Weddings - Spring 2019

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A publication of Courier Communications

Spring 2019

Your day your way

DAZZLING

COLOR ENCHANTING CAKES Wow-worthy trends XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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SPRING 2019

WEDDINGS

Contents WEDDINGS

Love notes

Features

5 Stunning new color palettes

13 10 top wedding trends

8 Writing your own vows

17 Geodes

9 Gorgeous garlands

18 Enchanting cakes

11 Couples redefining traditions

21 Honeymooning in St. Louis

12 Guest list tips

24 Pollyanna Event kits

Departments 9 Bridal checklist 26 Reception hall directory

SPRING 2019 3

PUBLISHER Roy D. Biondi ADVERTISING DIRECTOR PUBLISHER Tara Seible Roy D. Biondi

EDITOR

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Melody Parker Tara Seible

319-291-1429 PUBLISHER melody.parker@wcfcourier.com RoyEDITOR D. Biondi Melody Parker

319-291-1429 PROJECT MANAGER & AD SALES ADVERTISING DIRECTOR melody.parker@wcfcourier.com Sheila Kerns Tara Seible PROJECT319-291-1448 MANAGER & AD SALES sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com Sheila Kerns EDITOR 319-291-1448 Melody Parker sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/SOURCES 319-291-1429 Brandon Pollock, photographer melody.parker@wcfcourier.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/SOURCES Associated Press Brandon Pollock, photographer Post Associated Press PROJECTWashington MANAGER & AD SALES Tribune News Service Washington Post Sheila Kerns Tribune News Service Brandpoint 319-291-1448 Brandpoint The Knot sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com The Knot Shutterstock Shutterstock

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/SOURCES March, April, May 2019 2017 October, November, December October, November, December 2017 Brandon Pollock, photographer Associated Press Weddings Magazineisis published published quarterly by by Weddings Magazine quarterly Washington Courier Communicationsand andmay may be be Post contacted 100100 E. 4th St., St., Courier Communications contactedat:at: E. 4th Tribune News Service P.O. Box 540, Waterloo, 50704. Copyright, 2016.

P.O. Box 540, Waterloo, IAIA50704.

Copyright,Weddings, Weddings, 2016.

All rights reserved. Brandpoint Reproduction or use of editorial or All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.

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Weddings Magazine is published quarterly by Courier Communications and may be contacted at: 100 E. 4th St., P.O. Box 540, Waterloo, IA 50704. Copyright, Weddings, 2016.

All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.

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Stunning love notes

| color palettes

new color palettes

C

olor is one of the first details couples think about when establishing their wedding style and theme, often soon after getting engaged.

Couples will love the selection in new wedding color palettes created

by Pantone Color Institute in collaboration with WeddingWire. With 40 percent of engagements taking place between November and February, according to the WeddingWire 2018 Newlywed Report, these palettes will help set the stage for nuptials of newly engaged couples throughout the year.

A new WeddingWire color report found wedding color schemes are heavily influenced by couples’ favorite colors and colors considered flattering for wedding party attire, with the most popular primary hues for the “I do’s” being blue, purple, red and pink, and secondary, accent colors being gold and white. The most popular areas for couples to feature wedding colors include florals, wedding party attire and table settings; however they can also be highlighted in bar elements like signature cocktail ingredients, napkins and cocktails stirrers, and even lighting for the reception.

“Color is a powerful tool — not just for enhancing aesthetics that are critical to every element of a wedding — but to evoke emotion and create the special mood that a couple wishes to communicate throughout their special day from playful and adventurous to romantic and timeless, and everything in between.” said Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. “In concert with the resources and planning tools from

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‘Golden Hour’ PANTONE/WEDDINGWIRE PHOTO ‌

WeddingWire, these custom palettes created

by The Pantone Color Institute are intended to help couples navigate their color and design choices in an inspiring, meaningful and uniquely memorable way.”

LOVE IN BLOOM “Love in Bloom” is comprised of a group of soft and nurturing shades contrasted with a bold fuchsia red, an earthy green and a shimmering silver metallic.

Structural floral installations are making a big impact in 2019 wedding decor, with an opportunity for couples to incorporate greenery and bright pops of color along-

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side abstract sculptures in wood or metallic tones. Additionally, styled grazing tables can incorporate red pops of dried cherries and other fruits to blend seamlessly within the palette.

“Love in Bloom” leans to the warm side of the spectrum with its visual portrayal of comfort and enjoyment, affection and contentment. Blending nostalgia with new, Love in Bloom takes an innovative approach to romantic love.

physical beauty of nature. The palette has a modern, fresh twist on typically traditional colors, and the addition of a pale gold and copper metallic act as a highlight, enhancing and further increasing the palette’s organic and unconventional appeal.

Warm neutrals in this palette offer the opportunity to incorporate one of 2019’s most popular texture trends: pampas grass, a natural colored wheatgrass that pairs well with minimalist florals.

GOLDEN HOUR A palette of easy and uncomplicated honest colors, “Golden Hour” celebrates the

PARADISE FOUND Inspired by the tropics, this palette shines with illuminating oranges, vibrant teals,

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PANTONE/WEDDINGWIRE PHOTO

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‘Paradise Found’ and ‘Stroke of Midnight’

radiant blues and a refreshing splash of turquoise reminiscent of water and sky.

“Paradise Found” represents a refreshing escape to an idyllic destination, no matter where the couple’s wedding is located. The playfulness of the palette invites couples to mix and match wedding party attire — including groomsmen suiting and accessories in fun colors across the spectrum.

Signature cocktails can also serve as artwork and decor, tapping into the teals and oranges with tropical juices and floral garnishes. A pristine shade of white emulates whitecaps of waves, whether a couple strives for a sunlit and warm or a watery and cool theme.

STROKE OF MIDNIGHT “Stroke of Midnight” offers after-dark shades of twilight blues and exotic red infused purples. Twinkling whites along with clean and cool metallics add sheen and sparkle, providing an incandescent glow to this cutting-edge collection of colors.

This palette is perfect for incorporating 2019’s linen of choice: velvet. “Stroke of Midnight” celebrates the powerful energy and magic surrounding the beginnings of a new chapter for couples.

SPRING 2019 7

8VOWS love notes

tips for writing your own wedding

Speaking from the heart can mean reciting traditional wedding vows, or personalizing the ceremony by writing your own vows.

Meet with your clergyman/officiant. Discuss the tone you want to set with your ceremony.

It’s a chance to share how you met, what you’re like as a couple, what you love about each other, etc. Your officiant can give you ideas to personalize the event or offer insight into writing your own vows. Make sure your officiant will allow personalized vows.

Stick with traditional vows and rituals for a more spiritual tone to your ceremony. Some houses of worship require a specific set of vows. In some instances, you can pair faith-related or religious elements recited by your pastor with your own recitations to each other. Most officiants will need to review your personal vows in advance.

Make sure you and your intended are on the same page. Will you write your vows separately or together; do you want to recite some of the same promises to each other? Are you both comfortable with the idea of writing your own vows?

Read what other couples have written for personal vows in books and online. Use them for inspiration; borrow from poetry, religious texts, romantic movies, etc.

Spend some “me time” actually thinking about how you feel. Vows can be touching, romantic, poetic, a little humorous, but should include reasons why you love him/her, what you’re looking for in your life together and the promises you’re making. Don’t make them so personal that guests are embarrassed. Your words should be heartfelt and include everyone in the moment.

Start early. Create an outline. Write and edit your vows far in advance of the wedding.

Don’t wait until the last minute, or think you can just “wing it” at the ceremony.

Don’t make it too long. Pick the highlights and save the rest for reception toasts.

Practice, practice, practice out loud so you don’t falter, mumble or stumble over words.

Likely you’ll have them memorized, but it’s OK to use a written copy as a cheat sheet— just in case you go blank with your significant other gazing into your eyes.

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WEDDINGS

love notes

notes

the bride's checklist

Gorgeous

garlands Garlands can be wrapped around arches, dramatically draped or flow down the center of a table. Real or faux flowers — even paper flowers, or flighty strips of pretty fabrics mixed with wooden hearts make a statement.

You can also incorporate lanterns, vines and other materials into a garland for that personal touch.

Six to 12 Months

Two Months

❑ Announce your engagement. ❑ Decide on wedding details, such as style, time of day and 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 and musicians. ❑ Start planning the reception. Reserve a hall, hotel or facility. ❑ Schedule premarital counseling. Some churches require this for a marriage. ❑ Choose and order the wedding rings. ❑ Order the wedding cake. ❑ Select and order the invitations.

❑ Mail the invitations. ❑ Get the marriage license. ❑ Finalize the honeymoon plans.

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 the honeymoon, do it now. ❑ Confirm dates and times with the florist, caterer, photographer, musicians and church. ❑ Discuss transportation to and from the wedding and reception sites. ❑ Choose and order the tuxes. ❑ Schedule bridesmaids’ dresses for fittings. ❑ Choose and dye shoes if necessary.

One Month ❑ Reserve accommodations for the groom. ❑ Record gits received and send thank-you notes as they arrive. ❑ Plan the rehearsal and dinner. This is the responsibility of the groom and his family, but all should work together on it. ❑ Purchase gits for the bridal party. Brides oten 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 hairdresser practice fixing your hair. You may want to practice applying your makeup. ❑ Make sure wedding rings are picked up and fit.

Wedding Day ❑ Relax and enjoy your very special day.

More photos, Page 10

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SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO SPRING 2019 9

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WEDDINGS

love notes

Couples

redefine tradition, investing in wedding

Couples are spending a national average of $33, 931 on weddings, completely personalized celebrations with emphasis on reclaiming and redefining tradition, according to The Knot 2018 Real Weddings Study.

The most comprehensive study of Americans married in 2018, the 12th annual wedding industry report surveyed more than 14,000 US brides and grooms married in 2018 between ages of 18 and 65+ to uncover how couples are planning, personalizing, spending and celebrating weddings in America.

Couples are financially and emotionally invested in their weddings — not just to wine and dine guests ($2,564 average cost of libations per wedding; $70 average catering cost per guest), or dance the night away

in gorgeous attire ($1,631, average wedding gown cost), but to celebrate their love in a big way with the ones they cherish most (136, average number of guests).

The traditions of wedding dresses, desserts, music and flowers are still the cornerstones of a great wedding, but now they’re being brought to life in a million different shades of amazing.

Whether it’s a couple embracing their bohemian vibes and lifestyle with a macramé-draped wedding arch at their ceremony site, or honoring their Mexican cultural heritage with sugar-skull cake toppers, couples across America and The Knot believe in one wedding tradition: Always make it your own.

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Study, The Knot also conducted a survey with Generation Z1 (ages 14-23) to understand how they view and plan for their future weddings.

New traditions will pave the way as the younger generation continues to twist existing ones, merge cultural customs, or create new ones altogether for their future weddings.

The majority of Gen Z respondents reported seeing themselves getting married in the future. These timeless, heartfelt celebrations of love and commitment are here to stay for generations to come.

Top stats from The Knot 2018 Real Weddings Study:  Average wedding cost: $33,931  Most expensive place to get married: NY—Manhattan—$96,910

 Least expensive place to get married: Idaho—$16,366  Average wedding gown spend: $1,631  Average marrying age: Women, 29.1; Men, 30.5  Average number of guests: 136  Most popular month to get engaged: December (16%)  Average engagement length: 13.6 months  Most popular month to get married: September (18%)  Top 5 popular wedding colors: Ivory/Champagne (33 percent ), Dark Blue & Burgundy/Wine (tie at 29 percent), Gold (27 percent) and Light Pink (23 percent)  Percentage of destination weddings: 23 percent

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the cut?

Tips for making your guest list

It seems like such a simple thing to do: Making a list of the people you want to invite to your wedding. Actually, it can be tricky, messy and the source of numerous arguments.

You can limit the size of your wedding by inviting close relatives and friends you wouldn’t dream of getting married without their presence. Inviting distant relatives and friends is your choice.

It’s human nature to push boundaries, so don’t be surprised if someone wants to add more names ot the guest list. When it’s time to cut – and there will come a time – it’s easier to have set up rules in advance and stick with ‘em.

Those rules can include these suggestions from theknot. com:

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If neither of you has spoken to or met them or heard their name before, don’t invite them.

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Be fair. For each person you take off your in-laws’ or parents’ list, take one off your own, as well.

If you haven’t spoken to them in three years, and they’re not related, don’t invite them.

Don’t feel guilty about not inviting someone just because you were invited to their wedding or they’re friends with the people you’ve invited.

Print your guests’ names onto the RSVP card, so there’s no way they can force an invite on you. If you still get a write-in name, be polite and call the guest to let them know budget and space means it’s just not possible to have extra guests.

University of Northern Iowa

12 SPRING 2019

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10TRENDS top wedding 1

Reclaiming/defining traditions (& tossing others) The unity ceremony isn’t going anywhere, but how couples signify their unity is evolving. In addition to using sand or candles, we’re seeing couples embrace their personal history and cultural heritage in new ways — through unity ceremonies that mix up guacamole recipes from their grandparents, blending whiskeys from locales close to their heart, or honoring a long-standing cultural unity tradition like Celtic Handfasting.

While couples embrace, reclaim and redefine some traditions, they’re tossing others such as the garter toss and bouquet toss.

As for Gen Zers, the majority report that conventional wedding and engagement traditions do matter to them, but only one in five shared that they plan on observing tradition conventionally.

On trend with what’s happening in today’s weddings, Gen Zers will incorporate tradition into their future weddings by twisting, merging or creating their own customs in celebration of their love.

Relying on the pros

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Couples depend on the professionals to bring their wedding vision to life. In 2018, one in three couples hired a professional planner/designer to turn their wedding inspiration into reality. Two in three couples relied on professional florists and decorators to transform their venue.

Two in three couples in 2018 counted on the expertise of professional cake bakers (who spend an average of 15.4 hours on each wedding cake) to craft a decadent dessert for the couple to showcase and share with guests. And nearly all couples relied on professional reception venues and caterers to host and dine their guests.

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Wedding party remix Choosing who stands by your side on your wedding day is a key component of the wedding experience. Couples are branching out from conventional tradition by inviting their furry friends to be part of their wedding party and having mixed gender wedding parties — with one in four brides opting to have men and women in their party, and one in 10 grooms doing the same.

Couples are also putting a spin on traditional wedding party roles, inviting grandmothers to be flower girls and moms to serve as matrons of honor.

Laura Riera gown SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

TOM O’NEILL PHOTO VIA AP

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Fashion reflects style, culture & personality

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Your day, your way

In 2018, one in three couples opted for a first look, allowing for an intimate moment and some alone time before the festivities began. Couples are also taking first look photos so that after the ceremony they can head straight into cocktail hour, the reception, or any other event they plan on their wedding day timeline.

Cocktail hours are more popular than ever, with four in five couples hosting a cocktail hour as part of their wedding celebration. The majority of couples throw a wedding celebration lasting 2-3 days, giving them plenty of time to remix the order of events and throw a wedding their way.

The majority of wedding celebrations start with a rehearsal dinner. and for one third of couples, end with a post-wedding brunch.

Couples use their choices in wedding attire to show their personal style, pay homage to cultural heritage, and exemplify their personalities. On average, brides spent $1,631 on their wedding gowns in 2018, up 8 percent from $1,509 in 2017.

According to The Knot 2018 Wedding Attire Study, 11 percent of brides had more than one look on their wedding day, with second look styles ranging from wedding saris to jumpsuits.

Grooms and brides who prefer to rock suits over gowns have taken to more pops of color and customized details in their celebratory attire, like lining their jackets with custom prints and hand-stitched notes.

They’re also spending more on their attire: $283, up from $211 in 2009.

Maggie Sottero gown SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO 14 SPRING 2019

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Rethinking ceremony set-up and wedding entrances Some couples choose to seat guests of the bride on the left and guests of the groom on the right. In 2018, less than one in 10 couples had official “sides” at their wedding ceremony.

Today’s couples are mixing up how their ceremony is set up and even how they’re entering.

Some couples choose to walk hand in hand down the aisle; other couples may decide to set their ceremony up in the round and meet in the middle.

More than half of couples report the first time they see each other on their wedding day is on their walk down the aisle.

For traditional Jewish weddings, it’s still strongly suggested that the couple each walk down the aisle with both of their parents.

In 2018, nearly half of all weddings were officiated by a friend or family member.

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Cultural fusions, meaningful vows & unity ceremonies

One in five couples incorporate ethnic elements and traditions into their wedding, such as a Chinese tea ceremony or the exchange of an Irish Claddagh ring.

Many couples fuse cultures on their wedding days, inspiring them to share the parts of their own culture they love the most with their new family, like Ukrainian groom, Andrew, and Chinese bride, Alyssa, who had a traditional Ukrainian wedding cake and Chinese lion dancers at their reception.

Among Gen Z, three in four agree that wedding and engagement traditions matter to them, and they plan to incorporate them into their own wedding process somehow, someday. Nearly half of Gen Zers reported planning to merge traditions from more than one culture into their wedding, which makes sense for the most diverse generation yet.

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOS WEDDINGS

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Keeping guests at top of mind No detail goes unnoticed by today’s couple, who strives to create a unique and memorable wedding experience for their loved ones. One in four couples hire custom guest entertainment for their reception, including interactive stations with professionals like poets or tattoo artists, as well as experiential food and drink stations, like a margarita bar or cigar-rolling station.

Couples are also satisfying guests’ sweet tooth with traditional tiered wedding cakes and baked goods like cookies, cannolis and cupcakes.

Couples are encouraging guests to capture their favorite moments on camera and share those images using tools like The Guest app. The premier photo and video-sharing mobile app for weddings and events automatically shares images from users’ built-in cameras without even opening the app — no need to hashtag or manually upload photos.

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New look at registries

As couples reclaim and redefine tradition on their wedding day, they use their wedding registry to curate goods and experiences for their lifestyle, future plans, and their own traditions.

The wedding registry perfectly illustrates how couples will spend their time after saying “I do.”

Couples report their next top priorities after their wedding include planning for travel other than their honeymoon; combining their finances; preparing their home to frequently entertain; focusing on their careers; upgrading their home furnishings and décor; and meeting with a financial planner.

The majority of Generation Z reported they are likely to include a charity on their own wedding registry, as they look to give back and use their wedding to make a social impact.

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Cost considerations

Four in five couples report setting a wedding budget.

Nearly half report going over their planned budget and only six percent report staying under budget. In 2018, most couples contributed to their overall wedding budget, with nine percent of those couples paying for their wedding entirely on their own.

Nearly all Gen Zers report that being financially stable before marriage is very important to them. And when it comes to paying for their future celebrations, one in three Gen Zers predict they, along with their partner, will pay for their wedding on their own.

SOURCE: THE KNOT SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOS

16 SPRING 2019

WEDDINGS

It’s bold,

it’s different

– it’s geology!

‌One of the trendiest wedding themes is geodes – those gorgeous crystals and other minerals found in the cavities of some rocks. You’ll find the look on elegant invitations, adorning cakes, accessories like necklaces and bracelets and as part of table centerpieces.

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOS‌

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cakes Enchanting

One, two, three or more tiers, swirled with luscious buttercream, wrapped in fondant, hand-painted or naked, adorned with real or faux flowers, traditional, classic, modern, edgy or elegant – whatever your theme, style or budget, there’s a wedding cake that will enchant you!

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOS

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SPRING 2019 19

Cake glossary Take the guesswork out of wedding cake decorations by learning a little of the lingo. Then you won’t have to resort to drawing a picture or using phrases like “those little squiggly lines and things” to describe what your dream cake should look like. Your cake baker/ decorator will appreciate it!

BASKETWEAVE: A piping technique that features interwoven vertical and horizontal lines (like a wicker basket).

BUTTERCREAM: A smooth, creamy icing that stays soft so it’s easy to cut through. It can be colored and/or flavored. Also used to create piping, swags, and other borders, as well as decorative rosettes. It can be used as filling, too. Buttercream is made from butter (as its name implies), so it may melt in extreme heat or humidity.

CORNELLI: An elaborate piping technique that yields a lace-like pattern.

DOTTED SWISS: A piping technique that forms tiny dots in random patterns that resemble a fine dot swiss fabric.

DRAGEES: Round, edible sugar balls coated with silver or gold and used for decorative purposes.

FONDANT: A sweet, elastic icing made of sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin that’s literally rolled out with a rolling pin and draped over a cake. It’s a smooth, firm base for gum paste flowers, decorative details, and architectural designs, and has a porcelain finish. Knot Note: A fondant cake should not be refrigerated.

GANACHE: A sweet, rich chocolate, denser than mousse but less dense than fudge, which can be used as icing or filling. Knot Note: Because ganache is made of chocolate and heavy cream, it will soften in very humid weather.

GUM PASTE: This paste of sugar, cornstarch, and gelatin is used to mold realistic-looking fruits and flowers to garnish a cake. Gum paste decorations are edible and will last for years as keepsakes, but, say some, they don’t taste as yummy as marzipan.

LATTICEWORK: A piping detail that criss-crosses with an open pattern.

MARZIPAN: A paste made of ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites, used to mold edible flowers or fruit to decorate the cake. Marzipan can also be rolled in sheets, like fondant, and used as icing.

PILLARS: Separators used in a tiered cake. They can be made of plastic or wood in several lengths to achieve the desired look. Not used much any more. Most wedding couples prefer cake-on-cake tiers.

PIPING: Decorative details created using a pastry bag and various metal tips. Piping details include leaves, borders, basket-weave patterns and flowers.

PULLED SUGAR: A technique in which boiled sugar is manipulated and pulled to produce flowers and bows.

ROYAL ICING: Made of egg whites and confectionary sugar, this icing starts life as a soft paste piped from a pastry bag to create latticework, beading, bows, and flowers. When dry, its texture is hard and brittle — do not refrigerate.

TORTE: A dense cake that does not use leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda.

WHIPPED CREAM: Heavy cream beaten to achieve a thick consistency.

Whipped cream does not work well as an icing, and must be kept refrigerated — it is unstable and not recommended for outdoor weddings.

20 SPRING 2019

You’re honeymooning

where?

St. Louis!

MATT MILLER PHOTOS/WASHINGTON POST

Fountains and columns surround sunbathers at the outdoor pool at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, a hotspot for newlyweds

T

KATE SILVER Special to the Washington Post

he city of St. Louis is a modest one.

It has a rich musical history tied to the blues, but you don’t hear people bragging about it. It has a colorful beer history tied to Anheuser-Busch and, more recently, some solid craft brews, but no one puts on airs over it. And it has a fun food scene, laying claim to a number of unexpected originals (such as that toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, for starters).

It’s also home to the Eero-Saarinen-designed Gateway Arch, arguably the most recognizable monument in the Midwest. And Forest Park, a wellspring of green, dotted with free museums and a zoo, is one of the largest urban parks in the country.

WHAT TO SEE New York has Central Park. Chicago has Grant Park. And St. Louis has Forest Park. There’s a world to discover in this cultural campus, which measures in at 450 acres larger than Central Park.

Beyond the rolling green grass, forests, lakes and, yes, waterfall, there are three museums (Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum and Saint Louis Science Center) and the Saint Louis WEDDINGS

MATT MILLER PHOTOS/WASHINGTON POST

St. Louis’ signature gooey butter cake gets a clean presentation at Park Avenue Coffee.

Zoo, all of which are free.

You can also play a round of golf, take in musical theater at the Muny amphitheater, rent a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or canoe and row around not one but two islands in Post-Dispatch Lake, grab a lakeside cocktail and a bite to eat at SPRING 2019 21

MATT MILLER PHOTOS/WASHINGTON POST‌

In St. Louis, the rooftop of the City Museum has a prime view of the wonders outside its own wondrous bounds.

2 banquet rooms 2 fully stocked bars 1 professional chef 18 hole golf course Visit us at www.waverlycc.com or contact Manager Jordan David at (319) 352-3855 or at wcountryclub@gmail.com 22 SPRING 2019

the Boathouse, and so much more.

There really is no other museum like the City Museum, and its name is spoken with reverence by all who have sweated here. (Exploring is a workout!) Imagine a museum that’s a little bit “Goonies,” a little bit Willy Wonka and a lot funhouse, where you can tunnel through caves, barrel down slides, discover secret passages and burrow through hamsterlike rooftop tunnels, most of which are constructed from reclaimed items.

The 600,000-square-foot building once was home to the International Shoe Company and has been transformed by visionaries and artisans into an urban playground complete with a cantina, barbecue joint, cafe, bar and sandwich shop for quick refueling.

Not only is admission to Grant’s Farm free, so is the beer. (Although, parking costs $13.) The petting zoo, park and landmark is the ancestral home still owned by the beer-famous Busch family and operated

by Anheuser-Busch. Guests 21 and up get two complimentary beer

samples at the Bauernhof (that’s German for “farmstead”), and can enjoy those samples on a lovely patio while snacking on bratwurst and pretzels. Before and after you enjoy the beer, there’s plenty to do at this Bavarian-style farm.

The outdoor space is lined with stables and has an old carriage house that still displays the family’s collection. On a tram ride, you can catch a glimpse of the cabin where Ulysses S. Grant lived before he became president, pass by a fence made of rifles that were used in the Civil War and spot dozens of animals, including elk, deer and bison.

The real crowd-pleasers here are the goats and their kids. For $1.50, you can buy a bottle or a grain cup and watch the goofy animals fall over each other to have a handheld snack.

If you’ve never been to the top of the Gateway Arch, you’ve got to do it. And if it’s been a while, it’s time to do it again. While the 630-foot edifice remains the same skyline icon it has been since opening in 1965, the surrounding area has been transformed in recent years.

WEDDINGS

H n m

MATT MILLER PHOTOS/WASHINGTON POST‌

Get it while you can — sometimes, the legendary bread at Union Loafers Cafe in St. Louis runs out.

‌

Horse-drawn carriages and cars share the road near the Gateway Arch near the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis. The Arch features a new museum and visitors center.

WHERE TO EAT Gioia’s Deli: The hot salami served at Gioia’s Deli may sound like a punchline to a joke — so does the “Porknado,” also served there — but it is serious business. Like any processed meat, you don’t necessarily want to know what goes into it. You just want to eat it. And “it” is as fallapart tender as it comes, served on either white, wheat or garlic cheese WEDDINGS

bread, toasted and topped with your choice of cheese and garnish.

It is sandwich perfection, and its revered reputation is well-earned: The restaurant has multiple locations, including one in St. Louis’ famous Italian neighborhood—the Hill and is celebrating its 100th year in business.

Please see St. Louis, Page 25 SPRING 2019 23

love notes Pollyanna Planning Kit for

BRIDES Looking for a handy way to keep track of wedding plans? Pollyanna events offers a boxed wedding essentials planning kit.

Here’s what comes with it:  Includes USB drive that contains essential checklists, tips & tricks, money saving tips, questions to ask vendors, spreadsheets to stay organized, etc.  Planning checklist book  All products and documents are gender-neutral  Includes gifts from vendors to get the process started  Includes a simple, crafty DIY project to get creative juices flowing, Each box is $179, and is available only on Etsy. visit www.pollyannaevents.com/ and https://www.etsy.com/.

POLLYANNA EVENTS PHOTO

7213 Nordic Drive | 319-859-3852 Leslie Boucher Event & Catering Manager Leslie.Boucher@hilton.com

EXPANSION COMING SUMMER 2019

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ 24 SPRING 2019

Wedding Receptions up to 700 guests Wedding Ceremonies for 100-250 Rehearsal dinners gift openings Courtesy room block

Neil Lane wedding book on shelves in October NEW YORK — DK has announced a partnership with Neil Lane to publish “Style Your Wedding with Neil Lane,” the first book from the celebrated designer, collector and “jeweler to the stars,” hitting shelves in October 2019.

As the go-to jeweler for bridesto-be, Lane has designed engagement rings for some of the world’s most glamorous couples. His unique designs have attracted A-list celebrities from Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson, to Emily Blunt and Miley Cyrus, and many more.

In his new book, the celebrated designer walks readers through the process of selecting and refining their own wedding aesthetic, employing six different themes: elegant, romantic, lavish, modern, rustic, and vintage. Lane’s insight and advice on subjects ranging from how to determine your personal wedding

style, what to look for in a venue, and everything you need for a fabulous reception will encourage and inspire readers in planning one of the most important days of their lives.

“It was a lot of fun putting this book together, conceiving the different themes and seeing my vision for each come to life. There are so many different options for couples planning their weddings today — almost too many. I wanted this book to inspire couples, while simplifying the planning process, so they can create a singular aesthetic for their wedding, one that is completely their own,” said Lane.

“I feel honored that I get to be a part of a couple’s love story from the moment they pick out a ring, to their wedding day, and beyond.”

The book is now available for pre-order wherever books are sold.

WEDDINGS

On your special day, surround yourself with love and nature’s beauty.

MATT MILLER PHOTOS/WASHINGTON POST‌

The hot salami at Gioia’s Deli in St. Louis has been a steady draw for 100 years.

St. Louis From page 23

Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery is home to the holy trinity of carbs: pizza, sandwiches and bread, although you can’t always get them at the same time of day. That’s because this cozy establishment only doles out its heavenly sandwiches — such as the roasted pork with country ham, dill pickle, mustard and garlic mayo — at lunch Tuesday through Sunday (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.); and the delectable pizzas, such as spinach with bacon, garlic and lemon, at dinner Wednesday through Saturday (5:30 to 9:30 p.m.).

By the way, bread is available only until it runs out. It happens.

That bread, of course, is the key to all of the above. The artisanal dough recipes are based on oldworld techniques and natural leavening, coaxing out flavors and textures you’ll just want to keep eating.

In some cities, you do a bar crawl. In St. Louis, do a toasted ravioli crawl. Start your crawl in the city’s famous Italian neighborhood, the Hill, at Anthonino’s Taverna, a Greek and Italian joint that sets the fried pasta bar high. Here, the plump puffs of ravioli are filled with a delectable mélange of beef, ricotta and pecorino Romano, then are coated in bread crumbs, fried and served steaming hot with a tangy marinara.

Residents can’t imagine a world without gooey butter cake — especially the ones from Park Avenue Coffee. With a sweet, slightly WEDDINGS

crumbly crust on the bottom and a kind of buttery baked custard on top (that’s the “gooey”), this sugarcoated cake demonstrates a scientific mastery of cramming the most sugar and butter into one dense area. Park Avenue creates 73 different flavors of gooey butter cake, including banana split, blueberry and apple cinnamon.

WHERE TO STAY The lunar-themed Moonrise Hotel, which has what it terms “the world’s largest man-made moon” rotating on its roof, is smack-dab in the middle of the Delmar Loop action. That means you have easy walking access to fun restaurants, bars and shops — and a “Jetsons” abode to come home to. (The Rooftop Terrace Bar is a draw for locals and visitors looking to sip craft cocktails while taking in panoramic views of the area, all beneath the real moon.

Newlyweds often opt for the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. The historical Royal Sonesta hotel, which dates to 1922, is an understandably popular spot for weddings, too. For one, the art deco digs are enormous, with nearly 400 rooms, three restaurants and gorgeous ballrooms with terraces.

Plus, it’s in the Central West End neighborhood, so you can walk to restaurants and bars, as well as nearby Forest Park. And while the rooms and suites are lovely, with their touch of old-world elegance, the real draw here is the lavish outdoor pool, where food and cocktails can be had. Surrounded by columns, fountains, porticoes and an outdoor fireplace, it feels more like the Mediterranean than St. Louis.

Beautiful gardens, endless possibilities.

1927 East Orange Rd. Waterloo, IA 50701 319.226.4966 Cedarvalleyarboretum.org

Make it a Day to Remember!

Share your special event at...

Waverly Area Veterans Post 1300 4th Street NW, Waverly

(319) 483-9287 wavp.events@gmail.com

SPRING 2019

25

Sedona

Explore iconic

lands c aboard

mountain b

ALEX PULASKI Special to The Washington Post

A

bout a century ago, dentist turned author Zane Grey first laid eyes on Oak Creek Canyon.

The red-rock hallway north of Sedona packs such startling scenery into its 12 miles that it often draws comparisons to its famous Arizona cousin, the Grand Canyon.

In those days, Grey’s love of the outdoors had already propelled him to renown as the “most popular of living authors,” as one reviewer concluded. His purple prose popularized the Arizona desert, and after Hollywood came calling in the 1920s and beyond, the landscape around Sedona — about a two-hour drive north of Phoenix — emerged as the cowboy ideal of the American 26 SPRING 2019

West.

For as long as I can remember, Moab, Utah, has sat atop the pinnacle of the West’s mountain biking destinations. But Sedona, with more than 200 miles of varied single-track biking trail snaking in and around the city (pop. 10,300), is both a premier cycling destination and a place to discover art and food, even to replenish your soul.

Since the 1980s, after a psychic divined that the area was home to spiritual energy vortexes, seekers have descended on Sedona with healing on their minds. I was skeptical, at best, about the area’s transformative powers.

First, Joanna Yates, a guide with Hermosa Tours, met us at Over the Edge bike shop, where we had rented some high-end, fat-tire mountain bikes with nifty gadgets such as full suspension for a smoother ride and something I hadn’t seen

before — a dropper seatpost. With the push of a button the rider can adjust seat height, something that comes in handy when you want the seat out of the way for quick downhill turns.

On the drive to West Sedona she pointed out the striking red-rock formations including Thunder Mountain, Lizard Head and Chimney Rock.

Shaped by millions of years of sediment deposits and erosion, the rocks owe their red hues to a thin coating of iron oxide. Rust never sleeps.

She noted that Sedona-area trails pack enough twists, climbs, downhills and surprises to challenge beginners, but as we mounted up to tackle the Cockscomb, Dawa and Arizona Cypress trails, she injected a final booster shot of confidence.

“Trust these bikes,” she said. “They can go over so much. It’s the riders we have to convince.”

WEDDINGS

s cape

n bikes PHOTO VIA WASHINGTON POST

A view of the Sedona landscape.

Sedona can be a romantic destination for adventurous and fitness-inclined honeymooners.

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

Ninety minutes and nearly five miles later we were winded but unscathed, ready for lunch, some city exploration and another ride — or two, as it turned out — the next day.

In the morning we mounted up old-school — on horseback — for nearly two hours of desert trail riding through Verde Valley wine country near Cornville, about a half-hour drive from Sedona.

The ups and downs take their toll on the hips and knees, as I discovered in a wobbly dismount.

“Now you know why John Wayne walked the way he did,” said Max Wilson, a guide with Horsin’ Around Adventures.

After a light, energizing lunch at the ultra-fresh, relaxing ChocolaTree restaurant (it bills itself as an “organic oasis”) we saddled up again with Yates Page 28 WEDDINGS

ALEX PULASKI PHOTO/WASHINGTON POST

The extensive trail system in and surrounding Sedona, Arizona, offers more than 200 miles of varied single-track biking.

SPRING 2019 27

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO‌

The entrance to Tlaquepaque arts and crafts village in Sedona.

Sedona From page 27

for more mountain biking — this time starting on pavement in the thick of town.

We quickly got onto rock and dirt and followed Soldier Pass Trail to the Seven Sacred Pools (pretty, but not as impressive as the Maui version), then a long haul over the Adobe Jack Trail back to civilization. Along the ups and downs, Yates continually shouted encouragement (“You can do this!” or “Go, girl, trust the bike!”) and though we did on occasion walk the bikes for short stretches, we began to find confidence and occasionally even courage.

Which was a good thing, considering that for the next two days we planned to tackle the trails on our own. Enormously helpful were both a detailed trail map and some helpful phone advice from both Over the Edge and another shop we rented from, Absolute Bikes. They were like friendly captains helping us sail strange seas.

28 SPRING 2019

ALEX PULASKI PHOTO/WASHINGTON POST‌

Visitors take a two-hour guided trail ride near Sedona, Arizona, with Horsin’ Around Adventures.

On those unaccompanied days, as I rocketed down a steep stretch of the Templeton Trail or tackled slick rock around Cathedral Rock’s base, I heard the echoes of Yates’s steady encouragement ringing in my ears, just as loud, seemingly, as my adrenaline-fired “woohoo” at the bottom of the hill.

Make no mistake: Sedona holds much to do and see that doesn’t involve two-wheeled adventure. But we were glad of the exercise to help work off calories from some spec-

tacular dinners, notably at the elegant Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, the romantic Cress on Oak Creek and the family-style Gerardo’s Italian Kitchen.

The accommodations run the gamut from the charmingly retro Red Agave Adventure Resort (where stunning vistas and trails wait right outside your door) to the comfortable Amara Resort and Spa to the luxurious L’Auberge de Sedona.

We frequented galleries and shops at the sycamore-shaded

Tlaquepaque arts and crafts village.

One afternoon we even created our own works of art (a couple of candy dishes) at the Melting Point glassblowing hot shop, thanks to some patient, good-humored help from wizards Austin Littenberg and Jordan Ford.

We traced the area’s history — particularly as a Western movie location—through a visit to the Sedona Heritage Museum. “The Call of the Canyon,” filmed in 1923, was the first movie shot in Sedona, but later some of Hollywood’s biggest names — the Duke, Jimmy Stewart, Barbara Stanwyck—starred here.

We dida little soul searching, hiking Teacup Trail one afternoon with Paul Sequoia Rauch. He’s a guide with Sedona Soul Adventures, which combines Sedona’s outdoor beauty (and perceived healing powers) with Socratic-like attention from a spiritual guide or healer. Each customized retreat is different, with the focus predetermined by the participants. We walked in stretches, then sat and talked, identifying old wounds and resolving communication barriers.

WEDDINGS

WHAT TO DO

WHERE TO EAT 1. Sound Bites Grill

4. ChocolaTree

1. Over the Edge

101 N. State Route 89A 928-282-2713 soundbitesgrill.com Live music most nights is a big part of the draw, but the food — a generous cheese board, seafood chowder and grilled portobello mushroom or baby back ribs — more than holds its own.

Appetizers from $6, main dishes from $15.

1595 W. State Route 89A 928-282-2997 chocolatree.com If Sedona really is a healing place, then this is its food vortex, especially on a sunny afternoon on the soothing outdoor patio. The organic, vegetarian and gluten-free menu is vibrant and varied: start with a tahini hummus, pico de gallo and guacamole, move on to a corn chowder and wrap up with the Sedona 2012 enchilada —a wrap filled with sweet potato, basmati rice, three-bean chili and more. During the meal or after you will want to sample the variety of on-site-made chocolates — what co-owner David Warr calls “the most potent super food on the planet.”

Appetizers from $10, main dishes from $12.

1695 W. State Route 89A 928-282-1106 otesports.com Features a central location, wide range of bikes, gear and attire, and staff willing to take the time to pore over a trail map with you.

Daily bike rentals start at $35 and go north quickly for a variety of high-end builds that retail for nearly $6,000.

2. Pisa Lisa

2245 W. State Route 89A 928-282-5472 pisalisa.com Cozy, modern and casual location for a beer, thin-crust pizza and a Greca salad or tomato bisque after a long ride. Grab a gelato on your way out the door. Appetizers from $8, main dishes 5. SaltRock Southwest Kitchen (at Amara Resort and Spa) from $12.

3. Cress on Oak Creek (at L’Auberge 100 Amara Lane de Sedona) 928-340-8803 saltrockkitchen.com 301 L’Auberge Lane From slow-cooked carnitas tacos to a 855-905-5745 tender pork belly with chipotle grits to lauberge.com/cress a delicate roasted salmon with PeruA special-occasion place: Think candle- vian potatoes and chorizo, this tasty light, white tablecloths and impeccable take on regional Mexican food shines. service. Savor a fall salad of brined Inventive margaritas such as the “Sun kale and caramelized pecans, pineap- Devil” combine passion fruit, chipotle, ple-braised pork belly and a perfectly tequila and more. Appetizers from $7, finished beef tenderloin. Three-course main dishes from $29. Three-course, fixed-price dinner for $50. dinner for $95, four courses for $110.

301 L’Auberge Lane 855-905-5745 lauberge.com Understated luxury — like having your own custom cabin set in a wooded garden just footsteps from scenic Oak Creek. Plush robes, mountains of pillows, a real wood fireplace popping and crackling as juniper logs go up in smoke. Rooms from $329.

2. Amara Resort and Spa 100 Amara Lane 928-282-4828 amararesort.com Conveniently located in the heart of

6101 Highway 179, Suite D 928-284-1242 absolutebikes.net Full-service bike shop with locations in Sedona and Flagstaff. Friendly, knowledgeable staff will take your phone calls and help you pick trails that fit your skills.

Bike rentals start at $39 for the first day and drop significantly for subsequent days.

3. Hermosa Tours

uptown Sedona, this friendly, casual hotel has modern conveniences and a lovely courtyard and infinity pool overlooking Oak Creek. Rooms from $217.

1695 W. State Route 89A 877-765-5682 hermosatours.net Guide Joanna Yates introduced us to the terrain, patiently answered our questions and boosted our confidence mightily.

Half-day guided mountain biking tours for two people include transportation and cost $110 per person, dropping to $75 per person for groups of six or more.

3. Red Agave Adventure Resort

4. The Melting Point

WHERE TO STAY 1. L’Auberge de Sedona

2. Absolute Bikes

120 Canyon Circle Dr. 928-284-9327 redagaveresort.net Cute A-frame chalets (kitchen and living area, sleeping room for five) channel a Route 66 vibe at this completely renovated and utterly charming family spot with unbelievable views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Hiking and cycling trails wait right outside the property’s courtyard. Rooms from $159.

5. Horsin’ Around Adventures 2650 N. Dancing Apache Rd., Cornville 800-403-1690 horsinaroundsedona.com Clamber onto a well-trained horse for a leisurely guided trail ride through prickly pear, yucca and spindly ocotillo in Verde Valley wine country. Ninety-minute rides start at $98.

6. Slide Rock State Park 6871 N. State Route 89A 928-282-3034 azstateparks.com/slide-rock This onetime apple farm set in Oak Creek Canyon is home to a glorious swimming hole and stunning views. Admission per vehicle varies from $10 to $30 based on seasonal demands (highest on summer Fridays and weekends).

7. Sedona Heritage Museum 735 Jordan Rd. 928-282-7038 sedonamuseum.org This former homestead provides a look back in time to an orchard operation and area pioneers as well as a replica telegraph office that showcases the dozens of Western movies filmed near Sedona. Open daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults for a self-guided tour, or $10 with audio.

8. Sedona Soul Adventures

877-204-3664 sedonasouladventures.com 1449 W. State Route 89A, My wife and I hiked TeaSuite 1 cup Trail with guide Paul 928-554-4754 Sequoia Rauch for a few sedonaglassblowing.com hours, talked, hugged, From picking colors to heat- laughed, cried and came back feeling brand new. ing, shaping and blowing glass, this fun and interest- Customized spiritual retreats with a guide typically ing micro-class leaves you range from three to five with a keepsake ornament or dish to remember the ex- days (up to five hours per perience. Beginning classes day) and cost about $2,400 per person. start at $80.

SPRING 2019 29

Reception Hall Directory His proposal was music to your ears. Now it’s time to put your florist, cake baker and caterer on speeddial. 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. To assist our readers, here’s a listing of metro area reception halls: American Legion Post 138, 728 Commercial St., Waterloo • 319-234-8511 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; decorating one to two hours before; dance floor.

Beaver Hills Country Club 8230 Beaver Hills Dr., Cedar Falls • 319-266-1975 www.beaverhills.com Open to public, booking upon availability; accommodates up to 250; $500 for room; set up, clean up included; on-site buffet or sit-down style catering, about $15 per person; tables, chairs, linens provided; bar; decorating early depends on availability; dance floor.

Brown Derby Ballroom 618 Sycamore St., Waterloo • 319-240-0308 www.brownderbyballroom.com The newly remodeled and restored Brown Derby in Waterloo was originally the first Elks Club. We have great parking and can serve 215 people in a sit-down dinner.

We can serve more if it is just a reception with appetizers.

We have a full bar. We are also handicapped accessible.

To review and reserve, please contact Chuck at (319) 240-0308.

Black’s Sky Room/Tea Room 501 Sycamore St., No. 710 Waterloo Contact Vern Nelson • 319-233-5109 Built in 1929 atop the eighth floor of the Black’s building, the Sky Room has been beautifully restored. Events from 10 to 360 people; choice of 8 pre-approved caterers or your choice to be approved; open bar, paid bar or combination with bartender(s); tables, chairs, stage risers & podium available; parking connected by Sky Walk.

Cedar Falls Community Center 528 Main St., Cedar Falls • 319-277-1900 Available for evening and weekend rentals for special events such as weddings and receptions, anniversaries and other special events. Chairs and tables provided, capacity 200. No on site food prep allowed, but small kitchen to assist with catered food. Dance floor. Nonsmoking with ample nearby parking. Additional deposit and charge for wine and beer. Available to rent up to one year in advance; call 268-5541 for more information and booking.

Cedar Falls Womans Club 304 Clay St., Cedar Falls • 319-266-1431 www.cedarfallswomansclub.com • CFWC@cfu.net Manager: Angie Andrews This stately home overlooks Overman Park in the heart of the historic area of Cedar Falls. It has been and is a meeting place for many groups and a gathering place for private parties & small weddings. Consider this beautiful Cedar Falls landmark for your next event.

Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens 1927 E. Orange Road, Waterloo • 319-226-4966 www.cedarvalleyarboretum.org A lush, 40 acre garden setting located directly east of Hawkeye Community College – the perfect backdrop for your special day. A Saturday wedding in the garden of your choice includes a one hour rehearsal between 4pm and 7pm the night before your wedding and the use of our education center and the garden of your choice from 10am – 6pm on the day of your wedding for $800. Wedding rentals are available seven days a week, prices vary. For more information about booking the Arboretum for your special day, call our office or email us at office@cedarvalleyarboretum.org.

30 SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Centennial Oaks Golf Club Eagle Ridge Dr., Waverly • 319-483-1765, ask for Lisa 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, professional wait staff, dance floor, complimentary setup and tear-down.

Center Inn Banquet Facilities 209 Main St., Readlyn • 319-279-3839 www.centerinn.com Dining room accommodates up to 75, ballroom accommodates up to 400; banquet room rental SundayThursday, $150, Friday and Saturday, $300; dining room rental Monday-Sunday, $75; basement rental $50; deposit and credit billing $100, required to confirm all bookings, non-refundable; post-event clean up, $100.

The Centre Hall 1211 4th St., SW, Waverly • 319-352-1386 www.thecentrehall.com Seating for up to 700 guests. Wedding package includes: day prior to event, day of event, half day after event, seating for 250 guests including tables and chairs, kitchen area and serving tables. Accommodates the wedding, reception, dinner, and dance without moving or tearing down tables and chairs.

Clarion Inn 5826 University Ave., Cedar Falls 319-277-2230, ext. 7322 www.clarioncedarfalls.com Enjoy the convenience of your reception and hotel accommodations under one roof; brand new banquet room called “The Cedar” seating 150 people, mezzanine and plaza seat up to 350, banquet hall seats up to 300; full service catering, $18.95 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, bar, bartender provided; some decorations provided, decorating 8 a.m. day of event; dance floor, table for disc jockey. New Against the Grain Bar and Restaurant.

Diamond Event Center at Jorgensen Plaza 5307 Caraway Lane, Cedar Falls (319) 266-9994 or crystal.ford@barmuda.com The Cedar Valley's newest event center is under construction and taking reservations for events beginning June 2018! Weddings and receptions, business luncheons or awards dinners, anniversary and retirement parties - all this and more can be accommodated in our flexible space that seats up to 350 at tables. Amenities include fully customizable menus and bar options, specialty linens, coat check, set up and clean up, state-of-the-art audio/visual, valet parking and coat check. Diamond Event Center is managed

by Barmuda, with 30 years of restaurant and events management in the Cedar Valley, and is located off Prairie Parkway in south Cedar Falls on the campus of Western Home Communities. Call Crystal today to plan your special event.

Electric Park Ballroom 310 W. Conger St., Waterloo • 319-232-5801 or karen@nationalcattlecongress.com www.nationalcattlecongress.com The Electric Park Ballroom at National Cattle Congress is a historic venue that can accommodate 1,000 people.

It is an ideal location for wedding parties, banquets or conventions. We offer multiple amenities such as free parking, two full service bars, complimentary set up and tear down, name on the marquee. Our iconic ballroom features a 81’ x 63’ built in wooden dance floor with a built in stage and lights. We look forward to working with you.

Fox Ridge Golf Club Highway 20, Dike • 319-989-2213 www.golffoxridge.com Accommodates 320 people; bookings one month in advance; business meeting space available; in-house catering available to fit all budget needs; wedding rental requires $250.00 deposit (nonrefundable/applied toward final bill) and signed contract to hold date.

Please contact Ben Biersner at 319-989-2213 or ben@ golffoxridge.com to request more information.

Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center University of Northern Iowa campus Cedar Falls • 319-273-3660 • www.gbpac.com catering.uni.edu 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; balcony, grand central staircase; decorating day before event; dance floor.

Grout Museum District & Snowden House 503 South St., Waterloo • 319-234-6357 www.gmdistrict.org maddie.morehouse@gmdistrict.org Main building accommodates up to 200, $350-$750.

Tables, chairs, set up and tear down included. Cash or open bar available. Full service kitchen. Dance floor. No on-site catering.

Snowden House: Historic Victorian Italiante architectural style home. Accommodates up to 120. $50/ hr. Tables, chairs, set up, tear down included. Kitchen available. No on-site catering. (Due to historic nature of facility, no dancing is allowed).

Hartman Reserve Nature Center 657 Reserve Dr., Cedar Falls • 319-277-2187 www.hartmanreserve.org Accommodates up to 100; booking at least six months in advance; $400-8 hours on Saturday or $475 Fri. nite/Saturday add $100 if serving alcohol; full kitchen, tables, chairs included; non-smoking; decks with scenic overview, bridge, outside amphitheater seats up to 100, fireplace.

Henderson Event Center 2320 Iowa Ave., Independence • 319-334-6464 Our 12,000-square-foot event venue comfortably accommodates up to 500 guests, all of whom are sure to be impressed with the elegance of our facilities and the level of our service. Conveniently located off of U.S. Highway 20, and within close proximity to Waterloo, Cedar Falls and lodging, our event venue in Independence, Iowa is perfect for: Weddings, School dances, Corporate functions, Holiday parties and Retirement parties.

Hickory Hills Park 3338 Hickory Hills Rd., La Porte City 319-266-6813 www.co.black-hawkia.s/depts/conservation 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; lakefront view; decorating early requires rental; outlets for DJ; cement floor; attached deck, air-conditioning.

WEDDINGS

Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo 777 Isle of Capri Blvd., Waterloo Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo is an ideal location for your wedding, party, meeting or convention. Isle Waterloo features 5,000 feet of flexible meeting space and 1,600 square feet of pre-function space. This space is ideal for groups of 270 people sitting banquet style or a 400 person cocktail reception. Our professional planning and catering staff is ready to help you create your next memorable event. For more information visit theislewaterloo.com/meetings-saleskit.aspx or call 319-833-2266 to speak with a professional planner today.

Janesville Riviera Roose Community Center 307 Maple St., Janesville • 319-987-3512 or 319-231-7660 The center is a modern, fully accessible facility managed by the Community Center Board of Directors. Its small town location on approximately 10 acres of land near the Cedar River provides an ideal setting for weddings and receptions, as well as reunions, anniversaries, retreats and business meetings. The center features a large hall with banquet seating for 350, a wood dance floor, commercial kitchen, bar and a large outdoor patio.

Parking is adjacent to the building. For more details, visit www.jvrrcc.com.

Oster Regent Theatre 103 Main St., Cedar Falls • 319-277-5283 www.osterregent.org Accommodates 80-100; book early; $200, $50 deposit; no onsite catering; can serve own alcohol but cannot sell to guest; kitchen with serving area, sink, refrigerator, microwave; tables, chairs provided for 80; linens rented for $3 each; beautiful view of the Cedar River; decorating day before depends on availability; Hardwood dance floor.

Pepsi Pavilion, National Cattle Congress grounds 319-232-5801 or karen@nationalcattlecongress.com www.nationalcattlecongress.com If you are looking for a comfortable relaxed open concept venue then the National Cattle Congress Pavilion is just right for you. The Pavilion offers seating for 800 people which makes it an ideal location for anything from a concert to a wedding. Our services included complimentary set up and tear down, name on the marquee, serving the head table as well as keeping the food line full at all times, two NCC bartenders, and free parking. We look forward to working with you.

Ramada Hotel and Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center 205 W. 4th St., Waterloo • 319-233-7560 www.ramadawaterloo.com Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Waterloo. We are able to accommodate parties from 50 to 1200 people in our uniquely customizable spaces.

Rental prices range from $800.00 to $1200.00 depending on the space need for your special day. The rental fee in an inclusive price, no “hidden fees”. Rental fee includes your setup, teardown, and cleanup; as well as all tables, chairs, linens, place settings, dance floor, and so much more. We have a minimum of $4000.00 for the reception.

Customizable dinner (both buffet and plated) menus provided by our professional on-site catering staff for your rehearsal dinner, reception and gift opening. Full bar service with many customizable options to fit your guests needs. Feel free to book the space in advance, no limitations to how far in advance you may book. Call us today to meet with our sales team and to tour the facility.

WEDDINGS

Rotary Reserve 5932 N. Union Rd., Cedar Falls • 319-266-6813 www.co.black-hawk.ia.us/depts/conservation 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 Dr., Waterloo • 319-234-1707 www.sunnysidecountryclub.com Available to non-members & members for weddings; Seating up to 300 with overflow; booking depends on availability; competitive pricing; on-site sit-down or buffet-style catering only, starting $21 per plate; setup and tear down of tables, chairs, linens provided; fullystaffed bar; decorating early allowed when available; dance floor. For details call 319-234-1707 or email events@sunnysidecountryclub.com.

University of Northern Iowa Commons-Slife Ballroom W.23rd Street, Cedar Falls 319-273-2333 catering.uni.edu Ballroom seats up to 220; additional space available in the neighboring lounge overlooking the campanile that can be used for ceremonies, pre-reception cocktails, etc; reservations accepted up to two years in advance; half of estimated cost paid in advance, remainder due at event; set up, clean up included; on-site catering by UNI Catering; bar service; tables, chairs, linens provided; sound system in ballroom; portable risers for band, DJ, head table; dance floor; additional decorations available to rent.

University of Northern Iowa Gallagher Bluedorn 8201 Dakota Street, Cedar Falls • 319-273-3660 www.gbpac.com • catering.uni.edu Hall lobby accommodates up to 200 banquet style, 300 standing; book six months to a year in advance; onsite catering only by UNI Catering; bar service; tables, chairs, linens provided; balcony, grand central staircase; decorating day before event; dance floor.

University of Northern Iowa Maucker Union Old Central Ballroom 1227 W. 27th Street, Cedar Falls studentlife.uni.edu/weddings catering.uni.edu • 319-273-5888 Ballroom accommodates 400+ banquet style with no need to remove any seating for your dance; reservations accepted up to two years in advance; deposit half of rental; set up, clean up, linens, table skirting, tables, chairs and staging included; on-site catering by UNI Catering; bar service; sound system and drop down projectors available in ballroom; dance floor included; additional decorations available to rent.

Wartburg College Saemann Student Center, 100 Wartburg Blvd., Waverly 319-352-8286 www.wartburg.edu/conferences/ Groups of 20-200. Full-service banquet facility with customized menu and event planning. Great location for rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. Food and service provided by the College. Half of estimated total paid; tables, chairs, linens provided; bar serves wine and beer.

AV equipment available; dance floor needs to be rented and brought in.

Waterloo Center for the Arts, Boat House and Riverloop Facilities 225 Commercial St., Waterloo • 319-291-4490 www.waterloocenterforthearts.org We offer beautiful and affordable riverfront spaces that can accommodate up to 250 indoors and 5000 outdoors.

A range of amenities are available including: set up & clean up; newly renovated restrooms; kitchen; catering; beverage service; round or square tables; chairs; linens; ice table; pipe & drape; piano; sound system; stage; tents; and dance floor.

Waterloo Elks Lodge 407 E. Park Ave., Waterloo • 319-234-7568 Sherri Simon,can sherri@waterlooelks.com Our ballroom accommodate up to 400 guest, Accommodates upavailable to 375; on-site catering additional space that could beonly, used$15 for ceremonies.

On site dance tables, floor, linens to $25 per person pluscatering, tax and gratuity; chairsand bar service Calllinens; us today to meetday with our included; feeprovided. for bartender, decorating before event coordinator and tour our facility, (319)stage 234-for depends on availability; luxurious atmosphere, 7568 Sherri atplenty Sherri@waterlooelks.com bands or or email DJ, dance floor; of on-site parking.

Waverly Area Veterans Post 1300 4th St NW., Waverly • 319-483-9287 sarastephensWAVP@gmail.com Open to the public! The Patriots Hall accommodates up to 300 guests for your event. We have a dance floor that can be customized to the size you prefer, up to 30’x30’.

You choose your own caterer, WAVP will provide the bar. Linens are available to rent. Tables and chairs are provided with the cost of the rental. $900 for the whole Patriots Hall, with a refundable damage deposit of $250 required at time of booking; hall rental fee due the month of the event. If your event does not require the entire hall, we have a temporary wall that can divide the room into two separate rooms. Patriots Hall West is $400 (holds up to 100 guests), Patriots Hall East is $500 (holds up to 200 guests). Friday decorating time is available for only an additional $250; you will have the entire day to decorate. Coming in the Spring of 2017 is a large deck that will overlook the Cedar River off the Patriots Hall.

Waverly Golf and Country Club 705 Eighth St. SW, Waverly • 319-352-3855 www.waverlycc.com Open to public for rental; accommodates 275; book about a year in advance; $600, $100 deposit; on-site sit down or buffet-style catering only; one-meat buffet $12.95, two-meat $14.95, three-meat $16.95 per person, call for sit-down meal prices; can bring in wedding cake; tables, chairs, bartender, waitresses, linens $1 per person; decorating night before depends on availability; dance floor.

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