Quincy Area Bridal Magazine Issue 28

QUINCY AREA

Bridal

MAGAZINE ISSUE 28: 2023

LOCAL LOVE Katie + Ryan Keely + Dylan Chloe + Sam Rachel + Dyllan It Takes a

Village

QAB Loves:

Styled Shoots

$10.00

RETURNINGSoon

Family QUINCY AREA

MAGAZINE

Our mission is to provide readers with a beautifully designed magazine each quarter highlighting our communities’ people and the organizations that serve them. We will work to continuously provide articles, posts, and blogs that are helpful and inspiring to our readers.

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editor

LETTER FROM THE Greetings Readers,

I am loving this viva magenta color for Issue 28 of Quincy Area Bridal Magazine. It works great for this springtime issue and really pops! Make sure to look through this whole issue, as the color really flows well. There’s a lot of great stuff to read about and some amazing images to view.

As mentioned in our last issue, I’m working to have articles for the grooms to read, and in this issue, it’s all about trending suits for the groom on their wedding day. As grooms take a more active role in the wedding planning process, we see some new personalized attire for them become available.

As always, we have some amazing local love stories again. These are great for engaged couples, as you can see what was created by local vendors for other local couples. These couples inspire3 you during your wedding planning and help you choose your vendors for your big day.

Your wedding is just one day. No rescheduling options are available, so you need to ensure you hire the right vendors. Read the article “Sometimes it Takes a Village” to see how one wedding vendor needed backup for a wedding she was hired to capture and how two other local vendors came to her rescue. Sometimes it’s even more than community over competition.

This issue also has an article on the average wedding cost with data from this past year. Knowing what you can afford and creating a budget for your wedding is the best way to move forward. I will have another article in Issue 29 about creating a budget and breaking it down so you put your money towards the right things for you and your significant other on your wedding day.

QAB Loves Styled Shoots this quarter, so check out the submitted styled shoot on page 66. It is a colorful mockwedding showcasing some of Quincy’s local vendors. It has that spring feel which I love for this issue. Maybe it will give you engaged couples some ideas for your upcoming weddings. Happy Reading!!!

Brandy Owens

Editor in Chief sales@qabmagazine.com

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2529 Broadway St Quincy, IL 62301

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(217) 224-2641

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8thavenuevillager.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUINCY AREA BridalMAGAZINE IN THIS ISSUE

3 A Letter from the Editor 6 This Issue’s Highlights

LOCAL LOVE 11 Katie + Ryan 22 Keely + Dylan 31 Chole + Sam 40 Rachel + Dyllan ENGAGEMENTS 62 Erin + Tad 64 Amy + Steven ARTICLES & MORE 50 Sometimes it Takes a Village 58 Trending Suits 66 QAB Loves: Styled Shoots 70 Save the Date for our 2024 Wedding Expo 72 2022 Average Cost of a Wedding 74 How to be Featured in QAB

QUINCY AREA Bridal MAGAZINE: issue 28 CREDIT ROLL EDITOR IN CHIEF, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTENT MANAGER Brandy Owens

COVER PHOTO BY: OLIVE WILLOW PHOTOGRAPHY

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THIS ISSUE’S

Highlights

LOCAL LOVE: KATIE + RYAN

TRENDING SUITS

LOCAL LOVE: KEELY + DYLAN

It started with a phone call and ended with happily ever after. Read about how Ryan and Katie’s relationship started with dinner and then a romantic boat ride, to proposing while on a walk along the riverfront.

A big shift in the menswear industry has opened up new ideas regarding the groom’s attire and its availability. And these days, men want to add more of their personal touch to their wedding day. Read about a few of the trending suits on page 58.

A mutual best friend played a part in these two lovebirds’ love story. From an instant connection and dating to moving in and now married. Page 22 is where you can see their amazing photos and read about their love story.

QAB LOVES STYLED SHOOTS

LOCAL LOVE: CHLOE + SAM

2022 AVERAGE COST OF A WEDDING

What is a styled shoot? How do they benefit engaged couples? Want to see some recent work from a few local wedding vendors? Then check out this fun and colorful styled shoot starting on page 66.

Childhood friends to prom dates, long distance struggles, a memorable trip to celebrate graduating college, being engaged, and planning a beautiful wedding. This local couple has been through a lot and is on their way to a happily ever after.

Now that you are engaged, you need to start thinking about your wedding budget before jumping in and booking vendors. Costs have gone up, and supplies can be hard to come by.

Read about what the average cost of a wedding was in 2022.

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Katie+ Ryan A June Wedding MCDONALD VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY

LOCA L from Katie

Ryan and I met online in 2018. He surprised me by picking up the phone and calling me to ask me out to dinner. I remember thinking, why is this guy calling me?

No one talks on the phone today. I was so nervous to pick up the phone.

We agreed to meet in Kirksville at Maxwell’s for dinner.

According to Ryan, I was 15-20 minutes late, and he started to wonder if I stood him up. I don’t recall being that late. The date went great, Ryan let me talk about myself for probably an hour straight before I realized that I hadn’t even asked about him!

A few weeks later, Ryan invited me to Quincy for dinner and a sunset boat ride on the Mississippi. Growing up, I spent time with my family boating on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River and knew that it could be dangerous if you did not know the river. I had never been on the Quincy side of the river and was a little apprehensive. As the sun started to set, we headed out. I was beyond nervous and prayed that Ryan wasn’t a serial killer that would sink me in the river. It turned out to be the most romantic date - straight out of a storybook. We floated down the river, talking, listening to music, and watching the sun go down and the Quincy bridge light up.

We dated for a year and a half, long distance, before Ryan convinced me to move to Quincy. Our relationship grew over our days out on the river with our dog Daisy and spending time with each other. May 1st , 2021 was what I thought was an ordinary day. Ryan said if I planned a date night on Friday, he would plan a Saturday date night. I happily agreed and asked where he wanted to go.

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LOV E

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LOCAL LOVE: Katie + Ryan He surprised me by wanting to go to Boodalu, we had not been there since one of our first dates. We were enjoying dessert when Ryan started to act weird. He was fidgeting and talking fast. I finally asked what is your deal? He claimed the wine was getting to him, and we could go walk down by the river.

I had no idea I was walking into my proposal. I even saw the photographer taking pictures of us and thought it was weird. I was speechless when he dropped to one knee and asked me to be his wife at sunset. The people around started clapping and cheering. If I could relive that moment over and over again, I would.

A celebration was planned afterward, where Ryan surprised me with my family. The happy tears started to flow when I saw them. We were married a year later at Lakeview Weddings in June. It was a beautiful hot June wedding full of bright florals and pinks. Our reception followed at the Quincy Country Club with dueling pianos to dance the night away. It was an absolute dream of a wedding day. We could not have asked for more love and laughter that day. Our story continues to be written, but our love story is one of our favorite chapters.

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LOCAL LOVE: Katie + Ryan

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LOCAL LOVE: Katie + Ryan

local Vendors

PHOTO: McDonald Video & Photography SECOND SHOOTER: Amber Rhea Photography VIDEO: 217 Films PLANNER: Sara Reddick Events CEREMONY: Lakeview Weddings RECEPTION: Quincy Country Club CAKE: Hy-Vee on Broadway FLOWERS: Wellman’s HAIR: Hair Affair 2 MAKE-UP: Tavish Artistry DRESS: White Traditional Bridal RENTALS: Celebrations INVITATIONS: Minted DAY OF PAPER: Invited By Lama Works RECEPTION MUSIC: Felix & Fingers

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The Corinthian Event Center will fully decorate and furnish your event to provide the perfect atmosphere.

We also collaborate with top vendors to create the most memorable and exquisite weddings. +WEDDINGS +EVENTS +IN-HOUSE CATERING +FULL DECORATING SERVICES +FULL BAR SERVICES

415 Hampshire, Quincy, IL 62301 (217) 617-5333 thecorinthianevents@yahoo.com thecorinthianevents.com/our-story

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DESSERTS

CATERING

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Tiers of joy! Cakes so dreamy you could cry. Contact your bakery for all the delicious details.

Formal or not, our Catering Managers are ready to help you design the menu you’ve always wanted. Contact your store for details.

Our award-winning floral specialists love to share new ideas for decorating with fresh flowers. From cascading roses to seasonal centerpieces, come see what’s new.

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217-224-9442 Quincy, IL

BROADWAY 217-228-1060 Quincy, IL

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keely + dylan An October Wedding AMBER RHEA PHOTOGRAPHY

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LOCA L from Keely

Dylan and I met in December of 2018 after I had become friends with his best friend, Seth. Seth would always bring up his friend, Dylan, and I was always drawn to Dylan; I knew I had to meet him. One day I told Seth to give Dylan my Snapchat so I could talk with him, and the connection began instantly. After talking with Dylan the first day, I messaged my best friend, Katie, “If Dylan listens to the same music I do, I will marry him.” It turns out he definitely listens to the same music I do. Dylan and I met for the first time that night, and the connection grew even more. We walked around the riverfront and around Washington Park for hours and genuinely loved each other’s company. He left to help Seth move and came back to my apartment that night, and we started talking about how it felt like we knew each other forever when we had literally just met that day. We were both fascinated by that. We knew that first night that we were soulmates, no matter how cheesy that sounds.

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LOV E

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We started dating, and everything was perfect. Dylan and I started to discuss what we wanted our futures to look like together, began traveling frequently, and got to know each other’s families and friends. I fell head over heels for his family. In December 2019, I went on one of the Schoonover family vacations to Kissimmee, Florida, and Dylan and I celebrated our one-year anniversary at Disney World. It was such a great time, and we went on many more vacations with his family.

Dylan and I moved in together after a year of dating.

Dylan had a dog named Hershel, and I had a cat named Lyra we introduced to each other, and they kept their distance but got along fine. In October 2020, a neighbor knocked on our door and told us they had found two kittens and wanted us to leave them on our porch because they felt the mother cat lived around our place and would find them, so we agreed and carried the kittens to our house. Dylan and I looked at them and decided to bring them in for the night because it would be cold, and they were so tiny. After a couple of days of caring for them, we kept them and named them Salem and Willow. Then, in September 2021, I came home from visiting Dylan at work and had a small animal run inside the house. Hershel began to sniff under the couch, and I looked under it and found another small kitten. I got her out from under the couch; she was the sweetest kitten ever. We also decided to keep her since she chose us to be her family and named her Stella.

Then, on January 29, 2022, Dylan and I went on a date night. We went to eat at El Rancherito and then went to Washington Park since it was still decorated for Christmas like it was when we first started dating. When we got to Washington Park, we walked to the Christmas tree in the middle of the park, and Dylan asked if I could answer a question (I had a margarita), and I said yes, and he told me to close my eyes. I closed my eyes, and when he told me to open them, he was on one knee and asked me to marry him. I instantly said yes. We celebrated by getting a bottle of Spirit Knob wine and watching a movie together. It was one of the best days.

We started wedding planning almost immediately.

We toured Lakeview Weddings pretty soon after our engagement and booked our photographer, Amber Rhea, a few days after our engagement. Dylan and I continued to work as a team to plan our wedding. Dylan and I also purchased our first home in the middle of wedding planning. We were married on October 15th, 2022, at Lakeview Weddings in Camp Point, and it was the perfect day. We couldn’t have had such a perfect day without our family, friends, and awesome vendors!

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LOCAL LOVE: Keely + Dylan

local Vendors

CEREMONY: Lakeview Weddings RECEPTION: One Event Venue PHOTOGRAPHY: Amber Rhea Photography FLORIST: Ruthie Bea’s HAIR: Salon 96, Kylee Churchill MAKEUP: Olivia Lynn DJ/ENTERTAINMENT: Pizzazz Entertainment CAKE AND DESSERTS: Blue Umbrella Bakery

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chloe+ sam An October Wedding BRENNA PHERIGO PHOTOGRAPHY

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LOCA L

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LOV E from Chloe Sam and I have known each other since we were young kids. Sam needed a prom date his junior year of high school, so he asked me as a “no strings attached” deal.

I, of course, said yes. We had so much fun dancing the night away! It wasn’t until a couple of months later that we officially started dating, and the rest is history. It hasn’t always been easy – Sam decided to go to Texas A&M for college…14 hours from our hometown in Mount Sterling. We learned so much about each other and how to communicate with one another while in a long-distance relationship. The goodbyes never got easier, but they made us cherish our time together.

After we graduated college, we took a road trip to Arizona and Utah to celebrate our accomplishments before we started our careers. We drove to the middle of nowhere in Utah, where Sam got down on one knee and proposed! We had the most breathtaking views, and it was perfect! He even hired a photographer to capture it all :) As if that wasn’t enough, the next day, we hiked one of the deadliest hikes in the country, Angels Landing. A few panic attacks later, we reached the top that overlooked Zion National Park.

Sam was born and raised in the Catholic faith, and I knew I wanted our future kids to be raised the same way.

I completed the RCIA program and was confirmed and baptized at Holy Family Catholic Church. It only made sense to share our Rite of Marriage at the place where we both began our faith.

We had a gorgeous fall day in October when all our friends and family gathered to celebrate our love! It was such a special day for us, and we wish we could re-live it. We’re so appreciative of everyone who made this day perfect for us!

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LOCAL LOVE: Chole + Sam

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local Vendor

PHOTO: Brenna Pherigo Photography FLOWERS: DK Boutique CATERER: Cadillac Smoke Shack ENTERTAINMENT: All Nighter VIDEO: Complete Weddings & Events

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LOCAL LOVE: Chloe + Sam

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Rachel + dyllan A June Wedding OLIVE WILLOW PHOTOGRAPHY

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LOCA L

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LOV E from Rachel When we first met, Dyllan asked me for coffee, and I actually turned him down! A few months later, he asked me to go to a small Morgan Wallen concert at the fairgrounds, and I’m so glad I decided to go. We had an amazing time, found out how much we had in common, and we’ve been inseparable ever since!

At the time, we attended different colleges and were 4 hours apart. The distance was hard, but we made it work, taking turns driving to see one another every chance we got. The summer after I graduated, we took a trip to Florida to celebrate. Dyllan proposed on the first day there! As we were laying on the beach, a boat went by that had a screen filled with advertisements.

Suddenly our picture popped up on the screen with the words, “Rachel Marie, will you marry me?” It was the most romantic gesture, and I can still hear the cheers from everyone around us. We spent the rest of the trip celebrating our engagement and came home to all our family and friends, putting together a surprise engagement party for us. That’s when the wedding planning began!

Our wedding day was something so perfect it’s hard to put into words. The pictures speak for themselves.

Everything went smoothly, and we were grateful for all our wonderful vendors, friends, and family that helped it all come together. We had the time of our lives and always look back on the pictures and videos.

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LOCAL LOVE: Rachel + Dyllan

“Our wedding day was something so perfect it’s hard to put into words”.

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local Vendors

PHOTO: Olive Willow Photography VENUE: The Orchard HAIR: Something New Beauty and Style DJ: DJ Connections FLOWERS: Blossoms and Blooms Florist and Gifts CATERING: Hy-Vee CAKE: Hy-Vee

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Sometimes it takes a Village A story from a local photographer and how the local photography community came together to help.

From Stephanie

Photographer for Maria + Derek’s Wedding

Sometimes it takes a village and on December 10, 2022 I needed that village.

My Loss.

I have photographed weddings since 2011. In those 13 years I have had one child and while it was challenging towards the end of my pregnancy, I was still able to do my job without any interruptions in my photography business.

Skip ahead to October 2022. I learned I was pregnant with my second child. My husband and I were thrilled. We had dreamed of this moment for years. My only issue seemed to be my age. Being in my 40’s presented unique issues, but with my faith and amazing doctors, I believed there was never anything to worry about. The end of 2022 was shaping up to be the beginning of something so beautiful. I had one wedding left to photograph on my calendar and then, besides some second shooting work, I made plans to take a break from wedding photography in 2023.

Sadly, that all changed in the early weeks of December.

What I am about to share with you is personal and heartbreaking. Talking about a miscarriage is hard to do. It’s hard to put into words such a deep, profound pain, but I’ll try my best.

On Friday, December 9th I went in to the doctor for a routine ultrasound. As the tech began, I noticed something different, I wasn’t being shown the screen and it was taking longer than normal. After some time and with a serious face, she turned the monitor to me and pointed out that the baby had not grown. I choked back tears. She said there was no longer a heartbeat.. She was so sorry. She told me that I should get dressed and she would return in a moment to take me to another room to speak with my doctor. As soon as the doors shut, I sobbed in the arms of my mother. It was an aching sob.. I just couldn’t fathom what was happening to me. continued on page 55

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After I was dressed I was escorted to a private room. When the doctor arrived she discussed my options. I just stared at the floor, her words muted in the background. With her arm around me, my mother asked all the questions. Even at 41, she took care of me like she did when I was a child. I sat next to her, quietly crying, as she helped me choose the best course of action. I would have a DNC the following Monday.

I just had to make it through the weekend without passing the baby on my own.

My Challenge.

This presented a new challenge for me. I had a wedding to photograph the very next day. How was I supposed to do that? How do I not lay in bed and cry all weekend? Any photographer will tell you - you are on your feet and moving ALL DAY when shooting a wedding. CAN I even do that? I knew right then that I needed help. The next morning I sent a text to my closest photographer friends. I cried as I typed the words... “I know this is a long shot, but I am desperate...

We lost our baby yesterday... Are you free for any amount of time to help me with a wedding?” Within moments both friends replied. They would have to figure out a few things on their end (since it was such short notice) but that they were here to help. My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude as tears again streamed down my cheeks again.

Even in my sorrow, when Maria and Derek’s day arrived, I was so delighted for them! We had spent a hours together over the past few months discussing their wedding plans and I knew of all the details that were about to unfold. In those early meetings, I also took the time to share with them that we were expecting, so I knew she would understand when I informed her that I needed extra help that day. Above all else, I knew I did not want to disappoint my clients. I did not want to take any attention away from them on their big day or leave them without a photographer in the event something happened to me.

Aleesha Roach and Jordan Thomas were my village. They are two of the best photographers in our area. We, as a community, are so lucky to have access to their talents, personalities, and attention to detail. On a more personal note, I am beyond blessed with their friendship as we navigate the in’s and out’s of motherhood together and the passion we have for community over competition in the world of photography. When they arrived that morning, there were hugs and tears but after a little conversation, I handed out their tasks and they set to work. Jordan would handle anything and everything related to the groom and his groomsmen.

Aleesha would stay and help me with all the bridal details and the ceremony. continued on page 56 51

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LOCAL LOVE: Maria + Derek

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Sometimes it takes a village and on December 10, 2022, I needed that village.

My Village.

Aleesha - The creator of our local photography networking page on Facebook. Thanks to her, connections and friendships like this are so much easier to make. I asked Aleesha if there was anything she would like to share and this is what she had to say. “I guess I haven’t really shared with many people exactly why I created “Tog Network”. Back in 2016 I realized that we really lacked much networking and community here for the blossoming industry of photographers. I had read stories of wedding photographers having emergencies and having a community rally around them. We were in desperate need of that type of community here. That’s when I created the group we’re all apart of. So when you asked me that day if I could help out, not only from a friend perspective did my heart go out to you, and I was willing to do whatever it took to help a friend who was in need, but also I felt like a vision for this community had been fulfilled.

This is what it’s all about, you’ve got my back, and I’ve got yours. I think it really is a beautiful thing what we have here, we don’t just say community over competition, we are learning from each other, throwing referrals around like confetti, and just genuinely being there for one another in time of need.” Thank you Aleesha. Your help and friendship means the world to me.

Jordan - The most personable, “REAL”, mom-boss out there. She openly shares her triumphs as a mom and a business owner as well as her struggles. Her friendship is invaluable to me and while she didn’t have anything more to add to our story, I want her to know that her help that day meant everything to me. I know God brought us together for times like this.

Maria - When I reached out to Maria, she wanted to share a few things in her own words. “I have had the pleasure of working with Stephanie several times throughout the last few years and she has always exceeded expectations, however, she went above and beyond to make our wedding absolutely perfect. Having Jordan to take care of everything groom related and Aleesha helping Stephanie only made everything more exceptional. All 3 were wonderful to work with and I’m so grateful to have had Stephanie and her village as a part of our day.”

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When Broken Becomes Beautiful.

Maria and Derek’s day was so lovely. My team and I were able to fulfill our duties and provide a beautiful gallery of their day. I should note, as the day went on, I did share my news with the bride. Maria was so incredibly kind about it. My fear of ruining her day was just that, a frivolous fear.

In the moments we spoke, she filled my heart with sincere words and I love that she didn’t give it another thought.

She enjoyed every moment of her day. I accredit that to the amazing team I had that day. Maria was confident that I had chosen two professionals who knew their craft. She celebrated her new husband, her new name and her new family with elegance and grace. I can also say that without Aleesha and Jordan, I would have struggled that day. Together we were a village. There were risks involved with what I was doing, but I knew these two incredible women had my back and for that I am forever grateful.

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Suits

Trending

T

here has been a big shift in the menswear industry over the past few years. As grooms have been more involved with the wedding planning process, they too have leaned more into their personal style when it comes to choosing their wedding day attire. Some bold trends have started, leaving a mark for all to remember. From accessories that make a statement to the classic tuxedo, here are some ideas for the groom to consider on their wedding day style.

Textured Fabrics Velvet, tweed, seersucker, and linen are trending fabrics right now and are making a statement in the menswear industry.

Different fabrics can help if you are having a summer or winter wedding. Linen or seersucker can keep you keep cool during your summer wedding, and velvet makes a great choice to keep warm for those winter weddings. One thing to remember before you choose your fabric is to make sure what you choose goes along with the aesthetic of your wedding day. If you’re looking at a black-tie event, you might not want to choose a casual fabric like linen.

Bold Colors Want to make a bold statement on your wedding day that everyone will remember? Choosing a bold color for your wedding attire will do just that. This is an ongoing trend that we will most likely see for a while because it’s another way for you to add your personality and character to any attire on your wedding day. Before jumping in with a bold color, make sure you chat with your bride first. You don’t want your color choice to clash with the wedding colors palette.

Modern Suits One suit that offers versatility in the dress code for your wedding day is the modern suit. Any formal wedding dress code can be satisfied with a three-piece suit. An added benefit to the modern suit is the options on your fit. From tailored to slim-fit styled suits, you can choose the one that best compliments you, gives you confidence, and remains comfortable.

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Statement Accessories Adding some personal flair to your attire is becoming more common with grooms as they seek to add their own personality to the wedding day. Making memorable impressions with bold ties, unique cufflinks, suspenders, and pocket squares really adds character to the groom’s wedding attire. We may even see an increase in modern takes on boutonnieres as grooms look to make their personal statements.

The Classic Tuxedo You cannot go wrong with the classic tuxedo. Given its place in history and that it’s considered the gold standard, the classic tuxedo will be around for a while. And trends show that there’s been an increase in grooms moving back towards the elegance of the classic tuxedo. It radiates sophistication and a clean, polished look for the groom.

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ENGAGE from Erin

My fiancé Tad and I went leaf peeping in New England for a long weekend in October. One of the days was spent hiking, which included a hike up to an overlook called Cathedral Ledge in New Hampshire.

After hiking for a little over an hour, we reached the top and enjoyed the view. New England in the fall has been on my bucketlist forever and I was so grateful to finally be experiencing it, thinking it just couldn’t get any better! After we had been up there awhile, we hugged and enjoyed another good look at all the trees. Tad turned to me and said, ”So I’ve been thinking… About the perfect place to propose to you.” and I lost it. Tears down my face, the happiest cry I’d ever had! (I had also never been happier that I chose not to wear mascara that day). I was so overcome with emotion that when he got down on his knee, I got down with him. I just couldn’t be close enough! There was no hesitation in my answer when he asked if I’d marry him.

After we FaceTimed our families and our friends from the top of the mountain, we got in the car to drive along the scenic Kancamangus Highway. Tad played a song he had written for me and I cried all over again. I can’t wait to dance to it at our wedding. I’d been dreaming of this day since I was little, like lots of girls do. Tad exceeded every single expectation I ever had. I can’t wait to be his wife!

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Photos by: Some Kind Strangers

EMENTS

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ENGAGE

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EMENTS from Amy I met Steven while in high school at a track meet. His school was so tiny, they ran track with our also tiny school. My sister was in track and I was there to watch her, but ended up watching this hunk I was going to end up spending the rest of my life with! Lol Honestly it was love at first sight for both of us. I remember seeing him and thinking wow he’s perfect on the inside and out. Apparently he had those same thoughts about me because he harassed my sister right away to help set us up. Long story short, we hung out a few times but I cut it off because he told my sister a secret he was NOT supposed to. I always thought about him from time to time and thought, “what if”!

Years later, we found each other again and it was like no time had passed. We have been glued at the hips since.

He’s my absolute best friend and I couldn’t imagine my life without him. We both went through awful relationships in between that time gap which just makes us more grateful for each other now. Also, he’s better at keeping secrets now, so I think I’ll keep him around.

Photos by: Alexis Moore Photography 65

QAB Loves:

Styled Shoots Y

ou might be thinking, what is a styled shoot, and why do you have them? In the wedding world, a styled shoot is a staged wedding similar to a real wedding. Vendors come together and plan the day just like a couple would plan their wedding day. Once the vision has been put together, a photographer and videographer capture all the details of the staged wedding. After the content has been edited, all the participating vendors will have access to it for use in social media, websites, and other marketing.

Although styled shoots are not real weddings, there are plenty of reasons to have them. They help push vendors to stay creative and on top of trends and predict possible new trends in the industry. They are a great way for a vendor to build a portfolio. They all have to start somewhere, so why not start with a styled shoot to gain more experience? They’re always staying educated in their fields. One of the best things about a styled shoot is the relationships vendors build with each other.

Whether they are seasoned in the industry or brand new, styled shoots are a great way for vendors to connect and get a sense of each other’s styles and work ethic before they start referring each other.

So why are styled shoots relevant to engaged couples?

You can obtain ideas for your wedding day and see more updated and consistent work for vendors you may be interested in hiring to help you with your wedding planning. You can also see which vendors work well together and who would be best to bring your dream wedding day to life.

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Local Vendors

PLANNING: Above & Beyond by Amy VIDEO: 217 Films PHOTO: Brandy Owens Photography DRESS & SUIT: Eighth Avenue Villager FLORALS: Montebello Gardens CAKE: Krazy Cakes RENTALS: Above & Beyond by Amy VENUE: Quincy Armory Event Center MAKE-UP: Tavish Artistry HAIR: Kayla Huber MODELS: Kalah & Seth

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01.13.2024 Save the Date for our 9th Annual Wedding Expo

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Exciting NewThings Coming to Our 2024 Wedding Expo

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Wedding

2022 Average Cost of a

A

ccording to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average cost of weddings in 2022 was $30,000, which is an increase in the national average from the previous year by $2000.

Even though it seems like the effects COVID had on the wedding industry have lifted, inflation is the newest cause of rising costs. Although this is across the board in all industries, shortages of supplies and a higher demand make things tricky when securing your wedding vendors.

How does this affect your wedding budget? Well, many factors play into it, like how many vendors you are looking to hire, how many guests you plan to invite, the style of your wedding, and probably the most important factor is the location of your wedding day celebration. Densely populated areas cost more than the less populated, smaller locations. So, if you are considering getting married somewhere outside of your hometown, you can check the state averages from 2022 on the next page.

Some couples consider destination weddings but be warned that they tend to cost slightly more than a home-

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town wedding. Even more, the cost of accommodations, travel, and other expenses, can cause the cost to rise.

Other factors to consider when figuring out your budget are if you’re planning a traditional wedding or shaking things up and looking at a themed wedding, or reinventing big wedding day moments with your own individual style.

At the end of the day, how do these factors affect your upcoming wedding? You’ll likely see higher costs for services and/or products, and supply shortages could affect some of your details. None of this means you cannot have the wedding of your dreams. Check out our next issue, due in August 2023, as we break down the wedding budget to help you better plan your perfect day.

Alabama: $22,000 Arkansas: $21,000 Arizona: $23,000 California: $37,000 Colorado: $30,000 Connecticut: $39,000 Delaware: $39,000 DC: $40,000 Florida: $30,000 Georgia: $26,000 Idaho: $19,000 Illinois: $37,000 Indiana: $23,000 Iowa: $19,000 Kentucky: $20,000 Kansas: $16,000 Louisiana: $31,000 Maine: $31,000 Maryland: $39,000 Massachusetts: $46,000 Michigan: $27,000 Minnesota: $25,000 Mississippi: $28,000 Missouri: $23,000 Montana: $18,000 Nebraska: $21,000 Nevada: $21,000 New Hampshire: $30,000 New Jersey: $51,000 New Mexico: $18,000 New York: $46,000 North Carolina: $29,000 North Dakota & South Dakota: $20,000 Ohio: $26,000 Oklahoma: $16,000 Oregon: $19,000 Pennsylvania: $33,000 Rhode Island: $43,000 South Carolina: $32,000 Tennessee: $22,000 Texas: $27,000 Utah: $16,000 Vermont: $43,000 Virginia: $31,000 Washington: $23,000 West Virginia: $31,000 Wisconsin: $26,000 Wyoming: $18,000

RETURNINGSoon

Family QUINCY AREA

MAGAZINE

Our mission is to provide readers with a beautifully designed magazine each quarter, that highlights the people of our communities and the organizations that serve them. We will work to continuously provide articles, posts and blogs that are helpful and inspiring to our reader.

Interested in advertsing? Conact us today to be a part of our first issue. connect@qafmagazine.com

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your story in QAB MAGAZINE

what to submit

YOUR WEDDING Tell us how you met, or what your wedding day was like. Submit your images and your story, your wedding might be featured in the section we call, Local Love Here’s a list of images we LOVE to see DETAILS Your photographer will be very familiar with the term, flatlay.

It will include stylized images of the invitation or program and other details like the wedding rings, cuff links or jewelry.

GETTING READY We’d love to see the couples getting ready, putting make-up or adding those finishing touches to their tie. It’s always a tear jerker when we see you getting your parents and grandparents involved PRE-CEREMONY We love to see that first look and any shots either of you take with your wedding party, before you say, I DO CEREMONY The venue and your entrance is always a favorite, and if your photographer also caught the groom’s reaction, we’d love to see it!

The first kiss is always sweet and creative exits from your ceremony space make for lovely full page spreads!

RECEPTION Details of the room help our readers understand the tone and mood of your wedding. Was it wild and vibrant, or soft and elegant. Images of the wedding cake almost ALWAYS make the cut!

Send us a few of the first dances and definitely an exiting exit from the reception ,if you did one - cue the sparklers!

YOUR ENGAGEMENT What’s the first thing you should do after you get those engagement photos back? Submit to QAB Magazine, of course. We’d love to help you share your big news AND you’ll be first on the list to call TO SUBMIT YOUR WEDDING! It’s fun way to be featured in a local publication and in our social media channels!

YOUR MARRIAGE Don’t think for one second that you have no place here if you’ve married for years. We love to feature people who have already been through the planning process in our Let’s Play 20 Questions section of the magazine. Plus, we love is you submit your wedding photo and a current photo!

how to submit

FAQ’s

ON OUR WEBSITE Go the SUBMISSION page of qabmagazine.com and find the way you’d like to be featured.

How long before I know?

We try our best to get back to each couple as soon as possible.

Some weddings fit a particular theme better than others, but we will definitely reach out!

ON SOCIAL Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram and let us know your interested

VIA EMAIL You can email us a photo or two and tell us a bit about yourself, and we’ll reach out for the rest, once we decide to more forward. Email: sales@qabmagazine.com THROUGH YOUR VENDOR You might get an email from us that says we’d like to feature you wedding. Most likely, one of your vendors was SO proud of the work they did that they submitted to the magazine.

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GROUP PORTRAITS We don’t look for too many of these. One or two of the whole wedding party - post ceremony - is plenty. We don’t need every family shot with each aunt and uncle that jumped in for a pic!

How much does it cost?

It’s FREE to be featured in any Local Loves, Engagements, and/or 20 Questions!

Can I submit on behalf of someone else?

Sure! We’ve had moms and besties submit in the past, but we will need to reach out to the couple and get their approval first!

Wedding Vendors get featured in QAB MAGAZINE what to submit for free exposure

YOUR WORK You know you’re amazing. Let’s show the community what you’ve done. Submit images of your recent weddings to our Local Love feature. If your couple is chosen, your business if featured FOR FREE YOUR EXPERTISE Write an article on trends in your industry, or give engaged couples advice in your area. This is a great way to get more exposure!

YOUR MARRIAGE Yep, wedding vendors should be featured to. Answer 20 Questions with your spouse and share some advice for new couples. Plus, you’ll get an added plug for your business.

If you’re interested in partnering with us as an advertiser, there are many more ways to showcase your business, including booths in our annual expo, social media posts and marketing help! We help write content, we design ads and your keep the collateral. That means you can use a QAB designed ad anywhere you want!

EMAIL SALES@QABMAGAZINE.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION

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2529 Broadway St Quincy, IL 62301

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(217) 224-2641

Wedding Invitations • Envelopes Save the Date Cards • Programs Napkins • Thank You Notes • Signage

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8thavenuevillager.com

Quincy Location: 2615 Ellington Road Quincy, IL 62305 217-222-0617 Macomb Location: 319 N Lafayette St Macomb, IL 61455 309-833-2845

www.royal-printing.com

For more information, contact 217-223-1000 300 Civic Center Plaza, Quincy, IL

We have it all under one roof and can accomodate events of any size and style.

Dressing Rooms * Ceremony Cocktail Hour * Reception Images by Jennifer Lee Photographee

Saying “I do” has never been easier!

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QUINCY AREA Bridal

M AG A Z I N E sales@qabmagazine.com | www.qabmagazine.com

wedding

Planning your ?

Make sure to check out our directory of local vendors in the Quincy IL, Hannibal MO, and Keoku IA area! Scan the QR Code below for a direct link.

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