2007 fall wedding guide - spring hope...

2007 Fall Wedding Guide

September 20, 2007Advertising Supplement

Spring Hope Enterprise

Photo by Dale Williams

2007 FALL WEDDING GUIDE SEPTEMBER 20, 2007

2467 Hurt Drive • Hampton Village Center •Rocky Mount, NC • www.diannesbridal.com•

252-451-0800 • fax 252-451-0870

• A large range of sizes in dresses to fi t any occassion.• Matching shoes and accessories.• Alternations available on site.• Largest selection in our area.

Pre-Wedding Checklist12 Months Prior to Your Wedding

• Finalize your wedding date.• Hire a Photographer• Book your location for the ceremony and reception• If you are using a wedding planner go ahead and book

their service

8-12 Months Prior to Your Wedding• Plan on who will perform your ceremony and book

them for your date• Choose and hire a florist• Choose and book a caterer• Hire a wedding videographer• Decide on your wedding cake style. If it is a multi-tiered

cake order it now; simpler smaller cakes can be done a little closer to your wedding

• Meet with and Hire musicians or DJ for the wedding and reception

• Book a hotel room for your wedding night• Make travel arrangements and reservations for your

honeymoon• Select and book accommodations for the wedding party

if needed

6-8 Months Prior to Your Wedding• Choose and buy your wedding dress• Hire and limousine or secure other transportation• Reserve any necessary rental equipment such as tents,

tables, etc.

4-6 Months Prior to Your Wedding• Select and purchase wedding rings. If you are planning

to have them engraved order this now• Make all beauty appointments for the wedding party• Make arrangements for rehearsal dinner location

2-4 Months Prior to Your Wedding• Make arrangements for men’s formal wear rental or

purchase• Mail invitations with RSVP

1-2 Months Prior to Your Wedding• Order wedding favors, printed materials such as napkins,

matchbooks and thank you cards• Purchase your marriage license (This is only good for

60 days)• Check in with vendors via email to assure delivery

1 Week Prior to Your Wedding• Give final reception count to your caterer• Check in with all vendors

1 Day Prior to Your Wedding• Spend the day at the spa with your bridesmaids • Have the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

On Your Wedding Day• Enjoy a good breakfast; you might not get to eat all day• Get your hair and nails done• Relax and have fun, just get married!

— Rose Cushing

2007 Fall Wedding GuideSeptember 20, 2007

Rose Cushing, Wedding Guide Contributing Editor

Produced by the Spring Hope EnterpriseKen Ripley, Editor-Publisher

P.O. Box 399, 113 Ash Street, Spring Hope, NC 27882 • 252-478-3651Articles adapted from material produced on MarthaStewart.com and MemorableWeddings. co.uk. Cover art is by Dale Williams Photography.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 2007 FALL WEDDING GUIDE PAGE 3

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It might be traditional to be a June bride, but marrying in peak time means fighting to secure must-have bookings be-fore hundreds of other brides and grooms. Planning an autumn or winter wedding’s a great way of standing out from the crowd — and carries hidden benefits that’ll make you glad you waited until summer was over.

As you start now to plan next year’s wedding, consider the pros and cons of autumn/winter weddings.

The biggest upside to an off-peak wed-ding has to be the cost. You can shave thousands off hotel and function room bills by booking out of high season, and there’s unlikely to be as much competition for your desired venue as the days grow colder. Suppliers, including caterers, pho-tographers, and transport specialists, often offer similar discounts, so be sure to shop around for a good deal.

The same argument applies to guests, who will be delighted to get an invita-tion to an event that doesn’t conflict with their summer vacation or other weddings on the same weekend. And the stunning alternative scenery’s a big plus — marry-ing outdoors as the trees begin to turn their leaves or against a spectacular snow and frost-covered backdrop will add a fantas-tic edge to your photos.

Of course, you only find turning leaves and snow when the weather gets colder, which can make the idea of a late-season wedding less appealing. If you’re still planning to hold an outdoor ceremony, ensure you’ve organized a contingency site, preferably nearby, so unpredictable weather conditions don’t spoil your plans.

Fall seasonal decorations are very much about vivid colors.

Color is all-important as the days get greyer, so avoid pastel shades when you’re planning your color scheme. Traditional autumn hues such as deep red, orange, yellow and copper will look gorgeous in flower arrange-ments, brides-maids’ outfits or as part of your table dec-oration, while winter whites are well set off by silver, gold or rich jewel colors like bur-gundy, dark green or mid-night blue.

S u m m e r weddings make the most of sunshine and flowers, so it’s a good idea to work with what you’ve got around you in terms of deco-ration. If your chosen autumn sites have a lot of trees, ask the coordina-tor when they’re likely to be turning color (although places famed for their foliage often charge more money for the privi-lege.) Have large arrangements of multi-colored leaves instead of flowers, scatter them over tables, or even try adding a few to your bouquet.

Snow’s an increasingly remote pros-

pect for most of us in winter, but don’t ignore your natural surroundings. Hang swags of greenery along aisles and dust tables with white rose petals to imitate the effects of a snowfall. Mistletoe clusters

will look great as decorations — and can be hung in stra-tegic areas for an extra splash of romance!

Plan au-tumn/winter w a r d r o b e s c a r e f u l l y . Comfort might not always be c o m p a t i b l e with style, but there’s no ex-cuse for forc-ing yourself or your brides-maids to shiv-er in flimsy frocks. Go for weighty fab-rics including brocade, thick satin or vel-vet, and add wraps around the shoulders

for extra warmth. Fur stoles or shrugs are a cute way to keep cosy in winter, or try a Kate Hudson-inspired full-length fur coat as part of your gown.

Open-toed sandals and thin-soled shoes are simply not practical in colder months — it’s far more sensible to wear ballet pumps to avoid slipping, or even boots to

keep your feet warm. Accessories can be as sparkly as you like in winter, but too much crystal glitz during the autumn will look a little vulgar.

Autumn and winter are great times to eat, drink, and be merry. Forget insubstan-tial finger food during colder months — your guests are going to need their stom-achs lining against the chill outside.

Plan a robust menu featuring colorful soups, roast vegetables, and hot desserts if you’re having a sit-down affair, and consider a large pot of soup that can be ladled into mugs on a buffet. Large joints of roast meat look great on tables and can be served hot or cold.

Supplement the traditional champagne with a few more warming drink options, such as hot mulled wine or cider. Add a touch of class with whisky-based cock-tails, which will heat your guests from the outside in. Don’t forget have on hand tea, coffee, and hot chocolate for the non-drinkers among the guests.

Throw in a nod to the time of year by including traditional seasonal fare — pumpkin-based dishes will go down a storm in the autumn, while kids will adore old-fashioned candy apples. And there’s no excuse to stint on the turkey and fruit cake if you’re marrying close to Christ-mas.

Finally, weddings are all about tradi-tion — the age-old ceremony of uniting two people in a solemn bond. Just because you’re not a summer bride, why ignore seasonal custom? Hold a Halloween wed-ding in a spooky castle, or find a grotto for your Christmas do, and revel in mak-ing festive occasions even more fun than usual.

(Source; Memorablewedding.co.uk.)

Autumn/winter weddings can be colorful


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Couples getting married for a second time are often unsure how to arrange a sec-ond wedding. Does it, for example, have to be different from a first wedding?

Not really. Changing times have given second-wedding couples much more free-dom than in years past, perhaps with some different wrinkles.

While a second wedding should not be a flashback or replica of a first wedding, it is absolutely fine to incorporate some of the same aspects, such as the members of the wedding party. If these people have re-mained near and dear to the bride, it does not matter that they were attendants in a previ-ous wedding.

As for the bride’s attire, she is no longer restricted to items like pastel suits; she can don a beautiful white bridal gown — do make sure it is age and figure appropriate, of course. It is also okay for the bride’s father to walk her down the aisle again and for the couple to register for gifts.

Also, with second weddings, you should

find meaningful ways to include the couple’s children (if any) in the celebrations. This may be a difficult time for them, so it’s best to make every effort to keep them involved and comfortable.

Often second weddings are more subdued and low-key, depending on the couples’ cir-cumstances and inclinations, but all wed-dings should be joyous occasions — there is nothing against the couple’s holding as big a wedding as they can afford, if they choose, with as much fanfare, planning, and dream-ing as the first, from engagement announce-ments to honeymoons.

One advantage of second weddings, moreover, is that the couple’s experience at a first wedding can help them know what to expect — or do differently — at the second wedding. Frank communication and some sensitivity between the wedding couple — plus a little common sense and financial maturity — can help guide them and their families in planning the details they want for their second attempt at happy married life.

Enjoy second wedding, too


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By ALISON SALAT BERNSTEIN

So you’re in a relationship, and you’re thinking about taking the plunge of all plunges — marriage! How can you be sure, really sure, that you’re making the right decision?

Well, you can’t. But here’s a list of issues to help you with the big questions. Read through them and see what you think.

Relationship• You go to each other for advice, and

you almost always come away feeling bet-ter about things.

• You are supportive of each other’s decisions, even when you just don’t agree with them.

• You tell your honey when he or she has hurt you instead of holding a grudge.

• You are generally able to resolve fights to your mutual satisfaction.

• You both know that relationships take work, and you are willing to go the dis-tance.

• You respect, admire, listen to, and just plain like each other, gosh darn it!

• You share enough of the same interests and friends that you don’t feel like you are always on your own.

Money• You have simi-

lar spending/saving habits, or you’ve discussed how you’ll each compromise to keep the peace.

• You have the same attitude about paying bills or debt management.

• You are aware of each other’s total present debt, if any.

• You have dis-cussed how you will merge your finances once you get married, and you are comfort-able with the plan.

• You have told your honey about all your assets and have no hidden nest eggs, “just in case.”

• You have similar definitions of a “com-fortable” income, and similar or symbiotic income goals.

Sex• Your sexual needs are compatible, and

you are both satis-fied with your lives between the sheets (or on the kitchen table, in the shower, or wherever).

• You are com-fortable giving and taking sexual sug-gestions and re-quests.

• Birth control is something you con-sider a joint respon-sibility, and you have openly dis-cussed your options and preferences.

• You use sex as a healthy and fun expression of your love, not as a way to gloss over problem-

atic issues in your relationship, a weapon, or an easy way to solve disputes (without addressing the root of the argument).

• You’ve ‘fessed up about your sexual past (at least most of it!) and had frank dis-cussions about STDs and previous partners (or lack thereof).

Family• You generally get along with each

other’s families (we’re not talking about a sappy love fest, just general friendliness and goodwill), and if not, you’ve at least discussed to what extent they will play a role in your future family life.

• You are willing and prepared to regard each other as your most important familial relationship after you get married.

• You have similar religious beliefs or you have discussed how to incorporate re-ligion into your future family.

• You’ve talked about children — how many you want, or if you want them at all.

• If you have children from a previous marriage, he or she treats them with respect and kindness.

• You’ve considered not only the future responsibility of caring for your honey, but also the possibility of caring for their par-ents or other family members.

If a majority of these statements are true about your relationship, you’re in great shape — go for it! But if the majority are “don’t know” or “no way,” your relation-ship needs more work before you’re ready to tie the knot. Don’t despair — knowing what you need to tackle is half the battle.

See how you fit together before you wed


T. Dan ConeLUTCF Agency Manager

459-3181

Gordon Bailes, LUTCF AgentNashville, NC

2467 Hurt Drive • Hampton Village CenterRocky Mount, NC • www.diannesbridal.com•

252-451-0800 • fax 252-451-0870

• A large range of sizes in dresses to fit any occasion.

• Largest selection in our area.

• Matching shoes and accessories.

• Alternations available on site.

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218 E. Nash St.Wilson, N.C.

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By ANJA WINIKKA

Recommitting to your partner with vow renewal ceremonies large and small is in-creasing in popularity. Why? To celebrate.

Perhaps you’ve made it to 10, 25, or 50 years together and you want the world to know that you’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. Maybe you want to reaffirm your commitment to each other after a rough pe-riod in your relationship.

There’s no wrong reason to renew. Just think about the timing — don’t do it the same year you get married, unless you’ve had a small, faraway ceremony and want to make your vows public upon your return.

Many couples host their own renewals, and some have their children do the honors. Another trend is that the couple’s closest friends, perhaps the original Maid of Honor and Best Man, host the event. And don’t feel like you have to find a secular event hall or outdoor space to hold the ceremony — many traditional halls of worship make wonderful, meaningful venues.

Since a vow renewal is not a legally bind-ing ceremony, the couple can have whom-ever they want to officiate — a clergyper-son, a close friend, a relative, or even their children.

The basic premise is to exchange vows,

just as you did the first time around. You can either recite the same words you spoke back then, or compose new ones to mark this special occasion and how you feel now. After the vows you’ll exchange rings. Either engrave your original bands with something new (perhaps the date of your vow renewal or a cute sentiment like “I Love You, Part II”) or purchase new rings expressly for the reaffirmation — there’s never a bad time to upgrade jewelry!

Children, close relatives, and special friends can do readings, and you can have meaningful music playing, just as you would at a wedding ceremony.

Once the vows are spoken, the rings are swapped, and the happy couple makes their way back down the aisle, it’s time to party. Anything goes with this fete, from an inti-mate family barbecue to a large, sit-down affair as lavish as any traditional wedding reception. Plan for dancing, a cake, and lots of toasts.

Bring your original wedding album to share with your guests (if you just eloped recently, bring some recent shots), as well as family photos taken throughout the years of your marriage. Be sure to hire a photog-rapher to capture the event on film — in 20 more years you may want to renew your re-newal!

How to retie the knot


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If you want the best wedding,pick only the best invitations.

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Many couples, wanting to express more than the traditional wedding vows can con-vey, choose to compose their own vows. You want to “say it right” for this important and memorable day, and you even know what you want to say. It’s the “getting it down on paper” that’s difficult for some people.

But you can do it! Just follow a few sim-ple rules if you need a little help:

• Just Say It. Don’t sit down to write. In-stead, get a tape recorder. Say what you real-ly want to say. Don’t worry about the words. Take your time; talk more than you need to, if that will help. Then replay the tape. Find the phrases or sentences that really work, that communicate your true intent. If some-thing on the tape makes you laugh, cry, or smile, it’s a winner.

• Be Simple. Good writing doesn’t re-quire big words or long sentences. It should aim to successfully communicate particular thoughts, sentiments, or ideas.

• Be Specific. Stay away from broad gen-eralities (“I will love you forever”) and fo-cus on small specific expressions of love. If you write about one specific event (“I prom-ise to always dry if you wash, and wash if you dry”) you write, by extension, about all events.

• Avoid Cliches. Everyone will surely un-derstand “My love for you is deeper than the ocean,” but they’ve heard it a million times before. It’s unoriginal and uninspired while

your vows should reflect the profound inspi-ration of your love for one another. If it’s a phrase you’ve heard before, if it sounds like a line from a song, get rid of it. Find a new and original way to illustrate your point.

• Write it all out, word for word. Some-times couples, wanting to appear natural and spontaneous, write down only key phrases as a shortcut or memory-booster. But writ-ing your vows word for word is important for several reasons. It makes sure you say exactly what you want; it helps you know exactly how long they are; and

• Find a Friend Who Can Write To Give It A Read. You may not know any “professional writers,” but you probably know people who write as a part of their work. Or you may know people who do a great deal of reading and thus have a good critical eye. Consider calling upon a friend who is a teacher or a librarian; they may be able to give you some constructive advice on how to improve your writing.

• Be Yourself. No matter how wonder-ful the vows you write, they only have real meaning if they truly come from your heart. So let your heart be your guide. After you’ve followed all the advice, after you’ve had trusted friends read and critique what you’ve written, get final approval from your heart.

After all, how your vows are presented is ultimately less important than whether you mean to keep them.

Writing your own vowsbest when simple, sincere

Spring Hope Enterprise & Bailey/Middlesex News

2007 fall wedding guide - spring hope...

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