Page 12 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009

From diamonds to tie pinsBY KAREN MARTIN

Song's Jewelry, 109 W. Main Street, Elkin specializesin the personal touch when selecting an engagement ring,bridesmaid or groomsmen gifts. Connie Song, owner,believes that putting in the time to choose the diamondthat will symbolize one of the most important days ofyour life can make all the difference with the bride.

"Brides like to feel that her engagement ring was cho-sen just for her," Song said. "She wants to feel that it re-flects her personality and the love of the man who's givenit to her."

"Guys get overwhelmed with the realm of choices," shesaid. "They need to go shopping with the woman to findout what styles she likes, whether she prefers a solitare, avintage design, diamonds on the band and what her goldpreference is."

"Some women like a total surprise, but others don't,"Song said. "I had a lady come in once to have her ringsized, her husband had purchased her ring somewhereelse, and when she saw the selection I had and recognizedall the different choices, she expressed that she would haveloved to have known that there were so many more beau-tiful designs."

When shopping for a diamond you need to have abudget and stick to it. The jewelry store owner shouldhave enough knowledge to stay within your budget withclarity and quality choices.

Jewelry stores offer much more than the engagementring and wedding bands for your wedding. Groomsmengifts are available in the forms of tie clips, money clips,credit card holders and driver's license holders starting at

$10. Many items can be monogrammed. Lighters thatare engravable start at $39. There are also engravable pensand letter openers.

Bridesmaid gifts are also available. Sterling silver or goldcharm bracelets, diamond earrings, or another type ofstone earring can be given to wear in the wedding andused for the bridesmaid's gifts. There are also some uniquegifts. Pink tool sets that include pliers, screwdrivers, andsocket wrenches start at $12 and would make a memo-rable gift. Engravable letter openers, business card hold-ers, paperweights and desk accessories are also available.Some choices can be purchased with Swavorski crystals setin them. There are a lot of unique gifts if the bride andgroom take the time to look for that special gift for theirattendants to remember their special day.

"I love to give advice and suggest items to customersthat they may not have thought of as gifts," Song said.“Our engraving service usually cost $8 per item. If theitem is purchased here, the engraving is half price. Theengraving on jewelry purchased here is free."

"If a bride plans her gifts ahead of time, at the start ofher wedding plans, she has many more opportunities tofind unique items.

More frequently now, couples present gifts to the moth-ers during their ceremony. Presenting the mothers with amother charm on a chain, a simple stone band or a charmbracelet can make the mothers feel much more a part ofthe couple's forthcoming life.

Often the bride's mother presents the groom with agift. An engraved pocketwatch is a wonderful gift to give.On the other side, the groom's mother usually presentsthe bride with a gift of jewelry. If a family heirloom is not

available, a piece of jewelry that can be passed to the firstgrandchild is a special piece that can begin a family tradi-tion.

"Give pieces that you can have a story with," Song said."A piece that the bride can say, 'this was given to me onmy wedding day,' as she passes it on."

"One of the most important things to remember is to

match the piece of jewelry to the personality of the per-son you are giving it to," she said. "And I like to suggestwords that will mean something to the receiver, some-thing they will always associate with the piece of jewelrywhen they are wearing it." (336) 835-7743

Whether it is diamond engagement rings to gifts for bridal party members to themothers of the wedding couple, fine jewelry is always appreciated.

Page 6 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 7

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Page 2 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 11

Local catering companies offer delectable choicesBY SUSAN TOLLEY

Choosing the right caterer is very importantto having the perfect wedding reception. Listedbelow are three of the available choices inElkin.

Lorene’s Bakery and CateringMoore is best known for her incredibly de-

tailed decorating style and creating of her ownicing recipe.

“My own icing recipe started out as a basicbutter cream and has been adjusted throughthe years to what I serve now,” said Moore. "Ialso work with fondant, which is a sugar-dough, which allows you to do dimensionalwork."

Working with fondant is a unique talent andnot all bakers can offer this service.

Lorene's is a full service caterer offeringbaked items, finger foods, dinners as well as thetables, linens and other items. “We offer everything they need to set up theirreception except the center piece and theprinted napkins,” Moore said.

Another detail that makes Lorene’s foods sodelicious and makes the bakery so popular inthe area is the fact that she makes everythingfrom scratch.

“Everything we do is scratch, nothing isbought frozen or prepackaged,” she said. "Itake a lot of pride in that because not all cater-ers can say that."Her advice to brides is to come in and talk to

her about what their wedding décor will belike. Together they can design a cake that re-flects the “flavor” of the wedding, along with

the types of foods that the couple feels willmost reflect their taste, the foods that work bestfor the time of year of the wedding and anyspecial needs of the couple's guests.

Lorene Moore always loved to decorate cakes.She did this out of her home as a hobby forfriends and family between 1973 – 1983. Aftermany of them tasted her delights, they beganto ask her to make cakes and provide varioustypes of food for their weddings. Once she haddone this the business just “exploded.”

“I never planned it to be honest with you.God gave me the ability and I just went withit,” said Moore “I’ve always loved to cook;mom started us out at any early age cookingfor the family.”Lorene’s Bakery and Catering is located at 314

N. White St., Dobson, 356-4699 behind theLantern Restaurant. Hours: Tuesday – Friday9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Buttercup GourmetButtercup Gourmet's Lisa Parigi began her

business in October 2008, but has been bak-ing and decorating cakes since the 1980s. Herculinary school training and professional expe-rience affords clients unique choices in prod-uct and presentation.

Parigi specializes in cakes, pastries and sa-vories, but can provide other foods for a recep-tion if requested.

Her specialty is fondant work which allowsher to give each cake its own personality.

“A bride can even have the cake icing matchthe lace in her dress," she said. “I want to reflectsomething of the bride and groom’s personalityin every thing I provide for the event. That can

be something whimsical or sentimental.”Another one of her specialties is setting up

dessert tables for the reception. This is a trendthat is starting to become more popular. Thesesmaller tables at the reception feature pastrieswith petit fours (small, square-cut, frosted anddecorated pieces of cake) and other delicaciessuch as cupcake trees, sugar or chocolate cupsthat contain the bride and groom's favoritecandies, and other individual treats.Parigi also can add fillings, and fresh berries in

her cakes if the bridal couple so chooses. Theaddition of things such as lemon curd andganache on the inside of a cake, adding a won-derful flare to the cakes.

Buttercup Gourmet is located at 502 C. B.Eller School Road, Elkin, 835-4854. Hours:Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Judy HancockJudy Hancock provides catering for wedding

receptions, rehearsal dinners and social gather-ings. She also caters luncheons and can providehor d' oeuvres for meetings and cocktail par-ties.

Hancock offers a wide variety of cuisines tochoose from down-home cooking, buffet tablesto elegant meals, Hancock has the experienceto provide what the bridal couple is looking for.References are available. For an appointment,call 244-0735.

Cake by Butter Cup GourmetWedding cakes have come a long way.Many of them are tied in to a weddingʼstheme or the season in which the wed-ding is taking place.

Helpful hints from the BranchBakery & Sweet Shop

Wedding cakes are the focal point of the re-ception. The cake can come in all shapes andsizes. The cake should fit the type of wedding.It could be very formal, simple or funky andfun. Most importantly, the cake should be freshand taste good.

Cakes can be done in most any flavor. If theweding is in the summer, you may want tochoose a lighter cake such as pink lemondade,stawberry, pineapple or a light vanilla with abuttercream icing. For fall and winter cakes,you may prefer something richer, such as an al-most pound cake, red velvet, buttercream orvanilla.

Making that special cake a part of your wed-ing day means planning ahead. If your wed-

ding date is duing the months of May, June,September or October, you should contactyour bakery at least six months ahead of time.Make sure you choose a reliable bakery or per-son who make your cake both beautiful anddelicious.

Don’t forget the groom’s cake. It can be madeto reflect the groom’s personality or interests,such as sports, fishing, cars, or college. Thecake can be served at the rehearsal dinner or atthe wedding reception.

Branch Bakery & Sweet Shop is located at503 E. Main St., Yadkinville, 677-1235.Hours: Tuesday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.;Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

www.elkintribune.com

Page 8 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 5

OLDE BEAUThe Perfect Setting

Olde Beau and staff can provide the perfect reception, rehearsal din-ner, or setting for your wedding! We can accommodate up to 300

guests with your choice of hors d’oeurves or a custom menu to suityour needs. For that special day please call 1-800-752-1634.

Olde Beau Golf & Country ClubLocated on US Hwy. 21 in Roaring Gap, NCPhone: 1-800-752-1634 or (336) 363-3333

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Photos courtesy of Shutterbug PhotographyWedding gowns and bridal party apparel BYKARENMARTIN

Carol's Wedding Shop, 118 E. Main St.,Elkin is a full-service bridal shop, carrying anarray of wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses,mother of the bride and groom dresses, tuxedorental, and flower girl attire as well as gowns forproms and special occasions. There are manywedding gowns to choose from in stock fromdifferent designers.

“We don't order many gowns because we havesuch a large selection in stock,” said employeeJeanie. “Carol carries so many different stylesthat most brides can find just what they arelooking for when they come in, but if a bridewants a style that is not in stock, it usually onlytakes two to three weeks to order the gown.”

Carol’s strives to give each bride the personaltouch to help her find the gown and accessoriesof her dreams.

Carol’s also offers a full line of invitations,place cards, response cards, menu cards and giftsfor the bridal parties.

Foundations for the whole bridal party arealso available.

Carol’s suggests that a bride pick her gownand colors as soon as possible after setting thedate.

“Bride's should pick the colors they want and

the styles they love. Trend choices are not alwaysthe best choices for every bride,” Carol said."Each bride has different ideas for her ideal wed-ding. Picking the gown is just one of the steps inplanning a wedding. Each bride deserves herfantasy wedding and with planning she can havethe wedding day she has dreamed about."

Local brides have chosen purples and greensrecently for their weddings, but an array of col-ors are available to choose from. Carol's offersdye-able shoes and handbags to match anygown or dress, jewelry to accent the attire as wellas veils.

A good rule to follow concerning looking fora wedding gown or for attire for the entire bridalparty is to start at least three months ahead ofthe date. More common is to begin planning forthe wedding up to one year in advance.

For more information and store hours call336-835-4474.

Couture Design Group,125 W. Main St.,Elkin, is owned by Bill Colvard. After workingin New York for 22 years, Colvard moved toElkin and started his design business. He hasbeen designing wedding gowns in the area forthree years.

"I do custom design gowns from sketch,"Colvard said. "I order my fabrics from NewYork and Europe."

Colvard suggests that a bride allow a minimunof 12 weeks for a custom designed gown. Healso designs dresses for bridesmaids and themothers of the bride and groom.

When talking about trends for 2009, Colvardexpressed several opinions.

“Strapless is dying down, finally,” he said.“There are still elegant strapless gowns to choosefrom, but it’s not the only game in town any-more. Brides are choosing more romantic stylesthis year.”

Couture Design also does re-styling of gowns.“If a bride has her mother or grandmother's

gown and she want to be able to wear it for herwedding, we can re-style it to suit her desires,”Colvard said. “Many of the gowns worn in the70s and 80s were truly hideous with giant, puffysleeves. We can salvage most dresses and mod-ernize them to today's style. Even if the bridedoesn't want the entire dress, we can utilize thelace from her heirloom gown and add it to astyle she picks for her own.”

Couture Design also offers some custom jew-elry to accessorize the bridal party's attire. Ap-pointments can be made by calling 527-4696.

The gown Karin Dezern of Hamptonvillewill be wearing when she marches downthe aisle May 16 is an Empire gown. Thecathedral train is 4-plus feet in length.Her headpiece is a beaded tiara with jew-els and her veil is satin-corded. Thegown's color is apricot mink.

Rental equipment and wedding venuesBYKARENMARTIN

AllStar Rentals Inc.,1036 N. Bridge St.,Elkin can provide any bridal couple with tents,tables, chairs and linens for a wedding or re-ception. Brides who choose a venue outside ofa church can be accommodated with multiplechoices of arrangements to seat guests. Re-hearsal dinners and receptions can be held out-doors with the placement of tents and tables,even bar set ups are available for rental.

AllStar Rentals offers candelabras, archways,columns, full fountains, wine glasses, chafingdishes and other items for the bridal couplesneeds.

“Couples need to plan their wedding at leastsix months beforehand,” said Joe Walker,owner of AllStar Rentals. “I like to sit downwith them face to face and find out exactlywhat type of setting they want and plan out thedesign. Planning ahead assures availability ofthe items they need.”

AllStar also tries to accommodate those who,upon the spur of the moment, come by to rentpieces they would like to have at their weddingor special event.

“Weddings are expensive,” Walker said. “Youcan spend as little or as much as you wantwhen planning your wedding.”

“The best thing to do is make your budgetand select items that fit into your budget.”

Many brides and grooms choose venues thatconvey the natural beauty of the area.

“We’ve done weddings at Grassy Creek Vine-yards and Klondike Cabins for several years,”

Walker said. “It’s a very popular location forwedding ceremonies and receptions.”

“People design their own weddings now andthey don’t stand on protocol,” he said. “Thereis an array of items that can match the couple’sdesires."

Other venues brides choose around the Elkinarea include Laurel Gray Vineyards, Stony KnollVineyards and others. For receptions considerThe Meeting Place, the garden area of theFoothills Arts Council, and the Holiday Inn. OldBeau Country Club is also a great spot for wed-dings and receptions, and often brides choosespots along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Stone Mountain Park has been the venue formany weddings, as has Stony Knoll Vineyards.Elkin Creek Winery and kitchen, Kapps Mill,Tharpe's Mill and many others are in the sur-rounding area. Portraits can be made at SheltonVineyards for a sitting fee.

Tommy Maines, general manager of OldBeau, accepts reservations for weddings and/orreceptions up to one year in advance. This al-lows the bride to choose the date she wantswithout fear of the area being booked when thecouple chooses a wedding date.

“We can seat up to 300 people and serveheavy hor d' oeuvres. We have a full bar andwe have villas and cottages available for rentalfor the bridal party guest.”

“Grassy Creek sits just outside of Elkin andhas a beautiful hillside near the lake that is veryconducive to weddings,” Judy Hancock ofGrassy Creek and Klondike Cabins said. “Weoffer four cabins of varying size that can accommodate

members of the bridal party. The cabins have at leasta kitchenette and are situated close together and arealongside a natural walking trail.”

“Catering service is available on site if wanted,”Hancock said. “Couples can bring their own catererand their own wines if they prefer.”

Couples choosing Grassy Creek Vineyards shouldcontact the venue as soon as possible after choosing awedding date.

“Hancock suggests that couples contact the vine-yard a minimum of six months prior to the date of thewedding.”

AllStar Rentals, Inc. 835-7368; Grassy CreekVineyards/Klondike Cabins 835-4230.

photos submitted by AllStar RentalsAllStar Rentals can supply tents, ta-bles, linens and many other weddingsupplies.

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 8:25 AM Page 4

Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 9Attention

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Page 4 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009

Photos courtesy of Jim Drum Photography

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Floral choices in ElkinBYKARENMARTIN

Elkin brides have an array of choices when itcomes to flowers for their wedding day. Beauti-ful bouquets, corsages, sprays, and floral archescan all be designed and delivered in fresh flow-ers or silk. Kneeling benches, candelabras, andpew markers are all available with the floral de-signers.

Ratledge Florist,328 N. Front St., Elkin,suggests the bride-to-be plan a budget for flow-ers and bring in ideas for the types of flowersand colors she desires. Swatches of fabric fromgowns make choosing the colors of flowerssomewhat easier.

Bridal bouquets start at $100.00 on averageand bridesmaids bouquets at $50. Single rosecorsages start at $25. Boutonnieres begin at$7.50. A simple corsage of carnations withbaby's breath can be purchased for $6.50 andup.

Brides need to be aware that fresh flowers areseasonal and the sizes and colors of flowers maybe limited during certain times of the year. It isrecommended that a bride select her florist assoon as possible after setting a date. This allowsfor reservation of the date as well as planningfor the flowers she wishes to have. Rental equip-ment can be reserved at this time also. A 10 per-cent deposit is expected when the order isplaced.

Bridal bouquets that include callas, orchidsand roses are common requests of brides. Or-chids and callas need to be ordered well in ad-vance of the wedding day to assure availability.

Ratledge offers single bouquets as well asbridal packages. The florist handles venue wed-dings and can provide fresh or silk floral wed-ding cake toppers.

Some of the most important things to knowwhen coming in to plan your floral arrange-ments are the vicinity of the wedding, the colorchoice, the number of people that will be in thewedding party and in attendance at the wed-ding, the number of table arrangementsneeded, and the date of the wedding. If you areplanning a rehearsal dinner and want tablearrangements, know the number of tabletops.Ratledge Florists can also provide the tablelinens, and other items that may be needed.

Call 835-2607 to set up an appointment ordrop by.

Watson's Florist,713 N. Bridge St., Elkin,offers bridal packages that include the bridalbouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, pew markers,cake toppers and all types of equipment for thewedding day. Watson's suggest planning yourfloral arrangements a minimum of threemonths prior to the wedding date to assure thetypes and colors of flowers you desire are avail-able.

When planning your arrangements, it helpsto have swatches from the colors of the brides-maids dresses, the number of people attendingthe wedding, the date and the style of yourwedding.

Single rose boutonnieres begin at $5, a simple

bride’s bouquet start at $50, bridesmaids bou-quets begin at as little as $15. Floral arrange-ments can be made from fresh or silk flowers,depending on the preference of the bride.

Watson's rents their bridal equipment —kneeling benches, candelabras, arches and otheritems — only to brides who purchase theirwedding flowers with them.

When planning for a rehearsal dinner, knowthe number of tabletops and the height that youwant your arrangements. Flowers can be inter-twined with a number of other materials tomake beautiful tabletop arrangements. Candlescan also be utilized within the floral arrange-ment adding height and dimension to the de-sign.

Call 835-5245 for an appointment or dropby to design your wedding flowers.

Bridal bouquet by Watsons FloristBouquets using calla lilies, orchids androses are common requests.

Ratledge FloristSmall nosegay bouquets are availablechoices for bridesmaids.

Page 10 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 3

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The secret ingredients to choosing a great catererBY SUSAN TOLLEY

You want everything to be perfect on that spe-cial day. A beautifully decorated cake; a variety ofdelicious finger foods; or a sit-down meal; thedishes; napkins; and table décor, these are all partof what makes the reception a wonderful experi-ence. To be certain your reception is everythingyou’ve dreamed about, consider these tips:

• Book a caterer as soon as you have set the bigdate. Many caterers have bookings as far as a yearin advance. Begin researching and making thedecision as early as possible to be certain youbook your first choice.

• Determine how many guests you expect at thereception. The caterer cannot give you an accu-rate cost estimate without the total number ofguests you expect.

• Know your budget. Many brides have no ideawhat a reception costs until they begin acquiringprice lists. Compare prices of caterers that youwould consider and determine the amount youcan spend on food, napkins, drinks and otheritems you want your caterer to provide.

• Find out what each caterer’s quote includes.Caterers have different things that they includein their cost estimates. Some provide dishes andclean up, others do not. Some provide all table-cloths needed, some only provide for the basic

cloths. Be certain to ask what is and is not in-cluded in the total price.

• Look at pictures of each caterer’s cakes. Anygood wedding caterer will have a photo albumdisplaying his or her work. This will help you de-cide if you’re impressed with the decorating skillsor not.

• Ask about tastings. Ask for samples of thechoices for your cake. Also ask to taste samples ofthe different icings available.

• Ask around. Word-of-mouth or your own ex-periences at other receptions are sometimes thebest way to make your decision.

Catering/Reception trends that were popular in

2008 will probably carry into this year as well.The bakeries and caterers in our area spoke ofbrides wanting things more personalized versusthe traditional fare found at receptions. The typesand styles of wedding cakes being displayed at re-ceptions have leaned toward combinations ofbrowns and light greens. Local caterers believethe same colors will be popular again this year.However, they suggest that each bride and groomselect a style that will reflect them. Most weddingcakes have become simpler with cleaner lines andsubtle designs. Adding fresh flowers as a topperor to decorate the entire cake is also a popularstyle.

Choosing the photographer to capture your special dayin the package you choose.

• Go over personal preferences and special familysituations. Some brides have followed the age-oldtradition of not being seen by the groom on the dayof the wedding before the ceremony. This needs to bedecided early in the planning process; it will greatlyaffect the timing and order of when the photos aretaken. Also, be sure to communicate any special fam-ily situations to your photographer such as parentswho are separated or divorced. This too affects howwedding party members are grouped for photos.

• Get the groom involved. If the bride and groomare both involved in the process of choosing the pho-tographer(s), the two most important people at thewedding are already familiar with the photographer’s

style and are generally more comfortable with the en-tire process.

Some photo trends that seem to be carrying overfrom 2008 into 2009 are selecting to have a numberof photos that are black and white with color en-hancement; modern / contemporary albums withspecial effects photos; collages; and more relaxed andcandid photos. While videos were very popular inthe 1990s, that trend has since slowed down. Cou-ples are now putting more of their photo budget to-ward the keepsake album(s).

BY SUSAN TOLLEY

Capturing the memories of your special day isone of the most important aspects of planning yourwedding.

Choosing the photographer for your wedding isoften the first and most important booking bridesand grooms make. Because of the hustle and bustleof this special day, the wedding album you end upwith is what you’ll look at to truly remember theceremony and reception. Make the right choice andyou’ll forever hold the treasure of photos that ex-press the true personality of your wedding. If youmake the wrong choice, you could end up withphotos that are disappointing at the very least.

Below are tips and suggestions to help you choosethe photographer that will best serve you.

• Book early. Be sure to book your photographerno less than eight to nine months in advance ofyour wedding date. Many brides book a year in ad-vance to get their first-choice studio.

• Get a price list from several photographers inyour area. When making the budget for your wed-ding, have a few general package estimates fromphotographers. Review the packages each photog-rapher offers carefully and be sure you know whatthe prices do and do not include.

• Visit each studio personally to review samplesof their work. Photography studios proudly displaywedding portraits, engagement photos, traditionalalbums and more modern books to give you an ideaof the quality and type of work they do.

• Speak with the actual photographer that willphotograph your ceremony. This will help to deter-mine if the personality of the photographer is com-patable with your own when it comes to ideas and

plans for your wedding.• Find out how much experience the studio has

with weddings. Photographers who have shot manyweddings often have ideas that make your photosunique and are able to capture the couple’s true per-sonality.

• Ask if there will be two photographers coveringthe event. This provides photos with multiple an-gles. One photographer may capture something theother does not see. It also can help make the processrun more quickly.

•Allow enough time. Discuss timelines with thephotographer. Be sure you are in agreement withthe amount of time needed before and after the cer-emony to get all the shots needed to complete thepackage chosen.

• Discuss the proofing process. Studios vary in thetype of proofs they offer in their packages and whatthe proofing process is like. Some studios offer theopportunity to look at all the images on the com-puter and then choosing the ones you want to see inwhat’s called a “proof book.” Other studios choosewhat they feel are the photos that best captured theday and put the proof book together themselves. Inthis case, you can ask to see any images that weren’tput in the book. From the proof book, the bridewill choose what the photos for her wedding album.

• Review photo back-up options. Studios vary onhow they do their back-up work. Be sure to discussthis with them so you’ll be aware of what happensto your wedding images after you receive youralbum(s).

• Ask about re-touching and editing. Photogra-phers have many options with digital images to en-hance and edit photos. Be sure to ask what theirskills are in this area and whether or not it’s included

Local photographers provide many options for bridesBY SUSAN TOLLEY

Brides have several local studios to choosefrom when selecting a photographer for theirwedding. Each photographer has their ownstyle, and experience. Brides and grooms areencouraged to visit different studios beforemaking their final decision.

About some local studios:Shutterbug Photography

Shutterbug Photography, under the directionof Susan Baker, opened its doors in July 2005,focusing on babies and children's photography.In May 2006, Suzie Robinson joined Baker atShutterbug. Robinson, with 26 years of experi-ence in wedding photography, enabled the stu-dio to expand to a full service studio.

Robinson began taking wedding photos in1980, developing her own style.

“Each photographer has a different style,”Robinson said. “I enjoy it when the bride andgroom come into the studio and review thework. It really helps you get a feel for what thecouple is looking for, and they can decide ifthey’re comfortable with the photographer’spersonality, which is very important.”

“We try to capture the moment as it is hap-pening, especially the emotion that is being dis-played,” she said.

Robinson suggests that couples not be afraidto suggest ideas of their own, even if it seems“off the wall.” Often, ideas or scenarios the cou-ple wants portrayed make the best shots for awedding album, she said.

Shutterbug offers black and white glossies,color enhancement, collages, photos on canvasand other current trends, as well as the tradi-tional wedding album.

The studio is owned by Susan Baker andBeth Pence and is located at 229 W. Main St.,Elkin. Visit the web site for complete informa-tion and price lists. www.shutterbugphotogra-phyinc.com or call 835-5437.

Hours of operation: Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2p.m.; Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.to 1 p.m.

Images StudioImages Studio, owned by Ronnie and Dixie

Atkins, began in 1984 in their home in Dob-son. In 1989, after the business had outgrownthe available space, the couple opened a studioin downtown Dobson.

Both members of the couple loved photog-raphy from an early age.

“We each had a camera in our hands from thetime we were young,” said Dixie.

Both photographers attend and shoot eachwedding that is booked with their studio. Thisallows for multiple angles during the ceremony,allowing for “two sets of eyes” and points ofview during the event.

The Atkins suggest spending time with thephotographer you choose prior to the wedding.

“We like to talk to the families and build arelationship with them, they said. "We encour-age them to choose a photographer they’recomfortable with, and one whose work they re-

ally like.”"Concerning trends for the upcoming year,

we’re seeing more input from grooms," Ronniesaid. This makes the whole process run moresmoothly. Also, more couples are choosing toget married in the spring or the fall, not just inthe summer months like it was years ago.”

Images Studio offers traditional as well asmodern styles. They suggest that brides andgrooms visit the studio to review their workand pricing prior to making the final selectionof a photographer.

The studio is located at 507 W. Kapp St.Dobson. (336) 386-8101, Hours of operation:Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday,11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jim Drum PhotographyJim opened his studio 29 years ago in Yad-

kinville. In 1994, he added another photogra-pher, Amber Harris.

Drum's studio specializes in fine portraiture,including babies, children and families, as wellas bridal and wedding photography. Packagescan be customized to suit any bride with anybudget.

As with most up-to-date photo studios, JimDrum and Amber Harris offer the modern andtraditional bridal albums along with collages,color enhancement, and other special effectsavailable for weddings.

Drum believes that every bride deserves aone-of-a-kind day that belongs just to her, andhe tries to accommodate each bride’s vision.

“Everyone has a work philosophy. Ours is toenjoy our work, have fun, and laugh a lot. I’vefound over the years that if we enjoy what we’redoing, so do the folks we’re photographing.”

“We try to make people feel at home and verycomfortable during their visit and especially ontheir special day,” said Harris. "Superior cus-tomer service is what we're known for and westrive very hard to be the best."

“A lot of people can press a camera button,"Drum said. "But good photographers knowabout lighting, photojournalism, and tradi-tional as well as modern techniques.”

Visit the studio at 501 E. Main St., Yad-kinville or call 679-2256, or visit online atwww.jimdrumphoto.com. Studio hours:Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat-urday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Studio RoxieStudio Roxie is located in the beautiful hills

of Sparta and is owned by Stewart Royall andTammy McGrady. Because of its location,many brides and grooms are excited about theopportunity to have photos taken in the nearbynatural scenery.

With a passion for photography, StewartRoyall started the business more than 25 yearsago, and has been at the current location since1987. He named the studio after his momwho, in his opinion, was a great amateur pho-tographer.

Royall and McGrady both shoot each wed-ding, allowing them double coverage and manydifferent angles for the bride and groom to

choose from. They focus on making sure thecouple is very confident with them.

“Couples want someone who is going to pho-tograph everything they want with no doubtsor fears about what the end result will be," Mc-Grady said. "The photographers need to have alove and passion for what they do.”

The studio typically shoots over 1,000 im-ages during the ceremony and reception. Thebridal couple usually has 450 to 500 proof im-ages to view. Studio Roxie allow each couple tochoose their package after viewing the proofs.Typically, studios require that a couple choosea package prior to the wedding. Offering cou-ples this option makes Studio Roxie unique.

Both photographers attend training seminarsregularly to keep their skills up-to-date.

“A wedding is serious and we treat it as such,but we encourage the wedding party to havefun," said Royall. "We try to add somethingunique to every wedding we shoot, somethingthat will make each brides special day a littlemore memorable.”

Studio Roxie is located at 381 Sparta Square,Sparta, 372-6544. Visit them online atwww.studioroxie.com. Hours of operation:Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10a.m. to 5 p.m.

Don’t forget to featureyour special day in

The Tribune and Yadkin Ripple.

Call 835-1513 for more information.

www.bridaltraditionsnc.net

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 8:42 AM Page 6

Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 9Attention

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Page 4 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009

Photos courtesy of Jim Drum Photography

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Floral choices in ElkinBY KAREN MARTIN

Elkin brides have an array of choices when itcomes to flowers for their wedding day. Beauti-ful bouquets, corsages, sprays, and floral archescan all be designed and delivered in fresh flow-ers or silk. Kneeling benches, candelabras, andpew markers are all available with the floral de-signers.

Ratledge Florist, 328 N. Front St., Elkin,suggests the bride-to-be plan a budget for flow-ers and bring in ideas for the types of flowersand colors she desires. Swatches of fabric fromgowns make choosing the colors of flowerssomewhat easier.

Bridal bouquets start at $100.00 on averageand bridesmaids bouquets at $50. Single rosecorsages start at $25. Boutonnieres begin at$7.50. A simple corsage of carnations withbaby's breath can be purchased for $6.50 andup.

Brides need to be aware that fresh flowers areseasonal and the sizes and colors of flowers maybe limited during certain times of the year. It isrecommended that a bride select her florist assoon as possible after setting a date. This allowsfor reservation of the date as well as planningfor the flowers she wishes to have. Rental equip-ment can be reserved at this time also. A 10 per-cent deposit is expected when the order isplaced.

Bridal bouquets that include callas, orchidsand roses are common requests of brides. Or-chids and callas need to be ordered well in ad-vance of the wedding day to assure availability.

Ratledge offers single bouquets as well asbridal packages. The florist handles venue wed-dings and can provide fresh or silk floral wed-ding cake toppers.

Some of the most important things to knowwhen coming in to plan your floral arrange-ments are the vicinity of the wedding, the colorchoice, the number of people that will be in thewedding party and in attendance at the wed-ding, the number of table arrangementsneeded, and the date of the wedding. If you areplanning a rehearsal dinner and want tablearrangements, know the number of tabletops.Ratledge Florists can also provide the tablelinens, and other items that may be needed.

Call 835-2607 to set up an appointment ordrop by.

Watson's Florist, 713 N. Bridge St., Elkin,offers bridal packages that include the bridalbouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, pew markers,cake toppers and all types of equipment for thewedding day. Watson's suggest planning yourfloral arrangements a minimum of threemonths prior to the wedding date to assure thetypes and colors of flowers you desire are avail-able.

When planning your arrangements, it helpsto have swatches from the colors of the brides-maids dresses, the number of people attendingthe wedding, the date and the style of yourwedding.

Single rose boutonnieres begin at $5, a simple

bride’s bouquet start at $50, bridesmaids bou-quets begin at as little as $15. Floral arrange-ments can be made from fresh or silk flowers,depending on the preference of the bride.

Watson's rents their bridal equipment —kneeling benches, candelabras, arches and otheritems — only to brides who purchase theirwedding flowers with them.

When planning for a rehearsal dinner, knowthe number of tabletops and the height that youwant your arrangements. Flowers can be inter-twined with a number of other materials tomake beautiful tabletop arrangements. Candlescan also be utilized within the floral arrange-ment adding height and dimension to the de-sign.

Call 835-5245 for an appointment or dropby to design your wedding flowers.

Bridal bouquet by Watsons FloristBouquets using calla lilies, orchids androses are common requests.

Ratledge FloristSmall nosegay bouquets are availablechoices for bridesmaids.

Page 10 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 3

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The secret ingredients to choosing a great catererBYSUSANTOLLEY

You want everything to be perfect on that spe-cial day. A beautifully decorated cake; a variety ofdelicious finger foods; or a sit-down meal; thedishes; napkins; and table décor, these are all partof what makes the reception a wonderful experi-ence. To be certain your reception is everythingyou’ve dreamed about, consider these tips:

• Book a caterer as soon as you have set the bigdate. Many caterers have bookings as far as a yearin advance. Begin researching and making thedecision as early as possible to be certain youbook your first choice.

• Determine how many guests you expect at thereception. The caterer cannot give you an accu-rate cost estimate without the total number ofguests you expect.

• Know your budget. Many brides have no ideawhat a reception costs until they begin acquiringprice lists. Compare prices of caterers that youwould consider and determine the amount youcan spend on food, napkins, drinks and otheritems you want your caterer to provide.

• Find out what each caterer’s quote includes.Caterers have different things that they includein their cost estimates. Some provide dishes andclean up, others do not. Some provide all table-cloths needed, some only provide for the basic

cloths. Be certain to ask what is and is not in-cluded in the total price.

• Look at pictures of each caterer’s cakes. Anygood wedding caterer will have a photo albumdisplaying his or her work. This will help you de-cide if you’re impressed with the decorating skillsor not.

• Ask about tastings. Ask for samples of thechoices for your cake. Also ask to taste samples ofthe different icings available.

• Ask around. Word-of-mouth or your own ex-periences at other receptions are sometimes thebest way to make your decision.

Catering/Reception trends that were popular in

2008 will probably carry into this year as well.The bakeries and caterers in our area spoke ofbrides wanting things more personalized versusthe traditional fare found at receptions. The typesand styles of wedding cakes being displayed at re-ceptions have leaned toward combinations ofbrowns and light greens. Local caterers believethe same colors will be popular again this year.However, they suggest that each bride and groomselect a style that will reflect them. Most weddingcakes have become simpler with cleaner lines andsubtle designs. Adding fresh flowers as a topperor to decorate the entire cake is also a popularstyle.

Choosing the photographer to capture your special dayin the package you choose.

• Go over personal preferences and special familysituations. Some brides have followed the age-oldtradition of not being seen by the groom on the dayof the wedding before the ceremony. This needs to bedecided early in the planning process; it will greatlyaffect the timing and order of when the photos aretaken. Also, be sure to communicate any special fam-ily situations to your photographer such as parentswho are separated or divorced. This too affects howwedding party members are grouped for photos.

• Get the groom involved. If the bride and groomare both involved in the process of choosing the pho-tographer(s), the two most important people at thewedding are already familiar with the photographer’s

style and are generally more comfortable with the en-tire process.

Some photo trends that seem to be carrying overfrom 2008 into 2009 are selecting to have a numberof photos that are black and white with color en-hancement; modern / contemporary albums withspecial effects photos; collages; and more relaxed andcandid photos. While videos were very popular inthe 1990s, that trend has since slowed down. Cou-ples are now putting more of their photo budget to-ward the keepsake album(s).

BYSUSANTOLLEY

Capturing the memories of your special day isone of the most important aspects of planning yourwedding.

Choosing the photographer for your wedding isoften the first and most important booking bridesand grooms make. Because of the hustle and bustleof this special day, the wedding album you end upwith is what you’ll look at to truly remember theceremony and reception. Make the right choice andyou’ll forever hold the treasure of photos that ex-press the true personality of your wedding. If youmake the wrong choice, you could end up withphotos that are disappointing at the very least.

Below are tips and suggestions to help you choosethe photographer that will best serve you.

• Book early. Be sure to book your photographerno less than eight to nine months in advance ofyour wedding date. Many brides book a year in ad-vance to get their first-choice studio.

• Get a price list from several photographers inyour area. When making the budget for your wed-ding, have a few general package estimates fromphotographers. Review the packages each photog-rapher offers carefully and be sure you know whatthe prices do and do not include.

• Visit each studio personally to review samplesof their work. Photography studios proudly displaywedding portraits, engagement photos, traditionalalbums and more modern books to give you an ideaof the quality and type of work they do.

• Speak with the actual photographer that willphotograph your ceremony. This will help to deter-mine if the personality of the photographer is com-patable with your own when it comes to ideas and

plans for your wedding.• Find out how much experience the studio has

with weddings. Photographers who have shot manyweddings often have ideas that make your photosunique and are able to capture the couple’s true per-sonality.

• Ask if there will be two photographers coveringthe event. This provides photos with multiple an-gles. One photographer may capture something theother does not see. It also can help make the processrun more quickly.

•Allow enough time. Discuss timelines with thephotographer. Be sure you are in agreement withthe amount of time needed before and after the cer-emony to get all the shots needed to complete thepackage chosen.

• Discuss the proofing process. Studios vary in thetype of proofs they offer in their packages and whatthe proofing process is like. Some studios offer theopportunity to look at all the images on the com-puter and then choosing the ones you want to see inwhat’s called a “proof book.” Other studios choosewhat they feel are the photos that best captured theday and put the proof book together themselves. Inthis case, you can ask to see any images that weren’tput in the book. From the proof book, the bridewill choose what the photos for her wedding album.

• Review photo back-up options. Studios vary onhow they do their back-up work. Be sure to discussthis with them so you’ll be aware of what happensto your wedding images after you receive youralbum(s).

• Ask about re-touching and editing. Photogra-phers have many options with digital images to en-hance and edit photos. Be sure to ask what theirskills are in this area and whether or not it’s included

Local photographers provide many options for bridesBYSUSANTOLLEY

Brides have several local studios to choosefrom when selecting a photographer for theirwedding. Each photographer has their ownstyle, and experience. Brides and grooms areencouraged to visit different studios beforemaking their final decision.

About some local studios:Shutterbug Photography

Shutterbug Photography, under the directionof Susan Baker, opened its doors in July 2005,focusing on babies and children's photography.In May 2006, Suzie Robinson joined Baker atShutterbug. Robinson, with 26 years of experi-ence in wedding photography, enabled the stu-dio to expand to a full service studio.

Robinson began taking wedding photos in1980, developing her own style.

“Each photographer has a different style,”Robinson said. “I enjoy it when the bride andgroom come into the studio and review thework. It really helps you get a feel for what thecouple is looking for, and they can decide ifthey’re comfortable with the photographer’spersonality, which is very important.”

“We try to capture the moment as it is hap-pening, especially the emotion that is being dis-played,” she said.

Robinson suggests that couples not be afraidto suggest ideas of their own, even if it seems“off the wall.” Often, ideas or scenarios the cou-ple wants portrayed make the best shots for awedding album, she said.

Shutterbug offers black and white glossies,color enhancement, collages, photos on canvasand other current trends, as well as the tradi-tional wedding album.

The studio is owned by Susan Baker andBeth Pence and is located at 229 W. Main St.,Elkin. Visit the web site for complete informa-tion and price lists. www.shutterbugphotogra-phyinc.com or call 835-5437.

Hours of operation: Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2p.m.; Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.to 1 p.m.

Images StudioImages Studio, owned by Ronnie and Dixie

Atkins, began in 1984 in their home in Dob-son. In 1989, after the business had outgrownthe available space, the couple opened a studioin downtown Dobson.

Both members of the couple loved photog-raphy from an early age.

“We each had a camera in our hands from thetime we were young,” said Dixie.

Both photographers attend and shoot eachwedding that is booked with their studio. Thisallows for multiple angles during the ceremony,allowing for “two sets of eyes” and points ofview during the event.

The Atkins suggest spending time with thephotographer you choose prior to the wedding.

“We like to talk to the families and build arelationship with them, they said. "We encour-age them to choose a photographer they’recomfortable with, and one whose work they re-

ally like.”"Concerning trends for the upcoming year,

we’re seeing more input from grooms," Ronniesaid. This makes the whole process run moresmoothly. Also, more couples are choosing toget married in the spring or the fall, not just inthe summer months like it was years ago.”

Images Studio offers traditional as well asmodern styles. They suggest that brides andgrooms visit the studio to review their workand pricing prior to making the final selectionof a photographer.

The studio is located at 507 W. Kapp St.Dobson. (336) 386-8101, Hours of operation:Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday,11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jim Drum PhotographyJim opened his studio 29 years ago in Yad-

kinville. In 1994, he added another photogra-pher, Amber Harris.

Drum's studio specializes in fine portraiture,including babies, children and families, as wellas bridal and wedding photography. Packagescan be customized to suit any bride with anybudget.

As with most up-to-date photo studios, JimDrum and Amber Harris offer the modern andtraditional bridal albums along with collages,color enhancement, and other special effectsavailable for weddings.

Drum believes that every bride deserves aone-of-a-kind day that belongs just to her, andhe tries to accommodate each bride’s vision.

“Everyone has a work philosophy. Ours is toenjoy our work, have fun, and laugh a lot. I’vefound over the years that if we enjoy what we’redoing, so do the folks we’re photographing.”

“We try to make people feel at home and verycomfortable during their visit and especially ontheir special day,” said Harris. "Superior cus-tomer service is what we're known for and westrive very hard to be the best."

“A lot of people can press a camera button,"Drum said. "But good photographers knowabout lighting, photojournalism, and tradi-tional as well as modern techniques.”

Visit the studio at 501 E. Main St., Yad-kinville or call 679-2256, or visit online atwww.jimdrumphoto.com. Studio hours:Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat-urday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Studio RoxieStudio Roxie is located in the beautiful hills

of Sparta and is owned by Stewart Royall andTammy McGrady. Because of its location,many brides and grooms are excited about theopportunity to have photos taken in the nearbynatural scenery.

With a passion for photography, StewartRoyall started the business more than 25 yearsago, and has been at the current location since1987. He named the studio after his momwho, in his opinion, was a great amateur pho-tographer.

Royall and McGrady both shoot each wed-ding, allowing them double coverage and manydifferent angles for the bride and groom to

choose from. They focus on making sure thecouple is very confident with them.

“Couples want someone who is going to pho-tograph everything they want with no doubtsor fears about what the end result will be," Mc-Grady said. "The photographers need to have alove and passion for what they do.”

The studio typically shoots over 1,000 im-ages during the ceremony and reception. Thebridal couple usually has 450 to 500 proof im-ages to view. Studio Roxie allow each couple tochoose their package after viewing the proofs.Typically, studios require that a couple choosea package prior to the wedding. Offering cou-ples this option makes Studio Roxie unique.

Both photographers attend training seminarsregularly to keep their skills up-to-date.

“A wedding is serious and we treat it as such,but we encourage the wedding party to havefun," said Royall. "We try to add somethingunique to every wedding we shoot, somethingthat will make each brides special day a littlemore memorable.”

Studio Roxie is located at 381 Sparta Square,Sparta, 372-6544. Visit them online atwww.studioroxie.com. Hours of operation:Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10a.m. to 5 p.m.

Don’t forget to featureyour special day in

The Tribune and Yadkin Ripple.

Call 835-1513 for more information.

www.bridaltraditionsnc.net

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 8:42 AM Page 6

Page 2 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 11

Local catering companies offer delectable choicesBYSUSANTOLLEY

Choosing the right caterer is very importantto having the perfect wedding reception. Listedbelow are three of the available choices inElkin.

Lorene’s Bakery and CateringMoore is best known for her incredibly de-

tailed decorating style and creating of her ownicing recipe.

“My own icing recipe started out as a basicbutter cream and has been adjusted throughthe years to what I serve now,” said Moore. "Ialso work with fondant, which is a sugar-dough, which allows you to do dimensionalwork."

Working with fondant is a unique talent andnot all bakers can offer this service.

Lorene's is a full service caterer offeringbaked items, finger foods, dinners as well as thetables, linens and other items. “We offer everything they need to set up theirreception except the center piece and theprinted napkins,” Moore said.

Another detail that makes Lorene’s foods sodelicious and makes the bakery so popular inthe area is the fact that she makes everythingfrom scratch.

“Everything we do is scratch, nothing isbought frozen or prepackaged,” she said. "Itake a lot of pride in that because not all cater-ers can say that."Her advice to brides is to come in and talk to

her about what their wedding décor will belike. Together they can design a cake that re-flects the “flavor” of the wedding, along with

the types of foods that the couple feels willmost reflect their taste, the foods that work bestfor the time of year of the wedding and anyspecial needs of the couple's guests.

Lorene Moore always loved to decorate cakes.She did this out of her home as a hobby forfriends and family between 1973 – 1983. Aftermany of them tasted her delights, they beganto ask her to make cakes and provide varioustypes of food for their weddings. Once she haddone this the business just “exploded.”

“I never planned it to be honest with you.God gave me the ability and I just went withit,” said Moore “I’ve always loved to cook;mom started us out at any early age cookingfor the family.”Lorene’s Bakery and Catering is located at 314

N. White St., Dobson, 356-4699 behind theLantern Restaurant. Hours: Tuesday – Friday9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Buttercup GourmetButtercup Gourmet's Lisa Parigi began her

business in October 2008, but has been bak-ing and decorating cakes since the 1980s. Herculinary school training and professional expe-rience affords clients unique choices in prod-uct and presentation.

Parigi specializes in cakes, pastries and sa-vories, but can provide other foods for a recep-tion if requested.

Her specialty is fondant work which allowsher to give each cake its own personality.

“A bride can even have the cake icing matchthe lace in her dress," she said. “I want to reflectsomething of the bride and groom’s personalityin every thing I provide for the event. That can

be something whimsical or sentimental.”Another one of her specialties is setting up

dessert tables for the reception. This is a trendthat is starting to become more popular. Thesesmaller tables at the reception feature pastrieswith petit fours (small, square-cut, frosted anddecorated pieces of cake) and other delicaciessuch as cupcake trees, sugar or chocolate cupsthat contain the bride and groom's favoritecandies, and other individual treats.Parigi also can add fillings, and fresh berries in

her cakes if the bridal couple so chooses. Theaddition of things such as lemon curd andganache on the inside of a cake, adding a won-derful flare to the cakes.

Buttercup Gourmet is located at 502 C. B.Eller School Road, Elkin, 835-4854. Hours:Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Judy HancockJudy Hancock provides catering for wedding

receptions, rehearsal dinners and social gather-ings. She also caters luncheons and can providehor d' oeuvres for meetings and cocktail par-ties.

Hancock offers a wide variety of cuisines tochoose from down-home cooking, buffet tablesto elegant meals, Hancock has the experienceto provide what the bridal couple is looking for.References are available. For an appointment,call 244-0735.

Cake by Butter Cup GourmetWedding cakes have come a long way.Many of them are tied in to a weddingʼstheme or the season in which the wed-ding is taking place.

Helpful hints from the BranchBakery & Sweet Shop

Wedding cakes are the focal point of the re-ception. The cake can come in all shapes andsizes. The cake should fit the type of wedding.It could be very formal, simple or funky andfun. Most importantly, the cake should be freshand taste good.

Cakes can be done in most any flavor. If theweding is in the summer, you may want tochoose a lighter cake such as pink lemondade,stawberry, pineapple or a light vanilla with abuttercream icing. For fall and winter cakes,you may prefer something richer, such as an al-most pound cake, red velvet, buttercream orvanilla.

Making that special cake a part of your wed-ing day means planning ahead. If your wed-

ding date is duing the months of May, June,September or October, you should contactyour bakery at least six months ahead of time.Make sure you choose a reliable bakery or per-son who make your cake both beautiful anddelicious.

Don’t forget the groom’s cake. It can be madeto reflect the groom’s personality or interests,such as sports, fishing, cars, or college. Thecake can be served at the rehearsal dinner or atthe wedding reception.

Branch Bakery & Sweet Shop is located at503 E. Main St., Yadkinville, 677-1235.Hours: Tuesday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.;Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

www.elkintribune.com

Page 8 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 5

OLDE BEAUThe Perfect Setting

Olde Beau and staff can provide the perfect reception, rehearsal din-ner, or setting for your wedding! We can accommodate up to 300

guests with your choice of hors d’oeurves or a custom menu to suityour needs. For that special day please call 1-800-752-1634.

Olde Beau Golf & Country ClubLocated on US Hwy. 21 in Roaring Gap, NCPhone: 1-800-752-1634 or (336) 363-3333

Website: www.oldebeau.com

ShutterbugPhotography, Inc.

229 West Main Street • Elkin, NC336.835.5437

shutterbugphotographyinc.com

Let Us Capture The Magic OfYour Special Day

• Full Service Digital Studio• Packages To Meet

All Needs• In studio and locational

bridal settings• Complete customer

satisfaction•Exceptional quality at

affordable prices• Color enhancement, black

& white, full color, sepia

Photos courtesy of Shutterbug Photography Wedding gowns and bridal party apparel BY KAREN MARTIN

Carol's Wedding Shop, 118 E. Main St.,Elkin is a full-service bridal shop, carrying anarray of wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses,mother of the bride and groom dresses, tuxedorental, and flower girl attire as well as gowns forproms and special occasions. There are manywedding gowns to choose from in stock fromdifferent designers.

“We don't order many gowns because we havesuch a large selection in stock,” said employeeJeanie. “Carol carries so many different stylesthat most brides can find just what they arelooking for when they come in, but if a bridewants a style that is not in stock, it usually onlytakes two to three weeks to order the gown.”

Carol’s strives to give each bride the personaltouch to help her find the gown and accessoriesof her dreams.

Carol’s also offers a full line of invitations,place cards, response cards, menu cards and giftsfor the bridal parties.

Foundations for the whole bridal party arealso available.

Carol’s suggests that a bride pick her gownand colors as soon as possible after setting thedate.

“Bride's should pick the colors they want and

the styles they love. Trend choices are not alwaysthe best choices for every bride,” Carol said."Each bride has different ideas for her ideal wed-ding. Picking the gown is just one of the steps inplanning a wedding. Each bride deserves herfantasy wedding and with planning she can havethe wedding day she has dreamed about."

Local brides have chosen purples and greensrecently for their weddings, but an array of col-ors are available to choose from. Carol's offersdye-able shoes and handbags to match anygown or dress, jewelry to accent the attire as wellas veils.

A good rule to follow concerning looking fora wedding gown or for attire for the entire bridalparty is to start at least three months ahead ofthe date. More common is to begin planning forthe wedding up to one year in advance.

For more information and store hours call336-835-4474.

Couture Design Group, 125 W. Main St.,Elkin, is owned by Bill Colvard. After workingin New York for 22 years, Colvard moved toElkin and started his design business. He hasbeen designing wedding gowns in the area forthree years.

"I do custom design gowns from sketch,"Colvard said. "I order my fabrics from NewYork and Europe."

Colvard suggests that a bride allow a minimunof 12 weeks for a custom designed gown. Healso designs dresses for bridesmaids and themothers of the bride and groom.

When talking about trends for 2009, Colvardexpressed several opinions.

“Strapless is dying down, finally,” he said.“There are still elegant strapless gowns to choosefrom, but it’s not the only game in town any-more. Brides are choosing more romantic stylesthis year.”

Couture Design also does re-styling of gowns.“If a bride has her mother or grandmother's

gown and she want to be able to wear it for herwedding, we can re-style it to suit her desires,”Colvard said. “Many of the gowns worn in the70s and 80s were truly hideous with giant, puffysleeves. We can salvage most dresses and mod-ernize them to today's style. Even if the bridedoesn't want the entire dress, we can utilize thelace from her heirloom gown and add it to astyle she picks for her own.”

Couture Design also offers some custom jew-elry to accessorize the bridal party's attire. Ap-pointments can be made by calling 527-4696.

The gown Karin Dezern of Hamptonvillewill be wearing when she marches downthe aisle May 16 is an Empire gown. Thecathedral train is 4-plus feet in length.Her headpiece is a beaded tiara with jew-els and her veil is satin-corded. Thegown's color is apricot mink.

Rental equipment and wedding venuesBY KAREN MARTIN

AllStar Rentals Inc., 1036 N. Bridge St.,Elkin can provide any bridal couple with tents,tables, chairs and linens for a wedding or re-ception. Brides who choose a venue outside ofa church can be accommodated with multiplechoices of arrangements to seat guests. Re-hearsal dinners and receptions can be held out-doors with the placement of tents and tables,even bar set ups are available for rental.

AllStar Rentals offers candelabras, archways,columns, full fountains, wine glasses, chafingdishes and other items for the bridal couplesneeds.

“Couples need to plan their wedding at leastsix months beforehand,” said Joe Walker,owner of AllStar Rentals. “I like to sit downwith them face to face and find out exactlywhat type of setting they want and plan out thedesign. Planning ahead assures availability ofthe items they need.”

AllStar also tries to accommodate those who,upon the spur of the moment, come by to rentpieces they would like to have at their weddingor special event.

“Weddings are expensive,” Walker said. “Youcan spend as little or as much as you wantwhen planning your wedding.”

“The best thing to do is make your budgetand select items that fit into your budget.”

Many brides and grooms choose venues thatconvey the natural beauty of the area.

“We’ve done weddings at Grassy Creek Vine-yards and Klondike Cabins for several years,”

Walker said. “It’s a very popular location forwedding ceremonies and receptions.”

“People design their own weddings now andthey don’t stand on protocol,” he said. “Thereis an array of items that can match the couple’sdesires."

Other venues brides choose around the Elkinarea include Laurel Gray Vineyards, Stony KnollVineyards and others. For receptions considerThe Meeting Place, the garden area of theFoothills Arts Council, and the Holiday Inn. OldBeau Country Club is also a great spot for wed-dings and receptions, and often brides choosespots along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Stone Mountain Park has been the venue formany weddings, as has Stony Knoll Vineyards.Elkin Creek Winery and kitchen, Kapps Mill,Tharpe's Mill and many others are in the sur-rounding area. Portraits can be made at SheltonVineyards for a sitting fee.

Tommy Maines, general manager of OldBeau, accepts reservations for weddings and/orreceptions up to one year in advance. This al-lows the bride to choose the date she wantswithout fear of the area being booked when thecouple chooses a wedding date.

“We can seat up to 300 people and serveheavy hor d' oeuvres. We have a full bar andwe have villas and cottages available for rentalfor the bridal party guest.”

“Grassy Creek sits just outside of Elkin andhas a beautiful hillside near the lake that is veryconducive to weddings,” Judy Hancock ofGrassy Creek and Klondike Cabins said. “Weoffer four cabins of varying size that can accommodate

members of the bridal party. The cabins have at leasta kitchenette and are situated close together and arealongside a natural walking trail.”

“Catering service is available on site if wanted,”Hancock said. “Couples can bring their own catererand their own wines if they prefer.”

Couples choosing Grassy Creek Vineyards shouldcontact the venue as soon as possible after choosing awedding date.

“Hancock suggests that couples contact the vine-yard a minimum of six months prior to the date of thewedding.”

AllStar Rentals, Inc. 835-7368; Grassy CreekVineyards/Klondike Cabins 835-4230.

photos submitted by AllStar RentalsAllStar Rentals can supply tents, ta-bles, linens and many other weddingsupplies.

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 8:25 AM Page 4

Page 12 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009

From diamonds to tie pinsBYKARENMARTIN

Song's Jewelry, 109 W. Main Street, Elkin specializesin the personal touch when selecting an engagement ring,bridesmaid or groomsmen gifts. Connie Song, owner,believes that putting in the time to choose the diamondthat will symbolize one of the most important days ofyour life can make all the difference with the bride.

"Brides like to feel that her engagement ring was cho-sen just for her," Song said. "She wants to feel that it re-flects her personality and the love of the man who's givenit to her."

"Guys get overwhelmed with the realm of choices," shesaid. "They need to go shopping with the woman to findout what styles she likes, whether she prefers a solitare, avintage design, diamonds on the band and what her goldpreference is."

"Some women like a total surprise, but others don't,"Song said. "I had a lady come in once to have her ringsized, her husband had purchased her ring somewhereelse, and when she saw the selection I had and recognizedall the different choices, she expressed that she would haveloved to have known that there were so many more beau-tiful designs."

When shopping for a diamond you need to have abudget and stick to it. The jewelry store owner shouldhave enough knowledge to stay within your budget withclarity and quality choices.

Jewelry stores offer much more than the engagementring and wedding bands for your wedding. Groomsmengifts are available in the forms of tie clips, money clips,credit card holders and driver's license holders starting at

$10. Many items can be monogrammed. Lighters thatare engravable start at $39. There are also engravable pensand letter openers.

Bridesmaid gifts are also available. Sterling silver or goldcharm bracelets, diamond earrings, or another type ofstone earring can be given to wear in the wedding andused for the bridesmaid's gifts. There are also some uniquegifts. Pink tool sets that include pliers, screwdrivers, andsocket wrenches start at $12 and would make a memo-rable gift. Engravable letter openers, business card hold-ers, paperweights and desk accessories are also available.Some choices can be purchased with Swavorski crystals setin them. There are a lot of unique gifts if the bride andgroom take the time to look for that special gift for theirattendants to remember their special day.

"I love to give advice and suggest items to customersthat they may not have thought of as gifts," Song said.“Our engraving service usually cost $8 per item. If theitem is purchased here, the engraving is half price. Theengraving on jewelry purchased here is free."

"If a bride plans her gifts ahead of time, at the start ofher wedding plans, she has many more opportunities tofind unique items.

More frequently now, couples present gifts to the moth-ers during their ceremony. Presenting the mothers with amother charm on a chain, a simple stone band or a charmbracelet can make the mothers feel much more a part ofthe couple's forthcoming life.

Often the bride's mother presents the groom with agift. An engraved pocketwatch is a wonderful gift to give.On the other side, the groom's mother usually presentsthe bride with a gift of jewelry. If a family heirloom is not

available, a piece of jewelry that can be passed to the firstgrandchild is a special piece that can begin a family tradi-tion.

"Give pieces that you can have a story with," Song said."A piece that the bride can say, 'this was given to me onmy wedding day,' as she passes it on."

"One of the most important things to remember is to

match the piece of jewelry to the personality of the per-son you are giving it to," she said. "And I like to suggestwords that will mean something to the receiver, some-thing they will always associate with the piece of jewelrywhen they are wearing it."(336) 835-7743

Whether it is diamond engagement rings to gifts for bridal party members to themothers of the wedding couple, fine jewelry is always appreciated.

Page 6 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 7

The Ultimate in Wedding Photography336-372-6544 • Stewart Royall and Tammy McGrady

www.studioroxie.com

SOMEWHERE IN THE HILLS

F. Rees ClothingIs The Best Place To Rent Tuxedos

F. Rees Clothing198 N. Main Street

DowntownMount Airy, NC

Hours:Monday-Saturday8:30 am-5:30 pm

Open Friday till 6:00 pm

Phone: 786-6121

Six or More In Wedding Party - Groom Free.Over 100 Styles To Choose From

THELOWESTPRICES

from$70.00

ProfessionalFitting

Last MinuteTuxedosAvailable

THE LARGEST

SELECTIONIn Stock

Sizes3 to 60

Photos courtesy of Images StudioPhotos courtesy of Studio Roxie

Need a way to organize yourguests reservations without constant

phone calls?

Create your own one stop web page for you and your guests!

Customize your own page with your weddings color scheme, add photos and important details such as schedules,

maps, and anything else you would like to include.

This service is absolutely free atwww.jonesvilleelkin.hamptoninn.com

336.835.1994

1.800.HAMPTON

Jonesville/Elkin, NCI-77, Exit 82

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 9:09 AM Page 2

Page 12 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009

From diamonds to tie pinsBYKARENMARTIN

Song's Jewelry, 109 W. Main Street, Elkin specializesin the personal touch when selecting an engagement ring,bridesmaid or groomsmen gifts. Connie Song, owner,believes that putting in the time to choose the diamondthat will symbolize one of the most important days ofyour life can make all the difference with the bride.

"Brides like to feel that her engagement ring was cho-sen just for her," Song said. "She wants to feel that it re-flects her personality and the love of the man who's givenit to her."

"Guys get overwhelmed with the realm of choices," shesaid. "They need to go shopping with the woman to findout what styles she likes, whether she prefers a solitare, avintage design, diamonds on the band and what her goldpreference is."

"Some women like a total surprise, but others don't,"Song said. "I had a lady come in once to have her ringsized, her husband had purchased her ring somewhereelse, and when she saw the selection I had and recognizedall the different choices, she expressed that she would haveloved to have known that there were so many more beau-tiful designs."

When shopping for a diamond you need to have abudget and stick to it. The jewelry store owner shouldhave enough knowledge to stay within your budget withclarity and quality choices.

Jewelry stores offer much more than the engagementring and wedding bands for your wedding. Groomsmengifts are available in the forms of tie clips, money clips,credit card holders and driver's license holders starting at

$10. Many items can be monogrammed. Lighters thatare engravable start at $39. There are also engravable pensand letter openers.

Bridesmaid gifts are also available. Sterling silver or goldcharm bracelets, diamond earrings, or another type ofstone earring can be given to wear in the wedding andused for the bridesmaid's gifts. There are also some uniquegifts. Pink tool sets that include pliers, screwdrivers, andsocket wrenches start at $12 and would make a memo-rable gift. Engravable letter openers, business card hold-ers, paperweights and desk accessories are also available.Some choices can be purchased with Swavorski crystals setin them. There are a lot of unique gifts if the bride andgroom take the time to look for that special gift for theirattendants to remember their special day.

"I love to give advice and suggest items to customersthat they may not have thought of as gifts," Song said.“Our engraving service usually cost $8 per item. If theitem is purchased here, the engraving is half price. Theengraving on jewelry purchased here is free."

"If a bride plans her gifts ahead of time, at the start ofher wedding plans, she has many more opportunities tofind unique items.

More frequently now, couples present gifts to the moth-ers during their ceremony. Presenting the mothers with amother charm on a chain, a simple stone band or a charmbracelet can make the mothers feel much more a part ofthe couple's forthcoming life.

Often the bride's mother presents the groom with agift. An engraved pocketwatch is a wonderful gift to give.On the other side, the groom's mother usually presentsthe bride with a gift of jewelry. If a family heirloom is not

available, a piece of jewelry that can be passed to the firstgrandchild is a special piece that can begin a family tradi-tion.

"Give pieces that you can have a story with," Song said."A piece that the bride can say, 'this was given to me onmy wedding day,' as she passes it on."

"One of the most important things to remember is to

match the piece of jewelry to the personality of the per-son you are giving it to," she said. "And I like to suggestwords that will mean something to the receiver, some-thing they will always associate with the piece of jewelrywhen they are wearing it."(336) 835-7743

Whether it is diamond engagement rings to gifts for bridal party members to themothers of the wedding couple, fine jewelry is always appreciated.

Page 6 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 7

The Ultimate in Wedding Photography336-372-6544 • Stewart Royall and Tammy McGrady

www.studioroxie.com

SOMEWHERE IN THE HILLS

F. Rees ClothingIs The Best Place To Rent Tuxedos

F. Rees Clothing198 N. Main Street

DowntownMount Airy, NC

Hours:Monday-Saturday8:30 am-5:30 pm

Open Friday till 6:00 pm

Phone: 786-6121

Six or More In Wedding Party - Groom Free.Over 100 Styles To Choose From

THELOWESTPRICES

from$70.00

ProfessionalFitting

Last MinuteTuxedosAvailable

THE LARGEST

SELECTIONIn Stock

Sizes3 to 60

Photos courtesy of Images StudioPhotos courtesy of Studio Roxie

Need a way to organize yourguests reservations without constant

phone calls?

Create your own one stop web page for you and your guests!

Customize your own page with your weddings color scheme, add photos and important details such as schedules,

maps, and anything else you would like to include.

This service is absolutely free atwww.jonesvilleelkin.hamptoninn.com

336.835.1994

1.800.HAMPTON

Jonesville/Elkin, NCI-77, Exit 82

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 9:09 AM Page 2

Page 2 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 11

Local catering companies offer delectable choicesBYSUSANTOLLEY

Choosing the right caterer is very importantto having the perfect wedding reception. Listedbelow are three of the available choices inElkin.

Lorene’s Bakery and CateringMoore is best known for her incredibly de-

tailed decorating style and creating of her ownicing recipe.

“My own icing recipe started out as a basicbutter cream and has been adjusted throughthe years to what I serve now,” said Moore. "Ialso work with fondant, which is a sugar-dough, which allows you to do dimensionalwork."

Working with fondant is a unique talent andnot all bakers can offer this service.

Lorene's is a full service caterer offeringbaked items, finger foods, dinners as well as thetables, linens and other items. “We offer everything they need to set up theirreception except the center piece and theprinted napkins,” Moore said.

Another detail that makes Lorene’s foods sodelicious and makes the bakery so popular inthe area is the fact that she makes everythingfrom scratch.

“Everything we do is scratch, nothing isbought frozen or prepackaged,” she said. "Itake a lot of pride in that because not all cater-ers can say that."Her advice to brides is to come in and talk to

her about what their wedding décor will belike. Together they can design a cake that re-flects the “flavor” of the wedding, along with

the types of foods that the couple feels willmost reflect their taste, the foods that work bestfor the time of year of the wedding and anyspecial needs of the couple's guests.

Lorene Moore always loved to decorate cakes.She did this out of her home as a hobby forfriends and family between 1973 – 1983. Aftermany of them tasted her delights, they beganto ask her to make cakes and provide varioustypes of food for their weddings. Once she haddone this the business just “exploded.”

“I never planned it to be honest with you.God gave me the ability and I just went withit,” said Moore “I’ve always loved to cook;mom started us out at any early age cookingfor the family.”Lorene’s Bakery and Catering is located at 314

N. White St., Dobson, 356-4699 behind theLantern Restaurant. Hours: Tuesday – Friday9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Buttercup GourmetButtercup Gourmet's Lisa Parigi began her

business in October 2008, but has been bak-ing and decorating cakes since the 1980s. Herculinary school training and professional expe-rience affords clients unique choices in prod-uct and presentation.

Parigi specializes in cakes, pastries and sa-vories, but can provide other foods for a recep-tion if requested.

Her specialty is fondant work which allowsher to give each cake its own personality.

“A bride can even have the cake icing matchthe lace in her dress," she said. “I want to reflectsomething of the bride and groom’s personalityin every thing I provide for the event. That can

be something whimsical or sentimental.”Another one of her specialties is setting up

dessert tables for the reception. This is a trendthat is starting to become more popular. Thesesmaller tables at the reception feature pastrieswith petit fours (small, square-cut, frosted anddecorated pieces of cake) and other delicaciessuch as cupcake trees, sugar or chocolate cupsthat contain the bride and groom's favoritecandies, and other individual treats.Parigi also can add fillings, and fresh berries in

her cakes if the bridal couple so chooses. Theaddition of things such as lemon curd andganache on the inside of a cake, adding a won-derful flare to the cakes.

Buttercup Gourmet is located at 502 C. B.Eller School Road, Elkin, 835-4854. Hours:Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Judy HancockJudy Hancock provides catering for wedding

receptions, rehearsal dinners and social gather-ings. She also caters luncheons and can providehor d' oeuvres for meetings and cocktail par-ties.

Hancock offers a wide variety of cuisines tochoose from down-home cooking, buffet tablesto elegant meals, Hancock has the experienceto provide what the bridal couple is looking for.References are available. For an appointment,call 244-0735.

Cake by Butter Cup GourmetWedding cakes have come a long way.Many of them are tied in to a weddingʼstheme or the season in which the wed-ding is taking place.

Helpful hints from the BranchBakery & Sweet Shop

Wedding cakes are the focal point of the re-ception. The cake can come in all shapes andsizes. The cake should fit the type of wedding.It could be very formal, simple or funky andfun. Most importantly, the cake should be freshand taste good.

Cakes can be done in most any flavor. If theweding is in the summer, you may want tochoose a lighter cake such as pink lemondade,stawberry, pineapple or a light vanilla with abuttercream icing. For fall and winter cakes,you may prefer something richer, such as an al-most pound cake, red velvet, buttercream orvanilla.

Making that special cake a part of your wed-ing day means planning ahead. If your wed-

ding date is duing the months of May, June,September or October, you should contactyour bakery at least six months ahead of time.Make sure you choose a reliable bakery or per-son who make your cake both beautiful anddelicious.

Don’t forget the groom’s cake. It can be madeto reflect the groom’s personality or interests,such as sports, fishing, cars, or college. Thecake can be served at the rehearsal dinner or atthe wedding reception.

Branch Bakery & Sweet Shop is located at503 E. Main St., Yadkinville, 677-1235.Hours: Tuesday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.;Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

www.elkintribune.com

Page 8 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 5

OLDE BEAUThe Perfect Setting

Olde Beau and staff can provide the perfect reception, rehearsal din-ner, or setting for your wedding! We can accommodate up to 300

guests with your choice of hors d’oeurves or a custom menu to suityour needs. For that special day please call 1-800-752-1634.

Olde Beau Golf & Country ClubLocated on US Hwy. 21 in Roaring Gap, NCPhone: 1-800-752-1634 or (336) 363-3333

Website: www.oldebeau.com

ShutterbugPhotography, Inc.

229 West Main Street • Elkin, NC336.835.5437

shutterbugphotographyinc.com

Let Us Capture The Magic OfYour Special Day

• Full Service Digital Studio• Packages To Meet

All Needs• In studio and locational

bridal settings• Complete customer

satisfaction•Exceptional quality at

affordable prices• Color enhancement, black

& white, full color, sepia

Photos courtesy of Shutterbug Photography Wedding gowns and bridal party apparel BY KAREN MARTIN

Carol's Wedding Shop, 118 E. Main St.,Elkin is a full-service bridal shop, carrying anarray of wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses,mother of the bride and groom dresses, tuxedorental, and flower girl attire as well as gowns forproms and special occasions. There are manywedding gowns to choose from in stock fromdifferent designers.

“We don't order many gowns because we havesuch a large selection in stock,” said employeeJeanie. “Carol carries so many different stylesthat most brides can find just what they arelooking for when they come in, but if a bridewants a style that is not in stock, it usually onlytakes two to three weeks to order the gown.”

Carol’s strives to give each bride the personaltouch to help her find the gown and accessoriesof her dreams.

Carol’s also offers a full line of invitations,place cards, response cards, menu cards and giftsfor the bridal parties.

Foundations for the whole bridal party arealso available.

Carol’s suggests that a bride pick her gownand colors as soon as possible after setting thedate.

“Bride's should pick the colors they want and

the styles they love. Trend choices are not alwaysthe best choices for every bride,” Carol said."Each bride has different ideas for her ideal wed-ding. Picking the gown is just one of the steps inplanning a wedding. Each bride deserves herfantasy wedding and with planning she can havethe wedding day she has dreamed about."

Local brides have chosen purples and greensrecently for their weddings, but an array of col-ors are available to choose from. Carol's offersdye-able shoes and handbags to match anygown or dress, jewelry to accent the attire as wellas veils.

A good rule to follow concerning looking fora wedding gown or for attire for the entire bridalparty is to start at least three months ahead ofthe date. More common is to begin planning forthe wedding up to one year in advance.

For more information and store hours call336-835-4474.

Couture Design Group, 125 W. Main St.,Elkin, is owned by Bill Colvard. After workingin New York for 22 years, Colvard moved toElkin and started his design business. He hasbeen designing wedding gowns in the area forthree years.

"I do custom design gowns from sketch,"Colvard said. "I order my fabrics from NewYork and Europe."

Colvard suggests that a bride allow a minimunof 12 weeks for a custom designed gown. Healso designs dresses for bridesmaids and themothers of the bride and groom.

When talking about trends for 2009, Colvardexpressed several opinions.

“Strapless is dying down, finally,” he said.“There are still elegant strapless gowns to choosefrom, but it’s not the only game in town any-more. Brides are choosing more romantic stylesthis year.”

Couture Design also does re-styling of gowns.“If a bride has her mother or grandmother's

gown and she want to be able to wear it for herwedding, we can re-style it to suit her desires,”Colvard said. “Many of the gowns worn in the70s and 80s were truly hideous with giant, puffysleeves. We can salvage most dresses and mod-ernize them to today's style. Even if the bridedoesn't want the entire dress, we can utilize thelace from her heirloom gown and add it to astyle she picks for her own.”

Couture Design also offers some custom jew-elry to accessorize the bridal party's attire. Ap-pointments can be made by calling 527-4696.

The gown Karin Dezern of Hamptonvillewill be wearing when she marches downthe aisle May 16 is an Empire gown. Thecathedral train is 4-plus feet in length.Her headpiece is a beaded tiara with jew-els and her veil is satin-corded. Thegown's color is apricot mink.

Rental equipment and wedding venuesBY KAREN MARTIN

AllStar Rentals Inc., 1036 N. Bridge St.,Elkin can provide any bridal couple with tents,tables, chairs and linens for a wedding or re-ception. Brides who choose a venue outside ofa church can be accommodated with multiplechoices of arrangements to seat guests. Re-hearsal dinners and receptions can be held out-doors with the placement of tents and tables,even bar set ups are available for rental.

AllStar Rentals offers candelabras, archways,columns, full fountains, wine glasses, chafingdishes and other items for the bridal couplesneeds.

“Couples need to plan their wedding at leastsix months beforehand,” said Joe Walker,owner of AllStar Rentals. “I like to sit downwith them face to face and find out exactlywhat type of setting they want and plan out thedesign. Planning ahead assures availability ofthe items they need.”

AllStar also tries to accommodate those who,upon the spur of the moment, come by to rentpieces they would like to have at their weddingor special event.

“Weddings are expensive,” Walker said. “Youcan spend as little or as much as you wantwhen planning your wedding.”

“The best thing to do is make your budgetand select items that fit into your budget.”

Many brides and grooms choose venues thatconvey the natural beauty of the area.

“We’ve done weddings at Grassy Creek Vine-yards and Klondike Cabins for several years,”

Walker said. “It’s a very popular location forwedding ceremonies and receptions.”

“People design their own weddings now andthey don’t stand on protocol,” he said. “Thereis an array of items that can match the couple’sdesires."

Other venues brides choose around the Elkinarea include Laurel Gray Vineyards, Stony KnollVineyards and others. For receptions considerThe Meeting Place, the garden area of theFoothills Arts Council, and the Holiday Inn. OldBeau Country Club is also a great spot for wed-dings and receptions, and often brides choosespots along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Stone Mountain Park has been the venue formany weddings, as has Stony Knoll Vineyards.Elkin Creek Winery and kitchen, Kapps Mill,Tharpe's Mill and many others are in the sur-rounding area. Portraits can be made at SheltonVineyards for a sitting fee.

Tommy Maines, general manager of OldBeau, accepts reservations for weddings and/orreceptions up to one year in advance. This al-lows the bride to choose the date she wantswithout fear of the area being booked when thecouple chooses a wedding date.

“We can seat up to 300 people and serveheavy hor d' oeuvres. We have a full bar andwe have villas and cottages available for rentalfor the bridal party guest.”

“Grassy Creek sits just outside of Elkin andhas a beautiful hillside near the lake that is veryconducive to weddings,” Judy Hancock ofGrassy Creek and Klondike Cabins said. “Weoffer four cabins of varying size that can accommodate

members of the bridal party. The cabins have at leasta kitchenette and are situated close together and arealongside a natural walking trail.”

“Catering service is available on site if wanted,”Hancock said. “Couples can bring their own catererand their own wines if they prefer.”

Couples choosing Grassy Creek Vineyards shouldcontact the venue as soon as possible after choosing awedding date.

“Hancock suggests that couples contact the vine-yard a minimum of six months prior to the date of thewedding.”

AllStar Rentals, Inc. 835-7368; Grassy CreekVineyards/Klondike Cabins 835-4230.

photos submitted by AllStar RentalsAllStar Rentals can supply tents, ta-bles, linens and many other weddingsupplies.

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 8:25 AM Page 4

Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 9Attention

BridesCall or come by to discuss your wed-

ding or event needs with Joe!

We can help make yourevent a special one

Tents • Tables • Chairs • Aisle Runners Cham-pagne Fountains • Greek Columns Candelabras-

(Brass & White Hearts, Spirals & Fans) • Silver Trays • Tablecloths &Skirting • Serving/Chafing Dishes & Utensils

Mirror Balls • Archways • Guest RegistersSound Systems • Flower Stands • Bubble Ma-

chines • Kneeling Bench Unity Candle • Dance Floor

Deejay Service(J&B on the Rocks with

over 25 years of experience)

1036 North Bridge Street, Elkin835-RENT (7368) • Rentals & Sales • www.allstarrental.com

Hours: Monday-Friday 7 am-5 pm, Saturday 7 am-1pmLocally Owned & Operated • Located across from Pizza Hut

• Retreats• Weddings

• Socials• area wine tours

www.grassycreekvineyard.com

Located in the Heart of the Yadkin Valley

Chatham Lodge Lane • Off Klondike Rd • Elkin • 835-4230

Page 4 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009

Photos courtesy of Jim Drum Photography

118 E. Main St. Elkin, NC 28621 • 336-835-4474email carolsweddingshop@yahoo.com

Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri: 10am-5:30pm • Saturday 10am-3pm • Closed Sunday & Wednesday

Wedding Gowns

Dresses for: Mothers, Maids, Flower Girls, Prom, & Formal Occasions.

Veils, Dyeable Shoes, Jewelry, Tuxedo Rentals

Invitations & Complete Line of Wedding Accessories

>

>

>

3 4

3 4

Cedarbrook COUNTRY CLUB & GRILL

225 Country Club DriveState Road, NC • (336) 835-2320

Call for reservations, private meetings, or special events.

Romantic & Elegant Venue for any Special Occasion

WEDDINGS • RECEPTIONS • CATERING AVAILABLE

Restaurant Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11am-3pm • Fri. & Sat. 6pm-9pmSunday 11:30am-7:30pm • Sunday Buffet 11:30am-2pm

Shoppes at ElkinBeside the new Wal Mart Super Center

HOURS: Monday-Saturday

10 am-6pm

835-6357544 CC Camp Road

Elkin, NC

Diamond SalePrincess Cut Diamonds

Starting at...$999

Come seeus at our

New Loca-tion!

1 Carat DiamondEngagement Set

Floral choices in ElkinBY KAREN MARTIN

Elkin brides have an array of choices when itcomes to flowers for their wedding day. Beauti-ful bouquets, corsages, sprays, and floral archescan all be designed and delivered in fresh flow-ers or silk. Kneeling benches, candelabras, andpew markers are all available with the floral de-signers.

Ratledge Florist, 328 N. Front St., Elkin,suggests the bride-to-be plan a budget for flow-ers and bring in ideas for the types of flowersand colors she desires. Swatches of fabric fromgowns make choosing the colors of flowerssomewhat easier.

Bridal bouquets start at $100.00 on averageand bridesmaids bouquets at $50. Single rosecorsages start at $25. Boutonnieres begin at$7.50. A simple corsage of carnations withbaby's breath can be purchased for $6.50 andup.

Brides need to be aware that fresh flowers areseasonal and the sizes and colors of flowers maybe limited during certain times of the year. It isrecommended that a bride select her florist assoon as possible after setting a date. This allowsfor reservation of the date as well as planningfor the flowers she wishes to have. Rental equip-ment can be reserved at this time also. A 10 per-cent deposit is expected when the order isplaced.

Bridal bouquets that include callas, orchidsand roses are common requests of brides. Or-chids and callas need to be ordered well in ad-vance of the wedding day to assure availability.

Ratledge offers single bouquets as well asbridal packages. The florist handles venue wed-dings and can provide fresh or silk floral wed-ding cake toppers.

Some of the most important things to knowwhen coming in to plan your floral arrange-ments are the vicinity of the wedding, the colorchoice, the number of people that will be in thewedding party and in attendance at the wed-ding, the number of table arrangementsneeded, and the date of the wedding. If you areplanning a rehearsal dinner and want tablearrangements, know the number of tabletops.Ratledge Florists can also provide the tablelinens, and other items that may be needed.

Call 835-2607 to set up an appointment ordrop by.

Watson's Florist, 713 N. Bridge St., Elkin,offers bridal packages that include the bridalbouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, pew markers,cake toppers and all types of equipment for thewedding day. Watson's suggest planning yourfloral arrangements a minimum of threemonths prior to the wedding date to assure thetypes and colors of flowers you desire are avail-able.

When planning your arrangements, it helpsto have swatches from the colors of the brides-maids dresses, the number of people attendingthe wedding, the date and the style of yourwedding.

Single rose boutonnieres begin at $5, a simple

bride’s bouquet start at $50, bridesmaids bou-quets begin at as little as $15. Floral arrange-ments can be made from fresh or silk flowers,depending on the preference of the bride.

Watson's rents their bridal equipment —kneeling benches, candelabras, arches and otheritems — only to brides who purchase theirwedding flowers with them.

When planning for a rehearsal dinner, knowthe number of tabletops and the height that youwant your arrangements. Flowers can be inter-twined with a number of other materials tomake beautiful tabletop arrangements. Candlescan also be utilized within the floral arrange-ment adding height and dimension to the de-sign.

Call 835-5245 for an appointment or dropby to design your wedding flowers.

Bridal bouquet by Watsons FloristBouquets using calla lilies, orchids androses are common requests.

Ratledge FloristSmall nosegay bouquets are availablechoices for bridesmaids.

Page 10 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 3

HOME FURNITURE 115 W. Market St. • ELKIN• 835-2856

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The secret ingredients to choosing a great catererBYSUSANTOLLEY

You want everything to be perfect on that spe-cial day. A beautifully decorated cake; a variety ofdelicious finger foods; or a sit-down meal; thedishes; napkins; and table décor, these are all partof what makes the reception a wonderful experi-ence. To be certain your reception is everythingyou’ve dreamed about, consider these tips:

• Book a caterer as soon as you have set the bigdate. Many caterers have bookings as far as a yearin advance. Begin researching and making thedecision as early as possible to be certain youbook your first choice.

• Determine how many guests you expect at thereception. The caterer cannot give you an accu-rate cost estimate without the total number ofguests you expect.

• Know your budget. Many brides have no ideawhat a reception costs until they begin acquiringprice lists. Compare prices of caterers that youwould consider and determine the amount youcan spend on food, napkins, drinks and otheritems you want your caterer to provide.

• Find out what each caterer’s quote includes.Caterers have different things that they includein their cost estimates. Some provide dishes andclean up, others do not. Some provide all table-cloths needed, some only provide for the basic

cloths. Be certain to ask what is and is not in-cluded in the total price.

• Look at pictures of each caterer’s cakes. Anygood wedding caterer will have a photo albumdisplaying his or her work. This will help you de-cide if you’re impressed with the decorating skillsor not.

• Ask about tastings. Ask for samples of thechoices for your cake. Also ask to taste samples ofthe different icings available.

• Ask around. Word-of-mouth or your own ex-periences at other receptions are sometimes thebest way to make your decision.

Catering/Reception trends that were popular in

2008 will probably carry into this year as well.The bakeries and caterers in our area spoke ofbrides wanting things more personalized versusthe traditional fare found at receptions. The typesand styles of wedding cakes being displayed at re-ceptions have leaned toward combinations ofbrowns and light greens. Local caterers believethe same colors will be popular again this year.However, they suggest that each bride and groomselect a style that will reflect them. Most weddingcakes have become simpler with cleaner lines andsubtle designs. Adding fresh flowers as a topperor to decorate the entire cake is also a popularstyle.

Choosing the photographer to capture your special dayin the package you choose.

• Go over personal preferences and special familysituations. Some brides have followed the age-oldtradition of not being seen by the groom on the dayof the wedding before the ceremony. This needs to bedecided early in the planning process; it will greatlyaffect the timing and order of when the photos aretaken. Also, be sure to communicate any special fam-ily situations to your photographer such as parentswho are separated or divorced. This too affects howwedding party members are grouped for photos.

• Get the groom involved. If the bride and groomare both involved in the process of choosing the pho-tographer(s), the two most important people at thewedding are already familiar with the photographer’s

style and are generally more comfortable with the en-tire process.

Some photo trends that seem to be carrying overfrom 2008 into 2009 are selecting to have a numberof photos that are black and white with color en-hancement; modern / contemporary albums withspecial effects photos; collages; and more relaxed andcandid photos. While videos were very popular inthe 1990s, that trend has since slowed down. Cou-ples are now putting more of their photo budget to-ward the keepsake album(s).

BYSUSANTOLLEY

Capturing the memories of your special day isone of the most important aspects of planning yourwedding.

Choosing the photographer for your wedding isoften the first and most important booking bridesand grooms make. Because of the hustle and bustleof this special day, the wedding album you end upwith is what you’ll look at to truly remember theceremony and reception. Make the right choice andyou’ll forever hold the treasure of photos that ex-press the true personality of your wedding. If youmake the wrong choice, you could end up withphotos that are disappointing at the very least.

Below are tips and suggestions to help you choosethe photographer that will best serve you.

• Book early. Be sure to book your photographerno less than eight to nine months in advance ofyour wedding date. Many brides book a year in ad-vance to get their first-choice studio.

• Get a price list from several photographers inyour area. When making the budget for your wed-ding, have a few general package estimates fromphotographers. Review the packages each photog-rapher offers carefully and be sure you know whatthe prices do and do not include.

• Visit each studio personally to review samplesof their work. Photography studios proudly displaywedding portraits, engagement photos, traditionalalbums and more modern books to give you an ideaof the quality and type of work they do.

• Speak with the actual photographer that willphotograph your ceremony. This will help to deter-mine if the personality of the photographer is com-patable with your own when it comes to ideas and

plans for your wedding.• Find out how much experience the studio has

with weddings. Photographers who have shot manyweddings often have ideas that make your photosunique and are able to capture the couple’s true per-sonality.

• Ask if there will be two photographers coveringthe event. This provides photos with multiple an-gles. One photographer may capture something theother does not see. It also can help make the processrun more quickly.

•Allow enough time. Discuss timelines with thephotographer. Be sure you are in agreement withthe amount of time needed before and after the cer-emony to get all the shots needed to complete thepackage chosen.

• Discuss the proofing process. Studios vary in thetype of proofs they offer in their packages and whatthe proofing process is like. Some studios offer theopportunity to look at all the images on the com-puter and then choosing the ones you want to see inwhat’s called a “proof book.” Other studios choosewhat they feel are the photos that best captured theday and put the proof book together themselves. Inthis case, you can ask to see any images that weren’tput in the book. From the proof book, the bridewill choose what the photos for her wedding album.

• Review photo back-up options. Studios vary onhow they do their back-up work. Be sure to discussthis with them so you’ll be aware of what happensto your wedding images after you receive youralbum(s).

• Ask about re-touching and editing. Photogra-phers have many options with digital images to en-hance and edit photos. Be sure to ask what theirskills are in this area and whether or not it’s included

Local photographers provide many options for bridesBYSUSANTOLLEY

Brides have several local studios to choosefrom when selecting a photographer for theirwedding. Each photographer has their ownstyle, and experience. Brides and grooms areencouraged to visit different studios beforemaking their final decision.

About some local studios:Shutterbug Photography

Shutterbug Photography, under the directionof Susan Baker, opened its doors in July 2005,focusing on babies and children's photography.In May 2006, Suzie Robinson joined Baker atShutterbug. Robinson, with 26 years of experi-ence in wedding photography, enabled the stu-dio to expand to a full service studio.

Robinson began taking wedding photos in1980, developing her own style.

“Each photographer has a different style,”Robinson said. “I enjoy it when the bride andgroom come into the studio and review thework. It really helps you get a feel for what thecouple is looking for, and they can decide ifthey’re comfortable with the photographer’spersonality, which is very important.”

“We try to capture the moment as it is hap-pening, especially the emotion that is being dis-played,” she said.

Robinson suggests that couples not be afraidto suggest ideas of their own, even if it seems“off the wall.” Often, ideas or scenarios the cou-ple wants portrayed make the best shots for awedding album, she said.

Shutterbug offers black and white glossies,color enhancement, collages, photos on canvasand other current trends, as well as the tradi-tional wedding album.

The studio is owned by Susan Baker andBeth Pence and is located at 229 W. Main St.,Elkin. Visit the web site for complete informa-tion and price lists. www.shutterbugphotogra-phyinc.com or call 835-5437.

Hours of operation: Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2p.m.; Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.to 1 p.m.

Images StudioImages Studio, owned by Ronnie and Dixie

Atkins, began in 1984 in their home in Dob-son. In 1989, after the business had outgrownthe available space, the couple opened a studioin downtown Dobson.

Both members of the couple loved photog-raphy from an early age.

“We each had a camera in our hands from thetime we were young,” said Dixie.

Both photographers attend and shoot eachwedding that is booked with their studio. Thisallows for multiple angles during the ceremony,allowing for “two sets of eyes” and points ofview during the event.

The Atkins suggest spending time with thephotographer you choose prior to the wedding.

“We like to talk to the families and build arelationship with them, they said. "We encour-age them to choose a photographer they’recomfortable with, and one whose work they re-

ally like.”"Concerning trends for the upcoming year,

we’re seeing more input from grooms," Ronniesaid. This makes the whole process run moresmoothly. Also, more couples are choosing toget married in the spring or the fall, not just inthe summer months like it was years ago.”

Images Studio offers traditional as well asmodern styles. They suggest that brides andgrooms visit the studio to review their workand pricing prior to making the final selectionof a photographer.

The studio is located at 507 W. Kapp St.Dobson. (336) 386-8101, Hours of operation:Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday,11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jim Drum PhotographyJim opened his studio 29 years ago in Yad-

kinville. In 1994, he added another photogra-pher, Amber Harris.

Drum's studio specializes in fine portraiture,including babies, children and families, as wellas bridal and wedding photography. Packagescan be customized to suit any bride with anybudget.

As with most up-to-date photo studios, JimDrum and Amber Harris offer the modern andtraditional bridal albums along with collages,color enhancement, and other special effectsavailable for weddings.

Drum believes that every bride deserves aone-of-a-kind day that belongs just to her, andhe tries to accommodate each bride’s vision.

“Everyone has a work philosophy. Ours is toenjoy our work, have fun, and laugh a lot. I’vefound over the years that if we enjoy what we’redoing, so do the folks we’re photographing.”

“We try to make people feel at home and verycomfortable during their visit and especially ontheir special day,” said Harris. "Superior cus-tomer service is what we're known for and westrive very hard to be the best."

“A lot of people can press a camera button,"Drum said. "But good photographers knowabout lighting, photojournalism, and tradi-tional as well as modern techniques.”

Visit the studio at 501 E. Main St., Yad-kinville or call 679-2256, or visit online atwww.jimdrumphoto.com. Studio hours:Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat-urday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Studio RoxieStudio Roxie is located in the beautiful hills

of Sparta and is owned by Stewart Royall andTammy McGrady. Because of its location,many brides and grooms are excited about theopportunity to have photos taken in the nearbynatural scenery.

With a passion for photography, StewartRoyall started the business more than 25 yearsago, and has been at the current location since1987. He named the studio after his momwho, in his opinion, was a great amateur pho-tographer.

Royall and McGrady both shoot each wed-ding, allowing them double coverage and manydifferent angles for the bride and groom to

choose from. They focus on making sure thecouple is very confident with them.

“Couples want someone who is going to pho-tograph everything they want with no doubtsor fears about what the end result will be," Mc-Grady said. "The photographers need to have alove and passion for what they do.”

The studio typically shoots over 1,000 im-ages during the ceremony and reception. Thebridal couple usually has 450 to 500 proof im-ages to view. Studio Roxie allow each couple tochoose their package after viewing the proofs.Typically, studios require that a couple choosea package prior to the wedding. Offering cou-ples this option makes Studio Roxie unique.

Both photographers attend training seminarsregularly to keep their skills up-to-date.

“A wedding is serious and we treat it as such,but we encourage the wedding party to havefun," said Royall. "We try to add somethingunique to every wedding we shoot, somethingthat will make each brides special day a littlemore memorable.”

Studio Roxie is located at 381 Sparta Square,Sparta, 372-6544. Visit them online atwww.studioroxie.com. Hours of operation:Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10a.m. to 5 p.m.

Don’t forget to featureyour special day in

The Tribune and Yadkin Ripple.

Call 835-1513 for more information.

www.bridaltraditionsnc.net

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 8:42 AM Page 6

Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 9Attention

Brides Call or come by to discuss your wed-ding or event needs with Joe!

We can help make yourevent a special one

Tents • Tables • Chairs • Aisle Runners Cham-pagne Fountains • Greek Columns Candelabras-

(Brass & White Hearts, Spirals & Fans) • Silver Trays • Tablecloths &Skirting • Serving/Chafing Dishes & Utensils

Mirror Balls • Archways • Guest RegistersSound Systems • Flower Stands • Bubble Ma-

chines • Kneeling Bench Unity Candle • Dance Floor

Deejay Service(J&B on the Rocks with

over 25 years of experience)

1036 North Bridge Street, Elkin835-RENT (7368) • Rentals & Sales • www.allstarrental.com

Hours: Monday-Friday 7 am-5 pm, Saturday 7 am-1pmLocally Owned & Operated • Located across from Pizza Hut

• Retreats• Weddings

• Socials• area wine tours

www.grassycreekvineyard.com

Located in the Heart of the Yadkin Valley

Chatham Lodge Lane • Off Klondike Rd • Elkin • 835-4230

Page 4 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009

Photos courtesy of Jim Drum Photography

118 E. Main St. Elkin, NC 28621 • 336-835-4474email carolsweddingshop@yahoo.com

Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri: 10am-5:30pm • Saturday 10am-3pm • Closed Sunday & Wednesday

Wedding Gowns

Dresses for: Mothers, Maids, Flower Girls, Prom, & Formal Occasions.

Veils, Dyeable Shoes, Jewelry, Tuxedo Rentals

Invitations & Complete Line of Wedding Accessories

>

>

>

34

34

Cedarbrook COUNTRY CLUB & GRILL

225 Country Club DriveState Road, NC • (336) 835-2320

Call for reservations, private meetings, or special events.

Romantic & Elegant Venue for any Special Occasion

WEDDINGS• RECEPTIONS• CATERINGAVAILABLE

Restaurant Hours:Mon.-Sat. 11am-3pm • Fri. & Sat. 6pm-9pmSunday 11:30am-7:30pm • Sunday Buffet 11:30am-2pm

Shoppes at ElkinBeside the new Wal Mart Super Center

HOURS: Monday-Saturday

10 am-6pm

835-6357544 CC Camp Road

Elkin, NC

Diamond SalePrincess Cut Diamonds

Starting at...$999

Come seeus at our

New Loca-tion!

1 Carat DiamondEngagement Set

Floral choices in ElkinBYKARENMARTIN

Elkin brides have an array of choices when itcomes to flowers for their wedding day. Beauti-ful bouquets, corsages, sprays, and floral archescan all be designed and delivered in fresh flow-ers or silk. Kneeling benches, candelabras, andpew markers are all available with the floral de-signers.

Ratledge Florist,328 N. Front St., Elkin,suggests the bride-to-be plan a budget for flow-ers and bring in ideas for the types of flowersand colors she desires. Swatches of fabric fromgowns make choosing the colors of flowerssomewhat easier.

Bridal bouquets start at $100.00 on averageand bridesmaids bouquets at $50. Single rosecorsages start at $25. Boutonnieres begin at$7.50. A simple corsage of carnations withbaby's breath can be purchased for $6.50 andup.

Brides need to be aware that fresh flowers areseasonal and the sizes and colors of flowers maybe limited during certain times of the year. It isrecommended that a bride select her florist assoon as possible after setting a date. This allowsfor reservation of the date as well as planningfor the flowers she wishes to have. Rental equip-ment can be reserved at this time also. A 10 per-cent deposit is expected when the order isplaced.

Bridal bouquets that include callas, orchidsand roses are common requests of brides. Or-chids and callas need to be ordered well in ad-vance of the wedding day to assure availability.

Ratledge offers single bouquets as well asbridal packages. The florist handles venue wed-dings and can provide fresh or silk floral wed-ding cake toppers.

Some of the most important things to knowwhen coming in to plan your floral arrange-ments are the vicinity of the wedding, the colorchoice, the number of people that will be in thewedding party and in attendance at the wed-ding, the number of table arrangementsneeded, and the date of the wedding. If you areplanning a rehearsal dinner and want tablearrangements, know the number of tabletops.Ratledge Florists can also provide the tablelinens, and other items that may be needed.

Call 835-2607 to set up an appointment ordrop by.

Watson's Florist,713 N. Bridge St., Elkin,offers bridal packages that include the bridalbouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, pew markers,cake toppers and all types of equipment for thewedding day. Watson's suggest planning yourfloral arrangements a minimum of threemonths prior to the wedding date to assure thetypes and colors of flowers you desire are avail-able.

When planning your arrangements, it helpsto have swatches from the colors of the brides-maids dresses, the number of people attendingthe wedding, the date and the style of yourwedding.

Single rose boutonnieres begin at $5, a simple

bride’s bouquet start at $50, bridesmaids bou-quets begin at as little as $15. Floral arrange-ments can be made from fresh or silk flowers,depending on the preference of the bride.

Watson's rents their bridal equipment —kneeling benches, candelabras, arches and otheritems — only to brides who purchase theirwedding flowers with them.

When planning for a rehearsal dinner, knowthe number of tabletops and the height that youwant your arrangements. Flowers can be inter-twined with a number of other materials tomake beautiful tabletop arrangements. Candlescan also be utilized within the floral arrange-ment adding height and dimension to the de-sign.

Call 835-5245 for an appointment or dropby to design your wedding flowers.

Bridal bouquet by Watsons FloristBouquets using calla lilies, orchids androses are common requests.

Ratledge FloristSmall nosegay bouquets are availablechoices for bridesmaids.

Page 10 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 3

HOME FURNITURE115 W. Market St. • ELKIN • 835-2856

Thinking of a new mattress for your new home?Be a perfect sleeper, on a Serta

Close Out Sale• Full Size• Queen Size

• King Size• Free Delivery

S A L E P R I C E D•BIG DISCOUNTS•FREE LOCAL DELIVERY•FREE DISPOSAL

The secret ingredients to choosing a great catererBY SUSAN TOLLEY

You want everything to be perfect on that spe-cial day. A beautifully decorated cake; a variety ofdelicious finger foods; or a sit-down meal; thedishes; napkins; and table décor, these are all partof what makes the reception a wonderful experi-ence. To be certain your reception is everythingyou’ve dreamed about, consider these tips:

• Book a caterer as soon as you have set the bigdate. Many caterers have bookings as far as a yearin advance. Begin researching and making thedecision as early as possible to be certain youbook your first choice.

• Determine how many guests you expect at thereception. The caterer cannot give you an accu-rate cost estimate without the total number ofguests you expect.

• Know your budget. Many brides have no ideawhat a reception costs until they begin acquiringprice lists. Compare prices of caterers that youwould consider and determine the amount youcan spend on food, napkins, drinks and otheritems you want your caterer to provide.

• Find out what each caterer’s quote includes.Caterers have different things that they includein their cost estimates. Some provide dishes andclean up, others do not. Some provide all table-cloths needed, some only provide for the basic

cloths. Be certain to ask what is and is not in-cluded in the total price.

• Look at pictures of each caterer’s cakes. Anygood wedding caterer will have a photo albumdisplaying his or her work. This will help you de-cide if you’re impressed with the decorating skillsor not.

• Ask about tastings. Ask for samples of thechoices for your cake. Also ask to taste samples ofthe different icings available.

• Ask around. Word-of-mouth or your own ex-periences at other receptions are sometimes thebest way to make your decision.

Catering/Reception trends that were popular in

2008 will probably carry into this year as well.The bakeries and caterers in our area spoke ofbrides wanting things more personalized versusthe traditional fare found at receptions. The typesand styles of wedding cakes being displayed at re-ceptions have leaned toward combinations ofbrowns and light greens. Local caterers believethe same colors will be popular again this year.However, they suggest that each bride and groomselect a style that will reflect them. Most weddingcakes have become simpler with cleaner lines andsubtle designs. Adding fresh flowers as a topperor to decorate the entire cake is also a popularstyle.

Choosing the photographer to capture your special dayin the package you choose.

• Go over personal preferences and special familysituations. Some brides have followed the age-oldtradition of not being seen by the groom on the dayof the wedding before the ceremony. This needs to bedecided early in the planning process; it will greatlyaffect the timing and order of when the photos aretaken. Also, be sure to communicate any special fam-ily situations to your photographer such as parentswho are separated or divorced. This too affects howwedding party members are grouped for photos.

• Get the groom involved. If the bride and groomare both involved in the process of choosing the pho-tographer(s), the two most important people at thewedding are already familiar with the photographer’s

style and are generally more comfortable with the en-tire process.

Some photo trends that seem to be carrying overfrom 2008 into 2009 are selecting to have a numberof photos that are black and white with color en-hancement; modern / contemporary albums withspecial effects photos; collages; and more relaxed andcandid photos. While videos were very popular inthe 1990s, that trend has since slowed down. Cou-ples are now putting more of their photo budget to-ward the keepsake album(s).

BY SUSAN TOLLEY

Capturing the memories of your special day isone of the most important aspects of planning yourwedding.

Choosing the photographer for your wedding isoften the first and most important booking bridesand grooms make. Because of the hustle and bustleof this special day, the wedding album you end upwith is what you’ll look at to truly remember theceremony and reception. Make the right choice andyou’ll forever hold the treasure of photos that ex-press the true personality of your wedding. If youmake the wrong choice, you could end up withphotos that are disappointing at the very least.

Below are tips and suggestions to help you choosethe photographer that will best serve you.

• Book early. Be sure to book your photographerno less than eight to nine months in advance ofyour wedding date. Many brides book a year in ad-vance to get their first-choice studio.

• Get a price list from several photographers inyour area. When making the budget for your wed-ding, have a few general package estimates fromphotographers. Review the packages each photog-rapher offers carefully and be sure you know whatthe prices do and do not include.

• Visit each studio personally to review samplesof their work. Photography studios proudly displaywedding portraits, engagement photos, traditionalalbums and more modern books to give you an ideaof the quality and type of work they do.

• Speak with the actual photographer that willphotograph your ceremony. This will help to deter-mine if the personality of the photographer is com-patable with your own when it comes to ideas and

plans for your wedding.• Find out how much experience the studio has

with weddings. Photographers who have shot manyweddings often have ideas that make your photosunique and are able to capture the couple’s true per-sonality.

• Ask if there will be two photographers coveringthe event. This provides photos with multiple an-gles. One photographer may capture something theother does not see. It also can help make the processrun more quickly.

•Allow enough time. Discuss timelines with thephotographer. Be sure you are in agreement withthe amount of time needed before and after the cer-emony to get all the shots needed to complete thepackage chosen.

• Discuss the proofing process. Studios vary in thetype of proofs they offer in their packages and whatthe proofing process is like. Some studios offer theopportunity to look at all the images on the com-puter and then choosing the ones you want to see inwhat’s called a “proof book.” Other studios choosewhat they feel are the photos that best captured theday and put the proof book together themselves. Inthis case, you can ask to see any images that weren’tput in the book. From the proof book, the bridewill choose what the photos for her wedding album.

• Review photo back-up options. Studios vary onhow they do their back-up work. Be sure to discussthis with them so you’ll be aware of what happensto your wedding images after you receive youralbum(s).

• Ask about re-touching and editing. Photogra-phers have many options with digital images to en-hance and edit photos. Be sure to ask what theirskills are in this area and whether or not it’s included

Local photographers provide many options for bridesBY SUSAN TOLLEY

Brides have several local studios to choosefrom when selecting a photographer for theirwedding. Each photographer has their ownstyle, and experience. Brides and grooms areencouraged to visit different studios beforemaking their final decision.

About some local studios:Shutterbug Photography

Shutterbug Photography, under the directionof Susan Baker, opened its doors in July 2005,focusing on babies and children's photography.In May 2006, Suzie Robinson joined Baker atShutterbug. Robinson, with 26 years of experi-ence in wedding photography, enabled the stu-dio to expand to a full service studio.

Robinson began taking wedding photos in1980, developing her own style.

“Each photographer has a different style,”Robinson said. “I enjoy it when the bride andgroom come into the studio and review thework. It really helps you get a feel for what thecouple is looking for, and they can decide ifthey’re comfortable with the photographer’spersonality, which is very important.”

“We try to capture the moment as it is hap-pening, especially the emotion that is being dis-played,” she said.

Robinson suggests that couples not be afraidto suggest ideas of their own, even if it seems“off the wall.” Often, ideas or scenarios the cou-ple wants portrayed make the best shots for awedding album, she said.

Shutterbug offers black and white glossies,color enhancement, collages, photos on canvasand other current trends, as well as the tradi-tional wedding album.

The studio is owned by Susan Baker andBeth Pence and is located at 229 W. Main St.,Elkin. Visit the web site for complete informa-tion and price lists. www.shutterbugphotogra-phyinc.com or call 835-5437.

Hours of operation: Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2p.m.; Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.to 1 p.m.

Images StudioImages Studio, owned by Ronnie and Dixie

Atkins, began in 1984 in their home in Dob-son. In 1989, after the business had outgrownthe available space, the couple opened a studioin downtown Dobson.

Both members of the couple loved photog-raphy from an early age.

“We each had a camera in our hands from thetime we were young,” said Dixie.

Both photographers attend and shoot eachwedding that is booked with their studio. Thisallows for multiple angles during the ceremony,allowing for “two sets of eyes” and points ofview during the event.

The Atkins suggest spending time with thephotographer you choose prior to the wedding.

“We like to talk to the families and build arelationship with them, they said. "We encour-age them to choose a photographer they’recomfortable with, and one whose work they re-

ally like.”"Concerning trends for the upcoming year,

we’re seeing more input from grooms," Ronniesaid. This makes the whole process run moresmoothly. Also, more couples are choosing toget married in the spring or the fall, not just inthe summer months like it was years ago.”

Images Studio offers traditional as well asmodern styles. They suggest that brides andgrooms visit the studio to review their workand pricing prior to making the final selectionof a photographer.

The studio is located at 507 W. Kapp St.Dobson. (336) 386-8101, Hours of operation:Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday,11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jim Drum PhotographyJim opened his studio 29 years ago in Yad-

kinville. In 1994, he added another photogra-pher, Amber Harris.

Drum's studio specializes in fine portraiture,including babies, children and families, as wellas bridal and wedding photography. Packagescan be customized to suit any bride with anybudget.

As with most up-to-date photo studios, JimDrum and Amber Harris offer the modern andtraditional bridal albums along with collages,color enhancement, and other special effectsavailable for weddings.

Drum believes that every bride deserves aone-of-a-kind day that belongs just to her, andhe tries to accommodate each bride’s vision.

“Everyone has a work philosophy. Ours is toenjoy our work, have fun, and laugh a lot. I’vefound over the years that if we enjoy what we’redoing, so do the folks we’re photographing.”

“We try to make people feel at home and verycomfortable during their visit and especially ontheir special day,” said Harris. "Superior cus-tomer service is what we're known for and westrive very hard to be the best."

“A lot of people can press a camera button,"Drum said. "But good photographers knowabout lighting, photojournalism, and tradi-tional as well as modern techniques.”

Visit the studio at 501 E. Main St., Yad-kinville or call 679-2256, or visit online atwww.jimdrumphoto.com. Studio hours:Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat-urday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Studio RoxieStudio Roxie is located in the beautiful hills

of Sparta and is owned by Stewart Royall andTammy McGrady. Because of its location,many brides and grooms are excited about theopportunity to have photos taken in the nearbynatural scenery.

With a passion for photography, StewartRoyall started the business more than 25 yearsago, and has been at the current location since1987. He named the studio after his momwho, in his opinion, was a great amateur pho-tographer.

Royall and McGrady both shoot each wed-ding, allowing them double coverage and manydifferent angles for the bride and groom to

choose from. They focus on making sure thecouple is very confident with them.

“Couples want someone who is going to pho-tograph everything they want with no doubtsor fears about what the end result will be," Mc-Grady said. "The photographers need to have alove and passion for what they do.”

The studio typically shoots over 1,000 im-ages during the ceremony and reception. Thebridal couple usually has 450 to 500 proof im-ages to view. Studio Roxie allow each couple tochoose their package after viewing the proofs.Typically, studios require that a couple choosea package prior to the wedding. Offering cou-ples this option makes Studio Roxie unique.

Both photographers attend training seminarsregularly to keep their skills up-to-date.

“A wedding is serious and we treat it as such,but we encourage the wedding party to havefun," said Royall. "We try to add somethingunique to every wedding we shoot, somethingthat will make each brides special day a littlemore memorable.”

Studio Roxie is located at 381 Sparta Square,Sparta, 372-6544. Visit them online atwww.studioroxie.com. Hours of operation:Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10a.m. to 5 p.m.

Don’t forget to featureyour special day in

The Tribune and Yadkin Ripple.

Call 835-1513 for more information.

www.bridaltraditionsnc.net

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 8:42 AM Page 6

Page 2 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 11

Local catering companies offer delectable choicesBY SUSAN TOLLEY

Choosing the right caterer is very importantto having the perfect wedding reception. Listedbelow are three of the available choices inElkin.

Lorene’s Bakery and CateringMoore is best known for her incredibly de-

tailed decorating style and creating of her ownicing recipe.

“My own icing recipe started out as a basicbutter cream and has been adjusted throughthe years to what I serve now,” said Moore. "Ialso work with fondant, which is a sugar-dough, which allows you to do dimensionalwork."

Working with fondant is a unique talent andnot all bakers can offer this service.

Lorene's is a full service caterer offeringbaked items, finger foods, dinners as well as thetables, linens and other items. “We offer everything they need to set up theirreception except the center piece and theprinted napkins,” Moore said.

Another detail that makes Lorene’s foods sodelicious and makes the bakery so popular inthe area is the fact that she makes everythingfrom scratch.

“Everything we do is scratch, nothing isbought frozen or prepackaged,” she said. "Itake a lot of pride in that because not all cater-ers can say that."Her advice to brides is to come in and talk to

her about what their wedding décor will belike. Together they can design a cake that re-flects the “flavor” of the wedding, along with

the types of foods that the couple feels willmost reflect their taste, the foods that work bestfor the time of year of the wedding and anyspecial needs of the couple's guests.

Lorene Moore always loved to decorate cakes.She did this out of her home as a hobby forfriends and family between 1973 – 1983. Aftermany of them tasted her delights, they beganto ask her to make cakes and provide varioustypes of food for their weddings. Once she haddone this the business just “exploded.”

“I never planned it to be honest with you.God gave me the ability and I just went withit,” said Moore “I’ve always loved to cook;mom started us out at any early age cookingfor the family.”Lorene’s Bakery and Catering is located at 314

N. White St., Dobson, 356-4699 behind theLantern Restaurant. Hours: Tuesday – Friday9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Buttercup GourmetButtercup Gourmet's Lisa Parigi began her

business in October 2008, but has been bak-ing and decorating cakes since the 1980s. Herculinary school training and professional expe-rience affords clients unique choices in prod-uct and presentation.

Parigi specializes in cakes, pastries and sa-vories, but can provide other foods for a recep-tion if requested.

Her specialty is fondant work which allowsher to give each cake its own personality.

“A bride can even have the cake icing matchthe lace in her dress," she said. “I want to reflectsomething of the bride and groom’s personalityin every thing I provide for the event. That can

be something whimsical or sentimental.”Another one of her specialties is setting up

dessert tables for the reception. This is a trendthat is starting to become more popular. Thesesmaller tables at the reception feature pastrieswith petit fours (small, square-cut, frosted anddecorated pieces of cake) and other delicaciessuch as cupcake trees, sugar or chocolate cupsthat contain the bride and groom's favoritecandies, and other individual treats.Parigi also can add fillings, and fresh berries in

her cakes if the bridal couple so chooses. Theaddition of things such as lemon curd andganache on the inside of a cake, adding a won-derful flare to the cakes.

Buttercup Gourmet is located at 502 C. B.Eller School Road, Elkin, 835-4854. Hours:Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Judy HancockJudy Hancock provides catering for wedding

receptions, rehearsal dinners and social gather-ings. She also caters luncheons and can providehor d' oeuvres for meetings and cocktail par-ties.

Hancock offers a wide variety of cuisines tochoose from down-home cooking, buffet tablesto elegant meals, Hancock has the experienceto provide what the bridal couple is looking for.References are available. For an appointment,call 244-0735.

Cake by Butter Cup GourmetWedding cakes have come a long way.Many of them are tied in to a weddingʼstheme or the season in which the wed-ding is taking place.

Helpful hints from the BranchBakery & Sweet Shop

Wedding cakes are the focal point of the re-ception. The cake can come in all shapes andsizes. The cake should fit the type of wedding.It could be very formal, simple or funky andfun. Most importantly, the cake should be freshand taste good.

Cakes can be done in most any flavor. If theweding is in the summer, you may want tochoose a lighter cake such as pink lemondade,stawberry, pineapple or a light vanilla with abuttercream icing. For fall and winter cakes,you may prefer something richer, such as an al-most pound cake, red velvet, buttercream orvanilla.

Making that special cake a part of your wed-ing day means planning ahead. If your wed-

ding date is duing the months of May, June,September or October, you should contactyour bakery at least six months ahead of time.Make sure you choose a reliable bakery or per-son who make your cake both beautiful anddelicious.

Don’t forget the groom’s cake. It can be madeto reflect the groom’s personality or interests,such as sports, fishing, cars, or college. Thecake can be served at the rehearsal dinner or atthe wedding reception.

Branch Bakery & Sweet Shop is located at503 E. Main St., Yadkinville, 677-1235.Hours: Tuesday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.;Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

www.elkintribune.com

Page 8 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 5

OLDE BEAUThe Perfect Setting

Olde Beau and staff can provide the perfect reception, rehearsal din-ner, or setting for your wedding! We can accommodate up to 300

guests with your choice of hors d’oeurves or a custom menu to suityour needs. For that special day please call 1-800-752-1634.

Olde Beau Golf & Country ClubLocated on US Hwy. 21 in Roaring Gap, NCPhone: 1-800-752-1634 or (336) 363-3333

Website: www.oldebeau.com

Shutterbug Photography, Inc.

229 West Main Street • Elkin, NC336.835.5437

shutterbugphotographyinc.com

Let Us Capture The Magic OfYour Special Day

• Full Service Digital Studio• Packages To Meet

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Photos courtesy of Shutterbug PhotographyWedding gowns and bridal party apparel BYKARENMARTIN

Carol's Wedding Shop, 118 E. Main St.,Elkin is a full-service bridal shop, carrying anarray of wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses,mother of the bride and groom dresses, tuxedorental, and flower girl attire as well as gowns forproms and special occasions. There are manywedding gowns to choose from in stock fromdifferent designers.

“We don't order many gowns because we havesuch a large selection in stock,” said employeeJeanie. “Carol carries so many different stylesthat most brides can find just what they arelooking for when they come in, but if a bridewants a style that is not in stock, it usually onlytakes two to three weeks to order the gown.”

Carol’s strives to give each bride the personaltouch to help her find the gown and accessoriesof her dreams.

Carol’s also offers a full line of invitations,place cards, response cards, menu cards and giftsfor the bridal parties.

Foundations for the whole bridal party arealso available.

Carol’s suggests that a bride pick her gownand colors as soon as possible after setting thedate.

“Bride's should pick the colors they want and

the styles they love. Trend choices are not alwaysthe best choices for every bride,” Carol said."Each bride has different ideas for her ideal wed-ding. Picking the gown is just one of the steps inplanning a wedding. Each bride deserves herfantasy wedding and with planning she can havethe wedding day she has dreamed about."

Local brides have chosen purples and greensrecently for their weddings, but an array of col-ors are available to choose from. Carol's offersdye-able shoes and handbags to match anygown or dress, jewelry to accent the attire as wellas veils.

A good rule to follow concerning looking fora wedding gown or for attire for the entire bridalparty is to start at least three months ahead ofthe date. More common is to begin planning forthe wedding up to one year in advance.

For more information and store hours call336-835-4474.

Couture Design Group,125 W. Main St.,Elkin, is owned by Bill Colvard. After workingin New York for 22 years, Colvard moved toElkin and started his design business. He hasbeen designing wedding gowns in the area forthree years.

"I do custom design gowns from sketch,"Colvard said. "I order my fabrics from NewYork and Europe."

Colvard suggests that a bride allow a minimunof 12 weeks for a custom designed gown. Healso designs dresses for bridesmaids and themothers of the bride and groom.

When talking about trends for 2009, Colvardexpressed several opinions.

“Strapless is dying down, finally,” he said.“There are still elegant strapless gowns to choosefrom, but it’s not the only game in town any-more. Brides are choosing more romantic stylesthis year.”

Couture Design also does re-styling of gowns.“If a bride has her mother or grandmother's

gown and she want to be able to wear it for herwedding, we can re-style it to suit her desires,”Colvard said. “Many of the gowns worn in the70s and 80s were truly hideous with giant, puffysleeves. We can salvage most dresses and mod-ernize them to today's style. Even if the bridedoesn't want the entire dress, we can utilize thelace from her heirloom gown and add it to astyle she picks for her own.”

Couture Design also offers some custom jew-elry to accessorize the bridal party's attire. Ap-pointments can be made by calling 527-4696.

The gown Karin Dezern of Hamptonvillewill be wearing when she marches downthe aisle May 16 is an Empire gown. Thecathedral train is 4-plus feet in length.Her headpiece is a beaded tiara with jew-els and her veil is satin-corded. Thegown's color is apricot mink.

Rental equipment and wedding venuesBYKARENMARTIN

AllStar Rentals Inc.,1036 N. Bridge St.,Elkin can provide any bridal couple with tents,tables, chairs and linens for a wedding or re-ception. Brides who choose a venue outside ofa church can be accommodated with multiplechoices of arrangements to seat guests. Re-hearsal dinners and receptions can be held out-doors with the placement of tents and tables,even bar set ups are available for rental.

AllStar Rentals offers candelabras, archways,columns, full fountains, wine glasses, chafingdishes and other items for the bridal couplesneeds.

“Couples need to plan their wedding at leastsix months beforehand,” said Joe Walker,owner of AllStar Rentals. “I like to sit downwith them face to face and find out exactlywhat type of setting they want and plan out thedesign. Planning ahead assures availability ofthe items they need.”

AllStar also tries to accommodate those who,upon the spur of the moment, come by to rentpieces they would like to have at their weddingor special event.

“Weddings are expensive,” Walker said. “Youcan spend as little or as much as you wantwhen planning your wedding.”

“The best thing to do is make your budgetand select items that fit into your budget.”

Many brides and grooms choose venues thatconvey the natural beauty of the area.

“We’ve done weddings at Grassy Creek Vine-yards and Klondike Cabins for several years,”

Walker said. “It’s a very popular location forwedding ceremonies and receptions.”

“People design their own weddings now andthey don’t stand on protocol,” he said. “Thereis an array of items that can match the couple’sdesires."

Other venues brides choose around the Elkinarea include Laurel Gray Vineyards, Stony KnollVineyards and others. For receptions considerThe Meeting Place, the garden area of theFoothills Arts Council, and the Holiday Inn. OldBeau Country Club is also a great spot for wed-dings and receptions, and often brides choosespots along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Stone Mountain Park has been the venue formany weddings, as has Stony Knoll Vineyards.Elkin Creek Winery and kitchen, Kapps Mill,Tharpe's Mill and many others are in the sur-rounding area. Portraits can be made at SheltonVineyards for a sitting fee.

Tommy Maines, general manager of OldBeau, accepts reservations for weddings and/orreceptions up to one year in advance. This al-lows the bride to choose the date she wantswithout fear of the area being booked when thecouple chooses a wedding date.

“We can seat up to 300 people and serveheavy hor d' oeuvres. We have a full bar andwe have villas and cottages available for rentalfor the bridal party guest.”

“Grassy Creek sits just outside of Elkin andhas a beautiful hillside near the lake that is veryconducive to weddings,” Judy Hancock ofGrassy Creek and Klondike Cabins said. “Weoffer four cabins of varying size that can accommodate

members of the bridal party. The cabins have at leasta kitchenette and are situated close together and arealongside a natural walking trail.”

“Catering service is available on site if wanted,”Hancock said. “Couples can bring their own catererand their own wines if they prefer.”

Couples choosing Grassy Creek Vineyards shouldcontact the venue as soon as possible after choosing awedding date.

“Hancock suggests that couples contact the vine-yard a minimum of six months prior to the date of thewedding.”

AllStar Rentals, Inc. 835-7368; Grassy CreekVineyards/Klondike Cabins 835-4230.

photos submitted by AllStar RentalsAllStar Rentals can supply tents, ta-bles, linens and many other weddingsupplies.

Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 8:25 AM Page 4

Page 12 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009

From diamonds to tie pinsBY KAREN MARTIN

Song's Jewelry, 109 W. Main Street, Elkin specializesin the personal touch when selecting an engagement ring,bridesmaid or groomsmen gifts. Connie Song, owner,believes that putting in the time to choose the diamondthat will symbolize one of the most important days ofyour life can make all the difference with the bride.

"Brides like to feel that her engagement ring was cho-sen just for her," Song said. "She wants to feel that it re-flects her personality and the love of the man who's givenit to her."

"Guys get overwhelmed with the realm of choices," shesaid. "They need to go shopping with the woman to findout what styles she likes, whether she prefers a solitare, avintage design, diamonds on the band and what her goldpreference is."

"Some women like a total surprise, but others don't,"Song said. "I had a lady come in once to have her ringsized, her husband had purchased her ring somewhereelse, and when she saw the selection I had and recognizedall the different choices, she expressed that she would haveloved to have known that there were so many more beau-tiful designs."

When shopping for a diamond you need to have abudget and stick to it. The jewelry store owner shouldhave enough knowledge to stay within your budget withclarity and quality choices.

Jewelry stores offer much more than the engagementring and wedding bands for your wedding. Groomsmengifts are available in the forms of tie clips, money clips,credit card holders and driver's license holders starting at

$10. Many items can be monogrammed. Lighters thatare engravable start at $39. There are also engravable pensand letter openers.

Bridesmaid gifts are also available. Sterling silver or goldcharm bracelets, diamond earrings, or another type ofstone earring can be given to wear in the wedding andused for the bridesmaid's gifts. There are also some uniquegifts. Pink tool sets that include pliers, screwdrivers, andsocket wrenches start at $12 and would make a memo-rable gift. Engravable letter openers, business card hold-ers, paperweights and desk accessories are also available.Some choices can be purchased with Swavorski crystals setin them. There are a lot of unique gifts if the bride andgroom take the time to look for that special gift for theirattendants to remember their special day.

"I love to give advice and suggest items to customersthat they may not have thought of as gifts," Song said.“Our engraving service usually cost $8 per item. If theitem is purchased here, the engraving is half price. Theengraving on jewelry purchased here is free."

"If a bride plans her gifts ahead of time, at the start ofher wedding plans, she has many more opportunities tofind unique items.

More frequently now, couples present gifts to the moth-ers during their ceremony. Presenting the mothers with amother charm on a chain, a simple stone band or a charmbracelet can make the mothers feel much more a part ofthe couple's forthcoming life.

Often the bride's mother presents the groom with agift. An engraved pocketwatch is a wonderful gift to give.On the other side, the groom's mother usually presentsthe bride with a gift of jewelry. If a family heirloom is not

available, a piece of jewelry that can be passed to the firstgrandchild is a special piece that can begin a family tradi-tion.

"Give pieces that you can have a story with," Song said."A piece that the bride can say, 'this was given to me onmy wedding day,' as she passes it on."

"One of the most important things to remember is to

match the piece of jewelry to the personality of the per-son you are giving it to," she said. "And I like to suggestwords that will mean something to the receiver, some-thing they will always associate with the piece of jewelrywhen they are wearing it." (336) 835-7743

Whether it is diamond engagement rings to gifts for bridal party members to themothers of the wedding couple, fine jewelry is always appreciated.

Page 6 — Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009Bridal 2009, The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple, January 2009 — Page 7

The Ultimate in Wedding Photography336-372-6544 • Stewart Royall and Tammy McGrady

www.studioroxie.com

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This service is absolutely free atwww.jonesvilleelkin.hamptoninn.com

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Bridal Spreads:Layout 1 1/22/09 9:09 AM Page 2