NWAWI July 23 Issue

on the cover

This month, as opposed to an individual wedding, we are featuring the biblical significance and meaning of the wedding rings. Symbolically, the wedding rings probably hold the most weight within a wedding. You'll find the full article on pages 14-15. We hope you enjoy it.

NWA Wedding Ideas

Monty Muehlebach, Owner Missy Elzey, Founder

Layout & Design: Jason D. Nida

Distribution team: Bonnie Sutton, Whitney Montgomery, Advertising Helpers, Judy Evans, and Zoe Vallance

Get ready for an unforgettable culinary experience tailored just for you! At Cowboy Catering Company, we specialize in creating custom menus that perfectly match your unique events. Whether it's a corporate gathering, a wedding, a birthday celebration, or any special occasion, our team of culinary experts are here to make it exceptional.

Why choose Cowboy Catering Company?

• Personalized Menus: We believe that every event is one of a kind, and so should be the menu. Our talented chefs work closely with you to craft a customized culinary journey that reflects your taste preferences and event theme. From mouthwatering appetizers to delightful desserts, we've got you covered.

• Top-Quality Ingredients: We source only the finest and freshest ingredients. Our commitment to quality ensures that every dish we serve is bursting with flavor. We pay attention to the details so you can savor every bite.

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• Versatility and Creativity: No challenge is too big for our team of culinary experts. Whether you're hosting an intimate gathering or a grand banquet, our expertise spans a wide range of cuisines and culinary styles. We're not afraid to think outside the box to bring your vision to life.

Partner with Cowboy Catering Company today, and get ready for a culinary adventure like no other. Don't settle for ordinary catering when you can have a taste of the extraordinary. We even have an authentic chuck wagon we can serve out of (additional fee applies).

Contact us at (417) 455-6641, visit our website at www.cowboycateringco.com, or email us at info@cowboycateringco.com to book your event!

Vendor Spotlight

Introducing one of Northwest Arkansas’ hidden gems, Simple Pleasures. Simple Pleasures combines natural, rustic and historic heirlooms into stunning weddings and receptions.

Simple Pleasures sits on twenty one natural acres and has two waterfalls, multiple gardens, and grassy waterfronts that make up their outdoor ceremony options. Indoor options include the use of museum artifacts to create enduring memories. For example, the Bride and her father can drive up to the ceremony in a shiny classic convertible. Guests seated in white chairs will be mesmerized with the movie star arrival as father and daughter arrive. Historic heirlooms inspire conversation between strangers, youngsters, and oldsters. During the family photography session, guests are entertained with a guided museum tour of classic automobiles.

Many couples avoid outdoor weddings because of potential weather issues. Simple Pleasures also offers a welcoming inside space in which to move the ceremony if needed.

From micro weddings to grand weddings, Simple Pleasures offers budget friendly options as well. Elegant, country, or whatever your style, Simple Pleasures can accommodate you. Understanding and clear communication is the key to working with clients and how Simple Pleasures helps their clients achieve their wedding day vision.

Owners Ken & Elaine Miner and their approach:

Owners Ken and Elaine Miner are great at understanding the bride and groom’s values and the reason they chose Simple

Pleasures. For example Ken says one of the questions that they ask clients is "Were you motivated by nature, your love of family or religion, a waterfall or architectural detail, or your passion for America or classic cars?"

From the moment Simple Pleasures is chosen, communication is the key to “we have your back" confidence. Ken or Elaine communicate with their clients by utilizing a planning page that guides the wedding and reception from start to finish. This page is a snapshot to capture wedding preferences, price, and all details such as arrival time, serving time, end times, food choices, and the number of guests.

The first edition of the wedding planning page contains estimates and follows the wedding and reception from beginning to end. Each time information is added or changed the planning page is revised and e-mailed to the bride or other contact person.

Ken and Elaine also make use of a wedding day timeline to organize and communicate details. This day-of timeline lists all activities from guest arrival to the bride and groom's departure. It is a great tool to inform the wedding party and vendors the time of each wedding day activity. The timeline is by no means “written in stone”, but used as a wedding day guideline that has been approved by the bride and groom. The goal is to ensure the bride and groom have no stress from the planning stages to the “I do's”.

A clear wedding day schedule and a day-of coordinator to keep activities on time and manage details is the most important factor for a successful wedding, according to Ken. Unexpected changes or challenges on the day of the wedding can

sometimes happen but with careful timeline preparation and open communication, unexpected changes are usually minimal and confined to adjusting a few small details. Unexpected medical emergencies or unforseen issues will be overseen by Simple Pleasures event management giving the wedding party a worryfree day.

Ken and Elaine do suggest booking one year in advance to insure a specific date at one of the many venues that they have to choose from. In their opinion this time frame gives the wedding party and guests time to schedule their calendar. If your day is flexible, Simple Pleasures usually has popular seasonal days open 6 months in advance. Aside from that, if there is a cancellation or open date you can book anytime.

Ken also has some great advice for couples who are planning their wedding and how they can best work with wedding vendors. In Ken's own words "Defining your wedding vision is a crucial first step in wedding planning. Visiting five to seven wedding venues will help shape your ideas. Consider the two venues that best support your vision and choose the one who can meet all of the other criteria that you have such as your budget, the venue ambiance, and guest enjoyment. Personal interaction with the venue management and personnel is also a factor.

Ken also says that providing a cost-effective wedding venue, which allows couples to start out without a large wedding debt, is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a wedding vendor. He and Elaine also enjoy providing a positive personal connection to their guest's memories and American pride.

The wedding ring is one of the oldest symbols of marriage and is deeply rooted in tradition in many cultures. Its origin is shrouded in mystery, with various legends and myths offering different stories about its beginnings. Whatever its true origin, the wedding ring has become an integral part of the marriage ceremony, as a symbol of the couple’s commitment to one another.

The origin of the wedding ring can be traced back to ancient Sumerian culture. According to the Sumerian legend, a man took a ring made of encircled reeds and declared his love for his bride. The ring served as a symbol of his affection and commitment to her. Historical records from early Egypt and Rome offer similar stories, as rings made of braided reeds were given to brides by their grooms to signify their vow of eternal love.

The look and feel of the wedding ring has changed over the centuries. Originally made of vines and reeds, rings have taken on many forms over time. Today, the vast majority of rings are crafted from precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. The ring’s circular shape is symbolic of the couple’s union and the endless nature of their love. In some cultures, a ring is also placed over the fourth finger of the left hand, as this finger is said to have a direct vein that leads straight to the heart.

The exchange of rings is a crucial part of traditional marriage ceremonies around the world. The act of giving and receiving a ring is symbolic of the couple’s commitment to each other and the eternal bonds of their union. The rings serve as a continuous reminder of the couple’s promises to one another, and of the intangibles of love, faithfulness and loyalty. For many couples, the exchange of rings is the most moving part of the wedding ceremony, as the couple is making a public declaration of their love and fidelity.

The wedding ring is more than just a piece of jewelry. It is a reminder and a symbol of the couple’s commitment to one another and their pledge to be together forever. Throughout the centuries, the wedding ring has come to symbolize the unity and love between a man and a woman. Whether the rings are crafted of reeds or of gold, they will always remain a symbol of a couple’s deepest and most important pledge: their promise to love one another for life.

If you're looking for a quaint country church that has everything that you need for your wedding, SimsBerry Chapel will be available soon! It not only offers the sanctuary for the main ceremony but a sound room, two separate rooms for wedding preparations, and a basement with a full kitchen and bathrooms for your reception.