Spring Bridal 2020

&

A LOCAL GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR PERFECT DAY

• ideas • photos • advice • fashion • receptions • honeymoons

...and more

To Have To Hold

A publication of

Southern Lakes Newspapers SPRING-SUMMER

2020

Get organized: BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

WEDDING PLANNING TIPS AND TRICKS

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Recently engaged couples are often so swept up in the excitement surrounding their engagements that they can be forgiven for initially overlooking all the wedding planning that awaits them.

Planning a wedding is no small task, but many couples very much enjoy all the hard work that goes into making their special day a success.

It’s hard for newly engaged couples who have never before planned a wedding to know what awaits them. But the following tips can help make the wedding planning process go smoothly.

FIND YOUR ORGANIZATION METHOD Organization is the key to pulling off the wedding of your dreams. Whether your organizational style is best served by jotting details like dates and deposit deadlines down in a notebook or utilizing an online spreadsheet or smartphone app, choose your method early on. Keeping information and reminders in one place can make it easier to manage all the tasks

that lie ahead.

TAKE YOUR TIME There’s no rush to the altar. Feel free to extend the engagement long enough to keep stress levels down and get the location and ceremony of your dreams.

Many recently engaged couples feel pressured to get married right away.

Stretching out the engagement to save money or give yourself more time to plan can make for a wonderful wedding day.

DISCUSS THE BUDGET OPENLY AND HONESTLY Did you know a New York City wedding can cost $77,000, according to Money magazine? Wedding costs can vary widely, and couples should sit down together to decide what they can afford and are willing to pay for.

DECIDE ON A GUEST LIST Planning decisions are often based

around the projected number of guests.

You’ll need to have a ballpark figure regarding guests before you can choose a venue and make other decisions, such as where guests will stay. And if the majority of guests are coming from a certain area, such as your hometown, you may want to bring the wedding to them instead of asking them to come to you.

CREATE A PRIORITIES LIST Make a list of at least three things that are most important for each of you.

It may be the ceremony location, the food or another factor. Knowing what is important can help you negotiate prices and understand what to look for when planning.

These are some of the considerations couples should make while planning their weddings. While it’s important to consider these factors and others, it’s also important that couples have fun when planning their nuptials.

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Reconnect

DURING WEDDING PLANNING

DIVIDE AND CONQUER Separate wedding planning duties so that both of you feel you are contributing equally and no one person gets overly stressed out. Stress can lead to short tempers

TO HAVE and to hold

A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers

and arguments.

ESTABLISH A MUTUAL BUDGET Even the healthiest couple argues over finances from time to time, but budgetary debates should not set a negative tone for wedding planning. Couples should discuss their potential budget before they even begin to plan their weddings, and both partners should do their best to compromise while also understanding where the other person is coming from.

SCHEDULE TIME FOR FUN Do not let wedding planning be allconsuming. Schedule days that allow you to enjoy yourselves together without having to think about or discuss your pending nuptials. This may include date nights 1102 Ann Street, Delavan, WI 53115 • (262) 728-3411 FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES: Call (262) 763-2575 EDITOR: Tracy Ouellette CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Heidi Schulz PAGE DESIGN: Jen DeGroot ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Vicki Vanderwelff

that may have fallen by the wayside since getting engaged or periodic day trips to get away from it all. Explore your mutual hobbies or try something new.

LAUGH AT THE LITTLE THINGS Not every detail will go off without a hitch. How you react as a couple may influence how much you enjoy your wedding. Recognize that certain things will not go your way, but that unforeseen circumstances will not ruin your wedding day, no matter how unpleasant they may seem.

Laugh at what cannot be changed and recognize that, in the long run, the details you think are major today may actually prove trivial when you look back on your wedding day in the years to come.

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Wedding planning can be intense and often requires dedication and many hours of work. Coordinating a wedding often requires that couples make many different decisions and spend a considerable amount of time in the wedding-planning trenches.

Couples expend so much energy planning their weddings that it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture – namely the relationship that is the basis for the marriage in the first place. But as easy as it can be to get lost in wedding planning, couples can use this time together to connect on a deeper level and learn to work cooperatively.

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BUDGET WORKSHEET

? t s o c g n i d d e w

WHAT WILL YOUR

Total Wedding Budget: $______________ CEREMONY Location fee $_______ Officiant fee $_______ Marriage license $_______ Rings $_______ Pillow $_______ TOTAL CEREMONY: $_______

TRANSPORTATION

RECEPTION Reception site $_______ Food $_______ Drinks $_______ Rentals $_______ Cake $_______ Favors $_______ TOTAL RECEPTION: $_______

FLOWERS Ceremony $_______

MUSIC Musicians $_______ Band/DJ $_______ Extra musicians $_______ TOTAL MUSIC: $_______

Limousines

ATTIRE Gown $_______ Headpiece/veil $_______ Undergarments/ hosiery $______ Shoes $_______ Accessories $_______ Jewelry $_______ Makeup $_______ Hair $_______ Tuxedo $_______ Shoes $_______ Cuff links $_______ Men’s grooming $_______ TOTAL ATTIRE: $_______

$_______

Buses/transport for guests

$_______

TOTAL TRANSPORTATION: $_______

Bride’s bouquet

$_______

Bridesmaids’ bouquets $_______ Corsages and boutonnieres $_______ Reception

PHOTOGRAPHY Photographer’s fee $_______ Videographer’s fee $_______ TOTAL PHOTOGRAPHY: $_______

centerpieces $_______ Flower girl basket

$_______

TOTAL FLOWERS: $_______

STATIONERY Invitations $_______ Postage $_______ Thank-you cards $_______ TOTAL STATIONERY: $_______

GIFTS Wedding party $_______ Parents $_______ Other $_______ TOTAL GIFTS: $_______ HONEYMOON Accommodations Food TOTAL HONEYMOON:

$_______ $_______ $_______

Use this convenient list to figure out the costs involved in planning your special day.

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Prep work required

etting married is an exciting time in a couple’s life together. Wedding planning is the next logical step after the engagement announcement, and while couples often get swept up in planning their dream parties, it’s important to note that ultimately the ceremony is the star of the day.

Before booking a wedding reception venue or getting one’s heart set on a particular date, couples need to secure their ceremony sites as well as apply for a marriage license.

In some instances, ceremonies are held at the same site as the wedding reception, while some couples choose to tie the knot in their church or synagogue. Each of these types of

ceremonies will be governed by the schedule of the house of worship or civil site.

GETTING A MARRIAGE LICENSE While laws may vary from state to state within the United States, getting a marriage license generally involves filling out the application and paying a fee at the county clerk’s office.

Both applicants are typically required to bring identification, such as a driver’s license, passport or birth certificate. There may be a waiting period between submitting the application and the license being issued.

Couples can pick up the license or have it mailed to them.

A marriage license is not the same thing as a marriage certificate. The marriage certificate typically becomes available after the ceremony has taken place and the witnesses and officiant have signed off on the proceedings.

Getting married is a multistep process

that begins with determining where the ceremony will take place and acquiring a marriage license. With these items in check, couples can focus on creating memorable wedding days.

FINDING A VENUE Once couples choose a wedding date, it is a good idea for them to visit their ceremony site of choice to check the calendar. It helps to have some flexibility in the wedding date in case the first choice is unavailable.

Although summer weddings used to be the most popular, today’s couples are tying the knot more often in September and October than other times of year.

Even though a couple’s wedding is special and unique to them, ceremony locations handle hundreds of weddings.

Couples must recognize that competition for certain venues may be steep, so it helps to keep more than one venue in mind when planning a wedding.

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

THE STEPS INVOLVED IN SECURING WEDDING VENUES, LICENSES

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Gifts for the couple Tips for creating a wedding registry uilding a wedding registry is a task unlike any other couples may encounter during their lifetimes.

Wedding registries are invaluable resources that provide engaged couples’ loved ones with gift suggestions. In spite of that value, couples may find it daunting and even a little uncomfortable to build their wedding registries.

Building a wedding registry can feel like walking a tightrope.

Couples likely won’t want to ask for too much or for gifts that are too expensive, but a poorly built registry can be a major inconvenience for guests. The following tips can help couples build adequate registries that benefit them without asking too much of their guests.

REGISTER WITH MORE THAN ONE STORE It’s important to register with more than one store. Doing so makes things as convenient as possible for guests and increases the chances they will be able to shop at stores they’re familiar with. Unless your guest list is predominantly local, try to register with at least one national chain so guests who live in different regions can shop for gifts in-person if they prefer to do so.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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The right fit Many brides-to-be visit bridal shops with specific goals in mind regarding the style of their wedding gowns. Some women come equipped with magazine tear-outs or pull up ideas on their mobile phones. Others may have an entire scrapbook filled with various ideas they’ve been compiling for years.

Much consideration is given to wedding gowns. The cost and silhouette of the dress may garner the bulk of that consideration, but brides might want to spend more time considering comfort.

Depending on the time of day their weddings take place, brides can spend 12 hours or more in their wedding gowns on their wedding day. However, when shopping for their gowns, brides may prioritize beauty over comfort, even though it’s entirely possible to find a gown that’s both stunning and comfortable.

When staff and friends or family who have come along to offer advice start to blush over wedding gowns, brides-to-be may feel pressured to downplay any discomfort they feel.

To make sure brides look flawless and elegant but are still comfortable in their wedding gowns, consider the following tips.

SELECTING A COMFORTABLE WEDDING GOWN

No two body types are the same, and many women feel certain parts of their bodies are their best assets while they want to downplay others.

Try on gowns that play up your best features. If you have shapely legs, consider a dramatic gown with a slit to show them off. Certain gowns can enhance the decollete or show off an hourglass shape.

Remember, many gowns can be modified so that you feel secure and confident. Sleeves can be added or fabric placed to cover up any perceived flaws.

Confidence and pride are important parts of the comfort factor.

GET SIZED CORRECTLY Bridal gown sizes do not coincide with street sizes. Depending on the manufacturer, brides may have to select gowns that are several sizes larger than they would normally wear. This should not be a cause for alarm. Brides should go by their measurements. Attempting to squeeze into a dress that is too small will only lead to discomfort on the wedding day.

PURCHASE THE RIGHT UNDERGARMENTS

Make sure the dress is comfortable to move around in.

Improperly fitting bras, shapewear and other undergarments can lead to discomfort as well. Some seamstresses can sew in supportive cups to remove the need for separate bras. Brides can explore various options to reduce the visibility of certain accoutrements.

TRY DIFFERENT OPTIONS

MOVE AROUND IN THE GOWN Brides should not just stand in front of the mirror and smile when trying on gowns. Put them through their paces. Try sitting, bending and even a little dancing.

The gown brides have in mind may not be the one they ultimately go home with. Explore different styles and materials. Choose cooler, breezier fabrics and lightweight gowns, like crêpe, georgette or organza, for summer weddings. Heavier fabrics, such as brocade, may be more comfortable in the winter.

Wedding gowns can be both beautiful and comfortable for those who know how to shop.

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

KNOW WHAT TO HIGHLIGHT AND WHAT TO COVER UP

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Your DIY wedding guide As the cost of the average wedding continues to rise, it’s understandable that couples ready to tie the knot may be seeking any and all ways to save money.

While some aspects of a wedding are better left to the professionals, others are prime for a little do-ityourself cost cutting.

Couples should just be sure they have the skills and resources available to handle portions of their weddings on their own. Otherwise, the cost savings may be negated by trial and error. The following are some areas that may be a good fit for couples looking to try their own DIY techniques.

FLORAL CENTERPIECES

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

While floral bouquets and boutonniéres are probably best left to professional florists, couples may want to try making their own reception table centerpieces. Such centerpieces can be simple displays of fresh flowers in vases or more intricate designs.

Test out any ideas prior to the wedding. Remember to keep arrangement height in mind. You do not want to obscure the views of seated guests.

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CAKE Ask a pastry chef or bakery to make you a small cake that can be used for cake-cutting traditions and photo opportunities, but have your own cake available to serve.

Sheet cakes are much less expensive than more intricate tiered cakes, but they can be just as delicious. Guests may not even know the difference if the cake is sliced and

served out of the reception site’s kitchen. Purchase the cake or make it on your own.

INVITATIONS Professionally designed invitations can look beautiful, but not everyone has the budget for embossing or engraving and expensive paper stock.

Thanks to graphic design and page layout software, computer-savvy couples can design and print their invites right from home.

That makes it easy to create a new invitation if you miscounted or if you have a last-minute addition to the guest list.

FAVORS Create favors that work with the theme of your wedding and make them yourself. These can be candles, fruit preserves, soaps, baked goods, or anything else that appeals to you. The cost of making them in bulk may turn out to be less than purchasing manufactured items. Plus, guests get to take home something that came directly from you.

VIDEO Enlist a friend or family member to capture the wedding and after-party on video for you. You can use video-editing software available through popular apps to piece together your own wedding video memento.

Couples about to tie the knot can become more hands-on in wedding planning and execution.

By handling some of the work themselves, couples can save a considerable amount of money. A doit-yourself approach also may foster feelings of pride in a job well done.

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A PUSH FOR

private vows

Weddings are very special occasions for two people who are in love. That’s why many couples want close family and friends nearby when they tie the knot. But even the happiest couples may express some nervousness about one particular part of traditional wedding ceremonies.

Wedding vows are a way for couples to profess their love for each other. However, many couples who want to write their own vows are hesitant to say them aloud in front of an audience. If couples are intimidated by a heartfelt recital of their vows in front of a crowd, then exchanging vows in private may be for them.

Wedding planners and industry experts say that private vows have become very popular. While the vows do not replace the public exchange that seals the marriage from a legal standpoint, they can be words shared in a private moment before the actual ceremony itself. A quiet moment alone allows couples to shed private tears and share a special moment before they make haste for the altar.

The Knot, a premier wedding planning resource, notes that there are many reasons to share private vows: • You do not like being in the spotlight or become shy in front of crowds; • There are words you would like to share with your future spouse that are deeply private, and you don’t want to express those feelings to every person at the wedding; • You do not want to censor your thoughts or words; • You desire an intimately private and personal moment together before all of the fanfare and rush of the wedding; • You’d like to recite loving words in a native language that some guests may not understand; • You desire the potential for some very great candid photos if you invite the photographer to be there at a distance; and • You want to create a lasting memory that is only yours as a couple to share.

The popularity of private vows exchanged before a wedding ceremony is growing. This growing trend provides yet another way for couples to personalize their weddings.

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Get a grip on your guest list COMPROMISE Couples who recognize the need to compromise in advance of compiling their guest lists may find it easier to pare down that list if the initial number of guests is too high.

Couples can create lists of people they want to invite, breaking these initial lists down into categories such as “friends,” “family,” “acquaintances,” and “coworkers.” Couples may not want to compromise on inviting friends and family, but each person should be

willing to remove some coworkers and acquaintances from their final lists.

STAND YOUR GROUND Don’t succumb to parental pressure if mom and dad are not paying the bills.

Couples who are financing their own weddings should not feel beholden to their parents’ wishes when compiling their wedding guest lists.

Politely explain to parents you’re working on a budget and that you have a predetermined number of guests you’re capable of inviting. Couples can appease their parents by encouraging them to compile a list of people they hope to invite, and then telling them these people will be invited if other guests are unable to make it.

Couples whose parents are footing some or all of the bill must be more receptive to their parents’ wishes than those paying for their own weddings.

AGREE ON A KIDS’ POLICY A policy regarding kids may help couples as they create their guest lists.

Couples working with tight budgets may decide that the only children who will be invited are their nieces and nephews.

Young cousins likely won’t feel slighted if they don’t make the cut, and their parents may even appreciate a night out without the kids in tow.

FUTURE VS. PAST Employ the “future vs. past” formula when paring gets tough. When all else has failed, couples faced with difficult decisions regarding their wedding guest lists can ask themselves if prospective guests are people they expect to see again in the future or if they are people from their past. Including the former might be a good idea, while removing the latter may also make sense, especially if it’s been a long time since couples have seen people who fall into the “past” category.

Creating the guest list is one of the more difficult parts of planning a wedding. But couples willing to compromise may find the process goes smoothly.

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Cooperation is key for couples planning their weddings. Compiling the guest list is one area of wedding planning where couples oftentimes must embrace both cooperation and compromise.

Putting together a wedding guest list can cause some tension. That tension may be confined to couples, but it may even occur between couples and their families.

Getting a grip on their guest lists may be one of the more difficult tasks couples encounter when planning their weddings, but there are ways to make creating the guest list go smoothly.

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GIFTS

FROM PAGE 6

MAKE A LARGE LIST Some couples are hesitant to make large wedding registries, feeling that doing so gives the impression that they’re asking for too much. But large registries simply give guests more options to choose from.

Many industry insiders advise registering for two to three gifts per guest. That might seem like a lot, but guests will appreciate having all of those options.

INCLUDE EXPENSIVE ITEMS

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Don’t hesitate to include expensive items on your registry. Couples also may be hesitant to include especially expensive items on their wedding registries. However, the couples’ parents and other close relatives may be honored to purchase more expensive items, so couples should not feel embarrassed to include them on their lists.

It’s also important to note that many retailers, after couples’ wedding days have come and gone, discount registry items that weren’t purchased. So even if no one purchases the more expensive items, including them on a registry may significantly reduce their cost for couples who want to buy such items themselves

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after tying the knot.

VARY PRICES

UPDATE THE REGISTRIES

Vary the prices of items on the list.

In addition to including more expensive items on the registry, make sure to include moderately priced and inexpensive items.

This gives guests more options and ensures guests who might be spending a lot to travel to and from the wedding can still purchase gifts without digging too much deeper into their pockets.

Periodically update your registries to remove items you have already received and to add items if many of the less expensive ones have already been purchased. This also makes things more convenient for guests.

Building a wedding registry is a unique task that couples can embrace as their wedding day draws near.

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Staller Estate offers nuptials amid the grapevines

By Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

If you are looking for a special place to hold a bridal shower, bachelorette party or a small wedding overlooking rows of grape vines in the Wisconsin countryside, the quaint and rustic vistas of Staller Estate Winery may be the location of your dreams.

Staller Estate is a small winery owned

by Joe and Wendy Staller along Highway A in Delavan. The winery was started by the Staller family more than 10 years ago and has grown to become a special place taste their award winning wines or to hold a special event.

“Our interest in wines actually began with a beer brewing project that Joe was working on for a class at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater,” Wendy Staller said. “He was so successful that he was able to transform the recipe into one large

enough to be used at Randy’s Restaurant in Whitewater where he was serving an internship.”

While Joe was working on this project, Wendy became interested in experimenting with wine making and continued to learn more about the craft of winemaking at the University of California-Davis. Wendy entered winemaking competitions and came away a winner.

“We described my winemaking as a hobby out of control,” she said.

Although neither Joe nor Wendy had ever lived on a farm, the dream of living on an old dairy farm where they would produce wines made from grapes grown on site, suddenly became a reality with their purchase of the farm on Highway A. And thus Staller Estate Winery was born.

THE TRANSFORMATION Transforming their dairy farm into a vineyard, a winery and a place to hold tastings and other events was not easily accomplished.

“We began with an old pole barn on the property and transformed it into a place to

create wines and a venue where visitors could come to learn about local wines and enjoy them, ” Wendy said.

It was not an easy task as the original building needed a lot of work. The building had dirt floors and open trusses not suitable for their intended use. But their hard work and creative designs turned it into a warm and welcoming space where they could create their wines and welcome visitors for tastings, tours of the winery, and friendly gatherings.

They also had to plant their vineyards after choosing the grape varieties that would work well with the varieties of wine they planned to produce.

According to Joe Staller, European wines are so good because the grapes are grown in the region where those varieties of grapes flourish.

“Grapes to produce Bordeaux wines are grown in the Bordeaux region while Champagne grapes are grown in the Champagne region,” Joe said.

So it is not surprising that the grapes grown for the Staller wines are ones that CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

The perfect setting for a summer afternoon event. Enjoy a shower, bachelorette party or just a gathering of friends for a beautiful relaxing afternoon while enjoying the fresh open air at Staller Estate Winery.

COURTESY OF STALLER ESTATE WINERY Bridal Guide

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Weddings at the Winery

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WINERY

FROM PAGE 11

thrive in the Wisconsin area with hardy vines that can survive the cold winters.

“Each year we try to increase our vineyards but it takes three to five years for the grapes to be mature enough to make good wine,” Wendy said. “Therefore we often have to purchase some grapes from other local growers.”

For their reserve wines, Wendy will often go to the vineyards from which they will purchase additional grapes and oversee the production there.

“By beginning the process right where they are grown and immediately after they are picked, we are assured of the freshest and most flavorful grapes for the wines produced,” Wendy said.

THE PERFECT VENUE

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Today that old pole barn is a beautiful place that includes a wine making room and a large gift shop where visitors may purchase any of the 17 wines created by the Stallers. They also sell a variety of interesting wine-related gifts such as wine holders and beautifully hand-painted wine glasses.

While you may think of stopping at the winery to taste the wines produced there, it is also the place to consider for any event associated with a wedding – whether it be a bridal shower, a bachelorette party

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or an actual wedding. Whichever event you choose to celebrate, the location makes it special.

The large sunroom and attached gazebo provide the perfect place to hold a bachelorette party, a family reunion, or even a small wedding. These can also be held outside among the grape vines for a real outdoor vineyard experience.

For the bachelorette party Staller offers a variety of packages for the partygoers to enjoy. Starting with the simplest package each person receives a wine flight, which is composed of four different wine samples accompanied by imported Belgian chocolate truffles.

The European Lunch package includes the wine flight with the Belgian chocolates, a guided tour of the winery usually by Joe or Wendy which includes the vineyards and the actual processing of the wine and a picnic platter of Wisconsin cheeses, sausages, olives and dried fruits accompanied by freshly baked bread. It is a true European-style lunch.

The complete Wine Experience includes everything on the European package plus an additional full glass of wine for each guest. A custom package is also available.

Saturday is the most popular day for these events. Enjoy an afternoon of

honoring the bride to be, visiting with friends, and sampling the Staller Estate wines either in the beautiful indoor space of the sunroom or the gazebo with a relaxing view of the vineyards.

Bachelorette parties can be arranged for groups ranging from five to 100 guests with cost varying according to package chosen.

SHOWERED IN JOY If you are looking for a unique place to hold a bridal or baby shower, there are several choices available at the winery.

Once again you may choose from the Sunroom or the Barrel Room located on the lower level.

The Barrel Room is a new venue that offers more privacy than the Sunroom.

Holding up to 90 guests, the Barrel Room can be enjoyed for bachelorette parties, showers or a small wedding.

Coming to the winery for a shower makes preparation easy. Wendy will work with clients to make planning the bridal shower simple and hassle free. There are a variety of choices for food and wine to make the shower complete.

Everyone wants their wedding to be unique and holding the wedding at the winery will provide a lovely and different experience with the beautiful

An aerial view of the Staller Estate Winery. On a beautiful day visitors are able to sip wine and enjoy a platter of Wisconsin cheese, sausages and dried fruits with fresh baked bread while overlooking the vineyard.

COURTESY OF STALLER ESTATE WINERY Bridal Guide

open air space, the pristine red and white buildings, the green grass and the vineyards. Chairs will be placed near the vineyards for a gorgeous view of the ceremony. There are a variety of choices for your reception.

Choose an outdoor wine and appetizer reception or one served in the gazebo. For a more formal meal, the bridal party may choose their own caterer or Wendy can refer you to the Black Sheep Restaurant where Chef Tyler Salisbery will arrange the perfect meal for you and your guests.

Salisbery strives to provide foods with unique local flavors. When possible he finds locally sourced choices from around the area. Salisbery can prepare a buffet style meal or a more formal plated meal. With a variety of choices there is sure to be a menu that will add to the perfection of your wedding.

“We can easily handle weddings with up to 120 guests,” Wendy said.

Throughout the year, there are a number of activities held at the winery that many are interested in attending.

Visitors often stop by when driving through the area or make a special trip out when visiting the Lake Geneva area.

“Many are return visitors who have visited before and add us to their list of things to do when in the area,” Wendy said.

“One of our newer activities are our wine pairing classes,” she said.

Wendy works with a variety of foods and wines to teach visitors how to choose the one that best compliments the flavor of the foods and the wines.

This class grew out of visitors asking which wine to pair with which variety of cheese.

Other events include painting classes and wine glass-painting classes taught by a local artist. Participants can bring out their creativity as the artist leads them along the way to their own artwork. And, of course, you’ll sip some wine while you create.

For more information on events at Staller Estate Winery contact them at 608-883-2100 or visit them online at www.stallerestate.com Hours from September through May are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. From June through August the winery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The building is climate controlled.

Staller Estate Winery is at W8896 Highway A, Delavan.

FROM TOP: A special spot for a wedding ceremony is outdoors near the vineyards at Staller Estate Winery. Chairs with decorative red sashes are arranged to create an elegant ceremony venue; A group gathers in the vineyard to celebrate the upcoming marriage of one of their friends.

The vineyard makes a beautiful background for a bachelorette party; Visitors enjoy tasting some of Staller Estates wines made on site from grapes grown in their vineyards. Because they still have a young vineyard, they purchase additional grapes from local vineyards to produce some of their wines. They offer 17 different wines.

COURTESY OF STALLER ESTATE WINERY Bridal Guide

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

REGULAR EVENTS

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

REIN IN DESTINATION WEDDING COSTS

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Destination weddings can make for memorable affairs for brides, grooms and their family and friends. Destination weddings often take place in idyllic locales that make for a gorgeous backdrop to the happy couple, setting the perfect ambiance for such noteworthy occasions.

Destination weddings ask a lot of both the couple and their guests. Couples may need to visit the location of their destination wedding several times before the big day, and those costs can quickly add up. Guests, too, will need to budget for flights and lodging to attend a destination wedding. But there are some ways for couples to rein in the costs associated with a destination wedding to ensure everyone has a good time without having to worry about finances upon returning home.

LOOK FOR CONVENIENT, AFFORDABLE TRAVEL Some resorts may offer great prices on destination wedding packages, but be careful to avoid locations so remote that you and your guests will be forced to pay for expensive flights. Destination weddings have become more popular over the last decade, and many resorts now offer competitive destination wedding

packages as a result. But if keeping travel affordable for your guests is a goal, find a location that guests can visit after purchasing reasonably priced flights rather than choosing a location based on the cost of the wedding package.

SHORTEN THE GUEST LIST Shortening their guest lists is how many couples curtail destination wedding costs. Invite only your closest family and friends to the wedding and reception, and then host a second, less formal party for your remaining relatives after returning from your honeymoon. Guests will understand, and you will ultimately get the chance to celebrate with all of your loved ones anyway.

GO SIMPLE AND SAVE Many traditional weddings include all the bells and whistles, such as lavish floral displays, elaborate gowns and additional expensive accoutrements.

But it’s acceptable, if not expected, to simplify things at destination weddings, especially those in island locations. Let nature do the decorating and opt for native wedding attire if it’s more affordable than potentially costly gowns and tuxedos.

RESIST PEAK TOURIST SEASON Much like there’s a peak wedding season throughout North America, many countries’ economies depend heavily on tourism seasons. Avoid peak tourist season when choosing the date for your destination wedding, as costs may be considerably more to marry during this time of year than less hectic and popular seasons.

CHECK OUT DISCOUNTS Look into discounts on all aspects of the wedding. Popular destination wedding locations may be willing to negotiate prices on all aspects of the wedding, and those discounts might increase as more guests commit to attending. Resorts recognize that destination weddings bring guests who will need lodging, food and entertainment, and couples can use that to their advantage when negotiating prices.

Couples may even be able to negotiate with airlines for discounted airfares if they can guarantee a certain number of travelers.

Destination weddings need not break the bank, as savvy couples can find numerous ways to trim costs.

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HONEYMOON HOW-TO and enjoying the wedding, most people are exhausted. Others say they plan to stay up and relive moments of the day.

Only about half of all couples think they will consummate the marriage on their wedding night.

Taking the pressure off of the wedding night means that the rest of the honeymoon may be filled with opportunities to be amorous. But couples may still be filled with expectations for the perfect romantic retreat. Here are some things to think about.

LOWER EXPECTATIONS Accept the fact that some wedding nights and honeymoons aren’t exactly what’s pictured in the movies. Don’t try to live up to a Hollywood-inspired ideal or you may be let down when things don’t go your way. In other words, it may rain on your beachside liaison.

EXPECT EXHAUSTION A wedding requires a lot of work. Many people find themselves to be physically

exhausted afterward. Others find they are so wound up that they cannot relax.

When the mind or body is on adrenaline overload or completely wiped out, it’s not the ideal situation for romantic endeavors.

MAKE IT SPECIAL Try to make the honeymoon stand apart from other nights by packing nice lingerie or nighttime attire so that the memories will be special. There will be plenty of other times down the road when you’re an old, married couple to hop between the sheets in a ratty college T-shirt.

Pack some candles and mood music, or ask the resort to handle these details for you. These items can help set the scene.

BE PREPARED Make sure your packing list includes special toiletries and birth control methods if you’re not ready to start a family so soon after being married. The brands you prefer may be hard to acquire while at some honeymoon locations.

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

After the thrill of wedding festivities dies down, couples often jet off to a honeymoon retreat and begin an entirely different adventure. The honeymoon may create mixed feelings, some concerning the chance to spend time alone after months of planning and a few feelings of anxiety over spending the first night together as a married couple.

For many couples, the honeymoon wedding night is the first time they are intimate together or it holds a special meaning of being intimate for the first time after being married. Such significance can put pressure on a happy and natural experience.

Wedding jitters are normal, as are honeymoon and wedding night jitters.

But just as wedding trends have changed through the years, so, too, have beliefs about the wedding night. Knowing about shifting trends can alleviate some of the nervousness.

According to a recent survey from Brides magazine, one in three brides plan to get into bed on the wedding night and ... sleep.

After all of the hoopla of planning

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Abbey Springs is a perfect venue for your golf outing, wedding and special events of all sizes.

Beautifully set on the rolling slopes of Geneva Lake’s south shore.

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www.abbeysprings.org

262.275.6113

302800