bride's guide 2015

Bride’s Guide 2015 ❧ Page In

Owatonna.com

Bride’sGUIDE2015

❧ Bride’s Guide 2015

Let CashWise take the worry out of your wedding day!No event is too big or too small!

Rely on CashWise’s Deli for all your catering needs!We offer a variety of services including buffet style dinners, hors d’oeuvres or

sandwiches! We’ll cater to your wedding or groom’s dinners.Call the Catering Department 507-451-7220

Let our expert staff help you choose the perfect cake. From your favorite fl avor to your wedding colors, we can create the cake of your dreams!

Call the Bakery Department 507-451-7220

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Call Julia Today to Book Your Date!

1991 Lemond Road | Owatonna

Where Families Belong

507-451-6120

Julia Seykora Director of Sales & Service

[email protected]

O w a t o n n a

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Your Destination for Elegance

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135 West Pearl l Owatonna l 507-451-2840

Owatonna.com

Publisher - Ron EnsleyAdvertising Director - Debbie Ensley

Media Consultants - Alisha Davidson, Per Kvalsten, Jay Petsche, Jennifer Sorensen

Graphics and Design - Lauren Barber, Nikkie Gilmore, Keeley Krebsbach, Jenine Kubista, Kelly Kubista

Cover Design - Keeley KrebsbachBride’s Guide is published by the Owatonna People’s Press

135 West Pearl, Owatonna, MN 55060 and printed by Cannon Valley Printing, North� eld, MN 55057.

All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertiser. No portion of the advertising or editorial content of the Bride’s Guide

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Bride’s Guide Bride’s Guide 2015 ❧

The 12 essentials of a dream wedding

Ceremony, o� ciant, and reception

How to immortalize your wedding

Creating atmosphere is the secret to your reception

Four smart ways to invite your guests to table

An invitation like no other

The perfect wedding band to tie the knot

The most beautiful bride from head to toe

Coordinate out� ts for the perfectbride and groom

Decorating suggestions for your reception

Special transportation for a special occasion

Wedding favor ideas for your guests

Five destination ideas for your honeymoon

The head table: Always a delicate matter

A carefully planned seating chart

Golden Rules for respectful guests

The roles of main or matron of honor and best man

Writing your own vows? How to getpast writers block

The perfect gift for the couple

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Call us to inquire about availability and talk to our wedding consultant!

Let us host your wedding ceremony or reception!

Pristine venue under the oaks with scenic woods backdrop.

Flower-lined walkways, patios, pergolas, � re areas, water fountains, and beautiful

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7921 S. County Rd. 45 • Owatonna

A wedding is the event of a life-time. This special day has to be perfect, hence the impor-tance of taking care of even the smallest of organizational details. You don’t want to for-get anything, whether it’s a res-ervation, a fi tting, or a trial run

for your menu and hairstyle. Here’s a checklist of the 12 key elements you’ll need to take care of along the path to your dream wedding.

1. THE CEREMONY, THE OFFICI-ANT, AND THE RECEPTION Are you going to have a civil or religious wed-ding? Have you asked your best friend to unite you in wedlock? And

will the reception be in the country, on a cruise ship, or in a

hotel ballroom? Make sure

the location you choose can eas-ily accom-modate all

your guests. You’ll also

want to think about signing a

marriage contract or pre-nuptial agreement.

2. THE MEAL AND THE WEDDING CAKE There are loads of things to think about when organizing the meal: the format; the menu; a children’s menu; the bar; and the wedding cake. Say, why not set up a candy bar? And don’t forget to ask about your guests’ food allergies.3. THE ATMOSPHERE What theme will you choose to set the tone for your wedding: a colour, a culture, a historical period? Which DJ will get your guests out on the dance fl oor? Will you surprise everyone with a unique fi rst dance?

4. PHOTOGRAPHER How will you immortalize your wedding: photos, videos, or both? Remember to plan for an indoor photo session in case Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate on your big day.

5. THE INVITATIONS Don’t wait until the last minute to send out your invita-tions if you want all the important people in your life to be with you for this celebration. Remember to indicate the theme and dress code. And do think about including self-addressed stamped envelopes for those essential RSVPs.

6. WEDDING BANDSYour wedding bands are the symbols of your love; choose them with care. Do you both want gold, silver, or with diamonds? Discreet or extrava-gant? With or without an engraving?

7. BEAUTY APPOINTMENTS Hairstyle, manicure, waxing, and makeup: leave no thing to chance if you want to be stunning on your big day. Make your appointments for just the right time; you don’t want your roots to be visible under your veil!

8. THE DRESS, SUIT, AND ACCESSORIES The outfi ts of bride, groom, and wedding party should be coordinated. Will you be a vision in white or will

PHOTOS: JUPITERIMAGES / STOCKBYTETHINKSTOCK

The 12 essentials of a dream wedding

See ESSENTIALS on 5

Bride’s Guide 2015 ❧

EssentialsFrom page 4

you choose to add a colourful note? And will the per-fect dress feature something old, something new, something bor-rowed, and some-thing blue?

9. FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS Have you chosen a colour scheme for your fl owers and decorative accesso-ries? What are your favourite fl owers? How will the tables be dressed?

10. TRANSPORTATION Will you arrive by boat, car, horse-drawn carriage, or maybe even by parachute? Whatever your choice, be sure to take your dress and the weather into consideration.

11. GUEST FAVOURS A personalized trinket, a gourmet sample, or a home decor object: have you found the perfect wedding favour to thank your guests for joining you?

12. THE HONEYMOON A truly idyllic honeymoon shouldn’t break your budget. Are you tempted by an exotic island or a vibrant city? Choose the destination and the tim-ing carefully to stay in line with your means.

GET OUT YOUR CALENDAR, GET SET, AND RESERVE! Make your reservations early in order to secure the top experts in every domain. Remember that their talents are in big demand.

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You are Invited to classic,

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OWATONNA

Ceremony, of� ciant, and receptionIT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO RESERVE Have you made the big decision to get married? Then there’s no time to lose, especially with regard to the venue for both the ceremony and the reception. It’s no secret that the best dates get snapped up quickly, especially for the most beautiful settings. Even the services of the marriage offi ciant should be reserved early.

The fi rst step is to determine whether you want a religious or civil wedding. Then comes the choice of reception venue. The possibilities abound: reception hall, conference centre, restaurant, hotel, country inn, golf club, outfi tter, ski resort, spa, vi neyard, orchard, farm, sugar shack, mu seum, botanical garden, marina, cruise ship, or cottage. The options depend only on your imagination.

Narrow down your list of choices by fi nding out if they can accommodate everyone on your guest list. Ask about the ser-vices and equip ment available, such as ta bles and chairs, decora-tions, ca te ring, en tertainment, liquor li cense, ba throoms, kitchen area, and au dio and video equipment. Be sure to check what is and what isn’t included in the package.

THE LEGALITIES You want to unite your destinies abroad? Find out about marriage

legalities in your destination country so you can be sure your union is legally watertight.

You and your fi ancé should also discuss a marriage contract that clarifi es your fi nancial contributions and responsibilities to each other, especially if either of you has children from another marriage. It may not seem very romantic, or one of you may feel the other is preparing to abandon the marriage before it even gets started, but that’s not what it’s all about. A prenuptial agreement shows that you take marriage seriously, as a legal and moral com-mitment. A future spouse who is well informed before saying “I do” is a worthy counterpart.

There are endless possibilities for where you can celebrate your new life as a married couple.

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1620 S. Cedar, Owatonna 507.451.0138

www.hy-vee.com

We cater to your dreams

Custom Floral Design

Beautiful Wedding Cakes

Wine and Spirits

ProfessionalCatering

Where beautiful memories are made

from traditional

to contemporary.

Custom wedding cakes that are made to order with matching

sheet cakes, 1/4, 1/2 or

full sizes.

For the most important day

of your life, treat yourself

and your guests to the

very best wines & spirits!

Complete catering from

hors d’ oeuvres, bridal showers

and grooms dinners to full buffet meals.

Delivery and set-up available

How to immortalize your wedding

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Your wedding is going to be overfl owing with meaningful gestures: bountiful affection, tender gazes, knowing smiles shared between the two of you, not to mention the kiss that seals your vows. Weddings are fi lled with a panoply of intimate mo ments that you’ll want to capture for posterity. If it’s documented well, it’ll be an exciting day that you can live and relive, over and over again.

A FEW CLICKS OF THE SHUTTER Make sure the best moments of your wedding are captured by a professional photographer who knows how to be unobtrusive. But what if the weather’s bad and the lighting in the hall is terrible? Don’t panic; a photo session can be scheduled a few days before or after the wedding. A good photographer will know how to immorta lize your union in an unusual and stunning way, worthy of a

glossy magazine.

With a photo booth and a few accessories at the reception, your guests can also pose for posterity. A few crazy snapshots will defi nitely help them remember the event. You can even ask your guests to send you a few of their favourite photos that they took during the festivities.

A WEDDING FILMED FROM EVERY ANGLE Guest interviews, staging, backstage cameras at the ceremony: it sounds like Holly wood! A wedding videographer will trace the history of this unique day as if it were a movie. You’ll be fi lmed from the moment you start your wedding preparations with your bridesmaids, making the fi nal product a treat for all the people you love.

So, would you like a wedding album or a movie? Why not both!

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A picture is worth a thousand words,so you’d better multiply the memories of this special day.


With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of Love offers a romantic setting where you can hold your

outdoor garden wedding or special event amidst fragrant � owers and beautiful landscape featuring

a gazebo and a pavilion.Electricity on grounds • Sound System and Operating Staff • Chairs Skirted Display Tables • Unity Table • Bridal Chamber • Emergency

Kits • Bathroom Facilities • Card Box • Satin Seat Covers

Blooms of Love, LLC 507-951-1619

19392 585th St., Dodge Center, MN 5592shari@bloomso� ove.com

With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of With our gardens open from June to October, Blooms of

Blooms of LoveOur mission is for you to say "I do"

and we do all the rest!

What makes one wedding more fun than an other? There’s no need to look far: the se cret is in the atmosphere. Here are some tips on how to organize a memorable wedding reception.

THE THEME Begin by choosing the theme that will be the foundation of the wedding. This will guide you through your clothing and decorat-ing choices, and it will even determine the wedding favours you offer and the meal the caterer serves. The theme can be a colour or combination of colours, an era or a season, a country or a cul-ture, an object or a shared passion. Above all, it should refl ect both your personalities.

ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC If you hire an enter-tainer along with your

DJ or musicians, you’ll have more fun at your own wedding. You’ll both be able to circulate amongst your guests, and there won’t be any uncomfortable lulls. A good DJ is a facilitator who can adapt to the age and tastes of the guests and keep the momentum going. Just be sure that anyone you hire can entertain according to your theme.

SOME IDEAS FOR SURPRISING YOUR GUESTS • Plan a unique arrival at the reception. • Set up a photo booth with wacky accessories. • Provide a guest book that can be a decorative item in your home after the reception. • Work out a dance routine to perform to gether or with your wedding party. • Have a karaoke machine for later on, at the reception. • Release disposable lanterns into the sky when it gets dark, or plan some fi reworks. • Hire a magician, a croupier with casino ta bles, or a caricaturist to en tertain your guests. • Serve custom cocktails, pou red by a professional fl air bartender who can juggle bottles and do some spectacular bartending tricks.

Creating atmosphere is the secret to your reception

Choose a theme that will add a unique fl avour to your wedding and reception.

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Open M-F 6:30 a.m. - 5:30; SAT. 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

107 N. Cedar • Downtown Owatonna 451-3430

ELWOOD STAR CLEANERS

Because You Want Your Special Day To Last Forever....

Let Us Preserve Your Wedding DressCleaned, Press & Boxed - $150 and up

Preserved - $200 and up

ELWOOD STAR CLEANERS


Meeting and event rooms for bridal showers, grooms dinners, and hospitality rooms

Space for intimate weddings and receptions

Large pool, whirlpool, & game area

Complimentary hot, home-style breakfast favorites

Group Rates Available

AmericInn Shuttle Service

A friendly & professional staff dedicated tomaking your stay enjoyable

Wedding Parties? WE DO!

245 FLORENCE AVE, OWATONNA, MN 507.455.1142 800.634.3444

[email protected] WWW.AMERICINN.COM

Four smart ways to invite your guests to table

What you give your guests to eat at your wedding reception shouldn’t be decided lightly, especially as the meal generally swallows up a large part of the wedding budget. Here are a few options. 1. A banquet. This is the classic wedding dinner format. It’s often preceded by a cocktail reception with appetizers and a cash- or open bar. The meal, which includes several courses, is served to guests at their tables by wait staff. The cost varies according to the number of courses and the choice and variety of dishes on offer.

2. Tapas. It’s possible to replace the traditional three course meal with tapas, or as sorted samples of different dishes. These can be a meal in themselves when served at the table and in suffi cient quantities.

3. A cocktail party. This format involves an informal seating plan that allows guests to circulate and nibble

on a variety of fi nger foods throughout the eve ning. It’s a great way to encourage mingling among your guests.

4. A buffet. Simple and affordable, a buffet has the advantage of offering a wi der variety of food. Guests get to serve themselves, according to their specifi c tastes.

Discuss the different options with the person responsible for the reception. Whatever format you choose, always provide options for the children and ask guests about allergies, intolerances, and dietary laws. Think about whether you want to offer an open bar or a cash bar, and whether you want to serve a dessert in addition to your wedding cake. These days, other sweet ideas are gaining in popularity at receptions, including cupcakes and all-you-can-eat candy bars. Ask your caterer about all the latest trends.

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Banquet, tapas, buffet, or cocktail party: which will you choose to satisfy your guests’ appetites?


115 North Cedar, Owatonna • 451-6644Famous For Diamonds For Over 96 Years

Tuesday - Friday: 9-5; Saturday: 9-Noon

Kottke Jewelers For guaranteed quality that will

last a lifetime choose Kottke Jewelers

Directions: I-35; Exit 41; West on Bridge Street Right on St. John Drive (Next to Target)

High Standard Low Price

507-446-0228888-771-7171

150 St. John Dr., Owatonnawww.microtelinn.com

• Free breakfast• Free local and long distance calls• Free high speed wireless internet• Rooms with• Great weekly & monthly rates• Great corporate & group rates

Corporate Lodging

Welcome

Hall RentalWeddings, Parties & Anniversaries

or for any special occasion!

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUSColumbian Center

820 S. Elm, P.O. Box 623Owatonna, MN 55060

Call 451-6103 for more information

The countdown has started; sending out your wedding invitations makes it all seem offi cial. It is an important step indeed. In addition to announc-ing your wedding, this little piece of cardstock, tucked so neatly into its pretty envelope, gives your guests a taste of the celebrations to come. Their curiosity will defi nitely be aroused.

To show all this promise, your invitation should include: • the names of the bride and

groom (in clude those of the respective parents if you want to follow the tradition of the pa rents hosting the wedding)

• the location, date, and time of the ceremony

• RSVP cards and envelopes (encourage your guests to

confi rm their presence by including a pre-stamped reply card)

• an invitation to the recep-tion (feel free to invite only certain guests to the party fol-lowing the ceremony; specify the theme, dress code, loca-tion, and menu choices)

IT’S A GO! Send one invitation per address, whether it’s to a sin-gle person, couple, or family. In vitations should be mailed at least three months before the big day. If you’re invi-ting your guests to join you abroad for your wedding, or if some of your guests live out side the country, try to send your in vitations as early as eight months in advance. Keep a few spare invitations, just in case.

NEED SOME INSPIRATION? When it comes to invitation design, it isn’t always easy to transform your ideas into real-ity. You can turn to websites or

wedding magazines for help. If you’re not very artistic, choose a template or hire a graphic designer to create a unique wedding invitation.

An invitation styled according to your wedding theme will give your guests a hint of what’s to come.

An invitation like no other


Cash Wise Offers: • Professional Florists Wedding & Reception Flowers • Expert Cake Decorators • Catering Great for Groom’s Dinner • Wine & Spirits Largest Selection & Quantity Discounts • Natural Foods For home health remedies • Bulk Foods Great for Candy Buffets

Call today to set up a FREE Consultation!Floral Shoppe: (507) 451-8116Cake Decorator: (507) 451-7220

Bring in this certi�cate and

receive l0% off your Wedding Order! excludes the $12999 �oral wedding package.

Cash Wise, 495 West North StreetOwatonna, MN 55060 (507) 451-7220

The perfect wedding band to

tie the knotSince time immemorial, wedding bands have sym-bolized the continuity of mar-riage. Legend has it that a wedding ring is custo marily worn on the left ring fi nger because of the vena amoris, or “vein of love”; it was thought to have a unique-ly direct connection to the heart. We know today that all the fi ngers have similar privileges, but your choice of wedding ring is still as im portant as ever. After all, you’re hoping that it will adorn your ring fi nger until death do you part. Your tastes, your gender, and especially your budget are the main factors to consider in choosing the right band.

THE METAL • Gold. Whether it’s yel-

low, pink, or white, gold is always a safe bet. The price varies according to the number of Karats (abbreviated by K or kt).

• Platinum. This metal is attractive and very durable, but more expensive.

• Titanium. It’s less expen-sive and doesn’t scratch or fade, but it isn’t as shiny as

gold or platinum. • Silver. This is typically the

most affordable option, but pure silver oxidizes over time.

DISCRETION VS. EXTRAVAGANCE You might enjoy having a ring that’s striated, bejew-eled, or engraved with a personal message from your beloved. There’s nothing to stop you from being creative and commissioning tailor-made wedding bands from your jeweler. Men typically prefer to opt for discretion and comfort; jewellery with-out gemstones is less frag-ile and thus more popular with them. And even though rings are available in an end-less range of possibilities, most women still choose dia-monds, which are, of course, forever.

Wedding superstition holds that you shouldn’t try on your wedding bands before the big day, and that the groom-to-be should keep the rings until the wedding. But the only really impor-tant rule is that this day be fi lled with happiness.

Gold, platinum, silver, or diamonds: what will you choose for your dream wedding ring?

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Excellent facility for seating up to 350 people

~Affordable Rental, Beverage,

& Food Service Rates! ~

Ample parking available~

Stage with wing entrance doors~

Dance Floor~

Very good lighting and acoustics~

Excellent food service available~

Alcohol and non-alcohol beverage service

BloomingPrairieServiceman’s Club

210 4th Street NE • Blooming Prairie, MN507-583-7884

Contact Sheri Tapp

at 507-676-7287 for availability

and pricing for your event!

The excitement, joy, and anticipation you’ll feel on the big day will make you radiant with beauty. After all, there’s no thing like a good dose of happiness to put a blush on the cheeks, a sparkle in the eyes, and a beautiful smile on every bride’s face. But to truly glow from head to toe, perhaps you should think about consulting some beauty professionals.

1. THE HAIR STYLIST A stunning bride needs

a fabulous hairstyle. Whichever style appeals to you, you’ll want to entrust your hair to the expert hands of a real hair salon professional. Remember to make two appointments: one to try different hairstyles, and another for the big day.

2. THE ESTHETICIAN Manicure, pedicure, hair

remo val, fa cial, eyelash extensions, and massage: a wedding is the perfect excuse to pamper your body. Not to mention that stray

body hairs, dry skin, and da maged nails are not on the guest list! Don’t forget to make two se parate appoint-ments for your make up as well.

3. THE DENTIST Because laughter is the

right of every newly mar-ried couple, treat your-self to a teeth whitening treatment for a spark ling smile.

A BEAUTIFUL AND ORGANIZED BRIDE

• Make your appointments as soon as possible.

• Carry a photo of your dress and accesso ries to all your appointments, along with inspiring images from magazines.

• Find out the best time to pamper yourself with the various treatments. This way you won’t have any regrets, such as hair co louring done too early (hello, roots!) or a mi crodermabrasion done too close to your big day.

Future brides should make their appointments early; the best beauty professionals are always in demand.

The most beautiful bride

from head to toe


Bella VitaBella VitaBella VitaSALONSALONSALONSALON

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Coordinated out� ts for the perfect bride and groom

One thing is certain about your wedding: the bride and groom are going to be the centre of attention all day long. So be sure to think colour and style coor-dination when making your fashion choices.

THE BRIDE On your big day all eyes will be on you. Even though the pure white wedding dress remains a classic, many brides break with tra-dition by opting for a more colourful out fi t. No matter what your preference, be sure to choose a dress that enhances your fi gure and is comfortable to wear.

THE GROOM Even though the groom isn’t supposed to see the dress before the ceremony, he should at least know its colour so that your outfi ts are somewhat harmonized. A light or a dark suit goes well with a white dress, while a light-toned suit (yellow or

ivory) is suitable alongside a dark dress. Whatever the case, choose a suit made of top quality material, such as linen, wool, or raw silk.

ACCESSORIES Accessories add the fi nish-ing touch to both your out-fi ts. For the bride: choose a veil (or head accesso-ry), jewellery, shoes, and a bouquet that enhance your dress. Don’t forget to have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. For the groom: choose between a tie, cravat, or bow tie. And to look like a perfect gentle-man, dare to wear a hat, vest, cuffl inks, and pocket square. You can leave out the matching cummerbund, though; alas, they belong to another time.

And don’t forget, the brid-al party’s suits and dresses should harmonize with the bride and groom’s outfi ts.

Shop well in advance; you’ll never fi nd the perfect outfi ts at the last minute.

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Small Meeting Room Available for:Gift Openings . Bridal Showers . Anniversary Parties

Our beautiful, inviting hotel is the perfect place for your incoming wedding guests.

Decorating suggestions for your receptionWhether your wedding reception is set to take place in a reception hall or at home, the decorations are a key ele-ment that should never be overlooked. Here are a few ideas.

COLOUR Pink, blue, red, or gold: get out your co lour charts to determine a colour scheme that will plunge your guests into your wed ding theme.

A WHOLE BUNCH OF IDEAS Garlands, topiary, bou-quets, or delica tely scat-tered fl owers occupy a prominent place at any wedding. Some couples prefer top-quality silk fl ow-ers for their lon gevity, but

most opt for natural fl ow-ers because of their fra-

grance and freshness. Some of the most popular fl ow-ers are red and white roses, tulips, lilies, azaleas, and bluebells. Discuss your pre fe rences with different fl orists before you choose which one to hire for your big day.

OTHER ELEMENTS FOR A BEAU-TIFUL WEDDING • Monograms. The initials

of the newlyweds can elegantly personalize the re ception venue and the guest favours.

• Fabrics. Dress the room from top to bottom in theme-inspired fabrics. Cei ling and wall hang-ings give an impo sing touch to your wedding.

Use wrinkle-free cotton or satin fabric to dress up the tables.

• Wedding lanterns. Hang these cozy lights high above your guests; rice paper lamps diffuse harsh hall lighting and create ma gical surroundings.

• Wall hangings. Garlands, pennants, beads, pom-poms, and streamers add a whim sical touch to walls.

• Table settings. Use fab-ric bows and slipcovers to transform plain chairs. Dis perse bouquets, candle holders, and other center-piece features along the tables to bring coherence to the whole room. PHOTO: JUPITERIMAGES / THINKSTOCK


VFW135 Oakdale St. • Owatonna

507-451-1001

An UnforgetableAffairMaking Your Wedding

Facilities Available To the Public For:Banquets | Weddings | Family Reunions

Parties & Gatherings of All Sizes!

Making Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your WeddingMaking Your Wedding

On Site Catering Available

Special transportation

for a special occasion

It only lasts for a few minutes, but the arrival of the newlyweds at the reception launches the fun part of the wedding celebrations. After saying “I do” to your signi fi cant other, how will you go about surprising your guests when you make your grand entrance?

ARRIVING IN STYLE You’re allowed to impress your guests any way you want when it’s your wedding. So the aim is to fi nd a unique way to ar rive that refl ects your personalities and the theme of the festivities. Here are a few suggestions.

• For a waterfront reception, arrive on a boat to cause a real sensation.

• You prefer to stay on terra fi rma? Join your guests on two wheels, making your appearance on a

motorcycle or scooter. • You like a bit more

comfort? Show up in a classy limousine, race car, or vintage car.

• You’re both green at heart? Opt for an entrance in a horse-drawn carriage, on a bicycle, or even better, on a tandem bike.

• For an extravagant touch, dare to make a theatrical arrival by helicopter, parachute, or hot-air balloon.

If you want your wishes to come true, don’t wait until the last minute to make your re servations. When the time comes to decide on your choice of transportation, be sure to take into consideration the reception ve nue, the weather forecast for your big day, and the bride’s gown; it may even be wise to plan a second outfi t for the trip.

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Dare to be original and arrive in style.


325 Hoffman DriveOwatonna

OwatonnaGateway.com507-451-8000

1, 2 & 3 Bedroom apartments

Furnished apartments also available

LIVE • WORK • PLAY

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

Your guests have honored you with their presence and it’s now time to thank them. Ideally, your wedding favors will include the names of the bride and groom and the date you exchanged your vows. Here is a selection of ideas to give your wedding the perfect fi nishing touch.

GOURMET FAVOURS Chocolates, sugared almonds, or ot her treats will delight those with a sweet tooth. You can personalize your assortments by adding your initials or an illustration that represents you both. For a winter wedding, a hot chocolate mix is a comforting gift that your guests can enjoy to their heart’s content.

FAVOURS FROM MOTHER NATURE Nature lovers, this gift is for you: a pretty box fi lled with potting soil and some tiny succulents so your guests will leave with some genuine greenery. Or, opt for seeds to symbolize the beginning of your new life together.

SCENTED FAVOURS Scented candles are perfect for most weddings, as they’re available in all shapes and colours. You

could also consider giving bath salts or shell-shaped soaps for a nautical theme, or rose potpourris for a vintage wedding.

DECORATIVE FAVOURS A magnet for the fridge, coasters, photos, or snow globes: think traditional souvenir trinkets. They’ll feature a photo of you both that your guests will treasure.

LUXURY FAVOURS Be warned, small budgets should steer clear of this suggestion. Some brides and grooms go all out in order to impress their guests; if that’s you, why

not offer a box of ci gars, a small item of jewelery, or a bottle of good wine.

This is especially suitable for smaller weddings.

Don’t let your guests leave without a little favour to thank them for joining you.

Wedding favor ideas for your guests

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451-5005143 West Bridge Street, Owatonna, MN

www.travelheadquarters-owatonna.com

DivineHoneymoons

Celebrate your marriage with the trip of a lifetime.We specialize in destination weddings & helping

couples plan unforgettable honeymoons.

Whatever your tastes, whatever your budget,

email Jon at: [email protected]

we will design your perfect get-away.

Five destination ideas for your honeymoon

Are you getting married soon? It will be a memorable day followed by an unforgettable trip. Here are some tips to help you discover that little piece of paradise that will turn your honeymoon into an unforgettable experience.

1. A SUN DESTINATION Turquoise waters, sandy

beaches, and palm trees… Can you already picture yourselves sitting by the sea, sipping de licious cocktails? The beaches of Mexico, Cuba, or any other exotic island setting are good picks.

2. AN URBAN DESTINATION Paris, Tokyo, New York, Las Vegas, Venice, London... World-class cities are great destinations for cool couples who are lovers of good food and culture. If you’re looking to experience the exci tement that only the world’s big-gest cities can provide, choose an ur ban ad venture.

3. AN ECO-HOLIDAY DESTINATION You both long for open

spaces and fresh air? You’ll discover intimate and ma gical places during a romantic trip to the countryside. Whether you prefer the woods, mountain tops, or remote jungles, this kind of honeymoon is for ad venturous couples only.

4. A FIVE-STAR DESTINATION For a shorter honeymoon,

especially one that’s close to home, treat yourselves to a few nights in a luxury hotel suite. Elegance, peace, and sensual pleasu-res are on the schedule; what a great way to start married life.

5. A MYSTERY DESTINATION Instead of traditional

wedding gifts, you could ask your families or guests to work together in choosing a surprise destination for you and your beloved. Are you brave enough to play along? Just be sure to take your budget into consideration before spinning the globe to pick your dream destination. Have a great honeymoon!

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The Steele County Historical Society would be honored to be part of your wedding day!

Use the SACO CHURCH for your wedding and the HISTORY CENTER Wenger Multi-purpose Room and Outdoor Patio for your reception.

CALL 507-451-1420 for details! for details! for details!

CALL TODAY

TO RESERVE

YOUR DATE!

phone 507.451.1420 email [email protected] address 1700 Austin Road • Owatonna, Minnesota 55060

Visit us online at SteeleHistoryMuseum.org and on

THE PERFECT PLACE

FOR YOUR WEDDING!

CALLCALL

HC HOURSTuesday, Wednesday and

Friday: 10am–4pmThursday: 10am–8pm Saturday: 10am–3pm

Sunday: Closed

VILLAGE GUIDED TOURS

May 1–September 30 Tuesday–Sunday at 1:30 pm

VILLAGE TOUR & HC ADMISSION RATES

FREE Admission with Historical Society Membership Adult Admission: $5

Children 7-16: $3 Children 6 & under: FREE–Group pricing available–

Planning your head table seating arran gements can be tricky, especially when pa rents are di vorced or remarried. It is im portant to leave lots of time to plan a solution to this prob-lem and consult the par-ties in volved; if done well in advance of the wedding day, chances are that you can ac commodate every-body’s needs.

Typically, if the parents of the bride or groom are divorced and remar-ried, they are not seated at the head table with their new spouses. However, if head table space and fam-ily relationships allow for it, then toss con vention to the wind and do what feels right for your fa -mily. One practical solu-tion is to or ga nize a sepa-rate table for step-parents and their families, which could be in close proxim-ity to the head table or an extension of it. Another op tion is to use a table in the shape of a half circle just for the bride

and groom, the maid of ho nour, and the best man. The partners of the wed-ding party members sit at ot her tables.

There are many ways to organize the seating at the head table, but gener-ally speaking, the groom is seated to the right of the bride. If the bridal party is sea ted at the head table with the newly married couple in the centre, then men and wo men are sea ted alternately. If you’re afraid of hur -ting the feelings of people who you have not chosen to sit at the head table, you could always ask them to host the ta ble where they will be seated. In that case, be sure to indicate the na mes of the table hosts on your seating chart.

If it is proving diffi cult to fi nd a head table ar rangement that pleases everyone, you might want to re sort to a “sweetheart” table, at which the bride and groom

are sea ted alone. This is an increasingly common so lution for keeping every-

one happy at the wed ding reception.

All eyes will be on the head table, so it is important to choose who sits there very carefully.


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507-451-2524 • 333 18th Street SE • Owatonna

www.spare-time-fun.com


A carefully planned seating chart

The guest list: A little more complicated than a grocery list!

A seating chart is essential if you want your guests to be able to fi nd their seats quickly and easily at the wedding reception. A sea ting chart is also an easy way to show the wait staff where children’s meals have to be served and which of your guests have al lergies or special diets. It also allows you to strategically place the guests of your choice close to the head table.

1. Seat guests in a logical fashion. Place fa milies, col-leagues, and groups of friends close together; keep sepa-rated couples, or guests who don’t get along, as far apart as possible.

2. Pregnant women and parents with young children should be positioned close to the exit and the bathrooms, but well away from any loudspeakers.

If some tables might be moved after the meal in order to cre-ate more dance fl oor space, re serve the tables that will not be moved for these people. Find out ahead of time if high chairs or booster seats will be needed.

3. Try to seat guests with at least one person they already know. You can seat strangers at the same table, but do your best to ensure that they have common interests or will get along with each other.

4. Try to have an equal number of men and women at the same table.

5. Children nine years old and younger should be seated with their parents. You could reserve a table for 10- to 17-year-olds, but be sure that

it is situated towards the back of the room, as younger guests usually pay less attention to the speeches and prefer talking among themselves.

The completed seating chart can then be printed and posi-tioned at the entrance of the reception hall, or you can give to someone dependable the task of directing guests to their tables.

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Creating a successful seating chart requires time and thought.

Are you the type of person who has lots of friends, gets on well with work colleagues, and is involved in plenty of activi-ties or sports? If you are sociable, love meeting people, and have the gift of build-ing solid friendships quickly, you’ll probably fi nd that com-piling your wedding guest list is a little trickier than putting together a grocery list!

First of all, you should ask yourself if your budget war-rants an intimate ceremony or a huge affair. Although your big day isn’t just about money, the basic budget factor for the whole day is based on how many guests you invite to your reception: the more there are, the more expensive it will be. And, of course, more guests also means a more complex

planning and set-up operation.

Keep in mind that every guest has the option of bringing a partner, which quickly extends the guest list. Start by listing the names of your respective parents, grandparents, broth-ers, sisters, and closest friends. After this you could add the names of all the uncles, aunts, and cousins. The list may now be already as long as you can handle. If your heart is set on a bigger wedding, you could always add the names of your work colleagues, distant fam-ily members, and old friends while choosing to offer a sim-ple one-course meal or buffet. Alternately, you could invite many to your wedding ceremo-ny, and just a few closer rela-tions to a smaller, more intimate reception.


Owatonna.com

Bridal Fair

Register Now! Booth Space is Limited!Register Now! Booth Space is Limited!

Owatonna 2016

Sun, January 17, 201610:00 AM to 3:00 PM

For booth information, please contact Jennifer Sorensen507-444-2389 or [email protected]

Holiday Inn & SuitesI-35, Exit 45, Owatonna

Golden Rules for respectful guestsFor an impor tant event such as a wed ding, it is abso lu te ly essen tial to dress in an appro-pria te man ner and appear well-groo med. However, it isn’t always easy to make the right choi ce for these occa-sions, espe cial ly becau se of the great varie ty of sty les that blur the boun da ries bet ween casual and for mal.

For women, there is one gol-den rule to fol low: never wear a white dress. The bride should be the only per son to dress in this colour; for someo ne else to wear it would show very poor man ners, as if they were trying to steal the show.

Provocative sty les, such as very short, tight dres ses with plun ging nec kli nes, should

also be avoi ded. Dresses made of a silky fabric are clas sics, and a light woven wool is alright, but avoid knits and worn loo king fabrics. Long dres ses are not obli ga to ry, but hem li nes should never go too high — a dress cut just above the knee is the most appro-pria te choi ce.For men, a long-slee ved shirt tuc ked insi de the pants with a belt and a tie is a basic cour te sy. Smart pants in a dark colour com ple te the out-fi t. Wearing a sports jac ket or suit jac ket will depend on the type of wed ding you’ve been invi ted to. The impor-tant thing is to forgo casual clo thing and bright colours, like those fl as hy Hawaiian shirts!

Once in a whi le, the bride and

groom may spe ci fy a colour that they want all their guests to wear for their wed ding. If this is the case, try to be agre-e a ble about it and fol low their wis hes. It may be that they have a wed ding the me, or that

they want to stan dar di ze the pho to graphs in their sou ve-nir album. Don’t for get that this is the bride and groom’s day, not an occa sion to try and stand out from the other guests.

Dressing in an appro pria te man ner and appea ring well-groo med are essen tial for a wed ding.

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Choosing the right bouquetA bouquet is an important accessory for any bride, one that should be coordinated with the dress as well as the style of the wedding itself. Here are a few tips for choosing the right bouquet:

• If you’re wearing a long dress, your options are broader: your bouquet can be round, simple, or cascading. If your gown is shorter, however, it is advis-able to opt for a round or discreet bouquet so that your fl owers will not hide the dress.

• If you’re dreaming of a huge bouquet, keep in mind that the more imposing the bouquet, the heavier it will be to carry. That could get tiring, not to mention the chore of trying to throw it over your shoul-der! You should also take your fi gure into consideration when making your choice: a tiny or very slim silhouette can be overwhelmed with a

large bouquet.• Think about personalizing

your bouquet with accesso-ries such as lace, pearls, or even fruits. Be sure to set yourself a budget: fl owers that are rare or out of season will make your bouquet costs climb.

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERSEven though some brides choose a bouquet for its look, others prefer to use fl owers that have a traditional symbol-ic meaning: red roses (love), white roses (pure love), lilies (purity), carnations (sincere love), tulips (perfect love). If this language means some-thing to you, perhaps you’d better avoid yellow roses (infi -delity) and narcissus (selfi sh-ness)!

Most important of all, be care-ful not to choose fl owers that will spread pollen all over your beautiful gown.


The roles of maid or matron of honor and best man

Someone close to you has asked you to be their best man or maid of honour, a role you have happily accepted. But what exactly does this entail?

The maid or matron of honour gives a short speech during the recep-tion and offers practical and emotional support to the bride throughout the planning and organiza-tion of the wedding. She also takes care of a wide range of small but impor-tant details: helping with the invitations and shop-ping for the dress and the bride’s bouquet, and deal-ing with last minute sur-prises. In other words, it’s a busy time for the maid of honour as well as for the bride.

The role of a best man is virtually identical. On the big day, he helps the groom dress and accompanies him to the ceremony. Most importantly, he holds the wedding bands. Like any good host, he is the fi rst to

arrive at the reception hall in order to welcome the newly married couple. He makes the fi rst toast of the evening and dances with the bride as well as her mother and the mother of the groom.Of course, the maid of hon-our is traditionally in charge of organizing the hen or bachelorette party, and the groom organizes the stag party. One innovative idea for a hen party is to orga-nize a relaxing day at a spa to relieve accumulated stress, followed by a gour-met meal and an evening at a nightclub. For the men, the groom’s interests are a good indication for a suitable bachelor party: if he loves playing golf and going to the casino, then an afternoon on the golf course followed by an evening on a fl oating casino is a brilliant plan.

In short, the privileged role of the maid of hon-our and of the best man is to ensure that everything runs smoothly, before and during the wedding. Don’t

forget that if you have been invited to fi ll one of these key roles, it is because you

are trusted. And that is an honour in itself!

The role of the best man and the maid of honour is to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

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“I do” are not the only words you’ll have to say during your wedding cer-emony. Not to put any pressure on you, but your vows are the reason for your union and they should be chosen and spoken with care.

If you have opted for a religious ceremony, many priests or pastors will pro-vide you with traditional vows. If that is the case, you won’t have to think too hard. On the other hand, if you have decid-ed on a more unconven-tional route, writing your own vows is a wonder-fully romantic idea. But what if you can’t quite get your thoughts and feelings down on the page? What if you fi nd yourself stuck in front of a blank page for hours on end? Here are a few suggestions for expressing your love with-out sounding overly senti-mental.

Start by asking yourself the right questions. How did you fall in love with your future spouse? What does commitment mean to

you? And marriage? Your answers are the best mate-rial to use, as they come straight from your heart.

Keep your vows simple and concise so they will be memorable and interesting. There is nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from a favourite poet or a line from a movie. Most of all, you don’t want to see your guests’ eyelids get-ting heavy! A good rule to follow is to make the vows about the same length as traditional vows, which are between 30 to 40 seconds long when spoken. If you have too many feelings to express in this amount of time, then you could take up to a minute, but not any longer.

You won’t make a mistake if you are speaking from the heart. Once you have your vows down on paper, prac-tice them until you have them memorized perfectly. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to have a copy tucked into your sleeve, just in case your nerves play with your memory.

You can’t go wrong if you speak from your heart.

Writing your own vows?

How to get past writer’s block

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The perfect gift for the couple

Choosing a wedding gift is not always an easy task. You might not know the couple well, which means you don’t really know their tastes or style, and you might not be sure how much money to spend.

A reasonable solution is to offer a gift certifi cate from a depart-ment or specialty store, or even cash. This kind of gift allows the couple to choose exactly what they need. Alternatively, you could offer them an item from a bridal registry at a department store. You can ask the bride or groom where they’re registered or ask at a store if the couple has set one up.

If you’re close to the bride or groom, you might consider a more intimate gift. A pair of

him-and-her spa passes makes a nice outing for the couple as wedding prep stress begins to build, or you could offer a gift certifi cate for an evening out at a chic restaurant for when they return from their honeymoon.

Wedding guests often wonder how much they should spend on a gift. If your budget is limited, there are many ways to be gener-ous without breaking the bank. You could offer a shared gift along with some friends, which would allow you to offer a sin-gle large item that none could afford alone. You could make a gift of your time and help with the wedding preparations, or compose a song dedicated to the new couple. Or, you could offer a symbolic gift, such as a tree that they can plant and watch

grow over the years.

Whatever the gift, be sure to include a card with your name

and return address; that makes things easier for the couple when the time comes to send out thank-you notes.

It’s hard to go wrong with a gift of cash; the bride and groom will be able to buy exactly what they need.

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bride's guide 2015

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