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January | 2018

Bridal issue

From gowns to flowers to caterers, what you should know

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January 2018 Make your wedding special The Venue

6 Find the venue of your dreams, but keep many ideas in mind before choosing where to say “I do.”

The Caterer

service. Find out what happens if they don’t.

Norman Baggs

Leah Nelson

HOME Magazine, a division of:

20 Get cosy and intimate

The Times Gainesville, GA

with two North Georgia chapels.

photographer Carrie Jean for your wedding day

Michelle Boaen Jameson

Advertising Sales

The Chapel

24 Five tips from

Editor

General Manager

10 A good caterer should come with good references and great

The Photography

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Wedding cake 101

July| August 2015

The Planner

28 Wedding planners can

help make the big day go smoothly.

The Flowers

32 Take several things into

consideration when going with floral trends.

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Education issue: Learning for a lifetime

School leaders discuss classroom goals

On the Cover

Gainesville Civic Center’s 26th annual Bridal Expo is happening Jan. 14 and will include a bridal fashion show and lots of local vendors. And there are plenty of good reasons to go local.

PAGE 42 Photo courtesy Carrie Jean Photography 4 | HOME | January 2018

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Chateau Elan’s wine cellar. Photo by Aretha Jean Cain courtesy Chateau Elan

Vetting the Venue

Options abound in North Georgia, but be mindful when picking the perfect place

By Amber Tyner For those who are preparing to tie the knot, a big step toward happily ever after is scouring the area for the perfect wedding venue.

The best place to begin this daunting search is actually the Northeast Georgia area itself (see a list of venues on page 46), home to a plethora of wedding venues that offer a variety of options and styles to meet to any couple’s needs.

But even with so many choices, making the final decision of where 6 | HOME | January 2018

to host the big day still requires careful consideration.

According to Judy Stock, rental coordinator and gift shop manager at Elachee Nature Science Center, it’s not only one of the most important tasks, but it’s actually one of the first that needs to be done.

“I’ve had some brides who do all the planning up front and then try to get the venue and that’s not the way to go,” she said. “I prefer when people think ahead a little bit.”

The science center, located in Gainesville, usually books weddings

six to eight months in advance.

“But a lot of people book a year in advance, especially if they know their date,” she said. “We’ve had people a year and a half out even book.”

Robert Warner, owner and operator of White Oaks in Dahlonega, said you also need to think about access to hotels for the guests when deciding how early to book.

“If you want accommodations for lodging and preferred dates, you need to start doing those things a year ahead,” he said.

But before securing any space, it’s important to think about the budget.

“It’s something they have to consider,” Warner said. “You want to make sure you stay within what’s reasonable for the amount of budget you have.”

He gave his advice on do-it-yourself weddings.

“A DIY wedding, although it appears in the beginning to be a much more economical choice, ends up being fairly expensive because of all the items you have to locate and secure,” he said. “Some people are very hands on and they can do that, but it is exhausting. You have to weigh out what do you have the fortitude for, the creativity for and what should you leave to someone else.”

He said the more a venue provides, the better.

Courtesy of Elachee Nature Science Center Above: A wedding at Elachee Nature Science Center.

Left: A bride and groom stand on a floating dock at Lanier Islands. There are several wedding venue options in North Georgia.

Courtesy of Lanier Islands January 2018 | HOME | 7

“I think the more options you have (and) the more that a venue includes for their base price can be very helpful in helping (the couple) construct something that’s very unique to their taste,” he said. “Whether it’s more rustic or rustic elegance, you want a venue (where) you can do all those things with without a whole lot of turmoil.”

And choosing the style of wedding you want is crucial, as couples will need to have a clear vision for their wedding when it comes to the venue.

“I like it when people have themes to their weddings,” Stock said.

Emily Truax, marketing manager at Chateau Elan, spoke of the importance of the ambience of a wedding.

“For the most part, they need to think about the experience they want to have on that day, whether they want it to be an outdoor or indoor experience, (and) what the atmosphere is going to be like,” she said.

“I think that's probably the number one first step.”

And in order to make sure you get exactly what you want from a wedding venue, it’s important to start looking around as soon as you can.

“Start early and see as many as you can,” Warner said.

But make sure you know all the details when you do decide to book.

“It’s just being organized about everything and checking things out,” Stock said.

Courtesy of Lanier Islands

Courtesy of Elachee Nature Science Center

Clockwise: Pineisle Pointe at Lanier Islands, Elachee Nature Science Center, Chateau Elan’s atrium and the vineyard at Chateau Elan in Braselton.

8 | HOME | January 2018

Courtesy of Chateau Elan and Paris Mountain Photography

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Food for Thought How to select a wedding caterer

By Kristen Bowman I married my husband in Dahlonega, Georgia, on Nov. 4, 2017. Our wedding day was every bit the charming, romantic, fall day I had always imagined.

Everything was perfect.

Except the caterer.

In hindsight, I can see a few places I went wrong in booking our vendors. I was so determined to check boxes off my seemingly endless to-do list that I didn’t pause to ask, “Is this company good or just good enough? Are they capable of everything we need from them?”

I hope to help other North Georgia brides avoid the mistake I made when booking a caterer.

Here is my cautionary tale and a few tips to help you as you choose the food and service for your big day.

Listen to past brides.

My wedding reception was held in a beautiful, historic venue, but it did not provide a wait staff or bartenders. We had to provide our own through one of the recommended caterers.

We paid our caterer to have seven people setting up, beginning at 11 a.m. I will refrain from naming the vendor I used, but I will tell you that we had five people, not seven, arrive three hours late. Had it not been for my extraordinary wedding coordinator and her mother, who rallied to set up my entire reception, guests would have arrived to find their plates, napkins and glasses stacked in crates and boxes around the room.

As it so happens, our guests did arrive to the cocktail hour to

While many restaurants cater events very well, it is important to make sure the staff is capable and experienced when it comes to weddings.

10 | HOME | January 2018

find no one behind the bar except my dear coordinator. The “bartenders” our caterer provided didn’t know how to tap a keg. In the end, one of our guests had to step up and get the party started.

Looking back at my contract, I was shorted hundreds of dollars worth of services. The good news for you is I reviewed the company on websites like The Knot, where you can find endless reviews from real brides like me. Their stories are worth a read before you book your vendor.

Do a taste test before the big day.

I know how it feels when you have a short engagement and about a hundred things to get done. Sometimes it’s easier to say, “This seems fine,” and check it off the list. But the caterer is quite possibly the most important vendor you will book. The venue, the music, the flowers — these are all important, but people will really remember your wedding day if they had a darn good meal.

Any quality restaurant or catering service should be able to do a taste test before you select your menu. But keep in mind, especially if your food is not prepared in a kitchen on site, that the food made for a big guest list may not be as fresh as the single plate made for you during your tasting.

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Ask about the service.

For our wedding, we booked a restaurant, not a catering service. While many restaurants cater events very well, it is important to make sure the staff is capable and experienced when it comes to weddings.

If your venue has on-site catering provided, I highly encourage you to use those in-house services. Often, when food has to be brought in by an outside caterer, it will sit in warming chafers for hours before it’s time for your guests to eat.

We had eaten at our restaurant many times before our wedding, but we had no way of knowing what quality service they would provide. While I paid to have servers and bartenders, we were shorted two, and another one left three hours before our event ended. If you will also be bringing in outside servers, make sure the communication between you and your contact at the restaurant — and between that person and his or her staff — is crystal clear.

Know your options.

Considering the terrible service we experienced on our wedding day, I’m glad we went with a buffet, where guests could serve themselves and the servers only had to keep the buffet stocked with food and the glasses filled with water.

But our caterer also offered a “family-style” option that,

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It’s important to know the difference between these styles. A plated dinner, where each dish is brought out to each guest, is not the same as family style. In the latter, trays of shareable food such as lasagnas, pastas and grilled meats are brought to each table in platters to be passed around for the guests to plate themselves.

“Think of a Publix Thanksgiving Day commercial,” said Tina Roberts, catering director for 2Dog. 2Dog Restaurant in Gainesville is one of the most popular caterers for weddings and events in the area. It can cater weddings for up to 300 people, and offers all three styles.

Roberts said a buffet is the most popular style because it is usually the most affordable.

Meanwhile an important thing to keep in mind with familystyle meals is the space each platter takes up on the table. Most 60-inch tables can’t accommodate the food and traditional decor such as candles, signs and floral centerpieces, but Roberts has a solution.

“It lends itself to table decorations that include food,” she said.

“For family style, we usually do bread, cheese spreads, olive oils and things like that in the center of the table instead of you doing flowers.”

Be wary of trends.

What is the biggest trend in wedding food today? It may come as a surprise, but the answer is: food trucks. You might understand the appeal — you can provide your guests with a

variety of foods they are familiar with and already love.

While untraditional, plenty of weddings today are catered with taco trucks, hot dog stands, even the food truck from The Varsity.

But before you book, don’t forget about the service. Even the best food trucks can’t work magic, and I’ve heard horror stories about weddings catered by food trucks that had a 40-minute wait for guests to get their meals after placing their orders.

Another big catering trend today is stations, which are arguably a bit more functional than food trucks.

Think of them like mini-buffets. Friends of mine used stations wonderfully at their wedding, with cheese and charcuterie stations during the cocktail hour, followed by a pizza station, a mac ‘n’ cheese station and a carving station. My cousin, meanwhile, had grilled cheese and slider stations that were so good, I think we’ll still be talking about them for decades.

Events by Dezine — a full-service North Georgia event company providing anything and everything from catering to rentals, music and transportation — sees many brides and grooms choosing stations for their receptions. Specifically, they have nine different station options on their menus, including a shrimp and grits station, a fajita station and an “ultimate potato” station.

Find ways to save.

Many current wedding food trends are also more economical, Roberts said, like the now-popular buffet. Many brides forgo the traditional cake, which can be expensive particularly for large parties. Donut displays are a new trend, as well as dessert tables that offer a sampling but skip the big cake. At my own wedding, I saved about $250 doing cupcakes displayed on a tiered stand instead of a wedding cake.

Roberts encouraged brides to consider ways to save more than money.

“A lot of it goes to waste,” she said. “In that sense it can be horrible on the environment. I mean, awful. So anything you can do to reduce that, I say absolutely do it.”

Make it personal.

Like I said, food is the detail most guests remember. While our caterer was a nightmare behind the scenes, our guests fortunately spent the night raving about the food — a credit to the chef at the restaurant — and the drinks behind the bar.

My husband and I chose a menu of foods we loved, even if they weren’t traditional for a wedding. We had a chicken and a fish, but we also had fried green tomatoes — a favorite of my husband’s — and red velvet cupcakes — a favorite of mine — for dessert.

The biggest hit of the night was the beer, which was from Omaha Brewing Company, a Southwest Georgia brewery where our best man works. We wondered about providing beer no one had heard of, but our guests were all jotting down the names of the brews and where they could find them in stores.

It’s those personal touches that helped make our big day memorable, despite the unfortunately unforgettable service.

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Cake Questions A local cake artist reveals her experience

By Michelle Jameson After the venue and menu have been taken care of and flowers have been decided upon, the next item on the list is generally the cake. A wedding cake is more than ever a reflection of the couple’s personality and character. We talked to Sweetly Baked (www.sweetlybaked.org) cake artist and Gainesville resident Brittney Grant about current trends and expectations for wedding cakes: What are some of the trends happening for wedding cakes this year?

Boho chic is in with marbling patterns. I’ve noticed unusual exotic florals with greenery in a vivid color scheme becoming more and more popular as well. Watercolor buttercream (icing) and textures are really taking a huge leap in the wedding cake scene as of late.

Are you still getting orders for the more traditional white tier cakes?

No, I am more of a nontraditional cake artist and my clients tend to hire me for that reason. I like to create cakes that represent my clients’ personalities and that showcases aspects of their wedding such as the venue, wedding dress, color scheme, etc. Color is really in right now.

Is the cupcake trend still hanging on?

I think cupcakes will always be a trendy option in the wedding cake industry because they can be dressed up, played down, and the cleanup is easy!

16 | HOME | January 2018

A Boho chic cake with succulents by cake artist Brittney Grant. Photo courtesy Sweetly Baked.

What advice would you give brides-to-be about picking out a wedding cake?

I tell brides to bring me inspiration whether it be other cake photos, a dress, an invitation or Pinterest boards. Doing this allows your cake artist to create a one-of-a-kind cake that represents the couple and it’s totally unique to them. Couples love to know they are going to have a cake that they don’t see on everyone else’s social media pages.

I encourage brides to give the cake artist some creative freedom while keeping the couple’s important details intact. Giving the cake artist a little freedom usually yields the most beautiful wedding cake because they are free to create and present a cake that usually ends up exceeding expectations from the bride.

Have you ever had a wedding cake disaster?

Yes, I sure have! Part of being a great cake artist is being prepared for those mishaps and being able to fix them. I once had a buttercream cake hit the dashboard in transit and it could have been really bad, but I was able to repair the buttercream damage and no one could even tell it had been “patched up.” I later had my dad make me an insulated cake box that I put all my cakes in rather than having someone hold it, which is why it ended up in the dashboard in the first place.

A Western cake with feather accents by cake artist Brittney Grant. Photo courtesy Sweetly Baked.

What about grooms’ cakes? Any trends or anything goes?

Three dimensional sculpted cakes are all the rave right now from sculpting things like trout and bass fish. I’ve also made replicas of the groom’s dogs and those were really neat grooms cakes that meant a lot to the groom.

A bass groom’s cake by Grant.

So many things go into play when pricing a cake, so it’s a tough subject to just give a definite answer on. It all depends on what the client wants and how much time it will take ...

What should a bride expect to pay for a typical cake?

I’m not sure that there is such a thing as a “typical” wedding cake anymore. I am a firm believer that you typically do get what you pay for and a custom creation will cost more than a replicated cake like textured buttercream or a naked wedding cake. For example, I charge by the serving. Simple non-decorated cakes start at $3.50/ serving and go up from there based on detail, sugar mediums, frosting, cake flavors, etc. Most weddings I do are for around 100 people and range anywhere from $350-$650.

The most expensive wedding cake I ever made was five tiers and it was $1,300 and had several hundred intricate hand-cut wafer paper leaves and edible pearls on top of every single leaf that was placed. So many things go into play when pricing a cake, so it’s a

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What has been your favorite cake you have made for a wedding?

Anytime I make a cake that I was a little intimidated by and it comes out beautifully seems to be my favorite for a season until I make another crazy cake that trumps the previous one. Geode cakes are probably my favorite at the moment.

A trout groom’s cake by Grant.

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A tiny church in North Georgia overlooks the foothills. Photos by Michelle Jameson

Going to the Chapel North Georgia is home to two intimate wedding spots

By Michelle Jameson If a big fancy wedding isn’t your speed, head to the mountains of North Georgia.

There are two chapels that offer small, intimate settings for your nuptials. Just north of Cleveland is a tiny chapel owned by Tom and Nadine Wardenga. The chapel sits in a field overlooking the foothills. It seats 12 with a small altar and stained glass windows.

A set of sculptural angel wings adorns the doors of the chapel and a small metal tree dedicates the chapel to the Wardenga’s late some, Glenn.

There are four picnic tables outside 20 | HOME | January 2018

The chapel seats 12 and has stained glass windows.

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of the chapel for those visiting. It’s open to anyone wanting to worship; the Wardengas just request everyone sign the guest book. The chapel, at 996 Harkins Road, once sat near an ol’ time general store in Alto and has been the backdrop to several unions.

For another intimate option head to Helen.

There you can get married at the Alpine Wedding Chapel. The little wooden chapel sits near the river in downtown Helen and offers several wedding packages starting at $295. The Little Chapel seats 12, but more guests can be accommodated in the Garden Room. Packages offer a minister, photos, music and a candle ceremony as well as silk flowers. For more informations visit www. alpineweddingchapel.com.

Metal angel wings adorn the door of a tiny church in North Georgia. The church has several inscriptions, including a popular wedding verse. A metal sculpture dedicated the chapel to Glenn Wardenga.

The Community House, with 2,500 sq. ft. of space, is reasonably priced, and a local favorite for large events. The grounds are nicely landscaped and a large rock fountain graces the front lawn, making it a popular place for outdoor weddings. The newly renovated building features a commercial kitchen and an elevator. The entry hall greets guests with a stone stacked fireplace.

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The Little Chapel in Alpine Helen is available for weddings and has a very intimate setting.

Photos by Michelle Jameson

Picture perfect 24 | HOME | January 2018

5 Tips Your Wedding Photographer Forgot to Tell You

By Carrie Jean Photography

When you’re shooting upwards of 20 weddings a year, you start to take note of the patterns that emerge in weddings.

In the past four years, I’ve learned how to deal with everything from difficult parents to drunk guests and all that comes in between. But sometimes as professionals, we forget to loop our clients in on our learned wisdom. So I’m going to give you five of the best tips I’ve learned since I started this job.

1. If you’re getting your hair and makeup done, expect it to run over.

It’s not that hair and makeup are particularly time consuming (though it can be), it’s just that between your sister asking you four times which pair of shoes you prefer and your mom double checking how you like

your bouquet and then asking your makeup artist to tone down the eye shadow a bit, lots of little interruptions can add up to being half an hour or an hour behind schedule. Plan ahead, and build in an hour of buffer time into your schedule. The absolute worst thing that happens is you end up finishing early and get to enjoy some quiet time with your best friends.

2. Family portraits are a pain. It’s hard to corral a big group of people into a photo, and it’s even harder when it’s your crazy family. The timing isn’t great either. If you do them before the ceremony you are going to want to get it over with as soon as possible so you can get to your dang wedding already. If you do them during cocktail hour, you’re going to wish you were at cocktail hour. But trust me when I say they matter. Because while you hired your

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Photos by Carrie Jean Photography January 2018 | HOME | 25

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photographer for their rad artistic vision, your parents are probably only going to frame a few photos from your wedding. My hunch is that they’re not going to be the artsy ones of you walking through sunset.

So give yourself permission to be a little bit grumpy during family portraits. Know that they’ll be over soon enough, and they’re worth it in the end. If that doesn’t cut it, tuck a flask into your purse and sip champagne during the breaks.

3. Your photographer has no idea who’s your Great Aunt Millie. Most photographers will try really hard to get to know your family during your wedding.

But unless someone is in your family portraits, or did a reading or gave a toast, we don’t know your Great Aunt Mille who helped raise you from your grandmother you never talk to from your third-grade teacher your mom made you invite. So if it’s really important that someone you love makes it into the final delivery of images, make sure to let your photographer know. Include the person on a list if you

have one. Have someone at the wedding point the VIPs out to your photographer.

And of course, you can always grab your photographer and say, “Hey, can you take photo of Aunt Millie and me?” In which case, the answer is always yes. Because Aunt Millie seems really cool, and I like her sequined jacket.

4. Backdrops over details. If photography is one of your top priorities and you have to choose, backdrops give you more bang for your buck than details (at least when it comes to photos). The wedding industry (and blogs, particularly) have done a good job of convincing couples that all you’ll see at a wedding is the details. And while details definitely can add to the overall feel of the event (if you decide to care about them), big-ticket items get a lot more play in your photos.

So if you have to choose between really cool details, and say, a killer ceremony backdrop, that ceremony backdrop will get way more airtime in your wedding photos than napkin rings or programs.

This is particularly true when it comes to the ceremony. Depending on the space, there aren’t a whole lot of places your photographer can go during the ceremony, so a backdrop ends up doing a lot of the work of making your pictures interesting.

Barring all the emotional stuff of course.

5. Cafe lights are magical inventions. If you’re getting married in a simple space, or have an outdoor nighttime reception, or if your decor budget just isn’t huge, but you really care about photography, cafe lights (also known as globe lights or market lights) are one of the best wedding-related investments you can make. (Bonus: they’re still pretty, even after the wedding. Garden parties for everyone!)

Cafe lights aren’t crazy expensive — around $25 per set. A few strands can go a really long way toward making your pictures look amazing, partly because they add visual interest to your photos, but also because with enough of them, you can create just enough of a warm glow to not need a flash.

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Wedding Planner or Fairy Godmother?

When to do it yourself and when to hire some help

By Pamela A. Keene The details of planning a wedding, regardless of the size, can be overwhelming. So, for many brides it makes to hire a wedding planner. After all, wedding planners bring with them a world of experience that can help the day go smoothly and perhaps save brides, grooms and their families from making costly mistakes.

“You use a Realtor to purchase a home, so a wedding is also a big purchase,” says Dannella Burnett with Oakwood Occasions and wedding planner. “It’s very helpful to have someone to guide you and share the benefit of their experience. I see my job as education, someone to brainstorm ideas with and a person who can help review costs before contracts are signed. A good wedding planner can help navigate the entire process.”

Wedding planners can provide a range of services, consulting on details from start to finish or to help with day-of logistics. Their costs depend on the extent of what they provide.

They often make recommendations about various vendors, including photographers, cake makers, florists, caterers and musicians.

“As planners we have ongoing relationships with vendors who have experience with all types of weddings,” says Ljerka Bilbija, assistant director of weddings at Lanier Islands. “Planners have done weddings before, so they will be aware of details that a new bride may not think of. And we can create timelines and checklists to keep everything on track.”

Typically, a planner will have an initial consultation with the bride and her mother, possibly the groom, the groom’s mother or other family members. “That first meeting is a discovery session to gather 28 | HOME | January 2018

“As a planner, I want to know what’s important to the couple, to see their vision and help make budget decisions that will make that vision possible.”

information from the couple,” Burnett says. “I want to identify what’s most important to that bride for that wedding, because she’s planning her special day. For instance, some couples really want to emphasize the food, while for others it’s all about the venue or the flowers.

This way we can begin to talk about how the overall budget will be spent.”

Planners can make recommendations about expenditures and suggestions about ways to save money in one area that can possibly be directed to another aspect of the wedding.

Burnett urges caution about using online budget guidelines. “They’re not realistic,” she says. “As a planner, I want to know what’s

important to the couple, to see their vision and help make budget decisions that will make that vision possible.”

Having an idea of lead times, at least in general terms, can create a much smoother process. “Selecting the venue is one of the first steps, especially because many poplar venues book as much as 12 to 18 months in advance,” Bilbija says. “That decision will likely influence the actual wedding date unless you have alternatives in mind.”

Gathering names and addresses for the guest list, ordering invitations and handaddressing them, purchasing the wedding dress and taking care of the attendants’ attire, either purchasing or renting; deciding about

flowers; food and tastings for the bride’s and groom’s cakes; the list can be overwhelming.

So how do you select a planner? Ask friends who have recently married, or ask the venue for suggestions. It’s OK to interview potential planners before making a decision.

“It’s important to check references and make sure the chemistry is right,” Burnett says. “The personalities of the bride and the planner need to be compatible and the planner should understand that the bride’s vision is the priority. It’s the bride’s wedding, not the planner’s.”

Burnett also suggests that brides and grooms — and their parents — be prepared to make compromises throughout the process.

“Almost every wedding will have compromises to be made,” she says, “whether about family traditions, the budget, venue selections, food. With so many details and decisions to make, a wedding planner can help ensure that the time leading up to the wedding and the day itself are amazing and memorable,” Burnett says. “As a result, it’s a win for the couple, the families and the guests.”

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12 wedding tricks add fun and ease to planning Brides and grooms understandably feel a little stress when planning their weddings. Adding to the pressure is the fact that, according to a WeddingWire.com report, the average couple in their 30s spends $32,000 on their wedding. That is a lot of money riding on one day.

But planning a wedding can be even more fun than it is stressful, especially for those couples who employ a few tricks of the wedding planning trade.

1. Fake the cake. Save some money by asking the bakery cake artist to decorate a foam-tiered “mock” cake for pictures and display, and serve guests from an inexpensive sheet cake in the kitchen.

2. Use labels. Once the guest list is finalized, create a database of guests’ addresses. Print out two sets of labels: One for addressing the invitations and the other to address the thank-you cards.

3. RSVP tricks. Number the back of RSVP cards and correspond the numbers to the guest list. If one or more responses is illegible, refer to the number to figure it out.

4. Embrace inexpensive decor. Dollar stores and craft stores are great places to find inexpensive decorative items. Empty wine bottles can be painted or glazed to serve as vases. Candle lanterns can be picked up at low cost at many retailers.

5. Create an email address. To have all of the wedding-related details in one place, create a separate email address exclusively for

wedding correspondence.

6. Use veil weights. These weights can be sewn into veils to prevent fly-aways during outdoor ceremonies or photoshoots.

7. Keep bugs at bay. Spray chair and reception table legs with insect repellent. Dryer sheets also can be tucked into inconspicuous spots to keep bugs away.

8. Save money on favors. Unless the favor is something to eat or something especially practical, you may consider skipping the favors altogether, as many guests tend to forget to take them home anyway.

9. Use page markers for seating. Use multicolored, self-sticking page markers to create easy seating arrangements. Each color can represent a category: His, Hers, Friends, Work.

10. Make a photo clothesline. A clever and inexpensive idea is to pin photos of the couple to a string, cataloguing how they met and their time together leading up to the wedding.

11. Use loose flower centerpieces. Loose flowers in a vase are easier to sort and transport home for guests who want a memento. Make precut butcher’s paper or cellophane available to make bouquets.

12. Stock up on string lights. Lights can be wrapped around trees outdoors, strung indoors around windows or draped along buffet tables to create a romantic ambiance.

Weddings can be expensive and stressful; therefore, couples can use all the tips they can to corral their expenses and tame their nerves.

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nged

Floral trends abound for weddings

By Pamela A. Keene What’s a wedding without flowers? But where should you start with selecting your bridal bouquet, attendants’ flowers, mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom flowers and floral arrangements for the ceremony and the reception?

“Pinterest has been a huge influence on today’s weddings and flowers,” says Dee Reising, wedding specialist and assistant manager at Occasions Florist on the Square in Gainesville. “Most brides have a pretty good idea about their wedding day when they come to us and flowers are a big part of creating that vision.”

The recent announcement of Ultraviolet as the 2018 Color of the Year will influence wedding color choices, from bridesmaid gowns to floral selections.

“We’re already seen brides come in and request Ultraviolet and other rich, bold tones,” says Tracy McDaniel, owner of Southern Grace in Flowery Branch. “This beautiful, eye-catching color has a romantic and elegant feel. Some of our brides have even asked to change their color palette, and they’re choosing muted blues or blush colors to complement this great color.”

Tracy says that adding copper tones and metallics, or choosing marble for centerpiece containers, can create a pleasing mix of both hard and soft textures.

Trends in the shape and form of bridal bouquets has changed over the past decade. Bridal bouquets are larger with more greenery and less ribbons and bows. “The style is cascading and looser,” Dee says. “And we’re adding texture with succulents, pine cones and other natural materials.”

The bridal bouquet is the focal point of the wedding and the other bouquets and flowers build from the tone set by the bride’s flowers. “By using some of the same materials in the attendants’ bouquets, it will carry out the theme of the décor,” Dee says.

“And for the men’s boutonnieres, using one or two flowers that are also in the bride’s bouquet is traditional.”

She says that millennial brides tend to like a simple approach to flowers and to select a variety of greenery to combine with blossoms. “Flowers like ranunculus, hydrangeas and peony are popular choices because they’re soft and feathery. Garden roses are used more often than traditional floral roses, and the greenery makes the arrangements more open and airy.”

Tracy agrees. “In the South, hydrangeas, or course, but ranunculus as a statement flower has staying power and a good range of colors,” she says. “Garden roses, which can look similar to peonies, are also chosen frequently. Colorful foliage plants that appear in weddings include Dusty Miller, eucalyptus and various shades of succulents. And we’re seeing more ‘farm to floral’ choices – locally grown garden flowers that we get from local growers.”

January 2018 | HOME | 33

Dee Reising, a florist at Occasions Florist, demonstrates assembling a bridal bouquet in Gainesville.

Photo by David Barnes

Rather than using streamers of ribbon or lace, the look of bouquets includes using a ribbon wrap to cover the flower stems, either partially or fully. Ribbon loops and bows have been replaced by high-end satin or raw silk. Tulle is very rarely used in bouquets.

The color palette reflects the bride’s personality. “Whether they’ve selected soft blush tones or bright mixed bouquets, their flower choices say a great deal about the bride,” she says.

Flower crowns and floral tiaras are often the headwear of choice, used to embellish a veil. “We’re seeing more brides ask for half-crowns that can be worn on the back of their heads to hold a veil,” Dee explains.

“And sometimes the bride will wear a formal veil for the ceremony, then change to a floral crown for the reception.”

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Dee Reising, a florist at Occasions Florist, brings out greenery for a bridal bouquet.

Photo by David Barnes

Wrist corsages for the mother-of-the-bride and motherof-the-groom sometimes give way to a small bunch of several flowers that are also used in the bride’s bouquet.

Flowers can be a major part of the expense of a wedding.

“From the flowers for the ceremony to table centerpieces and other décor for the reception, brides are finding out that arrangements can be repurposed,” Tracy says. “For instance, the attendants’ bouquets can be used on the cake table or to embellish the bride and groom table at the reception. Moving larger ceremony arrangements to be used in the reception is also done more often.”

The extent and type of floral arrangements depends on the venue for the ceremony and the reception. Some churches have guidelines that limit the number of displays.

Other venues may be able to suggest the number of types of arrangements that will provide ambience without being too expensive.

The wedding date may also have some bearing on the cost of flowers. “Flowers are seasonal, so ask what’s in season around your wedding date,” Dee says. “If you want peonies, they’re more expensive in the winter months.” However, with growers all over the world, if a bride wants a particular type of flower, it’s possible to order it ahead of time, but it will be more expensive.

“It’s important to have a budget in mind when choosing flowers, and it’s OK to talk about it,” Dee says. “When we know your budget, we can help suggest alternatives that will be more affordable and just as lovely.”

Getting the Gown

Christopher Davidson opened his tuxedo and bridal business in Gainesville in 1984. Photo by Scott Rogers

So many dresses; which one to pick?

By Pamela A. Keene Shopping for the perfect bridal gown can be one of the most important decisions a bride can make, and one of the most fun.

Imagine getting to try on beautiful gowns to find just the right dress for that special day.

“Many brides come to us with ideas of what they want their gown to be,”

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says Christopher Davidson, owner of Christopher’s in downtown Gainesville. “But I urge them to try on several styles to determine which is the most flattering for their body type. I’ll suggest a few types of gowns that they may not have imagined, and once they’ve tried them on, they often go with what I pick because they see how flattering it is on them.”

Trends in wedding gowns are constantly

changing and are influenced by the major fashion markets in Europe and New York.

However, it sometimes takes several years for those styles to make their way into American weddings.

“Vintage is still big, and many brides are choosing gowns with lace. Sleeves — either three-quarter or long — can be sheer or made of lace,” Davidson says. “Five years ago, we saw

Christopher Davidson displays a train.

more strapless gowns, often full ballgowns with big skirts. Today, brides are choosing more fitted and flared gowns with simple, clean lines.” He says that mermaid gowns are popular as well.

Wedding gowns often include bling in the form of beads, sequins, pearls and scroll patterns, but again, the simpler the better is the current style.

With the world’s eyes on American actress and royal fiancé Meghan Markle’s upcoming marriage to Prince Harry this spring, trains will be back in the spotlight. Among royalty, there are guidelines for train lengths, but there is some leeway. A 25-foot train like that worn by Princess Diana is most unusual. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, chose a 9-foot train, still a bit long by American standards, but suitable for royalty and the venue at Westminster Abbey.

Stateside, one of the most popular types is a slight sweep train that brushes the floor behind a gown. “When choosing a gown with a train, remember what will be underfoot and the practicality of having extra fabric to consider,” Davidson says. “Although trains can be as long as 3 to 5 feet, remember that, unless the train is detachable, you will need to manage it at the wedding and the reception.” He says tea-length gowns that brush the ankle are seeing a comeback.

“Veils are still in, but again brides have many choices,” Christopher says. “The shorter blusher veil covers the face of the bride, to about midbodice and is chosen by about 50 percent of our brides, but today, brides may choose not to cover their faces. From fingertip veils to the elegant chapel-length and cathedral veils, the choice is the bride’s, but also consider the setting. Longer trains and veils may not be as suitable for outdoor weddings.”

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Bridal expo at Gainesville Civic Center.

Photos by Carrie Jean Photography

A word about shoes. “Gone are the days of the dyed satin pumps,” he says. “The first thing is to select shoes that are comfortable for the bride, because they need to be sustainable for the day – both the wedding and the reception. If you decide to wear one pair for the ceremony and change shoes for the reception, make sure that both can accommodate the length of the gown and have comparable heel heights.”

Davidson recommends doing a bit of homework before beginning the search for “the” wedding gown.

“The more you try on gowns, the more confusing it can be,” Davidson says. “Go to websites and select a few silhouettes that you like and start there. Be open to suggestions and remind yourself of your budget. With so many choices, you’ll be able to find your perfect dress that makes your special day perfect.”

Anatomy of a Dress

Silhouette: This is essentially the basic shape of a gown and is typically the first consideration.

Bodice: The body of the gown above the waistline and below the neckline. The bodice can be embellished or plain.

Waistline: Where the bodice meets the skirt Skirt: Volume, length and depth is added by the shape and embellishment of the skirt, below the waistline.

Hemline: The bottom of the skirt. Can vary in length.

Train: Longer material off the back of the dress that trails behind the bride. Can sometimes be detatched.

Neckline: The range of necklines for gowns has expanded. Here are some of today’s more popular styles.

Sweetheart – shaped like the top half of a heart, can be strapless or include sheer fabric to the neckline Traditional straight – straight-line bodice typically without sheer fabric to the neckline Off-the-shoulder – neckline below the shoulder to emphasize the collarbone and shoulders with slight sleeves covering the top part of the arm Portrait – like the off-the-shoulder but with a wider softer scoop from shoulder to shoulder Scoop – U-shaped neckline, can be cut to varying depths Jewel – rounded neckline at the base of the neck V-neck – pointed dip in the front A wedding dress displayed at Christopher’s.

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Taking time to breathe:

Calm the soul through meditation

By Kayla Elder Rejuvenating the soul through quiet times is key to a healthy balance in life especially while planning a wedding. Three local faith leaders delve into the importance of incorporating intentional times of silence into daily life.

First Presbyterian Church senior pastor Lee Koontz, Grace Episcopal Church rector the Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham and Gainesville First United Methodist Church senior pastor Scott Hearn each offered advice on pursuing periods of stillness.

“You have to be very intentional about building that into your

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schedule because we are often busy with so many things that we naturally don’t end up in those times of contemplation, prayer or silence, which can be healthy and renewing,” Koontz said. “It can be hard making sure to schedule some time in the midst of all the busyness. We have these built-in times where life has slowed down and if we can make those prayer times, that is a good thing.”

Higginbotham has a room in his home set up specifically for prayer. Hearn said he has time set aside on his calendar every day as a reminder.

“Contemplative practice in silence is important to me as a priest,”

he said. “Part of my own practice is to try to have a time of silence each morning and I have a space in my house where I can go with a blanket, candles, music and different text that I can read ... that is a way I can anchor my day and my life in the middle of busyness.”

Higginbotham said some people sit by windows, on their patio outside or in a room for their quiet times.

“I have to put it on my calendar and reserve that spot. It has to be a discipline, and the more I do it, the more important it is to me and the more meaning it has,” Hearn said.

“To remember what truth is, the truth of God, what He says about me and who God says I am, His call on me as a husband, father and pastor — really start the day with that fresh on my mind and in my heart comes from spending time with God, journaling, reading scripture and praying.”

Quiet times look different for everyone, but Hearn said “it is as simple as just beginning” with “a time to not think and just breathe; to be still and listen to the true voice.”

“That is powerful,” Hearn said. “There are all kinds of devotions out there and those are great, but I like reading the Scriptures. For the feeding of my own soul, reading along and writing down what I believe the Lord is speaking to me is important.”

Koontz said adding prayer to everyday life takes practice.

“We think prayer has to be equated with words and if we don’t know what to say, then we can’t pray. It helps to cultivate silence in prayer as well. Prayer can mean listening and spending time in that silence listening for the voice of God and the moving of the Spirit. It can be really healthy times,” Koontz said.

“A lot of us are missing out because we are always in a rush and insistent on filling silence with words or activities when really we might benefit from the opposite.”

Higginbotham agreed saying that living in a world that is busy and filled with technology, though it serves its purpose, constantly distracts us.

“It makes us feel like every single second of our lives we need to be productive,” Higginbotham said. “It is important to take time during the day to just be and realize that you are not indispensable.”

Koontz described the act of spending time in silence before God as a woodcutter who sharpens his axes before cutting down a tree.

“In a spiritual sense, if we are constantly working and active, not paying attention of the need to recenter ourselves in what is important, it can be a little bit like that,” Koontz said. “The goal is that our lives would be connected to something bigger and something life-giving, spiritually beneficial to the community. If we are not grounded in that and don’t take the time to sit and reflect on the presence of God at work in our lives or the reality of God’s presence with us wherever we are, then we are not going to see that and won’t be able to share that gift with others.”

Koontz said it is important to talk to others about quiet times, whether it be a community of faith, small groups within the church or within the community.

“When we talk to others about something

we come to recognize that we are all facing that same challenge of the difficulty of finding that time, being intentional and focusing on our own spiritual development through prayer, quiet times and study,” Koontz said. “When you talk to other people about it, you can make a covenant with one another to take the time together to talk about it. That is always really helpful.”

Talking openly about those challenges and encouraging one another to spend time in silence, prayer and study is important, faith leaders said.

“Our world is so full of noise, sound, busyness and chaos that we tend to equate quiet or silence with something threatening. For example we call silence ‘dead silent,’” Koontz said. “To spend time in quiet, especially for a long and meaningful time, can be unnerving to us. I encourage people to rethink the way we approach silence and to see silence as a gift that God gives us for reflection, contemplation and prayer.”

Higginbotham agreed saying he encourages people to use breathing as a tool during quiet times.

“You learn how shallow most of us breathe during the day. What will happen is that you are given a door to yield and let go, when you have a thought or concern bring your attention back to your breath,” Higginbotham said. “A lot of people think they have to read a bunch of books or study a lot, but all we have to do is notice or breath. It is simple yet profound.”

Hearn added that quiet times help to “broaden my view of things.”

“Things that seem so urgent right now when I am in the presence of God do not seem nearly as urgent when I see them in a much larger picture from God’s perspective,” Hearn said. “I ask God in the morning as I am journaling ‘What would you have to say to me today,’ then I am quiet and listen. I write it down and underline it so I can go back through and see those things that I felt the Lord speaking to my heart and it is such an uplifting thing. It helps me to be more centered and recalibrated.”

Couples can benefit from hiring local vendors Local vendors are often a go-to choice when couples are planning their wedding ceremonies and receptions. As the “shop local” movement grows in popularity, weddings present a prime opportunity to embrace this movement.

Couples may have different ideas regarding where to tie the knot, but local vendors can be hired regardless of geography. Brides magazine says the biggest factor influencing wedding location is the size of the guest list and the number of people who wouldn’t be able to attend if the wedding was in a particular locale. Hometowns might be the traditional choice regarding wedding location, but the XO Group says one in four couples now host destination weddings.

Once couples choose a town or city to host their weddings, they can begin exploring the benefits of working with locally-based vendors.

Familiarity Local vendors will be familiar with the area and possibly even the location where the wedding will be held. That can help couples avoid having to give directions, discuss venue protocols, and handle other tasks that must be worked out with non-local vendors. For example, local photographers familiar with a particular venue will know all of the best places to get shots, and some vendors may have preexisting relationships with venue representatives that could ensure wedding day operations go smoothly.

Proximity Local vendors can meet with brides and grooms more readily

throughout the planning process, making things less stressful on the happy couple. This also makes it easier to drop off deposits, attend meetings, make fitting appointments, or attend styling sessions.

Savings Couples who travel for their weddings and employ local vendors will not have to pack as much. Using local vendors eliminates the need to bring along bulky dresses, decorative items, flowers, and much more.

Plus, couples needn’t pay to transport and house vendors brought along from back home.

Environment Individuals who take great strides to conserve resources by reducing their energy consumption and protecting the environment often find that shopping local is beneficial. Local vendors are more likely to source their materials from other local businesses, reducing their carbon footprints along the way. For example, local caterers may rely on local farmers for their foods, affording couples the chance to host eco-friendly or even farm-to-table weddings.

Customization Working with local vendors often translates into getting more personalized service and attention than mass retailers or merchants can provide.

Going local when choosing wedding vendors is an increasingly popular choice among couples about to tie the knot.

Gainesville Civic Center Bridal Expo What: Local wedding vendors from across North Georgia; fashion show When: 12:30-4 p.m. Jan. 14, 2018 Where: Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green Street NE., Gainesville More info: northgeorgiabridalexpo.com

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Braselton Chapel • 5257 Hwy 53 • Braselton, GA • 706-654-5405 January 2018 | HOME | 43

New trends in wedding transportation

grow

Couples planning their weddings routinely rely on professional transportation to bring them to and from the ceremony and reception. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study 2016, roughly half of all engaged couples will hire a transportation service such as a limousine or party bus for their weddings.

Wedding transportation options abound, and some are more popular than others. The following are some of the ways couples are getting to the altar on time.

Shuttles and buses: Investing in the guest experience means couples are seeking ways to provide comfort and convenience for their guests and wedding party members.

Rather than asking guests to get themselves to and fro, couples may employ buses or shuttles stocked with amenities

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to transport a greater number of people. The Real Weddings Study indicates this type of transport has grown considerably more popular in the last six years.

Exotic limousines: The chauffeur-driven limousine continues to be one of the most popular methods of transportation.

However, to set their weddings apart, couples are trending away from traditional stretch limousines and renting something more trendy, such as limos built upon sports cars. SUVbased limos are still popular, with Hummers, Escalades and Navigators offering the wow factor.

Vintage cars: For that A-list look right out of a classic movie, stepping out of a vintage vehicle creates red-carpet moments. Dream cars for this type of glamorous arrival and departure include Rolls Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and others. Many private companies rent classic vehicles. Couples also may contract with those who attend classic car shows.

Water transport: Couples celebrating by the ocean, a lake or a river can make a grand entrance aboard a vessel. Water taxis, pontoon

boats and even sleek speedboats may be the transportation of choice.

The Knot says that couples spend around 6.5 months researching their wedding day transportation options and will make their decision and a reservation five months before their weddings. The more exotic the transportation option, the earlier couples should make their decisions to ensure they can book their first choice.

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North Georgia Wedding Venues Directory Elachee Nature Science Center 2125 Elachee Drive Gainesville, Ga 770-535-1976 www.elachee.org Northeast Georgia History Center 322 Academy St. Gainesville, GA 770-297-5900 www.negahc.org Riverside Military Academy 2001 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 800-462-2338 www.riversidemilitary.com

Martha Hope Cabin 528 Prios St. NE Gainesville, GA 770-531-2680 www.gainesville.org

Waters Mill 751 Wesley Chapel Road Dahlonega, Ga 678-725-9245 www.watersmill.com/

Four Oaks Manor 3198 Hamilton Mill Road Buford, GA 770-614-7328 www.fouroaksmanor.com/

Brenau University 301 Main St. SW Gainesville, GA 770-534-8420 www.brenau.edu

Cold Creek Farms 491 Shoal Creek Road Dawsonville, GA 404-580-3484 www.coldcreekfarm.com

Carl House 1176 Atlanta Highway Auburn, GA 770-586-0095 www.carlhouse.com/

Buford Community Center 2200 Buford Highway Buford, GA 678-889-4627 www.bufordcommunitycenter. com

The Barn at Price Mountain 604 Price Mountain Road Pendergrass, GA 706-870-5421 pricemountainfarm.com

Chateau Elan 100 Rue Charlemagne Drive Braselton, GA 678-425-0900 www.chateauelan.com

Smithgall Arts Center 331 Spring St. SE Gainesville, GA 770-534-2787 www.theartscouncil.net

Bradford House & Gardens 6648 McEver Road Flowery Branch, GA 770-967-7821 thebradfordhouse.com

Royal Lakes Country Club 4700 Royal Lakes Drive Flowery Branch, GA 770-535-8800 royallakesgolf.com

The Ark @ Lake Lanier 6250 Old Dawsonville Road Gainesville, GA 404-285-3266 https://www.facebook.com/ thearkatlakelanier/

Robson Event Center 431 Green St. NW Gainesville, GA 770-654-9789 www.robsoneventcenter.net

Lake Lanier Olympic Park 3105 Clarks Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 770-535-0397 www.lakelanierolympicvenue. org

The Walters Barn 7743 Persimmon Tree Road Lula, GA 770-654-9789 www.soirees-southernevents. com/ Chattahoochee Country Club 3000 Club Drive Gainesville, GA 770-536-4461 www. chattahoocheecountryclub. com Gainesville Civic Center 830 Green St. Gainesville, GA 770-531-2680 www.gainesville.org

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Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Gainesville 1911 Sweetbay Drive Gainesville, GA 404-888-4760 atlantabg.org/visit/gainesville

Glen-Ella Springs 1789 Bear Gap Road Clarkesville, GA 706-754-7295 glenella.com Sautee Mountain Retreat 595 GA-255 Clarkesville, GA 404-985-7859 www.sauteemountainretreat. com Brasstown Valley Resort 6321 U.S. 76 Young Harris, GA 706-379-9900 www.brasstownvalley.com/ Braselton-Stover House 5257 GA-53 Braselton, GA 706-654-5405 www.braseltonstoverhouse. com/

Lanier Islands 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy Buford, GA 770-945-8787 www.lanierislands.com

Alpine Wedding Chapel Munich Strasse Helen, GA 706-878-5683 www.alpineweddingchapel. com/

Jaemor Farms 5340 Cornelia Highway Alto, GA 770-869-3999 www.jaemorfarms.com

Cornelia Community House 601 Wyly St., Cornelia, GA 706-778-8585 www.corneliageorgia.org

Juliette Chapel 497 GA-52 Dahlonega, Ga 678-978-8490 www.juliettechapel.com/ White Oaks Manor 211 Burgundy Way Dahlonega, Ga 706-867-6697 www.whiteoaksbarn.com/ Cavender Castle 121 Cavender Castle Drive Dahlonega, Ga 706-864-8594 www.cavendercastle.com Frog Town Winery 700 Ridge Point Drive Dahlonega, Ga 706-865-0687 www.frogtown.us Three Sisters Winery 439 Vineyard Way Dahlonega, Ga 706-865-9463 www.threesistersvineyards. com Densmore Farm 852 New Bridge Road Cleveland, GA 706-969-2200 www.thedensmorefarm.com/ Reunion Country Club 5609 Grand Reunion Drive Hoschton, GA 770-967-8300 www.reuniongolfclub.com

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