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OPERATION WEDDING DAY 3

OFFICE1122 Henderson Dr., Jacksonville, N.C. 28540 PUBLISHERJames M. ConnorsMANAGING EDITOREna SellersFEATURED EDITORSAmy BinkleyJessie HeathLAYOUT EDITORSarah AndersonBUSINESS MANAGERRachel PicardADVERTISING DESIGNERSHillary BrattonJulia DillonSALES STAFFBobby StoneEmily KelleyTeresa MooreMelissa StoneDISTRIBUTION MANAGERDennis Fusco

DISCLAIMER The special Operation Wedding Day is published by Landmark Military Newspapers of N.C., a private enterprise not connected with the DoD or the U.S. Marine Corps. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement of these products or services by the DoD, the U.S. Marine Corps, or Landmark Military Newspapers of N.C.Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confi rmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of Landmark Military Newspapers of N.C. For distribution and advertising inquiries, call 910-347-9624.

PHOTOGRAPHER: JESSIE HEATH

4 10 THINGS TO DO AFTER ENGAGEMENT

8 REAL WEDDINGHannah & Travis

9 REAL WEDDINGLindsey & Ricky

10 BREAKING DOWN YOUR BUDGET

14 SPLITTING COSTS16 REAL WEDDING

Lindsay & Christian

18 CO-ED BRIDAL SHOWER

19 KEEP YOUR BRIDAL PARTY HAPPY

20

22

UNIQUE HONEYMOONSDON’T-MISS MOMENTS

23 6 FIGHTS TO AVOID

24 WHAT’S IN FOR 2013

26 HURRICANE ON YOUR WEDDING?

28 RECEPTION PERCEPTION

30 4 WEDDING DAY ESSENTIALS

32 WEDDING TIMELINE

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You said yes.The man of your dreams bent down

on one knee and asked for your hand in marriage, and you’re both fl oating on cloud nine. As hard as it is to believe, your cloud of bliss can quickly turn into a storm cloud of apprehension and uncertainty. After the initial excitement wears off and you are hit with the reality you have to plan a wedding, it’s not uncommon for brides to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things to do.

Before you start pulling your hair out from frustration, take the fi rst 10 steps to planning your dream wedding and build-ing your life with the person you love.

STORY BY JESSIE HEATH

Call your familyShare the news of your engagement with your fam-

ilies. It’s tempting to snap a picture of your new ring and add a quick status update for Facebook, but re-sist the urge. Your aunts, uncles, cousins and grand-parents don’t want to learn of your engagement from Twitter or Facebook. Set aside time to call all your relatives and tell them about your upcoming nuptials, and remind your fi ancé to do the same. Don’t be afraid to enlist the help of your mother, sister or other fam-ily representative to help out if you have a big family Nobody wants to be the only family member left out of the loop.

Set a date, even if it’s notthe fi nal date

Right after “Congratulations,” comes the question “When is the wedding?” Save your-self and your fi ancé a lot of headaches by hav-ing a game plan to help you answer the end-less mound of questions people will bombard you with. Remember everybody is excited for you and wants to feel like they’re in the loop on what you’re planning. You don’t have to set the exact date right away, but pick a general time frame. If you have a general idea of what time of year you’d like to get married, share it with those who ask. Sharing this information also gives you a little direction in your wed-ding planning.

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Set a budget.Your wedding is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime event, but it

doesn’t require you to break the bank. Sit down with your fi ancé and both your families, and talk about how much you have to spend on a wedding. If your parents or family members want to help, ask how much they feel comfortable helping with, and plan a general budget for your wedding. Finances can be tricky to talk about, but if you know how much you have to spend on your wed-ding, you will breathe a little easier when you get around to the actual planning part.

Talk about your guest listYou don’t have to be able to name every person you

want to invite off the top of your head, but take time to start writing out a guest list. This can be done in the same conversation with your fi ancé and both sets of parents as the budget meeting. Be courteous of fam-ily friends your parents really want to invite. Some of their friends watched you grow up and are eager to see you get married. Remember, the more people you invite, the more you have to spend. Of course you want to invite every person in the world to your wed-ding, but knowing your budget and maximum cap for your guest list is crucial to avoiding headaches at your venue and reception hall.

Research.Once you know how

much you have to spend and roughly when you want to plan your wed-ding, it’s time to research. Spend some time online looking a venues, caterers and photographers. Think about the style you want to portray at your wedding. Do you want to have a vin-tage theme? Are you more interested in a wedding on the beach? Look at vendors’ websites, check out prices online, and read comments from previous customers. Think about what you want for your wedding and make a list of your top three ven-ues, caterers, fl orists and photographers.

Meet with vendors.Once you have an idea of what you want,

hit the street with your mom, sister, future in-law’s or those who will help plan your wedding. Visit venues in your budget. Ask for questions on pricing, maximum guests, space and dates available. Talk to caterers about pricing options, food styles and ex-pectations. Discuss fl ower options with fl o-rists. Meet with a few photographers and ask to look at samples of their work. Most vendors require deposits and need to know as far in advance about the date. When you plan to meet with potential vendors, have a clear idea of your expectations and budget in your head.


... continued from page 5

Say Yes to the Dress.Who doesn’t want to look at wedding dresses? Little girls

grow up dreaming of their perfect wedding gown. Go wedding dress shopping with your mom, grandmother and future moth-er-in-law. Keep the party small and make sure you enlist the help of those whose opinions you trust the most. Go to the store with an idea of what you’d like, but keep an open mind when trying on wedding dresses. Ask for your posse’s opinion but remember the ultimate choice must be yours. Your wedding dress should be suited to your style and taste.

Engagementphotos.

Once you hire a photographer, plan an engagement ses-sion. The photos you take at your engage-ment session can be used in planning the design and detail for your save the date cards and invitations, and can help prepare guests if you’re hav-ing a themed wed-ding. Have fun in your engagement ses-sions. Be silly, kiss, and laugh together. Your photos will por-tray how relaxed you are and set the stage for your personality as a couple.

Be yourself.

Take a breath.Go on a date with your fi ancé. Don’t let your re-

lationship turn into all wedding-planning, all the time. Take time to not talk about the wedding. Take a break, plan a trip with your girlfriends, or go on a family vacation. Relax and enjoy the experience of planning your wedding.

Design your invitations.Once you have a clear theme and nail down your

fi nal date, prepare your invitations. If a print shop is going to make them for you, know what you want and meet with the printers. If you are designing your own, talk to your photographer about using your en-gagement pictures, and remember to include the date, time and venue. Have a plan to respond to RSVPs and to contact those who forget to RSVP. Consider setting up a wedding website to help people RSVP. Remember not to go over your maximum guest list.

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The wedding ingredients:The wedding ingredients:Venue: Pine Knoll Shores AquariumPhotography: Ena Sellers for Sue Rakes PhotographyFlowers: Coastal PetalsCatering: Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant and CateringCake: Cake: American Dreams CakesAmerican Dreams Cakes

Hannah and Travis’s aquarium wed-ding mixed the best of the coast with a military component, adding a formal

aspect to the occassion.Their wedding cake carried their coastal-

themed wedding from the ceremony to the reception seamlessly, with multiple tiers and icing designed with edible seashells.

The natural backdrop provided by the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium, paired with the blue hues donned by the bridal party complimented each other nicely, and Hannah’s red and white bouquet added a romantic pop of color to her wedding day.


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The wedding ingredients:The wedding ingredients:

The USS North Carolina served as a beautiful backdrop

for Lindsey and Ricky’s Marine Corps wedding. With compli-menting hues, the USS North Carolina served as the perfect outdoor venue for their pictur-esque wedding. The navy blue bridesmaids dresses fl attered a variety of shapes and were ap-propriate for an outdoor affair.

With little greenery and fl oral arrangements around the bride and groom, the Cape Fear River worked as nature’s own scenic backdrop, provid-ing guests with an exquisite, intimate and romantic setting.


Story by Jessie Heath

Budgeting for your wedding can be tricky business. In addition to buying a dress, renting venues and paying for fl owers, photos and reception, guests, out-of-town rela-tives and other bridal party expens-es can add up, leaving your bud-get drained.

On average, according to costofwedding.com, couples in Onslow County spend between $15,956 and $26,593. Knowing the breakdown of your budget is cru-cial to making sure you set aside the proper amount of money.

Attire and accessories: $2,187Hairpins, garter, shoes, jewelry, cuffl inks, tie, pocket squares and cum-

merbunds are all included in accessories for the bride and groom alone. A tux for a groom, if he’s not wearing his dress blues, as well as the wedding dress, will have to be purchased. You can expect to spent 50 to 100 per-cent more if you go after designer names for your attire and accessories.

Beauty: $215Beauty costs vary depending on who does the makeup and hair of the

bridal party. If you hire somebody, expect to pay a substantial amount more. If you and your bridal party do your own hair and makeup, you probably already have the majority of what you need. You’ll still end up spending a little extra for a special look on your wedding day, though, so be prepared.

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can be the second-most costly part of your wedding next to venue, but their importance shouldn’t be over-looked. Don’t be afraid to pick some-thing you like – it’s going to be yours for the rest of your life.

Entertainment: $873 - $1,926If you’re having a DJ, string quartet, swing

band or any other form of live entertainment, chances are you will spend more than a few hundred dollars. If you’re going to do the music yourself, make sure you have a sound system and know exactly what you’re doing.

Flowers and decorations: $2,526In addition to fl owers for the bridal

party and family members, aisle runners, reception decorations, table cloths, and ceremony decorations will keep your ven-ue looking festive and help personalize it to your taste.

Gift favors: $338When it comes to gift favors, remem-

ber the number of guests you invite can

increase or decrease the amount you

spend on wedding favors.

Invitations: $382If you do your own invitations, you can save

a lot of money in this area, but beware: you will still have to pay for ink and nice paper to print them on. The cost of invitations are often overlooked, but the excitement of guests who receive them is heartwarming.


Keep in mind the average costs of your wedding will depend greatly on the number of guests you in-vite. A single guest can add almost $150 to your wed-ding budget, so the best way to limit your budget is to limit your guest list.

Keep in mind the average costs of your wedding will depend greatly on the number of guests you in-vite. A single guest can add almost $150 to your wed-ding budget, so the best way to limit your budget is to

Photography or video: $2,015You don’t want to hire the cheapest photographer around un-

less you are absolutely enthralled by their work at previous wed-dings. Hire a credible photographer to help make sure your day is documented with beautiful photographs.

Planner and Consultant: $782If you are planning your wedding by your-

self, you don’t have to pay too much attention

to this number. However, if you are consider-

ing hiring a planner, be sure you know how

much you need to set aside to pay them.

Venue, Catering and Rentals: $6,089

By far, the most expensive part of your wedding will be hosting and feeding your guests. Your ceremony venue, reception venue, caterers and rental equip-ment costs will vary, depending on the size and scale of your wed-ding. Be prepared to spend the majority of your budget on your venue.

... continued from page 11

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When it comes to wed-ding budgets, fi guring out who pays for what

is a blurry line. Times are different than they were when your parents walked the aisle. Traditionally, the father of the bride shouldered the bulk of the wedding and reception expenses while the groom’s family chipped in for the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon arrangements.

Now, couples who choose to marry later in life, and have money of their own, take on some of the costs themselves.

Splitting the fi nancial respon-sibilities between both families as well as the couple as evenly as pos-sible will ease the load and help everyone avoid the debt-trap. Hon-est discussions with anyone who plans on contributing fi nancially to the wedding may be diffi cult and uncomfortable, but are necessary to hammer out a realistic budget.

Here’s a quick, reasonable sug-gestion for a breakdown of pay-ment duties.

STORY BY AMY BINKLEY


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Groom and his familyCustom dictates the groom and

his family pay for the engagement ring and party. In addition, the groom will also pay for the bride’s wedding ring and rehearsal dinner. Other expenses covered include the marriage license, hon-eymoon, and groom’s cake.

Bride and her familyNowadays, most brides pay for

their own dress and accessories, as well as their groom’s ring. Her fam-ily helps in fi nancing the invita-tions, decorations and reception, in-cluding food and music. The bride also buys the gifts for the grooms-men, bridesmaids and parents.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen

Your bridal party understands the costs of your big day, and typically will help where they can. They cover the cost of their dresses and suits, and also pay for the bachelor/bachelorette parties.

Be realistic about what you can afford. No one wants to start a new life carrying a heavy load of debt.


Bride and her family Bridesmaids and Bride and her family

PHO

TOS

BY E

NA

SEL

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The wedding ingredients:The wedding ingredients:

With an autumn-inspired variety of colors and styles, Lindsay and Christian’s wedding was laced with

subtle reminders of the harvest season.From the cake to the fl oral

arrangements, fall hues brought warmth and personality to the wedding. To give her dress a pop of color, Lindsay chose a sash that complimented her gown and color palette without drawing too much attention. Her outdoor seating area gave guests a chance to enjoy the last warm days of the year and pro-vided a spectacular view over the New River.


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Traditionally, bridal showers were women only events, but times are changing. Men want in on the party, too.

Start your marriage off right by celebrating together with a co-ed wedding shower. From the food to the activities, making it a gender-friendly event is sure to make everyone feel included and provide fun memories to remember on an-niversaries to come.

Themes tend to help in planning parties so here a just a few ideas.

GREAT OUTDOORSWho doesn’t like a good barbecue?

Fire up the grill and throw on the chicken, steaks, ribs and anything else your taste buds desire. While you and your guests enjoy fi nger-licking food, challenge everyone to

a round of Frisbee golf, a pie-eating contest or if you’re feeling creative, make an obstacle course where teams can’t move on until answer-ing a question about the couple. Open your gifts around a bonfi re to complete the party.

BRIDAL BRUNCHWaffl es, omelets, and bagels are

diffi cult to pass up for any gender so a brunch theme works perfectly. Encourage guests to wear their Sun-day best, including fancy hats and fun ties. Gifts can center around the kitchen, like a griddle, coffee maker or juicer. For something different, have an omelet or coffee bar, of-fering a variety of ingredients and fl avors for each.

DECADE DANCEShowers are precursors to what

your reception will be like, so you might as well have fun. Invite everyone to dress in the attire of their favorite decade, whether it’s a fl ower child or a mall rat. Have the music blasting when they arrive and start dancing as soon as possible. The menu is wide open with this theme so include a variety of pizzas, chips and dip and drinks. To put a fun spin on things, dare each guest to speak in phrases unique to their decade of choice.

Guys are great, but if you still long to have your exclusively female-friends soiree, suggest a lingerie party, where each lady brings the bride a different outfi t. The groom can’t come, but there’s no doubt he’ll appreciate the festivity, especially the gifts.


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STORY BY AMY BINKLEY PHOTOS BY COUTURE EXPRESSIONS

If your bridal party is happy, you’ll be even happier when

the big day comes. Fol-low these tips to keep the group in good spirits.

Include them in deci-sions directly affecting them. Just because a dress looks good doesn’t mean it looks good on everybody. You choose the color, but

let them choose the shape and style that fi ts them best. Your bridesmaids will be more comfortable, feel more involved and will look better in pictures.

Respect their time. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, but remember your brides-maids aren’t paid to do your bidding. Spread out

the task requests and don’t overwhelm anyone with a pile of work.

Don’t assume your bridal party can read your mind. Provide a schedule, including where to be at what time for the rehears-als, dinners, places to get ready and directions to everything.

Give great gifts. Make

sure your bridesmaids know how much you ap-preciate them. Jewelry, such as earrings, necklaces or bracelets, are always appropriate gifts. You can also personalize each gift, like a gift certifi cate to their favorite spa or restaurant.

And don’t forget to say thank you.



After months of planning for your big day, the hon-eymoon is your chance to

relax, enjoy time with your spouse, and set out on your first trip as a married couple. Depending on your

budget and your sense of adventure, here are some unique suggestions for your after-wedding activities.

for every couple

For the long-distance travelersIf you plan on leaving the states to spend some alone

time with your love, make sure you’ve saved some big bucks. Traveling overseas is expensive. However, getting away from everyone and everything you know also adds a lot of excitement for those who seek something new. Discov-er the exotic beaches of Brazil or explore the ancient castles in the highlands of Scotland. Make sure to study up on the culture and language of the country before you visit. Noth-ing kills the mood like being arrested for kissing in public, like one uneducated couple found out while in Dubai.Venice

COURTESY PHOTO


For those who want to go far…but not too farThe good ol’ USA offers plenty of options for fun, and

there’s no need to exchange currency or learn a new lan-guage. Florida is a toy chest of revelry. Swim with dol-phins, ride horses along the beaches of private islands, or visit Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Disney World.

A new trend in domestic honeymoons is “glamping,” a mix of glamour and camping. Resorts in Montana offer the newlywed luxuries while emerging you in the heart of nature. If rustic romance is on your agenda, visit one of the many lodges in Colorado. Curling up next to your love while looking at a picturesque mountain range can’t be beat.

For those who want to stick close to homeThere’s no place like home, and for those living

along the Crystal Coast, honeymoon locations are a dime a dozen. Walk along the boardwalk at Myrtle Beach, S.C., discover the legend of Blackbeard in Beaufort, N.C., or visit the waterfront restaurants in the Outer Banks. Familiarity doesn’t necessarily breed contempt. Find the adventure in your everyday surroundings and be the tourists you try to avoid. Your honeymoon will be as fun as you make it.

be beat.

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Every bride dreams of the moment when the church doors open and all eyes turn to her. Your wedding

day offers a variety of emotional mo-ments, and you don’t want to miss any of them. From the fi rst time you look in the mirror in your complete wedding gown to the moment you leave your reception with your new husband, your wedding day is sure to be full of moments you don’t want to miss.

Father’s First LookAsk your photographer to capture the

fi rst time your father sees you in your wedding dress, holding your fl owers, with your veil in place. It will be a truly special moment only the two of you can appreciate, and you will cherish the photos of his reac-tion in the years to come.

Mother/son and father/daughter danceThe bride and groom’s fi rst dance with

their parents is a symbolic moment in the reception and often moves friends and fam-ily members to tears. Instead of worrying if everyone will like your caterer or being concerned the DJ plays the right dance list, sink into the moment and embrace this reception tradition.

Reception ExitLeaving your reception with your new

husband will be an emotionally charged moment for both of you. After a busy and hectic day, this will likely be your fi rst chance to think about the commitment you made. For the fi rst time, you will be alone together as husband and wife. Soak up the memory as you begin your new life together.

PHOTO BY CHARO DONOHUE FOR ELISE BEAL PHOTOGRAPHY

24 OPERATION MILITARY WEDDING


As a new year stretches out before us, new trends and styles emerge. If you’re bringing in the New Year with a diamond on your fi nger, take a look at some of the hottest wedding styles 2013 has to offer. From fashion-forward dresses to subtle nods at the roaring 1920s, wedding styles in 2013 are sure to turn heads.

DRESSESMove over tradition. It’s time to make

room for color, style and romance. Top fash-ion designers debuted their 2013 wedding styles on the runway with bold splashes of color and fresh styles for every bride. Splashing strokes of smoldering reds, de-mure blues and the more traditional blush shades, designers are incorporating more color into their wedding gowns in 2013.

Fashion-conscious brides will also see more gowns with lace overlays, following the style set for by Katherine Middleton’s unforgettable wedding dress. The infl uen-tial Duchess’s bridal ensemble showed a fresh and appealing side of lace, adding a romantic and soft fl are to every gown.

Finally, more and more dresses are do-ing double duty. For brides who want to change into a second dress for their wed-ding reception or after-party, designers are beginning to incorporate convertible styles. With removable skirts, trains and capes added to wedding dresses, brides can show off two sides of their personality with a simple snap of a button.

CAKESGone are the days of plain wedding cake.

Wedding cakes in 2013 will be works of


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art. With unique silhouettes and unexpected fl avor combinations, wedding cakes are getting a face lift. In addition to traditional fl avors like vanilla, chocolate and red velvet, more bakers are seeing requests for surprising fl avors such as mango, mocha and lemon. Still in style, it’s not unusual to have a different fl avor for multi-layered cakes.

Exquisite frostings and cake designs will top the charts in 2013. Some brides prefer cakes with bold colors and patterns while others are taking a lik-ing to cakes that mimic wed-ding dresses, with edible lace detailing, bows and touches of metallic hues. Incorporat-ing nature will also play a big role in 2013 wedding cakes, as stones, branches and feathers step into the spot-light in displays and decora-tions.

DÉCORIn 2012, more and more

brides cut costs by decorat-ing for their wedding with do-it-yourself elements. These DIY decorations give weddings a pop of personal-ity, and will be even more common in 2013. An ex-panding number of crafty brides will incorporate handmade and homemade elements into their wed-dings, such as handwritten place cards, photo booths full of scarves and accessories from the bridal party and homemade baked goods. By cutting costs with DIY elements, fi nancially-savvy brides are also giving their weddings a dash of individuality.


Hurricanes and weddings don’t mix, and unfortunately for east

coast brides, it’s nearly impossible to predict if a hurricane will hit on your wedding day. If you’re getting married in the spring, summer or early fall, make sure you know what to do in case a hurricane puts pressure on your wedding day festivities.

When planning a wedding in Coastal North Carolina, it’s crucial to understand hurricane season. The 2013 Hurricane Season offi cially begins June 1 and last until November 30. Beware – hurricanes can occur before or after the offi cial hurricane season. Nobody can control the weather.

It’s worthwhile to look into wedding insurance. Wedding insurance helps provide reimbursement for non-refundable expenses in the case of severe weather, and can be a lifesaver in the case of an emergency on your wedding day, whether it’s storm-related or not.

If you’re neck-deep in wedding planning and a tropical storm begins to threaten the coast and your perfect day, don’t stress out immediately. Assess the situation thoroughly. View weather forecasts seven days in advance. Keep in close contact with your vendors, and ask them what you

can do to help them. Figure out if you need to move

your wedding and reception locations or change the date. It’s no fun to push back your wedding date, but it’s much better to be on the safe side. No matter what kind of tent you order for your outdoor reception, it won’t stand up to wind gusts in category 1 hurricane, let alone a category 3 or 4. You don’t want to put your vendors, yourself and your guests in danger by trying to hold your wedding in the eye of the storm. It’s best to push back the date if the storm is barreling toward you.

If you have to cancel, make sure you contact all your guests. This is especially important for guests who have to drive in from out of town. Set up a wedding hotline for your guests, and give them your phone number or the number of somebody who doesn’t mind answering questions and fi elding calls. Your guests will be disappointed too, but they will certainly understand your situation and most of them will do their best to make your wedding day when you reschedule it.

If a hurricane or any other storm forces you to put your wedding on hold, don’t worry. You will marry the love of your life. It’s simply better to do so when you won’t blow away.

Hurricane on yourSTORY BY JESSIE HEATH wedding day?


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When it comes to your reception, your table decorations will be the center of attention. Why not make sure they’re gorgeous? Spruce them up, add pops of color, and incorporate textures in accor-dance with the season within which your wedding is held.SPRING TABLES

Spring is the season of all things new. Pastels and Victorian Era flairs give spring centerpieces a flirty and fun feeling. In-stead of perfectly coifed and symmetrical centerpieces, embrace your inner gardener and select arrangements that give your reception that “straight from the garden” look by filling baskets with bright colors and budding blooms. Consider incorporat-ing herbs or sprigs of greenery.

If you’re looking for something a little more whimsical, use chicken wire bird cages or canning jars to add a contrast

between old and new at your reception.SUMMER TABLES

Summer begs for bright colors, warm tones and bold centerpieces. Tropical flow-ers, palm branches and beach themes are incorporated into many a summer wed-ding. Bold centerpieces are eye-catching, when done correctly, but beware – they can be overpowering and overwhelming when paired with too many other decorations.

If you’re going to make a bold state-ment with your summer centerpiece, opt for clean and simple place settings and ta-ble clothes. Use light colored, lightweight table linens. Use clear glass centerpiece holders and let your floral arrangements or candles speak for themselves.FALL TABLES

Autumn is the harvest season, and what better way to incorporate its many rich tones into your wedding than with

your centerpieces? Embrace falling leaves and natural elements by including rustic elements into your table settings. Filling tin buckets with twigs, berries, nuts and chang-ing leaves gives your wedding reception a seasonal statement. Using autumn flowers, like sunflowers and other warm tones, helps play off the changing color of leaves.WINTER TABLES

While winter is the season of all things cold and exciting, your centerpieces should still reflect warmth. Keep things inviting by using gold lights and candles to give your centerpieces a warm glow.

Let your centerpieces create a romantic mood by using bright colors with neutral tones like whites and tans. Your linens and silverware can be heavy and dark, as most guests will gladly accept the warmth glowing from the dark, romantic setting you provide.

Beautiful centerpiece ideas by season

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With all the planning you’re doing for your wedding, it’s hard to imagine add-ing anything else to the list. When you’re tracking down your caterer, preparing to have your fl owers picked up and taking care of last-minute bridal party emer-gencies, there are certain must-do’s that always seem to fall through the cracks.

1. Bring your legal documents.Signing your marriage certifi cate after

the wedding is one of the most important parts of your wedding day. Make sure you have all necessary documents with you. You will also need witnesses, in addition to the offi ciate who performed your wedding. Most marriage certifi -cates require at least two witnesses sign. Consider asking your mother and new mother-in-law, or your best man and maid of honor to stand by your side as your take care of the legal side of becom-ing husband and wife.

2. Decide where things go.While you may already know where

you want your guests to sit and how you want your reception hall decorated, deciding where to place programs, place cards, guest mementos and wedding gifts is an important task. There are three times during your wedding when people are likely to give you gifts. Instead of having presents and cards thrust in your hands all night, have a designated spot for guests to place them. If you’re con-cerned about being given piles of things while you greet guests, ask a member of your bridal party to stand beside you and take gifts and cards for you.


With all the planning you’re doing for your wedding, it’s hard to imagine add-ing anything else to the list. When you’re tracking down your caterer, preparing to have your fl owers picked up and taking care of last-minute bridal party emer-gencies, there are certain must-do’s that always seem to fall through the cracks.

1. Bring your legal documents.Signing your marriage certifi cate after

the wedding is one of the most important parts of your wedding day. Make sure you have all necessary documents with you. You will also need witnesses, in addition to the offi ciate who performed your wedding. Most marriage certifi -cates require at least two witnesses sign. Consider asking your mother and new mother-in-law, or your best man and maid of honor to stand by your side as your take care of the legal side of becom-ing husband and wife.

2. Decide where things go.While you may already know where

you want your guests to sit and how you want your reception hall decorated, deciding where to place programs, place cards, guest mementos and wedding gifts is an important task. There are three times during your wedding when people are likely to give you gifts. Instead of having presents and cards thrust in your hands all night, have a designated spot for guests to place them. If you’re con-


3. Pick somebody to take your things home after the reception.

Once you and your groom make your get-away, chances are you won’t be loading down the trunk with all your gifts and mementos. Pick a trustworthy family member, close friend or member of your wedding party to take care of all your personal items. Choose a person and let them know everything you need taken care of after the wedding. If your wedding and reception were held at different locations, ask them to go back by your ceremony location and pick up anything you left behind. Call a nursing home or local shelter ahead of your ceremony and ask if they would like your fl owers. Make sure there is room in your refrigerator for your cake and any leftover food. If you’re changing out of your wedding gown before you leave the reception site, you will need to ensure it gets home in top shape.

4. Figure out yourpost-reception plans.

If you’re not leaving for your honeymoon immediately following your reception, fi gure out where you will stay on your fi rst night as husband and wife. Pack your luggage for your honeymoon and take it with you so you don’t have to do too much running around the day after your wedding. Consider packing one overnight bag separate from the rest of your luggage so you don’t have to sort through piles of clothes in search of what you want to wear your wedding night or the day after. Arrange plenty of time to arrive at the airport or your honeymoon destination, take your trip itinerary, tickets and passport, if needed. Also, if you’re fl ying to your honeymoon destination, don’t be afraid to tell the airline it’s your honeymoon. Sometimes, this little bit of information can make your travel experience even more enjoyable.

3. Pick somebody to take your things home after the reception.

Once you and your groom make your get-away, chances are you won’t be loading down the trunk with all

trustworthy family member, close friend or member of your wedding party to take care of all your personal items. Choose a person and let them know everything you need taken care of after the wedding. If your wedding and reception were held at different locations, ask them to go back by

up anything you left behind. Call a nursing home or local shelter ahead of your ceremony and ask if they would like your fl owers. Make sure there is room in your refrigerator for your cake and any leftover food. If you’re changing out of your wedding gown before you leave the reception site, you will need to ensure it gets home

honeymoon immediately following

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Imagine sailing into the sunset as you say your vows and raise a glass of champagne in a toast to your new life together.

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32 OperatiOn wedding day

You’ll never forget this day. And you’ll never forget this place.

On this day, you deserve perfection, from an oceanfront venue to meticulously appointed accommodations. Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms makes even the most special events happen effortlessly and is just minutes from the top-ranked city in the world—Charleston, South Carolina. Begin your lives together in a better place.

Scan to view a video of our wedding experience.

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Story By amy Binkley

Sometimes the joy of engagement is quickly squashed by the overwhelming task of planning the details of your im-pending nuptials. Staying organized and on schedule will not only ensure your wedding goes smoothly but relieve you from getting too stressed.

Immediately after engagementDiscuss your budget for the wed-ding and how many guests you want to invite. These decisions will affect everything else.{12 to 9 months out– Pick a date– Decide on a venue– Choose your bridal party– Begin dress shopping– Check with vendors (photogra-phers, caterers, etc.) for pricing and availability

9 to 6 months out– Decide on your colors for the flowers, decorations and overall theme of the wedding– Send out “Save the Date” cards– Select and order bridesmaid dresses– Order flowers– Visit with caterers to decide on a menu for the reception, includ-ing the cake– Settle on the design for pro-grams, place cards and other printed materials

See Page 34


The Hampton Inn & SuitesJacksonville Presents

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pening March 2013, Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville is the city’s newest hotel. Hampton Inn combines quality, innovation, comfort and plenty of value-added

extras, making it the brand of choice in today’s marketplace. Quality accommodations and amenities combined with proactive, friendly service from our team members - all backed by the 100% Hampton® Guarantee - make us highly competitive in Jacksonville! We are proud to say we are a LEED registered project and we have the only electric fueling station in town! We are eco conscious in waste disposal, water conservation and use energy effi cient appliances wherever possible.

We have 110 comfortably appointed guest rooms, Free On the House® hot breakfast, a sparkling outdoor pool, 24hr fi tness center and complimentary wired and wireless high-speed internet. We are the perfect hotel for you and your guests’ needs. We specialize in group wedding rates and we have banquet space for small and intimate ceremonies, receptions, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners.

Hampton partners with several local vendors to make your experience simple and budget friendly. Stop in for a list of preferred vendors and get a personalized tour of our property. We’ll show you how we can make your “Happily Ever After” come true!

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6 to 3 months out– Schedule dress fi tting and remember to wear your shoes to ensure proper tailoring– Make sure groom’s suit is ordered, as well as his party’s– Nail down the order of the service, such as who will speak when– Secure wedding license – Tie up loose ends and make fi nal decisions on details

Wedding week– Everything should be fi nalized, so breathe easy– Get pedicures, manicures, massage– Live happily ever after

2 weeks out– Take care of personal grooming– Both bride and groom should schedule haircuts– Plan tanning sessions, facials and waxing appointments {

Wedding DirectoryVenueSBear Trail Golf Club444 Harris Creek Rd, Jacksonville910.346.8160beartrailgolf.com Carolina Colours Golf Club3300 Waterscape Way, New Bern252.772.0201 ext 3carolinacoloursgolfclub.com

Crystal Coast Lady252.728.8687crystalcoastlady.com

Emerald Isle Realty8002-E Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle888.771.4568ASeasideWedding.com Equine Country1259 McAllister Rd, Jacksonville910.347.4511equinecountryusa.com

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores252.247.4003 ext 291/260ncaquariums.com

Ocean Isle Inn910.579.0750 or 1.800.352.5988oceanisleinn.com/weddings

Special Moments283 Rhodestown Rd, Jacksonville910.324.8001yourspecialmoment.net Wild Dunes888.219.1362wilddunesweddings.com

BRIDAL eVenTSPromised Hearts309 Middle St, New Bern252.671.6939promisedhearts.com

BOuTIQueSCameo Boutique104 S. Water St., Swansboro910.326.4208cameobridalandformalwear.com

Isabella Grape1121 Military Cutoff Rd, Ste B, Wilmington866-ISABELLA

The Intimate224 Middle St, New Bern252.638.12205370 Hwy 70W, Morehead City252.808.2221theintimatebridal.com

FLORISTSTildy Designs252.259.4992tildydesigns.com

JeweLeRSBarnes Diamond120 College Plaza, Jacksonville910.347.4300

Corner Jeweler233-B Western Blvd, Ste 1, Jacksonville910.219.GOLD (9797)521 Yopp Rd, Ste 218, Jacksonvillethecornerjeweler.com

PLAnnInG SeRVICeSBridal by the Sea252.259.4992bridalbythesea.com

Special Events Catering107 Columbia Dr, Jacksonville910.346.9249specialevents-catering.com

Wedding Elf252.822.1218

MISCeLLAneOuSAmerican Dream Cakes910.346.2347americandreamcakes.com

American Homesmith919.606.6464americanhomesmith.com

Choice Realty - Jody DavisJody Davis 910.265.0771Sam Davis 910.330.4154SamNJodyHOMES.com

Island Essentials208 Bogue Inlet Dr, Emerald Isle888.398.8887islandessentials.com

Gary’s Auto Sales2145 US Hwy 172, Sneads Ferry910.327.30701914 Wilmington Hwy, Jacksonville910.478.0533garysautosales.com

Hampton Inn & Suites1032 Hampton Inn Way, Jacksonville910.347.3400 Mary Kay410.570.7692marykay.com/decisneros

National Dodge2223 N. Marine Blvd, Jacksonville910.347.2884nationaldodge.com

Natural Health1249 Hargett St, Jacksonville910.347.4721 TLC Tanning & Spa2628 Onslow Drive, Jacksonville910.346.4TAN609 Richlands Hwy., Ste 10, Jacksonville910.355.22731715-B Country Club Road, Jacksonville910.346.8236

Wilmington International Airportflyilm.com

Wilmington Plastic Surgery800.646.9308wilmingtonplasticsurgery.com


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