Premier Bride of Hampton Roads the Outer Banks of North Carolina Summer/Fall 2012 by Jennifer Creative

NO MATTER WHAT THE OCCASION

Bridal Showers Rehearsal Dinners Ceremonies Receptions Anniversaries IT ALL BEGINS AT CYPRESS!

UNFORGETTABLE IN EVERY WAY

757.490.6300

www.cypresspointgolf.com 5340 Clubhead Road Virginia Beach

Where Dreams Meet Reality

PhotoS by lAurA tAylor

ProfeSSionAl DJ ServiCe

~ ~ reCePtion AnD Ceremony ~ uPlighting ~ guArAnteeD fAir PriCing

online PlAnning & muSiC SeleCtion AvAilAble

The DJ for our wedding did a fantastic job!! He was very easy to talk to and make plans with! I felt like the price we paid was a great deal for the time that we got and my whole family loved the choices in music that he played! I also was happy that he played all the types of music that I asked for and the songs that I requested! We had a great reception! Thanks again! â&#x20AC;&#x201C; review

Serving vA & nC

757.275.8000 | 252.506.0700 www.bigdreamsentinc.com

from PASt Client

OF HAMPTON ROADS AND THE OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA

HIGHLIGHTS:

IN EVERY ISSUE:

11 13 25 56 31 88 140 160 166 171

76 Beauty 71 Cakes 66 Catering 84 Flowers 5 Gowns 26 Invitations 137 Marriage Laws 118 Music & Entertainment 101 Photo Booths

Bridal Attire Guide Fall Fashion Preview: Charming Smithfield Jewelers Guide Reception & Rehearsal Dinner Guide Featured Weddings Fall Style Preview: Love is Sweet Honeymoon & Destination Locations Bridal Shows Directory of Services Premier Bride Planning Pages

Publishers CHRISTY TOLLIVER Art Director JENNIFER ERDMAN jennifererdman.com Executive Publishers SCOTT BROWN BETH MANGUS

General Manager SCOTT BROWNI

Contributing Writers RACHELLE DRAGANI STEPHANIE BROWN Contributing Artists BETH MANGUS LIAM HINDLEY Contributing Photographers artistgroup.net blackdogstudios.com lucyparkerphotography.com lusterstudios.com filcsikphoto.com

104 Photography 36 Reception 130 Registry 49 Rentals 45 Rehearsal Dinners 22 Rings 126 Transportation 114 Videography 92 Wedding Coordinators

Cover/Fashion Photography Keith Cephus Photography keithcephus.com Fashion Photography DCPG PHOTOGRAPHY + DESIGN www.dc-pg.com Cover/Fashion Locations WINDSOR CASTLE, SMITHFIELD, VA windsorcastlepark.com HERMITAGE MUSEUM & GARDENS NORFOLK, VA www.thehermitagemuseum.org Hair & Make Up: THERESA LITTLE MAKE UP ARTISTRY KRISTAL LANE- BEAUTY ON LOCATION HAIR BY ALICE Contributing Designers: PINCH OF CHARM MEMORABLE EVENTS BY APRYL

FOR ADVERTISING OR INTERNET INFORMATION, WRITE OR CALL PREMIER BRIDE AT: CHRISTY TOLLIVER, PUBLISHER – CHRISTY@PREMIERBRIDE.COM – (757) 810-2212 COPYRIGHT©2012 iWed, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in any manner of editorial or graphic content herein without the express written permission of iWed, Inc. is strictly prohibited. All images created by Ross Whitaker are reprinted with permission from HarperCollins, 1997 “The Perfect Wedding”

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CHRISTY TOLLIVER christy@premierbride.com

Photo by Keith Cephus Photography

Letter from the Editor

Seeing this issue come to life has been fun & rewarding. It’s a testament to how hard-work, talented people and friendships can create greatness. The key is to grow and learn from each issue. From the gorgeous fashion previews to the real life weddings, a lot of sweat, love and time was devoted so that you the bride could gain knowledge, ideas and excitement for your big day! I cannot say enough about the talent of every single contributor that made this issue what it is. Our advertisers are true professionals that take pride in their work and their businesses. There are so many behind the scenes people that play such a big part as well…graphic designers, printers, collaborators, interns, writers, planners, florists, designers, hair & make up stylists, etc. I appreciate every single one of them! I had the pleasure of working with some of my closest friends and colleagues on this issue. My long time friend, confidant and mentor Keith Cephus with Keith Cephus Photography did us the honor of photographing part of our fashion preview and the beautiful cover. My idea creator, friend and left arm, Shay Rybin with A Pinch of Charm, styled one of our shoots and helped me with a special event for a deserving couple. My friend, magic maker and realist Apryl Roberts with Memorable Events by Apryl stylized our other fashion shoot…can you say cotton candy! It was so rewarding to work with these folks along with everyone else that played such important rolls. I cannot wait for you to see for yourself. Christy and Keith Cephus on location of I am also excited to share with you the vow renewal of one the Premier Bride Photoshoot. of my favorite couples, Jack & Angie Wright, in this issue. 10 years ago I had the pleasure of being their “day of” coordinator at The Boxwood Inn. This time we fought rain, wind and a tornado to make their “Re-Vow Wow!” happen on June 1st. It was such a long and emotional day, but in the end it was so great to witness their love first hand…again! I wish eternal love like Jack & Angie’s for you and your fiancée. May your wedding day be everything you have dreamed of and more. Enjoy every single moment of this special time! Much happiness,

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 3

One

COMMITMENT

Deserves

ANOTHER

VOTED BEST OF 2012 ~ VIRGINIA LIVING MAGAZINE VOTED 50 BEST NATIONWIDE IN 2011 ~ BRIDES MAGAZINE Personalized, Full-Service Showroom for the Bride, Groom and the Entire Bridal Party On-Premise Alterations & Custom Gown Designers Endless Resources from Our In-House Wedding Planning Studio, Floral Designer & Photographer 12 Best Square, Norfolk • 461-1690 • mayacouture.com

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you’ll ever have to make.

jmtfoto.com

Gowns 6 easy steps to the gown of your dreams

Everyone knows they can’t try to upstage the bride on her wedding day, and that means one thing –you’ve got to make sure your dress is up for the challenge! Some ladies have dreamt of their gown since before they can remember, but for others finding the dress is a nightmare. Before you start looking here are some tips:4 www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 5

GOWNS

Wedding Gowns Tuxedo Rentals

Have a trusting team. Invite along friends or family who will be honest yet accommodating with you. If a dress is unflattering, you want them to speak up, but don’t invite someone who wants to control how you’ll look on your day – the ultimate decision is yours, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about that. Keep an open mind. It’s helpful to have an idea of what you want, but don’t be afraid to wiggle outside your comfort zone. You might be pleasantly surprised with the results and make a statement walking down the aisle!

538-A Wythe Creek Road Poquoson, VA 23662

757-868-7008

www.divineboutiquellc.com

6 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Start basic. Do some basic research like online searches, or thinking of friend and family’s dresses you loved, and try to have an idea in your head of what you want so it’s easier to narrow you search. Even then, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with your options. If you don’t know where to start, bridal magazines and on-line sites can be a great resource. The process can seem daunting. A good starting point is styles of dresses you’ve loved on yourself in the past. When you see something you like there, create a file of your favorites. Bring them along when you visit more specialized wedding boutiques and review them with the consultant. As for styles, it’s an exciting time to shop for wedding gowns. Strapless dresses still reign supreme as the top pick among brides-to-be, but the market is constantly expanding. Trends like bold colors, asymmetrical hemlines, whimsical trims and dramatic backs are challenging conventional designs. It`s important to remember these trends don’t always mean a dress will be too edgy or something you’ll regret in five years. Designers want a gown to be a classic

GOWNS piece, possibly one you’ll pass down, so often a bold look is simply a modern take on a chic design, one you’ll still smile at in pictures years from now. Here are some of the latest and greatest from the wide world of bridal fashion: COLOR. Traditional white gown will always have a place, but it’s no longer the only option. Romona Keveza has a flowertrimmed robin’s egg blue, Vera Wang embraced a soft blush for a layered gown and Oscar de la Renta showed green skirts and even a dramatic black with striking white butterfly accents. If you don’t want to transition totally away from white, try fading into color, like this Junko Yoshioka. The silky strapless gown starts in an off-white and gently swirls into an asymmetrical yellow train for a pastel spin on a timeless look. Or, go for a bold accent like this look from Anthropologie with a black bow and red shoes. A sash is another way to add color, perhaps the same color as your bridesmaids or flowers. Throw it on after the ceremony for a different reception look. Black and red are two popular colors for a bold yet classic accent. LEGS! Short dresses have always been fun for a switch into a more casual reception dress, but they’re gaining popularity down the aisle, especially for summer or outdoor weddings. They show off your legs or a great shoe, and come as light-hearted or couture as you like. Project Runway’s Carol Hannah has some flirty, affordable frocks. No one will elegantly show off your curves more than Alfred Angelo’s ‘Little White Dress’ collection, while Oscar de la Renta has whipped up a more show-stopping number with full skirts ballooning out from a simple, strapless top. For teelength, princess options, try a whimsical dress from Rosa Clara.

Elegant, Affordable Style for Your Entire Wedding Party

Bridal Gowns by Mori Lee, Impression, Davinci, Alfred Angelo and Casablanca

Maid’s and Mom’s gowns by Dessy, Jordan, Jasmine, Bill Levkoff and more...

Tuxedo Rentals available from Jim’s Formal Wear and Tuxedo Central located in picturesque Elizabeth City, NC 45 miles from the Outer Banks and Hampton Roads

Louisa’s BridaL

106 Capital Trace | Elizabeth City, NC 27909

252-338-8965 | www.louisasbridal.com

Celebrate Life’s Special Moments Through Photos and Stories

A wedding and/or honeymoon Scrapbook can be pur chased by you, your parents, your grandparents, brides maids, groomsmen or anyone else who would like to remember your special day as much as you.

Memory Keepers Scrapbooking

7575930915 www.MemoryKeepersScrapbooking.com www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 7

GOWNS STRAPLESS’S NEW RIVAL. The one shoulder option is now second to strapless, which means the once edgy look now has classic and elegant options. A decorative bow, flower or design on the shoulder strap energizes the look. For a less dramatic design, try something like Imogen from Carolina Herrera’s 2011 bridal line, with a simple tulle cap sleeve that gently stems from an easily sloping neckline. Also popular is a folded, asymmetrical look, like Oscar de la Renta shows. (Asymmetrical hemlines are also very in!) COVER UP. Sleeves are back, but don’t worry – designers haven’t relapsed to the heavily padded shoulders and toobeaded sleeves of our mothers. Monique Lhuillier’s Addie is a perfect example of tight, sheer sleeves extending from a sleek v-neck to truly shape a slender arm on any body type. For an updated Grace Kelly look, intricate lace sleeves that don’t

remind you of doilies are beautiful from designers like Kelima. Cap sleeves are also popular, especially a thin or lacy detachable type for a different look between ceremony and reception. Also popular is a lace overlay to the neckline, an elegant way to show just enough skin. TRIMS. Trims as accents are becoming the perfect way to make a simple gown dazzle. Melissa Sweet, ReemAcra, RomonaKeveza and Anthropologie scattered ruffles, tiny butterflies or even feathers down the dress to add personality to a classic design. BACK IS THE NEW BLACK. After all, it’s a long way down the aisle, and throughout the ceremony and first dance that’s what your guests will see. Silky, knotted backs the Eslava or Enfasis from Rosa Clara eliven the gown and let a strong, beautiful back poke through.

Gowns SELECTING A GOWN:

ask the right questions Your wedding day attire will be the most memorable outfit you’ll ever own. Consider all your options – a designer gown from a full service bridal salon, a family heirloom needing some redesign, or a custom designed gown to reflect your personality?

• Which designers do you carry? • Do you have the dress that I want on hand? • Do you offer accessories and shoes as well? Can you dye the shoes? • Do you offer pressing, alterations or bridal slips? • Can you guarantee a delivery date for my dress? • When can you offer fittings for my bridal party? Can measurements be handled over the phone? • Can you make last-minute alterations? • How far in advance must I order my gown? • What is your cancellation policy? • Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much? www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 9

A Barefoot Bride Fine Consignment Boutique 118 E. Mellen Street | Phoebus, VA

757-788-8812 | www.bfbride.com 10 â&#x20AC;˘ PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

New and preloved bridal gowns and accessories bought and sold. Visit Once Upon A Wedding Bridal Boutique to find a dress that will take your breath away – at a price that won’t! Serving brideS in all of Hampton roadS

757-282-3787 ~ www.once-upon-a-wedding.co

BRIDAL ATTIRE GUIDE Shop Name and Address

Phone Number / Website

Store Hours

757-788-8812 www.bfbride.com

Tues-Fri 10-7 Sat 10-5; Sun 10-2

757-491-1418 www.atrvb.com

Mon-Thu 10-8; Fri 10-6 Sat 10-6; Sun 12-5 (Seasonal, call)

757-549-8228 www.eveningformals.com

Mon-Thu 10-6 Fri 10-5; Sat 10-4

AVA CLARA COUTURE BRIDAL

757-962-1466 www.avaclarabridal.com

Tue-Sat 10-5 Sun 11-3

BLACK TIE AFFAIR BOUTIQUE

252-449-4889 www.blacktie-affair.com

Mon-Fri 10-5; Sat 10-2 Sun By Appointment

BLUSH BRIDAL CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE

757-595-7797 www.blushgowns.com

By Appointment

804-642-5157

Hours: Monday – Saturday 9am – 6pm

757-868-7008 www.divineboutiquellc.com

Mon-Wed 10-7 Thurs-Fri 10-5 Sat 9-4; Sun Closed

757-938-9192/757-938-9194 www.frenchtouchformals.com

Mon-Tues 10-7; Wed 10-5 Thurs-Fri 10-7; Sat 10-5

LOUISA’S BRIDAL

252-338-8965 www.louisasbridal.com

Mon-Fri. 11-6; Sat 10-4

MAYA COUTURE

757-461-1690 www.mayacouture.com

Mon-Thu 11-7; Fri 10-5 Sat 10-6; Sun 12-4

MIQUEL’S FORMAL WEAR

757-383-8021 www.houseofmiguels.com

By Appointment

ONCE UPON A WEDDING

757-282-3787 www.Once-Upon-A-Wedding.co

By Appointment

757-631-9810 www.pureenglishbridal.com

Mon-Sat 10-6 By Appointment

757-631-2525 www.silkbridal.net

Tues-Sat 10-5

757-229-5004 williamsburgbridalandformal.com

Tues, Wed, Fri 10-6 Thurs 12-6; Sat 10-5

A BAREFOOT BRIDE FINE CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE

118 E. Mellen St., Phoebus, VA 23663

ALL THE RAGE

Hilltop Shopping Center 1556 Laskin Rd., Suite 144, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

AN EVENING OUT

Bridesmaids, Tuxedos and Prom Dresses 701 N. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23320 401 N. Great Neck Rd., Suite 119, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 3105 N. Croatan Hwy #10, Seagate North, Mile Post 5.5 Kill Devils Hills, NC 27948 Port Warwick Shopping Center 185 Herman Melville Ave., Newport News, VA 23606

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE OF GLOUCESTER

4435 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Hayes, VA

DIVINE BOUTIQUE

538-A Wythe Creek Rd., Poquoson, VA 23662

FRENCH TOUCH FORMALS

5394 Kemps River Drive #102, Virginia Beach, VA 23464

THE INSPIRED BRIDE

Coming Soon to Williamsburg! 106 Capital Trace, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 12 Best Square, Norfolk VA 23502 3921 Popular Hill Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23321 3609 Shoreline Dr., Portsmouth, VA 23703

PURE ENGLISH

La Promenade Shops 1860 Laskin Rd., Ste 110, Virginia Beach, Va 23454

SILK BRIDAL CONSIGNMENT

Chambord Commons 332 N. Great Neck Rd., Ste 108, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

WILLIAMSBURG BRIDAL & FORMAL

Shops at Atrawberry Cove 3709C-1 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 11

Photo: Hair & Make-Up: Natasha Fairbanks and Andra Rosenberg

The DAY SPA

Countdown to your wedding day Our 12 week wedding beauty program covers everything for you and your bridal party. Personal consultations, Skin care, Hair and Nail treatments, Make up and much more. Whether it’s a pedicure party, day of pampering complete with a cafe lunch, or individual custom packages, Salon Vivace will provide a blissful day for you and your group. Please call one of our spa consultants who will be pleased to arrange a complimentary personal consultation and preview visit.

Newport News Shops at Oyster Point Virginia Beach Chambord Commons Chesapeake Hanbury Village Williamsburg New Town Center Richmond Carytown

757.873.1775 757.463.1231 757.482.5790 757.220.9411 804.565.9000

ww w .s a lo n v iv a c e .c om Also in The Greenbrier Resort, WV; Charlotte, NC; Pittsburgh, PA; Los Angeles, CA and Toronto, Canada

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Charming Smithfield

DESIGN & DÉCOR:

Pinch of Charm Weddings & Events PHOTOGRAPHY:

Keith Cephus

BRIDAL & FORMALWEAR:

Maya Couture MAKE UP:

Theresa Little Make-up Artistry HAIR:

Hair by Alice STATIONERY:

BlueGreen Aqua FLOWERS:

Black Iris Floral Events Co LOCATION:

Windsor Castle, Smithfield

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jmtfoto.com

blackdog.pro

pbtip

lucyparkerphotography.com

Is your ring insured?

As soon as bring your engagement ring home, make sure that your insurance policy is updated to offer adequate protection in the event of a loss or theft.

22 â&#x20AC;˘ PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

lusterstudios.com

Rings The CIRCLe oF LoVe: understanding the basics

It’s amazing, the power of a piece of jewelry to convey so much meaning… Engagement rings and wedding bands represent the never-ending love you have for each other, and let the whole world know you are married! Besides the exquisite beauty of wedding rings, there is a lot to know about metals, diamonds, and the care involved. This “Ring Primer” will help you understand all the basics.4 www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 23

RINGS KNOW YOUR METALS 14-karat gold is classic, popular, durable enough for daily wear, and can be polished easily. White gold is made mixing pure gold with other white metals such as silver, palladium or zinc, and can be a less expensive alternative to platinum. Extremely popular in the last decade or so, platinum is a very white, heavy (which many people like that substantial feel), and durable metal. A “sister” metal to platinum, palladium is a naturally white metal (whiter than white gold), and like platinum, it is strong, non-tarnishing and hypoallergenic. It’s also less expensive than platinum, making it a good metal to consider if you like the white metal look. Titanium and tungsten carbide have become popular for men’s wedding bands, and both of these metals are extremely durable, 100% hypoallergenic and relatively inexpensive. KNOW YOUR DIAMOND When shopping for a diamond, you will quickly be introduced to the “Four Cs” – cut, color, clarity and carat. All four features can make a dramatic impact on the quality, and therefore price, of a diamond. Cut. Cut really refers to the proportions of a diamond and it’s facets, as opposed to its shape, which includes round, oval, pear, marquise, emerald, square, heart and triangle. Regardless of its shape, a diamond gets its brilliancy from the cutting, and maximizing the reflection of light. Color. The best color is no color at all, because it reflects the most light. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) ranks diamonds on a standard 23-grade scale from D, a perfectly colorless stone, through Z, a light yellow stone. Clarity. The number, color, nature, size and position of natural marks, called 24 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

inclusions, contained in the gem, define clarity. Excellent clarity means light can pass unimpeded through the stone and increases its value. The GIA judges clarity based on a standard 11-point scale from “Flawless” through “Imperfect 3.” Carat. Diamonds are weighed in carats, which may also be expressed as “points,” where one carat equals 100 points. A diamond of 50 points, for example, equals ½ carat. TAKE GOOD CARE To clean your jewelry, soak them in either a commercial jewelry cleaner, or a homemade solution comprised of equal parts cold water and ammonia, or a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. Brush the stones gently with an eyebrow brush or soft toothbrush, then rinse thoroughly under warm water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. Have you rings checked annually by your jeweler for loose prongs or settings. This is especially important if you have only four prongs, because just one broken prong will cause you to lose your stone. These precautions and gentle care will pay you back with years of enjoyment and pride in this precious symbol of your union.

DIAMOND CLARITY SCALE • FL & IF: Flawless and internally flawless (inclusions not visible under 10x magnification) • VVS1 & VVS2: Very, very slight inclusions (extremely difficult to see under 10x) • VS1 & VS2: Very slight inclusions (difficult to see under 10x) • SI1 & SI2: Small inclusions (noticeable under 10x) • I1, I2 & I3: Imperfect (flaws visible to the unaided eye)

JEWELERS GUIDE Shop Name and Address

BOYER’S DIAMOND & GOLD SOURCE Gallery Shoppes 6564 Richmond Rd., Lightfoot

Phone Number

Circles in Stone J e w e l r y

Directions

757-565-0747 From I 64, East on 199. Take Lightfoot exit. Left (West) on Richmond Rd. Go through 2 lights, look for large clock on street, Boyer’s on the right.

Custom made jewelry for the discriminating bride and the

DAVID NYGAARD FINE JEWELERS

757-266-0986

DRUMMOND’S FINE JEWELERS

757-325-1600 I 64 to Mercury Blvd to Coliseum Drive, Left at Cunningham, Right onto Executive Drive.

GOODMAN AND SON’S

757-838-2328 I-64 to Mercury Blvd. (exit 263B), left on Coliseum Drive

GOODMAN AND SON’S

I-64 to exit 242A to Monticello Ave. (route 321) turn left, next light is the shopping center

LONG JEWELERS

757-498-1186 I-64 to exit 284B Newtown Road, exit 18 Rosemont Road towards Princess Anne Plaza, right onto VA Beach Blvd

LONG JEWELERS

757-436-1920 I-64 to exit 290B N Battlefield Blvd.

wedding party.

1412 Greenbier Pkwy, Chesapeake

Coliseum Central 2026 Coliseum Dr., Hampton

4640-11A Monticello Ave., Williamsburg 2965 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach

701 North Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake

LONG JEWELERS

2817 Shore Dr., Virginia Beach

757-498-1186 I-264 to Rosemont road, right onto Virginia Beach Blvd, Between Rosemont Rd. and Lynnhaven Blvd.

The Finishing Touch PhotoS by treaguS PhotograPhy

Lobby of Executive Tower 2101 Executive Dr., Suite 1K, Hampton

Designs feature crystal pave, blown glass, Swarovski crystals, pearls, and other unique glass, all executed in sterling silver or 14 karat gold fill.

www.circlesinstonejewelry

757-238-3282

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cameroningalls.com

Invitations The first impression

You’ve been planning your dream wedding for months, but for your guests, the invitation is their first glimpse of what’s to come. It provides a clue to the event, and the level of formality, along with some indication of your wedding style: Formal or informal? Modern or traditional? You’ll want an invite that matches… and so, let the search begin!4 www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 27

INVITATIONS Like all wedding responsibilities, the earlier you start, the more time you have to search, thoroughly evaluate options, and handle any problems that arise. If possible, order the invitations and other wedding stationery six or more months before the wedding to give yourselves plenty of time for reading and correcting proofs, printing, addressing, stuffing and mailing. Mail the invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. Let any out-of-town guests who would need to arrange flights and/or hotel rooms about the date as soon as you know it, either informally through conversation, or more formally with a save-the-date card mailed as early as possible. All the parts Wedding invitations are typically comprised of several components,

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each with a different purpose. There is the ceremony card announcing the details of the ceremony with the optional tissue paper to lay on top (an old custom to protect the other enclosures from still-tacky ink), the reception card if applicable with those details, the response card with its stamped, addressed return envelope, the map if provided which also often includes hotel details for outof-town guests, and the inner and outer envelopes. Some invitations combine these elements, such as including the reception information on the ceremony card, especially if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at the same place or immediately following. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also possible to simply eliminate some elements (such as the inner envelope or tissue paper covering the ceremony card), particularly for more informal styles.

INVITATIONS The invitation wording Traditionally, whoever is officially hosting (read: paying for) the wedding is listed first on the wedding invitations. Of course, you can work it out however you like with your families. (This is one area where it’s really important to have good communication between all parties!) Some couples today, who are paying for the majority of the expenses themselves, with help from their mixed and blended families, simply say “Mary Bride and John Groom, together with their families, request the honor of your presence at their marriage…” You could also do a search online to find invitation wording samples and discuss the options with your groom and respective families.

Assembling the pieces The traditional way to put together an invite is as follows: start with the ceremony invitation on the bottom, cover with tissue if desired, put the reception card on top of it, and then put the response card with the unsealed return envelope and the map, if you’re using one, on the very top. Slide all items face up into the inner envelope. Do NOT seal the inner envelope, and slide it into the outer envelope with the addressee’s name facing the back flap so that it will be visible upon opening. Addressing advice The outer envelope should have a return address included on the back flap, and it’s probably well worth this small extra cost to have

Absolutely everything for your wedding! Registe r

WIN PRIze s!

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INVITATIONS this done by the printer, so you don’t have to write the return address on every single invite you send! For the names and addresses of your guests, you can hand-write them, run the envelopes through your printer using a calligraphic font, or for a very beautiful and special touch, hire a calligrapher. Ideally, try to avoid labels, even clear ones, because they just don’t convey the sense of “specialness” and elegance that something as special as a wedding deserves. Street names, cities and states should be written out completely without any abbreviations. To indicate both parties of a married couple, use both “Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Green.” When addressing an unmarried couple living together, use each of their full names: “Mr. Ronald Green and Miss

Angela Thomson.” If every member of a family is invited, write “Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Green and Family.” If only the older children are included, their names are written below the parents’: “Miss Erin Green.” Adult children no longer living with their parents should receive their own invite. A final, critical tip When you’ve fully assembled your invites, take one to the post office, and have them weigh it, assess it and give you a definitive postage due amount – the last thing you want is 100 wedding invites coming back to you marked “insufficient postage!” So make that extra trip to the post office to be absolutely sure, mail them out, and take a deep breath. The wedding is officially underway!

Save a Wild MuStang When you Marry... Your wedding is the most important day of your life. You can make the day even more meaningful by donating to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund in honor of your guests in lieu of favors. Instead of a token that they may or may not sue, eat, or even remember a year from now, your gift will make them an important part of saving a disappearing breed. Contributions are tax deductible. Contact program coordinator for details.

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CorollaWildHorses.org 252-453-8002 programs@corollawild horses.com

Tara & Jimmy

APRIL 2, 2011 ~ VIRGINIA BEACH PHOTOS BY KEITH CEPHUS PHOTOGRAPHY

GOWN: Clark in the Two by Rosa Clara 2011 Collection from Ava Clara HAIR: Tia Maria MAKE UP: Tia Maria FORMALWEAR: Mens Warehouse CONSULTANT: As You Wish Weddings and Events HONEYMOON: Disneyworld THEME/STYLE OF WEDDING: Lush, Romantic, Glamourous

BRIDAL PARTY: Groom wore a champagne calla lily accented with a black flower. Groomsmen wore plum calla lilies with a black feather accent. The bride carried a broach bouquet and the bridesmaids carried bouquets of calla lilies, roses, and feathers in champagne, black, and plum. www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE â&#x20AC;˘ 31

CEREMONY SITE: Cavalier on the Hill, Raleigh Lounge Patio CEREMONY: Ceremony toapiaries were composed of lush white roses, pale peach stock, garden roses, sahara roses, champagne calla lilies, and cream feathers. Soft, romantic rose pomanders lined the aisle and organza bags of fresh and fragrant rose petals were given to guests to toss as the newlyweds recessed down the aisle. RECEPTION SITE: Cavalier on the Hill, Pocahontas Room RECEPTION: Centerpieces included low arrangements of roses, calla lilies, and feathers with subtle broach accents, and tall centerpieces of white feather plumes on an oversized black candlestick which were complimented with miniature black candlestick vases containing clusters of blooms. 32 â&#x20AC;˘ PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

INVITATIONS: Live Love Paper FLOWERS: Designer & Specific flowers: Palette of Petals. MUSIC: Monarch String Quartet played ceremony. Reception: Luke Barton, Arch Entertainment CAKE: Shockley’s Sweet Shoppe FAVORS: Framed photo strips from Shutterbooth

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 33

Jack & Angie

RE-VOW WOW! JUNE 1, 2012 ~ HAMPTON

PHOTOS BY MARK SCHEETT PHOTOGRAPHY CAKE: The Custom Cake Shoppe

then…

DJ: TC Entertainment GLASS TOTEMS: Glass Totems by Becky CUPCAKES: Hey Cupcakes! SET UP & DECOR: A Pinch of Charm SIGN: Brenda Star Studios HAIR AND MAKE UP: Angie Wright, Sussex Total Beauty Salon

34 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

& now!

K yra & Jared

MARCH 3, 2012 ~ ELIZABETH CITY PHOTOS BY HEATHER HUGHES PHOTOGRAPHY

CEREMONY: The First Baptist Church RECEPTION: Culpepper Inn HAIR & MAKEUP: All Dolled Up CATERING BY MONTERO’S COCKTAIL MUSIC: Harp by Mary Margaret Jones

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 35

Your vows are meant to last a lifetime...

And so should your memories. …After all it’s the most important day of your life! At our newly renovated, award winning hotel, we are dedicated to creating lasting memories of your special day. • Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions • Rehearsal Dinners • Corporate & Social Events

ViRginia BEaCh-noRfolk hotEl & ConfEREnCE CEntER 5655 Greenwich Road | Virginia Beach 757.499.4400 | www.hivabeachnorfolk.com 36 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

blackdog.pro

Reception What you need to know before booking your reception site

You’ve been pronounced “husband and wife,” so now it’s time to relax, mingle, dance, chat and thoroughly enjoy the company of your friends and loved ones. While finding the ideal reception location is one of the biggest and most important wedding-related tasks, have no fear... we’re here to help. Below are three simple steps to finding the right reception site for your perfect day.4 www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 37

38 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

RECEPTION Step 1: What to do first The biggest question regarding the reception is “where?” Before you can work on this question, however, you’ll need to know a couple of things: what style of wedding do you envision, and how big? Obviously, a casual, relaxed summer afternoon reception would require a completely different reception site than a formal, elegant winter evening reception – so clarify the type of wedding (and the time of year) you both desire first. Once that’s been established, determine the rough guest list, including all interested parties: you and your groom, and each set of parents. Of course, you’ll also need to consider your budget as well, as this will have great influence on the number of guests you can afford to have. Once you’ve

made these critical decisions, it’s time to start looking for the ideal reception site. As with anything, the more time you have, the better – some choice reception sites get booked one to two years in advance, particularly for prime dates. Step 2: Start the search Local bridal publications, the Internet, wedding shows, married friends and the yellow pages are all good sources of potential reception sites. If you have no idea where to hold your reception, try hotels, banquet halls, restaurants, community centers and country clubs. Other less obvious options are country inns, historic homes or mansions, city parks, college or university facilities, art galleries, museums and boats. Each location offers its own unique style and ambiance.

DreamWeddings The kind that makes fathers misty-eyed and grandmothers dance all night in stocking feet. The once in a lifetime, one of a kind, kind. Call our wedding planner to get started on your dream wedding! 757.448.6543 www.marriottchesapeake.com

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 39

Smithfield Center Sparkles Windsor Castle Park Enchants

the

Located in downtown Smithﬁeld, this brand new riverside park features over four miles of walking trails, orchard, picnic area, kayak/canoe launch, ﬁshing pier and Windsor Castle Historic Site.

The Smithfield Center and Windsor Castle Park offer all the amenities you expect from a premier conference center and outdoor venue, but with all the charm of Smithfield, the quintessential small southern town. • Multi-purpose spaces for groups of 6 to 600 • Advanced technical capabilities • A naturally beautiful setting on the Pagan River • Free historic attractions, specialty shops and art galleries all within easy walking distance

SmithfieldCenter.com

Arrangements for both venues can be made through The Smithﬁeld Center, 220 N. Church Street Smithﬁeld, (757) 356-9939

RECEPTION There are two basic types of reception facilities: on-site and off-site. Most on-site locations provide the majority of services you will need for your reception: catering, beverages, tables, chairs, tableware, linens and serving staff, making this a very convenient option. The facilities normally charge on a per person basis, and have a minimum guest requirement. Such locations include hotels, private clubs and restaurants. Off-site locations offer the use of the facility only, providing no other services. You supply nearly everything yourself, paying a flat fee for the use of the site. The nice thing about off-site locations is the freedom to do everything your own way, and more choices – although this can also mean more work! Narrow down your search by focusing on those sites that seem to best meet 40 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

your needs, depending on your style, season and estimated guest count. Once you’ve selected some possibilities, it’s time to go on a road trip with your fiancé, maid of honor and/or Mom and check out the sites in person. Step 3: Evaluating reception sites Now the real work begins. Every site offers advantages and disadvantages, and your job is to sift through all of the features of each site, to find the best one for your wedding – all while keeping your budget in mind. Here are some factors to consider: Location. The reception site should be no more than a 30-minute drive away from the ceremony location. A longer drive than that is really asking too much of your guests! If the location is difficult to find, or will offer special challenges

RECEPTION to get there (say, located near a football stadium that has a home game on your wedding day) you should consider providing transportation for your guests from the ceremony site, and back to their cars after the reception. Size and layout. Will everything happen in one big room, or in separate rooms for the cocktail hour, dinner, dancing? Will it comfortably hold the number of tables you’ll need, and will everyone dine in the same room? Is there room for a band or DJ, and for cocktail hour musicians, if you’re having them? Privacy. If your venue does multiple events, find out if there are other bookings on the same day or time as yours. If so, ensure that there will be adequate privacy and separation for your celebration. There should also be

ample time in between events to allow your caterer or other service people to set up or break down your party. Parking. Make sure there is convenient, well-lighted, ample parking for your guests, and if not, find out if valet service is available. Technical details. Whether you intend to have a DJ or a band, inquire about possible restrictions regarding the type, volume or duration of music. Be sure to confirm that there is an adequate power supply for speakers, mixers and amplifiers, or good acoustics for string and wind instruments. Some sites have built-in public-address systems which can be used for introductions and toasts. If your site of choice doesn’t offer this equipment, make sure your DJ or musicians can provide it.

All-Inclusive Wedding Packages Starting at Just $8999 plus tax & gratuity

All-Inclusive Wedding Packages include: Your venue, D.J., bartender, a three-tiered wedding cake, reception flowers, photography and catering by Cuisine & Company for 100 guests.

A Beautiful Waterfront Special Events Venue

Call today to reserve your special event

757.496.7006

www.TheYachtClubatMarinaShores.com www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 41

Wedding Magic by Hilton

From Engagement to your Reception, we’ve got it covered. Our experienced catering professionals and Executive Master Chef Robert Cillizza are here to ensure your event is picture perfect. Call us today to reserve your date! Intimate gatherings to celebrations for up to 320.

1500 N Military Hwy, Norfolk, VA 23502 757-466-8000 • 800-422-7474 www.hilton.com

RECEPTION Room décor. Most sites offer a neutral these reasons, it’s highly recommended background to work with, but make sure that you use an experienced wedding the flooring, wall coverings and colors coordinator if you want an outdoor will work with the style and season of reception – this will ease your workload, your wedding. and your stress, immensely. Services offered. Be clear, with each site visited, exactly what is and is not Down to details included. From catering and wait staff, As with any wedding vendor, make AD NO HNA 005-11 to candles and chairs… get those details sure that all details are outlined in HILTON NORFOLK AIRPORT up front. writing, and use a credit card whenever NORFOLK, VA when making payments so that possible A note about outdoor receptions you have more protection in the unlikely If you’re planning an outdoor event of a problem. You should feel very HALF PAGE HORIZONTAL/ FULL COLOR reception, it’s critical to have a backcomfortable with your contact person, PREMIER BRIDE 2012 up plan in case of inclement weather. and feel that they respond in a timely Planning for an outdoor reception is and efficient manner to your questions usually much more work overall, because BRITE and requests. Visit premierbride. you have to provide for everything from com’s online wedding planner for a Virginia Beach, VA the salad forks to the tents to the chairs, comprehensive list of questions to ask and you may need to change plans757-439-7700 at potential reception sites, and other great Job # wedding 2072 the last minute due to the weather! For planning help. 42 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

celebrate. relax. enjoy. Church Point Manor Historic Bed & Breakfast, a sumptuously restored 1860’s farmhouse, boasts an enchanting venue quintessential for your refined & stylish wedding. Tucked in the heart of the affluent Church Point neighborhood in Virginia Beach, the property is home to an idyllic front lawn, wrap-around-porch, veranda, pool, tennis court, and a meandering path to a private dock on Lynnhaven Inlet. Furnished with elegant European and American art & antiques, the manor bestows twelve guest rooms, a piano room, tea room, formal dining room, kitchen, breakfast nook, and floor-to-ceiling windowed Solarium. Stroll past our chef’s garden and down into The Cellars, our fine dining restaurant and delight your senses with our local menu and fine wine selections. Repose and unwind on your sojourn here or play and rollick on the Chesapeake Beach, only one mile from our doorsteps. Beguiling, intimate & private, Church Point Manor is the felicitous setting for your wedding celebration. Visit us online at www.churchpointmanor.com or call us at 757.460.2657

4001 Church Point Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 757.460.2657 | www.churchpointmanor.com www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 43

FRIDAY OR SUNDAY saves you money

If cost is a factor in your wedding budget, consider planning your wedding for a Friday or Sunday. Choosing a day not in high demand can be less expensive and more relaxing, and there are other benefits as well:

• Getting married on alternative days suits the bride who prefers less pressured planning.

• You’ll find everyone you must engage for a wedding service more open to negotiation, sometimes reconsidering price or adding extras.

• Getting treasured guests into town may be easier if extra or early days are options.

• Vendors will probably cheer your off-day business by doing an extra-attentive job. • Wedding services can book Saturdays far in advance, but Fridays and Sundays can require less notice. Choosing a Friday or Sunday also allows you to avoid making several calls to numerous vendors, only to hear, “Sorry, we’re booked on that date.”

• It’s more likely that a hotly requested band, emcee, photographer, videographer or caterer will be on hand for the wedding of your dreams.

• On a Friday, you’ll probably have your wedding in the evening, which means that the ceremony is followed immediately by dinner. This means that you will avoid the extra cost and hassle of a one-to-two-hour interim reception or cocktail party. Having the ceremony and reception back to back may ensure more people at the church ceremony. • The rehearsal dinner could be easier and less costly for a restaurant if it was scheduled on a Thursday as opposed to a Friday night.

newpor t news | virginia

Unique, Delightful, Memorable – Everything Your Day Should Be. Our hotel banquet and catering services are ideally suited to meet the needs of any event, from an intimate gathering of just a few guests to an elaborate wedding reception for several hundred. Choose an elegant ballroom or serve your guests something truly unique and entertain them in our private two-story night club. The food will be delicious – The venue will be amazing and the service, exceptional!

1000 Omni Blvd. | Newport News VA, 23606 Contact Sales & Catering at (757)591-3511

www.omninn.com 44 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

REHEARSAL DINNERS 5 steps to fun & fabulous

With the main event just around the corner, it’s time to relax and celebrate! After the ceremony rehearsal most couples choose to spend some quality time with close family and friends during a rehearsal dinner. The details of how you do this – who, what, when, where – are up to you. Below are five steps to help you pull it all fabulously together. #1 – Choose your party The first step is to decide on what kind of gathering you wish to have. Most couples stick with something a little less formal, since you will all be dressed to the nines the next day. But really, you can do anything you like that feeds the crowd and allows for a little mingling: a pig roast, a potluck, dinner at a restaurant, a cocktail and appetizer cruise, a picnic in a park or a cookout in your backyard. Brainstorm with your sweetie and choose your ideal party. #2 – Clarify who’s paying Historically, the groom’s parents picked up the tab for the rehearsal dinner, however, you can no longer make that assumption. So – as with all wedding elements – it’s critical to be clear up front exactly who is paying for what. And never, ever assume! #3 – Make the guest list Anyone involved in the ceremony, and therefore, at the ceremony rehearsal, would of course be invited. This includes attendants, parents and other immediate family, readers and so on. It’s also customary to include any out-oftown guests, as they will have traveled www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 45

REHEARSAL DINNERS some distance for your wedding. It also gives them the chance to meet more people before the wedding itself; you wouldn’t want them hanging out in their hotel room alone in an unfamiliar city. #4 – Make them mingle One of the main purposes of the rehearsal dinner is for the two families to get to know each other better and enjoy each other’s company. So, whatever you and your groom can do to help with that, the better. Consider strategically planned seating with place cards or nametags with brief descriptions like “Mary Jones, Bride’s College Roommate,” and any other needed introductions. The rehearsal dinner is also an ideal time to give your attendants their gifts.

Eve’s Wedding Boxes Custom handcrafted wedding gift card boxes

#5 – Fine tune the toasts Traditionally, the groom’s father toasts first at the rehearsal dinner, however, traditions continue to evolve and change! The rehearsal dinner is a more relaxed, informal atmosphere, so you can decide together, along with your families, who would like to speak and in what order. Often, the groom’s father will say a few words, followed by the bride’s father and then the bride and groom. Groomsmen, bridesmaids, mothers and other guests may also want to make a toast. Cheers!

Create a memorable, take-home token for your guests.

757.655.1395

www.evesweddingboxes.com 46 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Set up digital photo booths during the cocktail hour. Have the memory card processed at a nearby one-hour shop and present the guests with a framed photo that they can take home that night.

Ceremony SELECTING A

CEREMONY SITE: ask the right questions

• Is your facility open to non-members? • Do you have any restrictions on times or days of the week? • Do you have any restrictions or limitations on lighting, cameras, audio or video equipment? • Do you have a dress code? • Are outside musicians permitted to perform? • Will any decorations be available through you? • Are there dressing rooms? • When could we have a rehearsal? • Is ample parking available? • Are there adequate restrooms? Are they easily accessible for elderly and handicapped guests? • How far in advance must I book your services? • What is your cancellation policy? 39d12_1405 wedding ad_2:Layout • Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much? 1 5/23/12 12:24

TYING THE KNOT AT SEA memories on the water

If your fantasy is to get married at sea, anything from a rowboat to a luxury liner can put you on waves of ecstasy. These days an elegant shipboard wedding is accessible, and a very romantic proposition. To ensure a ship-shape wedding, secure the vessel early with a deposit, as charter boats are often booked over a year in advance. Be sure to see the vessel, preferably set up for a wedding, before you book. Sit-down dinners or buffets, private dressing rooms and a deck for dancing are available on most boats. If you book a band or DJ, be sure to tell them there is a boat to load equipment onto while clearing this with the captain.

757-441-5830 x320 www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

Photo by Justin Hankins www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 47

PERSONALIZED VOWS expressing it in your own way

When you do personalize your wedding vows think about those things that are really important to you such as the meaning of marriage, why you are planning to spend your life together and how you will make this arrangement work for better or worse. Too many times nowadays couples don’t realize that marriage is supposed to be a lasting bond of togetherness through the good and the bad times. No matter how far astray you want your wedding vows to go it might be a good idea to start with the familiar. There is definitely something beautiful about the words in a wedding ceremony and perhaps just adding a few of your own personalized additions throughout the wedding is all that will be needed to add that special touch. Of course, you want to make sure that you and your fiancé are in agreement when it comes to changing the vows during the wedding. Talk about the things that make your life together unique and different and the plans you have for your future. One really special way to say “I love you” is to remember why you fell in love in the first place. Often during the hassles of the wedding this is easy to forget.

Perhaps bringing it all back together in front of your family and friends will make a bond that will never be broken. Talk about the experiences you have shared together while making memories. These are often very important moments frozen in time and will also help to build your future as you look ahead at what makes your marriage so important to both of you. What do you want for your future? This will be a good start as to what you want to promise each other as you stand before God and man becoming man and wife. Another fun thing to do might be have you and your fiancé write your vows apart and then come together to read them before you decide exactly what you will read during the ceremony. This will be a good way to discover any hidden feelings and you might be surprised at how identical your feelings really are, this is the mark of a great love. If you and your fiancé have an eclectic style or personality then by all means let that come out in your personalized vows. In the long run in might make it easier for you to express your real feelings anyway.

Pink Weddings of OBX Offering free wedding ceremonies to Cancer Survivors and Cancer Warriors at the Beaches of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Each client is treated with love and respect to make your day special. – Free Wedding Ceremonies and Vow Renewals performed by Reverend Kimberly Kelly – Photography Services – Searching for vendors to donate their services: Hotels, Airlines, Bakers, Florist, and more!

www.dreamalittledreamweddings.com/Pink-Weddings.html – 252-261-0706 – 252-564-4615 48 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Rentals SELECTING RENTALS:

ask the right questions

Table Linens Chair Linens Napkins Setup Service & More 757.448.5999

www.waterfordeventrentals.com

decor installation & removal – free event Planning event Layaway – Price Matching

Before your meeting, it’s helpful to have a rough idea of what you will need, an approximate guest count, and information about the reception location.

• What items are available for rent? • What is the rental fee? Do you have a price list? • Have you worked at my reception location before? • Do you provide delivery, set-up and pick-up? Is this included in the cost? • When will the items be delivered and picked up? • Will you move decorations from the ceremony to the reception site if needed? • If tents are needed, do you recommend one large tent, or multiple smaller tents at my reception location? • What is your policy on damaged or missing items? • Who will be my contact on the day of the wedding? • How far in advance must I book your services? • What is your cancellation policy? • Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much?

Products & services offered: Cakes, Flowers, Photography, Gowns & Tuxedos Gobo & Uplighting, Linen & Party Rentals Ceiling & Backdrop Draping

757.873.1244

Newport News • www.eventcentralva.com

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 49

Tents • Dancefloor • Tables • Chairs www.abzrentals.com • Linens • Fountains • Arches • Columns • Glasses • Dishes •

www.abzrentals.com or call 757-890-4700

PARTY RENTALS every last detail

Depending on where you choose to hold your reception, you may find yourself in need of certain items not provided by your reception facility. The term “party rentals” covers a variety of rental items, including linens, chair covers, tables and chairs, tents, dance floors, fountains, plants, props and theme decorations. If you are holding your reception in a hotel, most of the items listed above may be included in the overall cost. The need for various rental items increases when the event is held outdoors or at an event facility where you are required to provide your own caterer. Before contacting a rental company it is recommended that you have the following information available: • Exactly what items are provided by the caterer: 50 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

glass, flatware, china, buffet linens, and so on. • Any items provided by the facility: tables, chairs, portable bar, and so on. • Your event date, time and location • The number of guests attending • Any special requirements or themes Find out in advance what the delivery, set-up, pick-up and payment policies are. Be sure to coordinate with the facility manager to ensure the location will open when your rental company drops off your order. From the proper tent size for an outdoor wedding, to the portable dance floor complete with tables and chairs, a good rental company will work closely with you to determine exactly what and how many rental items will be needed to make your guests comfortable and your special occasion a complete success.

GREEN WEDDINGS unique ideas for a green wedding If you wish to dine by candlelight, use soy or beeswax candles, which are greener to produce than crude oil-based paraffin candles. Buy a beautiful used dress from the Brides Against Breast Cancer movement (bridesagainstbreastcancer.org). Proceeds fund breast cancer research. Also consider donating your gown to this organization after your wedding. Give guests tree saplings: the earth could use more trees! Other earthfriendly favors include a handmade paper bookmark with wildflower seeds that your guests can use or plant, or a small envelope of your favorite wildflower or vegetable seeds. Or skip the favors, and instead make a donation to your favorite earth-friendly non-profit organization in honor of your guests.

Consider potted plants for your centerpieces. They can be given away to guests after the wedding, or you could plant them in your yard to enjoy for years… a growing, living memory of your special day. Use handmade paper with flower seeds embedded for your wedding invites… your guests can plant your invite after the wedding – the ultimate in recycling. Great green gifts for your bridal party are non-consumptive options such as gift certificates for a massage or car detailing, tickets to a play, concert or sporting event, or useful, consumable gifts such as wine, soap, fair trade coffee, or local specialty foods. As a new couple, consider investing in socially responsible companies when planning for your retirement and financial future.

an idea for every reason...

the art o f celebration. www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 51

Table Settings

Your Perfect table setting: ideas that capture your personality

Left page: Table designed by bartolottacatering.com Right page: Flowers by bellefioriflorist.com Photos by artistgroup.net

52 â&#x20AC;˘ PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 53

UNIQUE CEREMONIES special locations

Unique sites can help create an interesting and memorable event. Popular locations require advance booking, usually six months to a year before the wedding date. Most require a 50 percent deposit when you reserve them, with the balance due seven to 10 days before the event. Refundable security deposits are usually required, and some facilities may request a special liability insurance policy. In selecting a unique reception site, consider the different restrictions regarding food, alcohol, smoking, music and hours of operation. Some locations may require that you use an in-house caterer or one chosen from a preferred list. Some sites will provide tables and chairs, but many require that you or your caterer provide your own furniture,

as well as linens and china. Check the kitchen facilities, as many sites have only a small kitchen or require that caterers bring a tent for food set up and service. Keep in mind that not all unique sites will allow you to have your reception inside the facility. Often historic homes are available for your guests to tour, but the event itself must be held in the gardens. If that is the case, be sure to include money in your budget for a tent to accommodate your guests in case of rain. Make sure your special site is appropriate for your wedding needs and fits your unique style. A historic home may not be able to accommodate hundreds of guests, while a formal museum might not be right for a very casual wedding.

Dressing up your chairs anD tables is our business. Chair Covers ~ Sashes ~ Table Overlays ~ Runners ~ Linens ~ Satins, Crush Satins, Pintucks and Iridescent Centerpieces ~ Customized Nautical Centerpieces ~ Vases ~ Candle Holders ~ Columns Uplighting ~ Charger Plates ~ Dance Floors ~ Delivery, Setup, Breakdown and Pickup Call to visit our display room at: 313 B Great Bridge Blvd. Chesapeake, VA

(757) 478-3401 ~ www.classycovers.net

54 â&#x20AC;˘ PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Pinch of Charm welcomes their new line of

vintage rentals

The Original

Vintage Photo Booth Wall You arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just in the picture, you ARE the picture!

Pinch of Charm 757-262-7820 Wedding design, decor and coordination

www.pinchofcharm.com www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE â&#x20AC;˘ 55

Finding your wedding venue

just got easier!

Premier Bride’s advanced venue search It’s easy and it saves time!

Select Your: style, price range, number of guests, and what you can’t live without.

With Your Results: map it, request information or adjust your search!

Navigate to VA-HAmpton Rds/ViRginiA beAcH then click on Reception sites

RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER GUIDE

Number of Suggested No. Reception Room Available of Months to Ad on Page Capacity Banquet Rooms Schedule

Average Price per Person

Separate Ceremony House Special Area Entrees Available

AMY'S DANCE STUDIO

757-596-2697

200

Call

ARTS OF THE ALBEMARLE

252-338-6455

200/100

200

BEST WESTERN OCEANFRONT

757-428-5370

200

Call

Varies

CAVALIER GOLF & YACHT CLUB

757-428-8622

Call

Varies

CHURCH POINT MANOR HISTORIC BED & BREAKFAST

757-460-2657

CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER

51 Hidenwood Shopping Center Newport News 516 East Main St., Elizabeth City

2809 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach

1052 Cardinal Rd., Virginia Beach

Call

100

Call

Varies

757-425-0000 ext.18

50-350

Call

Varies

CROWN PLAZA HAMPTON MARINA 757-727-9700

400-700

Call

Varies

4001 Church Point Rd., Virginia Beach

2200 Parks Ave., Virginia Beach 700 Settlers Landing Rd., Hampton

CROWNE PLAZA WILLIAMSBURG

757-220-2250

450

Call

Varies

CYPRESS POINT COUNTRY CLUB

757-490-6300 Inside Cover

250

9-Jun

Call

Varies

5340 Clubhead Rd., Virginia Beach

DANCESPORT VA

757-473-3267

150

Call

1900 Pavilion Dr., Virginia Beach

DOUBLETREE VIRGINIA BEACH

757-422-8900 Inside Back Cover

380

Call

Varies

EMBASSY SUITES HAMPTON ROADS HOTEL

757-827-8200

3900

Call

Varies

ENDVIEW PLANTATION

757-887-1862

Call

Varies

FORD'S COLONY COUNTRY CLUB

757-258-4100

Call

6945 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg

5721 Arrowhead Dr., Virginia Beach

1700 Coliseum Dr., Hampton 362 Yorktown Rd., Newport News 240 Ford's Colony Drive Williamsburg

56 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

300

Varies

RegistRy tips & FAQ’s

Find links to all the top stores, browse bridal shower themes, learn how to write personalized thank you notes and reference our gift chart for every anniversary.

Serving Style Available

Low Fat/ Off Outside Valet Kosher Cholesterol Premise Outside Reception Parking Cuisine Menu Catering Caterers Area Available Available Available Available Permitted Available

Special Features

New bronze & gold ballrooms are perfect for any event.

Arts of the Albemarle is located one block from the waterfront in downtown Elizabeth City with ample public parking and within walking distance of 3 churches and 3 bed and breakfast inns.

Bride's Choice

Call

Renowned clubhouse with its spectacular waterfront views, welcoming staff and elegant décor

Bride's Choice

Call

A sumptuously restored 1860's farmhouse, boasts an enchanting venue quintessential for your refined & stylish wedding.

Bride's Choice

Call

Dramatic atrium with live trees, beautiful grounds with sculpture garden.

Bride's Choice

All Styles

Call

Bride's Choice

With spectacular ocean views, they provides a dramatic and memorable venue for meetings, functions, social events and gatherings of all kinds.

From the elegance of the décor to the charm of the space, we host romantic Virginia weddings unlike any other n

n n

Bride's Choice

Capable of creating a wedding that may be luxurious or low-key but always personalized and totally unique n

Varies

Spacious and beautiful floating maple dance floors make the perfect setting for any event.

Bride's Choice

Elegant country club setting with panoramic views of the golf course.

Call

Two-story wall of cascading water & an open-air balcony under our signature billowy white canopy.

Surrounded by prime farmland, Harwood situated his home atop a little knoll with a spring at the base. Elegant country club offering a beautiful and unique golf course

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 57

Featured Weddings

Share your story (or read others) from the first kiss to the incredible honeymoon in our “featured wedding” gallery at

RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER GUIDE

Number of Suggested No. Reception Room Available of Months to Ad on Page Capacity Banquet Rooms Schedule

Average Price per Person

Separate Ceremony House Special Area Entrees Available

FREEMASON INN BED & BREAKFAST

757-963-7000

$35 - $55

GRAND AFFAIRS

757 460 9786

50-700

$22

American

GREAT WOLF LODGE

866-969-9653

Call

Varies

GREENBRIER COUNTRY CLUB

757-547-7375

250

Call

$40

Menus to suit your taste & budget

HAMPTON ROADS CONV. CENTER

757-315-1610

3900

Flexible

Varies

HILTON GARDEN INN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER

757-925-1300

550

Call

Varies

HILTON NORFOLK AIRPORT

757-466-8000

500

Call

Varies

HILTON VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANFRONT

757-213-3001

1,000

$39 and up Prime Beef n & Fresh Local Seafood

HOLIDAY INN SUNSPREE RESORT

757-428-1711 800-94-BEACH

10-370

$25 or less Seafood n Specialities

HOLIDAY INN VIRGINIA BEACH NORFOLK HOTEL & CONF. CENTER

757-499-4400

450

Call

Varies

KILN CREEK GOLF CLUB & RESORT

757-874-2600

10-225

Flexible

Call

LEE HALL MANSION

757-888-3371

411 West York Street, Norfolk 2036 Pleasure House Road Virginia Beach 549 E. Rochambeau Dr., Williamsburg 1301 Volvo Pkwy., Chesapeake

1610 Coliseum Dr., Hampton

100 East Constance Road, Suffolk 1500 N. Military Hwy., Norfolk

3001 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach

39th St. & Oceanfront, Virginia Beach

Varies

5655 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach 1003 Brick Kiln Blvd., Newport News

163 Yorktown Rd., Newport News

58 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Call

Prime Rib, n Grilled Salmon n

Absolutely everything for your wedding! Registe r

WIN PRIze s!

Serving Style Available

Low Fat/ Off Outside Valet Kosher Cholesterol Premise Outside Reception Parking Cuisine Menu Catering Caterers Area Available Available Available Available Permitted Available

All Styles

upon request

Special Features

All Styles

New and modern professional facilities that are the perfect setting to start your new lives together.

All Styles

Exquisite cuisine served with a personal touch in an elegant country club setting.

All Styles

This estate setting provides a lovely vista of park and river views further enhancing their world-class accommodations and service.

All Styles

Dedicated Catering Professionals that will provide you with a memorable beginning to your new life together.

Varies

All Styles

Plated, Buffet

Call

cfd

Two-story wall of cascading water & an open-air balcony under our signature billowy white canopy.

Oceanfront Ballroom with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, The largest oceanfront park Neptune's park and a Sky Bar on top of hotel

oceanfront ballrooms, complimentary valet parking, glass-top reception area. Sophisticated surroundings that provide the perfect location for rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, receptions and even your farewell breakfast.

Exceptional food, championship golf course, outdoor gazebo & pavilion.

One of the last remaining antebellum homes on the Virginia Peninsula, Lee Hall offers visitors a step back to the mid-Victorian period.

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE â&#x20AC;˘ 59

RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER GUIDE

Number of Suggested No. Reception Room Available of Months to Ad on Page Capacity Banquet Rooms Schedule

Average Price per Person

Separate Ceremony House Special Area Entrees Available

MARRIOTT CHESAPEAKE

757-523-1500

800

Call

Varies

MONTERO'S RESTAURANT, BAR AND CATERING

252-331-1067

130

flexible

$20

all menus outside crafted space individually

NEWPORT NEWS MARRIOTT AT CITY CENTER

757-310-5006

800

Flexible

Call

Can customize

6700 Azalea Garden Rd., Norfolk

NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN

757-441-5830 ext. 320

85-250

Call

OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS

757-591-3517

20-400

POINT PLAZA SUITES & CONFERENCE HOTEL

757-599-4460

400

RENAISSANCE PORTSMOUTH

757-673-3050

RENAISSANCE ROOM

725 Woodlake Dr., Chesapeake

414 McArthur Drive Elizabeth City, NC

740 Town Center Drive Newport News

Varies

$40

Flexible

Varies

16,830

6 months

$75

757-593-7400 757-348-5993

10-250

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE

757-213-0747

100

Call

$65

Steak

SHERATON OCEANFRONT HOTEL

757-425-9000

400

Call

Varies

Special Wedding Menus

1000 Omni Boulevard Newport News

950 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News

425 Water St., Portsmouth

324 N. Great Neck Rd., Virginia Beach

205 Central Park Ave. Virginia Beach

3501 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach

60 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Flexible $25 and up Excellent Chefs, Fresh Seafood

Unique, Delightful, Memorable â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Everything Your Day Should Be.

1000 Omni Blvd. | Newport News VA, 23606 Contact Sales & Catering at (757)591-3511

www.omninn.com

Serving Style Available

Low Fat/ Off Outside Valet Kosher Cholesterol Premise Outside Reception Parking Cuisine Menu Catering Caterers Area Available Available Available Available Permitted Available

All Styles

Buffet, Plated, Limited Menu

Plated/Buffet

Buffet, Plated n and Reception

Bride's Choice

All Styles

Bride's Choice

Our professional and passionate staff are ready to care for you and your guests! Enjoy "big city" quality at "home town" prices!

Unique Ceremony space, Rotunda has domed ceilings, Gorgeous Chandelier, and Cascading Staircase. Located in Newport News City Center with Fountain Backdrop for pictures and walking distance to shops and restaurants n

An oasis of more than 30 themed gardens and indoor facilities that can accommodate special events of nearly any type.

Two-tiered Night Club available along with traditional banquet rooms accommodating up to 400 people seated. Event packages and customized menus. Outside patio area available for daytime events.

All Styles

Special Features

Decorations include centerpieces, colored linens, lace skirting & silver candelabras.

2 level ballroom with private entrance, dramatic sunken area.

ethnic n weddings

The Renaissance Portsmouth hotel boasts a hip location overlooking the vibrant, revitalized waterfront and offers stunning views of the Elizabeth River. Set above the harbor, the Portsmouth Ballroom's unique outdoor terrace, part of the 24,000 square feet of meeting space, provides a stunning reception area sure to draw rave reviews from your guests.

Elegant atmosphere with a touch of warmth and comfort.

In the heart of Virginia Beach town center, patio overlooks the grand fountains. Beautiful ocean grand foyer perfect for ceremonies and receptions.

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE â&#x20AC;˘ 61

Smithfield Center Sparkles Windsor Castle Park Enchants

the

SmithfieldCenter.com RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER GUIDE

Located in downtown Smithﬁeld, this brand new riverside park features over four miles of walking trails, orchard, picnic area, kayak/canoe launch, ﬁshing pier and Windsor Castle Historic Site.

Number of Suggested No. Reception Room Available of Months to Ad on Page Capacity Banquet Rooms Schedule

Average Price per Person

Separate Ceremony House Special Area Entrees Available

SUFFOLK RIVERFRONT

757-925-1300

550

Call

Varies

THE BOXWOOD INN

757-888-8854

120 inside/ Unlimited Outside

$40.00

Any requests

THE CHAMBERLIN

757-637-7200

180

Call

Varies

Fresh Seafood

888-878-4843 or 757-802-3199 extension:2

150/650

THE PRINCESS ANNE COUNTRY CLUB

757-440-3101

Call

THE SMITHFIELD CENTER

757-356-9939

350

Flexible

Call

Varies

THE WHALEHEAD CLUB AT CURRITUCK

252-305-0401

flat fee package pricing

THE YACHT CLUB AT MARINA SHORES

757-496-7006

VIRGINIA BEACH CONVENTION CENTER

100 East Constance Road, Suffolk

10 Elmhurst St., Newport News

2 Fenwick Rd., Hampton

THE GRANBY THEATER

421 Granby Street, Norfolk

3800 Pacific Ave, Virginia Beach

220 N. Church St., Smithfield

400

Heritage Park, NC

Customized Lawn Menus Space Available

300

Call

Varies

757-385-2000

2056

Call

Custom Menus

WEST NECK VILLAGE HALL

757-689-4189

150

Call

WILLIAM & MARY ALMNI HOUSE

757-221-1176

120

2100 Marina Shores Dr., Virginia Beach

1000 19th St., Virginia Beach

2580 Signature Dr., Virginia Beach

1 Alumni Drive Williamsburg

62 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

“big city” quality at “home town” prices Serving Style Available

All Styles

Low Fat/ Off Outside Valet Kosher Cholesterol Premise Outside Reception Parking Cuisine Menu Catering Caterers Area Available Available Available Available Permitted Available

Buffet or plated

All Styles

Bed and Breakfast Rooms available, Historic Landmark, Inside and Outside space, Customized for every budget.

Breathtaking waterfront and historical location

Unlike any other special event facility in the world. Spectacular architecture and decor, breathtaking lighting system, state-of-the-art sound system, bartender and valet services available, professional Wedding Design & Coordinating services available, and more.

Two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean with stunning views of our award winning golf course. Over 80 years of tradition in a newly constructed clubhouse with modern amenities and classic elegance.

Different ceremony and reception areas on site.

most special diets n

All Styles

Special Features

Their expertise and vision goes beyond flowers and food alone.

414 McArthur Drive, Elizabeth City, NC

Any

252-331-1067

www.monterosrestaurant.com

n tented Situated on 39 acres of breathtaking soundfront property in Corolla and featuring almost 360 degrees of water views. The park features the historic Whalehead Club museum, architecturally stunning wooden bridge, boathouse, Currituck Beach lighthouse in the background, soundfront gazebo, and expansive lush lawns. A truly picturesque and magical venue! All Styles

All Styles

Beautiful waterfront marina setting with stunning elegant interiors and separate bridal changing room. Arrive by boat or limousine for your unique grand entrance.

Largest ballroom in Virginia (31,029 sq.ft.). Can accommodate weddings of all sizes.

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 63

One

COMMITMENT

Deserves

ANOTHER

VOTED BEST OF 2012 ~ VIRGINIA LIVING MAGAZINE VOTED 50 BEST NATIONWIDE IN 2011 ~ BRIDES MAGAZINE On-Premise Alterations & Custom Gown Designers Showroom for the Bride, Groom and the Entire Bridal Party In-House Wedding Planning Studio, Floral Designer & Photographer 12 Best Square, Norfolk • 461-1690 • mayacouture.com

The only bridal appointment you’ll ever have to make.

The Wedding Professionals aT 12 BesT square, norfolk, 23502

floral designs

Unique, custom floral designs for your special day! 757-621-9155 ~ www.charsfloraldesigns.com

757-689-8082 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.thebridaldish.com

We make your dreams a reality at one convenient locationâ&#x20AC;Ś Inspire, Design, and Plan With Us

“big city” quality at “home town” prices Offering on and off premise catering including Bridal Luncheons, Rehearsal Dinners, Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions, Bridal Cooking Classes and much more! 20 years of experience • Customized Menus Visit our website for menu ideas or contact Andy Montero at eatatmonteros@gmail.com

252-331-1067

www.monterosrestaurant.com 414 McArthur Drive, Elizabeth City, NC

66 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

lusterstudios.com

Cater ing 7 sTeps to the perfect wedding cuisine

Perhaps the only part of a wedding thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gotten a bad rap throughout the years is the meal. Guests usually expect a dry chicken breast and some sticky rice pilaf, so spicing up the dinner and giving it a personal spin is the perfect way to make your wedding memorable and give your guests some fuel to dance the night away.4 www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE â&#x20AC;˘ 67

CATERING

Goddess of Chocolate, Ltd. Imagine a fountain where flowing cascades of rich, warm, delicious melted chocolate flow down the fountain tiers like a chocolate waterfall, presenting you the pleasure of Dipping Delights such as strawberries and marshmallows, etc…

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The chocolaTe founTain is The ulTimaTe chocolaTe DesserT or appeTizer enhancer! perfecT for:

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68 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

STEP 1: START THE SEARCH. As soon as you’ve selected your reception site, the search for catering can begin. Some locations require that you use their in-house caterer or banquet department. If you’re able to select your own caterer, try to narrow down your list to no more than three. When you’re calling caterers, make sure to have as much information as you know on hand. They’ll want to know your wedding date, time of day, approximate number of guests, and the meal style and formality. If you have any general menu ideas or preferences, let the caterer known so they can be better prepared for your initial meeting. Ask for sample wedding menus and references before a meeting or tasting. STEP 2: DETERMINE SERVICE STYLE. Right off the bat, caterers will want to discuss your taste and budget in detail. Think about the feel of your wedding – is it more sit-down or buffet? Then talk about the extras – hors d’oeuvres during cocktails or a late-night snack? How about fruit or coffee with the cake? STEP 3: SCHEDULE A TASTING. When you finally narrow down your list, the fun part is here – tasting! Don’t be afraid to speak up during tastings, or ask if they can tweak something to your tastes. This is your day and your meal – fulfilling your food wishes is their job. STEP 4: DESIGN THE MENU. Start by searching through magazines, web sites and bridal shows to clarify your likes and dislikes. Then, work closely with your caterer to craft the perfect, personal menu. Remember that the caterer has seen lots of weddings and knows what works best with the number of people,

Casual Elegance

Catering for all occasions... Dinner for two in your home Weddings ~ Corporate events

757-469-6265 CATERING the time of day and the locations, so take their professional advice. Also, keep your guests in mind – you might have to accommodate for lots of children and vegetarians, for example. STEP 5: CALCULATE THE COST. Once you’ve selected a caterer, think business and cost. Most caterers base their prices on a per-person cost. Facilities with in-house catering departments may have a minimum charge or set-up fee and it’s common to add overage or gratuity. Your final guest count is usually required one week before the event, and it’s the minimum number of people for which you’ll be charged. Most caterers will also plan on a few add-ons, and talk about if you’re providing a meal for extras like the DJ, musicians, photographer and consultant. Get specifics on what extras are included, such as linens, plates, glasses, crystal and silverware. For a more costeffective option, as your caterer about “vendor meals.” They’re more casual and offered at a lower cost per person. STEP 6: PLAN THE WAIT STAFF. Once the menu is finalized, the next step is determining the number of wait staff you will need to serve your feast and keep your reception running smoothly. Your caterer will give you a better idea, but a

general guideline is one server per 10 to 12 guests for a sit-down dinner. A bar will require more. Make sure their attire to will match the style of your reception. STEP 7: FINALIZE THE DETAILS, IN WRITING. Don’t sign a contract without this info – day, date, time, address of the site, food items by course, number of guests covered, provisions for special meals, time of cocktail hour and meal, contact people, number of servers, linens, beverages and bar guidelines, terms of payment and liability insurance. There will probably be an advance deposit when you sign the contract, and don’t forget to check the cancellation policy. PERSONALIZE YOUR MEAL! Give guests a culinary tour of the globe, with a variety of food stations offering pad thai to bruschetta to mini sushi rolls. It will be good conversation inspiration and offer something for everyone. Do you and your spouse have a favorite restaurant or a shared love for a meal? Make it part of the day. See if your favorite taco place is willing to provide for your reception, or find an Italian caterer who makes lasagna almost as great as your grandma – then let everyone know the inspiration behind the cuisine.

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 69

70 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

maggieaustincake.com

Cakes

YoUR WeddInG CaKe: a sweet ending to a special day It’s the sweetest wedding task of them all – deciding on dessert for your big day. Tradition calls for a tiered cake with your plastic (un)likeness smacked on top, but brides and bakers are breaking cake molds to create funky and fresh options that add the icing to your wedding. Take in all the options, work with a pro to make it custom and whatever you do, don’t miss out on any tasting!4 www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 71

Design stuDio 12891 Jefferson Ave., newport news Va. (757) 826-2160

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CAKES What first? Think about the rest of your wedding. Your dessert should match your day, so take everything into account. If you have a paisley themed wedding at an indoor reception venue, a large tiered cake with paisley fondant would make a beautiful room centerpiece. If your day is going to be more princess pink, maybe you’ve considered a cupcake castle tower. A casual outdoor wedding is the perfect venue for a table of tasty and colorful candies or make-your-own ice cream sundaes. Did you meet at a baseball game? Order up a baseball stadiumshaped cake, complete with you two lovebirds in the stands! Do you share an interest such as running? Ask around for bakers who could make a replica cake of your running shoes tied together at the laces. Wedding cakes and desserts

are one of the latest wedding designs to start challenging convention, so bakeries are always looking to keep up with the latest trends and really customize your dessert. So, if you have a sweet idea, find someone who can work with it. Book Early! Bakeries fill up quickly. Stay safe and book six months in advance. Don`t worry – this doesn`t mean you have to know exactly what you want so far ahead of time. First, shop around in general for bakeries, and when you find one you think can satisfy your needs for taste, quantity, efficiency and personality, book a date. Then, you can really work with a pro to determine exactly what it is you want. So…how do I find the bakery? Trusting your gut is always sound advice, especially so when it comes to a food

Let us make your day special with our delicious cupcakes! Your guests will have no idea they’re vegan! Competitive Rates tonyavegan@yahoo.com

757-339-2794

myvegansweettooth.com 72 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

CAKES decision! Tasting is important. Also, make sure you’re comfortable with the efficiency and professionalism of the bakery. They should return your calls and e-mails promptly, be flexible, willing to customize, familiar with your reception venue and guarantee an on-time dessert, including set-up, delivery, and clean-up if necessary. Don`t be afraid to switch bakeries or make demands if you don`t feel comfortable with the service. Cost. Cakes are typically priced by the slice, which is generally anywhere from $1.50 to $6.50 per slice, depending on the style, ingredients, size and decorating. Your reception site or caterer may also charge a plating fee as well, often $.50 to $1.50 per person, to cut and serve the cake. Ask about this, and if there is a plating charge see if it’s negotiable. Cutting the Cake. Most likely your baker will provide tips for you and your new spouse for cutting. Plan ahead to have your cake knife and lifter engraved or decorated. Traditionally, the bride grasps the knife with her right hand and the groom covers her hand with his. Together, the couple glides the knife into the masterpiece while flashbulbs pop. 1 Year Later. Some bakeries offer ‘anniversary cakes’ as part of their bridal packages. Instead of having to freeze the top layer of your wedding cake, the bakery will make you a fresh cake for your one-year anniversary. OTHER IDEAS Here are some tasty treats that may suit your wedding better than the traditional cake. Centerpiece cakes. Use a smaller wedding cake as the centerpiece for

Our custom cake artistry will reflect the unique style of your special day.

Find us on

facebook 757-227-5351 www.mycakedelights.com

• Specializing in Custom • Cakes are made with only Wedding Cakes, Grooms the freshest ingredients Cakes and Cupcake Towers for a moist, rich flavor • Complimentary tasting with • FREE delivery and set up our expert Wedding Specialist with minimum order

Now serving Hampton Roads and OBX 105 S. Water Street • Elizabeth City, NC 27909

252-335-0211 • thecupcakeryofec.com www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 73

Wedding Cakes, Cupcakes, Dessert Bars & French Macarons

Sweet Temptations Dessert Cafe 4725 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite 160 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 www.STDesserts.com

757.354.2133 CAKES

each of your tables. Some ambitious newlyweds stop at each table to cut and serve their guests the cake, but depending on the number of tables this won’t work for everyone. Cupcake Tower. Individual cupcakes are fun, the perfect serving size and allow for all kinds of decorating freedom. Cupcake arrangements could be anything from a tower that resembles a traditional tiered cake to something more inventive such as mismatched layers of different colored cupcakes over decorated shelves. Make-Your-Own-Sundae! Who doesn´t love a sundae? Think of every topping you can, and then some, then let your guests run wild. Perfect for an outdoor summer wedding or one with lots of children, your guests will be craving this at every wedding they attend after yours.

Candies Table. The newest trend in wedding desserts, an array of colorful candies is sure to make eyes pop and sweet teeth scream. Arrange glass containers such as antique jars, fishbowls or giant martini glasses of gummies, chocolates, toffees and more over an expansive table. Then, give guests a plate or plastic bag and let them be a kid in a candy shop again. Often wrappers and candy colors can be custom ordered or just let a rainbow of sweets entice the room. Late Night Coffee. This works best for small, upscale weddings with mostly adults. Bring in a barista to whip up comforting lattes, cappuccinos and espressos served with rich coffee pastries such as biscotti or tiramisu.

Made from scratch, with love!

1716 Pleasure House Rd., Ste. 104 • Virginia Beach

757-464-1455 • www.iloveflourchildbakery.com 74 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

THE UNEXPECTED protecting your investment

As a bride we hope and pray that our big day will go as planned, after all it’s a few thousand dollars in the making. However, fate and mother nature tend to have surprises up their unforgiving sleeves. Since 2007 insurance companies have been offering insurance for your wedding day. They know that a wedding costs as much as a new car or a down payment on your house, neither of which would ever be purchased without having insurance first. Wedding insurance can be an added peace of mind to a bride having a winter wedding, a wedding in hurricane season, an outdoor wedding, or if the husband is to be deployed for military service. Insurance companies such as Travelers, offers packages based on

levels. The levels depend on how much money you are spending in total on your wedding. For example, the level one package is $160 and covers wedding expenses up to $7,500, whereas the most expensive level ten package is $1,025 and covers expenses up to $175,000! With that much money on the line it would definitely be of interest for the worried bride. They not only cover a wedding cancellation itself they also cover additional expenses, event photos/videos, events, gifts, special attire, special jewelry, and lost deposits. Visit www.protectmywedding.com and see Traveler’s insurance plans that suit your needs. After all every bride really just wants a little piece of mind on her special day.

It All Depends on Your Perspective Goals change, markets fluctuate. Investment results vary over time. Most financial experts agree that you’re better off taking a long-term perspective when evaluating your investments and how much they match your life’s goals. A financial advisor can provide the assistance you need to set strategies and take action toward your specific needs and aspirations. Call your Waddell & Reed financial advisor today and ask about creating your personal financial plan.

Investing. With a plan. Waddell & Reed, Inc. 14541 (12/11)

Member SIPC

Lester Norwood Financial Advisor 2901 S. Lynnhaven Road Suite 100 Virginia Beach, VA 23452 Office: 757.431.2929 ext. 110 lbnorwood@wradvisors.com

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 75

blackdog.pro

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Do a Test Run!

Make sure you test out beauty products several times to make absolute sure that you’re not allergic!

76 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Beauty The do’s and don’Ts of looking your best

All eyes are upon you as you glide gracefully up the center aisle. Your handsome groom gazes at you with love and adoration. Everyone wants to take your picture. Once you combine your special sense of style with a few tricks of the beauty trade, you’ll look your absolute best. 4 www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 77

BEAUTY Makeup, hair, nails… every blushing bride wants these to be in top form on the big day. We’ve done the research, reflected, and compiled our best tips to help you look completely fabulous for your wedding day! WHAT TO DO Now is a great time to focus on healthy, glowing skin. If you’re concerned about the health and appearance of your skin, then consider a visit to a dermatologist (for bigger problems) or an aesthetician (for minor issues.) Depending on the severity of your skin problems, start six to 12 months before your wedding day so you have time to treat, heal and achieve good results. After proper analysis and treatment, professionals can assist you in selecting skin care products that will enable you to maintain treatments in the privacy and convenience of your own home. Facials are a must for all skin types. Facial treatments use deep cleansing, masks and exfoliation to penetrate deep into the skin, killing blemish-causing bacteria, rebalancing the skin hormonal system and stimulating circulation. Regular treatment results in refined pores, smoother facial lines, healed blemishes and a more radiant complexion. When choosing your hairstyle consider your gown, the level of formality of your wedding, your personal style, your hair and your face shape. Generally speaking, the more elaborate the gown, the simpler your hair should be, or it all simply becomes “too much of a good thing.” Strapless gowns show off their dramatic neckline with up-dos, but this isn’t a rule set in stone. Work with your hair stylist four to six weeks before the wedding to find the right style for you – and bring a photo of your gown with you!

all eyes on the bride Look simply radiant for your wedding day. Schedule a free makeover. Invite your bridesmaids. Your mom. I can even help with great gifts for your wedding party. Call me today! Jussette Odom

Independent Beauty Consultant

www.marykay.com/jodom07 757-822-0001

Ultimate applicator: tightens, tones, and firm the body

Lose inches in 45mins for that special day

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www.wrappingvaskinny.com

1-888-774-2163

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 79

BEAUTY

Your Beauty. Your Place.

www.kristallane.com 757-469-6130

Color Me Tan!

One of Virginia’s newest and fastest growing tanning salons. • highest level of safety and cleanliness • 13 state-of-the-art tanning beds with new bulbs • monthly plans & specials • walk-ins welcome • warm, friendly atmosphere • “Classic Image” Hair Salon on-site Color Me Tan | 25 N. Mallory Street | Hampton, VA

757-723-0089 • www.colormetan.net 80 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Whether you use a pro for your makeup, have a friend do it or do it yourself, do a trial run before the wedding. In addition to looking in the mirror and getting feedback from close friends and/or family, take photos and evaluate those. Do you like what you see? Do you want to make any changes? Now is the time to practice – not the day of your wedding! Keep it on throughout the day and see how it lasts. How does it look two, five or eight hours later? It is easy enough to touch up? Regular manicures in the one or two months before your wedding day will get your nails in perfect shape. You can probably avoid using acrylic nails this way, and enjoy the beauty of your own strong, healthy nails. Have your eyebrows professionally shaped at least two weeks before the wedding. If you’ve never done this before, you’ll be amazed at how different you look with well groomed brows! Some people may experience a red, rash-like reaction, so doing this early enough gives you time to recover if that happens to you. You will probably need to freshen them up a day or two before the wedding with a tweezers. If you use a professional for your makeup, be sure to have the same colors available to take with you for touch-ups during the day. Do use waterproof mascara and eye makeup, just in case you shed a tear or two… And use primers underneath your foundation, lipstick and eye shadow, so that your makeup lasts longer. You want your makeup to last! To take care of the skin and make your whole body beautiful, try a body wrap and waxing. Body wraps detoxify and soften the skin using minerals or other natural substances to help to heal acne problems on the back and chest. Body

BEAUTY wraps may include a full body massage to encourage circulation, toning and relaxation. Body waxing is one of smoothest and longest lasting forms of hair removal. Your legs will be smooth and free of razor stubble and, you can even try bikini waxing to get rid of hair on a longer-term basis. WHAT NOT TO DO Don’t alter your style too dramatically for your wedding day look. You want to look like yourself, your best self, and “polished” enough to honor the fact that this is a very special occasion. Avoid really trendy looks in makeup, nail color and hairstyle. 10 to 20 years from now, these styles will glaringly stand out and look distractingly outdated. One bride who wore a dark trendy color on her nails said she cringes now every time she sees her wedding photos, and wishes she went with a classic, neutral color. If you’re considering any drastic hair changes, do it a couple months before the wedding. This way, if you don’t like it, you have plenty of time to make changes. If you do like it, just maintain it! Don’t go too light with your makeup, or you’ll look pale and washed out, especially in photos. Don’t go too dark, or it will be distracting and overpowering. Experiment and practice before the wedding to find the right balance. Avoid facials for two or three days before your wedding, in case it causes any kind of undesirable reaction. Don’t overdo the blush. You’ll be emotional, happy, nervous, busy and showing off your groovy moves on the dance floor… So there’s a good chance you’ll have some natural color of your own, and combined with too much blush you could look too red.

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BRIDAL BEAUTY how to prepare your “canvas”

If you are reading this, congratulations! You have embarked on the wedding planning journey as a Bride, Groom, Parent or Bridal Party member. While you probably know photographers and people who make cakes or favors, most people don’t have many contacts skilled in all things Beauty. If you are wondering what to do, you are not alone! Best Face Forward- Skin, Makeup & Color Artists resulted from this exact question from fellow brides we met during Co-Founder Kara’s wedding planning. 40+ years of experience in skin care and makeup allowed us to share many tips and soon, our beauty team was born. Our perspective is unique. We hope our knowledge, along with our recent roles as Bride and Mother of the Bride, will help you best prepare your “canvas.” SKIN CARE- PROPER PREPARATION PREVENTS PROBLEMS! Bridal beauty blogs and websites suggest NOW is the time to start taking better care of your skin. Best Face Forward Artists not only believe in Bridal beauty, but EVERYDAY natural beauty, which heavily impacts your preparation for a special event. It is important a bride learn proper everyday habits for her specific skin type and lifestyle and maintain them. Our Artists perform a detailed assessment of your habits and current regimen that guides us throughout our relationship with you from initial free consultation through your wedding day. You may have a well-meaning friend who recommends a facial at a spa. While it sounds enticing, some skin types do not respond positively to a generic facial. If you have sensitivities or conditions such 82 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

as rosacea, any skin care service should be carefully evaluated. To ensure the best skin care product recommendations for you, Best Face Artists perform a personalized skin analysis. Using a machine with specialized UV-A lamps to illuminate your skin below the surface, we can determine your skin type and any existing conditions. We then develop a custom skin care program with products specifically created for your skin type. MEN HAVE SKIN TOO! We can’t count the number of times a couple has come to us at a bridal show, and before long, the Groom-to- be is mentally in a far off land. We can’t blame him. He doesn’t need to hear about Lip Gloss, BUT, he has skin too! Grooming isn’t off limits for the Groom! Many men work outside and/or smoke. These factors impact skin health, and you can see the results in up-close photos. A Skin Analysis is just as important for your guy. If he loves a simple bar of soap, it’s ok! Best Face Artists strive to improve upon, and not drastically change, already existing habits by recommending and providing more efficient product solutions. COLOR CHOICES… If you are still in the early planning stages, your color palette is a major choice that impacts the tone of your wedding. Start by determining the Bride’s skin tone! Why? A photographer’s flash is not always forgiving and your perfect dress color will help you have a WOW moment. Colors fall into two categories: warm and cool. Warm colors have a yellow base and include orange, golden brown, rust, lime green, and peach. Warm gowns in champagne or

BRIDAL BEAUTY ivory look best on women with the same yellow skin undertone. Cool colors have a blue base and include navy blue, charcoal grey, black, true red, silver, and bright rose pink. Women with a bluish undertone can wear white well. Our Color Analysis service helps brides quickly determine their optimal color, as well as those for their bridal party. While narrowing down your options, you can still please the entire wedding party. As a result, other color decisions are easier to make. MAKEUP... ARE ALL PRODUCTS MADE THE SAME? The answer is NO! The truth is not every face is the same either. You may ask, “Do I really need a Makeup Artist?” The answer is yes! A makeup professional will produce more photogenic results and provide less stress. Each Bride’s personal wedding day makeup needs are different. No matter what, you will be photographed from all angles and over many hours. Are you prepared for camera flashes, sunlight, or candlelight? A trial appointment well in advance of the wedding day is part of our service and at that time, you and your Makeup Artist should discuss, in detail, how to achieve your wishes. Best Face Artists have had an increasing amount of requests for an “amplified” yet natural look. We

emphasize your best features and avoid that “masked” feeling through the use of products that are complimentary to your skin and addressing all challenges before the big day. Application will take less time and less makeup will be necessary. HAIR- PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Lastly, most brides also want their hair done for the big day. Just like makeup, your hair can be very personal. Each bride has their own comfort zone and your Hair Stylist must know how to care for your hair and listen to your requests. Best Face Forward provides conveniently coordinated Stylists upon request who also create a long, and educational relationship with our Brides. We encourage the use of Social Media and the Internet to share pictures with your Makeup Artist and Hairstylist. There is no clearer way for us to ensure proper translation of your wishes. Best Face Forward creates long relationships with our clients through education and personalization rather than simply applying makeup on your wedding day. Our Artists can guide you comfortably through this process. Sit back, trust the professionals, and enjoy! By Susie Reade and Kara Reade Gomez- Founders of Best Face Forward- Skin, Makeup & Color Artists

Everyday Beauty to Bridal Beauty

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www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 83

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS wedding flowers

Flowers have adorned weddings for hundreds of years, and for good reason: they are beautiful! Breathtaking bouquets, gorgeous centerpieces, fresh boutonnieres… these colorful gifts from nature will give you and your guests a visual feast on your wedding day. Your wedding flowers will help set the mood and theme for the entire celebration, so be sure to give this area some time and attention and, most of all, find a fabulous florist. WHERE TO START Start your research right away, from the first bridal magazine you open and the first bridal web site you visit.

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(Premierbride.com includes beautiful floral photos in our Idea Gallery.) Collect photos of anything you like in a file, to share with the florist you select. It may also be helpful to establish a clear list of anything you definitely don’t like. It’s also helpful to have some elements of the wedding established before you meet with potential florists, so that they can offer more specific suggestions. For example, your wedding gown will certainly influence the style of your event – is it streamlined, modern and simple? Or heavily beaded, traditional and ornate? Also knowing your wedding colors, ceremony and reception locations, and wedding date will be necessary before your florist can give you any concrete ideas that will match the tone, colors, style and season of your wedding. FINDING A FABULOUS FLORIST Find some potential florists at bridal shows, online or through local print publications such as this one, and select up to four to meet with in person. (Interviewing more than this could easily get overwhelming!) Your goal is to find someone who has a style that you love, a personality that you mesh with, and is also an organized professional. Incredible floral design is pointless if they’re not at the church in time! Once you’ve selected your florist, he or she can help you determine exactly what you will need for your wedding and start narrowing down which flowers to include.

WEDDING FLOWERS Visit the “Checklists & Questions to Ask” section under “Planning” on premierbride.com for questions to ask potential florists, flowers available by season and more, to help get you started. Bring the following items with you when you meet with your florist, for your first big planning meeting: a photo of your wedding dress, photos and other information regarding your ceremony and reception sites, images to show your likes and dislikes, and fabric swatches of your bridesmaids’ dresses and any other wedding colors. And one more thing to bring with you: your budget amount! It’s quite critical that you share this with your designer, so that they can meet your needs at a price you can afford.

Just a few tips to make your reception perfect. • Interested in putting baskets in the restrooms at your reception? Special items (for both men and women) will help your guests handle mishaps and rejoin your celebration. After the wedding, it makes a great addition to a guest bathroom in your home. • Having children at your reception? Consider hiring a company that specializes in just such arrangements. • Having disposable cameras at the reception? Using a Scavenger Hunt theme, create a list of possible ideas for photos. • Planning to do the Dollar Dance at the reception? Consider making a donation to your favorite charity with the proceeds.

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Flowers SELECTING FLOWERS:

ask the right questions Florists vary widely on the wedding day services they provide – some simply drop the flowers off, others spend quite a bit of time decorating your ceremony and reception sites. Be clear ahead of time about what is, and what isn’t included.

• What packages do you offer? What do they include? • How can we make the most of our floral budget? • Do you deliver the flowers? Is there a charge? • Do you provide any other kinds of decorating? • Do you rent or provide decorations and props? • Will you come to the ceremony and reception site to plan out the decor? • Do you set up at the ceremony and reception sites? • Can you move the flowers from the ceremony to reception? • Can you provide fresh flowers for the cake? • How far in advance must I book your services? • What is your cancellation policy? 86 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

ARE YOU A “PINNER”? use pinterest for wedding planning

On Pinterest.com, you can grab photos from around the web and ‘pin’ them onto ‘boards,’ meaning you can post the photos online, under your user name, into categories of your choosing. You can also browse other Pinterest user boards. Many Pinners that are dreaming of their big day post boards dedicated to weddings. The photos are often accompanied with comments, and can include tips or instructions on how to create the look that was captured in the picture. Like wedding forums, you can interact with friends or strangers to get suggestions and ideas for your special day, but this time, it’s all centered around pictures of your choosing. Pinterest certainly displays boards for all the biggies like the gown, décor and food. But Pinterest’s real strength is in highlighting the details. It’s on this site that you’ll find inspiration behind your personalized napkins, the perfect photography poses or an idea for ‘something blue.’ Those seemingly insignificant details will make your day truly unique. In the search box in the top left hand corner of the page, use as many details as possible, such as ‘fall DIY wedding décor,’ or ‘cream wedding pumps.’ If you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for, it helps to at least separate your searches into different categories, such as ‘wedding décor’ or ‘bridesmaids,’ rather than just a generic ‘wedding’ search. It’s also a great place to see real photos from themed weddings, which can be more difficult to find on other websites. If you’re planning something outside the box, search for that specifically, such as ‘Halloween wedding’ or ‘Great Gatsby themed wedding.’

Pinterest is also a great way to explore outside your comfort zone. Whimsical, woodsy, DIY, rustic, vintage, elegant, chic, romantic and couture are all popular words on Pinterest’s wedding pins. Even if you think those adjectives wouldn’t apply to your big day, type them in and browse. You might be pleasantly surprised! Finally, if you’re serious about using suggestions from Pinterest, do your homework. Each picture can be traced back to its original blog or website, so when you find something you like and think you could apply to your wedding, click through and take notes or bookmark the page. Otherwise, you’ll get lost on the site and look up from your computer three hours later without any clear idea on how to make your wedding nicer.

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DESIGN:

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THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GET hiring a wedding coordinator

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The best gift a bride and groom can give each other is a professional wedding coordinator. Today, planning a wedding is more complicated than ever. Most couples have high expectations for their special day, but are novices at planning such a big event. Besides handling all of the time consuming, stress inducing details, a wedding coordinator can help make the planning process an enjoyable experience. Wedding consultants essentially do everything you need so that you don’t have to worry about it. From planning a destination wedding, to handling pre-wedding plans, to coordinating the events on the wedding day, wedding consultants offer services that include as much or as little as you need. In fact, a wedding consultant can even work with a couple from the day of their engagement right up until they board the airplane for their honeymoon. In the case of destination weddings, wedding consultants will even travel with the bride and groom to look at a destination beforehand. A wedding consultant can offer important advice on why a destination will or will not work and can work with vendors in the area to negotiate the best prices. However, in most cases, the couple will be responsible for paying for the airfare, food and accommodations for the wedding consultant on the exploratory visit and during the actual wedding. While many couples prefer to pick their own vendors, flower

WEDDING COORDINATORS arrangements, cake design and location, wedding consultants can do this for you if you need them to. It is not unusual for wedding consultants to work with the bride to choose the colors of her wedding, the flower arrangements and even the wedding gown. On the other hand, wedding consultants are also good at just taking over the small details. In some cases they are only there to coordinate everything on the day of the wedding. If you do decide to choose a wedding consultant, then first and foremost remember that you must like the person you hire. While there are many good consultants in the business, finding one that can handle your temperament, special requests, family issues and overall personality is the real key to success. For example, if a bride is low-key and quiet, a loud, type A wedding consultant might cause more nerves than comfort. On the other hand, a bride who has a knack for multitasking might not understand a consultant who is the take it easy type, even if the job does get done correctly. Finding the Right Coordinator 1. Asking a trusted florist, photographer, or caterer is a good way to get started, however the best way to find a good planner is to ask another bride. 2. A professional coordinator should offer an introductory meeting free of charge. Meet with them to discuss your ideas and to see whether or not your comfortable with them. 3. Ask to see pictures of events that the coordinator has planned. Pay close attention to the details and consistency of their vision.

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WEDDING COORDINATORS 4. Ask for lists of references you can call and be sure to call them. When you call, ask questions such as: Did the coordinator help you to achieve what you wanted for the wedding? Would you use him or her again? Did he/she listen to comments and concerns about the wedding, and were they addressed? Did the coordinator pay close attention to your wedding budget? 5. Check with the Association of Bridal Consultants (www.bridalassn.com) to see if the coordinator is a member. Working with a professional wedding consultant that is certified through ABC will prove to be invaluable. During the initial meeting try to figure out whether this is a person you can trust and whom you will feel comfortable working with. Other important notes: 1. Find out exactly how much the wedding coordinator charges. Some charge an hourly rate, while others bill a flat rate or percentage of the overall wedding budget. 2. A detailed contract should be signed between you and your wedding coordinator specifying exactly what the coordinator’s responsibilities will be. 3. A good wedding coordinator is like a good accountant. Even though you pay for his/her services, in the long run they save you time and money. And that translates into a happier and more relaxed day for you. Wedding coordinators can be especially helpful for couples who are short on time or live far from the location where they plan to be married. Although friends and relatives can certainly assist with wedding plans, leave the details to a professional who can anticipate mishaps, troubleshoot when necessary and provide you the affordable luxury of a stress-free wedding.

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Consultants SELECTING A

WEDDING CONSULTANT: ask the right questions • What packages do you offer? What do they include? • Are your fees based on total cost of wedding or an hourly or flat rate? • Have you done weddings similar to mine? • What cultures and traditions are you familiar with? • Do you offer “day of the wedding” assistance? • Will you be willing to work with the coordinator at my reception location? • Can you provide me with special rates when working with various vendors? • How far in advance must I book your services? • What is your cancellation policy? • Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much?

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IDEAS BY THE SEASON making even the dreariest days beautiful

No matter where you live, chances are your wedding weather will be far from perfect. Luckily, a wedding can be cheery even on the dreariest of days as long as you take advantage of everything your season has to offer. For a spring-themed centerpiece that doubles as a favor, have multiple small, pastel-colored vases full of flower bulbs and encourage your guests to bring one home. Seeds and tiny monogrammed flowerpots are also a fun favor. With a lot of kids, bring Easter to your reception and hide the favors or special treats! For summer weddings, go the informal route and serve your meal as a picnic spread or garden-party style. Mini picnic baskets or personalized blankets could then be given as a favor. Don’t shy away 98 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

from fresh, bright, bold colors for a summer ceremony. Fall offers a more rustic feel. Use warm oranges and reds in decorations, and wheat stalks or gourds are beautiful as centerpieces. A fun favor could be making homemade jam or cider for your guests to enjoy. Although less popular, winter weddings can be the most cozy because of the warm respite from the bitter cold. Decorations can be full of deep purples, forest greens, ruby reds, icy blues or silver, and use pinecones, holly or poinsettias for centerpieces. Instead of a champagne toast, raise a mug full of hot chocolate or egg nog and send guests home with the mug and some mix of their own. It doesn’t have to be 70 and sunny for the perfect wedding as long as you use Mother Nature to your advantage!

MAKE YOUR DAY UNIQUE make your wedding your own

By adding a couple of personal touches to your wedding, you’ll offer guests an inside look into your love story and the chance to be part of a meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Start with the invitations. A picture of you two or a personalized map of the city that includes your favorite hot spots are great ways to set an intimate tone for the big day. For the ceremony, consider writing your own vows. Don’t be shy if you lack creativity – a pastor or wedding guide can help. Think of your favorite romantic song lyrics or poetry to express your commitment. As your guests file into the reception, seat them at tables with names, not numbers. If you met in a Literature class, send everyone to tables named after authors you read together. It will provide them with a conversation piece and a little insight into an interest you share or how you met. After the toasts, surprise the guests by raising your glasses to them. Thank them for being there and share your appreciation for all their support. Everyone will love being addressed as an integral part of your day. Don’t forget about the dancing! For your first dance as a married couple, take tango or ballroom classes and relish the opportunity to show off your new moves with a choreographed number. If you’re really brave, invite your whole bridal party in on the action! Personalizing your wedding simply means bringing a little bit of “YOU” into the day. Express yourself!

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HOW TO BE A GRACIOUS BRIDE making it a great day for everyone

You may have heard the expression “it’s your day, do it your way,” as you’ve been planning your wedding. And this is true! It’s a time to express your true self, be authentic, and drown out the expectations of others. On the other hand, it’s easy to take this concept too far. A recent “Dear Abby” letter described a bride at a wedding who preferred to dance on an empty stomach, so she had guests wait five hours for their dinner, and had the dancing first! That’s a great example of taking it too far… Here are a few tips about being a gracious bride: Understand your guests’ perspective. How does the day’s schedule look, from your guests’ viewpoint? Awkward gaps of time between the ceremony and reception are difficult for guests, and asking them to drive more than 30 minutes between locations is usually too much. Try, as much as possible, to craft your day’s schedule with the guests in mind. Jump on those thank you notes. Guests are excited to get you something wonderful in honor of your marriage, and they can’t wait to hear if you not only received it, but liked it! Write a conversational, personalized note and respond as quickly as possible. Give others grace. Just know that weddings are an emotional time for your close relatives, especially parents, siblings and close friends. In addition to the joy, there can also be this strange sense of “loss,” that they’re losing you, and this can bring up unexpected emotions. As much as possible, when people around you are driving you crazy, give them grace and, maybe, a warm hug. Best wishes to you, gracious bride! 100 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

FUN WITH PHOTO BOOTHS capturing the excitement and emotion of your guests

A wedding is just one day, so everyone knows photos are a great way of capturing the excitement and emotion for years to come. The professional photographer usually does a great job of snapping the couple, but pics of your friends and family members celebrating with you will be great mementos going forward. In the past, couples used to leave disposable cameras at tables for guests to point and shoot, but the chance in finding a gem amongst those blurry, low-quality shots is rare, especially when kids get their hands on them. Plus, the cost of developing film is going up steadily. Instead, a fun, plucky alternative can be to get a photo booth. Photo booth rentals are becoming popular at wedding receptions –not only do you get too see everyone in their finest for your big day, but they can take home a quality memory from the wedding. Photo booth rentals are different in size and output. Some give guests prints of their pictures right away, in the traditional photo booth setting, with the four black and white prints on one single strand. This is a great way to give guests a souvenir right away, especially because it’s a unique type of print. Other photo booths just continuously shoot throughout the night, and provide the couple with a digital record of all the shots taken. Then, guests could go to an online database to choose which photos

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PHOTO BOOTHS they want and print them at their own convenience. The newest innovation in photo booths is a flip book, which is more interactive and involves a true keepsake for everyone. With a flip book, a representative from the company is on hand, acting as kind of a mini-director encouraging guests to perform skits or don playful costumes. At the end, it’s put together into a video and everyone receives a copy. One fun way to really spice up the photos is to supply props like goofy hats, accessories, or fake mustaches for guests to poke around with. A chalkboard or dry erase board is also fun, so family and friends can doodle a special message or sentiment and capture it on film. A giant, decorative frame is another fun prop to create the picture-within-a-picture look. When deciding on a rental, choose one where you can really customize it, if you’d like. You could ask for the background to be matching the colors of the wedding, or add your names or the date to a sign at the top of the photo. But no matter how basic it is, your family and loved ones smiling faces will make it a truly personal memory!

Slow down and pay attention! The old saying “Time flies when you’re having fun!” especially rings true on your wedding day. Be sure to take moments throughout the day to step back and absorb everything that’s going on around you. You’ll be happy you did! 102 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

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PhoSELECTING to booths

PHOTO BOOTHS: ask the right questions • What exactly is included in your package price? Props? Color choice? Personal message? Travel Charge? • What does the it look like, what are space requirements and when should it be on? • Will there be an attendant present the entire time? • Do you use a high quality printer and photo paper? • What are the payment and cancellation policies? • Are there any current promotions or discounts available? • When will you arrive and breakdown? • How many people can fit into the Photo Booth? • Have you worked at my venue before? Do you provide references? • Is there a limit on the number of pictures taken or printed? • Is the Photo Booth handicap accessible? • Do you offer any additional services or products such as a memory book/scrapbook? www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 103

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PHOTOGRAPHY There is simply no better way to capture and preserve these memories than with a collection of beautiful photographs that not only document the day and its events, but also embody the emotions and spirit of your wedding. Quite frankly, this is simply not a component of your wedding planning to treat lightly! Invest the time, attention and budget necessary to ensure that your wedding memories will be preserved for the future. WHAT’S YOUR STYLE? Start by determining which style of wedding photography is right for you and your fiancé. Here are brief descriptions of the three main styles: Formal or traditional This style produces color, posed portraits of you and your groom, your 106 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

wedding party, and your families, along with all of the traditional wedding moments such as the cake cutting and bouquet/garter toss. Photojournalistic This style is a popular trend in wedding photography, and it means your photographer will be shooting your wedding as if it’s a news event, capturing hundreds of candid moments on film. These photographers tend to use more black & white film, for a classic, timeless and emotional effect. Artistic Artistic photographers use a variety of special effects to create a dramatic, one-of-a-kind piece of art. Effects could include double exposures, hand tinting, special borders and much more.

PhoSELECTING tography A

PHOTOGRAPHER: ask the right questions • Will you be taking the pictures? If not, can I meet them? • How long have you been a wedding photographer? • What packages do you offer? What do they include? • What type of photography do you specialize in? • Have you photographed at my ceremony or reception location before? • How many other weddings do you have this night? How long can you stay? • Do you offer online ordering for my guests? • Can we purchase all of our images on disk? • Can we order additional prints later? • What happens if you are sick or have an emergency on my wedding day? • How far in advance must I book your services? • What is your cancellation policy? • Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much?

Wedding | Engagement | Photobooth

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PHOTOGRAPHY Most photographers offer a blend of two or more styles, but tend to specialize in, and focus on, just one. If you like the photojournalistic style, but want some posed formal portraits to showcase your families or the day’s special moments, find a photographer that can comfortably do both. So which style is right for you? The first step is to think about the end product: what is most important to you, to have after your wedding? Do you definitely want to have beautiful, timeless, color portraits of you and your groom that you can elegantly frame and display? Do you want a large number of candid, heartfelt moments – many captured in black & white, to document your day? Are you envisioning a one-of-a-kind, artistic piece to hang on your wall after the wedding that incorporates one or more images from the big event? To help you, take a look at friends’ wedding albums, surf around professional photographer’s web sites, clip photos from magazines of photography that moves you, and spend some time in photographers’ booths at wedding shows. All of this research will help you zero in on what style of photography you seem drawn to, and ultimately, which one you want to use for your wedding. HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER Once you’ve established the style that is best for you, it’s time to find a professional photographer that meets your needs. Start the process by collecting referrals from friends, reviewing helpful resources like Premier Bride, attending bridal shows and surfing the Internet. Create a short list of potential photographers that 108 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

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two photographers at every wedding • Package prices as low as $600 CelebRAting 20 yeARs

757.851.8985 www.treasuredimagesphotography.com 21 Wallace Road, Hampton, VA 23664

PHOTOGRAPHY specialize in the style you desire, based on their work and your budget, and set up an in-person or phone consultation with them. Your goal at this consultation is to evaluate three main areas: Do you like their work? Be sure to see complete wedding albums along with individual photos, to get the best idea of the end product you can expect to receive. Also, be very sure that you know exactly WHO will be shooting YOUR wedding – and view their work, as some larger studios have more than one photographer. Do your personalities mesh? Of all your wedding vendors, the photographer is the one vendor with whom you will spend a good deal of time on your wedding day. You want to feel 110 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

comfortable with this person! Even if he or she is a great photographer, if your personalities just don’t ‘click’ – you may want to keep looking. Do they fit your budget? It’s so critical to have a budget amount in mind before looking for a photographer, so that you can feel confident that the one you’ve decided on, and love, also meets your financial requirements. THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF A PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE As you’re selecting your photographer, it may help to be aware of the various elements generally included in wedding photography packages. Most photographers also offer these elements ‘a la carte,’ or can create a custom package that specifically meets your needs – so be sure to ask.

PHOTOGRAPHY Bride & Groom’s Album There are a wide variety of wedding albums available today, and they vary in size, color, material, construction and price. When comparing different photographers’ bride & groom albums, be sure you’re noting the quantity of photos and in what sizes, to make sure you’re comparing “apples to apples.” Parents’ albums The parents’ albums are smaller versions of the bride & groom album, and have traditionally included about twenty 5x7 photographs. Photos should be carefully selected for each family, to create two (or more) custom family albums. Extra prints You will probably want to order extra photographs in addition to the main album

and parents’ albums, for yourself or your parents to have some framed portraits at home, for members of the wedding party, and for other close friends and family members. Don’t underestimate how many prints you will want after the wedding, as this will definitely impact your budget. Proofs Ask your photographer how many proofs you will get, and in what format. They may be provided as small photos, in digital format, or on contact sheets. Engagement photograph This is a posed portrait of the newly engaged couple, which can be sent to newspapers with information announcing your engagement. You may also choose to put a framed engagement photo by the guest book at your reception.

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PHOTO-JOURNALISM CHECKLIST What started as a popular trend, wedding photojournalism is quickly taking over the industry as the preferred style of wedding photography with more couples wanting photos that capture the fun and excitement of their day instead of spending hours posing for portraits. Of course, photographers have always captured the moment you walk down the aisle and dance your first dance as husband and wife - and wedding photojournalists are quickly earning a reputation for capturing these moments and many more. Every photographer has their own variation of this style and knowing the right questions to ask will help you find the right candid approach for you. So here are a few “photojournalism style” questions to help you make sure you are getting what you want: Do you use only natural light, some flash, or lots of additional light? You may prefer your photos to look more natural so the mood of the surroundings dictates the look of your photos, or you may want dramatically lit portraits with dark skies. There are photographers that do both and others that never use a flash unless you lose power. Light, and the addition of it, can dramatically affect the overall look of your photographs so you will want to figure out your own preference before searching for photographers that fit the look you like. How do you approach the portraits? There are a lot of options here. Artistic portraits that only include your feet, fun portraits of your bridal party running at the camera, or more traditional portraits that show you smiling at the camera 112 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

and each other. Most photographers shoot a mix of these and you will want to choose someone that has the right balance for you. Do you retouch our photos, and how much? Retouching has taken on new meaning in the digital age and can include: editing out the ones with your eyes closed, cropping out distracting elements, fixing the color, and even retouching blemishes or whitening teeth. Usually the more retouching that is done the more it will cost you so be sure to ask what is included and if there are any fees for additional work. What photos are we getting with our package? The digital age has also brought a new luxury - getting your digital negatives. Some photographers charge extra for this (since they are less likely to sell prints), wait 6 months or a year before releasing them, and others will give you low resolution, watermarked (with the photographer’s name on them), or un-retouched versions of the photos to encourage you and your guests to buy prints. This can turn into an unexpected cost if you don’t get what you are expecting so be sure to have the details in writing. How involved do you get with the subjects & surroundings? This is a matter of personal preference. Do you want the photographer to tell you to stand by a window so you have better natural light on you, or do you prefer they are more hands off and photograph things as they happen? Some photojournalists move around you to get the better angles (and try to keep the water bottle out of the photo) and others will move you so you’re in a better position (and

PHOTOJOURNALISM move the water bottle out of the way). This choice depends a lot on if you are camera shy and don’t want to notice the photographer most of the day or don’t mind being the center of attention. How much experience do you have? This question is a little different for wedding photojournalists because they may have photography experience outside of photographing weddings to consider. For instance, working for a daily newspaper means they probably have a higher level of training than a couple of photography classes and are more experienced than a photographer who has photographed the same number of weddings. But weddings are unique events so newspaper experience is not necessary and the old rule still applies - the more weddings they have photographed the better. What is your style? A little bit of a loaded question, but this should give you insight on how they approach the day and which photographs they think are important to get. Most photographers will take into account any requests you make, but with this style of photography it is better to stay away from long lists so they can focus on capturing the moments. Do you work with an assistant? Traditionally, photographers used assistants to carry lights and equipment (and make sure no one tripped on them). Now the term “assistant” can also mean another photographer, with varying degrees of experience, that may help set up lights but will also be responsible for capturing some of the moments throughout the day. Not to be confused with a second photographer who is often as experience as the primary photographer, assistants can help the

smaller moments get captured or make you feel like you’re being followed by the paparazzi so you will want to ask about their role if your photographer uses them. From the hair salon to your last dance, wedding photographers are typically the only vendor that spends most of their time with you on the wedding day. So besides capturing the storytelling moments, it is important to choose a photographer that fits your personality and style. Whether you want them to be witnesses or directors, giving you their input on your makeup or taking the photo of spinach in your teeth before telling you about it, choose the style you prefer and then find your perfect photojournalist.

by Heather Hughes Ostermaier of Heather Hughes Photography

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Professional High Quality Wedding Films You will be entertained by your Wedding film and then you will Cry, Cry, Cry! Allow your Wedding Day to become your favorite Love Story movie, which you and your family can enjoy years after your bouquet is mangled by those funny women in Stilettos. Your special day is just too precious to become a faded memory of your past. Relive your Wedding Day vividly in High Definition.

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THE JOY OF VIDEO: preserve your wedding day in living, moving color

Nothing can transport you back to your special day like a good quality video. By beautifully capturing the moving sights and sounds, you can revisit your wedding again and again, and relive all of the special details: the rustle of your wedding gown, the nervous cough of the groom before his vows, the emotion in your father’s voice during his toast. But plan to spend the time and money necessary to do this right. A professional, high quality video is absolutely priceless. The wedding videography field has changed in recent years. The quality has improved dramatically and the final, edited work is more entertaining than ever. Professional videographers have the technology, talent and time necessary to produce an excellent quality video,

with clear audio; crisp, in-focus visuals; and sharp editing. A good videographer will remain inconspicuous and capture wonderful, uninhibited moments of you and your guests. Often, you won’t even know you’re being recorded. Your video will have the tears of joy, the laughter, silly “blooper” shots and much more. Professional vidoegraphers will spend anywhere from four to 10 hours with you on your wedding day, and another 35 to 50 hours editing your wedding video, adding graphics and music, and other special effects. For all of the professional equipment, experience, and time you should expect to budget an amount similar to your photography budget.

Videography SELECTING A

VIDEOGRAPHER: ask the right questions • Will you be shooting my wedding? If not, can I meet them? • May I see samples of your work? • What packages do you offer? What do they include? • How many cameras and microphones will be used and where will they be located? • Are you able to work with the restrictions on lights and tripods at the ceremony or reception site? • How long will it take to get our completed video? • Can I keep the raw, unedited footage? • Can you film while a photographer is present? • Will backup equipment be on hand for the event? • How far in advance must I book your services? • What is your cancellation policy? • Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much? www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 115

VIDEOGRAPHY The one comment you will hear from brides and grooms after their wedding, is: “It went so FAST!” A wedding video will transport you back to that special day with outstanding visuals and terrific audio, and even let you catch special moments you would never have seen otherwise. Ask your videographer about showing photo to video montages, rush editing of wedding day highlights, or “Love Story” videos at your reception. Or, create your own customized video display. Music is an important component of these videos. Discuss whether you or you videographer will handle the music. Projectors for these shows are recommended and may be available through the videographer. These upgradeable services are growing in popularity and would add the perfect final touch to your wedding and reception celebration. Your guests will be entertained by these touching and, sometimes, funny slow motion and still images. CHOOSING YOUR VIDEOGRAPHER Watch a videographer’s sample video closely to ensure that it meets your expectations for techniques and quality. Such a sample should allow you to appraise the clarity and stability of the picture and, above all, the videographer’s ability to smoothly edit the material together. This is one of the hallmarks of the experienced professional and an excellent reason to not leave this valuable service in the hands of an amateur. Another great feature of a professional video is improved audio. Knowledge of remote microphones and where to position them is key. Listen for clear quality sound during vows, readings, 116 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

music, toasts, etc. Also, ask to see a copy of the videographer’s contract, and make certain you understand all the costs for the videographer’s work and what he or she will provide. The bottom line is, a professionally recorded and edited wedding video is a priceless treasure to have. There is truly no better way to revisit your special day. It will bring back not only the sights and sounds but…the feelings as well. HOW TO EVALUATE SAMPLE WEDDING VIDEOS Ask to see the videographer’s wedding “demo” tape and a complete wedding video recently done. The demo tape will give you a great deal of insight into their style and quality, and a recent and complete sample of their work will give you a clear idea of what you’ll receive after your wedding. Evaluate the picture...

• Is the picture clear and consistently in focus? Jumpy? Blurry? Shaky? • Are there any dead spots? • Does it move smoothly from one scene to the next, or jump awkwardly? • How is the lighting?

Evaluate the sound...

• Can you hear the bride, groom, officiant and readers clearly? • Is the audio muffled or difficult to hear anywhere in the video? • Are the music selections and volume appropriate? • Is there too much ambient crowd noise? • Can you hear the toasts clearly at the reception?

Evaluate the overall effect...

• How long does the video last? • Does it keep you entertained? • Do you feel emotion? • Does it look professionally done?

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pbtip Music makes a party!

Nothing gets the guests energized like great music. Hire the best band or DJ you can afford. Book the music that makes people want to dance.

118 â&#x20AC;˘ PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

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Music The sound of romance

On your wedding day, nothing sets the mood, stirs the emotions or touches the heart more than music. From the solemn, beautiful sounds of the ceremony, to the background melodies of the cocktail hour, to the lively dance tunes that energize the reception, music brings the romance to your day.4

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MUSIC CEREMONY MUSIC The very first step in determining the music for your ceremony is to consider what you want, or what you envision, for your day. Do you want a vocalist? Do you want several musicians there, or just a pianist? It’s helpful to take notice during any weddings you attend while engaged, of what you liked (or didn’t care for) when it came to the ceremony music. Once you and your fiancé have some ideas in mind, seek out wedding musicians by visiting bridal shows, reviewing local bridal publications or online sources such as premierbride.com, or asking for referrals from your ceremony officiant or recently married friends. Or, consider working with a talent/ booking agency, which can offer experienced, convenient, one-stop-

(757) 865-0020

shopping for all of your wedding music needs. Once you’ve found some options, arrange meetings to hear them play in person – if you haven’t heard them live already. Once you’ve determined your ceremony musicians, they can help you select the songs to include in your wedding ceremony – how many, when, and so on. They are usually quite experienced when it comes to weddings, and will be a great resource. (Your officiant will be helpful here as well, so be sure to involve them also.) If you have specific songs in mind already, you’ll be able to hear a preview of exactly what they will sound like on your wedding day. And if you need some ideas, your musicians will be able to guide you and offer plenty of options.

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120 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

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MUSIC COCKTAILS AND DINNER MUSIC The key element during cocktails and dinner is conversation, so the music playing during these times should set the mood, but not intrude. You have three options here: use the musicians that played during your ceremony, use the band or DJ that will be playing at your dance reception, or hire different musicians for this part of the day. If you do decide to have live music, chamber music, classical guitar or perhaps a jazz ensemble are all good choices, and can create a subtle background of entertainment without overpowering conversation. A wellseasoned pianist is another excellent choice, since he or she can supply a wide range of musical styles and perform your guest’s special requests. Or, if you are having a DJ for your dance reception, they can usually provide the cocktails/dinner music as well.

Ambrosia Quartet Performs a vast range of classical favorites to pop tunes. Make your wedding or special event classy and beautiful with Ambrosia!

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RECEPTION MUSIC You’re married, cocktails and dinner are over, it’s time to kick up your heels and hit the dance floor! This truly is one of the most critical wedding decisions you’ll make, because nothing can make or break a wedding celebration faster than the entertainment. Fortunately, most wedding vendors are talented professionals, and with the tips included here, you’ll be able to confidently select an excellent entertainer for your big day. Your first big question to answer will be “do we want to have live music (a band or orchestra) or a DJ”? While there are pros and cons to both, it really boils down to personal taste and budget. Using live music - a band or orchestra - provides a certain festive energy to the evening, and is a wonderful www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 121

There’s even more

! e n li n O

You’ll find everything you need to plan your wedding on premierbridehr.com. Be sure to gather inspiration for every bride on our blog, twitter and facebook!

Blog s on

ok o b e c fa

u Find

Visit our website to find all these links and more!

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MUSIC option if your budget allows it. The key is to find a band that specifically does weddings, so that they can offer the versatility you need for a good event. Any live entertainment includes breaks, which can interrupt the flow of your evening, so try to come up with a solution that ensures that music is always playing. If the band is large enough, see if the band members can stagger their breaks so that someone is always playing. Or, hire a pianist or DJ to play during the breaks. Also, good, popular bands or orchestras will usually be more expensive than a DJ. They are well worth the expense, of course, since good entertainment is such a critical element of the wedding, but it just doesn’t fit everyone’s budget. And if you can’t afford a GOOD wedding band, then consider a DJ. A DJ can provide a huge variety of music, something for everyone, and is generally less costly than a live band or orchestra. And, no breaks! Here are some of the keys to finding a good wedding DJ: 1) If possible, see them live, in action. 2) Find a vendor that is a good fit with you, personality-wise. Looking for a fun, crazy, get-jiggy-with-it party animal? Or a more upscale, elegant, formal entertainer? 3) Communication is critical. Clarify what songs and events you do and don’t want included, the order of events and other details ahead of time. 4) Ask for, and follow up on, several references. THE NITTY GRITTY DETAILS You’ll want to begin researching your reception musicians early in the planning process, so that when you find someone you like, availability is less likely to be

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MUSIC a problem. Consider how they sound as well as their personality and style. Whether you hire a band, small orchestra or DJ, your selection of musicians will be a guaranteed success as long as you provide a wide variety of music. From 50s doo-wop to disco, pop or rock, diversity is the key so that every guest attending can hear something they enjoy. You will also want to consider your reception site when determining your entertainment. Communicate with both your reception site manager, so that they are clear about your plans ahead of time, and with your band or DJ contact, so that they are familiar with the space, its limitations or requirements, and other details. If the band or DJ you’ve selected has never performed at your reception site before, ask if they can visit the location in person before your wedding

to make sure it’s adequate for their needs: space, electrical power, lighting, etc. As with any wedding vendor, be sure that everything is very clear and in writing: the fees, cost and details on overtime, start and end times, alternate plans if a musician is sick that day, and so on. If any of your vendors don’t use a contract, then put all the details into a letter and copy it, sending one to the vendor and keep one in your files. Confirm all the details with your musicians about a week before the wedding. Once you’ve done your homework, selected excellent musicians for every part of your wedding, and nailed down all of the details, you can rest easy. Until, of course, it’s time to start working on your dance moves…

THE FIRST DANCE the customary practice

It is traditional for the newlyweds to share the first dance after the first course and before the entree is served. During the newlywed’s first dance it is customary for the father to cut in for his dance with the bride, as the groom dances with the mother of the bride. At this time the maid of honor and best man may be invited to join those on the dance floor. The groom then dances with his mother and the bride with the father of the groom. After the couple has danced with both sets of parents and their honor attendants, the master of ceremonies should invite the other members of the wedding party onto the dance floor, then extend the invitation to all the guests. 124 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

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pbtip Need a limo?

Know the busy seasons! If your wedding is around the holidays or prom time, be sure to book your transportation well in advance, five to six months before the Big Day.

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Transportation GeTTInG TheRe: Wedding day Transportation

The moments between the ceremony and the reception are giddy, exciting ones, and it’s only fitting to be whisked off in a carriage or ride off into the sunset. But those happy endings aren’t even practical. So even if the transportation between the ceremony and reception isn’t fit for a Hollywood screenplay, here are some tips to make it as fun, affordable and memorable as the rest of your day.4

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TRANSPORTATION FIRST: HOW MANY? First decide how many you’re moving. Do you want just the bride and groom in a vehicle, or is the entire wedding party heading to the reception together? What about their spouses or dates? Once you make those decisions, you can start searching around for transport based on size. Whatever you decide on, keep safety in mind for when revelers are bouncing from place to place. LIMOS Unlike some other forms of transport, a limo can be booked for an entire day, so you could get a high-class ride to pick you up at the house and deliver you to the ceremony and reception. Most companies have a one or two hour minimum for their services. If you want a car for both going and leaving the ceremony, it might be more affordable to hire two separate cars rather than pay for the vehicle to sit during a long reception. Many options exist for limos. A formal limousine seats four, but to include the wedding party get a stretch limo for six to 10. For larger parties and a flashier mode of transport, sport utility models like the Hummer and Explore are popular and unique both inside and out. The larger models are often posh, with flashy lights and decorative interiors.

CATCH THE COACH For larger parties, a party bus or luxury coach is a great way to travel. It’s got all the amenities of a luxury limousine, but with more room to spare – they’ll seat up to 10 people comfortably. Or, for bigger parties, a passenger coach or party bus can seat 21 to 49 people. For a small wedding, this is a fun way to get all the guests in on the party right away. Like limousine services, passengers and luxury coach companies require a minimum number of hours. The size and type of coach will determine the hourly rate. Depending on the size of your party it may make sense to hire two coaches, maybe a luxury coach for the bride, groom and attendants and a passenger coach for the guests. TAKING THE TROLLEY A fun and picturesque alternative to a limo or passenger coach is a trolley. They’ll generally accommodate between 20 and 35 people, so they’re great for larger parties or adding on some family members. With this antique look and old world charm, they’ll send a lovely, elegant touch to this wedding day detail. Since most have outdoor decks, these are especially fun in small towns so you can take a peek outside and watch onlookers wave at the newlyweds.

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TRANSPORTATION UNIQUE ALTERNATIVES Some new couples might opt for something more personal or creative. A horse-drawn carriage is a romantic, vintage option, especially if you can decorate it with your wedding colors. Vintage cars are also great photo ops and add a touch of class. An antique Rolls Royce or a ’69 Mustang are fun and unique. Ride in style like the royal couple did in a decorated navy soft-top Aston Martin Volante. Or, as with everything else in the wedding, make sure the transportation connects to YOU. Maybe you met at a Harley rally – ride off on your twin Hogs! Or maybe you share a love of mountain biking – don’t be afraid to wheel over on a tandem together. Personality is what makes weddings memorable, so however you move, make sure it’s full of your style.

For All Occasions

DOWN TO DETAILS Make sure to confirm booking well in advance of your wedding dates. And don’t be afraid to ask for a test drive! Look for these in a written contract: • Name and contact information for you and the company • Date, time and address of all pick-up and drop-off locations • Type and number of vehicles rented, and amenities supplied with each • Exact hours of vehicle rental • Total cost, including gas, mileage, tip and overtime fees • Deposit amount, balance, due date and cancellation policy Weddings are busy, chaotic days, so it’s wise to have someone closely associated with the wedding party, such as the best man or a family member, designated to coordinate with the chauffeur to make sure everything is on schedule.

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pbtip The key is timing.

Make sure to register BEFORE the first bridal celebration but not early enough that some of your items may become discontinued.

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Registry The nUTs & BoLTs of gift registries

People love to buy gifts for a couple starting out their life together, to celebrate this fabulous occasion and express their joy. While some guests will come up with their own creative gift idea, most people really appreciate having a gift registry to go to for ideas, so they can get you something they know youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love. 4 www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE â&#x20AC;˘ 131

REGISTRY If registering for gifts is on your current to-do list, then read on for all the nuts & bolts – so should we say cups & bowls – of gift registries. WHEN SHOULD WE START? Start four to six months before the wedding (or earlier!) so that you’re ready for any engagement parties, showers or eager guests. Don’t stress about getting it all done perfectly right away – you can always edit your selections or add more later. If there aren’t many items left about a month before the wedding, add more, so there’s enough selection left for the rest of your guests. Remember too that you don’t have to get this all done in one day! Take your time, and make your selections thoughtfully. If you start early enough, you can take a couple weeks to create your lists, hopefully enjoying the process as well. HOW DO WE REGISTER? Start out by considering your tastes and needs as a couple, and select up to three or four stores that feel right. Ideally, visit at least one store in person, so that you can see, touch and hold the different items, and make some of your selections. The rest of your gift registering you may wish to do online for convenience. Registering at more than four places just adds more work to your plates, as you complete the lists, track them and manage the details. Besides, three or four at the most really should be plenty! Most full-service stores offer a great deal of free help, and you are encouraged to take advantage of this service. These specialists will be able 132 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

to give you helpful information about what generally goes on a registry and help you remember pesky little things like meat thermometers that you wouldn’t normally think of. While it may be hard to imagine someone not being comfortable with purchasing gifts online or viewing your online registries, you will have guests at your wedding that want to buy their gifts in person, or aren’t comfortable with computers. So make sure that this option is available to them – ideally at a store that is popular nationwide. WHAT DO WE REGISTER FOR? Consider what you have already as a couple, and think about what you need as you start your life together. Most couples find that this is an opportunity to get things they would never buy themselves, but would love having to grace their home and the future gatherings held there… timeless items such as crystal vases, formal china, serving dishes and linens. You may also want to think about any hobbies you have such as gourmet cooking, gardening or wood working, as well as any special desires such as honeymoon travel, saving for a house or donating to a meaningful cause. Work with your groom to discuss your plans, and make the decisions together. No matter where you choose to register, be sure to include gifts in all price ranges, so that your guests can choose gifts within their budgets. Also, select more gifts than guests (remembering that couples count as “one”) so that there’s enough selection available, and there are enough gifts to cover your wedding

Create a wedding registry at Kohl’s and

EARN 10% REWARDS on gifts purchased from your registry!*

The rewards of marriage. From the day you register with Kohl’s Wedding Wishes Gift Registry until the day of your wedding, you’ll earn 10% rewards on gifts purchased from your registry. And Kohl’s Ever After Rewards is easy—you’re automatically enrolled, so there’s no paperwork, and you automatically qualify, even if you don’t have a Kohl’s Charge. Plus, there are more beneﬁts to registering at Kohl’s. • Savings for your guests—they’ll get 15% off any in-store purchase of $50 or more from your registry when they present one of our complimentary announcement cards. • Savings for you! You’ll get 15% off any items remaining on your registry. To register, visit Kohls.com/Wedding or one of our 1,100+ stores nationwide. *Reward is not legal tender. No cash back. Registrant will receive a Reward valued at Ten Percent (10%) of the total purchases made from Registrant’s Kohl’s Wedding Wishes Gift Registry (“Registry”) from the date of the Registry creation through and including the Registrant’s wedding date. The Reward is earned on the amount of eligible customer purchases from your Registry after all applicable discounts are applied and before tax is imposed (excluding gift wrap and/or shipping fees), with a maximum Reward value of $200. Eligible customer purchases include sale-, regular- and clearance-priced Registry merchandise, excluding Gift Cards, provided that your Registry is credited at the time of purchase. Reward can be redeemed with any other offer, but cannot be redeemed for cash. Reward will be applied prior to percent-off total purchase discounts. Kohl’s Reward coupon may not be redeemed (1) on purchases of Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise or other charitable items; (2) to reduce customer’s Kohl’s Charge or any third party charge account balance; (3) as price adjustments on prior purchases; or (4) to purchase Gift Cards. If merchandise purchased earning a Reward coupon is subsequently returned or price adjusted during the ninety (90) days following Registrant’s wedding date, the value of the Reward previously earned may be reduced to reﬂect any unearned value. Return value of merchandise purchased with a Reward coupon may also be subject to adjustment. Offer is nontransferable.

Not Your Ordinary Bridal Registry! Wainwright Real Estate Carla Walker - Associate Broker 4098 Foxwood Drive Va Beach, VA 23462

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RegistRy tips & FAQ’s Find links to all the top stores, browse bridal shower themes, learn how to write personalized thank you notes and reference our gift chart for every anniversary.

View the RegistRy Page online at

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REGISTRY showers as well. Your guests will appreciate this! COMMUNICATING THE NEWS How do you let all the guests know where you are registered? The simple answer is, word of mouth. All guests will be close to someone in the wedding – the bride and groom, the parents, other family members or close friends. Guests will ask someone if they want to know where you’re registered! It’s certainly appropriate to include the information on your wedding web site if you have one. It’s also appropriate for the shower host(s) and/or hostess(es) to include the information on their shower invites as well. It is NOT, however, ever appropriate to include the information with your wedding invites. After all, your wedding invites are a gracious request to join you on your special day – not a demand for gifts, so don’t let them sound like one! THANK YOU NOTES Your guests have been kind enough to send you a lovely gift, so be sure to behave like the kind, gracious couple that you are, and send that thank you note promptly! For gifts received before the wedding, send the note out within two weeks at the most. Trust us on this: you will not have “more time” after the wedding, and the more you stay on top of the thank you notes, the easier it will be. For gifts received at the wedding, send the thank you notes within four weeks, but certainly – the earlier, the better. Make sure your thank you notes are personal, handwritten and timely.

REGISTRY AFTER THE WEDDING Most stores will keep your gift registry for at least a year after your wedding date, and they’ll often offer a discount to you for items still on your list. This is a great opportunity to see what items you still want and/or need, and perhaps use some of your wedding gift cards or gifts of cash to acquire these. The original purpose of bridal registries was to help new couples, who often were quite young and had very little, start off their new life together as a new family in a new home. No matter what your situation today, these gifts of love send you into your new life together with the joy and affection of those closest to you. Cherish these gifts, show your gratitude and count your blessings.

Hampton Roads’ Finest Bridal Registry

A life and home together Begin yours with the finest registry available

ENGRAVED FOREVER guidelines to engraving

There are many guidelines for engraving. Traditionally the first names of the couple, beginning with the woman’s name, are followed by the wedding date underneath. With this type of message, the individual names are usually larger. Space determines whether you use the word “and” or the ampersand (&). Traditional monograms include the woman’s first initial followed by the couple’s last initial in the center (engraved in a larger size) and followed by the man’s first initial. For a special, extra-sentimental touch, many customers may select a short message, such as “congratulations” or a short poem.

The Shops at Hilltop North 1628 Laskin Road Virginia Beach

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Small town charm, with big city taste, Green Gates Gifts is a gift boutique that exudes its own signature style. We have coastal flair with traditional, contemporary and french country pieces. Wedding gifts • gift RegistRy • JeWelRy • gouRmet food PuRses • sandals • men’s gifts • CaRds foR all oCCasions

1467 George Washington Mem. Hwy Gloucester Point, VA 23062 (804) 642-5618 Hampton Peninsula Town Center (757) 848-5324 www.greengatesgifts.com

LawsMARRIAGE LAWS

Proof of Age (Driver’s License, Birth Certificate, Passport or Military ID) is Required

VIRGINIA:

NORTH CAROLINA:

Legal age is 18, under 18 must provide written notarized consent from a parent or legal guardian. No blood test required. Both in party must apply in person. Know the complete full names of both parents, including mother’s maiden names. License is issued in the city where either the bride or groom reside. Valid immediately up to 60 days. $30 fee (cash only).

Legal age is 18, under 18 must provide written notarized consent from a parent or legal guardian. For applicants under 21 a birth certificate is required. No blood test is required Both in party can apply in person, or have a notarized document explaining why the other person is absent and a copy of his/her signature. The county may have an affidavit for you to fill out, sign and return, obtained from the register of deeds office in any county. In addition to ID bring your Social Security card or proof of Social Security number. Valid immediately up to 60 days. $50 fee (cash only).

Chesapeake Hampton Gloucester Newport News Norfolk Portsmouth Smithfield Suffolk Virginia Beach Williamsburg Yorktown

757-382-3000 757-727-6105 804-693-2502 757-926-8561 757-664-4380 757-393-8158 757-365-6233 757-514-7800 757-385-4181 757-564-2242 757-890-3350

Currituck County Dare County Hyde County Pasquotank County Camden County

252-232-3297 252-473-3438 252-926-4198 252-335-4367 252-338-1919

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CITY OFFICES Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. It is important that you verify all information before making any wedding or travel plans.

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PREMIER BRIDE SPOTLIGHT Keith Cephus Photography

Keith Cephus is a nationally renowned destination wedding and celebrity photographer based in the Virginia Beach. He has been shooting professionally for more than seventeen years and has traveled the world

photographing weddings in exotic places such as Hawaii, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Antiqua, Bahamas, Virgin Islands and the exclusive Villa by Barton G at the Versace Mansion in Miami. Cephus’ work has graced the covers and been featured in numerous publications suck as American Bride, Destination Weddings, Modern Bride, Destination IDO, The Knot, Vow, Essence, Premier Bride Munaluchi Bride and Hampton Roads Bride. His celebrity clientele include Commander in Chief Barrack Obama, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Micheal Vick, Grammy Award-winner Chad Hugo, Defensive Tackle Darryl Tapp., Allen Iverson, Emmitt Smith and Aaron Brooks. His work 138 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

has awarded him numerous awards such as 2012 “Best of Weddings by the Knot, 2012 Brides Choice Awards by Wedding Wire, Special Achievement Award at the VA Fashion Gala and 2009 “Photographer of the Year” by Golden Scissors in Washington, DC. Cephus is also and board member of the Academic Review Board for the Art Institute of VA and speaks at various high schools and universities about the business side of photography. Cephus most recent project was shooting the cover of this issue of Premier Bride Magazine with publisher Christy Tolliver. “Working with Christy on this assignment was truly an honor. Christy is one of the hardest working people I have ever met. Her vision for excellence and her thirst for success is second to none. I am so bless to be a part of it!” Cephus philosophy of shooting is simple. “Follow your heart and capture what you feel. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Work extremely hard in mastering your craft with a relentless passion and be kind along your journey.”

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pbtip Honeymoon tip.

Consider taking an easy three-day trip right after your wedding, but plan for a more extensive honeymoon six months later, or on your one-year anniversary. You’ll be more relaxed.

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artistgroup.net

Honeymoon Traveling to paradise

The stress of planning a wedding is over, your in-laws are gone and for the next couple days or weeks, you get to have the getaway single people dream of and married couples want to do again: your honeymoon. It doesn’t matter if you’re at a luxurious Caribbean resort or sleeping in a tent near your home – what matters is that you’re starting your life together, and what better way to start that than with a romantic and intimate escape?4 www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 141

HONEYMOON Here are some tips to make sure your planning goes smoothly and the trip fulfills your every fantasy: COMMUNICATE This seems basic enough, but don’t assume anything when you’re planning a honeymoon! Take time to sit down and toss ideas around – what kind of destination you’d like (beach, foreign, cruise, etc.) and what you want to spend your time doing once you’re there (when you’re not in your bedroom.) Ask each other if you’d like a destination where there are lots of activities such as water sports, hot tourist spots, shopping or hiking, or if both of you would rather go somewhere you can relax and be pampered. It’s totally up to you, but make sure that your expectations are established before you book anything so

there aren’t unexpected disagreements when you want to read a novel on the beach all day and your spouse wants snorkeling lessons. And don’t forget – this is the start of your lives together, so this honeymoon could be the beginning of throwing in a few compromises here and there. Here are some planning tips: Tropical Most people think a honeymoon is a tropical island straight out of a postcard. You can’t beat a fruity drink with a little umbrella in it, a spa treatment on the beach or romantic walks down the white sand at sunset. Even for the most active couples, a honeymoon is probably the one time where it’s OK to sit back and let yourself be taken care of. Check into a bunch of places before you go - many have special honeymoon

The world is calling....

Your Honeymoon Your Way Honeymoon – Destination Wedding Group Travel – Leisure Travel

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Honeymoons & Destination Weddings

Va c at i o n s F o r a d u lt s . c o m

757-596-2774 – www.vacationsforadults.com The World’s Best Site for Child-Free Vacation Experiences!

HONEYMOON packages and some cater exclusively to honeymooners. Also, be sure to ask if it is really “all” inclusive. At some places this means your room and two meals, at others it means three meals, drinks, champagne at arrival and a spa treatment. Don’t be afraid to make some requests – mention another resort threw in chocolate-covered strawberries with their all-inclusive package, and you might see a couple more perks when you walk in the door. Abroad An exciting trip abroad is an exciting way to start a marriage. You’ll have a sense of adventure when you’re caught up in a whirlwind of new ideas and cultures, all while beginning a new adventure of your own. However, if you’ve never been abroad before, make

sure this is something you really want to do, because planning a foreign trip for the first time can be stressful, and it could be overwhelming to be in new lands for the first time when all you want to do is relax. If you do go, make sure your passport is updated, especially if your last name on a different piece of identification is going to change. It’s usually best to book any tickets in your maiden name, since that is likely to be the name still on your passport and driver’s license. For more information on specific foreign destinations or if you’re worried about health and safety abroad, call the International Traveler’s Hotline at 404-332-4559. Keeping it Local If you don’t have the funds for a plane ticket abroad or can’t get away for a long trip, look around you to see what www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 143

Happily Ever After

Request Your

FREE Wedding Planner Today!

Begins on the Currituck Outer Banks

877.287.7488

www.OurWeddingOnTheBeach.com

HONEYMOON your area has to offer. You’ll probably be surprised to learn there is a romantic bed & breakfast just a few miles from your home or a beautiful state park where you can sleep under the stars. Turn your cell phones off and just spend time with each other so it seems as if you’re light years away from the rest of the world. Again, it doesn’t matter where you go, it’s how you spend your time honeymooning that you’ll remember for years to come. Cruises If you can’t decide on a destination, a cruise might be for you – it’s got it all and more. If you want to see Europe, but you’ve never been and don’t have time to plan a trip, try a Mediterranean cruise. If you want a tropical location but can’t decide on a spot, get on a Caribbean cruise that will take you to many different islands. And if you can’t decide whether you want to relax or be active, a cruise will give you plenty of options to do both. Plus, meals, drinks and entertainment are all included and it’s all right outside your cabin door! When you’re planning, just like anywhere else, mention you’re on your honeymoon and see if the cruise line has a special deal or package for you. USE AN EXPERIENCED TRAVEL AGENT You have enough planning and 144 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

details on your plate with the wedding – leave your travel planning to a professional! The cost to you is generally zero, or very minimal, and they’ll save you so much time and greatly reduce your stress. If anything goes wrong – your flight is cancelled, or the hotel lost your reservation – your travel agent is there to help, just a phone call away. Look for one who focuses on wedding & honeymoon travel, or who specializes in the geographical area you wish to visit. PUT ROMANCE IN YOUR HONEYMOON It’s no secret that a honeymoon is all about those intimate moments and letting out your romantic side, so be proactive in setting up that excitement! Pack a secret gift for each other to open on the honeymoon – new lingerie, a romantic photo album or something personal you two share that would ignite a little fire. You could also give each other ‘coupons’ with little favors, such as an intimate massage or a promise to try deep-sea fishing the next day. No matter what romance you bring into the honeymoon, just keep it as personal as possible and neither of you will be able to quit smiling, no matter where you are.

Planning your

DESTINATION WEDDING OR HONEYMOON has never been so easy! A warm, sunny beach… A villa in Italy… A chalet in the Rocky Mountains… Finding the perfect location is the first step and where better to start than

Domestic, tropical and international s locations, travel tip and more! www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 145

domestic

NEW YORK, NEW YORK What better way to celebrate your big day by going to the Big Apple for your honeymoon! New York City is known for being the city that never sleeps. It’s the fastest, most fashion forward, city of lights that the United States has to oﬀer.

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LAY OF THE LAND

DREAM

New York City is located right on the tail of New York State. It starts at the mouth of the Hudson River and is hugged by the Atlantic Ocean. New York City is broken up into five major Sectors, Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. The Bronx is popular for having the Yankee Stadium, Manhattan Is most popular for all the fashionistas, let’s not forget “Liberty Island” where the Lady Liberty herself stands and represents our country!

Since New York City is amazing huge, here are the top three luxurious hotels located in manhattan.

For your Eyes Everyone knows that saying “New York Minute” because in NYC, it’s such a fast paced place you couldn’t catch your breath! There is so many things to do in Manhattan from eating out, going to night life, or even shopping! Just like everywhere else for a honeymoon but much more the list goes on! The first thing to do to make your honeymoon NYC official, is to get on the boat and ride to Liberty Island to say “Hello” to our Lady Liberty! Once in person seeing her strike that pose brings a tear to your eye! Stop by “China Town” to do a little shopping, where you can find almost everything and anything! Being in China town Feel’s like being in Hong Kong, China, You’ll forget that your even in New York. When Shopping in Manhattan, be sure to go to Bloomingdales. Famous in Movies, Bloomingdale is the place to be while shopping for a new wardrobe, or just checking out the newest hottest styles to fashion! Walk the famous streets of Times Square during the day or night and let the city lights brighten up your life! If your honeymoon is during New Years eve, Watch the famous Ball drop and celebrate the new year and honeymoon with a million other people!

St Regis New York Located in the heart of Manhattan, the St Regis is four blocks away from Central Park. With 24 hour butler service, this century old hotel is worth going too. The Luxurious décor consist of Silk walls and antiques that breathes an late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Dine is an award winning restaurant “Adour Alain Ducasse” and enjoy the King Cole Bar while having a few cocktails! With amazing detail and signature service at the St Regis, each room provides custom made furniture that expresses elegance and intimacy. With 165 guest rooms and 65 suites, each room has it’s own personal service. The St Regis New York is one of the honored hotels in the cities. Located three blocks from the Rockefeller center and the Museum of Modern Art, there is always activities to do while staying at the St Regis New York.

Hotel Plaza Athenee Also known to be a luxurious hotel in Paris, France, Hotel Plaza Athenee New York is just about the same European style luxury hotel in the big apple. Located on the eastside of Manhattan, this Hotel is walking distance to the famous Central Park. This Hotel has amazing glass indoor terraces and balconies that give you a fresh view of the eastern Manhattan. Hotel Plaza Athenee has an Award winning restaurant with fine dining that consist of fine American Cuisine. Following the restaurant, is the Bar Seine Lounge. Truly inspired by African, Asian and European style, this lounge has unique décor to make it known to be one of the romantic spots in NYC. The hotel is gratefully pleased to offer 142 guest rooms and suites with unique www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 147

Exterior of St Regis New York

style of décor in each room. Each room has luxurious Italian sferra linens and Asian inspired silks for the ultimate luxurious feeling. Some suites have indoor glassed enclosed atrium terraces and outdoor balconies. With these, you will see the glittering lights of Manhattan Skyline which is a Romantic backdrop for dinners in your suite or just a relaxing evening together. Deluxe Studio Suite at the Plaza

Plaza Athenee Spa

Tiffany Suite

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The Pierre, A Taj Hotel Known for they’re exquisite service, The Pierre hotel over looks the beautiful Central Park. Walk into the Hotel and you walk upon marble floors and smell the freshly arranged flowers everyday. The Pierre is located close to all of New York Cities amazing attractions. Being one of the top 5 Hotels in New York City, The Pierre is known for it’s not only luxurious, but know for it’s elegance. The décor is soft, yet beautifully combined to compliment and reflect the hotel with elegance. Each room has an accent color wall with either soft peach, periwinkle, or sage so you can have that relaxation you were meant to have on your honeymoon. Staying at The Pierre brings you back to the 30’s and 40’s era when the bellboy asks “what floor plan please madam?”. When arriving to your suite, enjoy the city views or if you selected the park views, enjoy the view of Central Park. The Pierre Hotel has a delectable European restaurant that is called La Caprice which is known around the world. Two E Bar/lounge is perfect for an evening with your newly wed and sipping on some signature cocktails and sharing delicious appetizers. If The Pierre Hotel is where you decide on your honeymoon, you will be charmed by the exceptionally courteous service provided. Make sure you reserve your suite at The Pierre Hotel and experience the history first-hand. The Pierre is where your honeymoon with be luxuriously romantic.

CLIMATE

fact sheet

Although New York has the four seasons, and the winters are cold, New York City has a humid “Subtropic climate” so snow doesn’t actually cover like upstate New York. However, the winter breeze can be very cold reaching temperatures of 0˚F with wind chills below zero. So button up if your honeymoon falls in the winter season! Spring and summer are the usual warm rainy seasons. Great weather to go shopping in the big apple!

GEOGRAPHY

New York City is composed of five boroughs: Manhatten, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Manhattan (most likely where you will visit) is loosely divided into Lower, Midtown, and Uptown regions. Uptown Manhattan is divided by Central Park into the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side, and above the park is Harlem

GETTING AROUND NEW YORK CITY

The best way to get around New York City is by mass transit. The New York City subway offers visitors an affordable, quick and easy way to get around. The subway and bus system offer 7 day passes for your convenience. Taxis are also available for a more direct route should you need it.

TOP TOURIST SPOTS

• The Empire State Building; Statue of Liberty; Ellis Island; Broadway theaters; the Metropolitan Museum of Art (“The Met”), Rockefeller Center and Times Square. • Central Park and Washington Square Park • Luxury shopping along Fifth and Madison Avenues • Events such as the Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

MARRIAGE LAWS

Apply for a marriage license at the New York State Town or City clerk for $35. You must obtain a marriage license from the office of the New York Clerk. You must wait 24 hours from the exact time the license was issued. Proof of Age and Identity A person is required to establish proof of age and identity by submitting to the issuing clerk: • One of the following age related documents: birth certiﬁcate, baptismal record ,naturalization record or census record. • One of the following identity related documents: Driver’s License, Passport ,employment picture ID or immigration record.

Central Park in Winter

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tropical

COOK ISLANDS AITUTAKI & RAROTONGA ISLAND

Honeymoons are meant for you and your newly loved one to getaway after the celebration of your wedding! Why not getaway by going to the secrets of the South Paciﬁc, The cook Islands. The most visited islands are Rarotonga, and it’s sister island Aitutaki. 150 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

ISLANDS The Cook Islands are made up of beautiful volcanic islands. These islands do not ha ve traffic, but you can travel around by scooters, or walking or taking the only island bus that drives the perimeter of the islands. Whichever way you decide to travel on the island, you will see villages, beaches and lush floral and vegetation will be on either side. The culture is so welcoming, you feel like it’s a home away from home, but on a breathtaking island.

AQUAMARINE Water to the islanders and the islands itself, consider water “A way of life”. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and bone fishing are just splashing in the turquoise water is a natural component of the life style. When snorkeling, you experience another world, feasting your eyes on little jewels that swim pass you and seeing the botanical beauties underneath the epic blue blanket of mother earth. If your wanting to take a cruise in a kayak, or canoe, they offer that as well at the islands. Swiftly drift over the coral reef and sit back and relax while the glittering aquamarine shines on your face.

EXPLORE Rather than taking the island bus that circles the perimeter of the island, try the adventurist tours the islands have to offers. On the Rarotonga island, taking the Coconut Tour takes you into the wilderness on four wheelers.(YES! You drive the four wheelers) it’s wild and exciting going through small creeks of water and zig zagging through the tropical trees! There are alternatives for this tour of course, if you want to sit back and relax, they offer the Island Buggy adventure. Walking and hiking is also an option for the adventure through the jungle. Walking/ hiking on the Trekking tour will take you on a guided tour through the jungle and you can experience Mother Nature more on a

personal level. The tour guide also educates you on the home remedies of the islanders by showing you natural medicine plants and brings you through secret botanical gardens.

PEOPLE These true Polynesians are born of the sea. With genuine care for others, Cook islanders have a natural charm that lures visitors in. High Spirited, and friendly, the Cook Islanders are great entertainers of the deep blue pacific. Between the northern group and southern group, both groups of islanders are known to be the last great wave of Polynesians to migrate from Asia, which started back as far as 1500 B.C. The Cook Islanders are known to have a strong family bond, so visitors are comfortable and feel like they are home.

DREAM Whether its Bungalows, Resorts or even Villas, the Cook Islands Rarotonga, and Aitutkai have many places to choose from, and all venues are mind blowing and breathtaking. Premier Bride took the Top Four venues to stay when staying at the Cook Islands. Here are our suggestions:

Pacific Resort Aitutaki: www.pacificresort.com You may think the pacific is beautiful when the sun sets and adds glittery shimmer on top, but when you arrive at the nineteen acres of tropical forest, and beachfront with sugar frosting sand its hard to compare the two. This resort has only 27 luxurious bungalows, suites, and villas. Each unit has its own theme and all has a perfect view of the crystal clear lagoon. Located on the Aitutaki island, This resort s is known to be the leading start luxury resort.

Aitutaki Resort and Spa www.aitutakilagoonresort.com Located on the Aitutaki island, this resort is known to be a “Magical Hideaway”. The resort and spa offers bungalows that are www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 151

secluded and over the crystal clear waters. Each bungalow was helped designed by the local people. Each bungalow has been specifically designed to enjoy the lagoon with luxury. Whether you decide to stay in a bungalow or suite, the staff is there to provide you help and also activity needs. From walks near the reefs or taking your complimentary canoe for a ride in the turquoise waters, there’s always something to do in the Aitutaki Lagoon.

Aitutaki Escape www.aitutakiescape.com Staying at the Aitutaki Escape explains the name. Located on the Aitutaki Island, not only is this place the most exclusive in the south pacific, but is also known to be a romantic getaway. The Aitutaki Escape has only three luxurious villas that are overlaying the waters of the lagoon. Since there are only three Villas, each of them have there own private swimming pool and spa pool. It doesn’t get anymore secluded than that! Of course, dining isn’t a problem since there are only three villas. Or all guest request, there are off site restaurant meal plans, or if you’d rather stay at your escape they offer in house private dining. What a better way to not only Dancers at Aitutaki

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have the wedding of your dreams, but also a honeymoon of your dreams.

Crown Beach Resort and Spa www.crownbeach.com This romantic and peaceful resort is located on the Rarotonga island. The Crown beach only caters to 36 couples. This resort is not only beautiful but is stress and noise free. You can relax on your honeymoon with the sounds of mother natures best, and drift away to her sounds of the shallow tides reaching to land. The resort offers beachfront service and has five acres of the earth’s finest botanical beauties. Each unit is self-contained with all of the amenities you need. Quality casual dining at the Oceans restaurant and Bar is known for specializing in themed dinners, luncheon, and breakfast. The Ocean Bar has not only phenomenal cocktails, but the specials of “Buy one cocktail get one free” is very appealing. The Crown resort and spa have been recognized to having the highest standards of accommodations. The local staff will make sure you have the most unforgettable honeymoon or perfect vacation. It’s they’re goal to make you happy.

CLIMATE

fact sheet

The Cook islands are your typical Tropical weather. During the summers it’s hot and humid with higher rainfall. Winter season is cooler and drier. Through January-June the weather stays around the upper 80’s, as to july-December the weather is in the upper 70’s. Cyclone season (hurricane season) normally start from November and last until March.

MARRIAGE LAWS

Requirements for marriage in the Cook Islands, you must: • Be 21 years of age or have written consent from parents. • Apply for marriage license in person at least three working days before wedding.

ELECTRICITY

240 volts-50 hertz cycle which is the same as the UK.

CURRENCY

The Cook islands use New Zealand Dollars. The islands have there own distinctive notes and coins that have equal value to NZ currency.

LANGUAGE

English and cook islands “Maori” are the official languages.

TIME ZONE

The islands are 10 hours behind GMT. Daylight savings are not observed so the time stays the same.

Roratonga Island

Lagoon at Pacific Resort

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international

BANGKOK THAILAND If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the bustling sounds of a big city that excites you then Bangkok just might be your perfect honeymoon destination. The capitol and largest city of Thailand, Bangkok is a bustling metropolis that will stimulate any traveler with chaos and excitement all at once. From the city, to the beaches, to the countryside there is no doubt that Bangkok, Thailand is a unique and stimulating honeymoon destination.

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SIGHTSEEING

SHOPPING

With over 1,000 years of history there is no doubt you will find plenty of things to do when visiting this Asian Wonder. The perfect Thai honeymoon would include a relaxing cruise along one of the many canals that connect to the Chao Phraya River where the exquisite beauty defines why Bangkok is called “Venice of the East”. A trip to Bangkok would not be complete without a visit to the Grand Palace. Here visitors will be in awe of the most exotic Buddhist temple in the world, The Emerald Buddha, carved from a single piece of jade. There are plenty of sights within the palace, built in 1783, to keep you busy with over 200,000 square feet of royal beauty. Other great tourist attractions in Bangkok include the Ancient City, Baiyoke Sky Tower, Dusit Zoo, Chinatown, and the Chitralada Palace just to name a few. There are also dozens of temples, wats, and monuments to visit. If sightseeing is your passion then you will not run out of things to do in Bangkok.

The question in Bangkok is not where to shop but what to buy. There are so many choices here that the avid shopper will be engulfed in pure paradise. From grand shopping malls to busy street markets Bangkok has everything from jewelry, furs, tapestry, silk, antiques, glassware, etc. If you want it….it can be found in Bangkok. There are many shopping destinations in Bangkok but you don’t want to miss the Chatuchak Market which is known as the most exhilarating and chaotic shopping experience in the world.

Tea Time at the Peninsula

Thiptara at the Peninsula Hotel

WHERE TO STAY The Peninsula Bangkok This luxurious 37-story hotel offers panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River and cityscapes from every one of its guest rooms and suites. Hotel facilities include seven restaurants and bars with impressive settings and views, landscaped outdoor pool, fitness center and a luxurious, stand-alone spa with a range of treatments. The Peninsula Bangkok

Mei Jiang at the Peninsula Hotel

Restaurant at the Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel

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The Peninsula Spa Entrance

is close to the shopping districts of Bangkok and is close to several of the city’s historical attractions. Situated alongside the river, the beauty here is undeniable.

The Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel From the moment you step into this beautiful green sanctuary it is hard to believe you are in the heart of such a massive city. This grand hotel gives you the feeling on pure peace and serenity combining art of the ancient world with all of the luxury of spectacular modern amenities. The beauty is surreal but the experience is unforgettable.

WHERE TO EAT

The Thai Suite at the Peninsula

Deluxe Suite at the Peninsual

Beaufont Suite

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The Peninsula Hotel situated along banks of the Chao Phraya River is the home of three fantastic restaurants that you don’t want to miss during your stay. With beautiful settings and breath-taking views it’s no surprise that these restaurants are known for being the best of the best in a city of 8 million. If it’s authentic Thai home style cooking you can’t wait to feast your eyes on then look no further than Thiptara. Here you will experience intimate dining by candlelight with soft, soothing music in the background. Thiptara offers a variety of options such as beef curry, tom yum goong, pad thai, and even some European option for those preferring something more traditional. Mei Jiang, located on the ground level of the Peninsula Hotel offers authentic Cantonese choices including their specialty abalone dishes as well as dim sum if you’re in the mood to try several different options at one meal. This charming restaurant with latticed windows gives you spectacular views of the river. The River Café & Terrace allows you to enjoy your meal outside. It is always fun to watch the water traffic along the Chao Phraya. There are many options in this comfortable atmosphere from an international breakfast, dinner buffet, or a la carte meals offered all day long.

CLIMATE

fact sheet

It is important to familiarize yourself with Bangkok’s hot, tropical weather before planning your trip. The temperature remains consistent in the low 90’s throughout the year. May through October is the rainy season with monsoons frequent. Therefore, the best months to travel to the region is November through February, the driest part of the year.

ELECTRICITY

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Both flat and round two-pin plugs are used.

GETTING MARRIED IN THAILAND

• Foreigners marrying either a Thai citizen or another foreigner will need a valid passport (for at least six months) with two copies of the photograph page and two copies of the page showing your visa into Thailand. • Obtain an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry from your home embassy in Bangkok - and a certified translation of this document in Thai. You’ll then have to take this document to the Legalization and Naturalization Division of the Department of Consular Affairs on Chaeng Wattana Road in northern Bangkok to get it authenticated.

CURRENCY

• If you’re marrying a Thai citizen, he/she will need their Identiﬁcation Card and their House Registration Document with, a photo copy of both of these.

LANGUAGE

• Once you have all these documents in order, you should go to an Amphur (‘District Oﬃce’) and apply for a Thai marriage license.

The unit of currency is the Thai Baht (THB). ATM’s are available in most cities and hotel resorts. Thai is the official language in Bangkok but English is widely spoken in the tourist regions.

TIME ZONE

UTC/GMT +7 hours. No daylight saving time in 2012.

• If you have a religious ceremony, be sure to register it at the local Amphur office or submit your paperwork and fee to the office for your marriage certificate.

City View of Bangkok,Thailand

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ConneCt with top wedding professionals in the area

Save Time & Money with our Free “Big Day” Consultation 757-671-8181 www.757weddingpros.com

Photo by Judith Chauvette Fresh Look PhotograPhy

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BRIDAL SHOWS MADE EASY making the best of your time and effort

Bridal shows can sometimes feel overwhelming but with a little planning, they can save you money, provide outstanding ideas and let you sample tasty treats. A few tips follow. Dress For The Occasion. Wear comfortable shoes! You’re going to be walking quite a bit. You don’t want to leave early because your achy feet give you no other choice. Bring Labels. Print up labels with your name, address, wedding date and possibly email address. This will save you a lot of time when you sign up for all the prizes usually given out at shows. Plus, the information will be legible. Timing. If you’re trying to get a great seat for a fashion show, arriving early can make sense. If they have two fashion shows, the second is usually much less crowded. If there’s no urgent reason to arrive when it opens, consider a later time to avoid possible lines. Plan In Advance. First of all, you need to have a budget planned so you have a general idea of what you’ll be spending on each product and service for your wedding. Know what is most important to you, where you might be willing to have a little flexibility on the cost versus items that you’re not as passionate about. There is usually a floor map available at larger shows. If there’s a specific service or vendor you want to talk to, make sure you know where they’re booths are located so you don’t miss them. Visit Here First. Remember, some wedding service providers can only do one or two weddings a day because they are one or two person operations. These providers can include videographers, DJ’s, banquet facilities, decorators, photographers and wedding consultants. Plan to spend at least half the time with these types 160 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

of vendors. One of your first questions should be if your wedding date is available. Bring Your Calendar. If interested, make an appointment for a follow-up consolation after the show. If they offer a show special, ask if that special would carry over to the appointment date. Vendors want to talk to you but they also need to respond to other couples at the show as well. You probably won’t get their full attention at the show unless there are multiple people working the booth, so be sure to make an appointment to get some one on one time. Two Day Shows . This type of show gives you the leisure of exploring the first day, reviewing the material and returning the following day to talk to your favorites. Ready To Make Decisions. If you’re comfortable and ready to make a decision, show specials can really make it worth your while! Many vendors determine if it’s a good show for them based on how many signed agreements they get. Enjoy The Experience. Relax and enjoy the experience. These wedding professionals spend time and money to display their work and services. Take your time and don’t be afraid to “enter” the booth area. Look, touch and really see what is offered or get ideas. Vendors love brides in their booths. It tends to attract more people. If you already have that product/service, let me know if they’re trying to talk to you. Don’t Be Afraid To Talk To The Vendors! Talk! If a vendor catches your eye, don’t be shy! Just say hello to break the ice, followed by, “are you available for my wedding date?”, and the vendor will usually know how to get the ball rolling from there. Don’t be afraid to talk to the vendors, for that is the whole purpose of the show.

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MISSIon PoSSIBlE:

From Proposal to “I Do” &..... Everything in Between Bridal Expo

Sunday February 17, 2013 ~ 11am-4pm

The Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront Suffolk ~ 100 East Constance Road Suffolk, VA 23434 Price: $12 (Bride plus 1 guest)

www.missionpossiblebridalexpo.eventbrite.com

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AREA BRIDAL SHOWS

2012-13 Hampton Roads/Outer Banks Bridal Show Events JULY 22, 2012

BRIDAL BOOTCAMP: WEDDING PLANNING 101

Montero’s Restaurant Elizabeth City, NC www.eceventsbridalbootcamp.eventbrite.com JULY 29, 2012

WPSV PRESENTS SUMMER LOVE BRIDAL EXPO

West Neck Clubhouse, Virginia Beach www.wpsv.net AUGUST 1, 2012

A BRIDAL AFFAIR SUMMER SHOW

Grand Affairs, Virginia Beach www.grandaffairscatering.com AUGUST 26, 2012

ENDLESS SUMMER BRIDAL EXPO

Holiday Inn Virginia Beach Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center www.showbride.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2013

MISSION POSSIBLE: FROM PROPOSAL TO “I DO” & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront, Suffolk www.missionpossiblebridalexpo.eventbrite.com FEBRUARY 24, 2013

VOW BRIDAL EVENT

The Virginia Beach Convention Center, www.vowbride.com MARCH 16, 2013

THE OUTER BANKS WEDDING SHOW The Sanderling, Duck, NC www.obxbrides.com APRIL 28, 2013

SHOW BRIDE WEDDING EXPO Omni Newport News www.showbride.com

OCTOBER 21, 2012

ROMANCING WILLIAMSBURG BRIDAL EXPO Crowne Plaza Williamsburg www.showbride.com NOVEMBER 4, 2012

THE WEDDING WORKSHOPPE Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront, Suffolk www.theweddingworkshoppe.com NOVEMBER 18, 2012

SOUTHSIDE’S FINEST BRIDAL EXPO

Founders Inn and Spa, Virginia Beach www.showbride.com JANUARY 20, 2013

A BRIDAL AFFAIR WINTER SHOW

Grand Affairs, Virginia Beach www.grandaffairscatering.com JANUARY 27, 2013

PENINSULA’S FINEST BRIDAL EXPO

Newport News Marriott at City Center www.showbride.com www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 165

DIRECTORY • Apparel (See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11)

• Children’s Formalwear (See Bridal Attire guide Pg. 11)

• Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties (See Reception Guide See pgs. 58-63)

• Chocolates & Chocolate Fountains

• Beauty & Health • Bridal Accessories (See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11)

• Consultants & Coordinators • Decorators • DJs • Estate/Financial Planning

• Bridal Showers Lunches & Teas (Also see Reception Guide Pg. 58-63

• Florists/ Floral Designers

• Carriages • Caterers

• Ice Sculptures • Invitations • Jewelers/Jewelry • Lighting

• Bridal Shops (See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11)

• Cakes & Cupcakes

(See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11) • Honeymoons & Destination Weddings

• Favors & Gifts

• Formalwear (Tuxedos) (Also See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11) • Gown Preservation and Cleaning

• Lingerie (See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11) • Music and Entertainment • Officiants • Photo Booths • Photography

• Reception/Rehearsal Dinner Facilities (See Reception Guide Pg. 58-63) • Registry • Rentals • Scrapbooks • Shoes (See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11) • Travel Agents • Transportation • Veils (See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11) • Videography • Websites

• Realtors • Reception Card Boxes

Color Me Tan www.colormetan.net 757-723-0089

APPAREL

(See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11) A Barefoot Bride Fine Consignment Boutique www.bfbride.com 757-788-8812

(See pg. 80)

Eye Deux www.eyedeux.com 757-742-3389 (See pg. 10)

Hair by Alice www.hairbyalice.com 757-818-5459

All the Rage Virginia Beach www.alltheragebridals.com 757-491-1418

(See pg. 8)

Divine Boutique www.divineboutiquellc.com 757-868-7008

It Works! Global www.wrappingvirginiaskinny.myitworks.com 757-535-6481

(See pg. 79)

(See pg. 6)

Louisa’s Bridal www.louisasbridal.com 252-338-8965

Kristal Lane - Beauty on Location www.kristallane.com 757-469-6130

(See pg. 80)

(See pg. 7)

Mary Kay - Jussette Odom www.marykay.com/jodom07 757-822-0001

(See pg. 79)

Salon Noa www.salonnoa.net 757-553-8351

(See pg. 81)

Salon Vivace www.salonvivace.com

(See pg. 12)

Maya Couture Bridal Salon www.mayacouture.com 757-461-1690

(See pg. 4 & 64)

Once Upon A Wedding www.once-upon-a-wedding.co 757-461-1690 The Inspired Bride www.theinspiredbride.com

(See pg. 11) (See pg. 6)

BACHELOR/BACHELORETTE PARTIES

(See Reception Guide See pgs. 58-63)

BEAUTY & HEALTH

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Virginia Beach-Chambord Commons 2228 Virginia Beach Blvd. 757-463-1231 Newport News-Shops at Oyster Point 639 Pilot House Drive 757-873-1775 Chesapeake-Hanbury Village 237 Hanbury Road East, Suite 20 757-482-5790

Ardyss International Inc. by Kristine www.thenewyounaturally.com 757-727-3240 Best Face Forward 866-851-5247

Williamsburg New Town Center 5116 Center Street 757-220-941

(See pg. 83)

Theresa Little Make-up Artistry www.theresalittle.com 757-287-7787

directory of services

Tidewater Chiropractic Group www.tidewaterchiripractic.net 757-465-7299

(See pg. 81)

BRIDAL ACCESSORIES

Montero’s www.tmonterosrestaurant.com 252-331-1067

(See pg.66)

CHILDREN’S FORMALWEAR

(See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11)

(See Bridal Attire guide Pg. 11)

Event Central www.eventcentralva.com 757-873-1244

(See pg. 49)

Green Gates Gifts Hampton Gloucester Point www.greengatesgifts.com

757-848-5324 804-642-5618 (See pg. 136)

CHOCOLATES & CHOCOLATE FOUNTAINS Distinct Delights Corolla Kitty Hawk www.distinctdelights.com Goddess of Chocolate www.goddessofchocolate.com 757-343-6241

BRIDAL SHOPS

(See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11)

252-453-3188 252-715-0779 (See pg.68)

(See pg.68)

CONSULTANTS & COORDINATORS

BRIDAL SHOWERS LUNCHES & TEAS

(Also see Reception Guide Pg. 58-63

A Moment of Bliss amomentofbliss.zymichost.com 757-291-6532

(See pg. 93)

CAKES & CUPCAKES

Creations By Tiffeny www.creationsbytiffenyevents.com 757-292-7908/337-0494

(See pg. 96)

(See pg. 73)

Dreams 2 Reality www.dreamstworeality.com 757-839-3461

(See pg. 92)

(See pg. 74)

Exquisite Classy Events www.e-classevents.com 252-267-1230

(See pg.93)

(See pg. 72)

Inspired Events by Kelly www.inspiredeventsbykelly.com 757-291-5369

(See pg. 98)

(See pg. 74)

Joiful Faith Event Planning www.joifulfaithevents.com. 757-636-0493

(See pg. 99)

(See pg. 73)

Memorable Events by Apryl www.makememorable.com 757-349-6322

(See pg. 95)

(See pg. 72)

MorLina Events www.morlinaevents.com 757-724-3274

(See pg. 92)

Cake Delights www.mycakedelights.com 757-227-5351 Flour Child Bakery www.iloveflourchildbakery.com 757-464-1455 My Vegan Sweet Tooth www.myvegansweettooth.com 757-339-2794 Sweet Temptations Dessert Cafe www.srdesserts.com 757-354-2133 The Cupcakery of Elizabeth City www.thecupcakeryofelizabethcity.net 252-335-0211 The Magic Cupboard www.themagiccupboard.com 757-826-2160

My Wedding Bag www.myweddingbagonline.com 747-647-1300

CARRIAGES Carolina Carriages www.harvestmoonhorses.com 252-619-5745

PearlBlossom Floral & Event Design www.pearlblossomfloral.com 757-482-3067

CATERERS Barefoot Gourmet 757-469-6265

(See pg.69)

Creative Catering of Virginia www.tcreativecateringva.com 757-499-2002

(See pg.70)

(See pg. 105)

Pinch of Charm www.pinchofcharm.com 757-262-7820

(See pg. 55 & 97)

The Bridal Dish www.thebridaldish.com 757-689-8082

(See pg. 65)

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The Main Event 757-344-9045

(See pg. 95)

Touche Weddings & Events, LLC www.toucheweddings.com 757-453-5933 Vivid Expressions, LLC www.vividexpressions.com 757-802-3199

(See pg. 94)

(See pg. 100)

ESTATE/FINANCIAL PLANNING Waddell & Reed Finiancial Advisors Lester Norwood www.wadell.com 757-431-2929 ext. 110

(See pg. 75)

FAVORS & GIFTS

Dance Studios Amy’s Ballroom Dance Studio & Banquet Facility www.amysdancestudio.com 757-596-2697 (See pg. 123)

Corolla Wild Horse Fund www.corollawildhorses.org 252-453-8002

ArtInspired www.artinspired.com 757-768-9033

Distinct Delights Corolla Kitty Hawk www.distinctdelights.com

252-453-3188 252-715-0779 (See pg. 68)

Green Gates Gifts Hampton Gloucester Point www.greengatesgifts.com

757-848-5324 804-642-5618 (See pg. 136)

(See pg. 125)

DECORATORS Creations By Tiffeny www.creationsbytiffenyevents.com 757-292-7908/337-0494 PearlBlossom Floral & Event Design www.pearlblossomfloral.com 757-482-3067 Pinch of Charm www.pinchofcharm.com 757-262-7820

(See pg. 96)

(See pg. 105)

(See pg. 55 & 97)

The Main Event 757-344-9045 Touche Weddings & Events, LLC www.toucheweddings.com 757-453-6567 Vivid Expressions, LLC www.vividexpressions.com 757-802-3199

FLORISTS/ FLORAL DESIGNERS Char’s Floral Designs www.charsfloraldesigns.com 757-621-9155

(See pg. 64)

(See pg. 94)

Catherine’s Distinctive Floral Designs www.distinctivefloraldesigns.com 757-471-6963

(See pg. 86)

Palette of Petals www.paletteofpetals.com 757-422-0415

(See pg. 85)

PearlBlossom Floral & Event Design www.pearlblossomfloral.com 757-482-3067

(See pg. 84)

(See pg. 100)

(See pg. 104)

Astro Entertainment www.astrodj.com 757-460-2224

(See pg. 121)

Baker Entertainment www.bakerentertainment.com 757-813-1214

(See pg. 101)

Big Dreams Entertainment www.bigdreamsentertainment.com 757-275-8000

(See pg. 135)

(See pg. 95)

DJS All Around DJ’s www.ppdj3.net 757-867-8994

the globe www.theglobevirginiabeach.com 757-422-3313

(See pg. 30)

FORMALWEAR (TUXEDOS)

(Also See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11)

GOWN PRESERVATION AND CLEANING

(See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11) (See pg. 1)

Colonial DJs www.colonialdjscom 757-865-0020

(See pg. 120)

Tidewater DJ’s www.tidewaterdjs.com 757-420-4200

HONEYMOONS & DESTINATION WEDDINGS

(See pg. 124)

Currituck North Carolina www.cometoourbeach.com 252-453-9612

(See pg. 144)

Vacations For Adults.com www.vacationsforadults.com 757-596-2774

(See pg. 143)

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World Class Travel www.time4vacation.com 757-816-2496

directory of services (See pg. 142)

ICE SCULPTURES Ice Art Inc. www.iceartva.com 757-498-4777

(See pg. 46)

INVITATIONS BlueGreen Aqua www.bluegreenaqua.com

(See pg. 26)

{paper} dolls design www.paperdollsdesigninc.com 804-366-1269

(See pg. 29)

P.S. Paperie www.thepspaperie.com 757-595-5111

(See pg. 28)

JEWELERS/JEWELRY

(Also see Jewelers Guide Pg. 25)

DCPG Photography & Design www.dc-pg.cm 877-552-4881

(See pg. 107)

EC Photo Booth www.ecphotobooth.net 252-455-0768/252-207-2851

(See pg. 103)

Pinch of Charm Vintage Rentals www.pinchofcharm.com 757-262-7820

(See pg. 97)

The Boardwalk Photo Booth Company www.boardwalkphotoboothcompany.com 757-655-5FUN

(See pg. 102)

PHOTOGRAPHY ArtInspired Pin-Up Photography www.artinspired.com 757-768-9033

(See pg. 87)

Beata Photography www.beataphotography.com 757-927-3418

(See pg. 108)

Cherish The Moment Photography and Video www.ctmweddingsandevents.com 757-515-3144 (See pg. 109)

Circles In Stone 757-238-3282

(See pg.25)

Electric Rainbow www.electricrainbow.artfire.com 757-503-3289

DCPG Photography & Design www.dc-pg.cm 877-552-4881

(See pg. 107)

(See pg.78)

Hampton Roads Photography www.hamptonroadsphotography.com 757-499-8708

(See pg. 108)

Heather Hughes Photography www.heatherhughesphotography.com 757-870-4006

(See pg. 113)

Impressions In Time www.impressionintime.com 757-329-3600

(See pg. 111)

Keith Cephus Photography www.keithcephus.com 757-430-2169

(See pg. 65, 138 & 139)

LIGHTING Astro Entertainment www.astrodj.com 757-460-2224

(See pg. 121)

LINGERIE

(See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11)

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT Ambrosia Quartet www.ambrosiaquartet.com 757-479-4498

(See pg.121)

OFFICIANTS A Fulfilled Wish www.storybookevents.net 757-625-3787 or 757-625-4321

Picture Perfect Photography & Video www.ppdj3.net 757-867-8994

(See pg. 104)

Torrance Saunders Photography www.torrancesaundersphotography.com 757-342-3852

(See pg. 106)

Treasured Images Photography www.treasuredimagesphotography.com 757-851-8985

(See pg. 110)

Pink Weddins of OBX www.dreanalittledreamweddings.com/pink-weddings.html 252-564-2615 or 252-261-0706 (See pg. 48)

REALTORS

PHOTO BOOTHS

Wainwright Real Estate - Carla Walker www.househunt-online.com 757-652-1414

Astro Entertainment www.astrodj.com 757-460-2224 Baker Entertainment www.bakerentertainment.com 757-813-1214

(See pg. 121)

(See pg. 101)

(See pg. 134)

RECEPTION CARD BOXES Eve’s Wedding Boxes www.evesweddingboxes.com 757-655-1395

(See pg. 46)

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RECEPTION/REHEARSAL DINNER FACILITIES

TRAVEL AGENTS

(See Reception Guide Pg. 58-63)

REGISTRY Green Gates Gifts Hampton Gloucester Point www.greengatesgifts.com Kohls 1547 Sams Circle, Chesapeake 551 Bland Blvd., Newport News Harbour View Station 6253 College Drive, Suffolk Virginia Beach Pembroke Mall 4564 Virginia Beach Blvd Virginia Beach Princess Anne 3344 Princess Ann Road 100 Gristmill Plaza, Williamsburg www.kohls.com the globe www.theglobevirginiabeach.com 757-422-3313

757-848-5324 804-642-5618 (See pg. 136) 757-312-0980 757-988-3013 757-686-1373 757-473-1017 757-368-0424 757-564-0111 (See pg. 133)

Vacations For Adults.com www.vacationsforadults.com 757-596-2774

(See pg. 143)

World Class Travel www.time4vacation.com 757-816-2496

(See pg. 142)

TRANSPORTATION Royal Coach Limousine Company www.royalcoachlimo.net 757 420-9331

(See pg. 128)

Southside Ground Transportation www.southsidegroundtransportation.com 757-857-6261

(See pg. 129)

VEILS

(See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11)

VIDEOGRAPHY (See pg. 135)

RENTALS

Baker Entertainment www.bakerentertainment.com 757-813-1214

(See pg. 101)

Blue Diamond Studio www.bluediamondva.com 757-806-1522

(See pg. 114)

ABZ Rentals www.abzrentals.com 757-890-4700

(See pg. 50)

American Furniture Rentals www.afrevents.com 757-660-1510

Cherish The Moment Photography and Video www.ctmweddingsandevents.com 757-515-3144 (See pg. 109)

(See pg. 51)

Classy Covers www.classycovers.net 757-478-3401

Dream Clip Productions www.dreamcliponline.com 757-771-0288

(See pg. 117)

(See pg. 54)

Event Central www.eventcentralva.com 757-873-1244

Picture Perfect Photography & Video www.ppdj3.net 757-867-8994

(See pg. 104)

(See pg. 49)

Pinch of Charm Vintage Rentals www.pinchofcharm.com 757-262-7820

(See pg. 97)

Waterford Event Rentals, LLC www.waterfordeventrentals.com 757-448-5999

(See pg. 49)

WEBSITES

SHOES

(See Bridal Attire Guide Pg. 11)

170 â&#x20AC;˘ PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

iWed www.iwed.com 757 Wedding Professionals www.757weddingpros.com

SCRAPBOOKS Memory Keepers Scrapbooking www.memorykeepersscrapbooking.com 757-593-0915

Premier Bride www.PremierBridehr.com

(See pg. 159)

Wedding Professionals of Southeastern Virginia www.wpsv.net (See pg. 163) (See pg. 7)

WedAlert.com www.wedalert.com International Special Events Society www.iseshamptonroads.com www.OBXBrides.com www.obxbrides.com

(See pg. 158)

THE WEDDING TIMELINE

Shop for and order wedding gown, veil and accessories

Reserve ceremony site and officiant Work on guest list for a rough count Visit reception sites and reserve one Hire wedding consultant (for help with all planning, certain aspects of it, or day of coordination only)

2-4 MONTHS AHEAD

12 MONTHS AHEAD

Decide on the budget

9-12 MONTHS AHEAD

Organized advance planning will ensure you enjoy every minute of your special day. Start planning your wedding 12 months ahead of time if possible and use the following timeline as a guide through the process. Once the planning is complete, relax and get plenty of rest - the festivities are about to begin.

Buy wedding rings and order engraving Announce engagement in local newspapers Confirm delivery dates of bridal gown and bridesmaids’ dresses Meet with caterer to discuss menu

Arrange ceremony rehearsal and notify participants

Select bridesmaids’ attire Plan details of reception: colors, decorations, balloons Select photographer

Discuss honeymoon plans Mail save-the-date cards if necessary

1-2 MONTHS AHEAD

Choose attendants

Select band or DJ for reception

Book musicians for ceremony Select florist

Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests

2-4 WEEKS AHEAD

Select caterer

Order invitations, personal stationery and thank you notes

Select and purchase guest favors Find and reserve rehearsal dinner location

1 WEEK AHEAD

Book stylist or salon for bridal party hair, nails and make-up

Make reservations for bridesmaids’ luncheon Confirm honeymoon arrangements Record gifts received and write thank you notes promptly

Arrange for professionals to preserve your gown and bridal bouquet Follow up on missing RSVPs and finish seating chart/place cards Confirm final guest count to caterer and reception site Write rehearsal dinner and wedding toasts Confirm honeymoon arrangements

Finalize honeymoon plans (get your passport if needed!) Order men’s formalwear

Arrange for final fittings on your gown

Purchase wedding accessories (guest book and pen, unity candle, toasting glasses, cake knife and server, and flower girl/ring bearer accessories)

Order wedding cake

Mail invitations

Start reception seating chart and placecards

Reserve wedding day transportation

Reserve party rental equipment (table, tent, chairs, etc.)

Call county clerk’s office for marriage license details, and schedule date to obtain

Prepare printed program for ceremony

Get engagement photo taken

6-9 MONTHS AHEAD

Buy and wrap attendants’ gifts

Select ceremony music, readings and vows and meet with officiant

Compile guest list

Select videographer

4-6 MONTHS AHEAD

Address wedding invitations

Have final consultation with caterer, florist, musicians, photographer and videographer Host bridesmaids’ luncheon Begin packing for honeymoon Put fees due on the wedding day in envelopes, for the best man to distribute

Reserve accommodations for wedding night Finalize guest list

Visit premierbride.com/planning to download a complete planner!

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 171

THE WEDDING BUDGET

Bride’s Wedding Ring

_____________

Groom’s Wedding Ring

_____________

Ceremony Site Fee

_____________

Officiant

_____________

Marriage License

_____________

Aisle Runner

_____________

Candles/Candelabra

_____________

Other

_____________

RECEPTION

_____________

MUSIC

Engagement Ring

Reception Site Fee

_____________

Food, Service, Tax & Gratuity

_____________

Beverage/Bar Corkage Fee

_____________

Cake/Cake Cutting Fee

_____________

Rental Items

_____________

Other

_____________

Ceremony

_____________

Reception

_____________

Other

_____________

Photographer’s Fee

_____________

Engagement Portrait

_____________

Formal Wedding Portrait

_____________

Proofs

_____________

Wedding Album

_____________

Candids

_____________

Parents’ Sets

_____________

Other

_____________

Wedding VHS/DVD

_____________

Additional Copies

_____________

Bride’s Gown

_____________

Alterations

_____________

Headpiece & Veil

_____________

Lingerie, Hosiery & Garter

_____________

Shoes

_____________

Jewelry & Accessories

_____________

Wrap/Jacket

_____________

Hair, Makeup & Manicure

_____________

Other

_____________

GROOM: Groom’s Formalwear

_____________

Neckwear & Cufflinks

_____________

Accessories

_____________

Shoes

_____________

Other

_____________

PHOTOGRAPHY

BRIDE:

VIDEOGRAPHY

WEDDING ATTIRE

CEREMONY

RINGS

Know your overall budget BEFORE you start planning your wedding - it’s one of the first issues you and your fiancé should discuss. Set your priorities based on what is most important to both of you and spend accordingly. For example, if the meal is the most important element of your wedding, you’ll want to allocate a greater portion of your budget to it.

Photo Montage Video w/Music _____________ Reception Entertainment: Edited Highlights of Ceremony “Love Story” Production

_____________

Projector Rental

_____________

Other

_____________

172 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

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_____________

Groom’s Boutonniere

_____________

Attendants’ Boutonnieres

_____________

Bridesmaids’

_____________

Best Man

_____________

Groomsmen

_____________

Helper Corsages/Boutonnieres _____________

Ushers

_____________

Ceremony Flowers

_____________

Child Attendants

_____________

Reception Flowers

_____________

Bride & Groom

_____________

Decorations/Balloons

_____________

Bride’s Parents

_____________

Other

_____________

Groom’s Parents

_____________

Hosts for Out-of-Town Guests

_____________

Save-the-Date Cards

_____________

Pre-Wedding Party Hosts

_____________

Invitations & Envelopes

_____________

Cake Cutting Attendant

_____________

Calligrapher

_____________

Gift Table Attendant

_____________

Postage

_____________

Guest Book Attendant

_____________

Thank You Notes

_____________

Soloists/Musicians (friends)

_____________

Informal Stationery

_____________

Other

_____________

Ceremony Programs

_____________

Placecards

_____________

Wedding Coordinator

_____________

Announcements

_____________

Disposable Cameras

_____________

Other

_____________

Attendant Accommodations

_____________

Bridesmaids’ Dresses/Shoes

_____________

Flower Girl’s Dress

_____________

Groomsmens’ Formalwear

_____________

Ring Bearer’s Attire

_____________

Bridesmaids’ Luncheon

_____________

Other

_____________

Rings

_____________

Ceremony

_____________

Reception

_____________

Music

_____________

GIFTS

Maid/Matron of Honor

Wedding Party Transportation: Limousine, Carriage, etc. _____________

Cake Knife & Server

_____________

Cake Top

_____________

Wedding Attire

_____________

Favors

_____________

Photography

_____________

Flower Girl’s Basket

_____________

Videography

_____________

Guest Book & Pen

_____________

Flowers

_____________

Ring Bearer’s Pillow

_____________

Stationery

_____________

Toasting Glasses

_____________

Transportation

_____________

Unity Candle, Kiddush Cup

_____________

Favors & Accessories

_____________

Other

_____________

Gifts

_____________

Other

_____________

Miscellaneous

_____________

Grand TOTAL

_____________

Guest Transportation

_____________

Parking

_____________

Other

_____________

Other

_____________

Visit premierbride.com/planning to download a complete planner!

TOTALS

TRANSPORTATION

MISCELLANEOUS

FLOWERS

_____________

Attendants’ Bouquets

FAVORS & ACCESSORIES

STATIONERY

Bride’s Bouquet

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE • 173

FOR HER:

DON’T FORGET...

WEDDING ATTIRE

WEDDING DAY CHECKLIST Gown - be sure it is pressed Headpiece & veil Lingerie (bra, bustier, slip, petticoat) Hosiery & garter Shoes Jewelry & accessories Wrap/Jacket Gloves

Rings & marriage license Ring bearer pillow/flower girl basket Wedding programs Cake knife & server, toasting flutes Favors Guestbook & pen Unity candle, kiddush cup Pay officiant & vendors Assign person to collect/transport gifts

FOR HIM:

WEDDING DAY EMERGENCY KIT

Phone numbers for wedding party, wedding coordinator & vendors Sewing kit (thread, needle, safety pins & scissors) Personal emergency kit (including Shout wipes, tampons & a small snack such as a granola bar) Skin care (cleansers, moisturizers & lotion) Hair care (hair dryer, curlers, brush, comb, hair spray, bobby pins) Nail polish (color for nails & clear to stop nylon runs) & super glue Makeup 2-sided tape & scotch tape Extra earring backs Extra nylons Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash

HONEYMOON CHECKLIST

Airline tickets (note flight number & departure/arrival time) Cruise tickets (note cabin number(s) & departure/arrival time) Resort/Hotel phone & confirmation number Passports/Visas Camera & film Credit cards Traveler’s checks

UPDATING YOUR NAME

Coat, shirt, vest & trousers Cummerbund Neckwear Cufflinks Socks & shoes Portable iron or steamer Hand mirror Disposable wipes & tissues Anti-cling spray Something old, new, borrowed & blue Deodorant Antacid, aspirin, allergy medication & bottled water Breath mints Cash (coins & bills) Disposable camera Plastic bags White tailor’s chalk for gown fixes Toupee tape for fallen hems Spray-on spot remover

Sewing kit Medicines/Prescriptions Extra contact lenses or glasses Toiletries Electrical plug adapters Travel iron Clock radio, travel size Hair dryer

Auto Registration

Investment accounts

Stock certificates

Bank & credit card accounts

Life insurance policy

Car insurance policy

Medical/dental records

Tax agency records (state/federal)

Credit reporting agencies

Memberships

Voter registration records

Deeds/titles

Passport

Wills/trusts

Driver’s license

Post Office records

Employee records

174 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Visit premierbride.com/planning to download a complete planner!

LOCATION

RECEPTION PLANNER DATES AVAILABLE

LOCATION

USED FOR

SIZE

Indoor

Small (<100)

Ceremony

Outdoor

Medium (100-250)

Reception

Same site as ceremony

Large (250+)

Dressing

Walking distance from ceremony

Overnight rooms

SITE SERVICES

Within ______ miles of ceremony site

SERVICES PROVIDED

RENTALS AVAILABLE

Rooms

Tables

Food

Chairs & chair covers

Beverage/Alcohol

China, glassware, silverware & serving dishes

Disabled access

Linens

Adequate parking

Ratio of guests to servers: ___________

Valet Coat check On-site wedding coordinator Staff to cut the cake

DECORATIONS

PROVIDED

STYLE

More than one event at a time

RECEPTION

BRINGING OWN DECORATIONS

Head table

What are decorating restrictions?

Guest tables Cake table Guest book table

When can decorations/favors come in?

COLOR SCHEME

SITE FEATURES

Old-world, ornate Modern Formal Rustic Fun, funky Casual Intimate

Visit premierbride.com/planning to download a complete planner!

Great entrance Chandeliers Marble Piano Balcony Fabulous staircase Fireplace Hardwood floors Great view Stunning windows/window treatment Nice changing area/restrooms Dance floor meets my size requirements

Pastels Jewel tones Neutral tones Bold/bright

www.premierbridehr.com PREMIER BRIDE â&#x20AC;˘ 175

BRIDE ’S PHOTOS:

GROOM ’S PHOTOS:

PRE-WEDDING

Bride, full-length Bride, back of dress Bride’s bouquet Bride with both parents Bride with mother & father separately Bride with grandparents Bride with siblings Bride with maid/matron-of-honor Bride with each bridesmaid Bride with all her attendants Bride with groomsmen Bride with ring bearer, flower girl

Bride getting ready

RECEPTION

Guests at cocktail party

Groom, full-length Groom with parents Groom with mother & father separately Groom with grandparents Groom with siblings Groom with best man Groom with each groomsman Groom with all his attendants Groom with bridesmaids

BRIDE & GROOM PHOTOS: Bride & groom together Bride & groom with each set of parents Bride & groom with entire wedding party Close-up of couple’s hands displaying rings Signing the marriage certificate

Bride putting on veil Candid shots of bride preparing & relaxing Bride’s attendants getting ready Groom getting ready Groom’s attendants getting ready Front of ceremony location Guests arriving & being seated

Guests signing guest book Placecards Centerpieces, place settings & plated meals Favors Toasts Bride & Groom listening to toasts

CEREMONY

PORTRAITS

PHOTOGRAPHY PLANNER

Musicians Attendants walking to enter ceremony Parents being seated Candids of parents’ expressions Attendants walking down the aisle Child attendants walking down the isle Groom coming down the aisle

Group pictures & candids throughout reception

Clergy, groom & best man at altar

Musicians

Bride & father walking down aisle

Bride & Groom’s first dance

Father giving bride’s hand to groom

Bride & Father, Groom & Mother dance

Guests watching the ceremony

Guests dancing

Vow exchange

Cake, cake table & cake cutting

Ring ceremony

Couple feeding each other cake

Candids of bride’s/groom’s face

Bouquet toss Garter removal & toss

Unity candle ceremony, kiddush cup ceremony, etc.

Sweetheart dance

Signing of wedding certificate

Going-away vehicle (especially if decorated)

Groom kissing the bride

Bride & groom in going away clothes

Recessional

Newlyweds departing & guests’ farewell

176 • PREMIER BRIDE www.premierbridehr.com

Visit premierbride.com/planning to download a complete planner!

Perfectly Planned for a beautiful beginning. Because it truly is your day, you can be sure that we are fully committed to every detail of your wedding. Whether you prefer an intimate gathering or grand event, DoubleTree can help you orchestrate the celebration of your dreams.

• Fully customizable rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, party and honeymoon packages • Elegant arrangements for groups of 7 to 700

• Designated wedding and event planner on staff • Attentive, courteous staff and convenient amenities for your guests

Call Jackie Ivester, our Director of Catering, to begin your journey. 757.437.2022 or email jivester@doubletreevb.com 1900 Pavilion Drive • Virginia Beach, VA 23451 • VirginiaBeach.DoubleTree.com