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Dining styles: Wedding reception meal choicesA wedding reception is often a feast for guests.

Be it a buffet-style cocktail hour or a three-course dinner, the food and fun seem to flow all night long.

Some catering halls require notice of what guests will be eating prior to the wedding day so that food can be ordered and arranged. Others have a few set options that guests can choose from the night of the party.

Couples fretting over how to keep tally of guests’ menu selections may want to add a dinner choice line to their wedding reception response card. A lthough some etiquette experts frown at this approach, it

is one of the easiest ways to count selections and report back to a catering hall. Chances are some guests have already seen this type of checklist on a response card, so there’s no need to add instructions.

Due to the varied palates of people, it pays to have two or more options from which guests can choose. Generally a beef dish, a poultry choice and a f ish selection are offered. Inquire with the catering director as how to best handle s p e c i a l d iet a r y r e s t r ic t ion s, such as serving a vegetarian or someone who is diabetic or is limiting salt intake. There may be accommodations made for guests with certain needs.

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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, August 28, 2011 THE WEDDING GUIDE 3

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What to look for in a reception venueE ngaged couples mu st ma ke assorted important decisions with regards to their wedding day. For some, the process of planning a wedding can be overwhelming, while others revel in each and every decision they make.

Among the many decisions couples must make is which venue to use for their reception. The wedding reception venue is where most of the day will be spent, and where the majority of the people will do their mingling. When looking for a wedding venue, there are a number factors to take into consideration.

The accommodations

The facility itself should be able to accommodate the wedding size. Some weddings are grandiose events with large guests lists, while others are more understated and intimate, with only a small number of family and friends in attendance.

Couples should know which type of wedding they will be having, and should have at least an estimate figure in mind of the number of guests before visiting any facilities.

Once t hat est i mate has been made, look for a facility that can comfortably accommodate that number of people, and ideally find one that has done so in the past.

Couples won’t want a facility where everyone is crammed together, nor will they want one where a relatively small number of guests are in a large ballroom with lots of empty space.

More minor details regarding the facility must also be considered. Ask if the facility is handicapped accessible. If the wedding is in the warmer months, make sure the venue is air conditioned.

Since most weddings have a break in between the ceremony and the reception, ask if the facility has a room in which the bride and groom can freshen up before the reception begins and possibly during it.

The date

Couples may choose t he date of their wedding based on the availability of a church they attend or a specific wedding officiant they want to perform their ceremony. Once that date has been chosen, it’s time to look for a reception venue.

Couples who have a specific venue in mind might want to ask about the venue’s avai labi l it y before settling on a wedding date. When seeking out a reception venue, ask

if the venue has any other events schedu led for t hat day. Some couples prefer to have the facility all to themselves and their guests.

The location

The facility’s location should be a priority. Couples won’t want their guests to have to drive too far from the wedding ceremony to the reception venue or from the reception venue back to the hotel.

Since many wedding guests come from out of town, they likely won’t know the area well and could get lost if the facility is too far away from their hotel. Keep things simple by finding a reception venue that’s close to the hotel or hotels where guests will be staying.

The hours

Couples who want their receptions to last into the wee hours should inquire about the facility’s hourly rate. A typical reception lasts five

or six hours. If couples want to go beyond that, they might have to pay an hourly rate. Ask if the facility charges an hourly rate or if the venue can simply be rented for as long as the party keeps going.

The price

Many facilities offer a f lat rate to rent the venue. When discussing the rate, be sure to ask what’s included in the bill.

Will food, flowers, venue decor, and even staff tips be included in the rental fee? If not, is there room for additional negotiation?

When facilities expand the services they include in their rental fee, that can save couples substantial amounts of money.

When choosing a reception venue, couples must consider a host of factors that stretch beyond a venue’s aesthetic appeal.

Couples must consider a host of factors when choosing a reception venue for their wedding.

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Responsibilities vary for wedding party participantsWhen asked to play a role in the wedding of a f r iend or family member, most people are honored and willing to do whatever it takes. That willingness to be helpful is often a blessing, as wedding party participants each have their own unique responsibilities.

Maid of Honor & Best Man

The maid of honor and best man are counterparts in the wedding. The bride and groom’s right hand woman and man, respectively, the maid of honor and best man are often siblings or very close friends of the bride or groom. Though their responsibilities are similar, the maid of honor and best man don’t have completely identical roles.

The maid of honor might have the most responsibilities of anyone aside from the bride and groom. The maid of honor will help the bride shop for her dress and must also plan the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. The maid of honor’s duties also extend to the wedding day itself, when she will be expected to help the bride get dressed and toast the new bride at the reception that night.

T he best ma n’s role i ncludes organizing the bachelor part y and toasting the groom at the

reception. The best man also plays a logistical role, organizing the newly weds’ t ra nspor tat ion to the airport the morning after the wedding as well as organizing the groomsmen’s gift to the couple.

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen

T he role of t he br idesma id s a nd g room smen a re si m i la r. Bridesmaids and groomsmen are often the siblings or close friends of t he br ide a nd g room, a nd traditionally they accompany each other down the aisle during the wedding procession.

Typically, the role of bridesmaid and groomsmen is to offer any assistance in making the ceremony go smoothly. Groomsmen may act as ushers, while bridesmaids might help address wedding invitations a nd choose vendor s for t he ceremony and reception.

How involved the bridesmaids and groomsmen become is often contingent on how close they live to the bride and groom and how much help is needed the day of the wedding ceremony.

Flower Girl & Ring Bearer

The flower girl and the ring bearer are typically very young members

of the family, such as very young siblings or a niece or nephew of the bride or groom.

The f lower girl will carry a basket of f lowers during the wedding procession, often tossing f lower petals on the ground to signify the bride’s entrance. The ring bearer is traditionally a boy who carries a pillow with the rings sewn on it during the wedding procession.

Parents

The bride and groom’s parents play the role of hosts. The tradition of the bride’s parents paying for the wedding entirely by themselves has largely fallen by the wayside thanks to the escalating costs of throwing a wedding.

However, if the bride’s parents are footing the bi l l, then they will typically act as hosts of the wedding. In that instance, the groom’s pa rents w i l l host t he rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.

During the ceremony, the bride is most often walked down the aisle by her father, though some brides choose to have both parents included in the walk down the aisle. The groom’s parents will often walk down the aisle ahead of the procession and take their seats.

The parents may also play a role in the months leading up to the

wedding. For instance, the mother of the bride might help plan the bridal shower, while the father of the groom might help plan any

activities, such as a golf outing, for the groomsmen and additional friends of the groom a day or two before the wedding.

Members of the wedding party have different responsibilities depending on the roles they’re asked to play.


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Toast of the town toasting tips for best men and maids of honorWedding days are typically steeped in tradition. Whether it’s the hours before the wedding or the bride’s attire or the first dance, it seems no aspect of a couple’s big day isn’t accompanied by some ages-old tradition and custom.

One of the more enjoyable wedding day traditions is the toast. Once the reception has begun, the maid of honor and the best man are trusted to toast the new bride and groom. Such toasts are typically heartfelt and humorous, but there are also a few guidelines to follow to ensure the toast is memorable for all the right reasons.

• St a nd u p ! St a nd u p w h e n delivering a wedding toast. Sitting down won’t command the guests’ attention, and your voice likely won’t carry as well if you’re sitting down instead of standing.

• Don’t go too long. A good wedding toast shouldn’t stretch beyond five minutes. Long-winded toasts could come off as rambling and incoherent, and the guests will likely tune out if the toast goes longer than five minutes.

• Introduce yourself. Just because you’re a maid of honor or a best man doesn’t mean all of the guests know your relationship with the bride or groom. Make it brief, but provide an explanation of your relationship with the couple.

• Keep t he toa st appropr iate. Many adults who have been to a wedding or two in their day have a story about a wedding toast

gone awry. While these stories are humorous, no best man or maid of honor wants to have similar stories told about his or her toasts. Ma ke t he toast appropr iate, keeping in mind there might be some you nger g uest s i n attendance. In addition, avoid references to past relationships. Such references are awkward and uncomfortable for the couple.

• Don’t make it an “inside” joke. Maids of honor or best men are typically close friends or siblings of the bride and groom. Such a close relat ionship ma kes it easy to tell an inside joke only a few guests wil l understand. Avoid such inside jokes, as one of the goals of the toast should be to i l lustrate your love and appreciation of the bride or groom in a way all guests can understand and appreciate.

• Make it personal. A personal anecdote is a nice touch. Such anecdotes can be about anything, whether it’s the first time you met your friend’s now-spouse or, if you’re not related to the bride or groom, how you met.

• Steer clear of the bar before the toast. Many a well-intentioned wedding toast has gone horribly w r o n g t h a n k s t o a l c o h o l . Maids of honor and best men shou ld absta in f rom a lcohol before t hei r toa st s to avoid e m b a r r a s s i n g t h e m s e l v e s a nd t he br ide a nd g r o om .

I f you’re especia l ly ner vous, maybe a drink can help calm your nerves. But if you’re going to drink before the toast, be sure to drink only in moderation.

• Practice beforehand. Very few people can survive “winging” a

wedding toast. Practice the toast beforehand so you’re comfortable with what you’re going to say before the moment arrives.

• Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Weddings are typically laid back and fun affairs, so don’t

stress about giving the perfect toast. If the toast comes off as genuine and stays appropriate, it’s a good toast.

A successful wedding toast should be brief, genuine and appropriate for guests of all ages.


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Make the most of a rainy wedding dayWhen a couple envisions their ideal wedding day, rain rarely is in the picture.

Unless a couple likes things soggy, chances are rain on the big day will be a bit of a disappointment. While there’s no way couples can keep it from raining on their wedding days, there are ways to prevent rain from ruining the ceremony and the ensuing festivities.

• Have a cont ingenc y pla n in place well in advance. Weather is unpredictable, but couples w h o c h o o s e a n o u t d o o r wedding should begin making a contingency plan well in advance of the wedding. This doesn’t mea n couples need to pla n two weddings, they just need to discuss with vendors what

the plan of action is going to be should rain arrive.

When booking a venue, discuss w ith the venue manager what the venue can do if it rains. Many venues will set up a tent and have an umbrella station for arriving g uests. W hen gett ing married outdoors, choose a venue that’s bot h id y l l ic a nd c apa ble of handling a wet wedding.

It’s best to also have a contingency photography plan in place as well. When choosing a photographer, ask about his or her history with rainy weddings.

Find out if the photographer has an indoor studio where portraits can be taken if the conditions outside are not ideal. Or, maybe he or she is familiar with the reception site and

knows a few areas that would make good backdrops.

• Get dressed at the venue. Brides u n d e r s t a n d a b l y f e a r t h e i r wedding dress won’t survive a soggy ceremony. To reduce the gown’s exposure to rain, brides should consider getting dressed at the venue.

This means they will only have to wear the dress outside during the actual ceremony. Wrap the gown and other accessories including shoes, in plastic to keep them safe from rain and mud.

If the wedding is slated for later in the day, cal l the venue and determine how early the wedding parties can arrive and how much space will be provided for the party to get dressed. This won’t be too

big an issue for the groom and his groomsmen, but the bride and her bridal party will likely want to get there several hours in advance of the ceremony.

• Wear waterproof makeup. Brides-to-be should wear waterproof makeup. In addition, bring a collection of items, including hairspray and extra makeup, that can help combat the elements.

• Prepare the ushers. Ushers will need to be extra diligent during a rainy ceremony. Instruct the ushers before guests begin to arrive that their roles have taken on greater importance thanks to the weather. Ushers should keep an eye out and an umbrella open for arriv ing guests, escorting guests to their seats under a cloak of dryness.

Once the happy couple has said their “I dos” and all the guests have managed to stay dry, the bride and groom should offer some special thanks to the ushers who helped keep everyone dry.

When you select the date of your wedding, you cannot be sure the weather will be ideal. Be sure to have a Plan B.


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Common signs you might be a bridezilla

Few brides-to-be want to be tagged as a “bridezilla.” However, engaging in certain behaviors just might earn them that dubious distinction.

It is believed the term “bridezilla” was coined in a Boston Globe article in June 1995. Since then, it has been widely used for an overbearing bride who is difficult and often a nitpicky perfectionist to everyone around.

A w o m a n w h o i s obsessed about ever y detail of the wedding m i g h t t u r n i n t o a br idezi l la. There a re several traits that many br ide z i l l a’s h av e i n com mon. I f a br ide-to-be s e e s her ow n behaviors on this list, she may want to make some changes quickly or risk alienating friends and family members.

Talking about the wedding nonstop. Getting married is exciting and stressful at the same time. It is good for brides to have enthusiasm about the big day, but speaking incessantly over every little detail, especially when the conversation

often veers to complaints about vendors and other arrangements, can be off-putting to people. Remember, the world is still turning outside of a bride’s wedding realm.

Extreme dieting. It’s understandable when a bride wants to look her best on her wedding day, and this can create a desire to shed a few pounds. However, if dieting becomes extreme, including dramatic calorie control, binging or purging, it can be unhealthy and dangerous. Putting appearances before well-being may constitute bridezilla behavior.

Failing to spend time with a fiance. W hen wedding planning and meetings take precedence over spending time with your fiance, it can set a poor course for the future marriage and strain the current relationship.

A “me-first” attitude. It’s unproductive for a bride-to-be to think that her family, bridemaids and others involved in the wedding will drop everything for the sake of the event. Although it is expected that a bridal party will partake in some tasks and responsibilities, they are not the property or employees of the bride. Also, diva behavior and meltdowns – where all the attention is directed toward the bride-to-be – is not beneficial as well.

Going well over budget. At its core, a wedding is the union between two people who pledge to spend the rest of their lives together. While many people want to have the perfect wedding, fixating on every detail and spending excessively to achieve what is perceived as perfection is bridezilla behavior. Entering a marriage already in debt can put a strain on newlywed bliss.

Fighting with friends and family. Oftentimes brides- and grooms-to-be mask apprehension about starting a new chapter in their lives by getting into disagreements with others. Brides may bicker with their moms over seating arrangements and hairstyles, but they might just be glossing over their evolving mother-child relationship. Fighting just to fight and draw attention to oneself is bridezilla behavior.

Expecting preferential treatment. Many bridezillas are rude to wedding vendors and think that they deserve something extra. Individuals should remember that florists, dress shops, musicians, and photographers work very hard in their lines of work and often with couples who are emotional and feeling the stress of spending large amounts of money. Adding even more animosity to the situation could result in less-than-stellar results on the big day.

Most popular months for weddingsEvery year millions of people wa l k dow n t he a isle a nd begin the start of their new l ives toget her as couples. December is one of the more popular months in which to get engaged, but other months of the year are more popular for weddings. The decision on when to get married depends on a host of factors. Some couples choose the date based on availability with a church or reception hall, while others might prefer to walk down the aisle during a specif ic season. Some couples choose to coordinate their wedding with a special event, such as a birthday or another day of note. Most couples decide on a wedding month primarily for the weather. That’s why the spring and summer are the most popular times of the year in which to tie the knot. Here is a list of the most popular months to tie the knot.

1. June

2. August

3. May

4. July

5. September

6. October

7. December

8. November

9. April

10. February

11. March

12. January

A wedding doesn’t have to be a mammoth event with 300 guests a nd a cost ly pr ice tag. Ma ny couples choose to wa lk dow n the aisle and then celebrate on a smaller scale with much success.

Millions of weddings take place across t he g lobe ever y yea r. According to the Association for

Bridal Consultants, the average American wedding includes 175 guests, and the average size of the wedding party is 12 people.

Many couples may v iew these averages and feel pressured to throw a big wedding. But smaller events can be just as much fun and easier on the pocketbook as well.

O n e o f t h e m o r e o b v i o u s advantages to a small wedding is the cost. Many large weddings cost between $20,000 and $30,000 dollars. A small wedding will be significantly less simply because there are fewer people to feed.

Catering costs account for a large chun k of wedding budgets. A

reception with only 50 to 60 people may run $1,000 or less.

A not her benef it to a sma l ler wedding is a couple may be able to afford a higher-priced venue. Maybe there’s that historic castle or high-priced mansion that would be over budget if 200 guests were coming. Wit h a much sma l ler

guest list, the venue might now be affordable. Or, couples can look outside of wedding halls to restaurants for a nice dinner.

Small weddings tend to be more intimate. Couples can spend more individual time with guests instead of having to spread their t ime thinly around a large reception hall. Special moments, such as speeches or words of wisdom, may bear more significance when the group is intimate.

D e s t i n a t i on w e d d i n g s h a v e become quite popular and are most successf u l w it h a sma l l group. Keeping a large guest list in order can prove challenging when traveling, which makes destination weddings ideal for small guest lists. Also, costs will be kept down if the couple is paying the travel fees for invitees to the wedding.

It’s important for couples to keep in mind that a small wedding is not without certain challenges. Family members and friends may have their own perceptions of what a wedding should be.

Once the idea of a small wedding is mentioned, it may be met with some opposit ion, pa r t icu la rly from parents who want to invite an extended list of friends and distant family members. This can make it difficult to pick and choose who to invite to the wedding.

Another disadvantage is that large weddings evoke the energy of a big party and can make people less inhibited to celebrate and dance. An empty dance f loor at a smaller wedding may be intimidating to guests who will choose to sit and not fully enjoy themselves.

Ultimately, the decision to have a small-, medium- or large-size wedding is entirely up to the couple or the person who will be financing the event. Wedding planning is largely the personal choice of the couple who will be saying their “I dos” on their special day.


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A wedding is a joyous event that couples want to share with as many people as

possible. Couples com mon ly ask family and friends to take part in the ceremony as ushers, bridesmaids or readers.

Before enlist ing t he help of a child to f i l l such roles, couples s h o u l d c a r e f u l l y c o n s i d e r whether a youngster is capable of participating in the wedding ceremony or if he or she may not be up to the task.

Millions of people tuned into the British Royal wedding in April. A mong t he pa r t icipa nts were si x young chi ldren. The Hon. M a r g a r i t a A r m s t r on g-Jon e s , Miss Eliza Lopes, Miss Grace van Cutsem, Lady Louise Windsor, Master Tom Pettifer, and Master W i l l i a m L o w t h e r-P i n k e r t o n were bridesmaids and pages in attendance. The children in the wedding party were as young as three years old and as old as 10.

Although the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were confident enough in the kids’ maturity to include them, reportedly some measures were taken to keep the tots in line. For instance, Prince Henry

reportedly delighted little Eliza Lopes with a pink “wiggly worm” so she wouldn’t be frightened by the crowds. Said wiggly worm actually made it into the off icial group bridal photo, being clutched by Miss Lopes.

Couples worrying about all the little details of their own weddings may not want to fret about kiddie meltdowns or the bloopers that can occur when kids act like kids. Each child’s personal maturity level should be considered before enlisting their help. There are some other strategies to use as well.

• Young children serving as f lower girls or ring bearers should be able to walk down the aisle without coaxing. If they cannot handle this task, then they should not be asked to take part in the wedding.

• S h o u l d c h i l d r e n p r o v e competent to walk down the aisle unattended, couples can have them then make their way to the seats next to their parents, rather than awkwardly standing with the rest of the bridal party for the duration of the ceremony.

• An minimum age requirement for wedding participants might

be a good idea. A child age 5 or up may be able to appreciate the importance of the event.

• Con su lt w it h t he pa stor or officiant of the ceremony. The ceremony location may have rules governing children in a formal-type ceremony.

• All people who have participated in the ceremony will be invited to the reception. If couples decide to have a kids-free reception, then reconsider children in the wedding ceremony.

• Think about another role for a young child that will not disrupt the proceedings. Perhaps he or she can help hand out birdseed or small bottles of bubbles to use when the couple has f inished their vows. Another idea is to give children disposable cameras and allow them to capture a kids’-eye view of the wedding.

Couples who choose to have c h i ld r e n p a r t ic ip a t e i n t he ceremony have to realize that there is the potentia l for sl ip-ups. Keeping an open mind and some patience can make for some memorable moments and a little humor as well.


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Have you considered including children in your wedding ceremony? Many couples have included children in their wedding plans and look back on their special day glad that the special children in their lives were part of their big day.

Acting as your own planner can help save money on your wedding reception. From ordering wedding napkins and favors to deciding how much cake and drinks to have on hand, you can keep a handle on costs by self-managing as many reception-related tasks as possible.

But how do you know how much to buy? Buy too l it t le of a ny important item and you could run out, leaving guests hungry, thirsty and disappointed. Buy too much and you’ll waste money and be faced with the challenge of getting rid of leftovers.

T he recept ion ex per t s at My Wedding Reception Ideas.com, a leading online resource for brides seeking unique wedding favors, wedding decorations and wedding suppl ies, of fer t hese t ips for calculating how much you’ll need of key reception items:

Beverages

W i t h a l l t h e d a n c i n g a n d celebrating they’ll be doing, your guests are sure to work up a thirst. It’s important to calculate the right amount of beverages to buy so you don’t run out. A good rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per person,

per hour. You may need more or less depending upon the make-up of your crowd.

Lots of kids? You’ll probably need less alcohol and more soft drinks. Plenty of adults who love a good party? You may need to adjust the amount of alcohol accordingly.

Here are some averages to give you a starting point from which to plan:

• Beer: Three to four beers per person.

• Champagne: Two glasses per person (mostly for the toasts).

• Wine: Three quarters of a bottle per person. One bottle of wine or champagne yields about six to seven glasses.

• Soft drinks: Three to four servings per person.

It’s always good to err on the side of caution and order more than you think you will need – about a third more is standard.

Check with your distributor before you order; some will allow you to return unopened bottles.

Food

If you’ll serve cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before the reception,

limit this time to an hour or 90 minutes – you don’t want guests filling up before the main event. Estimate three hors d’oeuvres per person, per hour – roughly five per person for the entire time.

If your reception will be a cocktail/hors d’oeuvres event without a sit-down dinner, increase your calculations to 12 pieces per guest.

If you’re serving a sit-down dinner, one plate per person per course should be your starting point.

You may choose to ask the kitchen/caterer to have some extras on hand in case anyone requests seconds or some last-minute guests arrive.

For the wedding cake, simply tell your baker how many guests will

attend and they can recommend the size cake you’ll need.

It’s good to estimate more servings than invited guests as some may want seconds or bring last-minute additions to the party. If you’ll serve desserts other than cake, estimate one to two servings per guest.

Napkins

Personalized or plain, l inen or three-ply, wedding napkins are a wedding reception must-have item. It’s hard to imagine going overboard and having too many napkins, but it could happen – and if it does you may find yourself using those napkins at your first anniversary celebration. Ensure your napkin buying is on target with your needs:

• Two to three cocktail napkins per guest for the bar area.

• One cocktail-sized napkin per guest for the cake table.

• One and a half dinner or luncheon napkins per guest at the meal table if you won’t be using linen napkins. For example, if you’ll have 100 guests, plan for 150 dinner napkins.

Finally, favors

This one may seem obvious – one favor per guest. In reality, however, you need to allow for breakage (What if someone drops a box of favors on the way into the reception ha l l and severa l shatter?) and guests who may ask to take an extra favor home for a relative or friend who wasn’t able to attend.

– Courtesy ARAContent.


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How to know how much you need of everything

If you’ll serve cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before the reception, limit this time to an hour or 90 minutes – you don’t want guests filling up before the main event.

Thanks to the changing landscape of weddings, today’s newlyweds are typically under more financial stress than the newly married couples of yesteryear. The cost of weddings has risen over the years, and today’s couples are increasingly taking on the bill for their weddings without the help of Mom and Dad.

One of the side effects of this shift in how weddings are paid for concerns honeymoons.

Whereas a honeymoon was once a tradition enjoyed by all newly married couples, today’s couples often find there’s not much money left to finance honeymoons after paying for their own weddings. But there are ways couples can still enjoy their dream getaway without breaking the bank.

• Shop for all-inclusive packages. An all-inclusive package might be tailor-made for couples with thin budgets. All-inclusive packages commonly include lodging, food, activities, and alcohol.

This can make a trip considerably more affordable. A couple who just finished paying for their wedding expenses and doesn’t have deep pocket s won’t have to wor r y about how they’re going to eat or enjoy themselves if they find an-inclusive package.

• Put the honeymoon off and travel during the off season. Weddings often take place in warm weather seasons, which also happens to be tourist season.

As a result, couples who get married du r i ng pea k wedd i ng sea son typically find it hard to book an affordable honeymoon.

Thankfully, there’s no rule that says a honeymoon must begin immediately after a couple walks down the aisle.

Couples who are feeling a financial pi nch ca n book t hei r honeymoon for a few months after the wedding, when it’s not the height of tourist season and resort prices are more affordable.

• Find a lesser-known locale. A Hawaiian honeymoon might be a dream for many couples, but it’s also an expensive dream.

Couples who are willing to do a little research can find deals in

lesser-known locales that won’t be as expensive.

What’s more, such locales likely offer more privacy, making them attractive to newlyweds who just survived the stress of planning and executing a wedding and simply want to get away.

• Take to the Internet. Thanks to the Internet, travel deals are now easier to f ind than ever before. Some Web sites will do cost analysis for their customers, showing customers how certain deals compare to others.

Another way to save is to visit the airl ine Web site to investigate

fa res. W hen t r ips a re booked through an airline Web site and not an unaff i l iated travel site, book i ng fees a nd add it iona l charges are often waived, saving customers substantial amounts of money. Still, popular travel Web sites should not be ignored, as many offer vacation packages at great prices.

• C o n s i d e r a s h o r t e r t r i p . Honeymoons don’t have to last a full week. Couples can save considerable money by choosing a 5-day, 4-night package instead of a week-long trip. Couples who do choose a shorter trip should choose a location that’s close to home so they don’t have to spend significant time traveling.


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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, August 28, 201112 THE WEDDING GUIDE Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, August 28, 2011 THE WEDDING GUIDE 13

Photo, left: Orphan Annie’s’ collection includes a sweetly romantic, light and sheer, ankle-length gown with a high neckline. Photo, right: This elegant

chantilly lace gown with a full train and long lace sleeves would fit easily into a traditional and even somewhat modern collection.

Ph oto, le f t : Pe te r s ’ s e le c t i o n f o r a “destination” wedding is a chiffon gown featuring a beaded T-back strap and a ruched bodice with a dramatic side applique embellished with crystals, rhinestones and bugle beads. Photo, right: The short, strapless satin bridesmaid dress with an equally dramatic beaded accent would be perfect “for an informal yard or beach wedding.”

A lt houg h wedd i ng fa sh ions have cha nged sig n i f ica nt ly i n t he la st century, one constant remains: every bride wants to feel beautiful and radiant on her wedding day. A wedding dress should not only enhance a bride’s most beautiful features, it should reflect her own personal style.

At Orphan Annie’s, a lovely antique shop in downtown Auburn, Maine, owner Dan Poulin shared his eclectic collection of vintage wedding gowns.

Historical ly, a bride would choose the dresses to be worn by her maid or

matron of honor and bridesmaids. Modern bridal parties, however, often shop together making it possible to find a dress with features that compliment the bride’s gown, but a lso suit the wearer’s tastes and budget.

According to Frankie Peters at The Formal Image Bridal Shop in Lewiston, “Most people think of traditional as long sleeves and a higher neckline, but the new traditional would be strapless or spaghetti straps, or possibly a halter strap.” The new traditional might also include “pickup bottoms and ruching, both of which are very popular.”

Like his bride, a groom’s choices of formal wear, for both himself and his groomsmen, should also be a reflection of his own style. Strict ly Formal in Auburn specializes only in tuxedos and Ruth Mahan specializes in helping grooms and groomsmen look their best.

You can make your day as special and unique as you have dreamed by first know ing the st yle you want. From vintage to contemporary, unusual to traditional, and everything in between, there is a perfect gown for every bride and bridesmaid, as well as a perfect tuxedo for every groom and groomsman.

By Deborah Conway Feature Writer / Photographer

Style: Wedding fashions, from vintage to contemporary

Photos, left and middle: The most popular style at Strictly Formal features a “European-style peak lapel.” According to Mahan, this tuxedo is “lightweight and perfect for summer.” Photo, right: For a more “vintage” look, Mahan offers the “one-button shawl” or rounded collar. This is an older style and, although it is less expensive than the more contemporary “peak lapel,” its timeless styling makes it extremely popular for a more traditional or formal wedding.

Mahan explained that a white tuxedo with black trim, called “The

Savoy,” is a dramatic style of tux with a “red carpet” look.


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Photos, left and middle: Peters’ selection for a “destination” wedding is a chiffon gown featuring a beaded T-back strap and a ruched bodice with a dramatic side applique embellished with crystals, rhinestones and bugle beads. The short, strapless satin bridesmaid dress with an equally dramatic beaded accent would be perfect “for an informal yard or beach wedding.” Photo, right: This taffeta gown has many popular and trendy features, including a strapless bodice and ruched waistline with a pick-up skirt and popular corset back. The bridesmaid dress is also strapless with a beaded bodice, ruched waist and a corset back.

Photo, left: The most unusual tuxedo at Strictly Formal is aptly called “The Formal Sportsman.” This tux features a camouflage or “mossy oak” fabric. Mahan added that although some grooms enjoy this style, and their brides match the bridesmaid dresses to the tux, this look is especially popular for proms. Photo, right: A white tuxedo with black trim, called “The Savoy,” is a dramatic style of tux with a “red carpet” look.

Photos, left and middle: The most popular style at Strictly Formal features a “European-style peak lapel.” According to Mahan, this tuxedo is “lightweight and perfect for summer.” Photo, right: For a more “vintage” look, Mahan offers the “one-button shawl” or rounded collar. This is an older style and, although it is less expensive than the more contemporary “peak lapel,” its timeless styling makes it extremely popular for a more traditional or formal wedding.

Like his bride, a groom’s choices of formal wear, for both himself and his groomsmen, should also be a reflection of his own style. Strictly Formal in Auburn specializes only in tuxedos and Ruth Mahan specializes in helping grooms and groomsmen look their best.

From vintage to contemporary, unusual to traditional, and everything in between, there is a perfect gown for every bride and bridesmaid, as well as a perfect tuxedo for every groom and groomsman.

With most couples, to “take the plunge” means a graceful stroll down an aisle lined with fragrant f lowers and adoring smiles, a dress the color of cream, trimmed with pearls and lace, and a well-pressed tuxedo. Apparently, no one mentioned that to Hannah Leight and Chris Storms.

It is 2011, after all, and although some couples still enjoy a more traditional route to the “altar,” ma ny couples celebrate t heir weddings at beaches or outdoor g a rden s . S ome of t he mor e adventurous t y pes even do it on horseback or at the top of a mountain. Others, however, like Hannah and Chris, prefer to do it while falling at 120 mph.

The couple met at a rock climbing gym. Chris had climbed all over the world, and was working there as an instructor. According to Hannah, who had just joined the gym, “I had no idea what I was doing and he

came over to offer advice.” The next time she went to the gym, he asked for her number and their first date was rock climbing at Hammond Pond, a park near Boston.

“I knew he was the one from day one,” she said.

Hannah is serving in the United States Coast Guard and about 10 months after meeting Chris she was ordered to North Carolina, and so they decided to get married. A lt hou g h neit her C h r i s nor Hannah had ever gone skydiving pr e v i ou s l y, t h e d e c i s i on t o exchange their vows at an altitude of 14,000 feet was easy.

Both are very adventurous and ta k i ng t he proverbia l plu nge while literally jumping out of an airplane seemed to be a thrilling, memorable and appropriate way to begin their lives together. Chris and Hannah contacted Skydive New England in Lebanon, Maine and spoke with Emma Pickard. According to Pickard, the manifest at SNE and a mad skydiver herself, they wanted to get married during

freefall. “It’s been done,” she told them, offering to help them explore the possibilities.

Unfortunately, t hey could not convince the sensible and cautious notary public who was to marry them to a lso jump out of that perfectly good airplane. Therefore, it was decided that the f igural “plunge” would take place in the airplane, just moments before the literal “plunge.”

The couple original ly planned on getting married on July 18, but resourceful Hannah looked at the 10-day forecast and didn’t like what she saw. They decided to move the date up and two days later, on July 11, they found themselves on their way to Lebanon, Maine for the adventure of a lifetime and to begin a lifetime together. “I was ready to start the rest of my life with Hannah,” said Chris.

When they arrived at Skydive New England, they watched the safety v ideo, f i l led out t he requisite paper work, a nd received a l l the necessary instructions and training required of everyone who skydives with SNE. Then, they waited their turn. “Waiting was the hardest part,” said Hannah. “Right before we were supposed to go, we were told that there were high winds ... but it all worked out.”

According to Hannah, “I don’t know if we were more nervous and excited because of the wedding or because of the skydiving.” In the twin engine Otter that would be their chapel, she was focused on the wedding.

“I was sitting next to the love of my life, about to marry him and jump out of a plane. We were both full of energy ... it was crazy.” The sky was a brilliant blue, the winds suddenly auspicious, and they were ready to take their plunges. Hannah and Chris were each strapped to experienced SNE jumpmasters

for t heir ta ndem f l ig hts. The jumpmasters served as witnesses to the simple and happy exchange of vows and rings.

“The justice of the peace was such a good sport,” explained Hannah, even though she also had to wear a parachute, just in case. After the ceremony it was time to “go for it.”

“ We g ot m a r r i e d a n d t h e n went skydiving. In my mind it was one g iga nt ic event,” sa id Chris. Hannah’s reaction to the realization that they really had to jump out of the plane was not quite as serene: “Oh my goodness, we’re going skydiving!”

A good husband already, Chris went first. Hannah, next, described the experience as “a rush” and “absolutel y a ma z i ng.” T here is nothing like a mile-long, 120 mph free fall, followed by a quiet, satisfied parachute ride back to earth to clear your mind, focus your priorities and prepare you for whatever lies ahead.

Safely back on solid ground and queasy stomachs sett led, they celebrated w it h a k iss, some bot t led w ater a nd a ba na na at SNE’s Ripcord Cafe before the drive home.

Although there was no “reception” a f ter t he we dd i ng , t he y a re planning a small celebration on Na ntucket Isla nd w it h fa mi ly and dear friends after Hannah g raduates f rom Coa st Gua rd Av i a t i o n t r a i n i n g . H a n n a h sa id, “T h is was as si mple as we cou ld get, a nd I cou ld n’t have dreamed of anything better ... just two people in love doing what they love!”

Pickard, who helped Hannah and Chris plan their wedding at Skydive New Eng la nd, enjoys helpi ng people make their unique dreams come true. In addit ion to t he occasional wedding, they have a lot of couples who become engaged at SNE. “Sometimes [the hopeful groom] w il l prov ide us w ith a banner that says ‘marry me.’ We put it on the ground so that she will see it as she’s approaching the field.” Sometimes he just gets down on one knee at the drop zone, taking advantage of her natural “high” to ensure the answer he is looking for.

Hannah and Chris presently live on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and, although they will be relocating in September, may celebrate their f irst anniversar y with another skydiving adventure.


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By Deborah ConwayFeature Writer

Taking the in more ways than one

Submitted photoFirst came necessary instructions and waiting for their turn, and then it was into the plane where the ceremony took place followed by the jump.

plunge

O n c e y o u ’ v e c h o s e n y o u r wedding gown, it’s time to look for bridesmaid gowns. The most common complaint of bridesmaids is that the bride selects a costly dress inappropriate for any other occasion, thereby dooming it to spend the rest of eternity in the back of a closet or sold for pennies at a garage sale.

The wise bride pursues bridesmaid gowns from the perspective of the women she has chosen to stand by her side—after a l l, it is the bridesmaids who typically pay for the gowns.

In Julius Caesar’s t ime, it was customar y for ever yone in the wedding party to dress the same. It was believed that demons would descend upon the bridal couple, causing mayhem, so by dressing alike, the demon wouldn’t f ind the bridal couple. Worrying about demons is no longer a problem, but until recent years the trend has continued. Bridesmaid dresses do not have to be identical; as a matter of fact, very few dress designs fit all women equally.

Because ever yone’s f i na ncia l situation is dif ferent, it is now appropriate for each bridesmaid to select their own gown, following guidelines set by the bride. This allows the bridesmaid to spend within her budget.

As the bride, your main concern is the overall appearance and tone of the bridal party. You’ll want coordinated styles and colors, not a mishmash of designs that look more like pieces to a jigsaw puzzle. Start by considering color.

You’ll want the women in your party to be comfortable wearing t heir gow n a nd look ing t heir loveliest, so choose a color or a combination of colors or tones that will f latter them. Consider the setting of the wedding when choosing color.

For a n i ndoor wedd i ng, note the colors of the walls or room dec or at ion s. For a n outdoor wedd i ng, k now what, i f a ny, plants wil l be blooming at the t ime of your wedding, so you can plan to coordinate with your surroundings. You might even consider the little black dress which is flattering and formal.

Once you have chosen a color or range of colors, decide on dress length. Floor-length dresses are appropriate for the most formal

weddings, but they don’t of fer many opportunities to be worn again. Mid-length dresses offer bridesmaids more versatility and can be equally elegant.

Style is the next factor to consider. Do you want clean, simple lines or frilly lace and sequins? What type of fabric would you prefer? Sleeve length is important, too. All dresses should have sleeves of similar leng t h. Shor t, long, spag hett i straps—it is up to you to decide.

Accessories are another important consideration. The bridesmaids don’t all have to wear the same style of shoe, but they should be the same color. If you elect for the bridesmaids to wear white gloves, which is an especially nice touch to complement shor t-sleeved gowns in the summer, direct them to antique stores where they are

usually available for under $10. Look for ads that mention vintage clothing or ladies’ hats.

Most often, gloves are considered too i n sig n i f ic a nt a n item to mention specifically in an ad, so keep an eye open for these other key words. You might even pick up a few pairs at a garage sale for a buck or two. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum. For a coordinated look, some brides elect to give their bridesmaids matching necklaces as a token of gratitude.

Once all the decisions are made, make a list of the characteristics you’d like the bridesmaids to look


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Bridesmaid dressespage 16 ‰

My daughter was raised by “theater geeks.”

She started attending our dinner theater shows at the age of four and she had a knack for learning dozens of Broadway show tunes from popular favorites like “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Sound of Music,” “Cinderella,” and “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Her fiance grew up in the magic world of Walt Disney, having seen every movie from the famed studio as well as numerous trips to Disney World in Florida and the original Disneyland in California.

So when Katie Marois, of Poland, and Will (BJ) Nadeau, of Lewiston, began planning for their wedding this summer, it was no surprise that the event would include a series of Disney and Broadway themed items to entertain their guests.

Guests were introduced to the themes long before the wedding d a y w hen t he y r e c ei v e d a n invitation on a Playbill magazine cover. The guests were invited to a one night performance of “North –

A New Marriage,” starring Katie Marois and BJ Nadeau as produced by Marois & Nadeau Productions, t he respect ive pa rents of t he engaged couple.

On the RSVP card, guests had to indicate the number of t ickets requested for t he event. T he playbill included directions to the church in Mechanic Falls with a note that they could pick up their t ickets at the box off ice at the reception hall in Lewiston.

“The playbil l cover featured a couple on their wedding day,” said BJ, who has actually worked at the Florida Disney park. “The couple was Mickey and Minnie Mouse complete with a tux and top hat and bridal dress and veil.”

On the wedding day, the f irst hint of Broadway occurred at the church ceremony when my w ife, Denise, and I, surprised the couple with a rendition of “Sabbath Prayer” and “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof.

“We were l ighting the candles after the ceremony and suddenly my parents were singing these very special songs,” said Katie. “It was very touching and there wasn’t a dry eye in the church.”

Tucked away ca ref u l ly in t he br ides bouquet w a s a f lor a l arrangement with a red outline of a Mickey Mouse face a nd ea rs on a wh ite backg rou nd. In t he center of t he f lowers was a sma l l black si lhouetted “hidden Mickey” face.

Even t he wedding r ings were specia l ly designed w it h t hree birthstones on them which were perfectly aligned to form a Mickey Mouse face.

At the reception, at the Carriage House in Lewiston, the guests were greeted at the “box office” where they received their seating arrangements. A crew of ushers escorted each guest to their seats.

At each table, there was a show poster with Disney characters in Broadway show roles. For instance, one of them showed what would happen if the cast from the movie


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Tuscany Hall for when choosing a gown. Find an example of the dress style you like in a magazine or book to give the ladies some idea of what to look for.

Try to provide small color and fabric swatches that the bridesmaids can take with them when selecting a gown. Give the bridesmaids tips on where to look for the best deals. Once t hey’ve selected a dress, they’ll need to show it to you for approval, so be sure to tell them to ask if the gown is returnable before purchasing it.

Designer bridesmaid dresses from br ida l shops a re out rageously ex pensive. Encou rage budget-minded bridesmaids to buy off-the-rack dresses that they would wear again. The sales rack at bridal shops may have some options, but even better options are available at discount designer stores or outlet malls. If you must have matching dresses, purchase them from shops that will give you a group discount of 20% or more.

Consignment shops are another alternative for locating matching gowns, but it may be difficult to find the color and sizes you need. Check with rental stores for gowns. Some carry a nice selection at a fraction of the cost of purchasing dresses.

Bridesmaid dressesfrom page 15

By Dan Marois Feature Writer

Unique wedding themes: A wedding full of drama

The wedding invitation was a playbill featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Drama weddingpage 17 ‰


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“The Lion King” appeared in the Broadway show “Cats.” Each table had a miniature battery-operated spotlight shining on the posters.

Each guest received a commemorative theater program that featured producer’s notes (comments from the parents), a list of the cast members (wedding party), and a page of cast bios written in a “Who’s Who in the Cast” section.

It was no surprise to anyone that when the married couple entered the reception, Katie and BJ had put on Mickey and Minnie Mouse Ear Hats; his were formal black and hers were white with a wedding veil.

The couple’s traditional first dance included, “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” in a ballad-like rendition from the TV show, “Glee,” while the cake cutting took place to the tune, “Be Our Guest,” from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” another favorite.

As for the father-daughter dance, Katie and I gracefully slid across the f loor until we stopped the music and belted out a few one-liners from our favorite Broadway show tunes to an enthusiastic crowd.

I presented the couple with a one-of- a- kind Broadway-themed gift—a poster autographed by the entire cast of the National Touring production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” with a note of good wishes to the couple. I was able to get this through Birdie Newman Katz, from Augusta, who played the matchmaker, Yente, in the touring production and who graciously sent the poster while on the multi-city tour.

In the weeks following the wedding, guests continue to comment on the uniqueness of the Nadeau wedding.

“There’s no way to describe what took place,” said Katie’s uncle, Dick Boucher, from Manchester, New Hampshire. His daughter, Donna Boucher St. Cyr agreed by saying, “It was the most entertaining wedding any of us have ever attended.”

Katie and BJ agree ... and they hope to have many more memorable events in their lives together.

Drama weddingfrom page 16

Submitted photosIn these photos, starting with top left photo and going clockwise: The newly married couple make their entrance at the reception. Even the wedding cake was Mickey Mouse-themed. Maid of honor, Lyndsay Dyer, makes a toast to the newlyweds with a theater curtain and spotlight backdrop. The bride shares a moment with her mother, Denise Marois, before the wedding ceremony.

Something old, new, borrowed, and blue may be among the finest of bridal details, but today, a bride’s bouquet is the ultimate accessory, its importance secondary only to the dress.

Wit h a l it t le imag inat ion a nd creativ ity, wedding f lorals can make a memorable statement while setting the perfect mood for the special day.

Trends for wedding f lowers have grown far beyond the tradition of tightly gathered, round nosegays. Wedding websites including The Knot, Chicago Style Weddings, and Wedding Window all raise a toast to looser shapes, movement, texture, and color, color, color!

Although white and pastels remain wedding standards, the altar is making room for hot pink and vibrant yellow married to chocolate brown and rich hues of orange, red, and green.

Tumbling waterfalls of f lowers of different shapes and colors have replaced t he st i f f, somet imes artificial appearance of the cascade styles of bygone weddings.

Also getting a nod are bouquets of traditional and nontraditional blooms combi ned w it h ot her elements for shape and texture, creating something nearer to art.

B r i d e s a r e n o w e m b r a c i n g bouquets accented with berries and herbs, family-heirloom lockets, and simple crystal beading; natural, yet timelessly elegant.

A l l a r e t r end s a b out w h ic h designers like Laurie Ouellette, owner of Sweet Pea Designs of Lewiston, get excited. Interestingly, her design style has always been what today is considered trendy.

“I love working with orchids and exotic tropicals,” said Ouellette. “And I like to work with colors you f ind in nature. If we need

to match dresses, I’l l do it with ribbons, wraps, and beading. I’ve even used white, paper-birch bark and heirloom handkerchiefs as materials for wrapping handles.”

At Blais Flowers & Garden Center, designers Lily Doyon, Katie Gay, and Sue Cote keep their eyes on the trends of the day while working with each bride to help her create her dream f lowers while staying true to any budget.

According to Gay, with today’s free-f lowing, airy styles, wedding flowers needn’t be a budget buster. In fact, some of the more budget-friendly blooms lend themselves beautifully to today’s trends.

“T h i s su m mer I’ve de sig ne d bouquets for at least four weddings using clusters of Stock, long-stem med, br i l l ia nt ly colored f lower s t hat , w hen gat hered together, have striking appeal. A l s t r o m e r i a , a n o t h e r l o n g -stemmed blossom, is also a current favorite for its color variations,” said Gay.

“Brides are incorporating more c ol or i nt o t h e i r b ou q u e t s ,” confirmed Doyon. “We’ve worked a lot with Gerber daisies recently and they come in a variety of colors. Alstromeria comes in red, yellow, orange, lavender, purple, and pink. Hydrangeas are popular, too, for their shade of lime green.”

Some of Doyon’s recent designs have ref lected the vintage trend, we av i ng g l it ter i ng pi n s a nd jewels among the bouquets, some intended as g i f ts t hat ca n be worn by attendants long after the wedding. In Blais’ front lobby is a display of assorted keepsakes that can be used in their designs, but brides can also bring their own pieces if desired.


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Flower traditions and trends:

A bouquet created by Sweet Pea Designs.

Saying yes to a colorful bouquet

Flowerspage 19 ‰

A f t e r r e t u r n i n g f r o m y o u r honeymoon, you begin to open your wedding gifts with your new husband. “How did we get such an unusual assortment?” you wonder. “I thought they would know what we needed.” If it’s not unusual gifts, it’s repeat gifts. Seriously, who needs four microwaves? Where did you go wrong? You didn’t utilize your resources—gift registries.

Gift registries are offered at more stores every year. Where should couples register? In the opinion of those who have come before, couples should register at several different stores. The gifts they put on their list should vary from low-priced items like a nice towel set for the guest bathroom to some rather high-priced items.

It doesn’t hurt to put high-priced items on registries, but a couple shouldn’t expect guests to be able to afford them. It’s quite possible, though, that several guests will “go in together” on a larger gift. The variety of stores and prices should accommodate all guests but still allow a couple to begin to fill their new living space.

What should couples register in their registry? On the practical end, it’s appropriate for couples to register for appliances from t o a s t e r s t o m i c r o w a v e s t o r ef r iger ator s . E le c t r on ic s of a l l ty pes from DV D players to surround sound stereo systems

may also make it onto the list. China, crystal and fine f latware tend to be more classic requests, though still found quite often on registry lists. Pots, pans, strainers and the like are also fairly common requests from a couple trying to fill a kitchen.

One of the best parts of modern gift registries is the ease of actually registering. Many places al low couples to come into the store, fill out as little information as the wedding name and the date, and then take a scan gun and point and shoot at anything they’d like.

This approach does make it much easier in that a couple can point and shoot at their own pace, and they are usually allowed to return

and add more to their list as they think of it. Smaller stores may use the handwritten approach, but it’s still a small price to pay to ensure that only one microwave shows up in the gift pile.

With al l this in mind, couples shou ld rea l ly ju st enjoy t he experience. It’s not every day that they are able to request everything their hearts desire and actually receive some of it. However, not

every guest will be comfortable purchasing from a gift registry, and couples should be prepared for that with a card tray.

W hen used properly, t houg h, registries will help many guests save a lot of shopping time and allow a couple to f i l l their new abode almost effortlessly.


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D e p e nd i n g on t h e w e d d i n g venue, centerpieces are also being given additional consideration. Instead of an afterthought, these arrangements are being given more of the spotlight.

“After all,” said Ouellette, “wedding guests spend most of their time seated at their tables. Why not use the decorating budget to give them something to look at and enjoy?”

Baskets are no longer the only vessels for centerpieces. Look for a nt ique pitchers, v i ntage containers, and glass cylinders f i l led w it h f r uit or stones, or assortments of bottles with single stems of blossoms.

All three designers are seeing taller centerpieces, commanding more

of the space by being displayed in glass vases and set on pedestals.

One of Ouellette’s brides had her reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland. The space was appointed with 26 oversized arrangements of curly willow and hydrangeas, peonies, and orchids, all in white.

“The venue was just breathtaking and the bride’s vision for the space was perfect,” said Ouellette.

Regardless of venue or budget, one thing is certain. Whether you follow the trends or you follow your heart, today’s wedding f lowers are fresh for the picking. It’s all about self-expression through color and shape, where whimsy can meet romance and bold can be beautiful. So, if you love it, just say “I do!”

Flowersfrom page 18

Most florists have a fresh supply of beautiful flowers on hand, such as these roses at Blais Flowers in Lewiston, which will help in the selection of wedding flowers for the bouquets and tables. Blais also has jewelery pieces for an extra special bridal accessory.

The wedding registryBy Andrew McGlothlenFeature Writer

Couples forge special bond as they craft wedding bands, family heirlooms

Here’s something unique for your wedding planning list: make your own wedding bands. While it is not for everyone, couples who would enjoy t he experience of being together as bench jewelers for a day have an opportunity to create a special story, one that can be passed on for generations. Brown Goldsmiths, in Freeport, offers the Wedding Ring Workshop.

Owner Steve Brown said, “The idea started in 2009 and since then it’s been wonderful to share the joy of many engaged couples. They work closely with our head goldsmith, Deane Frank, in a private session. He guides them as they craft and customize their wedding bands with their own hands.”

The workshop is not just for lovers of the unconventional, according to Brown. Those with artistic flair,

as well as those who want to create a lasting memory, appreciate the

workshop. For some adventurous souls, the opportunity to make

t hei r wedd i ng ba nds is more meaningful than the traditional jewelry store visit.

Making a wedding band involves a basic jeweler’s tool k it a nd workbench, and 18 karat or 14 ka rat gold w i re. Tech n iques include bending, sawing, twisting, soldering, and polishing. Brown Goldsmiths offers 16 basic designs that can be mastered in about three hours under the direction of Frank.

“Even individuals who initially t hin k t hey might not be able to ma ke t he r ings are excited when they finish the job. They love k now ing t hey have made something that will soon become a family heirloom, with a wonderful story,” said Brown.

For more i n for mat ion about scheduling a workshop, call Brown Goldsmiths in Freeport at 865-4126. View a video of a workshop at w w w.browngoldsmiths.com/WeddingRingVideo.html.


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By Tresa EricksonFeature Writer

Rings and things

Before you go to any jewelry store, you need to educate yourself on the 4Cs: Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat. All help determine the value of a diamond. General ly diamonds have brown or yellow undertones, as well as interior and exterior flaws, such as scratches, nicks and inclusions. The less color and the more clarity a diamond has, the higher its value.

A d ia mond t hat i s c ut pro-portionately and symmetrically will ref lect more light, increasing both its sparkle and its value. The more carats a diamond weighs, the more rare it is and the more it is worth. To learn more about the 4Cs, go to the Gemological Institute of America’s Web site at 4cs.gia.edu.

Once you know a bit more about the 4Cs, check with the Better Business Bureau or local chamber of commerce for a list of reputable jewelers. You are probably going to spend a good deal of money, so you want make sure you get the real thing. You should also find out about the stores’ return and repair policies.

As you shop for a ring, take your time and stick to your budget. You don’t want to empty your bank account for the first huge diamond you see. Smaller diamonds are often of better quality than larger ones. Again, knowing the 4Cs will help you to choose the best ring for your money.

When choosing a ring, think about your fiancee’s tastes in jewelry. Does she wear a lot of gold or platinum jewelry? Does she like gemstones? Does she lean toward more simple or elaborate pieces? More importantly, what kind of lifestyle does she lead?

If she is athletic or works in the outdoors, she might want a simple ring. On the other hand, if she prefers the indoors and works in an office, she might want some-thing fancier.

To narrow down your selections, consider the 4Cs of the diamond as well as the setting. Platinum prongs are stronger than gold ones. The band of the ring should also be strong. You don’t want it to get bent out of shape the first day your fiancee wears it.

There are dozens of books on the market specifically geared toward wedding etiquette. Each has their own version of what is acceptable and what is not. Depending on how closely you choose to follow etiquette, here are some basics.

Bachelor and bachelorette party rules no longer require the sexes to have separate parties. There is no reason, as long as both sides agree, why one party for the whole wedding party cannot be arranged. In this case, all those attending would pitch in an equal amount to cover costs.

Send wedding invitations to both sets of parents as a keepsake, as well as to the officiate. Send one to all members of the wedding party. If you don’t want children at the wedding, either print “Adult Reception” on the invite or use word-of-mouth to spread the word. All invites should include a “Reply by” date.

Call guests who have not replied one week after that date. You can estimate that about 85% of the guests you invite will attend. Make sure your RSVPs include postage.

Ever yone who is i nvolved i n the ceremony needs to be at the wedd i ng rehea rsa l, i nclud i ng musicians, parents of the bride and groom, and all attendants, whether groomsmen or bridesmaids.

A rehearsal dinner usually follows the ceremony practice but does not include spouses or significant others of those in the wedding party unless specifically invited by the hosts, which in most cases are the groom’s parents.

P r ac t ic i ng t he mu sic at t he rehearsal is essential. We take many of our cues from the music at the ceremony and one little screw-up can throw everyone off balance.

For the ceremony seating, the parents of the bride and groom shou ld s it i n t he f ront row respectively. However, in today’s complicated society, families are not always cut and dried.

In the case of divorced parents who don’t get along, the mother sits in the front row with her new husband and the father sits in the second row with his new spouse. If everyone is friendly, they may all sit in the front row together.

Don’t arrive late to the wedding or you can consider it missed. Once the mother of the bride is

seated, a signal that the ceremony has begun, formal and informal seat ing is complete. No g uest should ever enter the wedding ceremony area once it has started under any circumstances.

With a wedding of over 75 guests in attendance, you may want to limit the receiving line to bride and groom, mother of the bride and groom, and maid-of-honor/best man. For smaller numbers of guests, the whole wedding party and fathers may be in attendance.

Technically a receiving line should take place at the reception upon entrance of the first guests but since ma ny couples schedu le post-wedd i ng photog raphs to be taken immediately following the ceremony, it is acceptable to hold the receiving line outside the church.

At the reception, plan on feeding t he ba nd or DJ when ma k ing cater ing a r ra ngements. Don’t do the money dance—it’s tacky. Head table seating is up for grabs these days, so any combination of the wedding party, parents, g ra ndpa rents a nd sig n i f ica nt others is fine.

Assign seating if having over 30 guests at the reception. You don’t have to name each person to a seat; just put the names on tables. For example, seat the Miller family and the O’Brian family together at one table.

The parents of the wedding couple should sit at a reserved table if they are not already seated at the head table. Don’t bring gifts to the reception. Gifts should always be sent to the bride’s residence prior to the wedding.

At the reception the bride and g room shou ld have t he f i rst dance prior to a sit-down dinner. The bride should dance with the groom’s father and the groom with the bride’s mother. Etiquette also calls for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to dance together regardless of marital status.

The garter toss, while a long-standing traditional event, has recently fallen out of favor. The bouquet tos s, a not her long-standing event, can be omitted if desired, but is acceptable if kept low-key.

If the wedding is called off, you should return the gifts unused. Make sure you keep a list of who sent what. Engraved gifts may be kept . Ca ncel t ravel pla ns immediately and inform guests

who planned to travel to your wedding first. Keep in mind that these are just some basic wedding etiquette guidelines. Ultimately, it is your day and you need to bring to

it your unique outlook so it will be much more memorable to you.


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Basic wedding etiquette guidelines

Guests: Don’t bring gifts to the reception. Gifts should always be sent to the bride’s residence prior to the wedding.

After the wedding dress and the honeymoon, the most expensive part of a wedding is the reception. Determining the type of reception you will have involves deciding whether or not to have a sit-down dinner, buffet or hors d’oeuvres.

Receptions held earlier in the day don’t require a full meal and people tend to drink less, so the costs will be lower.

Ke epi ng t he g ue st l i s t to a minimum wil l a lso help lower costs. The t ime of day of t he reception, the number of guests inv ited a nd your budget may u lt imately ma ke t he decision for you, but selecting the best caterer for the job will determine the final outcome.

The best way to find a competent caterer is by asking around. Ask some recently married couples for recommendations. If the same name pops up, arrange a meeting.

A popular caterer will be booked months or even a year in advance, so make your arrangements early. Meet with the caterers on your

list to discuss the budget and ask for references. Be sure to contact for mer cl ient s a nd a sk some specific questions, such as:

1. Did the catering services meet the bride’s expectations?

2. Were there any problems?

3. Looking back, would the bride have asked the caterer to do anything differently?

With the answers you receive to these three questions, you should be able to decide if the caterer is capable of tackling your reception.

The next step is to direct specific questions to the caterer:

1. What types of food would they recommend for t he st yle of reception you’ve chosen?

2. What are the menu choices for your budget and are specia l meals available for those with dietary restrictions?

3. How ma ny ser ver s w i l l be present? This number should be based on your final head count.

4. Do they have adequate insurance and health permits? Visit the food preparation site to make sure.

5. How much of a deposit i s required? When is the balance due? Is gratuity included in the price? Are there any additional charges you should be aware of? You won’t have a final headcount at this time, but you can estimate that around 85% of the guests inv ited to t he wedding a nd reception will attend.

6. Is the caterer prepared to meet a ny specia l needs for you r reception, such as those for an outdoor wedding?

7. What type of dinnerware will be used? View the pieces.

8. What about valet parking and a coat check? Are these included or are they extra?

9. What about alcoholic beverages? Does the caterer stock a full bar? Can you bring your own? What about champagne? Will it flow all night or just for the toast? What is the cost of both?

10. Will the caterer do the setup and cleanup or prepare food only.

Once you’ve narrowed your search, it’s time to focus on the menu and sample the foods. Seafood and beef are the most expensive entrees so

to maximize savings, go for a pasta or chicken dish instead.

Keep the side dishes in line with what’s in season. The food you sample should be served to you precisely the way it will served to your guests—prepared in the same manner complete with garnishes.

Be sure the groom accompanies you for the sampling as he may have additional comments or questions you hadn’t thought to ask. Ask if the recipes can be altered, such as omitting nuts if you don’t care for them. Remember, you’re paying for this, so order food you like.

If you are the hot wings and beer type, don’t think you have to serve shrimp cocktails and champagne. Ask the caterer if you can take home any leftover food—after all, you’ve paid for it, so why not ask.

C on sider one ot her element before making a final decision—the caterer’s personality. You’ll be working closely together, so rapport is important. Hire the caterer who will enhance your wedd i ng bot h professiona l ly and personally.

Get a written contract from the caterer outlining specifically what services will be provided.

The contract should include all the details you’ve agreed upon: how many food stations will be used, how many servers per station or per table for a sit-down dinner, menu-specific items, time and date of the reception, and costs, including deposit amount and balance due. Both members of the agreement must sign the contract in order for it to be valid.

Now that you’ve done all of this, don’t think you’re f inished yet. Touch base with your caterer in the week leading up to your wedding to make sure they have your reception in the front of their mind.


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When the day finally comes and the ceremony is over, relax and enjoy the reception you worked so hard to plan.

Tossing t he bouquet. Wearing something old, new, borrowed and blue. Throwing birdseed or confetti. These are just some of the traditions of a typical wedding in the United States.

But what about the rest of the world? W hat k ind of wedding t r ad it ion s do ot her c u lt u res practice? Here is just a sampling.

• In Peru, charms are attached to ribbons and placed between the layers of the wedding cake. Before the cake is cut, the single women gather around and pull a ribbon. The one who pulls the ribbon with a ring attached to it is the next person who will marry.

• In Chile, the couple exchange rings when they announce their engagement. They wear their rings on their left hands until they are married, and then switch them to their right hands.

• In Eg y pt, the groom’s family proposes to the bride.

• In Morocco, the bride becomes mistress of her new home by walking around the outside of it three times.

• In Sudan, seven broomsticks are burned and thrown away to symbolize the couple’s discarding of any bad habits that could pose a threat to their marriage.

• In India, the bride must enter her in-laws’ home for the first time on her right foot and knock down a container of uncooked rice to bring good luck to the house.

• In Pakistan, the bride wears red, which symbolizes happiness.

• In China, a hair stylist arrives at the homes of both the bride and the groom the night before their wedding to comb their hair for good luck and prosperity.

• In Japan, the bride and groom signify their union by sharing a sip of sake.

• In the Ukraine, the couple share wedd i ng bread w it h mot i f s sy mbolizing eternit y and the unity of their families.

• In Poland, the bride’s mother gives the bride and groom each a shot glass. One is filled with colorless vodka and the other with water. Whoever receives the vodka is predicted to be the breadwinner.

• In Greece, the bride puts a sugar cube in her glove for good luck.

• In Italy, the groom’s tie is cut into many pieces, and the pieces are then sold to guests to collect spending money for the couple on their honeymoon.

• In Scotland, everyone gathers around the bride’s feet the night before the wedding and washes t hem to ma ke su re she a nd her husband trot off on a fresh path together.

• I n S w e d e n , w o m e n w e a r t hree wedding r ings, one for engagement, one for marriage and one for motherhood.

• In Finland, all of the single women gather around the bride. The maid of honor then places a crown upon the bride’s head, blindfolds her and spins her around. Whoever is in front of the bride when she stops receives the crown and is the next to marry.

Wedding cake traditions are just as unique as ceremony traditions. Imagine it: a three-tiered chocolate cake decorated with fresh fruit and berries. After hours of taste tests, that’s what you have decided to serve at your wedding. Now imagine your guests picking up

pieces and throwing them at you. Absurd? Not in ancient Rome.

In ancient Roman times, bakers made thin wedding cakes from wheat, a grain associated with fertility and prosperity.

To bring fertility to the bride, Roman guests crumbled the wheat cakes over the bride’s head.

The newly married couple then ate a portion of the crumbs to signify the beginning of their life together. To wish them a lifetime of prosperity, the guests gathered the leftover crumbs and threw them at the couple.

Around 100 B.C., Roman bakers sweetened the cakes and began serving them to the couple as well the guests to eat. Few did, however, as t hey enjoyed t he t radit ion of throwing cake so much they continued the practice.

Over time, the custom evolved. In Anglo-Saxon times, guests brought baked goods and piled them up as high as they could. The higher the pile, the more prosperous the newly married couple might be.

The couple would then make an attempt to kiss each other over the pile. If they succeeded without k nock ing a ny t hing over, t hey would be prosperous throughout their life together.

On a visit to London in the 1600’s, a baker from France was invited to a ceremony in which he watched the guests pile up their baked goods. Shocked by the haphazard way the British made the pile and confident it would fall, the baker decided there had to be a better way.

He soon turned the pile of baked goods into a layered sensation, a nd t he r ich, heav i ly f rosted multi-tiered wedding cake was born. Although the cakes were a bit excessive for their taste at first, English bakers began offering the same types of cakes by the end of the century.

There you have it—a brief history of the wedding cake. From the French’s disdain for the British tradition, the scrumptious multi-tiered wedding cake was born, and it has evolved ever since.

From seven layers of lemon chiffon to three tiers of mocha fudge, cakes today come in wide range of flavors, sizes and shapes. You just have to choose. Lucky for you, that could take days of taste testing.

These are just some of the many wedd i ng t rad it ions t hat ta ke place around the world. For a more complete l ist, conduct a search online or go to the library. You never know—you may f ind custom you would like to adopt for your wedding.


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Wedding and wedding cake traditions around the world


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Wedding processional alternativesNot every bride-to-be has visions of walking down the aisle to Wagner’s “Br ida l Chor us.” Some prefer other songs that are romantic or dra mat ic. There may be a particular song dear to a bride’s heart or one she just fell in love with and wants to hear.

For those looking for something that more accurately ref lects the tone of individual weddings, here are some select ions, courtesy of The Knot, that can make the wedding even more special.

Traditional

1. “Air” (Handel)

2. “Canon in D” (Pachelbel)

3. “Procession of Joy” (Hopson)

4. “Te Deum” (Charpentier)

5. “Wedding March” (Mozart)

6. “Canzon V” (Gabrieli)

7. “Romeo & Juliet Love Theme” (Tchaikovsky)

8. “Winter” (Vivaldi)

Contemporary

1. “Sunrise, Sunset” (Hamick & Bock)

2. “The Look of Love” (Burt Bacharach)

3. “The Vow” (Lubbock)

4. “Wedding Processional” (Rodgers & Hammerstein)

Here are some other contemporary songs that can be used with lyrics or in instrumental versions as wedding processionals or f irst dances.

1. “Take Me As I Am” (Love Theme from “Jekyll & Hyde”)

2. “Marry Me” (Train)

3. “Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars)

4. “That’s All I Ask of You” (from “Phantom of the Opera”)

5. “The Wind Beneath My Wings” (Bette Midler)

6. “Con Te Partiro” (Andrea Bocelli)

7. “My Heart Will Go On” (Love Theme from “Titanic”)

8. “You Raise Me Up” (Josh Groban)

Pack an emergency wedding day kitBrides- and grooms-to-be hope and pray their wedding day will go off without a hitch. After a year or more of planning and writing checks for so many things, couples hope that it all comes together in the end. For most it does. Others may need a litt le help keeping things on track.

Although the idea is to hope for the best, being prepared for a few obstacles along the way can ensure t he day goes smoot hly. Ma ny couples f ind it wise to pack an emergency kit, stocked with items to make repairs or handle tie ups with ease.

• needle and thread in white, black and color of bridesmaid gowns

• extra pairs of pantyhose

• pain reliever pills

• antacid

• quick-clean detergent stick

• bandages

• powder

• deodorant

• double-sided tape

• black buttons

• sanitary pads

• mints/gum

• makeup for touch-ups

• extra cash

• slippers or a change of shoes

• umbrellas

• hairspray

• hair pins

• names and phone numbers of all wedding vendors

• static cling spray

• hair dryer

• contact lens solution/eye drops

• nail file

• nail clipper

• straws (to sip drinks without ruining lipstick)

• safety pins

• black socks

• earring backs

2011 fall wedding

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