KCR_Weddings Magazine_012022

SAYING ‘I DO’ TO A HAIRDO Top trends for hairstyles and makeup in 2022

P lace Falling into

2 Yorkville venues bring the perfect touch to weddings

Contents

3 2 Must-Book Venues

Historic Ashley Farm and Whitetail Ridge Golf Club offer a touch of elegance to wedding

6 Picking the Perfect Engagement Ring

Trends to consider before popping the question

8 Do’s for Getting Dolled Up

What’s in vogue for hair and makeup this season

10 A Guide to Hosting a Daytime Wedding

6 tips for arranging an early ceremony and reception 12 Lights, Camera ... Questions!

7 things to ask a photographer before signing a contract 13 5 Strategies to Save for Your Wedding

Avoid overspending by researching and creating a budget 14 The Ultimate Social [Media] Event

4 fun ways to incorporate social media into your big day

WEDDINGS

Published by ShawMedia 109W. Veterans Parkway Yorkville, IL 60560

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Record Newspapers Kendall County Record Plano Record Oswego Ledger Sandwich Record

ON THE COVER The historic Ashley Farm in Yorkville combines country charm with elegance for a wedding. Read more on page 3. Photo by Pulse Photography & Design

PUBLISHER Daily Chronicle & Suburban Weekly Group Laura Shaw lshaw@shawmedia.com

ADVERTISING Kristin Hawkins 630-385-4404 khawkins@shawmedia.com

DESIGNER Julie Barichello 815-431-4072 jbarichello@shawmedia.com

Shannon Eldridge 630-845-5347 seldridge@shawmedia.com

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Haley Augspurger

Pulse Photography & Design

COUNTRY CLUB or

Historic Farm

Venues Serve Up Elegance for Your Wedding or Event

by Julie Johnson

C

onveniently situated on the western edge of the Chicago suburbs, you’ll find two unique places to make your wedding or event dreams come true. Whether it’s the country club setting at Whitetail Ridge

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Golf Club or the historical Ashley Farm, both of these unique properties are a onestop-shop offering high end amenities and impeccable service at a great price. Let us take you on a journey and explore what each location has to offer.

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HISTORIC ASHLEY FARM

9111 Ashley Road • Yorkville, IL 630-277-1088 • AshleyFarmWeddings.com FB • ADA • Seasonal We all know that weddings are what dreams are made of and we think you’ll find nirvana here at Ashley Farm, where rustic beauty meets bejeweled ambiance. Here you can have the event you’ve been imagining. As beautiful as any Hollywood set, you’ll find meandering paths winding through meticulously manicured grounds leading you and your guests to the main event spaces that will awe and delight everyone on your guest list.

EASY ELEGANCE For indoor receptions and sit-down events, the restored clap-board wood barn still stands with it’s towering entrance door and massive vaulted ceilings boasting three crystal chandeliers. Interiors emanate a rich honey glow that comes from 150 plus years of aging wood that makes even your oldest aunt look good. Two-story dining highlighted by subtle lighting adds to the romance of the space while white tablecloths, polished silverware and gleaming stemware elevates the elegance factor to wow.

BOOK NOW Ashley Farm has built its reputation on its “drop-off-and-enjoy” hands-on service. Once they receive your decorations, there is nothing more to do except enjoy the perfect day they have created for you. Offering both high end and casual chic options, you can choose everything from butler served hors d’oeuvres to in-house farm to table style buffet, all at reasonable prices. But your dreams can only come true if you book early as Ashley Farm does a limited number of events per year.

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Shutterwinks Photography

DESTINATION LOCATION You’ll start your special day at the Victorian Ashley Farmhouse, built in 1845 where turn of the century elegance abounds. Your wedding party can take full advantage of the location for the entire event including hair and makeup spaces along with private dressing rooms, while the groomsmen have been banished to the property’s restored barn equipped with all the modern conveniences necessary for them to prepare in style too. And there’s so much more that this 17acre property has to offer, limited only by your imagination.

Take advantage of the indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for cocktails or the main event.

Imagine your beautiful photos taken in a field of wildflowers, by the rustic truck, tractor or farmhouse front porch.

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Pulse Photography & Design

WHITETAIL RIDGE GOLF CLUB 7671 Clubhouse Drive • Yorkville, IL 630-882-8988 • WhitetailRidgeGC.com FB • ADA • Open Daily

Completely restored and reinvented, the 24,000-square-foot Whitetail Ridge Golf Club provides a high degree of elegance in a Country Club setting. You and your wedding party, business or event attendees can enjoy the sweeping views from the patio or Terrace Room with private balcony. Imagine your photos with a breathtaking vista as the backdrop. And there are plenty of outdoor and indoor spaces to move your party effortlessly through your special day.

EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE Whether you’re planning your dream wedding, shower or corporate event, this unique property has a package and space to fill your needs.

Picture your family and friends gathered for cocktails on the newly restored main level featuring butler served hors d’oeuvres. Perhaps you’ll choose to hold your ceremony out-ofdoors on their intimate patio or wide open driving range with acres of manicured lawns and rolling hills as your background. Transition smoothly into the private cocktail and bar space with newly added western-facing balcony then on to the 350-seat Main Ballroom where the Whitetail staff event personnel have prepared the space to your specifications.

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Pulse Photography & Design

Seth Morris Photography

BOOK NOW The Whitetail Ridge Golf Club offers everything from plated sit-down surf & turf to their homemade, in-house smoked BBQ buffet.

Your package will include your own event planner that will guide your through their vast array of choices from venue location to their fresh-made-on-site food selections and service options. Weddings best booked a year in advance and feature reasonable pricing. 100seat restaurant, 50-seat private bar and other spaces available for smaller events. Call now and find out what hands-on service really means here at the Whitetail, three-time Bride’s Choice Award winner.

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E H T G N I D N I F

g n i R t en

T C E F PER

m e g a g n E

By Kelley White

O

nce upon a time … it all began with a ring.

Few things in life are as romantic and wonderful as a proposal, a moment whose beauty should be reflected in the selection of an engagement ring. With so many choices to consider, where does the idea of a perfect engagement ring fit in the modern world?

The truth is, perfection lies in the heart of the beholder, and only they know the “perfect” piece to love and cherish for the rest of their life. Get inspired with popular modern day engagement ring trends and help your fiancé-to-be add characteristics unique to you and your romance.

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GEMSTONES

The legacy of Princess Diana lives on as a spirit of defiance and impeccable taste. She was owner to an heirloom that currently sits on the ring finger of the future queen of England, an heirloom that continues to inspire generations of engagement ring trends.

If this is your style, look for a centered gemstone surrounded by a halo of icy white diamonds set in a gold band.

Gemstones are personal and elegant, even without the presence of diamonds.

Love Is Sweet..

Your Wedding Cake & Treats Will Be Too T re o

YELLOW GOLD

Classic yellow gold is making quite the comeback in recent years, eclipsing past popular trends in metal such as platinum and rose gold. The rich alloy enhances colored stones, plus it adds dimension and shine to any shape of diamond.

Call for a consult consultation ltat lt atio ion & tast taste what everyone's talking about!

DIAMONDS

This year, more than ever, round cut diamonds are on the downtrend to make way for pear, emerald, tear, and heart-shaped stones. Bigger isn’t always better, but more unique and personalized to the wearer wins the day.

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VINTAGE AND VOGUE

Vintage-inspired, simple, solitaire rings are set to take center stage in 2022 over the popular pave and halo styles of late. Aside from solitaire diamonds and gemstones, Art Deco vintage is an enchanting choice, evoking the artistic golden age and timelessness of the early 20th century.

SUSTAINABLE

Another way to feel good about the one-of-a-kind quality for your engagement ring is to consider sourcing recycled diamonds and metals to create a truly exclusive design not found anywhere else. Using heirloom jewelry or gifts from your significant other, these rings would truly have a meaningful sentimentality and significance you can’t buy.

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M-F 5AM-6PM | S&S 6AM-2PM

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU FROM AISLE TO ISLE

Destination Weddings and Honeymoons • Sandals Mexico • Caribbean • Hawaii • Europe All Inclusive Resorts and More Let our experienced, well-traveled consultants help you plan the wedding of your dreams.

See Us At The Jan. 30th Bridal Expo At Whitetail Ridge

SHOP LOCALLY

At the heart of every fairy tale is a love story that transcends time. Choose a ring that will add to your legacy and be loved by you for years to come. Check out Little Rock Jewelers for a more personal experience in your engagement ring journey. | RECORD NEWSPAPERS |

Little Rock Jewelers 115 E. South St. Plano, IL 60545 (630) 552-7254

$500 Travel Voucher Giveaway! • Raffles & Prizes!

Our office is open & in-person Mon thru Sat. Come on in or call to set an appointment!

801 N. Bridge St. (Rt. 47), Yorkville 630.553.7200 travelservicesofyorkville.com Celebrating 35+ Years WEDDINGS 7

Hair & Makeup

TRENDS TR u By Kelley White

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Buns, braids, or a classic bouffant – when it comes to fashionable wedding looks, tap your local salons for the perfect wedding day coiffure and cosmetics. If you’re looking for inspiration, consider these trending hair and makeup ideas for an enchanting and fashionable wedding aesthetic.

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No matter how you choose to celebrate the beauty of you and your bridal party, Kendall County is home to an array of salons and beauticians ready to bring your Pinterest board to life.

Local salons to consider:

Old Hollywood

Timeless shine and dramatic waves flowing from a stylish side part add an aura to your hairstyle that begets actresses from the early days in Tinsel Town. Add a bold red lip and dramatic eyeliner to complete this fashion trend, which is still going strong after all these years.

Vine Braids and Sparkling Accessories

Does fairy tale fit your personality? Adorn an elegantly disheveled vine braid with sprays of unique and sparkling hair clips or pins and be transformed into your favorite storybook heroine. Add a dash of shimmering eyeshadow to the corner of your eyes and give your best features a dewy, iridescent glow.

u SHEAR 101 E. Center St. Yorkville, IL 60560 (630) 885-9813 u REFLECTIONS METRO SALON & DAY 803 N. Bridge St. Yorkville, IL 60560 (630) 553-0975 u NIKKI CARCHEDI HAIR STUDIO 2400 US 30, Suite 112 Oswego, IL 60543 (630) 677-3622 u ENZO SALON & SPA 256 N. Merchants Dr. Oswego, IL 60543 (630) 896-9494 u ANGIE ALANIZ BEAUTY BAR 2056 Hearthstone Ave. Yorkville, IL 60560 (970) 987-0684

Flower Power

A strong trend toward sustainable, outdoor weddings lends itself to matching bridal hair and makeup. Create your own flower crown by weaving your favorite florals into a delicately undone chignon and evoke a sense of connection with Mother Earth.

Soft, natural makeup is a perfect harmony to this wedding look, which is rapidly growing in popularity.

The Romantic

Gather natural textures or curls into a loose chignon below the crown of your head, adding minimal accessories and framing your face with a soft and organic touch, or choose to let your tresses flow freely. Choice of makeup depends on you – try a wine-colored lip and neutral eyeshadows, or elevate the drama by adding a bold cat eye and lengthened lashes.

Braid Creativity

Bend your hair to your will and weave your locks into a variety of designs and levels of style. Braid half of your hair at the back of your head and relax the rest of it into beach waves. If your tastes are more modern, ask for bubble braids, a fresh and hot look sweeping the fashion world. The sky is the limit with this incredibly versatile hair trend. Add smoky eyes and a soft nude lip or barely-there makeup and a creamy matte gloss to perfect this in-vogue look. | RECORD NEWSPAPERS |

WEDDINGS 9

A guide to hosting a

DAYTIME WEDDING Find success by tweaking the traditional evening wedding plan eddings dot the social calendars of millions of people across the globe.

The Association for Wedding Professionals International says every year an average of 2.4 million weddings are performed in the United States and approximately 150,000 per year are performed in Canada. Evenings are the most common time of the day to host a wedding, but that does not mean a daytime wedding cannot be a beautiful event and make for a party to remember.

Couples are increasingly customizing their weddings to be a reflection of their personal styles. One of the ways couples are customizing their festivities is by moving the wedding to various hours of the day that meet the couple’s needs.

A wedding that takes place in the late morning or afternoon may be the perfect fit for some couples.

Here’s how to navigate the specifics of a daytime wedding.

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We’re Here For The Little Things That Bug You!

FREE ESTIMATES! HIRE THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER.

Be sure to contract with a photographer who is a pro at handling photos in daylight and natural light.

While many photographers are skilled in any light, many are used to shooting in churches and venues with low lighting. Be sure to see picture samples taken during the daytime to gauge a photographer’s daytime experience and skill level.

SECURE ACCOMMODATIONS.

An early wedding means guests may have to travel from afar the evening before to be able to attend the festivities. Daytime weddings can be complemented by working with a hotel or bed and breakfast to ensure guests will have a place to stay and get ready to arrive at the early wedding in time.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO NEGOTIATE PRICES.

The wedding resource Bridal Guide says that vendors are typically more amenable to price discounts or offering greater value for daytime weddings. That’s because demand for their services is reduced during the day. Similarly, venues may have more availability during the day than at night, and, as a result, they’re more flexible on prices, especially since brunch foods generally cost less than dinner entrees.

EMPLOY COLOR TO ADD DIMENSION.

During evening weddings, lighting or candles help set the mood. Those same elements will be ineffective in daylight. Choose bright colors for your decor and flowers to brighten up spaces.

CHOOSE ALTERNATIVE ENTERTAINMENT.

Chances are guests are not going to feel as comfortable dancing during daylight hours. Consider other entertainment, such as lawn games, karaoke, or a comedian. A guitarist or pianist may be a nice musical touch.

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IT’S MORE THAN A DAYCATION.

IT’S A LIFESTYLE.

PLAN FOOD ACCORDINGLY.

Just because the wedding is early does not mean the food should be. Guests still will need to eat. If you are only opting for light appetizers and cocktails, be sure to mention this on the invitation so guests can plan ahead and won’t go hungry.

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PARKS • DINING • SHOPPING • LODGING TO START PLANNING YOUR TRIP, VISIT:

STARVEDROCKCOUNTRY.COM WEDDINGS 11

7

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BOOKING A PHOTOGRAPHER

V

arious components combine to make weddings beautiful and memorable. Couples rely on photographers to capture the smiles and moments that helped make their events unique and to ensure the big day is remembered for years to come.

The trusted wedding resource The Knot notes that an internal study found that, among 27,000 couples who got married in 2019, an average of $2,400 was spent on a wedding photographer to document their big day.

Couples who want to find the best photographer for their wedding day can ask several questions before making their final decision.

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1. What style do you specialize in?

Photographers may be able to shoot various styles of photos, but may specialize in a specific type. For example, some photographers specialize in photojournalism, while others may excel at portraiture. Going with a photographer who has the most expertise shooting the style you prefer will help produce the desired results.

2. Who will be shooting my wedding?

Certain photography studios have several photographers working under one roof. Just because you meet with one does not necessarily mean that photographer will be on site, unless it is specified in the contract.

3. Have you worked at my venue before?

Photographers may be familiar with several local wedding venues and houses of worship.

A photographer who has experience working in the locations where couples will tie the knot and subsequently celebrate might produce the best results, but lack of experience with particular venues need not exclude other professionals.

4. Can we see a gallery of a recent wedding?

According to Brides magazine, unlike an album or a highlight gallery, a full gallery provides a better sense of a photographer’s style and attention to detail.

5. Will photographs be color balanced

and retouched?

Skilled photographers are capable of capturing winning photos. But photos can be enhanced further in the studio with retouching software to bring out specific effects. Some photographers will polish all proofs, while others only will work on the images ultimately ordered. Confirm retouching details before signing the contract.

6. What’s included in the photo packages?

A detailed price list helps you compare one photographer to another and decide which elements are covered. Additional prints, having a photographer’s assistant, ordering albums for the parents, or ordering a large framed print can alter costs significantly. Explore all prices to ensure you’re getting the best value. In addition, consider how many hours of event coverage are included in the price.

7. What is the payment timeline?

Photographers may accept deposits for their services but expect a different timeline of payment. Some may require payment in full before the wedding, while others may offer a payment plan that includes a final payment when picking up proofs or albums.

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strategies to $ave for a

wedding The question was popped; the engagement ring presented. What’s the next step on the road to the wedding? Saving should definitely be on couples’ minds.

A

wedding is likely the most costly party couples will ever throw.

According to The Knot’s 2019 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in 2019 was $33,900. There are many different costs associated with weddings. Some are predictable, while others are unexpected.

Investopedia says the vast majority of couples budget too little for their weddings and also end up spending more than they had planned. Various strategies can make it easier to save for a wedding and avoid a post-wedding financial hangover.

GET INFORMED

It’s impossible to budget for a wedding and ultimately save without knowledge of what services and items cost in the region where you live. A wedding in New York City will be expensive, while a wedding in Mississippi will cost a lot less, indicates SuperMoney’s guide to wedding costs.

Conduct some research and find out what photographers, florists, transportation | RECORD NEWSPAPERS |

providers, reception halls, and wedding wardrobe vendors charge for common services. This will paint a vivid picture of what a wedding may cost in your area.

The bride and groom can link individual checking accounts to one savings account to contribute jointly.

FLESH OUT THE BUDGET

An analysis of your spending habits will likely reveal areas where you can scale back so you can devote more funds to wedding savings. Do you need a takeout coffee in the morning or can you brew a pot at home? Are you able to scale back on streaming services? Can you substitute a less expensive store brand product for a name brand? Small cost savings can quickly add up.

Once you have gathered estimates, you can then figure out a financial goal. This also is when you can determine where to rein in spending and where you might want to splurge. If having a video memory of the wedding is not a top priority, you can skip videography services. If you have a special flower that you like, you may want to budget more for that bloom even if it isn’t in season.

SET UP A DEDICATED SAVINGS ACCOUNT

One of the easiest ways to save for big-ticket items like a wedding, home purchase or other financial goals is to use an automatic savings account that may be available through your bank or employer.

An automatic savings plan will pull a set amount from a personal checking account into a savings account through auto-draft.

AVOID OVERSPENDING

ADD UP GIFTS

Factor in deduction of expenses that other people will commit to covering for wedding expenses, but only if you have concrete confirmation. A parent may host the rehearsal dinner. One’s relative may offer to pass down an antique wedding gown to wear. But rather than simply removing these gifts from your savings calculations, keep them as a safety net to put toward unforseen expenses.

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Y

oung couples tying the knot today grew up with social media, so it’s no great surprise that so many want to utilize various platforms when planning their weddings. In fact, the Brides 2018 American Wedding Survey found that 87 percent of brides turned to the social media platform Pinterest for inspiration when planning their weddings.

FUN WAYS TO UTILIZE SOCIAL MEDIA IN YOUR

On the surface, modern wedding ceremonies and receptions may look similar to the nuptials of yesteryear.

However, engaged couples have increasingly incorporated social media into their weddings, and the following are some fun and creative ways to embrace that trend.

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l CREATE A SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO BOOTH Guests may take more pictures at modern weddings than the photographers who were hired to document the happy couple’s big day from start to finish. Social media boards are digital screens that display social media walls. Live event social media boards collect and curate content from social media channels and display it on a single digital screen. Users, in this case a couple’s guests, simply use a predetermined hashtag when posting photos and the images are then displayed on digital screens in real time.

This can be a fun way to engage guests during the reception.

l LIVE STREAM THE WEDDING Live streams became very popular during the pandemic, when couples getting married had to pare down their guest lists in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines. But live streams can continue to be used after the pandemic, as there will always be guests who can’t make it to the wedding. Facebook Live was a go-to social media platform for live streaming weddings during the pandemic, and it can be utilized to involve loved ones in the festivities even if they can’t be there in person. Live streaming via social media may be especially useful for couples who want to enjoy destination weddings, which tend to be small affairs due to travel constraints.

l HASHTAG THE WEDDING A couple-specific hashtag can serve as something akin to a wedding album, only it’s one everyone can easily access via the couple’s chosen social media platform. Encourage guests to hashtag photos from the wedding so everyone can have a good time looking back on the ceremony and reception once the day has come and gone.

How

l PLAN WITH YOUR PARTY Social media can be as fun, inclusive and useful when planning the wedding as it can during the wedding itself.

Brides and grooms can create their own private Pinterest boards and share them with the wedding party. Everyone can then use the private board to bounce ideas off each other. Couples can infuse a little fun into the Pinterest board by encouraging their groomsmen and bridesmaids to post outrageous outfit ideas or submit sing-along song requests to be played during the reception.

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Discover senior living that unfailingly respects every individual.

The Cedarhurst Promise.TM We promise. If you’re not satisfied and decide to move out within your first 60 days, we’ll give you a complete refund.*

Call now (630) 884-5482 to schedule your tour.

4040 Cannonball Trail Yorkville, IL 60560 CedarhurstYorkville.com Assisted Living & Memory Care *Cedarhurst Promise™ program is only available at advertised community. Not applicable for respite or other short-term stays. Refund is available only if move out is a result of dissatisfaction with Cedarhurst community as documented throughout stay. Complete refund includes base rent, level of care charges, and community fee. Ancillary services fees (ex. additional transportation, pet fees and laundry charges) do not qualify for refund. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please contact community for additional details. Void where prohibited.

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WEDDINGS 15

REGISTER NOW FOR OUR

Annual Bridal Expo JANUARY January 30th 26TH 11-2pm

9111 Ashley Road, Yorkville

630-277-1088

www.AshleyFarmWeddings.com

7671 Clubhouse Drive, Yorkville 630-882-8988 www.whitetailridgegolfclub.com