2022 Bridal Guide

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12 Month Wedding PLANNING GUIDE

6-12 Months Before Your Wedding _______ Select a Wedding Date and Time _______ Announce your engagement in the paper

_______ Consider pre-marital counseling _______ Start health & fitness plan if you're not already in one! _______ Select your reception location _______ Select your professional photographer _______ Select professional caterer (if necessary) _______ Select Musician or Disc Jockey _______ Select your florist _______ Shop together for your wedding rings _______ Select wedding dress, headpiece, and set a date for fittings and delivery _______ Select your bridesmaids' dresses and accessories _______ It's time to choose a honeymoon and location 4-6 Months Prior To The Wedding _______ Check the requirements for a marriage license _______ Reserve your wedding day rental equipment _______ Decide upon a gift registry and select your gift choices _______ Order your invitations and related stationery needs _______ Start shopping for the men's’ wedding attire _______ Reserve your wedding day transportation

_______ Plan an engagement party with family and friends _______ Talk with a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator _______ Find out what bridal shows are in the area and plan on attending _______ Agree on a preliminary budget _______ Decide who will pay for what and how expenses will be shared _______ Call your church or synagogue for an appointment with the Officiant _______ Ask friends and family to serve as wedding attendants _______ Start your wedding guest list _______ Start ideas for your reception and catering plans _______ Determine what type of entertainment you want _______ Decide the type of wedding you would like to have (size, formality, and setting) _______ Explore color schemes

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12 Month Wedding PLANNING GUIDE

_______ Research and select readings for ceremony _______ Make music selections for ceremony and reception _______ Decide upon and order favors _______ Select your baker, choose your cake, & groom’s cake ____ Help both mothers coordinate and find their dresses _______ Review your contracts with your service providers 2 Months Before Your Wedding _______ Have engagement portraits taken _______ Place your engagement announcement in the newspaper _______ Mail out invitations and announcements _______ Decide on the men's’ wedding attire _______ Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner _______ Purchase your wedding day accessories _______ Arrange attendants' parties _______ Prepare accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests _______ Consider a hairdresser and/or makeup artist and book appointments _______ Finalize all honeymoon plans 1 Month Left! _______ Final wedding dress fitting _______ Final fitting for your wedding attendants _______ Obtain marriage license _______ Have your attendants' parties _______ Create a calendar of events for the wedding day. _______ Make sure your accessories are in order (rings, pillow, garter, etc.) 2 Weeks Remaining! _______ Finalize arrangements with the entertainer(s) _______ Provide a list of music you would like played _______ Finalize music during special events such as first dance, dance with dad, etc. _______ Pick up your wedding rings and make sure that the engravings are correct - Make sure they fit! 1 Week To GO! _______ If you can, take the week, or part of it, off from work!

_______ Inform your caterer of the total guest count _______ Confirm out-of-town guests have transportation and sleeping accommodations _______ Check with your florist to make sure they will arrive when scheduled. Your Wedding Day _______ Allow at least 2 hours for dressing _______ Allow plenty of time for makeup and style your hair _______ If photographs are to be taken before the ceremony, allow plenty of time for that! _______ Remember to bring the rings and marriage license _______ The groom’s parents should be seated about 5 minutes before start time _______ Mother of the bride is normally seated last _______ Take a deep breath, don't worry, be HAPPY & SMILE!

_______ Make sure your marriage license is in order _______ Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary ____ Confirm honeymoon reservations

_______ Pack your baggage for your honeymoon _______ Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal _______ Instruct your wedding party on what they will be doing on the day of the wedding _______ Have your rehearsal dinner _______ Make sure all wedding attire fits properly _______ Give the best man the amounts your vendors are to be paid on the day of the wedding

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I thee wed... on a weekday

It’s OK if your big day doesn’t fall on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday

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June brides and Saturday nuptials aren’t the be-all, end-all, experts agree — at least not any longer. That’s because couples looking to tie the knot are increasingly encountering difficulty scheduling their big day due to back- logged banquet halls, overbooked wed- ding planners, and budgets pushed to the limit due to inflation and other fac- tors. Consequently, it’s no surprise that many betrothed duos are opting for a weekday wedding, bypassing the hassles and fierce competition associated with a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday ceremony and reception. In fact, after surveying 468 wedding vendors recently, Zola reveals that 34% of respondents predicted that weddings on weekdays are here to stay in 2022 and beyond, with Thursdays remaining the most popular weekday on which to walk down the aisle. “Couples and guests have generally become much more open to weekday weddings. We saw this trend really tick up during the pandemic when couples had to shrink their guest lists and choose locations closer to home, mak- ing a weekday more feasible for all,” says Emily Forrest, director of communi- cations at Zola, headquartered in New York City. “The flexible work-at-home environment has also made it somewhat easier for friends and family members to attend weddings during the week. And the recent flood of engaged couples, who are more eager and excited to get married than ever before, is also responsible for the rise in nuptials on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.”

Marie Kubin, a wedding planner and owner of Rent My Wedding, a nation- wide wedding rental company based in Miami, says the overwhelming majority of couples are still getting married on weekends nowadays. “That being said, we are seeing a rise in the number of weddings on weekdays for two main reasons. First, there is a surge in weddings right now due to all the canceled pandemic weddings; as a result, weekend dates at most venues are already booked out one to two years ahead. For newly engaged couples that want to get hitched sooner, weekdays are the only option,” she says. “Second, more engaged couples are looking for ways to save money on their wedding. Budget-conscious partners can likely save thousands of dollars compared to hosting the wedding on a Saturday.” Indeed, most venues offer lower rates for weekday versus weekend dates, including photographers, caterers, and DJs/bands. “As a result, weekday wedding couples and families can splurge more on stun- ning foods and beverages, more beauti- ful invitations and flowers, and a more gorgeous wedding dress,” notes Émilie Dulles, owner of Dulles Designs, a Charleston, South Carolina, and Palm Beach, Florida-based paper and wed- ding invitations expert. “Plus, you’ll have a much higher chance of booking your first choice venue and wedding vendors, and you won’t be dis- tracted by other weddings on your date,” explains wedding planner Lindsey Nickel, owner of Lovely Day Events in Napa, California.

Of course, the downside to a weekday wedding is that some of your guests will likely not be able to attend, as it’s more challenging to take time off work, travel, and find child care during the week. “Before booking a weekday wedding, you should talk to your inner circle and make sure that all the must-attend guests will be able to make it work, especially parents, in-laws, groomsmen, and bridesmaids,” Kubin recommends. “It’s also smart to send out your save- the-date cards and invitations as soon as you book your weekday wedding so that your guests have plenty of time to make arrangements and RSVP.” Good candidates for a weekday wed- ding are couples and families who are confident that most people on their list — especially those in their wedding party — can attend. “It can also be ideal for those planning smaller and more intimate ceremonies or for couples who want to put more of their finances toward their honeymoon or dream home,” Forrest suggests. Some believe a Monday or Thursday wedding is your best weekday option, as your marriage festivities can be extended across the weekend before or following your big day. “Weddings typically roll out over three to four days, starting with family and wed- ding party arrivals, the welcome party, the rehearsal dinner, and then the actual wedding ceremony and reception. So any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday wedding is going to begin over the pre- vious weekend for the family and plan- ners anyway,” says Dulles.

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Proposal ideas for 2022

With a new year comes new trends, including how to propose

As trends often do, wedding proposal ideas are expected to slightly shift in 2022. This means that future fiancés will once again have to get creative in how they present an engage- ment ring to their sweetie. Now, it’s time to mix it up from how others proposed in 2021! According to Southern Living Magazine, as far as ring shop- ping goes, one thing is for certain — shopping locally will be more popular in 2022. Local gem makers are truly stepping up their game and starting to become real competition for larger, well-known diamond companies. Additionally, using a family heirloom diamond is an increasingly popular idea. Not only does it save money, but it also adds sentimental value to the passing along of the stone. Another trend in 2022 is that more engagement rings will include stones that are not classic diamonds. Lab-made dia- monds, birthstones, and other gemstones such as Opals, Morganite, and Moissanite are growing in popularity as more people venture out from a traditional engagement ring style. Following 2021 and 2020, it is natural that as far as propos- als go, large, flashy overtures are on the way out and inti- mate, meaningful proposals are coming back in style. Goodbye flash mobs, and hello candlelit confessions for two. A few examples of proposals that we will likely see more of in 2022 are proposals along tranquil hiking trails, serene beachsides, and cozy, romantic dinners. After the pandemic, these private, meaningful proposals seem to be more popular and very well-received. After all, what’s better than the per- son you love confessing their feelings for you in a beautiful and intimate location?

tricks — like somehow teaching a pup to carry the box in their mouth to conduct the proposal — the whole shebang. These cute and quirky proposals are fun, light-hearted, and incorporate your furry friend — something that is often very meaningful to both parties. As the world slowly begins opening concert halls and venues again, many people are also beginning to ask their loved ones to marry them at music shows and events. People are ecstatic over the ability to get back out there and see their favorite bands and entertainers perform again, and on-stage proposals are ramping up. There will be much more of this in 2022. When a proposal ties in an artist that is special to the couple, it is a wonderful opportunity to create an unforgetta- ble and unique experience. Many entertainers love this idea, too! Plan far enough ahead, and your favorite artist might even get involved by bringing you on-stage and asking your loved one to marry you. Video proposals are also gaining popularity. This could be a video slideshow of your favorite memories with your partner ending in a proposal, a video of you proclaiming your love to your partner ending in a proposal, or a fun, interactive idea that’s part video, part real-life proposal. In this day and age, we can use technology to our benefit in many different ways, and a marriage proposal is one of them. This will make your partner feel special — as a lot of effort goes into this style proposal. It will also be a keepsake that the two of you can watch together for years to come. Whether you’re planning a proposal or trying to pass along the hint, there are so many fun trends coming up in 2022. From romantic dinners to tranquil vacations and homemade videos, we can’t wait to see what the new year brings for newly engaged couples!

Proposals involving pets are also making an adorable come- back. We’re talking ring boxes tied to dog collars and all the

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A handsewn dress and new Army uniform outfit couple for a beautiful Nebraska wedding

By Margaret Reist Lincoln Journal Star

could do it, to prove that I could do it.” And, on Dec. 1, Cicely Batie and Daniel Wardyn were married, an intimate affair at the Sherman County Courthouse, a grand old stone edifice built in 1921 with a marble staircase and wood beams. The groom — a first lieutenant in the Army reserves — wore a newly issued uniform that harkened back to the Greatest Generation, and the bride wore a silk gown reminiscent of the sleek simplicity of women’s fashion in the 1940s (with the possible exception of that low back). And it was beautiful. * * * The story begins six years earlier when Cicely and Dan met at a mutual friend’s wedding. She was living in D.C. and wasn’t much interested in him. He was persistent, and they began dating in earnest when she moved back to Nebraska to work on her master’s degree in 2019. In June, Cicely accepted a job at the state ag department, but not before telling her new boss that she had to take some time off because her boyfriend was insistent that they take a trip to Alaska (there is, according to Cicely, also a stubborn streak in her husband, which led, eventually, to the aforementioned need for compromise). Her boss agreed, the two went to Alaska and took a beautiful, four-day hike in Denali State Park, though Cicely remembers her boyfriend being uncharacteristically gruff. They took a midnight hike to see the sunset (which is when the sun sets in the vast Alaskan wilderness). It was stunning, but she’d had it with the attitude. “I said ‘Why are you being so weird? You could be a little more romantic,’ and he said ‘How’s this for romantic?’ and I turn around and he’s on his knees with a ring.”

The whole wedding dress affair — the one involving silk and design sketches and a sewing machine — began with a compromise. It may also have had something to do with the federal government, or whoever in that deep well of bureaucracy decided the U.S. Army should issue new uniforms, the pinks and greens of the World War II era to honor that part of America’s heritage. Frankly, the whirlwind of thread and fabric in a three-month time span was likely as much Cicely Wardyn’s childhood as anything, growing up on a farm near Lexington where she learned to sew in 4-H, wrestling with a sewing machine at her aunt’s house. That, and the fact that the assistant director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture who spent a few years working in Sen. Deb Fischer’s office in Washington before coming back to Nebraska to earn her master’s degree, comes from a long line of stubborn women. So in August, Wardyn put pencil to paper and sketched out the dress of her dreams, got her hands on a sewing machine at her mom’s house, and made her own wedding dress. No matter that she had rarely sewn since high school. No matter her social calendar in the three months of planning before her wedding — four other weddings, two out of state, one out of the country, Thanksgiving, a Broadway show at the Orpheum, a new job that took her on a trade trip to Germany and helping at her family’s farm — meant lots of weekends she should have been sewing but wasn’t. “I’m just stubborn and decided I’d figure it out,” she said. “It was kind of a big puzzle. It was more just me seeing if I

She said yes, he became his normal self (minus the pre-proposal-hope-this-plan- works nerves) and now all they had to do was plan a wedding.

Dan, a traveling nurse working in COVID-19 ICU units across the

country, headed to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Cicely came back to Lincoln — and ended up in tears after the first discussion about the wedding. She wanted the big wedding she’d dreamed of since childhood; he wanted no fanfare, something small. Really small. He drove to Lincoln to make sure they’d get over this first relationship bump. They agreed not to talk about it for a bit. At the end of August, they brokered a compromise over the phone (her in a hotel in Grand Island after hosting a group of Germans at the State Fair, him in Rochester, Minnesota). They set a date. They decided on a charming courthouse. She hired a photographer to capture the day. They found a perfect place for the small family group coming to the wedding to gather afterward for dinner. And Cicely decided the best way to get the dress of her dreams — probably the only way — was to make it. The 6-foot-3 woman with broad shoulders, a thin waist and a very strong 4-H background had always wanted to try making her own wedding dress. “I kind of knew what I wanted and I knew I’d never find something that would fit me in three months in a store,” she said. * * * Years ago, Cicely’s mom wisely realized that sewing lessons might go better if she wasn’t the one teaching her

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daughter. So off the 8-year-old girl went to her aunt, who helped her make a pillow for her first 4-H project. After the pillow came dresses and wool outfits with lining, and help from her grandma — the most-expert of the family seamstresses — who couldn’t sew anymore when Cicely was a teenager, but could advise. She entered her outfits in 4-H contests — including modeling her handmade wool outfits while walking a sheep around an arena for judges to see (it’s called the sheep lead event for the city slickers among us). She showed cattle. She entered cooking and photography 4-H contests. In 2009, Larry, her rooster, won poultry reserve best of show. And now, the 4-H-trained professional was determined to make a wedding dress. And it was going to have sleeves.

this allowed them to be a part of it. She didn’t set out, exactly, to create a vintage wedding, but Dan’s uniform, and her dress and the courthouse all just sort of happened. “It just kind of evolved that way,” she said. * * * After the small wedding, the family group headed to Katalari Farms, a nearby Christmas tree farm, for dinner with prime rib catered by Whitefoot

Then the newlyweds went to Topeka, Kansas, for an Army “family drill day.” After that, Dan headed to Anchorage for a nursing job. Cicely went back to work. It wasn’t the big wedding of her childhood dreams, but it was the right one, an intimate, happy, beautiful vintage affair with family. Maybe, she said, they’ll have a bigger

Catering in Boelus (did we mention that part of Wardyn’s job is overseeing ag promotion and development?) The Christmas tree farm let them reserve their first Christmas tree as a married couple, and the bride and groom — in gown and uniform — cut it down. Everyone sat at one long table. The couple had their first dance to Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E.” They had a two-layer Dairy Queen ice cream cake (Dan’s idea). She wore her

“No one has sleeves,” she said. “I thought it would be neat to have something no one else has.”

She sketched out the shimmery, flowing dress she imagined, bought 13 yards of silk, 10 yards of satin, covered buttons and a bolt of pattern fabric. She watched YouTube videos and laid out her design on a grid. She’d go to the bathroom with a tape measure to measure her body parts — the length from the middle of her sternum to her shoulder blade, the length of her arms, the width of her waist — then go add to the pattern. She used old bed sheets to cut the dress from her pattern first, so she could make adjustments (and realized she’d have to choose either a low back or a low front, but not both). The hardest part was getting the low back to fit right — snug but not tight, so it wouldn’t pull in front. She redid it with the bed sheets six or seven times. On Nov. 16 — two weeks before the wedding — she cut the silk. She found silk much easier to sew than satin. Dan helped with some edge stitching. At her mini-bachelorette party, she and friends watched a Husker football game and she sewed. They hosted Thanksgiving so she could sew. Her aunts came to Thanksgiving. She put on her dress for them and they helped her make adjustments she couldn’t do on her own. She loved this, because those aunts — who played such a big part in her early sewing years — wouldn’t be at the small wedding, so

grandmother’s pearls, the same ones her mom had worn at her wedding. They used the cake knife his grandparents used to cut their wedding cake. The next day, she was doing a presentation at Nebraska Cattlemen.

reception some time next summer. She’s thinking she might use some of that extra silk to make a cocktail dress. “We’ll see if I have time,” said the bride. Here’s betting she’ll find it.

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How to vet the wedding venue

Follow these tips to make sure you find the right spot

Before you make an appointment to check out a potential wedding venue, chances are you’ll do a lot of online recon- naissance: Read every word on their website, click through photos and search for other couples’ reviews of the space. Here’s what you should keep in mind when doing your not-in- person first pass, and the details you can’t know outside of an in-person meeting. First, start your search online. A venue’s website or Facebook page often gives a taste of the location’s style and vibe, and it should include a lot of practical information that can help narrow down the search.

“It’s 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). “It’s also important to know details like how many guests you’re aiming for, and if you want a venue that allows outside caterers or if you’re happy with the 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.”

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“It’s very important for a bride to know exactly what type of atmosphere and environment she wants for her wedding before looking at venues,” Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Party and lifestyle expert and author

The price and availability are also key elements to search for, as there’s no point in visiting if it’s way over your budget or you aren’t able to adjust your wedding date, says Marsha Heckman, a San Francisco-based wedding planner and floral designer, and author of “A Bride’s Book of Lists: Everything You Need to Plan the Perfect Wedding, Revised and Updated” (Welcome Books, 2013). Also, 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, and dishes are included in the price. Scan all the photos on the site and feel free to ask the venue for more, Heckman says. It’s beneficial to know what an out- door 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 you’ll either love or hate. Independent review sites (think Yelp or a local bridal publica - tion) 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 doesn’t at each spot.”

After your research is complete, nail the final details in per- son. When a venue seems to meet your wish list, make an appointment, Heckman says. It will be apparent right away if it doesn’t look like it did in pictures, but you also want to make sure it’s clean and well-kept inside and out, that it meets the “sniff” test and that the restrooms are acceptable. And don’t minimize the importance of the venue staff and/or including the event coordinator’s personality, Whitman adds. You’ll likely be working with these people quite a bit through- out the planning process and during your wedding, so it’s essential that you’re compatible and that they understand your vision. You also can’t get a true sense of the flow of the 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.

Wedding trends & traditions

What's in and what's out

Perhaps the best perk of getting married—besides the price- less prospect of spending the rest of your life with the one you love—is that you and your partner get to call the shots on your wedding day. You have the autonomy to choose the type of ceremony, wedding vows, reception party, guest list, and other details you desire. After all, it’s your big day, and cus- tomizing it to reflect your preferences and personalities is what helps make it special to you and memorable to your guests. In other words, don’t be afraid to tweak a few traditions and replace a few rituals. Because those sacred customs of the past—from cutting the cake to playing the chicken dance song—aren’t as sacrosanct among today’s betrothed couples

as they used to be. “It’s important for couples to consider which wedding tradi- tions they want to keep or exclude because their wedding should feel like a true reflection of their relationship and their beliefs,” says Jacquelyn Aleece, founder and owner of The Wedding Plan & Company in Hoboken, New Jersey, and Los Angeles. “Many wedding traditions are antiquated and take up the most valuable thing on a wedding day: time. If a tradition doesn’t have a special sentimental meaning or represent a shared belief between you and your partner, no requirement says you must do it on your wedding day.” Matt Dalley, co-owner and CEO of Simply Eloped in Boise, Idaho, says we are living in a period when weddings have

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been forced to change due to various restrictions around COVID-19. “That presents a real opportunity for couples to decide what’s important to them and what speaks to them. Does the tradi- tion or trend in question enhance your day? That’s all that matters,” he says. Ask Allison Newton, owner and designer at Allison Event Design in Savannah, Georgia, and she’ll tell you that carrying a personalized bridal bouquet, for example, is one tradition that won’t go away anytime soon. On the other hand, “saving the top of the wedding cake is out,” explains Newton. “The last thing you want to worry about after your reception and jetting off to your honeymoon is pre- serving the cake properly so there isn’t any freezer burn.” Many couples nowadays are abandoning a traditional cake and cake cutting in favor of dessert tables, adds Dalley. “But we’ve found that no matter the type of wedding style, the first kiss is a tradition that has stood the test of time and remains popular among people getting married today,” he says. A formerly valued ritual getting nixed nowadays is the removal and tossing of the garter. “Over the last four years, folks just don’t seem to want to do it anymore, and for good reason: I think a lot of couples realize how awkward it can be for those participating,” notes Daniel Hess, a Baltimore-based videographer and owner of To Tony Productions who’s been filming weddings for nearly 9 years. “Another one on its way out is the shoe game, where couples exchange shoes to answer questions about one another. It’s good for an initial chuckle, but it really just slows down the event.” Instead, Hess recommends a trending practice: the grand sendoff of the bride and groom at the end of the night using sparklers or glow sticks.

“I’ve even seen lightsabers used for the sendoff. It’s a chance to have one last big moment before the night is over,” says Hess, who also recommends keeping formal traditions like the father of the bride escorting his daughter down the aisle, intro- ductions of the bridal party, the first dance, and parent danc- es. A newer norm gaining traction is sending hand-written notes to each guest when they arrive in town and inserting person- alized menu cards at each dinner table. “Personalized experiences are one of the best ways to thank your guests for witnessing and celebrating your wedding,” suggests Newton. That’s why Aleece recommends that you and your spouse give a thank-you speech together as a couple during your reception. “It isn’t tradition for newlyweds to speak at their event, but it is a lovely opportunity to thank guests, family, or vendors that help you bring your wedding vision to life,” she says. Think twice before choosing faux flowers, cautions Shelley Grieshop, PR director with Coldwater, Ohio-headquartered Totally Wedding Koozies. “Couples now are increasingly selecting live flowers or lush greenery such as ivy and evergreen branches,” says Grieshop. “Also, a more natural, woodsy look has taken over because it’s typically easier to match most wedding colors and themes.” Above all, don’t feel pressured into any tradition that doesn’t feel authentic or genuine to who you are as a couple, Aleece recommends. “There are no laws that say you have to do anything. Throw all the traditions out the window if they feel forced,” she adds. Your wedding day should feel like a true reflection of your relationship.”

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Silver linings playlist

Why carefully curating your reception music is a must

You picked the perfect venue and planned the ideal menu for your wedding banquet. Your chosen dresses, tuxes, flowers, and wedding favors are sure to impress. But you may be overlooking one of the most crucial ele- ments that can make your big day memorable: the music. Without the right tunes, your fun quotient is a big fail and the dance floor might collect dust. The solution? Choose your wedding reception playlist carefully. “It’s very important for couples to consider their music choices wisely because their wedding is going to be attended by people they love and care about. Most cou- ples just want their guests to have a good time, so choosing the right music can ensure they have a great experience and get up and dance, too,” says Jason Alexander Rubio, owner of Austin’s Best DJs & Photo Booths in Austin, Texas. Ivan Moore, DJ and owner of Cleveland-based Synapse Entertainment LLC, subscribes to that theory. “But today, bear in mind that there are so many different sources of music, and it may be harder to please an entire crowd. In the past, people just found their music on the radio and by watching MTV. Now, you have end- less music choices streaming right from your phone and all the music that goes with the Tik Tok and Instagram videos people are watching,” says Moore. “It makes sense that engaged couples want a wedding that is more personalized musically nowadays.” Of course, it’s the job of a skilled wedding DJ to repre- sent different beats for different peeps and to play an array of styles and artists in a seamless fashion that’s also ideally timed to what’s going on during the recep- tion. In other words, your first and likely most essential task in the music department is to enlist an expert DJ or, if you plan to have live music, a versatile band. “It’s the job of a skilled DJ or a live band to get a little something on for everyone. That often means some clas- sic or older music as well as the hot songs of today,” adds Moore. It may also require collaborating with your DJ or band to play shorter songs and smoother transitions between, say, the formal evening dances and the party playlist, according to Anastasia Stevenson, a wedding planner

with Coastal Creative Weddings in Savannah, Georgia. “The attention span a younger crowd has with a particu- lar song is less. Since there is a smaller part of the song people like and recognize, nowadays, the DJ may loop it or play a smaller part of the song before going onto the next one,” says Moore, who calls this approach “quick mixing,” which ensures that more songs on your list get played by the end of the night. Couples lately have been more sensitive to nixing songs that some attendees may find offensive or politically incorrect. “In the current climate, potential culture clash reverb could be swift and ruin a great celebration. R. Kelly and Chris Brown are great examples of artists no longer wel- come on many public playlists,” Stevenson says. “Even a traditional song like Here Comes the Bride, which was written by German composer Richard Wagner in 1850— a notorious Nazi supporter— is on the ‘out’ list lately, as are songs like Gold Digger by Kanye West, White Wedding by Billy Idol, and Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke.” Likewise, Stevenson frowns on The Macarena, the Chicken Dance song, and other campy songs from decades gone by. “After spending months and an inflated budget getting every aspect of your event just right, do you want to look around and see no one dancing, talking, and having fun because the music is too loud or not something every- one can enjoy? That’s why it’s so crucial to have a great DJ or band and customize a playlist that incorporates music you love as a couple and yet still has enough bal- ance for everyone to enjoy,” adds Stevenson. Rubio says it’s helpful if you and your DJ or band set up an online portal that allows you and your guests to sug- gest musical requests well ahead of time. “Including a variety of music is always best. Starting with older music works well since older guests tend to leave earlier than younger ones,” Rubio notes. “I would also include upbeat music for the dancing portion of the night, and I would save slower songs for the cocktail hour and dinner playlists—which is the perfect time to play the bride and groom’s favorite songs and artists that they love.”

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The (new) gold standard

Yellow gold bands are proving more popular

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Looking to get engaged soon and choose the ideal ring? There’s a rule in jewelry you might want to strongly consider: Gold never gets old. That’s especially true of classic yellow gold, which is making a comeback among betrothed couples lately. Many are increasingly opting for yellow gold bands instead of cool- toned metals like platinum or white gold. “In 2021, we saw a slight increase in gross sales of yellow gold wedding bands over white or silver-colored rings com- pared to 2020 sales,” says Tim Dobbs, owner of Alpine Rings in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Particularly in hammered gold designs, we’ve noticed an 11% increase in that category over the previous year.” It’s been a while since yellow gold ruled the nuptial roost. Dobbs says that was back in the 1990s and early 2000s. “Eventually, the trend switched over to white gold coloring in the late 2000s. But we are seeing a reverse of this trend now,” he adds. Alan Katz, who owns The Cute Little Wedding Chapel in Long Beach, California, which has wedding bands for sale and who regularly performs marriage ceremonies, can testify to this drift. “Over the past year, we’ve been selling more yellow gold-col- ored rings than silver or black. A recent comment by one of my bridal clients helps explain why. She said that things have been so dreary for the past two years that she wanted to show something on her hand that was bright and colorful rather than bland or dark,” explains Katz. “That made a lot of sense to me. Before the pandemic, each type of ring we offered sold evenly, but now it tends to be more classic yel- low gold.” Anastasia Stevenson, a wedding planner and owner of Savannah, Georgia-based Coastal Creative Events, has also witnessed more yellow-gold than platinum lately among the rings her clients wear on their big day. “Meghan Markle cemented the yellow gold trend by remind- ing everyone of the classic styling that made Princess Diana such a fashion icon in her time,” notes Stevenson. “There are

endless options when choosing yellow gold. Depending on how it is styled, there is no other metal that can look like a timeless antique or hyper-modern design. Its value holds true throughout the years, as gold is consistently one of the most valuable currencies in the world. It will never go out of style, and it complements every skin tone.” Nicole Corsini, marketing manager for Lang Antiques in San Francisco, which boasts a wide selection of vintage jewelry, says yellow gold is typically less expensive than platinum, “and it maintains its color better than white gold.” One disadvantage of yellow gold is that it is a softer metal, especially at 24 carats. That means care must be taken to prevent the ring from being scratched. “Like every metal, yellow gold requires maintenance, and you want to have it polished once a year to buff out any minor scratches,” Stevenson recommends. Dobbs’ biggest piece of advice for new couples seeking wed- ding bands is to not make a quick decision. “Look at as many designs as you can before committing to one particular band. Most couples view the wedding ring used in their ceremony as their forever ring, so it’s important to make sure it’s something that you’ll still want to wear 20 to 30 years down the road,” he says. “Also, consider things like warranty support from your jeweler as well as exchange and return policies—just in case.” Ponder your lifestyle, as well. If you are a busy on-the-go person who uses your hands a lot daily, keep in mind that yellow gold may show wear-and-tear more easily. “Jagged edges that could snag or get dirty easily will quickly become tiresome. This is a type of ring you and your partner will want to wear day in and day out,” Stevenson says. “Speak to your jeweler about your lifestyle, and trust the options that they present to you.” Lastly, Corsini suggests matching metals for both the bride and groom. “One ring should not be softer gold than the other or a differ- ent color,” she advises.

i do... i did 20 The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide

The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide 21

Photos provided by Tiffany Williams Photography

22 The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide

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