2013 Bridal Planner - 1

How to tell your

Love Story
in 2013

Coming Up Glamorous The Perfect Place Fresh Inspiration Taking The Cake

Bridal

PLANNER

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G e tti n g S t a r t e d

Its Time To Tell Your Love Story

In 2013, love stories live online. Just think about the moment a couple gets engaged. One in 10 just-engaged women update their relationship status on Facebook within minutes of saying yes; one-third will update their status with in a few hours; and another quarter will update their status by the next day.
The numbers come from a first-ever Social Wedding Survey put together by The Knot and Mashable.com. The survey also showed that brides are embracing new digital habits tightly, we might add. Across the board, most brides are keeping up on wedding websites and blogs, becoming a fan of wedding brands and following them on their social networks, and relying on wedding-planning apps to help them architect their special day. Of course, a majority (78 percent) of brides still rely on print magazines for inspiration youre reading this on ink and paper, right? Keep reading, and well show you how to make the most of the online tools youre already using to help plan your wedding. Half of brides connect with their vendors on Facebook, and one in five are share their Pinterest boards with their vendors. The key isnt to try to replicate the most-liked or pinned trends, though. Its about taking those inspirations and tweaking them so theyre uniquely your own. First things first, though, we invite you to share your love story with us in print or online .
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The 2013 Bridal Planner is a special publication of The Carbon County News and Stillwater County News. All Rights Reserved Publisher: Creative Design: Frank Perea II Amy Graven Rob Park Samantha Nickel

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Money Management
Planning and paying for a wedding can be daunting, but couples can take control by budgeting smart
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See the 2013 Bridal Planner online www.carboncountynews.com & www.stillwatercountynews.com

at around $22,000 a couple years ago, the average cost of a wedding has settled somewhere between $25,000 and $26,000, according to according to The Wedding Report, the Tucson, Ariz.-based wedding market research company. Yes, thats a hefty number, but remember that that number is an average, not a target. More than the number is how couples are behaving with the. With couples using savings and on-hand cash read: not going into debt! to pay for their weddings, theyre being more cautious on how they deploy their dollars. In short, they want ot be sure that they and their guests get the most out of what they spend. For exmaple, a groom might decide its a better to invest a few hundred dollars in a suit hell wear for years rather than spend $100 to rent a tuxedo hell wear for one day. Couples might decide not to

overdo it on reception decorations and instead invest more in the dinner and drinks The Basics of the Budget To establish your magic number, look at your designated savings, contributions from parents or other relatives, and what of your regular income you can devote toward the wedding, without sabotaging your day-to-day budget. When youve come up with your number, plug it in a budget formula to see how much you have to spend in each area of your wedding. Follow these estimates to get started. Remember, the figures are just estimates, so adjust as necessary to fit your weddings needs: Reception 50% Music 10% Flowers 10% Wedding Attire 10% Photo/Video 10% Stationery 5% Miscellaneous 5%
CTW Features

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P h o t o g rap h y & V i d e o g rap h y

ence between an everyday look and what youll want and need on your wedding day from longevity to how it shows in photos, she writes on her blog. Youll have these photos for the rest of your life and you want to look your absolute best! For photos on the big day, Hogan tells brides to get ready somewhere awesome. If brides want to capture the preparation before walking down the aisle, a messy hotel room or bathroom wont provide the best setting. She also says that the difference between pretty reception photos and breathtaking photos is lighting: candles, chandeliers, dance floor lighting, etc. The most important element for great photos, however, may be to enjoy the day and let your photographer and others think about the details. It doesnt have to be a stressful time, Orton says. Youre married and in love and you can just take pictures about you guys. You dont need to have all these props. Its just about you.

Lindsey Orton Photgraphy

CTW Features What makes a Great Video

Gone are the days when brides had to recount every detail of their wedding proposal to friends and family. Now they can just whip out their mobile devices and pull up the video.Isaacs Live Lip-Dub Proposal, a street-musical marriage proposal with more than 60 participants, has more than 17 millionYouTube views. Not every bride can have such a spectacular, viral hit as a memorable keepsake, but they can incorporate video into the big day for a dazzling effect. Create a short film about the couples back story to play on a loop as guests arrive at the ceremony or reception. And dont forget the videographer to complement wedding-day photography. Its great to have both. Orton says.They both capture different emotions.

Unforgettable Moments
By Taniesha Robinson CTW Features Todays brides are pinning, liking, sharing, posting (and still flipping through pages of glossy magazines) while on the hunt for inspiration as they plan for the big day. And not only are they gathering ideas from photos on Pinterest, Facebook and other social media sites, theyre eager to share their own. According to a recent survey conducted by online media companies The Knot and Mashable, 1 in 3 brides update their relationship status on Facebook within hours of their engagement. And an online spread of engagement photos usually follows. I think that peoples style has improved and their expectations have heightened because of Pinterest, blogs and Facebook, says Lindsey Orton of the Provo, Utah-based Lindsey Orton Photography. She also says couples may even feel pressure to match or outdo photos their engaged or married friends have published online. So what does (and doesnt) make for great engagement and wedding photos brides will want to pin, post, print and share right away? For us, style means real, authentic, genuine moments, says Kristyn Hogan, a Nashville, Tenn.-based photographer. The ability to look at a photograph and remember what it felt like to be there, to feel a connection with the moment and the memory, thats what we always strive for and thats what our brides come to us for. Many of todays brides are turning to themes and creative story lines in their engagement and wedding photography to create memorable, standout images. I think if it relates to the couple, then its a really great thing, Orton says. But unless it does, its kind of unnecessary. And, in twenty years people would look at it and be like, Whats that? Hogan loves styled shoots but echos Ortons precaution that the theme should have a purpose and connection to the couple. If the theme or story connects with the couple and brings out their personalities and unique relationship, I love it! Hogan says. Hogans tips for the best photos includes hiring a professional makeup artist. [They] understand the differ-

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F ashion

Coming Up
By Nola Sarkisian-Miller | CTW Features Long before she says I do, a bride has a pretty good idea of her dream dress. Whether shes just Type A or accesses the wealth of information on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest boards galore, shes pretty much decided if its Vera Wang or Amsale, strapless or oneshoulder.
But the journey to find what she really wants may be fraught with detours. After all, what she sees on the computer screen a sinewy number on a 5-foot, 10-inch supermodel may not go over well on her 5-foot, 4-inch curvy frame. Or, the price of her favorite online gown may not be in the same league as her budget. Pinterest and social media are a blessing and a curse for bridal shops, says Ty McBrayer, owner of Twirl Lexington, a bridal boutique in Lexington, Ky. What they see may be a $10,000 dress, and they have a $1,000 budget. It sets standards that cant be met with certain subjects. To navigate the road to her special purchase, bridal experts offer ways to keep the dream in check. Bridal stores know that everything is about research these days when planning a wedding, especially because a typical client is of the social media generation. (One of the first wedding blogs out there, Style Me Pretty, notes that the median age of its user is 27.) But, at the end of the research day, the ideas are someone elses and not yours. Do whats best for you. Picking the color purple for your wedding because it looks pretty online may not be the best idea if its not a color you really like. Ive had brides say that I hope my real

Glamorous
wedding is as pretty as my Pinterest wedding, says Anne Davis, co-owner of Bliss Bride in Del Mar, Calif. They may find the ultimate-looking wedding online, but it may not work in reality for them. By all means, buy your dress in person. Feel free to canvass designer websites and social media platforms for dress options and to pester them with questions, including that of the gowns price. Then, gather your ideas on your Pinterest page and email the link to the local bridal boutique before your appointment, but dont buy online. If you want to get a head start on fittings, try using an iPhone app like The Knots Wedding Dress Look Book, which edits the dress-browsing process by body type, personality and wedding style. We wouldnt recommend ordering gowns from websites because youre never sure if the quality of the gown is up to par, says Lynn Annatone, marketing director for Modern Trousseau, based in Woodbridge, Conn. You want to touch and feel it. Its a once in a lifetime purchase so make sure youre getting what you want. One of the biggest benefits of the Internet information overload is that you can save money. Finding out about sample sales used to be more of a hush-hush affair. Now, designers and store owners use Facebook and Twitter to alert followers about upcoming events, including trunk shows, which often involve discounts or extra perks. Thats how a number of brides shop for their gowns at Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan, says Jeylan Yolac, social media marketing manager for the store, noting that many of the stores online followers give feedback on gown collections Kleinfeld posts. Their comments provide us with great insight into what they want to see when they come in, Yolac says.
CTW Features

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BHLDN

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B eauty

Perfect
How to turn your beauty inspirations into a show-stopping wedding look

Picture-

From InStyle and People to The Knot and Pinterest, theres no shortage of websites with photos to help you formulate your idea of big-day beautiful. Austie Eckley, a Portland, Ore.-based hair and makeup artist, says many of the brides she works with find inspiration in celebrity images because starlets typically have top stylists creating their picture-perfect looks. The key thing, however, is to know yourself, says Megan Garmers, founder of MG Hair & Makeup, which provides services

nationwide. Find examples of your desired look (as well as ones you dont like), ideally on someone who looks like you. We all want to look like Beyonc, Garmers says, but if your skin tone and hair type are more like Nicole Kidman, only a small fortune and a really good plastic surgeon can help you. Of course, you also can point

out aspects of pictures that appeal to you, such as flawless, glowing skin like Beyoncs, Garmers adds. But if you, say, have short and thin hair, understand that a large bun would require extensions. Print photos or store them on your phone or tablet and bring them to your consult, Eckley says. Or you can email a ... link to your stylist to help her or him prepare for the trial. Garmers also offers an iPhone/iPad app called iLook Beauty Book, which includes numerous hair and makeup images that you can filter through for specific beauty profiles, such as red lip, up-do, short hair, hair accessories, etc. It also links through to the artist/stylists website so that you can ask how they did the look, get product recommendations or inquire if they provide bridal services in your area or know of someone who does. That said, days or even months of online research and photo accumulation only go so far. Its important for brides to come in with an open mind, Eckley says, and take advantage of your stylists opinion. Anna Sachse
CTW Features

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V enue

The Perfect Place

Online and off, heres how to find your dream location
By Anna Sachse CTW Features Before you make an appointment to check out a potential wedding venue, chances are youll do a lot of online reconnaissance: Read every word on their website, click through photos and search for other couples reviews of the space. Heres what you should keep in mind when doing your not-inperson first pass, and the details you cant know outside of an in-person meeting. Online Goals A venues website or Facebook page often gives a taste of the locations style and vibe, and it should include a lot of practical information that can help narrow down the search. Its very important for a bride to know exactly what type of atmosphere and environment she wants for her wedding before looking at venues, says Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, a Dallas-based party and lifestyle expert and author of Wedding Inspiration: Ideas & Advice for Your Perfect Wedding (Gibbs Smith, 2012). Its also important to know details like how many guests youre aiming for, and if you want a venue that allows outside caterers or if youre happy with one that takes care of every element of the event for you. These factors help a bride know what to watch out for and what to ignore. The price and availability also are key elements to search for, as theres no point in visiting if its way over your budget or you arent able to adjust your wedding date, says Marsha Heckman, a San Francisco-based wedding planner and floral designer, and author of A Brides Book of Lists: Everything You Need to Plan the Perfect Wedding, Revised and Updated (Welcome Books, 2013). In addition, Heckman advises seeing what they say about available parking (do you have to pay a valet service?), noise restrictions, cleanup and what, if any, furniture, linens, dishes, etc., are included in the price. Definitely scan all the photos on the site and feel free to ask the venue for more, Heckman says. Its extremely helpful to know what an outdoor space looks like in the actual month you plan to get married (flowers, furnishings, exterior lighting), she notes, or if an indoor space will have seasonal decorations that youll either love or hate. Independent review sites (think Yelp or a local bridal publication) also may be helpful, but be sure to read the specifics of any complaints, as they may not apply to you. Even better, ask other wedding vendors for their insight, Whitman says. Florists and caterers often know what works and what doesnt at each spot. In-Person Particulars When a venue seems to meet your wish list, make an appointment, Heckman says. It will be obvious right away if it doesnt look like it did in pictures, but you also want to make sure its clean and well-kept inside and out, that it meets the sniff test and that the restrooms are acceptable. And dont minimize the importance of the venue staff and/or included event coordinators personality, Whitman adds. Youll likely be working with these people quite a bit throughout the planning process and during your wedding, so its essential that youre compatible and that they understand your vision. You also cant get a true sense of the flow of a space until you visit it in-person, Whitman says. Walk the path that your guests will take so that you know exactly what their experience will be. At the end of the visit, ask yourself if you can envision the space as the location for your beautiful day, Heckman says, but give yourself at least a day to decide if it is. CTW Features

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F lowers

Inspiration
By Megan Patsavas CTW Features The beautiful bouquet of peonies you envisioned carrying down the aisle in all those post-engagement wedding fantasies may not be the most realistic floral option on your inspiration board. Although that stack of bridal magazines and all those Pinterest boards might be full of flowers from all over the country (the world, even), brides-to-be may need to consider whats in-season, whats available in their location and what works with their budget when planning floral arrangements. Theres just so many details when it comes to flowers people dont think about as far as the storage is concerned, and ordering, and how far out you need to order and what kind are available its just such a complex part of the wedding planning process, says Sarah Chancey, owner of Chancey Charm, a wedding planning and design company based in Atlanta.
Photo: Trevor Daley Photography /Design: Fleurs de France

Fresh

Wedding Planning Checklist

10-12 months before your wedding
Mail Save the Dates. Research florists. Choose bridal party attire and accessories. Book ceremony and reception venues. Book officiant. Book photographer, videographer, caterer, musicians, and planner. Purchase wedding dress and veil. Establish a fitness routine. Establish a skin care/beauty routine.

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F lowers
Chancey, who used to work in floral design, recommends that brides research which flowers are available in their location at different times of the year and how much they cost. You dont want them to get their heart set on peonies, and theyre getting married in November and we cant get them peonies, Chancey says. Or, they want these flowers that all cost an arm and a leg and they have a really small budget. They need to be realistic about availability and price before establishing which flowers they are set on using. Jessica Switala, founder of the Sebastopol, Calif.-based Fleurs de France, has been in floral design for around 30 years. Though she agrees seasonality is important, she says its not as limiting as it used to be. What is local and seasonal really doesnt have the same parameters as it used to. People dont plan their weddings that way, Switala says. Instead, some brides are heading to websites and gathering inspiration from all over can you say Pinterest? and then bringing their ideas for their wedding to their florist. The tricky part is really putting a dollar value on their expectations or scaling back the expectations to meet the dollars, says Switala, who estimates that 90 percent of the brides she works with bring her ideas theyve gleaned from Pinterest, magazines or her website. Sometimes a floral designer has to get creative and offer alternatives to fit a brides budget or compensate for availability. Depending on the flower and the month, there may be alternatives, Switala says. For example, peonies are not always available, so the David Austin rose is an alternative. However, theyre not that much less expensive, but its that ruffled look. And if its a white hydrangea, white hydrangeas generally are less expensive than the colored one, but it depends, Switala adds. In the summer, they can be comparable, but some of the deeper colors, which are getting imported, are three times more. With so many factors to consider, when should brides start picking the flowers for their big day? Rani Hoover, whos had her own wedding and event planning business for six years, Inspired Weddings & Events in Santa Barbara, Calif., says picking the right flowers depends on the size and scope of the event, and the right time to start planning depends on the brides tastes, as well as you guessed it the flowers seasonality and availability. If they have exotic tastes, some things that need to be imported, the earlier the better, Hoover says. If theyre more into a fresh, kind of wild flower, local, seasonal-type of arrangements, then certainly that time gets dialed way down, but it really varies according to the brides taste. CTW Features

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Fleurs de France

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I N V I TAT I O N S

Guest Alert!
The invites, save-the-dates and all the other essential stationery. Heres how to get your paperwork in order.

By Timothy R. Schulte CTW Features Facebook added a Weddings and Celebrations feature to the little box at the top-right corner of the site last year, which put engagement and wedding notifications alongside birthdays and other events. The moment you change your relationship status to engaged, every one of your friends know about it (and some will probably send you a congratulatory note just as meaningful as the obligatory Facebook birthday wish). However, the ability to mass-communicate instantly with just a few taps of a touch screen, you can broadcast anything to every single person you know does not mean people should take an e-approach to their wedding invitations. After all, there

still is a sense of decorum to be had, even in the digital age. Still, social networks and electronic communication can be a big help before you get to ink-and-paper invites. Your guest list isnt truly finalized until you have mailing addresses for all the guests to whom youll send an invitation. Facebook, email and even text messages are quick and easy ways to track down info from aunts, uncles, cousins and old college friends whove job-hopped around the country. Just dont make your request via a status update; you dont want to broadcast the message to folks who will not be invited to your soire. Google also has a suite of Google Docs-based wedding planning tools designed to help tech-savvy couples

Getting Started

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stay on top of their I Do to-dos, including a collaborative guest list. Just email the document to your guests, and they can fill in their information. Check out google. com/weddings for more details. With these finer points out of the way, its time to get into the paper details. Whether youre getting your stationery professionally designed or going the DIY route, take a trip to a local stationery shop to get your hands on some paper and check out design styles. Typically, expect to spend around 5 percent of your budget on your stationery, including postage, but adjust as necessary depending on your guest list and paper preferences.

keep open. If you have a wedding website already set up with details about the ceremony, reception and accommodations, include the URL. And of course, you can mention that a formal invitation will follow.

be on your wedding website, its still customary to include a card separate from the invitation that lays out the wheres and whens for the reception venue (if separate) and accommodations.

Wedding Invitation and Enclosures

Day-of Pieces

Save-the-Date

As soon as your venue is booked, send all your guests a save-the-date. It doesnt matter if its a year out from the wedding the point is, you want your guests to get your wedding on their schedules as soon as possible. You dont need to go overboard on details; just your names and the date to

Etiquette 101: Do not include registry information on the invitation anywhere! Youre inviting your friends and family to join in your wedding celebration; youre not inviting them to bring you gifts. (But yes, they do want to give you gifts, so list registry information on your wedding website.) The actual wedding invitation is where you officially invite your guests. Plan to put these in the mail around two months prior to your wedding. The RSVP card (self-addressed and stamped) is where guests will accept or decline invitation and, if youre having a seated dinner, mark their dinner selection. List a date by which youd appreciate their reply, usually four weeks before the wedding date. Although all the pertinent details may

The invitation might be the main attraction, but there are still some paper pieces you need for the big day: Programs: If youre having a ceremony in a house of worship, this will list information on the officiant, readings, the wedding party, etc. Table numbers/names Escort cards and Place cards: Escort cards tell the guest at which table they are seated. Place cards show them in which chair they are sitting. Menus: An outline of dinner, set with each place card, is a nice touch. Thank-yous: If you want to get a jump on showing your gratitude, it can be worthwhile to invest in stationery that features your newly married name.
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R ings

Today, your love story lives

Put a Ring On It!

ring is a full or partial eternity band, or maybe it features pav diamonds or accent gemstones. You can carry on these elements into your wedding band. White gold also is popular for the groom, with about one-third of grooms picking a blanco band. However, alternative metals like tungsten and titanium (think golf clubs!) have grown in popularity in recent years, not just because of their unique look, but their lower price point. Another trend for guys is mangagement rings. According to the Mens Health/The Knot survey, 17 percent of men said they would (not necessary that they do) wear a ring to let the public know they are off the market. Timothy R. Schulte CTW Features

online. Take the engagement, for instance. Nearly 60 percent of brides-to-be share their were getting married news by posting a picture of their engagement ring on Facebook (though about one in five of their fiances think doing so is tacky!), according to a proposal survey from The Knot and Mens Health magazine. But on your big day and every day thereafter your wedding band will have equal billing alongside your engagement ring, even if it may be less sparkly. Youll want to make sure it is cohesive with your engagement ring and, of course, that it fits your style. Start with the metal. According to a study of wedding jewelry by The Knot, 73 percent of engage-

ment rings are white gold, which also makes up 70 percent of wedding bands. Whether your ring is white or yellow gold or platinum or something else altogether, youd

be in good company sticking with the same base metal for your wedding band. Also keep in mind design elements. Maybe your engagement

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F ood & D rinks

who tops their catering list.

By Anna Sachse CTW Features The wedding meal and bar typically are your top wedding expenses, and with never-ending online photos and magazine editorials featuring lavish stations, chic small bites and couture cocktails, it can be easy to get ahead of yourself and your pocketbook. Here, two wedding-planning experts offer tips to balance your dream dinner-and-drinks spread with your budget realities.

Not sure if youre feeling macaroni-and-cheese cupcakes and mugs of spiked a menu in the style you want that you can then share with your cider or a raw bar and saketinis? also plays up their talents. caterer and bartenders, Hroncich Do a google search for different Need help finding the actual casays. Pinterest is amazing for wedding reception styles and see terer? A google search or wedding helping you clarify your vision. what pops up. website may offer leads on caterers Of course, inspiration shots and Online resources put tons of in your area. However, the best menu requests are one thing, but options at your finger tips, says you dont want to go too far, to the companies are typically found via Wendi Hroncich, founder of Seatpoint where you are directing your referrals from past clients or other tle-based Ethereal Events. Youre wedding vendors, Lewis says. Put chef on how to cook.Thats a noexposed to so much more than just no! says Andrea Lewis, founder out a request for suggestions on whats in your area, allowing you Facebook or Twitter (ask about of Memphis-based Andrea Lewis to pull ideas from experts around food quality, price and how easy Events. But most caterers will be the world! they were to work with) and email open to working with you to creUse the images and ideas you a florist or baker you love to see ate a special dish or two, or design find to build a dream menu that A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF CARBON COUNTY NEWS & STILLWATER COUNTY NEWS

Step 1: E-xplore

Stylish Meal

2 Steps to a

Couples can definitely get carried away trying to do everything they see online, Hroncich says. The result can lack cohesion (sushi and fried chicken and a taco bar and sangria ) and get very expensive. Rein yourself in by deciding on your priorities. If your goal is a big party, an ample bar will help, Lewis says, but even ample doesnt have to break the bank. She suggests offering a selection of white and red wines (Riesling to Chardonnay and Zinfandels to Merlots) and both a domestic and import beer. Kick it up a notch by offering regional products, cava or prosecco for your bubbly, and one or two favorite cocktails that you found during your online research. If you really want it all and dont mind a little DIY, make sure you pick a venue that doesnt charge you to bring in your own liquor, Lewis says. That can save a few thousand dollars on your bar tab. Hroncich advises keeping costs down by choosing one or two things you truly fell in love with during your research that also will make a big impact. For example, you could have that gorgeous signature cocktail with a candied-fruit stir-stick and an elegant dessert table, but skip the 20 cute appetizers that caught your eye. Or if youre truly obsessed with small bites, focus on options that will satisfy guests faster. Cheese and fruit will not fill people up for the night, but risotto balls and meat skewers will, Hroncich says. And you can always ask your caterer to suggest unique and memorable dishes that are surprisingly budgetfriendly, like gourmet renditions of stews, curries or even a hearty but stunning salad. CTW Features

Step 2: Edit Yourself

2013 Bridal Planner - 15

M usic

Lets Dance!
By Timothy R. Schulte CTW Features You can cram into a too-small limo, stumble through your vows and even enjoy a too-well-done steak at the end of the day, youre going to remember the fun you had at your wedding and not a few minor details. But when it comes to the music, you dont want to make any concessions. Your DJ will be the arbiter of your party, single-handedly making the decisions that bring out the craziest, funniest and romantic best in you and your guests at your reception. You want to ensure a night of great music and great memories. So, as with all vendors, ask the

right questions and make sure you are a good match before you commit. Here are some things to keep in mind when meeting with your potential DJ. When you walk into the office, are you at an office or at someones home? How do you feel? Is the meeting friendly, or transactional? Do they take the time to get to know you and your fianc as a couple, or just dive into the package options? Do they ask about your music tastes? The difference between feeling like a client and feeling like another customer is important, and it may be indicative of the service youll be provided. The DJ may have all the songs

The Vibe

you want to hear in his catalog, but how are you going to convey that to him? Is there an online song-management system? Forms to fill out? What is the deadline to have your requests submitted? If desired songs are not available, will the DJ obtain them? Take a listening test. Ask what grade of speakers and subwoofers they have and if they have backups, if need be. See how their DJ system works for queuing up

songs, fading them in and out and changing the song.

The Equipment

The Playlist

Be sure to review all sound package options including the services, number of hours, prices and payment schedule. When youve found the service that meets your needs, like every vendor, be sure to sign the contract and get a copy. All thats left to do is dance. CTW Features

The Packages & Paperwork

Let us help make this special day a success.

Hilton Garden Inn knowsthe value of your special event and we can help make it a successful one! From our fabulous food presentations, elegant venue and rooms for your guests, let us take care of the details. We offer 128 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, over 4,000 sq. ft. of event space including a 2,400 sq. ft. ballroom accommodating up to 200 guests. Banquet, catering, and meeting services are all on site. Call the hotel direct at 406-655-8800 for your private showing or to make reservations call 1-877-STAY-HGI, and online.

Hilton Garden Inn Billings

2465 Grant Road, Billings, MT 59102 406-655-8800 1-877-STAY-HGI www.billings.hgi.com

2013 HILTON WORLDWIDE

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF CARBON COUNTY NEWS & STILLWATER COUNTY NEWS

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CAKE

Taking the Cake

How to make the dessert of your dreams a reality
By Megan Patsavas CTW Features
Gorgeous-looking wedding cakes are almost ubiquitous they grace the pages of glossy magazines, are featured in reality shows and are especially present online on wedding blogs and social sites like Pinterest. But scoring that divine, delectable cake for your own wedding might prove a little more difficult. Sarah Chancey, owner of Chancey Charm, a wedding planning and design company based in Atlanta, suggests that brides-to-be start thinking about their wedding cake as soon as possible. I recommend that they start looking into cakes as far out as they can, as far as choosing a baker and reserving a date, because if they want an exceptional baker, they want to make sure that theyre on their books in plenty of time, she says. Erica OBrien of Erica OBrien Cake Design in Hamden, Conn., recommends securing your venue first, adding that the bride also needs to know the approximate number of guests, which will determine the size of the tiers, the number of tiers and the cost of the cake. The brides inspiration is the next part of the process. OBrien, who has been a professional in the wedding cake industry for seven years and does about 75 wedding cakes a year, says that it is helpful for brides to have some design ideas of cakes they like as a jumping-off point. She estimates that nearly 85 to 90 percent of the brides she works with have an idea, if not for their cake, at least of a general theme or feel for their wedding. When I first started, brides would come in with their folder or portfolio, and they clipped photos from magazines. Now, theyll more than likely come in with an iPad and just sort of flip through some pictures, OBrien says.

Seasonal Elegant Fresh

food is much more than a simple culinary eneavor. We source the freshest available to celebrate the bounty of each season and enhance the quality of our catering service. It is with the utmost respect to you that we prepare and serve with the

At Cafe Regis,

local ingredients

highest integrity.

On or off-site Large group or small Formal or informal atmospheres

Our talented staff prides itself in catering to your special needs. A fresh-food Cafe, caterer, and grocery. Placing a strong priority on sustainability - from solar energy, to recycling, to organic produce gardens right outside our kitchen door!
CAFE REGIS 501 S WORD RED LODGE, MONTANA 406.446.1941 WWW.CAFEREGIS.COM

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF CARBON COUNTY NEWS & STILLWATER COUNTY NEWS

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CAKE
The plethora of online inspiration available has expanded brides creativity and expectations, OBrien says, and helps fuel the trends. For example, OBrien says that last summer, she had many brides ask for cakes with a chevron pattern on them. But bringing your baker a photo or two of the cake you love doesnt necessarily mean she can or will copy it for you. Each artist puts their own touch on it, OBrien says, and bakers have different philosophies on whether or not they will replicate each others cakes. Its also important to remember that photos of cakes you see in magazines or online might not be realistic for your location or budget. A lot of what you see online in photo shoots are often faux cakes, and sometimes those designs are a bit more challenging to execute on a real cake in the middle of July with 95 percent humidity, OBrien says. If youre concerned about the cost of the cake, consider asking the baker to make a smaller display cake and have a sheet cake in the back (that no one sees) to serve to your guests. Its more economical, OBrien says, but she cautions brides to make sure the size of the display cake looks proportional to the number of guests. Having a smaller cake or doing multiple cakes or pies, more of a dessert bar kind of thing, is also a great option for budget brides, Chancey says. Last, but definitely not least important, is the taste and flavor of the cake. You want to get a cake people are going to want to eat, OBrien says. If couples are having trouble choosing the flavor of the cake, she suggests going with a more classic choice, such as vanilla, which will appeal to more guests. With the right planning and the help of a great baker, brides-to-be can have the cake of their dreams. CTW Features

Photo: Brooke Allison/Design: Erica OBrien Cake Design

Touch of Country Catering

Years of Experience Very Competitive Pricing

Robin Borland

EAT DRINK BE MARRIED

AND

Box 121 Roscoe, MT 59071

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF CARBON COUNTY NEWS & STILLWATER COUNTY NEWS

406-328-6824 406-425-2224

Photo: Brooke Allison/Design: Erica OBrien Cake Design

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Unplug The Grizzly Bar & Grill has been a staple since the 1930s. &Recharge
Whether its a wedding reception or rehearsal dinner, the Grizzly Bar & Grill offers both on and off site food and bar catering.

Nestled in the cozy little town of Roscoe Montana,

HONEYMOON

Let the Grizzly Bar & Grill take care of the details so you can enjoy your day!
1 Main St. Roscoe, MT 59071 Phone: (406) 328-6789

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF CARBON COUNTY NEWS & STILLWATER COUNTY NEWS

Really? After a year of planning and thousands of dollars spent on the wedding and now the honeymoon, youre going to decompress by checking in on Facebook? According to a joint survey by The Knot.com and Mashable. com, two-thirds of brides consider logging onto their social sites during their honeymoon. Dont. In fact, if you can, curb the urge altogether by uninstalling your Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest apps from your phone and tablet before you leave for your moon. You worked hard to get to this point, so take the time to enjoy the post-nuptial bliss with your new spouse, not a screen.

After all, a honeymoon, while always deserved, does not come cheap! The average cost of a honeymoon in 2012 was nearly $5,000, according to Brides magazines 2012 American Wedding Study: Travel Edition, up from just over $3,500 in 2011. The takeaway? At the end of the wedding journey, couples are investing in themselves. A honeymoon is something that a couple can share together and look back on 20 or 30 years down the road, Brides travel editor Jacqueline Gifford says. Theyre spending money/ investing in creating a memory that will last a lifetime, rather than a material object that theyll be over in two years.
CTW Features

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A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF CARBON COUNTY NEWS & STILLWATER COUNTY NEWS

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at the Island at Rock Creek Town Homes Red Lodge, Montana.

There is room for your entire Wedding group

Our 8 Luxury Town Homes can Sleep 72 Guests

Creekside luxury - Incredible Resort Style - 3 Blocks to Down Town

Amenities you

Gormet Kitchens Creekside Patios Private decks with hot tubs Gas BBQ grills on each deck 20 Master bedrooms High speed wifi Cable TV iPod player or built in stereo

wont Believe!

CONTACT BILL KIELY (831) 334-8476 for availability. A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF CARBON COUNTY NEWS & STILLWATER COUNTY NEWS See More on VRBO and Facebook

Book Your Wedding Party Today!