weddings
4 tips for a memorable wedding day menu
We all love the pomp and circumstance of a wedding ceremony, but let’s be honest, after seeing the bride’s dress, the next most anticipated part of the wedding is the reception — specifically the food. Planning a menu that will satisfy all your guests can be a herculean effort and a budget-buster. My Chef Catering and Harner’s Bakery in Aurora suggest considering these factors when planning your wedding cuisine.
Customizing receptions for bride and groom
The key word at wedding receptions these days is customization - fitted for the bride and groom. DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip does so using such elements as creative cakes, up-lighting, a photo booth, backdrops, tablescapes, individualized menus and more.
Hair trends for brides
Second only to the wedding dress, in terms of appearance, is the hair style a bride wears on the big day. Experts weigh in on what the trends are in 2013 for bridal coifs.
Personalized gifts for wedding party
A great way a bride or groom can show their appreciation to a bridesmaid or groomsman is through a personalized gift, one that may include an individualized message or even a wedding logo.
Proper seat planning for the wedding
Figuring out where to seat guests at a wedding can be a tricky proposition. A wedding coordinator who is an expert on the topic of seating arrangements at weddings gives her suggestions.
Wedding cakes outside the box
Make your wedding more festive and delicious by creating such desserts as a cupcake tower, a character cake or tiered cakes of cheese.
A mobile app wedding planner
Mobile apps are a fantastic way to have a wedding planner without the usual expense. It has a preset list of to-dos associated with the ceremony and reception.
Honeymoon trend gives couples opportunity for travel
Couples who never envisioned being able to afford travel post-nuptials will be pleasantly surprised to learn options exist for having guests assist with expenditures related to partaking in a fairytale honeymoon.
Historical sites afford unique ceremony venues
There’s been a significant increase in making wedding memories where America’s history was made. One such special place is Valley Forge, in Montgomery County, Penn., Philadelphia’s biggest and most affluent bedroom. Amidst a spectacular backdrop of 3,500-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park, couples flock to Washington Memorial Chapel searching for a date for exchanging vows.
Create a dream winter wedding while staying green
Environmentally correct weddings are a popular trend right now. Locally grown products, electronic invitations and favors made from eco-friendly materials keep the green in the wedding budget and the earth,
Make your engagement stand out
Make your wedding engagment idea as unique as the woman with whom you are planning on spending your life. Finding the right venue or moment is crucial ro creating a lifetime of beautiful memories.
What to get the groom who has everything - now that he has you
Q: My fiance and I want to exchange gifts on the wedding day. Just one problem: What do I get him?! A: Look for a gift that represents something you've shared. If you love doing crossword puzzles together, you could get him a leather-bound book …
Step this way to find your Cinderella wedding shoe
NEW YORK (AP) - No offense to Cinderella, but she sort of had it backwards. The shoe should be at the end of the to-do list for a wedding fairy tale. After the engagement, first consider the venue, then the dress - then the shoes …
Take this ring and shove it
Just because the marriage didn’t work out, does that mean a perfectly good ring has to wind up in the Chicago River? Sometimes, yes. JANE: I didn’t even wait till the divorce was final. I had left my lawyer’s office and was walking to the …
Renewing vows a journey of the heart
There’s no better way to reaffirm your commitment to one another than a vow renewal experience in a tropical location like St. Lucia.
Find footwear that feels fantstic on big day
With all the hoopla surrounding the big day, sore feet are the last thing a bride needs. Buy shoes that are graceful and comfortable for optimum wear.
Cut the price but not the elegance
For brides-to-be, the big day seems like it comes with a big price tag – but it doesn’t have to. The season’s top wedding trends pair elegance and affordability with options to make an event that is uniquely “you.” To stay within your budget, follow these wedding trends: Romance at a reasonable price Perhaps no other setting is more romantic than the outdoors. Mother Nature provides the best backdrop for your special occasion. Outdoor weddings can be more affordable as parks or gardens typically offer rental areas at a reasonable rate. Know a relative with a beautiful yard? Ask them
The problem with personalized vows
So let’s get personal. About personally worded wedding vows, that is. Here’s a real-world example from Brides.com (edited for space): From a bride, to her groom: You have made me feel moreloved than I ever thought possible . I choose you today. And I would …
Yorkville couple takes the plunge — literally
Andy Lee and Samantha Kolar aren’t the conventional type. So when they said they were getting married and taking “the plunge,” they meant it quite literally. The Yorkville couple, who met more than five years ago, exchanged vows on Saturday morning at Raging Waves Water …
Planning a wedding a little different this time
Joining a life with another, perhaps especially at our ages and certainly with all our children (eight), is no small undertaking. The most important things, the preparations for our marriage itself, are taking place more or less behind the scenes. Ironically, to me, what quickly takes center stage, though really it lasts only a moment, is the wedding day itself.
Wedding rings: Can they survive a long marriage?
During my wedding, I promised to stick with my husband “until death do us part.” The marriage is great, but after 25 years, my wedding ring is disintegrating. The trouble started a couple of years ago when I signed up for a power fitness class. …
'Green day' - How to go green on your special day
Most brides want to be dressed in white, or some shade of ivory, cream or champagne, as they walk down the aisle. But more are choosing to add green to their wedding day. As people become more aware of ways to protect the environment and …
Bridal registry trends reflect old and new
Amanda Davis grew up listening to stories of her grandmother's beloved china. When her grandmother surprised her by giving those cherished pieces to Davis to celebrate her own wedding, the precious gift marked a dream come true. "I cannot tell you how much it meant …
Say 'I do' to the season's trendiest bridal accessories
Finally found the perfect dress? Now it's time to go from blushing bride to a fashion stand-out your family and friends will be talking about for years. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of old-Hollywood glamour or the daring innovation of the avant-garde, fashion instructors …
How to hire a wedding photographer
The average wedding costs about $27,000, according to a recent survey from The Knot. One of the most important investments for brides and grooms is hiring the right professional photographer to capture the special moments of their big day. In fact, about a quarter of …
Budget-friendly honeymoon destinations
After stressing out over the wedding location, the food, the guest list, the dress, the hair, the colors, the music and making five seating charts, your reward is to be whisked away for the best vacation of your life with your new better half. Though …