Your Guide to - Hampton Chronicle

Your Guide to
All Things
Bridal
honeymoon getaways
bridal dresses
limousine services
tuxedo rentals
wedding gowns
catering
bridesmaids dresses
photography
hairstyling/nails
cake decorating
tanning
hall rentals
rings/jewelry
DJ music
floral arrangements
wedding party gifts
invitations
decorations
rehearsal dinner locations
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
A Publication of
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Section 2
Your Guide to
All Things
Bridal
A Publication of
IT’S ALL ABOUT
THE
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Page 2 Wednesday, January 29, 2014
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On-site Weddings
Wedding Receptions
Wedding Rehearsal Dinners
Gift Opening Brunch
Bridal/Baby Showers
Bachelor/Bachelorette Party
Discounts for Wedding Party Golf
Anniversaries
Graduations
Class Reunions
Company Parties
Meetings
Seasonal Parties
Retirement Parties
$YDLODEOHWRUHQWIRU\RXUHYHQW
‡ Party Tent
‡ Chocolate fountain
‡ Punch fountain
‡ Tiered serving trays
‡ Vases, assorted shapes,
sizes available
‡ Candle and votive
holders
‡ Mirror Centerpieces
‡ Linens, various colors
‡ SilN Áower arrangements
‡ Party
Partty Supplies
Supp
Full Menu Options from
hors d’oeuvres to desserts
Full Bar available
Projector screen, Podium, Wi-Fi
Not just for members. Groups up to 500 people.
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Contact Angie Harper
641-456-3256
[email protected]
Page 2B Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Wedding themes can add up to extra fun
Every couple wants
their wedding to be
memorable. The goal of
planning a w edding is to
create an experience that
everyone will r emember
for years to come. F or
some couples, a theme
wedding is the best way to
accomplish just that.
When it comes time to select a theme, the day the
wedding takes place may
dictate the theme. F or
example, if the w edding
takes place on Halloween,
the ideas for the theme are
easy. Many other couples
choose a theme that highlights a specific interest or
hobby or something that
is dear to them. H ere are
some popular w edding
themes.
* Holiday: The Christmas season lends itself
well to wedding planning.
The colors (r ed, green,
gold) are already established, and most chur ches
and buildings ar e already
decked out in holiday finery, cutting do wn on the
amount of flowers and
embellishments couples
need. Because the holiday season is so busy and
a popular time for socializing, couples who want
to tie the knot during this
time of y ear should send
save-the-date cards well in
advance. Another option
is to have a “Christmas in
July” wedding, featuring
the same holiday themes
but without the hectic nature of the holiday season.
* Vegas: Couples who
want to tie the knot in Las
Vegas but want to ensur e
all their lo ved ones can
attend can r ecreate the
magic of Vegas wherever
they may be. Casino-inspired games and big buffet meals can make guests
feel like they have stepped
into a casino on the famed
Vegas strip. In addition,
an Elvis impersonator is
essential to a Vegas wedding.
* TV show: Some couples elevate certain television shows to cult status.
Whether it’s “Friends” or
“Star Trek,” popular television shows have been
transformed into festiv e
wedding themes. Whether
the idea is to go daring
and exchange vows in
costume or simply name
reception tables according
to characters or show locations, couples can include
a little television fun into
the event.
* Fairytale: Many men
and women envision a fai-
rytale wedding complete
with horse-drawn carriage
and the “happily ev er after.” This is what makes
Disney properties as w ell
as the v arious castles
around the world popular backdrops for wedding
events. Those planning
a fairytale wedding need
only look to fav orite stories or movies for their inspiration.
* Interest or passion:
Love to climb mountains?
Avid about scuba diving?
Couples who share a particular interest can include
elements of this spor t or
hobby into their wedding.
Invitations and decor can
hint at the theme, and
then special activities can
further enhance it. F ish
bowls as centerpieces may
call to mind under water
adventures, while sur fboard-shaped invites may
set the scene for a beachside party.
Theme weddings can add
an extra spice to the festivities and incorporate
couples’ interests into the
event -- making it ev en
more special.
Pastor Kady
www.PositiveFeelings.org
641-892-4656
Other pastoral duties performed. Call and lets talk.
INNpressive
Wedding Accommodations
Reserve your bridal suites
and rooms for your wedding
guests with us.
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A masquerade theme might be an entertaining theme for a couple’s nuptials.
Whether you’re planning
a few days or a few weeks,
we specialize in hassle-free
honeymoons and destination
weddings. We have the expertise
and contacts to deliver the best
values in all the best places.
Trust your trip of a lifetime to the honeymoon experts.
Welcome to the end of the day.TM
Ha
ampton
mpton Trravel
avel Pllanner
anner
Dick, Carolee, Moli and Jean
456-5631 or 1-800-747-9081
420 4th Street N.E. Hwy. 65 N. Hampton, Iowa
Special Discount for
Bride & Groom on
Honeymoon Suite
702 Central Avenue W.
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FOR RESERVATIONS CALL
641-456-5559
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Page 3
Wedding processional alternatives
Not every bride-to-be
has visions of walking
down the aisle to Wagner’s
“Bridal Chorus.” Some
prefer other songs that
are romantic or dramatic.
There may be a par ticular
song dear to a bride’s heart
or one she just fell in lo ve
with.
For those looking for
something that mor e accurately reflects the tone
of individual w eddings,
here are some selections,
courtesy of The Knot, that
can make the w edding
even more special.
Traditional
1. “Air” (Handel)
2. “Canon in D” (P achel-
bel)
3. “Procession of J oy”
(Hopson)
4. “Te Deum” (Charpentier)
5. “Wedding March”
(Mozart)
6. “Canzon V” (Gabrieli)
7. “Romeo & Juliet Love
Theme” (Tchaikovsky)
8. “Winter” (Vivaldi)
Contemporary
1.
“Sunrise,
Sunset”
(Hamick & Bock)
2. “The Look of Lo ve”
(Burt Bacharach)
3. “The Vow” (Lubbock)
4. “Wedding Processional” (Rodgers & Hammerstein)
Here are some other con-
temporary songs that can
be used with lyrics or in
instrumental versions as
wedding processionals or
first dances.
1. “Take Me As I Am ”
(Love Theme from “Jekyll
& Hyde”)
2. “Marry Me” (Train)
3. “Just the Way You Are
(Bruno Mars)
4. “That’s All I Ask of You”
(Love Theme from “Phantom of the Opera”)
5. “The Wind Beneath My
Wings” (Bette Midler)
6. “Con Te Partiro” (Andrea Bocelli)
7. “My Heart Will Go
On” (Love Theme from
“Titanic”)
8. “You Raise M e Up”
(Josh Groban)
Specializing in
Rehearsal Dinners
For groups up to 50 in our
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We’ll help you plan a
delicious made-from-scratch
meal to begin your
wedding celebration!
Tradition behind tossing rice
Once a couple has been married, tradition states that they be co vered with tossed rice upon exiting the ceremony. The idea of throwing rice began during the Middle Ages, when rice symbolized
fertility. Rice was tossed at the married couple in the hopes they would have many children and be
blessed with prosperity as a family. A false rumor spread that rice was harmful to birds who would
eat the discarded rice and explode, so many people no w use birdseed or rose petals as alternatives.
However, rest assured that the rice myth has been debunked by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
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Waverly, Iowa
319-352-2455
www.eastbremerdiner.com
ALLY ELIASON & TARA SOBEK
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Page 3B
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We rent most everything
EVENT SOLUTIONS
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Page 4 Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Wardrobe Options for Second-Time Brides
Remarriage rates continue to incr ease, and many
vendors are now catering
specifically to couples entering second marriages. A
bride getting married for the
second or third time has just
as many attire options as she
did for her first wedding.
Research indicates that more
than half of all marriages end
in divorce. The silver lining to that cloud is that 54
percent of div orced women
remarry within 5 y ears, according to the N ational
Center for H ealth Statistics.
Furthermore, 75 per cent of
divorced women r emarry
within 10 y ears. These statistics show that the need
for bridal gowns for women
entering a ne w marriage r emains strong.
When choosing a go wn for
a second wedding, brides-tobe can use their discr etion.
Gone is the stigma of w ear-
Tuxes
ing white. H owever, brides
still may want to choose an
alternative color to bright
white to be mor e complementary to their skin tones.
Off-white, pale y ellow and
pale pink can be flattering
shades. If second brides do
choose to w ear white, they
may want to av oid a flat
white color. Instead, they
can opt to w ear a shimmer y
shade of white and a go wn
with a little more pizzazz.
The gown -- just as with first-
Wacky Wedding Facts
All Styles, All Colors, All Sizes
EXPERT FITTING
416 Main Avenue, Clear Lake, IA
641-357-1417
Host your
Wedding
at a Winery
Enjoy our beautiful views,
perfect for outdoor weddings!
We have a wedding area,
party tent, and plenty of
parking! Ask about vineyard
rental, special wine pricing,
custom wine labels with your
names and special date! The
vineyard has full-service
restrooms and if you like, a
unique camping area.
www.99bottleswinery.com
Located four miles
southwest of Hayfield,
Iowa, near Garner and
Forest City. We are
family owned and run.
time weddings -- should be
as formal or as casual as the
wedding itself. At afternoon
weddings it may be acceptable to w ear a tea-length
gown or ev en a cocktail
dress. Enhance beachside or
casual affairs with less elaborate gowns. Formal second
weddings should still featur e
a gown that is formal in nature.
A more mature bride may
feel more comfortable wearing a w ell-tailored pantsuit
rather than a go wn. Again,
the choice is up to the bride
regarding what she wants to
wear.
641-425-6003
Auctioneer Mark A. Newman
Available for Benefits and
WEDDING GARTER AUCTIONS!
641-425-6003
According
to
TheKnot.com,
the
unofficial experts on
all things w eddings,
there are some things
that may surprise the
average person about
weddings across the
country. Here are
some facts to consider.
and Nebraska are the
* “Can You Feel
biggest, averaging 200 the Love Tonight”
and “Lady in Red” are
guests.
the two most popular
* The average first dance songs (even
engagement ring costs though 87 per cent of
more than $5,800.
brides wear white).
* Most brides hav e
* Only 19 per cent
one
do-it-yourself of couples r ely on a
element, such as favors wedding planner.
* Weddings in Iowa or escort cards.
* Ancient R omans
broke a cake o ver
the bride’s head to
From save the date cards and magnets to bridal
symbolize
fertility.
shower invitations, wedding invitations &
Today, brides must be
more, Bison Graphics is your one-stop-shop for
all of your wedding needs.
fortunate to have only
Spice up your bachelorette or bachelor party
a little cake smashed
with personalized t-shirts or koozies.
in their faces!
124 N. Main
Buffalo Center, IA
(641) 562-2910
Sun-kissed skin looks fabulous
against a white gown,
and don’t forget about those
bridesmaid dresses.
Main Street Tanning
Buffalo Center, IA
(641) 562-2910
Page 4B Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Honeymoon how-to
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‡ Many flavors to choose from
‡ Homemade Buttercream
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Cathy Carlson ‡ Licensed Decorator ‡ Over 30 years Experience
‡ Coulter, ,owa
After the thrill of
wedding festivities dies
down, couples often
jet off to a honeymoon
retreat and begin an
entirely different adventure. The honeymoon
may create mixed feelings, some concerning
the chance to spend
time alone after months
of planning and a fe w
feelings of anxiety o ver
spending the first night
together as a married
couple.
For many couples,
the honeymoon w edding night is the first
time they ar e intimate
together or it holds a
special meaning of being intimate for the first
time after being married. Such significance
can put pr essure on a
happy and natural experience.
Wedding jitters ar e
normal, as ar e honeymoon and w edding
night jitters. B ut just
as wedding trends have
changed through the
years, so, too, hav e beliefs about the w edding
night. Knowing about
shifting trends can alleviate some of the nervousness.
According to a r ecent survey from Brides
magazine, one in thr ee
brides plan to get into
bed on the w edding
night and ... sleep . After all of the hoopla of
planning and enjo ying
the wedding, most people are exhausted. Others say they plan to stay
up and r elive moments
of the day. Only about
half of all couples think
they will consummate
the marriage on their
wedding night.
Taking the pressure off
of the w edding night
means that the r est of
the honeymoon may
be filled with oppor tunities to be amor ous.
But couples may still be
filled with expectations
for the perfect romantic
retreat. Here are some
things to think about.
* Accept the fact that
some wedding nights
and honeymoons ar en’t
exactly what’s pictured in the mo vies.
Don’t try to liv e up to
a Hollywood-inspired
ideal or you may be let
down when things don’t
go your way. In other
words, it may rain on
your beachside liaison.
ple find themselves to
be physically exhausted
afterward. Others find
they are so wound up
that they cannot r elax. When the mind or
body is on adr enaline
overload or completel y
wiped out, it ’s not the
ideal situation for r omantic endeavors.
* Try to make the honeymoon stand apar t
from other nights b y
packing nice lingerie or
nighttime attire so that
the memories will be
special. There will be
plenty of other times
down the r oad when
you’re an old, married
couple to hop betw een
the sheets in a ratty college T-shirt.
* Pack some candles
and mood music, or
ask the resort to handle
these details for y ou.
These items can help set
the scene.
* Make sure your packing list includes special
toiletries and birth control methods if y ou’re
not ready to start a family so soon after bein g
married. The brands
* A wedding requires a you prefer may be har d
lot of work. Many peo- to acquire while at some
honeymoon locations.
Here Comes the Bouquet! Hearts & Flowers
(515) 532-3943 • 110 N. Main St, Clarion, IA
[email protected]
We'll make your day special
with our fresh or silk
floral designs
• Bridal Registry
• Gifts
• Delivery
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Page 5
Tipping point: Gratuities for wedding vendors a nice touch
There’s no better way to say
“job well done” to a w edding vendor than by offering
a tip. Although tips ar e not
mandatory, they can sho w a
DJ, caterer or another hir ed
helper just how much his or
her exemplary service was
appreciated.
Some vendors include
tips in their regular schedule
of charges, primarily catering facilities that will be hiring wait and bar staff for the
event. Others do not include
a gratuity into their charges,
so it is up to the customer to
provide a tip if desir ed. Fifteen to 20 per cent is usually
customary according to wed-
ding etiquette exper ts and
may be adjusted depending
on the siz e of the w edding
and the quality of the job
done.
Businesses owned and
operated by a single person,
such as a florist or photographer, often pocket all of the
proceeds charged for w edding services. Therefore, a
gratuity for such v endors is
typically unnecessary. Businesses that hir e out staff,
such as a large music and
entertainment company or
a limousine ser vice, will pay
employees a salar y. Couples
can show those emplo yees
they appreciate the job done
for the wedding with an additional tip.
A catering hall typically
has a staff working behind
the scenes to keep guests
happy. These staff members
include coat-check personnel, a catering manager ,
kitchen staff, and parking attendants. It can be customary
to tip these individuals. O ne
dollar per guest is typically
sufficient. Or you can choose
to individually tip those who
went above and beyond.
Even though w eddings can
cost several thousands dollars, and the idea of par ting
with another dollar can seem
monumental, it is important
for couples to factor tipping
into their o verall wedding
budgets. Otherwise, they
may be asking family members or the best man to loan
cash for tipping or dipping
into the honeymoon fund.
It may be necessar y to keep
about $1,000 to $1,500
available for gratuities alone.
It is consider ed poor etiquette to tip a ceremony officiant. Instead, a donation to
the church or a charity can
be made.
Tipping is entir ely up to
the couple getting married,
but it can be a nice sho w of
Tips for trying on wedding gowns
Many brides-to-be look
forward to the day when they
visit a bridal salon and ar e
able to try on gowns for the
first time. There are certain
tips that can make the day
go much mor e smoothly
and potentially r educe the
amount of time it may take
to find the perfect gown.
* Wear a suppor tive,
well constructed strapless
bra or corset in y our correct
size. If you will be wearing a
petticoat, also have the right
size available.
* Go without face
makeup when tr ying on
gowns so they remain clean.
* Try to w ear your hair
similar to the style y ou have
in mind for your wedding.
* Note that the siz e of
the wedding gown you
will wear is typically one to
two sizes larger than y our
day-to-day clothes. P roper
measurements
can be
matched to designers ’ size
charts.
* It’s best to limit the
number of people with
whom you shop to 1 or 2
trusted friends or family
members. An entourage can
be confusing.
* It’s always better to order
a slightly larger go wn and
leave room for alterations if
you are between sizes
appreciation to hard working
wedding vendors. Thankyou notes or r ecommendations are other ways to sho w
appreciation for the ser vices
provided and don ’t cost a
penny.
Specializing In…
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Page 5B
Safe and smart ways to slim down before your wedding
Many brides-to-be, and
even some gr ooms-to-be,
express concern about their
weight in the w eeks and
months leading up to their
wedding. Losing w eight is a
goal for many engaged couples, but it ’s important that
couples who want to shed a
few extra pounds don ’t sacrifice safety for the sake of slimming down.
According to a Cornell
University study of 273 women with a w edding day approaching, 70 percent wanted
to lose mor e than 20 pounds
before their w eddings. However, reality indicates that a
weight loss of 5 to 10 pounds
is more attainable -- mor e so
if the w eight loss r egimen is
spread out over several weeks.
The term “brideor exia” has
entered the v ernacular, and it
is associated with brides who
are taking extr eme measures
to lose w eight. Taking laxatives, engaging in fluid-only
diets and ev en using tobacco
or drugs to ser ve as appetite
suppressants are just some of
the measures some brides have
taken to shed w eight before
their wedding days.
There is no magic formula
to shed pounds, but ther e are
certain ways to jump-star t
and maintain the pr ocess of
healthy weight loss so brides
can look slimmer and healthy
for their big day.
* Eat. Although initial
calorie curbing can help shed
weight, eventually your body
may adapt to y our new eating habits or go into “ survival
mode,” which means conser ving fat reserves. Researchers at
Penn State University found
that fasting signals to y our
body that it is being star ved,
triggering a lo wer metabolic
rate. Brides-to-be should never
cut out food entir ely. Eating
anything less than 1,200 calories a day will encourage the
body to try to conserve energy
by lowering its metabolism.
Severe calorie restriction is not
an effective way to lose weight.
* Step up y our exercise
regimen. Reducing food intake alone will not help y ou
lose weight quickly. The goal
is to burn mor e calories than
you consume. Therefore, adding more cardiovascular activity to y our routine can help
burn calories mor e efficiently.
According to a clinical study
from researchers at Italy’s University of P adua published in
the 2011 International Journal
of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, eating a light
meal before exercising helps
you burn mor e fat and keeps
your body burning fat even 24
hours after the exercise.
* Reduce sodium intake.
Sodium doesn’t necessarily
lead to weight gain, but it can
make it appear so . Sodium
contributes to water r etention
in the body, which may make
you appear heavier or bloated.
Cut back on foods that ar e
high in sodium, especially as
the wedding draws close, to
reduce water retention.
* Identify sources of empty
calories. Fruit juices, soda and
other beverages are often the
culprits with regards to unnecessary calorie consumption.
Therefore, choose y our beverages wisely and limit them to
water, teas and unsw eetened
drinks. If you want to drink
fruit juice, consider diluting
it. In addition, most alcoholic
beverages have 100 calories or
more. While it may be tempting to celebrate with wine,
champagne and mix ed drinks
during your engagement period, your waistline may ultimately pay the price for such
indulgences.
* Hire a good photogra-
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pher. A camera allegedly adds
10 pounds, a r eason many
couples panic about their wedding day. A photo is a 2D image of a 3D object. Therefore,
the photo r educes depth perception and flattens an image,
which may make some items
look like they have more bulk.
A professional photographer
will know how to manipulate
lighting and angles of the camera to ensure a more flattering
shot.
* Eat smaller portions. Oftentimes, its not a matter of
what you are eating but ho w
much. Most portion sizes
served in r estaurants or ev en
at home ar e double or triple
the amount that y ou should
be eating. When in doubt, cut
everything in half.
* Fill up on fiber or protein.
Instead of resorting to pills to
suppress an appetite, simply
eat foods that will fill you up
naturally. High-fiber foods
will bulk up in the stomach
and keep y ou feeling satiated
longer. The same can be said
for lean pr oteins, which take
longer to digest, thus fending
off hunger pangs.
While losing w eight for a
wedding is many couples ’ ul-
Concern about fitting into their gowns drives many
brides to crash diet in an effort to lose weight.
timate goal, the best way to
tackle this task is in a healthy,
responsible manner.
Page 6 Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Unique reception touches
Use the bouquets of the bridal party as the centerpieces of some of the
reception tables as one way to bring something different to your wedding.
Over the course of their
lifetimes, many people will
be wedding guests on several
occasions. During the height
of wedding season, weddings
can run into one another, as
the format and the festivities
are similar at various ceremonies. Couples inter ested in
setting their nuptials apar t
may want to enhance the
wedding reception with a
few unique ideas.
Who hasn’t attended a
wedding that seems formulaic? The couple enters, they
do their spotlight dance,
there’s food, a bouquet toss
and then the cake cutting.
Guests may actually be able
to predict what’s coming
next. While it is often customary and easy to follo w
tradition, that doesn’t mean
you cannot buck with tradition and offer a few creative
ideas to make y our event
stand out.
Here are several ideas you
can introduce into your wedding to add something special to the reception.
* Skip the big entrance.
Those who were kind enough
to attend the ceremony have
already been intr oduced to
the newly minted happy
couple. Instead of spending
the cocktail hour in the isolation of the w edding suite,
mingle with y our guests
from start to finish. So much
time is spent posing for pictures or being out of touch
with guests, the cocktail hour
can be a great time to sit and
chat. Being with guests during the cocktail hour means
you don’t have to make that
big entrance fr om behind
closed doors. G uests will
have all ey es on y ou when
you step on the dance floor
for your first dance together.
* Dance to an upbeat
number. Guests are expecting a slow, sappy tune. What
they may not expect is an upbeat song that shows you are
willing to hav e a little fun.
If you haven’t mastered the
waltz but enjoy a little quick
step now and again, feel fr ee
to choose a tune that sho ws
your excitement and love for
each other.
* Encourage couples to
dance together. It’s often customary for the bridal par ty
to join the bride and gr oom
on the dance floor midway
through the first dance.
However, that leaves spouses
or significant others waiting
in the wings while their dates
tango with gr oomsmen or
bridesmaids. Instead, don’t
have assigned partners. Rather, encourage y our bridal
party members to dance with
whomever they choose.
* Swap the gar ter/bouquet toss for something more
meaningful. If you’re part of
a couple who feels the gar ter
and bouquet toss has become
trite, there are other ways to
create special moments in
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your celebration -- ones that
don’t single out the singletons who hav en’t yet found
their special someones. U se
this time to pr esent a small
gift or token of y our affection to someone on the guest
list who has served as a mentor or source of inspiration.
* Choose one special
component as an extra goodie for guests. S ome couples
feel the mor e they offer the
better guests will vie w their
wedding. Spending more
money doesn’t necessarily
mean guests will hav e a better time. I f you want to go
above and bey ond the or dinary, find one thing that you
absolutely love and offer that
at the par ty. It could be a
flambe presentation, a chocolate or candy bar, a carving
station with y our all-time
favorite food (ev en if that ’s
PB&J), or a carnival-inspired
automatic photo booth.
* Hire a liv e performer.
Although it’s hard to beat
the performance quality o f
your wedding song bein g
performed by the original
artist, unless y ou’re cousins
with Celine D ion, chances
are she won’t be available to
sing “My Heart Will Go On”
at your reception. However,
a live band adds a certain level of ex citement that a dis k
jockey may not be able to
provide. Those who are adding a cultural or ethnic component to their wedding may
want to hire a dance tr oupe
or another type of performer,
like a bagpiper, as an added
measure of entertainment for
guests.
* Let them eat ... cookies? Some people just don ’t
like cake. Therefore, why
should a couple hav e to cut
a seven-tiered white confection? Towers of different
types of treats can be created
from just about anything and
serve as the perfect backdrop
for that classic cake-cuttin g
photo. A pyramid of cr eam
puffs, stacks of br ownies,
a cookie castle, or cer ealcake concoctions can wor k.
Some bakeries will decorate
a “dummy” styrofoam cake,
and then you can serve apple
pie a la mode, if you desire.
* Stage a costume switch.
Let’s face it, dancing all night
in a long go wn takes some
stamina. As the bride, hav e
a more comfortable cocktail
dress available to switch into
for the latter par t of the r eception. It will also add some
variety to your wedding photos.
Page 6B Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Roles of the best man and maid of honor
Being chosen as a best
man or a maid of honor is a
significant and meaning ful
honor. Those roles have
evolved over the y ears, but
these special par ticipants
must still per form some of
the traditional duties of the
past, including ser ving as
the official witnesses to the
ceremony. The following is
a rundown of the v arious
duties maids of honor and
best men ar e now expected
to handle once they’re chosen
for these distinguished
honors.
The best man will
coordinate the bachelor party
and may be asked to assist
the groom with selecting a
honeymoon site or to come
along to book the trip.
Wedding day
On the day of the
wedding, the maid of honor
and the best man will act
as a suppor t system for the
bride and gr oom. The maid
of honor will help the bride
get dressed and help iron out
any mini-emergencies that
should crop up. The best
man will help ensur e all of
the ushers are dressed and get
the groom to the wedding on
time.
During the cer emony,
the maid of honor will hold
the bride’s bouquet while she
At the r eception, the
best man is expected to
give a toast and the maid
of honor may shar e some
words as w ell. She also may
accompany the bride to the
restroom and assist her with
managing the gown.
After the wedding
The best man will be
in charge of r eturning the
tuxedoes to the rental shop, if
necessary. He also may driv e
the newly married couple to
the airport so they can depart
on their honeymoon.
The maid of honor will
assist the bride in changin g
out of her gown and into her
travel clothes. O ftentimes
the maid of honor takes the
gown to the cleaners in the
days following the ceremony
so the dress can be preserved.
CHRISTENSEN JEWELRY
Prior to the wedding
Take her breath
th
away with a
Before the wedding takes
place, the maid of honor will
closely assist the bride-to-be
with many of the impor tant
decisions related to the look
and the feel of the w edding.
She typically accompanies
the bride to dr ess shops to
select gowns for the bride
and bridesmaids. M uch in
the same manner , the best
man will assist the groom-tobe with choosing tux edoes
or suits and also with
coordinating with the ushers
to ensure they know when to
go for fittings.
Although the best man
will serve as a sounding board
for the gr oom, traditionally
the bride and her bridesmaids
have taken on the majority
of the wedding planning, so
the maid of honor can expect
to play a larger r ole than the
best man. The maid of honor
may be asked to delegate
certain assignments, such
as helping to find wedding
vendors
or addr essing
invitations. She may go with
the bride for makeup and
hairstyle trials. Together with
the bridesmaids, she will
plan a bridal sho wer party
and a bachelorette excursion.
She may select a wedding gift
for the couple and pr esent it
on behalf of all the w edding
attendants.
participates in the w edding.
The best man will keep the
rings safe until they ar
e
needed. The maid of honor
also will help adjust the
bride’s train and v eil as she
sits and stands during the
ceremony. Both will sign
the marriage cer tificate as
witnesses.
The Juliet is Christensen’s Own
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Please call us at (641) 562-2022
to reserve your date
Megan & Emily
Fringe Salon
313 2nd Ave SW, Buffalo Center
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HAMPTON
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Page 7
Test out wedding music vendors
Music is an integral element of many of life’s special
events. The score of a mo vie
can carry a film, and a tender song can bring tears to a
person’s eyes during a stage
production.
Many couples spend lots
of time choosing a song
for their first dance at their
wedding. While that song is
significant, couples should
devote lots of time to choosing a band or deejay for the
reception as well.
Statistics compiled from a
variety of sour ces, including
USA Today, TheKnot.com
and Brides magazine, point
out that r oughly 80 per cent
of guests say the thing they
remember most about a wedding is the enter tainment.
When asked, many couples
admit they wish they spent
more time and money choosing their wedding entertainment.
Music helps make memories and gets guests on their
feet. Those who enjoy themselves most at the w edding
are often the people who
are on the dance floor. It is
important to note that price
shouldn’t be the deciding
factor for wedding day entertainment. It is cr ucial to see
the entertainment provider
in action to judge for oneself
just how good he or she is.
One of the best ways to witness a deejay or band in action is to attend a w edding
where they will be wor king.
Find out if y ou can spend
a little while peeking into a
wedding and gauge guests ’
responses to the music and
find out ho w the enter tainment engages the cr owd.
The entertainer may be able
to arrange this with a couple
from an upcoming w edding
so that you don’t necessarily
have to crash the w edding.
If a musical enter tainment
company is war y of letting
you see play ers in action, it
may be an indication to look
elsewhere.
Another good way to see for
yourself if the enter tainment
factor is high is to pay atten-
tion to the bands and deejays
used at weddings you attend.
If you are planning nuptials
in a y ear or the months to
come, take the car ds or information of the entertainers
you come across at weddings
and any special ev ent parties. If there is someone who
is doing an impeccable job ,
there should be no hesitation
to hire that person for y our
own wedding. Don’t be embarrassed to ask a friend or
family member for the name
and number of their deejay.
If you have specific music
requirements, such as cultural music or cer tain versions of songs y ou prefer to
be played, it is key to discuss
this with the deejay or band
ahead of time and confirm
they can meet y our needs.
Certain wedding vendors
may promise you the world
but fail to deliv er. Ask the
deejay for a playlist to see his
or her selections for the wedding. Find out if the band
has a compilation they can
No Booking Fees!
Winter Tradeshow Dates
All Presentations will start at 10:00 A.M.
Saturday, February 1st, 2014 Romance & Honeymoon Trade show
Spending time and money selecting the right band or deejay can ensure
your wedding is a fun-filled event.
send to y ou so y ou can see
how they sound per forming some of the mor e popular songs typically play ed at
wedding receptions.
If you like a par ticular band
or deejay, double-check that
the people y ou see playing
are actually the ones who will
be performing at y our wedding. Many times performers
are part of larger companies
that have many people working under one name. If you’re
not careful, you may not get
the same performer you had
hoped for. Request specific
individuals if y ou want to
guarantee that the music will
be what you heard at a previous wedding or during a trial
performance.
Music can make or br eak a
wedding reception. Invest
ample time into selectin g
and trying out v endors to
ensure fun is to be had by all.
Congrats to all the newly
engaged couples! Need
ideas or help planning your
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Page 7B
Pack an emergency wedding day kit
Brides- and grooms-to-be hope and pray
their wedding day will go off without a hitch.
After a y ear or mor e of planning and writing checks for so many things, couples hope
that it all comes together in the
end. For most it does. O thers
may need a little help keeping
things on track.
Although the idea is to hope
for the best, being pr epared
for a fe w obstacles along the
way can ensur e the day goes
smoothly. Many couples
find it wise to pack an
emergency kit, stocked
with items to make r epairs or handle tie ups
with ease.
Brides and grooms can use
this checklist to compile a
wedding day kit that meets
their needs and customize with any speciality items.
• needle and thread in white, black and the
color of bridesmaid gowns
• extra pairs of pantyhose
• pain reliever pills
• antacid
• quick-clean detergent stick
• deodorant
• double-sided tape
• black buttons
• sanitary pads
• mints/gum
• makeup for touchups
• extra cash
• slippers or a change
of shoes
• umbrellas
• hairspray
• hair pins
• names and phone
numbers of all w edding vendors
• static cling spray
• hair dryer
• contact lens solution/eye drops
• nail file
• nail clipper
• straws (to sip drinks without r uining
lipstick)
• safety pins
• bandages
• black socks
• powder
• earring backs
Origins of the term “honeymoon”
It has become tradition
for married couples to
jet off on a post-w edding
vacation. This honeymoon
is a way for the bride and
groom to enjo y quiet time
together and star t off their
married life together on an
intimate level. Although
the word “honeymoon” has
happy connotations today ,
the original meanings of
the word may not be so
blissful. There are varying
accounts of the ev olution of
the word “honeymoon,” but
many believe it to be a Norse
tradition deriving fr om the
word
“hjunottsmanathr.”
Northern
European
history describes women
being abducted fr om their
families and for ced into
marriage with a man fr om
a neighboring village. This
husband would take his
new bride into hiding and
stay there for a while until
it was cer tain the bride ’s
family had given up the hunt
and retreated. It was also
tradition for Scandinavian
couples to drink a sw eet,
honey-infused wine kno wn
as mead for a month after
getting married. This may be
where the “honey ,” for the
sweet drink, and the “moon,”
for the one-month period of
time, originated. O thers say
“honeymoon” refers to a
sarcastic quip that a marriage
starts out sw eet as honey ,
but then wanes much as the
moon will each cycle.
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Page 8 Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Things to consider when a bridesmaid is pregnant
Brides-to-be thinking of
asking a pr egnant friend or
family member to be in the
bridal party should kno w
such a r equest is common.
Recent findings indicate
that around half of all w eddings now have at least one
member of the bridal par ty
showing off a baby bump -sometimes it’s even the bride
herself.
Barring a medical condition, there is no r eason a
pregnant woman can’t be in
the wedding and fulfill her
obligations, so feel free to invite that special someone to
be in the wedding. There are
just a few things to consider
to help make it easier on everyone involved. Think over
these things.
* Gowns: One of the
things brides and bridesmaids often fret about is the
gown they will be w earing.
While nonpregnant members of the bridal party won’t
fluctuate much in w eight
from the day of their first
fittings to the w edding day,
a pregnant woman is gr owing with new life within her
from the moment of conception. This will hav e to
be taken into consideration.
Some maternity designers
create bridesmaid dresses for
pregnant women, but they
may not exactly match the
other gowns in mind. Ask
the bridal store if alterations
can be made to a standar d
gown, including or dering a
much larger size, adding elastic panels or another way to
ensure the gown will stretch
over a gr owing belly. Also,
be considerate and choose a
gown in an empire waist style
so that it is flattering for the
pregnant bridesmaid.
* Shoes: While pregnant,
some women’s feet sw ell.
Having strict r estrictions on
footwear can make a pr egnant woman uncomfortable.
Low heels or ballerina slippers can be comfor table and
fashionable. The other members of the bridal par ty may
also thank you for choosing a
sensible shoe.
* Breaks: Many activities during the w edding
are bound to be tiring. B ut
someone who is pr egnant
may feel it more than others.
Ensure your mama-to-be has
ample time to sit and r est.
Also, try to hav e planning
meetings near a r estroom
where she will be comfor table.
* Nonalcoholic drinks:
From bachelorette parties to
the wedding itself, be sur e
there are plenty of nonalcoholic and decaffeinated
drinks she can enjo y. Pregnant women need to hav e a
lot of water to meet the physical demand of pr egnancy as
well.
* Travel: In the latter
months of the pr egnancy,
many doctors advise against
air travel. Spending long
hours in a car may be uncomfortable as w ell. If you
were thinking about having
the wedding far away, these
are things that must be taken
into consideration. You may
want to r evise your plans if
your heart is set on having
this woman in the bridal
party.
* Ceremony: It can be tiring for a pr egnant woman,
especially one in the last tri-
Having a pregnant friend or family member as a bridesmaid just takes a little
extra planning.
mester, to stand for a long
period of time. I f you are
having a long, r eligious ceremony, see if a seat can be
arranged so your bridesmaid
can sit down when she needs
a rest.
* Declined invitation:
Some pregnant women will
jump at the chance to be in
the wedding, while others
may realize their limitations
and prefer to attend only as a
guest. Have a another person
in mind in case y our bridesmaid invitation is declined,
and do not hold it against
the person if she feels she
won’t be able to commit during her pregnancy.
* Patience: Although all
eyes are generally on the
bride on her special day, having a pr egnant bridesmaid
may garner a shar e of “oohs
and aahs” and attention for
her as w ell. It’s a humble
bride who can shar e her
spotlight for a while. And
remember, the “ something
new”at your wedding may be
that new baby who is on the
way!
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Page 8B Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Origins of bridal customs
Chances are those who
have attended a w edding
have witnessed some popular traditions take place. The
bride wears a veil, a court of
wedding attendants accompanies the bride and gr oom,
and birdseed, rice or flower
petals are tossed. B ut have
you ever wondered why? The
wedding customs ar e ripe
with tradition and har ken
back to days when superstition and myth often r uled
the day.
* Throwing rice: Today
it has become de rigueur
to blow bubbles, toss bir dseed or r elease doves when
the bride and gr oom leave
the house of worship ne wly
betrothed. That’s because
savvy individuals found that
raw rice can pose a hazar d
to birds pecking in the ar ea.
However, rice throwing is an
old custom that dates back
to the M iddle Ages, when
wheat or rice wher e thrown
to symbolize fertility for the
couple.
* Bouquet: N owadays,
the bride carries a beautiful
bouquet of flowers. But the
purpose of the bouquet held
different meanings in the
past. Saracen brides carried
orange blossoms for fer tility.
Others carried a combination of herbs and flowers to
ward off evil spirits with their
aroma. Bouquets of dill were
often carried, again for fertility reasons, and after the ceremony, the dill was eaten to
encourage lust.
* Bridesmaids: There may
be arguments o ver dresses
and how many bridesmaids
to have in a w edding party
now, but in ancient times it
was “the more the merrier.”
That’s because bridesmaids
were another measur e to
keep the bride safe against
evil spirits. Essentially the
bridesmaids were decoys for
the spirits -- dressing like the
bride to confuse the spirits
or maybe help deter them to
leave the bride be.
* Wedding rings: Wearing
of wedding rings dates back
to ancient Egypt. The round
shape of a ring symboliz es
eternal love. The ring is worn
on the four th finger of the
left hand because it is be-
lieved this finger has a blood
vessel that goes dir ectly to
the heart.
* Wedding cake: The
traditional wedding cake
evolved from Roman times
when the cake was originally made fr om wheat. I t was
broken over the bride’s head
to ensure fertility. All of the
guests eat a piece for good
luck. Single women used to
place a piece of wedding cake
under their pillo ws in the
hopes of finding their o wn
husbands.
* Father accompanying the bride: This tradition
symbolizes that the bride ’s
father endorses the choice in
husbands and is pr esenting
his daughter as a pur e bride
to that man.
* Kissing the bride: I n
older times, a kiss symbolized a legal bond. Therefore,
the bride and gr oom kissed
to seal the deal on their betrothal.
There are many traditions surrounding a wedding
that people simply accept.
But understanding their origins can make the cer emony
more meaningful.
A wedding cake once symbolized fertility for the happy couple.
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Page 9
Floral terms
to know
Before
discussing
table settings for their
weddings, many couples
find it helpful to br ush
up on some floral
terminology
before
visiting florists.
It can make you appear
more
knowledgeable
and prepared if y ou
understand what will be
discussed and are able to
choose what you want. It
also helps to ensur e your
money is being spent in
the best way possible.
Here
are
some
common and some lesser
known florist terms that
can be adv antageous to
know.
* Biedermeier: A
nosegay arranged tightly
with concentric cir cles
of differently colored
flowers. The flowers are
wired into a holder with
only one type of flower in
each ring.
* Bouquet: A dense
bunch of blooms that
are kept together in a
bouquet holder, wired or
tied with ribbon.
* Crescent: One full
flower and a flowering
stem wired together to
form a slender handle
that is held in one hand.
*
Garden:
A
centerpiece
featuring
wildflowers.
* Nosegay: Small,
round
bouquets
composed of densely
packed round flowers
and fill.
* Oasis: Specialized
foam that is used in
bouquet holders and
centerpieces to r etain
water and keep blooms
fresh.
* Pomander: A flowercovered ball that is
suspended from a ribbon.
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* Posies: Smaller than
nosegays but similar in
design.
* Presentation: A
bunch of long-stemmed
flowers
cradled in
the bride’s arms. I t’s
sometimes known as a
pageant bouquet.
* Tossing: A smaller
copy of the bride
’s
bouquet to use in the
bouquet toss.
* Topiary: Flowers
trimmed into geometric
shapes.
* Tussy mussy: A
small, metallic holder to
carry a posy.
Page 10 Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Use cuisine to create a wedding to remember
Despite the months
of planning and poring
over every minute detail
of a w edding, it has often
been said that what people
remember
most about
wedding
receptions
is
the food and if they had
fun. Therefore, instead of
worrying about choosing
Jordan
almonds o
ver
chocolate truffles, or whether
the cake should have an extra
tier, couples may want to pay
more attention to selecting
their reception menus.
Although certain foods
are wedding staples, it could
pay for couples to think with
their stomachs instead of
their heads when selecting
wedding day far e. Having a
selection of foods that taste
as good as they look is a
wise idea over having certain
foods simply because they
are trendy.
Whether you are cooking
yourself, having a family
member serve as chef or
relying on the menu of the
reception hall, think about
foods that will please guests
and select those items,
regardless of them being
fancy. Here are some other
tips.
* You want foods to be
filling but not so much so
that guests hav e to waddle
to the dance floor. If you’re
planning on sev eral courses,
keep portion sizes small to
offer a taste of the different
items offered.
items people hav e heard of.
Instead of tornadoes of beef,
select a hear ty prime
rib. Just because a dish
sounds fancy doesn ’t
make it taste better . If
a guest doesn ’t know
what he or she is eating,
it can be uncomfor table.
Now is not the time to
experiment with
exotic
* Classic foods
can work well
as
wedding
fare.
Roasts,
barbecued
meats
and
favorite pasta
dishes
can
make guests
feel
like
t h e y’r e
dining
a
t
foods,
either. Otherwise,
some picky
eaters may be
left hungry.
* Think about
the foods y ou
love and see if
they can be
incorporated at the wedding.
crackers.
Although a br eakfast
bar at an ev ening event
may seem funny , waffles
and omelets may appeal to
a greater number of guests
than a gourmet fish creation.
* If you have a fav orite
restaurant
that ser
ves
delicious food, find out i f
they will cater your wedding.
* Don’t make vegetarians
an
afterthought.
Too
often, vegetarians must
eat whatever the kitchen
can pull together , which is
usually a compilation of the
vegetable garnishes from the
meat dishes. M ake an effort
to have a true vegetarian dish
that is intricate and delicious.
* Mashed potatoes ar e
a crowd pleaser. Serve little
portions of mashed potatoes
in cocktail glasses and enable
guests to top as they see fit
with bacon bits, cheese or
chives.
* No idea is silly , and
serving any type of food
in a hors d ’oeuvre style
can make it acceptable at a
formal affair, whether that
food is pizza or caviar-topped
someone’s
home and
not at a
wedding.
* Choose
* Just because it isn ’t on
the menu doesn ’t mean it
cannot be pr epared. Talk to
the catering manager and
let him or her kno w your
preferences. Provided you’re
willing to pay a little mor e,
there’s a good chance you can
have items that ar en’t on the
standard catering menu.
* Think outside the bo x
for your cocktail hour “bars.”
A bread bar, a dippin g
station, milk and cookies
service, or v egetable bar ar e
options that go against the
standard cheese and past a
stations.
Although
it’s
your
wedding, ultimately the
goal is to please the guests.
By choosing foods they will
love and rav e about, y ou’re
guaranteed positive remarks
on your wedding.
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Page 11
Packing pointers for destination weddings
In a 2012 study of destination weddings conducted
by The Knot M arket Intelligence, a r esearch wing of
TheKnot.com, researchers
found that 350,000 destination weddings occur each
year. That figure means
nearly one in four couples
who tied the knot in 2011
had a destination wedding, a
roughly five percent increase
from 2009.
Destination
weddings
have grown in popularity for
a variety of r easons, not the
least of which is the appeal
of getting married in an exotic or unique locale. I n addition, 65 per cent of sur vey
respondents said they chose a
destination wedding because
they wanted a more intimate
affair with fewer guests.
Whatever the r eason behind a couple ’s decision to
have a destination w edding,
there are things such couples
must consider that others
who chose a local cer emony
can afford to o verlook or
place a smaller emphasis
upon. Packing is one aspect
of a wedding that’s more important to couples having
a destination w edding than
those getting married closer
to home. O nce a couple
boards a plane to head off to
their destination w edding,
any items left behind will
stay behind. So it’s important
for couples getting married
far away from their homes to
develop a plan with r espect
to packing so they don’t forget or damage any important
elements of the wedding.
* Start with a checklist.
Couples should dev elop of
checklist of items they will
need to bring with them.
Make this list as extensiv e
as possible, including everything that will hav e to
be packed, such as clothing,
toiletries, jewelry, reservation
information, and anything
else you expect to need on
your trip. Check off items
on this list as you pack them
away, and check the list the
night before you embark to
make sure you have everything.
* Carry on especially important items. S ome items
are simply to impor tant to
pack. A bride’s wedding gown
and the gr oom’s tuxedo fall
into this categor y. Unfortunately, checked bags can get
lost, and no bride or gr oom
wants to arrive at their destination without their gown or
tux. An airline may pr ovide
brides with a garment bag to
store the wedding gown, and
the gown and tux can likely
be hung in the plane ’s closet
without fear of other passengers putting items on top of
them.
In addition to the w edding day attir e, don’t store
items like the w edding rings
or family heirlooms in a
checked bag. Carr y these
items in a purse or secur ely
store them in a carry-on bag.
* Consider mailing w elcome
packages after y ou return
home. Welcome packages are
nice gestures that show your
guests just ho w much y ou
appreciate their being ther e
for your big day . However,
when having a destination
wedding, couples may discover that their premade welcome packages are too bulky
or just too numer ous to easily fit into luggage. I nstead
of taking these to y our destination, mail them to y our
guests after you return home.
The packages might not be
there to welcome guests, but
the sentiment is still the same
and guests will appreciate the
gesture just the same. I f you
plan to go this r oute, talk to
the hotel in adv ance to see
if they can help y ou put together a smaller package so
guests are still w elcomed to
the destination.
* Be wary of shipping
items ahead of y ou. Some
couples ship some important
items to their hotel ahead of
time. While this might seem
like an easy solution to pack-
ing welcome packages or
other special items such as
decorations, these items can
easily get lost in the mail or
stranded at customs. S hipping items ahead might
seem like a gr eat idea, but
couples must weigh the po-
tential risks befor e placing
important items in someone
else’s hands.
WEDDING BOUQUETS, CORSAGES, BOUTONNIERES
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Contact Nyleene Geerts - 319-984-5082
or email [email protected]
Wedding Stationery
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Place Cards
Programs
Guest Books
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an array of styles,
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For more information, contact your local
marketing representative:
Cerro Gordo County & Franklin County
Calhoun County
641-456-2585
712-464-3188
Lisa Flack
Deb Schleisman or Toni Venteicher
Sheffield
Keokuk County
641-892-4636
641-622-3110
Jack Zimmerman
Ken Chaney
Wright County
Mahaska County
515-448-4745
641-634-2092
Frankie Aliu
Ken Chaney
Grundy Center
Conrad
319-824-6958
Clint Poock
Butler County
319-278-4641
Paula Barnett
Winnebago & Hancock Counties
641-923-2684
Ana Olsthoorn or Sandy Evans
641-366-2020
Steph McManus
Boone County
515-275-4101
Julie Holmberg