Say I Do

Say I Do...Tips to Plan Your Perfect Day

Write your own vows~Page 7

Pick the right flowers~0

Find your love song~Page 13

Dance the night awayPage 14

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Special Thanks to Courtney Morehead

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Index

All photos provided by Courtney Morehead Photography

Destination Weddings ........................Page 3Eco Friendly Wedding .......................Page 5Writing your own Vows .....................Page 7Bridal Party Roles ...............................Page 8Flowers ...............................................Page 10Love Songs .........................................Page 13Banquet Halls ....................................Page 14Grand Exit .........................................Page 15

Is a Destination Wedding right?When the time comes

to walk down the aisle, more and more couples are choosing to make the procession in a far-off land. Destination weddings are on the rise, with researchers at TheKnot.com report-ing that roughly one in four couples who tied the knot in 2011 chose to have a destination wedding.

Destination wed-dings may appear to be an ideal way to tie the knot, but couples should know that plan-ning such a ceremony may be even more dif-ficult than planning a more traditional affair. Couples who choose to have a destination wedding must be ready to put a significant amount of faith in a wedding planner, who is often affiliated with the resort where the couple will be staying. Though the wedding planner may handle

many of the details concerning the cer-emony and the recep-tion, couples should know that some of that planning will still fall on their shoulders as well. That planning may not be so simple, so be-fore couples spread the word about their island wedding, it’s best to consider a few factors to determine if a desti-nation wedding is truly the best way to go.

* Guests: How many guests a couple hopes to invite is a great starting point when determin-ing if a destination wed-ding is for you. Many couples who choose to have a destination wed-ding do so because they prefer a more intimate ceremony. Destination weddings are obvious-ly more expensive for guests than a more tra-ditional ceremony, so many guests won’t be able to afford to attend. Couples who intend

to invite many guests might want to avoid a destination wedding.

* Locale: The destina-

tion for your destina-tion wedding should be a locale that holds a special place in your heart. A random lo-cation that you find on the Internet might work out, but having some prior experience with the destination can help you anticipate minor, yet potentially problematic, issues. These issues can in-clude the accessibility of the airport, currency exchange rate and the weather. In addition, you can help guests

Cont. on page 4

have a better time on their trips if you have already familiarized yourself with the locale. If you haven’t traveled much as a couple and don’t have a particular place in mind, then you might find a destination wedding is more hassle than it’s worth.

* Accessibility: A common problem many couples encoun-ter when planning a destination wedding is the accessibility of their chosen locale. Couples will likely have to visit the destination at least once prior to their wed-ding, which will eat up

some of your wedding budget and your vaca-tion time (which you will need to save for the actual wedding and your honeymoon). If the locale is a remote is-land that’s not very ac-cessible, that can make these pre-wedding trips pretty stressful.

Accessibility should also be a consideration for your guests. How far will your guests have to travel? How much money will guests have to spend on airfare and hotel accommodations? The less accessible the locale is, the more you and your guests are go-

ing to have to spend. Accessibility of the

airport is another con-sideration. Some island locales and resorts are known for their remote-ness, which can be a problem for wedding guests. If the resort is a long ride away from the airport, that’s another expense for guests. The resort may provide a shuttle service, but that cost will fall on the couple and the shuttle may not run frequently, which can prove prob-lematic when guests’ arrivals are staggered.

* Legality: The law is another thing couples

must consider when deciding if a destination wedding is for them. Laws vary depending on the locale, so before you commit to a spe-cific locale, make sure you’re legally allowed to get married there and if there are any hurdles you must clear before you can. Those hurdles might be signif-icant, and couples may find they’re not worth the hassle.

Destination weddings are on the rise, but couples must consider a host of factors to en-sure a destination wed-ding is truly for them.

~Destination (from pg 3)

Couples commonly look for ways to set their weddings apart from those of their friends and families. Doing so helps create unique memories for the bride- and groom-to-be, while ensuring guests have a good time as well.

One of the ways cou-ples can distinguish their nuptials from those of friends and family is to make their big day an eco-friend-ly affair. Going green for your wedding is a wonderful way for eco-conscious couples to keep the environment in mind on one of the most memorable days of their lives. The fol-lowing are a few ways to plan and host a green wedding.

* Start with the jew-elry. A couple’s journey to their wedding day typically begins with the marriage proposal, and that often includes

an engagement ring. Shop for jewelers who use recycled stones and metals, which can be used to create beautiful

and unique items.Another way jewelry

can be green is to pur-chase vintage or an-tique items, which are obviously reusable and sustainable.

* Address your attire. Brides hoping to take an eco-friendly walk down the aisle can shop for a gown that’s stylish and sustainable. A family gown can be re-fitted to fit the bride-to-be, or brides can take ad-vantage of the growing popularity of environ-mentally conscious at-

tire and choose a gown made from sustainable materials.

* Go green with the in-vitations. Couples have

myriad options at their disposal when it comes to eco-friendly invita-tions, whether it’s post consumer-waste paper, tree-free paper or digi-tal invitations sent via the Internet.

* Get beautified in an environmentally friend-ly way. Choose all-nat-ural beauty products instead of using con-ventional cosmetics, many of which contain toxic chemicals.

* Don’t forget the flowers. Flowers add significant aesthetic ap-peal to a wedding, and couples can make them even more appealing by choosing local flow-ers that are in-season.

Couples about to tie the knot can make their weddings even more special by making the festivities environmen-tally friendly.

How to have an eco-friendly wedding

“Going green for your wedding is a wonderful way for eco-conscious couples to keep the environment in mind on one of the most memorable days of their lives.”

Writing your own vows...A wedding is a once-in-a-life-

time event for many couples, so brides and grooms wish for the event to be momentous and memorable. As such, couples are increasingly integrating per-sonal nuances into their cere-monies and receptions to tailor weddings to their unique vi-sions. The desire to include per-sonalized wedding vows contin-ues to be a popular trend.

If you are considering person-alized wedding vows, first real-ize that it may not be a simple task. That’s because you want the message conveyed to be dear to your heart, and that can be challenging when faced with the pressures and planning of the rest of the wedding. That isn’t to say that writing your own vows is impossible. Here are some guidelines for person-alizing your ceremony with your own sentiments.

* Schedule time for writing. Give the task of writing your vows your undivided attention. Mark it in on your calendar as you would any other appoint-ment.

* Be aware of ceremony guide-lines. It is best to check with your officiant and confirm that personalized wedding vows are allowed.

* Jot down your feelings. Try to avoid trite sayings and think from your heart and personal experiences. Think about what is the most important thing you want to promise to your future partner. These notes can serve as the starting points for the ac-tual vows.

* Read inspirational writings. Perhaps there is an author or a poet who inspires you? There

also are suggested wedding readings and other quotes about marriage readily available at the library or with a quick search online.

* Decide on a tone. Feel free to tap into your unique personali-ty. Humor can be used if it aligns with the way you normally ex-press your affections.

* Establish an outline. Put together all of the words and phrases you’ve jotted down into an outline to help you organize the flow of the vows, using these words as a blueprint for the vows and building upon them.

* Put everything together. Draft your vows and then practice them by reading out loud. You want to avoid long sentences or anything that trips you up.

Writing your own vows can be a way to include personal ex-pressions of love into a couple’s wedding day. Public speaking is seldom easy, nor is finding the perfect words to convey feelings about a future spouse. However, with some practice and inspira-tion, anyone can draft personal-ized vows.

Best Man, Maid of Honor roles

PRUITT CHAPEL

Being chosen as a best man or a maid of honor is a significant and meaningful hon-or. Those roles have evolved over the years, but these special par-ticipants must still per-form some of the tradi-tional duties of the past, including serving as the official witnesses to the ceremony. The follow-ing is a rundown of the various duties maids of honor and best men are now expected to han-dle once they’re chosen for these distinguished honors.

Prior to the weddingBefore the wedding

takes place, the maid of honor will closely assist the bride-to-be with many of the important decisions related to the look and the feel of the wedding. She typically accompanies the bride to dress shops to select gowns for the bride and bridesmaids. Much in the same manner, the best man will assist the groom-to-be with choosing tuxedoes or suits and also with co-ordinating with the ushers to ensure they know when to go for

fittings.Although the best

man will serve as a sounding board for the groom, tradition-ally the bride and her bridesmaids have taken on the majority of the wedding planning, so the maid of honor can expect to play a larger role than the best man. The maid of honor may be asked to delegate certain assignments, such as helping to find wedding vendors or addressing invitations. She may go with the bride for makeup and hairstyle trials. Together with the bridesmaids, she will plan a bridal shower party and a bachelorette excursion.

She may select a wed-ding gift for the couple and present it on behalf of all the wedding at-tendants.

The best man will co-ordinate the bachelor party and may be asked to assist the groom with selecting a honeymoon site or to come along to book the trip.

Wedding dayOn the day of the

wedding, the maid of honor and the best man will act as a sup-port system for the bride and groom. The maid of honor will help the bride get dressed and help iron out any mini-emergencies that

Cont. on page 9

should crop up. The best man will help ensure all of the ushers are dressed and get the groom to the wedding on time.

During the ceremony, the maid of honor will hold the bride’s bouquet while she participates in the wedding.

The best man will keep the rings safe until they are needed. The maid of honor also will help adjust the bride’s train and veil as she sits and stands during the cere-mony. Both will sign the marriage certificate as witnesses.

At the reception, the best man is expected to give a toast and the maid of honor may share some words as well. She

also may accompany the bride to the restroom and assist her with man-aging the gown.

After the weddingThe best man will

be in charge of return-ing the tuxedoes to the rental shop, if necessary. He also may drive the newly married couple to the airport so they can depart on their honey-moon.

The maid of honor will assist the bride in chang-ing out of her gown and into her travel clothes.

Oftentimes the maid of honor takes the gown to the cleaners in the days following the ceremony so the dress can be pre-served.

~Roles (from pg 8)

Tips for selecting wedding day flowersWhat would a wed-

ding day be without flowers? The beauty and the aroma of fresh-cut flowers can create a welcoming atmosphere and complement the beauty and the style of a wedding wardrobe. Flowers are often the first things that guests see upon arriving for the ceremony, and they may even be some-thing guests take home at the end of the night. Flowers create an air of romance, and most couples want to make flowers -- whether fresh or silk -- an integral part of their wedding day.

As with any decision

when planning a wed-ding, choosing the right flowers requires some research and a basic knowledge of which flowers will convey the message and the theme of your wedding. The number of colors, tex-tures and combinations that can be created are so numerous that couples may feel the decision on the floral arrangements is best left to the florist. But it doesn’t take a lot of expertise to know what you want, and it is im-portant for couples to convey their feelings to the florist.

Cont. on page 11

Consider these tips when choosing a florist and selecting flowers.

* Experts advise that a couple start looking for a florist at least six months before the wedding, es-pecially if the wedding will take place during the peak season of May through September. Get recommendations from friends as to which flo-rist they used or find out if your wedding planner or banquet hall manager recommends a particu-lar florist. Some catering halls have agreements with florists, and they work together.

* Browse magazines to get ideas of what you like. You also may be able to find a florist through an advertisement or if he or she has been featured in publications. Keep a scrapbook of the colors, types of flowers and ar-rangements and any other ideas that attract you so you will be able to present this information

to the florist.* Establish your flower

budget prior to sitting down with the florist. You should expect to pay at least 8 percent of the total wedding cost on flowers. Get an estimate on the floral arrange-ment and then tweak your needs according to your budget. Many flo-rists can modify arrange-ments and find a middle ground with regard to cost. Selecting flowers that are in-season will result in more affordable rates than if you desire exotic or out-of-season blooms.

* Once you’ve hired the florist, you can come up with a wedding flow-er worksheet that estab-lishes all of your needs. The florist may ask for specific information, such as photos of the bride’s gown as well as the colors and styles that the wedding party will be wearing.

Cont. on page 12

~Flowers (from pg 10)

A good florist knows that a bouquet should not overpower or de-tract from the beauty of the bride. The flo-rist may want to mimic textures from the dress, such as beading, with smaller flowers or ber-ries within the arrange-ment. The groom’s bou-tonniere is traditionally one of the flowers from the bride’s bouquet so that the look is cohe-sive.

* Ceremony flowers may be traditional, and some houses of worship have strict guidelines as to what can and cannot be used.

* Because receptions tend to take place in the evening hours and are often indoor af-fairs, experts say that added lighting may be needed to put empha-sis on the floral center-

pieces and help present them in their best light. You may want to think about hiring a lighting designer to spotlight some areas of the room or at the very least in-corporate candlelight

into your centerpiece arrangements.

* To give the impres-sion that there are more flowers than there re-ally are, use fragrance and filler as your tools. Fragrant flowers can fill up the room with a welcoming aroma. Look for frangipani, lil-ies, hyacinths, jasmine, and sweet peas for a big impact. Florists know how to stretch arrange-

ments by using green-ery and other filler to lend bulk without too much extra cost.

*Experienced florists will know how long it takes certain buds to open and show off

their maximum beau-ty. Therefore, expect a florist to be working on your floral arrange-ments as much as a week before the wed-ding date -- purchasing containers, cleaning flowers and waiting for certain ones to open fully.

Minimize changes close to your wedding date as most things will already be started.

* It is possible to make your own center-pieces or bouquets if you so desire. Simplici-ty will work best for the novice. Think about grouping similar-hued calla lilies together for a bridal bouquet. Hy-drangea and peonies are larger flowers that can easily fill up a ves-sel on a table as a cen-terpiece. White flowers will coordinate with any color scheme and could be the easiest to mix and match. White blooms include sweet pea, rose, camellia, stephanotis, narcissus, gardenia, orchid, lily of the valley, jasmine, and gypsophila.

Flowers are one com-ponent of the wedding that will help achieve the magic and beauti-ful atmosphere couples desire.

~Flowers (from pg 11)

“A good florist knows that a bou-quet should not overpower or detract from the beauty of the bride.”

Love songs that stand the test of timeThere are many differ-

ent ways to convey feel-ings of affection. Some people pen poetry, oth-ers bestow gifts, while still others feel moved by music and lyrics. Com-monly featured at wed-dings or as the backdrop on romantic evenings, the following songs are considered some of the more popular love songs of all time.

* “Love Theme From ‘A Star Is Born’” (Ev-ergreen): This Barbara Streisand classic from the hit film helped Strei-sand earn both an Acad-emy Award for Best Song from a Motion Picture and Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

* “Up Where We Be-long”: The song “Up Where We Belong” by Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker from the movie will always be a roman-tic favorite.

* “I Do It for You”: This Bryan Adams hit was nominated for an Os-car as the theme for the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.”

* “Love Me Tender”: His good looks and gy-rating hips helped thou-sands of women fall in love with Elvis Presley. However, this signature love song endeared the famed crooner to many others.

* “I’ll Stand by You”: This 1994 hit from The Pretenders can be in-terpreted as a song of romantic devotion or a

commitment to friends.* “You Are So Beauti-

ful”: Joe Cocker makes the list again with this soulful 1975 hit.

* “Have I Told You Lately”: Originally writ-ten and recorded by Van Morrison, this song gained new life and no-toriety when recorded by Rod Stewart.

* “My Girl”: Beloved R&B group The Temp-tations deliver a song about sunshine on a cloudy day in this clas-sic.

* “I Will Always Love You”: Written and per-formed by Dolly Parton, this song is perhaps most known for the ver-sion performed by Whit-ney Houston for the soundtrack of her 1992 film “The Bodyguard.”

* “Time After Time”: A song of devotion, Cyndi Lauper earned her first No. 1 single with this hit.

* “Hey There, Delilah”: A simple song of young love by the Plain White T’s.

* “Unchained Mel-ody”: The Righteous Brothers delivered the best-known version of this song in the 1990 film “Ghost.”

* “Just the Way You Are”: Billy Joel’s clas-sic in which he tells his beloved she is perfect as-is.

* “Your Song”: A sim-ple, eloquently written song of love from Elton John.

Finding the right banquet hallPlanning a wedding is

no small feat, as couples are faced with many decisions seemingly from the moment they get engaged right up until they walk down the aisle as man and wife. One of the biggest decisions a couple will make is where to host the reception.

Couples must con-sider a variety of fac-tors when looking for the right banquet hall to host their reception. The wedding is a cel-ebration, and the ban-quet hall is where the couple and their guests will let their hair down and hopefully enjoy a festive and memorable night.

Because the recep-tion is typically the most lengthy portion of a couple’s wedding day, it’s important to find a place where everyone can be comfortable and

enjoy themselves. The following are a few tips for couples looking to find the ideal banquet hall to host their wed-ding reception.

* Ask around. Word-of-mouth is a great way to find the right banquet hall. Wedding planning isn’t easy, so if friends, family members or co-workers recommend

a hassle-free banquet hall, that recommenda-tion can remove a lot of the stress from plan-ning a wedding.

* Consider the size of the facility. Some cou-ples prefer an intimate affair with relatively few guests, while oth-ers will desire a large wedding party with lots of guests.

* Don’t downplay decor. A banquet hall with an attractive de-cor is not only aestheti-cally appealing but can appeal to a couple’s fi-nances as well.

* Prioritize privacy. Few couples would be open to strangers hav-ing easy access to their wedding reception. When shopping for a banquet hall, look for one that gives you and your guests all the pri-vacy you need. Many

couples have taken to hosting the entire ceremony at a hotel, which may handle the bulk of the planning and remove the hassle of transportation for out-of-town guests. However, couples con-sidering a hotel should look for one that can promise privacy from other guests at the ho-tel who aren’t there for the wedding.

The reception room should be secluded from the rest of the hotel so other guests walking by aren’t tempted to walk in on the festivities.

The banquet hall is where couples can ex-pect to spend most of their time on their wed-ding day, so couples should exercise their due diligence to ensure they find an inviting and festive facility.

The Grand ExitJoan BratcherArbuckle Wedding

Chapel

So the wonderful wed-ding celebration is draw-ing to an end, and the happy couple is ready to make their final wed-ding statement—The Grand Exit! The crowd of well-wishers gathers outside to cheer them on to their new life. This age old tradition is still one of the most impor-tant and beloved parts of the celebration. In times past, guests would throw rice—a symbol of fertility. Then the era of shower-ing the couple with bird seed came (and went.) And let’s not forget that confetti has been used lavishly in the past.

Presently we have several popular choic-es. Most of the brides at our wedding chapel choose bubbles, so each guest is given a bottle of bubbles. The young and the old alike really get into the bubble blow-ing—it seems to bring out the inner child in everyone. The couple passes through a beau-tiful cloud of bubbles to reach their get-away vehicle. This makes for some really gorgeous pictures—ethereal with a touch of whimsy!

Another popular fare-well favorite is sparklers. The bride and groom run through a gaunt-let of fiery sparks, and

again, the guests enjoy it and the pictures are phenomenal. A caveat to sparklers: Be certain that nearby foliage is not too dry (a grass fire would NOT be an el-egant ending to a great event.) One of

our brides actually hired a professional to do a fireworks display. Oooooo! Ahhhhhh!

Other brave couples have supplied silly string, or brightly colored crepe paper streamers to un-furl, or flags to wave. Waving wands with streamers is beautiful. And speaking of beauti-ful....the sound of guests ringing bells for the de-parting couple is lovely.

We have also had bal-loons released at daytime weddings—wedding col-ors, of course. Another bride had guests release lighted balloons (battery powered) at night—a gently floating rainbow of color. Yet another had guests release white Chi-nese lanterns with tiny candles inside—glorious in the night sky! How-ever, it should be noted that “what goes up must come down,” so those balloons and lanterns

eventually become lit-ter and must be picked up. (Think green.)

So picture yourself doing The Grand Exit! Choose something fun and pretty--the possibili-ties are many, the crowd loves it, and the pictures will be cherished!

Say I Do

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