bride's guide 2015

Bride’s Guide

Social Media becomes part of the wedding day

Hot trends in wedding cuisine

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February 11, 12, & 13

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#married. #hitched. #truelove.

There’s no denying that social media is everywhere

and in almost every aspect of daily life. Now, the use of hashtags (#) is gaining popularity on wedding days.

“Whether or not you tell people to use their (camera) phones during the wedding, they will,”

said bride-to-be Jamie Petersen. “So we figured we might as well take ad-vantage of it so we have access to those photos as well.”

Petersen, 22, will marry Justin Novak, 24, in early May. They plan to create

a unique hashtag for their special day so guests can post photos to social me-dia sites. The hashtag will allow anyone to search for the hashtag and then see all the photos tagged with it.

“The wedding day goes so fast so this is a good way to see your guests’ photos and see the parts of the day you may have missed,” said Danielle Busch, 24, who will marry Aaron Shetka, 25, in June. She, too, plans on creating a hashtag for her wedding.

A hashtag, which is es-sentially a search feature for social media, will al-low the bride and groom, wedding guests and any-one using the hashtag to see all the pictures in one place without having to

spend time searching for them or asking others to share photos.

Both Busch and Peters-en said that they want to incorporate social media into their wedding days to take full advantage of today’s technology.

But that doesn’t mean social media and smart-phones are replacing the professional photogra-pher. Both brides-to-be intend to employ a pho-tographer as well.

“The professional pho-tographer will get all the family shots and the getting-ready shots,” said Busch. “You know their photos will be a good quality so you’re counting on them.”

Busch said that al-though she’s sure her

guests will take their own photos, she doesn’t want to rely on them to docu-ment the day. But the pho-tos guests take and upload to social media using their personal hashtag will �ll in the gaps that the profes-sional may have missed.

“Our photographer won’t stay all night; he’ll probably leave after din-ner,” said Busch. “And guests will have photos that aren’t just focused on the bride and groom.”

The combination of a professional photographer as well as photos taken by guests and shared to so-cial media assure the most complete photo story of the wedding day.

Social media becomes a part of the wedding day

Jamie Petersen and Justin Novak are getting married in May. They plan to create a hashtag allowing wedding guests to share photos from the big day on social media. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Petersen)

SEE SOCIAL MEDIAPAGE 6


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Guests won’t be re-quired to use the hashtag, but Busch and Petersen said they’ll probably put a sign up near their guest book informing guests of it.

“ We won’t put the hashtag in the program or invites,” Petersen said. But signs will make guests aware of the option.

She said the hashtag isn’t necessarily a big part of the wedding. Rather it’s just something that will add to the fun of the day.

UnpluggedBut for some couples,

prefer not to use social media on their big day and opt instead for an “un-plugged” wedding.

“ There is definitely

something about not posting photos right away and I don’t want anyone to post photos before the ceremony,” Busch said. “I see why some people would want the day to be more private and not all over social media.”

Petersen said an un-plugged wedding would likely add to the stress of her big day.

“There will be one or two people who don’t re-spect the request [to be unplugged],” she said. “To me, it’s not worth the extra stress of worrying about that.”

Petersen said she likely wouldn’t post any photos to social media until she returns from the honey-moon, but there will likely

be some who can’t attend the wedding but want to see photos of the big day as soon as possible.

The searchable hashtag would allow anyone to see photos taken by guests without having to wait for the newlyweds to post the pictures.

Both Petersen and Busch said they plan to look at the photos on so-cial media and will likely save any they really like.

#happilyever after.

Reach reporter Samantha Ma-ranell at 507-837-5446 or follow her on Twitter.com @WCNsamantha.

Danielle Busch and Aaron Shetka are getting married this June and plan to use a hashtag on their big day so their guests can share photos to social media. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Busch)

Social media becomes a part of the wedding dayBride’s Guide • February 11, 12, & 13

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SOCIAL MEDIA ETIQUETTEAccording to theknot.com, a website involving everything wedding related, there are certain rules and tips to be followed when using social media for

engagements and weddings.1. Tell your parents and closest friends about an engagement before announcing it on social media.2. It is your decision when to change your relationship status or last name on social media. Some couples even do it at the altar.3. Post pictures of the engagement ring, but keep details like carats and cost private.4. Designate a “tweeter” of honor. Don’t worry about social media on your wedding day. Appoint a friend, family member or someone from the bridal party to make any social media updates.5. Send traditional paper invites for the main event. Keep online invites to the pre- or post-wedding activities.6. Keep your posts positive. Although planning a wedding can be stressful and frustrating at times, don’t post about the negatives.7. Don’t spill the couple’s big news. If you hear about a new engagement, don’t post about it on social media until the couple themselves have the chance to.8. Keep wedding planning to private messages. Reading about someone’s wedding plans on social media can be a bummer if you weren’t invited.9. Respect the bride and groom’s social media requests. If they ask guests not to post photos from the big day until they have the chance, then wait.10. Put your phone away. Even if the couple set up a hashtag for posting photos, they didn’t invite you to the wedding or reception so you could sit on your phone.11. Follow directions for the RSVP. Although a text, email or social media post may be more convenient, it may also get lost. If a couple sent an RSVP card with the invitation, respond using the card.12. Don’t get in the way of the professional photographer.13. Use the wedding hashtag. The couple created it for a reason and are excited to see your photos and posts.


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Wedding guests are usually anxious to head to the reception, where they can let loose and party. Music is an essential com-ponent of a lively and fun wedding reception, and there are some musical miscues couples should look to avoid to ensure the music is not memorable for all the wrong reasons.

· Blocks of silence: Noth-ing makes time seem in-terminable more than silence. Always have a constant �ow of music to avoid awkward silences. This includes the time guests are waiting prior to the ceremony as well as when they're entering the cocktail hour. Music will help everyone feel com-fortable, and it creates a pleasing atmosphere, so make sure music plays throughout the festivities.

· Second-guessing a professional: In an e�ort to curb costs, some couples provide their own playl-ists via an mp3 player or a streaming service for the

music. This is often a mis-take. Hiring a professional means you will not have to worry about manag-ing music on top of your many other wedding day responsibilities. A band or deejay usually also serves as the emcee for the event, announcing key moments of the reception as well as getting guests up on the dance �oor.

· Playing only one type of music: Playing too many songs from one genre of music will alienate some of the guests who simply are not interested in that type of music. Profession-al deejays or performers know how to o�er a great mix that will appeal to the masses, and they are often well worth the cost. Try to

span di�erent decades and genres to keep as many of your guests on the dance �oor as possible.

· Failure to make a song list: Some songs you may feel are essential to the wedding and others may be on a do-not-play list and are associated with negative memories. Band leaders and deejays are not mind readers. Give your band leader or dee-jay ample time to review your requests so that he or she has time to �nd a song that may not be in his or her collection.

· Dancing to long songs: Pay attention to a song's length, and choose spot-light dance songs wisely. Remember that guests will be watching you dance with parents or each other,

and a �ve-minute song can seem neverending while others are waiting around. Avoid very long songs, as the mix of music should be upbeat. The wedding isn't the time to play "Ameri-can Pie" by Don McClean, Queen's "Bohemian Rhap-

sody" or Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird."

· Inappropriate lyrics and volume: Keep the music at an acceptable volume, and avoid songs with suggestive language or curse words that are inappropriate in a family

setting.

Music is a key element of any good party, includ-ing a wedding reception, and it's essential that cou-ples take steps to avoid any musical miscues.

BR151808

Music mistakes to avoidBride’s Guide • February 11, 12, & 13

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Once a couple has officially tied the knot, the newly recognized man and wife and all of their guests will retire to a party room where they can mingle, dance and enjoy a good meal.In the past, standard fare like prime rib and roasted chicken dominated wedding menus. But today’s weddings cater to people of various culinary tastes, and couples and their guests can expect more upscale and creative cuisine to be rolled out for wedding receptions. The following are a handful of the more popular trends with regard to wedding cuisine.

Miniature bitesMany people say good things come in small packages, and when it comes to miniature versions of favorite foods, they may be right. Instead of large meals that fill guests up fast, they can munch on smaller bites of their favorite dishes. How about a piece of meatloaf topped with whipped mashed potatoes? A cherry tomato with a small piece of mozzarella cheese makes a mini caprese salad. Turning favorite foods into bite-sized adventures can add a touch of whimsy to the reception.

Breakfast for dinnerSome couples are circumventing high price tags for their weddings by choosing to hold the festivities at less expensive times of day. Brunch-themed weddings are a big hit with those who would much rather dine on a stack of pancakes than a dish of pasta. Omelet stations, croissants and a bevy of other breakfast table fare can be enjoyed any time of the day.

Dim sumDim sum allows guests to sample different foods without filling up. Carts of dumplings and other small plates of appetizers can be wheeled around so everyone can choose what they want and what they want to avoid.

Gourmet comfort foodPeople love familiar comfort foods, but now gourmet comfort foods are shaking up wedding receptions. Mac-and-cheese with gouda and brie or chicken pot pie with a puff-pastry crust are a few offerings that can add glamour to down-home cooking.

Food with a showInstead of passed foods or buffet stations, couples are opting to make food an experience for guests. An oyster bar with a chef serving fresh seafood or a dessert master whipping up

flambé is a feast for the eyes and mouth.

Interesting buffet stationsKeep guests on their toes with various meal stations. A bountiful display of artisanal cheeses, fruits and breads will be a cheese lover’s dream. These stations also can be appetizing focal points around the room and ensure all guests get a bite of what they like best.

Family styleRustic and informal weddings have grown in popularity. Rather than food being brought to the guests or participants lining up in buffet lines, family-style dining allows guests to share conversation and pass the peas at the same time. Larger, rectangular tables allow more guests to sit with one another and serve themselves food from community plates located in the center of the tables.

Food and beverage pairingsFood-forward wedding couples are offering guests mouthwatering appetizers matched with a cocktail. A slider and a craft beer or a dumpling and a shot of saki are examples of this trend.

Nontraditional ‘fake’ cakesInstead of a multi-tiered cake or the cupcake fad that is starting to fizzle, couples are now opting for something new. Desserts that mimic the look of cake, but aren’t quite that combination of sponge and frosting are trending. Crepes, pies, cookies, and doughnuts are acceptable and can add a creative spark to the cake-cutting ceremony. When offered along with dessert stations, guests can certainly get their fill of sweet delights.

Vegan and gluten-free options

Chances are one or more people attending the reception will be on a restricted diet. Rather than relegate these guests to dining on side dishes and patchwork meals, certain couples are building entire offerings around vegan and gluten-free foods.

Couples are getting creative with their food and beverage offerings at their weddings. Guests never know which culinary wonders they will encounter as they gather to wish the newlyweds well.

Hot trends in wedding cuisineBride’s Guide • February 11, 12, & 13

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The presentation of the wedding cake marks the culmination of the day’s festivities and a final symbol of a happy couple’s new partnership. Many people eagerly await the cake as much as they may anticipate catching a glimpse of the bride in her beautiful gown. While the cake in all its finery can be a beautiful sight to behold, a cake can only last so long before its fate as a delicious dessert is sealed.

As is the case with many wedding traditions, there is some established etiquette with regard to cutting and serving wedding cake. If you plan on putting your cake on display, be sure it is made with a frosting and filling that can endure room temperature. Certain creams may sour if not refrigerated, and you do not want anyone becoming ill. If you have your heart set on

perishable fillings, keep the cake refrigerated and then have the big reveal right before it is cut.

The cake cutting usually comes near the end of the wedding reception. Schedule the cutting so that older guests or young children can leave without feeling as if they would

be offending anyone. The emcee of the evening typically announces the cake cutting, and the band may play a quirky tune or revisit the wedding song while the first slice is being cut.

A bride should hold the cake knife with her right hand, while the groom places his right hand over hers before they proceed to slice down together. If the cake has a foam or cardboard support, be careful not to cut through it. Use a cake server to grab the first piece.

Traditionally the newly betrothed will feed each other a bite of the cake to symbolize their first meal as a couple. Couples can feed each other a small amount, taking care not to spill any. Many couples no longer embrace the once-popular tradition of smashing cake in each other’s faces, but whether

or not couples follow this tradition is up to them.

Some couples like to serve their parents a piece of cake. Traditionally the bride should serve the groom’s parents and the groom the bride’s parents.

If there is a groom’s cake, guests may prefer a slice of both cakes. Guests may also want to take home a slice of the groom’s cake. Tradition states that a piece of the groom’s cake should be presented to an unmarried woman attending the wedding. The woman is not expected to eat the cake, but rather to put it under her pillow. Superstition held that this tradition would help an unmarried woman find a husband. Make arrangements for proper packaging of the groom’s cake, so guests can take home a slice if they so desire.

The waitstaff typically

handles the slicing of the

cake. The uppermost tier is

reserved for the couple to

save, and the remainder of

the cake will be served.

Recognize that not all

guests like cake, but it’s

better to err on the side of

caution and have a cake

that will feed all of the

guests. You also may want

to offer a dessert bar for

guests who prefer another

type of sweet treat.

However, this is a luxury,

not a necessity.

The cake-cutting ritual at

weddings has withstood

the test of time, and

many couples still prefer

to present the cake with

fanfare and excitement.

Cake-cutting etiquette and guidelines

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Engagement photos vary depending on the couple. Often reserved for save-the-date cards and now commonly used to spruce up wedding websites, engagement photos can range from formal shoots in which couples are dressed to the nines to more laid back shots featuring couples in more everyday attire.When planning an engagement shoot, couples should give themselves carte

blanche with regard to style, as the photo shoot need not follow many of the more accepted rules that the wedding itself will ultimately adhere to. Once couples have settled on a style for their photo shoot, there are additional ways to ensure the session is a success. • Find a photographer who shares your sensibilities. Photographers can vary greatly in style, and an engagement photo shoot will be most successful when couples find a photographer whose style matches the theme they are looking for with their photoshoot. You likely would not hire a nature photographer to photograph a basketball game, so don’t hire someone who specializes in posed shots if you want your photos to be more

lively and spontaneous. Before you hire anyone, ask for samples of each photographer’s work to be certain you’re getting someone who has experiencing shooting the type of photos you want to take. • Solicit ideas from the photographer. Some couples already know exactly where they want their engagement photos to be shot and which poses they want to be arranged. However, many couples have little or no experience with professional photo shoots, and such couples should solicit ideas from each photographer they are considering hiring. A skilled and/or seasoned photographer should propose several ideas. Be wary of photographers

who offer little input, as you may ultimately be dissatisfied with their work once the shoot has come and gone. • Avoid studio shots. Many couples prefer their engagement photos be taken somewhere they have a personal connection to, such as the sight of their first date or a park they frequently visit. Studio photo shoots might provide the best lighting, but couples have no connection to such spaces, and down the road they may regret not taking the photos in someplace that’s a little more meaningful. In addition, a photo shoot outside the studio affords couples and their photographer more opportunities

to experiment and improvise, which can produce a wider array of shots than a studio photo shoot is likely to deliver. • Don’t forget candid shots. Candid shots

make the photo shoot more fun and loosen couples up a little bit. Many engagement photos will never be seen by anyone other than the photographer and the couple he or she is shooting, so don’t be bashful during candid shots for fear of being embarrassed down the road. Have fun with the candid shots, and your other photos are likely to come out better as a result.An engagement photo shoot should be fun and reflect the personalities of the couple. A few simple strategies can ensure couples’ shoots accomplish both of those things.

Make your engagement photo shoot a successBride’s Guide • February 11, 12, & 13

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Is summer’s

stronghold on

weddings getting

weaker? Fall and

spring have been

gaining traction as the

go-to months to tie

the knot. Even winter

is showing newfound

wedding popularity.

Here’s why the

‘o� -season’

has never been more

on

The New Wedding SeasonsBY LAURA DEPTACTW FEATURES

Summer has long been the go-to wed-ding season, but it

may be losing its luster. More and more, couples are trading in those warm June weekends for the crisp air of autumn or the beautiful lilacs of spring.

According to the results of the 2014 American Wedding Study, the annu-al survey by BRIDES maga-zine, May is now the most popular month to get married, having surpassed June, which now is tied for second with September and October.

Even winter slowly is gaining ground. Accord-ing to The Knot.com’s 2013 Real Weddings Study, 7 percent of cou-ples got married during the winter months in 2013, up from 5 percent in 2012.

There are many factors that have contributed to this shift in trend, not the least of which are cost and availability. Over the course of summer’s long-standing popularity, ven-ues became more challenging to nail down, and vendors became more expensive overall.

Lisbeth Levine, co-author of “The Wedding Book” (Workman Publish-ing Co., 2008) warns that a summer wedding will cost

you. “There is so much competition for 10 week-ends, really,” Levine says. “You’re not going to have any room for negotiation. You’re going to be paying top dollar for any of the summer weekends.”

Levine also points out that couples generally have to start planning summer weddings much farther in advance to get what they want in terms of venue, florist, photog-raphy and catering. In addition to the cost sav-ings, sometimes an off-season wedding can mean better vendor avail-ability.

“By having your wed-ding in April instead of June, you’re much more likely to get your first choice of photographer and the venue,” explains Levine. “Having a wedding in one of the slower sea-sons lets you get your top choices in more catego-ries.”

Additionally, couples have to think about their guests and bridal parties. It’s important to choose a time when the most peo-ple are likely to be avail-able and when hotels and travel won’t cost a fortune.

“People are on such dif-ferent schedules over the summer,” Levine says. “And I think hotel availability is tight and tends to be higher-priced for guests, depending on location.”

Weather always is a fac-tor, too, and different parts of the country have different considerations. Summer can be too hot and humid in some areas and beautiful in others. Spring can be cool and lovely, or it could bring those pesky April showers.

Some couples simply prefer particular themes that go with other seasons – the pastels of spring or the deep hues of fall, for example.

Caili Helsper of Caili Helsper Photography in Chicago, says that May is her busiest month, fol-lowed closely by Septem-ber and October. And although spring is busy, Helsper says that spring weddings are her favorite.

“Everything is starting to get colorful but still has that softness to it,” Helsper says. “I tend to like muted tones and soft colors. The combination of soft, flow-ering trees and beige

See SEASONS, Page 13


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grasses turning green is my favorite backdrop for portraits.”

The winter, although the weather can be dicey, does offer fantastic possi-bilities for theme wed-dings. “Winter weddings are not for the faint of heart, but they pay off every time,” Helsper says. “Some of my favorite bride and groom portraits have been taken in the middle of a light snow-storm.”

But perhaps the big-gest “new” season is fall. Tonya Evans, owner of Occasional Flowers in Herndon, Virginia, says that her bookings abso-lutely have indicated a change in seasonal pref-erence.

“October has become huge,” says Evans. “I think the advantage to the fall

is hopefully you can still have that outdoor wed-ding. There’s a lot of the foliage around here that’s changing that makes for a really beautiful outdoor wedding.”

According to Evans, many fall floral themes are very popular, too. She says flowers like dahlias and ranunculus are extremely in demand, and they’re easily accessi-ble in the fall. She also has noticed a general shift in aesthetic trends in the industry in general.

“I don’t just see it around me. You look in wedding magazines and you see all these wed-dings that have all this birch and burlap, and it’s a rustic barn or an outdoor vineyard, and it just seems like it lends itself to that time of the year,” Evans says.

Budget, vendor avail-ability and seasonal themes all play a role in the decision of when to get married. But perhaps most important is a gen-eral desire of couples to really make their wedding unique and reflective of their style.

“I think that a lot of couples are looking at

wedding planning as an opportunity to share with their guests what makes them unique, and that includes the time of year that they wed,” Helsper. says “Just as your invites and florals help tell your story, I think that the sea-son sets the tone for all the details to fall in line.”

CTW FEATURES

Seasons: Fall is the biggest “new” season for weddingsFrom Page 12


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Creative ways to make a memorable wedding entranceOnce wedding vows and rings have been exchanged, many couples join their friends and family to celebrate with a wedding reception. Many brides and grooms eagerly await the moment when they can make their grand entrance to the reception, and over the years it has become customary for couples to make a bit of a splash when making their first appearance as husband and wife. Some enter with a special song. Others prefer something a bit more theatrical. Explore these ideas for memorable wedding reception entrances.• Catch guests by surprise. Wedding guests will probably expect the wedding party to enter through a certain door and the bride and groom to follow afterward. An element of surprise, such as the couple rising from the floor or appearing from a different area in the reception hall, may not require a lot of planning but can have a dramatic effect. Unpredictable entrances also include unexpected song choices or dramatic lighting to immediately draw everyone’s attention.• Stick to one or two songs. Some couples think it might be fun to have each member of the wedding party enter with a different song. Not only will this take a lot of coordination on the part of the deejay, but it can make the entrance choppy as well. Introductions may go more smoothly if couples have the entire wedding party enter to a particular song that revs up the

crowd and gets them excited for the grand entrance. At the height of the song, the bride and groom will enter. The entrance typically segues into a couple’s first dance.• Go with people’s strengths. A couple may want to showcase special skills as they enter the reception hall. There’s no limit to what couples can do, from acrobatic techniques to tap dancing to juggling. If it’s entertaining, it very well may prove memorable.• Make sure everyone is on board. Couples should recognize that some members of the wedding party may be uncomfortable acting like clowns in front of a crowd. Do not force anyone to participate in crazy antics if they do not want to. Find things each member of a wedding party feels comfortable doing. Couples may want their bridal party members

to enter in a more traditional way before the newlyweds do something more dramatic and humorous.• Include the entrance in your planning. If you want to follow a certain theme, such as “Star Wars” or “Mission Impossible,” coordinate in advance with a deejay or band members. Talk about what, if any, props you plan to use and the type of music that will be playing. If entrances involve choreography, be certain to practice in advance of the wedding so everything will work out well and look professional. However, even stunts that go awry can be entertaining and funny for guests.• Low-key entrances are acceptable, too. Couples who aren’t into much fanfare should not feel pressured to make an entrance with a dance routine

or to have any stunning visual effects. If you want a low-key introduction, arrange for such an entrance with the emcee. Wedding entrances are what a couple makes of them, and they can run the gamut from traditional introductions to theatrical skits and dance routines.


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bride's guide 2015

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