American News • Tying the Knot 1bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/aberdeennews... · a...

aberdeennews.com American News • Tying the Knot Sunday, June 14, 2015 1

2 Sunday, June 14, 2015 American News • Tying the Knot aberdeennews.com

You got engaged a few months ago, and the wedding planning is

underway. You’ve set the date, booked the venue and now you’re ready to select the wedding party. You know without a doubt whom you want to be your maid of honor and best man. The rest of your wedding party, well, the choices are not nearly so clear.

Before you do anything, make certain the people you have in mind for your maid of honor and best man are on board. No one is a given until they have been asked and have said yes. You may have only one sister destined to be your maid of honor, but you must ask her first. For all you know, she could already be committed to another wedding on the day of your wedding.

Once your maid of honor and best man have said yes, you can focus on the rest of your wedding party. Draw up a list of the positions you would like to fill and the people you would like to see in them.

Be realistic in your assess-ment. Don’t expect your young, super-shy cousin Me-gan to be a good candidate for a bridesmaid. That role might better be served by Megan’s older, more outgoing sister Amy. Determine the best people for the jobs and have a backup list just in case.

And remember just because

Amy wants to be in your wed-ding doesn’t mean she will be able to. She could very well have a business trip planned on the day of your wedding.

When you have a list of potential candidates, it’s time to ask them. That’s right. You need to ask. Don’t assume your nephew will be your ringbearer. He might not want to or have an important soccer game that day.

You can make a request in any number of ways. You can send out a formal invitation, you can call or stop by, or you can invite everyone over to your home for a little get-to-gether. Fire up the grill, make a spread, announce your wedding date and ask those in attendance to be in your wedding. With small kids, you might want to speak to their parents beforehand.

Be prepared for some declines. Some may say yes, some may hesitate and tell you later, and some may just flat out tell you no. Don’t take it personally. They may have something else to do or just not be interested. Tell them thanks anyway and take a look at your backup list.

Selecting the right people to be in your wedding takes time. Don’t rush it. Consider all of the options carefully and be prepared for some people to say no.

Throughout the process, always be thankful towards those who are willing to stand up next you on your big day.

Will you? TRESA ERICKSONCREATIVE OUTLET

After the biggest question has already been asked, there are still more questions – for the potential wedding party, starting with

“Will you be my bridesmaid?”


-

Planning a wedding locally?

Abby Nelson Photography, (605) 725-8877

Amber Sue Photography, (507) 360-4321

Bremer Photography, (605) 229-0363

Erb Photography, (605) 262-0648

jaceej Photography, (605) 216-6892

JL Photography, (605) 354-2922

Kateydid Photography, (605) 290-5784

Katie Lynne Photography, (605) 216-9919

Moment to Moment Wedding Photography, (605) 225-7779

WF Cinematics, (605) 290-2827

Brides n’ Belles, (605) 225-1286

Jean’s Bridal, (605) 938-4685;

distance from Aberdeen: 89 miles

Linda’s Alterations, (605) 229-4730

The Sewing Shoppe, (605) 225-0499

AmericInn, (605) 225-4565

Anchors Away Lodge and Resort, (605) 226-2929;

distance from Aberdeen: 9.6 miles

Best Western Ramkota Convention Center, (605) 229-4040

Dakota Event Center, (605) 725-2641

Moccasin Creek Country Club, (605) 226-0900;


Tacoma Park Place, (605) 229-0012;


Wakeside Bar & Grill, (605) 262-2121;

distance from Aberdeen: 13 miles

Ward Hotel Crystal Ballroom, (605) 725-5550

Premier Party Bus Co., (605) 725-3691

Diamond Limousines, (605) 725-1145

Lifetime Limousines, (605) 214-7357

Celebration Entertainment, (605) 226-7011

The Dancing Jukebox, (605) 725-3691

Nightlife Entertainment, (605) 290-2654

Pulse DJ Service, (605) 216-7908

Ryan Malsom Entertainment, (605) 228-4940

Travel Leaders, (605) 225-7555

Beadle Floral & Nursery, (605) 229-5256

The Boston Fern, (605) 225-1360

Exclusive Events, (605) 227-0707

Lily’s Floral Design & Gifts, (605) 725-5459

Mood Signature Events, (605) 380-9389 or (605) 380-1822

Silk in Bloom, (605) 226-2645

Adam & Eve Styling Salon, (605) 229-1700

Concepts, An AVEDA Salon Spa, (605) 262-8332*

The Cutting Edge, (605) 226-3820*

Hair Addictions, (605) 725-6989

Hair by Stewarts, (605) 226-0103

Hair Designs & More, (605) 229-2310

Hair Gallery, (605) 229-2310*

Headlines Salon, (605) 262-6200

H.I.P. Salon, (605) 725-4447

Planet Hair, (605) 226-9939

Professional Hair Design For Men & Women, (605) 225-1230

Reflections, (605) 225-7001

Revive Day Spa, (605) 725-4242

Salon Remix, (605) 725-0500

Tres Chic Salon and Day Spa, (605) 229-4005

*Note: Can only accomodate 1-2 people/wedding party.

Cake by Steph, (605) 690-2529

CJ’s Patisserie, (605) 622-0607

Kessler’s, (605) 225-1692

Ken’s SuperFair Foods & Food Fair, (605) 225-6671

Kountry Kakes & More, (605) 380-7410

Kristi’s Cakes, (605) 225-4970

Mary B’s Cakes & More, (605) 262-0320 or (605) 380-1541

D’s Fast Food & Catering, (605) 225-1566

Shagan Pit, (605) 228-3995 or (605) 228-0752

Anthony Jewelers, (605) 225-9408

Heiser’s Jewelry, (605) 225-6705

Riddle’s Jewelry, (605) 225-9147

Hobby Lobby, (605) 225-1061

The Fabric Bin, (605) 225-4203

LEGEND:

Photographers

Videographers

Wedding Dresses/Bridal Party Dresses + Alterations

Reception Venues

Limo/Transportation Services

Travel Agents (honeymoon)

Florists + Decoration Services

Wedding Hair & More

Wedding Cakes + Caterers

Jewelers

DJ Services

Project Suppliers

DIY

DIY

DIY

Find a local business that provides wedding services here.


If you know anyone who knows anyone who has planned a wedding – or

even as a past wedding guest – you have probably seen or heard enough to know that weddings can bring out the worst in people. Joining two people from different back-grounds in holy matrimony is rarely smooth sailing. What should be a union of two often turns into a union of families, and that can make for very difficult times.

Even when the families take a step back to respect the wishes of the bride and groom, things can get out of hand. Although the wedding is theirs, brides and grooms can get carried away and alienate others with their wedding choices. How do you avoid this? You learn the art of compromise.

Compromise is a settlement of differences by mutual con-cessions.

That’s right. Differences and concessions. With so many people involved the planning of a wedding, it is not uncommon for differences to occur. Whether conces-sions are made depends upon the willingness of the parties involved. Are you willing to consider options other than your own? Are you willing to consider that the options of others might be better? Just because you want round tables at your reception does not mean you should have them. They may not be avail-able or work for the space.

Do not assume there is one and only one way to do things. There might be sever-al. You should take the time

to listen to all of the options available before determining what is best for your purpos-es. Compromise cannot work without concession. It may be your wedding, but that does not mean you have all of the best ideas. The more open you are to getting the feed-back of others and pursuing what works, the easier the planning will be.

Of course, not all opinions are feasible. You must be able to separate the good from the bad, the essential from the non-essential, the important from the not so important. If an idea will not work, there’s no use in considering it. If an idea will work but you have your heart set on something else, it’s fine to axe it. It is your wedding, and you don’t have to concede on every-thing.

Do remember, however, that your wedding will be just the first of many good days to come. The fact that you have to simplify the wording on the invitations for your parents’ sake probably won’t matter to you 10 years from now.

Respect is key. Family and friends must understand that it is not their wedding and respect the wishes of those involved, in particular the bride and groom.

The bride and groom must understand that while it is their wedding there are oth-ers involved who may want to have a say. The couple must respect the opinions of each other and those involved in the wedding planning. That respect can lead to the willingness to concede, which in turn, can lead to a better wedding overall.

Furthermore, learning how to compromise and be respectful of others can only lead to a strong marriage for a couple who will live happily ever after.

SD-190

0970

R

www.heisersjewelry.com

With t RR ...The art of compromise: happy wedding, happy lifeTRESA ERICKSONCREATIVE OUTLET

SD-1964039R

SD-1960424R

lr

KKiittcchheenn, GGGooouuurrrmmmeeettt, HHHooommmeee DDDeeecccooorrr, IIInnnssspppiiirrraaatttiiiooonnn&&&MMMooorrreee!!!

Kitchen, Gourmet, Home Decor, Inspiration &More!

KKKiiitttccchhheeennn,GGGooouuurrrmmmeeettt,HHHooommm

eeeDDDeeecccooorrr,IIInnnssspppiiirrraaation&More!

Kitchen,Gourmet,Hom

eDecor,Inspiration&More!Ki

tchen,Gourmet,HomeDecor,Inspiration&More!

Kitchen,Gourmet,HomeDecor,Inspiration&More!

ff

Compromise, n.

a settlement of

differences by

mutual concessions.


A do-it-yourself wedding may seem tempting at first, especially when

the event is far in the future. But as the hundreds of details begin to mount up, the couple can easily find themselves overwhelmed with all there is to do. This is where the pro-fessionals can be well worth the money.

“When I decorate a venue, it can take up to two days,” says Angela Huffman, owner of Exclusive Events, based out of Aberdeen. “This is one of the benefits of hiring a pro-fessional decorator. The bride and groom are busy with din-ners and family and friends. This gives them the peace of mind that everything is being taken care of. And sometimes the decorations have to be taken down immediately after the wedding because there is another one scheduled.”

Another benefit to hiring someone like Angela is that she has a lot of contacts with other vendors who may not sell to the general public. That can help keep costs down.

While Exclusive Events is a relatively new business, Huffman is not new to the industry. She’s been in the decorating arena for many years. “I’ve always enjoyed decorating and creating the vision that the couple has for their reception. I spend a lot of time and attention on every detail.”

Wedding trends change. It wasn’t all that long ago that the bridesmaid dresses were identical, the cake had to match the napkin colors

and there was no such thing as a chocolate fountain. Huffman stays ahead of the game. “None of my tables are exactly the same when I set up – nothing looks mass-pro-duced.”

She can handle nearly every type of wedding. “I’ve done some very elegant wed-dings and I’ve got one coming up that has an outdoors theme. I always go the extra mile. I even travel to find the precise decorations they want.”

Besides weddings, she does banquets, company parties, anniversaries and any type of celebration. “I can do fake or fresh flower arrangements. Besides the tables I decorate the entrance area, the church and even the bathrooms.”

Couples should contact her as soon as possible after selecting the venue. “A month out is really cutting it close. The first thing I do is meet with them and show them some photos of my work. Then we discuss the number of guests, the number in the bridal party, the colors and flowers.”

Right now couples are re-questing a lot of gold and cor-

al colors. “A knight in shining armor theme is popular.”

She will require a deposit, “So I can lock in the date and purchase items that are unique and individual.”

Find Exclusive Events at www.facebook.com/Exclu-siveEventsAberdeen. Contact via email at [email protected] or phone (605) 277-0707.

Relatively new business Exclusive Events: The “knight” in shining armor for a busy bride and groom

SD-1898949R

A BBQFor Every Budget....Award WinningBBQ Specialist

• Weddings• Birthday Parties• Business Lunches• Anniversaries andmuch more

• Pork• Beef• Chicken• Steak• Smoked Meats

FFoorr AAnnyy ooccccasion

• Over 10 years experience

• Completely customizablemenu to it Anyone’s taste

• Custom orders AvailableCall to Book Today!!

Scott Hagan Pit Boss • 605-228-3995Michelle Hagan • 605-228-0752

[email protected]://facebook.com/shagan.pit

K eKristi’s Cakes

Call Kristi for personalized service225-4970

Specializing in Wedding Cakes�

OfferingFreeze Dried

FloralPreservation

LIMITEDAVAILABILITY

SD-1896086R

GRETCHEN MAYERSPECIAL TO THE ABERDEEN AMERICAN NEWS

“. . .it gives them peace of mind.”

Courtesy photos.


After you have shown off your shiny new ring to your closest family and

friends and set your wedding date, it is time to let the rest of the world know your exciting, life-changing news. Submitting an announcement to your local newspaper is an easy, traditional way to do this.

The Aberdeen American News offers announcements for engagements, weddings, and anniversaries (and fur-ther down the road—babies!).

Simply visit www.aberdeen-news.com. Click “Submit An

Announcement” un-der 605 Life. Select the announcement type of your choice and begin filling out the form. You may also choose to attach a jpeg image.

Once completed, a customer service representative will contact you to verify the information and collect payment.

Typically, an en-gagement announce-ment costs $30, while an anniversary or a wedding announcement costs $20. These costs are based on word count.

The announcement will be

published in both the Sunday newspaper and online.

Although you should send

personalized Thank You cards for those who helped you celebrate your big day, you can also publish a thank

you—just in case you acci-dentally miss someone. These can also be submitted on aberdennews.com.

Announce your love: today and everyday

SD-1960487R

Let your wedding relectyour personality withcustomized creations

• Personalizeddesigns tomake yourweddingunique

• Quality loralarrangements

• Serviceexcellence

• Rentalsavailable

906 S. 8th Street., Aberdeen, SD

(605) 229-5256SD-1958911R

VICTORIA LUSKABERDEEN AMERICAN NEWS


After paying for the venue, the invitations, the decorator, the DJ,

the photographer, the dress, the tux, the food and the flowers, coughing up another three grand (yup, it can easily be that much) for an open bar can be a real deal-break-er.

Plus, an open bar is an open invitation to all sorts of problems from the unsupervised underage drinker to intoxicated guests causing problems.

And a lot of expensive booze is dumped out at the end of the night because guests sim-

ply abandoned one drink and went and got another.

It certainly doesn’t help that etiquette mavens such as Emily Post and Miss Man-ners agree that a cash bar is a social no-no.

So how does one deal with the expense and the legal issues of alcohol at the reception?

* The obvious first choice

is, of course, a dry wedding. Guests may grumble, but they’re not the ones taking on the responsibility.

* Many couples serve only red and white wine. Buying in

bulk can keep costs down and, hopefully, not too many people will get toasted during the toasts.

* Personalized glasses – find someone with crazy calligraphy skills to paint the name of each guest on a pretty glass. It is their’s to take home – a great memento of

your wedding. Go one step further and use clear glass mugs for anyone under the age of 21. The bartenders can easily see to whom they can legally serve booze. And they

can simply rinse out the glass between drinks.

* Come up with your own signature drink. Combine the name of the bride and groom to make it funky – “The Jen-John, a sweet & sour concoction.” Mix white wine, lemonade and a splash of fruit-flavored vodka for a light summer cocktail. Have two pitchers at each table – spiked and plain. The spiked bever-age can be a different color. That way if an underage guest tries to sneak a drink, the ev-idence will be obvious. It will also be a nice consideration for the teetotalers.

And using your signature drink avoids the whole issue of having to provide Champagne and flutes for the many toasts.

As the evening wears on, go heavier on the mix and lighter on the booze – guests won’t notice. Also be sure to serve

fountain pop, coffee and tea. * Serve food several times

during the evening. It doesn’t have to be expensive – chips, cheese, nuts – anything to soak up the alcohol and keep everyone’s blood sugar on an even keel.

* Have a favorite uncle mon-itor the tables and the guests to see that no one gets out of hand. You might need a sep-arate guardian if the grooms-men like to party hearty.

* Set a definite end time for the reception – dancing and drinking into the wee hours of morning is only asking for trouble.

No one wants their happy event to end tragically with someone getting into a traffic accident. With a little unique planning, guests will have a good time, get home safely and remember your wedding for years to come.

The reception: Serving alcohol a bit of a sticky wicketGRETCHEN MAYERSPECIAL TO THE ABERDEEN AMERICAN NEWS

SD-196

2055

R

Dates still available in 2015!Call Our Banquet Professionals at

605-225-3600

Ladies….as little girls we dreamed about ourwedding day. From Prince Charming to the perfect

dress…At the Ramada Convention Center we know howimportant your vision is. We understand how essentialevery detail is. Finding Mr. Right was the hard part,

planning your reception at the Ramada Convention Center,is the easy part. You can expect professional and reliableservice from our experienced staff along with a large

reception venue, elegant décor, and customized menu’s. Wecan offer you rehearsal dinners, receptions, dances, grouprates, gift opening brunches, and a complimentary bridal

suite for the bride and groom.

A b e r d e e n , S D

www.ramada-aberdeen.comSD-1967232R

Friday Weddings:FREE ROOM RENTSaturday Weddings:½ OFF ROOM RENT


Being granted the title of Maid (or Matron) of Honor or Best Man is a

real honor. But it also comes with all kinds of responsibilities.

BEFORE THE BIG DAY

Rally the troops. Ensure the rest of the wedding party also follows through with their duties, such as getting their wedding attire and attending pre-wedding gath-erings, as well as any other duties as assigned.

Get in on the dress or suit

shopping. Go with the bride or groom when he or she shops for his or her wedding attire. The bride will appre-ciate your opinion and the groom can use a helping hand ensuring he gets the right colors, styles, etc.

Open up your wallet.

Unfortunately, having such a prominent role in a wed-ding isn’t cheap. Be ready for some extra expenses and plan ahead. You might have to budget accordingly or give up your morning coffee to cover bachelor or bachelorette par-ty expenses, etc.

Throw a grown-up party.

Or, at the very least, ensure one is thrown.

This is typically a girls-only affair, but it doesn’t have to be. Traditionally a bride’s family, such as her aunts, or the ladies of her church will throw her a bridal shower. If no one else volunteers, the maid of honor should take it upon herself to ensure that a party happens – either by planning one herself or sug-gestively hinting a date, time,

and venue to Aunt Sally. Recently, wedding showers

have become more popular. Unlike bridal showers, a wed-ding shower does not discrim-inate based on gender, role or age. Instead they operate on more a “the more the merri-er” policy: come one, come all – kids, friends, neighbors, significant others (boy or girl), aunts, uncles – literally everyone.

It’s a great excuse to get everyone together before the big day and mix the two fam-ilies (bride’s and groom’s). Plus, it becomes easier to put BOTH the bride and the groom on the spot by playing embarrassing and revealing games such as “The Pre-New-lywed Game” to see how well they know each other or have the guests write the vows via MadLibs games.

Sometimes a bride can have more than one shower – thrown by each side of the family, or the church, and so on. The maid of honor should attend each one, if at all possi-ble, and especially if the bride has asked her to.

Plan the last shindig. We’re all for throwing one heck of a party – within rea-son, of course. Some people actually have more than one party too. For instance, the bride might have one “back home” with friends from high school or college and another one with co-workers in her current location.

Some bachelor or bachelor-ette parties go all out – and all over. From flights overseas to weekends in Vegas, the options are endless.

Get your hands dirty – and by dirty, we mean busy. From stuffing, addressing or handcrafting invitations to

making centerpieces or place cards, help the bride and groom with whatever they need help with prior to the wedding!

Ensure everyone has ad-

equate transportation and

lodging. This may seem like a bride and groom duty, but offering to help with this as a MOH or Best Man can relieve some stress for the couple.

Transportation shouldn’t just be considered for the big day. Are people flying in for the big day? How will they get from the airport to their hotel or the wedding venue? Offer your number to any out of town guests so they do not have to call the bride or groom with questions.

Also consider: How will everyone get to the rehearsal the night before? How will the wedding party get from the Point A to Point B? The parents of the couple? The grandparents of the couple?

Troubleshoot. Plan ahead in advance for something to go wrong – and pray it doesn’t. Make an emergency kit with needle and thread, band-aids, extra socks for the groom or groomsmen, a lint roller, tissues, bobby pins, tums, aspirin, and other med-icine, hand lotion, razors, etc. You should be able to find a complete list of what should be included in a kit online.

Write your toast. It’s best to plan in advance, which means to have a better plan than “I’m just gonna wing it.” Chances are if you were given the role of MOH or Best Man the bride and/or groom are very important people in your life. Include a memory, share why you love them, and wish them the best.

WEDDING DAY DUTIES

Keep a schedule. Ensure y’all get to your hair and make up appointments on time. And then the big one: Be to the wedding venue before the “I dos”.

Hold the rings. Until the officiant asks for them, hold the ring tightly and be sure not to lose them!

Keep things looking pret-

ty. The MOH is responsible for arranging the bride’s train before the ceremony beings, after she arrives at the end of the aisle and any other time it is required during the ceremony. She will also hold the bride’s bouquet while the couple exchange vows and bustle the train at the dance if so required.

Sign on the line. Both the MOH and the Best Man sign the marriage license and wit-nesses after the ceremony.

Smile and be nice. (Well, you were probably going to do that anyways.) During the reception guests might look towards you to know where they should be sitting, where the guest book is, where their

gift goes, or what they should be doing when.

Dance. Have fun and en-sure others are having fun as well – including the bride and groom. Check in to make sure that the couple has every-thing they need. Ensure the DJ or other reception/dance entertainment is on point and following the instructions given previously by the new-ly-wedded couple.

After it’s all said and done, store thee dress – the big white, beautiful, probably expensive dress. Especially if the bride is leaving for her honeymoon, someone (*ahem* that’s you, MOH) needs to make sure that the dress is safely stored until she returns. Best Man, you aren’t attire free. If the groom rent-ed his tux, you should offer to ensure it gets returned on time – with all of the pieces it came with (shoes, cuff links, tie, etc.).

Above all, remember:

It’s not about you, but rather about two people who fell in love and who love each other enough to get married. Be thankful to be part of it.

Maid of Honor or Best Man? Live up to the title. VICTORIA LUSKABERDEEN AMERICAN NEWS

Great Food • Great Fun • Great View

FREE Shuttle To and Fromwww.thewakesidemina.com

103 South Sunset Drive, Mina Lake • Call Cindy for more info 605-262-2121

EXCEPTIONAL EVENTSwith Exceptional Results

Rehearsal Dinners, Weddings & Receptions

SD-1899402R


The days when brides always wore white, grooms always wore

tuxedos and the wedding was themed with pastels and a giant layered cake are long gone. Nowadays, engaged couples prefer to have their personal style and values reflected in their ceremony. Wedding venues and planners are more than happy to work within the confines of person-al taste and budget.

And now more than ever consumers are aware of how their behaviors affect the environment. Weddings, anni-versaries and parties of every sort can result in a plethora of throw-away materials from Mylar balloons to paper plates and plastic flatware.

But with only a little plan-ning it is entirely possible to host an event and still be kind to the planet.

After the date for the wed-ding is set, the next big de-cision is the choice of venue. Many couples choose to scoff at the fear of bad weather and plan their event at a park, bo-tanical garden or arboretum.

It’s generally inexpensive and Mother Nature provides much of the decorating and lighting.

For seating, line up hay bales and cover them with pretty quilts or rugs – all reusable.

Now that you’ve set the date and have the location, it’s time to send out the invi-tations.

Even this can be ecological. Check out the many business-es that sell recycled paper embedded with wildflower, fruit or vegetable seeds such as BotanicalPaperWorks.com. You can order everything from wedding invitations to coasters and menu cards.

If you are talented, you can even make the floral arrange-ments out of seed paper.

When you send your invita-tions, make sure guests know that the paper can be recy-cled and that you would be pleased to receive a gift that is wrapped in newspaper sans shiny ribbon. (The gift-giver will appreciate not having to spend upwards of $10 on paper, bows or a gift-bag.)

Now it’s time to consider the decorations. Yes, even these can be biodegradable. Many readers will not remem-

ber the hit sitcom, “Northern Exposure.” In it, two of the more unusual characters, Adam and Eve, decide to marry. As a wedding gift, friends gathered together and folded 1,000 origami cranes and hung them from the ceil-ing, resulting in a beautiful, personally decorated wedding venue. (The Japanese legend of Senbazuru promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be grant-ed a wish by a crane. In some stories you are granted long life, recovery from illness or eternal good fortune.)

Traditionally, the cranes are threaded onto strings of 25 each and hung from the ceiling or door frame or tree branches. And they must eventually be burned so that the wish is sent aloft.

But if the cranes are made out of seed paper, well, it would be a shame to burn them.

Table decorations can also serve as guest favors. Make (or buy) bird feeder hangers out of pressed seed – shaped into a cross or a heart or a simple ball.

One of the largest expenses when planning the recep-tion is, of course, the food.

You can easily please every preference from vegetarian to gluten-free with only a little advance planning. Take a tip from those expensive

spas and fill several glass jugs (the kind with a spigot on the bottom) with water and float cucumber slices in one, pineapple in another.

Purchase wine from local winemakers and, when the reception is over, they will ap-preciate getting their bottles back to be used again.

One bride scoured rum-mage sales and second-hand

stores and purchased mis-matched wine glasses. Each guest had his or her own to use all evening and was encouraged to take the glass

home as a gift. Remaining glasses were donated back to the Salvation Army.

Make sure to place at-tractive recycling containers around the food and beverage tables labeled for easy sort-ing: paper, glass, aluminum, etc.

Local, family-owned stores and the farmers market can provide locally-grown food – let guests build their own plates with cherry tomatoes, cheese, herbs, artisan breads and garden lettuce – whatev-er happens to be in season.

That same farmers market may sell bundles of flowers. Or, if you choose to go with a traditional florist, have them bind the bouquets into easily deconstructed bundles so that the flowers can be recycled into compost.

Remember, if you are kind to Mother Nature, she may be kind to you and bless you with a warm, windless day for your perfect wedding.

Ecological can equal economical

SD-1901005R

LUCKYYOUWEDDINGRECEPTIONSWEEKENDDATES STILLAVAILABLE

for 2015

BOOKNOWFORNEXTYEARWARDHOTELCRYSTAL BALLROOM

725-5550

Complete wedding and event service from start toinish •• from the bridal bouquet and all your lowers

to decorating your reception venue.Ask about the “Wedding in a Box” Special.

AskforDebCALLTODAYFORYOURFREEER ECONSULTATION!!!

-- •• nn

Keep yourlowers for aLifetime!

ere the lowers arealways fresh

-

No sur rises and always fresh

GRETCHEN MAYERSPECIAL TO THE ABERDEEN AMERICAN NEWS


SD-196

4032

R

WHERE LUXURY MEETS HISTORY

RELAX.

$5 off your next servicewhen you bring in or mention this ad!HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ABERDEEN

605-725-4242

HAIR COLOR. HAIR SHAPING. HAIR STYLING. HAIR EXTENSIONS. AROMATHERAPY.

MASSAGE. MINERAL BATH. BODY WRAPS. BODYPOLISHES. BODY SCRUB. FACIALS.

CHEMICAL PEELS. MANICURES. PEDICURES. SHELLAC. BODY WAXING. FACIAL WAXING.

MAKE-UP APPLICATIONS. EYELASH EXTENSIONS.NORVELL AIRBRUSH SPRAY TAN.

WEDDING PARTIES. BARE MINERIALS. LEXLI SKINCARE. EXTREME EYELASH EXTENSIONS.

Wedding planning season is in full swing and trend

forecasts show more brides selecting destination wed-dings than ever before. Not only are destination weddings an affordable alternative to massive traditional weddings of past generations, they also make it easy for couples to create a customizable wed-ding that perfectly suits their personalities.

If you think a destination wedding might be right for you, these ideas for creating an incredibly distinctive event are sure to inspire:

Unique ceremony locations

A beach is typically the top choice for destination wed-dings because it gives guests a vacation setting to enjoy before, during and after your big day. Keep in mind, just because you select a beach locale doesn’t mean you must have a seaside ceremony. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a top location for destina-tion weddings, but there are countless gardens, pergolas and fountains couples can choose as the backdrop for their vows.

Standout accommodations Big weddings are becoming

a thing of the past; consider intimate spaces that bring guests together in an in-credible setting instead. For example, the Bridge at North Beach Plantation in Myrtle Beach is a luxury penthouse suspended within the bridge that connects the two towers at the 4-diamond resort. With seven bedrooms, seven and a half baths, a media room and sweeping views of the ocean, everyone is sure to enjoy their time together to the fullest.

Localized gift bags

Although the ceremony may be intimate, guests will likely be traveling from all over the country. Start the experience right by creating localized gift bags that can be placed in rooms to greet your guests upon their arrival. Instead of typical gift-bag goodies like mints and water, delight guests with locally sourced items like chocolates or lotion from the resident boutique.

Live artists

Want to make your re-ception one of a kind? Hire a local artist to capture the moment in a memorable keepsake. For example, some artists specialize in painting live events; you could hire one to capture the magic of the gathering. Guests will love watching the painting evolve throughout the night, and you’ll get a special piece of art you can display at home.

Hand-painted cakes

One of the hottest new wedding trends is hand-paint-ed cakes where a master baker uses artistry to create beautiful patterns and floral designs on fondant and other types of frosting. Cake artist Heidi Vukov of Croissants, Myrtle Beach, works closely with brides planning desti-nation weddings to ensure their hand-painted cake is perfect for their big day. It’s a refreshing approach to classic wedding cake styles, and it is sure to impress guests.

Reception surprises

Unexpected surprises tied to the couple’s personality can make a magical day that much more memorable. For example, if you met your beloved at a concert or your

spouse has a special love for Adele, Bruce Springsteen or Elvis, hire a celebrity look-alike from a local theater to make a surprise appearance.

Memorable thank-you gift Forget the box of candy

almonds! Your guests came from across the country, so thank them with a special gift. Look no further than the local culture for inspiration. For example, the Gullah peo-ple local to the Myrtle Beach area weave gorgeous sweet grass baskets in traditional designs, a perfect gift for

wedding guests. Another fun op-tion would be to gift locally made hammocks, such as those from Pawley’s Island Hammocks.

Remember, it’s your wedding and you should make it your own. A destination event is sure to leave a lasting impression on you and your guests for years to come.

Unexpected ways to make your destination wedding unforgettableBRANDPOINT


Signing the wedding guest book has long been a tradition. In the

past, guests signed the book after the ceremony, acting as witnesses. Today, guests are signing the book before the ceremony, providing a record of their attendance and offering their good wishes to the couple. While guest books continue to be popular, many couples are breaking out of the box and having guests sign something different.

Almost anything can serve as a wedding guest book, as long as guests can sign it. Couples can set up a memory jar in lieu of a guest book and have guests tuck good wishes inside it. They can set up a recipe box and have guests tuck a recipe, along with their good wishes, inside it. They can set out some self-ad-dressed, prepaid postcards and have guests mail the cards to them on their honey-moon.

Fabric can easily be signed and makes a wonderful wed-ding guest book alternative. All guests need are some fabric pens and a blanket, pillow, quilt or quilt squares to sign. T-shirts are another idea. Couples can set out a few inexpensive T-shirts for guests to sign.

Furniture is another great guest book alternative. Almost anything will work for the project from benches to chairs to tables. Guests could sign an old steamer trunk, for example, and the cou-ple could finish it by decoupaging it with postcards from their honeymoon travels. When selecting a

piece of furniture to serve as the guest book, couples need to make sure there is plenty of space for guests to sign it.

Couples having a themed wedding will want to look for something that fits within the theme. Seashells, for example, work well for beach weddings. Guests can turn the shells over, sign them and slide them into a wicker basket or a shallow bowl. Couples end up with a great accessory for their home and a memento of their wedding.

Couples who are sports fans might want to look into hav-ing a jersey, pennant or some sort of equipment signed. Who could resist smiling during a game of bowling when using a ball, shoes and bag signed by the guests who attended their wedding?

Ceramics are another idea. Couples could drop by a local pottery shop and arrange for a large platter, bowl or a set of coffee mugs for guests to sign. When the wedding is over, couples could return to the pottery shop to have the pieces fired.

These are just some ideas for guest book alternatives. There are many others from wine bottles to rocking chairs. Whether you choose to go the traditional or alter-native route, you will have a nice memento of your big day and all of the people who took time out of their busy lives to wish you well.

Sign here pleaseTRESA ERICKSONCREATIVE OUTLET

SD-1968304R


o

419 S. Main St., Aberdeen • 262-8332www.conceptssalonspa.com

An AVEDA Salon Spa

SD-190

0985

R

STRESSED OUT? BRING THE SPA EXPERIENCE HOMEAveda pros reach for stress-ix™ body lotion, soaking salts and concentrate when treatingtheir guests. That’s because stress-ix™ aromaology is clinically proven to reduce feelingsof stress, ecocertcertiied organic and infused with French lavender, lavandin and clarysage from organic farms. Stop by for your stress ix and learn how to create an Aveda spaexperience at home. We think you’ll love it.

For Your Bridal Party & Wedding Shower Gifts!Don’t Forget Your Sweetheart!

CIENCE OF PURE FLOWER AND PLANT ESSENCES

©AvedaCo

rp.

AND SC

Bring this ad in for a Free Sample of Stress Fix.

American News • Tying the Knot 1bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/aberdeennews... · a...

Documents

Transcript of American News • Tying the Knot 1bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/aberdeennews... · a...