Fall Wedding Guide 2016

Wedding Guide A special supplement to the Daily Republic and ADvisor.

October 2016

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Fall Wedding Guide

October 2016

October 2016

Contents How to build your wedding budget .......... 3 Choosing a hotel for wedding guests ........... 4 Build a registry to relish ....................... 5 Holiday weddings can be memorable, yet di�cult to plan ........... 6 Reconnect during wedding planning ...... 7 Photographers open up about wedding photography reality.... 8 Information to include on your wedding website ........ 13 Make the first dance even more special ...... 13 Save your rainy wedding day ...............14

FALL WEDDING GUIDE

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How to build your wedding budget

Metro Creative photo costs down by trimming the guest list so it includes only close family members and friends.

• Don’t count on gifts. Many couples justify runaway wedding budgets by telling themselves that they will ultimately get the money back via wedding gifts. While many guests will give financial gifts, counting on such windfalls is a recipe for accruing debt. Do not build potential wedding gifts into your wedding budget.

If you do so and your expectations fall short, you could be facing considerable debt upon returning home from your honeymoon.

• Gather quotes before choosing where to tie the knot. Where couples get married will have a great impact on how much money they will spend on their weddings. For example, the Real Weddings Study found that, in 2015, the average wedding

in Manhattan cost couples slightly more than $82,000, while the average Alaskan wedding cost just over $17,000. Venues within the same city can vary greatly with regard to pricing and o�erings as well, so couples should give themselves ample time to gather quotes and find an a�ordable venue they like.

• Build extra costs into your budget.

When determining a budget you can live with, remember to include a little extra for unforeseen costs.

Weddings are large undertakings, and it’s reasonable to expect some unforeseen costs to arise. Building such costs into your initial budget will make these unforeseen circumstances that much easier to handle.

Budgets can help couples stay on track and avoid debt as they plan their weddings.

— Source: MetroCreative

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Couples engaged to be married have a lot on their plates as they begin planning their weddings. Whereas tradition once demanded parents of the bride pay for a couple’s wedding, nowadays more and more engaged couples are completely or partially financing their own nuptials. That means prospective brides and grooms must develop wedding budgets that won’t ensure their first act as Mr. and Mrs. is paying down debt.

In its 2015 Real Weddings Study, online bridal resource The Knot found that many couples still receive substantial financial support from their parents to pay for their weddings. The survey found that, on average, the bride’s parent’s contributed 44 percent of the overall wedding budget in 2015, while couples financed 43 percent (the remaining 13 percent was financed by the groom’s parents and additional sources). Couples who hope to follow that formula or pay for their weddings on their own can heed the following tips to build wedding budgets that won’t break the bank but will still ensure a day to remember forever.

• Examine your collective finances. Few couples know the details of each other’s finances before getting engaged. While some may still hesitate to share their personal financial information upon getting engaged, an open and honest discussion and examination of each person’s finances is the only way to develop a realistic wedding budget that both partners can live with. Once couples know what they can contribute, they can then consult their parents to determine if their mothers and fathers are intending to contribute.

• Develop a preliminary guest list. A preliminary guest list can give couples an idea of how large and expensive their weddings will be. According to the Real Weddings Study, the average cost per wedding guest in 2015 was $237. While that cost can vary greatly depending on geography and other factors, couples should keep that figure in mind when drafting their guest lists. If need be, keep

Fall Wedding Guide

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October 2016

Choosing a hotel for wedding guests As engaged couples compile their guest lists, many might realize their friends and family are spread out across the country, if not the world. Technology has made it easier than ever before to stay connected to faraway loved ones, and engaged couples no doubt have a handful of guests on their lists who will need lodging when the wed-

Metro Creative photo

ding weekend arrives.

Many hotels cater to wedding guests, so finding a hotel should not be too difficult. However, finding the right hotel requires couples to consider a host of factors.

Location: Location is arguably the most important consideration when choosing a wedding hotel. Hotels that are close to transportation hubs such as airports or train stations will be a welcome relief to guests who traveled far and wide to make it to your wedding.

But hotels located in close proximity to your ceremony and reception sites will also be appreciated, especially come the end of the reception when guests who danced the night away will want to return to the hotel as quickly as possible.

If the wedding reception is far from the nearest airport or train station, try to find a hotel close to the reception site so guests don’t feel like they have been traveling all weekend long.

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Attractions: Attractions are another important factor to consider when choosing a hotel for your wedding guests. Brides- and grooms-to-be will be busy throughout the weekend, but wedding guests who arrive in town on Friday for a Saturday ceremony will have lots of free time on their hands.

Unless your wedding weekend is intended to be a weekend retreat for you and your guests, try to find a hotel in a lively neighborhood with plenty of nearby attractions so guests have something to do in the days and hours before the wedding.

Cost: Many hotels offer discounted rates to wedding guests, so couples should expect to do some negotiating before making a final decision regarding their wedding hotels. Travel is expensive, so if your list includes a lot of out-of-town guests, try to find the most affordable rate without settling for unsightly accommodations. Guests

will appreciate the cost savings, and some might be more inclined to attend the wedding if the lodging is a bargain.

Transportation: Another thing to consider when arranging lodging for out-of-town guests is transportation to and from the wedding. Many hotels offer shuttle service for wedding guests, which can save guests the added expense of renting cars to get around on the day of the wedding. Couples may need to foot the bill for hotel shuttle service, though some hotels include the service if enough guests book under a certain wedding party. Some hotels even offer airport shuttle service, which can save guests even more money.

Couples hosting many out-of-town guests for their weddings should do their best to find a hotel that’s affordable, accommodating and close to their wedding venues.

— Source: MetroCreative

October 2016

Fall Wedding Guide

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Build a registry to relish Registries are a wedding tradition, not unlike a couple’s first dance or the best man/maid of honor toast. But as practical as wedding registries are, many couples approach their registries with a degree of hesitation, fearful that they might appear presumptuous or simply uncertain about what to include on their lists. The following tips can help engaged couples build a registry to relish and utilize for years to come.

Establish an online registry. Whereas guests once had to visit a couple’s favorite retailer(s) and ask what remained on their registry, online registries now allow well-meaning family members and friends to peruse potential gifts from the comforts of home and ship gifts directly to the couple.

Online registries even indicate which items have already been purchased, saving couples the trouble of returning duplicates while reassuring buyers that

their gifts are fulfilling a need or want.

Share your registry information on your wedding website and stationery.

Guests need to know where you are registered, so share that information on your wedding website and include it on your save-the-date cards and invitations.

Register with multiple retailers. By registering with more than one retailer, couples can give their guests more options to choose from. Try to include one brick-and-mortar store, ideally one with a national presence, so guests who prefer to shop in-person won’t be forced to buy online.

Don’t be afraid to list expensive items. While few guests will break the bank to buy wedding gifts, that does not mean couples should avoid including expensive items on their registries.

Some couples might feel it’s inappropriate, but it can actually prove prac-

tical. Many stores offer couples steep discounts on items they listed on their registries that ultimately were not purchased. If you have your eye on an especially expensive item, include it on your list without worrying about how it may look to your guests, as they will understand when you explain the post-wedding discount you’re eligible for.

Don’t limit your registry to expensive items. While it’s perfectly acceptable to include expensive items on your registry, remember that variety is the spice of life when adding items to your registry. Include items at a range of price points for guests working with various budgets. Don’t hesitate to include low-cost items, as some guests may enjoy building a wedding gift basket with various affordable items from your registry.

Remember that no gift is too ob-

scure. Thanks to the Internet, just about any item can now be tracked down by ambitious gift givers. If you want to include items that might not be available at run-of-the-mill retailers, choose an online retailer such as Amazon to host one of your registries. Such sites are great places to find specialty items or more obscure offerings that might be out of stock at more traditional retailers.

Encourage donations. If you are truly hesitant to ask for gifts or you’re tying the knot later in life and already have everything you need, encourage guests to donate to a favorite charity in lieu of making a donation.

A wedding registry provides a practical way for well-meaning wedding guests to show their love for bridesand grooms-to-be.

— Source: MetroCreative

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October 2016

Holiday weddings can be memorable, yet difficult to plan quite yet.”

With fall, comes rustic, country themes for weddings, which is extremely popular in the state.

On occasion, Salma said she will have a bride who has Halloween-like tones in her wedding, using dark, black tones opposed to orange and black. This gives off a “Halloween vibe.

“It’s Halloween done classy, I would say,” Salma said.

The bride and groom might also feature a costume party at the reception dance for guests.

Salma has also noticed couples choosing three-day holiday weekends, such as Labor Day and Memorial Day, for their wedding date. This is more convenient for guests and traveling, Salma said.

Winter weddings don’t typically have any Christmas or holiday theme, Salma said. But she said some couples will have a winter theme or feature a “glittery, snow look,” rather than a specific holiday.

The one comment Salma has heard from brides who choose holidays for their wedding date is that their grooms “shouldn’t

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forget their anniversary,” she joked.

If couples begin planning weddings that take place on a holiday or holiday weekend, there may be more effort required. Here are some hints on how to prepare for the big day: • Research venues before finalizing the date. Couples who have their eyes set on certain venues to host their ceremonies and receptions should research the availability of those venues on holidays or holiday weekends before finalizing their wedding date. Some venues may have preexisting agreements with local community organizations that may prohibit them from hosting weddings or limit their available time slots.

• Allow for a longer engagement. Regardless of which holiday you choose, keep in mind that many people make plans well in advance of a holiday. Holidays tend to be accompanied by long weekends, and your guests may already have plans for that time off from the office. In addition, families often travel to visit relatives during the holiday season at the end of the calendar year. Let

guests know your holiday-wedding intentions as soon as you finalize the date.

• Start looking for vendors as soon as possible. Vendors, including caterers and photographers, tend to be busy on holiday weekends, so start looking as early as possible. It’s important to comparison shop, but couples who wait too long to sign contracts with vendors might find themselves paying more and/or choosing whoever is available as opposed to their top choices.

• Plan to pay a little more. As noted, vendors tend to be busy on holidays and during holiday weekends, and their prices may reflect the high demand for their services.

• Expect some declined invitations.

While an extended holiday weekend may seem like the perfect time to tie the knot, guests may not share that perspective. Many would-be guests likely cherish their existing holiday traditions and may be unwilling to abandon those traditions to attend a wedding.

MetroCreative also contributed to this report.

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By Sara Bertsch The Daily Republic In South Dakota, fall seems to be a key time for weddings, but some couples are choosing to get married on holidays.

Holiday weddings tend to stray from the norm, and that can make for a memorable night for couples and their guests. For example, couples who choose to get married on Halloween may encourage their guests to arrive and celebrate in costume, making for a unique experience for all in attendance.

Holiday weddings are not as popular in southeastern South Dakota, according to Sandy Salma, owner of Sandra Rose, a bridal shop in Tyndall.

For 20 years, Salma has been dressing wedding parties and instead of picking up business over the holidays, she sees a lull between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Whereas, the most popular times for weddings is September and October, Salma said.

“Fall weddings,” Salma said. “That time of year has been very big for weddings. And in our area, it’s not too hot anymore and they shouldn’t have to worry about snow

Fall Wedding Guide

October 2016

Reconnect during wedding planning

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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 all-consuming. Schedule days that allow you to enjoy yourselves together without having to think about or discuss your pending nuptials.

This may include date nights 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.

Learn to 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.

— Source: MetroCreative

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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.

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 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

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October 2016

Photographers open up about wedding photography reality

By Alexandra Floersch Forum News Service FARGO – While the rest of the Midwest is busy soaking up the summer

sun, spending weekends at the lake and witnessing loved ones say “I do,” wedding photographers are experiencing the busiest time of the year: wedding

Holly D. for Dan Francis Photography / Special to The Forum

season.

Friday nights are spent packing and checking gear before going to bed early, anticipating early morning travel. Saturday can last up to 12 hours, capturing every precious moment of the big day.

“Sunday you’re dead to the world,” said Yvonne Denault, owner of Yvonne Denault Photography. “You get up the next day, and you have to recover from your sore, aching back and your feet hurt.”

An industry many people view as glamorous is far from that, leading many photographers to pursue different paths. For Denault, this summer will mark the first in seven years that she won’t be running ragged photographing weddings every weekend. “I need a breather,” she says. “You gotta understand, I’ve worked my weekends.

I’ve put in my dues.”

Katie Lewis, owner of Katie Lewis Photography, is doing the same. She’s slowly transitioning away from being a full-time photographer.

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The reality of wedding photography Most clients are surprised by the cost of wedding photography. Denault says that until she explains the expenses associated with wedding packages, clients can’t comprehend price structure. She factors in the cost for her assistant, second shooter, shooting and editing time, travel, print credits, taxes, gear -- including lighting, cameras, lenses, memory cards, computers and editing software -- the overhead cost of leasing space for a studio (plus utilities) and both business and photogra-

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phy insurance.

“I have to carry insurance that’s outrageous in case my client decides to sue me because they don’t like their pictures,” Denault says.

Technology has made digital photography accessible to anyone. The problem is that people don’t value the trade like they used to.

“They want it, but they don’t value it enough to pay for it because they can just go get it somewhere else for half the price,” Denault says.

Once clients see the many roles photographers take on -- planner, organizer, disaster-relief team, counselor, dry cleaner and more -- they realize the importance of their investment.

“We’ve been called super people before -- super humans,” Denault says.

Challenges of the job Any job has horror stories, but on such an important day, those stories are amplified by the emotions involved.

Opinionated parents can make the process stressful.

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“One time I had a bride’s mom -- seven months after the wedding -- send me a letter saying how much everyone hated the wedding photos,” Lewis says.

Unfortunately, even 10 years and hundreds of weddings later, that experience is still burned into memory.

“That was a big lesson for me, because it’s hard to forget those bad things or things that people say,” Lewis says.

“It’s really easy to remember those instead of the ones when the bride is like ‘Oh my God, I’m crying right now looking at these (photos).’ ” For others, the horror stories are a result of wedding day chaos. Denault recalls two times when she and her team were not fed a meal. “I actually now have it written in my contract that they have to feed us if we work an eight-hour day,” she says.

Other times Denault’s team has been asked to eat their dinner out of sight. “Some people don’t want you sitting with the guests -- you’re the hired help,” she says. “This is Fargo,

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Fall Wedding Guide

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Opinionated parents can make the process stressful.

“One time I had a bride’s mom -- seven months after the wedding -- send me a letter saying how much everyone hated the wedding photos,” Lewis says.

Unfortunately, even 10 years and hundreds of weddings later, that experience is still burned into memory.

“That was a big lesson for me, because it’s hard to forget those bad things or things that people say,” Lewis says.

“It’s really easy to remember those instead of the ones when the bride is like ‘Oh my God, I’m crying right now looking at these (photos).’ ” For others, the horror stories are a result of wedding day chaos. Denault recalls two times when she and her team were not fed a meal. “I actually now have it written in my contract

that they have to feed us if we work an eight-hour day,” she says.

Other times Denault’s team has been asked to eat their dinner out of sight. “Some people don’t want you sitting with the guests -- you’re the hired help,” she says. “This is Fargo, now, so that is very uncommon, but we’ve had to eat in the hallway before, standing.”

Dan Francis, owner of Dan Francis Photography, says a big challenge at every wedding is the time constraint.

“You have to work very quickly, so you don’t delay any of the couple’s wedding events,” he says.

The stakes are high with only one first look, one kiss at the altar and one walk down the aisle. “You get one opportunity. While that may be your job, and you might be very good at it, it still stresses you out,” Denault says.

“I would have these horrific nightmares where I’d miss the date or have two weddings booked on the same date.”

Dealing with stress is only part of the job; editing is where the most time is spent. Denault says for a full edit on all 700 photos, she will clock 60 hours. “That’s not the total hours you put in on the wedding day or the two hours you spend meeting with (the client) every time you meet,” she says. Culling 500 photos from 5,000 also adds another eight hours to the process.

Despite the challenges, there’s much to love about being a wedding photographer. Creating beautiful, unique images is an art form. Seeing work shared on social media for Mother’s and Father’s Day, birthdays, tributes to family members and remembrance photos is rewarding, Lewis explains.

Francis’ favorite part of the job is “being able to create meaningful work that will be valued for generations,” he says. “The album I create will become a family heirloom for years.”

As stressful as it is to capture a

Yvonne Denault Photography / Special to The Forum The beauty in being a photographer is that “you see people differently than they see themselves,” says Denault.

Holly D. for Dan Francis Photography / Special to The Forum

11

single kiss, corral family members for a 40-person group photo or spend 12 hours on their feet, photographers can sleep at night knowing that the bride and groom will cherish those images for years to come. You can’t put a price on memories.

Alexandra Floersch is a content producer for Forum Content Studios and staff contributor at alexandrafloersch.areavoices. com. She can be reached at (701) 451-5730.

Advice from the professionals With nearly 30 years of combined experience, Francis, Denault and Lewis offer advice for everyone involved to ensure a successful wedding day: -Put down the camera. “Please don’t walk into the aisle to take a picture with your phone while the bride is walking down the aisle,” Francis says. “I’ve seen firsthand where the bride couldn’t see the groom because there’s been two to three guests holding up their iPads doing video or taking images.”

-Be aware of your surroundings. “Don’t stand directly behind the photographer because they’re going to move around a lot,” Lewis says. “I don’t know how many little old lady toes I’ve stepped on or little kids I’ve tripped over.”

-Listen and pay attention.

“The more you listen and do what you’re told, the faster it goes and then you’re done,” Denault says.

-Trust the photographer.

“You’re paying for so much more – my expertise, my skills, the fact that I’ve shot a ton of weddings so I know how to work the day and make it super fun and relaxed for you,” Lewis says.

-Back up your images. Photographers typically store photos digitally for one to two years before deleting them in order to create more space for new clients. “We need to stop thinking that digital CDs and flash drives will always work,” Francis says. Instead, consider saving them on a hard drive or cloud storage or print an album that will last forever.

Fall Wedding Guide

October 2016

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October 2016

Fall Wedding Guide

Information to include on your wedding website Personal websites are an invaluable resource for couples planning their weddings. Wedding websites provide a great platform for couples to share all sorts of information regarding their big day, making them an essential element of modern-day wedding planning.

Wedding websites need not feature all the bells and whistles of more permanent sites. But while there are specific guidelines governing what to include on wedding websites, couples should be mindful to share certain information to ensure their guests stay in the know about the pending nuptials.

The participants Wedding websites can be used to inform guests about the couple getting married as well as the various participants, such as the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Extended families of the bride- and groom-to-be may not know much about their loved one’s betrothed, and the wedding website can help guests get to know both people getting married. Include information about the bridal party as well.

A brief story about each bridal party member’s relationship to the bride and/or groom can be a great way to illustrate just how much each person in the party means to the couple tying the knot.

The big day Invitations were once the goto source for information about couples’ wedding ceremonies and receptions. But unlike invitations, websites won’t get lost around the house or in the mail, making them more reliable resources for guests. Include all the pertinent details about the big day on your website, including the time and location of both the ceremony and the reception. Include directions to and from the venue (both the

ceremony and reception venues if they will be held at separate locations), and include a Google maps feature if possible.

RSVP info Save guests the trouble of returning RSVP cards by including an RSVP section on your website.

Establish an email address solely for RSVPs, and check it regularly so you can update who is and who is not attending your wedding.

Couples can save the expense of postage by requesting that guests RSVP exclusively through their websites. Just be sure to include that request with the invitations if you still plan to mail more traditional invites.

Accommodations Many couples arrange for discounted hotel rooms for their outof-town wedding guests. Include this information on your wedding website, and aim to include at least two hotels where guests can register under your party and receive discounted lodging. In addition to the hotels you arrange a deal with, include some extra information about other lodging options in the area. Out-of-town guests will appreciate having as many options as possible, and couples providing that information saves guests the trouble of researching certain neighborhoods to determine if they are safe or close to the ceremony and reception sites.

Registry Wedding websites also provide a great way for couples to share registry information.

Include links that take guests directly to your online registries.

Wedding websites are a great resource for couples who want to share information about their weddings. As the big day draws closer, couples can update their sites to reflect any new developments.

— Source: MetroCreative

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Make the first dance even more special Donna Summer may have sung about making the most of life with her song “Last Dance” in the 1970s, but during a wedding reception most of the focus is on the first dance of the evening when the newlyweds take to the dance floor for the first time after tying the knot. Not only does the first dance give the couple an opportunity to shine on the dance floor, but it also can help set the tone for the reception to follow.

A couple’s first dance is significant.

Traditionally, the first dance was performed to a slow waltz, but now the first dance is not governed by any rules.

Many couples like to push boundaries or get creative with their first dances, and this can make the wedding even more memorable. In fact, some couples enroll in dance classes or enlist the help of choreographers to ensure an epic opening dance number.

Social media is full of videos of innovative couples performing spot-on dance routines from classic dance movies like “Dirty Dancing” or beautifully choreographed dances to popular first dance songs such as “At Last” or “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

Whether a couple wants to perform an intricate tango or simply wants to sway to the music on the first dance, here are some pointers to keep in mind.

• Choose a wedding song that has meaning. It may be fun to do a dance routine

to DNCE’s “Cake by the Ocean,” but remember your first dance song will forever be linked to your life as a couple.

Select a song that has deep meaning to you. Read over the lyrics to make sure it’s an appropriate wedding song.

• Tame those nerves. Practicing is a way to feel more confident in your steps, and that will help keep nerves at bay. Many couples experience a bit of stage fright.

Just keep in mind that these friends and family are at the wedding to support you and not judge your dance moves.

• Choose an uncomplicated routine. If dancing is not your strong suit, select an easy song that allows you to simply sway back and forth and move around minimally. Dancing takes practice, but with that practice even the self-professed “worst dancer” can cut an impressive rug.

• Work with a professional. If you desire something more intricate for the first dance and you have the budget to pay for some dance lessons, go for it. An instructor can take you through dance basics or help you choreograph a more polished piece.

First dances are memorable moments at wedding receptions. Guests can’t wait to hear the song couples choose, and some couples exceed guests’ expectations with their impressive moves.

Metro Creative photo

Fall Wedding Guide

October 2016

Save your rainy wedding day Nature can make a couple’s wedding day that much more special. Beautiful backdrops like ocean waves or rolling country hills lend a lot to a wedding, making the day even more special for couples and their guests.

But Mother Nature is the inherent risk of hosting an outdoor wedding. Weather is unpredictable, and couples who hope to tie the knot in the great outdoors must develop a contingency plan just in case Mother Nature decides to rain on the parade. While outdoor wedding venues often have backup venues in place should the weather prove uncooperative, couples can take some additional steps to ensure their rainy wedding days still go off without a hitch.

• Find a place to take photos.

Wedding photos document a couple’s big day, and many couples arrange for outdoor photos whether they’re tying the knot indoors or outdoors.

But couples must arrange for a place to take photos in case outdoors is not an option. If possible, walk the grounds of your ceremony or reception site with your photographer in the weeks before the wedding to scout out potential areas to shoot indoors in case the weather is not cooperating. Ask a representative from the venue to recommend potential photo locations around the building.

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See RAINY, Page 15

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Please Call to Arrange Your Free Consultation with Dr. Melissa 240 E. 23rd Ave, Mitchell, SD 57301 or Dr. Cody 605-996-1316 | 877-996-1316 www.dhpsmiles.com

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RAINY

Continued from Page 14 • Consider a tent. Some wedding venues are exclusively outdoors, meaning they don’t have backup options indoors on their premises.

If that’s the case, couples can rent tents to serve as their safety nets.

Tents can be expensive, and some couples may not want to pay for a tent they ultimately may not use.

But tents may be a couple’s only option if their chosen venue has no indoor alternatives.

• Establish a cutoff time. Depending on how remote the ceremony location is, couples might be able to wait until a few hours before their weddings to decide if they will still tie the knot outdoors. Make the call earlier if your wedding is to be held at an especially remote location.

But no matter where the wedding is, establish a cutoff time to let guests know if the wedding will be indoors or outdoors. Include such information on your wedding website and/or invitations. Use a social

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media platform such as Facebook or Twitter to inform guests of your final decision.

• Provide umbrellas. Some inclement weather may not be enough to deter couples or guests from braving the great outdoors. Couples getting married in the summer may be able to withstand a summer shower, but provide guests with umbrellas just to be safe. The umbrellas will make for a nice wedding gift, and hopefully couples and guests won’t even need to use them.

• Insure the wedding. Couples who are hosting destination weddings on tropical isles should look into insuring their weddings. Such islands might be susceptible to harmful storms like hurricanes that can prevent weddings from taking place. Insurance can cover couples for a host of unforeseen circumstances, including weather.

Outdoor weddings can be magical, but couples must build contingency plans in case Mother Nature proves uncooperative come the big day.

— Source: MetroCreative

The Canton Barn is the perfect destination for your most important events. Our restored barn and gracious lawns are perfect for weddings as well as upscale business or rehearsal dinners and reunions. In 2017 our barn will be 100 years old. While we restored/renovated it with up to date amenities, we still honored the historic value. Our goal is to make all guests feel welcome and comfortable in an environment rich with classic simplicity and rustic elegance.

Just like farm weddings, a barn wedding can be dressed up or dressed down to match the style and decor of your wedding and offer endless charm. Outdoor amenities include a 40x50 covered patio, a beautiful fire pit, a gazebo perfect for wedding vows and luxurious landscaped grounds. Our main level quarters seats 70, with custom built main bar and caterers corner. Loft, comfortably seating 300, features 29 foot high ceiling, custom farmhouse tables perfect for the wedding party and 99 years of history and charm. Each area provides a unique and scenic setting for pictures.

- Tim and Kalli Blackstone 28079 481st Ave. Canton, SD 57013 (605) 368-4050 • www.thecantonbarnllc.com

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October 2016

Fall Wedding Guide

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October 2016

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