SoMinn WEDDINGS Guide 2023

2023

Southern Minnesota

Your planning guide to a perfect Southern Minnesota wedding!

Southern Minnesota Weddings | 2023

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BAKERY

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| 5 BRIDAL ISSUE 2015 TOP 10 WEDDING INVITATION ETIQUETTE TIPS THE What to include and not to include.

Features

WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING | 8

| 4 WEDDING FOR 2015 Fresh ideas to FASHION putting a fresh twist on your nuptials.

For the bride and bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen, plus – we don’t forget your mother.

THE BUDGET | 12

| 18 THEto VENuE How build a wedding budget without breaking the bank.

A few area wedding reception locations to choose from.

| 13 NOVEL GIFTS| FOR THE RINGS 24 BRIDESMAIDS Potential to bestow on your bridesmaids.

What aregifts the latest trends?

| 14 NOT YOUR RECEPTION MOTHER’STO SHOWER | 27 WEDDING REMEMbER Trends Tips for a hip shower.

Tips to& individualize yourbridal reception.

WHO PAyS FORWEDDING WHAT? | STATISTICS 28 | 16 DESTINATION

We break allbe down for you.is quickly becoming mainstream.

What useditto a novelty

| 30 SECOND CHANCE AT lOVE | 19 PERFECTLY IMPERFECT WEDDINGS

Going into a second marriage? How is it different from the first time?

The best wedding moments aren’t always the picture perfect ones.

THE “NEW” WEDDING CAkE | 36

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTORS: TOM KELLING & ROSS ULRICH ADVERTISING: DEANNA BOLAND AMBER CASTERTON KATHLEEN DAVIES STEVE HADRITS CRYSTAL HOBART TIM MART, VICTORIA RUD, ANDREA WHITE DESIGN & LAYOUT: KATE TOWNSEND-NOET Weddings is distributed at Bridal Expos

in the Southern Minnesota region | 23 KIDS AND WEDDING Today more couples are getting SIGNS imaginative with the dessert they serve their guests, choosing

Let the kids joy. of sweets to celebrate their special day. unique styles,spread flavorssome and types

NOT yOuR MOTHER’S SHOWER| |2438 COLORING THE WEDDING

during 2023. ©2023 This publication is copyrighted by APG Southern Minnesota and no content can be reproduced without permission.

Trend spotter offers Choosing a hue for tips the for a hip bridal shower. bridesmaid gowns. bOuquET bRAVADO | 42 Trends in bridal bouquets.

THE SHOES | 26

Often and hardlySIGNS seen | 43 kIDSoverlooked AND WEDDING but can girl alsoand make statement.

Flower ringabearer alternatives.

uNExPECTEDBEHIND jOy | 44 TRADITIONS Dad has asked someone | out BRIDAL VEILS 27on a date.

The origins and meaning behind the bridal veil.

ON THE COVER: }MARRIAGE LICENSES | 28 Hair by Lanayou Huberg Everything need to know. and Jill Erickson at Salon Synergy 2023-24 CALENDARS Northfield, MN Start your planning.

507-645-0500

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Makeup by Molly MacKay at Sunset Salon Faribault, MN 507-334-1714 APG Media of Southern Minnesota publishes news, entertainment and advertising Models L to R: Lana Huberg, products including the Faribault Daily News, Owatonna People’s Press, Northfield Aspenn Ward, Megan Proft, Le Sueur County News, News, Waseca County News, St. Peter Herald, Kenyon Leader and Lonsdale Area News-Review.

Julie Erickson

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4 Southern Minnesota Weddings | 2023 BRIDAL ISSUE 2015 |

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edding invitations are guests’ first impression of the wedding day.

The invites should not only be a representation of the couple, but also include important details.

What Do You Include on Your Invitation?

It’s all in the details! The invitation should include the hosts’ first and last names along with the couple’s full names. The hosts are usually the parents of the couple.

Other important details to include are when and where the wedding will take place. Time, date, month, and year should all be included, along with the full address of the wedding ceremony and reception.

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SoMinn Weddings | 2023

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couple is with “Mr. and Mrs.” followed by the husband’s full name. If the wife kept her maiden name, you would address it in alphabetical order by last name. Addressing the invitation to “Mr. and Mrs. X and family” will include your guests’ child(ren). When addressing your single friends, you would use “Ms.” for any women over 21 and “Miss” for those under 21. For your guy friends, it would simply be “Mr.”

Where Should the Return Address Be Located?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

The wedding invitation is also where you can include the dress code. Which leads us to the next tip….

Where Should You Include the Dress Code?

The return address should be placed on the back flap of the envelope, and that should be the address of the hosts. The RVSP envelope should already have the return address and postage on them.

Should You Include Your Registry Information in the Invitation?

You should never include your registry information in the wedding invitation. Instead, let You can include it on your wedding invitation. your wedding party, family and close friends relay This information is normally inserted on the the information to guests in conversation. That lower right-hand corner of the invite or on the way your guests will be aware of your registry reception card, if you have included one. Another without feeling like you’re inviting them just for way your guests can gauge how formal or casual the gifts. A good place to include your registry your big day will be is the style and language of information is on your website, but make sure it’s the invitation itself. An invitation with calligraphy not on the first page. (Editor’s note: many couples and formal language will convey a formal style, today choose not to have a registry, since they while a colorful, more-relaxed language invitation have often been living together for awhile and hints at a more casual style. You can also include don’t need or want any household items. Often, the dress code on your wedding website which they would rather have no gifts, and simply you can also include with the invitation. have the guests attend the wedding and enjoy the time together. Or they may have charitable organizations they would like the guests to How Should You Let Your Guests support. If you’re a guest and have any questions, Know About Your Wedding ask the couple’s wedding party or close family Website? members about ideas.)

Wedding websites are a very popular trend among newly engaged couples. It can include all When Should Your Invitations the information on your invitation and then some.

The URL can be included on your “Save the Date” Be Sent Out? Invitations should be sent out at least six to notice, but if you didn’t send those out, you can eight weeks before your wedding day. The earlier include a small insert in the formal invitation. you send out your invitations, the more time your How Do You Address Your Guests guests have to plan their attendance. Another perk of sending out your invitations earlier is that on the Invitation and Envelope? you will start getting RSVPs back earlier and that The way you address the invitation is will relieve some stress in your planning process. important, because it indicates who you are really For destination weddings, it is not uncommon to inviting. The traditional way to address a married

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send them out at least three months in advance. This will give your guests ample time to request time off from work or find a babysitter. No one will ever get mad at you for sending out your invitations too early. (Editor’s note: If a wedding involves many or most of the guests traveling from far away, including international guests/family members, it’s not uncommon to send the invitation many months ahead of time.

That allows people to obtain visas, etc., and to coordinate travel with others in the group.)

Are All Guests Allowed a “Plus One”?

inviting them to the reception afterwards. It would be rude to only invite them to the ceremony since it gives the impression of, “I want you at the ceremony, but don’t want to pay for your dinner plate.” You definitely don’t want to give off that impression on your big day. If you have always envisioned a big wedding ceremony with numerous guests, expect to also have a large reception as well.

(Editor’s Note: Weddings, and wedding etiquette these days, are not always what they have been. For example, much of the article refers to the hosts, who have traditionally been the parents of one of both of the wedding couple. However, many couples today pay for their own weddings, so don’t list their parents as hosts.

And, many weddings – although not all – are much more informal than in the past, so some of these tips may not apply to all weddings. But there are some great ideas in here, to be sure.)

The simple answer is, no. You decide who gets invited to your wedding. It is perfectly okay to invite your single friends without their “plus ones” if you want to keep it small and intimate. If you have a big group of single friends, let them know that there will be plenty of people for them to mingle with. When possible, introduce them to one another and seat them together.

Do You Have to Send Out a “Save-the-Date” notice?

No. This is a fairly new and totally optional step. “Save-the-Dates” are simply to give your guests a heads-up when your wedding date will be. If you choose to send them, they should be sent out six to eight months before the wedding. Make sure those who receive a “Save-the-Date” also receive an invitation to the wedding. You don’t want to be in a situation where you have to explain why someone received a “Save-the-Date” but not an invitation to the wedding. Yikes!

Can You Invite Your Guests to Just the Ceremony?

If you invite guests to the wedding ceremony, you are also Southern Minnesota Weddings | 2023

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Wedding Bells are Ringing

By Sara Schlueter

E This updated story previously ran in Girlfriends Magazine.

veryone wants their wedding to be special and unique. Here are some ideas to put a fresh twist on your impending nuptials this year—from the bachelorette party all the way to the big day. Here’s to making your wedding the most memorable mo-

ment of the year!

Wedding trends are constantly changing, and this year is no exception. So many fresh new ideas, colors and concepts are emerging to take you from the bachelorette party to the reception in style. We’ve rounded up some of the best trends that you can easily incorporate into your celebration—and some with a Minnesota twist.

GIRLS’ GETAWAY Bond with your gal pals in a cabin for the weekend or on a wine tour rather than the typical trip to the bars. Doing something more “experi-

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ential” with your besties will evoke a much more meaningful experience for you and the bridal party before you head down the aisle.

BOND OVER A GLASS OF WINE There are so many wineries throughout Minnesota, and they become a wonderful spot for brides to catch up with their girlfriends and relax with a glass of vino!

Give a winery girls’ trip your own touch by renting a limo for your party, or reserving dinner beforehand at one of your favorite places around town. Minnesota is abundant with local wineries

that are perfect for special occasions. Check out exploreminnesota.com for lists of wineries around the state. Be sure to check and see the group sizes each winery will accommodate, and restaurants in the area. Cheers!

HEAD TO THE LAKE If relaxing and pampering is more your style, opt for a weekend getaway at one of the countless resorts up north—or even just a day trip to a lake in the area.

An option for a day on the lake could be anything from heading out on the speedboat with some drinks in had, to renting a pontoon boat or booking space on lake cruises. Al & Alma’s, for example, cruises Lake Minnetonka on a luxury yacht. Many options are offered such as a sunset cruise or brunch cruise.

All you need to do is reserve in advance. Check it out at www.al-almas.com.

If a full-on weekend getaway is what you are craving, search for some of the popular Minnesota resorts up north. Many of the bigger resorts such as CONTINUES ON PAGE 10 u u u

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Southern Minnesota Weddings | 2023

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Madden’s, Cragun’s and Grandview Lodge offer spa packages, tailoring to events such as bachelorette parties. Create a road trip out of it, and take in the beauty that is northern Minnesota!

HERE COMES THE BRIDE Emerald green is a staple wedding color for all the seasons. You can’t go wrong with choosing emerald green for your wedding. In 2022, emerald green was one of the top trending colors for decor. Now in 2023, we’re seeing the shade of green expand more into the wedding industry as a top trending color.

2023 brides are pairing emerald green with a variety of color palettes. Blush pink, light blue, or silver are great color combinations to consider pairing with emerald green. Earth tones are also in for 2023 weddings and we’re so excited! Earth tones consist of versatile colors ranging from terracotta oranges, to earthy greens, to tans. Earthy colors each have a hint of brown, so think any colors of the earth combined with a little brown to curate the perfect earthy tones palette for your wedding.

SETTING THE SCENE Décor is, of course, one of the key components of making a wedding ceremony truly magical.

One of the strongest trends we will see echoing through 2023 is a major embrace of color. Neutrals will always be a mainstay in wedding design however we are seeing many of our couples wanting to incorporate more color into their wedding palette.

Not only will we see brighter and moodier color palettes integrated into upcoming wedding plans, but pattern and texture is also marking its presence in these designs. Colorful motifs, patterns, and textures can show up everywhere from flowers, place settings, dance floors, stationery, and even wardrobe choices.

THE DRESS Every bride-to-be pictures what her dress will look like. This year it is all about the subtle details—and even adding some color to the gown. Wedding dresses with sleeves aren’t a novel

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idea, as they have long been a bridalwear staple dating back to the mid-1800s. And while we are centuries away from the origins of this design, in 2023, we can expect to see more ensembles with this regal and sleek element.

Some modern brides and designers have since ditched tradition, and are now opting for pieces that are form-fitting and bold. Embellished wedding dresses are making a comeback after several seasons of minimalist and pared-back designs, with designers and brides opting for styles that feature jewels, diamonds, crystals, and allover beading. This year, expect to see more gowns that feature subtle pops of color, by way of embroidery and lightly-hued fabrics.

No matter what kind of bachelorette party you throw, décor you create or dress you wear to walk down the aisle, the most important trend of all is that of being true to yourself. After all, this is the biggest day of your life and it should capture the essence and love of both you and your partner.

Enjoy the big day!

Sara Schlueter is a former magazine editor in the Twin Cities with degrees in journalism and apparel merchandising from Iowa State University.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Here are a few bridal websites for more ideas on how to incorporate 2017 trends into your wedding day. And don’t forget to fill your Pinterest board with ideas that you can go back to as you are planning.

The Knot: theknot.com Brides: brides.com Bridal Guide: bridalguide.com

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edding planning is a unique experience unlike any endeavor most couples will ever encounter. Much effort goes into planning a wedding, and that includes building a budget that ensures the big day will be fun without breaking the bank.

Most couples planning a wedding have never tied the knot before, so it can be difficult to determine a reasonable amount to spend. It’s easy to go overboard when planning a wedding, and couples may find their list of wants and, consequently, their expenses, growing as they get into the weeds of wedding planning. Though it might require some difficult decisions, couples can keep these tips in mind so they can build a wedding budget that won’t land them in debt after saying, “I do.”

tential expenses. For example, a 2022 ValuePenguin analysis of data from The Wedding Report found that the average wedding in Massachusetts cost roughly $30,500 in 2020, while couples tying the knot in Arkansas spent around $12,500 on their weddings. With such wild fluctuations, it’s important that couples get an accurate estimate of how much it may cost them to get married in a given city. Couples who met in a city and still live in a city but grew up in a suburb might save a considerable sum by getting married in their hometowns. Compare and contrast prices in locales you’re considering, and then build your budget accordingly. This can help you avoid sticker shock and going over budget. Notable expenses to budget include the venue, attire (i.e., wedding dress and tuxedo rental), hairstyle and makeup, entertainment, photography, and transportation, among others.

• Make a list of what’s most important.

Most couples will have to compromise in order to avoid taking on debt to finance their weddings. An earnest discussion about what’s most important to each person can ensure you both get what you want. Each person can make a list of their priorities, ranking them from most important to least important. Once lists are shared, couples can see where their priorities converge and where they diverge. Any items that rank low on each person’s list of priorities can be afforded less funding, while those that are high on each list can take up more of the budget, if necessary.

• Commit to a limit before spending a dime.

Committing to a limit before spending a dime can help couples keep wedding costs more manageable. Once that number is defined, couples can then work within its parameters, which can make potentially difficult decisions a little easier by narrowing options at a time when options can seem endless.

A well-planned budget can be just what couples need to begin married life on strong financial footing.

How to build a wedding budget without breaking the bank • Determine funding. The days when a bride’s parents would finance the wedding entirely on their own are largely a thing of the past.

According to a recent WeddingWire Newlywed Report, parents now pay for 52 percent of wedding expenses. As couples begin establishing a wedding budget, it’s imperative that they first determine who, if anyone, will be helping them finance the big day. Fifty-two percent of wedding expenses is a significant amount of money, but in that scenario, couples will still need to come up with roughly half of the money needed to fund their weddings. Couples without substantial savings may be forced to cut back in order to avoid beginning their life as a married couple in debt.

• Make a list of potential expenses. Location will be a significant factor when determining po-

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Novel gifts for bridesmaids

B

rides- and grooms-to-be select people who are near and dear to their hearts to be special parts of their momentous days. So the chance to participate in a friend’s or family member’s wedding is a great honor.

A wedding party plays a key role in both the ceremony and reception. Participants do everything from helping couples make decisions to addressing invitations to providing emotional support. As so much is asked of the wedding party - particularly the maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids - it’s customary to bestow gifts on those people who devoted so much time and effort to the wedding. These potential bridesmaid gifts can serve as a thoughtful and unique to way • Photo books: Gift the bridesmaids with photo books of carefully curated photographs taken throughout the wedding planning experience.

Pepper the books with other photos, such as images of you with the bridesmaids at fun moments throughout your lives together.

• Portrait wine or champagne glasses: Beverage glasses customized with the bridesmaids’ likenesses painted or printed onto them make for great gifts. Bridesmaids will enjoy sipping their favorite drinks in special glasses for years to come.

• Personalized phone cases: Who doesn’t rely on their mobile phones these days? Treat your bridesmaids to something special with colorful phone cases with their names embossed or printed on the outsides.

• Wellness or spa gift card: After all of the running around for the wedding, bridesmaids may need a little extra pampering. Gift cards to a local spa can fit the bill.

• Birthstone jewelry: Necklaces, rings or earrings become that much more special when they’re customized to the recipients. Purchase jewelry with your bridesmaids’ birthstones so they’ll be as unique as each woman.

• Friendship bracelets: Gift each bridesmaid with beaded friendship bracelets that features all of the ladies’ initials. Be sure to keep one for yourself, and you all can enjoy nights on the town showcasing your special bracelets.

• Monogrammed robes or purses: A customized pocketbook, robe or another item bridesmaids will use every day can make for an extraspecial item that will serve as a daily reminder of how much you appreciate them.

Bridesmaid gifts are a great way for brides to thank their bridesmaids for all that they’ve done to make a couple’s wedding day special.

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Not Your Mother’s Shower

Trend & Tips for a

BRIDAL SHOWER 14 SoMinn Weddings | 2023

Details: Personalized Cutting Board via Etsy / Guess the Dress Shower Game via Etsy.

I

By Family Features Editorial Syndicate f you’ve been to a wedding shower recently, you’ve probably noticed the time-honored tradition is changing.

The typical Sunday afternoon gathering of ladies playing word games and snacking on pastel Jordan almonds has been replaced by sophisticated themed evenings. And sometimes men are invited too!

Wine tastings reflect a popular interest.

The wine theme can influence the menu, party activities and gifts. Invite guests to bring two bottles of wine: one to serve at the party and a second to give the couple.

Search online for menu items to complement each wine, and display wine-pairing notes at each food and wine station.

Couples showers are a great way to include both the bride’s and the groom’s friends, and they tend to be cocktail, dinner or summer barbeque parties. Couples showers are a good option for smaller guest lists or as one of multiple showers. A note on the invitation could suggest gifts for future entertaining.

Kitchen showers have moved away from providing basic necessities and become more sophisticated, reflecting already-established brides and gourmet cooking trends. High-end stainless steel fondue pots, blenders and food processors are topping gift registries and wedding website wish lists. Invite guests to bring their favorite recipe to share with the bride.

Personal gifts, indulgences the bride would never buy for herself or honeymoon trip items are also a fashionable shower theme option for second marriages or brides who are already

established in their households. Spas are a great personal shower venue, and a gift certificate for spa services presented in a pretty card makes a wonderful gift.

Showers may be changing, but they are still an important part of the wedding tradition. If you’re planning a shower and want it to be the latest and greatest, try one of these party concepts.

SoMinn Weddings | 2023

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Destination Wedding Statistics D estination weddings have become a veritable force in the industry in the past ten years, surprising many in the industry.

Almost one out of every four weddings are considered a destination wedding, with most occurring in the continental US. What used to be a novelty is quickly becoming mainstream. After all, why get married in a place that may not inspire you. Instead, go to a location that is truly memorable for you and your guests. The increase in popularity of

16 SoMinn Weddings | 2023

destination weddings has also made parents more comfortable with the idea of planning the marriage away from home.

Listed below are some surprising destination wedding statistics that are both interesting and informative for couples that are thinking about having one.

• 1 out of every 4 wedding is a destination wedding.

• New York City weddings are the most expensive destination weddings by far. With hotel rates in the $300-$400 range, it is not

surprising that the average wedding costs over $70,000.

• The top locations for destination weddings in the USA are Florida, California and Nevada.

• The top three locations for destination wedding outside the continental US are Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii.

• 350,000 destination weddings take place annually. Las Vegas is the category leader for weddings with over 100,000 per year.

• Seven out of ten destination weddings take place in the continental USA. Most of the rest of the destination weddings occur in Mexico, Hawaii or the Caribbean with a small majority elsewhere.

• Half of all destination weddings are planned with the help of a wedding planner.

• The average cost of a destination wedding in the continental US is $225 per person.

• The average cost of a destination wedding outside the continental US is $404 per person.

• Destination weddings are big business for hotels. All your guests will need accommodations so getting group rates is a necessity. The average group discount for a three star hotel is 22% which is much higher better than what your guests

will get if they book on their own. If you need to block hotel rooms online without making a phone call, then the group hotel rates request form.

Within minutes, hotels in your desired city and budget will email you their group rates.

• The average number of guests at a destination wedding is 86. The average number of guests at a traditional wedding is 141.

• Jamaica continues to be the heavy leader in all Caribbean destination weddings. In fact, the study showed that more than one in three Caribbean destination weddings take place in Jamaica, which netted a whopping 34 percent of the votes.

• Weather is the number one reason for choosing a destination. 9 out of 10 couples say that the climate at the destination wedding location was a critical factor. While most brides want the fun in the sun (Other than Las Vegas, most destination weddings occur in sunny tropical locations), there is a growing number of people looking for adventure weddings, ski resort weddings and vineyard weddings.

• Planning a destination wedding is a part time CONTINUES ON PAGE 18 u u u

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job. In the last three months before the wedding, the average bride spends about 11 hours per week planning the wedding. That is huge commitment and one that needs to be planned for. If you can’t make the time for it, then consider getting friends and family to help take some of the burden off your shoulders. You’ll be surprised with how eager many people are to help you plan a destination wedding.

• The reception makes up over 35% of the total cost of a traditional wedding and is even higher at a destination wedding. This makes a wedding reception the prime target if you are looking at cutting costs. Holding off on expensive centerpieces, selecting local flowers, and cutting back a seven course meal to five will help scale back the Hollywood scale production back to something more manageable.

• Expect to stay about a week at the destination wedding location. The average destination wedding couple ends up arriving a little less than a week out to make sure everything is in order for the wedding. Finalizing details with all the vendors and getting some down time before wedding guests arrive are two reasons why you should expect to arrive earlier than your guests (they stay an average of 3 nights).

• Guests spend three or more days at the destination wedding location, on average.

• The average spent on a destination wedding is $20,000. If you include the honeymoon, and

18 Southern Minnesota Weddings | 2023

the travel expenses, you can expect to add an additional $5-10,000 to that number. Read more about how to figure out what your destination wedding will cost.

• 40% of the couples getting married pay for a portion of travel expenses for some of their guests. It is customary to pay for your parents, and immediate family members. In many cases, the couple also pays for the bridal party’s travel expenses.

• 30% of all couples that have a destination wedding will have a party back home after the wedding.

• Destination weddings are a very popular option for second marriages. A third of all destination weddings are second marriages. There are many reasons why a destination wedding is popular for second marriages. One of them being choice, children, intimacy, want to something different, already done the traditional wedding thing etc.

• 60% of destination wedding couples pay for the wedding themselves. It is a trend that the wedding is paid for by the bride/groom rather than the parents.

As you can see from above, destination weddings are on the rise and will continue to rise as global locations and access permits. If you are interested in planning a destination wedding, here is a list of great locations.

Source : XOGroup, Travel agent central

The best wedding moments aren’t always the

By Nancy Iglesias This updated story previously ran in Girlfriends Magazine.

I

’ve always been a hopeless romantic, so when it came time to plan to my own wedding (a long time ago - think `80’s poofy sleeves and even poofier hair!), the dreaming was endless.

I couldn’t wait to purchase my first copy of “Brides” magazine and actually cried a year later when I bought my last copy.

So other than a quick glance at an issue in an airport newsstand or a random doctor’s office, I haven’t

spent much time perusing bridal magazines for several decades. I have more recently had occasion to look at on-line wedding resource websites like The Knot and Wedding Wire, where a couple can find all the information, inspiration, registration and reservations they will need to plan an amazing wedding. No, wait - not just amazing (that somehow seems sub-par) – how about an EPIC wedding?

Just to satisfy my curiosity, I checked out a few of these sites to see what they had to offer.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 20 u u u Southern Minnesota Weddings | 2023

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pressure to have the perfect day.

My husband of 34 years is a pastor. In that Check out these show-stopping role, he has come home with more than a few headlines and promises: stories of well-intentioned wedding plans that • “Five Steps to the perfect reception.” went slightly awry. There was the groom who Wow. Just five? loved his dog almost as much as his • “539 Ideas for an epic wedding.” Seriously fiance and wanted the dog to be 539? I think I liked five better. a second best man, or “best • “The No-regrets guide to wedding dog,” as it were. While the photographers.” marriage license had to • “Now you can have a not-to-be-forgotten be signed by an actual fairy-tale wedding, too!” (Like a British human, the dog did Royal Wedding?) stand/sit next to the • “Looking for a unique venue? groom for the entire Check out this Versailles-worthy chateau wedding…..well, in the South of France.” most of it. About three-quarters of With wedding website names like Carats & the way through the Cakes, Newlywish (I love this one! Don’t need a ceremony, the dog toaster or a blender? Check out this site to regisdecided to make a run ter for everything from cooking classes to crazy for it and managed to dance lessons and concert tickets), Weddington Way and All Seated, there is absolutely no reason escape through two sets of doors to the to have anything other than a first-rate affair. parking lot. He was Epic venues, epic cakes, epic dresses - lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Now remember, I’m captured quickly a big fan of romantic weddings, but when did the and, after a brief expectation go from beautiful, lovely or meaning- pause to acknowledge nature’s calling, ful to EPIC??? Is it even remotely possible to make one’s Pinterest vision board a total reality? Is he rejoined the it any wonder that more than a few women have ceremony and all was well. turned into Bridezilla before the big day comes?

My husband also It would seem as though there is just too much

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

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remembers the wedding that he called the bride Lisa, instead of her actual name, Linda, throughout the ceremony. Only when he got to the vows, did she actually get up the courage to correct him.

My husband also recalled a two-ambulance wedding. Two separate members of the bridal party fainted about 30 minutes apart. They each hit their heads hard enough to need medical attention. Yikes! Now, there’s a story for the grandkids.

He has enough stories to write a book. He always tells people that from a detail stand-point, very few weddings are actually perfect. But from a day tailor-made for them and their families, almost every wedding is “perfect” for that couple.

At the end of the day, there will be wonderful memories made and - most importantly they WILL be married.

My husband left his wedding ring on the corner of the sink in our wedding venue. As we were leaving for our honeymoon, my dad had to chase after us to ask if it was his.

My sister wanted cheesecake instead of a traditional wedding cake. This was in the days before wedding cake tastings. While the baker assured us she could do it, let’s just say that it didn’t turn out to be as beautiful or tasty as my sister was hoping.

While dashing up the steps to my brother’s wedding, in my forest green velvet dress for a candlelight Christmas wedding, I stepped on the hem of my dress and ripped half of the bottom ruffle off the dress. (In 1971, there were a lot of ruffles.)

When I looked down at the dress with tears in my eyes, just moments before the wedding was to start, my mother quickly got out a box of safety pins and started pinning me back together. Her usual kind demeanor went out the door as she warned me that my teardrops would stain the velvet.

Almost everyone has their own story that makes their wedding unique.

A good friend and former colleague, Stephanie - a wedding co-ordinator in southeastern Minnesota - shared several great stories with me. A very sweet, talented and generous mother-in-law offered to arrange the flowers for the wedding. The

flowers were all arranged and set into the church walk-in cooler by late afternoon on Friday for the Saturday wedding.

A sign was placed on the cooler

door warning people to not open the door to the cooler, because it was filled with flowers for a wedding. There was another event at the church on Friday evening, and the sign simply served as an invitation for curious visitors to take a quick sneak peek at the flowers. This action caused the cooler to work overtime; by morning, the flowers were all frozen. A mad-dash scramble the next morning and phone calls to several florists put it all back on track and the wedding went on with very few people the wiser.

Wardrobe malfunctions abound at weddings - tuxedos that arrive three sizes too big or small.

Broken zippers, missing or popped buttons. My CONTINUES ON PAGE 22 u u u SoMinn Weddings | 2023

21

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

wedding coordinator friends tell me that safety pins and duct tape can fix just about any problem.

While the verdict may still be out on whether rain on your wedding day brings “blessings or bad luck,” “Brides” magazine detailed 11 reasons why you want it to rain on your wedding day.

Outdoor weddings can be both beautiful and risky. Stephanie told me about a storm that rolled across a wedding venue, knocking out the power in its path. While the reception inside a rustic barn could mostly still happen, the fact that there was no power and no back-up generator meant that the bathrooms were not in working order.

Mother of the bride to the rescue. The bridal party limo bus was turned into a bathroom shuttle bus and people were transported back and forth from the venue to the bride’s parents’ home.

Stephanie said she coaches her couples ahead of time to think about the two or three things that

are most important to them about the day. Is it the first look? The first “official” kiss? The vows?

A special picture with father of the bride? Whatever it is, make sure everything is set for that and consider everything else that goes well a bonus.

The pursuit of the perfect wedding will always come into play. Certainly every couple wants their “special day” to be just right. But will it be perfect? Probably not.

And maybe that is the best preparation for the rest of their marriage. The days that follow the perfectly imperfect wedding will be filled with much joy and many challenges. Learning to work through the big and small mishaps of life and respond with laughter and grace is yet one more important step in this journey of life and love.

Learning to focus on the truly important is in fact what’s truly important!

Nancy Iglesias is a freelance writer and non-profit consultant. She is Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity in Winona, MN.

Getting engaged is an exciting moment in the lives of a couple. One might think that excitement would lead to couples hurrying their way down the aisle to tie the knot, but studies have shown that couples spend a significant amount of time between getting engaged and saying, “I do.” According to The Knot 2021 Real Weddings Study, the average engagement length among couples in the United States is 16 months. Though those figures are likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which undoubtedly contributed to longer engagements as couples waited to get married until large gatherings were deemed safe, it’s worth noting that lengthy engagements are not specifically a COVID-related phenomenon. In fact, The Knot reports that the average length of engagement in 2019 was 14 months. Taking more time to get to know one another also seems to be a popular approach among modern couples, as The Knot Jewelry and Engagement Study found that three-quarters of all couples who wed in 2021 had dated for two or more years prior to getting engaged.

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H

ave you seen the ring bearer and flower girl photos with their cute signs? How adorable are these?!?!

This brings the flower girl and ring bearer ave you seen the ring to a completely diffent level. Whether your sign is sweet or adds a little humor to yourgirl bearer and flower special day, let the kids spread some joy!

H

photos with their cute signs? How adorable are these?!?!

This brings the flower girl and ring Details: He Asked-She Said Yes via Pintrest (source unknown) Cell Phone signs via A Paper bearer to a /completely different Proposal / All You Need is Love sign via Family Attic Shoppe / Here Comes the Bride from Jason level.

Whether your sign is sweet or Crader Photography via The Wedding Post / adds a little to your Here Comes your Girlhumor from Gem Photo via Joyfulspecial Weddings and Events / Happily Ever After via Our day, letYourthe spread joy!

Hobby to Homekids / Just Married from some Young Source: On The Go Bride, onthegobride.com

Hearts Photography via Style Me Pretty.

Source: On The Go Bride, onthegobride.com

Details: He Asked-She Said Yes via Pintrest (source unknown) / Cell Phone signs via A Paper Proposal / All You Need is Love sign via Family Attic Shoppe / Here Comes the Bride from Jason Crader Photography via The Wedding Post / Here Comes your Girl from Gem Photo via Joyful Weddings and Events / Happily Ever After via Our Hobby to Your Home / Just Married from Young Hearts Photography via Style Me Pretty.

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Choosing a hue for the bridesmaid gowns

B

ridesmaids are an important part of the wedding party, and most brides opt to have a handful of close friends and family members play a special role in the wedding. Choosing a gown and a color that will flatter all of the bridesmaids typically takes a little work.

An overwhelming majority of couples choose to have a formal wedding. The average number of bridesmaids for these formal weddings is four.

Considering around two million weddings take place in North America every year, that’s a lot of bridesmaids for whom gowns and other attire

24 SoMinn Weddings | 2023

must be planned.

Many bridesmaids worry about the gowns they will wear come the big day. Horrible bridesmaid dresses have been the butt of jokes for years, and many people have their own stories of garish gowns they’ve been asked to don for a wedding. Some have said that brides intentionally choose ugly gowns for their bridesmaids to ensure they’re not outshined come the wedding day. Although this may be the case for some, most brides aspire to select gowns that will be flattering for all. And color scheme is integral in the choice of gown.

Every well-planned wedding carries a color

scheme throughout. This includes the color a bride selects for her bridesmaids to wear. But not every color accentuates everyone’s features.

Therefore, some experimentation might be necessary to find a color that is flattering to all and fits with the color scheme.

Depending on hair color and skin shade, there are many flattering hues available for gowns.

When making this decision, consider bridesmaids’ ethnicity and skin tone.

African-American: Women with dark skin and hair may really shine in jewel-colored gowns, including silver, gold, purple and salmon.

Very pale colors may be daring and conspicuous.

Asian and olive-skinned women: Those with a slight yellow tone to their skin will look good in many colors, including red, navy, peach, and fuchsia. However, avoid colors in light yellow, aqua, gray, taupe, or mint, which may make the bridesmaid look washed out.

Fair skin: Ladies with pale skin will benefit from richly colored gowns in jewel tones. Pastels may work, but be careful about those depending on hair color. Pink or red-hued gowns may clash with someone with auburn hair. Yellow and green may not work with a fair brunette. Gray and silver may wash out someone who is pale and blonde.

Once a color is chosen, brides also need to consider the season. Certain colors may look out of place depending on the season. For example, an evergreen or deep blue may seem wintry during a summer wedding. Similarly, russet or brown may work for the autumn but not for a spring wedding. Many brides gravitate toward mid-level blues, greens, pinks and purples for their weddings, simply because those colors transcend the seasons.

After colors are worked out, the style of the gown deserves consideration. Because not every bridesmaid has the same physical attributes, many brides are now open to selecting a color and length and allowing the bridesmaid herself to choose the exact style. This way someone who is busty won’t feel uncomfortable in strapless, and someone who is thin won’t be overwhelmed by a lot of ruffles. The intent is to have bridesmaids feel beautiful and comfortable, and different styles can help achieve this.

Making the effort to choose a gown color and style that is flattering to all in the bridal party will help the ladies feel they are truly a special part of the wedding.

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Often overlooked and hardly seen, shoes are the underrated piece of a stunning bridal ensemble. They can be the most important aspect of bridal comfort from the time you walk ceremoniously down the aisle all the way through the last dance of the night.

C

hoosing your dream gown is difficult enough, so don’t sweat the small stuff on your shoes. You can be both functional and fashionable when selecting a shoe that matches

your dress.

Always measure You may be attracted to a special online deal that you come across, but be sure to have an accurate measurement before making your final purchase. Measuring is also important for your bridal shop consultant.

Once you have your shoes, wear them for your dress fitting. This way, your dressmaker will know the exact height of your shoes so she can adjust your dress accordingly.

Comfort first You will likely be on your feet for most of your wedding day, so opt for comfort first. What good are your shoes if your feet are blistered at the end of the night? Choosing a high spiky heel may sound like a good idea for giving you a bit of extra height, but won’t seem so enticing after you catch a heel in your dress.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 27 u u u

26 SoMinn Weddings | 2023

Tradition behind bridal veils

T

hough couples can plan wedding ceremonies and receptions how they see fit, many weddings are steeped in tradition, some of which may be more subtle than others. One long-standing wedding tradition revolves around a bride’s attire. Historians differ regarding the origins of the bridal veil, but some trace this tradition all the way back to Ancient Greece. Others suggest bridal veils were first popularized within the Roman Empire by people who believed that the veil protected the bride from evil spirits as she walked down the aisle. Traditions surrounding bridal veils even differ within various faiths,

so the veil may signify one thing at a Jewish wedding and something entirely different at a Christian ceremony. Veils also have long been seen by some as symbolic of purity. Despite their long-held position in wedding lore and tradition, veils are no longer seen as a must-have. Nor are brides who choose to wear a veil beholden to having it cover their face as they walk down the aisle. In fact, many modern brides now flip their veils over their head as they walk down the aisle en route to saying, “I do.” Regardless of how brides who opt for veils choose to wear them, there’s no denying the enduring popularity of this tradition.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Practice makes perfect

Color scheme correlated

Don’t wait until your special day to give your shoes a test run. Wear them around the house for a couple hours per week leading up to the wedding. This will help them break in and get your feet used to them, as well.

A lot of brides are choosing to go with a colored wedding shoe that either matches the color of their bridesmaids’ dresses or correlates with the overall color scheme of their wedding.

This pretty little touch adds a subtle pop of color that many brides feel takes their look to the next level. Choosing a colored shoe opens the door to many different styles and also allows you to add some personality to your look.

Match your theme Are you going with a country wedding that will be most easily navigated on a pair of wedges?

How about a big city event that you may decide to brave high heels? The nature of your venue and event deserve consideration during your shoeshopping experience.

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Marriage Licenses: Everything you need to know How to Get a Marriage License in Minnesota You’re getting married! Chances are, thoughts of dresses and flowers, first dances, and menu selections are flurrying in your mind. But there are some other wedding planning tasks you have to take care of before the big day, like getting a marriage license.

Because the process of getting a marriage license can vary so much from state to state, you’ll want to make sure you’re well versed in the process before you head out to get one.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Minnesota Contrary to other states where you may have to head to court buildings or municipal centers, any county within Minnesota, you can head to any service center or DMV. But, you must do it in person.

To make things a bit easier, Minnesota has an online feature called MOMS (Minnesota Official Marriage System), which was created, designed, and managed by Minnesota counties to help you navigate the process (Note: Scott and Washington County do not participate). Through this site, you can click on your county for more specific information and instructions.

All applicants will have to complete a formal

28 SoMinn Weddings | 2023

application which you can begin online and are encouraged to print and complete an application prior.

Minnesota Marriage License Requirements Within Minnesota, marriage applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Both partners must appear together and present a valid photo ID. The marriage ceremony must take place within the state, and once issued, your license will be valid for six months.

A unique feature of Minnesota’s marriage license process is its Premarital Education program. The program is 12 hours long, with the teacher being a licensed/ordained minister, a person licensed to practice marriage and family therapy, or an authorized officiant who can legally solemnize your marriage in Minnesota.

TIP: If you complete this program, the hefty standard $115 marriage license fee is reduced to $40. It is payable by check cash, or credit/debit card.

There is some key information you’ll need to have, too. Be prepared with: • Legal names of both applicants • Current addresses

• Dates of birth • State/country where each person was born • County in which each applicant lives • Social security numbers • Information on any previous marriages • Full name the applicants intend to have after the marriage • Mailing address for the marriage certificate to be sent (post-wedding) • Get Married!

Time to get married! So, you can tie the knot as soon as you get your license! Or, you can wait a bit. The marriage license is good for six months after you apply.

The marriage license is only a formal approval for permission to marry. It doesn’t mean you’re married. That’s where the marriage certificate comes in. Don’t confuse the two.

On your big day, don’t forget the license. Give it to a trusted person, like your wedding planner, best man/maid of honor, or officiant. Then after the ceremony, your officiant must file the license with the county that issued it.

witness the ceremony. A judges’ staff may assist in providing witnesses at an additional charge.

WHERE TO APPLY Blue Earth County Mankato, MN 507-304-4340

Le Sueur County Le Center, MN 507-357-2251

Brown County New Ulm, MN 507-233-6653

Nicollet County St. Peter, MN 507-934-0325

Dakota County Hasting, MN 651-437-3191

Rice County Faribault, MN 507-332-6114

Dodge County Mantorville, MN 507-635-6250

Steele County Owatonna, MN 507-444-7450

Goodhue County Red Wing, MN 651-385-3148

Waseca County Waseca, MN 507-835-0670

The fee is $115. A marriage license must be used within six months or it expires.

_____________________________

What do you need to get married at a courthouse MN? Day of the Marriage Ceremony When arriving for your marriage ceremony, you must bring with you a marriage license issued by any Minnesota county, a photo ID for each applicant, and two adults with photo ID who can

What Is a Marriage License?

A marriage license is a legal document obtained by a couple prior to marriage.

Once the license is signed (during or after your ceremony) and returned by an officiant to the county, a marriage certificate is issued.

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