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A joint publication of the Atlanta Citizens Journal and the Cass County Sun
2 Bridal Tab 2020
Bridal Tab 2020 3
A future bride’s general checklist
You have said, “yes,” and what do you do now? Planning for a wedding can - Purchase a dress. Fittings can take two or three months to complete.
be a daunting task and very expensive, especially if you do not plan well. - Reserve a block of rooms at a local hotel for out-of-town guests.
Here is a general check list for task that must be accomplished prior to your - Register at a minimum of three retailers, including vendors with online
big day. access to accommodate out of town guests.
- Send an engagement announcement to the local papers.
Sixteen to nine months before:
- Start a wedding folder or binder to keep your notes organized. Seven to six months before:
- Work out your budget. - Select and purchase invitations.
- Pick your wedding party. - Start planning a honeymoon. Since passports and immunization can
- Start the wedding guest list. take some time to complete.
- Hire a planner, if desired. - Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses. Allow at least six months for the dresses
- Reserve your date and venues. to be ordered and sized.
- Book your officiant. - Meet with the officiant as a couple, to discuss specifics of the ceremony.
- Research photographers, bands, florists and caterers. - Send save-the-date cards.
- Throw an engagement party, if you wish, but remember that your - Reserve structural and electrical necessities and book portable toilets
invitees should be on your wedding guest list as well. for outdoor events, extra chairs if you needed, lighting components and
so on.
Eight months before: - Book a florist.
- Hire the photographer and the videographer. - Arrange transportation, especially if you are planning a destination
- Book the entertainment.
- Meet caterers.
See Checklist on page 4
4 Bridal Tab 2020
Checklist from page 3
wedding or if you will need to transport the wedding party from one - Confirm times for hair and makeup and all vendors.
venue to another. - E-mail and print directions for drivers of transport vehicles.
- Assign seating.
Five to four months before: - Purchase bridesmaids’ gifts, traditionally given at the rehearsal dinner.
- Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner venues, including the cost and - Write vows, if necessary.
the menu. - Get your hair cut and colored, if desired. At that time, make an
- Check on the wedding invitations. Ask for proofs and make adjustments appointment for a manicure and a pedicure for the day before the
if needed. wedding. (You might want to get a massage, too.)
- Select and order the cake. You may want to taste several types of cakes
to help with this decision. Week of the wedding
- Send your guest list to the host of your shower. - Reconfirm arrival times with vendors.
- Purchase wedding shoes and start dress fittings. Be sure to take the shoes - Delegate small wedding-day tasks, so you are not overwhelmed with
to each fitting and so you can become comfortable wearing them, as well details the day of the wedding.
as accommodating the tailor. - Send a timeline to the bridal party, including contact information for all.
- Schedule hair and makeup artists. You may want to experiment with - Pick up your dress.
various hairstyles and different stylists. Choose your music. You will - Check in one last time with the photographer.
need to contact your band or entertainers to make final decisions. - Set aside checks for the vendors and put tips in envelopes to be handed
out at the event.
Three months before: - Send the final guest list to the caterer, barkeep and all venues hosting
- Finalize the menu and flowers. According to the season, some flowers your wedding-related events.
will be more plentiful and therefore less expensive. - Assemble and distribute the welcome baskets, especially to the out of
- Order favors, if desired. town guests.
- Make a list of the people giving toasts. - Pack for your honeymoon.
- Finalize the readings for the wedding.
- Purchase your undergarments.
- Schedule your second fitting for your dress and take the new
undergarments.
- Print menu cards, if you like, as well as programs.
- Purchase the rings. This will give you time for resizing and engraving.
- Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception.
- Send your event schedule to the vendors.
Two months before:
- Touch base again with all the vendors, including the photographer, to
firm details.
- Review the playlist with the band or deejay.
- Send out the invitations. You should mail invitations six to eight weeks
before the ceremony, so guests have time to reply.
- Submit a newspaper wedding announcement.
- Enjoy a bachelorette party. You don’t want to wait till the week of the
wedding, as you will be overloaded with preparations.
One month before:
- Enter RSVPs into your guest-list database. You may want to phone people
who have not yet responded.
- Get your marriage license. Remember, if you are changing your name,
you may need extra copies.
- Mail the rehearsal-dinner invitations.
- Visit the dressmaker for the last dress fitting.
- Send out as many final payments, as you can.
Bridal Tab 2020 5 An intimate affair of a small wedding A small, intimate wedding has loads of romance to it — as well as many other advantages. While the large wedding has become a staple of contem- porary American culture, the small wedding is making a comeback. Before you set your final budget and guest list, consider the following. Get married where you want: Think of all the gorgeous venues you could either price yourself out of, or not be able to fit into due to the size of your party. Keeping your guest list small gives you more options. It also opens up venues that don’t tradi- tionally host weddings — or charge “wedding prices.” Think of places such as an art museum, a zoo or a greenhouse. Spend more quality time with your guests: An intimate wedding typically has less than 75 guests, which means you will have a lot more time to spend with each person. Walk around to each table and personally thank people for coming. Depending on the size of your party, consider seating everyone at one long table — creating an inti- mate dinner party atmosphere. Do more with your money: Small weddings can cost less, saving you thousands. Alternatively, you could spend the same amount as you would have set aside for a larger af- fair and splurge on the luxurious extras you want most. A smaller wedding can be a way for you to ensure your guests have a night they will always remember, and that you have the wedding you always dreamed about. Put your money toward your future: Your wedding day is a magical day and will most likely always hold a distinct place in your heart. But remember, it is just one day. Hosting a smaller wedding means you are free to put additional money toward fu- ture goals, such as putting a down payment on a house or saving to start a family. Remember, your lives together are just beginning. Make your wedding interactive: Start your guests day-off with a creative form of guest book they just can’t wait to sign! Set up a festive photo booth where everyone can take silly and selfie pictures together using fun props. You can even play games as an entire group at your reception, put the instructions and objects needed on each table. Host a pre-wedding party: Some couples have had two receptions, one small and one large, to increase the intimacy of their wedding. Thinking about adaptations like this, and others including a smaller-scale pre-wedding party can make your grand wedding feel comfortable.
6 Bridal Tab 2020 Three wedding trends likely to last Who hasn’t seen a lineup of baby blue tuxedoed groomsmen on the mantle of an older relative? Here are three worthwhile developments in the world of wedding plan- ning that have taken hold in the past few years: • Personal training: Many fitness clubs offer personal training packages for engaged couples. Working out together is a great way to get in shape for your big day and beyond, de-stress during a stressful period, and start your marriage off on a healthful foot. • Wedding websites: Want to communicate fluctuating information about accommodations, your registry and more to your guests? The best way to give your friends and family all the pertinent details they need to help you celebrate is through a wedding website. User-friendly hosting sites can make creating your site easy, no matter the extent of your design skills. • Photojournalism: While posed photography likely will never go out of style, many couples are opting for a more photojournalistic feel to their wedding album. Whether sepia-toned, black and white, or full color, wed- ding photos are taking on a more kinetic feel that can truly showcase a couple’s personality.
Bridal Tab 2020 7 Choosing bridesmaid dresses Nothing can cause more drama than choosing bridesmaids dresses — espe- cially if you have a large bridal party or opinionated attendants. The smart bride understands that this aspect of her wedding is less about her and more about her maids. Have key info. in hand You should know your wedding colors and have your venue booked and your own gown ordered. All of these items will impact the style and hue of the gowns you choose. Will you be choosing the gown or have you decided to allow your maids to choose their own (with your final approval, of course)? Do you want your maids in the same style? Will they be wearing various colors or hues of the same color? Know the an- swers to each of these questions before stepping foot inside a bridal salon. Consider the cost Not everyone is going to have the same budget, and a compassionate bride- to-be will be mindful of this. Unless you are picking up the tab, don’t choose a pricey gown. Not everyone views your wedding as the investment you see it as. Be flexible This applies both to your expectations of the dress and your maids. Keep in mind that the color you see in a magazine might be slightly different in person. Be flexible in terms of what is will look good on different skin tones. Remem- ber, as much as you might love a color, above all, you want everyone to look their best. Order at the right time Many dresses require one to three months to ship, so be sure to allow for this. After the dresses arrive, you also will need time for your maids to pick them up (unless they are being shipped directly) and for the gowns to be altered. So don’t wait too long before checking this item off the bridal to-do list. Find the right fit A bridesmaid dress is typically ordered using a person’s biggest measurements (from the bust, waist and hips), so your friends will likely buy dresses at least a size larger than they normally wear. If a friend wants to buy a size smaller, let her know it’s much easier to alter a larger dress, and if the dress ends up being too small, she’ll likely have to order a new one and you’d hate for that to happen. Select a dress shade There are several foolproof ways to pick the perfect color. One of the easi- est methods is to play off the color schemes of your palette, the venue and the season. Also, think about choosing a shade that goes well with a variety of skin tones. Fully embellished dresses are another fashion-forward option for a more glam- orous affair.
8 Bridal Tab 2020
Make your reception memorable
Your wedding day will pass by so quickly. You want to be able to enjoy every reception doors should open up between forty-five minutes and an hour after
moment of it. Here are ten tips to make sure you and your guests get the most your cocktail hour begins. If the guests are left waiting much longer than that,
out of your reception. they will get restless.
1. Plan like crazy during the months prior to your wedding, but on the wed- 3. Don’t plan too many events during the reception. Most wedding receptions
ding day, let everything go. It is so easy to get caught up on all the details of your have traditional events that must take place, the entrance, first dance, parent
wedding reception, but when the big day arrives, there is very little you can do dance, toasts, cake cutting, bouquet and garter toss and exit. Do not add too
as events unfold. Don’t get upset over little things like the cake knife getting lost, many other events that will interrupt dance time.
or a flower falling out of your bouquet. You will waste precious time fretting
over little details that no one else will notice. 4. Make some music selections and give that information to your band or DJ,
but don’t try and program the entire event. A professional entertainer will be
2. Don’t make your guests wait. We provide our clients with a timeline of the able to read the crowd and adjust the music to keep people dancing. If you tie
wedding day from the moment they start getting ready through the exit from their hands with too many song requests, the energy of the evening may suffer.
the reception. We tell everyone that the time prior to the start of dinner is firm.
We don’t want anyone running late, because the guests will be left standing 5. Have proper lighting. If you want a great dance party, make sure the lights
around doing nothing. are dim. Your guests will be more likely to get up and move if the lights are
In particular, make sure your ceremony starts on time and that the photogra- down. Remember, if you are having a videographer, make sure to discuss the
pher doesn’t take longer than the cocktail hour to complete your photos. Your lighting with him. If it is too dark in the room, the video quality may suffer.
6. Make sure the temperature in your reception room is comfortable. It
shouldn’t be too hot or too cold. Many modern reception facilities have their
room temperatures regulated by computers, so if the room is uncomfortable, it
takes time to change the temperature. Make sure to discuss the issue with your
catering manager or wedding planner prior to the wedding day.
7. Make sure your entertainment is right on the dance floor, not in a corner.
Of course, the entertainment is not the main focus of the day, but your guests
will respond better if they can interact with the band or DJ.
8. Make sure your feet are comfortable. Every bride wants to have stunning
shoes on the wedding day. Usually the most stunning shoes have a three inch
heal and straps or a skinny toe.
They look great for the ceremony and beautiful in photographs, but they don’t
do well on the dance floor. Make sure to bring some flat shoes, sneakers or flip
flops to give your feet a break.
9. Don’t overspend. Nothing is more stressful than watching your beautiful
wedding day unfold knowing that you are in debt because of it. Plan carefully
and spend wisely, you will be able to enjoy your wedding and honeymoon in
peace.
10. Eat, Drink and be Merry! Your guests will take their cues from you. If you
are eating, dancing and enjoying yourselves, your guests will too. When I see a
packed dance floor, typically the bride and groom are right in the center of the
crowd.
Bridal Tab 2020 9
Tips to make your skin more beautiful
Most Americans underestimate the easy to incorporate into a skin care
damage to their skin from brief daily routine.
sun exposure. In fact, fewer than half They are available at mass market
agree that short exposures to the sun retailers and at www.walmart.com and
cause a lot of skin damage. But now www.drugstore.com.
that you know better, you can make a For more information about anti-
positive change. aging skin care, visit www.No-Ad.com.
Cover Up Healthy Habits
Remember to cover up all the time Your skin is a reflection of your
to protect your skin from the effects of overall health. Stay hydrated. Eat a
photo aging, even when you’re driving, well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables,
sitting indoors next to a sunny window whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean
or taking the dog for a quick walk. proteins, such as fish, egg whites and
legumes. Get plenty of rest each night.
Multi-Functional Skin Care These habits can help you look and feel
No matter how much attention you your best.
give your face, it is the constant UV Don’t let the sun get the best of your
damage to the skin on your arms, legs, beauty. Make protecting your skin an
chest, and hands that can give away everyday priority.
your age. A top notch skin care routine
for the entire body is essential.
Whereas in the past, preventing
premature aging of skin on your entire
body could cost a small fortune, there
are now affordable, innovative alterna-
tives
Two formulas prevent premature
skin damage from incidental sun
exposure with SPF 15 UVA/UVB
broad-spectrum protection and also
offer powerful ingredients that repair
or brighten with a premium blend of
antioxidants, and vitamins like A, B6,
C, D and E.
NO-AD Prevent & Repair protects
skin cell DNA from UV light-induced
free radicals with watermelon extract,
while aloe vera acts as an anti-inflam-
matory.
NO-AD Prevent & Brighten bright-
ens with vitamin B3 (niacinamide),
while argan oil helps diminish the
appearance of age spots. Both formulas
provide 36 hours of moisturization
with Pentavitin and are offered as
pump lotions and sprays, making them
10 Bridal Tab 2020
How to choose a wedding venue
Figuring out how to choose a wedding venue is one the first steps on your with most couples spending between $2,700 and $10,500—not a small amount
planning journey. Here’s how to find the wedding location of your dreams, by any stretch. How much you’ll spend on your venue really depends on where
stress free. you’re planning on marrying—renting a venue in a major city will likely cost
The venue you select for your big day really sets the tone for your event, more than one in a more rural area. Talk to your partner and any loved ones
whether you go for a casual beach to a majestic ballroom. who may be contributing financially to your big day and come up with a total
budget—then divide that number by half to determine the amount you can
Choose your wedding’s general location. spend on your venue and catering (which may end up being a combined cost if
There are certain benefits to hosting a hometown wedding (convenience!), you select an all-inclusive venue).
but destination weddings certainly have their perks, too (amazing backdrop!).
You’ll want to select the general location where your event will take place first Come up with an estimated guest count.
and foremost, as this decision will affect all the other details of your big day, Every wedding venue has a capacity—a firm number of guests that it can
from your budget to your venue options. comfortably hold. This number is usually not flexible, so while you don’t need
to come up with an exact number of guests before selecting a venue, you’ll
Figure out your budget. need to have a pretty good estimate. There’s a pretty big difference between a
When it comes to how to choose a wedding venue, one of the most impor- venue that can accommodate 75 guests, and one that can hold 500. Don’t just
tant decisions you’ll make is how much you can spend on a space. And it turns pull a guest count out of thin air (“I want a 100-person wedding!”). Sit down
out that your venue and catering will compromise about half of your wedding with your partner and respective families to come up with a list so there won’t
budget. In the U.S., couples spend an average of $5,400 on their venue alone, be any major surprises later on (you can always add or subtract a few guests if
you need). The last thing you want is to fall in love with a wedding venue with a
200-person capacity only to realize that you have a 350-person guest list.
Think about your priorities.
Once you have a location, budget, and guest count, it’s time to start thinking
about what your dream venue would look like. Sit down with your partner and
choose three features that your ideal venue would have. For example, an out-
door ceremony space, in-house catering, and a rustic feel might on your must-
have list. Or perhaps you’re looking for a venue that’s conveniently located,
pet-friendly, and allows you to choose an outside caterer. The possibilities are
endless and each couple’s priorities will be different.
Narrow down some dates.
Booking a wedding venue means that you’ve officially “set the date” for your
big day. You may already have a wedding date in mind, or you may be able to be
a bit more flexible. Either way, one of the first steps of how to choose a wed-
ding venue is to narrow down a few dates that you know will work for you, your
partner, and your closest loved ones. While saying that you’re getting married
“next fall” is a good start, you should have some specific dates in mind before
looking at venues. While some couples may figure out their wedding date based
on when their dream venue is available, we recommend picking a few dates
before starting your official venue hunt.
Start your venue search online.
Phew! After figuring out all of those details, you can now actually start look-
See Venue on page 11Bridal Tab 2020 11
Venue from page 10
ing at wedding venues. Use a site like WeddingWire to browse wedding venues to meet with the venue coordinator, ask any additional questions, and see if you
in your area, read reviews from past couples, check out photos, and much click with the staff.
more. You can even narrow your search down by your desired capacity, avail-
ability, type of venue you’re interested in, and other amenities, from catering to Weigh the pros and cons.
insurance and more. We recommend perusing venues online as a joint effort If you fall in love at first sight with a particular venue, it can be a pretty amaz-
with your partner, working together to create a short list of venues that you’d ing feeling. However, don’t feel too much pressure to sign on the dotted line
like to learn more about. during your initial tour. It’s best to take a step back, tour a few venues, and dis-
cuss your options with your partner and, if desired, your families. Think about
Reach out to a few venues with some basic questions. the pros and cons of all of the venues you toured, and work together to come
Once you’ve narrowed down a list of five or so venues, send each one a to a decision on your top choice. You may think that you’ve found the perfect
message expressing your interest and asking a few questions. These ques- space for your big day, but perhaps your partner has some concerns. While you
tions should include if they’re available on your desired date, confirming their and your partner might not agree on every aspect of your big day, you should
capacity, and ensuring that they offer the top priorities you discussed with both be happy with your choice of venue. If that means touring a few more
your partner earlier. You can also request pricing information to ensure they’re venues to be sure you’ve found “the one,” do it.
within budget. This initial communication can be also helpful in determining
if a venue’s staff is responsive and helpful. Receiving a friendly email within a Sign on the dotted line.
relatively short timeframe (remember that venues are likely quite busy on the When you and your partner have agreed on your desired venue, ask to
weekends with events!) is an encouraging sign. receive a contract. While it can be really easy to breeze through a contract and
just sign it without much thought, a venue contract is definitely worth a close
Pay a visit to your favorites. read. Don’t be afraid to ask the venue coordinator about any portions of the
One of the most important parts of how to choose a wedding venue is actu- contract that confuse you, and be sure you understand the payment schedule.
ally visiting a few select locations in person. At these in-person visits, you’ll be When you feel comfortable with all aspects of your venue contract, sign it, re-
able to tour the space and decide if it’s the right fit for your big day. Venues may turn the paperwork to the venue, and pop some bubbly! You’ve officially made
look one way in photos, but entirely different in person so while visiting event what’s arguably one of the most important decisions you’ll make during your
spaces might cut into your schedule, they’re super important. You’ll also be able wedding-planning process—and that’s definitely worth celebrating.12 Bridal Tab 2020
Choosing your wedding photographer
When choosing your wedding photographer, you want to ensure they
create the wedding album you’ve always dreamed of. We’ve spoken to the
professionals to get some key insight on how to find the right wedding
photographer.
Your wedding photographer should capture every detail of your big day.
From your place card holders to your hair accessories and your makeup ap-
plications, it’s your photographer’s responsibility to capture it all. This way,
you don’t have to rely completely on memory.
We firmly believe in investing in the right wedding photographer as your
photos are one of the most important aspects of your big day. We asked
master photographer, Jay Rowden, for some expert tips for the bride and
groom when it came to booking a photographer.
1. It pays to have the best
While you can get a good deal with a photographer who’s new to the
industry, you do need to find someone you trust to get it right. Perfection
See Photographer on page 13Bridal Tab 2020 13
Photographer from page 12
comes with experience. 4. Create a detailed action plan
Everything from your chosen venue to the time of year will affect your
2. Browse your photographer’s portfolio wedding photographs. If you’ve got your heart set on certain shots, like
Look through the portfolio of any photographer you’re considering. You couple’s portraits at sunset or a sparkler send-off photo, then you need to
won’t just be looking for examples of the weddings they’ve captured. You’ll talk it through with your photographer.
also be looking at their different styles and approaches. When you find the
photos that resonate with you, you’ve found your style and photographer. More often than not, your photographer will offer a pre-wedding shoot
to help you both gauge what kind of shots you want. It makes taking the
3. Decide on the right style photos on your big day that bit quicker and more efficient.
A professional photographer distinguishes all the subtleties of shooting a
wedding. They’ll know exactly when to photograph your groom as he first 5. Make sure you’ve both done your homework
sees you walking down the aisle, how to achieve the perfect confetti shot, This way, you have a firm idea of what kind of photography style you’ll
and what to do in the event of rain. A creative and flexible approach often receive and you can help pull together some ideas of what shots you want.
results in the most breathtaking and brilliant wedding photographs. You can scope out the quality and the range of skills your photographer has.
The last thing you want is to fork out all that money on your wedding day
and not have some fantastic photos to look back on.14 Bridal Tab 2020
Local Business Directory
Travel Dreams Bob’s Printing
Atlanta, TX 75551 806 W Main St.
903-244-8121 cell Atlanta, TX 75551
903-454-3381 office 903-796-7991
Mattie Lanier Richey Center Geisler Family Dentistry
101 Sportsplex dr. 1 Bayou Dr. Atlanta, TX 75551
Atlanta, TX 75551 Atlanta: 903 796-9051
903-796-3996 105 Church St. Linden, TX 75563
Linden: 903-756-7721
Sweet Briar Farm
357 County Rd 1132 Atlanta Floral and Gifts
Linden, TX 75563 113 E. Main Street Atlanta, TX 75551
903-576-0548 903-796-4149
www.sweetbriarfarm.com
The Legacy and event Center
Whatley Farms 122 E 1st, Hughes Springs, TX 75656
321 CR 1887 903-639-1095
Bivins, TX 75555
903-824-6441 or 903-276-9022 CHRISTUS St. Michael - Atlanta
1007 S William St, Atlanta, TX 75551
The Carriage House 903-799-3000
401 N. Polk St.
Jefferson, TX 75657 The White Gown
903-665-9511 1293 Myrtle Springs
www.CarriageHouseJefferson.com Texarkana, TX 75503
903-293-1557
Ray Harp Diamond Jewelers
108 N. East St. The Gingerbread House
Atlanta, TX 75551 125 W Houston St, Linden, TX 75563
903-796-7185 903-799-8216Bridal Tab 2020 15
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