Weddings North 2012

www.upnorthweddings.com

The touch. The feel.It’s thefabric that makes the dress.

A MaterialWorld

BaNDS OF OUTSIDeRSWEDDING RINGS WITH A LITTLE LESS BLING

HIGH-TeCH PLaNNINGWHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MIXING TECH WITH TRADITION

ROSeSTHE LITTLE BLACK DRESS OF FLOWERS

MODERN TIARAS THAT MULTITASKDELICIOUS CAKES, NO FUSS

page 2 | WeDDINgS NORTH 2012

Band of OutsidersGold’s rapidly rising price has paved the way for alternative-metal jewelry – and placed further emphasis on the importance of appraising and insuring your jewelry

Today’s Tiaras Once a fusty, out-of-date hair adornment, modern tiaras mul-titask, serving as brooches or shoulder jewelry well after the ceremony

Coming Up RosesWith so many colors and varieties, roses are a true classic that always work well – especially for weddings. Preston Bailey, author of “Preston Bailey Flowers,” opens up about the ‘little black dress’ of wedding flowers

Simple, and Slightly PerfectThese desserts eschew the showy details and put flavorful cake front and center

The Do’s and Don’ts of Wedding TechThanks to technology, planning a wedding has never been easier! But before you go sending evites, here’s what you need to know about mixing technology with tradition

PLUS:The Recession Registry, Real CouplesFashion: The Latest in Celeb-inspired Gowns

A Material World

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It’s the dress’s fabric that reflects a bride’s personality and flatters her body. Here, designers open up about their go-to textiles and which styles they work best for

Weddings North • 2012



Brides are on their feet all day, but they don’t have to spend their big day balancing in heels.Vouelle, the French designer shoe line, partnered with Twins for Peace, the Parisian shoe company that donates a pair of shoes for each purchased, on a capsule collection of bridal tennis shoes. The six-shoe collection features Keds-like kicks in silk satin (one pair leather) in either white or ivory. They’re perfect for all-day wear or as less fussy pre-ceremony footwear. At 110 to 130 euros, they’re a bit pricier than Keds, but with each purchase a pair of shoes is donated to an all-girls orphanage in Cambodia.

SNeakY STYLe

The red carpet is a great source of inspiration for everyday fashion, but for the wedding fashion, there’s only one place to look: the aisle. For her Spring 2012 White by Vera Wang collaboration, now in its second year, the designer included two gowns inspired by the custom gowns she designed for reality start Kim Kardashian’s lavish nuptials. The two styles, a tulle ball gown and a georgette mermaid gown, are both priced at $1,500.

Ivory tulle ball gown with Chantilly lace appliqués at bodice, basque waist and cathedral train, inspired by Kim Kardashian’s ceremony gown

Ivory georgette mermaid gown with draped straps and Chantilly lace appliqués at bodice. Dramatic skirt features basket-weave organza blossoms and petal embroideries, inspired by one of Kim Kardashian’s reception gowns

FaSHION

KeepingUp



By AnnA SAchSe

CTW Features

Sure, towering tiers of woven fondant blooming with hand-formed sugar flowers and topped with a chocolate diorama of the city where you live make for quite a spectacle, but they can also take up a sizeable portion of your wedding budget. Instead, consider opting for a simple or “rustic chic” design and make the actual cake – what’s inside – the star of your big-day dessert. By focusing on fantastic flavor instead of over-the-top flair, not only will you save money, you’ll have a nice cake that you actually want to eat it, too.

These desserts eschew the showy details and put flavorful cake front and center

CakeS

Simple, and Slightly Perfect

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Design Within Reach

A simple design doesn’t mean you have to forfeit char-acter or style – it just means making smart choices. If you want to make a bold statement, for example, pass on the expen-sive techniques like detailed piping or elaborate monograms and look to color, suggests Sally Kilbridge, deputy editor of Brides magazine. “A brilliant orange cake with simple white stripes would be stunning.”

But for a more rustic feel, fresh flowers are a perfect fit and will be less expensive than sugar, gum-paste or marzipan versions, Kilbridge adds. Over-sized blossoms or branches with tiny buds look especially chic, but whatever you choose, ask your florist first to be sure your flora is nontoxic and pes-ticide-free. Other sweet decora-tive options include: fresh fruit,

such as berries, champagne grapes, miniature pears, plums or apricots arranged around tiers enrobed in a softly-rough cream cheese frosting that evokes tree bark; feathery ferns fanning up from the cake’s base; or, for a beach wedding, small (and thoroughly cleaned) pebbles or seashells arranged in a pattern on smooth, white buttercream.

You can also opt to forgo the icing altogether and simply

showcase the colorful layers of cake and filling like the famous frosting-free tiers from Momo-fuku’s Milk Bar in New York City. Marilyn DeVault, owner of Portland, Ore.-based Piece of Cake Bakery, has done an ele-gant version topped with fresh strawberries swirled in white chocolate.

Can’t imagine cake without frosting but still want your wedding sweets to be unique? DeVault recommends playing around with size – consider a spread of three single-tier cakes in your favorite flavors, a smaller two-tier cake paired with luscious fruit pies, or a simple three-tier cake that looks grand thanks to risers that augment the height. Or you can just concentrate on decorating the table on which

your simple cake sits, sug-gests Kara Buntin, owner of Richmond, Va.-based A Cake to Remember. Teapots filled with flowers, mason jars filled with sparklers, mismatched vintage votive holders and slices of trees that serve as cake stands are all great options.

Impeccable Taste Even if your cake is about

$19,800 cheaper than Kim Kardashian’s $20K treat, you’re wasting your money if it doesn’t taste good – all you’ve done is pay for a lot of cake that nobody wants to eat, Bun-tin says.

To prevent a flavor fiasco, Buntin advises asking bakers if they use “pre-weighed dry ingredients” (i.e. a

It’s what’s on the inside that counts. A chocolate fudge cake with peanut butter meringue, covered in rough-stroked vanilla buttercream icing, left. On the oppo-site page, a three-tiered yellow cake with strawberry Italian meringue, covered in vanilla rough-stroked vanilla buttercream. Both cakes from Kara Buntin of A Cake to Remember.


cake mix) and if they make their own fillings and buttercream. “Pre-made components are usually more chemical than natural, and the taste reflects that.” In addition, she rec-ommends asking background questions, such as how many years of experience the baker has, if they went to culinary school for pastry and if they will bake and decorate the cake themselves or if a staff person will handle it.

You’ll also want to ask about what flavors they offer and, if applicable, whether or not they can accommodate special dietary needs in a special way. Piece of Cake Bakery, for exam-ple, specializes in gourmet vegan, wheat-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free wedding cakes that come in flavors that are just as tasty and varied as “nor-

mal” cakes – think red velvet, lemon coconut, chocolate rasp-berry, chocolate mint, choco-late peanut butter, blueberry and pumpkin.

Of course, tastings are a helpful (and fun!) way to find more interesting flavor profiles and the most delicious cake, but there may be a fee involved, warns Kilbridge. As an alterna-tive, she suggests selecting a bakery that you already love – chances are the cake will taste fantastic and since you’re going for a simple or rustic look any-way, it isn’t necessary that they be pros with a pastry bag.

Budget BasicsJust because a cake seems

“simple,” it won’t necessarily be lower in cost – a three-tier Momofuku cake that serves 60 to 75 people starts at $400, for example, even without frosting.

If budget is a concern of yours, keep in mind that butter-cream is typically less expen-sive than fondant because it requires less work, says Kilbridge. “Just be sure the cake stays refrigerated until it’s time to cut it, as a melted cake isn’t a bargain at any price.”

You’ll also want to note that while most bakers will charge more for liqueurs, additional

fillings, fancy techniques and off-the-menu flavors, some will actually charge extra for every change to a yellow cake batter or anything other than basic border piping, Buntin says. She advises shopping around and warns against ordering too much – you only need servings for about 80 percent of your guests, as some folks don’t eat cake and others will leave before it’s cut. “But the best thing you can do is tell a baker what your budget is and ask what they can do to help you stay within it.”

© CTW Features

You’re wasting your money if it doesn’t taste good – all you’ve done is pay for a lot of cake that nobody wants to eat.— Kara Buntin


By TimoThy R. SchulTe

CTW Features

Some things are perennially en vogue. Like roses.

The iconic floral may have a reputation for red, but it’s the versatility in its vast spectrum of varieties that led floral couturier, Preston Bailey, to dub the rose “the little black dress of floral design.” Like the classic closet piece, roses just always work.

“They have become this really standard thing that you see – but not just boring red roses,” says Bailey, author of the new book “Preston Bailey Flow-ers” (Rizzoli, 2011). But ubiquity doesn’t mean they can’t serve as wedding florals. In fact, it’s an invitation to. It just means taking the rose and using it in an unex-pected way, Bailey says.

Bouquets, Bouts and CenterpiecesIn a world of hydrangeas and ger-bera daisies, a bouquet of white or cream roses might seem unex-pected enough, but Bailey also likes the idea of incorporating a little bit of bling to add another dimension.

“Just add a little crystal to them, so whenever the bride is walking down the aisle she has a little extra sparkle,” Bailey says.

For boutonnieres, the rose blossom should stay in propor-

tion to the lapel on the groom’s jacket. For a slimmer lapel, that means peeling the petals to get it to the right size, or just not allowing the bloom to open as fully.

With centerpieces, Bailey likes to go high and low on tables – “it gives the room a lot of movement.” He even suggests creating different designs for different tables, that way guests get to see different arrange-ments.

Dashes of DramaThe escort card table is a great place to add a dramatic state-ment with flowers. One method Bailey has found effective is to tie a rose so that it can be worn as a corsage and placing it next to the card. When women take their card, they also get a keep-sake they can wear.

A similar touch, if the event has valet parking, is to have the valet attendant simply hand women a rose at the end of the evening.

“It’s just a nice, special touch,” Bailey says.

Color CoordinationThe standard of what roses rep-resent is romance, says Bailey, but the color of the rose is what really exudes a mood.

The vibrants – hot pink and

fuchsia roses – are all about celebration. “It just says party, it says passion, all the great things,” Bailey says.

Lavender and purple roses imbue an air of softness; cream and white roses, elegance. Apricot or peach roses strike a balance: not passionate, not understated.

Bailey’s one rule on color: monochromatism.

“I tend to like them in bunch-es of the same color,” he says. “I’m not big on mixing.”

© CTW Features

Coming Up RosesWith so many colors and varieties, roses are a true classic that always shine – especially for weddings. Preston Bailey, author of ‘Preston Bailey Flowers,’ opens up about the little black dress of wedding flowers

Preston Bailey’s secret for fantasic-looking roses? Let them open slowly. “Get them at least seven days before [the event],” he says. “The idea is that they want to be as fully open as pos-sible on the day they’re being used.” When tending to them, be

very careful in removing leaves from the stem, Bailey warns. Like a straw, if you puncture the stem, it won’t get any oxygen, which will prevent it from opening properly. Beyond that, give them a daily dose of clean, tepid water, and they should be ready to go.

Take IT SLOW



By cATheRine PhelAn

CTW Features

Not long ago tiaras were reliable mainstays of beauty contests and dowagers at hunt balls, but two royal weddings helped bring these sparklers back into the bridal spotlight this year. Now even fashion-forward brides are searching beyond recent trend headpieces like feathery hair combs and French veils to give tiaras a second look.

The fresh tiara styles Prin-cess Charlene of Monaco wore last July during her wedding to Prince Albert and for her gala evening reception not only helped dust the cobwebs from this classic ornament but may also help reinvent the form.

Noted Paris jeweler Lorenz

Baumer’s design for Char-lene’s reception undeniably brought tiara style into the 21st century. The glittery creation, a modern spray-like masterpiece studded with diamonds, won raves from the fashionable crowd assembled for the Monte Carlo nuptials. Baumer says the wave and foam allusion was intended to reflect the bride’s love of the sea. (The Princess, an avid surfer, was once an Olympic swimmer.) Dubbed the “Diamond Foam” Tiara, this hip piece multitasks, too. It can be taken apart and worn as a brooch or

smaller hair decoration. While Baumer created the tiara especially for Charlene, brides without a royal budget and interested in a spray-style hair accessory may want to check out a new fabric flower clip with crystal sprays.

Baumer’s tiara wasn’t the only headpiece winning raves during the two-day gala fete. For the church ceremony Prin-cess Charlene had diamond flower brooches styled to form a luminous diadem rim-ming her chignon. After the wedding ceremony, her tulle veil cascaded from this brooch arrangement at the nape of her neck.

Tina Gutierrez, owner of Princess Bride Tiaras, Cincin-nati, says Charlene’s brooch look can be easily recre-ated, with silvertoned crystal-studded wedding combs positioned to form a back-of-the-head-style tiara.

For brides opting for more classic styles, heirloom tiaras a la Kate Middleton are now big. After the British royal weddings, Gutierrez saw an increase in sales, “especially for pieces like Kate’s tiara,” a 1930s Cartier halo-style piece on loan from the queen.

Even bridal acces-sories companies that don’t offer tiaras are adapting cer-tain styles to meet increased demand. Alexandra Augustine, co-owner of Brides Head Revisited, New York says, “We’re introducing wider head

Today’s Tiaras

Once a fusty, out-of-date hair adornment, modern tiaras multitask, serving as brooches or

shoulder jewelry well after the ceremony

Lorenz Baumer’s “Diamond Spray” tiara for Princess Charlene of Monaco, above left, featured rounded and calibrated diamonds on white gold, with 11 encrusted diamond pears.

Silver floral spray comb accented with freshwater pearls and crystals.



bands for a more formal, tiara-style feel.”

For brides choosing tiaras – whether cutting edge or tradi-tional – Gutierrez recommends focusing on gown style and face shape first. Many brides like to “match the type of spar-kle,” she says, pairing crystal appliqué fabrics with crystal-embellished tiaras; pearl lace embroidery with pearly dia-dems. Sometimes tiaras serve as counterpoint. “A simple dress with a lavish hair accessory

and vice versa,” says Alexandra Augustine. For face shapes, as with choosing eyewear, there are some general rules. Avoid peaked-top tiaras if you have an oval face, but try them if your face shape is round, Gutierrez suggests. The wedding gown’s color – its whiteness, how deep the ivory hue – influences whether a tiara should be gold or silver-toned, as does hair color. (See “How to Select a Wedding Tiara” on PrincessBri-deTiaras.com.)

As for other bridal jewelry, Alexandra Augustine says that while some brides like to bling out, “you should really consider the lavishness or simplicity of your hair accessory when selecting an earring or neck-lace for your wedding day.”

Even with all the royal wed-ding buzz, tiaras may be not for everyone. Regina Shafir, of Regina B., a New York firm specializing in custom bridal jewelry, says 1920s Deco-style hair combs and flapper-style

headbands are popular with her trend-conscious clients. And for those who can’t settle for one style, Alexandra Augus-tine points out that brides now opt for several headpiece looks, as Charlene of Monaco did, wearing one combination to the ceremony, another for the start of the reception, and a third for the post-reception din-ner dance party.

© CTW Features

Peaked crystal tiara with silvertone setting and side combs, left, and floral-inspired tiara of Austrian crystals, rhinestones and pearls, both from Princess Bride Tiaras.


page 11 | WeDDINgS NORTH 2012Weddings North • Fall 2006 • Page 10

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Ivy Chapel

Wedding Budget WorksheetDESCRIPTION ESTIMATE ACTUAL DESCRIPTION ESTIMATE ACTUAL

RECEPTIONFacility

COST STATIONERY COST

Food

Cake

Entertainment

Bride’s Wedding Ring

Groom’s Wedding Ring

Beverages

Decorations

RINGS COST

WEDDING ATTIRE COSTBridal Dress

Tuxedos

Accessories

Alterations

Headpiece/Veil

FLOWERS COSTCeremony/Reception

Bouquets

Boutonnieres

CEREMONY COSTChurch/Location

Clergy/Judge

Musicians

Decorations/Rentals REHEARSAL DINNER COST

Location

Other

Announcements

Wedding Invitations

Thank You’s

Stamps

Programs

Albums

Other

PHOTOGRAPHER COST

VIDEOGRAPHER COSTOther

Gifts for Attendants

Wedding Favors

GIFTS COST

Gifts for Parents

Gifts for Each Other

TRANSPORTATION COSTTo Ceremony

To Reception

Guest Transportation

MISC. COSTMarriage License

Taxes

HONEYMOON COSTHoneymoon Trip

Wedding Night Accomodations

Splurge Money

Tips


Living in a Material World By Nola Sarkisian-Miller CTW Features

The best wedding dress is the one made with a fabric that reflects a bride’s personality and flatters her body. Here, designers open up about their go-to textiles and which styles of gowns they work best for

verybody knows that strap-less gowns are the favored silhouettes of brides. But, what about the fabric of the gown? Should brides opt for something like a heavy duchess satin, which

lends itself well to beading, or a silk tulle for an incredible fairy tale ball gown, or a sheer chiffon for a soft, drapey feel?

For spring 2012, bridal design-ers are thinking about the lightness of being. Sheerer staples like chif-fon, crepe back satin, silk tulle and charmeuse are some popular fabrics at New York-based Sarah Jassir, such as the silk crepe back satin dress with lace trim or silk taffeta ball gown in tulle and lace. Romantic embroidered lace and silk embellished with metallic lace for a bit of sheen are key in

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the collection by Los Angeles-based designer Tadashi Shoji. And, textured organzas and cot-ton voiles are favorites of designer Hayley Paige, the new designer behind JLM Couture’s Blush line and an upcoming namesake line, which will have a soft launch in spring.

“The airy and gauze-like qualities cater to my favorite type of fabric manipulations,” Paige says. “It’s a form of happy drama and tangibility.”

For the non-initiated, sifting through fabric choices can sound daunting. A number of factors can help brides whittle down the fabric list:

Think about all the activities you will do at the wedding – dancing, eating, drinking and more – Jassir says.

Pick a fabric that reflects your venue. A formal event typically calls for something grand, such as a ball gown or mermaid silhouette, created out of silk tulle, says Shoji. Fluid silk chiffon gowns are ideal for beach affairs.

Search for a fabric that reflects your personal-ity, says bridal designer Heidi Elnora. It doesn’t

hurt if it also flatters your body. For instance, silk chiffon moves with the body, and sturdier fabrics, such as taffeta, won’t cling to your bottom half.

If necessary, Paige says to “embrace your inner Carrie Bradshaw and pull inspiration from your

own closet!” Notice the fabrics of your favor-ite cocktail dress or visit the eveningwear section of a department store to try on some gowns and get a better feel of what fabrics imbue you with confidence. Here’s a cheat sheet to all your fabric options:

Silks

Silk is the revered fabric when it comes to bridal gowns. Prized for its luster, drape and hand, it’s made from silkworm cocoons and woven with different fabrics to net various lusters and finishes.

Silk duchesse satin – This heavier fabric exudes luxury with a sheen and richness. Its structural stability makes it a great can-vas for designer ornamentation.

Silk charmeuse – Renowned for its drape, durability and shine, silk charmeuse is a fabric that feels like heaven to brides with its smooth, free-flowing texture. Great for sheaths, this gown creates an elegant silhou-ette and emphasizes the curves of the body.

Silk dupioni – A lustrous fabric crisp to the touch with a nubby texture. It comes in medium- to heavy-weight and doesn’t wrin-kle, which it makes it great for a free-flowing gown.

Silk taffeta – This flat fabric rustles as it moves and is instrumental in creating fuller-bodied gowns.

Sheers

Chiffon – With a see-through quality, this elegant fabric gives with a slight stretch and crepe-like texture. Available in

Ivory washed silk organza layered raw-edge bias-cut A-line skirt with Vanilla Bean double-faced satin sash

from Watters Brides, opposite page.

Sarah Jassir silk taffeta ball gown in tulle and lace, right.

Ivory washed silk organza strapless gown with draped sweetheart neckline, flutter over skirts and hand-

crafted leather and matte organza belt from Watters Brides, below.

Ivory thin taffeta rouched one-shoulder gown with jewel detail from Tadashi Shoji



silk and polyester, chiffon can keep brides warm or cool with its absorbency and ability to keep temperatures at bay.

Organza – Lightweight and sheer, this fabric is a workhorse both in silk and polyester. Its stiffness lends itself to great architectural styles and pro-vides interest as a layering piece.

Tulle – This lightweight fab-ric, made from silk, nylon or rayon, is often starched for stiff-ness. Soft and airy, tulle is great for layering for a voluminous effect without the weight.

Laces

alencon – A French needle-point with a floral design on a sheer net background. Its light, delicate appearance belies its strength.

Chantilly – A lighter lace on a mesh back-ground usually done in elaborate floral pat-terns and outlined in heavy silky thread.

As beautiful and plush as these fabrics are, designers know they can be tempera-mental and require the deftest of hands when used to create their bridal gown master-pieces.

Elnora, a “Project Runway” alum based out of Birming-ham, Ala., loves working with organza for its movement and raw silk for its natural texture. On the downside, she says, silk organza can wrinkle easily, and if it’s held too close to a steam-er, it can singe. Also, the slubs in raw silk can provide an uneven

surface.“[The slubs] vary in thick-

ness in certain parts of the dress,” Elnora says. “This can be unappealing to some brides.”

Working with chiffon is like working with a rose for its pros and cons, says Jassir.

Ivory lace bateau neck gown with corseted under bodice and soft A-line skirt with sweep train, from Watters Brides.

Italian alencon lace jacket over an off-white raw silk gathered full ball gown with scoop neck from Heidi Elnora, right.


“It’s one of the most beauti-ful fabrics, because it moves with the body,” she says. “How-ever, chiffon is also one of the hardest fabrics to work with because it’s so delicate and fragile.”

A fabric can make a spe-cific silhouette sing. Elnora suggests buying a sheath in chiffon or allover lace for a romantic effect. Body-conscious styles, such as the mermaid silhouette, take to silk taffeta, Shoji says, while he prefers to use silk crepe or embroidered lace in his slip gowns.

Designers also love to manipulate and modify fabrics. Paige says she isn’t afraid to meld unconventional combina-tions out of contrasting fabrics, such as pairing those known for structure with their lightweight counterparts.

“A soft silhouette can be toughened up by an origami-inspired taffeta flower just as a tailored fit-to-flare can be charmed by a trickling petal arrangement.”

At Watters, fabrics are get-ting makeovers. The spring line includes a v-neck gown in ham-mered silk charmeuse, a silk mousseline gown in a textured chiffon and a separates ensem-ble with a skirt crafted from washed silk organza.

“It’s about creating fabrics that are formal, yet not fussy,” says Maria Prince, vice presi-dent at Dallas-based Watters. “These fabrics provide a beauti-ful relaxed feel that’s not stiff and invites movement and abil-ity to mold and shape the bride.”

© CTW Features

Ivory tulle sculpted strapless gown with draped bodice and shirred skirt, with black beaded grosgrain and organdy ribbon sash with brooch details from Watters Brides




Some girls have their weddings planned out before they are even old enough to get married. They have boxes of magazine cut-outs. Dried flowers. Swatches of fabric. If they are artsy enough they probably have drawings of their dream wedding gown.

I was not that girl.Quite frankly, I don’t really even like

weddings and I avoid them as much as pos-sible.

So when I got engaged in the fall of 2010 I had no idea what I wanted my wedding to look like. My now husband, Chad, and I are not very traditional people — I’m from Northern California, he’s from Minnesota. We dated long distance for two years and were together three years before we got engaged. He’s 31 and I’m 29. The norm isn’t really our style, so a traditional wedding just sounded stuffy and overdone to us. We went about as opposite as you can go with our wedding planning. That’s not to say we didn’t attempt the standard route.

We totally did. But after one wedding expo, we were

done. Everything kind of looked the same and Chad was completely against any kind of rented suit or pastel bow tie so we ran far away. Thankfully we have incredibly cre-ative friends who also happen to love wed-dings so we sought the help of people who love us and are just bossy enough to want to make our wedding unforgettable. We picked up some great advice along the way and by the time our big day was over we were actually UNDER budget and it really was the wedding I never actually dreamed about, but would have. If I dreamed about weddings.

More importantly, the most common response we got from our friends and fam-ily was that our wedding was the most fun wedding they had ever been too. That’s really all we wanted — for the people we

love to enjoy the greatest day of our lives with us.

At the end of the day we left our recep-tion exhausted but so pleased with the day.

You’re marrying your soulmate, not the wedding vendors.

Weddings all kind of look the same to me because wedding vendors, err, aren’t very original. But you are. You’re unique. You’re relationship is unique and at the end of the day you want your wedding to be you. Paying $30 a plate for your loved ones to dine on a standard piece of beef and red potatoes while wiping their mouths with monogrammed napkins will not make them feel that you love them more. Bottom line — it’s not worth it.

The only wedding “vendor” we used was our photographer — who I don’t even count because she was not your run of the mill wedding photographer (more on that later). We got married at a beautiful house in the foothills of Northern Califor-nia. There were vineyards below us, apple orchards besides us and Christmas trees as far as the eye can see. A venue like that would cost a fortune in Northern California

IF it was a wedding venue. Chad found the homestead online (they

own a Christmas tree farm) and we called the owner and asked if we could get mar-ried in their backyard. The only wedding they ever hosted was their own daughter’s, but they said if we were willing to be their guinea pigs we could use their home. It was perfect. And the coolest part was no one had ever been there before.

We paid wholesale for flowers. Made our own bouquets. Chose bridal party attire our friends would actually wear again. We had a picnic for a reception and served fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans and fresh produce served in cute alu-

minum plates.

Know the difference between simple chic and cheap.

I realize that aluminum to-go contain-ers sounds trashy. Trust me, it went over like a charm. We realized that in having a simple, laid-back wedding we were danc-ing the fine line. We decided early on that we wanted to have a picnic for a reception because we thought it would create the atmosphere of celebration we wanted. It would have been weird to serve fried chicken and watermelon on fine China so we went with the theme. In the same vein, we thought glasses would feel funny at a picnic so we served pop in giant galva-nized tubs. We picked those cute mini cans that camouflaged the facts that we were serving canned drinks at a wedding. It was cute.

Cute hides cheap really well. We stayed away from tradition wedding

flowers because those are the money suck-ers. Since our wedding was outdoors and kind of secluded we did really pretty wild-flowers. Most people spend about $3,000 on their flower arrangements. I spent $300. No joke.

We borrowed like crazy. Our guestbook was a Madlibs-fill-in-the-blanks about us, so we borrowed a vintage typewriter to dis-play them on. We borrowed Mason jars for

5 Tips to make your wedding day memorable



table decor. My best friend’s grandma made her world famous baked beans and potato salad. For 250 people. That’s no small feat.

We created details that made our simple wedding really unique and endearing. Our guests loved the fact that they felt comfort-able and relaxed and part of that was the simplicity of the atmosphere.

Spend your money on your memories.

Hands down the best advice we got was to invest the largest chunk of our budget on our photos. We found an amazing pho-tographer (who happened to be a friend of a friend) who captured the moments through the day. We met with Tori months in advance first to make sure she wasn’t a crazy photo nazi and so she knew we weren’t going to make her want to find a new career.

The thing I loved most about our pho-tographer was that she was part of the day. She didn’t manipulate it, she just captured it. There was a moment when my 83-year-old grandma, Imogene, saw me in my wed-ding dress for the first time and she made the best “grandma face” ever and Tori was right there to capture the sheer excitement on Gram’s face. It’s one of those photos that for the rest of my life I will cherish. Had we

gone with someone who just happened to have a nice camera and decided to make a career out of it, I might be hanging onto the memory of that minus the photo.

Let people help you.

If you are like me, part control freak, part procrastinator, you need people to help you. I was trying to plan a wedding in Northern California from my home in Central Minnesota. Not easy. However, I am surrounded by creative, bossy, get ‘er done kinds of people who happen to love wed-dings, and us, which helps. My wedding was the first in my family and Chad is the youngest of four so we were not exactly wedding veterans.

We had troops on the ground making the calls, getting the cake taken care of, checking out the venue in the spring. Had we tried to do it on our own I am certain we would have given up and made an appointment with the county clerk for a quick and dirty courthouse wedding. People are excited for you, they want to be part of your day. If they can offer you help (not just their opinions) take it. When you are on your honeymoon relaxing after all the chaos you will be glad you did.

Include the kids.

The day before our wedding I got the saddest message from a longtime friend. She said she and her husband weren’t going to be able to make it to the wedding because they couldn’t find child care. I called her back immediately and said bring the kids. We have lots of nieces and neph-

ews. We’re close to our friends’ children and so we thought, why not include them in the day? If you not “kid people” you might feel differently, but we felt like the kids made the day for us. After our ceremo-ny we were taking photos and looked up to see a dozen kids rolling down the hill grass staining their wedding clothes. It was great.

The younger guests made our wedding feel like a real celebration. We did mini cup-cakes and little frosting kits so the kids had something fun to do while all the adults were busy talking. They loved it.

When we started the dance after din-ner there were little munchkins getting down on the dance floor. It was hilarious and sweet and probably one of my favorite memories of the day. Plus, our friends loved that their little ones were included. When you invite your 300 closest friends to the same place at the same time chances are you might wipeout at least one person’s entire arsenal of child care. Inclusiveness is always the best policy.

Even though I’m not really a wedding girl, our wedding was my favorite. The details made it fun and at the end of the day we both felt like the biggest day of our life together was really something to celebrate. I look at pictures now, one in particular of my friend’s three-year-old son busting his Michael Jackson moves, and I think, “Ya, I would do it again.” And that is how I know we did it right.

Sarah Nelson Katzenberger is a writer at the Brainerd Dispatch. She is a California native now braving the winters of Central Minnesota. She and her husband Chad live in Brainerd.

18 Weddings North • Fall 2011page 18 | WeDDINgS NORTH 2012

By mARilyn Kennedy meliA CTW Features

“With this ring I thee wed.” Yes, a band is integral to the wedding

ceremony, but there’s no dictate on what it should be made of or how it should look.

As the cost of gold has climbed over the past few years, more couples are seal-ing their vows with bands of “emerging” or “alternative” metals like titanium, tung-

sten carbide and cobalt.According to TheKnot.com’s 2011

Engagement and Jewelry Study, the aver-age wedding-band cost was $1,126 for brides and $491, and that 70 percent of brides and 34 percent of groom choose white gold rings. Jewelers report that many of these emerging-metal bands retail for anywhere from around $100 to a few hundred dollars.

“There has been a big jump in emerg-ing metals since 2008 for men’s bands,”

The price of gold skyrocketed more than 200 percent in the past five years, paving the way for alternative-metal jewelry and placing further emphasis on the importance of appraising and insuring your jewelry

Bands of Outsiders

Two tone White gold band inlaid with titanium


Weddings North • Fall 2011 19page 19 | WeDDINgS NORTH 2012

observes Amanda Gizzi, spokes-woman for Jewelers of America, an industry trade group. Gizzi points to an independent report showing “that in 2008 just 8 percent of men’s bands were made of tungsten carbide and now it is 20 percent, and now titanium makes up 13 per-cent of men’s bands.”

Made of industrial-sounding metals, men like the rugged image these alternatives con-vey, says Gizzi. Adds David Craig Rotenberg, a certified gemolo-gist and owner of David Craig Jewelers, Langhorne, Pa.: “And some men work a lot with their hands, and they’re say-ing, ‘I don’t want to damage an expensive ring,” Moreover, many men are wor-ried about the costs of their marriage, and are attracted to the lower price tag, Rotenberg notes.

While men are the main market, more couples are choosing matching bands made of a mix of titanium and gold, relates Edessa Kerkinni of WeddingBands.com.

To be sure, all that glitters may not be gold.

But whatever your ring is made of, if it’s costly, you’ll probably want to insure it against theft or loss. Here, a look at the growing popularity of non-traditional materials, and how to protect your precious choice:

The Gold RushThe price of an ounce of

gold has climbed during the past years of economic turmoil, rising by some 28 percent in the first nine months of 2011. Jewelers must keep buying gold, and that’s why their price

tags also rise. The price of a gold ring will depend on its weight and design, Rotenberg explains. Some plain, narrow bands of 14-karat gold may be relatively inexpensive, perhaps in the $300 range for a woman and $600 for a man, but they can rise considerably from there.

Besides price, there are many attractive attributes to alternatives, a primary one being “that they are usually

hypoallergenic so they can be worn by people allergic to other metals,” notes Brenna Neal, Sears jewelry marketing officer.

The Jewelers of America’s online arm, the Jewelry Infor-mation Center (jic.org), lists titanium, stainless steel and tungsten under “white metals,” a category that also includes sterling silver, platinum, white gold and palladium. Cobalt, another white metal, also is gaining popularity, notes Glenn Miller, vice president of con-temporary metals at Stuller, a jewelry manufacturer. Edward Mirell, a contemporary-metal designer, offers lines of wed-ding bands in BlackTi, a tita-nium that has been treated to change its natural

BlackTi band from Edward Mirell


20 Weddings North • Fall 2011page 20 | WeDDINgS NORTH 2012

color, and Timoku, a “wood-grain metal” that combines both black and gray titanium.

One important caveat: Should your ring size change, these rings can’t be made smaller or larger. How-ever, many jewelers offer a ring replacement plan for an extra fee, Gizzi adds.

Ceramic is another option that tends to be favored by women, adds Miller, since it comes in colors and is lighter, but it could shatter or chip if dropped on hard surface.

The Right Protection Indeed, experts advise asking about the properties and care of any ring you consider.

“The first thing I did after I got engaged last year was to call my [insurance] agent,” relates Nicole Mahrt Ganley, who, as spokeswoman for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, says she knows the importance of establishing spe-cial coverage for a valuable ring. At typical homeowners or rent-er’s insurance policy will pay for theft of jewelry.

But reimbursement amounts are limited, and may not be

Titanium with texture Multi-textured titanium,

inset in white gold

upnorthweddings.com

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on

Weddings North • Fall 2011 21page 21 | WeDDINgS NORTH 2012

enough to compensate for an expensive ring, notes Joseph Harrington of the American Association of Insurance Ser-vices. For broader coverage, add specific endorsements to your policy, or a separate “floater” policy specifically for jewelry coverage, says Harrington. For either, ask your agent what spe-cific risks are covered --such as “mysterious disappearance,” Harrington suggests. The extra costs for endorse-ments vary, but Mahrt Ganley shares: “I pay $50 extra annually for an extra $4,000 in coverage.”

Moreover, you don’t have to have renter’s or homeowners insurance to obtain coverage, some companies offer specific jewelry policies, says Gizzi.

The Current ValueAn insurer will want to know

that it’s compensating you for

a piece that is worth what you say it is.

Often, if you’ve recently pur-chased a ring, the receipt is proof enough of value, relates Mahrt Ganley. With the escalation in the price of gold and other precious metals, its important to have an indepen-dent appraisal to verify current worth about every two years, says Howard Rubin, secretary of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers in Rego Park, N.Y., a trade group which provides refer-rals of certified appraisers who charge by the hour.

Insurance firms vary in how they want to establish jewelry values, says Harrington. Some policies, he explains pay an “agreed value”, whereby the insurer and insured agree to an amount that would be paid in the event of a loss, while others may specify an appraisal.

© CTW Features


By TimoThy R. SchulTe

CTW Features

Plain and simple, Ameri-cans eat out too much. With all the “50 percent off!” offers sent to our inboxes, it’s no wonder. According to the first ever “Dining Out” survey conducted on behalf of daily-deals site Living-Social, the average American eats 4.8 meals per

week (dining in and carryout).Um, aren’t we in a recession?Well, your pending nuptials

– and the inherent gift-regis-tering process – is a great time to get reacquainted with your kitchen. Or introduced.

Focus on a few items that offer quality and functionality, without cluttering the kitchen, and you’ll be dining at Chez You sooner than you think.

Multifunction Pans

First homes aren’t big, so you’ll want pieces that offer plenty of function without tak-ing up a ton of space.

Together, the Le Creuset 2-in-1 Pan is a 2-quart lidded sauce-pan; separately, it’s a saucepan and frying pan. The enameled cast iron design offers great heat retention and long-lasting wear protection, so you’ll have plenty

of years of soups and pasta sauces, or fried eggs and stir fry, depending on how you use it. Of course, the smart design means it takes up minimal cupboard space.Le Creuset 2-in-1 Pan – Bed Bath & Beyond, $209.99

No grill? No worries. A cast iron skillet will sear the heck out of a steak, giving it a great cara-melized crust, and will roast it to perfection in the oven. The next morning it will fry up bacon and eggs for breakfast. And it will work just as good 50 years from now as it does today. There isn’t a more versatile pan you can have in the kitchen.Lodge Cast Iron Skillet – Crate and Barrel, $27.95

No-Nonsense Knives

Kitchen novices armed with a registry scanner are quick to zap

Get cooking – and keep your budget in check – with these go-to kitchen tools

The Recession Registry

Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet, $27.95, Crate and Barrel

Wüsthof Classic Black 7-inch Nakiri Knife,

$89.95, and 3-piece Starter Set, $29.95,

Crate and Barrel



the knife block with the most handles sticking out of it. They should be doing the opposite.

There’s no sense in getting stuck with a bunch of knives you’ll never end up using. Go for a starter block that only comes with kitchen shears and a knife sharpener, then build your knife collection to suit your needs.

A great Chef’s or Japa-nese-style Santoku knife is a great go-to, but this Nakiri knife is the best of both worlds, offering the all-around versatility of a Chef’s knife with the slice ‘n’ dice quickness of a scalloped-blade Santoku. As you find yourself needing specific-need knives, go for ‘em. You’ll have about a dozen knife slots to fill, after all.Wüsthof Classic Black 3-piece Starter Set – Crate and Barrel, $29.95Wüsthof Classic Black 7-inch Nakiri Knife – Crate and Bar-rel, $89.95

Name Recognition

It’s OK to name-drop … or name-scan, if you will. There

is an abundance of celebrity chef-emblazoned cookware available these days, and that’s a good for two reasons. One, the name adds an assurance of quality (Giada DeLaurentiis says this pan is awesome!). Two, it gets you excited to use it (I’m going to go braise some beef

like Mario Batali!). In addition, going back to multifunctionality, there’s nearly limitless possibili-ties on what you can do with a piece, whether it’s a grill pan, roasting pan or dutch oven. And, for oven-to-table readiness, they look good, too.Giada De Laurentiis for Target;Mario Batali for Crate and Barrel

© CTW Features

Giada De Laurentiis for Target 6-piece ceramic bakeware set, $49.95

Le Creuset 2-in-1 pan, $209.99, Bed Bath & Beyond

Mario Batali Reversible Grill-Sear Pan, $29.95,

and Lid, $19.95, Crate and Barrel

Real Couples



It’s time again to feature another great Lakes Area couple who shares with us their story. Meet Amanda and Justin Luepke… they dish out all of the details on how they met, how he proposed, memorable wed-ding moments, future plans and more!

Occupations:Justin is a graduate from CLC in Land-

scape Design and currently works for ProScape. Amanda is a graduate from the College of Saint Scholastica (Brainerd) where she received her BA in Business Management and is currently the CEO/President of the Nisswa Chamber.

Hobbies:Justin enjoys hunting and fishing. Aman-

da loves to shop and do anything where she can be creative and artistic. They love to take day trips together, whether it is right in their hometown of Nisswa shop-ping or up to Walker. “We love just taking a drive and exploring.” Amanda says. “When Justin and I first started dating we took a day trip up to Duluth, MN in April, it was actually nice, and I even wore flip flops that day.” They went exploring on snow banks of Lake Superior, yes, in flip-flops. Justin could not believe that she wore flip-flops to Duluth, MN in April – they still laugh about the experience today. “If any-one knows me, you will be quite surprise that I traveled up to Ely, MN for a camp-

ing trip with Justin.” They did the whole camping thing – the tent on the ground, the bonfire, even kayaking – and Amanda actually admits that she had fun and would definitely be up for that adventure again.

Pets:Justin and Amanda have a German Shep-

herd named Laker who is 2 ½ years old.

The Proposal:Amanda was shocked. When you know

that you have found the person you want to spend the rest of our life with – there is no question about getting married – the question is – when? Of course, the couple talked about marriage and kids and they were both a definite. Justin led Amanda down a road where she thought he was going to wait to propose. However, on the morning of May 29, 2010 Amanda woke up and walked out of the bedroom to find Justin on one knee. For the first time there was a loss for words. It was out of the blue and perfect.

Details of the big day:Justin and Amanda were married at

Breezy Point Resort on September 3, 2011. Almost every single person who attended their wedding was from out of town. The couple felt it was important to have their whole wedding experience at one place and Breezy Point Resort was that place. They had their rehearsal dinner on the Breezy Belle, which was gorgeous watch-ing the sunset. It was casual and fun. Everyone was amazed that they lived here.

The couple wanted to showcase the beau-tiful lakes area. Amanda and Justin had an evening ceremony on The Point which was followed by a reception held in the Lake-side Ballroom. Their friends and family got to dance the night away and were able at stay overnight right at the resort. Amanda was amazed to see all of their friends and family that had traveled north to spend the weekend with them.

Most memorable moment:

Amanda says the whole wedding expe-rience was memorable. She remembers standing in the parking lot waiting for our huge wedding party to show up to the rehearsal, looking at Justin and thinking wow – this is the man I get to spend the rest of my life with – I am so lucky. She remembers walking down the aisle think-ing – just don’t cry (well that didn’t work, she cried), but she looked up and saw him standing there waiting for her. She remem-bers their eyes meeting and feeling over-whelmed with joy and love.

The most fun part about planning their wedding:

Again, Amanda thought the entire expe-rience was fun. The cake tasting, the dress shopping, picking out colors… It was very

Justin and Amanda LuepkeAges: Justin 26, Amanda 28Together: 3 ½ YearsMarried: 3 Months



important to them to plan their wedding using local businesses. Working for the Chamber, Amanda felt like she was able to invite local business owners to be a part of their celebration and felt honored when all their out of town guests raved about the wedding. Many guests went to Nisswa during their time here to experience what they get to experience every day.

Most difficult thing about planning their wedding day:

“I didn’t think it was difficult planning our wedding at all.” Amanda says. The loca-tion was picked out right away and other than that, the wedding was pretty much planned within a month. “We kept the wedding simple, which is our style,” she said. “The wedding is about devoting your lives to one another. That was always in my mind when making decisions about the planning. Married life is about comprising with one another. I have always wanted a simple outdoor evening wedding with a simple dress and simple flowers. Justin wanted a big, traditional wedding. He felt I should have an over the top dress (since when in your life can you wear that type of dress). Our wedding was our two styles married together. I got the over the top dress, which I loved. I got the simple outdoor wedding. Justin got to have a big wedding and big wedding party and he was involved with picking out every detail of the wedding.”

Wedding advice:Keep it simple. It’s just one

day of your entire life, and you have a lifetime to celebrate your love for one another. Your friends and family are there to celebrate YOU!

Honeymoon:Amanda and Justin have not

taken their honeymoon yet. They are planning something for their one-year anniversary.

Baby clock:The couple definitely wants children,

but has not made any plans as to when they will start trying. “Whenever it hap-pens, it will be a blessing” Amanda says.

Biggest challenge about being married:

The couple knows that challenges lie before them as life itself can be challeng-ing, but for the past 3 months it has been marital bliss. They just stay realistic with challenges and resolve them as they come.

Decorating style:It is important to Amanda and Justin to

have their home. It is warm and inviting and filled with love. It has both of their

styles tied together. Amanda’s paintings are hung on the wall next to Justin’s hunting memorabilia. The couple agrees that it’s fun to decorate a home together what you both can contribute your personality to.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

The couple is just taking life one day at a time. In the future they see a family, but for right now Amanda is excited to experi-ence life with her husband.

Want to be featured as our next Real Couple? Email [email protected] and tell us your story!


By lindSey RomAin

CTW Features

The virtual world is endless. Naturally, implementing virtual assistance into wedding planning is equally endless.How do curious brides and grooms-to-be decide what fun Internet wizardry to utilize on the big day and what’s better left alone? Here are some wedding tech dos and don’ts.

Wedding Tech Do’s and Don’tsThanks to technology, planning a wedding has never been easier! But before you go sending evites, here’s what you need to know about mixing technology with tradition



DO: Use online services to help plan a wedding.

Websites like Google Wedding, The Knot and Wedding Wire are great places for wedding planning and inspiration, with ideas for themes and lists of vendors and registries, says Jeff Kear, founder of My Wedding Workbook, another online planning resource. Websites can hold more information than phone apps, so the majority of the planning and organization can take place there.

DON’T: Send evites instead of invites.

Breaking tradition might be tempt-ing, but print invitations really are the only way to go. “You want your guests to take your wedding as seriously as you do,” says Anna Post, co-author of “Emily Post’s Eti-quette” (William Morrow, 2011).

Not everyone uses the Internet, so evites threaten to seclude older guests and relatives that are less tech-savvy. Also, the novelty of the printed invitation is something many guests will appreciate.

“A computer screen just doesn’t have the same gravitas,” Post says.

DON’T: Use Twitter or Facebook to track RSVPs.

When it comes to the RSVP, avoid social media. “I do not recom-mend a situation when your wed-ding guest list is public,” Post says. “Who are you showing it to? All of the people who are not invited? It’s not even the traditional aspect – it could hurt someone’s feelings.”

Adds Kear: “If people are responding to you via Facebook, other Facebook friends might see messages and wonder why they weren’t invited, causing lots of unnecessary stress. It’s best to

keep the RSVP process private so you can control it.”

DON’T:Just use phone apps to help plan a wedding.

There are hundreds of apps avail-able for use, ranging in price and in-depth features, but trying to fit every detail into a phone can be jarring and complicated. “Real planning requires a fair amount of data entry, and mobile phones are ill-fit for that,” Kear says.

DO: Webcast your wedding.

Services like Ustream make it pos-sible for long-distance or disabled invitees to sit in on a wedding from home.

“I think it can be a really cool way to keep the day focused on the people you love,” Post says.

Kear agrees. “Although there’s no substitute for being there in

person, the people who can’t make it will still appreciate the gesture.”

DON’T: Let a webcam dictate the ceremony.

Post recalls a story she heard about a grandmother watching a wed-ding via webcam and complaining about the sound the whole time. It’s wise to think ahead so that the technology doesn’t threaten the peaceful mood of the ceremony.

“If you’re using a webcam, it needs to be planned, and it needs to be pretty discreet,” says Post, who suggests having someone assist with taking the video and worrying about the technical difficulties so the wedding party doesn’t have to. “Definitely have your rent-a-geek on standby.”

© CTW Features


Bachelor/BacheloretteRisky Business326 Washington StreetBrainerd, MN218-829-9361www.riskybusinessmn.com

Bridal AttireSocial ButterflyBaxter VillageBaxter, MN218-454-0717www.socialbutterflywedding.com

CakesBrainerd Lakes Cakes404 West Washington Street Brainerd, MN 218-824-5401www.blfoods.net

Cold Stone Creamery15175 edgewood Drive Baxter, MN218-824-0016

CateringBrainerd Lakeland Catering/The Old WaterfallHwy 371 North Brainerd, MN218-828-4487

Ivens on the WayHwy 371 NorthBrainerd, MN218-824-1406

Maucieri’s34650 Co. Rd. 3Crosslake, [email protected]

Prairie Bay Grill and Catering15115 edgewood Drive, Baxter218-824-6444www.prairiebay.com

Shwiky Meats804 Mill aveBrainerd, MN218-828-0770www.shwikymeats.com

EntertainmentComplete Music Video Photo218-825-7244www.brainerdlakesdj.com

Tyrone Blue218-330-9288www.dj.mn.com

ExposBrainerd Wedding Associationwww.brainerdweddingassociation.com

FloralVIP Weddings/Ivy Chapel712 Laurel Street Downtown Brainerd, MN218-829-1771800-491-1770

JewelryRiddles JewelryWestgate Mall, Baxter, MN218-828-1254www.riddlesjewelry.com

PhotographersChristina Johnson PhotographyLittle Falls, MN320-630-1361www.christinajohnsonphotography.com

LA Portait Studio LLCwww.laportraitstudio.com

Luminous Prints218-330-7346www.luminousprints.com

Receptions/Banquets/RehearsalsBreezy Point ResortBreezy point, MN1-800-432-3777218-562-7141www.breezypointresort.com

Cragun’s Resort on Gull800-CRagUNS (800-272-4867) ext. 8857www.craguns.com/160

Receptions/Banquets/RehearsalsFalls Ballroom15871 east Hwy 27 Little Falls, MN320-632-9992www.fallsballroom.com

Gull Lake Yacht Club19696 Love Lake Road Brainerd, MNwww.glyc.com

Northland Arboretum14250 Conservation Drive Brainerd, MN218-829-8770www.northlandarb.com

Pine Peaks Retreat and Event Center39957 Swanberg Road, Crosslake, MNToll Free: 888-526-3612www.pinepeakseventcenter.com

The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes6967 Lake Forest Road Baxter, MN877-687-5634www.lodgehotelsbrainerd.com

Timbermist19624 Co. Rd. 3 Brainerd, MN 218-829-7507www.timbermistmn.com

Rental/SuppliesO’Design218-340-6172www.odesignmn.com

Party Time RentalHwy 317 N Brainerd, MN218-829-6300www.brainerdparty.com

Party Worldedgewood Drive Baxter, MN218-828-2127www.partyworldbrainerd.com

Weddings North Directory • 2012



Rental/Supplies (cont.)Rohlfing293 Wright Street Brainerd, MN218-829-0303

Salon/Spa/CosmeticMidsota Plastic Surgeons3701 12th Street N St. Cloud, MN320-253-72571-888-MIDSOTawww.midsota.com

TanningCaribbean Tanexcelsior Rd., Baxter, MN &edgewood Dr., Baxter, MN218-833-TaNS (8267)www.CaribbeanBeachTanning.com

TransportationPearl Limousine320-251-1101www.pearl-limo.com

Ultimate Limo & Party Bus326 Washington StreetBrainerd, MN218-829-9361www.ultimatelimomn.com

Tuxedo RentalsBrekken’sWestgate MallBaxter, MN218-829-3874www.brekkens.com

Wedding/Party PlanningCentral MN Wedding Professionalswww.perfectmnwedding.com

Call 218-855-5824 to place your engagement/wedding

announcement in the Brainerd Dispatch and on

upnorthweddings.com


Getting Started• Discuss finances with every-

one contributing to the event and set a budget.

• Set the date and ceremony/reception locations.

• Establish a guest list.• Start thinking about the style

and theme of your wedding.• Start shopping for a gown.

6-9 months before • Mail out Save-the-Dates• Interview and book your

vendors; don’t forget to get a signed contract.

• Choose your attendants; shop for their dresses.• Order your stationery.• Start looking into honeymoon

locales.• Register for gifts.

4-6 months before • Book your hair/makeup help.• Plan the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.• Shop for wedding bands.• Reserve a block of hotel rooms

for your guests.• Finalize your honeymoon plans.

2-4 months before • Buy attendants’ gifts.• Get the men’s fashions in order.• Choose readings/music for the

ceremony.• Check marriage-license

requirements.• Meet with your caterer to discuss menu and drinks.• Order the cake.• Pick out favors.• Plan and shop for welcome

bags.• Arrange party rentals, if necessary.• Book your wedding-night

room.

4-8 weeks before • Mail out your invites.• Do a hair/makeup run-through.• Discuss insurance/bank

account changes you’ll need to make.

• Send ceremony programs, reception menu and place cards to be printed.

2-4 weeks before • Submit a shot list to your photographer and setlist to your DJ.• Finalize the seating chart and

prepare escort/place cards.• Confirm details with your vendors.• Get your final dress fitting.

1 week before • Give your caterer the final

head count.• Pick up your dress; break in

your shoes.• Pack for your honeymoon.• Organize your payments and

decide who will distribute them.

1 day before • Get a mani-pedi.• Enjoy the rehearsal and dinner.• Get plenty of sleep.

© CTW Features

Countdown to a Fantastic Wedding


Ever since Kate Middleton walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey in her fabulous fitted gown and crystal teardrop earrings, brides everywhere have been emulating her classic, elegant style. Fashion jewelry leader CAROLEE quickly named its popu-lar version of the earring “The Kate” -- and at $32 it’s within reach of ele-gant brides in every price range.

“Throughout 2011, brides from Kate Middle-ton to Hollywood celeb-rities chose very classic styling for their jewelry,” said Jill Maier, Vice Presi-

dent of Design at CAR-OLEE. “We’re with them on that level, and we have an extensive collec-tion of beautiful designer crystal and pearl bridal jewelry to suit the tastes of today’s discerning brides.”

Ms. Maier has these tips for brides who want to look royal -- British or American style:

- Choose crystal and pearl styles that are distinctive yet not over-whelming in scale

- Balance the propor-tions of your earrings and necklace. If your earrings and necklace “match,” keep them close in size

with each other. Or if you choose major chandelier earrings, scale down your necklace or don’t wear one and make the wrist a focal point.

- Bracelets are an important bridal acces-sory, and they look great worn in multiples -- stacks of crystal bangles, mixes of decorative floral pearl and crystal links, or a combination of bangles and links.

To find a full range of elegant and afford-able bridal jewelry, go to CAROLEE.com. Use code Metro12 and receive 20 percent off your pur-chase.

Inspired by Kate Middleton, Brides Choose Classic Jewelry

Above: CAROLEE’s “The Kate” Crystal Teardrop Earring.


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Weddings North 2012