Summer Wedding Guide 2015

Summer

Wedding Guide

June 2015

A special supplement to the Daily Republic & Advisor

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The Daily Republic June 2015

The Daily Republic

June 2015

3

True love’s first kiss Mitchell couple find faith, each other; wait until their wedding day to kiss

By KELLA RODIEK The Daily Republic

Kevin and Selena Thomas, of Mitchell, shared their first kiss on March 28, the day they were wed.

But the road to true love was a broken one for Kevin and Selena. With a decades-deep stack of failed relationships and what they considered “sinful living” piled against them, the odds, however, turned and were this time in their favor. Because, this time, they said, they were in the favor of the Lord.

Finding an identity Selena (McCreight), 38, originally from Ohio, came from a broken home — her mother committed suicide, her father was a heroin addict — and she didn’t have a strong Christian

upbringing, she said. She described her upbringing as “Catholic in the sense that that’s what we were told, but we didn’t practice it.”

She emphasized that all her life she had been searching for “something more” — more to life, to whatever or whomever was out there. She later discovered, after coming to the Mitchell Wesleyan Church in August 2013, that the “something more” was a relationship with the Lord.

“Before, I kept trying to fill that space in my life with whatever I thought would complete me, to feel like I had an identity, so I identified by being so-and-so’s girlfriend, or someone’s mom,” Selena said.

She became a mother at age 19, but being the girlfriend of her first Photo courtesy of Selena Thomas

See THOMAS, Page 4

Selena and Kevin Thomas, Mitchell share a kiss on their wedding day.

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The Daily Republic June 2015

THOMAS

guy or with a child or with a job or a garden, because while those things are nice to have, they aren’t what fits that hole,” she said. “So I started to have a relationship with God and I became completely, complete … I could be just who I was with God and that was enough.”

Continued from Page A3

son’s father didn’t last. She then had three more children with a man she ended up marrying but divorced after 10 years, admitting she got married for the wrong reason.

“I didn’t love him when I married him, but I also didn’t understand marriage,” Selena said. “I didn’t understand that it was a symbol, that it was an outward expression of an inward emotion, but that it was also representative of your love for God and your relationship with Him. I didn’t understand that, because if I had, I wouldn’t have gotten married.”

After her divorce, she returned to Mitchell from Ohio and reconnected with her high school sweetheart, beginning again down a road she said she knew was wrong.

And regardless of having proof the man she was seeing was unfaithful, Selena thought she could fix things.

“I thought I could still be with him because if I showed him how much I loved him, it would be enough to make him want to stop acting that way,” she said.

“Well, that doesn’t work.”

Showing her love didn’t work, and neither did having yet another child, her fifth.

“I just kept coming up empty in a way,

‘The Lord kept changing me’

Photo courtesy of Selena Thomas

The sanctuary of the Mitchell Wesleyan Church is shown during the Thomas’ wedding.

gle sentence that made more sense than anything Selena said she had ever known.

“The only thing that can fill your God hole,” Robin said, “is God.” Selena recalled that during that moment of clarity, her entire focus in life shifted.

“I knew I couldn’t fill that void with a

and I love my kids, there’s no doubt that I love my kids, but they could never fill that space I was trying to fill,” Selena said.

Then, as a single mother of five, she found herself in a Bible study at Mitchell Wesleyan. It was then that another member of the study, Robin Flett, shared a sin-

Enter Kevin, 59, also a member of the Wesleyan Church.

Kevin, unlike Selena, grew up with a strong Christian background, but had drifted away from the church. He was living in California, which “is an easy place to not be a Christian, if you so choose,” he said.

But, he explained that during his last couple of years in California, he could feel a change coming. He was stuck between wanting to be a Christian, but not wanting to live like one.

“What I could do, though, was read the Bible,” Kevin said. “So I started reading the Bible every day, and, boy, that changes you.”

In 2007, Kevin returned — not only to the Mitchell area, but to the church.

“The Lord brought me back to my roots.

I got involved in the local church and the Lord just kept changing me,” he said.

Kevin explained that even while he hadn’t been living a godly life, marriage See THOMAS, Page 5

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THOMAS

Continued from Page A4

wasn’t an option if he wasn’t acting as a Christian.

“I’d had so many relationships where I wished it could have been right, but I knew it just wasn’t, because my upbringing was so strong that you do things according to God’s will, and somehow that was just built into me,” he explained. His parents, Warren and Lolly Thomas, celebrated 64 years of marriage on June 9.

“

If there ever was anybody in my life, she would only ever be No. 2, because God will always be No. 1.

Kevin Thomas

”

So Kevin prayed, and turned his relationship life, along with the rest of his life, over to the Lord, he said, finding comfort that even if there was no one for him, God would make his life wonderful regardless.

Kevin said it wasn’t long after that when he became aware of Selena. Although the two had both been attending the same church, neither knew of the other until Kevin saw Selena’s picture in the paper last year for the opening of her business, trudy david’s gift shop in Mitchell, and a friend pointed Kevin out to Selena, mentioning that he was single.

Selena, who said she had also realized that as long as she had a good relationship with God, she would be OK being single for the rest of her life, paid no attention.

“A while ago I might have thought I need somebody to be happy, but I was happier than I had ever been in my life,” Selena said.

But even without paying attention, Selena started to notice what she thought were intentional efforts on Kevin’s part to make conversation each week at church.

Kevin, who works as a truck driver, inquired to Selena, who is also a licensed massage therapist, about becoming a client.

“I gave him my business card, and I thought, ‘OK, that will solve it. He’ll be a client and nothing else will become of it,’ ” Selena said.

But Kevin never made an appointment.

The topic continued to come up, however, and after several months, Kevin, on what he said was a “God prompt” finally asked if Selena was OK with him being a client since they attended the same church. Selena told him no, he couldn’t be a client, because although she had other clients attending their church, she would rather go to dinner with him instead.

Kevin, who said he had been praying, “Lord, show me plainly” if the relationship was something he should pursue, got his plain answer and the two made a dinner date.

said. “Even if you don’t know the Bible, or if you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, people still have that inner feeling of right and wrong. I wanted it to feel right, I’d make a nice dinner thinking that that would make it feel right, but it was still wrong,” she said about living with, sleeping with and having children with others before marriage.

After their Tuesday-night date, Selena

June 2015

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spoke with their pastor at church, who brought up the suggestion of not kissing until marriage. Although seen as unusual to most, Selena said she and Kevin were immediately on board. The physical aspect had never made any relationship work in the past, and it wasn’t the reason to be with someone, Selena said.

See THOMAS, Page 6

Doing things the right way On that first date in the middle of October, Kevin explained to Selena that, “If there ever was anybody in my life, she would only ever be No. 2, because God will always be No. 1.”

Selena, admitting no one had ever said that to her before, knew it was exactly what she wanted. Her prayer was that if there ever were someone for her, he would have to put his arms around not only her, but around her children as well.

“That’s a big order to fill when you have five children,” Selena said. “And that wasn’t something I was saying to scare him away, but there’s no point in wasting time.”

Kevin, however, wasn’t scared away. And at the end of the date, instead of society’s typical “kiss goodbye,” Kevin asked if they could pray before he left. Selena was on the same page, and agreed.

“In previous relationships, even though I didn’t know what the right way was before God, I knew I was doing it wrong,” she

Photo courtesy of Selena Thomas

Selena and Kevin hold hands during the wedding ceremony.

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The Daily Republic June 2015

THOMAS

Continued from Page A5

The couple said they received varying reactions to their decision, and even criticism from some who thought they should sleep together, saying “you wouldn’t buy a car without test-driving it first.” Selena added with a laugh that she has, in fact, bought a car on Ebay before driving it.

“But,” Selena said, “the reward is amazing. And that’s something I wish I could put into any other person: the feeling you get in your relationship when you’re not physical. We connected on levels I’d never connected on; ways I wish I could share with other people, but it’s something you have to experience yourself.”

After a second date that same week, the two spent the next two weeks without seeing each other or talking. The next time they saw each other, on Nov. 2, Kevin proposed.

“Not only is it amazing that God can put us together so well,” Selena said, “but also that sometimes it hardly takes any

time at all.”

Selena added that sometimes, with stories such as theirs, other people might think, “Maybe they deserve that, but I probably don’t. That could never be me.”

By the grace of God, Selena said, it can be.

Given her background, Selena said she has has also felt unworthy in the past, but has learned not to settle, because you never know what the Lord has in store, she said.

She and Kevin married on March 28, and although they had a relatively short engagement, Selena said it was still difficult at times to refrain from a kiss, explaining you’re “kind of on auto-pilot.”

“But your hugs become holds … and even since we’ve been married, I don’t remember a time we actually sat down and spent time with each other the way we did when we were engaged,” Selena said.

“And I miss that, but at the same time, there’s things about our wedding that make all these other doors open. But it feels good to know that’s the order we did it in.”

Photo courtesy of Selena Thomas

Selena and Kevin Thomas are pictured with their wedding party.

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June 2015

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Groom survival 101: Hints for the big wedding day reality of the big day settles in. Calm your nerves by talking to your best man, having a drink — as in just one drink — and projecting confidence. • Essentials for your pocket: Carrying these essentials with you can help you get through the day-of emergencies: aspirin, your phone, numbers essential for the wedding (such as vendors, drivers and caterers), cash, a stain remover pen, camera, breath mints, handkerchief, lip balm, and of course, the ring. • Master the meet and greet: You can’t avoid small talk on your wedding day. Consider a greeting line so you can get all your hi-and-thank-yous over in one fell swoop. If your better half is the charming one, let her take the lead.

Circulate early.

The cocktail hour is the perfect time to do a quick circuit of the room.

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There’s an endless stream of advice out there for brides-to-be — from insights into gown trends to leads on finding the best photographer.

But grooms, who are more involved than ever these days in the wedding planning process, may have their own set of worries. Being prepared can keep the pressure of the big day at bay, say experts. “Your wedding day involves hundreds of moving parts. But putting things in perspective and leaning on close friends, family and hired professionals can help you stay calm and happy,� says author Eric San Juan, whose new book, “Stuff Every Groom Should Know� — available at www.quirkbooks.com — offers all the skills needed to get from “yes� to “I do.�

Whether you’ve been a best man three times in the past or you’re new to the wedding game entirely, these tips from San Juan can help you survive your own big day. • Be a well-groomed groom: Go beyond your normal grooming routine. This is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion and you should look the part.

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The Daily Republic June 2015

Beat heat of summer weddings

Beachside locations, light clothing can tame temps

By Metro Creative

May, June and July consistently rank among the most popular months to get married.

These months typically provide pleasant weather, and if it does rain, it’s often in the form of a brief thunderstorm.

But summer weather can be extremely hot, and while a sunny, warm day may be perfect beach days, such conditions are not always ideal for weddings, especially weddings that take place outdoors. If wedding-day weather threatens to be very hot, explore these methods to staying cool.

• Choose a later start time.

A late-afternoon wedding may be the way to go in the summertime. The temperature usually drops a bit in the early

evening, even though the sun won’t set for a couple of hours.

That lingering summertime sun allows the bride and groom to enjoy an outdoor ceremony and still take beautiful outdoor photos.

• Rely on shade and proximity to water. Shade can be your friend when the sun is blazing. If your outdoor wedding is in the early afternoon, keep temperatures under wrap by seating guests beneath umbrellas or inside a tent.

• Tie the knot near the water. Breezes off of the water also help combat the heat, so a lakeside or beach wedding can make hot temperatures more manageable.

• Wear breathable fabrics.

Opt for lightweight fabrics instead of heavy gowns and full tuxedos for the bride, groom and wedding party.

Cotton and linen allow air to flow through clothing, helping people to stay cool. Light colors also will help deflect the sun. Bridal gowns made of chiffon, silk or satin may feel luxurious and help tame the heat.

• Have beverage tables.

Keep canisters of cold beverages at the ready so guests can easily quench their thirst.

Fresh lemonade, iced tea and water with a few sprigs of mint can help guests ward off dehydration.

• Make fans and hand these out to guests.

See COOL, Page 9

Metro Creative photo

May, June and July consistently rank among the most popular months to get married. Couples can take several steps to make sure summer weddings are both beautiful and comfortable.

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The Daily Republic

COOL

Continued from Page 8

Homemade fans of thick cardstock and popsicle sticks can keep guests comfortable. Such cards can double as thank-you messages or ceremony programs.

• Tailor the reception menu to the weather. A large, heavy meal may not be what guests are hoping for when temperatures are especially hot. In such situations, provide some cool, light fare, such as chilled salads or cold soups, as first courses.

Sorbet can be a cool palate cleanser, and grilled meats and vegetables will make for a satisfying, light main course. Ice cream cake may be a decadent option in lieu of more traditional wedding cake.

• Choose hairstyles and makeup wisely. Brides may prefer up-dos to keep hair off of their necks and allow for breezes to cool their bodies. Rely on makeup primers and powdered foundations so that makeup does not melt in the heat. Waterproof cosmetics are advisable so that perspiration won’t cause makeup to run.

Summer weddings are preferable, and couples can take several steps to make sure they’re both beautiful and comfortable.

June 2015

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Changing your last name

By Metro Creative

While many brides opt to take their husbands’ surnames upon tying the knot, over the years the popularity of such a decision has ebbed and flowed. Recent years have suggested the practice is once again gaining steam.

A 2011 study published in Names: A Journal of Onomastics indicates that younger brides are more likely to embrace the tradition of taking their husbands’ names in marriage. According to the study, women who married between the ages of 35 and 39 were 6.4 times more likely to keep their maiden names than those who married between the ages of 20 and 24.

Many brides view taking their spouse’s name as the natural transition from being a singleton to being a married woman.

Other brides prefer they share the same last name as their future children, making the choice to take their husband’s name a logical decision. Some brides feel having the same last

Metro Creative photo

Although a large percentage of women still change their last names upon getting married, many carefully weigh the pros and cons of such a change before making their final decisions.

name as their husbands helps them feel more like a family.

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Very often women who occupy positions of prominence in their professions keep their maiden names, feeling that taking their husbands’ names will affect the cache they have built up thus far. Women uncertain of what to do in such situations can keep their maiden names professionally and still change their names legally.

Changing one’s last name is a personal preference and a decision that couples should discuss together. Discuss the decision well in advance of the wedding so that both parties are aware of each other’s feelings on the subject before tying the knot.

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Vow to write your own

The Daily Republic June 2015

A how-to guide to help personalize your own ceremony sentiments

By Metro Creative

A wedding is a once-ina-lifetime event for many couples, so brides and grooms wish for the event to be momentous and memorable.

As such, couples are increasingly integrating personal nuances into their ceremonies and receptions to tailor weddings to their unique visions.

The desire to include personalized wedding vows continues to be a popular trend.

If you are considering personalized wedding vows, first realize that it may not be a simple task.

That’s because you want the message conveyed to be dear to your heart, and that can be challenging when faced with the pressures and planning of the rest of the wedding. That isn’t to say that writing your own vows is impossible.

Here are some guidelines for personalizing your ceremony with your See VOWS, Page 11

Metro Creative photo

Writing your own vows can be a way to include personal expressions of love into a couple’s wedding day.

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VOWS

Continued from Page 10

own sentiments. • Schedule time for writing. Amid the bustle of dress fittings and interviews with photographers, it can be easy to put off the important task of writing vows for another day.

But as any great writer can attest, it takes writing — and rewriting — to achieve a finished product you can be proud of.

Give the task of writing your vows your undivided attention.

Mark it in on your calendar or set a reminder on your computer just as you would any other appointment. • Be aware of ceremony guidelines. It is best to check with your officiant and confirm that personalized wedding vows are allowed. During civil ceremonies it’s often acceptable to customize vows as you see fit.

However, during religious ceremonies there may be lines of scripture that need to be read or certain passages required.

Before you spend hours working on the task, be sure that it is allowed and that your spouse and you are on the same page. • Jot down your feelings. Answer some ques-

tions about what marriage means to you and how you feel about your spouse.

Try to avoid trite sayings and think from your heart and personal experiences. Think about what is the most important thing you want to promise to your future partner.

These notes can serve as the starting points for the actual vows. • Read inspirational writings. Perhaps there is an author or a poet who inspires you?

You can quote certain writers in your vows or let the tone of their works help shape the words of your vows. There also are suggested wedding readings and other quotes about marriage readily available at the library or with a quick search online. • Decide on a tone.

Although the day is based on love and affection, you may not feel comfortable spouting words of adoration in front of friends and family. Feel free to tap into your unique personality.

Humor can be used if it aligns with the way you normally express your affections. Be sure to weave this tone into more traditional passages to create a cohesive expression of your feelings. • Establish an outline.

Put together all of the words and phrases you’ve jotted down into an outline to help you organize the flow of the vows, using these words as a blueprint for the vows and building upon them.

Make sure the vows will be concise. Aim for your entire speech to be around 1 minute in length to keep everyone engaged and the ceremony moving along. • Put everything together. Draft your vows and then practice them by reading out loud. You want to avoid long sentences or anything that trips you up.

Although large words may sound impressive, they could make the vows seem too academic and not necessarily heartfelt.

Enlist the help of a friend or two to act as your audience to see if the vows sound good and are easily understandable.

Writing your own vows can be a way to include personal expressions of love into a couple’s wedding day.

Public speaking is seldom easy, nor is finding the perfect words to convey feelings about a future spouse.

However, with some practice and inspiration, anyone can draft personalized vows.

June 2015

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The Daily Republic June 2015

Nail color a finishing touch to wedding day preparation

By Metro Creative

Metro Creative photo

From nude to bold shades, the perfect color nail polish for a bride will fit with her personality and style.

Certainly a bride’s gown receives its fair share of attention on her wedding day, especially in those first moments when she proceeds down the aisle to her soon-to-be spouse. But another part of the bride’s ensemble will be scrutinized ... her hands. Wedding guests will be anxious to see the wedding ring, and photographs of the couple holding hands typically are included in the wedding album. A bride’s hands need to look as polished as the rest of her wedding day ensemble.

Luckily there are no established rules when it comes to wedding day nail polish. Colors can range from neutrals and traditional shades to shades that are brighter and more exotic. Some brides like to wear blue nail polish, which gives them flair and completes the requisite “something blue” tradition. Not sure what to choose for your wedding day color? See if one of these suggestions fits your style.

Nude colors

not let them detract from their rings or gowns.

Using nude colors will help achieve this. Nudes can include blush pink, off-white and beigetoned nail polish alone or in combination, such as with a French manicure. Some brides choose to go with clear polish and let their natural nails shine through.

Glitter For a bit more pizzazz, brides can have their nails done with a nude or clear color enhanced with glitter. The glitter will add a bit of sparkle that can complement the shine of wedding rings and any embellishments on gowns or veils.

An alternative is to have tiny faux gems imbedded into the polish near the base of the nail where it meets the cuticle.

Nail art Polish can be enhanced further with nail appliques or painted-on designs. It’s common

Brides may want to downplay their nails and

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Continued from Page 12

for nail art to only appear on one nail of each hand, and it’s usually reserved for the ring finger.

As people admire the wedding ring, they also can grab a peek at some fun and flirty nail art designs.

Bold and beautiful

Brides who really want to make a statement can select a bold color for their nail polish.

Coral and deep pinks can be a stark contrast against a white gown and add a bit of drama to a bride’s look. Brides also may want to coordinate their nail colors to the theme of the wedding. A blue or teal shade for an ocean-side wedding or a lavender shade for a spring wedding amid tons of blooms can look beautiful.

It pays to have nails professionally manicured so that fingers will be flawless. A manicure also provides a little pampering before the demands of the wedding day set in.

June 2015

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Inside the cult of the secret wedding pinners Many women planning for the big day, even when they are single

“

By JULIA CARPENTER The Washington Post

Ah, weddings on Pinterest: 38 million boards brimming with white, pink and gold for all to admire.

Except when it’s not. Except when the planning is too personal — or too secret. Or when you don’t really have a wedding to plan at all.

Jessica Zahn, a 25-year-old marketing specialist in Atlanta, has two wedding boards: one private, one public. And more importantly, no significant other with which to plan a wedding ... yet.

I haven’t shown my significant other my Pinterest board. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea and think I’m ready to get married or that I’m always thinking about our future wedding.

Pinterest user

“I know some people feel that pinning/planning for your wedding before you are even in a relationship is silly, or even offensive,” she said. But by all accounts, a lot of pinners are doing it.

According to Pinterest — the social network that’s part scrap-

A Reception to Remember...

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book, part vision board — making a wedding board “secret,” or private, is becoming more and more popular. Since January 2015, secret wedding boards have grown from 15 percent of all boards to 30 percent of all boards created across Pinterest.

This kind of power is unprec-

edented in the Pinterest world.

According to a recent study from Millard Brown Digital, 96 percent of pinners are using Pinterest to plan for wedding purchases — and 87 percent made a wedding purchase because of something seen on Pinterest.

That doesn’t necessarily mean more pinners are getting engaged. As Mashable wrote when secret boards debuted: “Pinterest is the perfect place to plan your wedding, whether you’re wearing a ring or not.”

Wedding boards aren’t See PINTEREST, Page 14

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PINTEREST Continued from Page 13

breaking any norms of Pinterest. They’re dreamified road maps for future nuptials.

And, of course, for the products, services and mason jar chandeliers you’ll buy — or (ideally) (pinterestingly) handcraft for yourself.

And yet there’s a subculture of undercover wedding pinners who never show their boards to anyone, tucked away from the larger world of DIY crafts and fresh tomato salads pinned for everyone.

“I haven’t shown my significant other my Pinterest board,” one Internet friend said of her secret board. “I don’t want him to get the wrong idea and think I’m ready to get married or that I’m always thinking about our future wedding.”

So what are these secret wedding-pinners thinking about — if not the big day?

“It’s a kind of dreaming, a kind of fantasy,” says Pepper Schwartz, a sociology professor at the University of Washington.

“It’s like reading bride magazines, but it’s also like people reading Architectural Digest ... I should say 99 percent of them cannot afford — even 99.5 of them cannot afford what they’re looking at. But they think about it.”

And then come actual wedding day,

everything has effectively been mythologized. The pins tell their own story: a farmhouse wedding, with chalkboard nameplates and a mason jar chandelier.

Your Pinterest board is your “perfect” wedding.

At least, it is on Pinterest.

More than 38 million Pinterest boards are dedicated to weddings.

That’s a lot of pins to peruse. Pinterest is different from bridal magazines in that there’s no page limit — you don’t hit a final page in a photo spread or back cover of the book that snaps you out of wedding Fantasyland and back to reality. Sara Fields, an Asheville, N.C.-based wedding planner, encourages her brides to pin — to a point. “I’ll have a bride who stayed up all night with a bottle of wine and pinned and changed her mind,” she said.

“It’s not just that it’s limitless,” Schwartz explains. “But that you’re actually doing something. When you do something, you invest more in its reality. You put together the pictures. You make it real, in a funny sort of way. It’s more real in the fact that you’ve assembled your dreams. It’s personal. Now you have a better sense of what you’d really like to do, and that makes you more invested than you would be if you were just flipping through a bridal magazine.”

And that’s exactly why Fields tells her brides to stop pinning at a certain point

in the wedding planning process. Partly to solidify a vision for the big day — but partly to quell the pinning mania.

“You kind of can’t stop yourself,” she says. “ ‘Oh,’ you’re second guessing. ‘Oh, I thought I wanted this.’ It’s a lot of additional stress.”

Pinterest user Amanda Taylor felt that stress even without a wedding to plan. She calls it “doing her due diligence.”

“There’s a sense of panic, too: ‘I have to remember that, but what if I don’t?’ ” she says.

Fields says she requests access to her clients’ secret pin boards — even though, as she admits, a secret pin board is “almost like a diary.”

“I can see, ‘This is what this wedding looks like inside this bride’s head,’ ” she says. “Before we had Pinterest, that was such a hard thing to cultivate. ‘What are you seeing in your head?’ You can describe it with words, but on Pinterest you’re seeing it all.”

All of it.

Amanda Taylor deleted her Pinterest account, actually. Secret girly wedding board and all.

Taylor lives in Utah, and she’s a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints — most of her friends started living out their Pinterest wedding fantasies a few years back, but she’s single and not looking to get married any time soon. She says

there’s an overwhelming sense that had her hovering over “private” before clicking the lock and hiding her wedding dreams forever: “It’s like ‘You’re one of the last.

You can’t be public about it.’ ” Her wedding board was so different from her ironic, funny, quirky side she shared on other platforms like Twitter and Tumblr — the board was softer. There were more flowers.

And, of course, conspicuously, no guy.

“I don’t date that much. I don’t want people to know I’m even thinking about it.

Like, ‘Oh you’re so sad you’re single, let me set you up with my cousin,’ ” she says.

She was ashamed of her secret wedding board, and also ashamed of the pull she felt to Pinterest and it’s idealized version of her future — she knew deleting the board and starting over was a good move.

“There was this pressure — ‘I need to do all these DIYs. I need to make these tiny pots to put miniature succulents.’ ” she says. “I had to ask myself: ‘What’s the end game here? Will I be remembered as Queen of the Succulents?’ ” On the day of her eventual wedding, she says she won’t miss her secret board and the pins pinned, plans and dreams now lost to the manicured sands of Pinterest time.

“Maybe if I was Kate Middleton,” she starts, and then stops herself. “But I’m not.”

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The Daily Republic

June 2015

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Lucky superstitions Finding a spider in your dress, putting coins in your shoes said to bring good fortune

By Metro Creative

Couples on the verge of tying the knot spend lots of time hoping their wedding days go off without a hitch.

The threat of rain drops or temporarily misplaced rings can make couples feel that the hands of fate are casting bad luck on the proceedings, but couples need not worry.

Superstitions are not always negative, and there are many things thought to bestow good luck on couples about to become husband and wife.

The following are some of the more popular harbingers of good luck cou-

ples can look for on their wedding days.

Rain: Rain signifies various things in different cultures, and many of those amount to a dose of good fortune for a wedding.

Rain can represent fertility, suggesting that couples will have many children.

Rain also can signify cleansing and renewal or the washing away of past ills.

Sugar: Many Greeks believe tucking a sugar cube into your glove will mean a sweet union between the newly betrothed.

Coins: In Sweden, a bride puts a silver coin

from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe so she will never have to go without.

Unpleasant things: Egyptian women may pinch the bride on her wedding day for good luck. The English believe finding a spider in your wedding dress means good luck.

Bells: Bells may chime at Irish weddings to keep evil spirits away and ensure a harmonious family life. Some brides also will tuck small bells into their bouquets.

Day: Some cultures view certain days as luckSee LUCK, Page 16

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The Daily Republic June 2015

LUCK

Continued from Page 15

ier than others for getting married. English tradition suggested Wednesday was the best day for getting married, with Monday weddings bringing wealth and Tuesday events bringing good health.

English folklore states that Saturday is the unluckiest day to tie the knot.

Many traditions are in place to keep bad spirits away from wedding proceedings and ensure good luck.

Middle Eastern brides, for example, paint henna on their hands and feet to protect themselves. The tradition of the groom carrying his bride over the threshold is to protect her from evil spirits lurking below.

Good luck charms vary depending on culture and geography.

Several superstitions have withstood the test of time and can give brides and grooms a little more security on their wedding days.

When, where to honeymoon

Plan around the weather, other tourists

By Metro Creative

Metro Creative photo

Weather and tourism should be considered for the honeymoon.

A honeymoon provides a welcome retreat for couples after months upon months of budgeting, planning and ironing out the details of their weddings. On their honeymoons, couples get the chance to escape the pressures of everyday life and simply enjoy being alone with each other in special locations.

Honeymoon vacations can be expensive, and many couples want to ensure they get the best value for their trips. A honeymoon that is overshadowed by inclement weather can make this once-in-a-lifetime trip memorable for all the wrong reasons. While not every hiccup can be avoided, couples can plan their honeymoons for those times of year when specific locales experience their best weather.

Jamaica: Couples tying the knot in the earlier part of the year may want to honeymoon in Jamaica.

With average temperatures in the 80s year-round, Jamaica makes for a great honeymoon destination.

January through April see less rain than other times of the year, and keep in mind June through the end of December is hurricane season.

Australia: People opting to get married in the winter in the Northern Hemisphere might want to escape the cooler temperatures and shorter days with a honeymoon south of the equator. Australia and New Zealand are beautiful spots to visit and enjoy summer when those in the Northern Hemisphere are mired in winter.

France: Paris and other French cities can be enchanting to visit any time of the year, but locals advise honeymooners visit in September when the climate is See HONEYMOON, Page 17

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The Daily Republic

HONEYMOON

June 2015

17

How about a pumpkin carriage?

Continued from Page 16

quite comfortable and tourism is minimal. Spring is another great time to visit France, especially for those people who want to spend plenty of time outdoors.

Mexico: Areas of Mexico, such as popular Cancún and Cozumel, tend to stay warm all year long, but they can be particularly hot in the summer. Spring brides and grooms may want to venture there before the summer season is in full swing.

Couples might want to avoid vacationing in certain areas in March, as students visiting for spring break may compromise the romantic atmosphere honeymooners are hoping for.

Hawaii: Spring and summer can be ideal times to visit the islands of Hawaii, as the weather can be beautiful and travel tends to be less expensive during these times of year. Rains increase as autumn sets in, and Hawaii often sees the bulk of its vacationers during the winter, meaning higher costs and bigger crowds.

Italy: April through June and September through October are some of the best times to visit Italy. Be aware that Venice tends to be misty and damp during the late fall and early spring. Italy, especially southern Italy and Sicily, can get quite hot during the peak summer months.

Explore transportation options to make a grand entrance, exit

By Metro Creative

Metro Creative photo

Couples have many options regarding wedding transportation.

Engaged couples may be ready to walk down the aisle and begin their new life together, but first they have to get to the ceremony.

Couples have many options at their disposal regarding transportation on their wedding days.

Limousines continue to be popular choices, but other vehicles also may fit your needs. According

to The Wedding Report, a research company that tracks wedding trends, the size of the average wedding party has grown, which means a greater number of people may need a ride to the festivities.

But couples also must decide how they will get to and from their ceremonies. Couples who want to See RIDE, Page 19

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The Daily Republic June 2015

The Daily Republic

RIDE

Continued from Page 17

arrive in style may want to consider the following options.

• Take it to the water. If you’re having a lakeside or seaside wedding, taking a water route to your ceremony can make for a dramatic entrance. Vessel options include speedboats, yachts or something more intimate, such as canoes or rowboats. Afterward, you can coast off into the sunset.

• Arrive like royalty. Take a page out of a favorite fairy tale and arrive in a horse-drawn carriage. Carriages can typically fit between two and six passengers.

If you cannot find a carriage, consider pedicabs or bicycle-drawn buggies as an alternative.

• Step out of a classic movie. Vintage cars can make a statement. Although you may immediately think of a Rolls Royce, consider cars that embody your personal

More couples using ‘smart’ planning for wedding day

By Metro Creative

More couples are utilizing their smartphones when planning their weddings, according to the The Knot 2014 Real Weddings Study.

The study, which surveyed nearly 16,000 brides and grooms married in 2014, found that the use of smartphones to access wedding-planning websites nearly doubled from 2011 to 2014.

In 2011, just 33 percent of couples surveyed acknowledged accessing wedding-planning websites via their smartphones. But that figure rose to 61 percent in 2014. Sixty-one percent of brides admitted to researching gowns on their smartphones, marking a substantial

style. Rugged couples may want a classic pickup truck, while those who live life in the fast lane may prefer a vintage sports car.

• Take the party on the road. Moving a large number of people in the wedding party takes forethought. Party buses and SUV limousines can fit a substantial amount of passengers, making them a more cost-effective option for large bridal parties. These vehicles may be equipped with party lights, impressive sound systems and even minibars.

• Go eco-friendly. If your ceremony is nearby, arrive on horseback or even pedaling a bicycle. Such options are eco-friendly and, in the case of bicycles, may be free.

When booking transportation for you and your wedding guests, remember to do so well in advance.

In addition, get all agreements in writing, verify that the company is licensed and insured and provide directions and the itinerary to drivers. This will ensure things go smoothly.

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June 2015

Big City Small Town

Experience, Atmosphere

increase from 2011, when 27 percent acknowledged using their mobile devices to research gowns.

Wedding vendors also can benefit from strong mobile sites, as 57 percent (up from 22 percent in 2011) of survey respondents in 2014 admitted to researching prospective vendors on their mobile devices.

On the cover • Cover design by Ashley Schabacker and Travis Livingston/ Republic • Cover photo from Metro Creative • Publication layout by Kella Rodiek/Republic

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The Daily Republic June 2015

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