Bridal Guide - New Britain Herald - 10-21-2012

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WEDDINGS

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Wedding guests may enjoy games, contests, icebreakers at reception

By MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON Associated Press

At Bernie and Jordan Hajovsky’s wedding reception, it was useful to know details about the happy couple: Guests had to answer questions about them before they could join the buffet line.

The newlyweds hoped the trivia game and other activities would make the reception more memorable.

“I really wanted people to walk away feeling they had been involved and that it was the most fun wed-

ding reception they had ever attended,” said Jordan Hajovsky, of Austin, Texas.

Games, contests and other icebreakers have become increasingly popular at wedding receptions, said Sarabeth Quattlebaum, spokeswoman for the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners, in Dallas.

“Couples want a party atmosphere and have realized that the more guests mix and mingle, the more relaxed they’ll be,” said Quattlebaum, owner of Sarabeth Events in Keller, Texas. “This also

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adds a personal touch to their reception party.”

Disc jockey Peter Merry says more and more couples are asking him to help organize reception activities, such as contests to win table centerpieces or asking guests to serenade the bride and groom with songs that include the word love in the lyrics. Other couples are incorporating photo booths, where guests can have their pictures taken in silly hats and holding goofy props.

With guests from different phases of their lives who may not know each other, brides and grooms want to provide opportunities to interact.

“If you can break down any discomfort, guests will stay longer and have more fun on the dance floor,” said Merry, of Dallas, author of “The Best Wedding Reception Ever” (Sellers, 2010).

DJ Jimmie Malone, who owns the company Exceptional Receptions in Binghamton, N.Y., encourages couples to include activities to set the tone and help balance the wedding’s “pomp and circumstance.”

AP

A wedding guest reacts to the news that she has a won a new car in Binghamton, N.Y. The joke was part of an icebreaker at a wedding reception.

“It keeps guests engaged,” Malone said.

Stephanie Goetz of Binghamton said the games at her 2011 wedding “helped break the ice. Between the different families and friends, the majority of people didn’t know each other. It was a lot of fun.”

Malone sometimes leads guests through an elaborate game in which they must pass a drink, a set of car keys and a dollar bill around the table. He keeps the crowd laughing

and guessing about what the items mean. At the end, he announces that the person holding the money is “$1 richer” and that the holder of the drink must serve as the table’s bartender for the evening. The person with the car keys? Malone tells them jokingly, “Congratulations you just won a new car.”

The centerpiece goes to the “generous person” who donated the $1.

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New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

WEDDINGS

Sunday, October 21, 2012 | 3

4 | Sunday, October 21, 2012

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

WEDDINGS

Couples seek local-food menus

By COLLEEN NEWVINE TEBEAU Associated Press

NEW YORK — Robert Pollock started hosting weddings at his Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa as a fluke. He bought a 1764 house on about 100 acres in the Hudson Valley, north of New York City, and one of the guys he hired to do work on the property needed a place for a wedding, so Pollock agreed.

“Of course it poured rain but we got through it,” he recalled.

Pollock accidentally became part of a trend — couples planning weddings with locally sourced menus and taking place at farms.

In Chicago, Paul Larson is a farm-to-table chef in the truest sense; he’s both executive chef at Blue Plate caterers and owner of a farm in Cassopolis, Mich., where he grows microgreens and heirloom tomatoes.

“When I moved out to Michigan, they all laughed at me because I was a city boy wanting to be a farmer,” Larson said. Now, with the growing popularity of locavore dining, he finds it an advantage to offer catering clients produce he’s grown, or the meat and dairy of his neighbors.

Because wedding clients tend to book far in advance, Larson can order seeds and grow an item to order. He grew butternut squash and leeks specifically for one menu last year, for example.

Larson estimates that most of the couples booking Blue Plate for weddings are interested in food issues on some level, from dabblers to those serious about sourcing the entire meal from small farms within a 100-mile radius, donating leftovers, recycling wine corks and the like.

Blue Plate tries to accommodate couples wherever they are

AP

Ratatouille Tart with zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, tomato jam, goat cheese, arugula and lemon vinaigrette from Blue Plate.

A Margarita Bar for guests at the wedding of Elana Kopstein and Patrick on that spectrum, Larson said. Free held at a private estate in Sonoma, Calif.

That means communicating clearly about a couple’s priorities and about what’s in season, and accepting the need to adapt if a particular item comes in early or late.

D B K

Jane Eckert, who consults with dings but says “it’s the brides who farms on tourism as owner of are driving it.”

Eckert AgriMarketing, in St. “Brides are looking for unique Louis, Mo., has seen an increase destinations and farmers are in farms wanting to host wedSee PAGE 5

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WEDDINGS

Sunday, October 21, 2012 | 5

and on-farm weddings Continued from Page 4

looking for ways to supplement their income,” she said.

Weddings are still a niche business for farms, Eckert said; pumpkin patches, hay rides, apple picking and corn mazes are more popular. But once a farmer has invested in the infrastructure to make visitors comfortable, such as putting in bathrooms and a big

A Mixed Pansy Corsage

AP

parking lot, weddings can be a logical next step.

“This appeals to the next generation (of farmers) that’s coming in. They have an opportunity to build a new business on the farm,” Eckert said. “It takes the right personality,” she added, since hosting weddings means working with sometimes-demanding brides, working into the night, and dealing with the commotion of big parties.

Other examples of the locavore wedding trend around the United States include the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Va., which uses local Rappahannock oysters, Manakintowne Farms lettuces, Dave and Dee’s locally grown oyster mushrooms; and produce from the hotel’s own garden on wedding menus. The hotel recently installed beehives on its roof and plans to harvest the honey next spring.

Grande Lakes Orlando resort in Florida is preparing to open

an outdoor farm and event space called Whisper Creek Farm with 7,000 square feet of fruit and vegetable gardens on the 500acre Grande Lakes estate, which also includes The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels. Wedding guests will be encouraged to peruse the garden, and even pick and taste.

Mary Ellen Murphy, owner of Off the Beaten Path Weddings, in Napa, Calif., has been a wedding planner for about two decades.

Although northern California has long been a food-focused place, she said, she sees couples increasingly interested in making good food a focus of their celebrations.

Farms appeal to couples getting married, she thinks, because so many people work indoors and are nature-deprived; it reconnects them to the earth.

“Seeing elegance out in the middle of nature brings back some fond memory of childhood and how good it felt to run around,”

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Murphy said. “People want to bottle that feeling and give that to their guests.”

She recently helped her publicist, Elana Free, plan AP her wedding, with a Heirloom tomatoes grown on the Chive Blossom farm-like vibe that Ranch in Cassopolis, Mich. drew on Free’s childhood memories of visiting her grandparents’ ranch. wine; and a dessert bar with fam“We would pick mulberries for ily favorites made by relatives. hours during the summer from Buttermilk Falls, in Milton, which my grandma would make N.Y., typically hosts about 10 delicious jam and pie. We gath- weddings a year, getting some ered persimmons and walnuts, menu items from its nearby eggs from the chickens, pulled Millstone Farm and its restaurant, carrots from the garden, milked Henry’s Farm to Table. the goats, and even went scoutChad Greer, who recently ing for arrowheads,” Free recalled. joined as chef, gears large-scale Free said her wedding menu recipes to what’s in season. At featured local peaches and water- the tail end of tomato season, for melon agua fresca at the welcome instance, he liked making pantable; locally sourced chicken on zanella salad with the resort’s own the family-style, build-your-own- bread and basil. He is lobbying tacos dinner menu; locally roasted for an Argentinian barbecue so he coffee at an espresso bar; local can do whole local pigs.

6 | Sunday, October 21, 2012

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

WEDDINGS

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early in the night, it sets the tone for the rest of the reception,” he said.

At other receptions, he has organized a version of “Let’s Make a Deal,” rewarding guests who can produce an expired driver’s license or the oldest penny in the room.

Of course, the games may not work for all the guests.

“It’s very easy for people to duck out,” Malone said. “If a table chooses not to play,” it’s not a problem.

Most times, the games help create a sense of camaraderie at the table where guests may not know one another, he said.

Along with trivia, the Hajovskys arranged

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AP

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for an instructor to teach line dances. Jordan Hajovsky loved watching her new friends interact with her college friends and family.

“It got everybody on the dance floor,” she recalled of her March 30 wedding.

Quattlebaum likened the trend to decadesold traditions such as stealing the groom’s shoes at an Indian wedding, or lifting the bride and groom in chairs while dancing at a Jewish wedding.

“These are all examples of wedding guests coming together as strangers and doing something to unite each one of them by working together toward a common goal or game,” she said.

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New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Sunday, October 21, 2012 | 7

WEDDINGS

Pondering the best way to describe older partners

Associated Press

There is no good way to refer to an older person’s live-in companion. And by older, I mean older than 30.

This came to my attention in reading the obituary for the man who, after 18 years of living with my mother in a serious, committed, loving relationship, died at age 95. That’s no boyfriend. She’s no girlfriend. But neither was she his wife. She was referred to in the obituary as his “domestic partner.”

“Domestic Partner” is, in some state and local governments, a legal designation that clarifies benefits to unmarried couples. In general usage, though, “partner” might imply either that they were gay or in business together, neither of which was true. “Partner” may be the least romantic way to describe your significant other — except for “significant other.”

“Boyfriend,” meanwhile, sounds juvenile and flippant.

“Companion” calls to mind a golden retriever, or a paid position. “Gentleman friend” is old-fashioned and unserious.

Swain? Beau? Lover? Plus One? With divorce rates high, and peo-

ple surviving spouses for decades, older Americans are commonly dating and cohabiting without any practical terminology.

“Of course we are in new territory on relationships — this is an ever-evolving reality, and the over-50, not-married couple needs their own moniker,” says Felice Shapiro, founder of the website Betterafter50.com. “The one I really like is ‘life partner.’

It’s hopeful.”

Bob Levey, a Washington Post columnist who used to run a monthly contest to create new words, once asked for suggestions on this topic. The winner: “geramour.” Runners up included “main geeze” and “slowthario.”

“There is simply no good term,” says Julie Rosen, 46, who lives in Philadelphia with Ira Fingles, their 7-year-old daughter and her 18-year-old son from a previous relationship. “‘Significant other’ is just too much of a mouthful, too p.c. serious,” she says. Rosen generally uses the term “partner,” but “it feels misleading or just incorrect given that (it) implies gay.”

Fingles calls her his “faux wife.” It started as a joke, but, as she says, “if there was another bet-

ter word, ‘faux wife’ may have been a shorter-lived joke.”

When will we get a workable term that is not a joke? Are all the terms uncomfortable because we are still uncomfortable with people living this way?

Wendy Kline, a history professor at the University of Cincinnati who looks at women’s history and social movements, thinks so. The label issue “stems from the larger historical discomfort with crediting a woman with any sort of status outside of marriage,” she says.

For both genders, a committed relationship outside of marriage begs “society’s understanding of what’s permanent and what’s not,” says Debbie Weiss, a clinical social worker in Louisville, Ky. Both members of the couple may be seen as unserious, even subversive.

Without a useful and comfortable expression, introductions are awkward, explanations to family members embarrassing. Partners need terms to communicate their own expectations, as well as convey the nature of their relationship to the world.

Marriage “is a convenient

AP

Julie Rosen and Ira Fingles together live together in Germantown, Pa, with Julie’s child from a previous relationship and their own child.

social shorthand,” says Nick King, 42, unmarried to Jennifer Fishman, his live-in partner, with whom he has a daughter.

“If you strip away all the religious and legal trappings of marriage, it continues to be a way to efficiently signal one’s commit-

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ment and seriousness to others.”

There is less tension surrounding the issue in Montreal, where Nick and Jennifer, both American, are university professors. They prefer the term “partner,” but note that in Quebec “spouse” signifies the same thing.

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New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

WEDDINGS

Why do we do that? How wedding traditions came to be

NEW BRITAIN — It doesn’t matter where you live, grew up or are getting married, chances are those who have attended a wedding have witnessed some popular traditions take place.

The bride wears a veil, a court of wedding attendants accompanies the bride and groom, and birdseed, rice or flower petals are tossed.

But have you ever wondered why?

So many modern day wedding customs are ripe with tradition and harken back to days when superstition and myth often ruled the day.

Here we explain some of the more popular and common tradtions that are shared the world over. ∎ Throwing rice: Most everyone is familiar with this long-standing tradition.

However, these days it has become de rigueur to blow bubbles, toss birdseed or release doves when the bride and groom leave the house of worship newly betrothed.

That’s because savvy individuals found that raw rice can pose a hazard to birds pecking in the area. However, rice throwing is an old custom that dates back to

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A wedding cake once symbolized fertility for the happy couple.

of wedding rings dates back to ancient Egypt.

The round shape of a ring symbolizes eternal love. The ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it is believed this finger has a blood vessel that goes directly to the heart. ∎ Wedding cake: The traditional wedding cake evolved from Roman times when the

cake was originally made from wheat. It was broken over the bride’s head to ensure fertility.

All of the guests eat a piece for good luck.

Single women used to place a piece of wedding cake under their pillows in the hopes of finding their own husbands. ∎ Father accompanying the bride: This tradition symbolizes that the bride’s father endorses the choice in husbands and is presenting his daughter as a pure bride to that man. ∎ Kissing the bride: In older times, a kiss symbolized a legal bond. Therefore, the bride and groom kissed to seal the deal on their betrothal.

There are many more traditions surrounding a wedding and some that are unique to a bride or groom’s cultural heritage. Many of these customs are ones that people simply accept.

But sometimes understanding the origins of these customs and traditions can help to make the ceremony even more meaningful for a bride and groom and their wedding guests.

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the Middle Ages, when wheat or rice where thrown to symbolize fertility for the couple. ∎ The Bridal Bouquet: Nowadays, the bride carries a beautiful bouquet of flowers. But the purpose of the bouquet held different meanings in the past.

Saracen brides carried orange blossoms for fertility.

Others carried a combination of herbs and flowers to ward off evil spirits with their aroma.

Bouquets of dill were often carried, again for fertility reasons, and after the ceremony, the dill was eaten to encourage lust. ∎ Bridesmaids: There may be arguments over dresses and how many bridesmaids to have in a wedding party now, but in ancient times it was “the more the merrier.”

That’s because bridesmaids were another measure to keep the bride safe against evil spirits.

Essentially the bridesmaids were decoys for the spirits — dressing like the bride to confuse the spirits or maybe help deter them to leave the bride be. ∎ Wedding rings: Wearing

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WEDDINGS

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Bouquets to save: flowers made of recycled stuff Associated Press

Glynis Abapo knew just what she wanted her dream wedding cake to be: simple. Three or four tiers. A rich, white confection with white peonies and peony petals cascading down the middle.

The problem? The handmade sugar flowers cost a fortune.

Abapo found her answer in plastic flowers — specifically, the quirky yet elegant creations crafted by Tennessee artist Lauren Karnitz from materials that most people throw away: milk jugs, detergent bottles, straws, wires, medicine bottles, even sucker

wrappers. The flowers were relatively affordable, says Abapo, 31, of Atlanta. And eco-friendly.

“And it was just beautiful and just what I wanted,” she says.

Karnitz, a 42-year-old oil painter, has been crafting roses, peonies, magnolias, sunflowers and other hybrid creations out of recycled materials for nearly two years. She stumbled into the wedding flower business as an experiment, but since working with Abapo, Karnitz has filled orders for cake flowers, bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres from about a dozen brides. “‘Can I have that?’ is now my

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signature phrase,” Karnitz says, laughing. “Meaning, can I have that peculiar piece of plastic you are about to toss?”

Most of her clients are ecoconscious brides who like the idea of reusing materials for their flowers.

Other green-minded brides are making or buying alternative flowers made from fabric, paper, even old brooches. Martha Stewart magazine has a tutorial on making paper flowers, while websites like The Blue Petyl offer dozens of combinations of brooches, buttons, pearls and more, from about $100 to $500.

Bridal designer Princess Lasertron sells a felted flower kit for bridal bouquets for $140.

Traditional wedding flowers — everything from table centerpieces to the bride’s bouquet — typically run $2,000 to $2,500 — 8 percent to 10 percent of the average $25,000 affair, according to The Knot.

Like any other wedding florist, Karnitz consults with brides beforehand to get a feel for their wedding theme and size, and what

A Double Beige Bloom Corsage/ Boutonniere made of recycled materials.

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they want. Then she gets to work at her home in Knoxville using a trove of discarded junk. Slices of laundry detergent bottles become petals. Ribbon, electrical conduit and copper wire are transformed into stamens, pistils and stems.

“The blooms are all built petal by petal, working in the round, so all sides are considered,” Karnitz says. “Each petal provides a surface for the next, and so on and so on.”

Her collection of recycled

A Yellow Blooming Peonies Cake.

refuse comes from friends, family and even complete strangers familiar with her craft.

It takes up to two hours to make one corsage or boutonniere, depending on the difficulty.

Providing flowers for a cake can take anywhere from 20 to 30 hours. Boutonnieres and corsages average $45 each, cake flowers run anywhere from $150 to $450 per cake depending on cake size.

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New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Sunday, October 21, 2012 | 11

WEDDINGS

Newlyweds can find romance in the kitchen Often called the heart of the home, the kitchen can be filled with romance for newlyweds eager to explore and discover the multisensory delights of whipping up meals together. Spending time in the kitchen to entertain friends and family can also cast a seductive spell on couples as they bond over making guests feel welcomed. In fact, love is easy to detect — along with the — when couples partake in the act of cooking and baking. Here are a few simple tips to romancing the kitchen, including suggestions for essential culinary tools and equipment to enhance the experience, and ways to ensure that cooking with your mate is collaborative and pleasurable.

for food bliss, and epicurean Web sites can be enormously helpful in expanding your recipe repertoire.

Stretch the boundaries of your culinary palate by experimenting with new spices and adding them to your dishes in unexpected ways. Hot and spicy foods have been known to release feel-good endorphins, which can help boost your mood. To get the most out of your recipes and ingredients, you’ll need the best quality cookware you can afford.

For frequent stovetop cooking, the perfect choice for sophisticated cooks is Anolon Nouvelle Copper, the first-ever hardanodized aluminum nonstick cookware featuring copper metal in the fast-heating base. In addition to providing a warm, inviting look, copper is unparalleled for its heat responsiveness, which is particularly important when searing meats and sauteing vegetables.

The collection’s restaurant-tested nonstick cooking surface provides the healthy option of cooking with little or no added fat, and makes clean up a snap. To make clean up even easier, the cook-

Spending time in the kitchen to entertain friends and family can also cast a seductive spell on couples.

Add a little heat To avoid falling into cooking doldrums, make it a habit to seek out new recipes together, and decide on at least one new dish to try each week. The Internet offers a plethora of excellent food sites to guide you in your search

ware’s nonstick-coated rivets lie flush against the wall of the pans to prevent food build up. Oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and compatible with all types of ranges, including energy-efficient induction burners, Anolon Nouvelle Copper looks as good as it performs with a sensual, tulipshaped body and close-fitting, gleaming stainless steel lids and handles.

Start with small bites

When it comes to hosting your first get-together as a married couple, a party with a menu designed around simple finger foods is the perfect way to make your foray into home entertaining. Whether you prefer preparing savory hors d’oeuvres for an elegant gathering, or sliders with “the works” and homemade fries for watching the big game, bakeware is multifunctional and proportioned just right for making and serving a myriad of small bite recipes. Look for versatile cookie pans and jelly roll pans that have some heft and feature a light-colored nonstick coating, which won’t over-brown delicate treats. Anolon Advanced Bronze Bakeware features an elegant bronze colored nonstick coating on both the inside and outside for optimum food release

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and effortless cleaning. Oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, the even-heating bakeware is constructed of heavy carbon steel to prevent warping and ensure longlasting durability.

Dress it up

Here’s a sure-fire way to keep the romance in your marriage without having to spend money dining out: Set a monthly “dinner-in” date with your spouse and go all out in making the evening a glamorous and cozy occasion.

Set the dining room table with candles, cloth napkins, and fresh flowers. Dress up for the occasion and enhance the ambiance with soft music instead of the TV. Prepare your favorite dishes using cookware that’s black-tie ready, such as the handsomely styled, high performance Anolon Ultra Clad. With an elegantly polished stainless steel interior, and a stainless steel exterior that’s contrasted with a wide band in classic black, this gourmet clad metal cookware

adds a fresh, modern look to the kitchen. At the ready to instantly add a chic touch to everyday cooking, Anolon Ultra Clad is dishwasher safe, induction-ready, and lighter in weight for easier lifting and carrying.

Simplicity in the details

The appliances, cookware and accessories that you and your beloved choose for your kitchen make a statement about your sense of style and culinary skills. Find the beauty in ordinary, functional tools, and make a commitment to introduce only those objects that you both truly find pleasing to the eye and a joy to use.

Beautifully crafted Anolon Advanced Bronze Tools and Gadgets feature translucent handles in warm bronze and gleaming stainless steel. The elegant, durably crafted handles catch the light, feel comfortable in your hands, and transform simple, utilitarian kitchen products into sleek and attractive equipment that you’ll want to display on a wall rack, or nest inside a countertop canister.

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12 | Sunday, October 21, 2012

WEDDINGS

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

A few tips on how to give a toast to remember METROCREATIVEGRAPHICS.COM

Being asked to be someone’s best man or maid of honor is an honor to be cherished. Often the best friend of the groom or bride, the best man and maid of honor often want to reciprocate the honor of their role with a toast that illustrates just how much they care for the bride or groom.

But once the time comes to sit down and think about their toast, the best man or maid of honor are often in the dark.

Giving a wedding toast, after all, is not an everyday event, and for many people it will be a one-time experience, if they’re even asked at all.

Though a certain amount of pressure comes with the responsibility of giving a toast, keeping a few ideas in mind when writing a toast will make

the process go more smoothly. ∎ Thank the guests.

Thanking the guests for attending is a good way to break the ice. Be sure to thank the hosts as well.

Traditionally, the hosts are the bride’s parents. However, thanks to the escalating costs of weddings, many are now financed by both the bride and groom’s parents, and oftentimes by the bride and groom themselves.

Therefore, you can avoid any missteps and simply thank the parents of the bride and groom after thanking the guests for joining in the festivities. ∎ Introduce yourself. While the bride and groom certainly know who you are, chances are many of the guests do not. Many weddings boast guest lists with more than 100 people, so intro-

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duce yourself at the beginning of your toast. When doing so, you can explain your relationship to the bride or groom (i.e., older/younger sibling, college roommate, etc.). ∎ Keep things light. While jokes should remain appropriate (every wedding has kids in attendance), keeping the toast jovial is a good way to keep the festive mood of the day going.

While it’s important to get across how much you cherish being the best man or maid of honor, a jovial approach to doing so will be enjoyed by all, and your message will still come across to the bride and groom as well. ∎ Add an anecdote. The best man or maid of honor no doubt have many funny anecdotes to tell about the bride or groom.

Add a light-hearted anecdote that illustrates your relationship to the bride or groom and how much they mean to you.

An older brother, for instnace, might tell a tale of the inno-

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New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Sunday, October 21, 2012 | 13

WEDDINGS

How to make planning your wedding a breeze METROCREATIVEGRAPHICS.COM

Are you one of the thousands of couples who got engaged over the holidays? This is the time for you and your soon-to-be to get everything you ever wanted — he time to start from scratch, to upgrade, expand and replace. To turn a whole bunch of mismatched mine and yours into a lifetime of ours.

“When it comes to registering, relax, take your time and have fun,” recommends Audrey Stavish, a Bridal and Gift Registry expert at Bed Bath & Beyond. “Go back to the store as many times as needed, or update your registry online.

There aren’t any rules that you must follow. Choose items that are right for you and your soonto-be. Go through the registry process together and have fun!”

Here are some additional tips to make wedding planning a breeze: Plan Ahead: Start a bridal registry as soon as you say “yes.”

This way you will be prepared for your engagement party and bridal shower, as well as your wedding.

Periodically update your registry

Following a few wedding registry tips will help relieve some of the stress associated with wedding planning.

by adding more products if you need to, even after the wedding.

Be kind to procrastinators.

Don’t be shy: Register for gifts in a range of prices and categories.

This will give guests and group givers lots of options to choose from.

Look back and Plan Ahead!

Discuss your background and

personal preferences beforehand. It’s also important to consider your future. Consider things like how often you’ll entertain and how much you will be cooking.

Visit a store: It’s in your best interest to visit a store and schedule an appointment with an expert consultant. Touch the towels, heft the flatware, see everything in person!

Do the math: Experts advise registering for 2-3 items times the number of guests you plan to have. Close friends and family will rely on your registry for special events leading up to the wedding — such as engagement parties, bridal showers and holidays! Your guests will appreciate having lots of choices when they shop for you. Be sure to refresh your list regularly as gifts get purchased.

Register Now, Because You Won’t Buy it Later: You may think you will ... but you won’t.

Now is the time to let others get you the stuff you’d never buy

yourself. Your friends and family might even get together to purchase a higher priced “group gift.”

Remember the Rule of Three: When it comes to setting your table, if you choose bold patterns for your china and flatware, pick a more simple style of glassware.

Prefer intricate stemware? Pair it with simpler patterns of china and flatware. So, it’s bold/bold/ simple or simple/simple/bold.

Once you’ve set up your bridal registry, take advantage of Bed Bath & Beyond’s Bridal Toolkit, the complimentary wedding planning tools available at bedbathandbeyond.com, including your own personal wedding Web site, budgeter, task manager, guest list manager, gift tracker, and even a seating arranger.

This way, all of your information can be stored in one convenient place.

Congratulations and best wishes on your engagement.

Now get registering and let the gift-giving begin.

14 | Sunday, October 21, 2012

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

WEDDINGS

Brides: The legalities of changing to your name METROCREATIVEGRAPHICS.COM

After a bride says “I do” to a life with her new husband, she often says “I do” to a new last name.

Whether she takes the name as a loving gesture, to make it more convenient when having kids, or simply to rid herself of an unappealing maiden name, changing her surname will require some steps to ensure the legality of a change in identity.

Because a name change will require a copy of the marriage certificate — something that

isn’t often obtained until after the ceremony — it’s best to wait until after you’ve returned from a honeymoon to change documentation.

Also, in order to travel, you may require birth certificates, passports, a license, or another form of ID. It will be impossible to change all of those forms of identification before the wedding. Inconsistent documentation could cause hang-ups in the travel process.

Additionally, you may be charged if you try to change your name on

airline tickets after they’ve already been issued. Therefore, enjoy your maiden name a little longer until the honeymoon bliss is over and it’s back to reality.

Ready to get started? Here are most of the documents you’ll need to change as you take on your new married name.

1. Social Security Card: If you are a U.S. resident, you will need to go to your local social security office, or download a form from the IRS Web site to apply for a change of name on

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5. Bank accounts: Guests will likely issue gift checks in your married name or as a couple. It helps to have an account available in which to deposit those checks.

You can choose to merge your banking accounts once married, or open up a joint account with your new name.

6. Employer: Have your employer change your name in their records and update payroll and any other services. You will also want to update e-mail stationery to reflect your new name and have your IT director change your information for computer logins and e-mail addresses. A courtesy e-mail to clients will fill them in on your name change.

7. Credit card & utility companies: Notify these companies of a change of name. Some may require written documentation to complete the change.

8. Wills and other legal contracts: Have legal documents amended to feature your updated name. You may want to change your beneficiary to your husband.

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your social security card. It takes approximately 10 days after the application is received for the IRS to update the records. In Canada you will need to change your Social Insurance Number card.

2. Drivers license: In order to change your drivers license and vehicle registration, you’ll likely have to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles, or whatever the agency is called in your area. You will need several forms of identification, two of which will be your marriage certificate proving change of name and your social security card. Also have your old drivers license with you.

3. Passport: Contact the Passport Agency to update your name on your passport. You may or may not be charged for the new issue depending upon how long it’s been since you applied for a passport.

4. Insurance policies: If you have health insurance, life insurance, or a 401(k) plan, you should communicate your change of name to the respective companies.

Leading up to their big day, couples have lots to worry about before they finally get to walk down the aisle as man and wife. The trials and tribulations of planning a wedding is no small task, as even the most minor details must be accounted for.

Such is the case with the floral arrangements. Though not a minor detail in any way, preparing a wedding day floral arrangement does have its minor details, particularly when it comes to the more individual aspects of a floral plan. For instance, the following components must be considered when devising a floral plan. ∎ The bridal bouquet. It’s tradition for bridal bouquets to contain white or cream-colored flowers such as stephanotis, roses, orchids, or lilies. Many bridal bouquets also include fillers like baby’s breath as well as some green or ivy, as well as ribbons or additonal accessories. ∎ Bouquets for attendants.

Attendants’ bouquets should be identical, and it’s best to coordinate these bouquets with the attendants’ gowns. Only the maid of honor

traditionally receives a slighlty different bouquet, as it’s customary to give her one apart from the rest, though not significantly so. ∎* Boutonnieres for groomsmen and ushers. The guy’s side of the wedding also needs to take part in the floral plan. Worn in a buttonhole or lapel, a boutonniere should be worn on the left lapel and match a flower from the bridesmaids’ bouquet. The groom should also wear a boutonniere, though his should match a flower from the bride’s bouquet. When wearing boutonnieres, men should not wear additional accessories such as pocket squares. ∎ Flowers for special guests.

Certain special guests, such as grandmothers and mothers, should receive corsages. While the corsages do not need to be identical, they should match the bridesmaids’ bouquets. It’s best to consult with a florist for a corsage color that matches all dresses, as typically the corsages must be ordered before the bride and groom know what their mothers, grandmothers and other special guests will be wearing.

The Herald Press

Sunday, October 21, 2012 | 15

WEDDINGS

WEDDING DIRECTORY 2012 A P PA R E L Irene’s Lingerie

21 Whiting Street Plainville, CT 06062 860-747-9500 www.ireneslingerie.com

BANQUETS & C AT E R I N G The Cornucopia Banqueting Hall

371 Pinewoods Road Rt. 8, Torrington 489-5446 & 1-800-3 TO B WED

www.cornucopiabanqueting.com

The Gallery

141 New London Tpke.

Glastonbury, CT 06033 860-659-2656 thegallery141@aol.com

Mahan’s Lakeview & Fine Catering

15 Grilley Rd. Wolcott, CT 203-879-9363 www.mahanscatering.com

Maneeley’s

65 Rye St. So. Windsor, CT 860-528-6622 www.Maneeleys.com

Manor Inn Restaurant

1636 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike P.O. Box 1636.

Milldale (Southington) CT 06467 860-628-9877 manorinnrestaurant.com

Testa’s Banquet Facilities 26 South Center St. Southington, CT 860-628-8509 www.testas.cnet

Tunxis Plantation Country Club 87 Town Farm Rd. Farmington, Ct 860-678-9523

www.tunxisbanquets.com

C AT E R I N G Cafe Buono

562 Farmington Ave, Bristol 860-582-2233 www.cafebuono.com

41 East St., Plainville, CT 06062 860-747-3374

Jeske’s Catering, LLC

Shannon’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, Inc.

380 Main Street Kensington, CT 06037 860-829-7766 Fax: 860-829-1965 www.jeskescatering.com jeskescatering@yahoo.com

BRIDAL GOWNS F LO R A L D E S I G N Bridal Bells Boutique, LLC Artificial Flower Shop

114 Mill St. (Berlin Central Plaza) Berlin, CT 06037 860-828-8462 www.bridalbellsboutique.com

The Wedding Dress

222 Main St. Portland, CT 860-342-5361 www.theweddingdressllc.com

BRIDAL ONE-STOP SHOPPING Bristol Commons & The Annex

99 Farmington Ave. Rt. 6, Bristol

CAKES A N D FAVO R S Bolo Bakery

32 Whiting St. 860-410-4292 www.bolobakery.com

Harvest Bakery

84 Farmington Ave. Bristol, CT 860-589-8000 www.theharvestbakery.com

JEWELRY DBK Jewelers

26 Lake Avenue Bristol, CT 06010 860-582-0516

Marzi Florist

33 Fern Street New Britain, CT 860-229-1331 www.marziflorist.com

74 Farmington Avenue Bristol, CT 06010 860-582-8858

PHOTOGRAPHY Premiere Portrait

260 East St. Plainville, CT 860-410-4303 www.premiereportraits.net

RECEPTION & BANQUET Indian Hill Country Club

111 Golf St., Newington CT 06111 860-666-5600 ihcc@lessings.com

F O R M A LW E A R Oscar’s Formalwear

Krystal Gardens

GIFTS Patrick Baker & Sons, Inc.

Quassy Amusement Park

1146 Spindel Hill Rd. Wolcott, CT Bristol 860-589-3995 (203) 879-4050 West Hartford 860-232-4048 www.oscarsformalwear.com www.krystalgardenscatering.com

1650 West Street Southington, CT 06489 860-628-5566

R E N TA L S Connecticut Rental Center

30 Dekoven Drive Middletown, CT 06457 860-347-4688 www.ctrentalcenter.com

T RAV E L Scully Travel

580 Wolcott Rd. Wolcott, CT 203-879-2593 scullytravel@aol.com

Wollenberg’s/ TLC Limousine

436 Main St. Terryville, CT 860-585-LIMO (5466) www.tlclimousine.net

Route 64 Middlebury, CT 1-800-FOR-PARK www.quassy.com

The Grand Oak Villa

MAKE-UP Beauty by Garuti Russell Garuti

New Britain, CT 860-209-8494 www.beautybygaruti.com

550 Sylvan Lake Rd. Oakville, CT 860-945-0548 www.thegrandoakvilla.com

The Lily Lake Inn

66 Central Ave. Wolcott, CT 06717 203-879-7000 www.lilylakeinn.com

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16 | Sunday, October 21, 2012

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

WEDDINGS

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