Save the Date - 101720

Save the Date A Celebrations Guide

Inside:  Wedding pandemic precautions  Wedding catering trends  How to plan a winter wedding and much more!

A publication of est. 1851

Shaw Media/ October 2020

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WEDDING TIPS

Take the leap...safely Precautions that can keep wedding guests safe during the pandemic

Happy couples planning to tie the knot in 2020 confronted a challenge they likely never saw coming. While many couples fear inclement weather on their wedding days, 2020’s prospective brides and grooms had to contend with something far more fearful than rain clouds.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus that began in the winter of 2019-20 and was ultimately declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization put many couples’ wedding plans in peril. In an effort to stop the spread of the virus and protect those most vulnerable to it, governments across the globe placed restrictions on social gatherings, including weddings. Those restrictions prompted some couples to postpone their nuptials until 2021,

while others tied the knot at considerably smaller ceremonies than they initially planned for.

Couples planning to tie the knot in the months ahead can still do so, but the WHO recommends they take certain precautions as they organize their ceremonies and receptions.  Confirm local regulations. Restrictions related to COVID-19 differ greatly by region. Areas that were not hit hard by the virus may not have as many restrictions in place as those that were devastated by the outbreak.

In addition, cities or regions whose responses to the virus have been successful may have relaxed restrictions more than areas that are still struggling. The WHO notes the importance of checking local guidelines prior to

planning an event, and that’s especially important for couples who hope to get married in towns or cities where they do not currently reside.  Keep guests up to date about precautions. Include detailed information about the safety measures that will be implemented during the wedding on your wedding website. Insert a card detailing this information into your invitation envelopes as well so all guests know what to expect when they accept the invitation. In addition, remind guests of the safety precautions throughout the ceremony.  Provide sanitary supplies. Make sure hand sanitizer, soap, water, and masks are readily available for all guests. Social distance markers also can be placed on the ground through-

out the venue to make it easy for guests to stay six feet apart from one another.  Choose an outdoor venue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the COVID-19 virus spreads very easily through person-to-person contact and that the risk of spreading the virus is greater when spending time indoors. Couples can mitigate some of that risk by tying the knot outdoors and then hosting an outdoor reception where tables are kept at least six feet apart.

Weddings will be different until the world puts COVID-19 in its rearview mirror. In the meantime, it’s up to happy couples to keep their guests safe come the big day. TF20B501

WEDDING OFFICIANTS

Many people play a role in a wedding. The bride and groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearers, and flower girls are front and center on the day a couple ties the knot.

Another central, and very important, figure on a couple’s wedding day is the officiant. Officiants perform the wedding ceremony and are the first to introduce the newlyweds to their guests as an officially married couple.

Various types of officiants can officiate a wedding, and understanding each type can help couples find the right one for them.

Religious officiant Couples who want traditional religious ceremonies often choose a religious officiant, such as a parish priest or rabbi, with whom they’re familiar.

For example, couples who grew up attending a particular church might choose the priest who’s been preaching to them since they were children, while others might choose the priest at their current place of worship.

Religious officiants may be governed by certain rules that restrict them to performing ceremonies in a house of worship, which might rule them out for couples who want outdoor or destination weddings. Couples should inquire about such restrictions as early as possible in the planning process so they aren’t caught off guard.

Civil officiant Civil officiants are officers of the court, such as a judge or justice of the peace. Many couples who are planning destination weddings abroad still choose to have a civil officiant perform a wedding ceremony at home. This is because some overseas officiants may not be authorized to marry couples in their home countries, meaning their marriages won’t be recognized once they return home. Civil officiants make sure marriages are legal, and they also make great options for couples who just want to get hitched without a grand ceremony.

Professional officiant Professional officiants are not affiliated with a particular religious organization. That makes them great choices for couples who aren’t religious as well as those who come from different religious backgrounds and won’t be converting to the same faith. Professional officiants typically meet with a couple once or twice to get to know them before writing the speech they will give during the ceremony. Many will share the speech with the couple in advance of the big day, and some even allow couples to write the speech.

Loved ones Many couples ask a friend or family member to officiate their weddings, which can add a fun and very personal component to the ceremony. Couples who want to take this route should research local laws to determine the steps loved ones must take to become ordained ministers who will be recognized by the state or country where the ceremony will take place. BR191612

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Types of wedding officiants

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How sweet it is

SHAW MEDIA PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON

Joy Plackett, catering manager at Hy-Vee in Peru, holds a wedding cake near the display case at the grocery store. During the pandemic, Hy-Vee can individually wrap cake slices to serve at your wedding.

WEDDING CATERING

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Today’s weddings are setting aside the traditional cake in favor of dessert tables. Guests can pick from an array of mini favorites like apple pie, cheesecake or cannoli. Holly Gage, owner of Perfect Moments Event Shoppe in Ottawa, says that wedding cakes haven’t completely gone by the wayside, but brides and grooms are adding fun dessert bars as part of a current trend.

What’s trending in wedding catering?

By Kim Shute

KSHUTE@SHAWMEDIA.COM

“A lot of our brides and grooms will order breakfast trays, or sandwich trays for their girls and guys to nibble on while they get ready for the ceremony,” she said. “Fresh sushi trays are popular for a more upscale feel.”

Plackett said with COVID-19 restricting large gatherings, a lot of couples this year, and into the next are opting for smaller more intimate gatherings and skipping large weddings so this style of catering lends itself well to those gatherings.

“Our couples are seeing that they don’t have to do their rehearsal din-

ner at a restaurant; they can have it catered at home and have it just as nice,” she said.

Holly Gage, owner of Perfect Moments Event Shoppe in Ottawa, can make a pastry perfect for any occasion. She, too, is seeing a new trend in wedding desserts, with couples deciding just one option isn’t enough.

“I feel that with the time that we are in now, people are having to downsize for their wedding, “she said. “People are either eloping with the plan to have a big reception next year or doing a small backyard or intimate gathering, so with that I am seeing smaller cakes for the bride and groom to cut.

“They’re adding cupcakes, cookies and mini cheesecakes for guests to pick up and grab or cookies wrapped and placed at each place setting.”

Gage says brides are deciding to go more elaborate with not only the design of the cake but also the flavors of things instead of the standard white and chocolate cake.

“It seems the desert tables are growing more common with a variety of items to choose from,” Gage said.

“I can’t wait for next year when everyone is planning the bigger celebrations and go all out because they couldn’t do it up right this year and celebrate with everyone.”

HOW MUCH DO I NEED? With do-it-yourself-style food and dessert bars becoming more popular, how do you know how much food to serve? Plackett’s guideline is to offer six appetizers per guest, offering an equal number of hot and cold options. That way guests can enjoy a cold appetizer while hot food is being prepared. Main dishes should consist of 6 ounces of meat and four ounces of pasta per guest. Sides are four ounces per guest and desserts should be one cake slice and two-three cookies or ‘others’ per guest.

WINTER WEDDINGS

How to plan a winter wedding Weddings take place throughout the year, but some months have traditionally proven more popular times of year for happy couples to tie the knot.

Summer was long known as the most popular season for weddings, but that trend has shifted in recent years.

According to the 2020 WeddingWire Newlywed Report, 36 percent of couples get married in the fall, making autumn the most popular time to say “I do.”

Though October and September are the two most popular months to marry, budget-conscious couples may want to consider getting married in winter. December, January and February are the least popular wedding months, but the experts at WeddingWire note that getting married during the slow season has its benefits. Vendors, including wedding planners and venues, may offer their services and facilities at discounted prices in winter to account for the slow season. And guests might be thankful to have a fun event to look forward to during a time of year when social schedules tend to be less busy.

Many wedding components will stay

the same regardless of when couples walk down the aisle. However, couples may need to take a few things into consideration as they begin planning winter weddings.  Avoid holiday weekends. Just because social schedules are not always so busy in winter that doesn’t mean couples can pick any winter weekend to tie the knot. The holiday season, which begins on Thanksgiving weekend in late November and lasts until New Year’s Day, is a hectic time of year for many people. Avoid holiday weekends like Thanksgiving and the weekends before or after Christmas and New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day. These weekends already are busy travel times, so couples might not be able to get guest-friendly rates on hotel rooms, and some guests may already have plans to visit family. In addition to the December holidays, avoid the first weekend in February. That’s Super Bowl weekend, and many people may be reluctant to travel on the day of the big game.  Research local weather. It’s impossible to predict the weather, but savvy couples can research local weather in

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the town or city where they’re getting married to determine when is the most travel-friendly month to host their weddings. Some regions get heavy snowfall in January, while others may be more susceptible to late winter snowstorms. Couples with a lot of outof-town guests should choose a winter weekend where snowfall is unlikely so guests don’t have to endure travel delays on their way to and from the wedding.  Purchase wedding insurance. Wedding insurance is a wise investment for every couple, but it can be especially valuable for couples tying the knot in winter. Each policy is different, but wedding insurance policies should protect couples’ investments if storms force local officials to declare a state of emergency that prohibits travel. Make sure the policy covers both cancellations and postponements.

Winter weddings can help couples save money. Planning such affairs may require paying attention to details that would not garner much consideration during other times of year. TF20B503

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Useful ways to incorporate social media in wedding planning Since its inception decades ago, social media has changed the world.

As the popularity of social media exploded in the early part of the 21st century, various platforms emerged and ultimately affected movements pertaining to everything from politics to social justice to charitable efforts.

Social media also has emerged as a great tool for couples on the cusp of getting married. The following are some useful ways that couples can employ social media into their wedding planning.  Create your own hashtag. A couple-specific hashtag can be a great and simple way to share information on Twitter, which remains one of the most popular social media platforms across the globe. Your own hashtag can alert friends and family who are on Twitter whenever you post new information and photos.  Share a photo album online. Photographers serve as something akin to unofficial documentarians on couples’ wedding days. Many photogra-

all the ensuing fun at the phers are there from the reception. Create a moment the bride wedding-specific begins to get ready Instagram page until the last and post all person leaves the photos the dance you want to floor at share. the end of the night.  In M a n y c l u d e couples guests l o v e who could leafing not attend through the festivt h e i r ities. No wedding matter how a l b u m s hard coufor the rest ples may try of their lives to pick a date together, but that’s convenient guests also may for all of their guests, enjoy reliving the some invitees will inevnight. The photo sharitably decline the invitation. ing social media platform Instagram is a great way for couples That’s especially true while the world and their guests to relive the special continues to confront the COVIDmoment a couple ties the knot and 19 pandemic. Elderly guests or loved

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ones with underlying medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to getting seriously ill from COVID-19 may be forced to reluctantly decline their invitations. But couples can utilize social media platforms like Facebook Live to include loved ones who couldn’t make it in real time.  Encourage others to pitch in with the planning. Planning a wedding should be fun, and what better way to add to the fun factor than encouraging loved ones to share their ideas via a social media platform like Pinterest?

Couples can create a Pinterest board and ask interested friends and family members to share ideas on everything from attire to decor to floral arrangements. This can be an especially effective way to involve bridesmaids and groomsmen if social distancing guidelines and travel restrictions related to the pandemic are still in place when planning your wedding.

Social media has changed the world, and it also has changed how couples plan their weddings. TF20B505

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VOWS

Treat guests to personalized vows

Couples who choose to write their own wedding vows recognize how special such personal gestures are.

Writing one’s own vows can impart a personalized and special touch to the ceremony. But as anyone who has stared down a blank piece of paper or blinking cursor can attest, a case of writer’s block may encourage couples to abandon the idea of writing their own vows.

Writing vows can be nerve-wracking. Many couples are unaccustomed to speaking in front of crowds, and then there is the challenge of turning life-altering feelings into language that will appeal to the masses.

But couples struggling with their vows need not throw in the vow-writing towel. With some practice and guidance, anyone can write cherished vows that will be remembered for all of the right reasons for years to come.  Skip the schtick. Jokes may pop up in speeches throughout the evening, but wedding vows can be your chance to truly speak from the heart.

Humor may come across as insincerity. Rather, list the words that describe your feelings for your future spouse, and build on that.

 Tell a story. If you need inspiration, look to a moment in your relationship when you really knew this was the person with whom you wanted to share your life. Relay the story, but keep it brief. Try to be as specific as possible, and recognize that it’s acceptable to be playful with your words. When it’s really coming from the heart and not the head, you’ll know it.  Borrow from traditional words. Take traditional vows and tweak them to make them your own. This works especially well for those who have trouble getting started or are unsure of which format to follow. Incorporate key words, such as “partners,” “love,” “friends,” “joy,” and “forever.”  Be sure the officiant is on board.

Depending on the type of ceremony, the officiant may have final say over what can or cannot be included in your vows. Religious ceremonies, for example, may be limited to certain scripture readings and traditional vows. Before you devote any time to writing vows, ensure that it’s alright to include them. Otherwise, save personalized sentiments for a special toast at the wedding reception.

 Decide on a mutual structure for the vows. If you and your spouse will not be writing the vows together, agree on a format that you both will follow.

Otherwise, you might be writing about your unending love, and he or she may be promising to keep updated on favorite sports teams or television programs. You want the tone and style of the vows to be cohesive.  Dig deeper. Look into the future and project how you hope your life to be in 10 or 20 years. Explain all of the reasons you want to be together for

the duration.  Read the vows several times. Read over your work and make sure the language is clear and there are no glaring errors. It may take a few versions to get the final version right where you want it.  Get a second opinion. Ask someone you trust to listen to the vows and offer feedback. This needs to be a person who will be honest and not just tell you what you want to hear.

Personalized vows can add an extra special touch to wedding ceremonies.

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We have expanded our banquet facility to accommodate up to 400 guests and added an indoor wedding venue with a rustic barn door and barn wood as a back drop for your wedding. Our engaged couples will now be able to have their wedding and reception at the same venue during the winter months.

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