Bridal Guide
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Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
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A Fairy Tales really do come true
Once upon a time in a beautiful mountain valley a young princess dreamed about the day see would meet her prince charming and would be married and live happily ever after. Everyone in the village knew her as Shey. She had a beautiful voice, yet something was missing in her song. So she left this Cache Valley to attend BYU Idaho. There she joined a choir. Her voice was joined with others and she met Dustin Ercanbrack. Magically, their song filled the hills with harmony. While they were dating she told Dustin about her dream of a Cinderella wedding. She once bought some Cinderella decorations while on a date. So it was only natural when Dustin came to propose he dressed as prince charming. So much work to do to get ready for the big day and time was short. They had only three and half months and no fairy godmother with a wand. The date was set for August 29 in The Logan Temple. While attending summer semester Shey planned everything. Like Cinderella she needed a gown. She shopped at many dress shops around town and even out of town. Shey said, “Listen to other people’s opinions, but follow your heart”. She waited all her life to get married and she knew what she wanted. She found her wedding dress at Belle Bridal in Logan. She was impressed with the selection they had. The theme for the wedding was Cinderella and the colors were Silver and hot pink with accents of yellow and orange. But she found that finding bridesmaid dresses with those colors was hard. They shopped for days. They found some dresses at Dillard’s. They needed a little make-
Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
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WEDDING
over to be just right. The Mother Dresses they ended up having to have made. This is usually a time consuming task for the bride and her court. The bridal registries were Wal-Mart and JC Penney. There was a small sheet in with the announcement that listed the two registries. Shey thought maybe the little papers were lost in the announcements, because most of the guests got gifts elsewhere and brought to the reception. She did end up with a few extra cookie sheets. The wedding cake was done by Shantel’s Cakes. Shey had found a crown cake top before and had a drawing of how she wanted the cake. It was good. Cinderella herself couldn’t have hoped for more. The Wedding ceremony was about 10 in the morning. Even getting up early to get ready didn’t give any extra time. Shey commented, “The temple is beautiful. Do all you can to get there. It makes your day more than anything else”. Everyone at the temple SEE CACHE, PAGE 4
4 A Cache wedding Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
FROM PAGE 3
was “so good to make it a special experience”. When it comes to photography, rely on a professional that understand lighting and the art of candid and posing shots. Shey was pleased with Captured Moments Photography. Captured Moments Photography did the photos after the wedding ceremony. Marianne and Shauna did a great job getting everyone together. The group shots were first and then they went as a couple for photos around the grounds. The wedding luncheon was scheduled for one that afternoon. Shey and Dustin were late because the photo session needed more time. Shey says “plan on two to three hours” for all those photos. Lunch was served at the Mendon Station. The guests were not only served delicious food, but also were entertained. Shey and her father both sang songs, several gave Speeches and the tender moment came when her father danced with the bride to the song by Steven Curtis Chapman “Cinderella”. Tears and cheers flowed then and even now as the video plays.
But she came home today with a ring on her hand Just glowin’ and tellin’ us all they had planned says, “Dad the wedding’s still six months away And I need to practice my dancin’, oh, please daddy, please” “So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms ‘Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh, I will dance with Cinderella, I don’t want to miss even one song ‘cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she’ll be gone. Shey did stumble during the dance. It brings out a laugh when they watch the video. That kind of helps hold back some tears. Her advice, “Recognize that not everything is going to go perfectly, enjoy it.” The reception was held in the backyard of her home teacher. It was just the feeling she wanted. The reception was a “blast” the attendants were allowed to mingle and
not stand in the line. (They tastefully decorated the car in their free time). The yard was decorated with Cinderella in mind, Center pieces and even a carriage for the gifts to be placed in. Having a reception and greeting special people that had a special impact in their lives was a moment they did not want to end. “Soon the clock will strike midnight and she’ll be gone” to Anniversary Inn. That is where they went for the beginning of the honeymoon. Anniversary Inn is popular with their special theme rooms. The Honeymoon continued of course to Disneyland where Fairy tales really do come true. Now that the wedding is past and the marriage continues on, Shey has advice to all. A happy marriage is an opportunity for growing and learning together. It takes continued effort each day. Keep writing love notes. Read marriage books and take classes to keep the marriage alive. Then you know that everyone will live happily ever after .
By Scott Falslev BridalFaire.org
M ANY THANKS TO THE ADVERTISERS AND THOSE WHO PROVIDED INFORMATION FOR THIS SPE CIAL SUPPLEMENT. P LEASE THANK THEM WITH YOUR PATRONAGE AND CONSIDERATION.
Reading the bride’s mind
Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
Some tips for the bride on setting up a gift registry A wedding day is a celebration with your guests. Everyone wishes you the best. When it comes time to consider your registry, it’s important to consider your guests. The tradition of giving gifts goes way back. It is a kind gesture to the young couple to help them get set up in their new home together. Bridal registries will help the couple avoid getting a lot of duplicates gifts, styles that don’t match and items they just won’t use. Registry gifts can be used for the reception or showers. The bridal registries that you chose should be accessible and easy to shop. Some guests will always be more comfortable shopping for gifts in person or at stores they’re familiar with. Even if you prefer nontraditional retailers, it’s a good idea to register for at least a few conventional items at a recognizable store. If you chose an online registry, make sure you also have one for those that are not web savvy. There is no set number of registries to register with. Base your list on your own
individual needs and circumstances. Giving your guests a choice is good. Some couples may feel a need to register for four or five. Usually two is adequate. There are differences in registry types. Some you preselect the items with the color and style to fit your preferences. These items are kept on a list the guests can choose to buy. Some registries allow the guests to just simply put money on your account. The balance can be used to purchase things as the couple chooses. Because your guests will have a wide range of budgets, it’s important to register for items at a variety of price levels, for those registries that you preselect the items. Fun and relatively inexpensive items are available at most stores. This is not necessary if your registry just takes money to put on your account. Don’t ever just ask your guests for cash. It is tacky. Later we will mention some alternatives that serve the purpose. Is it rude to register for expensive
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gifts? Not at all. Some of your guests will want to buy expensive gifts, and other guests will go in together to purchase big ticket items. Just make sure these gifts aren’t the only choices. Do register for what you really need. Don’t feel like you have to put something pricey and flashy. It’s a good idea to take a peek at your registry as your wedding approaches (or get someone else to do it, if you really want to be surprised), and if the lower priced gifts have mostly been purchased, go register for some more. Don’t worry about registering for too many gifts. The important thing is to give guests the options to purchase something you asked for that’s within their budget. Some people will prefer to surprise you with a carefully chosen, slightly more personal gift, or maybe even a handmade item. Certain guests (often older family members) may also have their own ideas about what makes an appropriate wedding present. A SEE GIFTS, PAGE 6
6 Gifts: Setting up your local registry beforehand Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011 FROM PAGE 5
quilt made by grandma will be a treasured family heirloom. Remember, the gift giver is ultimately in charge of what you receive, while your part is simply to write a kind thank-you note. Some formal etiquette advisers say not to put your registry information on your wedding invitations. They suggest having friends and family spread the word. You can always include it in the newspaper announcement. Some bridal registries provide cards to put in the invitations. A good communication of your registry location will determine your response. There are many local bridal registries to consider. It is really up to the couple to decide which is best for their circumstance. Some couples may already have the basic kitchen and bath items. You should pick one that meets your situation and is suitable and easy for your guests. Bed Bath and Beyond has a popular registry. The couple registers and then they take the scanner and go shopping for what they want. They can choose the item, color
and style to add to their list. If they change their mind they can come into the store or go online and edit their wish list. This list can be viewed by guests online or they can come into the store and view the list and buy the item, which will take it off the list. Bed Bath and Beyond offers complimentary gift wrapping the item. Bedbathandbeyond. com also has a bridal toolkit for the couple to help plan their wedding. There is a check list, a timeline, and budget tracker. The couple can find advice and ideas. The task manager has pre-populated over 200 tasks (based on a “typical� 12month engagement period) to help assist you with your wedding planning, however with a few clicks of a mouse you can add, delete and change tasks and due dates to personalize the planner to suit your needs. The average engagement in Cache Valley is three months. Once you are done customizing the Task Manager, you can review your critical dates using their unique Timeline view. And finally, have some fun with your Personal Wedding Site - let your creativ-
ity run wild as you customize your very own website to tell your friends and family about your event! Love to Cook has a great registry with everything to set up the perfect kitchen, even some great food. The couple can scan their items to make a wish list or just set up an account that people can put any amount on. Or if they want the best of both types they can do that too. If the couple has money on account, they get a 10 % discount on anything they buy with that money for the next year. They can even use it for the popular cooking classes. Cooking classes are a fun and useful wedding gift which allows a couple to learn a variety of cooking skills together. Their guests can simply stop by the store, pay on line or call in with a credit card. Smithfield Implement has been in Cache Valley for nearly 100 years helping young couples. The couple is asked for an announcement to put on the registry board.
SEE REGISTRY, PAGE 7
Registry: There are lots of ways to plan FROM PAGE 6 Guests can stop by or call in to put money on the couples’ account. A list is kept and is given to the couple to use to send out thank you notes. The couple then can use the balance on the account for anything from a house wares department, hardware and clothing. Smithfield Implement has almost anything the couple will need at competitive prices. The groom can even get real excited picking up things he could use. Smith’s Marketplace has a registry at the service desk. Guests stop by the service desk to add money on a gift card that the couple can use to purchase anything at Smith’s marketplace or any Smith’s, including the gas station. Smith’s gives the couple many choices from food to electronics. Macey’s has a similar registry available at their service desk. Guest can put any amount on the couples account and after the wedding they
get a list of who donated (not the amount) to their account. Registries like these can be used by anyone, because we all have a need to eat. If the couple wants fine china, silverware and crystal, then S.E. Needham Jewelers would be a great choice. Guests can call in or stop by to add to the account. Wedding china, both formal and everyday use, is one of the most commonly given wedding gifts. Brides and grooms should spend time together deciding which china pattern to select, a pattern and style they both like. Your wedding will be remembered for a lifetime as you use those cherished gifts. Bank of Utah has a bridal registry designed to help the new couple get into their own home. It can be used to help them build their savings account to help make a down payment. It also gives them significant discounts on fees normally
charged in getting a mortgage. Guests simply stop by any Bank of Utah branch and deposit money into the account. Dillard’s registry is easy to set up with a short visit with trained consultants. They get a special gift packet from Dillards at this time. The couple scan’s the items to make a list. If changes are needed they can shop online and make changes or stop by the store. Guests can stop by and use the kiosks to see what is on the list and buy things on the list. Or they can simply go online and do the gift giving. They can sort through the list by price or merchandise to select the gift. Mark, the bridal registry manager points out that Dillards has a wide selection of top name brand linens, towels, and house wares including small electric appliances at very competitive prices. If you choose China as part of your choices and you need more place settings later, even years
Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
later, you can find matching sets. They also offer complimentary gift wrapping. Walmart wedding registry can be set up online at walmart.com. They have kiosks at the store you can use to set it up. Guests can also use the kiosks to print the list and then purchase the gift. The item will come off the list if the checkout is aware it is for the registry. The guest also has the choice of just putting on any amount on your balance. You’ll just have a gift card to purchase whatever you need. It is important that you show your gratitude to your well wishers. After your wedding take some time to write a thank you note and maybe a little comment about how much you enjoy the gift.
Scott Falslev Bridal Faire.org
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Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
Little gifts can add your personal touch to big day Think about thank-yous
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really do a lot of good with said. or jellybeans are sure to win that money,” Mauer said. Unforgettable favors over guests of all ages and “The guests like it. They don’t have to be lavish or expreferences, especially if they realize that the couple is pensive. When packaged in are packaged in a clever way. Wedding favors come in spending a lot of money on a unique container and perFrom embellished candymany shapes. From traditional the wedding, and when some sonalized with a small tag, filled tins to Chinese takeout candied almonds to philanthropof that money can go to help virtually any item becomes an containers chock-full of cookic gifts, anything goes as long as someone else, they really apinstant keepsake. ies, almost anything goes. it serves as a reminder of the big preciate it.” “Food is definitely the “Packaging is very big day. Make sure each guest way to go if you’re on a right now,” Mauer said. “The wedding favor is a way gets a card detailing the budget. Plus, edible favors “Almost anything can be to say thank you to guests for gesture, however, instead of are really hot right now,” embellished with a little tag sharing the day with the bride Mauer said. Small candies or a ribbon with your names and groom. It’s a token to show making a blanket announcement at the reception, Mauer like Jordan almonds, M&Ms or initials on it.” that the wedding day is as much about the guests as it is about the couple,” said Elena Mauer, senior associate editor of Bridal Guide magazine. Clever keepsakes include small bottles of wine with personalized labels, pocket-size photo albums matching the wedding decor, candles inscribed with the day’s date and even Krispy Kreme doughnuts packaged in pairs for the guests to enjoy at home. “Some couples have even given out miniature versions of the wedding cake with the guests’ initials on them. You can really go all out,” Mauer said. “I heard of a destination wedding in Texas where they actually gave everyone Stetson hats. There are really some high-end things you can do.” Charitable contributions top the list of trendy favors. In lieu of gifts for their guests, many couples are choosing to donate Though generally on the receiving end etiquette expert Emily Post. “This includes money to a charity close to their when it comes to wedding presents, brides the maid or matron of honor and the best heart. and grooms must do some shopping of man. It is important that no one feels that “More and more couples are their own in connection with the big day. they are being treated differently. You don’t doing this because they realize, Gifts for attendants -- including the maid want to get one an engraved pen and when or matron of honor, bridesmaids, best man another a book,” although variations of the you and groomsmen -- are a traditional way of same basic gifts are fine. take the thanking them for being in the wedding “An example would be if a bride gave money party and providing mementos of the day. all of her bridesmaids a pashmina shawl. you When it comes to selecting the gift, the She might get the same shawl in different would most important thing is to be thoughtful, no colors to suit the individual coloring of each spend on favors matter what your budget, according to Anna woman,” Post says. “A groom might choose to give each and add Post of The Emily Post Institute. “It’s a good idea for the bride and usher a CD of his favorite music. Again, up the groom to get their respective attendants the the basic gift is the same, but the choice of total, same gift or a variation of the same gift,” you can SEE GIFTS, PAGE 22 says Post, the great-great-granddaughter of
Think of gifts for wedding attendants It’s not all about receiving things
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Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
Destination: Honeymoon
Choosing the location to get away together Your honeymoon is the romantic vacation of a lifetime, a dream getaway filled with unforgettable moments and adventures. The world is filled with gorgeous resorts, island escapes and overseas dream destinations, each offering unique indulgences and breathtaking scenery. How do you choose the right location for your honeymoon? The following 10 steps will help you select your dream getaway spot. 1) New or not new. Would you like to honeymoon at a destination that neither of you has visited before so that the experience is an entirely new adventure for both of you, or would you like to revisit a destination you’ve been to during your dating era? Going back to the first resort you vacationed at together creates an excitement that you’re returning as a married couple. 2) List your dream destinations. Where have you always dreamed of going? Costa Rica? Hawaii? Tuscany? Very often, a honeymoon site choice is a lifelong dream come true, someplace distant and exotic that always has been on one’s wish list. 3) Talk to recent honeymooners. Your recently married friends will be happy to recommend the stunning and sensational resorts where they honeymooned, and they can recommend activities for you to try. Firsthand experience is often more reliable than reviews posted on websites. 4) Check out recent awards. Outstanding resorts often are named to best-of lists,
and one of the most popular websites for finding the world’s best locales is Travel + Leisure’s website (http://www.TravelAndLeisure.com). Search for “world’s best” and you’ll discover many different categories, including the best beaches and the best small resorts, as voted by the magazine’s well-traveled staff. 5) Check out destination wedding magazines. Find the most recent issue of Destination I Do magazine, one of the most illustrious in the travel industry, to read about the hottest island resorts and learn the editors’ most recommended locales. Editor Jennifer Stein and her team say they are invited to some of the best destinations in the world, and their travelogues offer insiders’ secrets to booking the perfect packages and extras. 6) List the activities you’d enjoy most. The ideal honeymoon location for you probably isn’t just a gorgeous beach and crystalclear blue waters. It most likely offers such adventures as snorkeling, scuba diving, tennis, massages on the beach, rain forest canopy tours, etc. Check resorts’ websites to see which amenities are free and which are not. For instance, Caneel Bay on St. John offers free snorkeling and kayaking, and other resorts often charge for equipment rental. 7) Think about travel time. How far away would you like to travel? Some locations can take more than a day to reach,
and some require multiple flights and boat rides to reach. If you have less than 10 days for your honeymoon, would you like to spend two of those days traveling? Does traveling exhaust you? Perhaps a honeymoon locale situated closer to you would provide easier access and a quicker start to your vacation. Decide on a travel-time radius, and explore locales within that range. 8) Think about money. Some resorts and hotel chains are quite pricy by nature, and a week’s stay might cost as much as your wedding! Though many people are used to booking their travel plans online, a travel agent may be a wise resource for locating all-inclusive resorts that suit your budget and getaway wish list. 9) Talk to your wedding coordinator. Wedding planners often arrange destination weddings at resorts near and far, and they also attend “familiarization trips” run by resorts to introduce wedding experts to their offerings. So your friendly wedding coordinator may suggest the perfect honeymoon spot for you, seeing as she may have worked a wedding there last week. 10) Choose a safe locale. The State Department publishes a list of worldwide locations that are deemed unsafe for tourism, so adhere to its warnings list to avoid getting caught in civil unrest or being targeted for tourist crime.
— Sharon Naylor Creators.com
Why have a destination wedding? Destination weddings have become increasingly popular in recent years as a growing number of couples say they’d like to celebrate their special day in an exotic or unique location. These days, between 7% and 10% of all weddings take place in exotic locales — be it a Caribbean island, Mexico or Hawaii. For many couples, the major appeal of destination weddings is financial and fun. Destination weddings can be significantly cheaper, since the guest list is often considerably smaller, but are a life-long memory for all guests, as opposed to the typical open house or reception. The cost of a “weddingmoon” can be much lower--starting at $2,500 for a three-day weekend, including airport transfers, accommodations, food, drink and everything you’d need for the ceremony and reception. Guests pay an average of $900 for their accommodations — and have a ball at the same time. And having a destination event has become much simpler. In recent years, the number of resorts and hotels offering one-stop wedding shopping in such popular easy-to-get-to tropical destinations -- Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean islands, and Mexico -- has grown exponentially. The idea of the destination wedding is a movement that’s grown up out of the disintegration of the nuclear family with family members scattered all over, and not necessarily living the same town. Why not have the travel and have a vacation in addition to attending the wedding? “We chose to do a destination wedding for a number of reasons,” says Alison Hayward who married her husband Brent in Ensenada, Mexico, a few years ago. “Instead of just the four to five hours spent at a normal wedding, our good friends and families really got to know each other, and most stayed for three or four days and we had a blast with them.” I am LDS. Can I really do
a destination wedding with the temple? Absolutely. Quite a few couples choose Hawaii, for example and following the sealing (which is free), they have a ring ceremony sea-side with a luau dinner and dancing to follow. Others choose San Diego and following the sealing in the La Jolla temple, they head to the beach or resort for a simple ring ceremony and and a night filled with food and fun. Again, since the cost of the sealing is free, the only real costs are those of the resort and travel, which again start around $1500 for the couple and a few hundred dollars in travel for the guests which accommodates not only their attendance at your wedding, but also fun at the hotel or resort and fun around the area. How much do Destination Weddings usually cost? Many resorts include wedding accommodations for free with the purchase of a minimum package. The following rates were quoted for the night of Jun. 24, 2009, a time of year that’s typically considered the high season (with Spring and Autumn dates costing much, much less). Here’s a sampling: •Putero Vallarta; $277 per person per night; value of free wedding package $750-$2,000 •Belize; $168 per person per night; value of free wedding package: $750 •Bahamas; $266 per person per night; value of free wedding package $750-$2,000 •Jamaica; $282 per person per night; value of free wedding package: $1,700 •Montego Bay; $125 per person per night; value of free wedding package $850
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Of course, these are not your only options; some resort offer weddings at cost and then offset the extra price with lower nightly room rates. For example, the Westin and Sheraton at Our Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island has multi-featured packages starting at $1,500, along with such extras as steel pan player, breakfast in bed for the newlyweds the morning after, and a press release with the marriage announcement for your home town newspaper. Perhaps best of all, its rooms are under
Marriage licenses go for $6. And, locally, you can order a sampler platter for four of traditional Jamaican specialties such as curry, jerk chicken and escabeche fish for $23/person. If that’s not an affordable destination wedding, we don’t know what is. What advice woud you offer when it comes to planning a destination event? Consider Your Destination. This sounds obvious enough, but choosing the best destination ultimately depends upon
$200/night (based on availability Jun. 24-27), and it’s a very easy flight from the US, with most airlines flying there nonstop. If mega-resorts are not your style, then you’ll want to look into individual properties. For $1,500 you can be married on the beach in Mexico with margarita in hand; the price covers the officiant, flowers, champagne/tequila and two hours of live guitar music. For $40 per person, you can have a traditional Mexican dinner with drinks and cake to top the evening off. There are also options for the true budgeteers out there. The sweet 28-room Emerald Escape Beach Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica has a low $65/night room rate.
a variety of factors: Where do you and your fiancee want to get married? Who among your friends and family do you want to attend? How long of a trip can your guests take—both in terms of distance and duration? Choose a place to get married in that was meaningful to both of you, but which is also not so far-flung that guests would feel the journey was cost-prohibitive. Put your dream, and a budget, on paper. Weddings, regardless of whether they’re in your home town or far away, can become very expensive very fast. For destination weddings, what are the non-negotiables of your dream wedding and what extras are you willing to sacrifice? Once you have those down on
SEE HINTS , PAGE 15
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Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
There’s lots to do after you say ‘I Do’ You’re coming off a wedding planning whirlwind, a fabulous day of officially becoming man and wife and a honeymoon that you’re wishing never ended. But the reality is, it did. Now what? While it might seem like a good time to sit back, relax and revel in the fact that you “really did it,” your work isn’t done just yet, newlyweds. Riann Smith, deputy editor of TheNest.com, shares the top 10 to-do’s after saying “I do.” TACKLE THE LEGALITIES Chances are, you still have your parents listed as your beneficiaries. Consult with your family attorney and appoint your spouse as your beneficiary within two weeks of the wedding, Smith said. Also within that time period, figure out whose insurance plan you want to use. If your spouse’s insurance is less expensive and you can continue going to your trusted doctors, merge onto his or her plan. FIGURE OUT YOUR FINANCES Prior to getting married, you should have discussed and decided how you want to handle your finances. Within two weeks following the wedding, you’ll want to put those decisions into action. If you decided to have two separate accounts and one joint account, go to the bank and open up the joint account. If you received checks as wedding gifts and they’re addressed to both of you, you’ll need to decide how you’re going to spend or save that money. Make the decision together and quickly. SEND OUT THANK-YOU NOTES Old-school etiquette says you have a year to send wedding guests a thank-you note. Today’s etiquette recommends doing it sooner rather than later. Don’t wait longer than six months, Smith said. The longer you wait, the foggier your memory
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will be. Guests want to be acknowledged for the time and energy they used to pick out a gift for you. Don’t just say “thank you for the gift.” Each thank-you note needs to be personalized and specific. You might say something like: “Thank you for the red Le Creuset dutch oven. The color matches our kitchen perfectly.” Since personalizing each note takes quite a bit of time, Smith recommends splitting the task up between the two of you and each doing 10 a night between commercial breaks. GIVE EVERYONE YOUR NEW ADDRESS In this technologically advanced society, it’s perfectly acceptable to send out a mass e-mail letting everyone know your new address. However, not all your guests may use computers. If your 90-year-old grandmother is more of a traditional mail user, send her card (check out movingannouncementstore.com) with your new address. If your best friend eats, works, sleeps and vacations with her Blackberry, sending her an e-mail with your new locale is probably best. This should be done within six weeks. TACKLE BRIDAL REGISTRY RETURNS Don’t assume you can return gifts for up to a year. Make sure you know and understand each store’s return policy. Even if a store has a 90-day return policy, don’t wait that long. Return items within two months after the wedding, Smith said. Things go on sale and you want to make sure you get the full value of the item. Smith said the most painless way to return wedding gifts is to group them together by store and tackle each store at one time. CHANGE YOUR NAME Whether you’re going to take your husband’s name or hyphenate, do it within three months post-wedding. Smith suggests beginning with your driver’s SEE GIFTS, PAGE XX
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Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
Maximize your wedding photography If I were to pin point one problem that has occurred more often than any other problem on a wedding day I would say that it is not planning in the margin. 7KH IDFW LV ZHGGLQJV LQYROYH D ORW RI people, preparation and organization. -XVW FRXQW RQ SHRSOH EHLQJ ODWH +DLU takes longer than expected almost every time, flowers get left in the car or at the flower shop, siblings sleep in or get stuck in traffic or any number of things. I can honestly say that over 95% of weddings do not go exactly on time. Sadly, I could count the amount of pictures that I never took because of these delays in the thouVDQGV LI QRW WHQV RI WKRXVDQGV 7R WUDQV late, these are memories that never get UHFRUGHG EHFDXVH RI SRRU SODQQLQJ 7KH good news is that most of this is avoidable. My advice is to work buffers into your
schedule. Plan on people being late and you won’t be disappointed when they really are. Here are a few things to plan for: 7UDYHO WLPH 7HOO \RXU IDPLO\ WR EH WR IDPLO\ SKRWRV 30-60 minutes prior to the actual time they are supposed to be there -Give a little more time to do hair and put on a dress (this is the most common cause of being late) -Give the photographer plenty of time so you are not rushed -Communicate times before the wedding day, draw maps, delegate someone to make sure people know where to be and when Another way of saving time on the wedding day is doing a pre-shoot on a day prior to the wedding (for those that don’t care if your groom sees you in a
Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
dress early) Not only are you able to get better images because of more choices of lighting and locations but you can relieve a lot of stress on the wedding day so WKLQJV DUHQ¡W VR UXVKHG 7KLV DOVR KHGJHV against the risk of bad weather on the wedding day. With very little effort your wedding pictures can easily get the maximum time they deserve. After all, besides your new spouse and the top layer of the cake, your memories and your vows will be the only things of permanence you walk away with after all is said and done. P.S. Remember to have fun on your ZHGGLQJ GD\
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—Casey McFarland Photography www.iamcasey.com
Destinations: 7KLQNLQJ RI DQ H[RWLF ZHGGLQJ" F 11 ROM PAGE
paper, start developing a budget and be sure to factor in easy-tooverlook items such as local taxes in the place you’ve selected for your wedding. How local can you go? Get a few things taken care of locally. When it comes to perishable items, such as flowers and cakes, shop around at the location. Many couples find a local baker who can make a simple, one-tier homemade cake, which can be decorated with native flowers. *XLGH \RXU JXHVWV 7KH PRUH H[RWLF \RXU GHVWLQDWLRQ WKH PRUH your guests are likely to be excited— and anxious, especially if they’re not as seasoned in travel as you. Help build the thrill and contain the worries by providing your guests with guides every step of the way. Start an e-mail list or blog and send regular updates about wedding plans. Send out packages with maps, biographies of your guests (so they’d know a bit about each other before the wedding), a short history of the location, and a card with all of our contact information, as well as information about the airport, weather, and suggested items to pack. If you’re traveling to a place where your guests won’t know the language, you may want to include a small phrase book. Your guests will really appreciate your planning and thoughtfulness, and your preparation will make the on-the-ground experience of the wedding much smoother. Make the wedding a vacation. Invite friends and family to join you a few days before the big day for fun and relaxation; rent a few local rental houses and let guests know they’d be welcome to stay as little or as long as they can prior to the wedding day. Stock up on food and just have a great time. Minimize stress. If you’ve dreamed of a flawless fairy-tale wedding, then a destination wedding probably isn’t for you. With even the best planning, there are likely to be variables you didn’t anticipate and that are beyond your control. Realize that no destination wedding goes off exactly as planned. Keep your expectations realistic and go with the flow.
Create and share memories. For many of your guests, your destination wedding will be the memory of a lifetime. Keep that good energy going after the wedding by sharing mementos of your time together. Create a DVD of the experience and send it to your guests after the wedding. Share photos nd written memories about good times you had together. 7KH +RQH\PRRQ 'RQ¡W IRUJHW \RXU KRQH\PRRQ :KLOH PDQ\ couples who have a destination wedding may choose not to take another trip after the wedding (some call destination weddings a ‘weddingmoon’ for that reason), the stress of planning a wedding–even a fun destination wedding–may leave you feeling like you need a honeymoon. If you’d rather have your guests help fund a honeymoon rather than give traditional wedding gifts, check out the Honeymoon Registry, which allows your guests to contribute to a fund for your honeymoon.
— Eric Richards Izlas Photography
16 Second marriages deserve special attention Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
“Out with the old and in with the new� is true when in it is the second marriage too. Jennifer and Ron met through their kids. The marriage brought together eight children into one happy family. They dated for a year and a half. The engagement was for 7 months so there was time to plan out the wedding. Jennifer and Ron wanted this wedding to be fun and relaxed. They chose to be married at the Riter Mansion. Planned to be more of a party than the traditional wedding, it was fun. The weather was perfect. Perfect for a wedding outside the ceremony took place in the garden. All the kids were part of the celebration. The boys wore Khaki Shorts and alternating colored polo shirts. The girls wore sun dresses. They bought white ones and dyed them with the colors of th e wedding. Jennifer loves Gerber Daisy’s. The Plant Peddler did the flowers. Jennifer said they did an awesome job. It was really beautiful. The flowers were fresh and bright and very reasonably priced. The flowers really added to the brightness of the day. Jennifer got her dress through Avonlea Boutique on Main Street. It took shopping in Salt Lake, Layton and online. Melinda
at Avonlea Boutique was able to order the perfect dress. She arranged to have a seamstress at the store make some slight alterations. After the Ceremony, the wedding party continued indoor of the Riter Mansion with a fantastic dinner catered by Firehouse Pizzeria. A wedding is all about bringing family and friends together with a fun celebration and food. The Riter Mansion proved a fun place to have the reception. The stereo system played inside and out in the garden. The music included a wide variety for everyone. There were oldies to hip hop. Jennifer and Ron got to show off their moves they learned from their dance classes. There were just lots of fun time and dancing. This was a party! Cold Stone Creamery brought in delicious ice cream creations for all. You just have to have ice cream with a party. They come with a freezer to keep the ice cream cold. Captured Moments did the photography and the announcements. The engagements
were scheduled in April. Oh, how the weather changes in Cache Valley, especially in April. When they got a day with good weather they first headed up Logan Canyon in the morning. It was a little cold so they were wearing sweaters. They met again later in the afternoon and the weather had changed and it was a lot warmer. They also went to other locations including around the Temple and in the island area. Looking at the pictures, it appeared it was a different day from the pictures taken ear-
SEE FOOD, PAGE 18
435-752-7727
Here is laundry list of things to remember for the big day Advice from 100-plus couples that have been there and wish they could go back and change things…
BEFORE THE WEDDING STICK TO IT. To ensure a smooth day, try your best to stay on pace with your planned timeline. Also, if there are any extraordinary moments planned for the day, let the photographer/videography know so they can capture to the best of their ability. ELECTRONICS. If you have done any pre-wedding videography (like a childhood photo montage, for example), make sure that your reception center’s DVD player will play burned DVDs; some players do not recognize this format. Test their machine sometime before the wedding to avoid possible disappointments. OLD, NEW, BORROWED, BLUE. If you’re planning on these 4 traditional items, be sure to bring them with you on the wedding day and tell your photo/videographer so they can capture the items for the memory. ASSIGNING FRIENDS. Friends are often used to fill in gaps in the budget; but remember that they are friends and not professionals. It has been our sad experience to watch friendships become tainted over a miscue regarding their friend’s wedding. If your friend has volunteered and has made a mistake you cannot live with, don’t
be afraid to tell your friend you care more about the task than you initially thought and now want to hire a professional. Odds are that the friend will be relieved. BLUEPRINT. Many key moments are tainted because of room set up. Plan on cutting the cake and tossing the bouquet far away from a wall and especially away from exit signs. I can’t tell you how many cake cutting pictures are distracted because of the EXIT sign. Plan on using the cake as a focal point in the center of the room; it will look great! THE CAKE. Plan on serving your wedding cake to your guests. After investing hundreds of dollars into a cake, it’s a waste to have just one bite! So make sure you cut the cake early into the evening so there’s time for your vendors to serve it. INVITATIONS. Be sure to send an invitation to your vendors. It’s a classy and kind act and will be taken kindly as they work for you that day. THE LIST. If you see images on websites or in Bridal magazines that you love, share them with your vendors. For example, if there were poses and angles from your
Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
Second chance F 25 ROM PAGE
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lier in the morning. The Honeymoon came a month after the wedding. The new family had to get things all together first. The honeymoon took place in paradise, Hawaii. Kauai, aptly nicknamed the Garden Isle offers many things to do. From the soaring cliffs of the Napali Coast to the vast chasms of Waimea Canyon, Kauai enchants the senses like no other destination. The wedding day is past. Moments of celebrations remembered through photos, videos and mementos. Now, the work of blending two established households to one begins. Jennifer says it takes a lot of patience. They support and love each other. They wanted to start everything anew. So, the saying “Out with the old, in with the new” has meaning. They really appreciated the support they got from their bridal registries from Love to Cook and Smithfield Implement. They both had established households, “but things were old and worn out”. Now, the whole family has a bright and happy future together, just like their wedding day.
By Scott Falslev BridalFaire.org
SEE FOOD, PAGE 20
More to do: ‘From this day forward’ is just the start F 13 ROM PAGE
license, then moving on to your Social Security card, credit cards and pass port. If you don’t have the time to do this or just plain don’t want to do it, visit www.uslegalforms.com and pay them $169 to do it for you. They also have a namechange kit that includes all the required government forms and a checklist for around $32.95. CLEAN AND STORE YOUR GOWN Whether or not you think you want to keep your dress or you’re unsure, Smith says “clean it anyway.” The fabrics used on wedding gowns are typically delicate and require special cleaning. If you leave that streak of self-tanner or that
spot of red wine on your dress for two years, then decide you want to preserve your dress, chances are the stains won’t come out. AGREE ON WHERE YOU’RE SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS It’s not even so much that there will be tension between you and your spouse, it’s your in-laws, Smith said. Whether you’re getting married in October or February, Smith urges couples to make the holiday location decision within three months of the wedding. If you and your spouse celebrate different holidays, the time commitments for each holiday celebration may be different.
“Work out a solution that will make everyone happy,” Smith said. Some couples find success in alternating holidays with each side of the family - Thanksgiving with her family, Christmas with his. Or, host the holidays at your home and invite everyone. CHOOSE PHOTOS/FINALIZE DVD Getting your wedding photo proofs and/or DVD back is one of the most exciting post-wedding moments, but choosing which of the proofs you want to order can be rather daunting. Within six months after your wedding, go through the photos with your spouse and select the ones you think best
capture your day. And, make sure you like the edit on your DVD. Make sure you read and understand your contracts so you aren’t faced with any surprise charges. CALL THE TAX MAN Figure out if you’re going to file taxes separately or jointly by December of the year you’re getting married, Smith said. Decide on which one of you has the better accountant and go with that person. You’ll most likely get more of a tax break if you file jointly, but this is something to discuss with the accountant you decide to employ. — COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
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Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
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Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
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20 Potpouri of reminders Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
FROM PAGE 17
engagements or bridals session that you loved or disliked, kindly communicate this with your photographer so they know what you like and what you’d like to skip. Communication is a key. ON THE WEDDING DAY MAKEUP AND HAIR. Don’t put on your own makeup and hair. Women look completely relaxed and surreal when a professional (or, if budget necessitates, a good friend) does it. One tip is hiring a professional hair stylist to help keep things on pace on the wedding day. DAD GUM IT! Gum chewing does keep the breath fresh, but it can look terrible in photos; go for a mint or mouthwash. RELAX. Most brides tend to feel a need to hold to bouquet up close to their upper torso, with their elbow at a 90 degree angle; while its a natural occurrence, this positioning of flowers has ruined many a shots. Simply let your arm relax and hold your bouquet down to the side of your body, straight armed, near your hip. LDS CARS AND KEYS. For LDS Sealings, it’s important to coordinate rides beforehand. Assign someone to grab your belongings that are inside the temple and take them to your car for you; make sure parents know that you and your spouse have arranged a ride from the temple to the luncheon/reception beforehand. LDS DRESS CODES. Some temples ask to not have your family dress in bridesmaid or groomsmen outfits; this is to ensure flow at the temple and also prevents people from wearing distracting outfits to the sacred sealing; because I shoot family groups very quickly, my advice, hands down, is to have people dress for the temple. Have those that will attend the sealing change into their wedding party gear just after the sealing and there will be no problems whatsoever in keeping with the spirit of the mandate. If
I could show you a portfolio of a family that had people dress up for the temple and those that did not, you would be amazed at the difference that the dressed looks make. It’s classy and elegant, a perfect reflection of the temple. LDS FAMILY SHOTS. Choose to do family portraits either at the temple or at the reception, but preferably not at both. In all my years of shooting weddings, I have yet to have an enlargement of a family photo; I will document the day and capture the family, but having two sessions for family imaging really is a bit of overkill. As well, please realize that photographers will do quite a few family groupings, but may miss some from their personal list if they are not communicated beforehand. Please keep in mind that with digital SLRs and Compact Flash media., a few sequences in a hundred will not be saved properly and cannot be salvaged, so, if a particular shot is missing from the final portfolio, let the photographer know which it is but it may not have been saved correctly upon capture. The good news is that your family and friends were all there and it was a great day, regardless. POTTY TIME. Use the restroom before you put the dress on. When you have to use the restroom AFTER the dress is on, remember the train and the problem it presents. ROLL WITH IT. You have done all the planning you possibly can and have given all the assignments out and everything is supposed to be perfect, bit it won’t. The only way people will know it wasn’t perfect is your reaction. Laugh it off and get a picture of it! It will provide memories and laughter for years to come. A DIRTY LITTLE SECRET. Despite a professional photographer, videographer, mother, sisters and nieces all trying to look out for it, your dress is going to get dirty. It is a white
dress being worn in a dirty world, it’s going to get dirty. Just accept it now and you won’t be disappointed later. Most of the dirt can be cleaned either before the reception or after your wedding day. Just relax and let the day unfold and don’t get too concerned about dirt — so many shots are ruined by people or the bride herself fussing to keep the dress spotless. GEAR UP! Consider packing some emergency items: A few granola bars and water, Bobby pins, small sewing kit, Downy wrinkle-releaser, bleach pen (Tide To Go), sunscreen, lipgloss. IGNORE THE LENS. The photographer, family and friends will be in your face. Make it a point to steal a few moments with your newly married spouse. This is your day, enjoy it, and don’t let yourself get sidetracked into other tangents. THE ANSWER IS YES! I will take any picture you’d like! Rather than saying, “Can we take a picture of Sue and Bob and me and my brothers” just simple say, “I’m going to gather Sue and Bob and my brothers for a picture” because the photographer has no idea who Sue and Bob and your brothers are. The answer to the question on which pictures can be taken is always YES. LEAVE IN STYLE. Plan on leaving in your dress and tux! It looks AMAZING in pictures!!! BEWARE OF WALLS, SIGNS and CORNERS. I cannot emphasize this enough. So many great reception shots are compromised because of room set up. Never cut the cake near a wall-- I always vote to place the cake in the center of the room rather than near a wall, but if not, at least move the cake for the cutting and especially away from exit signs. I can’t tell you how many cake cutting pictures are distracted because of the EXIT sign -- it will look great! AFTER THE WEDDING
THANK YOU, MERCI, GRACIAS. Consider using an image from your wedding in conjunction with your Thank You notes. This is a very classy way of thanking friends and family for their contribution towards your day. GET PRINTS. Use your photographer’s lab discount to get some prints after the wedding; professional lab prints dwarf anything that comes from discount clubs. Yes, they are a few dollars more, but the investment into stunning images is so worth it. GRATUITIES AND TIPS. Because of the service–oriented nature photography and floral arranging and catering, etc., most clients offer a tip or gift of some sort. While cash is always appreciated, simple gift certificates or short thank you notes are very kind and welcomed most warmly. In addition, a donation to a local charity, given in in behalf of the vendor, is a kind and classy alternative to a cash tip. ABOVE ALL ELSE... RELAX AND ENJOY! Rarely do weddings go as planned; the best weddings have occurred when brides and grooms relax and try their best to happily weather the storms that may come. Remember that bad weather makes good photos; there’s no point stressing the things we cannot change. This will only happen once so enjoy it!
— Eric D. Richards www.izlas.com
Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
Announcements: Plan ahead to get the word out The gown... the flowers... the ring... the decor... it is all completely customizable, so why do we end up picking invitations out of a book? Invitations are the one thing that announce this spectacular event. So why do we just casually pick them out? With the technology and options we have today, customizable invitations can easily be done. You can Feb. Elections match the theme of your 2011 wedding, introduce the colors & show off your great pictures all in one special announcement. A little personalization can really show your true personality as a couple. Kara’s Koncepts specializes in customized invitations and announcements. All of the invitations are designed specifically for each couple. Designs can range anywhere from a classic vintage wedding, a country wed-
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ding, or a classy disco theme. The options are endless. Start looking online, get ideas from other people & talk with your designer. Let them know what you really want, and they will help you achieve it. Keep in mind there is a timeframe involved in the design and planning of your invitations that sometimes gets overlooked. Get your engagement pictures taken 2-3 months in
been very popular and they are a very simple way to send out your thanks. Sometimes a traditional “Thank You” gets overlooked these days. It is such a simple gesture that goes a very long way. —Kara Welling, Kara’s Koncepts Graphic Design www.karaskoncepts.com
SUBZERO Sub Zero is
TOP DRAWER advance. Your photographer will need time to edit & get you the pictures. The design process of invitations can take about 1 week. Printing usually takes 1-2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design and
Another Catering option in Logan The Beehive Grill is Logan’s only Root Beer Pub. They feature a varied menu with burgers, steaks, seafood, pasta, and vegetarian dishes. They also make authentic Italian Gelato. The Beehive Grill is happy to cater to your wedding party. They have the largest seating area in Cache Valley to accom-
the paper. You will then need time to address & mail your invitations. Typically most local brides send their announcements out 3-6 weeks before the wedding. Don’t forget to order the thank you cards! There are many ways to create a special note for your guests. Customized thank you postcards have
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in Catering your big event!
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modate your showers, wedding dinners, and parties. For any of your off-site needs, The Beehive Grill can create authentic Italian Gelato to match your wedding colors in any flavor you would like. They can also supply your events with a keg or root beer or specialty soda.
1466 No. Main Logan
22 Personal gifts for attendants and special guests Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
FROM PAGE 9 music makes it personal.” Traditional gifts include those that can be monogrammed with the attendants’ initials or the wedding date. Popular choices include sterling silver necklaces or bracelets for women and cuff links, pens, business card cases and lager glasses for men. There is a growing interest in nontraditional gifts for attendants, according to Candice Lapin of Para ti Novia, a Web site for Latina brides. “What we are seeing in terms of trend are a lot of do-it-yourself or eco-friendly gifts from the heart, totally eco-friendly and reusable gifts, such as homemade jam or jelly in a recycled jar or hand-sewn totes,” she says. Lapin says that popular gifts are also ones that have an “oldtime” feel, such as handkerchiefs with embroidery and handmade frames, and anything that looks vintage, such as old aprons, journals and photo albums. Couples who are ecologically conscious or having green weddings have various attendant gift options -- such as Earth to Gert reusable bags (http://www.EarthToGert.com), which are made from cotton organically grown in the United States or from recycled plastic cloth. The bags can be personalized with the wedding date, a favorite quote or an image and can be reused long after the happy day. Other environmentally conscious gifts are personalized reusable drinking bottles or coffee tumblers engraved with the wedding date or a special message. Michael A. Aaron, president of Greensender.com, says his company has received orders of up to a dozen bottles for attendants’ gifts. Personalized bottle orders have included a fishing image with
each groomsman’s name engraved on the bottle and a peace sign with the name of each bridesmaid. There are gift options that are appropriate for attendants of both sexes, such as photo albums customized with individual names. Freeze Frame Publishing (http://www.FreezeFramePublishing.com) produces a range of albums in various sizes and prices (from $29.99 to $89.99). The PortaPocket (http://www.PortaPocket.com) is one attendant gift that could come in handy during the wedding. A lightweight carrying case designed to be strapped on a leg or arm, it keeps keys, cell phones, sanitary products, lipstick or medicine out of sight on the wedding day and afterward when jogging or traveling. The PortaPocket is $25. One unique way to mark the day is to provide attendants with commemorative coins. Coins for Anything (http://www.CoinsForAnything.com) has seen a marked increase in wedding orders for its custom-designed coins. A photo inset technology is used to create the image desired, such as the bride and groom. Gifts to attendants normally are presented about the time of the wedding, Anna Post says. “The gifts can be given in private but are usually presented as a group, such as at the rehearsal dinner,” she says. “It’s all right to give a gift for them to wear the next day at the wedding, such as necklaces, bracelets or cuff links.” When in doubt, traditional choices are safest, she advises. “The bride and groom should think carefully and ask themselves, ‘Am I sure this will go over well?’ If they’re not sure, then they should go with another gift,” Post says. — Ginny Frizzi, Creators.com
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Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011
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Utah Statesman Bridal Guide, Spring 2011