Brides-Guide-2011

BRIDE’S GUIDE Litchfield Independent Review & Hutchinson Leader 2011

COMING HOME

HOW TO PLAN YOUR WEDDING FROM AFAR

2011 Content That Works – All Rights Reserved.

Image courtesy Nicole Miller

Your Perfect Hometown Wedding

THE DIY WEEKEND

HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN STYLISH WEDDING WARES BEAUTY SECRETS

SUPER EASY SUPER SMART

PLUS SIMPLY STYLISH GOWNS SWEET ‘N’ SIMPLE CAKES GROCERY STORE WEDDINGS THE ROAD-TRIP HONEYMOON COUNTDOWN TO A FASCINATING WEDDING

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

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Directory of Advertisers Litchfield Floral ................................................................................27 Litchfield Municipal Liquor ..............................................................25 Lou Lou’s Sweet Shop ......................................................................12 Minnesota Cowboy..........................................................................20 Paws Floral.......................................................................................25 Pearl Limousine................................................................................31 Rain Avenue Photography ................................................................23 Ramsey Printing & Design,Inc. ........................................................15 RE/MAX Today’s Realty, Rachel Huls.................................................32 The Bridal Boutique & Outlet...........................................................30 The Village Shop...............................................................................21 Weddings on First ..............................................................................2

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Ali Lu Studios ...................................................................................15 AmericInn Lodge & Suites of Hutchinson.........................................28 Bella Photography............................................................................13 Best Western Victorian Inn................................................................19 Blue Note Ballroom of Winsted........................................................31 Bumble Bee’s Floral..........................................................................28 Bursch Travel....................................................................................21 Cakes by Jan.....................................................................................21 Cash Wise Bakery & Floral..................................................................6 Celebration Glass .............................................................................30 Hutchinson Event Center.................................................................27 City of Norwood Young America ........................................................3 Clay Coyote Gallery..........................................................................29 Clip-Clop Trolley ..............................................................................20 Cold Spring Bakery ..........................................................................24 Creative Clothing by Sharon Wilson ...................................................7 Crow River Floral ...............................................................................9 Crow River Golf Club.......................................................................22 DeAnn’s Country Village Shoppe......................................................23 Downtown Clothing Company........................................................16 Dundee Nursery & Floral .................................................................11 Cedar Edge Ballroom/Edge Bar & Grill................................................9 Ellie Dille..........................................................................................14 Emmaus Place Gifts..........................................................................13 Favorite Treasures.............................................................................27 Genesis Salon/Ensospa.....................................................................32 GR Productions................................................................................25 Grapevine Gifts & Rentals,LLC.........................................................12 Hager Jewelry ..................................................................................19 Heirloom’s Tea Room ......................................................................14 Kable Productions ...........................................................................23 Kay’s Kakes........................................................................................3 Lake Marion Ballroom ......................................................................24 Lamplighter II ..................................................................................27 Laurie’s Design.................................................................................16 Liquor Hutch....................................................................................29 Litchfield Eagles Club.......................................................................21

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

T

here’s a new sense that less is more in the bridal gown world,both in terms of style and price.

Fuss-free gowns,in columns,sheaths and cocktail styles,are getting their due as brides scale down their version of their dream dresses,maybe because they’re older brides or are tying the knot in a more casual environment.In step with the mood,some brides are slashing their fashion budgets in these not-so-flush times.

As a result,a number of brides are embracing “non-bridal”styles,per se,made by the likes of contemporary designers,such as BCBG Max Azria and Sue Wong – not your typical go-to bridal resources but ones that are creating “sexy, romantic and feminine”gowns that are “absolutely suitable for weddings,” according to Wong.The shift has prompted other designers and retailers into rolling out their own wallet-friendly bridal options that are less showy and more sophisticated.

In spring,White House |Black Market unveiled a strapless dress with a high-low hem for $499,

Simply Stylish Brides have enough to stress about on their wedding day. Having paid thousands for an uncomfortable dress should not be one of those reasons.

Here’s a guide to gowns that look great, feel great, and come without the great, big price tag

By Nola Sarkisian-Miller | CTW Features

Bride’s Guide • 2011

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“Today’s bride wants a designer gown, which is more fashion-forward compared to the princess-like dresses worn by brides years ago.” - Sol Baratech,Designer Bride.

Sue Wong image courtesy Nordstrom.com

and now it has added three more looks all for under $700.After hearing that its customers were buying its dresses for bridesmaid functions,The Limited debuted a two-dress collection online this summer for under $300,with plans to expand the line to seven looks by January 2011 (four styles currently are available).

Higher-end designers joined the mix this summer when the likes of David Meister and Carmen Marc Volvo signed on with New York-based Designer Bride Inc.to license bridal gowns for $1,500 to $3,000 that are not overthe-top.

“Brides want to tone it down,” says Jill Giordano,co-owner of San Francisco-based gr.dano, a contemporary line of architecturally inspired clothes.“They want their dress to match their style versus their age.You can still wear something that’s nontraditional and look spectacular.”

Giordano recently outfitted a violinist for her wedding.The musician had picked out a gr.dano skirt made of crinkled nylon for a press

tour and opted to wear it along with a custommade knit blouse for her special day.The possibility of catering to more bridal customers is on Giordano’s radar,especially with her spring line that includes a white halter maxi dress in cotton poplin for under $400.

“We’re definitely trying to hit the events market but keep it in line with what we do – clean, approachable,flattering styles,” Giordano says.

‘Fun and Posh’ White House | Black Market got a plug for its new wedding dress collection in the September 2010 issue of O,The Oprah Magazine,which highlights its elegant strapless Victoria bridal gown in ecru tulle and satin with a floor-sweeping mermaid skirt.The collection also features a mix of accessories,such

Nylon/silk beaded strapless dress with appliqué swirl and ruched bodice from Sue Wong, far left.

Silk empire waist dress with crinkle chiffon ruffles and ivory satin sash from The Limited, left.

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

as satin slingback heels and a clutch.

Along with three bridal gowns priced at $298 (and one at $398),The Limited’s wedding collection offers two bridesmaid dresses under $100,plus accessories,such as teardrop earrings and bobby pin sets.Its strapless ruffled wedding gown in crinkle chiffon generated positive reviews online,many from second-time brides and those having casual weddings.Based on the feedback,The Limited is planning to test the dresses in stores in the next year, says Marci Milito,director of public relations for The Limited.

“Even though brides don’t want to spend a huge portion of

their budgets on their dress,they still want that shopping experience and we’re looking to make it fun and posh for her,” Milito says.

Los Angeles-based David Meister,whose eveningwear has graced celebrities such as Emmanuelle Chriqui and Diane Lane,is injecting glamour in his bridal gowns hitting about 20 stores in November,including Neiman Marcus,Couture Bridal in Bal Harbour,Fla.and Bridal Images in Rockville,Md.,according to Erin Haggerty,senior manager of public relations for Kellwood Company,parent company of David Meister. A tulle ballgown with a tiered skirt and a one-shoulder silk wool Mikado gown are a couple highlights from the 12-style collection, which hit the bridal market in October.

Meister’s gowns,along with

The Victoria ecro tulle and satin gown with mermaid skirt from White House | Black Market, right.

‘Sexy, romantic and feminine,’ designer Sue Wong says of her bridal-esque styles, left.

Perfect

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Deli Department: We do full-line catering or help with part of your meal.

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Sue Wong image courtesy Nordstrom.com

Bride’s Guide • 2011

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Nylon/silk party dress with boned bodice and ostrich-feather skirt from Sue Wong, left.

One-shoulder silk mikado gown from David Meister, above.

Cotton poplin halter maxi-dress from gr.dano, left.

Wang-influenced look without the sticker shock.

Other high-profile names,like Nordstrom, have entered the wedding business.The Seattlebased department store has added a wedding section on its website devoted to gowns made by contemporary designers,such as Laundry by Shelli Segal and Nicole Miller,all of which retail for under $1,000.

Full-service bridal boutiques have also noticed an uptick in interest from brides seeking gowns with down-to-earth styles and prices.

“There’s growing interest in that price point,” says Allyson Marshall,manager of Bridal Boutique in Baton Rouge,La.,which carries lines such as Maggie Sottero,Casablanca and Mori Lee.“About 60 percent of our business is devoted to that category compared to 40 percent a couple of years ago.”

Boutique owners caution,however,that the dress a bride chooses should mirror the vibe of the wedding.

“About 10 percent of the wedding budget should be devoted to the wedding gown,so if you’re having a swanky,$50,000 affair and your gown doesn’t measure up,you may not look right,” says Bobbie Lopez,owner of All Brides Beautiful in Hudson,Ohio. © CTW Features

those of his contemporaries at Designer Bride,are targeting a “new bride,” says Sol Baratech,marketing manager for Designer Bride.

“More independent and more mature, she now pays for her gown,” Baratech says.

“She is also more sophisticated and fashion savvy.Today’s bride wants a designer gown,which is more fashion-forward compared to the princesslike dresses worn by brides years ago.”

Accessible High Fashion That designer touch is arriving at David’s Bridal in February 2011,when über-bridal designer,Vera Wang,debuts her line, White by Vera Wang,with the national retailer.The collection, priced from $600 to $1,500,gives fans a chance to buy a Vera

Creative Clothing Sharon Wilson by

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

CHEEKS It doesn’t take a beauty professional to unlock great looks. It just takes a little practicality – and maybe a trip to the local grocery and drug stores. Here’s bridal party’s worth of no-nonsense beauty tips courtesy of InStyle magazine’s new beauty bible, “InStyle Ultimate Beauty Secrets (Mechler Media, 2010):

Super Easy, Super Smart

Beauty Secrets From sipping smoothies to researching the paint aisle at the hardware store, the trick to looking great on your big day doesn’t have to be high-maintenance

Pick cheek colors that complement your skin tone. WARM COMPLEXIONS look best in yellow-based blush shades like peach and terracotta; COOL UNDERTONES are flattered by bluebased pinks and berries. Not sure if you are warm or cool complected? FIND THE PERFECT CHEEK COLOR THIS WAY: At the hardware store, pick up paint chips in colors that you think could work as blush. Hold the chips up to your face in front of a mirror in natural light; you’ll instantly see WHAT BRIGHTENS YOUR COMPLEXION vs. what makes it look sallow or gray.

EYES

Fix MESSY, CRACKED EYE SHADOW by popping it out of its tray, putting it into a makeup palette, and crushing it.

Add a dab of Vaseline or EYE CREAM until you’ve gotten the right consistency.

Voilà! Cream shadow.

After tweezing, swipe brows with rubbing alcohol to prevent ingrown hairs, then reduce redness by applying COLD CUCUMBER SLICES or chilled greentea bags.

LIPS

Apply a balm immediately after getting out of the shower, when your lips are STILL A LITTLE MOIST; this will create a smooth surface once you’re READY FOR COLOR. Lips extra dry. Combine 1 teaspoon honey with 1 TEASPOON SUGAR to exfoliate them, says makeup artist Kristofer Buckle, who helped polish looks for Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Connelly. He blends the two ingredients in his hand, then applies the mixture in A CIRCULAR MOTION for 90 seconds before wiping it off.

Bride’s Guide • 2011

NAILS

No emery board. Celebrity manicurist Elle, who has painted the nails of Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, and Sienna Miller, says the striking surface of a matchbook works in a pinch.

To keep cuticles from drying and cracking, run LIP BALM INTO THEM (and all over your nails) each time you apply the balm to your lips.

Cool weather can make nails brittle and polish chip faster, so protect your polish by wearing gloves every time you step out. To restore moisture to extradry nails, try an AT-HOME SOAK of lemon juice, olive oil, and vitamin E oil. To maximize its absorption, remove nail polish, buff nails gently with a towel to exfoliate, then soak for five minutes. Afterward, slip on a pair of cotton spa gloves to keep moisture sealed in all night.

For really stubborn stains, N.Y.C. nail guru Jin Soon Choi, owners of Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot spas, recommends dabbing whitening toothpaste onto nail beds. “The whitening agent works on nails the same way they do teeth.”

SKIN

If you have dry skin that is flaky, consider changing up your routine and washing your face with DAN-

Page 9 DRUFF SHAMPOO instead of your regular cleanser once a month, suggests Wellesley, Mass., dermatologist Elissa Lunder; this REDUCES THE YEAST LEVELS that cause scaly skin.

Clean your cell phone with antibacterial wipes to prevent chin and cheek breakouts. Ideally, you should do it EVERY MORNING, but if that’s too much, aim for once a week.

The day before a party, don’t risk a facial that can leave you red and raw. An AT-HOME MASK made with one teaspoon raw oatmeal and one teaspoon honey is a much safer bet. Let it sit on the skin for five minutes, then rinse. “The minerals in oatmeal are soothing, and HONEY HYDRATES and kills bacteria,” says aesthetician Kate Somerville, who has worked with Kate Walsh and Debra Messing.

Drink a glass of ice water if your face tends to get splotchy (especially when you’re nervous). Doing so will TONE DOWN YOUR REDNESS. The cold causes blood vessels to constrict and COOL YOU from the inside out, says dermatologist Ellen Marmur.

To control oil and shine, splash your face with COOL BLACK TEA, but do not rinse; it’s A NATURAL ASTRINGENT, says Beverly Hills dermatologist Peter Kopelson.

Refresh your complexion by dipping a washcloth in soy milk and resting it on your face for 10 minutes

The Personal Touch

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once a week, suggests Beverly Hills dermatologist Debra Luftman. SOY IS A SKIN BRIGHTENER and contains phytoestrogen, a plant-derived estrogen that is thought to help prevent wrinkles.

Reduce a pimple’s redness by spritzing a small amount of NASAL DECONGESTANT on the blemish, says Mount Kisco, N.Y., dermatologist David Bank. The spray, designed to LESSEN INFLAMMATION, will do the same for a pimple.

Keep your skin hydrated on cold nights with a MAKE-IT-YOURSELF humidifier. Meriden, Conn., dermatologist Nicholas V. Perricone suggests hanging A WET TOWEL from the doorknob overnight (wring out the edges to prevent drips); by morning, the towel will be dry but your skin won’t.

When you get sunburned, drink a fruit or vegetable smoothie to get damage-fighting antioxidants flowing to your skin from the inside, says dermatologist Ellen Marmur. Then slip into a COOL BATH and follow with a layer of CHILLED ALOE VERA GEL. If you start to peel, don’t pick - it can hurt HEALTHY SKIN and even cause scarring. Instead, slather on a thick, healing ointment.

Source: InStyle Ultimate Beauty Secrets (Mechler Media, 2010) © CTW Features

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

Photo credit: Laurie Smith © 2004. Reprinted with permission from The Pastry Queen by Rebecca Rather with Alison Oresman, copyright © 2004. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House.

CAKES

Sweet & Simple Today’s modern desserts go easy on the embellishments and feature delightful details and flavors guests know and love.

Say yes to the baking renaissance

BY BEV BENNETT | CTW FEATURES

WHEN PROSPECTIVE BRIDES DISCUSS their

wedding cake wishes with Maggie Estavillo, they describe what their mothers served at their own celebrations.

“They even bring in pictures of their mothers’wedding cakes and ask us to replicate them,”says Estavillo,chef/owner of the Nostalgia Bakery and Catering Co.in Sacramento,Calif.

Welcome to the wedding-cake renaissance.

The creations that were popular a generation ago,including red velvet,carrot,7UP and German chocolate,are showing up on contemporary wedding cake tables.

These cakes,which are both familiar and affordable,are as appealing now as they were when marriage was just a spark in your parents’eyes.However,it’s not simply familiarity that puts old-style cakes on the wedding menu.It’s flavor,too.If you’ve been to

Bride’s Guide • 2011 enough weddings where cakes’tilting layers trumped their taste,you know how important a delicious cake is to your guests.Just ask your mother.Her cake was to-die-for!

Comfort Cake Comfort foods have been a presence in wedding menus for a couple of years,says Joyce Scardina Becker,director at Events of Distinction,a San Francisco event planning company.So it’s no surprise that the return to satisfying dishes also is influencing wedding cakes,making old-fashioned desserts popular once again.

You don’t want to dumbfound your guests,and by serving such long-treasured and acceptable flavors as devil’s food,you can assure everyone that they’re not eating anything mysterious.

“Some clients want to please everyone’s palates.They’re coming back to basics,”says Estavillo,who runs her catering company with her sister Mary,the wedding cake baker.

The home-style cake also says you’re stepping down from extravagance and returning

Page 11 to a simpler style, which is another trend,according to Kate Cavotti,an associate professor at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park,N.Y. Estavillo also is witnessing the return to more modest cakes.What she calls retro cakes have little in common with what she was selling two years ago.

“People were saying they’re foodies.They wanted food they saw on the Food Network,” Estavillo says.But that’s changed.“Even though the econo-

Vintage Hummel figurines atop a cascade of cupcakes gives a throwback feel to this dessert table.

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Wedding Your Love a reflection of

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SERVING HUTCHINSON’S BRIDES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS Formerly Carr Flowers 1150 Highway 7, Hutchinson 320-587-4664 www.dundeenursery.com

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We’ll make your

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

my is picking up,brides want a bang for the buck,”she says.

The new sensibility doesn’t mean you have to bake your own wedding cake you’ve got enough on your plate - especially when you can buy it.

“You can have someone else produce the cake,but it seems more home-style if you have nostalgic flavors,”Cavotti says.

Baking It Old-School You’ll find these cakes at bakeries around the country.Some may even skip the traditional tiered wedding cake-structure to get the homey flavors you want.

Rebecca Rather supplies cakes to some of the best weddings in Texas,although she no longer does traditional wedding cakes.

“People really love my cakes,so they order that for their weddings,”says Rather, owner of the Rather Sweet Bakery & Café in Fredericksburg,Texas.

“I’m absolutely getting more orders for cakes than I did five years ago.For a wedding coming up the bride wants a variety of flavors,”says Rather,who is supplying 10 cakes, 2 of each flavor for that nuptial.

Rather’s repertoire includes such mouthwatering creations as spice maple cake with caramel sauce,raspberry white chocolate with macadamia nuts and tuxedo cake.

Hummingbird cake also appeals to her clientele.

“I like to take my grandmother’s cake and update it,”says Rather,co-author with Alison Oresman of“Pastry Queen Parties”(Ten Speed Press,a division of Random House, 2009).

Classic Flavor Red velvet,vanilla,chocolate and marble cakes along with champagne cake or its non-alcoholic variation,the 7UP cake,are in heavy demand at Nostalgia.

Like Rather in Texas,Estavillo’s cakes are prized for their flavor.

“When we do fondant cakes people scrape off the icing.People don’t like all that sweetness.They want a great-tasting cake,” says Estavillo.

No matter what the frosting consistency, today’s cake is white.

“I keep getting requests for really white cakes with really big flowers and tons of

• Arches • Backdrops • Candelabrum • Card Holders • Ceiling Drapery/Lights • Chairs & Tables • Chair Covers • Church Decor • Pillars • Punch Fountain • Table Centerpieces/Mirrors • Tablecloths & Skirts • And More!

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leaves - with a touch of green for the leaves,” says Estavillo,who associates the look with wedding cakes from the ’60s or ’70s.

But if you think that cake will look as plain as cauliflower on a white plate,don’t worry.Classic cakes can assume new styles, too.For example,for a large wedding ask for a multilayer cake with a different flavor for each tier.For a small wedding,Estavillo recommends a six-inch cake surrounded by cupcakes.

You also can order your favorite vintage cakes as cupcakes,say the bakers.

Sara Davis, Owner 320-510-3441 sara_bella4@yahoo.com 221 Main St. S., Hutchinson, MN 55350

Bride’s Guide • 2011

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THE CAKETIONARY If you’ve dedicated your sweet tooth to sticky toffee pudding, pain perdu or other trendy desserts, you may not be acquainted with the cake revival. You could ask your mother to reminisce – or you could just check the following “caketionary” for the delicious details.

Tuxedo Cake (pictured on page 10) This cake, a specialty of Texas baker Rebecca Rather, is a butter-based chocolate cake, coated with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate glaze for the black and white tuxedo effect.

food cake calls for chocolate frosting.

Champagne Cake/7UP Cake A light white cake that uses either beverage in the batter. Champagne cake is often tinted pink.

Red Velvet Cake Devil’s Food Cake This dark chocolate cake may be made with cocoa or melted unsweetened dark chocolate. Devil’s

Cocoa-based chocolate cake with red food coloring in the batter. If you’re planning a green/natural wedding, this isn’t the

cake for you, advises Joyce Scardina Becker of Events of Distinction, the San Franciscobased event planning company.

German Chocolate Cake Made with milk chocolate, butter and eggs and finished with a dense coconut, pecan and butter frosting, this may be the richest-tasting option.

Carrot Cake Moist, spicy and dense using shredded carrots and nuts.Carrot cake slathered with cream cheese frosting is an excellent choice when you’ve got three generations to please.

Hummingbird Cake Imagine cream-cheesefrosted carrot cake but with pineapple and bananas instead of the vegetable.

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

Aisle Style

BY MICHAEL JULIANO

Before you walk down the aisle, check out the aisles in your local supermarket

CTW Features WHEN MARIA BROUS needed flowers and a cake

for her wedding she just turned to her current employer.

Brous doesn’t work for a traditional bakery or florist,though.She’s the director of media and community relations for Publix,the Lakeland,Fla.based supermarket chain.She simply relied on common features of a supermarket – bakery and floral departments – to be among her go-to vendors.

Since 2007,the average spending on weddings has taken a considerable hit according to The Wedding Report,the Tucson,Ariz.-based wedding market researcher.After steadily climbing to

Heirlooms

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Come to Heirlooms, where we’ll help you create a memorable event, to share the gift of time with those you love.

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When a couple relies on various supermarket services for their wedding needs,they get the

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$28,730 in 2007,the average cost of a wedding was $19,580 by 2009.Many brides-to-be are looking for ways to save money,and the grocery store presents a budget-friendly,easily accessible option.From cakes and flowers to catering and even wedding-planning consultation,many supermarkets have become an all-in-one planning stop.

“It’s a good place to start,especially if you’re on a budget,” says Brous.It can be a launching point for grander plans,or a wallet-friendly way for putting together a celebration.

617 S. Austin Ave. Litchfield, MN 55355

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

advantage of having multiple vendors that work closely with each other all in one place.

In Cedar Rapids,Iowa,Jody Stetzel designs flower arrangements ranging from bouquets to table decorations for brides who rely on the floral department at Hy-Vee,a Midwest supermarket chain,for their wedding.“We have quality flowers,and we really care,” says Stetzel,the floral department manager.“We want every bride to have a unique experience.”

Part of what makes that experience unique is the store’s selections,says Stetzel.“I think we have more access to flowers.We have more access to wholesalers,” she says.

Over in the bakery department of the same store,department manager Terrie Winslow crafts highly decorated cakes and hosts customer consultations.Winslow encourages brides and grooms to come in with ideas,choose from a variety of customizable flavors and styles and walk away with taste test cake samples.“I think people are unaware of the specialty type of cakes that a supermarket can provide,” she says.“Whatever the customer wants,we can make it happen.”The department also offers free delivery and setup services for orders over $100.

To top it off,the catering department can provide food and table service at a wedding reception.Don Mitchell,the kitchen manager, works with the other Hy-Vee departments to match his dish garnishes with the flowers and cake.Mitchell’s main focus,though,is preparing something to leave the bride and groom and,just as importantly,the guests satisfied.“We’re pretty simple – we do food,” he says.

Your Wedding...

Begin it with the perfect invitation!

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Page 15

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

When it comes to food,many supermarkets can meet alternative and special dietary requests.“Some brides and grooms prefer or require special diets,like vegan or gluten-free,and we can accommodate that,” says Ashley Hawkins,a spokeswoman for Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market.Many of the natural and organic grocery store’s locations offer local options,in addition to a robust selection of wine and cheese,for those thinking of a simple,classic cocktail hour.Many grocery stores offer bulk discounts when it comes to buying booze,so if you’re stocking your own bar be sure to ask around about deals.

Planning Dept.

Some grocery chains,like Publix,are starting to think beyond the vendor role and offering planning services with on-site event planners.These specialty designers work with customers one-onone to plan anything from decorations to food for the wedding.

“We understand the importance of special gatherings,” says Brous, who suggests that customers bring some magazine clippings and ideas along with them to craft their desired wedding motif when visiting with in-store bakers,florists and caterers.

Inevitably,a trip to the grocery store to plan a wedding may not sound like the most romantic idea for many people.But for many people,the fact that a single local store can offer all of these planning services at a budgeted price is enough of an incentive.Just remember that using the supermarket to plan a wedding doesn’t necessarily mean exchanging vows in the frozen foods aisle – although if you check your local store,there’s a chance they may offer that,too. © CTW Features

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Page 17

Celebrations

ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT FORM

Congratulations on your engagement. The Leader and Independent Review want you to share your great news. Please select from the options listed on the right, print or type your information below and submit to the Leader or Review office or online at www.hutchinsonleader.com/forms or www.independentreview.net/forms.

PLEASE CHECK BOXES PHOTO ATTACHED PUBLISH WITHOUT PHOTO $25 HUTCHINSON

Deadline is one week prior to requested publication date. $20 LITCHFIELD

Bride: Name and address ___________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Education, occupation and employer ____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Photos may be picked up at the Leader or Review office after they have appeared in the paper.

E-mail your photo in .jpg format to news@hutchinsonleader.com or news@independentreview.net

__________________________________________________________________________ Bride’s Parents: Name and address ___________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Groom: Name and address ___________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Education, occupation and employer ____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Groom’s Parents: Name and address ___________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Wedding date and place ______________________________________________________ Signature _____________________________________________ Daytime phone _________________________________________

36 Washington Ave. W., Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-587-5000 • Fax 320-587-6104 hutchinsonleader.com

217 Sibley Ave. N. Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3266 • Fax 320-693-9177 independentreview.net

Jane Dane John Doe Jane Dane and John Doe announce their engagement and upcoming wedding.

Parents of the couple are Gary and Lisa Dane of Hutchinson, and James and Donna Doe of Litchfield.

Dane attended Hutchinson High School, University of WisconsinStout and St. Mary’s University.

Doe attended Litchfield High School, Ridgewater College, Mankato State University, and the University of WisconsinStout.

A Nov. 3 wedding is planned at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

You’re getting married in your hometown – and it’s changed a bit since you last lived there.Here’s the advice and etiquette for finding the venues and vendors to make your hometown wedding the best ever PerfectYour Plan

Coming Home

BY MELANIE WANZEK

CTW Features

D

estination:Home.While some brides decide between a traditional hometown wedding and a destination wedding,for others those options are one and the

same.

“You go through the same processes in terms of creating a vision and hiring vendors who can really execute that vision,” says Alyssa Brown,production manager for Alison Events in San Francisco,which specializes in destination weddings.

Many brides still choose to marry in their hometowns because of tradition,sentimentality or if the bride’s parents are footing the bill.Returning home,even if real life

now exists miles away,offers a unique way to unite the past and present.

“Hometown weddings are in a place special and meaningful to the couple,” Brown says.“They allow your current home and past home to come together and for you to share that with all of your family and friends.”

Planning a hometown wedding from afar is similar to planning a destination wedding with one potential perk:friends and family in the area who can act as point people in the planning process.Realize these helpful people have limits,but respectfully employ their help if they’re willing.If possible,also hire a professional wedding planner to complete major research,juggle vendors,relieve the stress of long-distance coordination,and ensure everything goes according to plan.

One of the biggest challenges for an out-oftown bride is finding the right local vendors for her style,preferences and budget, says Peter Merry,wedding specialist and author of “The Best Wedding Reception Ever!”(Sellers Publishing Inc,2010).For this,a little help from parents may come in handy to research options and hear opinions first-hand from others in the area.

Check “Best of”lists from the newspaper and other local sources,talk to old friends in the area,or request local references from vendors to see what people in the area think.

Even for brides with certain locations in mind,research must be done to make sure those sites that were special 10 years ago still exist,look like they used to,and won’t be undergoing any major construction projects,closings,or competing with other nearby events in the neighborhood around the time of the wedding – details out-oftowners wouldn’t be aware of.

Jodi R.R.Smith,president of Boston-area Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting,recommends narrowing down potential options and being realistic about what one can accomplish before trekking home to go on visits.She advises brides to build time into the trip’s schedule for transportation and breaks between meetings so they are fresh and attentive with each vendor.

“Don’t overschedule the planning trip,” she says.“The entire planning process is exhausting even when you live in your hometown,but if you’re living in Chicago and getting married in Indiana,and you’re leaving a job,getting on plane and trying to

Bride’s Guide • 2011

Page 19

schedule seeing four photographers in less than two hours,you’re not going to remember anything.”

Then it’s time for a visit.Almost all brides should plan to visit their hometown at least once initially to secure major vendors, such as the ceremony and reception locations,caterer,entertainment and photographer.This face time is important in developing strong relationships with long-distance vendors rather than just becoming another name on the list of brides they work with,says Brown.

“You really need to massage those relationships and make sure you’re a priority,” she adds.“That’s something we do quite a bit as wedding planners.”

Keep It Simple Overwhelmed yet? To make it easier,Smith suggests choosing options with packages.For instance,a hotel for the ceremony and reception that offers in-house catering and a block of rooms for guests,which eliminates transportation between events.Simplicity can minimize the number of people and details to juggle from afar.

“I’m a big believer in less is more,” Smith says.“Anytime you use a package,it will save you a tremendous amount of time and energy.”

Though Merry recommends brides try to return home two or three times throughout the process,he says it depends on the style of the bride and how much control over every detail she desires.Either way,making each trip efficient can reduce the

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

number needed.Take time to set up a to-do list beforehand with specific tasks to accomplish.Also make appointments with vendors far in advance to ensure they all fit into the trip’s limited timeframe.Finally, know that you might need to make a lot of decisions in a short span of time and prepare yourself to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Once each initial meeting is complete and the deposits are made (don’t forget to pack the checkbook!),set up the next meeting right away so it fits into your schedule.This is essential if you’re making another trip back and again need to balance time with vendors.Merry recommends a second meeting around three months from the day to establish how all the pieces of the day fit together and make final decisions on agenda,décor,menus and music lists.

Consider setting up a few Skype meetings if returning home isn’t a possibility.

Merry says video conferencing works well for details like flowers and décor.It’s also thoughtful to establish expectations with

vendors regarding how often you need to communicate to avoid nagging them.Collect your questions between calls or e-mails in order to have a few thorough and productive conversations,rather than daily calls about every tiny detail.

Get Everyone Involved As those details are decided,don’t forget one perhaps most important to guests: travel.Merry says travel plans often fall through the cracks for hometown weddings;well-communicated travel plans for guests from the airport to the hotel, between venues,and back to the airport are a must.Make it as easy as possible for guests by writing written directions,providing maps and sending information early.

Finally,since a wedding in a far-away home might mean many friends can’t afford to attend,Merry says it’s important to think of other ways to involve people and allow them to contribute.

“If you get married in one town,you

could have a smaller reception where you currently live and even watch the wedding video together,” he suggests.“Or I have let guests call in and leave special messages, then taken the highlights and put them in a song to play for the bride and groom during the reception.You could even set up a laptop with Skype at the ceremony for a very special person who can’t be there.

Brainstorm ways to feel like it’s a special moment for them as well.” © CTW Features

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

DIY

The Weekend

Project

One quick trip around town to a few stores and you’ll be well on your way to creating unique and remarkably stylish wares for your wedding day

Hair Accessories

BY ANNA SACHSE

CTW Features THERE’S NEVER BEEN a better time to

be a DIY bride.All it takes is a few store-bought items and a little time and even the most undomestic diva can be on her way to crafting creative,stylish décor and accessories for her wedding.

Just follow the expert tips below.

Want to wear a fun headpiece in addition to – or instead of – of a veil? Two experts at the DIY magazine ReadyMade,assistant editor Alexa Fornoff and editorial apprentice Riane Menardi,came up with these three ideas for making your own: • Pop into a department store for a normal elastic headband that matches the color of your hair,and then attach your great aunt’s awesome old brooches.

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

Page 23

• Visit a fabric store for all the supplies necessary to cut out a series of stars from a glittery fabric,line them with felt,and attach them to a band of black elastic.

• Make colorful fabric flowers by cutting “petals”from old thrift-store blouses,and sew them on hairclips from a beauty supply store.

Ceremony Space Décor

Chair Embellishments To decorate the seats in the ceremony space, Fornoff and Menardi like tying twine around the tops of mason jars (both can be found at a local discount retailer or hardware store) and attaching one to the top of the chair at the end of each row – just add fresh blooms from a U-pick garden for a fairytale walk down the aisle.

At the dinner tables, they recommend hanging fun signs over the chair backs.Assign guests to tables that are based on a decade and have the signs list that decade’s best love songs.All supplies are available at craft stores.

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To really set off the area where you will say your “I Do’s,”Sarah Trotter,owner of Lasting Impressions Weddings and Event Coordination,Minnetonka,Minn.,is a fan of hanging décor that frames the focal point,such as luminous lanterns or romantic ribbons from antique shops or craft stores.Or if you want to get literal,fabulous old window or picture frames from salvage or thrift stores make for a whimsical backdrop.

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

Escort and Place Cards

Favors

There are countless creative ways to direct your guests to their seats,says Trotter.Purchase a large cheap chalkboard from a discount retailer and write the table assignments with chalk that matches your wedding colors.You also can hang cards (purchased from a stationery store) on pieces of fresh fruit or bottles of water from the grocery store.And yet another fun idea is to: 1.Write guest names on magnetic photo frames that contain pictures you have taken of yourselves in various settings.

2.Hang the frames on a piece of corrugated sheet metal.

3.Have guests find their seats by looking for the table named after that setting – e.g.,the “Sunset Table”or “Beach Table.”Let guests take home the frames as favors.Frames and sheet metal can be found at a discount retailer and hardware store.

Centerpieces For an affordable centerpiece with a bountiful aesthetic,all it takes is a quick trip to a thrift store for mismatched glass bowls, jars and vases,or to any discount retailer where you can get cheap glassware.Fill these containers with colorful local fruits, such as apples,pears,lemons,oranges or cranberries,acquired at a farmer’s market,orchard or grocery store,Trotter says.

Baking for your Special Occasion

Candy stations are a popular and memorable way to thank guests for celebrating with you.Make your own by picking up basic glass bowls and platters from a discount retailer and filling them with sweets from a local grocery or candy store – select from artisan chocolates,colorful candies that match your wedding colors or old-fashioned favorites.The discount retailer also should have serving utensils and a party section where you can find small bags or adorable boxes so that guests can take the goods to-go.

But if you’d rather give guests a parting gift that will last a lot longer,Fornoff and Menardi suggest making tiny terrariums that feature local foliage.You will need to get small glass containers that have lids from a container store,activated charcoal from the aquarium section of a pet store,and sand,moss and small plants with roots from a home and garden store.After thoroughly washing and drying the containers,fill the bottom with an inch of sand,place a teaspoon of charcoal in the center,place the moss over the sand to create a pillow for the plants,use a pencil to dig small holes through the moss and sand,arrange the plants in the holes,place the lid on top,and voilà! It’s a living reminder of your fabulous event. © CTW Features

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

Countdown to a

• Plan and shop for welcome bags.

• Arrange party rentals,if necessary.

• Book your wedding-night room.

Fascinating

4 - 8weeks before your wedding

Getting Started

before your wedding

Wedding • Share the news of your engagement with your family and friends and announce it in the local newspapers.

• Discuss finances with everyone contributing to the event and set a budget.

• Set the date and ceremony/reception locations.If you’re set on getting married at a certain time of year,choose the date first,then the location.If you have your heart set on a specific venue,let that drive your decision.

• Meet with the officiant or the clergy at your church/temple/mosque.

• Establish a guest list.

• Start interviewing wedding planners/events designers,if you’re thinking of enlisting the help of one.

• Start thinking about the style and theme of your wedding.

• Start shopping for a gown.

• Oh yeah … If your parents haven’t met, now would be a good time for that.

6 - 9months before your wedding • Mail out Save-the-Dates • Interview and book your vendors – and don’t forget to get a signed contract: • Caterer • Baker • Florist • Photographer/Videographer • Musicians/DJ • Transportation • Choose your attendants and shop for their dresses.

• Order your stationery – invites,

envelopes,thank-yous,etc.

• Start looking into honeymoon locales.

• Get your wedding Web site up and running,if you’re having one.

• Schedule any beauty treatments you’re planning on having leading up to the wedding.

• Register for gifts.

4 - 6months before your wedding • Book your hair/makeup help for the big day.

• Make any final amendments to the guest list.

• Plan the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

• Help the moms get shop for their wedding-day attire.

• Shop for wedding bands with your fiancé • Find accommodations for out-of-town guests and reserve a block of rooms.

• Finalize your honeymoon plans.

• Mail out your invites.

• Do a hair/makeup run-through.

• Discuss insurance/bank account changes you’ll need to make.

• Send ceremony programs and reception menu and place cards to be printed.

• Write vows.

2 - 4weeks

• Submit a shot list to your photographer and setlist to your DJ. • Finalize the seating chart and prepare escort/place cards.

• Update registry.

• Call anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d.

• Confirm details with your vendors.

• Get your final dress fitting.

• Write a toast for the rehearsal.

1week before your wedding • • • • •

Give your caterer the final headcount.

Pick up your dress;break in your shoes.

Give scripts to your readers.

Pack for your honeymoon.

Find someone to transport heirlooms (candles,glasses,cake knife) to and from the reception site.

• Organize your wedding-day payments and decide who will distribute them.

2 - 4months before your wedding

1day before your wedding

• Start addressing invitations.

• Buy attendants’gifts.

• Get the men’s fashions in order – groom, groomsmen and ushers.

• Choose readings for the ceremony.

• Select music for the ceremony/reception.

• Check marriage-license requirements.

• Make sure your vendor contracts are complete.

• Meet with your caterer to discuss menu and drinks.

• Order the cake.

• Pick out favors.

• Get a mani-pedi.

• Enjoy the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

• Get plenty of sleep.

The Big Day • Keep your meals small and light.

• Give yourself plenty of time for hair/makeup before the photographer arrives.

• Give yourself a bit of time to relax before the big day.

Good luck!

Bride’s Guide • 2011

Page 27

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

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A fresh look

Bride’s Guide • 2011 “The theory that you go on your honeymoon,and that’s the big trip of your lifetime is wrong,”says Joe Brancatelli,a NewYorkbased travel expert who runs the travel website JoeSentMe.com.“You don’t have to do the big Niagara Falls thing and then talk about it for the next 20 years.”

For some,the pitfalls of airline travel alone can be enough to trade a destination getaway for a low-key adventure.

“The journey hasn’t been part of the adventure of a honeymoon for a long time,” Brancatelli says.“I can’t think of a whole lot of things you can do nowadays on a plane that are honeymoon-ish.You’re going to have a helluva time finding champagne.”

Because in-flight regulations and restrictions – not to mention shrinking passenger space and growing luggage fees – have taken a bit of the glamour out of jet-setting,staying stateside – within your time zone even – and embarking on a road-trip honeymoon can create memories out of the journey itself.

The pressure is off of having the“well-

Page 29 planned,show-you-pictures”honeymoon, Brancatelli says.Now,it’s more about making it what you want – not what society tells you it should be.

“You are on your honeymoon,the

far,but if you only like driving for three hours, only go that far.Think of your partner and what they really love to do,”says Marybeth Bond,author of“50 Best Girlfriend Getaways” (National Geographic,2007).Take advantage

When airline fees and family bragging rights are cramping your honeymoon’s style,the only solution is hitting the road moment you’re in the car.You can pack whatever you want;tailor it to be anything you want,”he says.“‘The Great American Road Trip,’to some degree,is back,”he says.

Road-trips are certainly easier to tailor to your schedule than airline travel,but that doesn’t mean you can just hit the road,tin cans trailing,without putting some thought into.Here’s how to do it:

DoYour Homework “Don’t just pile up your things in a car and go somewhere.Google places in the areas you’d like to drive to;don’t be an informationvirgin,”Brancatelli says.“Don’t lock yourself in,or plan yourself within an inch of your life but,give it some thought.”

“On a car trip it’s a temptation to go too

A toast to the Bride and Groom...

of the chance to make some dreams a reality.

Jamie Jensen,author of“RoadTrip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America’sTwoLane Highways”(AvalonTravel Publishing, 2009),suggests simply going somewhere you've always wanted to go – whether it's a romantic tour of New England in fall foliage season,or something a little wild and rowdy like New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

“Having a focus or theme makes the rest of the road trip fall into place.If you have secret dreams of playing Wild West – a la Doris Day in“Calamity Jane”– look into a road trip out where the buffalo roam.

Wyoming and Montana have fabulous‘dude ranches,’which range from rough and ready to full luxury,”he says.

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

Don’t Forget the Season “Depending upon when the wedding is,the list of possible honeymoon road trip locations simplifies itself,”Jensen says.“The Arizona desert is wonderful during the early spring wildflower season but less-than-perfect in August.”

Don’t limit yourself to big cities.Bond suggests avoiding them.“Go outdoors,in nature, Yosemite,national parks,state parks.It lends itself to doing things where you aren’t just going to run around and spend money,”she says.

Locate Lodging “You don't necessarily need to arrange all your accommodations in advance,but depending on your tastes,your road trip accommodations could be anything from a deluxe bridal suite in a Big Apple hotel to a tent in a backcountry campsite – even a combination of these,on different nights,”Jensen says.

For many couples,stays at a bed and breakfast are a happy medium.

“Unlike a hotel,where you're only paying for a place to sleep,breakfast is included,”says Mary White,author of“Running a Bed &

Breakfast For Dummies”(Wiley Publishing, 2009).“Innkeepers are the local area experts and are available to make restaurant suggestions or suggestions on the best spot for a romantic picnic.”

However,bed and breakfast accommodations are popular and book quickly.

“Don't assume just because it's not‘high season’weather-wise that the inn that you want will not be booked,”says White.She suggests you calling ahead to ensure availability.

For those couples looking to take the road to the great outdoors,the National Recreation Reservation Service has updated its policies on booking campsites in national parks.For individual campsites,reservations can be made up to six months in advance for all agencies under the NRRS,with a five-month block window forYosemite National Park,as that is particularly popular year-round.

Rules of the Road Even the most unforgettable honeymoon comes with a few do’s and don’ts.

“You have to work to make it romantic,” Bond says.“Keep up the work to make the trip special,take some heart-shaped chocolates,some sexy lingerie,pack a bottle of

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champagne,make a playlist of‘your’songs to take on the trip.”And don’t over-extend the driving part of the road trip.

You are on your honeymoon,the moment you’re in the car.You can pack whatever you want;tailor it to be anything you want.

“On a car trip it’s a temptation to go too far,but if you only like driving for three hours, only go that far.Think of your partner and what they really love to do,”she says.

With endless possibilities and options of where to go and what to do,it’s easy to forget that there are definite things to avoid on your newlywed adventures.

“Check your e-mail only once a day,”Bond says.“That’s right,you’re on your honeymoon, take your honeymoon.Check your e-mail in the morning but otherwise leave the BlackBerry or iPhone off.” © CTW Features

Bride’s Guide • 2011

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Bride’s Guide • 2011

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