Winchester Star Summer 2017 Bridal Guide

June 22, 2017 | www.winchesterstar.com

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4

The Rehearsal Dinner

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Real Weddings: Carrie + Caleb

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The Stationery

Besides the invitations, there are many more stationery needs for today's wedding.

The Guest List

How do you begin? How do you trim it down?

We share helpful advice.

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Beyond the menu, we share tips on what to consider when planning your rehearsal dinner.

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The Cake

Local bakers show off some of their most recent creations. Start jotting down ideas, now.

SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

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The Rehearsal Dinner Rehearsal dinners are customarily held after couples and their bridal parties walk through the wedding ceremony. Rehearsals may occur one or two nights before the actual wedding, depending on the availability of the wedding venue. Rehearsal dinners tend to be less formal than wedding receptions, but couples should still prioritize planning to ensure their dinner goes off without a hitch. They typically are fun, less formal affairs, but even the least formal dinners require some planning.

Here are some tips: WHO’S PAYING?

THE DRESS CODE

THE LOCATION

Tradition once suggested that the groom’s parents pay for the rehearsal dinner while the bride’s parents foot the bill for the wedding.

But perhaps due to the rising cost of weddings, many couples no longer feel beholden to such traditions. If couples are financing their own weddings, parents of both the bride and groom may want to pay for the rehearsal dinner. If parents are splitting the cost of the wedding, then couples themselves may want to pay for the rehearsal dinner. Confirm who is paying and if there is a budget to work with before booking a restaurant. This way there is no confusion once the bill is brought to the table.

Inform guests about the dress code. Rehearsal dinners tend to be laid back affairs, but members of the bridal party may be uncertain about what to wear.

Emphasize location.

Couples should inform rehearsal dinner guests well in advance of the wedding if the dinner will be casual, semiformal or formal.

Couples whose bridal party includes out-oftowners should look for a restaurant that’s close to the wedding hotel and/or the ceremony site to host their rehearsal dinner. Ideally, one that’s within walking distance of both makes getting to and from a lot easier.

This gives guests the time to shop for and pack their attire for the night, and saves couples the trouble of answering wardrobe inquiries in the busy final days before the wedding.

Regardless of where the restaurant is located, make sure to arrange for transportation for any out-of-town guests who are not planning to drive to the wedding.

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For Smaller Events SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

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DIETARY RESTRICTIONS Give consideration to bridal party members’ dietary restrictions. Couples may not want to book a seafood restaurant if a handful of guests have shellfish allergies. So before booking a restaurant for the rehearsal dinner, couples can ask members of their bridal party and other attendees if they have any food allergies.

TOAST THE GUESTS Brides and grooms are toasted at their wedding receptions, but rehearsal dinners afford happy couples the chance to thank their closest friends and family members for their love and support. Plan to give a brief toast to loved ones at the dinner. Grooms may also want to use this oppor tunity to toast their brides-to-be, thanking them for all their efforts planning the wedding.

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Carrie

& Caleb

JULY 23, 2016 • MUSEUM OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY • WINCHESTER

While Carrie Clayton and Caleb Donald met as students at James Wood High School, it wasn’t until 2013 that they began dating. During a romantic vacation to St. Lucia in 2015, the couple hiked up to the historic Ford Rodney on Pigeon Island and Caleb popped the question, in a spot that looked out over the surrounding islands. “While I had my back turned to him to take pictures, he got down on one knee and waited for me to turn around,” Carrie recalled. “It was a great proposal spot. The top of the island provided gorgeous scenery for pictures and even a rainbow appeared right after he proposed.” When it came time to plan their wedding, Carrie knew she didn’t have to look much further than the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley and the historic Glen Burnie house and gardens. She had always admired its Winchester location, and the fact that it was fitting for an outside ceremony and reception sealed the deal. “When we got there, I had no doubt in my mind that this was the venue for our special day. I loved the look of the Grand Allée for the ceremony and the history behind the main house and grounds.”

By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

Photography by Swadley Studio www.swadleystudio.com

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SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

Tips FROM THE BRIDE COMFORT FOOD: The comfor t of Carrie and Caleb's guests was of utmost importance to the couple — even when it came to the food. “I wanted guests to choose what they ate for dinner, so I went with a buffet style. They were able to choose from various food from carved turkey or beef, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, fluffy rolls and more,” said Carrie.

KIDS, TOO: Their wedding was family-oriented with many children attending, and Carrie felt it was necessary to provide entertainment for them. She

had a colorful table set up specifically for kids, full of activities like custom-made wedding coloring books, moon sand, play-doh, bubbles, plus juice boxes and rock candy.

DIY DETAILS: Carrie enjoys DIY projects and crafts, and wanted to incorporate her personal touch throughout the wedding — which was a money-saver, she said. “I made all the flower arrangements, bouquets and boutonnieres using artificial flowers. The wedding favors were homemade coasters featuring my photography from around the area. We also had mini brid-

al veils for the little girls to wear during the reception.”

FIRST DANCE: “We danced our first dance to ‘The Luckiest’ by Ben Folds Five.

This was just a song that we came upon when looking for a good first dance song. We heard and fell in love with it,” she said.

FAVORITE MOMENT: “My favorite moment was the first look,” she said. “It was just us with the photographer and videographer. It was a quiet time for us to see each other and get the first jitters out of our systems.”

WORTH-IT SPLURGE: Carrie has two items she couldn't imagine her wedding without. The first was hiring a videographer. "I fell in love with our videographer’s work after seeing our friends get married and what he did for them.

I knew that I was going to splurge on this vendor in order to have a video that captured the beauty, charm, and every butterfly moment that day," she said. The second worthy splurge was air conditioning for the tent. While they hadn't originally planned for it, once they saw the forecast one week out from their July wedding, they knew it would be nec-

essary for their guests' comfort.

"And my goodness was it! It was over 100 degrees that day, and if it hadn’t been for the AC, who knows what!" she said.

#1 TIP TO FUTURE BRIDES: Keep a list of thoughts, things to do, vendors to call, errands on an app on your phone, so you can access it at all times when you think of something. It’s easier than trying to keep track of a paper list.

BONUS TIP: Keep in mind that there are usually other inexpensive options or routes. Consider making decorations or favors, touches that guests appreciate.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 | SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE

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Considering a Friday or Sunday Wedding?

The cost of weddings continues to rise. In its 2016 Real Weddings Study, bridal resource The Knot found that the average wedding cost couples and their families more than $35,000.

With such a high price tag, it’s no wonder happy couples look for ways to save money.

One of the ways couples can save a sizable amount of money on their weddings is to tie the knot on Friday or Sunday instead of hosting a more traditional Saturday afternoon or evening wedding. Wedding ceremony and reception venues may charge considerably less to host weddings on Fridays or Sundays. Reception venues tend to be the largest wedding expenses, so reducing those rates can go a long way toward helping couples stay within their budgets.

While the cost-savings of Friday or Sunday weddings may be the main focus for couples, it’s important that grooms- and brides-to-be recognize that planning Friday or Sunday weddings may require some unique planning.

Avoid holiday weekends Three-day holiday weekends may seem like the ideal time to host Friday or Sunday weddings, as guests likely already have Friday or Monday off from work. But the cost of travel and lodging may be much higher on holiday weekends than non-holiday weekends. That may compel some guests to decline their invitations. In addition, many families have holiday weekend traditions and it may be unfair for couples to ask them to interrupt or cancel those plans to attend their weddings.

Consider the timing When hosting a Friday wedding, couples may want to start the ceremony later than they might if they were getting married on a Saturday. That’s because out-of-town guests who don’t want to use more than one vacation day to attend the wedding may be flying in on the day of the wedding. A later start time gives guests more flexibility when booking flights.

Starting later also allows local guests to work a full day and still make it to the ceremony on time. Couples who opt for a Sunday wedding may want their ceremonies to start earlier than they would on Saturday to accommodate guests who work on Monday morning.

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SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

Confirm vendor availability Wedding vendors are accustomed to working on Saturdays, when the vast majority of weddings take place. So couples should not simply assume a favorite deejay, band or catering company will be available to work their Friday or Sunday weddings. Couples who have particular entertainers or caterers in mind should confirm the availability of these vendors before booking a wedding and reception facility. It’s also important that couples getting married on Sundays confirm that hotel rooms will be clean and ready in time for their guests to make it to the ceremony. Many hotels host wedding parties on Fridays and Saturday nights, and some might not be able to turn rooms around in time to accommodate Sunday wedding parties.

Tying the knot on a day other than Saturday can save couples money and help make their weddings more unique. But it’s important that couples consider more than just cost-savings before agreeing to get married on a Friday or Sunday.

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The Stationery More than just invitations, there's much to consider when selecting your wedding stationery

By JENNY BAKER Photography by JEFF TAYLOR The Winchester Star

SAVE THE DATE Sent one year to six months in advance of your wedding, the save the date can be more casual than your invitation suite, said Kimberly Sowers of Kimberly's in downtown Winchester. Just remember that the save the date sets the tone of your wedding, so keep in mind the feeling you want to evoke.

GO BOLD Text trends have leaned more big and bold. Gold foil is popular, as well as unexpected prints like watercolor.

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SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

THE INVITATION Kim Pennington of Kimberly's in Winchester recommends taking one entire invitation suite with all inserts to the regional post office to have them weigh it. This way you'll have the exact cost of mailing each invitation; there's nothing worse than having invitations returned to you due to insufficient postage. Square invitations like this one cost more to mail.

OUT OF TOWNERS You only need to print accommodation cards for guests attending who are from out of town. Sowers says this is a good place to put details like hotel information, shuttle service to the wedding location, brunch at the hotel, etc., that you wouldn't want to include on the actual invitation.

THE MENU Adding a menu to each guest’s seat is another way to personalize your reception.

Stationery tips

Shenandoah Valley Golf Club

STATIONERY TO CONSIDER Beyond the save the date and the wedding invitation, Sowers recommends considering accommodation cards for out of town guests, thank you cards, programs for the ceremony, menu cards and table cards for the reception, thank you notes, napkins, as well as stationery for your bridal shower invitations and recipe cards. Keep in mind that you are only selecting the invitation paper and design and can change the font and text to suit your style.

WHEN TO SEND Save the dates should be sent six months up to one year in advance; invitations are sent out six to eight weeks in advance; thank you notes can be started anytime after the honeymoon and sent up to one year after the wedding.

SAVE SOME MONEY Consider flat or thermographic printing, which costs less than engraved or letterpress. Be sure to look at various different stationery designers, as the cost range runs the gamut.

TRENDS Sowers said that using two different fonts in wedding stationery is a popular trend. While many Winchester-area brides still select somewhat traditional invitations, Pennington said they'll often choose a color for the text instead of black ink. Trendier options include big and bold fonts and left-justified type instead of centered.

by Photo

y Cath

Stark

WHO'S ATTENDING? Sometimes there is confusion about who is actually invited to the wedding. The outside envelope includes a formal address — Mr. and Mrs. John Doe, for example — whereas the inner envelope will contain the actual invitees names, which would include the children or anyone else living in the home. The ladies at Kimberly's have a clever solution to this common issue. On the response card, instead of having a check mark for attending or not, have the card read "number attending." That way, if you intended to only invite Mr. and Mrs. John Doe and not their three children, you'll know for sure if they are confused about bringing the children based on how many they respond with.

OTHER TIPS: •

•

The colors on the invitation don't have to match your wedding colors exactly. Sowers said that many brides are concerned about this, whereas guests won't notice that the shade of blue on the envelope liner isn't the same as the groom's tie.

They recommend selecting your invitations in-person instead of online. Besides being able to touch and feel the quality of the paper, a local business has the experience and expertise about invitation ettiquette to help guide you, and to serve as an extra set of eyes to proof your stationery before it prints.

•

If you are getting together with some girlfriends to stuff envelopes, Pennington recommends drinking only white wine or champagne — never red wine.

Chances are the smallest splatter will land on one (or more) of your invitations.

•

Sometimes guests will forget to write their name on the response card. Pennington recommends lightly numbering the back of each response card with a corresponding number to your master guest list. That way, if one arrives with no name you'll still know who it is.

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The Guest List Weddings are a time to celebrate, and many couples hope to invite as many people as possible to share their excitement. A 2014 study by researchers at the University of Denver found that couples who invite at least 150 guests to the wedding may have happier marriages. The study examined 418 people who were single at the beginning of the study and married five years later. It found that 47 percent of those people who had gotten married in front of at least 150 guests had ‘high-quality marriages,’ while those with 50 or fewer guests fell short.

While guests make weddings more enjoyable, and may increase the propensity to enjoy a more successful marriage, couples must be practical and consider their wedding budgets when creating their guest lists. The average American wedding includes 120 guests, according to a 2015 Newlywed Survey released by WeddingWire. Couples who are finding it difficult to create and pare down their guest lists can employ the following tips.

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SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

CREATE INITIAL LISTS When jotting down potential guests names, write down everyone you want to invite, regardless of budget. Then list the musthave guests for the wedding.

This should include the family and friends with whom you interact on a regular basis. Create a separate column for guests who don’t make the must-have list.

SEPARATE FRIENDS FROM FRIENDS FRIENDS If you don’t see people outside of events set up by mutual friends, you should not feel obligated to invite those people to the wedding. They are more likely friends of your friends and not your close friends.

KNOW THE GUEST LIST CEILING Catering halls or reception rooms often can only accommodate a cer tain number of people.

Know this number before making a final list. The limits of the space may serve as the catalyst for trimming the guest list.

HAVE WE MET? If you don’t remember interacting with a person (your parent’s long lost friend from high school) or the person has never met your significant other, then they probably can be cut. If parents insist on inviting someone you barely remember, they should help defray the costs.

CONSIDER COWORKERS CAREFULLY

CUT OUT THE KIDS

Think about whether you’d still be friends with your coworkers if the company dissolved tomorrow. If not, you should not feel obligated to invite them.

Even though children’s dinner costs may be lower than adults’, inviting children can significantly increase the guest list. A no-child policy at the reception can save money.

AVOID UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS

ASK FOR AN UNBIASED OPINION

U n l e s s y o u h av e r e m a i n e d par ticular ly close, keep former boyfriends and girlfriends off of the guest list.

Give the editing pen to someone else if you cannot make a decision. This person may help weed out extraneous guests.

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Kelly

& Justin

MAY 7, 2016 • HISTORIC ROSEMONT MANOR • BERRYVILLE, VIRGINIA Friends since high school, Justin Banks played football and Kelly Keegan was a cheerleader for John Handley High School. Though they never dated in school, they kept in touch, eventually going out on a date after Kelly returned home from college. Handley would play a major role in their engagement — Justin proposed to Kelly in the middle of the football field. He schemed with their future wedding photographer, Julie Napear, on a plan to get Kelly to the field for ‘alumni photos.’ She went, not suspecting a thing. But then, “Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ came on over the speakers and caught me off guard — Justin and I love that song,” said Kelly. When she turned around, she saw Justin walking down the steps of Handley with their friends and family following behind. Once they met her in the middle of the stadium, he popped the question. “It was indescribable,” she said. Once wedding planning got started, Kelly had a very specific vision. “I wanted to take advantage of the fact that we live in such a beautiful valley and I wanted something that was family friendly, rustic, and romantic,” she said. Once they saw Historic Rosemont Manor in Berryville, they knew it was the right place.

By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

Photography by Julie Napear Photography www.jsnphoto.com

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SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

Tips FROM THE BRIDE WORTH-IT SPLURGE: The venue. Kelly said a place like Rosemont offers not only the atmosphere and beautiful grounds the couple were looking for, but it could also accommodate their out of town guests and entire bridal party in its cabins and main house.

FAVORITE MOMENT: “My favorite moments of the night were the few that I was able to sneak away and just look at everything,” said Kelly. “They don't

lie when they say it's insane how quickly it all goes by.” She snuck in little moments between dancing and talking with guests to look around and take in all the faces of family and friends having fun, the decorations, the lighting and how happy everyone looked.

COMFORT FIRST: The couple felt it important that while it was a magical evening, everyone should be comfortable.

“While we did have a black tie wedding, I didn't want people to feel like they couldn't enjoy them-

selves.” They focused on having a lighthearted and romantic evening, including whimsical elements like antique birdcages, and letting the character of the venue shine through.

FIRST DANCE: They originally planned to dance to the Ed Sheeran song Justin proposed to, but instead had the pianist play that during the procession at the church. “We danced to Haley Reinhart's version of 'I Can't Help Falling in Love With You,’” said Kelly.

DETAILS: “Flowers were big for me,” she said. "Something about the right combination of flowers can make a room or a photograph so beautiful.” While they had a great selection of Spring flowers, Kelly said they added succulents for depth and had the baker create sugar flowers for the cake that matched the bouquet and centerpieces.

Kelly advised. “You won't enjoy

#1 TIP TO FUTURE BRIDES:

so be sure to do what you want.”

“Don't stress! It's so much easier said than done, but just try your best to pick your battles,”

BONUS TIP: “Don't be afraid to

your engagement if you spend your time worrying about making a night for everyone else. If you want it small, keep it small. If you don't want kids there, express that to your guests. You want a seated meal or buffet, dry reception or open bar. . . Whatever the case may be, you've got one shot to make it the best day of your life

ask for help if you need it,” she said.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 | SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE 15

Weddings and non-traditional Families

Families come in all shapes and sizes.

During special events, particularly those steeped in tradition, such as weddings, blended families may have to employ certain tactics to ensure the events go off without a hitch.

When planning their weddings, couples must give consideration to the needs of their families. Even though a wedding is about the union of two people, oftentimes couples engaged to be married must contend with the politics of divorce or other familial issues. This includes if and how to incorporate stepparents and stepsiblings into the ceremony and celebration.

There are no traditional rules regarding how to handle blended families, so bridesand grooms-to-be can customize their decisions based on their own unique situations. Even when families have been happy through the years, the unique circumstances and traditions surrounding the nuptials can dredge up former insecurities, and certain aspects may require extra patience and tact. Here’s how to navigate the process.

Consider stepparents and stepsiblings

Consider stepparents and stepsiblings VIPs. Brides and grooms who are not particularly close to their stepfamilies still have to recognize the role they play in the family dynamics. These people are still family, so respect and courtesy should be offered.

If there is any lingering animosity, extend the olive branch on this day and try not to let anyone be made to feel as if they are unimportant. A simple announcement of who stepparents are at the wedding reception or inclusion of their names on wedding itineraries can help smooth over any potential bumps.

Put others needs before your own While the wedding may be about you and your future spouse, you must consider the feelings of others. Biological parents and stepparents may act defensively if they feel uncomfortable or hurt, and that can create an air of negativity to the day. Try to avoid this by considering potential areas of con-

flict. For example, mothers might be hurt if their ex-husbands and new girlfriends are asked to be in a group family photo. Instead, select separate times to have everyone included. Remember to give parents and stepparents priority seating as well, and they each should be seated next to someone they love and someone with whom they can converse comfortably. You may think everyone can play nice, but it’s best not to push the issue just to make a point at the wedding.

Break the mold

parents and your stepparents. For example, your biological father may walk you down the aisle, while your stepfather may enjoy the first dance.

Order gifts for all Purchase flowers and wedding party gifts for all of the special people in your lives, including your stepfamily.

Weddings can be complicated af fairs when factoring in blended families. With patience and compassion, such families can enjoy a beautiful and happy day.

Recognize that some families break the mold. Recently, a father made waves on the Internet when a video of him pulling the bride’s stepfather up to assist in walking her down the aisle went viral. This was a wonderful image of families making it work despite their differences or the awkwardness that can result when brides or grooms have parents and stepparents in attendance. Although this scenario might not play out for all, find ways to impart a special touch, especially if you’re close to both your biological

“I do.”

Planning a wedding?

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SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

For an unforgettable wedding, we invite you to consider Belle Grove Plantation in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia Belle Grove Plantation 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA 22645 (540) 869-2028 info@bellegrove.org

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The honeymoon Honeymoons are big business. According to a recent Conde Nast Bridal Infobank sur vey, the average couple spends more than $5,000 on their honeymoon. If the average spending on honeymoons seems high, it’s important for couples working on budgets to realize that there are plenty of ways to plan memorable getaways without breaking the bank. Couples can keep the following strategies in mind as they plan their honeymoons.

Plan and book early In its 2016 Real Weddings Study, online wedding resource The Knot found that the average engagement length was 15 months.

That gives couples plenty of time to plan their weddings, but also a great chance to book their honeymoons well in advance of their wedding days. Fifteen months affords couples the chance to piece together the perfect honeymoon on their own or shop around for package deals.

Delay the honeymoon

Consider all-inclusive packages

Couples without much wiggle room in their budgets or those who simply want to save money can delay their honeymoons, choosing to take their getaways months after they tie the knot. This provides couples with more traveling flexibility. And depending on when couples get married, delaying the honeymoon may push the trip into the vacationing off-season, when more affordable deals can often be found.

Give ample consideration to all-inclusive honeymoon packages. Whether couples are working on tight budgets or planning their honeymoons without regard to cost, all-inclusive packages may be worth the extra money upfront. All-inclusive packages tend to include meals, some beverages and fun activities that couples would otherwise have to pay for a la carte. All-inclusive packages

Newlywed status Don’t shy away from your newlywed status. Resorts might not advertise it, but many offer special amenities to honeymooning newlyweds. Some may provide complementary spa services, while others might offer free room upgrades if they have any vacancies. Such amenities may be grand or small, but no matter their size, they can make honeymoons feel more special.

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may also remove some of the work of planning the honeymoon because couples won’t need to tirelessly research activities and find the most affordable local vendors. Couples can examine the nuts and bolts of all-inclusive packages to make sure they include activities and foods they’re likely to enjoy.

Planning a honeymoon takes work, but much of that work is fun, and couples who do their due diligence can save substantial amounts of money.

Take your wedding

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Kim James kim@sixstareventsllc.com T: 540.773.3306 www.sixstareventsllc.com THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 | SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE 17

The Cake

Two local bakers share recent creations and thoughts on trends

By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

After a few years of cake pops and cupcakes gaining popularity as a wedding cake alternative, brides are returning to threeand four-tiered wedding cake styles. Sarah Beavers, owner of The Cake Boutique in Winchester, said the “rustic chic” style wedding cake is the local favorite for brides, which goes well with receptions set in barns.

Joyce McDaniel, owner of Sweet Tooth Bakery in Winchester, said a popular option is the “naked cake,” where the only icing is the buttercream which peeks through layers of cake, and is decorated simply with fresh fruit or flowers.

Another trend? Ditching the toppers.

Flowers are the most popular wedding cake toppers currently, and both Beavers and McDaniel said they see many monogrammed designs topping cakes.

Nontraditional cake flavors like snickerdoodle, lemon raspberr y, and almond are edging out the classic vanilla or chocolate cake flavors.

PHOTO BY JENNY BAKER/The Winchester Star

This three-tiered wedding cake by Sweet Tooth Bakery features their signature “Sweet Tooth Buttercream” frosting, black dots and s’s, sky blue borders, ribbon, and a brooch.

A cake this size serves 85 wedding guests.

PHOTO BY GINGER PERRY/The Winchester Star.

Rustic yet elegant, Sarah Beavers of The Cake Boutique said that this cake combines the two styles with two smooth tiers and two ‘stucco’ tiers which fit well with the barn reception location.

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SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

The post-wedding to-do list Couples who plan their own weddings might enjoy a satisfactory exhale once the knot has been tied and the last rug has been cut. Once guests head home and couples depart for their honeymoons, much of the work is done. But there are some lingering tasks for couples once they return from their first trip together as husband and wife.

Thank-you notes Thank-you notes are perhaps a couple’s biggest task upon returning from their honeymoon. Such notes should be sent to all guests who attended your wedding as well as those who could not attend but still gave gifts. Carve out some time in the weeks immediately following your honeymoon to write personalized thank-you notes, mailing them all at the same time so guests do not feel slighted if their note arrives weeks after another’s.

Vendor reviews Many vendors now rely on Internet reviews from past customers to help grow their businesses, and it’s a nice gesture for couples to offer their reviews once they have returned from their honeymoons. Chances are you relied on such reviews when choosing vendors for your wedding, so return the favor by writing reviews and helping future couples find reliable vendors who can help make their weddings special.

Dress New brides who want to keep their dresses as keepsakes or preser ve them as heirlooms should have their dresses cleaned and professionally preserved when they return from their honeymoons. The earlier you do this, the easier it is to remove any stains that might have developed during your wedding.

Gift returns

Cake If you were unable to do so before leaving on your honeymoon, return to your wedding reception venue to pick up any leftover cake. Many venues will store leftover wedding cakes in their freezers for a reasonable amount of time until couples return from their honeymoons, but make it a point to pick up your cake as soon as possible. It’s customary to eat leftover cake, if you have any, on your first anniversary.

Newly married couples often receive repeat gifts or gifts they never put on their registries that they simply have no use for. Return such gifts as soon as possible so your home is not overwhelmed with clutter. Upon returning gifts, you also can do a little shopping, as you will have money to spend. In addition, many stores give newly married couples discounts on registry items that went unpurchased, and the day you return gifts is a great opportunity to cash in on such discounts.

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Formal Wear

We carry new, pre-loved, designer, discontinued, and vintage wedding dresses, and our inventory is constantly changing!

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THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 | SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE 19

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SUMMER BRIDAL GUIDE | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017