West Georgia Woman Magazine 2020 Bridal Guide

Woman Complimentary

2020

West Georgia TM

Makeup Wake-up Call!

Brides Strike Gold in Beauty of Pine Mountain Gold Museum

Bridal Guide

The Right Way to Ask for Honeymoon Donations 1

Turner Pharmacy Come Create A Wedding Registry

821 DIXIE ST • CARROLLTON 770.832.7076

2

You Shouldn't Be Worried About Your Smile On Your Special Day

Creating Beautiful Smiles For Over 17 years!

M. Dawn Harvey, DMD, PC Family and Cosmetic Dentistry • Teeth Whitening Complete Facial Esthetics 105 Dallas Rd, Villa Rica, GA 30180 • 770.459.5778

www.drharveysmiles.com

3

Experience the beauty of West Georgia's Hidden Gem, Pine Mountain Gold Museum.

Page 16.

Photo by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography Model: Kendall Hanzlik

What’s inside...

Makeup Wake-up Call

22

The Dress of Your Dreams

12

Show Me the Money: Who Pays for What?

26

The Right Way to Ask for Honeymoon Donations

16

Hidden Gem: Brides Strike Gold With Spectacular Venue

29

Top 2020 Wedding Trends

21

Creative Appreciation

8

4

(770) 537-1236

Let us help you look picture perfectfor your big day!

Botox, facials, filler, body contouring and more!

PLUS $100 off

Follow us:

*for a limited time

or visit: www.spa316.us

5

Tying the Knot

I remember how exciting it was to purchase bridal magazines when I was planning my own wedding years ago. I would read every page of those magazines, soaking in every glorious detail and every bit of advice included in each one.

I'm telling you my age, but back then, there wasn't even internet yet, so no looking up things for free online, either!

Speaking of free things online, did you know that we offer a free digital subscription to West Georgia Woman Magazine and all of our special issues?

Become an insider today at www.westgeorgiawoman.com.

Isn't wonderful that our fabulous Bridal Guide is absolutely free for you to take home with you? The reason we can give you this beautiful publication at no cost is because of our advertising partners included in this guide.

Please shop locally for your wedding and support them as much as you can, and let them know you saw their advertisements in our lovely magazine. Without them, there would be no annual Bridal Guide.

These advertisers are experts in their fields, so take Photo by Zachary Dailey advantage of their knowledge and skills. There are so many details involved in planning a wedding, and it can be exhausting and stressful for brides. I hope you have a wonderful support system of family and friends to help you manage some of the details involved in planning your big day.

In This Special Issue We are so excited to provide you with our second annual West Georgia Woman Magazine Bridal Guide! I hope you enjoy our beautiful guide as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.

Planning a spectacular wedding takes time, money and plenty of inspirational ideas. This issue is full of fabulous articles from choosing the right makeup and creative ideas for bridal shower favors to finding the dress of your dreams and how to ask friends and family for honeymoon donations.

We've also included a special article about West Georgia's A Match Made in Heaven hidden gem, Pine Mountain Gold Museum, a park owned and operated by the City of Villa Rica. The name is a bit misleading – the facility is much more than a simple historical exhibit. In fact, Pine Mountain Gold Museum helps brides bring a piece of history and more to their special day.

Check out the fabulous photos that Zachary took of the grounds and learn more about Villa Rica's hidden treasure and gorgeous wedding venue on page 16.

Very special thanks to Shala Hainer for writing the wonderful articles included in our 2020 Bridal Guide.

She is an amazing writer, and we are so grateful for her monthly contribution as our copy editor and for her valued contributions to our special issues.

Best wishes, Become a West Georgia Woman insider.

Subscribe to our free digital issue and have it sent to your inbox each month. www.westgeorgiawoman.com

6

Publisher

Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.

TM

West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and work in West Georgia.

Our mission is to engage, inspire, and cultivate a cohesive community for all women in West Georgia by sharing our hopes, our dreams and our lives.

This magazine would not be possible without the inclusion of our advertisers. Please be sure to show your support by doing business with these VIP’s (very important partners) so we will be able to continue to share with you our stories about amazing West Georgia women!

Please be sure to tell them we sent you!

We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Contact us: (404) 502-0251 Online: www.westgeorgiawoman.com

Publisher/Editor Need a copy?

Get yours from our racks at Kroger, Publix, Southern Home and Ranch and Food Depot (Maple Street) in Carrollton. We have them at Lee-King and Lee-Goodrum pharmacy locations in Newnan, the Inspiring women wanted.

Apothecary Shoppe in Douglasville and Do you know an interesting woman the Vitamin Shoppe in Hiram. Publix at who should be on the cover of West Mirror Lake, in our rack at Piggly Wiggly Georgia Woman? Is there a special in Bowdon and Kroger in Cedartown. project or organization you would CVS in Bowdon and Piggly Wiggly in like us to feature in our magazine?

Tallapoosa and our racks at WM Grocery Let us know! Email your suggestions in Roanoke and Wedowee, Al., as well to features@westgeorgiawoman.com. as hundreds of other retail locations and medical offices in West Georgia and Share your special events.

East Alabama!

Send your upcoming events to: calendar@westgeorgiawoman.com

Need to advertise? Email:

Zachary@westgeorgiawoman.com or Sales@westgeorgiawoman.com Call 404.444.9072 or 404.502.0251 The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the contributing authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of Angel Media, LLC., West Georgia Woman magazine or any employee thereof. Angel Media, LLC. makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this publication and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.

All submissions will be included as space is available. West Georgia Woman reserves the right to reject or edit any submissions that are not in compliance with our editorial policy. If you wish to have your submission returned, please include a self addressed stamped envelope along with your submission.

West Georgia Woman is a monthly publication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this issue are copyright 2020. West Georgia Woman magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.” are trademarks of Angel Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

Mail correspondence to:

West Georgia Woman Magazine P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112

Volume 2 2020 Bridal Guide

Follow us! @WestGaWoman

This publication is dedicated in loving memory of Tristan Alexander Brooks May 15, 1993 – September 17, 2015

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor

Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer

Zachary Dailey Dailey Life Photography

Bridal Guide Editorial Shala Hainer

Advertising Sales

Zachary@westgeorgiawoman.com Angela Brooks Dailey, owner and publisher of West Georgia Woman magazine, has lived in West Georgia most of her life and has a deep love and appreciation for the area.

She received her B.B.A in management from The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga., and is a Civil and Domestic Relations mediator and arbitrator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. She lives in Carrollton, and has two wonderful children, Zachary and Sydney Dailey.

Angela enjoys reading, spending time with her children and extended family and loves to watch Sydney play soccer.

7

Makeup Wake-up Call!

8

Dos and Don’ts for your big day

I

f there is one set of photographs you are likely to look at the rest of your life, it’s your wedding photos. While you should plan carefully for several pieces of bridal beauty, including the dress, your hair and flowers, keep your makeup at the top of your list of must-haves. Your makeup can help you project a warm glow in your photos that reflects your inner joy of your special day.

Instead of trying something completely different with your makeup, spend some time prior to the ceremony trying various makeup styles and colors. If you’re hiring someone to do your makeup, schedule a test run before the wedding to make sure you’re both on the same page. If your dress is white, wear a white shirt to the test run so you can see how that color affects the makeup shades. Take some photos during the test run to see how the makeup looks in photos, too, so you can be overjoyed with your professional photos the day of the ceremony.

Foundation Anxiety might be high on your wedding day, so consider a foundation that eliminates shine in case your temperature starts to rise. A long-wearing foundation can give you the peace of mind that

your makeup will look perfect until the reception ends. Have someone keep some powder handy throughout the evening for gentle touchups as needed.

Eye Makeup One word: Waterproof! Even if you’re not the crying kind, the emotions of that day might get the best of you. Definitely go for waterproof mascara, and choose long-wearing, water-resistant eyeliner. A primer on your eyelids helps your eye shadow stay in place as well.

Long eyelashes, especially on the top, help open your eyes in photos. Try a few types of mascara to find the one you like the best, or opt for false lashes – professionally done so they will stay in place.

Choose eye shadow that gives your eyes dimension, without choosing dark colors that can make your eyes appear closed or heavy. Also, using a lighter color along the brow lines helps make your eyes appear more open.

Your Lips Long-wearing lipstick is a must! But beware super

9

T HE D EPOT

on Bradley NOW BOOKING 2020 Weddings The Depot is a historic, all-season wedding venue located in the heart of downtown Carrollton. With flexible seating plans, affordable packages and tons of rustic charm, The Depot is the perfect setting for your perfect day.

Schedule a tour today at 770.832.6901 or mainstreet@carrollton-ga.gov

10

Look Amazing On Your Big Day! In-house and on-location bridal services.

We can accomodate any size bridal party, large or small!

Pricing:

Bridal Hair – $60 / Bridal Makeup – $30 / Lash Application – Starts at $10 / Trial Run – $70 On-Location pricing – $35 per stylist for events in Carrollton. Specific pricing available upon request for locations outside the city limits or outside of regular business hours.

Manicures – Start at $25 / Pedicures – Start at $40 / Spray Tans – $25 Monday & Tuesday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. / Wednesday & Thursday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. / Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

1019 Rome Street, Carrollton, Ga. • 770.838.9095 • www.indulgedayspa.net shiny glosses – some cause too much reflection in is fuller and healthier, and that will reflect in the flash photos, in particular. Stick to a semi-gloss or a photos. Also, choosing simple, traditional styles give light matte lipstick instead. Just like with the powder, you a look that will last through the years in your have someone photos. If you opt for keep lipstick handy something trendy, like for touch-ups as glittery eye shadow, needed. Consider your photos might look using a toothdated as years pass. whitening product When you’re putting a couple of weeks on your makeup, wear before the wedding, a button-up shirt so and test your you don’t have to pull lipstick after you it over your head. have completed the And give yourself tooth whitening so enough time to do you know exactly your makeup – at least how your smile will 45 minutes is ideal. shine.

This will help keep makeup distractions and your stress level Other Tips to a minimum so you can focus on what’s Try to drink lots important – starting of water for the your new adventure weeks leading up with the person you to your wedding. love. WGW Fully hydrated skin

11

Show Me The Money

12

Who pays for what?

T

he wedding expenses often seem overwhelming, on both sides of the aisle. Although traditionally, the bride’s family absorbs most of the cost of a wedding, the groom’s family has responsibilities as well.

It’s worth a conversation very early in the planning process where both families sit down and discuss anticipated expenses, and who can or will pay for certain items.

It’s ultimately a group decision about who pays for what – many couples blur the lines and split more costs between the families these days, but if you prefer to keep it to traditional financial responsibilities, etiquette dictates certain expenses to each family.

The Groom Grooms tend to believe they get off free and clear when it comes to paying for a wedding, but that’s not necessarily true. Several items, including some big-ticket ones, fall under the groom’s family’s responsibility.

• Prior to the Wedding. Before the wedding, expenses are already popping up, and the

It’s Your Wedding Day ...Make It Your Way!

Photo by Ashlee Burgess Photography

www.thebarnatsierrasprings.com

Unique Real Barn on 35 Acres Elegant Ivory Ribbon Draping Stress-free Relaxed Atmosphere Pets Welcome Outside Vendors Welcome Do-it-Yourself Rental Includes Three Full Days We Host All Types of Special Events

We strive to be the “YES” Venue!

Schedule Your Private Tour Today!

1075 Old Four Notch Rd.• Whitesburg, GA • 770.315.3330 • thebarnatsierrasprings@gmail.com 13

groom takes care of many of these.

The marriage license, for example, is paid for by the groom, and he and his family traditionally take care of the rehearsal dinner expenses. They also cover the lodging for their out-of-town family members, groomsmen and the officiant.

• The Wedding Ceremony. The day of the wedding, the groom’s family has several expenses. They should pay for the flowers related to the groom, such as the groomsmen’s boutonnieres and the mother of the groom’s corsage.

They also cover the cost of the rented transportation to the wedding venue, such as a limo bringing the groom and groomsmen. In addition, they should pay the officiant’s fee.

• The Honeymoon. Typically the biggest expense for the groom’s family is the honeymoon. Traditionally, the groom’s family covered the entire cost of the honeymoon.

That is not as common these days, but the groom’s family typically contributes a sizable sum toward the couple’s trip. (See page 26 for

ideas on how to ask for cash gifts toward your honeymoon.)

The Bride The bride’s family picks up the bulk of the actual ceremony costs, but there are a few other items they traditionally pay for.

Clementines

Photo courtesy of Honeyroot Photo

Wedding and Event Floristry

A full service, bespoke, eco-friendly, foam-free Floral Studio specializing in Garden Style design.

Email: dawn@clementinesga.com Phone: 202.536.8224

@clementinesGA

14

www.clementinesga.com

@clementines_ga

• Prior to the Wedding. In addition to her dress, the bride’s family typically pays for the wedding invitations and the cost to mail them, as well as the cost of a wedding planner, if there is one. They also cover the cost of lodging for out-of-town bridesmaids.

• The Wedding Ceremony. Most of the ceremony details fall under the bride’s family’s responsibility. This includes the majority of the flowers and other decorations, the cost of the venue, the photographer, musicians, rented transportation to the venue for the bridal party and wedding favors.

• The Reception. Etiquette dictates the bride’s family should pay for the wedding reception, including venue rental fees, catering or other food, decorations, entertainment such as a DJ or band, and the wedding cake.

• Gifts. Both sides typically cover their own gift expenses. For example, the bride buys bridesmaid gifts, and the groom buys groomsmen gifts. Some couples choose to offer parent gifts as well, and sometimes special gifts to each other.

Destination Weddings These guidelines give you a place to start the discussion with traditional-style weddings, but they don’t apply in most destination wedding situations.

When you’re asking guests to travel to a meaningful or exotic destination, the bride and groom aren’t expected to pay for any of their travel or lodging expenses. They typically still cover food at the reception, and sometimes a brunch the day after the wedding.

The bride and groom, or their families, often provide a nice gift in the room of each guest for them to enjoy when they arrive. When budgets allow, the bride and groom offer a free group activity at their destination for the guests as well.

Keep in mind, these are just traditional guidelines – these are not rules set in stone that every bride must follow. Make a list of your expenses, and use this traditional breakdown as a place to start in divvying up your wedding costs, but as long as all the parties are on the same page, there are no set rules governing who pays for what.

Have that conversation early, though, and email everyone a list of agreed expenses at the very beginning to help avoid hurt feelings and misunderstandings later in the process. WGW

15

Photos by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography 16 Kendall Hanzlik Model:

Hidden Gem

Brides Strike Gold with Spectacular Wedding Venue

17

B

esides the dress, choosing the wedding location is one of the most difficult decisions brides face. But couples don’t have to travel far to find a versatile venue suitable for weddings of different sizes, tastes and budgets.

Pine Mountain Gold Museum, a park owned and operated by the City of Villa Rica, helps brides bring a piece of history to their special day. The name is a bit misleading – the facility is much more than a simple historical exhibit.

“The Museum preserves, protects, and interprets the history of Georgia’s first gold rush,” says Wesley Berninger, museum director. “In addition to the Museum, we have 30 acres of forest, historic structures, gold and gemstone panning, a scenic train ride, live animal exhibit, farm and an apiary.”

It may sound unconventional to host a wedding at a museum venue, but the Pine Mountain Gold Museum offers affordable options to suit nearly any need. From a spacious indoor auditorium to spectacular outdoor areas, the Museum campus enables couples to take a wedding day out of their imaginations and see it come alive in person.

“Pine Mountain Gold Museum possesses a natural backdrop that truly sets us apart,” Wesley relates. “No other location, anywhere, can offer the same gorgeous scenery. The ruins of the Stockmar home site and the mining station are visually stunning.”

The Museum is creating a new train platform as well so the wedding parties and guests can enjoy the added fun and drama of riding a train to and from the ceremonies.

“Life is Beautiful, So Let’s Capture it.”

– Zachary Dailey

Dailey Life Photography @DaileyLifePhoto

404.444.9072 18

www.daileylifephoto.wordpress.com

@DaileyLifePhotography

The History Tales of gold in and around Villa Rica date back to the 1820s, although the first publicized gold rush in Georgia was in Dahlonega in 1829. The southern gold rush lasted through most of the 1840s. The Villa Rica area hosted 19 commercial gold mines, but only the Pine Mountain Gold Mine was still being commercially mined after 1900.

Even the city’s name is based on the gold rush.

First known as the mining town Hixtown, in 1832, the name became Villa Rica, which is Spanish for “City of Riches,” because of the gold mined there.

The Venue Pine Mountain Gold Museum is located on the site of the original gold strike when the mine was active, and it’s West Georgia’s only authentic 19thcentury gold stamp mill. Guests can tour intact ruins of the mines, ride the train around the mountain to enjoy the scenic views, pan for gold and gemstones, learn about the farm animals and explore the trails spanning the nearly 30-acre park.

While weddings aren’t on the typical activity list, they have been on the Museum’s radar since the beginning. “We have offered weddings since the

mtnoakflorist@att.net

770.834.2024

mountainnoakflorist.com

creation of the Museum,” Wesley explains. “The problem is that most folks either do not know, or do not associate us with that special opportunity. This is something we are trying to change. We want people to think about using the site for more than typical recreational activities like tours, hiking and history.”

Most weddings at the Museum are smaller, around 50 to 75 guests, although Wesley says the venue can accommodate as many as 200 guests, particularly because the site offers multiple indoor and outdoor locations. Onsite parking is free and was recently expanded.

“Generally speaking, we handle smaller ceremonies,” he relates. “This is all by design

19

english dj based in carrollton, ga.

770.688.5649

UK2U@EARTHLINK.NET “DJ Richard made our wedding reception fun and enjoyable. Everybody talked about what a great time they had. He was fun and easy to work with, and played every song I had on my list.” – Hollie Brown *Just one of many 5-star Google reviews

because part of the appeal and charm of the site is the unique and warm surroundings. There are almost no limitations on location choices at our venue. Most folks prefer an outdoor setting near the pond, the homesite ruins with all the intricate stonework, or in the forest. If it can be reached safely, then we can probably make it work.”

He adds that the auditorium inside the Museum building has hosted weddings and receptions.

The venue has an extensive preferred vendor list, choosing vendors who share the same goal of making sure each bride, groom and guest has an excellent experience. They also negotiate rates with

We are a catering company in the Atlanta, Georgia area that provides catering for weddings, reunions, parties and more!

Atlanta’s Finest Catering would like to invite you to our next event.

Lorie believes that by coming to an event beforehand, you can get the best of both worlds – you can taste the food and experience the passion we have for serving you that goes into making each event a dream come true.

To book your event contact: Lorie Bomar at 404.535.1965 Visit our website for more information on how we can make your next event special and a memory that will last forever.

www.atlantafc.com 20

nearby hotels, so couples using the venue can offer affordable lodging for out-of-town guests.

As an added bonus, wedding parties and guests can take advantage of the unique activities at the site. “Anyone that is a registered guest of the wedding party is extended a discount on Museum tour tickets, gold or gemstone pans, and train tickets,” adds Wesley. “We can usually provide special tours and demonstrations if given advance notice. If the wedding organizer wants to combine activities for the guests as part of their package, we can negotiate an inclusive price as well. In fact, most folks do just that.”

Some brides shy away from outdoor weddings because of the unpredictability of the weather, but the Museum already has a plan in place. “We have an auditorium that ceremonies can be quickly moved into should weather prove to be a problem,” Wesley says. “There is also a covered stage and pavilion on site.”

He says many brides ask if bugs are a problem with weddings in such a rustic, secluded area.

“We are a natural area, and we do not treat the forest with chemical pesticides, or other invasive methods,” explains Wesley. “While we cannot guarantee there will be no bugs, it has not historically been an issue with previous events.”

Cost Most weddings at Pine Mountain Gold Museum incur facility fees that are less than $1,000. There is a $50 wedding application fee, and a total rental fee of $600 with a 4-hour maximum. To use the auditorium as a green room, ceremony or reception area, it costs an additional $150.

For more information on booking a wedding, reception or party at Pine Mountain Gold Museum, contact Christie Frost at cfrost@villarica.org or 678.840.1445. WGW

Creative Appreciation Meant to Bee

W

Meant to Bee

How to Say Thank You to Your Bridal Shower Guests with Favors

hen your friends and family spend their time, energy and money throwing you an amazing bridal shower and attending with gifts in hand, giving them a small token as they leave shows how much you appreciate them. Bridal favors aren’t expected, so they are always a nice surprise.

The bridal shower favors can be crafty, tasty or funny, so let your personality shine through in the gifts you offer to your bridal shower guests.

Do-It-Yourself Add a personal touch to the bridal shower favors by making them yourself. Bath items are popular and simple – make a body scrub, for example, by mixing essential oils of your choice with 1 cup of sugar and a ½ cup of olive or coconut oil, and package them in cute jars or other containers. Scented bath salts are even simpler – just mix plain Epsom salt with essential oils, adding some food coloring if desired.

Create your favorite recipe mixes to give to the guests, packaging them in cute bags or jars. Ideas include cookies, hot chocolate, dry seasoning rubs, chili, brownies, pasta or muffins. Attach the recipe instructions on cute paper with ribbon.

Match Your Colors Giving gifts that tie directly in with your wedding ensure your guests will always remember where the gift came from. One way to give favors that reflect your special day is to use the colors from your wedding. Give a small, colored bud vase to each guest, perhaps filled with a couple of daisies or

spray roses.

Picture frames also work well – if you can’t find the right color, opt for plain wooden frames from a craft shop and paint them. This adds another layer of fun to the day because you can take a photo with each guest, then send them the print to add to the photo frame after the shower.

Candles are a more traditional choice for a favor, from small tea candles to larger jarred candles. These come in a variety of colors, so choose a not-too-heavy scent in a color that matches your wedding shades.

Plants

Living gifts keep the memory of your special day alive, and tiny plants make ideal favors. Cute succulents are easy to care for, or give flowers that match what you will carry in your bouquet – if you plan to carry red roses, for example, give a small spray rose plant. Other ideas include small sunflowers or herbs in containers that will sit on a kitchen windowsill, or seed packets that let the guests grow their own plants at home.

Food Small, tasty bites make adorable bridal shower favors. Individually wrap the treats and attach a reminder of the wedding date on a cute card.

Wrap a couple of chocolate covered strawberries in some cellophane, or grab a few gourmet cookies or donuts for your guests. Other simple ideas include chocolate dipped pretzels or cupcake-sized bundt cakes.

Labels and Signs Everyday items become clever bridal shower favors when you add a label and a witty sign to them.

On the signs, leave a little room to handwrite a quick thank you, or at least to sign each one personally.

For example, if you decide to give nail polish to your guests (perhaps a color that would coordinate with your wedding colors), tie a sign that says “Mani thanks.” “Cream of the crop” works well with travelsized hand lotion, or give individual-sized wine with the sign, “Sip, Sip, Hooray!” Local honey, or a special kind of honey such as sunflower, makes a sweet gift, especially with the label, “Meant to Bee.” WGW

21

The Dress of Your Dreams

22

Say yes to the dress without all the stress

W

hether your dream dress is a fluffy, white Cinderella ballgown or a short, fitted sheath, picking just the right dress comes with a multitude of challenges.

Finding the right dress starts well before you ever step foot into a bridal shop – do your research first, and you’ll be better armed to tackle the dress decision.

Pick Designers If you walk into a dress shop without any idea of what you like, you could be there all day and find nothing that suits you. Instead, look at bridal magazines and online to find designers that consistently catch your eye.

Research typical prices to make sure they fit your budget, then call area bridal stores to see which ones carry at least two or three of your favorites.

Make a list of the bridal shops you want to visit, placing the ones who carry all your favorite designers at the top. Make appointments at the top

two or three shops, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, keep moving down the list.

You’re more likely to find your dream dress at a shop carrying three of your favorite designers rather than one that doesn’t carry any of the dresses you already know you like.

Est. 2007

A Charming, Small Town, Family-owned Bridal Boutique Visit our website to book your appointment today!

107 Wedowee Street, Bowdon, Ga., 30108 • 770.258.0494 • www.simpleelegancebridalandformalwear.com

23

.

BRIDAL SHOWERS REHEARSAL DINNERS WEDDING RECEPTIONS CALL US TODAY FOR ALL OF YOUR CATERING NEEDS!

•

. .

CARROLLTON NEWNAN 678.654.8253

.

.

.

ORDERONLINE CATERING MOES COM

Choose One Feature Although you might have a dream dress in your head, it’s possible you won’t be able to find it in your price range. But don’t get discouraged! Instead, pick one, or maybe two, features that are the most important to you.

Maybe you love the way a sweetheart neckline makes you feel, or you’ve always wanted a gown with a train. Setting a couple of priorities about what’s important in your wedding gown helps you narrow your options without feeling disappointed if you can’t find an affordable one with every feature you saw in your dreams.

Start Early Finding your dream dress, having it altered and getting refitted is time consuming, so start early – most experts recommend six to nine months before the wedding.

Alterations on wedding gowns are intricate and detailed, and they can take a couple of months to complete – then you have to go back and try the gown on again, and it’s possible more alterations

24

could be necessary.

So you don’t have to rush, start a year to nine months out, if you can. If your wedding timeline is condensed, ask about alteration times before you try on any dresses. Some shops have shorter times, and some dresses are easier to alter than others. This is where picking a couple of important features can really come into play – if you have to pick a dress quickly and it has to be altered even faster, knowing where you’re willing to compromise and where you aren’t can make the process less stressful.

The Right Silhouette Understanding your body shape and what flatters you is key to finding your dream dress. Not every dress will look good on every bride, but there is a style that will be the most flattering on you. You are beautiful, and picking the best style for your shape is going to make you feel more confident.

The bridal shop consultants can be your best friend in this area – they will be honest with you about what flatters your shape. It’s helpful to have a friend or family member with you, but the bridal shop consultants are more likely to tell you the truth.

Ignore Trends While it’s tempting to jump on a bridal gown bandwagon, sticking with classic styles, or a style you’ve always wanted, is often a better option.

You might like a gown covered in ruffles when it’s all the rage, but 10 years later, you might look at your wedding photos and wonder what you were thinking.

Some styles seem to bridge the generations, like the ballgown, mermaid, sheath and A-line. Trendy styles might include high-low hems or separate tops and bottoms that leave some midriff exposed, for example. Pearl and lace are traditional details, while feathers are a bit trendier.

Undergarments To ensure your dream dress fits like it should, wear the undergarments – especially the bra – you plan to wear at your wedding. It wouldn’t hurt to get a professional fitting done first, just to make sure you have the right size bra.

This can make the gown drape perfectly, and it will ensure you have the correct alteration measurements.

If you are planning to wear other shapewear under your bridal gown, wear that on your shopping excursion as well. Although shoes are not technically undergarments, wearing the shoes you plan to walk down the aisle in ensures your dress will be hemmed to the correct length.

Remember Accessories As you set your budget and your dress design priorities, think about the accessories you might want, including shoes, jewelry and a veil. The cost of the gown is only part of what you need to spend to complete your look, so work that into your budget.

If your gown is floor-length, for example, a good place to cut corners would be on your shoes. Save money on cute but comfortable ones that people will barely get a glimpse of as you dance at your reception.

If shoes are a key piece of your ensemble because your dress is short, maybe skip a veil, or borrow jewelry from your mother or grandmother to help keep costs affordable. Considering all the pieces as part of the whole ensures your dream dress is highlighted with the perfect accessories on your special day. WGW

25

The Right Way to Ask for Honeymoon Donations

household items they need – sometimes two of each item.

They don’t need more physical gifts, but they could use some help making incredible memories on their honeymoons.

This is also true of people who are getting married for the second time (or beyond). It’s unlikely they need much for their homes, but a honeymoon donation is a thoughtful way to support the happy couple.

Proper Etiquette

W

edding etiquette is a fluid thing, ever changing as the needs of brides and grooms change. Technology has made a huge impact on that as well – it’s now quick and simple to request money instead of physical gifts, and for friends and family to send money electronically rather than mail a check or bring one to the wedding.

It once was taboo to even think about asking for cash instead of gifts. The thought behind the gifts was to help young people set up their first home together.

So is it now acceptable to ask for honeymoon donations instead of gifts? The answer is a resounding yes.

Why Now? These days, people are waiting longer to get married. In 1990, the average age of the first marriage in the U.S. was 23 for women and 26 for men, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2019, it’s 27 for women and 29 for men. It’s also more common for people to live together for a while before they get married.

This means that more newlyweds already have homes or apartments of their own, including all the

26

Asking for cash outright is still frowned upon, so please don’t send out an email requesting honeymoon donations. Instead, create a wedding website, and free ones are available from many bridal sources online. Include basic information for the wedding, such as the date, location, time and appropriate dress. As part of the website, include a link to a honeymoon donation fund – HoneyFund is a popular one.

It doesn’t hurt to give a brief description on why you are asking for honeymoon donations rather than standard gifts, or invite them to help you celebrate your new life by starting it off with amazing memories.

Putting the actual donation link on your wedding invitation is still a no-no, but you can put your wedding website, where guests can then look for your registry information. Ask your bridal party, family and close friends to tell other guests that what you truly want is donations toward your honeymoon so it can be as special as possible.

Also, it’s still considered rude to ask for a specific amount of money – in other words, don’t say that the bride and groom hope each guest will donate at least $50 toward the honeymoon. Although you can offer several gift amount options, always leave one blank for them to fill out with their own amount.

It’s best to keep an anonymous feature on the donation page as well. The bride and groom should know who donated to the fund, but not everyone wants their name and the amount to be public on the website. Make sure they can donate privately, or let guests know they can bring a check to the wedding to be placed in the card box, or they can mail a check to you.

Where Fairy Tale Wedding Dreams Come True!

Unique European-style venue • Chandelier-filled ballroom • Enchanting water features Old-world courtyard • Affordable all-inclusive wedding packages • Venue only rates

Call to schedule a tour today!

770.871.8206

www.wildwoodcastleevents.com

27

Breaking it Down While asking for a specific amount of money might be considered poor etiquette, there’s no reason you can’t offer different options for your friends and family when it comes to helping pay for your honeymoon. Some guests might balk at simply giving you money, so instead, set up a list of experiences you want to try on your honeymoon.

Your friends and family might like the idea of being able to envision what they are giving you – some could prefer just a straight contribution to spend any way you want, but others like the idea of giving something specific if there aren’t any physical gifts you need.

If you’re going to a beach location, for example, perhaps you would like a champagne toast at sunset, or a snorkeling lesson. If the mountains are your honeymoon destination, add a horseback riding trip or a private wine tasting at a nearby vineyard.

Provide the full price for your chosen experiences, but make it clear that any amount they would like to contribute toward the experiences is appreciated if they don’t want to pay for an entire piece. Giving options in several price points might encourage

guests to buy full experiences for you.

As an alternative, add an option for people to donate airline miles to you, and add the link to your honeymoon page. In addition to airfare, many destinations allow you to use airline points to pay for hotel rooms and certain experiences.

Saying Thank You As with any gift, showing your appreciation is key to maintaining your relationship with the giver. When you can't write a traditional thank-you note because the gift is not a physical item, find ways to make your outpouring of appreciation personal to the giver.

If someone pays for an experience on your honeymoon, like a sunset dinner cruise, take a photo or two of you and your new spouse on the dinner cruise.

If it was a general donation, pick a sweet moment, or an unusual one like an underwater photo of the two of you.

Send the photos along with a thoughtful note to the person who gave you the experience. The giver will enjoy seeing how much their gift meant to you, and it gives them something concrete they can feel good about providing as a gift. WGW

Nervous About The Big Day?

Stop Suffering From Anxiety!

Your CBD Store® Offers Safe, Non-addictive Therapies

Discover Natural Relief Our customers have experienced relief from the following symptoms: • Nausea • Diabetes • Fibromyalgia • Crohn's Disease • Pain and Inflammation • Cardiovascular Health • Neurological Disorders • Anxiety and Depression

OFFERING FREE SAMPLES FOR BETTER LIVING!

Natural • Safe • Non-addictive Anti-psychotic Effects

Douglasville • Hiram • Newnan • Villa Rica 678.383.6786

28

770.675.3619

678.673.6161

678.941.3700

Top 2020 Wedding Trends W

edding trends help you add a personal timestamp to your special day, reflecting where you and the groom are in your personal love story at the moment you join your lives together.

Although not every trend fits your style, adding in the ones you love brings pieces of the new decade to your ceremony and reception.

We turn the ordinary wedding reception into the extraordinary!

Inclusiveness Caterers report that in 2020, cuisine inclusiveness is the biggest trend, especially in ways that maintain the photo-worthy trend of the past few years. It doesn’t exist if it doesn’t end up on Instagram, right? So many couples are steering away from sit-down dinners with only two options and instead moving toward buffetstyle or heavy hors d’oeuvres.

These spreads stray from the traditional – think charcuterie boards, vegan dessert options and makeyour-own bowl creations, such as burrito bowls or Hawaiian poke bowls. This trend allows guests to pick and choose what works for them based on their dietary preferences or needs.

Also trending is creating experiences for guests instead of simply serving food and drink, to make sure guests who want more entertainment can enjoy it, and so they feel more included in the celebration.

Things like mixology lessons and olive oil or wine tasting stations help bring guests’ tastes and hobbies to the table for a more interactive and memorable experience.

Sustainability This generation of brides keeps the environment in the forefront, and this year, the trend is to use options that focus on sustainability. In some cases, this might mean using biodegradable disposable plates at the reception rather than plastic ones, or opting for farmto-table, locally sourced food choices.

Florists say the new trend is to use only flowers that are in season, or simpler bouquets that can be reused as centerpieces by simply dropping them in vases on the tables. They are also asked to create arrangements that can be donated to facilities like hospitals, nursing homes or churches after the wedding.

A Modern Industrial Full-service Wedding, Catering Service and Bakery

Schedule A Personal Tour Today!

770.838.0009 809 CEDAR STREET • CARROLLTON, GA

WWW.VENUEONCEDAR.COM @venueoncedar

29

30

Color Colorful weddings are trending this year, including mixing colors, or adding unexpected pops of color.

Pastels are popular, with a slight twist – instead of a true pink, a color called cassis is trending, which is between a pink and a purple, for example. Yellow tends to lean toward the darker, more earthy tone, and the trending blue is more of a denim. Neo mint green also tops the favorites list for 2020.

Many brides are mixing patterns, such as gingham, buffalo check, stripes and florals. The color palettes in the patterns must coordinate, but the patterns themselves play off each other in the wedding décor as well as the clothes of the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

matching sign with, “I do what she says.” Some signs are simply cute, such as, “This way for love, laughter, and happily ever after.”

Outfits

In 2020, puffy sleeves are back in style for bridal gowns – think Princess Diana with a modern twist.

Other trends include ball gowns and lots of lace, bringing back a more vintage feel. Also popular are patterned gowns, such as delicate florals, as well as well adorned jumpsuits – these have all the embellishment of a traditional gown, but with the convenience of pants instead of a skirt. Some jumpsuits have a train or a rear overskirt to add a traditional feel to the trendy pants design.

The guys are trying something new for 2020, as well. Instead of traditional black, grooms lean toward Humor navy or other shades of blue. Many are letting their With letterboards being all the rage on social personalities shine through in big ways, such as with media, couples are incorporating them into their a shiny silver jacket, or in small ways, such as colorful special day in fun and memorable ways. As part of socks or bold, eye-catching shoes. Some are mixing this trend, the napkins and pieces of the slideshow colors with their groomsmen’s jackets, just like many often include similar messages. brides mix colors with their bridesmaid’s dresses.

For example, if there’s a Mexican food station with Whatever trends you decide to incorporate, tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole, a sign might read, remember to stay true to who you are – if you prefer “You guac my world.” A sign at the bar could say, strictly traditional or classic styles, go with your heart.

“Drunk in love.” In front of the wedding cake, place a The trends will move out next year, but the memories sign saying, “I do,” and in front of the groom’s cake, a of your wedding day stay with you forever. WGW

31

From The Moment She Was Born You’ve Wanted The Best For Her. .

So Do We.

When it comes to planning her financial future, she deserves the best.

As a Women's Choice Award winning Financial Advisor, we've distinguished ourselves among women in West Georgia.

Photo by Laura Barnes Photography

Make An Appointment Today!

770.830.0063

Jennifer@yourfinancialfamily.com 551 Newnan St. • Carrollton, Ga. www.milestoneinvestmentsllc.com Services include but not limited to wealth management and comprehensive financial planning for families, female investors and business owners.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

Fixed insurance products and services offered through Milestone Investment Management LLC or CES Insurance Agency.

The Women's Choice Award® Financial Advisor program was created by WomenCertified Inc., the Voice of Women, in an effort to help women make smart financial choices. The Women's Choice Award Financial Program is based on 17 objective criteria associated with providing quality service to women clients, such as credentials, experience, and a favorable regulatory history, among other factors. Financial advisors do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Women's Choice Award Financial Advisors, though they may have paid a basic program fee to cover the cost of their client survey. The inclusion of a financial advisor within the Women's Choice Award Financial Advisor network should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial advisor by WomenCertified Inc. or its partners and affiliates and is no guarantee as to future investment success. Women's Choice Award® Financial Advisors and Firms represent less than 1% of financial advisors in the U.S. As of December 31,2019, of the 542 considered for the Women's Choice Award, 169 were named Women's Choice Award Financial Advisors/Firms. The criteria provided reflects the most recent year for which Financial Advisors/Firms received the award. The criteria used, the number of Financial Advisors/ Firms considered for the award, and the number of those who receive the award, may vary from year to year. For more information, please visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/.

32