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Lassen County Times, Chester Progressive, Westwood PinePress
Wedding Guide 2013
Premarital counseling can provide the tools to a happy marriage Spiritual guidance can help iron out potential problems couples may face as they plan their future together
The Bureau of Land Management offers many sites to stage your dream outdoor wedding, such as Eagle Lake. Photo by Jordan Clary
Your wedding in a natural setting Whether your nature-wedding dream includes the mysterious landscape of the high desert or a tranquil spot along the Susan River, Lassen County, with its unique natural beauty, is sure to have something to meet your needs. Will it be a garden or mountain setting? Lakeside or desert? When a couple chooses to hold their wedding in a natural setting, the location they select makes a statement as to who they are as a couple and what’s important to them. Therefore, time and thought should be put into the decision. How will the setting best reflect their personalities and interests? The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a good place to begin to find the ideal outdoor wedding loca-
tion. Hobo Camp, with the scent of pine filling the air, is one popular BLM spot. An important consideration in choosing an outdoor location is whether it has facilities such as restrooms and picnic tables, and Hobo Camp has these already in place. Other places for a location in the trees include sites at Eagle Lake and Caribou Wilderness. Most of the high desert campgrounds have basic facilities, but the trade-off is the distinctive topography of rocks and sage. If you opt for a wedding on BLM land, you will want to plan well in advance — they advise at least six months lead time to make sure there is not a conflict on location and to give enough time to issue a Special Recreation
Use Permit. The price will vary depending on how many people will be attending. For more information on planning the perfect BLM wedding, call 257-0456 and ask for the outdoor recreation planner. Some of Lassen County’s ranches and farms also provide space for weddings. Family operated Wemple’s Pumpkin Patch in Milford is popular with many locals. For information on reserving wedding space at Wemple’s, call 253-2514. Other options include the lawn of the Susanville Elks Lodge and the Bailey Creek Golf Course at Lake Almanor. You can call the Elks Lodge at 257-4810. Bailey Creek Golf Course’s number is 259-4653. If you want to save costs,
consider a simple courthouse wedding at the Lassen County Courthouse. The ceremony, performed by the county clerk, usually takes about 1520 minutes and can be conducted outdoors on the old courthouse lawn. The county clerk is also available for different locations for a fee by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 251-8217. There are many possibilities for a natural wedding location. Don’t overlook the obvious. Friends’ backyards, favorite family picnic areas, special camping sites, even old barns can all offer possible sites for a special ceremony. The creative couple is sure to find something in Lassen County to make their day memorable.
Premarital counseling might be the answer many couples are looking for if they are interested in pursuing marriage or are newly engaged and want to get their marriage off to the best start possible. Community Church of Susanville offers premarital counseling, which provides couples with the tools to work through the challenges of marriage and help them gain a better understanding of each other. According to Senior Pastor Rick Conrad, Community Church offers six weeks of premarital counseling with one of the three pastors, which also include Rick Floyd and Jackson Fong. During those weeks, Conrad said a couple will look at a number of aspects of marriage such as child rearing, finances, social life, sex and what it means to be married and what that entails. “And our goal is to define that through the context of God’s word,” he said. Couples will be given homework assignments and provided with questions to discuss with each other about their life together. Premarital counseling doesn’t necessarily mean a divorce-proof marriage but it
helps get you off on the right foot and the tools to counter the problems, Conrad said. When couples go to Floyd for counseling, he first gets to know their story, such as how they met, and then he learns a little about each of their pasts to work on forgiveness of past hurts and offenses. Then they move into what Floyd describes as “prior agreement,” such as the number of children each person wants and the principles the individuals want to foster during marriage and specific areas of concern — communication, blended families, disciplining children and finances. Floyd said sometimes he will bring in someone with expertise in a specific area. As premarital counseling winds down, Floyd and the couple will talk about the wedding ceremony and what fits their personality. Conrad suggests people go through premartial counseling before a date is set as in some instances he has had people decide to postpone the date or not get married at all. If you are interested in receiving premarital counseling, call Community Church at 257-2924.
Choosing an indoor venue for your upcoming nuptials Diamond Mountain Casino & Hotel The Diamond Mountain Casino & Hotel offers venues for 20 to 300 people and inhouse catering and beverage service. Group room rates are available for parties of 15 or more. The hotel boasts spa suites with whirlpool tubs, an in-house salon, exercise room and indoor pool, and restaurants. For more information, contact Restaurant and Banquette Manager Matt Wolcott at 252-1100. Susanville Elks Lodge The Elks Lodge can hold up to 250 guests seated for events. For weddings, the lodge offers custom packages including tulle decorations, lighting, a full bar, and sit down dinner, buffet and appetizer meal services. For more information, call Rushelle at 257-4810. The beautiful Elks Lodge in Uptown Susanville is the choice of venue for many newlyweds.
Blooms for Brides
A Lifetime of Memories The experts at Milwood can make your special day become a lifetime of memories - from choosing an exquisite bridal bouquet to a simple elegant boutonniere. With 37 years experience, Milwood can make you feel at ease knowing you are getting the best, freshest f lowers available.
Complimentary consultation by appointment with Why buy, when you can rent arches, urns, outdoor plants and more? FREE CONSULTATIONS - CALL AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
Patti Glass 257-2515
Serving all of Lassen & Plumas Counties
Milwood Florist 800-506-1267 2020 Main Street Susanville
milwoodfloristandnursery.com
Veterans Memorial Hall For large parties, the Veterans Memorial Hall is another good option. It offers a package deal that includes tables, chairs, lighting, sound and use of the kitchen. The main floor can hold 350 guests seated at tables and additional people in the downstairs room. For more information, call Nancy at 251-8288.
Places of worship Lassen County has more than 40 churches that may offer wedding services. Find contact information for indi-
vidual churches in the Lassen County Places of Worship section of the newspaper or in the local phone book.
The Diamond Mountain Casino and Hotel offers venues for 20 to 300 people.
The Veterans Memorial Hall in Susanville is popular for large gatherings.
PRESERVATION
After that special day, bring in your wedding gown and we’ll preserve it for you!
leaners C C ounty
257-5538
802 Main Street • Susanville