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How to delegate bridal party’s responsibilities
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ngaged couples tend to ask their closest family members and friends to be in their bridal
parties. Such requests are an honor and bridal party members tend to be excited to play such a significant ole on a couple’s wedding day. But bridal party members also do much to help engaged couples before the big day. Couples can choose to delegate as many tasks as they desire to bridal party members. Before delegating, couples can look to tradition to guide them in regard to asking their bridal parties to lend a hand. ♦ Best man: The best man toast at a wedding reception tends to be a jovial part of the festivities that couples and guests look forward to, so asking a best man to give such a speech is customary. Best man responsibilities also may include organizing a bachelor party or a similar type of get-together with fellow groomsmen and other guests prior to the wedding. A best man also may coordinate a gift for the groom if the groomsmen want to give the groom an item that requires pooling resources. ♦ Maid/matron of honor: A maid/ matron of honor typically delivers a toast
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Many bridal party members are willing to do whatever it takes to make a couple’s wedding day as special as possible. Couples are still urged to discuss responsibilities with bridal party members prior to delegating tasks. at the reception prior to the best man’s speech. A maid/matron of honor also may coordinate a bachelorette party and bridal shower in the weeks or months before the wedding. A maid/matron of honor tends to play a significant ole on the wedding day as well. A maid/matron of honor may handle any problems that arise in the hours before the ceremony so the bride can relax. For example, a maid/matron of honor may work to ensure the bride is shielded from issues affecting hair and makeup, the venue, lastminute gown concerns, and other unforeseen problems that can arise. A maid/matron
of honor may need to do some delegating of her own prior to the ceremony, asking fellow bridesmaids to help coordinate party plans. ♦ Bridesmaids: Bridesmaids can help a bride when she’s choosing her gown as well as the dresses bridesmaids themselves will wear. Bridesmaids also help the maid/ matron of honor coordinate the bachelorette party and pitch in to help address any issues that arise on the day of the ceremony. ♦ Groomsmen: Groomsmen can be tasked with helping the best man coordinate a bachelor party. Groomsmen also can be asked to schedule their tuxedo fittings t
afford enough time for alterations and orders to be completed in time for the big day. ♦ Parents: Parents’ roles have changed considerably in recent years. While the parents of the bride traditionally paid for the wedding and grooms’ parents were tasked with bankrolling the rehearsal dinner, many modern couples now foot some, if not all, of those bills themselves. Parents can still be asked to lend some financial assistance In addition, couples can seek input from parents regarding reception traditions like father/daughter and mother/son dances. – Metro Creative
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A storage box made specifically to contain wedding dresses, free of potentiall everyday materials that can be damaging to them, is recommended when storing a wedding dress so that the fabric cannot be damaged.
How to best preserve your wedding dress forever CONNOR ROBLES
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hen the wedding ceremony is over, when the reception
has ended and everyone has gone home, your bridal gown still remains. Some people like to keep it so that the next generation can use it, while others might simply store it for its sentimental value. Regardless of your intention, here are some ways experts suggest that you can keep your wedding dress in wearable shape for all the years to come. According to the online journal of KWH Bridal, before putting your dress in storage, you should have it dry cleaned by “a trusted bridal dry cleaner,” preferably one that specializes in bridal wear. This will ensure that dirt or bacteria that can cause yellowing are fully removed from the dress. IRS Cleaners in Brentwood has specialized dry cleaning services for both male and female formal wear, including bridal gowns. “Our professional wedding gown cleaning and preservation service carefully removes stains and protects delicate fabrics to keep your gown in perfect condition,” the company’s website says, while also explaining that the process prepares dresses for storage in order to remain intact “for years to come.”
Once your dress is fully cleaned, KWH Bridal says that you should use gloves to handle the dress to keep skin oils from seeping into the dress and causing stains or yellowing. Fix any small signs of damage, such as loose threads or missing buttons, before storing. The website has specific recommendations for storage containers: a storage box made specifically to contain wedding dresses, free of lignin (a substance found in boxes containing wood pulp) or acidic materials, so that the fabric cannot be damaged. The dress should be further insulated with acid-free, non-colored tissue paper. Boxes with tissue paper typically cost around $25 to $50 through online retailers. “The acid-free tissue paper will help protect the fabric of your wedding dress and prevent creases, while the acid-free storage box will provide a breathable environment that maintains the wedding dress’s quality,” the website says. “Make sure the container is large enough to accommodate the wedding dress without compressing it.” Once in the box, put it in a dark, cool, dry spot far away from any sources of odors, such as cooking vapors or smoke, and away from sunlight, heat, or moisture, which can cause fading and mold buildup. KWH Bridal recommends checking on your dress every six months for signs of damage. IRS Cleaners is at 41 Sand Creek Road, Brentwood. Visit www.irscleaners. us, or call (925) 634-2811 for details on their services.
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The benefits of choosing a local wedding venue Editor’s note: A version of this story first appeared in The Press’s June 2025 Wedding Planner. The list of wedding venues has been updated to better reflect several local options for those planning their wedding.
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edding planning requires coordinating a laundry list of details that ultimately
come together to make for a memorable ceremony and reception. Couples tying the knot have their work cut out for them, and one of the biggest decisions they will have to make involves choosing where to hold the ceremony and reception. Religious couples often opt for ceremonies at their churches, synagogues and mosques. Secular weddings can occur just about anywhere, with couples sometimes using ceremony spaces adjacent to their reception rooms. As brides and grooms narrow their venue options, they may want to give strong consideration to the benefits that stickin close to home can offer. Certainly there are advantages to hosting a wedding at venues many miles away or even in international locations, but there are unique perks to keeping festivities local. The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study indicated six in 10 couples
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The wedding couple kneels in front of the altar and prays. chose to get married in a place where they currently live; 23 percent opted for a hometown venue; and 18 percent decided on a destination wedding. Here’s a look at some of the perks of staying local. Convenience: One of the biggest benefits of a local venue is convenienc for both the couple and their guests. Local venues tend to be easily accessible for those who live nearby, minimizing travel time and reducing any barriers brought on by a lack of familiarity with distant locales. Familiarity: Couples who love their hometowns and close environs may want to get married in. a familiar and comfortable atmosphere. Plus, they may already be familiar with venues in the area and what they offer.
Expertise: Venue staff likely live in the area or are familiar with other services close by. They can offer valuable recommendations and insights on other vendors, including what has worked before and what to avoid. Familiarity with clergy: Couples who get married in a local house of worship likely know the religious leaders there and any support staff. This can add a particularly personal component to the ceremony. Easy payments: Many venues require some sort of payment plan that consists of a deposit at the time of booking and a series of payments culminating with the last installment upon learning the final hea count. Choosing a local venue makes it easy to stop at the reception site in person and
provide such payments with ease, while getting confirmation and eceipts in real time. Reduce delivery fees: If florists and othe vendors have to drop off items, they may not charge the same delivery fees if the reception site is close by. Ease returning home: Chances are the couple will arrive at the ceremony and reception by hired car. Once the wedding is over, they’ll have to find transportation bac home, especially if there is a gap in time before departing on a honeymoon. Using a local venue can make it easier to get home. Support of local businesses: Choosing a local venue keeps dollars in couples’ own communities, which is a great way to support businesses in the town and the people who work for them. Local wedding venues include: ♦ Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road, Antioch, www. lonetreegolfcourse.com, 925-706-4220 ♦ Club Los Meganos, 1700 Trilogy Parkway, Brentwood, www.mytrilogylife.com, 925-809-7188 ♦ Palm Tree Weddings & Events, 100 Summerset Drive, (925) 505-1590. ♦ McCauley Estate Vineyards, 2525 Sunset Road, Brentwood, (925) 516-3300, www.mccauleyestatevineyards.com ♦ Ryde Hotel and Event Center, 14340 Highway-160, Ryde, (916) 776 -1318 – Courtesy Metro Creative
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What to know about wedding photography and videography SEAN TONGSON
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or many couples, their wedding day represents the culmination of hopes, dreams,
and something they’ve waited their whole lives for. As a result, many couples would prefer to have everything – the venue, the ceremony, the attire, the food, and the overall experience – to be top notch and pictureperfect to ensure that memories of
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Part of that experience is to ensure that the photography for couples’ special occasion is of the highest possible quality. Selecting the right wedding photographer allows couples to preserve the moments from their special day forever, capturing the emotions and authentic reactions from friends and family celebrating the occasion. Daniel Gruen, founder, CEO, and wedding videographer of Daniel Gruen Weddings, said most wedding photographers offer everything one could want for their wedding, and are versatile by necessity due to experience with different offerings ranging from engagement and boudoir shoots, to staged and candid portraits.
their special day last a lifetime. see Photography page 7B
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What to know about arranging accommodations for guests
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ouples make a wide range of decisions when planning their weddings, including
their choice of hotel for their friends and family that will draw the immediate attention of most guests. A couple’s choice of hotel will make an immediate impression on guests. Finding the right accommodations for guests requires careful consideration of a host of variables.
Party size
Party size is important when picking a hotel for wedding guests. While couples will need to choose a hotel long before they get the final headcount for their weddings, it can help to form a rough estimate of the guest list size before researching hotels. The wedding experts at The Knot estimate that between 75 and 85 percent of invited guests attend weddings, so that can give couples a good idea of how many rooms they might need. If the wedding is local, fewer guests will need a room.
Room blocks
Many hotels offer room blocks for weddings. Some have a minium requirement of 10 rooms, while others may offer to block off rooms as a courtesy. Courtesy blocks typically do not require signing
a contract and therefore there are no financial obligations of couples if a block is not filled. A courtesy block may be o fered up to a certain date, at which point any unbooked rooms are released. If couples need far more than 10 rooms, a hotel may require a contract for a minimum number of rooms. If those rooms are not booked, couples may have to pay for them.
When to book
It’s best that couples arrange accommodation options for guests as early as possible. The Knot notes that September, October and June are particularly popular months to get married. That means hotels might book quickly during these times of year. Couples should make arranging accommodations for guests an early priority so they can get a hotel that meets their needs and standards.
Important variables
While cost is an important consideration, especially if lots of guests will be coming from out of town, additional variables are no less significant. A hotel that s close to the ceremony and/or reception site can save out-of-town guests the cost of renting a car. A hotel in the thick of things also ensures guests will have something to do the night before the wedding and places to go come the day of the ceremony, which is notable if the wedding will be a late-afternoon affair. – Metro Creative
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How to carry out a sustainable wedding
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edding trends come and go, but an emphasis on sustainability is one practice that could exhibit some staying
power in the years to come. As the world confronts climate change, sustainability is gaining steam as a sound and vital practice. Modern couples recognize the significance of sustainability. In fact, a 2022 Sustainable Wedding Alliance poll of couples planning their wedding found that 78 percent of respondents identified sustainability as impo tant to them. As couples plan their big day, they can keep these sustainability practices in mind to ensure their wedding reflects their desi e to protect the planet.
Repurpose for the big day
Repurposing is a tenet of sustainability, and that pillar is easily applied to weddings. Brides can repurpose wedding gowns used by family members, which can add a touch of sentimentality to a sustainable wedding,
particularly if the dress is being handed down from a previous generation, such as a parent or grandparent. Furnishings and decor also can be repurposed after the wedding. For example, couples can encourage guests to take centerpieces home after the reception so they get a second life and are not simply discarded after a single use.
Focus on reducing waste
Weddings are not the first event to come to mind when pondering eco-friendly affairs, and waste contributes to that less than environmentally-conscious reputation. But there are plenty of ways to cut back on wedding waste. When shopping around for a reception venue, prioritize those that do not use single-use plastics. Cocktail hour plastic utensils might be convenient for venues, but they contribute to a substantial amount of ocean pollution. For instance, the Ocean Conservancy notes that volunteers removed nearly two million plastic knives, forks and spoons from the world’s waterways in a single day.
Arrange for leftover food to be donated
Food waste is another notable area where weddings tend to be less eco-friendly. When discussing reception plans with their wedding venue representative, couples can express their desire that any leftover food be donated to a local organization catering to those in need. This is an especially effective strategy, as the organization Feeding America notes 92 billion pounds of food are wasted annually in the United States. Donating leftovers ensures that all the energy that goes into planting, harvesting, transporting, preparing, and serving food is not for naught.
Host a local wedding
Destination weddings appeal to many couples, but those focused on sustainability may want to stay closer to home. Doing so decreases the likelihood that most guests will have to travel great distances to attend the wedding. That can help lower the carbon footprint of a couple’s big day by lowering guests’ overall fuel consumption in relation to the wedding.
Photography from page 5B “The main difference between wedding photographers isn’t about what they offer,” Gruen said. “It’s about their style and aesthetic, and what it feels like working with them. Because many wedding photographers also offer family portraits and graduation photos, it’s really possible to create a friendship with your photographer as they capture your family growth.” Gruen said some photography services, like reception photo booths and creative variations are specialized services and traditional wedding photographers usually don’t do this. Brentwood wedding photographer Connie Leal, said the difference between universal and wedding photographers is that universal photographers offer their digital files and that they have a photo gallery they share with clients while also following popular trends. Specialized photographers emphasize the importance of lighting. “How they use the lighting makes them different than the average photographer, and they don’t follow trends,” Leal said. “They know how to light a client for specific e fects or moods.” Gruen said that it is increasingly common to find a photographer who also does videography, which can save money, but it is not the norm. Getting a combined photo/video team could mean a better working relationship as opposed to hiring two separate companies that might not work well together, which Gruen says is a
common issue. “Before jumping on the photo/video bundle bandwagon, I’d consider this: No human can handle both photo AND video for a wedding without some help,” Gruen said. “Is there another person doing the video or is the photographer expected to juggle both themselves? If yes, that would be a major red flag. Gruen suggested that getting a designated wedding videographer separate from a photographer is best for couples that value video and want to make sure it doesn’t get overshadowed. Additionally,
Gruen advises considering asking their photographers for videography recommendations, as photographers love recommending videographers with whom they work well. Leal said the current trend is to have some photographers turn into videographers or vice versa, but they are two different mediums. “They both can do the job of either medium, but it’s been my experience that photographers are great at being photographers and videographers being videographers,” Leal said. “You get better quality that way.”
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Leal and Gruen added that most wedding photographers offer both staged and candid portraits, but there are those who specialize in one or the other, observing that most wedding photographers focus on candid shots. The staged photos are not always given as much attention as they deserve due to wedding day time constraints. “To specialize in staged photos is really about specializing in flash photo raphy, which is a very stylized form of photography,” Gruen said. “Utilizing flash correctly requires extensive knowledge and expensive equipment. On top of this, it’s often not something many couples have patience for on their wedding day.” Lastly, Leal added that engagement sessions are a good way for clients to break the ice and get to know the photographer and how they photograph. A pre-established working relationship can alleviate problems on the wedding day, especially if they enjoy working together and the photos. “Of course, it doesn’t always work out,” Gruen said. “For instance, many couples get engaged in their hometown, and take the engagement photos there. But their wedding is in a completely different destination, so flying out their engagement photographer might feel impractical.” For details on Daniel Gruen Weddings, visit www.gruenfilms.co For details on Connie Leal Photography, visit www.connielealphotography.com
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Tips to streamline your wedding day
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arriage has undergone changes over the years, but plenty of people are still tying the knot and hosting amazing
wedding celebrations. A total of 2,065,905 marriages were recorded in the United States in 2022. Prospective brides and grooms may be inclined to host more simplified and st eamlined weddings to save money and time. Finding ways to streamline a wedding is not necessarily that challenging.
Keep the ceremony short.
While this may not always be an option for couples who are having a traditional religious ceremony that is beholden to the rules of the faith, some couples can opt for a shortened ceremony that is more direct and to the point. A streamlined ceremony can stick strictly to the exchange of vows, rather than including readings, musical interludes, candle lighting ceremonies, and more. Couples who want religious ceremonies can speak with their offic ants to see how they can stick to tradition, but keep the ceremony more succinct.
Communicate roles for the wedding party.
Having designated people to handle a variety of tasks at the wedding fosters efficiency and can save time by moving things along. It also allows for smooth transitions during parts of the ceremony. For example, the maid of honor traditionally holds the bride’s bouquet during the
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Streamlining a wedding and making it more efficient can save time and money. ceremony. But other bridesmaids can be enlisted to hold items or fix the bride s train or veil as well.
Select one venue
Holding the wedding ceremony and reception in the same place cuts down on travel time and logistical issues for both the guests and those involved in the wedding. It also reduces necessary costs for transportation.
Choose a nearby location.
Asking guests and vendors to travel great distances can add time to the wedding festivities. Selecting a
centrally located ceremony site and reception hall will streamline many of the steps people would have to take to attend. It also might remove the need to arrange overnight accommodations for the wedding.
Hire a wedding coordinator.
A professional planner and coordinator will keep the wedding moving along on time and ensure a smooth process. This professional can remain emotionally neutral, solve problems and ensure that everyone is in the right place. – Metro Creative
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