Wedding Essentials Spring/Summer 2015 Real Wedding Issue

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ESSENTIALS

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PLUS! Spring/Summer 2015 issue available at weddingessentialsmagazine.com

LINDSEY GEORGE PHOTOGRAPHY

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ON THE COVER

dana + chase PAGE 20 | JM STUDIOS

Contents

REAL WEDDING ISSUE / SPRING & SUMMER 2015

BRITTANY + JUSTIN

KATIE + MATT

LOUISE + MATT

brit tany + justin

louise + matt

katie + mat t

jessica + joshua

melissa + ryan

dolly + janusz

PAGE 4 | DANIEL DUNLAP PHOTOGRAPHY

PAGE 10 | MAK IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHY

PAGE 14 | LINDSEY GEORGE PHOTOGRAPHY

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MELISSA + RYAN

PAGE 26 | MAK IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHY

PAGE 30 | LINDSEY GEORGE PHOTOGRAPHY

PAGE 38 | ASHLEY NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

JESSICA + JOSHUA

rené + adam PAGE 34 | MAK IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHY

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brittany

+justin

PHOTOGRAPHY DANIEL DUNLAP PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE LIED LODGE, NEBRASKA CITY

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE ‘JOE’ Justin bought a cup with the words “Marry me?” on the inside of it, and he gave Brittany coffee in the cup one morning at her parents' lake house near Grand Island. When she got to the bottom of the cup, she read the words and looked at Justin. He was down on one knee. And yes, they still have the cup! A PAUSE IN THE ACTION “I remember taking a step back and looking at all of our friends and family dancing together under one of my favorite homemade signs that said, ‘What God has joined together, let no one separate.’ I have never felt so blessed,” Brittany says.

‘FRUIT’-FILLED VOWS The couple wrote their own vows. As part of Justin’s, he promised to love Brittany – even when she leaves banana peels and apple cores in her car.

NOT FORGOTTEN Brittany honored her late grandparents by decorating with barn wood and placing a cardinal ornament in the arbor where she and Justin said their vows.

WHAT SHE GAVE HIM A journal that she wrote for him throughout their engagement.

ESSENTIALS BRIDE & GROOM Brittany Hanssen and Justin Petersen WEDDING DATE 09.06.14 PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel Dunlap Photography CEREMONY & RECEPTION Lied Lodge RINGS Nebraska Diamond BRIDAL GOWN Rhylan Lang GROOM’S ATTIRE Men’s Wearhouse HAIR & MAKEUP Salon Z Studios FLORIST Snapdragon Floral, Nebraska City CAKE The Cake Gallery CATERER Lied Lodge MUSIC Complete WEDDING PLANNER Patty Pierce HONEYMOON DESTINATION Jamaica HONEYMOON ARRANGEMENTS Enchanted Honeymoons Travel

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LOVE

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katie

+matt

PHOTOGRAPHY MAK IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE THE DURHAM MUSEUM

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A MOUTHFUL Of mashed potatoes, that is. Matt proposed during Thanksgiving dinner, and Katie had just taken a bite of mashed potatoes when he popped the question. The ring he originally gave her is now in “safekeeping forever and always” since Matt couldn’t pick up the real ring in time. Matt's dad saved the day with a ring that he had made out of a dollar bill for a play he was involved in. They picked up the real ring on their way home from her parents' house. NOT A DRY EYE Watching her parents dance was the most memorable moment of the day because “They looked so in love and exactly how I remembered seeing them growing up. Watching them dance, you couldn’t tell that my mother has Alzheimer’s,” Katie says. JUST BEING THERE The most special part of the day “was the amazing family and friends who made sacrifices to be part of our big day. It was the family who might not always be here in the future who got to share in our joy." BRIDAL ADVICE Go on a honeymoon – even if it’s just a quick trip. And have a sleepover with your girlfriends the night before your wedding.

ESSENTIALS BRIDE & GROOM Katie Anderson & Matt McCarville WEDDING DATE 10.04.14 PHOTOGRAPHER MAK Images Photography VIDEOGRAPHER A Final Take Music and Video CEREMONY St. John’s Parish at Creighton University RECEPTION The Durham Museum RINGS Malashocks Jewelry and Borsheims BRIDAL GOWN Ellynne Bridal GROOM’S ATTIRE My Tailor; tierack.com HAIR & MAKEUP Garbo’s Salon FLORIST Mulhall’s CAKE Jones Bros. Cupcakes CATERER & RENTALS Catering Creations MUSIC Complete DÉCOR/EVENT STYLING Cherry on Top Events HONEYMOON DESTINATION Playa Del Carmen, Mexico HONEYMOON ARRANGEMENTS Enchanted Honeymoons Travel

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melissa

+ryan

PHOTOGRAPHY LINDSEY GEORGE PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE A VIEW WEST

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ALL THAT MATTERED Although Ryan took a video of himself practicing his proposal speech in the restaurant bathroom, he was so nervous that he only managed to get the words “Will you marry me?” out. At least they were the most important words and the rest could be replayed later! PERFECT TIMING There was rain in the forecast for the couple’s outdoor ceremony, which made the bride nervous. But the clouds parted just in time for the ceremony. “I remember walking down the aisle feeling that everything was just perfect in that moment.” SILLY MOMENTS Improvised dances, a rap by the groom to “Ice Ice Baby” and a group dance to “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks during the reception. RIVALRY FOR CASH The couple set up a piggy bank competition between the Huskers and the Hawkeyes at the reception to raise money for their honeymoon fund. FROM ONE BRIDE TO ANOTHER Do a photo booth for your guestbook, Melissa says. “While it’s fun to dream up your wedding on Pinterest, when you look back on the day your favorite memories will truly be your friends and family just being there.”

ESSENTIALS BRIDE & GROOM Melissa Pniak & Ryan Keller WEDDING DATE 06.28.14 PHOTOGRAPHER Lindsey George Photography CEREMONY & RECEPTION A View West RINGS Shaneco.com BRIDAL GOWN A Joyful Occasion, Naperville, Illinois GROOM’S ATTIRE Men’s Wearhouse HAIR & MAKEUP Dani Cooper; Blush Makeup Artistry FLORIST Events Etcetera CAKE Gigi’s Cupcakes CATERER Attitude on Food MUSIC Image Entertainment RENTALS A View West HONEYMOON DESTINATION Riveria Maya, Mexico

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dana

+chase

PHOTOGRAPHY JM STUDIOS VENUE ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, NEOLA, IOWA

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ACCIDENTALLY DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION What she thought was a trip to the hardware store turned into a walk on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, and Chase proposed on the Nebraska/Iowa line. He was wearing a Huskers shirt and Dana was wearing an Iowa State shirt – but her shirt wasn’t planned. “I had no idea he had a ring or that he was going to propose to me!” WARDROBE MALFUNCTION The zipper broke on a bridesmaid’s dress at the last minute, and Dana’s mom had to sew her into the dress. Luckily, the bride’s personal attendant had come prepared with a sewing kit! COMFORTABILITY WINS The bride gave each of her bridesmaids a clutch to carry at the ceremony instead of flowers. She also let them pick out their own dress style, jewelry and shoes – “whatever they felt comfortable and beautiful in.” WHAT SHE GAVE HIM A metal hand-stamped wallet card with a special note on it. He carries it in his wallet.

ESSENTIALS BRIDE & GROOM Dana Schierbrock & Chase Alm WEDDING DATE 07.19.14 PHOTOGRAPHER JM Studios CEREMONY Lucile’s Old Market RECEPTION St. Patrick Catholic Church reception hall, Neola, Iowa RINGS Greenberg’s Jewelry BRIDAL GOWN Ready or Knot {Wedding Chic} GROOM’S ATTIRE Men’s Wearhouse HAIR & MAKEUP Ambitions Salon; bride FLORIST Bradley’s Floral & Gifts, Council Bluffs CAKE Celeste Peck, Griswold, Iowa; CaroLynn’s Cheesecake, Omaha; Libby’s Cupcakes, Sioux City, Iowa CATERER Minden Meat Market, Minden, Iowa MUSIC Down to Here RENTALS United Rent-All HONEYMOON DESTINATION Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

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louise

+matt

PHOTOGRAPHY MAK IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE LAURITZEN GARDENS BALLROOM

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RISE AND SHINE! Matt proposed first thing on a Saturday morning, and Louise’s first reaction was, “I haven’t even brushed my teeth and I look like a mess.” Matt replied with, “I love you no matter what you look like … You are beautiful.”

“And then he asked if he could spend the rest of his life with us (my two kids and I) rather than just me.”

‘EMOTIONAL, HEARTBREAKING AND BEAUTIFUL’ Louise and Matt were married at the Methodist Hospital chapel because her dad was terminally ill and wasn’t well enough to leave the hospital.

Louise’s dad died about three months later. AND TWO EAGER STAND-INS Louise’s children walked her down the aisle since her dad couldn’t be there. “They did such a tremendous job, and they were so excited to have such a large role in the wedding.” Her daughter was also her maid of honor, while her son was a groomsman. LONG ENGAGEMENT OVERRATED The couple planned their wedding in two months, and they highly recommend it to other couples when the bride and groom are both “heavily involved in the decisionmaking and execution.”

ESSENTIALS BRIDE & GROOM Louise Bruner and Matt Pickens WEDDING DATE 10.17.14 PHOTOGRAPHER MAK Images Photography CEREMONY Methodist Hospital chapel; Lauritzen Gardens Conservatory RECEPTION Lauritzen Gardens Ballroom RINGS Mark Edward Private Jeweller BRIDAL GOWN David’s Bridal GROOM’S ATTIRE Men’s Wearhouse HAIR & MAKEUP Creative Hair Design; Glamour Us FLORIST Beyond the Vine CAKE Nothing Bundt Cakes CATERER Hap Abraham Catering MUSIC Complete DÉCOR/EVENT STYLING Lauritzen Gardens and The Hills Event Center HONEYMOON DESTINATION Wine Country in California

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jessica

+joshua

PHOTOGRAPHY LINDSEY GEORGE PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE BELLEVUE BERRY FARM & PUMPKIN PATCH

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BOX OFFICE ROMANCE Jessica and Josh met as teenagers at a movie theater where they both worked. They saw a movie together one night after work – and dated for the next seven years!

A ‘FORTUNATE’ EVENING Josh proposed at the couple’s favorite Chinese restaurant with a metal fortune cookie-shaped box. The message inside the box read, “Will you marry me?” AN UNVEILING The bride’s dad hugged her right before she walked down the aisle to calm her nerves, but he accidentally knocked off her veil!

The pastor’s wife came to the rescue.

HOMEMADE WITH LOVE The bride’s mom made the decorations.

“She really brought all of our ideas to life,” the bride says. GROOM’S ONE REQUEST That the bride and groom wear Chuck Taylor shoes. Jessica says she was really proud of hers. “I am not very crafty, but I bedazzled mine.”

BEST ADVICE Sometimes it’s OK to go to bed angry so you can wake up with a clearer head.

ESSENTIALS BRIDE & GROOM Jessica Overkamp & Joshua Dunn WEDDING DATE 08.16.14 PHOTOGRAPHER Lindsey George Photography CEREMONY Community Bible Church RECEPTION Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Patch RINGS Borsheims BRIDAL GOWN David’s Bridal GROOM’S ATTIRE Men’s Wearhouse HAIR & MAKEUP Kontempo.

FLORIST & CAKE Hy-Vee CATERER Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Patch MUSIC 1 Eyed Jacks

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rené

+adam

PHOTOGRAPHY MAK IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE UNMC TRUHLSEN CAMPUS EVENTS CENTER

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AN OFF DAY For the Huskers, that is.

The couple chose Oct. 11, 2014, as their wedding date because there wasn’t a football game scheduled.

HE REMEMBERED! When René was a little girl, she gave her dad a quarter and asked him to hold onto it until her wedding day. She figured he had forgotten about it – until he pulled it out of his pocket during their first dance.

ALL HANDS ON DECK René’s dad designed the invitations, her aunt made her wedding dress and the couple made their own centerpieces and reception decorations. Family members chipped in to help decorate the reception hall. TREE, ANYONE? Adam works for the Nebraska Forest Service, so the couple incorporated trees and wood in the wedding with wooden centerpieces and a tree stubshaped groom’s cake. The couple also gave out tree seedlings from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum as favors. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT When René started walking down the aisle, she felt like she was walking through “the gates of heaven, and I was now calm and relieved because I was walking toward Adam.”

ESSENTIALS BRIDE & GROOM René Ervin & Adam Smith WEDDING DATE 10.11.14 PHOTOGRAPHER MAK Images Photography CEREMONY St. John's Catholic Church RECEPTION UNMC Truhlsen Campus Events Center RINGS Nebraska Diamond; Borsheims BRIDAL GOWN Denise Ervin Designs GROOM’S ATTIRE Tip Top Tux HAIR & MAKEUP Kat DiLorenzo; Blush Makeup Artistry FLORIST Piccolo’s Florist & Gifts CAKE Cupcake Island CATERER Eddie’s Catering & Social Hall; Cornhusker Beverage and Bridal MUSIC Central Sound RENTALS United Rent-all HONEYMOON DESTINATION Cancun, Mexico

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dolly

+janusz

PHOTOGRAPHY ASHELY NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE A VIEW WEST

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MASSAGE AT LIED LODGE We arrived at Lied Lodge in Nebraska City one afternoon and he had a surprise spa appointment waiting for me! When I came back from the massage he gave me a dozen of the most beautiful red roses I've ever seen and he got down on one knee and proposed. He could not wait until later at dinner as he originally planned. He was too excited! Afterwards, we enjoyed a wine tasting from the local vineyard as a newly engaged couple. Everyone at the lodge was congratulating us. It was definitely a memorable day! A BLUSHING BRIDE I chose a pink wedding dress and ivory bridesmaids dresses, a little backwards from the norm. A STEALWORTHY IDEA I made pressed flower lanterns out of wax paper, pressed garden flowers and $1 mason jars. Battery-operated candles fit perfectly inside. I also etched wine glasses with a monogram I designed and we used them as favors. They also make for a classy and affordable table decoration! BEST ADVICE Don't spend so much on your cake.

It can be simple and elegant. I made my own cake toppers and added fresh wild flowers from whole foods!

GOING SOLO Don't do it all by yourself. Ask for help before it's too late! MAKE IT YOUR OWN I made my own menus, name cards, table names, and bride Mad-Libs on my computer and printed them on kraft paper at home. It was easy and affordable.

ESSENTIALS BRIDE & GROOM Dolly Munter & Janusz Karolewski WEDDING DATE 09.21.14 PHOTOGRAPHER Ashley Nicole Photography CEREMONY & RECEPTION Wild Basin Lodge, Allenspark, CO RINGS Borsheims BRIDAL GOWN Brides for breast cancer trunk show, where 80 percent of the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation GROOM & GROOMSMEN'S ATTIRE Men’s Wearhouse HAIR & MAKEUP Garbo's Salon, Living Beautifully by Jessica FLORIST The Enchanted Florist, Estes Park, CO CAKE Tee and Cakes, Boulder, CO CATERER Wild Basin Lodge, Allenspark, CO HONEYMOON DESTINATION Poland

LOVE

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PHOTO DANIEL DUNLAP PHOTOGRAPHY

REAL WEDDING SUBMISSION DETAILS

BRIDES & BRIDAL PROFESSIONALS We welcome submissions of beautiful, fresh, unique, modern, stunning, standout weddings!

WHAT WE NEED 1. 40-50 images — 90% details, 10% bride & groom/wedding party PHOTOS MUST BE Resolution: 300 dpi Color mode: CMYK Inches: At least 9 x 12 inches Preferred file type: JPEG 2. A vendor list 3. A few wedding highlights and contact info so we can follow up on the story.

SUBMIT TO hhoffman@owh.com with subject line "Real Wedding"

 CONTENT IDEAS? We welcome your suggestions for articles and styled shoots; info about local business openings; and insider tips on wedding trends and more.

Email weddingessentials@owh.com or call 402-444-1094.

 BE A WEDDING ESSENTIALS ADVERTISER We are the area's most comprehensive bridal resource, with advertising opportunities through our magazine, bridal shows, website, blog, bride lists and Celebrations section of the Omaha World-Herald.

Inquire about custom-tailored advertising packages at weddingessentials@owh.com or 402-444-1442.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES Fall & Winter 2015 – May 15, 2015 Spring & Summer 2016 – November 15, 2015

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Cheers!

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