spring 2013 bridal guide

FLOWER POWER

important to nuptials

SPRING 2013

Since 1911Over 100 Years

THE NEWS SUN THE HERALD REPUBLICAN StarThe

LOCATION, cost affect

reception decisions

SOCIAL MEDIA

can make weddings more fun

Bridal Guide • Spring 2013 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.

The BloomWeddingOn The Cover

Putting together the perfectwedding takes a lot of planning.

That’s why we created this guide.We want to help you make sure yourspecial day is an outstanding one —one that you will remember forever.

Our spring 2013 Bridal Guide willstimulate your imagination to makeyour wedding day memorable. Wehave created stories that will help youmake many of the biggest decisionsthat lie ahead. We looked ateverything, from practical concernsabout budgeting and loans to the fundecisions about flowers, food andfestivities!

We hope the information in thisguide helps you create the wedding ofyour dreams — one that meets yourbudget and exceeds your expectations.

This wedding guide is alsoavailable online at kpcnews.com.

Best wishes to the happy couple,from all of us at KPC Media Group!

Welcome and bestwishes to thehappy couple!

Felicia and David Bloom on their wedding day.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

On the cover: Felicia Prumm andDavid Bloom wed on June 16, 2012,at Three Rivers Wesleyan Church inFort Wayne. Prumm is the daughterof KPC Media Group circulationaccount manager Patti Prumm, andBloom is the son of KPC MediaGroup national sales manager KarenBloom.

BY BOB [email protected]

KENDALLVILLE — It’s easy tohelp out-of-town guests get roomsfor a stay for a wedding or reception,a Kendallville hotel spokeswomansaid.

“Typically, guest rooms forweddings can be booked for blockroom rates,” said Kathleen Dues,general manager of the Best WesternKendallville Inn. “The rooms can beset aside prior to the wedding.”

Most hotels follow the sameprocedure as the Best Western, Duessaid. The bride and groom can booka group of rooms and receive asignificant discount on the rate.

That group is usually at least 10rooms, Dues said. She’s booked asmany as 30 rooms for weddings.

The couple can tell people hotelinformation when they send out their“Save the Date” cards, Dues said.The individuals staying in the roomswill pay for their rooms, but still getthe reduced group rate.

Best Western also offers a “bubbletub” room — a room with a jettedtub — as a guest room for the brideand groom, Dues said. If they don’twant to stay in the same hotel astheir guests, they can offer that roomto family or friends.

The hotel takes down informationon where the wedding and receptionwill be, and has maps and directionsready for guests from out of town,Dues said. Best Western also usesdigital signs inside and outside thehotel to welcome guests.

Another amenity the hotel offers isa room that holds up to 45 people,which the bridal party can use to getready before the ceremony, Duessaid.

For more information, go tobestwestern.com/innkendallville.


WeddingHotels

Guests’ rooms can be booked in blocks

This King Suite is one of the guest rooms available for wedding guests at theBest Western Kendallville Inn. Out-of-town wedding guests can takeadvantage of group rates to save money at a hotel, said B est Western Kendallville general manager Kathleen Dues.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

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WeddingFlowers

BY JENNIFER [email protected]

ANGOLA — When it comes to pickingflowers for a wedding, the possibilities areinfinite.

Julie Bordner, a designer at Out of theWoods, 1601 N. Wayne St., Suite 105, saidshe enjoys the challenge of trying to createwhat customers want.

“Your main thing is the flower inseason. It’s mainly what they prefer. Youwant flowers that last a long time, likeroses or alstroemerias,” which are in the lilyfamily, she said.

Bordner said she’s noticed the hot colorchoices lately have been aqua, lime green,fuchsia and coral.

Picking wedding flowers usually is

Tying the knot requires flower power

The flowers from the wedding of Emily Barnes of F ort Wayne are colorful andfun. The colors of the flowers coordinate well with the bridesmaids’ dressesand wraps.

ABBEY GRIM

See FLOWERS page 5

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more than the bridal bouquet. There arecorsages, boutonnieres, bridal partybouquets, centerpieces, head pieces, veils,pew bows, flowers for cake tops andchurch flowers.

“We have books” with ideas in them,Bordner said. “I have girls look on theInternet and bring in styles. They get ideasin their heads and we try to do our best.When they come in, I try to have a lot ofsilks to see what it will look like.”

Bordner said if brides want to keep theirbouquets, she suggests they go with silkflowers since they’re permanent. That iscoupled with the fact no florists in the statefreeze dry flowers anymore because it’scostly and time consuming, she said.

Most important for weddings, Bordnersaid, is that flowers should be ordered twomonths in advance of the ceremony.

Flowers are then ordered from her FortWayne supplier two weeks in advance.Some flowers are supplied from all overthe world.

Bordner said she suggests weddingcouples bring in color examples of dressesand the tuxedo, if possible. That way,colors can be coordinated better.


WeddingFlowers

From page 4

FLOWERSBefore buying flowers, many couplesfind it helpful to brush up on someterminology before visiting florists.

Knowing the terminology can helpprepare a couple and ensure that moneyis spent in the best way possible.

Here are some flower definitions that arehelpful to know:

• Biedermeier: A nosegay arrangedtightly with concentric circles of differentcolored flowers. The flowers are wiredinto a holder with only one type of flowerin each ring.

• Bouquet: A dense bunch of bloomsthat are kept together in a bouquetfolder, wired or tied with ribbon.

• Crescent: One full flower and aflowering stem wired together to form aslender handle that is held in one hand.

• Garden: A centerpiece featuringwildflowers.

• Nosegay: Small, round bouquetscomposed of densely packed roundflowers and fill.

• Oasis: Specialized foam that is used inbouquet holders and centerpieces toretain water and keep blooms fresh.

• Pomander: A flower-covered ball thatis suspended from a ribbon. It is oftencarried by child attendants.

• Posies: Smaller than nosegays butsimilar in design.

Some flower power terms

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Engaged couples must make assortedimportant decisions with regard to theirwedding day. For some, the process ofplanning a wedding can be overwhelming,while others revel in each and every decision.

Among the many decisions couples mustmake is which venue to use for theirreception. The wedding reception venue iswhere most of the day will be spent, andwhere the majority of the people will do theirmingling.

There are dozens of choices in northeastIndiana for couples searching for the rightvenue to hold their reception. Choices rangefrom churches and civic buildings, to restau-rants, museums and event centers that are

designed specifically for wedding receptions.The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile

Museum in Auburn is used by many coupleslooking for a large hall that offers flexibilityfor a reception, said Alyssa Miller, events andmarketing manager for the museum.

“Proximity and costs are the two biggestfactors our customers take into account whenchoosing a hall,” she said. And even with thatmind, many people choose the ACD museumeven though they don’t live in DeKalb County,she added.

When choosing a reception venue, Millerand other local venue managers say couplesmust consider a host of factors that stretchbeyond a location’s aesthetic appeal. Here aresome of the factors that come into play:

• ACCOMMODATIONS — The facility

itself should be able to accommodate thewedding size. Some weddings are grandioseevents with large guests lists, while others aremore understated and intimate with only asmall number of family and friends inattendance. Couples should know which typeof wedding they will be having, and shouldhave at least an estimate figure in mind of thenumber of guests before visiting any facilities.

Once that estimate has been made, look fora facility that can comfortably accommodatethat number of people, and ideally find onethat has a done so in the past. Couples w on’twant a facility where everyone is crammedtogether, nor will they want one where arelatively small number of guests are in a lar geballroom with lots of empty space.

More minor details regarding the facilitymust also be considered. Ask if the facility ishandicapped accessible. If the wedding is inthe warmer months, make sure the venue is airconditioned. Since most weddings have abreak in between the ceremony and the

WeddingReceptions

Location and costs affect wedding reception decision

Couples must consider a host offactors when choosing a receptionvenue for their wedding. They shouldsearch for a spot that lends itself tobeing fun as well as having pleasingaesthetics.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

See RECEPTIONS page 7


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reception, ask if the facility has a room inwhich the bride and groom can freshen upbefore the reception begins.

• LOCATION — ˜The facility’s locationshould be a priority. Couples won’t want theirguests to have to drive too far from thewedding venue or from the reception venueback to the hotel. Since many wedding guestscome from out of town, they likely won’tknow the area well and could get lost if thefacility is too far away from their hotel. Keepthings simple by finding a reception venuethat’s close to the hotel or hotels where guestswill be staying.

• PRICE — Many facilities offer a flatrate to rent the venue. When discussing therate, be sure to ask what’s included. Willfood, flowers, venue decor, and even staff tipsbe included in the rental fee? If not, is thereroom for negotiation? When facilities expandthe services they include in their rental fee,that can save couples substantial amounts ofmoney.

From page 6

RECEPTIONS

WeddingReceptions

Despite the months of planning and poringover every minute detail of a wedding, it hasoften been said that what people remembermost about wedding receptions is the foodand if they had fun. Therefore, instead ofworrying about choosing Jordan almondsover chocolate truffles, or whether the cakeshould have an extra tier, couples may wantto pay more attention to selecting theirreception menus.

Although certain foods are wedding staples,it could pay for couples to think with theirstomachs instead of their heads whenselecting wedding day fare. Having aselection of foods that taste as good as theylook is a wise idea over having cert ain foodssimply because they are trendy.

Whether you are cooking yourself, having afamily member serve as chef or relying onthe menu of the reception hall, think aboutfoods that will please guests and selectthose items, regardless of them being fancy.Here are some other tips.

• You want foods to be filling but not somuch so that guests have to waddle to thedance floor. If you’re planning on several

courses, keep portion sizes small to offer ataste of the different items offered.

• Classic foods can work well as weddingfare. Roasts, barbecued meats and favoritepasta dishes can make guests feel likethey’re dining at someone’s home and not ata wedding.

• Choose items people have heard of.Instead of tornadoes of beef, select a heartyprime rib. Just because a dish sounds fancydoesn’t make it taste better. If a guestdoesn’t know what he or she is eating, it canbe uncomfortable. Now is not the time toexperiment with exotic foods, either.Otherwise, some picky eaters may be lefthungry.

• Think about the foods you love and see ifthey can be incorporated at the wedding.Although a breakfast bar at an evening eventmay seem funny, waffles and omelets mayappeal to a greater number of guests than agourmet fish creation.

• Don’t make vegetarians an afterthought.Too often, vegetarians must eat whatever thekitchen can pull together, which is usually a

compilation of the vegetable garnishes fromthe meat dishes. Make an effort to have atrue vegetarian dish that is intricate anddelicious.

• Mashed potatoes are a crowd pleaser.Serve little portions of mashed potatoes incocktail glasses and enable guests to top asthey see fit with bacon bits, cheese orchives.

• No idea is silly, and serving any type offood in a hors d’oeuvre style can make itacceptable at a formal affair, whether thatfood is pizza or caviar-topped crackers.

• If you have a favorite restaurant that servesdelicious food, find out if they will cater yourwedding.

• Just because it isn’t on the menu doesn’tmean it cannot be prepared. Talk to thecatering manager and let him or her knowyour preferences. Provided you’re willing topay a little more, there’s a good chance youcan have items that aren’t on the st andardcatering menu.

– Bob Buttgen

Think about foods you love for your wedding r eception

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BY ABBEY GRIM“We are a family, and I will put you first.

I promise to take care of you the best that Iknow how.” Caleb’s voice shakes and weboth brush away tears as he reads me hishandwritten vows. “I love you, and I willalways love you; today I am giving you myheart.”

A few months ago, before this moment,my mom and I ran around the house lik echickens with their heads cut off. So muchto do! So much to worry about! Will thebridesmaids’ shoes match? Did our

musicians get the sheet music? Will theirmicrophones work? Does the DJ know whatsongs to play?

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seenmy share of wedding day disasters. I’ve seenwedding cakes fall to the floor, poweroutages during the first dance, unzippablebridal dresses and forgotten rings. After eachcatastrophe, I told myself, when I gotmarried, I would be prepared! I would haveeverything taken care of down to the lastdetail! I wanted everything to be just right.

I designed our invitations myself and hadthem printed on heavy paper. Our guestswere greeted with a three-page bulletin andmap of campus, which I also designed. Eachbridesmaid looked perfect with matching

yellow shoes and a dress in just the rightshade of teal. In their hands was a bouquetmy maid of honor and I spent hourswrapping in ribbon.

My mom and I met with the caterers tomake sure the food would be just right andthat they used the right color of napkins andbeverage dispensers. Each table at thereception had the perfect number of vases injust the right color holding flowers that werejust the right height. I made trivia cards andpuzzles for the guests which I printed andmeticulously rounded their corners to makethem look professional. We filled dozens ofantique bowls and vases with teal andyellow candy and arranged them for hoursso the guests would enjoy and admire thedisplay.

And of course, as a photographer myself,I made sure we would have the best photosto remember our wedding. I worried myselffor days picking the right group of photogra-phers (five of them who work together!),figuring out where they should stand, whatphotos they should take and if the weatherwould allow for us to have the best lighting.


A Photographer’sWedding

‘Today my best friend has given me hislove and care for the rest of his life’

Photographer recallsjoys of wedding day

Caleb and Abbey Grim kiss for thefirst time as a married couple.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

See WEDDING DAY page 9

Everything was to go smoothly and lookperfect. It had to! This was to be a weddingphotographer’s wedding! I worked andworried myself into panic attacks andsleepless nights. I wondered if I would evenbe able to focus on the ceremony itself withso much I might want to oversee, adjust,and scrutinize taking place in thebackground.

Yet, now, as I stand here at the altar inmy ivory dress, facing of the love of mylife, the world has melted away.

“I promise to love you with everything Ihave, to love you when you are happy, sad,stressed, excited, and everything inbetween,” Caleb says with certainty in hisvoice. “God has made us for each other, andI will never leave you.”

Pastor Jim wraps part of his robe aroundour hands and announces that we are nowbound to one another as husband and wife.

As Caleb leans in to kiss me, his ne wwife, I am startled to hear an eruption ofapplause behind us. I had forgotten therewas anyone else in the chapel.

At this moment I’m not thinking aboutthe details around me. I’m not thinkingabout the photographers using the rightequipment or the musicians playing theright chords. I could care less what colormy bridesmaid dresses are or if the DJ is setup and ready for us across the street.

The music, the colors, the food, theflowers — all those little details I worriedso much about — are blurred into thebackground. I am now Caleb Grim’s wife!Today my best friend has given me his loveand care for the rest of his life. Today I havegained a lifelong partner and companion.Today, before God, we promised to neverleave each other, to never give up. Todaynothing else means more than our marriageto each other.

I wish I had realized this before now.Abbey Grim is the owner of A. Meyer

Photography. More information can befound at ameyerphoto.com orfacebook.com/ameyerphoto. Grim is aformer KPC Media Group intern.


A Photographer’sWedding

From page 8

WEDDING DAY

Caleb Grim and Abbey Meyer take their vows to become husband and wife.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

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An average U.S. couple spends about$25,000 for their wedding not including thehoneymoon.

The majority spend between $19,000 and$32,000.

That’s a lot of money in most cases whenengaged couples are increasingly choosing topay for the wedding themselves. It used to betradition for the bride’s parents to handle thebill for the occasion. Not anymore.

With that kind of outlay in mind, engagedcouples should make a wedding budgetdetailing estimated costs for everything andselect a source to pay for it. Many timescouples make a specific wedding budget inmind and while some stick to their budget, thereality is things add up quickly and oftenexceed the original budget. “It’s emotional.Practicality goes out the window,” said DavidJones, president of the Association ofIndependent Consumer Credit CounselingAgencies.

Engaged couples may be swayed byadvertising like the Royal Bank of Canada’spromotion of a special pay-now-pay-later MyProject MasterCard with images of a dazzlingbride.

To meet the financial demands of themodern wedding, some individuals turn toloans for financing a portion or all of thewedding. Financial institutions can offerpersonal loans for weddings, but there are prosand cons to this method of paying for thatspecial event, according to area bankingrepresentatives.

Campbell & Fetter Bank loan officer ChrisDesper said those seeking to borrow moneyfor a wedding would apply for a personalloan. If it’s a loan for $20,000, the engagedcouple or their parents would probably need asecured loan, and borrow on their house withfixed line of credit.

A wedding loan will need to be paid backwith interest fees. By the end of the paybackperiod, the now married couple would havespent thousands of dollars repaying theprincipal and and thousands more paying off

the interest. “There are a lot of dif ferentvariables regarding the interest on the loan,”said Desper. The term of paying off the loancan also vary, but he would recommend a termas short as possible. Repayments can be set upmonthly or bi-weekly.

A loan may be an option that works.Couples who anticipate considerable monetarygifts from guests attending the wedding canuse the gifts to offset the loan. Other couplesmay have saved money for the wedding, butwant to use a loan, too, to establish a strongline of credit.

Some couples may take out a loan becauseit is the only way they can pay for thewedding. In these cases, the couple start outlife together in debt.

If a loan is necessary, wedding plannersrecommend couples shop around for the bestrates and terms, and take out a loan only forthe amount they can pay back. Portions of thewedding can be scaled back to make thefinances work.

Security for the loan may be a home or car .It may be worth taking out a loan with low

annual for a wedding rather than use creditcards with much higher interest rates.


WeddingBudgetsBudgeting important when planning nuptials

Caleb and Abbey Grim enjoy theirfirst dance at their reception.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

BY MERTRO CREATIVE CONNECTIONOne enduring tradition is to throw rice

at the newly betrothed. For the safety ofbirds and other animal life, rice has beenswitched to birdseed in recent times.

Everyone attending the wedding getsto participate in throwing rice, orwhatever is being used in lieu of rice, beit birdseed, confetti or even bubbles.

Rice was traditionally used tosymbolize fertility and prosperity. Wheatwas also very much used in ancientwedding ceremonies for the samereasons. When guests threw rice at thebride and groom at a wedding, they weresymbolically wishing them a lifetime fullof children and good fortune. Somecultures even ate a meal of rice before thewedding to guarantee further prosperity.

Different cultures have long harbored

different perspectives on throwing rice.Some even believed it fed the evil spiritsthat, though uninvited, crashed thewedding. It was thought that well-fedspirits would not wreak havoc on thehappy day.

Couples can even borrow fromtraditions in other countries. In France,people throw wheat, a symbol of bounty,after the ceremony. Italians toss candyand sugared nuts over couples, forsweetness in marriage.


WeddingTradition

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Using social media when you’regetting married is much more than justchanging your relationship status andposting pictures of the festivities.

There are many great ways to useInternet sites to plan, execute andremember your special day.

Facebook: Sure, you can update yourstatus and post pictures, but Facebookhas more helpful uses, too. You can setup a private group and invite your bridalparty to join, so you can keep in touch,exchange news and freak out as often asyou like without clogging your newsfeed. You can also set up events, andalthough you wouldn’t want to invitepeople to your wedding that way, it’s a

great way to organize more informalwedding festivities.

Twitter: Come up with a hashtag andlive-tweet your wedding festivities. Thiscould be especially fun when you’regetting ready and during the reception.Spread the word about the hashtag at thereception and invite your guests to sharetheir thoughts and photos, and retweetthe best ones.

Pinterest: This site seems tailor-madefor the planning stages of weddings.Make “pinboards” for your cake,dresses, color schemes, reception hallthemes and more, and then show yourvendors your favorite “pins” when youmeet with them.

Skype: If your friends are scatteredacross the country, you can use Skype to

meet for wedding planning, or even holda virtual prewedding party. Haveeveryone bring their favorite beverageand meet at the computer for a fun chat.Or, if you have family members whocan’t travel to your wedding, set up afeed and let them attend virtually!

Blog: There are several free, easyblogging programs that let you set up awedding blog. You can post about everydetail of your journey to the altar,complete with pictures, videos and more,and even ask for your followers’ input.


WeddingFun

Social media can make wedding more fun

You’re understandably excited aboutyour upcoming nuptials, but to avoidbeing unfollowed, defriended or justplan annoying, consider these tips:

DON’T update too often. Peoplewill be happy to hear about the bigthings — getting engaged, findingthe dress, booking the venue — butnobody but the bride, groom andparents really cares about thesmallest details.

DO be sensitive to people whoaren’t invited. Unless you have avery carefully curated Facebookfeed or Twitter followers, youprobably won’t invite everyone.Think about their feelings as youwrite updates.

DON’T use social media to talkabout wedding gifts. It’s rude toever mention gifts in relation to yourwedding, so don’t post a link to awedding registry or talk about thehaul you hope to get.

DO take a social media breakduring the honeymoon. Don’t worry— the sites will still be there whenyou get back, and you will have funremembering the ceremony as youpost the photos when you get back.

Avoid annoying your followers

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BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTIONDo you have a shelf or cabinet that’s

filled to the brim with wedding favorssuch as engraved ice cream scoopers,cake servers, cheese spreaders or tea lightcandle holders? If you do, you’re notalone. As couples pore over guest favoroptions, many select trinkets orknickknacks that, while thoughtful, endup collecting dust in someone’s home.Edible gifts also can be thoughtful — andflavorful!

Guests may look forward to an ediblefavor because it’s a memento of thespecial occasion and it won’t become apermanent fixture in their homes. Thereare many edible favors from which tochoose. They can also be customizedaccording to the theme of the wedding.

ChocolateIt’s difficult to find an edible favor

more universally beloved than chocolate.Rich and inviting, chocolate has longbeen given as a symbol of love anddevotion. Chocolate candies and bakedgoods can work well for wedding favors,provided the favors are refrigerated toavoid melting.

Ideas for chocolate favors includeindividually packaged truffles, gourmetbrownie bites, candy-covered chocolateswith an inscription, chocolate coveredapples, chocolate coins, and other similarcreations. Chocolate molded designs(much like those chocolate Easterbunnies) are another idea.

CookiesSweet cookies also make good edible

favors. Butter cookies are a favoritebecause they are sturdy enough to cut into

different shapes. Professionally iced,these cookies can be a masterpiece tobehold. Some couples opt for customizedfortune cookies that express personalizedsentiments to guests.

Make-your-own

Sometimes it’s less expensive to giveguests kits that they can take home tocreate their own edible treasures. Optionsabound and can include everything frompersonalized packets of hot chocolate totea bags. Other couples choose amongmixes for making cookies or cakes.


WeddingFavors

Wedding favors can be a feast

A candy buffet adds a touch of fun toAbbey Grim’s wedding reception.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

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Looking great in a wedding dressmeans a lot to many brides-to-be.

Dieting and stress can take a tollduring the months leading up to awedding. Local health professionalssuggest taking it easy and stayingrealistic.

Amanda Bolen, registered dieticianat Parkview Noble Hospital, plans tomarry in April. The 27-year-old will tiethe knot with her fiance, Ben, in theirnative hometown, Indianapolis. Bolenmoved to the Kendallville area afterstarting her job at Parkview Noble ayear ago. She said she enjoys thecommunity atmosphere in the small,local hospital.

When it comes to looking andfeeling one’s best for a wedding, Bolensays eating right every day can creategood habits.

“Look to see what you are doingcurrently and start making somechanges there,” she said.

“There are always some things thatyou would like to improve on and I’mtrying to use exercise a little more inthat area.”

For some, cutting out a sugary soda aday could make a difference.

“Along with letting a dress fitcorrectly, having clear skin is certainlya bonus,” Bolen noted.

Drinking plenty of water is also adiet tip, and creates a healthy glow.

A good breakfast is the best way to

create solid eating habits. It helpsreduce cravings later in the day, andminimizes the chance one will reach fora high-carbohydrate treat to stave offaching hunger.

Counting calories can help some,said Bolen, noting that there are anumber of online resources for trackingone’s food intake.

Sometimes, a little more exerciseevery day can get one moving toward asmaller waist size. Don’t overdo it,Bolen said. Ramp up an exerciseregimen incrementally.

Support from a friend or familymember helps keep a bride on track,said Bolen. “Maybe your mother orsoon-to-be-mother-in-law,” she said. Abridesmaid may take the diet challengetoo, and work out and count caloriesalong with her friend.

The pressure of trying to look one’sbest, keep track of a multitude of detailsand interface with the many peopleinvolved in wedding planning couldtake a toll as well. Stress is a danger fora bride, and could be a detriment to allrelationships.

Rita Lechleidner is program directorat Cameron Counseling Center inAngola and a licensed minister whodoes premarital counseling andperforms weddings. She said the coupleneed to, first and foremost, discussissues that could come up in theirfuture. They need to understand howthey will work together and what theirexpectations are.

As far as the big day, she said thereare some potential pitfalls to avoid.

“You are combining two differentfamilies,” she noted. “Oftentimes youhave fathers, stepmothers, stepgrand-mothers. It can be a challenge to f igureout where everyone will fit.”

Family stresses can be intensified ata wedding, so Lechleidner suggests


WeddingHealth

Be realistic about dieting, stresses

See DIETING page 15

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WeddingHealth

From page 14

DIETING

predicting issues that might arise andtrying to avoid them.

“The should talk to each of theirfamilies to see what their familieswould like,” she said. “Keep in mindthat this a day for the couple.”

A bride may have been thinkingabout her wedding for many years, andhopes for a perfect day. Just becausesomeone’s name doesn’t get spelledright in a program or if somethingdoesn’t go just right, “it’s not the endof the world,” said Lechleidner.“Nothing is perfect.”

Through the whole weddingplanning process, Lechleidner said it isimportant to keep the relationshiphappy and comfortable. The coupleshould keep in mind why they aregetting married.

“Take time just to enjoy oneanother’s company,” she said.

And when the day comes, enjoy itfor what it is, the beginning of a lifetogether.

Abbey Grim shows off her bouquet.PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Many brides-to-be look forward to the daywhen they visit a bridal salon and are able to tryon gowns for the first time. There are certain tipsthat can make the day go much more smoothlyand potentially reduce the amount of time it maytake to find the perfect gown. Wear a supportive,well constructed strapless bra or corset in yourcorrect size. If you will be wearing a petticoat,also have the right size available. Go withoutface makeup when trying on gowns so theyremain clean. Try to wear your hair similar to

the style you have in mind for your wedding.Note that the size of the wedding gown you willwear is typically one to two sizes larger thanyour day-to-day clothes. Proper measurementscan be matched to designers’ size charts. It’s bestto limit the number of people with whom youshop to 1 or 2 trusted friends or f amily members.

It’s always better to order a slightly largergown and leave room for alterations if you arebetween sizes.

-Metro Creative Connection

Tips for trying on wedding gowns

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spring 2013 bridal guide

Documents

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outoftown wedding guests

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bridal guide spring

welcome guests

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