CA Bridal 230217

So,

you’ve ‘pupped’ the question

Dog-friendly weddings are getting more and more common

Weddings 2023

For many couples, their dog is a special guest at their wedding, often serving as part of the wedding party, such as ring bearer. According to People magazine, WeddingWire surveyed nearly 800 couples who have pets and found 38% included their pet in their engagement and/or wedding.

“When a dog is part of the family, couples should absolutely consider including them in their wedding,” says Aspen-based wedding planner Jenny McDonough, owner of Stargazed Weddings and Events.

‘Pupped the question |

Big Day, Small Wedding:

Why Couples Are Falling in Love with Intimate Ceremonies

An Economical Option

Many venues have long since lifted pandemic restrictions, but the trend among couples to opt for small, intimate wedding celebrations may be here to stay.

MAt New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, one of the region’s premier wedding venues, wedding specialists assist roughly 60 couples each year in creating the wedding of their dreams. The Garden’s glass conservatories, formal gardens, and sweeping natural landscapes offer romantic settings that are unmatched in New England. Many Garden weddings feature three traditional elements: a beautiful outdoor ceremony, elegant cocktail hour, and a reception accommodating up to 120 guests. While interest in larger weddings like this remains high, wedding specialists at the Garden—and at venues around the country—find a growing number of couples looking to experience the unique magic of a small-scale, ceremony-only wedding. When it comes to intimate wedding ceremonies, there is a lot to love.

According to a survey conducted by The Knot, the national average cost of a wedding in 2021 was $28,000. In Massachusetts today, this number is even higher. Intimate ceremonies, events with a handful of guests only, present more affordable options. At many venues, reserving space for a gathering of 50 people or fewer costs less than renting the entire venue. “Picture-perfect intimate spaces for wedding ceremonies are around every corner at New England Botanic Garden,” says Meagan Wyson, a member of the Garden’s Private Events team. “Plus, couples renting for intimate ceremonies can still make use of the entire Garden for a stroll or for photos.” Intimate wedding ceremonies at the Garden can also include a small reception after the “I dos.”

Ready When You Are

Many wedding venues require rental agreements a year or more in advance. Because an intimate ceremony typically doesn’t include a cocktail hour or reception and the space required to hold one is

small, venues often need less notice to schedule these types of events, especially on weekdays. For couples who aren’t looking for a long engagement, an intimate ceremony often makes their big day happen on a timeline that’s more appealing to them and their loved ones. It’s the perfect option for couples planning elopements.

Better to Avoid Decision-Making Burn Out

Say goodbye to complicated seating charts! This and other decision-making pressures are alleviated when couples choose to hold intimate wedding ceremonies. But even if the guest list is short, any wedding ceremony takes thought and coordination. “At the Garden, we pride ourselves on providing couples with resources and expertise that make planning a wedding of any size as stress-free as possible,” Wyson says. “No matter the scale of the wedding you envision, your special day will be all the more enjoyable when you work with a venue that offers not only beautiful spaces, but also expert support through the planning process and professional day of coordination.”

Focused, Flexible, One-of-a-Kind

Couples exploring intimate wedding ceremonies often value the ability to create highly personal, one-of-a-kind events. This might mean dining at a favorite local restaurant after the ceremony, hosting a party at home, or even planning a reception on a different day altogether. Once considered nontraditional, choices like these allow for fun, unique wedding experiences that meet all of a couple’s hopes and needs. Whether steeped in valued traditions, or creatively curated, intimate wedding ceremonies can be as full of memorable moments as large-scale weddings, often, even more so. “Intimate ceremonies are some of my favorite events because they remind us of the things that are most important—two people celebrating a commitment they’ve made to one another,” says Wyson.

To learn more about what your unique New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill wedding could look like, visit www. nebg.org/weddings. From there, you can read testimonials made by recently married couples, or contact events@ nebg.org to set up a tour with a wedding specialist today.

Stephanie G creates one-of-a-kind designs

Family heirlooms sparkle in custom wedding jewelry

“What’s old is new in bridal this year, and heirloom jewelry is seeing a resurgence,” said Stephanie G., owner of Stephanie G. Jewelry in Hopkinton, who is a fourth generation jeweler renowned for her custom designs.

“There is a lot of emotion and sentiment that comes with family jewelry - love, loss, remembrance. Jewelry helps us remember loved-ones through the creation of unique, custom designs.”

Stephanie G. advises that when using heirloom pieces, the gemstones be kept because metals eventually wear down. Often, she can replicate a piece if the metal has deteriorated. She is able to use 2-D and 3-D CAD work for jewelry design along with wax molds. These technologies allow customers to envision their piece before it is completed.

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By Kathryn Acciari Contributing Writer

TThis year’s post-pandemic bride and groom are infusing a more carefree attitude into their big day while also involving family legacy. Shifts in wedding jewelry trends reflect a preference for personalized pieces, and one common thread is the weaving of family heirloom pieces into the wedding plan.

“Frequently, we will take a larger piece, such as a grandmother’s necklace, and divide it into smaller pieces among the members of the family. For example, we may take a necklace that contains multiple gems and make a ring or bracelet for each woman in the family,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful way to share elements from heirloom pieces and make the wedding day that much more personal and sentimental.”

Colorful gemstones are gaining popularity. Another trend that incorporates heirloom jewelry is the two-stone

engagement ring, called “toi et moi,” which means you and me. In this design, a diamond may be paired with another gemstone of significant meaning.

Jewelry selection typically complements the overall style of a wedding. Whether vintage or modern, that style travels into the dress and the overall design of the event. When it comes to selecting jewelry for weddings, Stephanie G. recommends that members of the bridal party make time to try on different pieces in person.

“Trying something on is much more helpful than purchasing online. It’s one thing to look in a magazine or online, but frequently people come in to try on a specific piece and realize that they don’t love it,” she said. “We give them time to explore other ideas and help them pinpoint what they are looking for.”

Other trends in bridal jewelry this year are the return of shaped diamonds and a preference for yellow gold.

“We are seeing more simplistic ring designs,” said Stephanie G. “Pear-shaped diamonds are back in style, and while the halo is still popular, now there is a trend for a hidden halo around a single diamond. It looks like a classic single from the top, but the halo is visible from the side.”

Also popular are lab-grown diamonds, which are more

budget-friendly but just as high-quality as earth-mined diamonds.

“A lab-grown diamond is grown from the seed of another diamond. With labgrown, you get a larger stone for less money,” she said. “These have become popular with couples who are in their second marriage and want a larger diamond at a great price. Lab-grown diamonds are also conflict-free, which appeals to many brides and grooms.”

Stephanie G.has an extensive selection of bridal jewelry in her Hopkinton showroom and offers one-on-one appointments to her customers. This lessens the customers’ waiting time, and she has found that people enjoy the individualized attention with her and her staff.

“You want to have time to brainstorm ideas and explore them. Once we conceptualize how we might reconstruct a special keepsake, we can create a memorable, timeless piece that can continue to be handed down from generation to generation,” she said.

“Our consultations are scheduled by appointment. For one special hour, the customer gets a lot of attention. It’s all about them,” said Stephanie G. Bridal and wedding consultations can be scheduled with Stephanie G. at stephaniegjewelers.com.

Weddings

Wedding tiers

Cake artists create edible masterpieces that reflect the wedding couple

WWedding cakes are the sweet finish to the big day and the sweet start to a life together. Make a statement with a cake that looks as amazing as it tastes.

“Engaged couples want to design a wedding cake that reflects the couple’s personality,” says Ksenia Bitter, the owner and chief cake artist of Berrycake Bakery in Austin, Texas. “That’s why finding the right cake artist to guide the

couple in the creative process is so important.”

She recommends that couples make a list of what’s important for them in their cake, such as pastel or bold colors, traditional or contemporary design and fresh or edible

flowers, and bring those ideas to their wedding cake consultation.

For one cake Bitter created, the couple chose a two-tiered cake decorated with edible painted buttercream roses, peonies and field flowers. “Together we looked at the dress, venue, floral arrangements and their colors to tie all of those elements together in a cake centerpiece,” she says.

Michael and Priscilla Sweet, owners of Silver Rose Bakery in Phoenix, notice that every cou-

Weddings

ple has a personality that gets shown in their wedding cake design.

“More relaxed couples will tend to go with simpler designs,” they say. “More detailed couples will opt for buttercream piped borders on each tier or add a touch of gold leaf. We also have some adventurous, out-of-thebox couples that will opt for a black cake or incorporate color into the cake.”

Trends

Classic cake flavors such as chocolate ganache, strawberry, vanilla and lemon are still popular, says Bitter. But she also sees many couples getting bold in their flavor choices, including key lime, blueberry lemon, lavender and pistachio raspberry, as well as cocktail inspired flavors such as amaretto, chocolate Bailey’s and strawberry champagne.

The Sweets encourage couples to try unexpected flavor combinations. For example, one of their couples chose vanilla cake with a peanut butter buttercream and raspberry filling -- reminiscent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The backstory? The groom eats a PB&J every night before going to bed.

“It was the most popular flavor of the night, and those curious enough to ask the couple why they chose it were entertained with a fun story,” they say.

Fresh flower cascade placements on a cake are timeless, observes Bitter, who’s also getting requests for lifelike sugar flowers, buttercream flowers and hand-painted flowers. She says boho style and ruffled cakes are on the rise, and individual servings such as cupcakes are still in demand.

“A trend that we love is small wedding cakes,” notes Bitter. “Just one or two tiers beautifully decorated to reflect the wedding theme and the couple’s personality.”

Cake Considerations

Budget is a definite factor when choosing a wedding cake.

“Pinterest cakes come at a Pinterest price,” say the Sweets. “All those little additions like gold foil, sugar pearls, textures, etc. have to be applied manually by the cake decorator so naturally, the labor cost will increase.”

The guest count helps them determine the size of the cake needed. Next, if you want flowers on the cake, will they be real, synthetic or sugar? Do you have a florist? Do you need a cake topper? How about a cake stand?

The Sweets also encourage couples to consider the time of year and weather for their wedding. They explain that “If their wedding is in June in Arizona at an outdoor barn, there is no way we can deliver a wedding cake at 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. and expect it to last until cutting.”

Instead, they’d recommend a smaller cake and desserts that could be set out at a later time by the venue staff.

Timeline is another consideration. The Sweets advise cutting the cake relatively soon after dinner, instead of later in the evening. That’s because guests often leave early and don’t get cake and other guests lose interest in cake as the night progresses. If you strike the right balance between all of these factors -- design, flavor, cost and timeline -- you can have your cake and eat it, too.

Photo Credit: Eva Alexandra Photography

Photo Credit: Eva Alexandra Photography

Photo Credit: Heather Chick Photography

Dan Berger Creators.com

II believe far too much is made of the “proper” wine and food pairings. I realize that many people have made their life’s work all about telling others which wines go best with which foods, but there are rarely perfect answers here, and even though certain basic guidelines are applicable, even the most authoritative experts often debate with one another.

Many of the food-wine conversations to which I have been a witness have ended up with one person thinking the other is an idiot, and they almost never agree on the specifics.

Generalizations, however -- well, that’s another story.

A hearty plate of pasta with a deep, rich, red tomato-based sauce, most experts would agree, calls for a tart red wine

Flying Dreams

that has enough acidity to contend with the acid that’s in the sauce. Like Chianti or barbera.

And experts agree also that a typical chargrilled steak calls for a gutsy red wine such as a cabernet or syrah -- a wine with enough oomph to handle the protein and fat in the steak.

When you get down to specific recipes, however, experts usually diverge, with one suggesting one thing and another suggesting another. And for me such precious arguments are like discussing how many angels can disco on the head of a pin.

Veal Forestiere, for example, typically calls for a flavorful, fairly intense red wine that can compete with the mushrooms, Marsala, and butter and red wine sauce. I had this dish several years ago with a fabulous older red French Burgundy, and it was phenomenal.

So, I was a little surprised when I interviewed a wine collector decades ago at a restaurant where he ordered that very dish and chose a gewurztraminer from Alsace to go with it. I asked why he chose that wine.

Weddings

He said that when he was in his 20s, he had visited Europe and had had that dish, and that a waiter had suggested the white wine to go with it. He said he never forgot how well the flavors married.

Many sommeliers think pinot noir and salmon are the perfect pairing, but I often prefer another wine with that fish.

I usually order salmon rare because it’s a rich, oily fish, and overcooking causes it to lose some of its charm. When it’s rare, I find it often works well with a pinot gris, notably one from a cold region. Such a wine then will have good acids and tannins to contend with the richness of the fish.

Most cream soups also could use assistance from wine. But not just any wine. I

adore dry Oloroso sherry with cream soups, and often put a teaspoon of the sherry in the soup!

One basic rule that’s easy to remember: Try to match up the basic flavors of the food with the basic structure of the wine.

Oysters, for example, are briny and tart, so the best companion wine is a lean and tart French Chablis or a sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley.

And the simplicity of pizza calls for a simple, quaffable red wine, such as Barbera or a zinfandel.

And if a buffet table is laden with numerous different kinds of foods, from meats to light cheeses, probably the best allpurpose choices are a dry rose, or one that’s sparkling, or a light red Beaujolais.

In the final analysis, however, I live by one creed: I’d rather have an excellent “wrong” wine than a poor “right” one. Wine of the Week: 2021 Triennes Rose, Vin du Pays du Var ($19) -- This is annually one of the finest pink wines you can find, with a gorgeous aroma of strawberries and subtle earth tones. It is basically dry and still has some of the rich red-wine notes imparted by the four grapes in the blend, Cinsault, syrah, grenache, and merlot. Really tastes like a white wine with red wine influences. Frequently found at about $15.

Dan Berger’s weekly column, “Dan Berger on Wine,” can be found at creators.com.

Weddings

the bride’s home,” said Elshaer. “It’s important that the bride feel comfortable during this time. Quite often, I will also do makeup for the bride’s mother. It is a wonderful bonding experience for them.”

For skin care, Elshaer recently began to offer ProCell microchanneling, in which microscopic grooves are created in the skin with needles. This stimulates collagen production in the skin that results in the skin rejuvenating itself. Microchanneling is used to treat wrinkles, acne, rosacea, and reduce dark spots on the skin. The treatment takes three appointments, each one month apart, for full effect to take place.

By Kathryn Acciari Contributing Writing

EEvery bride wants to look and feel her best on her wedding day, and that includes knowing that your face is glowing throughout the ceremony and celebration. With the services offered by Dina Elshaer, owner of Subtle Ink of Northborough, brides can enjoy their big day with the knowledge that their makeup is absolutely flawless.

Elshaer offers both permanent and non-permanent makeup treatments.

“Brides want their makeup to be perfect. I enhance their appearance by providing permanent makeup procedures as well as formal makeup applications,” said Elshaer. “Popular shortterm treatments among brides this year are brow lamination and tinting. Brides want their brows to look lush and thick.”

Elshaer’s permanent brow procedures require an initial consultation of two to three hours. During this time, the client’s eyebrows are mapped to the facial structure to draw out the face’s underlying shape. Elshaer then performs colorswatching to match the natural brow hair color.

“The color-swatching is an important part of the brow process,” said Elshaer. “You want the brows to look natural and to enhance the face. I have had clients leave the studio crying from happiness at the way they look after my treatments. They look entirely different from their initial consultation.”

In addition to the brow treatments, another makeup procedure that is gaining popularity is lip blush, which enhances one’s natural lip color.

“Lip blush gives a fresh tint to lips that lasts for about a year,” said Elshaer.

Elshaer recommends that brides allow for a two-month lead time between having brow and lip makeup procedures and their wedding day, because the treatments require healing between each procedure. Full healing occurs in four weeks, after which a touch-up procedure can occur.

For clients who aren’t ready for such in-depth treatments, Elshaer offers full, formal cosmetic applications. She will travel to a client’s home for the makeup session, which can last between two and three hours. For brides, this can be a timesaving convenience.

“The permanent makeup procedures must be done in a licensed location, so the client comes to my studio. But my formal makeup applications can take two to three hours, and I frequently go to

“ProCell therapy is an amazing new skin treatment,” said Elshaer. “Results are seen very quickly, with little downtime or healing time needed.”

Subtle Ink also offers fine line tattoos.

Elshaer said, “These are common with women who want to explore the idea of a tattoo but aren’t ready to commit to a larger design. Our needles are very small, so the tattoos are delicate.”

Now fully operational following the pandemic, Elshaer notes that she did not have to change her protocol too much.

““I wear a mask when working on a client, and I have always sanitized my studio and equipment between clients,” said Elshaer. “I follow the aseptic protocol for a certified and licensed studio. This includes single-use, disposable materials and following OSHA guidelines in compliance with the Board of Health. “

Elshaer finds great joy in helping her clients feel good about their appearance. For the future, Elshaer will continue taking classes and expanding the offerings at Subtle Ink.

“I am so happy when people like the results of my work and my artistry,” said Elshaer.

The Subtle Ink studio recently moved from Southborough to Northborough and is located at 82 West Main Street, Northborough. Brides can visit Subtle Ink at subtleink.com or call (774) 359-5896 to schedule a consultation.

Weddings

So, you’ve ‘pupped’ the question

Dog-friendly weddings are getting more and more common

‘Pawfect’ Event

When Meagan and Izac Hancock got married, they knew Draper, their long-haired miniature dachshund, would be a part of the celebration. Now the bride is sharing her tips on making your big day perfect. She says the biggest misconception is that a dog serving as a ring bearer and walking down the aisle will run smoothly.

“Have you ever met a dog that will walk off-leash in a straight line without stopping and sniffing, peeing, barking, running, jumping?” says Hancock, who works at Hepper, a pet furniture company. “Dogs are dogs, and they can be unpredictable. Having a bridesmaid or flower girl walk down the aisle with the dog is a safer choice than leaving the dog to their own devices.”

Hancock urges couples to designate someone who will make sure the dog is fed, walked and played with on the wedding day. Still, she says it’s a good idea to have a party time limit for the pooch, too.

“Don’t have them around all night, especially if you are having a boozy wedding,” she says. “People get careless when they drink and leave doors open, drop food, etc. Having something bad happen to your beloved pooch is a surefire way to ruin your big day.”

What to Consider

Dr. Sabrina Kong, doctor of veterinary medicine at WeLoveDoodles.com, encourages couples to be honest with themselves and consider, “Is our dog really suited for this event?”

She says dogs who are disobedient, aggressive or whiny might be a distraction, especially since the pup will be in an unfamiliar situation.

Kong advises dressing the canine for the occasion (ideas include floral crown, bedazzled leash or bow tie); assigning the dog a role in the wedding, such as walking the bride down the aisle; and providing treats as rewards for good behavior.

“Have a contingency plan in case they’re not cooperating,” she says, noting dogs should always be wearing a leash and that guests should know about the dog’s presence.

Planner McDonough tells couples to consider hiring a dog walker who can take the dog for a long walk the morning of the wedding so the pooch doesn’t have lots of built-up energy.

“It’s ideal to have a dog handler who can bring the dog to the ceremony site just in time to walk down the aisle and be at the ready to whisk the pup away for a walk if they get fussy during the ceremony,” she says. “Then they bring the dog

back in time for family pictures following the ceremony.”

Photographer Kathryn Cooper of Delightfully Different Wedding Photography has three top suggestions when considering having your fur baby at the event: Don’t include a dog that yips or barks constantly; make sure guests aren’t allergic to dogs; and make sure the dog won’t eat or drink anything it’s not supposed to, including wedding cake!

She recommends having toys and treats on hand to get your pet’s attention and reward them, especially when they’re a part of wedding photos.

DogInspired Details

If pets can’t be onsite, they can still be there in spirit. Kathy Marcelle, a stationer and designer of Sugar Pear Design, has designed invitations, napkins and other wedding paper goods that represent the doggies and the couple.

For one couple’s save-the-dates, “Their guests knew exactly who the save-the-date came from before even looking at their names,” she says. “Their dogs are such a large part of

their lives.”

Marcelle included a paw print on all of the stationery pieces for that invitation and day-of elements. She also suggests naming a signature cocktail after your dog, explaining the bar menu can show the dog in a photo, watercolor painting or illustration, along with the drink’s name and ingredients.

Questions to Consider:

1. Are your venue(s) and vendors pet-friendly?

2. Are pets allowed where food is served? Health department rules may apply.

3. What liability do you have if the dog harms someone or causes damage?