GoTri Magazine - Go Tri Cities

GOTri
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
JANUARY 2016
Wedding
Trends
for 2016
GOTri
JANUARY 2016
Wedding
Trends
for 2016
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Abbey Andrews – The Millstone – Limestone
Gary Cable - Cable Photography
GoTri Magazine is published monthly by the Kingsport Times-News and the
Northeast Tennessee Media Group. For more information, visit timesnews.net.
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WEDDING
TRENDS FOR 2016
WEDDING
ADVICE
WEDDING
VENUES
12
14
17
MY BIG FAT GEEK
WEDDING
THROWBACK
WEDDINGS
GROOMSMENS
GIFTS
18
19
20
REHEARSAL
DINNER HOW-TO
MAKE A SECOND
WEDDING STAND OUT
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DESTINATIONS
WEDDING DAY
TRANSPORTATION TIPS
Publisher
Justin Wilcox
Editor
Matthew Lane
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Wedding
Trends for 2016
By Kelly Story
- lead wedding coordinator
with Positive Approach Events
based in Johnson City.
Wedding Cakes
Gifts for the Bride and Groom
In the wedding world, it seems as though everything that
was once “out” comes back around again. Couples are going
back to more traditional buttercream wedding cakes and moving away from fondant. Traditional style round cakes decorated
with real or sugar flowers are always popular.
Some couples are choosing to embrace their personalities
and have cakes made to reflect their hobbies, pop culture or
their personal style. For instance, I’ve seen cakes that are traditional down one side and the other side will have comic book
hero colors and designs. Never be afraid to embrace who you
are and what you love.
It is still a sweet tradition for the bride and groom to exchange gifts before the ceremony. With more and more couples choosing to do “first
looks” this gift exchange can take place then, or the bridesmaids and groomsmen can help with the exchange if the couple is going the traditional
route of not seeing each other before the ceremony.
Jewelry for the bride and a watch for the groom are classic gifts, but these tokens don’t have to be pricey, either. I’ve seen a bride give the
groom a fun pair of socks to “prevent cold feet” and a groom give a bride her favorite salted caramel chocolates. The sweetest thing is to have
a handwritten note or letter with the gift that captures your excitement about your marriage.
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JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
Videography and Photography
Videography is coming back in a big way. Many couples are especially interested in having at least a highlight video — a creative and beautiful 5-10
minute overview of the wedding day, usually set to a sweet love song or two. I see more and more brides budgeting for video, which is great. At the end
of the day, after the wedding is over, your photos and video are the only things you have to remember and relive the day.
With photography, I always recommend couples choose classic, skilled photographers. Yes, the filters and creative editing are fun and they are a trend
at the moment, but if you have a great photographer who can shoot timeless photos, you will not regret your decision and your images will never look
dated. You can add fun filters to skillfully captured, well-composed photos, but you can’t remove filters and editing that is covering up less-than-stellar
snapshots.
Photography and videography is the one area
I do not recommend budget-skimping. Hire true
professionals so you have lasting cherished mementos of this special day.
A “first look” — where the bride and groom
see each other before the ceremony — isn’t a
new trend, but it is a popular one. Logistically,
having most of the photography done before the
ceremony is wonderful — you don’t miss getting
photos with anyone and you end up with many
more great photos of the bride and groom together without everything being rushed and crammed
in during cocktail hour.
It’s also a way to save a little money because
you don’t have to open the bar and have cocktail
hour food, you can go straight on to dinner and
dancing after the ceremony.
That said, it’s almost a trend that couples —
grooms especially, lately — are going back to the
tradition of not wanting to see each other before
the ceremony. A first look can be a very special
moment for a couple — I’ve never had a couple
say they regret doing a first look, and most say it
was their favorite moment of the day — but everyone must make that decision for themselves.
Social Media
Many couples are turning to social media to keep guests up to date on
wedding plans and as a means for guests to share snapshots they capture
at the wedding events. Many brides and grooms will create a hashtag for
their wedding events, from bridal showers to the big day, and they post
this hashtag on their programs or a sign at the reception. If guests use
the hashtag when they post on social media platforms like Facebook and
Instagram, it makes it easy for the couple to find all of these posts and
photographs with one click.
While social media is popular, many couples are attempting to have
“unplugged weddings.” Basically an unplugged wedding is one where the
couple asks, either verbally by the officiant, on a sign or in the program, for
the guests to turn off their cellphones and cameras and be in the moment
with the couple instead of trying to take a million pictures of their own.
If you spend the money to hire a great photographer, the last thing you
want is well-meaning Aunt Susie to stand up and block the photographer
as they are trying to capture the bride coming down the aisle or the couple’s first kiss.
Entertainment
A wedding DJ is usually the more affordable reception entertainment
option, but many couples are now budgeting for a fun band to get their
guests dancing the night away. Of course, there are good and bad in both
categories, so vet your choice well before signing on the dotted line.
Photo booths are another trend for reception entertainment and a fun
way for the couple and their guests to have a keepsake of the day. Usually
the vendor providing the photobooth equipment will bring along fun props
to use and most print out photo strips on the spot for guests to take home.
For warm-weather outdoor weddings, lawn games like cornhole and
giant Jenga are popular entertainment options.
JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
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Photos provided courtesy
of Maganda Moments
– Brittany and Conrad
Casem
Wedding Advice
Planning a wedding can be a stressful and daunting task. However,
newlywed Morgan Taylor Meade says it doesn’t have to be.
Meade, a Gate City, Va. native, and her husband, Tim Meade, were
married in August at the Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville. Their reception was held at the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater. The
couple was engaged for a little less than six months before saying “I do.”
Meade offers the following tips to make what should be one of the happiest times of a bride and groom’s lives together a little more memorable
and a lot less stressful.
Include your fiancé
A wedding is not all about the bride; there is a groom that has just as
much say so. The best thing that I did was involving my fiancé. He had
certain opinions on the way he wanted things to go as well. So, when we
were able to plan together, we avoided fighting and stressing about minor
details. Including him also helped for the day of the ceremony. He knew
every detail and how things would play out and it definitely helped take
some of the stress off of me.
Participate in marriage counseling
Tim and I really took advantage of our marriage counseling experience
with the church. Make sure to discuss everything, including the scary topics. Financial plans were a major subject matter for us because we weren’t
sure as to how we wanted things to be set up. Our counselor brainstormed
ideas with us and made suggestions, but ultimately left the decision making up to us to carry out. We also learned the best methods for conflict
resolution (which we are still working on). Disagreements and arguments
are inevitable, but once we learned how to slow things down and debate
calmly with one another our relationship grew for the better. Marriage
counseling was a huge success for us.
Plan bridal appointments first
I wanted a short engagement, so we planned our wedding in five
months. I was so excited to book the church, the reception venue and DJ
that I almost forgot to book my appointments. I ended up waiting until the
last second to book my hair and makeup because I assumed it wouldn’t
be a problem. I was still extremely pleased with the way it turned out, but
it could have ended much worse.
Make time for sentiments
Don’t avoid emotional moments, embrace them. This is your wedding
day, take everything in. I made sure to set aside a special moment for my
mom and mother-in-law the night before by giving them presents, and
then my dad had his own special time planned for me that morning. I tried
to avoid tears as to not ruin my makeup, but it’s those special times that
I enjoyed the most. I wish I could relive mine over and over. On my day,
not everything was perfect, but in my head it was a fairy tale dream and I
have my prince.
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Have a backup plan
Try to plan every worst case scenario possible. The week prior to our
wedding day there was absolutely zero percent chance for rain. We were
having an indoor ceremony and our reception was covered under an amphitheater tent. However, I wanted all the pre-wedding pictures taken outside. Just as soon as we were ready to go, the skies opened up and we had
to brainstorm for indoor places.
Also, plan for after the night ends. What will happen when you leave,
who cleans up, where are you staying, etc.? We had planned for all of
this, but accidents still continued to happen. The groomsmen grabbed my
husband’s keys to decorate the car at the church, and they somehow never
made it back to him. Thus, we didn’t have a ride to our own reception and
everyone’s cars were full. We had to ride with the photographers and then
my parents had to bring the car to the hotel at three in the morning, because we were leaving on a plane at four.
Situations arise, and not everything will go smoothly, but make sure to
stay calm. It is the imperfect plans that happen that are made into wedding
day memories that eventually become laughing matters.
Think outside the box for cost savings
We researched and reviewed almost everything. But, let’s face it, you
can add the word wedding to anything and the cost will go up $500. What
worked best for us was not going by the traditional wedding book. Instead
of renting the groomsmens’ tuxedos for $200 each, it was cheaper for us
to buy suits. Joseph A. Banks was a having a sale, and we actually bought
12 men’s suits (regular $600) for right around $200. We also saved money
by having my mother make the boutonnieres. They looked great in pictures and no one could even tell. Traditionally, wedding favors are given to
guests, but in essence of time and money we made a donation to St. Judes
Children’s Hospital.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
I would suggest making a list of the expenses that you will have for your
wedding day. Then name the top three most important things to you and
the three least important, and spend accordingly. Not everything has to be
perfect, and you can offset the minor details with elaborate ones otherwise.
I ended up spending the least amount of money on my invitations and programs because I wanted elaborate decorations.
Go on an all-inclusive honeymoon
Most people will say that a big vacation is silly, but that is something I
cherished so much after the wedding. We left the next morning at 4 a.m. to
try to make the most time of our vacation days. I would now say to take one
day in between to settle down from everything. However, we spent a lot on
our honeymoon to St. Lucia, and I don’t regret one single cent. We were
in paradise on our first days as husband and wife. It was such an amazing
feeling to have all the planning over, and enjoy each other without work.
The best part is that everything is paid for and you don’t have to worry
about spending additional money. This was the best way we could truly
enjoy our time together on the island.
NOVEMBER
2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
JANUARY 2016
7
Wedding Venues
– By Rick Wagner
The Lodge at Crooked River
One of the region’s newest “premier” wedding, reception and honeymoon venues is The Lodge at Crooked River, located on the Crooked
Road — Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.
Between Mendota and Hiltons, Va., in Scott County, The Lodge opened
June 5 and provides what a co-owner called a premier venue for weddings
and other events year round.
The Lodge features circa 1823 hand-hewed, hand-pegged oak beams
and multiple fireplaces on a 200-acre estate of Annette and David Templeton. It has Clinch Mountain on one side and the Holston River on the other.
“We just started cleaning up the property and realized how beautiful
the view down the valley is,” Annette said of the property the couple has
owned for 27 years.
Wedding ceremony sites can be in The Lodge, as well as down by the
Seventh Shoal with the flow of the river, or over in The Grove with tall white
The Barn
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JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
oaks as a backdrop.
The 1890 renovated barn is a place for the wedding party to dress and
also houses a honeymoon suite, while receptions can be in The Lodge,
where Texas limestone frames the entry and flanks the indoor, outdoor
fireplaces, giving a look not unlike the European countryside.
A hand-forged wrought iron arch towers more than 17 feet above the
stone steps into The lodge. A wall of windows facing west show a view of
the valley with hay fields and meadows. The barn’s honeymoon suite has
a copper soaking tub to view a mountain sunset.
Mostly through word of mouth and the website http://crookedriverevents.
com/, the venue has attracted folks from the greater Tri-Cities and as far
away as Middle Tennessee, Templeton said.
Call (423) 863-4009 or email [email protected] for more
information or to schedule a tour.
Sometimes less is more, simpler is better.
Aptly called The Barn, a tobacco barn in the Stony Point community in eastern Surgoinsville
is a venue for weddings, receptions and other events. Those events in the Hawkins County barn
have ranged from Halloween parties to a Halloween-themed wedding, from a charity yard sale to
a live, drive-by nativity scene.
Owned by Sharlene Lee Spaulding, the barn is located behind 2991 Highway 11W, near where
she grew up in a house that fronted the old two-lane U.S. Highway 11W, now state Route 346
or Main Street. Access is available from either road, and folks there can catch a glimpse of the
Holston River winding through Phipps Bend.
Spaulding’s youngest daughter wanted to have a reception there about four years ago following
a ceremony in the nearby New Providence Presbyterian Church, and word of mouth through family and friends spread the word. For instance, a couple originally from Church Hill but transplanted
to Nashville were married there.
“The Barn was totally full of junk. We had to haul if off and burn it,” Spaulding said of the structure, used mostly for storage and as a workshop before its rebirth as a wedding and reception
venue. Stringed white lights are often used to decorate the inside of the barn, which is about twoand-a-half stories tall.
The structure still has dirt floors, although hay can be used to keep down the dust with hay
bales sometimes used for seating. She said the floors are packed hard enough for dancing.
An adjoining area with a concrete floor can be used for food preparation and a staging area.
It has a rustic “outhouse” for looks only, but modern portable facilities are brought in for events.
For more information call Spaulding, or her husband, Jerry, at (423) 345-3701
Corey Ippolito Winery & Vineyard
Welcome to Tuscany, Tenn., and its wedding venue.
In the Indian Springs community of Sullivan County is a winery, wedding
venue and vineyard.
The grape vines are viewable northward from Interstate 81 between
Kingsport and Blountville.
However, Corey Ippolito Vineyard is billed on its website as “a little taste
of Tuscany, Italy tucked away in the beautiful rolling hills of Northeast Tennessee.”
“Whether you’re planning a big event or just want to do a little wine tasting, we have what you’re looking for,” according to the venue’s website.
Nancy and Kevin Corey wanted five acres of land, and in 1999 they got
their wish five times over, she said. They bought 25 acres in Sullivan County, with a Blountville mailing address, and turned it into a vineyard. In April
of 2007, they opened Corey Ippolito Vineyard to the public and around the
same time it became a venue for weddings, receptions and other events.
“I think I had a wedding here before we opened the vineyard,” Nancy
said of the business. The wedding venue has been outside since it started,
meaning winter weddings were pretty much out of the question.
However, Nancy said a house on site is being converted to an indoor
venue to allow weddings to occur in all seasons. It should be available by
the early spring if things go as planned, she said.
Nancy is the granddaughter of Incenzo “James” Ippolito, an immigrant
from Sonnino, Italy, who settled in Syracuse, N.Y, married an Italian girl
and had six children and many grandchildren, according to Nancy and the
venue’s website, http://www.civines.com/.
For more information, go to the website, call (423) 323-1241 or email
[email protected].
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Wedding Venues
– By Tony Casey
VENUE
Downtown Johnson City’s VENUE, owned and operated by Brandi and
Travis Woodall through their company Positive Approach Group, is not
only a one-stop-shop for wedding ceremonies and reception, but it’s Johnson City’s best option for that urban wedding feel.
With one of the area’s largest single level event spaces, Venue, located
at the King Centre, has spectacular natural light in the day time and large
enough windows for an evening wedding, letting through the light of downtown’s glow.
Travis said the cityscapes and seven-foot windows make for that perfect urban loft wedding feel that many brides and grooms are going for.
Between the Woodall’s ability to provide catering, lighting and licensed
bartending packages all in one bill, they find that their clients — often busy
and thrifty young college-aged couples — are excited to have the duo do
just about everything for them.
“We can do everything in-house,” Travis said. “People like that. Instead
of setting up several meetings, people can do it altogether and write one
check.”
November, January and February are often considered down months,
where the Woodall’s might only have a single wedding booked each of those
months, but Travis said it gives them prime time to market their business and
throw on a fresh coat of paint, if it’s needed. Having been in business for
about six years, the wedding-planning duo has helped put on more than
two hundred weddings, with many more expected.
When not providing the space and resources for weddings, VENUE is
also used as a meeting, forum, prom and event space for many other
events in the area.
Maple Lane Farm
Just a few miles outside of Johnson City proper is Maple Lane Farm at 3134 Cherokee Rd.
This wedding venue provides an outdoor storybook option for those who want that natural feeling, but in case the skies let loose moisture on the dressed-up guests and parties, there are
on-site indoor options, too.
A vineyard sits up on the hill behind Maple Lane Farm, which, on its property contains some
other breathtaking elements to make the celebration of two lives coming together as special as
can be. The driveway, on which guests will travel as they arrive, makes for a natural tunnel of
trees that sets up wedding photography well.
The house, owned by the venue’s owner, serves as the place where brides and grooms
prepare for their ceremony, and acts as a place to relax as much as the wedding’s main participants will allow. When the ceremony begins, depending on the weather or preference of
those getting married, the event could happen either down at the pond or near a barn where
the wedding’s participants will traditionally come through to begin. Near the pond, the wedding
will take place at a white altar.
A covered open building near the vineyard is also available for those who want, or need, to
get married under the cover of the weather. Parties of up to 250 guests will easily be comfortable at Maple Lane Farms.
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JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
The Allandale Mansion
If you want to get married in a mansion, look no further than Kingsport’s Allandale Mansion, which sits on a 500-acre piece of property originally owned
by Harvey Brooks.
Along with the experience of being married in a mansion, participants also get to experience the history that goes along with it. The road where the
Allandale Mansion property sits is Old Stage Road, which has served as one of the most trusty historical thoroughfares between Tennessee’s state
capital and Washington D.C.
The building was constructed in 1852 and served as a homestead for the Phipps’ 12-child family until 1880 when it was eventually acquired by the
Brooks.
Since then, it’s served as one of Kingsport’s premier venues for weddings, with massive lawns and the bright white building serving as a backdrop or container of several hundred weddings over the years.
The Rustic Charming Wedding
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Weddings are an amazing
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423.631.0403 • www.olebarnrestaurant.com
JANUARY 2016
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2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
My Big
Fat Geek
Wedding
– By Jessica Fuller
When the big day rolls around, some couples prefer the nostalgic
sounds of 8-bit video game themes to wedding bells to welcome them to
the altar. From popping the question to the after party, couples are always
looking for ways to make their weddings special, and what better way to
do that than to incorporate the similar interests that brought them together.
Geek weddings have infiltrated traditional weddings whether it be weddings with fully-dressed role play characters or a subtle touch of popular
culture at the reception. Either way, geeky couples don’t shy away from incorporating the video games, books, movies, television shows and comic
books that brought them together in the first place.
When Atlanta couple Angela Webster-Musgrove and Eric Musgrove got
engaged, they knew they wanted to incorporate the video game series,
The Legend of Zelda, into their ceremony and reception.
While many aspects of the wedding were traditional, the dark green
and gold colored theme of the wedding is all too familiar for fans of the
franchise, and Webster-Musgrove said she worked with her planner to
incorporate do-it-yourself projects into the reception to mirror the theme.
“The game has been a huge part of our lives, we played it when we were
young and all,” Webster-Musgrove said. “We wanted the wedding to still
be traditional but have some subtle elements, that way the people that we
invited who knew nothing of the game would still think the wedding was
beautiful.”
Couples accepting the challenge of planning a geek wedding can scour
the internet for ideas and DIY projects on blogs, such as “When Geeks
Wed,” which offers ideas for every aspect in a wedding from just about
every piece of pop culture imaginable.
And of course, you can’t go wrong with Pinterest, which is chock full of
wedding ideas, geeky or not.
Even elopement can be geeked up for those not wanting the stress of
planning a wedding ceremony, like Pensacola couple Lori Williams and
Christopher Dunkel. After being together for 12 years and falling in love by
cosplaying together, the couple got hitched in New Orleans last month, but
not without incorporating some of their favorite characters to cosplay into
their wedding attire, X-Men’s Gambit and Rogue.
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“Cosplay is really a big part of our relationship,” Williams said. “We go to
(conventions) together and make our costumes together, and we usually
cosplay as couples who are like us in some way, so we wanted to incorporate it into our wedding.”
And for those who want just the subtlest touch of something geeky in
their wedding, the music in the ceremony is always a good way to incorporate some favorite movie or video game music on the way to or from
the altar.
And, of course, there’s nothing wrong with an after party including some
of your favorite movies, like Faith Rogers and her bridal party, who plan on
heading straight to the movie theater to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens in complete wedding attire.
“It’s perfect,” Rogers said. “How many other people get to say they went
to see Star Wars in a wedding dress?”
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Throwback Weddings
Nina York & Michael Marchioni were married on
August 8, 1981, at Incarnation Church in Queens
Village, New York. Nina was delighted to wear the
wedding dress that had been worn by her mother,
Frances DiMarco, on her wedding day, August 31,
1946.
The dress was made from the silk of a parachute
that her father, Stephen York, had sent home before returning from service overseas. Steve served
in the Infantry from May 1942 until September
1945. Frances selected the design for the dress;
and it was hand made by her sister, Josephine, and
other dress makers working in the New York City
area.
– Nina Paula Marchioni - Johnson City, TN
Ronald and Paula Gore married in Falls Church, Va.
on November 4, 1967
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We were married June 30, 1985 in Hollywood, Florida. At our reception, John’s Uncle Charlie toasted “Hope you have thirteen young’uns.”
Thankfully we had only two children (a son and a daughter). It rained
throughout the ceremony. There was a torrential downpour as we left the
reception going to our car. We were soaked as we drove away. That was
over 30 years ago and we are still happily married and very much in love.
In the photo: Left to right: Jesse Padgett (father of the bride), Beatrice
Helen Padgett (bride’s mother), Denise (Padgett) Taylor, John Taylor,
Linda Taylor, and Jerry Taylor
Kevin and Nancy Corey
1980
I am fortunate to have a photo of my great-grandparents from
their wedding day on New Year’s Day 1895. They were Daniel Zumbrum and Gertrude Lowe, and they were married in
Kentland, Newton County, Indiana. While Gertrude was born
in Indiana, her father, James Henderson Lowe, was born in
Greene County, TN; he moved to Newton County, Indiana in
1853 with his parents, and ultimately raised his family there.
– Debbie Crain - Kingsport, TN
Incenzo and Mary
Ippolito
Corey Ippolito Winery
We were married only three months
after we met. His family is in the funeral business, so it was fitting that
he took me to a cemetery to propose…asking me if I’d “like to be
buried in the family plot…” (I said,
“NOW?!?!?”) We’ve been married
and in the ministry 41 years.
The wedding took place at Asbury
Theological Seminary in Wilmore,
Kentucky on May 31, 1974. My
father, his brother, and my brother
each participated in the marriage
ceremony.
We are new residents of the area
since my husband was appointed
in June of this year as Senior Minister at First Broad Street United
Methodist Church.
We love living in the Tri-Cities area!
Hoping we can retire here!
This is our wedding photo taken on October 25, 1959
in Mineola Park on Long Island,New York. Nancy Frugoni wed George Miller in St.Aidan’s church in Williston
Park, L.I.,on the most perfect, beautiful autumn day. –
Nancy Miller
– Blessings, Beth Green
The photo is of the wedding of
Shirley A. Starnes and T. Richard
Harris, both of Kingsport, TN.
The wedding was held at Pleasant View Baptist Church on August 19, 1955. Minister was Rev.
Edwin Ketner. We recently celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary with a gathering at Hotel
Roanoke at Roanoke, VA. A portion of our honeymoon was spent
In Roanoke.
– Richard Harris
Lodge and Kathleen Evans - Married Corpus Christi Texas
JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
15
Throwback
Weddings
Kenneth “Pete” & Kathleen Cofer Jones at their
wedding in Bal Harbor, Fl on Oct. 8, 1976.
Carol Lee Hunt and Edward Clark Bowman
were married on December 18, 1964 at
Boones Creek Church of Christ. My grandfather, Russell Boone Clark was my best
man and Carol’s uncle, James Hunt, gave
her away because both of our fathers were
deceased. We celebrated our fifty first anniversary in 2015.
– Edward Bowman
Kathryn Elayne (“Kem”) Moore was
united before God in Holy Matrimony to
Jeffrey Alan Berry at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson
City on May 24, 1986, a date which we
learned later was, to the exact day, four
years after we had met during a production at Jonesborough Repertory Theatre.
During our honeymoon in Hilton Head, we
began planning our 25th wedding anniversary, when we would renew our vows.
It was there I even purchased the dress I
would wear on that far-away day. Twenty-five years later, on May 24, 2011, we
celebrated with a simple dinner at a local
restaurant. And we made notes about a
“renewal of vows” ceremony which would
take place later in the summer.
Two weeks later, we watched the sunset
together on our deck and made more notes. What a perfect evening it was, including time with
our children, and more time together later, reminiscing about our wedding and our lives together. Jeff had, just 3 years earlier, been appointed juvenile court director for Washington County,
where he made hundreds of new friends, both coworkers and client families alike.
Who would know (except God) that I would lose my sweet “Jeffers”, that my children would
lose their dad, that the county would lose a beloved official, only 48 years old, that same night,
June 8, 2011, to a massive heart attack, exactly two short weeks after that special Silver Anniversary that we never got the chance to fully celebrate?
But he left me with the most cherished of gifts – – two smart, successful, beautiful children
-- Elijah, 25, who now makes his living in California, and Marlee, almost 18, a senior in high
school. He also left everyone who was blessed to know him a treasure trove of happy, funny,
loving memories of our time with this special man, a gift we can always keep with us wherever
we go.
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JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
Mr and Mrs Ted Rastall. Hampton Baptist
Church June 9th 1961
Terry & Jane Ann Williams
Married March 21, 1970
Keystone Free Will Baptist Church by the
couples fathers - Rev. Roy Cooper & Rev.
Arvil Williams. Happily married for 90 years,
45 for him and 45 for her.
There are too many stories to tell about this
special day!
Elaine Bennett Overbay and Arnold Overbay, who live
in Elizabethton, were married Aug. 25, 1956 in Indiana.
Irene Veda Yarber and Robert Wayne Bennett, parents of Elaine Overbay, the
day before they eloped and were married on May 31, 1938 in Indiana.
groomsmens
gifts
– By David Floyd
Naturally, the bride and groom receive the most gifts during a wedding.
Some would argue it’s also important to recognize another group of essential wedding personnel: the groomsmen.
There are several websites out there that can help you with your search
for the perfect groomsman gift, but the most specialized website out there
would probably be www.groovygroomsmengifts.com. Here’s some quick
suggestions:
Caricatures
Looking for something personalized? Try getting your groomsmen an
item with their caricature printed on the side. You can purchase individual
caricatures, which on the Groovy Groomsmen Gifts website usually run
for $50; a body template caricature, a $30 gift that dresses up your friends
as their favorite characters; a $60 personalized Mug on a Mug, a caricature that is pasted on the side of a drinking glass; or you can purchase
a Groomsmen Group Caricature, which features all the groomsmen, for
$30. Groovy Groomsmen Gifts also offers personalized bobble heads,
which usually cost about $100. A customer service representative will get
in touch with you once the order is placed and ask for photos and a few
other details depending on the nature of the item. Definitely plan on ordering the gift several weeks ahead of time.
Movie Posters
Weddings are a common plot device in movies — think “My Big Fat
Greek Wedding,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Bridesmaids.” If
your groomsmen happen to be extreme movie buffs, it might be nice to
give them personalized movie posters. Groovy Groomsmen Gifts offers
multiple themes, including the poster for a raunchy Vince Vaughn-esque
comedy to a “Reservoir Dogs” inspired crime drama. Once the order is
placed, a customer service representative will call and ask for pictures of
the people who will appear in the poster and for details regarding how the
poster should look. Again, plan your order several weeks ahead of time.
Beer Growler
Nothing screams gritty, outdoorsman like a beer growler crafted out of
gunmetal. The Gunmetal Beer Growler from Groovy Groomsmen Gifts
holds 64 oz. of beer and can be personalized with a two-line message with
up to 15 characters on each line. If your groomsmen’s tastes are a bit less
rugged, you could also purchase them a simple glass growler personalized with a single letter. The glass growler costs $40 and the gunmetal
beer growler runs about $30. Think of it this way: if you buy your groomsmen beer growlers, you’ll definitely have something fun to do while you’re
waiting for the wedding ceremony to start. Just remember to buy some
beer. And drink responsibly. If your groomsmen are a classy bunch, you
could also buy them a classic, Prohibition-era flask. The glass container
holds up to 8.5 oz. and can be personalized with up to three initials. Standard shipping time for most beer containers is generally 8 to 12 business
days.
Bottle Opener
Weddings harbor a miscellaneous assortment of alcohol, and wouldn’t
it be a shame if you had all of this nice beer but nothing to open it with?
(Granted, you could just buy beer in cans, but bottled beverages just taste
better.) If you’re planning on putting together a bag of nice items to give
to your groomsmen, make sure to include a bottle opener; either a handy
portable opener, a wall-mounted one or — if you’re feeling really crazy
— both. The Leonardo DeCAPry-off, a wall-mounted bottle opener, runs
about $20, and the gift can be personalized with one line of up to 20 characters. Standard shipping usually takes 8 to 12 business days for delivery.
If you’re looking for something a bit more rustic, the Hand Forged Cap
Opener might be your style. They usually cost about $40 and can be personalized with up to 15 characters of text.
Gift Cards
Sometimes, considering all the hustle and bustle associated with weddings, it’s easy to forget your groomsmen. Sometimes a simple gift must
do. What’s the best kind of simple gift? One the recipient can choose. Buy
your groomsmen some gift cards! Obviously, it’s best to buy a card from
a convenient location — like Wal-Mart or Target — but a Visa Gift card
might be your best bet. These can be worth anywhere between $10 to
$500, depending on how much you love your friends. Visa Gift cards can
be used online and over the phone, making them far more versatile than
a common gift card.
JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
17
Rehearsal
dinner
how-to
Many couples find their wedding rehearsal
dinners to be relaxing respites from the whirlwind of wedding planning. Such dinners enable
the happy couple to slow down and enjoy themselves in a relatively casual gathering with their
closest friends and family members.
Rehearsal dinners typically take place in the
night or two before the wedding. The couple,
members of their wedding party, the parents of
the bride and groom and others involved in the
wedding typically attend this dinner. The couple
generally takes the time at the dinner to thank
everyone for their contributions to the wedding
and to offer some small gifts of appreciation. No
rules govern rehearsal dinners, so couples have
the freedom to plan the dinners as they see fit.
Rehearsal dinners often come immediately
after the ceremony rehearsal, when the wedding
party and the officiant go over the timing and
details of the wedding. Make arrangements with
the ceremony site and officiant prior to making
dinner reservations.
Parents of the groom traditionally host the rehearsal dinner, so they will be integral in planning the event. That means couples should
keep an open and gracious mind. Remember,
the rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to be a lavish
affair, and it can be customized to any budget or
preference.
Some couples feel that hosting rehearsal
dinners in casual settings can make the dinner
more comfortable for members of the wedding,
who can use the dinner as an opportunity to
mingle and get to know one another before the
wedding. This will help to tame nerves and enable the wedding party to loosen up and enjoy
themselves even more. Some people may be
more inclined to socialize and have fun when
they’re not worried about putting on airs.
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JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
Restaurants that have special meaning to the
couple often make for great places to hold rehearsal dinners. The bride and groom can suggest their ideas, but ultimately it is the person
handling the bill who has the final say. Couples
who want greater control over the rehearsal dinner festivities can suggest hosting it themselves.
Despite its name, the rehearsal dinner
doesn’t actually have to be a dinner, as couples
can opt for meals at a different time of the day,
like brunch or lunch. An earlier occasion gives
guests plenty of time to get home and rest up for
the festivities of the wedding to come.
Toasts are expected at the rehearsal dinner,
but they tend to be spontaneous, off-the-cuff
remarks. A couple with a good sense of humor
might not mind being roasted at their rehearsal
dinners. The bride and groom should expect to
say a few words of thanks to all in attendance,
but remarks need not be too formal.
Rehearsal dinners may even feature a little
entertainment. Tech-savvy parents may put
together a presentation with videos or photographs that chronicles the couple’s lives separately and their life together.
Rehearsal dinners provide an opportunity for
couples and their families to spend time together
before the larger festivities of the wedding pull
them in multiple directions. Plus, they set a fun
tone for the wedding weekend to come.
Make a second
wedding stand out
Couples planning to get married do so with the intention of spending the
rest of their lives together. Few couples exchange rings thinking divorce
or the loss of a spouse is in their future, but some marriages do end. Happily, that reality does not prevent many people from seeking happily ever
after once again.
A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that many people
who were married before are deciding to take the plunge a second time.
Four in 10 new marriages in the United States now include one partner
who was married before. Roughly 42 million American adults have gotten
married a second time — up from 22 million in 1980.
The Pew study also discovered that more men than women are likely to
get remarried. Around 65 percent of previously married men have a desire
to remarry, compared to 43 percent of previously married women.
Men and women about to get married for a second time can consider
the following tips to help make the day one to remember forever.
Serving the Tri-Cities for over 36 years
“Our commitment is to improve the
quality of our patients’ lives by providing
the best audiological care, with a promise
to never compromise the honesty or
integrity of our practice.”
- Dr. Daniel R. Schumaier
• Recognize that a second wedding is in no way less important than the
first. Couples should remember that this is still the first wedding for the two
of them as a couple and it should be seen as just as special as any other
wedding celebration. It’s easy for men and women marrying for a second
time to be hard on themselves, especially when thinking ahead to the gifts
that were given and the money spent by guests for their first marriage. But
a new relationship and love is worthy of a good party. Friends and family
who are supportive of you shouldn’t have reservations about helping you
celebrate.
• Don’t feel boxed in by old-school etiquette. Rules have relaxed with regard to weddings. Many couples put their personal imprints on their weddings and do not feel the need to conform to outdated expectations. You
don’t have to skip all of the frills of a first wedding the second time around
or head to the local courthouse and pass on another big wedding. Do
what feels comfortable to you, whether that means throwing a big party or
hosting a smaller affair.
• Let past experience serve as your guide. You’ve been married before
and can use that to your advantage. It’s likely you know what worked for
the wedding the first time around and which things you probably could
have changed or done without. Maybe you were stressed about having
everything go perfectly or feeling like you had to put on a show for guests.
As a more mature person this time around, you no doubt realize that sharing this special time with the ones you love is the most important wedding
component of all.
• Be open-minded with your wardrobe. Let the formality of the event and
the time of day when you’re getting married influence what you will be
wearing instead of perceived etiquette or family notions. It’s acceptable
to wear white again if you so desire. Plus, more mature couples have a
sense of what makes them look good, rather than opting for trendy outfits.
106 E. Watauga Ave., Johnson City
928-5771
www.johnsoncityhearingcenter.com
• Above all, have fun. Couples know what to expect the second time
around, so stress usually doesn’t stem from the unknown. You may feel
more relaxed at a second wedding, so let that ensure you have a great
night.
JANUARY 2016
19
OCTOBER
2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
Honeymoon
at home
– By Sue Guinn Legg
If a tight budget or demanding work schedule keeps
you close to home for your honeymoon, opportunities for a romantic overnight or weekend getaway are
here in the Tri-Cities or within an easy drive. And it can
make your wedding trip just as memorable.
The money, time and energy you save on travel can
be better invested in each other.
Luxurious lodgings for a local lovers’ retreat include
Johnson City’s Carnegie Hotel, the Historic Eureka Inn
in downtown Jonesborough and Kingsport’s Marriott
MeadowView resort.
Romantic offerings at the Carnegie include an overnight stay in the King Suite with rose petals, gourmet
chocolates and champagne, farm-to-table dining at the
Wellington Restaurant and pampering massage treatments for two at the hotel’s Austin Springs Spa.
At the Historic Eureka - a destination featured in
Southern Living magazine - each room uniquely couples antique furnishings with discreet modern conveniences. Historic art and photographs are displayed
throughout the inn. Outside are sitting porches and a
surprisingly secluded garden courtyard.
And at your doorstep are all the quaint and welcoming offerings of the thriving downtown historic district of
Tennessee’s oldest town.
The “Honeymoon Bliss” package at Meadowview
comes with deluxe accommodations, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne, breakfast for two
by room service or in the Meadowview restaurant and
a late checkout.
Just an hour away, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the foothills that surround it team with
opportunities for a romantic getaway and a near infinite
choice of honeymoon cabins, lodges and resorts, scenic beauty, outdoor adventure and entertainment.
Luxury cabins nestled in the most popular natural
area in the Eastern United States, packages, prices
and reservations can be perused at cabinsofthesmokymountains.com or details may be obtained by calling
877-23-SMOKY.
Resort and lodge packages often include special
discounts to the area’s most popular attractions and
can be explored at resortsandlodges.com/lodging/usa/
tennessee/gatlinburg-pigeon-forge.
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JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
Destinations
– By Nick Shepherd
Planning for a wedding can be tedious and stressful. Sometimes that
stress is only relieved after the nuptials are said and the new couple are
leaving for their honeymoon. Because no dream wedding is complete without the dream honeymoon.
Popular destinations for dream honeymoons include Paris, the Virgin Islands and Hawaii. Each destination offers unique things for newlyweds to
experience. If flying isn’t in the picture, all three destinations can be reached
by cruise ship.
Paris has long been a popular destination for couples. The City of Lights
offers honeymooners not only wonderful food and priceless art, but also
plenty of music, festivals and museums. Couples can visit famous landmarks such as the Louvre, Notre Dame and of course the Eiffel Tower or
take a stroll down the Champs-Elysees.
The U.S. Virgin Islands offers newlyweds a great venue for relaxing on
a Caribbean Island. St. Thomas and St. John’s make up the bulk of the
islands, with St. John’s offering a glimpse of what island life used to be like
since much of the land is undeveloped. Many of the island’s hilltops contain
houses for rent while the resorts are located near the bays.
When people think of dream honeymoons, images of Hawaii are immediately conjured up — gorgeous blue waters and beautiful beaches. But the
tiny island cluster has more to offer than just sand and surf, although those
are enticing enough. Kauai, Hawaii is known as a great adventure island,
offering honeymooners the chance to scuba dive, hike through rainforests
to hidden waterfalls or to go pig hunting.
Whatever destination is chosen, there is one important thing every newlywed must bring. Love.
Northeast Tennessee’s
Premier Historic Hotel
& Storybook Wedding Destination
grand ballroom
51 romantic guest rooms & suite
garden terrace
on-site upscale catering
event planning professionals
You write the story.
We’ll bring it to life.
111 n main street | downtown historic district | greeneville, tn
423-787-1000 | 800-223-2679 | www.generalmorganinn.com
JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
21
Considering Eyelid or Brow Surgery?
Before & Afters*
While some doctors or plastic surgeons
are qualified to perform cosmetic
eyelid surgery, you’ll probably agree
that it’s best to choose an ophthalmic
plastic surgeon like Dr. Jeff Carlsen,
Johnson City Eye Clinic. The Tri-Cities
only fellowship-trained oculoplastic
surgeon specializing in cosmetic eyelid
surgery, Dr. Carlsen has had extensive
training and his expertise in eyelid
surgery is second to none. Many
types of physicians perform
eyelid
surgery,
including
dermatologists, general plastic
surgeons, ear nose and throat
surgeons, even oral surgeons.
When choosing someone
to perform surgery on the
delicate area around your
eyes, finding a surgeon with
Dr. Carlsen’s unique expertise
just makes sense.
*Actual Patients
(423) 926-2200 • 110 Med Tech Park • Johnson City • (423) 929-2111
Wedding Day Transportation Tips
Couples must make many decisions when planning their weddings, including choosing transportation for guests to and from wedding ceremonies. Whereas couples once left guests’ transportation up to their guests,
nowadays it is customary to provide rides for guests so they can easily get
to and from their hotel and the ceremony and
reception safe and sound.
Many factors must be considered when
choosing transportation for wedding guests,
and the following are a handful of tips to make
the decision a little easier.
• Speak with your hotel before booking transportation. While professional shuttle services
are an option, couples whose guests will be
staying in a specific hotel or hotels should
speak with management of their hotels to determine if the hotels offer shuttle services for
guests. Many hotels provide airport shuttle
service to guests, and couples might be able
to use such services to get their guests to and
from their weddings and receptions. Hotels
may charge a fee to use their shuttles, but they
may offer discounts to couples whose guests
book an agreed upon number of rooms. An
added benefit to using the hotel shuttle services is that bus drivers won’t get lost looking
for the hotel.
• Find an option that won’t bust your budget.
Wedding budgets tend to be big, and couples
planning their weddings soon realize that
budgets can quickly be busted. When choosing transportation for your guests, do not feel
pressured to book especially lavish buses. So long as the buses are safe
and on time, guests won’t mind if they ride in a school bus or a fancy bus
worthy of a touring rock band. If you are concerned about the appearance
of a bus, ask if you can decorate the bus before the wedding to make it
more inviting.
• Comparison shop. Many companies cater to
couples looking for transportation for their wedding guests, and couples should explore all of
their options before committing to a particular
company. Receive formal estimates from several companies before making your final decision,
and speak to companies about matching offers.
When comparing companies, try to consider
both cost and quality. While the lowest estimate
might be the most budget-friendly, you should
choose the company that you feel is most trustworthy and capable of fulfilling your contract.
• Read the contract. Transportation contracts
should be gone over with a fine-tooth comb
before couples sign on the dotted line. Check
for hidden fees, such as mileage or overage
charges if the reception runs a little late, and ask
how much flexibility you might have with regard
to those fees. Make sure any agreements you
reach with regard to fees are written into the
contract before you sign it.
Transportation for guests is one of many
things couples must consider when planning their weddings. Make sure the option you
choose is both guest- and budget-friendly.
JANUARY 2016 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
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