West of the Brazos, June 25, 2020, Page 5

Tips for a successful marriage proposalPeople ready to “pop the ques-

tion” may wonder about the rightway to initiate an engagement pro-posal. Because a marriage proposalis such a memorable moment in acouples’ lives together, those doingthe proposing often go to greatlengths to ensure things gosmoothly. While there is no pro-posal playbook, these guidelinescan assist those ready to take theleap.

•Add a personal touch. It’s easy

to get caught up in making a mar-riage proposal a spectacle or some-thing worthy of a social media post.But taking a sweetheart back to aspecial place that recalls a signifi-cant moment can set the backdropfor a memorable proposal. Incorpo-rating the place you first met or aspecial song into the proposal canmake it that much more personaland meaningful.

•Embrace the old fashioned. Itmay be romantic to step back in

time and followed the traditions ofyesteryear. Show respect to futurein-laws by speaking to them aboutintentions to propose and ask fortheir blessings. Get down on bendedknee when asking for a sweetheart’shand. Such gestures add up tomeaningful expressions of love.

•Consider timing. A person maybe so excited to propose that he orshe fails to consider how the otherperson in the relationship is feeling.If that person is overwhelmed by

work projects or stressed about up-coming events, consider waiting topropose at a more relaxed time.

•Enlist help from others. It canbe a challenge to keep your excite-ment hidden while collecting infor-mation about a future spouse’s likesand dislikes. Ask friends and closefamily members to be your accom-plices so that information can begathered without generating suspi-cion. This can be especially helpful

when finding the perfect ring.•Keep it simple. The more com-

plex a proposal, the more opportu-nities for things to go wrong. Sim-plicity, even if it means keeping theproposal to yourself until the ques-tion has been popped, can make foran extra special moment.

Marriage proposals happen ev-ery day. With humor, confidenceand a heart full of love, popping thequestion can be a success.

A guide to hosting a daytime weddingA guide to hosting a daytime weddingA guide to hosting a daytime weddingA guide to hosting a daytime weddingA guide to hosting a daytime weddingWeddings dot the social calen-

dars of millions of people across theglobe. The Association for WeddingProfessionals International says ev-ery year an average of 2.4 millionweddings are performed in theUnited States and approximately150,000 per year are performed inCanada. Evenings are the mostcommon time of the day to host awedding, but that does not mean adaytime wedding cannot be a beau-tiful event and make for a party toremember.

Couples are increasingly cus-tomizing their weddings to be a re-flection of their personal styles. Oneof the ways couples are customiz-ing their festivities is by moving the

wedding to various hours of the daythat meet the couple’s needs. A wed-ding that takes place in the latemorning or afternoon may be theperfect fit for some couples. Here’show to navigate the specifics of adaytime wedding.

•Secure accommodations. Anearly wedding means guests mayhave to travel from afar the eveningbefore to be able to attend the fes-tivities. Daytime weddings can becomplemented by working with ahotel or bed and breakfast to ensureguests will have a place to stay andget ready to arrive at the early wed-ding in time.

•Don’t be afraid to negotiateprices. The wedding resource Bridal

Guide says that vendors are typi-cally more amenable to price dis-counts or offering greater value fordaytime weddings. That’s becausedemand for their services is reducedduring the day. Similarly, venuesmay have more availability duringthe day than at night, and, as a re-sult, they’re more flexible on prices,especially since brunch foods gen-erally cost less than dinner entrees.

•Hire the right photographer. Besure to contract with a photographerwho is a pro at handling photos indaylight and natural light. Whilemany photographers are skilled inany light, many are used to shoot-ing in churches and venues with lowlighting. Be sure to see picturesamples taken during the daytimeto gauge a photographer’s daytimeexperience and skill level.

•Employ color to add dimension.During evening weddings, lightingor candles help set the mood. Thosesame elements will be ineffectivein daylight. Choose bright colors foryour decor and flowers to brightenup spaces.

•Choose alternative entertain-ment. Chances are guests are notgoing to feel as comfortable danc-ing during daylight hours. Considerother entertainment, such as lawngames, karaoke, or a comedian. Aguitarist or pianist may be a nicemusical touch.

•Plan food accordingly. Just be-cause the wedding is early does notmean the food should be. Guestsstill will need to eat. If you are onlyopting for light appetizers and cock-tails, be sure to mention this on theinvitation so guests can plan aheadand won’t go hungry.

Daytime weddings can be suc-cessful with a little tweaking of tra-ditional evening wedding planning.

RICHTER’S CATERING SERVICE

P.O. Box 415 • Flatonia, TX 78941

Red Richter(361) 772-2682

Will Richter(979) 743-5630

richterscatering@gmail.com