AUGUST 2021
Stave Chapel A sought-after wedding venue
Past and Present A bride’s heirloom wedding dress
CONTENTS 2021
FEATURES
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Factors to consider before booking a Holiday Wedding Metro Creative Connection
4
Stave Chapel at Green Lake Bible Camp is a sought-after wedding venue By Carolyn Lange | West Central Tribune
8
How to host a Socially Distant Wedding
ON THE COVER
Photo by Candace of C&C Photography 320-979-5991 candace@candcphotog.com
Metro Creative Connection
15
Seamstress stitches past and present in bride’s Heirloom Wedding Dress By Maria Lockwood | Forum News Service
21
How to find your Wedding Florist
Midwest Weddings is an annual publication of the West Central Tribune.
Metro Creative Connection
YOUR WEDDING CHECKLIST 10 THE BRIDE’S WEDDING CHECKLIST 11 THE GROOM’S WEDDING CHECKLIST
16 CEREMONY PLANNER 18 RECEPTION PLANNER 20 & 22 EXPENSE LIST
SPONSORED CONTENT
C&C Photography • 13 Capture Your Wedding Day
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ADVERTIISING MANAGER CHRISTIE STEFFEL FEATURES & SECTIONS EDITOR KIT GRODE PAGE DESIGNER SARA SLABY
14 STYLE PLANNER
Grandstay Hotel & Suites • 9 Where Happily Ever After Begins
PUBLISHER STEVE AMMERMAN
Paynesville American Legion and Paynesville Inn & Suites • 24 Everything You Need to Make Your Big Day a Success
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND STORY SUGGESTIONS: 320-235-1150 800-450-1150 csteffel@wctrib.com ATTN: Midwest Weddings West Central Tribune PO Box 839, Willmar, MN 56201-0839
Factors to consider before booking a
Holiday Wedding METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Holidays are conducive to festive atmospheres. Whether it’s seasonal celebrations for Christmas or Chanukah or summertime soirees on Fourth of July or Labor Day weekends, there’s no denying festive vibes tend to prevail when holidays turn up on the calendar. Weddings also are marked by festive atmospheres, and many couples are tempted to make their nuptials even more jovial by saying “I do” during holiday weekends. Before making that decision, couples may want to consider a host of factors as they try to determine if a holiday weekend wedding is for them. Availability: Guest availability is a big consideration for couples as they try to decide if holiday weekend weddings are a good fit. Many families have holiday traditions that they might be reluctant to give up. For example, families who build their annual vacations around the Fourth of July may already have booked their trips by the time the wedding date is announced. Couples who anticipate inviting a sizable number of guests may want to avoid holiday weekend weddings to ensure all of their friends and family members will be in attendance. Travel: Travel is another potential red flag for holiday weekend weddings. Asking guests to travel during weekends that are notoriously busy in regard to travel may be asking too much or it might make things more convenient for some guests. A 2019 report from the Transportation Security Administration indicated that nearly 27 million passengers were expected to pass through airport screening checkpoints during that year’s Thanksgiving travel period. Some guests may be reluctant to travel on busy holiday weekends, while others who are already traveling to the wedding destination may see holiday weddings as a great way to see their families and attend a wedding without having to pay for separate flights. In addition, some guests may be more likely to travel during a holiday weekend knowing they can return home at their leisure
Couples may want to consider a host of factors as they try to determine if a holiday weekend wedding is for them. Metro Creative Connection
since they don’t have to work on Monday. Couples can gauge their guests’ temperatures on holiday weekend travel before making their decision. Cost: Cost is always a consideration when planning a wedding, and it merits consideration for couples toying with the idea of getting married on or around a holiday as well. Venues tend to be less expensive on Fridays and Sundays, so couples who tie the knot on holiday weekends when no one has to work on Monday might save a considerable sum of money by tying the knot on Sunday. But venues and vendors may charge couples more if they get married on the Saturday of a holiday weekend. Competition for venues and vendors also may be greater during holiday weekends as people celebrate the holiday. That means couples may have to spend more to book their desired venues and vendors if they hope to get married during holiday weekends. Couples must consider a host of factors as they try to determine if holiday weekend weddings are right for them. MIDWEST WEDDING
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Stave Chapel at Green Lake Bible Camp is a sought-after wedding venue BY CAROLYN LANGE | WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE
K
irsten Palen and Jake Schwinghammer met in the summer of 2016 when they both worked as camp counselors at the Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer. There, they sang and prayed with campers in the Stave Chapel — a striking structure on a tree-lined hill built in 1940 in the style of an old Norwegian church — that is the focal place of worship at the Lutheran camp. Four years later, during the pandemic,
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the couple was married in the chapel. “It’s where we became friends and fell in love,” said Palen. “We loved the space so much and the many memories we have there together,” said Palen, who now works as the marketing and development director at Green Lake Bible Camp. They didn’t consider any other wedding venue. Nate and Chelsey Crary have a similar story.
They met while working at Green Lake Lutheran Ministries about a decade ago and were married in the Stave Chapel in 2012. Knowing that the chapel is a popular wedding venue and booked well into the future, as soon as they were engaged at Christmastime they called the camp to find out which — if any — dates were open for the next summer. “It happened there were still two weekends available, so that’s how we
Stave Chapel at Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer. Photos by Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
picked our date,” said Nate. By taking advantage of the chapel’s unique design, Nate said he and his wife kept their wedding decorations minimal. “It’s such a beautiful setting with the stained glass and natural wood,” he said. “There’s just a built-in beauty.” Getting married in the chapel brought their relationship “full circle,” he said.
History of the Stave Chapel
The Stave Chapel is the “heart” of the Green Lake Bible Camp, said Travis Aufderheide, executive director of Green Lake Lutheran Ministries. So it makes sense that it captures the heart of so many people in love, who want to begin their marriage there. “It works incredibly well as a wedding venue and to be part of
people’s special day is exciting,” said Aufderheide, adding that about one out of every three or four weddings held in the chapel involve people with a strong history at the camp. It’s not known when the chapel was first used as a wedding venue, but Aufderheide said it was likely shortly after it was built in 1940, when the camp was just starting. The iconic blueprint of the chapel was based on a design supposedly “scratched out on the back of a napkin” in a local coffee shop by P.O. “Peter” Nasvik, a St. Paul designer, according to Aufderheide. According to a collection of histories about American Lutheran church camps compiled by Ralph Yernberg, Nasvik went to Norway in 1930 and took photos of a traditional stave church in Bergen and copied the floor plan and unique details of the building.
“
It’s such a beautiful setting with the stained glass and natural wood. There’s just a built-in beauty. - Nate Crary -
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LEFT TO RIGHT: With flowers and fountains as a backdrop, Kirsten Palen and Jake Schwinghammer were married in the Stave Church at the Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer, where the two met while working as counselors. Photo courtesy of Kirsten Palen and Jake Schwinghammer The Stave Chapel at Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer can accommodate 250 people. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune Nate Crary and his wife, Chelsey, met while working as counselors at the Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer. They were married in the camp’s Stave Chapel in 2012. Photo courtesy of Nate and Chelsey Crary The Stave Chapel was designed and built in 1940 by Peter Nasvik, modeled after the traditional Norwegian Stave churches. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
I N C R E D I B LY
easy.
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He then waited for “the opportunity to erect the chapel of his dreams in the proper setting.” That opportunity came shortly after the Green Lake Bible Camp was organized in 1938 and the board of directors decided to build a worship space to augment the outdoor ministry. They hired Nasvik, whose family continues to be involved with the Stave Chapel, including a 1995 project to move it 40 feet up a hill and make renovations such as adding gardens and water features. The changes and the continued maintenance of the Stave Chapel is meant to honor the “designer’s eye,” said Aufderheide. During the summer days, the chapel is filled with a couple hundred kids singing, laughing and worshipping together, said Aufderheide, who confesses he has a hard time visualizing the chapel without someone playing a guitar to lead a round of camp songs. He said wedding couples bring their own character to the chapel and “make it their own” as they celebrate the “most cherished” moments of their lives.
Pandemic wedding
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Kirsten and Jake got engaged in January of 2019 and started planning their wedding for 2020. The original plan was for a guest list of 250 people, which is the seating capacity of the Stave Chapel. “We knew right away we wanted to use the chapel,” she said. “We appreciated the memories that we had there ... and it’s beautiful in such a unique way that it fit our personalities,” she said. “There aren’t many other spaces that are similar. So that was really special for us too.” They planned to have their reception at the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center in rural Spicer. But COVID-19 hit and the couple moved to plan A and then plan B. “And then we were on plan G and H,” she said, and they started scaling back the guest list based on ever-changing health guidelines. 3004_WedGuide_3_56x4_75_071321
“We didn’t want to be a wedding where an outbreak happened,” said Kirsten. They had considered postponing the wedding but decided they had been engaged long enough and “we just wanted to get married.” In the end, they determined they could have about 30 people in the chapel on their wedding day, Sept. 26, 2020. They sent letters “un-inviting” guests and asked them to participate in different ways, like watching the ceremony via a livestream or doing something fun on the wedding day and taking photos to send to the couple. “It was nice to know people were still thinking of us,” she said. The day was perfect, she said. “It was really special.” She had heard others say their own weddings went by so fast and they didn’t get to talk to everyone, but because of their small crowd “we remember everything” because they had time to spend with everyone. “It was perfect for us,” she said.
Booked up
While the Stave Chapel is a popular wedding venue for former Green Lake Bible Camp campers and staff, the unique architecture of the interior and the flowers, fountains and stones in the outdoor gardens also make it a sought-after venue by those without a personal connection to the camp. The chapel is heated and airconditioned but is typically closed from January until the end of April, according to Steph Holme, who handles the registrations for renting the chapel for weddings. In an average year, there are about 20 weddings held in the Stave Chapel. By mid-July of 2021, there were 11 weddings booked for 2022 and one is already scheduled for 2023. Holme said she receives calls a year or two in advance from people asking what dates are available. She’s noticed a shift in the toprequested months. In the past, June and July were sought after, but now September and October are the more popular months, she said.
The Green Lake Lutheran Ministries also has a quaint, little white church at their other site, the Shores of Lake Andrew Bible Camp near New London, that is available as a wedding venue from May through September. The Marble Church at Shores of Lake Andrew was donated and moved to the camp in 2004 from its original location in Canby. Holme said each year three to four weddings are typically held at the Marble Church at Shores of Lake Andrew, which has seating for 120 people. Both facilities have a Rondo organ, Yamaha grand piano and sound system available. For more information about booking either the Stave Chapel at the Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer or the Marble Church at Shores of Lake Andrew in rural New London, call Green Lake Lutheran Ministries at 320-796-2181. An online form is also available on the camp’s website, www.gllm.org. Contact the author at clange@wctrib.com
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How to host a
Socially Distant Wedding METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
It’s likely that few people heard of “social distancing” prior to 2020. That changed as the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spread rapidly across the globe and the world found itself in the midst of a deadly pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines social distancing as keeping a safe distance of at least six feet between yourself and other people who are not from your household. Public health officials continue to champion social distancing while acknowledging the fatigue that many people have experienced as the pandemic stretched on for months. Though much of the world hit the proverbial pause button, life went on during the pandemic. Perhaps nowhere was that more evident than at the altar, where many couples still tied the knot, albeit in scaled back ceremonies that adhered to social distancing guidelines in their communities. Engaged couples who have yet to tie the knot no doubt recognize that planning a socially distant wedding will not be the same as organizing more traditional ceremonies and receptions. While planning a socially distant wedding presents some unique challenges, couples can take certain steps to ensure their big day is memorable and safe. Spread the socially distant word. Let guests know what they’re in for should they decide to take part in the festivities. Many people have strictly followed social distancing guidelines, while others have been reluctant to do so. Couples intent on keeping themselves and their guests safe from COVID-19 should emphasize that their weddings will be socially distant affairs so there’s no confusion come the big day. Stream the wedding online. Stream the wedding online for those guests who won’t be in attendance. By the end of 2020, millions of people had already “attended” weddings via platforms like Zoom, so loved ones may be experienced virtual guests by the time couples walk down the aisle in 2021. Couples who may need some help planning virtual affairs can visit the virtual wedding coordinators at Wedfuly.com, who 8 | MIDWEST WEDDING
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While planning a socially distant wedding presents some unique challenges, couples can take certain steps to ensure their big day is memorable and safe. Metro Creative Connection
recently partnered with Zoom to help couples bring their ceremonies online. Pare down the in-person guest list. Couples who planned large weddings prior to the pandemic can still invite all of their loved ones to witness the festivities online, but pare down the in-person guest list to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Limit in-person guests to immediate family and those people who are part of your social distancing bubble. Plan a party for down the road. Couples can still celebrate their nuptials with family and friends down the road. Plan a post-pandemic reception and let guests know you will fill them in on the details once social distancing restrictions have been lifted. Socially distant weddings may require couples to take some unusual steps as they try to tie the knot while keeping themselves and their loved ones safe.
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THE BRIDE ’S
Wedding Checklist The details involved in wedding planning may seem overwhelming at times. Here is a helpful checklist to keep your planning on track. 6-12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Select a wedding date & time ☐ Make a preliminary budget ☐ Select bridal attendants ☐ Plan reception ☐ Determine the type of wedding you want ☐ Reserve your ceremony & reception location ☐ Determine who will officiate at the ceremony ☐ Hire a wedding consultant, if you plan to use one ☐ Decide on your color scheme ☐ Determine the size of your guest list ☐ Start compiling names & addresses of guests ☐ Have fiancé select attendants ☐ Check catering facilities, if at a club or hotel ☐ Select a caterer, if one is necessary ☐ Select a professional photographer ☐ Select a reliable, creative florist ☐ Select your dress and headpiece ☐ Announce your engagement in the newspaper 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Make final arrangements for ceremony (deposits paid, contracts signed) ☐ Make sure all bridal attire is ordered ☐ Have both mothers coordinate and select their dresses ☐ Register at a bridal registry in the towns of both families ☐ Order invitations and personal stationary ☐ Complete the guest list and compile them in order ☐ Select the men’s wedding attire and reserve the right sizes ☐ Check requirements for blood test and marriage license in your state ☐ Make appointment for physical exam (if your state requires one) ☐ Shop for wedding rings
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Start planning the honeymoon Decide where you will live after the wedding ☐ Begin shopping for trousseau ☐ ☐
2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Address invitations and announcements They should be mailed four to six weeks before the wedding ☐ Finalize all details with caterer, photographer, florist, reception hall manager, musicians, etc ☐ Order wedding cake, if not supplied by caterer ☐ Finalize ceremony details with officiant ☐ Make rehearsal arrangements ☐ Plan rehearsal dinner ☐ Plan bridesmaid’s luncheon ☐ Make appointment with hair dresser ☐ Arrange accommodations for out-of-town 1 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Have a final fitting for your gown and bridal attendant’s dresses ☐ Have a formal bridal portrait done ☐ Complete all physical or dental appointments ☐ Get blood test and marriage license ☐ Make transportation arrangements for wedding day ☐ Purchase gifts for attendants ☐ Purchase gift for fiancé, if gifts are be exchanged ☐ Have the bridesmaid’s luncheon ☐ Purchase going away outfit ☐ Keep a careful record of all gifts received (write thank-you notes immediately instead of letting them pile up) ☐ Make sure you have all accessories, toasting goblets, ring pillow, garter, candles, etc ☐ Select a responsible person to handle guest book and determine its location 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Attend to business and legal details.
Get necessary forms to change names on Social Security card, driver’s license, insurance and medical plans, bank accounts; make a will ☐ Prepare wedding announcements to be sent to the newspaper ☐ Reconfirm accommodations for out-of town guests ☐ Arrange to have possessions and gifts moved to your new home. Give a change-of-address card to the post office ☐ Finish addressing announcements to be mailed on the wedding day THE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Contact guests who have not responded ☐ Give the final count to the caterer to review details ☐ Go over final details with all professional services you have engaged. Inform them of any changes ☐ Give photographer the list of pictures you want ☐ Give all musicians the list of music for the ceremony and reception ☐ Plan the seating arrangments ☐ Arrange for someone to assist with last-minute seating errands and help you dress ☐ Practice having your hair done to make sure it comes out properly, and determine the time it will take ☐ Practice using your make-up in the same type of lighting you will have on the wedding date ☐ Keep up with writing your thank-you notes ☐ Pack your suitcase for the honeymoon ☐ Make sure you have the wedding rings, and they fit ☐ Make sure all wedding attire is picked up and it fits ☐ Have a rehearsal with all participants, reviewing their duties ☐ Attend a rehearsal dinner party, stay calm and enjoy yourself
THE GROOM’S
Wedding Checklist The bride is not the only one with planning to do! Here’s what the groom should do before the big day: 6-12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Discuss with fiancé the date and type of wedding ☐ Start on your guest list ☐ Choose best man and ushers ☐ Start planning and making arrangements for the honeymoon 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Shop with fiancé for wedding ring ☐ Complete your guest list, including full names, addresses and phone numbers ☐ Check requirements for marriage license ☐ Select and order men’s wedding attire with fiancé ☐ Finalize all honeymoon plans and send in deposits if required 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Meet with officiant to finalize ceremony details ☐ Assist parents with plans for the rehearsal dinner party ☐ Discuss the amount and the financial arrangement for the flowers that are the groom’s responsibility ☐ Arrange accommodations for out-of-town attendants 1 MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ See that all attendants have been fitted and wedding attire has been ordered ☐ Purchase gifts for groomsmen and ushers ☐ Purchase wedding gifts for fiancé, if gifts are being exchanged ☐ Pick up wedding rings and make sure they fit
☐
Take care of business and legal affairs (add fiancé’s name to insurance policies and medical plans, make a will, add her name to a joint checking account, or joint charge cards
2 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Together with fiancé, gather necessary documents and get your marriage license ☐ Arrange wedding day transportation ☐ Reconfirm accommodations for out-of-town guests ☐ If moving, give change of address card to post office; arrange to have utilities and phone service turned on in new home ☐ Have your hair cut THE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING ☐ Discuss all final details with fiancé, offer to assist if needed ☐ Pick up and try on wedding attire ☐ See the attendants get their wedding attire ☐ If flying, make sure you have plane tickets ☐ See to it that you and your attendants are at the rehearsal and that they know their duties ☐ Go over special seating or pew cards with ushers ☐ Make sure luggage is in the car or the hotel where you will stay your first night
☐
Attend rehearsal dinner, relax and
enjoy yourself DON’T FORGET TO: HONOR THE GROOMSMEN Weddings are all about the brides, or so it would seem. While all eyes are on the bride, the groom sometimes goes unnoticed. One person who shouldn’t fail to notice the groomsmen is the groom himself. Groomsmen can and often do have significant responsibilites. A good groom should recognize the efforts of his groomsmen and give gifts as an aknowledegment of their efforts. FOLLOWING ARE SOME GIFT IDEAS: COMMEMORATE THE RECEPTION Men tend to focus on the celebratory aspects of the day. Grooms can give a personalized gift as a means of commemorating the day. REMINISCE THE BACHELOR PARTY These days, weekend getaways are a common theme to many bachelor parties. Consider gifts that evoke memories of that special weekend where you were the guest of honor. TAKE THE MORE FANCIFUL ROUTE For grooms whose wedding will be an elegant affair, celebrate that elegance by giving each of your groomsmen and engraved pocket watch.
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Capturing these special moments provide timeless photos that we are sure you will treasure for a lifetime. Tel: 320-979-5991 | candace@candcphotog.com | candcphotog.com 12 | MIDWEST WEDDING
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Style Planner CEREMONY DATE 1ST CHOICE___________________________________ 2ND CHOICE___________________________________ WEDDING SIZE ☐ ELOPE 0-4 PEOPLE ☐ SMALL 50-100 PEOPLE ☐ MEDIUM 100-200 PEOPLE ☐ LARGE 200+ PEOPLE FORMALITY
☐ VERY FORMAL
☐ FORMAL
☐ SEMI-INFORMAL
TIME OF DAY
☐ MORNING
☐ AFTERNOON
☐ EVENING
☐ INFORMAL
WEDDING THEME (IF ANY) _______________________________________________________________________________________ CEREMONY LOCATION 1ST CHOICE________________________________ 2ND CHOICE_________________________________ RECEPTION LOCATION 1ST CHOICE________________________________ 2ND CHOICE_________________________________ PERSONALIZE YOUR CEREMONY PROCESSIONAL__________________
VOWS____________________________
RECESSIONAL_____________________
OPENING WORDS________________
RING EXCHANGE__________________
SYMBOLIC RITUALS________________
GIVING AWAY BLESSING___________
UNITY CANDLE____________________
MUSIC CHOICES___________________
READINGS _______________________
BENEDICTION_____________________
RECEPTION MUSIC_________________
PRAYERS________________________
CLOSING WORDS__________________
OTHER___________________________
WEDDING STYLE ☐ CASUAL
☐ FAMILY ORIENTED
☐ OUTDOOR
☐ SIMPLE
☐ CONTEMPORARY
☐ FANTASY
☐ PERSONAL
☐ SOPHISTICATED
☐ COUNTRY
☐ FESTIVE
☐ PRIVATE
☐ SPIRITUAL
☐ DRAMATIC
☐ FUN
☐ QUAINT
☐ STYLISH
☐ ELABORATE
☐ GLAMOROUS
☐ RELAXED
☐ TRADITIONAL
☐ ELEGANT
☐ INDOOR
☐ RELIGIOUS
☐ UNIQUE
☐ ETHNIC
☐ INTIMATE
☐ ROMANTIC
☐ WARM
PLAN YOUR DAY YOUR COMPLETE WEDDING-DAY TIMELINE FOR A STRESS-FREE DAY ☐ WAKE UP
☐ FORMAL GROUP PHOTOS
☐ FIRST DANCE
☐ DRESSING
☐ LEAVE FOR THE RECEPTION
☐ FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE
☐ LEAVE FOR THE CEREMONY
☐ COCKTAIL HOUR
☐ MOTHER-SON DANCE
☐ PHOTOS BEFORE THE CEREMONY
☐ ARRIVE AT THE RECEPTION
☐ CHANGE CLOTHES (IF APPLICABLE)
☐ PARENTS & GUESTS ARRIVE
☐ TOASTS
☐ BRIDE & GROOM LEAVE
☐ WEDDING CEREMONY BEGINS
☐ RECEPTION MEAL
☐ RECEIVING LINE
☐ CAKE CUTTING
NOTES:
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RECEPTION ☐ RECEPTION ENDS
LEFT TO RIGHT: Laura Bechard models a wedding dress that was worn by both her mother and grandmother at The Stitchery in Superior in March of 2021. Much of the lace was damaged when Bechard cleaned it, so she brought the dress to seamstress Megan Alanen to be refurbished. Laura Bechard’s mother, Ann Nelson, poses in her wedding dress the day she married Jerry Bechard, Sept. 6, 1980. It was the same dress Bechard’s grandmother wore in 1957. Laura Bechard’s grandmother, Ethel Hasart, poses in her wedding dress at Plymouth Congregational Church on Sept. 7, 1957, the day she wed Harlan Nelson. Photos courtesy of Laura Bechard
Seamstress stitches past and present in bride’s
Heirloom Wedding Dress
BY MARIA LOCKWOOD | FORUM NEWS SERVICE
P
iece by piece, a family heirloom from the 1950s is being rebuilt. For Megan Alanen, owner of The Stitchery in Superior, Wis., the delicate gown of satin and lace has become a passion project.
into restyling the handmade gown. “I just think it’s really special,” Alanen said. “I wish I had my grandma’s dress to wear.” Three generations of Laura Bechard’s family have said yes to this dress. It has
“I want to respect the dress,” she said. This is the busiest time of the year for the seamstress. She tailored dresses for 18 June weddings and has 22 brides getting married in July, 16 in August and 21 in September. Yet she’s poured hours
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Ceremony Planner DATE________________TIME_______________LOCATION___________________________________________________________ ADDRESS________________CONTACT_______________PHONE _________________________FEE_________________________ REHEARSAL_____________________________________________DATE_______________________TIME_____________________ OFFICIANT(S)____________________________________________OFFICIANT(S) PHONE__________________________________ # OF ROWS RESERVED_____________________# OF PEOPLE________________________________________________________ PEW 1 ________________ PEW 2 ________________ PEW 3 ________________ PEW _____________________________________ CEREMONY MUSIC SELECTIONS: _______________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PHOTOGRAPHY
VIDEOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHER___________________________________
VIDEOGRAPHER___________________________________
ADDRESS_________________________________________
ADDRESS_________________________________________
EMAIL_____________________________________________
EMAIL_____________________________________________
CONTACT_______________PHONE____________________
CONTACT_______________PHONE____________________
NUMBER OF HOURS BOOKED________________________
NUMBER OF HOURS BOOKED________________________
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION_______________PRICE________
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION_______________PRICE________
NUMBER OF PHOTOS TAKEN_________________________
NUMBER OF HOURS TOTAL TAPING___________________
DATE PREVIEWS WILL BE READY______________________
DATE FINISHED TAPE WILL BE READY_________________
ADDITIONAL REPRINTS COSTS_______________________
COST OF ADDITIONAL COPIES_______________________
IMPORTANT CONTACTS BRIDE’S ATTIRE
FLOWERS
BRIDAL SHOP______________________________________
FLORIST___________________________________________
CONSULTANT______________________________________
ADDRESS_________________________________________
PHONE____________________________________________
PHONE____________________________________________
ADDRESS_________________________________________
CONTACT_________________________________________
ALTERATIONS______________________________________
STATIONERY
FITTING DATES_____________________________________ PHONE____________________________________________ ADDRESS_________________________________________ PICK-UP DATE______________________________________
GROOM’S ATTIRE
PRINTER/STATIONER________________________________ ADDRESS_________________________________________ PHONE__________________CONTACT_________________ ORDER DATE___________________DATE READY_________ # CEREMONY GUESTS_____# RECEPTION GUESTS______
TUXEDO STORE_____________________________________
CAKE
CONSULTANT______________________________________
BAKERY___________________________________________
PHONE____________________________________________
ADDRESS_________________________________________
ADDRESS_________________________________________
PHONE____________________________________________
PICK-UP DATE______________________________________
CONTACT_________________________________________
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CONTINUED FROM 15
carried the wedding day hopes of three brides since it was first worn in 1956; Bechard will be the fourth. “I thought it would be a neat concept if it worked out to try and wear the dress that both my mother and my grandmother had worn,” said Bechard, a Wisconsin native who now lives in Duluth. The first bride to wear the dress was her greataunt Linda, who married Leslie Hasart on Aug. 25, 1956. Bechard’s grandmother Ethel, Leslie’s younger sister, liked the gown so much that she asked to wear it for her wedding the next year. Ethel Hasart and Harlan Nelson walked down the aisle at Plymouth Congregational Church in Eau Claire, Wis., on Sept. 7, 1957. The couple celebrated more than 50 years of marriage before their deaths in 2016. An article in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram about the Nelson wedding described the bride’s dress in detail: “Her floor length gown of French Rosepoint lace and pleated nylon tulle over bridal satin was styled with a lace Mandarin collar, trimmed with sequins and pearls, and long tapered sleeves. Panels of lace accented the skirt. She carried white carnations centered with an orchid.” Decades later, Bechard’s mother, Ann, wore the same dress for her Sept. 6, 1980, marriage to Jerry Bechard at Lake Street United Methodist Church in Eau Claire. It returned to her great-aunt’s side of the family, but was given to Bechard as she was finishing high school. “They were looking to get rid of the dress, but had called up my grandma to see if she wanted it back or if my mom wanted it back, and my grandma asked me and I said I’d take it at that point,” Bechard said. It remained in her closet as she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a bachelor’s degree in community and environmental sociology and a master’s degree in international development. When fiance Zachary Latimore proposed on her birthday in February, Bechard pulled out the dress. Initially white, it had yellowed with age. The bride-to-be spent a day washing it with OxiClean and drying it on their basement table to brighten it up. The resulting ivory color is beautiful, but the process disintegrated much of the lace, including three large skirt panels. “As soon as it hit the water, the lace didn’t hold up,” Bechard said. She sought help from The Stitchery. Alanen got her first glimpse of the dress March 22; it was wrapped in a towel in a laundry basket. “When she first saw the dress, she marveled at the quality of the original fabric,” Bechard said. Alanen offered a dizzying array of options for the gown. Since then, Bechard has tried on a number of other wedding dresses and searched for inspiration CONTINUED ON 19
Megan Alanen looks over the deteriorating lace on the back of an antique wedding dress at her shop, The Stitchery, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Superior. Jed Carlson / Forum News Service
Jana Mae’s Floral, Gifts, & Event Rental 950 State Hwy 55, Brooten, MN 56316 320-346-4070 www.janamaesinc.com MIDWEST WEDDING
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Reception Planner DATE________________TIME_______________LOCATION____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_____________________________CONTACT_________________________PHONE _______________________________ FEE___________________DEPOSIT_____________________________FOOD SERVICE TIME_______________________________ CANCELLATION TERMS_________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES FACILITY PROVIDE
DINNER/RECEPTION MUSIC
ACCESS FOR DECORATING?__________________________
GROUP/BAND/DJ______________________________________
DANCE FLOOR?____________________________________
CONTACT____________________________________________
SECURITY?________________________________________
PHONE_______________________________________________
ADEQUATE PARKING?_______________________________
PLAYING FROM _________________TO____________________
SETUP?__________________________CLEANUP?________
NEED EARLY SET UP TIME?_____________________________
SERVERS?______________________HOW MANY?________
COST______________________DEPOSIT___________________
BARTENDERS?__________________HOW MANY?________
BALANCE DUE_____________WHEN______________________
TABLES & CHAIRS?__________________________________ HANDICAP ACCESS?________________________________ VALET PARKING?___________________________________
CATERING PLANNER CATERER_______________________ADDRESS________________________________CONTACT_______________________ PHONE_____________________________________________________SERVICE DATE____________TIME____________________ RECEPTION LOCATION____________________________________PRICE__________________________________________
COST LIQUOR & BEVERAGES SUPPLIER__________________CONTACT_______________ ADDRESS_________________________________________
PER PERSON________ X NUMBER OF GUESTS__________ = TOTAL___________________________________________
DOES COST COVER
PHONE__________________PICK-UP/DELIVER__________
ALL NECESSARY EQUIPMENT?_______________________
OPEN BAR FROM________________TO_________________
CHINA & FLATWARE?_______________________________
CASH BAR FROM________________TO_________________
ROOM SETUP?_____________________________________
CHAMPAGNE FOR TOAST _____WINE(S) FOR DINNER___
TAXES & GRATUITY?________________________________
OTHER BEVERAGES______________COST______________
CAKE CUTTING?____________________________________
NOTES:
18 | MIDWEST WEDDING
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The Stitchery owner and seamstress Megan Alanen works on pinning the collar to the top of an antique wedding dress at her shop Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Superior. Jed Carlson / Forum News Service CONTINUED FROM 17
online to create a blueprint for the refurbishing process. It includes salvaging as much of the lace as possible and adding it back as edging for the front skirt panels and decoration for the bodice, which will have a new underpinning of Swiss dot tulle. The long, tapered sleeves have been removed. Instead, the same high collar will grace a halter-style top that is better suited for Bechard and Latimore’s August wedding. “This has been a joy to work on,” Alanen said. “I just can’t wait to see what it’s like when it’s done.” Bechard said she has appreciated
working with someone who’s just as excited as she is about the project. “I wish my grandma would have been able to see this process,” she said. “I think she would be excited and have a very similar mentality as my mom, like ‘Well, if it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t,’ but I think (she would) be excited in the end.” A number of Bechard’s great aunts and uncles are expected to attend the wedding. Her grandmother was one of 13 siblings. “I just hope that she can see me wear it from wherever she is,” the Duluth woman said.
Dress preservation
Alanen said the body oils that get on a dress during a wedding can stain and damage the fabric. Brides hoping to pass on their dresses may want to consider having them professionally cleaned and preserved by a company such as the Wedding Gown Preservation Company. “My mom did that for her dress and after 23 years, their basement flooded and the corner of the box got wet. So she cracked it open and it looks good as new,” Alanen said.
McKale’s Catering Weddings · Reunions · Groom’s Dinners · Social Events · On-Site Charcoal Grilling
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AUGUST 2021 | 19
Expense List WEDDING PARTIES
CEREMONY
ENGAGEMENT PARTY $_________ BRIDESMAID’S LUNCH $_________ REHEARSAL DINNER $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
LOCATION FEE $_________ OFFICIANT FEE $_________ MARRIAGE LICENSE $_________ DECORATIONS $_________ PROGRAM PRINTING $_________ AISLE RUNNER $_________ RINGS $_________ PILLOW $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
TRANSPORTATION LIMOUSINES $_________ TRANSPORT FOR GUESTS $_________ PARKING $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
BRIDE’S ATTIRE
HONEYMOON TRANSPORTATION $_________ ACCOMMODATIONS $_________ FOOD $_________ CLOTHING $_________ ENTERTAINMENT $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
WEDDING DRESS $_________ ALTERATIONS $_________ HEADPIECE & VEIL $_________ SHOES $_________ ACCESSORIES $_________ JEWLERY $_________ DRESSES FOR OTHER PARTIES $_________ UNDERGARMENTS $_________ HAIR STYLING $_________ MANICURE/PEDICURE $_________ COSMETICS $_________ SKINCARE $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
STATIONARY $_________ INVITATIONS $_________ ANNOUNCEMENTS $_________ THANK-YOU CARDS $_________ AT-HOME CARDS $_________ STAMPS $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
GROOM’S ATTIRE
FLOWERS
TUXEDO $_________ SHOES $_________ CUFF LINKS $_________ HAIR STYLING $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
CEREMONY ARRANGEMENTS $_________ BRIDE’S BOUQUET $_________ GROOM’S BOUTONNIERE $_________ BRIDESMAID’S BOUQUETS $_________ CORSAGES & BOUTONNIERES $_________ FLOWER GIRL/ RINGBEARER $_________ RECEPTION CENTERPIECES $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
MUSIC CEREMONY MUSICIANS $_________ BAND/DJ $_________ EXTRA MUSICIANS $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
20 | MIDWEST WEDDING
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CORRESPONDENCE
How to find your
Wedding Florist METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Weddings join the lives of two loving individuals so they can share their future with one another. Various elements help make weddings both momentous and magical. Some weddings adhere to themes that are designed to make an impression and showcase couples’ personalities. Floral arrangements are key components of wedding themes, as they help to establish ambiance at both the ceremony and reception. Flowers can easily help couples achieve a desired vibe, whether that’s rustic, romantic, modern, or even whimsical. Skilled florists may use a variety of flowers and foliage, as well as dramatic displays to help create the couple’s wedding day vision. According to an internal study from the wedding advice and planning resource The Knot, which surveyed more than 27,000 couples who got married in 2019, the average cost of wedding flowers was $2,000 in 2019. However, the cost of floral arrangements can vary depending on the scope of the arrangements and choice of flowers, including whether they’re in season or not. It is essential for couples to spend time vetting potential florists to find one who will produce their desired vision at a price that fits their budget. These guidelines can make the process go more smoothly. Establish your theme early on. Floral arrangements will complement and enhance other elements of the wedding, including color scheme and the wedding theme. If your wedding theme ties into a specific season, you will work with the florist to find blooms and other pieces that coordinate. For example, winter weddings with white, ice blue and silver color schemes may coordinate with white ranunculus flowers, dahlias, dusty miller foliage, and viburnum berries. Bring swatches and photographs to consultations. It is easier to explain color palettes to a florist with examples in hand. Show the florist the types of arrangements you prefer and have actual fabric swatches from bridesmaid gowns or groomsmen vests so that colors can be complemented. Create a list of desired items. Florists may sell items a la carte or have packages of common floral pieces for wedding celebrations. Types of floral arrangements include bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, maid of honor bouquet, corsages for mothers/grandmothers, boutonnieres for groomsmen and fathers/ grandfathers, flower girl headpiece, petals to sprinkle, table centerpieces, altar arrangements, pew or chair decorations, and cake decorations.
Go easy on aroma. Tread lightly when selecting blooms that have strong aromas. They may be beautiful, but many people are sensitive to smells. Allergies also may be exacerbated by flowers with strong aromas. Discuss options with the florist before proceeding. Explain your budget. Research the average cost of floral arrangements and let the florist know what you can afford. This can help the florist narrow down options or make substitutions that fit your theme and your budget. Couples can take certain steps as they choose floral arrangements for their weddings. Cost should not be the only factor in the decision, even though it is an important one.
Keep your Wedding Gown Forever Young in our Preservation Box. For the past 60 years, Schwegman’s Cleaners has been the leader in wedding gown cleaning and preservation.
108 Minnesota Ave. | Willmar, MN | 235-2545 MIDWEST WEDDING
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Expense List RECEPTION
MISCELLANEOUS
RECEPTION SITE FEE $_________ DECORATIONS $_________ HOR D’ OEUVRES $_________ MAIN MEAL $_________ WEDDING CAKE $_________ OTHER DESSERT $_________ CAKE TOP $_________ CAKE KNIFE $_________ WINE & CHAMPAGNE $_________ OTHER BEVERAGE $_________ TOASTING GLASSES $_________ PLACE CARDS $_________ MONOGRAMMED NAPKINS $_________ RENTAL OF TABLEWARE, TENTS, $_________ FURNITURE, ETC TIPS & FEES TO FOOD SERVERS, DOORMEN, COATCHECK, $_________ VALET, ETC OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
WEDDING CONSULTANT $_________ GUEST FAVORS $_________ BIRDSEED/ CONFETTI PACKETS $_________ GUEST BOOK & PEN $_________ MISC. FEES & TIPS $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY ENGAGEMENT PORTRAIT $_________ WEDDING & RECEPTION $_________ WEDDING ALBUM $_________ PARENT’S ALBUMS $_________ EXTRA PRINTS $_________ VIDEOGRAPHY $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
NOTES:
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GIFTS GIFTS TO EACH OTHER $_________ MATRON (MAID) OF HONOR $_________ BEST MAN $_________ BRIDESMAIDS/ GROOMSMEN $_________ PARENTS $_________ OTHER $_________ TOTAL $_________
TOTAL WEDDING BUDGET ______________________________
Service Directory
ACCESSORIES
◆ Paffrath & Son Jewelers 1605 1st St. S Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-1682 paffrathandsonjewelers.com
ALTERATION
◆ Schwegman’s Cleaners 108 Minnesota Ave SW, Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-2545
BAKERY
◆ Cash Wise Foods 1300 1st St S, Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-2485 shop.cashwise.com ◆ Cold Spring Bakery 308 Main St, Cold Spring, MN 56320 320-685-8681 coldspringbakery.com
CATERING
◆ Cash Wise Foods 1300 1st St S, Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-2485 shop.cashwise.com ◆ Heglund Catering 1707 Technology Dr NE Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-5822 heglundcatering.com
◆ McKale’s Catering 606 4th Ave SW, New London, MN 320-354-2007 mckalescatering.com
FLORAL
◆ Cash Wise Foods 1300 1st St S, Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-2485 shop.cashwise.com ◆ Jana Mae’s, Inc. Floral, Gifts and Event Rentals 950 State Hwy 55 Brooten, MN 56316 320-346-4070 janamaesflowers.com
LIQUOR STORE
◆ Cash Wise Foods 1300 1st St S, Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-2485 shop.cashwise.com
LODGING
◆ Grandstay Hotel & Suites 15980 HWY 23 NE Spicer, MN 56288 320-347-1450 grandstayhospitality.com
◆ Paynesville Inn & Suites 700 Diekmann Dr, Paynesville, MN 56362 320-243-4146 paynesvilleinn.com
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO
◆ C&C Photography 320-979-5991 candace@candcphotog.com candcphotog.com ◆ Aury G Photography 15 Main Street South, New London, MN 320-262-9110 aurygphotography.com
RENTAL
◆ Jana Mae’s, Inc. Floral, Gifts and Event Rentals 950 State Hwy 55 Brooten, MN 56316 320-346-4070 janamaesflowers.com
VENUE
◆ Grandstay Hotel & Suites 15980 HWY 23 NE Spicer, MN 56288 320-347-1450 grandstayhospitality.com ◆ Green Lake Bible Camp 9916 NE Lake Ave S, Spicer, MN 56288 320-796-2181 gllm.org MIDWEST WEDDING
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AUGUST 2021 | 23
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24 | MIDWEST WEDDING
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