Valley bridal guide june 2018

GUIDE June 2018

Le Center Leader | Le Sueuer News-Herald | St. Peter Herald

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BRIDAL GUIDE

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How to curtail wedding spending and still impress guests

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June 2018

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(Metro) Tying the knot can be an expensive endeavor. According to The Knot 2017 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 13,000 brides and grooms in the United States who got married in 2017, the average cost of a wedding was more than $33,000.

That figure may surprise some couples planning their weddings, many of whom may not be able to afford spending so much on their ceremonies and receptions.

Couples may feel pressure to compete with friends and relatives whose weddings they have attended in the past, and that may compel some to stretch their budgets and even go into debt to finance their nuptials. However, there are ways for couples to curtail their wedding spending and impress guests at the same time.

• 2017 Real Weddings Study found that couples spent an average of $268 per guest in 2017. Many couples are recognizing that smaller guest lists are a great way

to lower wedding spending, and The Knot study found that the average guest count decreased from 149 in 2009 to 136 in 2017.

Trimming the guest list may seem harsh, but couples who work together need not cut their guest lists in half. By working together, couples can likely find between 10 and 15 acquaintances on their initial lists who won’t be offended if they’re not invited.

Couples who spend the 2017 average per guest can save nearly $3,000 by removing just 10 people from their guest lists.

• your venue horizons. A greater number of couples are looking beyond traditional wedding venues and opting for more unique locales to tie the knot. The 2017 Real Weddings Study found that 15 percent of 2017 weddings were held on farms, ranches and even in barns, while just 2 percent of weddings were hosted in such venues in 2009. The growing popularity of unique wedding venues may make some locations more expensive than

couples anticipate, but a willingness to tie the knot in a unique venue greatly increases couples’ options, improving the chances they will find more affordable venues.

• tainment. Customizing experiences for guests is a major reason why today’s couples are spending so much more per guest than their predecessors. Spending for customized guest entertainment, which includes things like photo booths, sparklers and video booths, tripled between 2009 and 2017. Couples may want to give their guests unique experiences, but should not stretch their budgets or go into debt to do so.

• Summer and fall were the most popular wedding seasons in 2017, and that does not figure to change anytime soon. Couples can take advantage of those trends by getting married in winter, a slow season for wedding venues and vendors, who might be more flexible with their prices. The most popular months to tie the knot in 2017 were September, June and October, so couples who don’t want to wed in winter but want to avoid paying top prices should avoid those three months.

Weddings are expensive, but couples can find ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

BRIDE’S GUIDE JUNE 2018 A special publication of the Le Center Leader, Le Sueur News-Herald and St. Peter Herald Media Consultants Kathleen Davies Missy Daschner Gayle Stelten

Publisher Chad Hjellming Advertising Design Mary Jo Blanchard Kate McGillen

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Bride’s Guide June 2018 is distributed to subscribers and readers of the Le Center Leader, Le Sueur News-Herald and St. Peter Herald at no additional charge. All rights reserved. ©2018 All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertiser.

June 2018

BRIDAL GUIDE

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Cut blooms that will last the longest (Metro) Flowers may look beautiful in gardens and even when snipped and brought inside to brighten up a mantel or dining table. Unfortunately, cut flowers have a finite shelf life.

While cut blooms can’t live forever, certain varieties will outlast others. Choosing flowers wisely for wedding centerpieces or keepsakes can help couples enjoy selected flowers longer.

• for about a week or two when brought indoors. HGTV says to snip the stems when the buds are tight, wrap them in newspaper and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to arrange.

• blooms can last for three to four weeks and are best harvested in summer. Related to the sunflower, zinnias are available in a wide range of colors.

• ly referred to as ‘mums,’ these midsummer to late-fall flowers can last between three and four

5

weeks after being cut. Mums can be used to fill out floral displays because they tend to be inexpensive but durable flowers.

• coneflower is popular, but coneflowers are available in many colors aside from purple. Coneflowers attract butterflies and are beautiful in cut displays.

• lus mimic the look of roses and display layer after layer of silky,

plants can last up to two weeks after being cut and add variety can last a week or more in vases and texture to floral displays. if they’re put in water right after Although advice varies on being cut.

• - how to keep cut flowers fresh the get-friendly flower, carnations longest, veteran florist Nic Faiare popular from early spring tos, senior partner at Starbright until late summer. Available in Floral Design in New York, who many hues, they can be used in has provided his floral expertise conjunction with other blooms for Reader’s Digest, says the best to create well-rounded floral dis- approach is to keep vase water plays that may last between two clean. In addition, ProFlowers suggests keeping cut blooms in a and three weeks. cool room away from direct sun• flowers that are beautiful to be- light and heat. hold. Lilies are available in vari-

great reasons to take engagement photos

(Metro) During their engagements, couples will make many decisions in regard to their weddings. Wedding planning can sometimes seem like a runaway train of appointments, schedules and deadlines. As a result, some couples do not take the time to enjoy being engaged, which is a special and unique

time in their lives.

Engagement photo shoots can be a unique way for couples to commemorate and enjoy the months preceding their weddings. Engagement photos memorialize the engagement and provide many additional benefits as well.

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ous sizes and colors and can be bought fresh year-round. Lilies often last longer than a week after being cut. Look for lilies with tight buds, as such flowers tend to last the longest.

• ers of the vertical-growing gladiolus, which is sometimes referred to as the ‘sword lily,’ are available in yellow, peach, pink, white, and

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shoots give couples a chance to connect with their photographers. Booking an engagement photo shoot provides helpful information to both the couple and pher gets to see how the couple interacts in front of the lens and can determine any insecurities or strengths and weaknesses

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BRIDAL GUIDE

June 2018

Live wedding (Metro) Booking a live band for a wedding or another special event can be a great idea.

The atmosphere live musicians can provide is unmatched. Live musicians offer a level of excitement that may not be met by other musical options. But some couples may find the prospect of booking live entertainment a bit challenging, especially if they’ve never hired musicians for an event before. Here are some tips to make the process go smoothly.

• Just like you might before booking other vendors, seek advice from friends or family members who have recently gotten hitched or had live performers

at their events. They may have wonderful things to say about particular bands or performers.

Individuals also can consider a resource such as HireLiveMusicians.com, a global musician database that can help couples narrow down their options.

• sicians play. Live musicians can entertain guests throughout the ceremony and reception, but the longer musicians play, the more they’re likely to cost. Work with musicians to develop a schedule that suits your budget.

• sure musicians understand the type of atmosphere you’re hoping to create. A band that customarily plays swing or big-

band era songs may not fit in at weddings with more modern themes.

• sicians may have fees related to their agents, cartage (extra given to musicians who carry large equipment), mileage costs, travel time, lighting, and other factors that affect the overall price.

Discuss these fees before signing any agreements.

• Live musicians are great but not if the space is too small. Otherwise, the music can be too loud and overpowering, or the band will not have adequate space to before making any decisions.

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Things to consider when choosing a wedding party (Metro) Making the important decision to get married can fill couples with joy and excitement as they imagine spending the rest of their lives together.

Naturally, brides- and groomsto-be are anxious to share the good news with others and include family and friends in the festivities. One way couples exemplify inclusion is by asking their closest acquaintances to be part of their wedding parties.

Being asked to serve as a bridesmaid or groomsman is an honor. Some couples may be tempted to ask every friend, sibling or cousin they have to be in their wedding parties, and some do. In fact, ancient Roman law required 10 witnesses to be part of the wedding ceremony.

However, the larger the wedding party, the more people couples have to coordinate and the more personalities they must manage.

While large wedding parties are in style, there isn’t any one-

size-fits-all formula to decide which size party is right for a particular situation. Trends vary based on geography and culture.

These tips can help couples decide on the size of their wedding parties.

• style. Wedding planners may use a standard ratio for a proportion of guests to wedding party members. That ratio is one pair of wedding attendants for every 50 guests. This creates a balanced feel where the more people in attendance, the larger the wedding party and vice versa.

• Wedding party members may be asked to spend considerable amounts of money to be in the wedding, but the couple will have certain expenses tied to the wedding party as well. These can include limousines to ferry people between the ceremony and reception, photography costs to arrange and photograph

large wedding parties, the cost of boutonnieres and bouquets, attendants’ gifts, as well as extra mouths to feed at the rehearsal dinner. Small wedding parties can be easier on couples’ budgets.

•

they expect from their wedding parties. Do couples want their loved ones to be very handson or waiting in the wings? For those who want a lot of input from their wedding parties, asking distant friends or family to be included may be impractical.

• people. Wedding party members should be people couples can rely on, and it only helps if wedding party members are not prone to

party that can be trusted and people with whom you get along.

Wedding party sizes are up to the couple, but bigger isn’t always better.

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June 2018

BRIDAL GUIDE

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Overcome wedding weather obstacles (Metro) Summer approaches with the promise of warm temperatures. Weather is one reason why summer is such a popular season to tie the knot.

But just because sunny skies and rising mercury are par for the course, that does not mean Mother Nature won’t invite herself to the festivities - and attempt to upstage happy couples in the process.

Some feel it’s good luck for couples to get rain on their wedding days, but many couples would trade in a little of that luck for clear skies. However, weather can be fickle, and couples who build contingency plans into

their wedding festivities are much more likely to overcome inclement weather than couples without such plans.

• and heat. Couples don’t want their wedding guests or bridal party members passing out due to heat exhaustion. Make sure to offer shade if the ceremony or reception is outside. Stock the area with cold bottles of water or a chilled lemonade stand. Have fans and umbrellas available just in case guests need a way to protect themselves from the sun.

• course of hot and humid days, storm clouds can develop and

roll in. Afternoon thunderstorms are quite common on summer days. Accommodate for sudden downpours by hosting early luncheon receptions or ensure there is a plan B that includes a covered area. Couples can stash spare shoes or even rain slickers in a car to keep their wedding attire protected against rain as they dash between venues or take photos.

• skies with lightning or overcast days can make for unique and striking wedding photography.

Couples needn’t look at the downside of rain, but rather they should see the opportunities for

one-of-a-kind memories.

• standby. Storms may knock out power. Some reception halls or banquet facilities may have their own backup power, but be sure to address how power outages are handled. If need be, bring in a portable generator to keep the reception room cooled by fans.

• outdoor weddings present beautiful backdrops for weddings. But being near the shore may mean accepting windy conditions. Tie down tents and use weights to keep wedding programs or other papers from catching a current.

The bride and her wedding party

should opt for free-flowing tresses so they needn’t worry about intricate updos coming undone.

• mor. It’s impossible to predict

wedding day weather, but staying calm, going with the flow and laughing at things they can’t control can help couples make memories that last a lifetime.

SECOND MARRIAGE GUIDE

to express their love for each othmay be necessary. These legal getting married.

A second marriage deserves er and their appreciation to their documents also will be needed for men and women who intend as much celebration as the first friends and families. to change their last names after and gives couples an opportunity

(Metro) Taking a chance on love and marriage for the second (or third) time is certainly

Research Center reports that at least four in 10 new marriages now include at least one partner who has been married before, a trend that is on the rise. can be challenging, as individuals may be worried about proper etiquette, superstitions or meeting the expectations of others. But there are no hard rules governing second weddings. Now that couples are older and a bit more experienced, wedding planning may be met with greater enthusiasm and patience. These tips can help the process along.

• not eschew white if they prefer to wear it for their second weddings. White, cream, ivory, or other shades are perfectly acceptable. Also, brides can make their gowns as lavish or as simplistic as they desire. The length and style of the dress should reflect the formality and scope of the event.

• who have been married before may want to set this new occasion apart from their previous weddings. Brides magazine experts suggest discussing

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previous celebrations and what can be done differently this time around. Couples can use this opportunity to get to know each other more intimately by personalizing their festivities.

• timate affairs. Second weddings tend to be more intimate, as guest lists tend to be smaller and couples tying the knot again may prefer more intimacy and less hustle and bustle. But couples should not avoid inviting people simply because second weddings are typically small affairs. Invite as many friends and family as you want and as your budget allows.

• lished couples may have the household basics already in place, but registries can include

fun or entertaining gifts that speak to couples’ interests. These may include home theater systems, fancy cookware, athletic equipment, or even funds for travel.

• ples who have children can make them a special part of their seccan play any role in the ceremony, depending on their age. If the second marriage comes after an amicable divorce, couples can invite their former spouses to provide support to their children so they can feel comfortable in the wedding.

• application process is similar the second time around, but additional documents, such as a divorce decree or death certificate,

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BRIDAL GUIDE

June 2018

Factors to consider before including Fido in your wedding (Metro) Pets are full-fledged members of many families and even, apparently, families-to-be.

In its 2016 American Wedding Study, Brides magazine found that 8 percent of wedding ceremonies included pets.

While the couples of yesteryear might have left Fido at home, many of today’s couples want their four-legged friends to be there on their big day. Though no studies to date have examined which animals are most likely to make an appearance at couples’ nuptials, it’s fair to assume that dogs, which tend to get out of the house more than most other types of pets, are the most common furry bridesmaids, groomsmen or ring bearers.

Before including dogs in their wedding plans, couples may want to consider a few factors to ensure asking Fido to be

there come the big day is what’s with their owners. Dogs that best for couples, their guests and, are sociable and unaggressive of course, their beloved pooches. may make perfect additions to wedding ceremonies, while animals that exhibit anxiety around Eligibility Some venues do not allow strangers or seem uncomfortable pets that are not documented in noisy settings should be kept assistance animals on the prem- out of the ceremony. ises. Confirm a venue’s pet policy before purchasing any wedding Health Dog owners also must conday attire for your dog. Couples who are intent on including their sider their pets’ health when depets in their wedding ceremonies ciding whether or not to include should only consider pet-friend- them in the wedding ceremony. ly facilities, which may be hard to Couples who bonded over a love find. Couples who plan to take a of their dog may really hope to limousine to and from their wed- include their furry friend in the ding also should confirm that the festivities, but should not do so at the expense of the animal’s cars allow pets before booking. health. Outdoor wedding ceremonies under sunny skies may Personality No two dogs are the same. produce potentially unhealthy Some dogs might love people conditions for certain breeds or and attention, while others older dogs. Dogs that have difmight prefer one-on-one time ficulty getting around may need a red wagon (and attendant) to

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Assistance Couples will be busy on their wedding days, so they may need to arrange for a caretaker to look after their dog during and after the ceremony. Asking a guest or guests to play this role may be asking too much, as guests will no doubt want to celebrate without having to take care of a dog. A professional pet sitter might work, but that can be costly, as couples must pay for the sitter and will likely need to pay for the sitter to have a seat and a meal during the reception.

Dogs can make great additions to weddings, but couples must consider a host of factors before deciding to have Fido join them as they tie the knot.

TYING THE KNOT

(Metro) Should a person hear that a couple ‘tied the knot,’ it’s immediately known that they got married. But just when and where does the term ‘tying the knot’ come from? The phrase ‘tying the knot’ is steeped in tradition, though the origins of the phrase remain open for debate.

One origin story states that tying the knot can be traced back to the Roman empire, when brides wore girdles that were tied in knots, and the groom had to

eventually untie those knots to consummate the marriage. Tying the knot also may be traced to the custom of handfasting.

The marriage contract was established between a bride and a groom by joining their hands together and tying them. Although accounts vary as to whether the hands were tied only during the ceremony or later, this is believed to be an ancient Renaissance or Celtic tradition. Others speculate that the phrase traces its origins

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to Hindu weddings in which brides and grooms tied a necklace of flowers as part of wedding tradition. Yet another theory suggests that the phrase can be traced back to the knotted string that supported beds prior to the use of metal springs. Therefore, in order to make a marriage bed, couples first needed to tie the knot. Knots also represent a difficult-to-break bond, which is why they have long been associated with marriage. In one unity tradition, couples may braid or knot together three strands, with one representing the bride, one symbolizing the groom and the third representing God as they join together in faith. Similarly, the phrase ‘getting hitched’ is associated with knot-tying as well.

The saying implies that two people are being tied together just like a horse is tied, or hitched, to a wagon.

June 2018

BRIDAL GUIDE

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Merging finances after tying the knot (Metro) Happy couples experience various changes after tying the knot. One of those changes concerns couples’ finances.

According to an analysis of data from the National Survey of Families and Households, arguments about money are a frequent concern with married couples. Furthermore, there is a higher correlation between the risk of divorce and the prevalence of financial disagreements.

While fights about money do not necessarily cause divorce, they can create rifts in relationships.

Even couples who have plenty of money may have disagreements about their finances. Arguments may stem from couples not understanding how their partner views money or the disparities in spending habits among partners. Couples who make early efforts to get on the same page concerning finances may have smoother waters ahead than those who delay such dis-

cussions.

• Couples should define their financial goals together. Is it a goal to save for early retirement? Is a house in the immediate future?

Is frequent travel a desire? Are we planning to contribute much to future children’s educations?

These questions and more need to be addressed early on. By creating a financial plan together, couples can more clearly map out their financial futures.

• be easier. Some couples want to maintain their full financial independence. But combining accounts can help couples avoid arguments about secrecy and concerns about partner spending. Combining accounts also affords couples a clearer picture of their spending and saving habits.

• One person may be bringing more debt to the marriage than another. It’s important for all cards to be on the table and to

work together to eradicate debt.

If a person will be coming to the marriage with poor credit, it may be worth it to keep things separate until a spouse works on remedying his or her finances, according to Credit.com.

• penses. One partner may make more money than the other, and one may spend more time handling household needs or future childcare responsibilities.

Couples need to agree whether one person pays for certain bills exclusively, whether they spend from one salary and save the other, or combine finances completely and spend equally, offers NerdWallet.

Engaged couples who develop a post-wedding financial plan may find their transition to being married much easier than those who delay such discussions.

Speaking about finances in advance of the wedding and working together to form a financial strategy can set a steady course for a couple’s financial security.

PHOTOS

Continued from page 3 couples and their photographer don’t click, scheduling an engagement shoot well in advance of the wedding gives couples a chance to find someone else to take their photos.

2. An engagement photo shoot gives couples time to spend together. An engagement photo shoot is an ideal time to spend an afternoon in a special location focusing on each other without wedding planning taking up your time.

3. Photo shoots provide a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera. Professional photographs taken before the wedding enables couples to view how they will appear in pictures.

Seeing these photos might help couples grow more comfortable in front of the camera. This practice can help couples temper their anxieties prior to the wedding. An engagement shoot also can be a great time for couples to speak with their photographers about angles or styles they prefer

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4. The bride and groom have save-the-date or social media photos. Engagement photographs can be used for savethe-date cards or social media postings (check with the photographer for licensing agreements).

This can be a great way to spread excitement about the upcoming nuptials.

5. Photo shoots provide a

chance to experiment with vivid backdrops. Engagement photography gives couples plenty of opportunities to experiment with different locales, which may not be possible come the wedding day.

Engagement photography can be a worthwhile inclusion in pre-wedding celebrations.

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