2022 Fall Bridal

2022 Fall Bridal

FALL 2022

• Questions to ask wedding photographers • Guide to hosting a daytime wedding • Avoid wedding reception seating mistakes • Things to consider when planning wedding menu • Caring for wedding and engagement rings • Questions to ask prospective wedding officiants • Unique locations to host a wedding Inside this issue:

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2022

CHARLES CITY PRESS • WEDDING & BRIDAL GUIDE

Honeymoon registry

Consider food allergies when planning wedding menu

other essentials, including kitchen supplies. That means that couples may already own traditional wedding registry gifts like kitchen and bath items and accessories. Brides- and grooms-to-be can think creatively when reg- istering for gifts if they already have many of the items found on traditional registries. Target has partnered with HoneyFund, a free honey- moon registry and cash wedding gift registry, to allow couples to register for honeymoon travel and other experiences. Honeymoon registries can be great ways for couples who already own household items to simplify the process of gift-giving for their wedding guests.

Metro Editorial Library M any couples who are planning to get married have lived together during the engagement period or even longer. A Pew Research Center study found that about two-thirds of married adults who lived with their spouses before they were married say they saw cohab- itation as a step toward marriage. According to Brandon Gaille Small Business & Market- ing Advice, 65 percent of couples who get married live together at some point before their weddings. Individuals who live together must outfit their homes with furniture and

Metro Editorial Library W edding guests will remem- ber many aspects of the ceremony and reception. For guests who have food aller- gies or require specialized diets, dinner can be memorable for all of the wrong reasons. But it doesn’t have to be. Even though weddings are all about the happy couple’s wants and needs, spe- cial attention should be placed on ensuring guests’ comfort. Individuals with allergies and dietary restrictions warrant extra cau- tion. Any food can cause an allergic reaction, but eight types in particular, often referred to as the “Big 8,” are responsible for the greatest numbers of adverse reactions. Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soy comprise the Big 8. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Food Allergy Research and Resource Program says the Big 8 accounts for about 90 percent of all food allergies in the United States. Couples need to recognize the likeli- hood that at least one person at the wedding will have a specialized food need. Most people with dietary restrictions will be very understanding that eating out is a challenge, especially at a wedding. But couples can take steps to ensure that guests with food allergies don’t go hungry. • Ask about allergies on the response

card. Some couples request that guests choose their food preferences on their RSVPs. Include a spot where guests can mention serious food allergies. • Choose a caterer very carefully. Cater- ers are increasingly adapting to common food restrictions. Express specific food avoidances or what you want to be included and find a caterer who specializes in this type of cooking. • Offer allergen-free appetizers. Martha Stewart Weddings suggests serving custom- ized bite-sized hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour to allow for easier customization. This gives guests with allergies the ability to pick and choose their pre-entrée bites. • Label foods and let guests with severe allergies dine first. Buffets should be clearly labeled so those with aller- gies can avoid certain foods. Also, those with severe food allergies should have first shot at the buffet to limit cross-con- tamination from serving utensils. • Create separate meals. A caterer may be able to make separate meals for certain guests, particularly if they have advanced notice. • Don’t forget desserts and drinks. Allergens can be included in drinks and desserts as well. Offer gluten-free des- serts and gluten-free beer as well. Dietary restrictions are another

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3 FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2022

CHARLES CITY PRESS • WEDDING & BRIDAL GUIDE

Questions to ask before booking a photographer

A guide to hosting a daytime wedding

demand for their services is reduced during the day. Similarly, venues may have more availability during the day than at night, and, as a result, they’re more flexible on prices, especially since brunch foods generally cost less than dinner entrees. • Hire the right photog- rapher. Be sure to contract with a photographer who is a pro at handling photos in daylight and natural light. While many photographers are skilled in any light, many are used to shooting in churches and venues with low lighting. Be sure to see picture samples taken during the daytime to gauge a photographer’s daytime experience and skill level. • Employ color to add dimension. During eve- ning weddings, lighting or candles help set the mood. Those same elements will be ineffective in daylight. Choose bright colors for your decor and flowers to brighten up spaces. • Choose alternative entertainment. Chances are guests are not going to feel as comfortable danc- ing during daylight hours. Consider other entertain- ment, such as lawn games, karaoke, or a comedian. A guitarist or pianist may be a nice musical touch.

Metro Editorial Library W eddings dot the social calendars of millions of people across the globe. The Association for Wedding Professionals International says every year an average of 2.4 million weddings are performed in the United States and approximately 150,000 per year are per- formed in Canada. Evenings are the most common time of the day to host a wedding, but that does not mean a daytime wedding cannot be a beautiful event and make for a party to remember. Couples are increasingly customizing their weddings to be a reflection of their personal styles. One of the ways couples are custom- izing their festivities is by moving the wedding to various hours of the day that meet the couple’s needs. A wedding that takes place in the late morning or after- noon may be the perfect fit for some couples. Here’s how to navigate the specif- ics of a daytime wedding. • Secure accommoda- tions. An early wedding means guests may have to travel from afar the evening before to be able to attend the festivities. Daytime wed- dings can be complemented by working with a hotel or bed and breakfast to ensure guests will have a place to stay and get ready to arrive at the early wedding in time. • Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices. The wedding resource Bridal Guide says that vendors are typically more amenable to price discounts or offering greater value for daytime weddings. That’s because

Metro Editorial Library V arious components combine to make weddings beautiful and memorable. Couples rely on photographers to capture the smiles and moments that helped make their events unique and to ensure the big day is remembered for years to come. The trusted wedding resource The Knot notes that an internal study found that, among 27,000 couples who got married in 2019, an average of $2,400 was spent on a wedding photographer to document their big day. Couples who want to find the best photographer for their wedding day can ask several questions before making their final decision.

will be on site, unless it is specified in the contract.

What style do you specialize in? Photographers may be able to shoot various styles of photos, but may specialize in a specific type. For example, some photographers specialize in photojournalism, while others may excel at portraiture. Going with a photographer who has the most expertise shooting the style you prefer will help produce the desired results. Who will be shooting my wedding? Certain photography studios have several photographers working under one roof. Just

What’s included in the photo packages? A detailed price list helps you compare one photographer to another and decide which elements are covered. Additional prints, having a photographer’s assistant, ordering albums for the parents, or ordering a large framed print can alter costs significantly. Explore all prices to ensure you’re getting the best value. In addition, consider how many hours of event coverage are included in the price. What is the payment timeline? Photographers may accept deposits for their services but expect a different timeline of payment. Some may require payment in full before the wedding, while others may offer a payment plan that includes a final payment when picking up proofs or albums. Wedding photography is one of the essential elements of a wedding and helps tell the story of couples’ special day. Asking key questions can help couples find a photographer who will produce the desired results.

Have you ever worked at my venue before?

Photographers may be familiar with several local wedding venues and houses of worship. A photographer who has experience working in the locations where couples will tie the knot and subsequently celebrate might produce the best results, but lack of experience with particular venues need not exclude other professionals. Can we see a full gallery of a recent wedding? According to Brides magazine, unlike an album or a highlight gallery, a full gallery provides a better sense of a photographer’s style and attention to detail. Will photos be color balanced and retouched? Skilled photographers are capable of capturing winning photos. But photos can be enhanced further in the studio with retouching software to bring out specific effects. Some photographers will polish all proofs, while others only will work on the images ultimately ordered. Confirm retouching details before signing the contract.

• Plan food accordingly.

Just because the wedding is early does not mean the food should be. Guests still will need to eat. If you are only opting for light appetizers and cocktails, be sure to mention this on the invitation so guests can plan ahead and won’t go hungry. Daytime weddings can be successful with a little tweaking of traditional evening wedding planning.

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4 FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2022

CHARLES CITY PRESS • WEDDING & BRIDAL GUIDE

How to avoid wedding reception seating mistakes

Dos and don’ts of caring for wedding and engagement rings

Metro Editorial Library W eddings are celebrate the melding of two families into one. Weddings are a melting pot, and while the ultimate goal is for all guests invited to mingle and have a good time, preexisting relationships may cause some wedding-day interactions to great opportuni- ties for people to gather and be strained. However, with careful planning and some best behavior on the parts of all involved, getting hitched can go off without a hitch. It’s possible for guests who may have tumul- tuous pasts to keep the peace, but this also can be ensured through care- ful seating arrangements. This is just one factor couples need to consider

is not loose; otherwise, the diamond can become dislodged, according to Martha Stewart Weddings. Avoid touching dia- monds and other gemstones as much as possible when putting rings on and taking them off. Precious stones often are magnets for dust, dirt and body oil, according to Taylor Lanore, diamond consultant and engagement ring designer for Lauren B. Fine Jewelry and Diamonds. Grab the ring by the band. Use discretion when wearing rings while engag- ing in hands-on activities. Activities like cleaning dishes, moving furniture, gardening, or diving through waves at the beach warrant caution; otherwise, you risk damaging or making jewelry unnecessarily dirty. Store the ring in a safe location until you can safely wear it again. One of the most import- ant steps to safeguard wedding and engagement rings is to insure the jew- elry. The description of the ring, its cut, carat weight, metal, and other information offered through a certi- fied independent jewelry appraisal will be needed to insure the ring. Take a close-up photo of the jew- elry as well. Other items like laser inscription or a home security system can qualify jewelry owners for discounts on insurance. Consumers also can add a jewelry rider to a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. These are some ways to care for wedding jew- elry. Always consult with a jeweler before attempt- ing to clean items made of various materials.

Metro Editorial Library J ewelry is a key key notes that, in the United States, the average amount spent on an engagement ring is $5,500, while Canadians spend an average of $3,500. Jewelry costs can add up, especially when adding in the cost of wedding bands, which can cost as much as $1,000. The cost of jewelry only underscores the impor- tance of learning how to care for it and preserve its value. The best way to main- component of wed- dings. The financial resource CreditDon- tain jewelry depends on the makeup of the rings. The online jewelry guide Jew- elry Notes says gold rings without gemstones can be cleaned effectively with only soap and water. Simply pre- pare a solution of lukewarm water and mild dish soap in a small bowl. Soak the rings for 20 to 30 minutes. Use a soft brush or cloth to clean the jewelry of dirt. Rinse the residue under clean water. Rings with diamonds can be treated similarly with a mild soap-and-wa- ter solution. The Diamond Information Center also says to soak the diamond ring in equal parts cold water and ammonia for half an hour and let it air dry. Brand name jewelry cleaner also is another good option. This method only should be used with dia- monds; ammonia can’t be used with other gemstones. Maintaining jewelry also should include twice yearly visits to a jeweler who can check the prongs and make sure the setting

when deciding where guests will sit and dine at receptions. It’s important to avoid some common mistakes. Mistake #1: Not having a seating plan. Let guests sit where they want and chaos may ensue. People may think they’re entitled to certain seats, may hop into seats vacated by someone getting up to use the restroom or any number of other scenarios. Seating arrangements also ensure every- one is accounted for across the room. Mistake #2: Seating families sep- arately. Unless there are rifts between certain family members, it’s best to seat parents and children at the same tables. Mistake #3: Trying to force new friendships. Avoid trying to figure out who will get along by creating a potpourri table. A cousin in a band will not neces- sarily want to sit next to your coworker

who plays guitar simply because they have a shared love of music. A wed- ding is not the time to try to create new friendships. If it’s meant to be, they’ll connect in a more organic way. Mistake #4: The dreaded kids’ table. Young children can probably get away with sitting at a dedicated kids’ table, although it may mean their parents have to interrupt their experiences by check- ing on their kids throughout the night. A bigger faux pas is to sit teenagers or twentysomethings at the kids table even if they seem like youngsters to you. Set a strict cut-off age for a children’s table. Mistake #5: Being too strict in seat- ing. It’s one thing to direct couples or singletons to specific tables, quite another to assign specific seats. Do not dictate exactly where at the table a guest should

sit. Some people arrive early, others late, and it is up to them to work out how to arrange themselves at the table. Mistake #6: Failing to get family feedback. Always check with your par- ents and future in-laws as resources about how to seat certain guests. They’ll likely know who will make the best table-mates, especially if couples are not familiar with everyone on the guest list. Mistake #7: Not being aware of dis- abilities or needs. Be conscious of guests’ needs. An elderly relative may not be com- fortable in front of the DJ table. A person in a wheelchair may need easy access to and from the reception room. It’s import- ant to be mindful of these special needs. A seating plan for wedding recep- tions is an important consideration so that every guest can feel comfortable.

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5 FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2022

CHARLES CITY PRESS • WEDDING & BRIDAL GUIDE

Negotiating prices with wedding vendors

‘Plus one’ etiquette for wedding guests

Any guest who is engaged or is in a serious long- term relationship It can be challenging to know the relationship status of everyone who will be invited to the wedding, but chances are you’ll have a good idea of those people closest to you. Include a plus one for guests who are engaged or in long-term relationships. Consider guests who may not know others Weddings often are times when childhood friends reconnect, or people who haven’t seen each other in a while come together. If there’s a good chance someone who is single and is invited to the wedding may not know anyone else there except the couple, extend a plus one as a courtesy. Include the wedding party All members of the wedding party should be offered the option of bringing a date to the wedding. Apart from these guidelines, couples can establish any other rules, such as no plus ones for guests under a certain age or those who are not in serious relationships. The Knot also says it is polite to find out who the plus one will be so that wedding reception seating cards include that person’s name instead of “and guest.”

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now M aking a wedding guest list is seldom an easy task. Couples often find that many people are worthy of an invitation, which can make creating a guest list tricky for those with budgets in mind. According to >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6

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