2008 by West Valley Weddings

http://www.reevesphoto.com

www.westvalleyweddings.com

{contents} 5.

Figuring Out Flowers: In Bloom and Balance Bouquet Basics How to Maximize Your Wedding Floral Dollars

Real Local Wedding: Verrado

West Valley Vendor Directory

Vendor Spotlight: First Class Executive Car and Limo

10.

Real Local Wedding: Pebble Creek

12.

Classic Confection: Choosing a Classic Cake Saving the Top of the Cake

14.

Reevesphoto.com

Publisher Lee Reeves

Why Their First Dance Was a Miracle

16.

Groomed Grooms: Dapper - and Ready to Go How to Tie a Bow Tie Why Rent When You Can Buy

Editor Cynthia Kris Contributing Writers: Jake Laub Ben Larrison Mindi Leatham Jodi White-Guthrie

Reproduction of West Valley Weddings Magazine ÂŠ2008 in part or whole without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For information about advertising in West Valley Weddings Magazine or online, call 623-330-3954 or e-mail ads@westvalleyweddings.com. www.westvalleyweddings.com

Photo by Reevesphoto.com Flowers by Flowers by Jodi

Photo by Reeves Photography 4

www.westvalleyweddings.com

In Bloom & Balance

Bouquet Basics

WEDDING FLOWERS ALWAYS have been more than a pretty accessory. Brides and grooms wore flowers as symbols of fertility and life before modern weddings even existed, and Roman and Greek brides wore garlands in their hair to ward off evil spirits. Today, flowers can add just the right touch to a wedding’s decor, so start your search for the right florist as soon as you know a few of the essential elements of the wedding: the location and the colors of the bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses. Ask your wedding planner or the manager of the reception site for recommendations of florists, but make sure you and your florist share similar visions. To get you on the right track, come to your first meeting with your florist with a color scheme and photos of flowers and arrangements that you like. Ask if the florist has worked with your venue before, and if not, it might be a good idea to tour the location together. If the ceremony will be

Nosegay

By Jake Laub

outside, for example, point out where the bride and groom will stand and where the aisle will be. The florist will want to focus on these areas in particular. In addition, give the florist an idea of what you might need for your reception area, including the number of tables and table sizes and shapes. Request detailed proposals including labor and delivery costs from two to three florists in your area to compare prices and avoid any hidden charges. Flowers can take up anywhere from 5 to 25 percent of your budget, depending on your decorative choices. Jacque Dearing of Endearing Floral Design in Goodyear says, “I always tell my brides to put money in flowers where their pictures are (bridal bouquet, bridesmaids, ceremony and cake table).” Flowers are one of the most creative aspects of a wedding, so if you have something in mind, don’t be afraid to ask your florist about it.

How To Maximize Your Wedding Floral Dollars There are several ways to keep your floral dollars working for you throughout the wedding day. Moving all your ceremony pieces to the reception area is a great way to double use the ceremony arrangements. Pre-select the placement areas that photos will be taken as flowers are always a beautiful background. The unity centerpieces works great for a head table centerpiece. The large ceremony arrangements can be moved to the sides of your head table or behind the cake table. Aisle arrangements can be used along the front of the head table or buffet tables. Petals, petals and more petals can be used most anywhere and are a lot less expensive than arrangements. If you are having a brunch the next morning, have your centerpieces placed on the buffet or pastry tables. Some churches request or even require arrangements for the altar area as a donation to be used for Sunday services; ask for a donation letter to use for your tax returns. Have your special guests take the arrangements home to enjoy; it’s a nice way to say thank you for all their help it making your big day a reality! -Jodi White-Guthrie

Jodi is owner of Flowers by Jodi. Visit her online at www.flowersbyjodi.com. www.westvalleyweddings.com

The bridal bouquet should express your personality, accent your dress, reflect the tone of the wedding and complement the colors worn by your bridesmaids. Wow. That’s a lot for a bunch of flowers to do. Here’s our guide to get you started.

A nosegay is a round cluster of flowers, usually of one dominant color, tied with ribbon or lace and with the stems cut to the same length. A Biedermeier is a nosegay with concentric rings of flowers, creating a striped effect. Both are Victorian style.

Hand-tied Currently one of the most popular styles, hand-tied bouquets consist of a simple amalgam of flowers with their stems bound by ribbon or wire. Great for an informal, outdoor wedding.

Cascading The flowers in this style fall below the main part of the bouquet, creating a more formal, traditional feel. Think a flowing waterfall of blooms.

Custom/ Contemporary This isn’t so much a style as a mentality. It’s your wedding bouquet, so have fun with it. Bridal florists can create anything from specially shaped bouquets to bouquets studded with Swarovski crystals. That will really show off your sparkling personality. -Jake Laub ©CTW Features

Wedding!Details BRIDE AND GROOM John and Whitney VENUE Raven Golf Club at Verrado DRESS David’s Bridal FLORIST Anne Marie’s Custom Floral HAIR Rick at Haircutters at the Park PHOTO/VIDEO Reeves Photography & Videography JEWELERS Jared’s Galleria of Jewelry STATIONERY Paperwhyte Fine Stationery and Gifts

www.westvalleyweddings.com

Verrado

www.westvalleyweddings.com

WEST VALLEY VENDOR DIRECTORY VENDOR

WEB ADDRESS

CONTACT

LOCATION

Custom Cakes By Elizabeth

www.customcakesbyelizabeth.com

623-518-9540

Peoria

Cynthia Kris Photography

www.cynthiakris.com

602-388-9340

Goodyear

Endearing Floral Design

www.endearingfloraldesign.com

623-536-0995

Goodyear

First Class Executive Car and Limo

www.firstclassexecutive.net

623-536-7499

Litchfield Park

Pure Digital Photography

www.puredigitalphotography.net

623-680-3081

Surprise

Raven Golf Club at Verrado

www.ravenatverrado.com

602-388-3000

Buckeye

Reeves Photography & Videography

www.reevesphoto.com

602-622-2622

Goodyear

Tuf-E-Nuf Personal Training

www.tuf-e-nuf.net

623-824-6919

Buckeye

For information on having your business listed in the West Valley Vendor Directory or Spotlight, call 623-330-3954

Photos by Pure Digital Photography

We want to see you in our magazine! Send us your wedding or engagement photos.

Go to www.westvalleyweddings.com for requirements & submission instructions.

www.westvalleyweddings.com

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT First Class Executive Car and Limo By Mindi Leatham

www.theeweddingwarehouse.com www.endearingfloraldesign.com

First Class Executive Car and Limo is one of Arizonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exceptional wedding vendors located in the West Valley. Family owned and operated since 2003, First Class Executive Car and Limo began serving Arizona in 2007. Their surprisingly affordable fleet of limousines and SUVs include a Chrysler 300M Super-Stretch Limousine and a White Lincoln Town Car Stretch Limousine. Each vehicle seats up to 12 guests and is stocked with champagne, state-of-the-art stereo systems and DVD players. Their uniformed chauffeurs are highly trained and reliable. For Wedding Package information visit www.firstclassexecutive.net or call 1.877.811.1122.

www.cynthiakris.com

www.westvalleyweddings.com

Pebble Creek

www.westvalleyweddings.com

Wedding!Details BRIDE AND GROOM Justin and Jennifer VENUE Eagleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest at Pebble Creek DRESS & TUX A Dream Wedding for Less FLORIST Cactus Flowers HAIR Debra at JC Penney Salon (Spectrum Mall) PHOTO/VIDEO Reeves Photography & Videography JEWELERS Shane Company STATIONERY Designed by Bride and Groom

www.westvalleyweddings.com

Choosing a Classic Cake The cake is, without a doubt, the highlight of the reception. But with all of the elaborate designs out there, it’s easy to forget that no matter how spectacular it looks, the final judgment is ultimately about the flavor. “I find the complaint about dry cakes to be the most common concern from any customer,” says Elizabeth Koos, owner of Custom Cakes by Elizabeth in Peoria. “To put my clients’ minds at ease on this, I always offer tastings. Any reputable business will do the same if asked.” “This way the potential customer will be able to taste the actual product,” says Koos, and “this will put their minds at ease and give an excellent opportunity to discuss flavor changes, fillings and cake designs.” Your typical cake will be round, stacked and three-tiered. Most bakers use pound cake, which has advantages structurally, while adding flavoring to the mix to give it the taste you desire. Some bakeries will be more adventurous, making every cake from scratch and incorporating unique flavors like carrot, sweet potato or something like strawberry cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting. The average three-tiered cake consists of 6-inch, 10-inch and 14-inch layers. But will that be enough for your party? Or perhaps too much? 12

“You can get a nice size 3 tier cake for 100 servings in the style of your choice, and then order kitchen cakes for the rest of your servings needed,” says Koos. “This is a great way for a bride to stay on budget.” Once the bride and groom cut the cake, cue the caterer to start bringing out slices from the already-cut “cheat” cake that has the same look and flavor as that on the floor. This not only saves time but also prevents the awkwardness of having the caterer standing up front cutting and serving the cake while guests wait around for a piece.

The Classic

Overlay ornate cakes definitely please the eye, but if you’re looking to please the palate with minimal presentation, the simple elegance of a plain, white buttercream confection is often the most beautiful of all. While white buttercream might seem basic, the pared-down presentation also will help your pare down costs. If that doesn’t do it for you, though, crowning the cake with daisy tops or putting colored ribbon around the base of each layer offer a touch of design impact with minimal damage to your budget. - Ben Larrison

Reevesphoto.com

You did it! You’re married, you’ve had your first dance and now it’s time to cut that cake.

Saving the Top of the Cake When people think wedding reception, they often think cake. And when people think cake, they think of the top layer. Tradition says the bride and groom are supposed to save the top, freeze it, and share it on their first anniversary. And according to wedding experts, this custom is still going strong. Well, for the most part. Don’t worry though; even if you slip up and indulge yourself in some confectionary goodness before the paper anniversary, many bakeries will re-build your top layer for you. The little man and woman are still the standard ornament for the topper, but some couples are starting to build their personality into their cakes. Flags with the logo of their alma maters or favorite sports teams are popular, as are humorous versions of the classic bride and groom, such as the bride dragging the groom. Another simple option is to put the couples’ initials on the top of the cake. -B.L. ©CTW Features

www.westvalleyweddings.com

Reevesphoto.com www.westvalleyweddings.com

Photos by Reevesphoto.com

Why this couple’s first dance was a miracle. By Mindi Leatham The first time Melissa and David Berling married each other was in a secret Honolulu ceremony. “David wanted to surprise me,” says Melissa. “We had a vacation to Hawaii planned and six weeks before the trip he gave me a number to call so that I could answer questions about the wedding! He said he figured we’d get married while we were there.” With David about to begin extensive pilot training for the Air Force, the couple

knew it would be years before an opportune time for the traditional wedding they wanted. “We got married on May 31, 2007 because we knew in 2008 that date would be a Saturday. We planned on marrying again with our families present on our two year anniversary,” Melissa says. The Berlings managed to keep their secret for almost a year until, in 2007, David was working with air traffic control to land his Beachcraft Bonanza in Los Angeles’ fog. What exactly happened next is still under investigation, but the plane struck power lines 300 feet in the air and crashed nose first. Melissa was contacted by Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and learned that it had been necessary for both of David’s

www.westvalleyweddings.com

legs to be amputated through the knees. “All through his hospital stay and the following 29 surgeries, David never looked back,” Melissa says. “He only looked for ways to do all that he wanted. It was never a question of if he’d walk again; he was determined. His biggest motivation was whenever someone would tell him ‘A double amputee has never done that.’ He’d say, ‘Just watch.’” Because the hospital staff knew of the Berlings’ marriage, Melissa decided to share the news with the family after all. “I told my mom over the phone before she arrived and she was so excited. I was planning on telling David’s parents as soon as I had an opportunity, but they walked in the waiting room

just as a surgeon called me ‘Mrs. Berling!’ David’s mom had wanted us to get married for years.” David was discharged in July 2007 and continued his physical therapy. He learned to walk again on the C-Legs with computerized knees he received the following August. Amazingly, he enrolled in a dance class with Melissa to prepare for their second wedding at Luke Air Force Base. When the much anticipated day arrived, the couple had everything they’d dreamed of: a large guest list including all their family and friends and, most importantly, each other. It was a celebration of their tried and true commitment to each other and their dance to Breathe by Faith Hill received a standing ovation.

www.westvalleyweddings.com

Dapper - and Ready to Go SO YOU’VE POPPED the question and perhaps booked the limo and DJ. Don’t think your nuptial duties are done. This is the day your bride-to-be has always dreamed of, and it’s up to you (more than you think) to help make it perfect in every way. Asserting yourself in the planning process will not only keep her impressed and unstressed, but you’ll probably have some fun, too - who doesn’t like sampling food and selecting bar packages? And when it comes to your big-day attire, you can take complete control of the reins... well, with her permission, of course. Whether a formal or more casual affair, today’s grooms are keeping style in mind when walking down the aisle. For tuxedo-clad grooms, cummerbunds and bow ties channel a classic feel of sartorial elegance. Grooms who decide to pare down the formality with a suit can still add a pinch of posh by saying yes to the vest and walk the aisle in a three-piece suit. Tie bars and cuff links let you add a bit of personal flash in a very understated way. If your wedding is taking place during prime wedding time, get measured for and order your tux at

least three months before your wedding. The same goes for your groomsmen. If you’re bypassing the tux for the suit, get your groomsmen to follow suit, too. While their suit styles may differ, it doesn’t matter as long as they’re all walking down the aisle in the same color. Samecolored shirts and/or ties enhance the cohesion. Just make sure they’re wrinkle-free. And, please, show up on time.

The Guys on Your Side

Your groomsmen aren’t just there to usher folks to their seats and, well, look manly. They’re the guys who’ve helped you get your big day and serve as symbols of the man you are today. Having them stand up with you is your way of showing them how important they are to you and is your way of saying thanks for all that they’ve done. If you’ve been a groomsmen or best man before, you know how fun the experience is, and, most important, the meaning behind it. Enjoy all the pre-and post-wedding time with your guys, but be sure to relish in this once-in-a-lifetime experience with your friends and family on the big day. You’ll never have a better time male bonding.

How to Tie a

Bow Tie

A classic wedding with a readymade tie? We think knot! Show you mean business by wearing and tying your own bow tie. • First things first. Get in front of a mirror. • Adjust the bow tie for your neck size, just as you would with a standard necktie. • Pass the right over the left end-again, just like a regular necktie - and then pull on both ends, tightening the knot from against your top shirt button. (One tip from the fashion elite is to “put your foot on your neck,” and then proceed to “tie your shoe.”) • Fold the right side in half, forming a bow. • Pass the left side over the middle of the right folded half. • Pull the left side down and around the back, forming a bow shape as you slide it through the opening behind the right bow. • Adjust as necessary • Still confused? Grab the mirror and get in front of the computer. And online video will give you something to mimic. ©CTW Features

©CTW Features

Why Rent When You Can Buy? Got some money burning a hole in those well-worn trousers? Instead of renting yet another tuxedo, take some time to consider purchasing your own tuxedo (or a fancy new suit.) After all, this is your wedding, not the prom. And depending on where you shop, you might not be spending an exorbitant amount more than you would be for renting. Plus, you’ll be investing in something you’re going to enjoy and look sharp in for years to come. And when the Academy Awards come calling, you won’t have to worry about renting again. ©CTW Features 16

www.westvalleyweddings.com

Reevesphoto.com