Bridal Guide Winter 2017

January 26, 2017

Bridal W I N T E R 2 017

GUIDE

www.winchesterstar.com

2 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Winchester Star

2017 Winter Bridal Guide

From forks to tents: Grand Rental Event Center has everything for your big day

By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — There’s a lot that goes into planning a wedding. Choosing a location, a date, your bridal party, how many people to invite, the dress, the tux, the bridesmaid gowns… the list goes on. Beyond those big decisions, you have plenty more to make.

From the tent and table settings to lighting and linens, these small details add up to a big impact.

For area brides and grooms, make a stop into the new Grand Rental Event Center on Berryville Pike a top priority on your to-do list. While Grand Rental Station has supplied special event rentals since 1987, they decided to split the business into its own building.

“We started taking on party equipment, and it grew and grew and grew,” said Annie Bell, event director.

“Events and equipment are like oil and water. You don’t want to smell oil and be behind someone buying a chainsaw when you are picking out stuff for your wedding,” she said.

The new store is located across the parking lot from the original Grand Rental Station on Berr yville Pike, and of fers 1,300 square feet of display space for tablescapes, linen, china, glass and serveware, props like bars and champagne fountains, and even special chandeliers for tents.

They’ve always had the ability to offer these options to customers, but didn’t have

JEFF TAYLOR/The Winchester Star

Tent chandeliers available for rent from Grand Rental Event Center. the space to display ever ything. With the new event-focused space, they have a special conference room area where brides- and grooms-to-be can meet with Bell or her-

See Event, Page 3

JEFF TAYLOR/The Winchester Star

Joel Solenberger is the event liaison and Annie Bell is the logistics director at Grand Rental Event Center on Berryville Pike in Winchester.

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The Winchester Star

Winter 2017 Bridal Guide

Event

Thursday, January 26, 2017 — 3

from Page 2

brother, Joel Solenberger, event director, to discuss what they want to do.

The focused effort on events and weddings also means that Solenberger and Bell can look toward growing the business and offering more in the near future.

“We hope to move more into furniture,” Bell said. “We can order it now from a vendor, but we plan to carry and showcase our own.”

They have also increased their linen offerings, and have several lighting styles — from chandeliers and lanterns to uplighting and the trendy bistro strand lighting. In December, they brought in apple crates and farm tables, popular options for vintage and barn style weddings, as well as more traditional arches.

Grand Rental Event Center also handles staging needs for dance floors and pipe and draping for indoor spaces. They set every-

thing up and take ever ything down at the end of the event, and will even “frou-frou it up for you,” Bell said.

Since many couples come in to rent tents, they soon realize that Grand Rental Event Center can be their one-stop shop for just about everything.While Grand Rental Event Center cannot do flowers or wedding cakes, they can recommend many who can, thanks to being in the event field for many years and also being a member of Shenandoah Valley Wedding Professionals.

And since the holiday season is the busiest time of the year for engagements, they recommend acting soon to book your rentals. Six months is preferable, said Bell, but they will work with last minute needs.

“Whatever your design is, we can make it happen,” Solenberger said.

Visit online: http://grandeventcenter.net/

JEFF TAYLOR/The Winchester Star

Paper lanterns and a selection of linens available at Grand Rental Event Center.

JEFF TAYLOR/The Winchester Star

While they offer many linen options in-house, Grand Rental Event Center can also bring in many more designs and patterns. This is one of the many wedding table settings available for rent.

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4 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Winchester Star

2017 Winter Brdial Guide

On Location: Shenandoah Club offers three settings in one venue mony in the private terrace, and afterward dance the night away in the 3,500 square foot Shenandoah Event Center, which touts rustic chandeliers, exposed barn-style beam ceilings and moldings on the walls.

By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

DOUBLE TOLLGATE — A waterfront wedding in the Shenandoah Valley?

Yes, it’s possible. If you didn’t like that idea, you instead could consider a barn-inspired wedding — at that same location.

The new Shenandoah Club at Trilogy Lake Frederick can offer those two locations and more for your upcoming nuptials.

Besides a lakefront ceremony and a barn-inspired event center, they can also offer a private garden terrace.

Being able to of fer it all is one of the things that sets the lodge apart.

“The main benefit is actually our location, as it is very unique,” said DeAnne Frazier, special events manager.

“It’s one of the only venues in the area that offers a lakeside setting. There are a variety of backdrops for beautiful pictures — the lake, gardens, a nature park, and the private Garden Terrace — and having access to the property for wedding pictures is a big bonus for brides. ” The club opened in July 2016 and has hosted five weddings so far. Several already booked for 2017. The main package for the venue includes ever ything except for the Lakeside Lawn, which is available for an additional fee. You could have your cere-

A lakefront, garden terrace, and grand ballroom are three venue options at the new Shenandoah Club in Frederick County.

JEFF TAYLOR/The Winchester Star

The Lakeside Lawn at the Shenandoah Club is a popular choice for warm-weather nuptials. This is just one of three locations that a couple can use as a wedding ceremony or reception location. Other venue options include the Garden Terrace or the Shenandoah Event Center, which is a ballroom with a barn-inspired feel.

Beyond the choice of settings, the Shenandoah Club can be a bride and groom’s one-stop-shop for almost all of their wedding details. While they don’t do flowers, wedding cakes, or provide music, they do offer catering (no outside vendors are allowed), alcohol packages, state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, tables, seating and linens, plus portable bars which can be used throughout the property.

“We consider ourselves a one-stop-shop,” said Frazier.

“The venue fee for the Event Center, for

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Lodge from Page 4

example, covers so many different aspects of party needs, all the wedding party needs to worry about is photography, a DJ or entertainment, and the flowers.”

The bride will be pleased with the bridal suite, the Skyline Wedding Suit. A large private meeting room is transformed into an

~

A majority of the comments we receive are about the food. Chef Scott Bilstad’s food has been a massive hit.

— DeAnne Frazier special events manager, Shenandoah Lodge

elegant space for the bride and her party to get dressed prior to the ceremony. The staff will bring in a floor length mirror, lounge furniture, a vanity, and hangers for dresses. There is a private door inside the room to the bathroom, so that the wedding party does not need to go into the hall (and risk being seen by the groom or guests). They also can enjoy a private entrance into the garden terrace, which is often used for cocktail hour or the ceremony space.

The groom and his men have a great space of their own too — it’s called the Paddock Room. Picture a floor-to-ceiling wine cellar in a room with 23-foot ceilings. Dark woods encase the more than 1,300 bottles

Winter 2017 Bridal Guide

of wines, and a large conference-style table fills out the room. It’s a great space for photos. Frazier said that brides often climb the ladder to pose for a photo, which allows for their gowns and trains to dramatically drape to the floor.

And let’s not forget the food. Their onsite catering provides a southern spin on the farm-to-table trend.

“Chef Bilstad’s culinary background allows him to have the flexibility to offer all types of dishes,” Frazier said.

“Our most popular options are the stationed dinners where Chef can show off him home-grown southern style of cooking. His ‘Whole Boucherie’, which I like to call ‘The Pig’, is always a big hit.”

Shenandoah Lodge of fers both plated and stationed menus in order to cater to all types of weddings and events, from formal to those whose guests like to get into the party.

The food is commonly what bridal parties and their guests rave about.

“A majority of the comments we receive are about the food. Chef Scott Bilstad’s food has been a massive hit!” she exclaimed.

Another major compliment Frazier hears?

“We have received numerous compliments on the attitudes, efforts, and attention to detail of all the staff, saying that they have gone above and beyond expectations.”

For area brides and groom who want to ensure a seamless wedding day, the new Shenandoah Lodge is a venue location worth a look.

Shenandoah Lodge and Athletic Center 540-699-3228 http://www.shenandoahclubva.com/

Thursday, January 26, 2017 — 5

LEFT: The Paddock Room is a popular spot for the groom and his groomsmen to be prior to the ceremony.

SCOTT MASON/The Winchester Star

BELOW: The Garden Terrace is a great location for a smaller ceremony or pre-ceremony cocktails.

JEFF TAYLOR/The Winchester Star

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For those who wish to have an indoor setting for their ceremony on reception, the 3,500 square foot Shenandoah Event Center is available.

6 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

2017 Winter Bridal Guide

The Winchester Star

THE WEDDING

WELCOME

BAG

Your guests have traveled far and wide — be sure to welcome them with everything they need to know for your big day.

•

A welcome note with important details: wedding schedule, other planned activities, transportation information.

•

“Something salty, something sweet,” recommends Winchester wedding planner Amy VanMeter. “Most clients choose local items for this.” Pictured: chocolate truffles from Shenandoah Fine Chocolates.

•

A small gift. “Something that reflects you, your theme, or sets the tone for the weekend. Such as fans, sunglasses, bug spray wipes, song request card, something something hand-crafted like soap or a candle,” VanMeter said. Pictured: honey and wine hand-crafted soap from Tin Top Art & Handmade.

•

Visitor guides of the area, and include some of your favorite spots — wineries, golf courses, caverns, shops, and restaurants. Brochures and maps available at the Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

•

Other recommendations: water bottles, which can be personalized with labels, pain reliever, Band-aids, mints.

•

Be sure to line up everything with your hotel several weeks in advance. While typically hotels are happy to deliver the bags to your guests’ rooms, they do prefer to not have the bags individualized for each guest, advised VanMeter.

The Winchester Star

Thursday, January 26, 2017 — 7

Winter 2017 Bridal Guide

Randall’s Fashion shares tips for wedding guest attire

By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — Joseph Randall King Sr. is a sharp-dressed man. From his new shop on Piccadilly Street, the 55-year-old can watch the runway of Winchester pass by each day, with styles of clothes that run the gamut from professional to pajamas.

On this par ticular day, he was wearing a blue pinstripe suit, a sleek tank-style watch, and leather dress shoes. He knows how wearing something that looks good can make you feel.

“I believe that for me, I not only represent myself but I represent the Lord. If the Lord has provided better for me, then I will present myself a little better,” he said.

His career wasn’t always in fashion — he spent 24 years with Pepsi as a sales manager, and served as a reverend at a church in Kearnesyville, W.Va.; he is currently looking for a church in the Winchester area. He said his experiences with church instilled in him a passion for dressing well and led to him opening Randall’s Fashion in December.

“The Bible says to come as you are — but not in dress, in spirit,” he laughed. He feels that people don’t present themselves as well as they used to, and he wants to help change that one customer at a time.

His original concept for the store was to sell only menswear; however, after some re-

search he discovered that women do 60 percent of the shopping, so he decided to carry items for them to consider for themselves.

King stocks mostly dress attire for men and women, including suits, dinner and tux jackets in stylish colors and fabrics, skirt suits and dresses (many with coordinating hats), dresses, and accessories including ties and bow ties, cuff link sets, men’s dress shoes, belts and socks, and jewelry designed by his wife, Robin King. He and his son are working on the back portion of his store, which will carry urban wear.

Because his store carries more formal clothing that one would wear to church, his apparel is well-suited for those attending weddings.

Men “For men, it’s easy,” he said. Tuxedos and suits are the choices.

King pulled out a few fun dinner jackets — one in burgundy, another in a deep royal blue, and a classic red, which all featured a contrasting lapel in black. He said these are great options for a younger man to wear to a wedding, paired with black tux or suit pants.

Younger men aren’t intimidated to wear unexpected colors.

“For the older, more sophisticated man,

See Guest, Page 8

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Matthew Lofton/Special to the Winchester Star

Suits in muted colors like gray, accented by accessories like a lapel pin and pocket square, are good options for either father of the bride or groom, or a wedding guest.

Matthew Lofton/Special to the Winchester Star

Women’s dress or skirting suits in solid colors are appropriate for wedding guests or mother of the bride or groom.

540-662-1473, ext. 227 E events@theMSV.org 901 Amherst St., Winchester, VA E www.theMSV.org

8 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

Guest from Page 7

they would do more muted colors,” he said, as he showed a light brown double-breasted chalk stripe suit. Though more subdued in color, this suit still had a pop of personality with an embroidered lapel with a small dot pattern. These styles would also be appropriate for a father of the bride or groom.

For suit jackets, King said that double-breasted is coming back in a big way.

Three- and four-button jackets are out, and 1- to 2-button jackets are in.

In his travels to the fashion markets in New York, Baltimore, and Atlanta, he sees that flat-front trousers with a slim fit leg are ver y popular. He carries those styles, but also carries a wider leg with pleats for men with a different or heavier build, as that style is more flattering and comfortable for their body shape.

“Many of my customers are into the Steve Harvey look,” he said.

If you only can invest in one suit, he recommends a navy or black one.

“Make it black or navy — not a bright color,” he advised. “You can wear black or blue anywhere.”

Women For women guests at weddings or a mother of the bride or groom, he recommends skirt suits or dresses with a coordinating jacket. On a mannequin, he had put together a royal blue jacket and pencil skirt

The Winchester Star

2017 Winter Bridal Guide

which would be appropriate at weddings any time of the year. Many of the dresses and suits he carries have coordinating hats.

These styles can be worn to other formal and semi-formal occasions, as well as church. Winter weddings call for heavier fabrics and colors, but for spring and sum-

~

Always present yourself in something you feel comfortable in. You’ve got to feel good about it.

— Joseph Randall King Sr. Owner, Randall’s Fashion

mer weddings, think lighter fabrics and brighter colors.

King says he purposefully stays away from selecting trendier apparel for women, and instead focuses on clothing that is classic and ladylike. He hopes to have something for everyone.

And whether you are attending a wedding or just heading out the door for work, he has a final piece of advice.

“Always present yourself in something you feel comfortable in. You’ve got to feel good about it.”

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In addition to men and women’s apparel, Randall’s Fashion also carries hats, men’s dress shoes, cuff link sets, handbags, and women’s jewelry, which is made by the owner’s wife, Robin.

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The Winchester Star

Winter 2017 Bridal Guide

Thursday, January 26, 2017 — 9

10 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

2017 Winter Bridal Guide

Been there, done that

The Winchester Star

Tips from recent brides, grooms, and wedding professionals for planning a successful wedding

By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — Weddings have changed a lot over the last few years. When’s the last time you went to a church wedding? A sit-down dinner reception?

Perhaps the biggest change in the wedding industr y over the last decade was the move away from the traditional wedding. Brides and grooms today plan weddings that better reflect their personalities and style.

This move, however, can create a lot more work, and sometimes even more cost for the couple.

We spoke with recent area brides, grooms and wedding professionals to get their advice on planning a wedding in 2017.

The budget Principal Planner Amy VanMeter of Amy VanMeter Events said there is one mistake she sees all too often with couples — overspending in one particular area, primarily

See Tips, Page 11

Photo contributed by Shannon Hughes Photography

Groom Patrick Rodgers of Winchester recommends working with local vendors. He worked with Bell’s Fine Clothing on the Loudoun Street Mall in Winchester on the groomsmens’ suits.

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Thursday, January 26, 2017 — 11

Winter 2017 Bridal Guide

Tips

from Page 10 the venue or catering.

“The biggest mistake that I see brides make is booking their venue or caterer without having an itemized budget,” she said.

“This is a problem when the bride spends a disproportionate percentage of their entire budget on the venue or catering expense. When they overspend on one item, it makes it very difficult to budget for everything else.”

Patrick Rodgers of Winchester, who planned his 2015 wedding with wife Ann, agreed that cost is one of the biggest surprises.

“Not that any one thing was too expensive, or that we felt overcharged — in fact everyone we worked with was fantastic — but things add up quickly,” he said.

“Setting a budget and spending on your priorities is key.

It is important to remember though that a more expensive wedding isn’t necessarily good and a less expensive wedding isn’t bad. It should fit the couple, reflect who you are, and what will be fun for you.”

Professional help Perhaps no other decision by you can make or break your wedding day like hiring the right wedding professionals.

From the photographer, caterer, baker, florist, venue staff, and musicians, you need to hire people who are reputable and trustworthy.

“The cheapest vendor is not necessarily the best,” cautioned Catherine Bogaty, special events manager at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.

“Book who you like and feel comfortable with. Get several proposals from caterers and don’t be afraid to ask how you can tweak things to make it fit your budget. Hire good help, it’s worth it.”

Michael Haymaker, director of weddings and design at Historic Rosemont Manor in Clarke County, suggests hiring

See Tips, Page 12

Photo courtesy of Julie Napear Photography

Guests play with photo props at the Dorsey reception at the George Washington Hotel in Winchester. The props were used as a fun alternative to a traditional guestbook — guests used a Polaroid camera to take photos of themselves, which they would put into the Dorsey’s guestbook. a wedding planner to oversee such details.

“Most brides, grooms, moms and dads have the best intentions. But they don’t always know how to address those

small details and how to select the right vendors,” said Haymaker.

“The wedding planner is going to lead, direct and offer

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12 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Winchester Star

2017 Winter Bridal Guide

Tips

from Page 11 suggestions to make it less stressful for the bride and groom.”

He also suggests finding your professional help locally.

“The most important advice I can give any bride is that shopping locally makes sense. You can go on the internet and find DJs, photographers, bakers, but if you have a planner who knows the area, and the venue, that planner should have a group of vendors they work with all the time who will give them what you want and the level of service that is needed,” he said.

“Using vendors who are local is also better on the budget and there’s not a travel factor involved.”

Using local vendors was one of Rodger’s biggest tips.

“We worked with local folks we already knew and trusted for locations, catering, and in my case dressing myself and the groomsmen. Trusting the folks you are working with is important so you can have confidence that things will go how you’ve discussed and there won’t be surprises,” he said.

Also, if your venue does not provide staff to help set up and take down decorations, tables, and chairs, Bogaty said not to recruit friends and family — a.k.a. your wedding guests — to help.

“I have seen too many brides enlisting their family and friends to do all the decorating, set up, ecetera,” she said.

“That is too much for them and too stressful. They are also your guests and should be able to enjoy the day and also not stuck with clean and pack up at the end of the night.”

The personality of the wedding “Weddings over the last few years have continued to move away from the traditional. Couples want the celebration to reflect them,” said VanMeter.

“Those couples who still want to incorporate traditional aspects are doing them in their own way. For example, they are having other desserts, in place of a traditional wedding cake. They are choosing their favorite desserts like pies, donuts, cookies, gelato, or a variety of items as a buffet.”

There are many ways to incorporate your

personality into the wedding to make it truly unique. Chris Dorsey, who married his wife Amanda at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley and held their reception at The George Washington Hotel in 2015, shares some ideas: “For the guest tables at the reception, we

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The Winchester Star

Winter 2017 Bridal Guide

Thursday, January 26, 2017 — 13

Tips from Page 12 “We had Polaroid cameras on the table with our guest book, along with some props.

Guests could take a picture of themselves and put in the guest book alongside their comments.”

Besides reception ideas, think of ways to make the ceremony more personal and meaningful.

“We didn’t spend much time doing crafts, but we did spend time thinking about the ceremony,” said Ann Rodgers, Patrick’s bride.

“For the ceremony we had a priest do the blessing. He’s a Rodgers family member that also married Patrick’s parents. We also picked the Massachusetts Supreme Court definition of marriage reading for during the ceremony. We felt like it really spoke to both of us and I loved the story behind it.”

For 2017, VanMeter predicts a rise in a different type of reception.

“I think that we will see more casual, cocktail-style receptions,” she said.

“These receptions usually include a variety of seating options like lounge furniture, cocktail tables, smaller seated tables and food stations.”

More tips • Jane Obst, social catering sales manager at The George Washington Hotel in Winchester, recommends being particular about your venue. “With a wide variety of venues to choose from, find a venue where you immediately feel comfortable upon entering. It’s not just the venue you choose, you should have confidence in the Wedding Specialist at the property who will be assisting you in coordinating your event.”

• “When selecting the gown, if they have a wedding planner, it’s always good to have them go with you when selecting a gown because the planner will be honest,” said Haymaker. “Brides have their vision of their dress, but they forget their actual day and venue. The construction of gown, the weight of the gown, the fabric, these are things they don’t think about and how it will affect their wedding day. A planner will help them think through that and stay within their budget.”

• “I highly recommend planning a relaxing honeymoon right after the wedding if you’re able to,” said Dorsey’s wife, Amanda.“We had plans to spend ours touring Europe, but after buying a house a few months before the wedding, we decided to scale back and go to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico instead. We were so glad we did!

All we wanted to do was lay on the beach and relax after all of the craziness of the wedding events.”

• Be sure to cover all your bases — Rodgers forgot one important detail and didn’t realize it until his wedding day. “It was not until after the ceremony, pictures, and congratulations when we found ourselves standing in an empty parking lot that we realized then we had forgotten one crucial detail — transportation to the reception,” he recalled. Luckily, they got a lift. Catherine Bogaty, who planned their ceremony at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley where she serves as special events manager, drove the happy couple to their reception.

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14 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Winchester Star

2017 Winter Bridal Guide

What’s new in wedding trends

By BETH J. HARPAZ Associated Press

If your idea of a wedding involves throwing rice and eating a slice of white, threetiered cake, you’ve got some catching up to do.

These days, guests blow bubbles or light sparklers instead of throwing rice.

Trendy couples are getting married in barns and campgrounds, and they’re hiring food trucks for dinner and serving doughnuts for dessert.

And how did anyone get married before the internet? From Pinterest inspiration to emailed invites and hashtagged photos, everything but the “I do” can be digital.

We got input from more than 100 sources — including wedding planners, hotels and caterers, newlyweds and guests, websites, magazines and Mindy Weiss’ “The Wedding Book” — to compile the following look at what’s new in weddings.

The ceremony Instead of a printed program, look for chalkboard signs telling you where to go, what to do and when.

Online certification and relaxed legal requirements for officiants in many states means it’s much easier for couples to have friends or relatives perform their ceremony instead of a minister or justice of the peace.

Why make a mess throwing rice? These days, newlyweds are feted by bubbles or sparklers distributed to guests beforehand.

Dogs are on planes, in stores and everywhere else, so why shouldn’t they walk down the aisle with their owners?

Couples are also inviting those nearest and dearest to join them at the altar regardless of gender. A bride can have a male friend by her side and a groom can have a

female friend. Some even call them bridesmen and groomsmaids.

For Jewish weddings, the signing of the traditional marriage contract, called a ketubah, is now often as elaborate as the wedding ceremony. What used to be a private signing with a couple of witnesses might now involve speakers, photos and a contract that’s a commissioned work of art rather than a simple document.

The setting Beaches and gardens have been popular alternatives to hotel ballrooms for a while.

But venue options are getting even more rustic. Barns are a big trend, as are campgrounds where guests bunk for the weekend and line up for grub in the dining hall.

These relaxed, semi-outdoor settings also lend themselves to weddings that feel more like summer camp or bar mitzvahs than formal occasions. Think scavenger hunts, trivia games, color war, campfires, singalongs, volleyball, bocce, croquet and glow necklaces for dancing in the dark.

Food Anything goes as fun alternatives to staid seated dinners: wedding brunches, food trucks, vegan and gluten-free spreads, barbecues, cheese trays, oyster bars and sliders. Multicultural menus include makeyour-own taco bars and sushi stations. And with guests wandering around nibbling this and that, assigned seats can be replaced by a mix of informal tables, chairs, stools, counters, sofas and picnic tables.

Booze trends include craft beer and signature cocktails.

Some couples still want that three-tiered

See Trends, Page 15

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Guests blow bubbles into the air at the wedding of Matthew and Meredith Ritter in Brookline, Mass. Blowing bubbles and waving sparklers have become an alternative to throwing rice at weddings.

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The Winchester Star

Winter 2017 Bridal Guide

Trends from Page 14

cake, but lots of wedding desserts are going rogue. Cupcakes were the darling alternative a decade ago, but today’s trendy sweets include milkshakes, gourmet doughnuts, s’mores, pies, churros, candy buffets and make-your-own ice cream sundae bars.

There’s also a “naked cake” craze — filling between the layers but no frosting!

Technology Today’s couples need Pinterest, Instagram and Etsy for inspiration, the WeddingWire database for vendors and WeddingHappy for planning help. They may reject paper invitations in favor of emails. Directions, schedules and other FAQs can be found on personal wedding websites.

Digital registries are no longer limited to individual retailers. Amazon has a wedding registry, MyRegistry.com allows you to aggregate products from any number of retailers, and Zola offers a curated selection of products from various brands. Couples with enough towels and silverware might prefer donations toward a honeymoon via sites like

GoFundMe or HoneyFund.com.

For photos, the happy couple will provide a custom hashtag to make it easy to find all the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts, and they may also ask you to upload your images to a website like WedPics.

Are you ready for the wedding video shot by drone? Or are you still tr ying to wrap your head around weddings that are livestreamed or Skyped for those who can’t be there in person?

And what’s that in the side of the wedding gown? A POCKET? Of course! The bride needs to keep her cellphone handy.

Because if there were ever a day for selfies and Snapchat, this would be it.

Of course there are anti-cellphone couples too. They might ask guests to please put cellphones away to reduce distractions during the ceremony. This policy also prevents you from posting pics that aren’t as flattering as the ones shot and edited by a professional photographer.

Thursday, January 26, 2017 — 15

Shenandoah Valley Golf Club

Flowers Floral arrangements are trending green and wild — eucalyptus, pine boughs and holly berries, wildflowers in jam jars, plants instead of cut flowers and environmentally friendly succulents.

Jonathan Elderfield Photography via AP

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16 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Winchester Star

2017 Winter Bridal Guide

Forget DIY for your wedding. Think DIT (Do It Together).

By JENNIFER FORKER Associated Press

Many brides and grooms who want to craft meaningful and memorable wedding decorations choose to make one important item — the bouquet, table centerpiece or party giveaway gifts. Others go all-out, crafting nearly every detail, either to save money or to make the day more personal.

Marissa DeMercurio, of Arvada, Colorado, made everything she could by hand for her 2014 wedding. The key, she says, was planning the projects well in advance and inviting family and friends to help. She asked some friends who are artists to make, paint and handprint items, from handmade signs to the lawn games played at her outdoor ceremony and reception. She found her inspirations at online sites such as Pinterest and Etsy, and in craft stores, and chose Colorado nature as the theme.

Recruit friends, she says, “and you can save tons of money and it’ll look better because it’s exactly what you wanted,” DeMercurio says.

Darcy Miller, editor at large for Martha Stewart Weddings and author of the new “Celebrate Ever ything” (HarperCollins),

calls it DIT: do it together.

“Yes, the DIY is fun and makes it personal, but DIT makes it more meaningful,” says Miller. “Part of the wedding is delegating and collaborating, not only as a means to get it done but as a means for making it more fun.”

Some of DeMercurio’s decorations, such as a chalkboard showing the couple’s relationship highlights, hang in the house she shares with her husband, Pete Kardasis.

That was another priority: The coupled wanted to live with their wedding memories, not file them away.

“We wanted to have things that would remind us of that day continuously,” DeMercurio says.

Whitney and Jordan Weaver of Seneca, Kansas, made most of the decorations for their 2014 wedding: paper flower bouquets, a ring bearer “pillow” (it was a framed quote tied with ribbon), the guest book, table decorations (incorporating 500 Mason jars), church pew decorations, and a card box made from a snare drum. Family and friends helped, one making the cake topper.

“For me it was about doing our wedding around what we like and making it special for us,” says Whitney Weaver, whose rela-

Brian & Femke Muntz/Liefde Photography via AP

This photo provided by Marissa DeMercurio shows a cake topper made of clay of the couple’s two dogs, Beasley and Tortilla, sitting in front of a canvas banner displaying the wedding date in Boulder, Colo. tionship with her future husband grew out of a shared love of music.

She and her mom spent untold nights folding and gluing individual paper petals from thin, sheet-music-themed paper to

make the bouquets and boutonnieres. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay her,” Weaver says.

See DIT, Page 17

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The Winchester Star

Winter 2017 Bridal Guide

DIT

from Page 16

More tips. . .

• Buy and collect items in bulk. Bride Marissa DeMercurio tied large swaths of burlap around trees and smaller pieces around Mason jars. She collected glass jars, some of which she filled with flowers and hung from trees branches.

• If you choose a lovely setting — DeMercurio chose a park with mountains as her backdrop; bride Whitney Weaver’s reception was in a big, beautiful barn — you’ll need fewer decorations.

• Put Epsom salts in the bottom of Mason jars before adding tea lights, says Weaver. “It looks like crystals, and it’s a really cheap alternative for holding tea lights steady.”

• Hand-stamp compostable utensils with phrases such as “all you need is love” to add a personal touch, says DeMercurio.

• With all the crafting possibilities, Miller warns against doing too much too close to the wedding date. “As a bride, you should be doing nothing except being a bride the day of your wedding,” says the expert.

Miller, of Mar tha Stewar t Weddings, warns against hitting Pinterest boards unprepared; they can be overwhelming. When she works with couples, she asks about their personal style and inspirations to tease out a

Thursday, January 26, 2017 — 17

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18 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

2017 Winter Bridal Guide

The Winchester Star

Five great love songs for the modern wedding

By SOLVEJ SCHOU Associated Press

“At laaaaaaast, my looooove has come along,” Etta James sings with a gutsy, bluesy drawl at the beginning of her 1960 version of the 1940s tune.

With just those seven hear t-swelling words, James secured a spot on wedding playlists for decades.

Today, with many couples financing their own weddings, personalized playlists run the gamut, from music played during the ceremony to a first dance song, said Jill Sieracki, senior features editor of Brides magazine. Open, non-gender-specific love songs also appeal to contemporary couples. “Who says you have to walk down the aisle to ‘Here Comes the Bride’?” she said.

Tastes change with the times, and so do popular wedding songs (the Baroque classic Pachelbel’s Canon has shown real staying power). Keeping many choices in mind, here are five songs that seem to speak to modern lovebirds, from John Legend’s hit 2013 piano ballad “All of Me” and Ed Sheeran’s 2014 standout “Thinking Out Loud” to James’ evergreen staple.

John Legend — “All of Me” Singing “‘Cause all of me/ Loves all of you/ Love your cur ves and all your edges/ All your perfect imperfections,” Grammy-winning R&B artist Legend doesn’t just channel his love for his wife (and model) Chrissy Teigen, he proclaims it.

After analyzing more than 400,000 wedding-themed playlists worldwide, Spotify in 2015 named the song the top choice for tying the knot.

“I love the lyric ‘your perfect imperfections,’” said Sieracki. “It’s a common theme with these songs that they have these great lyrics, about appreciating the person for who they are. I don’t think there’s anyone on the planet who doesn’t want to be the John Legend-Chrissy Teigen love stor y. They’re so fantastic.”

Doug Farra, who owns Wedding DJ Plus in Las Vegas, has deejayed more than 200 weddings over the past six years. He said “All of Me” is fading in popularity but is still a good choice.

“Even if you’re not that couple that’s taking ballroom dance lessons, this is easy to dance to,” said Sieracki. “Everyone’s watching you, and you want to look good for your first dance. You want it to be sweet and loving.”

Ed Sheeran — “Thinking Out Loud” Speaking of ballroom dancing, British singer-songwriter Sheeran made a splash when his video for 2014’s “Thinking Out Loud” debuted, featuring him sashaying with “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant Brittany Cherry, who was clad in a white dress.

Don’t feel you have to go traditional for your walk down the aisle — there are many love songs to consider.

“And, darling, I will be loving you ‘til we’re 70/ And, baby, my heart could still fall as hard at 23,” Sheeran croons, later belting, “Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars.”

The mid-tempo guitar- and piano-fueled song, which won two Grammys, including 2015 song of the year, is a favorite wedding tune for Brides magazine readers.

“We’ve seen that song explode in popularity, and it ticks all the boxes for everyone. It’s so fun,” said Sieracki. “A lot of these newer songs, too, they’re not gender-specific. They’re very open to all couples, whether it’s two grooms or two brides. It’s a love story.”

Adele— “Make You Feel My Love” Backed by a steady piano melody, mega-hit-maker Adele’s 2008 cover of Bob Dylan’s 1997 song “Make You Feel My Love” doesn’t just ooze melancholy ro-

mance; it showcases her instantly recognizable soulful voice. The song was on her first studio album, “19.”

“When the rain is blowing in your face/ And the whole world is on your case/ I could offer you a warm embrace/ To make you feel my love,” Adele sings at the beginning, filling each note with a raspy warmth.

Sieracki and her husband chose the song for their own wedding five years ago.

“With that first note, everybody knows that’s Adele,” she said. “There were things in the lyrics that resonated with me and my husband, with our own story. My husband and I were in our mid- to late 30s when we got married.”

Lonestar — “Amazed” With lyrics such as, “I wanna spend the rest of my life/ With you by my side,” Lonestar’s 1999 twangy power ballad “Amazed” has become a favorite for country music lovers, said Sieracki.

Oodles of videos on YouTube show couples doing their first dance to the tune.

“There are a lot of people that look to countr y music for their wedding songs,” she said. “This song is a love stor y, a lyrical piece that really works for all types of couples.”

Farra also recommends singer-song-

writer Jack Johnson’s mellow acoustic ode “Better Together” for cake-cutting or a processional.

“It has an upbeat feel to it,” he said. “The lyrics are about being better with that other person.”

Etta James — “At Last” With its sweeping violin melody and James pouring her heart out, “At Last” has a timeless quality.

Short and direct, its poetic lyrics muse about finding and keeping love. “My heart was wrapped up in clover/ The night I looked at you,” James intones.

“There’s something that holds true with the lyrics in 2016, 2017,” said Sieracki. “It’s doesn’t matter what the couple looks like, their ages. At your 50th anniversar y, this is the song you’re going to want to dance to again.” v A few other popular modern options: “Marry You” (2010) by Bruno Mars “A Thousand Years” (2011) by Christina Perri “Ho Hey” (2012) by The Lumineers “You Are the Best Thing” (2008) by Ray LaMontagne “I Won’t Give Up” (2012) and “I’m Yours” (2008) by Jason Mraz

The Winchester Star

Thursday, January 26, 2017 — 19

Winter 2017 Bridal Guide

Like weddings, popping the question means a destination

By LEANNE ITALIE Associated Press

NEW YORK — It’s courtin’ time and that still means going down on one knee for many proposers of marriage. Only now, more are choosing a special destination to do the asking.

Traditionally, the highest concentration of marriage proposals starts in November and stretches to Valentine’s Day, with December as the busiest month. And in line with the popularity of destination weddings has come a growing desire for destination proposals, said Kellie Gould, editor-in-chief for the wedding site TheKnot.com.

Whether it’s on top of a mountain or in the forest, the love is in the thoughtful details, from planning to execution and the extra stress in between due to so many moving parts. The idea is to make the proposal not only memorable but social media ready, often with photographers in tow along with loved ones.

“I’ve been married 17 years and I look at proposals today and I’m wowed by how much effort the proposers are putting into it,” Gould said in a recent interview.

Rachael Sneddon, 26, and her husband, Russell, 32, in Portland, Oregon, were on vacation in Bali last May with members of both their families when he popped the question at a remote guest house as Balinese dancers and musicians entertained.

The music suddenly stopped and one of the guitarists began playing one of Rachael’s favorite songs, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

“Then Russell asked me to dance, which is very unusual,” she laughed. “He is not really a good dancer. I was like, ‘I don’t know what you’re doing.’ Then he got down on one knee.”

He presented the ring in a box he made from scraps of the Portland International Airport’s famous teal patterned carpet.

“It was the thing in Portland where ever ybody took pictures of their feet on the carpet,” Rachael explained. “Right before we left for Bali they were ripping it out and ev-

Ellen Rubenstein Chelmis/No Taste Like Home via AP

Rachel Linkous, with Christopher Rannefors, both 25, of Lexington, Ky., shows off the engagement ring after he proposed in June near Asheville, N.C. eryone in Portland was really sad.”

In terms of destination weddings, Gould said, couples have indicated in surveys done

by The Knot that the idea is to return over the years to reconnect, including with their kids in tow. The same, she said, is likely for destination proposal locales.

Christopher Rannefors and Rachel Linkous, both 25, live in Lexington, Kentucky.

They plan to wed next September after get-

ting hitched in June during a surprise weekend Rannefors planned in Asheville, North Carolina.

They were on a forest foraging trip with a group in search of wild mushrooms, flowers and herbs when Rannefors veered off with Linkous to a scenic mountain vista, where he did the deed.

“He said I spotted a bunch of mushrooms over here and when I turned around, with this amazing view, he was on one knee with this beautiful handmade wooden box,” Linkous said.

Rannefors added: “It was California redwood, from where we first met. We had done a ton of hiking near Marin and I got a chunk of wood and turned a little box out of it for the ring.”

After, they brought the baskets of mushrooms and other things they had foraged to a restaurant chef, who cooked up a special meal. While they waited for dinner, they took a ceramics class in the afternoon, ticking off an activity that had long been on Linkous’ bucket list.

Bringing the wow for destination proposals means keeping track of the ring, above all, Gould said. While the asker is moving around, so is that precious cargo. Make sure to get the ring insured before setting out, she counseled.

Sneddon said her husband packed the

ring in a suitcase full of his shoes and the suitcase went missing for about three hours.

Gould advises carrying it on instead.

If the askee knows about the trip, prep, prep and prep, Gould said. This is not the time to wing the details.

Don’t spring the asking right away. The askee likely figures something is up, but keep the suspense going for a day or two to make it memorable. Don’t wait too long, though to avoid annoying rather than wooing.

Key is taking the askee’s interests and personality into account. This trip should be more about the askee, not the asker, if the two aren’t on the same page travel-wise.

If others are involved, tr y to keep the group of co-conspirators small. And make sure to secretly clear the askee’s schedule.

Sometimes it’s not possible to keep the destination a secret, and that’s OK. Nicholas Bratton of Seattle proposed to his wife, Jenna, in 2006 on the summit of Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in the Cascades at 14,411 feet.

“We trained together,” he said. “She knew we were going to climb the mountain but she didn’t know what would happen on top. We had the place to ourselves. It was a gorgeous day. Most importantly, we made it back down safely and are happily married to this day!”

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20 — Thursday, January 26, 2017

2017 Winter Brdial Guide

The Winchester Star