REAL (LOCAL!) WEDDINGS HOW TO SET UP A WEDDING TIMELINE CHOOSING A WEDDING PARTY OVERCOMING BAD WEATHER
2 — Saturday, June 30, 2018
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
The Winchester Star
Be sure to consult with these local wedding specialists! Bowling Green Country Club
4 THINGS TO CONSIDER: THE DIAMOND A primer on the 4 C’s and what else to consider when choosing the ring
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER: WEDDING PARTY Tips for selecting the people who will stand beside you and your significant other on the big day
6 CREATE A WEDDING DAY SCHEDULE A timeline of your wedding day will help keep things smooth and stress-free
8 REAL WEDDINGS: COURTNEY + LOGAN
Two runners exchange vows at the groom’s family church and celebrate at Piccadilly’s Public House
10 REAL WEDDINGS: VICTORIA + DAVID College sweethearts tie the knot at Shenandoah Lodge at Lake Frederick
12 PLANNING A SECOND WEDDING
Advice for planning a second (or third) wedding
14
HOW TO MERGE FINANCES Setting financial goals, assessing debts and more are needed after tying the knot
15 WEDDING WEATHER OBSTACLES
Yes, it could rain, but heat and wind are other weatherrelated issues to consider and plan for
ON THE COVER: A sneak-peek at one of our local weddings, of Courtney and Logan Thompson. Photo by Stephanie Leigh Photography & Design.
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Bright Box
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Sew Fitting
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The Winchester Star
Saturday, June 30, 2018 — 3
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
...your destination for invitations & gifts.
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4 — Saturday, June 30, 2018
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
The Winchester Star
the diamond
Diamonds are the stone of choice for engagement rings and wedding jewelry. Diamonds are durable and remain a timeless way to complement every style. Anyone who is about to purchase a diamond is encouraged to do their research about selecting quality diamonds. At the heart of the diamond grading process are the 4 Cs of diamond quality. The Cs refer to carat weight, color grade, clarity grade, and cut grade. The Gemological Institute of America helped to create the Diamond 4 Cs and the International Diamond Grading System. These benchmarks are used to classify all diamonds. The following is the GIA’s explanation of each component of the system. Carat: Diamond carat weight is the measurement of how much the diamond weighs and is equivalent to 200 milligrams per carat. Each carat is subdivided into 100 points. Therefore, a one-carat diamond is 1.00 or 100 points, while a twenty-five point diamond is .25 carats. Naturally, larger diamonds can be more rare and desirable. Color: A white diamond is more valuable the less color it contains. GIA uses a D-to-Z grading system to determine a diamond's color value. D would be a colorless diamond and Z the most saturated with color. Clarity: Diamonds are formed by car-
bon exposed to heat and pressure. Natural internal characteristics known as inclusions and external components called blemishes are the norm. The closer the gem comes to being perfectly pure without inclusions or blemishes, the greater the value. Cut: To transmit light and sparkle, diamonds have to be cut precisely and with great artistry. A diamond will be further graded based on symmetry and proportions, as well as how the stone returns light. Brightness, which is the internal and external white light reflected; fire, or the scattering of white light into rainbow colors; and scintillation, or the sparkle the diamond produces, are factored into how the cut is valued.
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Historic Rosemont Springs • Amish-built barn featuring a breathtaking waterfall, garden terrace and stone fireplace • Private wooded setting • Open catering and bring your own alcohol • Seating for 400 + guests 16 Rosemont Manor Lane, Berryville, VA 22611 www.rosemont1811.com 703-TRY-LOVE or 540-955-2834
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The Winchester Star
Saturday, June 30, 2018 — 5
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
the wedding party
Making the important decision to get married can fill couples with joy and excitement as they imagine spending the rest of their lives together. Naturally, brides- and grooms-to-be are anxious to share the good news with others and include family and friends in the festivities. One way couples exemplify inclusion is by asking their closest acquaintances to be part of their wedding parties. Being asked to serve as a bridesmaid or groomsman is an honor. Some couples may be tempted to ask every friend, sibling or cousin they have to be in their wedding parties, and some do. In fact, an-
cient Roman law required 10 witnesses to be part of the wedding ceremony. However, the larger the wedding party, the more people couples have to coordinate and the more personalities they must manage. While large wedding parties are in style, there isn’t any one-size-fits-all formula to decide which size party is right for a particular situation. Trends vary based on geography and culture. These tips can help couples decide on the size of their wedding parties. Match it to scope and style. Wedding planners may use a standard ratio for a proportion of guests to wedding party members. That ratio is one pair of wedding attendants for every 50 guests. This creates a balanced feel where the more people in attendance, the larger the wedding party and vice versa. Consider your expenses. Wedding party members may be asked to spend considerable amounts of money to be in the wedding, but the couple will have certain expenses tied to the wed-
ding party as well. These can include limousines to ferry people between the ceremony and reception, photography costs to arrange and photograph large wedding parties, the cost of boutonnieres and bouquets, attendants’ gifts, as well as extra mouths to feed at the rehearsal dinner. Small wedding parties can be easier on couples’ budgets. Know your expectations. Couples should discuss what they expect from their wedding parties. Do couples want their loved ones to be very handson or waiting in the wings? For those who want a lot of input from their wedding parties, asking distant friends or family to be included may be impractical. Select reliable, easygoing people. Wedding party members should be people couples can rely on, and it only helps if wedding party members are not prone to overreacting. Choose a wedding party that can be trusted and people with whom you get along. Wedding party sizes are up to the couple, but bigger isn’t always better
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6 — Saturday, June 30, 2018
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
HOW TO CREATE A WEDDING DAY
schedule
The Winchester Star
Start with the ceremony Couples can establish a framework for their wedding day schedule by working back from the ceremony. Once the ceremony time is set, couples who plan to take photos before their ceremonies can then work with their photographers to determine how much time they will need for photos and where they want to take the photos. Bridal parties may need transportation to the photo session, so determining when and where to take photos before the ceremony gives couples an idea of when to arrange for pickup.
Wedding days can be hectic. In fact, many couples note after tying the knot that their wedding days were so busy that the ceremonies and receptions were over before they knew it. Creating a wedding day schedule can seem like a daunting task. Couples tend to have lots of things to do before saying “I do,� and organizing everything so ceremonies begin on time can seem as puzzling as a brain teaser. But certain scheduling strategies can help couples ensure they look their best and make it to the altar on time.
Distribute your schedule to one another and the bridal party. Once the wedding day schedule has been devised, couples should share it with each other and their wedding parties. Grooms' wedding day to-do lists might not be as extensive as brides', but grooms should still be kept in the loop regarding the schedule so they can help if anyone has questions or if something goes awry. Sharing the schedule with the wedding party decreases the chances of someone being late or missing an appointment.
Confirm when the wedding venue is open to the wedding party.
Determine how much time is needed for hair and makeup. Weddings that feature large bridal parties will require more time for hair and makeup than ceremonies with small bridal parties. Grooms and groomsmen often take care of their own hair, though some grooms might want to schedule hot shaves for themselves and their groomsmen. Grooms should ask groomsmen if they want a hot shave and then work with their barbers to determine how much time it will take to tend to all participants. Brides with large bridal parties may need to book more than two hair and makeup artists so everyone can get done on time. Wedding hair and makeup sessions can last several hours, so brides should schedule their sessions early if their parties are big.
Before booking hair and makeup appointments, couples should confirm when they will be able to access their wedding venue. Brides may want to get their hair and makeup done at the ceremony sight, but that may only be possible if the venue opens early for the wedding party. If it does not, then brides must account for transportation time to the ceremony sight when making their wedding day schedules.
Make lunch arrangements. Some couples choose to tie the knot and host their receptions at the same venue. In such instances, if brides are getting their hair and makeup done at the venue, ask the venue representative if lunch can be provided to the bridal party. Some venues may include small lunch buffets in their reception costs, while others might charge extra. Confirm the availability and costs, and if it's unavailable or too expensive, then arrange for lunch to be delivered. Either way, couples should not skip lunch, as it may be their only chance to eat until after the ceremony.
The Winchester Star
Saturday, June 30, 2018 — 7
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
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10 — Saturday, June 30, 2018
The Winchester Star
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
Courtney APRIL 8, 2017
•
Logan
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH + PICCADILLY’S PUBLIC HOUSE
•
WINCHESTER
They met over a pair of shoes — running shoes, to be exact. Logan Thompson had walked into Runners’ Retreat in Old Town Winchester, where his future wife, Courtney Thompson, née Crandell, sold him shoes. “He eventually came back to get my number,” said Courtney. “He claims it was the best pair of shoes he’s ever bought!” In November of 2016, the pair was out for a sunset walk before having dinner with his parents and grandparents on his family’s cattle farm in White Post, which didn’t seem like anything unusual to Courtney. “We often took walks on the farm before or after dinner.” But this walk had a different ending. “We walked to the corner of a corn field, where, with an audience of about 15 Angus cows, he dropped to one knee and popped the question.” As you can tell, her answer was yes.
By Jenny Baker/The Winchester Star
Photography by Stephanie Leigh Photography & Design www.stephanieleighphotodesign.com
The Winchester Star
Tips CHOOSING THE VENUES Courtney said choosing the venue was easy — she had known from the beginning that she wanted to marry Logan at First Baptist Church in Winchester, which had been his family’s church for decades. His aunt and his mom were both married there. Piccadilly’s Public House just down the street made for a convenient reception location. Plus, Courtney said, “the food is really, really good.” MAGIC MOMENT Courtney had several favorite moments, but we had to share this story: The father-daughter dance was to be “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman, but there was a glitch. “Our DJ accidentally played a remix version. About halfway through the normal song, right when I was about to burst into tears, the song switched to hip hop/rap! My dad
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Summer Bridal Guide 2018
FROM THE BRIDE
immediately pulled out some funky dance moves I had never seen before. The DJ gradually switched back to the correct song. All the guests laughed, and my dad and I made a memory I will treasure forever.” DECOR VISION “I really wanted everything to be simple, but classy,” said Courtney. Luckily, the church was beautiful as it was, and just needed some flowers on the altar. The reception site had exposed brick walls and green carpeting. “It looks nice, but I knew that decorating with a contrasting color scheme would look forced and awkward. I kept the reception decorations as neutral as possible with just pops of soft green. I loved how it turned out.” THE FLOWERS “I wanted greenery for the centerpieces with candles, and I wanted
white peonies in my bouquet since they’re my favorite flowers. Other than that, I sent my florist the general ideas I wanted and let her work her magic!” CAKE DECISIONS “For us, the cake was really easy. Logan loves yellow cake and blueberry desserts, and I don’t really have a strong preference,” she said. ”So we did yellow cake with a blueberry jam between layers. I sampled a few other things, but we were both very happy with that flavor combo.” MOST WORTH-IT SPLURGE “I decided to purchase a special perfume for my wedding day. I read that the perfume would remind you of your wedding day every time you use it afterwards,” she said. “And it does!”
TOP ADVICE The big picture is what matters. “Don’t stress over the minor details,” said Courtney. “As long as your ceremony is sweet and memorable, the food is good, and the reception is fun, nothing else matters! No guest will remember those little details that can be so stressful.”
Local vendors: Photography: Stephanie Leigh Photography and Design Flowers: Winchester Floral DJ: JD from DJ Connection Venue: First Baptist Church and Piccadilly Public House Rentals: Grand Event Center Cake: Sweet Tooth Bakery Linens: C.C.’s Linens
12 — Saturday, June 30, 2018
The Winchester Star
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
PLANNING A
second wedding
Shenandoah Valley Golf Club
Taking a chance on love and marriage for the second (or third) time is cer tainly wor thy of celebration. The Pew Research Center reports that at least four in 10 new marriages now include at least one partner who has been married before, a trend that is on the rise. Planning a second wedding can be challenging, as individuals may be worried about proper etiquette, superstitions or meeting the expectations of others. But there are no hard rules governing second weddings. Now that couples are older and a bit more experienced, wedding planning may be met with greater enthusiasm and patience. These tips can help the process along. Dress it up. Brides need not eschew white if they prefer to wear it for their second weddings. White, cream, ivory, or other shades are perfectly acceptable. Also, brides can make their gowns as lavish or as simplistic as they desire. The length and style of the dress should reflect the formality and scope of the event. Make it unique. Couples who have been married before may want to set this new occasion apart from their previous weddings. Brides magazine experts suggest discussing previous celebrations and what can be done differently this time around. Couples can use this opportunity to get to know each other more intimately by personalizing their festivities. Don't feel beholden to intimate affairs. Second weddings tend to be more intimate, as guest lists tend to be smaller and couples tying the knot again may prefer more intimacy and less hustle and bustle. But couples should not avoid inviting people simply because second weddings are typically small affairs. Invite as many friends and family as you want and as your budget allows.
Photo
tark thy S by Ca
Set up a registry. Established couples may have the household basics already in place, but registries can include fun or entertaining gifts that speak to couples' interests. These may include home theater systems, fancy cookware, athletic equipment, or even funds for travel. Involve the children. Couples who have children can make them a special part of their second wedding celebrations. Kids can play any role in the ceremony, depending on their age. If the second marriage comes after an amicable divorce, couples can invite their former spouses to provide support to their children so they can feel comfortable in the wedding. Be prepared. The marriage application process is similar the second time around, but additional documents, such as a divorce decree or death certificate, may be necessary. These legal documents also will be needed for men and women who intend to change their last names after getting married. A second marriage deserves as much celebration as the first and gives couples an opportunity to express their love for each other and their appreciation to their friends and families
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The Winchester Star
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
Saturday, June 30, 2018 — 13
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14 — Saturday, June 30, 2018
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
The Winchester Star
MERGING FINANCES
after tying the knot
Happy couples experience various changes after tying the knot. One of those changes concerns couples’ finances. According to an analysis of data from the National Survey of Families and Households, arguments about money are a frequent concern with married couples. Furthermore, there is a higher correlation between the risk of divorce and the prevalence of financial disagreements. While fights about money do not necessarily cause divorce, they can create rifts in
relationships. Even couples who have plenty of money may have disagreements about their finances. Arguments may stem from couples not understanding how their partner views money or the disparities in spending habits among partners. Couples who make early efforts to get on the same page concerning finances may have smoother waters ahead than those who delay such discussions. Establish goals together. Couples should define their financial goals together. Is it a goal to save for early retirement? Is a house in the immediate future? Is frequent travel a desire? Are we planning to contribute much to future children’s educations? These questions and more need to be addressed early on. By creating a financial plan together, couples can more clearly map out their financial futures. Combining accounts may be easier. Some couples want to maintain their full financial independence. But combining accounts can help couples avoid arguments about secrecy and concerns about partner spending. Combining accounts also affords
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couples a clearer picture of their spending and saving habits. Assess debts as a team. One person may be bringing more debt to the marriage than another. It’s important for all cards to be on the table and to work together to eradicate debt. If a person will be coming to the marriage with poor credit, it may be worth it to keep things separate until a spouse works on remedying his or her finances, according to Credit.com. Decide how to split expenses. One partner may make more money than the other, and one may spend more time handling household needs or future childcare responsibilities. Couples need to agree whether one person pays for certain bills exclusively, whether they spend from one salary and save the other, or combine finances completely and spend equally, offers NerdWallet. Engaged couples who develop a post-wedding financial plan may find their transition to being married much easier than those who delay such discussions
The Winchester Star
Saturday, June 30, 2018 — 15
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
OVERCOMING WEDDING WEATHER
obstacles
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Summer approaches with the promise of warm temperatures. Weather is one reason why summer is such a popular season to tie the knot. But just because sunny skies and rising mercury are par for the course, that does not mean Mother Nature won’t invite herself to the festivities — and attempt to upstage happy couples in the process. Some feel it's good luck for couples to get rain on their wedding days, but many couples would trade in a little of that luck for clear skies. However, weather can be fickle, and couples who build contingency plans into their wedding festivities are much more likely to overcome inclement weather than couples without such plans.
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Have solutions for sun and heat. Couples don’t want their wedding guests or bridal party members passing out due to heat exhaustion. Make sure to offer shade if the ceremony or reception is outside. Stock the area with cold bottles of water or a chilled lemonade stand. Have fans and umbrellas available just in case guests need a way to protect themselves from the sun.
should see the oppor tunities for one-of-a-kind memories.
Strong storms. Over the course of hot and humid days, storm clouds can develop and roll in. Afternoon thunderstorms are quite common on summer days. Accommodate for sudden downpours by hosting early luncheon receptions or ensure there is a plan B that includes a covered area. Couples can stash spare shoes or even rain slickers in a car to keep their wedding attire protected against rain as they dash between venues or take photos.
Plan for wind. Coastal outdoor weddings present beautiful backdrops for weddings. But being near the shore may mean accepting windy conditions. Tie down tents and use weights to keep wedding programs or other papers from catching a current. The bride and her wedding party should opt for free-flowing tresses so they needn't worry about intricate updos coming undone.
Embrace the rain. Vivid skies with lightning or overcast days can make for unique and striking wedding photography. Couples needn't look at the downside of rain, but rather they
Keep a generator on standby. Storms may knock out power. Some reception halls or banquet facilities may have their own backup power, but be sure to address how power outages are handled. If need be, bring in a portable generator to keep the reception room cooled by fans.
Maintain a sense of humor. It’s impossible to predict wedding day weather, but staying calm, going with the flow and laughing at things they can’t control can help couples make memories that last a lifetime.
16 — Saturday, June 30, 2018
Summer Bridal Guide 2018
The Winchester Star
Make memories in our banquet ballroom on your special day.
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