Marriage Lit 101

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Val Marie Paper

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Article Highlights

Darrin & ElizabthThis country-chic event takes personal style to a new level, all while putting the couples personality on display. Simple yet

meaningful elements took their September wedding from standard to stupendous!

Featured Brides

pg 28

Tradition Break Down

pg 36

Most Romantic Restaurants in Acadiana

pg 24

Contents

* Smart Images

4*

Additional StoriesLetter from the Editor

Louisiana Register Seal

Letter to the Brides

Pep Talk

Ask the Planner

The Faith Based Marriage

To Dos Before I Dos

Words of Wisdom

pg 6

pg 7

pg 8

pg 14

pg 18

pg 34

pg 48

pg 62

* Smart ImagesBridal Registry

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Barry & Kathryn Guidry

Brennan & Marina Hanks

Jeremy & Jessica Pritchard

Jonathan & Amber Poche

Ryan & Bridgette Dugas

Grant & Tiffany Hebert

Darrin & Elizabeth Dawes

Joshua & Tiffany Louviere

James & Mary Kasischke

Coby & Keely Bergeron

Eric & Blaire Brown

Mark & Erin Alleman

Daniel & Chelsie Hebert

Jesse & Brandi Jacob

Graham & Ashley Goodyear

Kirk & Tasha Sonnier

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pg 12

pg 15

pg 16

pg 20

pg 22

pg 28

pg 35

pg 38

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pg 44

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pg 50

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Wedding celebrations may seem like the starting line for your marriage,

but there are so many parts to the journey that start long before you

say I Do. Your journey really begins at the moment you first metthat

first feeling of attraction when your stomach was in knots and you felt

a little light headed. And it is all too easy to let the everyday journey

become mundane at best. Mondays will always be Mondays, and Friday

nights soon turn into lazy evenings around a glowing TV screen.

But these are, in many ways, the most important times in your new

relationship. A time when attention to detail and going the extra mile

can make all the difference. So, I encourage you to put some extra

effort into your budding romance. It is really pretty simple when we

live in a region so rich with culture. There is truly no shortage of

entertainment in Acadiana for a couple to take advantage of.

Some may call it traditional, but I prefer to think of it as tried and

true. An evening at a romantic restaurant is simply one of the best

ways to enjoy the company of those you love. Local cuisine and low

lit atmospheres are the ideal combination for inspiring new meaning

in your relationship. Whether you are trying to impress her on a first

date, looking for a reason to make her feel special, or the night you

pop the question, look to local eateries for the perfect place to top

off your night.

Locally owned restaurants dishing up fabulous meals with even better

service are just the place for a night she wont forget. We suggest

places like Crawfish Town USA, Chez Jacqueline, and Caf Vermilionville.

Restaurants like these each have a unique flare that are sure to appeal

to your bride or bride to be in all the right ways.

RESTAURANTSAcadiana

Most Romanticin

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Crawfish Town has a lot to offer in the line of Cajun cuisine, but can also provide a private ballroom to house an engagement party. Crawfish Town understands that families are an integral part of a marriage, especially in a traditionally close community like Acadiana. More than a few of our previously featured brides have gushed about proposals that included a surprise engagement bash immediately following a proposal!

For an off the beaten path location that provides nothing less than a culinary adventure, visit Chez Jacqueline. Her infusion of French cuisine with everything that we Cajuns love is a delicious experience for couples who are looking for new adventures on their journey. Be sure to call about the monthly 8 course meal, quite simply described as the chefs playground by candlelight with live music and an evening that never seems to end.

But for the classic brides out there, I also suggest Caf Vermilionville. Boys, you just cant go wrong with a romantic night at this long standing local establishment. Five star service and cookery to match will surely add up to a night she will be telling all of her friends about. And if you plan in advance, they can even offer a custom experience from beginning to end. From the wine, menu items, and opulent desserts, they can help you craft the perfect engagement affair. Because in the end, girls love to dress up and feel like the most beautiful woman in the room and Caf Vermilionville specializes in just that.

These restaurants and countless others are great locations to include in your journey together. So add a little romance wherever you can, from just another Friday night to a night that changes everything.

We want to see where it all starts! Snap a picture of your engagement at any one of these 3 great restaurants and send it to us. You will automatically receive 25% off your wedding announcement in a future issue!

Download the free Digimarc App on your smartphone

Look for pictures with the NEW Louisiana Register Seal

GET STARTED WITH THE COVER PHOTO!

Scan the picture with the Digimarc App and connect with online resources

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Top 5 Vendors

Its a WrapSouthern Knots

Poche Bridge Country ClubParty Central

Academy of the Sacred Heart

Photographer: Savannah Cormier Photography

&DawesDARRIN

MEET

ELIZABETH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2012

The Family, Bridal Party & Event:

Elizabeth Ann is the daughter of Jim and Becky Kaiser and the grand-daughter of Odeal and Wesley Pippin and the late Claude and Loretta Kaiser. Darrin James is the son of Brandon and Judy Dawes and the grandson of Joyce and Coco Hebert and Jimmy and Theresa Dawes.

Brandi Dawes served as Maid of Honor. Elizabeths bridesmaids were Candace

Fairchild, Amber Comeaux, Shannon Tinkley, Janet Kelley, Martina Kaiser, Katherine Dawes, Cami Comeaux, Kayla Williams, and Courtney Stermmer.

Brennan Olivier served as Best Man. Darrins groomsmen were Dustin Dawes, John Kulbeth, Scott Lagrange, Whitney Dawes, Eddi Bodin, Alex Hardy, Eric Hardy, Michael Pavy, Jason Comeaux, and Kyle Boudreaux.

Roland Arimah, Justin Turner, and John Grantt served as ushers. Josie Dawes served as flower girl

and Ashton Kelley, Savan-nah Kelley, Addie Grimmet and Seth Smith served as mini attendants.

The ceremony took place in Oak Alley at Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, Louisiana and was officiated by Paster Josh Mesa.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Poche Bridge Country Club in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. After a honeymoon in Ireland, the couple will reside in Broussard, Louisiana.

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A Little Bit Country:

Elizabeth embraced her country roots in just about every aspect of her wedding celebration. But one of the cutest elements by far were the custom outfits dawned by her mini attendants! Floral hair wreaths worn by barefooted babes are sure to get plenty of awes from your guest list.

A Long Term Surprise:

The box seen here was created by family members and presented to the couple on their wedding day. Its contents are still unknown, but we are sure that Elizabeth and Darrin will enjoy opening it on their one year anniversary. Wedding elements like this are a sure fire way to keep that wedding day magic alive a little longer!

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Bridal Gown Bliss:

After trying on top of the line dresses at local boutiques, Elizabeth found herself searching for something with a little more personal style. So she opted for a less expensive gown and made more than a few alterations. Her country chic look is completed with her bridesmaids non-traditional attire, which every girl is sure to love. The end result was a custom wardrobe that perfectly suited the bride, her attendants, and the overall style of the wedding.

Fabulous Footwear:

Take your theme over the top with head to toe styling. The bride and bridesmaids wore matching boots with chunky high heels while the groom and his boys wore unique boots with colorful accents. After a semi-formal ceremony, the boys put their footwear on full display and tucked their pants right into their boot tops.

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Bejeweled Bouquet:

Elizabeth opted for style over the traditional again when it came to her bouquet. Her collection of new and old broaches was used to create an amazing cluster of color that speaks right to the heart of her stylistic vision. I must say, that my favorite aspect of her style is the organic nature of her color palette. The broaches that spoke to her most were used to compile the arrangement, and that resulted in a range of colors that all agree. A few pins in the shape

of a cross were the perfect addition to keep the purpose of the accessory close to Elizabeths heart.

Proposal Story:

Darrin and I share a love for the outdoors. On the first day of bow hunting season, heput me in my deer stand at five forty five in the morning! As he turned to leave, he stopped and said Oh, I forgot to give you your scent wafer (a plastic wafer that blocks your scent so the deer do not smell you) and as he came up to my stand, he pulled out a ring instead!!

Table Top Tales:

The Dawes kept their reception dcor simple, but were still able to make a big statement with their table top accents. Vintage inspired blue mason jars filled with yellow daisies were a light and airy choice, which was complimented by antiqued signs with sweet sayings that left their guests hearts filled with sentiment. We love that each table was unique while the reception kept a cohesive overall theme and look!

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Most Memorable Moment:

During the ceremony, I will never forget saying our vows to each other! I tried to fight the tears but it was so very meaningful, it was just too hard to hold them back. Another highlight was being able to watch my god child and niece walk down the aisle in front of me in their incredibly cute boots! They were simply adorable!

Custom Cake:

Simple makes a statement again in the Dawes wedding cake. From top to bottom, custom accents like a birds nest topper, hay around the tiers, and a pedestal fashioned from a wooden stump made this cake more than a tasty

treat! Even their toast was stylized. The Dawes traded champagne flutes for rustic mason jars for a toast that was picture perfect.

A True Sign-In:

Elizabeth took the book right out of sign-in book. She left the lined pages behind for an actual sign! A hand stenciled board with complimentary colors of white and yellow with the couples names served as a sign-in board. Propped or hung on an old oak tree, this detail gets the guests flowing around the event and taking notice of the couples personal style. Now adorned with the signatures of all their guests, the sign can hang in their home as a reminder of all the people who so lovingly surrounded them on their wedding day.

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As you know, we are constantly hunting down the best and brightest vendors in the Acadiana areaand Val Marie Paper is exactly that! When it comes to stationery, Valerie is definitely a vendor that you should have on your list. Her new company is innovative and unique in every way, from design down to the ordering process.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Valerie about everything from her new business to her personal life. I hope that her insightful answers delight you as much as I enjoyed learning about Val Marie Paper. Then contact Valerie online or by phone soon. I am sure that she has a full schedule already!

Tell the readers about Valerie Woerner, and Val Marie Paper.

I started working in the wedding industry when I launched my wedding planning company, Southern Fete in 2008. With a degree in journalism and experience designing pages for local magazines and publications, including The Advertiser, I quickly realized I could design stationery for brides that were struggling to find exactly what they wanted and something in their budget. My love for paper has grown so much that I decided to create Val Marie Paper, which launched this past September, and focus on this full-time.

Val Marie Paper is a stationery design company with a focus on pairing inspired type with fresh designs, some classic and some modern. Creating an ordering process and experience that was easy and even fun was a big priority for me, after seeing things from a planners perspective.

What does Val Marie Paper offer to brides?

We offer a full collection of wedding stationery, including invitations, save the dates, thank yous, programs, even tags, menus and escort cards. As well as custom designs for brides looking for something completely unique. Weve developed so many great relationships with our brides that we even designed holiday cards and baby announcements to continue working with them over the years!

Talk about the differences in using your predesigned suites or using custom designs.

We created a standard collection for brides who are looking for cost effective stationery and quick turnaround time. I have also found that starting from scratch on designs can overwhelm some brides so the collection has been a great place to start for many. When brides order

from the collection, minor design changes can be altered to create the perfect invitation (like adding a monogram or seal or changing patterns). Custom is perfect for the bride who has a very specific wedding theme and is looking for creativity in a designer to create something that compliments their vision.

What suggestions would you give to brides concerning their stationery choices.

Keep all paper products consistent. Pieces dont need to be matchy-matchy but they should be cohesive. This is one of the most effective ways to let guests understand your vision. Switching fonts, colors and feel from save the dates to the invitation and eventually wedding programs, can seem haphazard and confuse your guests on what to expect from the rest of the wedding.

How has Val Marie Paper enriched your life?

I worked on VMP for about 9 months before it launched. I poured so much into it and thought out every detail. The reward I have found in seeing something through to the final execution has meant so much to me. I have ideas all the time. The hard part is executing it till the end. The VMP launch is now a constant reminder to not give up on dreams just because things are hard.

I am also constantly reminded that I get to do a job that I dont dread waking up for. I LOVE it and I love being my own boss. That is the biggest blessing I could get from my work.

Valerie Metrejean Woernervalmariepaper.comval@valmariepaper.com337-654-4841

Photographer: Catherine Guidry