CELEBRATIONS SPECIAL SECTION

TRENDING Celebrations 2020

A ROSE IS A ROSE… IS ONE OF MANY EXQUISITE FLOWERS TO CARRY YOU DOWN THE AISLE

Winter, spring, summer, fall. Regardless of the season, carrying a breathtaking bouquet of your favorite flower down the aisle at your wedding is a must. And if your favorite flower doesn’t fall within your budget, color palette and style, there are plenty of other pretty blooms to choose from. Here are 10 suggestions from the folks at Shutterfly (www.shutterfly.com).

PEONY t Ideal for the spring, summer or fall wedding, the budget-friendly ranunculus makes for a striking display. Ranunculus look stunning paired with anything, from roses to succulents, so you can go rustic or elegant.

Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, the lush and fragrant peony provides a romantic look. Peonies are traditionally pink, white or red, but you can also find them in shades of coral, mahogany and yellow.

ROSE s Roses are available in solid hues and bicolor varieties—there are even striped and tipped roses as well. Many of the more than 3,000 varieties of roses are available year-round and

RANUNCULUS s are surprisingly affordable.

HYDRANGEA s The hydrangea is voluminous — so use one or two full blooms sparingly as part of your bouquet, or turn just a few into a centerpiece. Their shape resembles a beating heart, so they symbolize perseverance and emotion.

GARDENIA s Gardenias represent elegance and grace. Gardenias have no stem, so one looks beautiful floating in a bowl of water with candles or pinned to your hair.

CALLA LILY s The calla lily’s trumpet blossom and long stem give it a sleek and modern look. Place a few in a tall vase for a dramatic centerpiece. Colors include creamy ivory, dark purple, yellow, orange and pink. SUCCULENT s Available year-round, the trendy succulent, which comes in a variety of styles and shades, can embellish your bouquet or serve as a backdrop for centerpieces. They work great for anything from an elegant affair to a rustic outdoor wedding.

ORCHID s This timeless and exotic flower symbolizes beauty and refinement, making a stunning accent to any arrangement. They work well for tropical or beachy weddings.

DAHLIA s The dahlia’s round petals pair well with a loose bundle of greenery. Dahlias bloom in an wide array of colors, from subdued to vibrant, and are most popular in the summer.

TULIP t The tulip’s prime season is spring. With its oblong shaped petals, the tulip has many different varieties and colors that pair beautifully with peonies for a textured arrangement.

Mazel tov!

Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Anniversaries, Weddings, Showers… life’s important celebrations deserve to be memorable.

From our new guest rooms, suites, restaurants and event venues, to our award winning Chef’s commitment to innovative fresh cuisine, our hotel and staff are second to none.

Please phone our Event Specialist today at 860.584.7679. We look forward to hosting your family’s memorable event soon.

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Top Tips for Creating the Best Wedding Registry

Filling your home with gifts from friends and family is one of the most meaningful ways to begin your life married life together — especially if those gifts are things you either need or want (or both). Which brings us to the all important wedding gift registry… and these tips from The Knot’s All-in-One Wedding Registry (theknot.com/registry).

n Act now You just got engaged? Time to put together your registry — guests may already be thinking ahead to your engagement party or shower, or maybe they just can’t wait to say “congrats” with a gift.

n It takes two Take an inventory of what you and your partner each have and will keep, as well as what you still need and want. Include in your registry items that speak to your likes and lifestyle — and that you’ll both enjoy. But remember, your tastes and priorities may change over time.

n Ask questions Is the gift-buying process hassle-free? How many locations does the store have? Can guests order by phone, fax or online? Make sure the registry is user-friendly for giftbuyers before you sign on.

n Look for perks Before choosing where to register, find out what kinds of perks and discounts are available. For example, some retailers offer a “completion program” that allows you to purchase whatever you don’t receive at a discount. Ask about it. n Don’t overdo it Choose two to four registries to give guests more choices, while keeping it manageable. Also, it’s best to register with at least one larger retailer like Amazon.com or Williams Sonoma.

n Know your guests Register for items in a range of prices so people can choose gifts within their means. Provide a mix of goods: Think traditional for older relatives, and affordable and fun for college pals.

n Guide the gift-giving When you first register, sign up for products you really want or need. Then, as the items on your checklist start to dwindle, add more. That way you won’t be stuck with a fruit basket when you really need those extra salad plates.

n Stay in season If you have longer than one year before the wedding, don’t register for seasonal items that’ll be replaced in a few months. When they’re ready to buy, guests may find those things have been discontinued.

n Sign up for storage Don’t forget to register for things in which to stash your gifts, i.e., you’ll want to store sterling silver and silver-plated flatware in felt rolls in a silver chest with slotted insets (or a tightly closed drawer) lined with felt linen to prevent scratching, denting and tarnishing.

n Think outside the box Have everything you already need? Register for experiences. Create a honeymoon and/ or cash registry — like The Knot Newlywed Fund — and receive gifts from a Netflix subscription to spa treatments.

n Check out and check up Once you’ve finished creating your list, read it over carefully to make sure there are no mistakes. If a store rep assisted you, get a business card so you have a point person should you have any questions/corrections later.

n Let guests know Spread registry info via word of mouth or your wedding website. Registry info can also be listed on your engagement party and bridal shower invites (but not your wedding invitation) since the invitation doesn’t come from you.

n Keep track Visit your registries often to make sure that purchased gifts have been removed and update your lists with additional items.

n Stay open late Tradition dictates that guests have up to one year from your wedding day to buy a gift; so that’s at least how long your registry should remain active.

n Be gracious Handwritten thank-you notes for gifts received before the wedding should be sent within two weeks of arrival. Notes for gifts received on or after the wedding day should be sent within two months of your return from the honeymoon.

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