bridal shower , which took place on the third floor of the Oster Regent Theatre. Hosted by Anne McMullen of St. Paul., Minn., the shower featured colorfully painted shoes, adorned with tulle and filled with decorative packets of Jelly-Belly candies. McMullen married Jerry Bjerke of Cedar Falls on Oct. 5. ●
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
21
POTS AND PANS Text and Image | The Associated Press
B
rides-to-be have to face some tough decisions. Style of invitation. Reception menu. Seating arrangements. And of course, which brand of pricey cookware belongs on the gift registry. And brand is just the start. Which style of which brand? Which pans in that style? Is a 9-inch skillet enough? Or should she go with the 12-inch? Will she need both? Copper core or aluminum? Nonstick or stainless steel? The once simple act of buying pots and pans has become bewildering, thanks mostly to the continuing influx of high-end professional gear coming into the home kitchen – and with that the elevation of cookware to status symbol. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by options. Here’s how to make sense of all that information and be sure your pans are as good a match for you as your mate. Maybe better.
THE ESSENTIALS Last year, Americans spent $3.2 billion on 512 million pieces of cookware and bakeware, according to Hugh Rushing, executive vice president of the Cookware Manufacturers Association. That’s a lot of cookware. How much of it was essential? Experts agree on four must-have pots and pans – a skillet, a saucepan, a Dutch oven and a stockpot. The skillet – which is used for eggs, pancakes, burgers and stir-frying – is the most popular piece, accounting for nearly a third of sales. The other kitchen workhorse is the saucepan, which is as useful for heating soups and sauces as for boiling pasta and cooking rice. Because the saucepan is used so much, Rushing recommends two of varying sizes, such as a 2-quart and a 4-quart. Dutch ovens (heavy, lidded pots with
22
What you need to know to stock your first kitchen together
double handles and a thick bottom) are used less frequently, but are no less essential. They are great for stews (the meat can be browned in the pan before the other ingredients are added) and frying and can go in the oven. Stockpots are used for cooking soup, pasta, lobster and vegetables, such as corn on the cob. Many come with colander inserts, which make it easy to drain pasta. These inserts can double as steamer baskets.
THE SURFACE With most cooking surfaces, such as stainless steel, some sort of liquid or fat is needed to prevent sticking. Nonstick pans, which outsell stainless steel 2-to1, are the exception. These pans have special coatings that make cooking and cleanup easy. However, nonstick pans have drawbacks. Many scratch easily, which means metal utensils cannot be used on them. And though they have improved in recent years, the coatings still deteriorate over time. Using the pans over very high heat can accelerate that process.
Most manufacturers also recommend against putting nonstick pans in the dishwasher, as the heat can damage the surface. For the same reason, nonstick pans cannot be used with high heat (500 F or more) or left empty inside a hot oven or over a hot burner.
THE MATERIALS Quality cookware heats quickly and evenly. How well pots and pans do that depends on what they are made of. Common choices include copper, aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron and enameled cast iron, and each reacts differently to heat. Copper and aluminum conduct heat best, meaning the heat spreads quickly and evenly through the pan. But copper is expensive and tarnishes easily. Aluminum is soft, scratches easily and can react with acidic foods, such as tomatoes, producing off tastes. Stainless steel has low conductivity, but resists scratches and is easy to clean. Most cooks will want what is referred to as clad cookware, which is a combination of metals. ●
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
Wedding cake trend: Bake your own, fast as you can Text | McClatchy Newspapers
T
he ceremonial wedding cake often is grand and elaborate, and many brides choose the design as carefully as they do their gowns. Occasionally, a bride will decide to make her own cake or will accept the offer of a talented relative or friend. It can be done, although many wedding planners discourage it. The best way to manage a homemade cake is to consider baking two or three small cakes with fewer tiers, which makes the task easier to handle in a home kitchen. The cake’s design can be simply decorated but still imply elegance. King Arthur Flour has an online cakedecorating class that offers simple instructions. “You can do wonders with basic tips and a vegetable peeler,” said Susan Reid, chef and editor of King Arthur Flour’s The Baking Sheet newsletter. Go to www.kingarthurflour.com, click on education, then click on “online baking classes/take a class now.” Reid also recommends two books for aspiring wedding-cake bakers: “Wedding Cakes You Can Make,” by Dede Wilson, and “The Bakers’ Manual” by Joseph Amendola. “Dede’s book has all of the basics, nuts and bolts, in clear and useful terms.
Joseph Amendola’s book is an all-purpose manual for volume bakers; has good cutting diagrams and bulletproof recipes; for a slightly more advanced baker,” she said. There are some other things to consider before baking a wedding cake. “Make sure you have refrigerator space to accommodate all of the cake layers you’re making. You may have to commandeer space from a friend or borrow a dorm-sized refrigerator for some of your work in progress,” Reid said. The cake-decorating experts at Wilton Enterprises offer ideas and helpful tips on their Web sites, www.wilton.com and www.bakedecoratecelebrate.com. In “Wedding Cakes You Can Make,” Wilson takes the baker through the entire process, from choosing the flavor to the presentation table. Experienced cake decorators can find ideas in Colette Peters’ “Cakes to Dream On.” Peters shares insider tricks of the trade with her instructions for techniques such as sugarwork, gumpaste, brush embroidery and piping. Her cakes are covered with rolled fondant, which is more complicated than using a buttercream icing. But for ideas, her book will definitely stimulate your creative instincts. ●
Illustrative Images
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
23
’DO YOU ... take me seriously as your wedding officiant? Text | Amie Steffen, Weddings Staff Writer Image | Liquid Library
H
ow easy is it to become a legal, ordained minister? I’ll give you a hint: I just became one. And in about the time it takes you to finish this sentence, you can type in your legal name and address, print out your certificate, and become one, too. No training, no fees, not even so much as an “I hearby vow to adhere to the beliefs of...” box to check. Then, like me, you’ll be ordained as a reverend in the Universal Life Church Monastery (www.themonastery.org). You can then officiate marriages, perform baptisms, and other duties of your particular denomination (Universal Life said they accept all faiths). It’s also perfectly legal, at least here. Iowa code 595.10 states that “Marriages may be solemnized by ... a person ordained or designated as a leader of the person’s religious faith.” Hence, if I’m ordained by ULC, and I profess ULC to be my “religious faith,” it’s legal. But my point here is not to offer myself up for marriage or baptismal services. It’s to make you aware that anyone can perform a marriage these days. That’s not to say those who get ordained via the Internet don’t take their responsibility seriously. Mike Pasley of Cedar Falls became Internet-ordained through the Church of Spiritual Humanism when two close friends approached him about officiating. “They didn’t have strong religious beliefs, so they weren’t interested in getting married in the church,” he said. Pasley went online and completed required paperwork within 15 minutes and received an identification card days later. But he took the idea of being an official minister seriously, planning out specific details of the ceremony with the couple, to make sure the focus was befit-
24
ting a solemn occasion. “It felt like a big responsibility – I didn’t want to do anything to put a black mark on their wedding day,” Pasley said. If you don’t have any friends or relatives you’d trust to be a professional officiant, but you’re still looking for a secular alternative, Black Hawk County judicial magistrates are happy to marry you off. Kathy Langlas, Patricia Meany, Dawn Newcomb, Joseph Sevcik and Patricia McGivern perform marriages at the Black Hawk County Courthouse for free on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. –though only three per Wednesday is allowed, and there’s “quite a wait,” said Langlas. Magistrates also schedule ceremonies with couples at various locations and times around Iowa. (Schedule one at (319) 833-3000, ext. 3280) If you’d like to be married with your faith at the forefront, but you don’t have a certain church picked out, remember that you’ll still need to verify your officiant is, well, official. Joseph Baring, a pastor at Payne Memorial AME Church in Waterloo, recalls one couple who found out 16 years later that they hadn’t been legally married. Baring also advises making sure the minister has experience officiating weddings and allows specific traditions you desire. Pick an officiant that will oblige. “For example, an African-American tradition is jumping the broom, and some churches don’t allow that in the ceremony, so you need to find out if that official has a problem with things you’re going to do in your wedding,” Baring said. ●
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
Vowing to be original Couples looking to write their own wedding vows should take care, say pastors Text | Amie Steffen, Weddings Staff Writer
C
hris Rygh can tell a bad wedding vow when he hears it. A pastor at Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls, Rygh has persuaded more than a few couples to significantly alter their personally written vows. “In one case, a bride wrote her entire vows just based on one date they had; very colorful, very detailed, all the feelings that she had on this one getaway,” Rygh said. It was beautiful, Rygh noted, but it was supposed to be a wedding vow – not merely a poem. “I wanted to say,‘This is a bigger deal.’ We have to extrapolate this into a lifetime commitment,” he said. “It’s more than just the candelight and the sunset.” Another groom wanted to honor his bride by listing all of her best physical attributes. “I said, ‘Brother, this isn’t for the public. You will humiliate her. This is not how you want to characterize your wedding day,’” Rygh said. There’s an easy way to solve the wedding vow dilemma: Go for the traditional, tried-and-true, “to have and to hold from this day forward” vows. But for many couples, standard wedding vows aren’t cutting it anymore. Like choosing a colorful wedding dress or having your wedding on the beach, couples are opting to personalize their wedding vows so they are more meaningful and better reflect their relationship. That’s just fine with many area pastors, as long as couples still remember why wedding vows are important. “Just explaining why you feel this is the person you want to dedicate the rest of your life to, and of course, the emphasis of the reality of loving through their pain,” said Abraham Funchess, a pastor at Jubilee United Methodist Church in Waterloo. “Why is it you feel you can commit yourself to this person the rest of your life?” It’s also good to take into consideration each person might have a different take on what an appropriate vow entails. You wouldn’t want to write a flowery epic poem if your fiance pens three straightforward lines, said Rygh. “I want to make sure we’re making equal commitments here,” he said. It’s also best to avoid sarcasm, although humor can be beneficial. And, if you’re in a house of worship, it’s also best to remember to honor your host. Other than that, chat about the specifics with your officiant for additional tips and faith-specific rules. Funchess and Rygh both encourage couples to get personal with their vows. “As long as love is at the center of it, and God is involved,” Funchess said. ●
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
25
Vision Photography
Honeymoon: Q&A Text | The Washington Post
E
xcerpts from a recent Washington Post online chat with Nina Willdorf, a senior editor at Travel + Leisure magazine, on the perfect honeymoon. Willdorf is the author of “Wedding Chic: The Savvy Bride’s Guide to Getting More While Spending Less” and “City Chic: The Urban Girl’s Guide to Livin’ Large on Less.”
Q
: My fiance and I are getting married in May 2008. We want to visit somewhere beautiful, fun, with plenty of activities, and that isn’t too costly because we’re paying for it ourselves. We figured couplesonly resorts may be good but fear that they may be a bit old for us (we’re in our mid20s). Do you have any suggestions? : I’d definitely think about the Caribbean/Bermuda/Bahamas. Temperatures are steady throughout the year, and while May is the beginning of hurricane season, the weather generally holds fairly well (fall is the peak time). In general, I’m not a fan of the all-inclusive because I like to have more personalized experiences. I tend to like hotels that have personalities that match with what I’m looking for. And you can still find good values at a hotel that’s not an all-inclusive!
A
Q
: My fiance and I want to honeymoon in Greece or Morocco but can’t afford it. We love the beach and the vibrant colors of the buildings and at the markets. Is there anywhere like that in the Caribbean or Mexico where we can stay for six or seven days on a budget of $3,000? : I’d definitely explore the Riviera Maya in Mexico, in particular the laid-back beach town of Tulum. There’s an adorable, affordable little hotel
A 26
there called Ana y Jose. Rooms start at about $200 a night, and when I say rooms, I mean wooden bungalows that have a jungle feel. If you’re looking for color, you’ll love details like the Mexican tiles, etc., throughout the hotel.
Q
: We’re going to Paris in the fall. I’ve daydreamed about looking out my hotel window and seeing the Eiffel Tower. Any recommendations for a romantic hotel? : Well, if money is no object, I’d definitely recommend the Hotel Plaza Athenee. It’s a historic 1911 palace, and a handful of the 188 rooms have truly spectacular views. The best thing to do, with this as well as all honeymoon hotel bookings, is to call a reservationist directly to let them know what you want in a room.
A
Q
: I have a suggestion for a budgetfriendly, different and laid-back honeymoon: Nova Scotia. My husband and I married in August 2003, booked a lovely little inn on the water and had the most relaxing week of our lives. We explored fishing villages and funky artist colonies, saw plenty of whales and seals, and visited some local wineries. The weather was great, the people were great, and the exchange rate was great. : I think the only thing that’s universal about what people are looking for in a honeymoon is relaxation. After the wedding, who doesn’t just want to escape and be mellow? The notion that a honeymoon HAS to be a beach vacation is so retro. At Travel + Leisure, we hear about all different types of trips these days: people renting yachts, hiking adventures, and even road trips. The best thing about these kinds of active honeymoons is that you learn about your new spouse in ways you might not have imagined. Happy honeymooning! ●
A
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
the bride’s checklist SIX TO 12 MONTHS
❏ Announce your engagement. ❏ Decide on wedding details, such as style, time of day, location. ❏ Pick a date. Do this as soon as possible so bridal party and family members can make plans, and reservations can be made for wedding location, rehearsal and reception locations, etc. ❏ Set a budget. ❏ Select the bridal party. ❏ Choose your colors. Your flowers, attire, linens and cake will reflect your choice. ❏ Choose and order the bridal gowns, bridesmaids’ gowns and accessories. ❏ Start planning the honeymoon with groom. ❏ Begin your bridal registry. ❏ Select the caterer, photographer, florist, musicians. ❏ Start planning the reception. Reserve a hall, hotel or facility. ❏ Premarital counseling. Some churches require this for a marriage. ❏ Choose and order the wedding rings. ❏ Order the wedding cake. ❏ Select and order the invitations.
THREE MONTHS
❏ Complete the guest list ❏ Plan to have both mothers select their dresses. It’s customary for the groom’s mother to wait until the bride’s mother has selected her dress. ❏ Finalize reception plans. ❏ If reservations haven’t been made for honeymoon, do it now. ❏ Confirm dates and times with florist, caterer, photographer, musicians and church. ❏ Discuss transportation to and from the wedding and reception sites. ❏ If you haven’t ordered the wedding cake, do it now. ❏ Choose and order the tuxes. ❏ Schedule bridesmaids’ dresses for fittings. Choose and dye shoes if necessary.
❏ Plan the rehearsal and dinner. This is the responsibility of the groom and his family but all should work together on it. ❏ Purchase gifts for the bridal party. Brides often buy inexpensive earrings or necklaces for the bridesmaids to wear at the wedding. Popular choices for groomsmen are money clips, key chains or ball caps. ❏ Schedule final fittings for bride and bridesmaids. ❏ Schedule appointments at beauty salons for attendants, if needed. ❏ Hold the bridesmaids’ luncheon. ❏ Purchase a guest book and decide where it will go, either at the wedding or reception.
TWO WEEKS
❏ Finalize wedding day transportation. ❏ Arrange to have names changed on driver’s license, social security card, etc.
ONE WEEK
❏ Start packing for the honeymoon. ❏ Finalize the number of guests with caterer if not already done. ❏ Plan seating arrangements for guests. ❏ Have a hair dresser practice fixing your hair. You may want to practice applying your make-up. ❏ Make sure wedding rings are picked up and fit.
WEDDING DAY
❏ Relax and enjoy your very special day.
TWO MONTHS Tear out and use!
❏ Mail the invitations. ❏ Get the marriage license. ❏ Finalize the honeymoon plans.
ONE MONTH
❏ Reserve accommodations for the groom. ❏ Record gifts received and send thank-you notes as they arrive.
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
Busch Photography
27
GROOM’S
CHECKLIST Three months before ■ Decide what you and
your groomsmen will wear. Go tux shopping or reserve rentals for you and your posse.
One month before ■ If you’re buying a
tux, make sure alterations are finished and go in for a final fitting. If the tux still doesn’t fit quite right, the shop will still have time to make final alterations.
Studio D Photography
One week before ■ Get a haircut! ■ Get a manicure (no polish – just clean, buffed nails). ■ Buy new boxers for the big day. Surprise your bride with
something stylish.
One day before ■ If you’re renting, pick up your tux. Make sure your
groomsmen, your father, and the ring bearer get their tuxes, too. ■ If you’re renting or buying, double check that all the elements are included in the correct size: jacket, trousers, shirt, tie, vest or cummerbund, shoes, cuff links, and dress socks. ■ If you will be dressing somewhere other than at home, pack up your outfit and grooming products today. You should gather: Hair products, deodorant, tie, cummerbund or belt, vest, coat or jacket, cuff links and studs, dress shirt, watch, trousers, undershirt, underwear, socks, shoes, and last, but definitely not least, the wedding rings.
Wedding Day ■ Get a close shave. ■ Take a hot shower. ■ Remember your deodorant! This might be a high-sweat
day. ■ Remember the rings. Place them in your pocket to entrust
to your best man sometime before the ceremony. ■ If possible, ask your mother to pin on your boutonniere.
This mother/son moment will bring a tear to her eye.
28
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
reception hall directory
professional wait staff, dance floor, complimentary set-up and teardown.
H
Center Inn Banquet Facilities, 209 Main St., Readlyn, 279-3839, www.centerinn.com Details: Dining room accommodates up to 75, ballroom accomodates up to 400; banquet room rental SundayThursday, $150, Friday and Saturday, $300; dining room rental MondaySunday, $75; basement rental $50; deposit and credit billing $100, required to confirm all bookings, non-refundable; post-event clean up, $100.
e popped the question and you said “Yes!,” then reached for your cell phone. You’re making those allimportant phone calls to reserve the church or ceremony location, reception hall, florist and photographer. When choosing a reception site, check out its size and determine whether it will fit your style of reception and number of guests expected to attend. Find out what services are provided. Will you have to bring your own frills to make it a pretty backdrop for wedding photography? Think budget and remember to read each contract before signing on the dotted line. Ask about cancellation policies, deposit amounts and when the balance is due. To assist our readers, here’s a listing of metro area reception halls:
American Legion Post 138, 619 Franklin St., Waterloo, 234-8511 Details: Open to public, accommodates 100-150; book early; $250 per floor, $50 deposit; kitchen, bartender costs extra; no on-site catering; tables, chairs included, linens not; smoking permitted; decorating one to two hours before; dance floor. Beaver Hills Country Club, 8230 Beaver Hills Drive, Cedar Falls, 2661975, www.beaverhills.com Details: Open to public, booking upon availability; accommodates up to 250; $500 for room; set up, clean up included; on-site buffet or sitdown style catering, about $15 per person; tables, chairs, linens provided; bar; smoking permitted; decorating early depends on availability; dance floor. Cedar Falls Womans Club, Third and Clay Streets, Cedar Falls, 266-1431 Details: Beautifully restored 1860s home with ballroom, parlor and boardroom. Catering available. Call for booking details and services.
Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, 1927 E. Orange Road, Waterloo, 226-4966, www.cedarnet.org/gardens Details: Rose garden accommodates 50-100, other gardens hold 100-200; book early; $300 for four-hour period with $200 paid week before; $100 non-refundable deposit to reserve date, $200 refunded for cancellation from rain or soggy ground; garden remains open to public; drinking water not provided; no on-site catering; on-site restrooms; electrical outlets; tables, chairs, podium, electrical cords, arbors not provided; alcohol, smoking not permitted; no rice, bird seed, rose petals, confetti, balloons. Centennial Oaks Golf Club, Eagle Ridge Drive, Waverly, 483-1765, ask for Lisa Details: Accommodates intimate gatherings to large receptions up to 400 guests; on-site catering and bar services; customized menus; chairs, tables, linens provided; outside ceremony site, on-site event coordinator,
Holt Photography
Electric Park Ballroom, 310 W. Conger St., Waterloo, 233-3050, www.nationalcattlecongress.com Details: Accommodates 600 banquet style, fire code allows 1,200; book at least six months in advance; $660 for facility, $250 deposit; on-site catering only, buffet and sit-down; $9 cold meat buffet, $13.75 two-meat buffet, $13 to $18 per plate; set up, clean up, two bartenders included; tables, chairs provided, linens rented at $4 each; smoking permitted; decorating day before depends on availability; no decorations from ceiling or light fixtures; wood floor, stage. Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, W. Fourth Street and Commercial, Waterloo, 233-7560 Details: Accommodates 100 to 1,100; book up to 18 months in advance; $500 for facility, $500 deposit; full set up, clean up, bar included; draped, skirted head table on risers with microphone; on-site catering only; dinner or hors d’oeuvre buffet, sitdown dinner, $13.95 to $23.95 per person; can bring wedding cake; round tables, cake table, chairs, white linens provided; decorating 8 a.m. day of wedding; dance floor.
Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, University of Northern Iowa campus, Cedar Falls, 273-3660, www.gbpac.com Details: Lobby hall accommodates up to 120 banquet style, 300 standing; book six months to a year in advance; $600, $300 deposit; on-site catering only by UNI catering; tables, chairs, linens provided; non-smoking; balcony, grand central staircase; decorating day before event; dance floor. Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 657
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
Hickory Hills Park, 3338 Hickory Hills Road, La Porte City, 266-6813, www.co.black-hawk.ia.us/depts/conservation Details: Accommodates 125; book up to two years in advance; pricing varies, two-day wedding packages available; $100 deposit, more if bringing in beer keg; no on-site catering; restrooms, kitchen facilities (pots/pans not provided); tables, chairs for 125 are provided, additional seating allowed; beer, wine coolers allowed; non-smoking; lakefront view; decorating early requires rental; outlets for DJ; cement floor; attached deck, air-conditioning. Holiday Inn, 5826 University Ave., Cedar Falls, 277-2230, 1-800-4654329. www.kinseth.com/cedarfalls_holiday_inn.asp Details: Accommodates up to 300; book about a year in advance; mezzanine and plaza seat up to 350, banquet hall seats up to 300; no rental fee for parties more than 175 people; full-service catering by Greenstreets, $16.95 to $22.95 per plate; free honeymoon suite with whirlpool for bride and groom; special overnight rates for wedding guests; rehearsal dinner, gift opening, bridal shower available; tables, chairs, linens, skirting, security included; bar, bartender provided; smoking in lobbies only; some decorations provided, decorating 8 a.m. day of event; dance floor, table for disc jockey. Knights of Columbus, 1955 Locke Ave., Waterloo, 234-6908, ask for Jim Details: Accomodates up to 264 guests; rental fee includes bartender, chairs, tables, paper tablecloths, set up and clean up; food options include buffet dinners, sandwiches and/or appetizers; hall includes dance floor with stage for band or DJ; handicapped accessible; private parking lot; located near Crossroads Shopping Center and numerous hotels. Oster Regent Theatre, 103 Main St., Cedar Falls, 277-5283, www.cedarnet.org/regent Details: Accommodates 80-100; book early; $175, $50 deposit; no on-site catering; can serve own alcohol but cannot sell to guests; kitchen with serving area, sink, refrigerator, microwave; tables, chairs provided for 100; linens rented for $3 each; nonsmoking; room overlooks Cedar River; decorating day before depends on availability; hardwood dance floor.
reception hall directory
Fox Ridge Golf Club, Highway 20, Dike, 989-2213, www.golffoxridge.com Details: Accommodates 320 people; bookings one month in advance; room rental $900 with $250 deposit (nonrefundable/applied toward rental), includes set up, clean up and bar, dance floor; additonal charges for linens and place settings. Catering available on-site, $18.95 per person buffet-style, no room rental fee if club does the catering (linens included); decorating at noon the day before wedding.
Reserve Drive, Cedar Falls, 277-2187, www.hartmanreserve.org Details: Accommodates up to 100; booking at least six months in advance; weekends $45 per hour, weekdays $40 per hour; $200 deposit, more to bring in alcohol; no on-site catering; kitchen access, tables, chairs included; PA system; non-smoking; decks with scenic overview, bridge, outside amphitheater seats up to 100, fireplace; decorating early requires rental; no dance floor.
29
reception hall directory
Park Place Event Centre, 1521 Technology Parkway, Suite B, Cedar Falls, 277-1255, www.barmuda.com/park_place/weddings.php Details: Intimate gatherings to grand receptions accommodating up to 500 people (seated). Services range from customized menus and personalized favors, and event coordinators can coordinate the entire wedding. For customized prices, packages and deposits, call Park Place. Pepsi Pavilion, National Cattle Congress grounds, 232-5801, www.nationalcattlecongress.com Details: Accommodates 100-500; $550, $250 deposit; on-site buffetstyle catering only, starts at $11.50 per plate; tables, chairs included; linens rented for $3 each, 50 cents per napkin; full bar; smoking permitted; decorating afternoon before depends on availability; dance floor. Riverview Conference Center, 439 N. Division St., Cedar Falls, 268-0787, www.riverviewconferencecenter.com Details: Accommodates 200; recommended booking six months before; per person fee $1.25 for groups 150 or fewer, $1 for more than 150; $80 minimum, $50 deposit; on-site catering only, $5 to $6 per plate; no alcohol allowed; tables, chairs included, linens not; non-smoking; decorating day before depends on availability; patio block floor, stage. Riviera-Roose Community Center, 307 Maple St., Janesville, (319) 987-
3512 Recently remodeled, the community center features a well-lit, wide open space with easy access to an outdoor grassy area. Rotary Reserve, 5932 N. Union Road, Cedar Falls, 266-6813, www.co.blackhawk.ia.us/depts/conservation Details: Accommodates 300; book up to two years in advance; $650 for all day Saturday; package deals include $800 for both Friday and Saturday night, $925 for all day Friday and Saturday, $650 for Thursday night and all day Friday; weekday times range from $195 to $275, $100 increase on holidays; $200 deposit two weeks prior to event; no on-site catering; kitchen, restrooms; tables, chairs provided for 300 guests; linens, cooking utensils not provided; beer, wine, champagne only; uniformed security officer required if serving alcohol; non-smoking; remote location on banks of Cedar River, deck, gazebo, fireplace, PA system, concrete floor, air-conditioned/heated; changing rooms for both men and women available. Sunnyside Country Club, 1600 Olympic Drive, Waterloo, 234-1707, www.sunnysidecountryclub.com Details: Members only; ballroom seats 270; booking depends on availability; no rental fee for members; on-site sitdown or buffet-style catering only, average $23 per plate; tables, chairs, linens provided; bar; smoking permitted in designated areas; decorating early allowed; dance floor.
The Supervisors’ Club, 3265 Dewitt Road, Waterloo, 233-6069, ask for Donna or Shannon Details: Accommodates up to 350 in a non-smoking environment; $800 rental includes bartenders, chairs, tables and cleaning; linens extra; full bar and food capabilities; option of appetizers, sandwiches, two-meat buffet or served, sit-down dinner; DJ or band stage and dance floor; handicapped accessible; close parking; located off of Ridgeway Avenue between Waterloo and Cedar Falls. University of Northern Iowa Slife Ballroom and Georgian Lounge, 1227 W. 27th St., Cedar Falls, 273-2333, www.uni.edu/dor/dining/catering Details: Ballroom seats up to 220; reservations accepted up to two years in advance; $500 for ballroom, $200 for neighboring lounge; half of estimated cost paid in advance, remainder due at event; set up, clean up included; on-site catering only, dinner $15.55 to $22 per person, buffet, sit down or cocktail reception available; will cut and serve cake; tables, chairs, linens provided; bar; non-smoking; no open flames, nails or excessive glitter; can provide centerpieces, bouquets, card basket; patio attached to lounge; sound system in ballroom; portable risers for band, DJ, head table; wood dance floor. University of Northern Iowa Maucker Union Ballroom, 1227 W. 27th St., Cedar Falls, 273-2256, www.uni.edu/maucker Details: Wood-floor ballroom features two movable wall partitions that can divide the room into three equal sections, providing banquet seating from 140 in one section or up to 480 in all three; reservations accepted up to two years in advance; $200-600; deposit half of rental; linens, tables, chairs, risers, microphone, set up, clean up included; additional A/V equipment available; bar; on-site catering provided by UNI catering; non-smoking; decorating day before depending on availability; hardwood dance floor.
Commercial St., Waterloo, 291-4490, www.waterloocenterforthearts.org Details: Accommodates up to 250; book minimum of six months before, maximum as far in advance as desired; $350 to $485; $200 nonrefundable deposit; no on-site catering; kitchen available; set up, clean up included, kitchen clean up not; round or square tables, chairs provided; additional charge for alcohol, beer, wine, champagne can be purchased prior to or with a cash bar; nonsmoking inside, ashtrays provided on attached deck overlooking Cedar River; water fountain in front of building for photos; decorating day before costs extra; stage, microphones, sound system available; dance floor. Waterloo Elks Lodge, 407 E. Park Ave., Waterloo, 234-7568, angie290@qwest.net Details: Open to public with member sponsor, $100 guest fee; accommodates up to 375; on-site catering only, $11 to $25 per person plus tax and gratuity; tables, chairs included; fee for bartender, linens; smoking permitted; decorating day before depends on availability; luxurious atmosphere, stage for bands or DJ, dance floor; plenty of on-site parking. Waverly Golf and Country Club, 705 Eighth St. SW, Waverly, 352-3855, www.waverlycountryclub.com Details: Accommodates 220; book about a year in advance; $400, $100 deposit; on-site sit down or buffetstyle catering only; one-meat buffet $7.95, two-meat $9.95, three-meat $11.95 per person, call for sit-down meal prices; can bring in wedding cake; tables, chairs, bartender, waitresses, linens included; smoking allowed in upper bar; decorating night before depends on availability; dance floor.
To list or update your reception site listing for the next issue of Weddings, call (319) 291-1429 or e-mail melody.parker@wcfcourier.com
Wartburg College, 100 Wartburg Blvd., Waverly, 352-8453, ask for Margaret, www.wartburg.edu/studentcenter/conferences.html Details: Open to public; accommodates up to 400 banquet style; booking depends on availability, usually book during summer or student breaks; mobile partitions divide three rooms, $100 for each room, half of estimated total paid ahead; on-site sitdown or buffet-style catering only by Wartburg food service, $11 to $18 per person, appetizer reception $1.90 to $3 per person; tables, chairs, linens provided; bar serves wine, beer only; non-smoking; decorating day ahead costs extra; can provide centerpieces; staging for head table provided for extra fee; DVD, Power Point, video, sound equipment; dance floor can be rented. Waterloo Center for the Arts, 225
30
WEDDINGS Winter 2008
www.wcfcourier.com/bridal
31