Page 2 T Hursday, Januar Y 23, 2014

Transcription

Page 2 Thursday, January 23, 2014
The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Thursday, January 23, 2014 Page 3
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2014 Bridal Guide
The Winchester Star
Bridal show Sunday at Millwood Station
By ROBYN FONTES TAYLOR
The Winchester Star
WINCHESTER — Brides, grooms and their
families can mix business with pleasure during the annual Winter Bridal Marketplace.
The event takes place from noon to 4:30
p.m. Sunday at Millwood Station, 252 Costello Drive (across from Costco).
The business for bridal parties, of course,
is learning as much as possible from vendors
who will discuss different reception sites,
menu options, floral arrangements and honeymoon options.
But there’s plenty of fun, too, with numerous activities planned including games that
allow brides and grooms to compete for
prizes worth thousands of dollars by rolling a
dice, shooting quarters into a glass or popping balloons.
“We try to give them a fun event,” said
Nancy Craun, founder and owner of Blue
Ridge Bridal Shows and Encore Event Partners that puts on several bridal shows a year.
“It’s not just a bridal show but a fun event.”
Grooms can win a top prize of a free honeymoon offered by Alpha Voyages Inc. The
winning grooms the last couple of years have
chosen Hawaii as their honeymoon destination — and that’s with 20 destinations to
choose from, Craun said.
A contest for brides features a giveaway
from several businesses in the Kernstown
Commons shopping plaza. The winning
package includes four tickets to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, four one-hour massages at
Hand and Stone spa, four hotel rooms at
Country Inn and Suites, four welcome bas-
kets from Sante, plus a complete dinner for
six at Carrabba’s Italian restaurant.
But back to business ...
In the kitchen, Sodexo Catering will
demonstrate menu items and talk about wedding food.
A yoga expert will be on hand to discuss
classes to help the bride and her wedding
party release the tension that can build up.
“When a woman gets engaged she often
says she wants to look good and feel good on
See Show, Page 5
The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
A wedding planner can ease the stress
Metro Creative Connection
Planning a wedding is often both fun and
frustrating. While planning a party for friends
and family can be fun, couples can easily be
overwhelmed by the nuts and bolts of planning such a significant event.
Interviewing vendors, negotiating prices
and arranging for accommodations are just a
few of the many tasks couples must complete
before they can finally relax and tie the
knot.
The sheer volume of decisions couples
must make when planning a wedding is one
reason many men and women seek the services of wedding planners. The following are
some additional reasons couples might want
to ease their burdens and hire wedding planners as they get ready for their big day.
Planners are familiar with vendors
Wedding planners work for couples, and
while planners often recommend certain vendors, they typically work with whomever the
couples ultimately choose.
As a result, veteran wedding planners
tend to have worked with every florist, caterer, deejay, and venue in their areas. That
makes them an invaluable resource to cou-
Show
from Page 4
her wedding day,” Craun said. “And there are
tons of ways to address stress and address
health and one of the ways is with yoga.”
And for the first time, a wedding officiant
will be at the show to talk to couples who
aren’t having a church wedding but need
someone to perform the ceremony.
Fourteen venues will be at the show to explain the special attributes of their sites.
“It’s anywhere from extremely expensive
to extremely inexpensive,” Craun said.
Potomac Bridal of Hagerstown, Md., will
put on a show of bridal fashions.
Cost to attend the show is $6 for pre-registration, $7 at the door or $12 for two people
at the door. Brides can preregister at
www.blueridgebridalshow.com They can also register online for prizes.
An admission fee is necessary to keep
Millwood Station from getting overcrowded,
Craun said.
“One year, a person brought 14 of her
friends,” she said.
Brides can get a free ticket by clipping an
advertisement that has run several times in
The Winchester Star.
— Robyn Fontes Taylor
at r taylor@winchesterstar.com
Wedding planners hired shortly after a couple gets engaged will
be there to ensure couples stay on track, making decisions as
needed and not putting important decisions
off until the last minute.
ples who don’t know where to begin as they
start planning their weddings.
Wedding planners can save couples time
by suggesting couples avoid certain vendors,
whether it's because those vendors have
poor service records or they simply don’t fit
into a couple’s budget.
Wedding planners also can make recommendations based on what couples want. For
example, wedding planners may know which
deejays are best for more raucous receptions
and which ones are best suited for couples
who want a more formal affair.
Planners know pricing
Wedding vendors often leave room for negotiation when making proposals to prospective customers. Seasoned wedding planners
will know the going rates for various services, helping couples get the best rates pos-
sible and doing so with minimal effort.
In addition, planners might be able to negotiate directly with vendors they have
worked with in the past, removing one of the
biggest stressors of planning a wedding, the
negotiation process, from the list of responsibilities couples must handle before tying
the knot.
Planners remember the small details
Many couples who have large weddings
are getting married for the first time, and
there are bound to be details they overlook
along the way.
Seasoned wedding planners are far less
likely to overlook even the tiniest of details,
helping couples rest easy knowing that no
stone has gone unturned as their big days
draw closer and closer.
Planners keep you on course
The longer a couple’s engagement, the
easier it becomes to put certain decisions off.
But as the wedding day draws nearer, that
procrastination often turns into panic, as couples realize their options dwindling and decisions need to be made as soon as possible.
Wedding planners hired shortly after a
couple gets engaged will be there to ensure
couples stay on track, making decisions as
needed and not putting important decisions
off until the last minute.
Planners make the wedding day
less stressful.
Despite all the planning and preparation
that goes into their weddings, couples often
find their wedding days to be whirlwind days
that seem to fly by. Small problems on a couple’s wedding day have a tendency to be magnified, but a seasoned wedding planner can
address such issues before the couple is even
aware they existed. This makes the day
much more enjoyable for the bride and
groom and their investment in a wedding
planner that much more worthwhile.
2014 Bridal Guide
The Winchester Star
Lace is in, ‘Gatsby’ out in gowns
The Winchester Star
Brides who got engaged over the holidays
are already searching for their perfect wedding gown.
And that’s a smart move, says Maureen
Chandler, owner of Blush Bridal Boutique in
Haymarket.
It takes four to six months for a dress to
arrive at the shop after a bride places her order and then it takes two to three months for
the seamstress to get it fitting just right.
It’s best to start looking for the gown as
soon as possible.
Blush Bridal put on a fashion show to
show off the newest bridal gowns as part of
the Shenandoah Valley Bridal Expo held Jan.
5 at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club.
Chandler shared a few trends she’s seeing
now in bridal gowns:
The ‘Gatsby’ look is over
Designers may have found inspiration in
the visually stunning “Great Gatsby” movie
starring Leonard DiCaprio — but brides did
not.
Tr uthfully, the “G a t sb y ” look never
caught on with brides, Chandler said, although designers were really pushing gowns
based on vintage 1920s style.
“I’ve never had a single bride who asked
for a ‘Gatsby’ style,” Chandler said.
Caitlyn Colwell wears Bea, a fit and flare
dress that features beading on the fitted
bodice and a dramatic, layered organza
skir t.
Lace
But brides do want romantic gowns for
their big day and what could be more romantic than lace?
“Lace is huge right now,” Chandler said.
“About 75 to 80 percent of the dresses we sell
have lace on it.”
Yes, you can have sleeves
More brides are looking for gowns with
sleeves. And designers are listening by creating gowns featuring cap sleeves or even
some with sheer three-quar ter length
sleeves.
“I think moms especially want some kind
of covering,” Chandler said.
But brides with broader shoulders
shouldn’t pass over sleeveless gowns. A bride
may think she would look slimmer if she
chose a gown with more coverage, but a
strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline is
surprisingly flattering, Chandler said.
When helping a bride select a gown,
Chandler said she doesn’t abide by any rules
that limit certain gowns to certain body
types.
“I’m 5-foot tall and I wore a big ball gown,”
Chandler said of her own choice of wedding
dress.
Almost every designer came out with a
knockoff of the long-sleeved gown Kate Middletown wore when she married Prince
William, but no version sold very well.
“It was just too much coverage,” Chandler
See Gowns, Page 7
Elizabeth Snead wears Valerie, a strapless Venetian lace ball gown in an ivory and
oyster color combination. Lyla Smith wears a green flower girl dress with a wide sash.
Paige Baird wears Porscha, a sleek satin
mermaid gown with a sweetheart
neckline and flattering ruching
throughout the bodice and skirt. A belt is
added to this gown for extra bling and
waist definition.
The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Gowns
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& Formal Wear
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Jessie Shepard wears Loriana, a satin,
beaded trumpet gown with a
sophisticated scoop neckline. Flower girl
Ellie Smith wears a white flower girl dress
with beading and a simple sash.
Samantha Delach wears Rosa, an ivory
and soft pink mermaid gown with
exquisite lace overlay.
said.
Ivory is more flattering
Despite the tradition that brides wear
white, the truth is that most brides choose an
ivor y-colored dress. An off-white color is
much more flattering than pure white, Chandler said.
Bridal white is a stark white with a bluish
tint that doesn’t photograph well.
A few brides will select a pure white gown
because of religious reasons or if they’re marrying a military man who will be wearing
dress whites.
Chandler also stocks a couple of dresses
in pink or pale blue for brides who want a
more colorful option.
“And if a dress comes in gold, I will buy it
in gold,” Chandler said. “Because it’s flattering to the complexion.”
Create a custom look
Brides aren’t limited to the styles they find
on the racks. A bride can create the dress of
her dreams, by ordering a gown with a simple silhouette and then getting it embellished
it with all the beading and lace her imagination can picture.
Another way to add bling is by cinching
the waist with a belt, she said, adding that
belts are a big trend in bridal fashion.
Wedding party
Purple is still a popular color for bridesmaids, Chandler said, as the hue flatters almost everyone.
Alfred Sung and After Six create bridesmaid dresses in a deep purple that is a popular choice.
Silver or gray dresses make for an attractive wedding party especially when paired
with groomsmen attired in tuxes with light
or dark gray tones.

Blush Bridal Boutique is in Haymarket at
15125 Washington St., Suite 212.
The shop is open seven days a week (check
out hours at www.blushbridalboutique.com. Appointments are not necessary, but Chandler recommends setting up an appointment on weekends, which are typically busy. It can take a
bride up to three hours to find a dress she
loves.
“We don’t like to rush our brides,” Chandler
said.
The phone number is 703-753-8303 and
the email is info@blushbridalboutique.com.
Blush Bridal Boutique sells such designers
as Amalia Carrara, Carrafina, Casablanca, Eve
of Milady, Justin Alexander, Justin Alexander
Signature, Mori Lee Bridal, Robert Bullock
Bride and Sincerity Bridal.
Designers for mother of the brides and
bridesmaids dresses include After Six, Alfred
Sung, Andrew Adela, Carrafina, Jean De Lys,
and Landa Designs.
— Contact Robyn Fontes Taylor at
rtaylor@winchesterstar.com
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
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Meghan and Jeffrey Fisher married in September. She found her gown at Church Street
Bridal in Lynchburg. The nonprofit helps victims of domestic violence.
Shenandoah University graduate finds
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The Winchester Star
WINCHESTER — Most brides want to score a
good deal on their wedding gown, but one local bride’s purchase turned out to be a good
deed as well.
When Meghan Brown Fisher, 35, of
Winchester was planning her September
2013 wedding to Jeffrey Fisher she found her
dream dress at a Lynchburg store that helps
women and children in crisis.
Fisher found out about Church Street
Bridal from one of her bridesmaids, who had
attended Liberty University in Lynchburg
and knew of a store in town that carried new
wedding gowns at a fraction of the retail
cost.
Even better, the store was a mission of the
YWCA Central Virginia. One hundred percent of the money made from the purchase of
the gowns goes to help victims of domestic
violence.
“They don’t donate a portion, ” she said.
“They literally donate the entire amount.”
The dresses are samples and irregulars
See Dress, Page 15
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
“We Do....”
Wedding Receptions &
Honeymoon Suites
This Oct. 12, 2013, photo provided by Julia Bailey shows Shannon and Justin Peach,
riding in a carriage after their wedding in New Orleans. Shannon’s mom, Cheryl Winter,
spent $500 for Hartford-based Travelers Insurance to cover her daughter’s destination
wedding, where her biggest concern was a potential hurricane.
Wedding insurance
offers peace of mind
By MICHAEL MELIA
Associated Press
HARTFORD, CONN. — Worried about the
groom getting cold feet? There’s an insurance policy for that.
With the cost of the average American
wedding reaching about $26,000, insurers
have been selling a growing number of policies to protect against losses from extreme
weather, illness and, in one firm’s case, even
a sudden change of heart.
Cheryl Winter spent $500 for Hartfordbased Travelers Cos. Inc. to cover her daughter’s $50,000 destination wedding last October in New Orleans, where her biggest concern was a potential hurricane. The weather
cooperated, but the limousine never showed
up. Her daughter took a taxi cab to the
church, and they used the insurance policy to
claim the deposit money they couldn’t get
back from the limo driver.
“No one wants to be walking in the French
Quarter in a long gown and high heels,” said
Winter, who lives in the Houston area.
The insurance is offered by a small number of U.S. companies. Insurers declined to
provide data on the number of customers beyond saying they are growing steadily. It can
cover losses from issues ranging from
bankrupt wedding halls to cancellations
forced by unexpected military deployments.
Travelers, an insurance giant with annual
revenue of $26 billion, says issues with vendors account for about a quar ter of the
claims, with most of those related to issues
with photographers or videographers.
For Travelers, the policies will not make
or break the bottom line. But the wedding insurance it began selling in 2007 is also a way
to connect with a couple who might later
think of the company for home insurance and
other life milestones.
“It could be the beginning of a relationship
with a young couple,” said Ed Charlebois, a
Travelers vice president for personal insurance.
Wedsafe, backed by Aon, also offers wedding insurance, which differs little from the
specialty insurance that firms may offer for
other kinds of events and celebrations.
For parents concerned about a relationship souring before the exchange of vows,
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. offers change
of heart insurance. It’s been available since
2007, but the program administrator said the
fraud rate soared in the early years as policies
were bought for couples who were known to
be fighting. That coverage now applies only if
the bride or groom calls off the wedding
more than nine months beforehand.
“Coverage does not exist once you hit the
altar,” said administrator Rob Nuccio of R.V.
Nuccio & Associates. “The only ones who
were buying it were the ones who knew they
would have a claim.”
Our honeymoon suite overlooks the beautiful
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Tips on planning a destination wedding
won't be a possibility. Before choosing a locale for a destination wedding, research
flights, making sure that affordable flights
are available within spitting distance of loved
ones’ homes and that they won’t have to suffer through multiple connecting flights when
traveling to and from the wedding.
According to a study from XO Group Inc.,
creator of wedding Web sites TheKnot.com and
WeddingChannel.com, 350,000 destination weddings take place annually. Such figures reflect a growing trend of couples who want to
tailor their weddings to their own personalities, even if that means tying the knot in exotic or unusual locales.
But as popular as destination weddings
have become, couples who have had have
such weddings can attest that planning a destination wedding is not necessarily easier
than planning a more traditional ceremony
close to home. Though destination weddings
can make for memorable affairs, there are
some factors couples must consider when
mulling whether or not to have a destination
wedding.
Weather
Guest list
The XO Group study found that destination weddings have an average of 86 guests.
When sitting down to organize their guest
lists, many couples realize they have well
over 100 guests on their lists. Such couples
may find a destination wedding especially difficult to pull off, as resorts may or may not be
able to accommodate such a substantial number of guests.
In addition, couples who hope to invite
children to their weddings might want to reconsider a destination affair, as those youngsters' parents will have to foot the bill for additional airfare and accommodations and, depending on when the wedding takes place,
pull the kids out of school for an extended period of time.
Couples with smaller guests list might
find a destination wedding much more manageable than those whose guest lists crack
triple digits.
Nearly 350,000 destination weddings take place each year, reflecting a growing trend
of couples wanting to tailor their weddings to their own personalities, even if that
means tying the knot in exotic or unusual locales.
Another thing to consider is that the larger the guest list, the more likely many of
those guests will not be able to afford to attend or get enough time off from work to
make it to a destination wedding. Couples
who want to ensure all of their loved ones can
be there with them on their big days might be
better off avoiding destination weddings.
Accessibility
Accessibility is a common concern for
couples considering destination weddings.
Destination weddings typically ask guests to
travel far to attend the ceremony and reception, but there are ways to make that travel
less of an ordeal.
When choosing a location for their destination weddings, couples should consider
the cost and convenience of travel. Remote
islands are not very accessible, and as a result guests will likely have to pay a pretty penny for their flights and lodging.
In addition, the more remote a destination
wedding locale is, the less convenient getting
there figures to be. Nonstop flights likely
Weather is another factor couples must
consider before choosing to have a destination wedding. The XO Group study found
that 30 percent of American couples who
have destination weddings choose to tie the
knot outside of the continental United
States.
That’s a distinct disadvantage for couples
who likely are not very familiar with weather
patterns overseas. Couples who choose outdoor weddings close to home are often familiar enough with local weather patterns to
choose a wedding date that likely won’t be interrupted by harsh weather.
But choosing an overseas or distant locale
erases that comfort level, and couples may
find themselves worrying about storms or
other inclement weather conditions as their
wedding days draw nearer.
Before choosing a locale for their destination weddings, couples should thoroughly research each potential destination’s weather
patterns. Brides, grooms and guests alike
don't want to do all of that traveling only to
end up indoors because it just so happens to
be tropical storm season.
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Best to keep makeup simple
Few events are more photographed than weddings. Needless to
say, wedding participants, from brides and grooms to the couples’ parents, hope to look their best for the celebrations. Women often find
that well applied cosmetics can enhance their beauty and help ensure
they are picture-perfect.
The key to wedding makeup is finding a balance between application that will come across well in person and will look good in photographs. Professional makeup artists may understand just how
heavy a hand to use to apply makeup, but the novice do-it-yourselfer
may need some instruction to master wedding day makeup.
Very often the key to wedding makeup is simplicity. Brides want
their best features enhanced and have the makeup add to their beauty
rather than outshine it. Here are some other tips brides can employ in
an effort to put their best faces forward.
Start early
The key to wedding makeup is finding a
balance between an application that will
come across well in person and will look
good in photographs. A novice may need
some help.
Begin preparations a few days prior to the wedding. If you will be
enhancing your skin color with a spray-tan, do so at least two days
prior to the wedding. By the third day the color will set and appear
more natural.
The same idea applies to your brows. Tweezing, waxing and
threading can create irritation and redness. Have your brows professionally shaped a few days before the wedding and then do a minor
touch-up with your tweezer the night before. This allows your skin to
recover and redness to dissipate.
Moisturize
Start out with well hydrated and moisturized skin. Apply a few lay-
ers of moisturizer, preferably one with an SPF if you will be spending
time out in the sun. When the moisturizer is completely absorbed and
dry, use a skin priming product that will help keep your foundation
locked into place.
Match skin color
Match your foundation color to your natural skin color. When
these colors don’t match, your face may look like it is a separate shade
from your neck and decolletage. If you will be tanning, then find a
shade that matches the tanned color. A foundation that has slightly
yellow undertones will even out redness on the face and look better in
photos.
Apply the foundation thoroughly with a sponge or brush and be
sure to blend it well at your neckline. Set the foundation with a matte
powder.
Under eye concealer
Apply concealer to red spots or undereye circles after the foundation. Aim for a creamy, emollient concealer for under the eyes. A
peach color that will contrast with the purple and blue tones of your
eyelids. Putting on the concealer after the foundation means you will
probably need less.
Fill in eyebrows
Use an eyebrow pencil or powder to fill in your brows. This is a
must for your wedding day and can really help to frame your eyes. Use
small, light flicks of the pencil rather than long strokes to make the
color blend naturally. Use a brush to blend in further. Always go a
shade or two lighter than your natural color.
See Makeup, Page 15
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Jewelry trend is
‘something blue’
As weddings become more and more personalized to the bride’s own tastes, blue and
other colors have been making their way into
the bridal picture, both in decor and in jewelr y.
“In addition to our wide selection of pearl
and crystal jewelry for brides, we have seen
increased interest in sapphire and other colors like topaz for brides,” according to Jill
Maier, vice president of design at CAROLEE.
As the “jewelry destination for brides,”
CAROLEE has for decades had its finger on
the pulse of what brides want. Sapphire blue
stones are now a staple in their bridal collection, with stones set in silver and gold tone
metal.
Topaz stones set in gold have become
popular, and rose gold metal is another color
option that brides have gravitated to. These
trends also influence jewelry for bridesmaids
and every member of the bridal party.
While color is making news in bridal circles, pearls will always play a lead role in the
world of bridal jewelry. Classic styles like single and double row chokers, often mixed
with crystal, are truly classic and always appropriate for brides.
But there are now many modern twists,
both in design and in ways brides choose to
wear pearls.
Modern brides often personalize their
pearls by wearing bolder, longer styles, by
mixing and layering different millimeters
and by twisting, tying or knotting them.
The variations are endless with a 72’’
white pearl rope — a staple for any bride —
as well as any post-wedding wardrobe.
Crystal styles — teardrop earrings and
necklaces, delicate Y necklaces, chokers and
bracelets in floral designs — are also beautiful and popular choices among brides. They,
too, can be layered, mixed and matched with
pearls.
The bottom line is that brides are more
than ever expressing their personal style in
every aspect of their weddings. Jewelry selection is a wonderful way to do this because
it is a focal point that frames the face and will
live forever in glorious photos of the memorable day.
The CAROLEE Bridal Collection is available in fine department stores and at www.carolee.com. Like all of the company’s jewelry,
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$100 RESORT
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Dress
Makeup
from Page 8
donated by bridal boutiques in Virginia, Atlanta and New York City. One of the major
donors is Kleinfield Bridal (the New York
City boutique featured in the TLC show “Say
Yes to the Dress”), which sends along a shipment about once a month.
“They don’t even wait until the end of the
season,” said Sabrah Briers, a former member of the board of directors. “They are just
so loving and so giving.”
The shops also donate accessories and
veils.
With a strapless scoop neckline, Swarovski beading, crystal buttons and a pleated belt
featuring a rosette, the dress Fisher found
was perfect, she said.
“It was a real find,” said Fisher, who works
as an occupational therapist for Valley Health
Home Health. “It was $400 and worth every
penny.”
Most gowns at Church Street sell for $300$500 with a few high-end dresses going for
$700. These same dresses typically retail for
$2,000 to $2,500, Briers said. Many dresses
still have the original tags with prices attached.
The dresses are mostly sizes 8 and 10, but
the shop has received gowns in size 0 up to
size 32.
Church Street Bridal opened in the YWCA at 626 Church St. in downtown Lynchburg in 2004. The YWCA provides residential
and transitional housing for women and children escaping violent homes.
The shop is on the third and fourth floors
of the 1917 building with residential housing
for single women on the lower floors.
In the nearly 10 years the store has been
open, the shop has raised more than $1 million to help women in eight counties and two
cities in central Virginia, Briers said.
Fisher’s mother also found her dress at
the companion store, Church Street Bridal
Too, which opened in 2007 to sell bridesmaid
dresses, mother of the bride dresses and
prom attire.
Her mother paid $50 for her dress.
“Her accessories cost more than her
dress,” said Fisher, who came to Winchester
in 2000 to attend graduate school at Shenandoah University.
Even though the shop operates on a
shoestring budget, Church Street still gives
every bride the special attention they would
find in a high-end shop, Briers said.
“Every girl who comes through the door
is treated with love and respect,” she said.
Because they believe in the mission of
Church Street, Briers said, brides have flown
in from California, New Hampshire and New
York to look for a dress.
Briers doesn’t know of any other shop in
the country that sells donated dresses to
raise money to help women in crisis.
To Fisher, the drive down to Lynchburg
from Page 13
Use subtle eye makeup
Complement your lips and eyes. Many
brides like to play up their eyes on their wedding days. If you are going for a dramatic eye,
opt for a more neutral lip, and vice versa. Otherwise, you may look like you’re wearing
stage makeup.
Neutral colors look best for weddings and
will not appear dated in photos. Stick to subtle
browns and taupes for universal flattery on
most eye colors.
Use a light hand to apply a neutral shade
of light shadow all over the lid. Apply a medium brown to the crease of the eye and a darker brown to the very outer corner, and blend
thoroughly.
Photo Courtesy of Meghan Fisher
Meghan and Jeffrey Fisher married in
Middleburg. The bridal gown featured a
strapless scoop neckline, Swarovski
beading, crystal buttons and a pleated
belt with a rosette.
was not a hardship. Not only did she find a
dress she loved, but she’s happy she was able
to help out someone else.
“Everyone makes a big deal about the
bride and the dress,” Fisher said, “But there
are other things to think about.”
Church Street Bridal is open from 3 to 6
p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday. The phone number is 434-8477751. The website is www.churchstreetbridal.com
A very light shade of shadow can be used
directly under the browline and toward the
inside of the eye to make eyes appear wide
and bright. Stick with matte shades of eye
shadow, with the exception of one pearlescent shade that is lightly dusted right in the
center of the lid.
Getting dramatic lashes
Apply liner before mascara, and blend it
with a brush. Push the liner into the lashline
to make lashes appear thicker. Use mascara
to lengthen lashes. Place a makeup sponge
behind your lashes when applying mascara
so you don’t risk hitting your lids with the
mascara wand. Waterproof mascara will hold
up through tears of joy.
The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
One Website
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Zero Cost
Save yourself endless hours of searching
the web for the perfect wedding vendors –
You’ll find them all at:
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GINGER PERRY/The Winchester Star
Joyce McDaniel (left), owner of the Sweet Tooth Bakery in Winchester, and the
baker y’s manager, Angela Clark (right), talk with Rebecca Feathers, her mother
Tenncee Feathers and her sister, Staci Feathers of Frederick County, about wedding
cakes at the Winchester Bridal Expo at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club.
Bridal Expo
Brides along with their
family and friends
attended the
Winchester Bridal Expo
at the Shenandoah
Valley Golf Club on Jan.
5. Numerous vendors
shared their products
and services and Blush
Bridal Boutique of
Haymarket put on a
fashion show.
GINGER PERRY/The Winchester Star
Amanda Newlin (left) and Kristin Tesdall of Frederick County
ham it up in the Plan Bee photo booth. People can rent the
photo booth for special occasions, such as weddings.
Mallory Craig (left) of Strasburg talks with Andrea Harrison-Mongold,
manager and wedding consultant with Flowers by Snellings.
From florals to photography and everything in
between, you’re assured of receiving the best products
and services from our members. Visit our website to
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Staying warm
The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Jenny Packham gown
A sugar silk chiffon dress and cinnamon
wool coat with Swarovski crystals.
Badgley Mischka gown
A slim mermaid gown in over lace
with a romantic sweetheart neckline.
When the temperature drops,
brides need attractive coverups
By The Associated Press
NEW YORK, N.Y. — No bride has ever asked
designer Mark Badgley, half of the Badgley
Mischka duo, about incorporating a coldweather look into her wedding ensemble.
Coats and boots just aren’t the stuff of fantasy
wedding dreams, he says.
Reality sometimes doesn’t set in until
months later, when the forecast is real.
Ideally, though, it should be part of the initial conversation, and certainly by the first fitting, Badgley says, because being prepared
for the weather affects other decisions.
“I’d suggest making sure the church or
temple or wherever you are getting married
has a room to get dressed in, so you don’t
have to worry about getting into the place,”
See Warm, Page 18
The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Warm
Professional Wedding Photography
from Page 17
he adds.
Afterward — for the reception, photos
and the goodbye — try a cape, certain coats
and fur accessories.
Badgley and his partner, James Mischka,
favor the cape or capelet, allowing that they
won’t keep you as warm, but they’ll work with
almost any dress silhouette. Carrie Goldberg, associate fashion editor for Martha
Stewart Weddings, says it’s possible to find a
flattering coat, although a shorter shrug
would be easier to work with.
The gown’s neckline and hemline dictate
the outerwear, says Goldberg, and a sleeker
style allows more room for a coat. A ballgown
or a gown with a long train is the trickiest, but
there’s a bubbling trend in ready-to-wear that
works for weddings: satin evening coats.
Many of these have bell sleeves and swingy
trapeze shapes, both of which accommodate
a lot of fabric underneath, but are fancy
enough because of the fabric.
She’d probably choose something that
isn’t white — perhaps a heathered gray,
blush pink or icy blue — but white is OK, too,
if it been well thought out as part of the look.
In that case, the shades of the outerwear and
the gown should match, but a metallic sheen
or a bit of embellishment can camouflage
subtle differences.
Still, don’t go for too much glitz or overwhelming details on outerwear, Goldberg advises, because the focus should be on the
face. It’s the same advice she’d give about the
dress.
Mischka worries about a full-length coat,
however, because it can be bulky, covering up
that gorgeous gown and jeopardizing the silhouette. Fur would be his preference since it
keeps that glamorous vibe.
A shawl can risk looking messy, he says.
And there’s certainly no way to make
boots delicate. But sandals or open-toe shoes
are too far to the other extreme, and risk
looking silly when there’s snow. Pumps are
the middle ground.
Large indoor venues also can be cool in
the winter. The easy fix, Badgley says, is a sophisticated long-sleeve gown, and there are
many options out there now that are as romantic and sexy as a strapless. (Thank you,
Duchess of Cambridge.)
Goldberg has also seen “conver tible”
gowns, noting a recent bridal runway look
from Carolina Herrera with a detachable, reversible bolero that looks like a V-neck if you
wear it one way, a boatneck if you wear it another. Both ways you get sleeves and more
coverage. A short cashmere or angora texture would add delicate texture — and could
be worn again on a first-year anniversary as a
sentimental statement, she suggests.
Also think about the photos: Are they indoor or outdoor? Or does it depend on the
day? A pristine snowfall makes a beautiful
backdrop, says Mischka, but you can’t count
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Be sure to consult with
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SEW FITTING
Jenny Packham gown
An alabaster silk chiffon dress and wool
coat both embellished with leather
sequins and crystals.
on it.
If you are lucky to get that winter wonderland, his advice to brides is to put on your
best Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model face,
and grin and bear it. Goosebumps won’t
show up in the pictures, and you'll see the
gown in all its glory.
And, he says, “You should have your new
husband to keep you warm.”
“For when you need a perfect fit’’
Specializing in Alterations for
Bridal & Formalwear
Joy McInturff, Professional Seamstress
By appointment only
(540) 868-1022
102 Massie St., Stephens City, VA
––––––––––––––––––––––
SODEXO
CATERING
1460 University Drive
Winchester, VA
David Grumbacher,
Catering Director
(540) 665-4723
www.shenandoahdining.com
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HISTORIC HOME &
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(540) 667-5869
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BAKERY, INC.
(540) 667-6155
Nearly 30 years!
Cakes for weddings and all occasions,
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Take time to choose
right wedding date
Season
Many couples find themselves bombarded with questions the moment they become
engaged, and perhaps no question is more
common than, “When is the wedding?”
Although a number of couples would prefer to bask in the excitement of their engagement, some couples feel pressured to rush into picking a wedding date.
Choosing a wedding date without giving it
much consideration may make things more
difficult down the road.
Rather than jumping head first into any
decisions, couples should give thought to any
and all dates and decide if there are certain
times of the year they want to tie the knot or
avoid.
When thinking about potential wedding
dates, it helps to have a place to start. Some
couples find it helpful to start with a particular season and then narrow it down from
there. Decide if you prefer the lush greenery
of summer or the amazing color spectrum of
an autumn afternoon. Perhaps you envision
arriving at the ceremony with a snow-packed
landscape amid twinkling holiday lights?
Think about the season when you feel most
happy and then determine if that time of year
is doable.
Month
Certain months may seem perfect, but not
for busy professionals or those with limited
See Date, Page 20
2014 Special Event
Valentine’s Day can
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weddings, but
couples can expect
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venues due to that
popularity.
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Merging finances
isn’t always easy
Newlyweds often have a lot on their plates
upon returning from their honeymoons. One
of the more critical issues newly married couples must address is their finances and how
those finances will be combined going forward.
Combining finances can be a touchy subject for many couples, especially those who
had not given much thought to their finances
prior to tying the knot. But there are steps
couples can take to make the process of
merging finances go more smoothly.
Discuss finances early and often.
Allowing finances to be the elephant in the
room is a mistake, as couples do not want to
begin their lives together treading lightly
around an issue as significant as finances.
Couples should discuss their expenditures and spending habits as early as possible, as one of the biggest hurdles newly married couples must clear is coming to grips
with one another’s financial habits. If such
habits have already been discussed, then developing a financial plan will be much easier
once that time comes.
When discussing finances, define both
short-term and long-term goals and how
each of you can adjust your spending habits
to make those goals come true.
Pay off any debts.
The cost of weddings has skyrocketed
over the last several decades, and many newlyweds find themselves in a considerable
amount of debt upon returning from their
honeymoons. When merging finances, couples should prioritize paying down such debt,
as debt is a significant source of stress for
newlyweds and long-married couples alike.
Newly married couples with little or no debt
should avoid spending above their means in
the months after they get married. Such
spending is commonplace, as newly married
couples often want to fully furnish their new
homes or reward themselves for pulling off
their weddings. But new debt can be just as
stressful on a marriage as debt from the wedding, so avoid this potentially problematic pitfall by paying down existing debts with your
newly merged finances.
Open a joint account
to pay for mutual expenses.
Mutual expenses like mor tgage payments, food and utilities should be the responsibility of each partner, and a joint account should be established to handle such
expenses.
When opening a joint account, discuss
how much and how often each partner will
contribute money. One partner might earn
considerably more money than another, so
work out a reasonable agreement that details
how much each partner will contribute each
month, and whether such contributions will
be made on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly
basis.
Make concessions for one another.
When merging finances, couples often
discover that they don’t see eye-to-eye on
how each person spends money. Couples
who successfully merge their finances often
note the importance of making concessions
with regard to their partners’ spending on
certain hobbies or luxuries. As long as those
hobbies are not putting couples in debt or
jeopardizing their financial goals, couples can
make concessions so their partners continue
to be happy and enjoy their favorite activities.
Merging finances is an issue that looms
for many newlyweds or couples about to tie
the knot. Though it’s not always easy, merging finances early and discussing goals can
ensure newlyweds get off on the right financial foot.
Date
from Page 19
vacation time at their disposal. For example, early spring may not be good for accountants tallying year-end numbers.
Teachers may feel most comfortable tying
the knot in the summer when they already
have days off. If you run a pool business or
a lawn maintenance company, then the
summer might not be so good. Keep these
factors in mind.
Holidays
Some people would like to tie their wedding day to a particular holiday. Valentine’s
Day is popular for weddings thanks to the
romantic sentiments synonymous with the
holiday, while some couples prefer Halloween or Christmas weddings. Holiday
weddings can be exciting, but they also produce significant obstacles that couples who
choose to get married during other times of
year don’t have to worry about. Guests may
not want to travel or spend time away from
their families to attend a holiday wedding.
Having a wedding during a holiday may
mean competing for vendors and reception
spaces. Prices on everything from food to
flowers to airline tickets could be higher as
vendors cash in on customer demand.
Day of the week
It’s less expensive for couples to get married on Fridays and Sundays than Saturday
afternoons or evenings. Couples may think
that the money saved will be well worth it,
but they also should think about how this
decision may affect their guests. A Friday
wedding requires people to take off from
work or school. Sunday weddings may be
slightly more convenient, but those who
have to get back to work on Monday may be
tired from late-night festivities. Couples
should anticipate some guests not making it
to their weddings when those weddings are
not on Saturdays.
Religious constraints
Couples having religious ceremonies
should consult with their houses of worship
as to which dates are acceptable. Some will
not have weddings on days of religious observation. It is wise to consult with a church,
synagogue or mosque before booking any
other components of the wedding so that
you are certain your chosen day is acceptable.
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
A groom’s guide to wedding planning
By DAN ZEVIN
Associated Press Writer
Generations ago, planning a wedding was
100 percent the bride’s job, but in today’s age
of gender equity, it’s a mere 99 percent.
Yes, we modern men are more involved
than ever, but many of us are still left wondering, “How can I take a more active role in
the stress and panic of planning the happiest
day of my life?” Gentlemen, you’ve come to
the right guy.
Groom Job 1: Plan the menu
When it comes to cuisine, the crucial
question is: cash bar or open bar? Once
you’ve chosen the latter, tackle other meal-related matters. Will you keep your open bar
open throughout the reception or for the first
hour only? (Hint: throughout the reception.)
What about hors d’oeuvres? Will your guests
be sipping them through bottles, glasses or
cans? Remember, you can’t please everyone.
Therefore, it’s best to inscribe BYOB under
RSVP on your wedding invitations. You may
also want to consider serving some food.
Groom Job 2: Book the music
Wedding musicians are expensive, so cut
costs by asking your groomsmen to lip synch
and air guitar to a playlist you’ll download
from iTunes.
Alternatively, you can hire a deejay. A deejay is an individual who sees your wedding as
an opportunity to act out his fantasies of being Eddie Van Halen, Rock God, by dancing
in place to all his favorite hits.
Remind him that it is your special day, not
his. Inform him that the song you’ve chosen
for your first dance isn’t actually “Hot For
Teacher.” Request that he blend into the
background, perhaps by streaming his set to
the dance floor from his booth in the banquet
hall boiler room.
Groom Job 3: Manage the guest list
Tradition dictates that the groom cut everyone off his list to make more room for his
bride’s list. This is easier than it sounds. Just
review all the people on your list and think of
one reason not to invite them.
Let’s start with your best man, “Bob.” Remember that time “Bob” borrowed your drill
and returned it without recharging the bat-
tery? Put a big red slash through “Bob’s”
name right now. Before you know it, the only
one left on your list will be you. To demonstrate what a generous husband you’ll be, cut
yourself from the list, too. Dude, you’ll be
spending the rest of your life with your bride.
Is it really going to kill you if you’re not together on one lousy day?
Groom Job 4: Help register for gifts
From the male point of view, there are
three kinds of gifts: 1. things you already
have; 2. things you don’t need; and 3. bowls.
To help your guests select stuff you actually
want, you may be tempted to register at offbeat places like Sports Authority and Home
Depot.
This is fine as long as you realize that no
one’s going to get you anything from these
places. They are going to get you bowls. So
go help your bride pick out punch bowls,
bisque bowls, bowls to hold other bowls.
If you don’t, you'll miss out on the most
rewarding groom job of all: returning them
for a full cash refund as soon as you get back
from your honeymoon.
Groom Job 5: Plan the honeymoon
Choosing a destination typically falls to
the man, which explains why many couples
are slapped with steep penalty fees upon canceling their flights to the National Baseball
Hall of Fame.
Remember, your honeymoon is a time to
rest, to recuperate, to experience the phenomenon of everyone being uncharacteristically nice to you.
Groom: Excuse me, flight attendant, do you
think we can have two peanuts instead of
one?
Flight Attendant: What does this look like,
Chez Panisse?
Groom: We are on our honeymoon.
Flight Attendant: Right this way to first
class, you adorable honeymooners! Do you prefer Moet or Veuve Clicquot with your caviar?
Here's to the happy couple!
Dan Zevin is the author of “The Nearly-Wed
Handbook: How To Survive The Happiest Day of
Your Life” (Kindle edition 2013) and “Dan Gets
a Minivan” (Scribner, 2013), among other
books. The 2013 winner of the Thurber Prize for
American Humor, he can be reached at
www.DanZevin.com.
Photo provided by Alana Mallon
Jim Mallon (wearing tux) enjoys singer Gedeon McKinney and the Uptown Swing Band
he hired for his wedding to his bride, Alana Mallon, during the reception in New
Rochelle, N.Y. Modern men are getting more involved in wedding planning.
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Store Hours:
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
It may make more sense to buy a tuxedo
History of
the tuxedo
The origins of the modern tuxedo remains a topic for debate, but
one of the more widely known tales
of the tuxedo’s beginning traces this
classic look to a wealthy tobacco
magnate of the 19th century.
Pierre Lorillard lived with his
family in a residential colony called
Tuxedo Park, which was roughly 40
miles northwest of New York City.
The Lorillards were popular in
social circles, and Pierre helped establish the area as a prime hunting
and fishing destination. Lorillard also developed a social organization
called the Tuxedo Club, which regularly hosted balls.
At the time, men wore dinner
jackets with long tails to formal
events. However, Lorillard wanted
something different and modern,
and he commissioned a tailless
black jacket to wear to the Tuxedo
Club’s Autumn Ball. Lorillard got
cold feet in time for the ball and did
not wear the shorter jacket.
However, his son, Griswold, did
wear the short jacket and received
much praise. Soon the style was
copied and worn invarious social
circles across the countr y. The
“tuxedo” was born, and soon became a timeless classic.
Gentlemen getting ready to tie the knot
will have to make certain wardrobe choices
so they look their best on their big days. Although many grooms-to-be rent tuxedos on
their wedding days, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a tuxedo.
Tuxedos are the ultimate formal wear for
men. Worn at formal gatherings like proms,
weddings and lavish parties, tuxedos have
undergone several style changes over the
years. Men interested in looking polished will
find no option makes that impression more
convincingly than the right tuxedo.
Men frequently called upon to attend formal events may find purchasing a tuxedo is a
wise investment. There are several advantages to owning a tux rather than renting one
time and again.
Tuxedos typically cost around $1,000,
whereas renting tuxedos can be $200 or more
each time, making it advantageous for men
who frequently don tuxedos to purchase their
own rather than rent.
Another advantage to owning a tuxedo is
the opportunity to wear a tux that is custommade and tailored just for you. Instead of a
rental that will merely be stitched temporarily
to fit your measurements, a tuxedo you purchase will be tailored specifically to your
body, increasing comfort and making you
look better as well.
Men who buy their own tuxedos also can
choose the style, fabric, color, buttons, accessories, and type of lapels on the jacket. A tuxedo store may have more styles available for
sale than for rent. If you desire something
that fits your personality and your physique
perfectly, buying your own tuxedo may be
your best bet.
Men worried about purchasing a tuxedo
only to see their waistlines increase or decrease should keep in mind that many tuxedo
shops offer free tailoring for as long as you
own the tuxedo.
When purchasing a tuxedo, men should
choose classic styles and colors so they can
enjoy the tux for years to come. Opt for a slimfitting white shirt underneath that won’t billow out when jackets are removed.
Men who want to break from tradition can
opt for a shirt that is a pale blue or light gray
to wear under the jacket. This is still an understated look, but one with a hint of creativity.
A classic, black bow tie is an ideal match
when purchasing a more classic tuxedo. The
bow tie is back in a big way, and men who
want to spice things up can purchase more
traditional neckties for those occasions when
they don’t want to wear bow ties.
Tuxedos come with different lapel styles,
and it’s important to know the differences.
Today’s most popular style is the notch
lapel, wherein a triangular indentation is cut
where the lapel joins the collar. This lapel
mimics the shape of a classic suit. A peak
lapel is the quintessential classic, featuring a
broad, V-shaped lapel that points up and out
just below the collar line. A shawl lapel is a
smooth, rounded edge lapel. The shawl lapel
reached the height of its popularity in the
1950s, but it can still look good today.
This is an example of a notch-lapel
tuxedo, which has become the most
popular style in recent years.
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2014 Bridal Guide
Keep your energy up during long day
A couple’s wedding day is the culmination
of months and months of planning. For most,
it is one of the most memorable, magical days
of their lives, filled with fond moments of time
spent with close friends and family.
As enjoyable as a wedding can be, most
brides and grooms who have already tied the
knot can attest that a wedding is a long, often
tiring day. It is very easy for energy levels to
wane. To ensure you have enough energy to
last through to the final good-bye of the
evening, follow these suggestions to remain
energized.
z Recognize your wedding day is a very
long day. It’s possible to rise quite early in the
morning to begin prepping with makeup,
hair styles, wardrobe and more. If the party is
an evening reception, it could last until the
wee hours of the night. You may find yourself
up for nearly 24 hours, when the cameras will
be flashing and the video rolling throughout.
Naturally, you’ll want to look your best
throughout.
z Get a good night’s sleep the night before. Get to bed early the night before so you
will get ample sleep and look rested. It is understandable that ner ves and excitement
may get the best of you and make it difficult
to fall asleep. If you often grow anxious and
struggle to fall asleep before big events, talk
to your doctor prior to the wedding to ask if
you can be prescribed a one-time-only sleeping pill that will ensure you get to sleep
promptly. Do not take this medication with alcohol, and be sure to take it only if you can
get a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Otherwise you
may experience medicine hangover.
z Enjoy a hearty breakfast. At breakfast
on the morning of your wedding, consume a
combination of carbohydrates and protein.
The carbs will provide the initial burst of energy you need to get going, and the protein
will keep you feeling full. A combination of
whole wheat toast, fresh fruit and Greek yogurt makes for a filling start to the day.
z Stay hydrated. Although drinking a lot
of water can result in more frequent trips to
the bathroom — which can be cumbersome
for brides wearing their gowns — it is essential to stay hydrated. Dehydration can result
in headaches, weakness and dizziness and
may make you feel cranky. Be sure to consume water throughout the day.
z Pack some snacks. The time between
breakfast and the cocktail hour of a wedding
may be significant. In your wedding “survival” kit, be sure to pack some easy snacks to
eat. Trail mix can be nibbled for a boost of
energy, and a banana can take the edge off of
hunger pangs. Avoid anything messy that
can drip onto clothing or get stuck in your
teeth. Arrange to have snacks stowed in the
limousine or another mode of transportation
so that you can refuel on the way to the ceremony or in transit to the reception.
z Don’t overdo it with caffeine. It may be
tempting to lean on an energy drink or a super-size cup of coffee to give you the boost
you need. But caffeine is only a temporary
fix. After the effects of the caffeine wear off,
you could find yourself more tired than before and crash at an inopportune time during
the day. Instead, a brisk walk outdoors may
recharge your batteries. After ward, time
spent on the dance floor enjoying the reception will likely stimulate some adrenaline to
keep you going.
z Eat dinner. When family is beckoning
and the photographer needs to get yet another pose, it is easy to skip dinner. Be firm with
your decision to enjoy your meal. After all,
you paid for it and it should not go to waste.
Besides, sitting down to dinner enables you
to rest and absorb the atmosphere of the
wedding.
Remembering to eat well and drink plenty of fluids can help a couple stay energized
throughout their wedding day.
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2014 Bridal Guide
The Winchester Star
Guest favors with
a creative touch
By LISA A. FLAM
By The Associated Press
Jillian Mackey had seen wedding favors
that seemed like an afterthought, and she
knew she did not want to give one of those —
an impractical trinket that would likely get
tossed in the trash or thrown in a drawer.
So during her year-long engagement to Jason Simms, the couple picked blackberries,
strawberries and rhubarb in Oregon, where
they lived; gathered cactus pears in New
Mexico, where he grew up; and plucked blueberries and apricots when they relocated to
her home state, Connecticut. By the time
they married on Aug. 2 in New Haven, Conn.,
the bride, who learned to make jam as a girl,
had turned their bounty into dozens of jars of
jam for their 135 wedding guests.
The idea was to create a favor that was personalized and different, “something I could
really feel came from us as a couple, that we
had actually put time and effort into,” Jillian
Simms said.
The wedding favor — that little thank-you-
4th Annual
for-coming gift — has risen to new heights.
“It’s not just Jordan almonds and chocolate truffles anymore,” said Jennifer Condon,
wedding style and registr y director for
Brides magazine. “It’s anything that’s meaningful to the bride and groom. It’s really anything goes with favors.”
With so many choices, made even more
numerous with personalization and online inspiration, favors have become more specific
to the couple, their wedding theme or the
venue.
“It used to be more tchotchke-type items
— candles, bottle stoppers, picture frames —
just really generic things that you can get in
bulk easily without putting too much thought
into it,” said Amy Frugoli, a wedding planner
in San Jose, Calif. “And now it’s more personalized, well-thought-out and usable items.”
Great favors nowadays include food and
photos — things that guests can enjoy immediately and that aren’t “going to clutter their
house,” said Frugoli, who also co-owns a
sweets company.
See Favors, Page 25
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presents for weddings and bridal showers. The wedding favor, that little thank-you-forcoming gift, has risen to new heights with the bride and groom giving guests a wide
range of favors that are meaningful to them.
The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Cupcake Novelties photo
SUPER9STUDIOS.COM, IRENE LIEBLER/The Associated Press
Jillian and Jason Simms made homemade jams to give as favors.
Peacock feather cupcakes to be given as favors.
Cupcake novelties photo
Cake pops decorated in bride and groom colors.
Favors
from Page 24
When the party is over, guests can find
bags and containers to fill with decorated
cookies, candy from a colorful buffet, popcor n in fun flavors or the fixings for
s’mores.
“It goes back to a nostalgia thing,” said
Frugoli. “People are looking for a lot of comfort food and fun things.”
Baked goods — cake pops, pie pops and
cupcakes — can be decorated to fit a theme
or color scheme.
Heartier fare, like pizza and crepes, is
sometimes served up after a night of drinking
and dancing.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of people doing a
food truck at end of the night,” Condon said.
“As guests are leaving, they can pick up a
midnight snack for the ride home.”
Foodie couples may give a gourmet gift,
such as an herb-infused salt or a small bottle
of wine, or vinegar or olive oil in a distinctive
flavor.
Couples with a cooking specialty might offer homemade goodies, often with custom labels and packaging. Frugoli recalls a groom
who made his famous barbecue sauce; a couple that gave honey, and another that did marinated olives.
“If there’s something they’re known for or
they do well or they want to share with people, I’m seeing them make their own stuff,”
she said.
Instant gratification also comes by way of
the photo favor, a strip of pictures from a photo booth, an instant photo that gets popped
into a frame, or a flip book made from a short
video taken at the event, sometimes with silly
props.
The bridal couple often gets a copy of the
images too. “They get to see everybody, like
Grandma in a moustache and glasses,” said
Fr ugoli.
A favor can also do double duty.
“Instead of one large centerpiece, a bride
will do eight tiny little vases that create a centerpiece together, and each person takes one
home as a favor,” Condon said. Or there
might be picture frames holding the table
numbers.
Frugoli has seen couples grow “braver,”
more willing to eschew tradition and give
what feels right to them. Those with an outdoor ceremony in a cool setting might give
fleece blankets; others might hand out hangover kits with mints and pain reliever. Or they
can customize a drink cozy or tin of tea.
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“They feel happy giving those things out because it has a purpose. The guests are happy
because they are getting something fun, cool
and unique.”
As she labeled the half-pint jars of jam with
her guests’ names and table numbers,
Simms, 30, gave each guest a flavor she felt
would be special to them.
“I got a really good reaction,” she said.
“Each person had something that was clearly
made just for them.”
And how does Frugoli know that guests
appreciate these modern favors?
“They actually take them,” she said. “You
can always tell when it’s a bad favor when you
find a bunch at the end of the night.”
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Do’s and don’ts of
etiquette for guests
By LISA A. FLAM
Of Tiffany Schutt’s 250 wedding guests,
one surely stood out.
Not only was she not invited, but the
young guest, a relative with whom the couple
wasn’t particularly close, turned up in a white
dress – a short and sexy one at that.
In fact, she was one of five uninvited relatives whose names were added to invited
guests’ response cards. Schutt, who married
in Indianapolis, was flattered but also in disbelief that they so badly wanted to attend.
“We are very laid-back, thankfully, so that
day I took it in stride,” she said. “It just
seemed not to be the best etiquette.”
When it comes to manners, experts say
wedding guests do well overall but are still
causing headaches on a few fronts.
“The No. 1 thing that I hear about from
frustrated brides is guests not RSVPing, not
RSVPing on time or RSVPing for more than
one person,” said Anna Post, great-greatgranddaughter of Emily Post and co-author
When guests treat the RSVP card
like a write-in ballot, a phone call
is in order, so they understand
that their date or child was not
invited, says author Anna Post,
great-great-granddaughter of
Emily Post.
of the new edition of “Emily Post’s Wedding
Etiquette” (William Morrow). “It’s all about
the RSVP.”
Blame it on the relaxed culture, busy lives
or the hope of a better Saturday night offer,
but some people just can’t get it together to
mail the response card back. And don’t get
brides started on the guests who say they will
attend, only to end up as no-shows.
“People have gotten casual about this,”
Post says. “When it comes to the wedding
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2014 Bridal Guide
Etiquette
ing photo to be all over Facebook before she
gets to look at her wedding shots,” Blum
said.
Photos aside, phones detract from the ceremony.
“If you’re so busy tweeting and Instagraming, you’re not paying attention,” Blum said.
“It’s almost a cosmic faux pas. People want
your energy with them and focused on what
they’re doing.”
Blum, who planned the nuptials for LeBron James and George Soros, says couples
can try to head this off by including a note in
the welcome gift or on the program. The officiant or best man can make an announcement, or you can place a sign at the entryway.
Keeping guests from snapping away at the
reception, though, may be a losing fight, Post
says, though couples can ask guests to refrain from posting the photos online.
“I would pick and choose your battles,”
she said. “The ceremony is the right place to
focus.”
Other do’s and don’ts for guests:
from Page 26
they think, it’s not a big deal. I’m just one person, it’ll be fine. And it’s really not. It’s a lot of
money and a lot of stress for the couple.”
Brides and grooms might want to add a
cushion of a week or so before they have to
give a head count to the caterer or venue so
they can chase people down.
“The key is to keep the frustration out of
your voice,” Post says. “It can’t be those sweet
words with a nasty tone because that defeats
the purpose of wanting to invite them in the
first place. You can’t say, ‘I’m so annoyed with
you, you’re uninvited.’”
New York wedding planner Marcy Blum
suggests adding an enclosure with the invitation listing an e-mail address people can use
to RSVP or ask questions.
Brides put thought into addressing their
invitations, which spell out exactly who is invited. When guests treat the RSVP card like a
write-in ballot, a phone call is in order, Post
said, so they understand that their date or
child was not invited.
Some parents don’t like leaving their children home, but experts urge couples to resist
such pressure.
“Do not cave to this, because it’s completely unfair to all the guests who do find child
care and respect your wishes,” Post says.
Besides RSVPs, another etiquette trouble
spot is smartphones – in particular, those
guests who crowd the aisle to take pictures
and then post the images online before the
ceremony is even over, scooping the couple’s
wedding photographer.
Dress
THE EMILY POST INSTITUTE, SABIN GRATZ/The Associated Press
“The No. 1 thing that I hear about from
frustrated brides is guests not RSVPing,
not RSVPing on time or RSVPing for more
than one person,” says Anna Post, greatgreat-granddaughter of Emily Post
“A bride is very particular about how she
looks at her wedding, and she does not want
the photo that isn’t the most possible flatter-
Don’t be too informal, and avoid wearing
anything that’s too sexy, too over-the-top or
too white. Blum notes a resurgence of wom-
en wearing white to weddings, and says
brides don’t appreciate that.
“For many, many years it was never an issue because etiquette was stricter all around,
so people didn’t do it,” Blum said. “Now that
things have loosened up a bit, that is something that brides still get very upset about.”
Gifts
Some regional traditions may call for
bringing the gift to the wedding, but experts
say that in general they are best sent ahead of
time, avoiding the possibility of theft and the
hassle for the couple of hauling them home.
Behavior
Arrive early, and stay to dance, mingle and
converse at dinner. “Being social and engaged is one of the best ways to be a good
guest, along with not getting too drunk, or
drunk period,” Post says.
Toasts
Toasts to the couples can get out of hand if
guests, sometimes tipsy ones, start asking for
the microphone. Proper form says guests
should not speak unless they are asked or receive permission.
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2014 Bridal Guide
The Winchester Star
Popping the question — in elaborate style
Hopeful grooms, it seems, are increasingly willing to put
in time, effort and money to impress their significant
others (and, perhaps, YouTube viewers). Last year, 36
percent of brides told popular wedding site the Knot they
received a public proposal, up from 32 percent in 2009.
By MEGAN MCDONOUGH
© 2014 The Washington Post
Fireworks, a flash mob and a full orchestra. It’s not the latest Beyoncé concert; it’s a
marriage proposal in the 21st century.
Forty years ago, an over-the-top proposal
might mean a fancy restaurant, a sparkly
rock and a dropped knee.
But a recent public marriage proposal
trend, fueled by social media and YouTube,
has put increasing pressure on proposers to
turn their private, intimate moment into an
elaborate and very public production. Now,
with a click of a button, over a million of your
closest “friends” can tune in and witness your
big, unique, romantic gesture.
2013 brought a wide range of ornately orchestrated proposals: from a Home Depot
flash mob to an on-air news anchor proposal
to drone-delivered rings and even a Harry
Potter-themed scavenger hunt. Rapper
Kanye West also followed suit, planning a
costly, Jumbotron proposal featuring a 50piece orchestra to woo reality star girlfriend
and now fiancée Kim Kardashian.
Hopeful grooms, it seems, are increasingly willing to put in time, effort and money to
impress their significant others (and, perhaps, YouTube viewers). Last year, 36 percent of brides told popular wedding site the
Knot they received a public proposal, up from
32 percent in 2009.
People are also excited to spread the happy news instantly. According to a 2012 survey
by Men’s Health and the Knot, 12 percent of
women admitted to posting a photo of their
engagement ring and changing their relationship status to “engaged” on Facebook before e-mailing and texting friends with the
news.
In recent years, entrepreneurs — especially those involved with event and wedding
planning — have realized the potential of this
market. Michele Velazquez, 34, was inspired
to start offering personalized proposal planning ser vices through her Los-Angeles
based company, the Heart Bandits, after a
not-quite-ideal engagement in 2010. Her husband Marvin, although clearly well intentioned, proposed to her on a dinner cruise (“I
don’t like boats”), forgot to plan for a photographer to capture the critical moment and
failed to plan a celebration for after she said
yes.
She asked him what resources, if any, he
had used to help plan the big event. When he
sheepishly replied none, a business was
bor n.
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between $3,000 and $5,000 on their big moment. The cost can surpass $10,000 with special add-ons and upgrades, including photographers, videographers and musicians.
“Sixty percent of the clients don’t have an
idea or they don’t have enough confidence in
their existing idea,” says Velazquez, “and the
other 40 percent are busy professionals and
executives who don't have the time to execute the plan.”
The pressure to top other extravagant proposals has created some unrealistic expectations, both for the proposer and the proposee, and can lead to competition among
friends. “There are always men who want to
outdo each other and women who want the
biggest and the best,” Velazquez says. “Now
we want more, that's our culture.”
For many, it’s about having a fun story to
tell when, inevitably, they are asked by
friends and family about the proposal. “You
don’t want to tell them that he proposed over
KFC,” Velazquez joked.
Justin Baldoni, a 29-year old filmmaker,
wanted to make a remarkable and memorable tribute to his longtime girlfriend Emily
Foxler, and produce a memory that their future children might enjoy. He enlisted the
help of more than 100 friends and family to
express his love in the best way he knew how
— through film.
More than eight million people have
viewed the 27-minute YouTube mini-movie,
which Emily described as “an emotional
roller coaster.” It features three music videos,
a home video montage, a car chase and a
flash mob, culminating in a traditional proposal with Justin dropping to one knee in
front of immediate family.
“The biggest expectation I had was for
myself,” Justin says. “I’m a very grand-gesture guy. I love love; surprising her and trying
to make things romantic since we started dating.”
See Proposal, Page 29
The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Proposal
from Page 28
“It would’ve been special even if it had
been super small and him just literally getting
down on one knee and asking me,” Emily
says. “It may seem over-the-top to others, but
to us it makes perfect sense. This is Justin’s
art. If he was a painter, he would have painted
me an amazing painting to show his love.”
The L.A.-based couple is quick to assert
that although the proposal was perfect for
them, a public proposal is not for everyone,
nor should one be expected. “Women get
anxious and antsy and then they see proposal
videos and they just put pressure on their
men, which takes the creativity and fun out of
the whole situation,” Justin says.
James S. Walker, a global digital manager
at the nonprofit the Nature Conservancy, decided to enlist the help of daily deals site LivingSocial to plan a surprise flash mob proposal to girlfriend Artesia Cauley, a senior internal auditor at the Engility Corp. Five weeks of
planning and 12 dancers helped pull off the
surprise event at LivingSocial’s 918 F Street
location. He tricked her into thinking the
company was shooting a promo video and,
for that reason, they were able to attend the
painting class free of charge. “The entire
class was staged for this,” says James.
“I was totally unsuspecting,” she said.
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“You just don’t think the world revolves
around you. . . . I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
The couple is glad they made the film public, though James says a lot of his guy friends
in his inner circle jokingly gave him the side
eye afterward. “Even the guys that aren’t engaged or married yet are like, ‘Great. Oh now
I have pressure!’ “ he says.
“I am excited to share it with my grandkids,” added Artesia.
So how will one judge a proposal a success
in the future? Will it be video view counts,
bragging rights or the timeless goal — a simple yes? All of the above?
“At the end of the day, it’s like trying to
emulate your love life after a romantic comedy,” says relationship expert and author Andrea Syrtash. “They are great and fun to
watch, but they may not reflect who your
partner is or who you are. It’s about recognizing what you both need [and] celebrating
your relationship in a way that feels meaningful.”
If it’s a true, honest and authentic expression of the love you feel, then it will be perfect
— with or without musical accompaniment
or backup dancers. Just don’t use it as your
cheap ticket to YouTube stardom. Your proposal is only the first chapter of many.
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Venues accommodate ethnic catering
By MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON
Binita Patel Photography
This photo provided by Seaport Hotel and
World Trade Center in Boston shows the
wedding of Payal Agrawal and Sanjay
Divakaran. Many hotels and banquet halls
have begun to allow outside caterers to
come in for Indian and Kosher
celebrations because their chefs are not
trained to cook those foods.
side caterers for weddings, bar mitzvahs and
other special events about two years ago, said
catering sales manager Cindy Martinez.
Specifically, it was the demand for traditional Indian food that prompted the change,
See Catering, Page 31
111 Hospitality Dr., Front Royal, VA 22630
(540) 551-9530
www.HiFrontRoyalVA.com
Ateeb Ansari and Sheema Aleem cut the cake at their wedding. Ansari’s family hosted
the couple’s wedding reception at the Owego Treadway Inn & Conference Center in
New York because the venue allows outside catering. The Muslim family needed to use
a caterer that could provide halal meat to serve to their guests.
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Holiday Inn & Suites
Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows
Lynn Barsigian Photography
W
Mariam Hashimi and her husband, Munis
Alkouz, chose the hotel for their November
wedding reception mainly for one reason: It
allowed them to use a local caterer to bring in
the traditional Afghan rice and meat dishes
that hotel chefs often aren’t trained to prepare.
“For our weddings, food is really import an t, ” said Hashimi, who grew up in an
Afghan immigrant family and lives in Albuquerque, N.M. She had her reception at the
Sheraton Uptown Hotel there.
Many hotels and banquet halls have begun permitting brides and grooms to hire
outside caterers and work with local restaurants to serve menus reflecting a wider range
of cultures and cuisines.
It’s a change from the long-held practice
of insisting that customers use only in-house
food choices, said Sharon Ringier, president
of the Chicago chapter of the Event Planners
Association.
“They don’t want to miss out on the revenue,” Ringier said. “It’s better to accommodate (customers).”
That’s good news for couples wishing to
serve ethnic foods at wedding receptions.
Venues typically charge customers an outside catering fee that covers use of the
venue’s equipment and staff, who still have to
set up the room and clean up after the party.
The Sheraton Uptown in Albuquerque
started allowing guests to contract with out-
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The Winchester Star
2014 Bridal Guide
Catering
from Page 30
she said.
“Indian weddings tend to be very large.
They’re nice events,” Martinez said. “They
generate good revenue.”
The hotel worked with a local restaurant
to develop an Indian menu. “Instead of the
client going to them, it’s all done in one stop,”
Martinez said. Clients can choose from other
approved caterers, too.
Likewise, the Hilton Columbus/Polaris
hotel in Ohio began working with outside
caterers about three years to accommodate
an Indian wedding, said senior catering manager Jacob Kristensen.
“We wanted to be able to offer them something authentic. They had many guests coming from India,” he said. “We didn't feel like
we could do it” without help from a restaurant.
Since then, the hotel has hosted a number
of Indian events.
“The word spread very fast,” said Kristensen, adding that the policy also extends to
kosher food since the hotel does not have a
kosher kitchen.
In the past, families that wanted to cap a
celebration with a traditional meal may have
had to go to a restaurant, said Marie Reeder,
catering director at the Anaheim Hills Golf
Clubhouse in California, which works with a
variety of specialty caterers, including South
Asian, Persian and Chinese.
“The younger generation can have their
event at a country club and still serve traditional foods,” she said.
Finding a venue that allowed outside
catering was a must for Nadiaa Ansari when
she was planning her brother’s July wedding.
The Muslim family needed to serve halal
meat for religious reasons. She chose the
Owego Treadway Inn & Suites in Owego,
N.Y., because of its willingness to accommodate them.
“It’s hard to find venues in smaller towns
that are aware of those things and are willing
to work with you,” said Ansari, who handled
the wedding planning because tradition dictates that the groom’s family host the celebration.
Families will recommend a venue or come
back again if they feel their needs and traditions have been understood, said Jim Carmody, general manager of the Seaport Hotel
and World Trade Center in Boston, which
has permitted outside catering for more than
a decade. Kids who had their bar or bat mitzvah there have come back for their weddings,
he said.
“It’s a whole family celebration. It’s got to
be right. It’s got to be memorable,” he said.
Lynn Barsigian Photography
Guests of the wedding of Ateeb Ansari and Sheema Aleem serve themselves some of
the Indian food that an outside caterer prepared for the event at Owego Treadway Inn &
Conference Center in New York. The groom’s family wanted a venue that allowed
outside catering for the reception so they could serve a meal that met their religious
and cultural needs.
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2014 Bridal Guide
The Winchester Star