aspecial supplement to the newberry observer brides...

The Newberry Observer – Friday, Jan. 30, 2009 � PAGE 1

A special supplement to The Newberry Observer

Brides09

� Friday, Jan. 30, 2009 – The Newberry Observer

Table of Contents

BUDGETING TIPS FOR THE HAPPYCOUPLE ______________________ 3

LOCAL WEDDING CAKE OPTIONS ________________ 8

ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT FORM _________ 9

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT FORM ________ 10

TIPS ON TOASTING FOR THE BIG DAY _____________ 12

BRIDAL REGISTRYCHECKLIST __________________ 13

DUTIES OF THE BEST MAN, MAID OF HONOR _______________ 4

WEDDING BUDGET WORKSHEET __________________ 6

GETTING LEGALLOCALLY, HOW TO GET YOUR LICENSE ________________ 2

COUNTDOWN TO MATRIMONY, A PLANNING GUIDE____________ 16

Staff Reports

Before the trip down theaisle, make it legal with a tripdowntown for the marriagelicense.

Marriage licenses are avail-able at the Probate Court inthe Courthouse Annex at1309 College St. Both thebride and groom must bepresent to fill out a marriageapplication and must pro-vide two forms of identifica-tion such as a drivers licenseor Social Security card. If

either is under the age of 18,a birth certificate is required,and a parent or legalguardian must be present.

A fee of $45 is requiredwith copies costing $5 apiece.The license will be issued 24hours later. For a weekendwedding, this means that acouple must apply for alicense no later than theThursday before.

The Probate Court is openfrom 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Monday through Friday.

License to wed

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CALL: 276-0625


Wedding invitations are typicallymailed out six to eight weeks prior to awedding. In the past, this gave guestsample time to fit the wedding into theirschedules. But as friends and familyhave become busier and more over-scheduled and wedding guests arespread all across the country, save-the-date cards have grown in popularity.

There are distinct advantages to usingsave-the-date cards over just mailingout wedding invitations earlier. Cost is alarge factor. There have been occasionswhere a last-minute change has to bemade to the wording of an invitation,whether a clergyman must be replacedor the venue has to be changed. If invi-tations were mailed out early, therecould be a large cost in reprinting newinvitations with the correct informationand subsequently resending them.Human carelessness is another factor.It’s much easier for guests to misplacean invitation if they receive it far inadvance of the wedding. Then they maynot accurately remember ceremony andreception times and may not have thedirections to the venue.

Save-the-date cards can be mailedseveral months in advance of a wed-ding. They’re often used if a wedding isbeing held during the peak season orclose to the holidays and it is anticipat-ed that guests will have to pick andchoose among events to attend. Theseearly reminders are also useful if a des-tination wedding is being held, or if out-of-town-guests have to make travel

a r r a n g e -m e n t s .Having extranotice may

help them secure a discount on a flightor apply for a passport, if necessary.Some couples simply choose to sendsave-the-date cards just as an addedannouncement that the wedding will becoming and they’re excited about it.

Just as wedding invitations are as var-ied as the couples who choose them,

Special save-the-date touchesADVANCENOTICE —Save-the-dateannounce-ments giveguestsample timeto makearrange-ments toattend yourwedding.

When it comes to planninga wedding, finances are firstand foremost on the minds ofmany couples. As the costsassociated with weddingscontinue to rise, the need fora budget only grows moreapparent.

But how can a couple estab-lish and stick to a budget?Doing so depends on eachindividual couple, how muchthey can spend and whatthey're willing to sacrifice fortheir big day.

ESTABLISHING A BUDGETWedding budgets can vary

Budgeting tips for brides and grooms

DEFINING YOUR RECEPTION — When establishing a wedding budget, couples should bemindful of what they hope to offer their guests at the reception.

� See SAVE, page 5

� See BUDGET, page 7

How to get whatyou want, withoutbreaking the bank

Apopularity contestoften comes into playwhen an engaged

couple is selecting friendsand family members to bepart of their wedding party.Often there is great specula-tion surrounding who will bebestowed the honor of beinga bridesmaid or groomsmanand who will win the covetedspots of best man and maidof honor. The pressure couldultimately become a cause ofundue stress for the happycouple.

Before making the deci-sions based solely on who isa best friend or favoritecousin, consider the respon-sibilities the maid of honorand best man must upholdaccording to tradition. Thismay make pairing the rightperson with the job thatmuch easier.

BEST MANThis is the groom’s right-

hand man. He has a series ofresponsibilities, none whichshould be taken lightly.

• Oversees the grooms-men, making sure they are ontime for the ceremony, prop-erly dressed and have theirboutonnieres on the leftlapel.

• Ensures that the groom isdressed and ready for theceremony. The best man mayactually help the groom todress in his tuxedo.

• Introduces people andbreaks the ice.

• Holds the wedding ringsuntil they are blessed. If aring bearer will be used, it issuggested that faux rings betied to the pillow and the bestman continues to hold thereal things.

• Takes care of payment to

Best man, maid ofhonor: the duties

PAGE 4 � Friday, Jan. 30, 2009 – The Newberry Observer

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� See DUTIES, page 8

Who doesn't hope for good fortune on theirwedding day? That's why there are so many tra-ditions and steps people take to ensure luck issmiling down on them for their wedding. Hereare some traditions you may not have knownabout.

* According to Greek culture, tuck a sugarcube into your glove on your wedding. Thesugar will sweeten your union.

* English tradition says that Wednesday is thebest day to marry. Monday is for wealth andTuesday is for health.

* The groom carries his newly betrothedacross the threshold to protect her from evilspirits.

* Hindu tradition says rain on your weddingday is good luck.

* For good luck, Egyptian women are known

Wedding folklore


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to pinch the bride on her wedding day.* In Holland a pine tree is planted outside of

the newlyweds' home for good luck and fertili-ty.

* A law in 1775 said a wedding was not legalif the bride wore makeup during the ceremony.

* Wedding and engagement rings are worn onthe fourth finger of the left hand because it waslong believed a vein ran from that finger direct-ly to the heart.

* Ancient Greeks and Romans said a weddingveil protected the bride from evil spirts. It hasbeen a tradition to wear a veil ever since.

* The term "tie the knot" comes from Romantimes when the bride wore a girdle tied in knotsthat the groom was later able to untie. Somealso believe it refers to the knots of rope thatwere tied to form the marriage bed.

e, myths, charmssave-the-date cards come in avariety of styles as well. Infact, they don’t have to becards at all. Here are somecreative ideas to consider.

• Magnets: To help guestskeep save-the-dates in a visi-ble spot, magnets that dis-play your photo with wed-ding date or some other vari-ation are quite handy. Theycan be affixed to the refriger-ator or another conspicuousspot for easy reference.

• Calendar: With theadvent of personalized cal-endars you can create a keep-sake item that counts downthe days to the wedding.Each month can feature a dif-ferent photo or inspirationalquotation.

• Everyday items: Save-the-date information can be

printed on bookmarks, pens,playing cards or even stick-on notepads.

• Scratch-offs: For thosewho enjoy the thrill of sus-pense, save-the-date scratch-offs play on the public’s loveof lottery games. Guests getinteractive action by scratch-ing off the silver box touncover the wedding date.

• Food items: Have candybar wrappers printed withthe save-the-date informa-tion and guests will beoffered an added treat.

• Use your imagination:Save-the-date informationcan be printed or added toanything you desire. Forexample, if you are planninga beach-themed wedding,glass bottles filled with col-ored sand can be tagged withthe wedding date. For wed-dings around the holidays,mail out gingerbread menthat announce your weddingdate.

� save

Continued from page 3

According to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention(CDC), more than 2 million couplesget married across the United Stateseach year.

Counting honeymoon and otherwedding-related expenses, the wed-ding industry grosses more than $1billion annually. If 2 million wed-dings per year seems like a highnumber, consider the statistics inChina, where the China NewsAgency reported more than 9 millionweddings in 2006 alone. And thoughAmericans, particularly those who

have already walked down the aisle, are often quick tobemoan the high cost of weddings, those costs are notexclusive to the Western hemisphere.

In Japan, for instance, the Census of Japan 2005 reportedthat Japanese brides spent an average of $70,000 per wed-ding. With such high costs, it's no wonder a 2008 article inthe Pacific Daily News claimed that 25 percent of allJapanese brides marry in Guam, where they can expect tosave up to 60 percent of the costs associated with beingmarried in Japan.

Of course, for those looking for an especially affordableand quick wedding, Las Vegas still reigns supreme, playinghost to more than 100,000 weddings per year.

DID YOU KNOW?

$


C e r e m o n yLocation fee

Officiant fee

Marriage license

Rings

Pillow

Total ceremony:

R e c e p t i o nReception Site

Food

Drinks

Rentals

Cake

Favors

Total reception:

A t t i r eGown

Headpiece/veil

Undergarments/hosiery

Shoes

Accessories

Jewelry

Makeup

Hair

Tuxedo

Shoes

Cuff links

Men’s grooming

Total attire:

M u s i cCeremony musicians

Band/DJ

Extra musicians

Total music:

F l o w e r sCeremony

Bride’s bouquet

Bridesmaids’ bouquets

Corsages and boutonnieres

Reception centerpieces

Flower girl basket

Bathroom arrangements

Total flowers:

P h o t o g r a p h yPhotographer’s fees

Videographer’s fees

Total photography:

TransportationLimousines

Buses/transport for guests

Total transportation:

S t a t i o n a r yInvitations

Calligraphy

Postage

Thank-you cards

Total stationery:

G i f t sWedding party

Parents

Other

Total gifts:

H o n e y m o o nAccommodations

Food

Total honeymoon:

Wedding BudgetWorksheet

Total Wedding Budget:

Every year, newlyweds are on thereceiving end of many a gift. Asfriends and family descend on home-towns to toast the happy couple, theydo so with an abundance of gifts intow. However, even couples that pointguests toward their registry often endup with more than one of the samething. For those looking to avoid giv-ing a gift the couple already has, con-sider the following ideas:

• Money. Money is one gift newly-weds never mind seeing repeated. Infact, it’s customary for guests to givemoney in some regions of the country.With escalating costs of weddings,many couples are responsible forsome, if not all, of those costs thesedays. Therefore, money is a logical giftand one you’ll know will be put togood use. For couples about to headoff on a honeymoon, money can givethem the means to have a good timewhile abroad.

• Pool resources with other guests.Sometimes couples desire somethingexpensive that they cannot afford anddon’t expect their guests to provideeither. However, guests might want tochip in together and get them thatunexpected, expensive gift. It willsurely surprise the couple, and guestswon’t have to worry about the giftbeing given by someone else.

• Offer to put them up on theirwedding night. Many newlywedsprefer to spend their first night as hus-band and wife in a luxurious hotelroom before making their way to theairport the next morning and headingoff on their honeymoon. Guests look-ing to make the wedding night extraspecial should consider offering topay for the hotel room, and find thebest suite they can. Obviously, thiswill need to be arranged well inadvance, but it can be a gift the new-lyweds will remember forever.

What togive thebride,groom


affordably priced.

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greatly depending on the couple andthe type of wedding they desire. Awedding budget should be establishedas far in advance as possible.

When setting the budget, it's best todetermine exactly how much you canspend, and then set the budget lowerthan that. For example, if the most youcan afford is $25,000, set your budgetat $22,000. This will allow you somewiggle room when the inevitable hap-pens and you’re forced to go overbudget.

MONITOR YOUR SPENDINGOnce a budget has been determined,

a good way for couples to adhere tothat budget is to establish a separatewedding spending account. Thisaccount should be separate from per-

sonal accounts, and all weddingexpenses should be drawn solely fromthis wedding account. This is a goodway to monitor how much you’respending, and your monthly state-ment will provide an itemized list ofhow much is being deposited andspent.

BE READY TO SPEND MORERegardless of how well you’ve

planned the wedding, you’re going toend up spending more than your ini-tial budget allowed. This happens fora number of reasons, ranging fromovertime fees at the reception to tip-ping the vendors to larger guest liststhan you might have originallyintended.

Prepare for the inevitable over-spending by cutting back on otherexpenses leading up to the big day.Rather than going out to dinner onweekends, make a homecooked mealto save some money. Instead of costly

trips to a night club, invite friendsover for the night. You’ll be surprisedhow much these subtle lifestylechanges can save you.

STICK TO YOUR GUNSWhile you should be prepared to

spend more, that extra spendingshould be saved for things such as tip-ping the staff and possibly payingmore for an additional guest or two.Where couples should be budget-cau-tious is when vendors try to up-sellservices. For example, while a top-shelf bar might be a nice gesture, it canbe considerably more expensive thanjust offering beer at your reception,and letting your guests pay for liquor.

If a vendor tries to up-sell, couplesshould not hold that against the ven-dor. After all, that is the vendor’s job.Instead, prioritize what you wantbefore you go visit any vendors.You’re much more likely to be happywith your selections.

� budget



The Firehouse Conference CenterThe Firehouse Conference Center

Call to book your

Contact: Suzanne ElstonContact: Suzanne Elston

Phone: 276-1800 • e-mail: [email protected]: 276-1800 • e-mail: [email protected]

or Special Event.

the clergy and other finan-cial contributions after theceremony. He may also tieup any loose financial endswith the reception staff.

• Ensures that the groomhas the marriage license andwill subsequently be one ofthe signatures on that docu-ment as a witness to the mar-riage.

• Makes sure that honey-moon travel arrangementshave been made and maytransport the couple to theairport if necessary.

• Returns the groom’s tux(and any from irresponsiblegroomsmen) to the rentalplace.

• Arranges the bachelorparty if one will be held.

• Writes and issues a toastat the wedding ceremony.

• Dances with the maid ofhonor.

MAID OF HONORThe maid of honor —

matron if the woman is mar-ried — will handle a numberof functions for the brideand wedding party toreduce the amount of stresson the bride.

• Helps addressannouncements or weddinginvitations with the bride.

• Arranges the bridalshower with other membersof the bridal party and possi-bly the bride’s mother.

• Makes sure the brides-maids are aware of dress fit-tings and any responsibili-ties the bride has giventhem to do.

• Assists bride with hertrain during and after the

ceremony.• Holds the bride’s bou-

quet during ring exchangeor other moments during theceremony.

• Assists the photogra-pher with identifying keymembers of the family whowill need to be pho-tographed.

• Witnesses and signs themarriage certificate alongwith the best man.

• Helps the bride andbridesmaids with dressing.

• Organizes a bache-lorette party if one will beheld.

• Helps the bride andgroom depart for their hon-eymoon.

• Takes care of returningthe wedding gown to thebride’s home or to becleaned.

• May present a speech atthe bridal shower.

� duties


Cathy’s Cakery• Cakes start at $65. Price

depends depends on the sizeand number of servings.

• Wedding cake ordersshould be placed six months inadvance, but cakes have beenmade at a week’s notice.

• Phone number, 405-1800.

Wal-Mart• Minimum of $84, depends

on which cake is selected.• Orders must be placed two

weeks in advance.

* Both Food Lion and Bi-Lobakeries do not make weddingcakes locally.

LOCALOPTIONS FOR

WEDDINGCAKES


Engagement Announcement (Please print legibly)

________________________________________________________________________(Name of person or persons announcing the wedding)

of ______________________________________________________announce/announces (City & State)

the engagement of his/her/their daughter, ________________________________________

of____________________________________ to ________________________________(City & State) (Groom-Elect)

of ____________________________________________________. The groom-elect is the (City & State)

son of____________________________________of ______________________________.(Groom’s Parents) (City & State)

The bride’s maternal grandparents are __________________________________________.

The bride’s paternal grandparents are __________________________________________.

The groom’s maternal grandparents are ________________________________________.

The groom’s paternal grandparents are ________________________________________.

The groom is a graduate of __________________________________________________.

He is employed at __________________________________________________________.

The bride is a graduate of ____________________________________________________.

She is employed at ________________________________________________________.

The wedding will be held ______________on ____________________________________(Time) (Day & Date)

at________________________________________________________________________(Place wedding will be held)

How do we reach you if we have any questions?__________________________________.

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Wedding Announcement(Please print legibly)

Miss ____________________________of ___________________________________(Name of Bride) (City & State)

and ______________________________of ___________________________________(Name of Groom) (City & State)

were united in marriage on ____________at __________________________________. (Date)

The ceremony was performed by____________________________________________.

The bride is the daughter of_______________________________of ______________.(Bride’s Parents) (City & State)

The bride’s maternal grandparents are ______________________________________.

The bride’s paternal grandparents are ________________________________________.

The groom is the son of_______________________________of __________________.(Groom’s Parents) (City & State)

The groom’s maternal grandparents are ______________________________________.

The groom’s paternal grandparents are ______________________________________.

The groom is a graduate of ________________________________________________.

He is employed at ______________________________________________________.

The bride is a graduate of ________________________________________________.

She is employed at ______________________________________________________.

The bride wore __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________.

Her bouquet was ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________.

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Her attendants were ____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________.

They wore ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________.

Her matron of honor was ________________________________________________.

She wore ______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________.

Her maid of honor was __________________________________________________.

She wore ______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________.

The bride was given in marriage by ________________________________________.

The mother of the bride wore ______________________________________________

The mother of the groom wore ____________________________________________.

Decorations were________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________.

Best man was___________________________. Groomsmen were ________________

______________________________________________________________________

Flower girl was ________________________________________________________ .

Ring Bearer was ________________________________________________________.

Pianist/organists (circle one) was __________________________________________.

The soloist was ________________________________________________________.

After a wedding trip to ____________________________________________________

the couple will reside in __________________________________________________.

How do we reach you if we have any questions? ______________________________

____________________________________________________________________.

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A wedding day toast is a tradition thathas long been a part of wedding celebra-tions. Toasts are a personal way of com-memorating the good fortune of thenewly betrothed and looking forward tofuture happiness.

The best man traditionally gives themain toast at the wedding. At differentoccasions on the road to the weddingthere may be other opportunities fortoasts from the maid of honor or eventhe parents of the bride and groom.

While some people are natural oratorsand have no trouble speaking in front oflarge crowds of people, the majority oftoasters approach the toast with a bit oftrepidation. Apart from the anxiety ofspeaking in front of a group of friendsand relatives, it can be nervewracking tocome up with sentiments for the toast,which can mean the difference between amemorable or an embarrassing weddingday experience.

While there are no toasting guaran-tees, following a few tips can help nerv-ous toasters do a bang-up job.

• Be prepared: Individuals who try to“wing it” the day of the wedding mayfind their nerves get the best of them. It’sbest to write out your thoughts inadvance of the wedding and fine tuneyour sentiments many times. Thinkabout whether you want to go funny orsentimental. Consider your relationshipwith the bride and groom and try to per-sonalize the speech as much as possible.Practice the toast in front of others andget some unbiased opinions before thewedding.

• Time it right: If the thought of spend-ing the entire reception waiting to givethe toast has you on edge, ask theprospective couple if you can give thetoast early on in the night. This way you

PAGE 12 � Friday, Jan. 30, 2009 – The Newberry Observer

WWW .D I A N N EGRE E NPHO TOGR A PH Y . C OM

Tips on toasting with style, ease

� See TOASTS, page 14


You bought the gown,scheduled the hairstylist, andpicked out the bridal acces-sories. But are you forgettingabout one of the most impor-tant parts of looking beauti-ful on your wedding day:your face?

Every bride wants to shineon her wedding day, but sheprobably doesn’t want herskin to shine, too. Problemslike oily, dry, or irritated skinplague a good portion of thepopulation. But on yourwedding day you don’t wantskin inconveniences to ruinyour festivities.

“One of the best ways toput your best face forward isto know your skin type, whatcauses you to breakout, andto avoid any products or

foods that may contribute tothe problem — at least untilthe last wedding photo hasbeen snapped,” says BrookeTilson, a Toronto makeupartist. If you don’t know theanswers to these questions,you may want to visit a der-matologist a few monthsbefore the wedding to talkabout your concerns and toget recommendations forproper skin care.

In addition to professionalskin advice, here are someother ways to maximize yourbeauty potential come yourwedding day.

CLEANSING AND TONINGHealthy skin starts with

clean skin. Be sure to removemakeup every night and

wash your facewith a mildcleanser appropri-ate for your skintype twice daily.Toners can refreshthe skin, dry up anyextra oil on the sur-face and clean outpores. Now is notthe time to experi-ment with the latestand greatest prod-ucts out there. Youdon’t want to riskirritation to yourskin before yourwedding day.

BE GENTLEWhen cleansing,

drying, or evenapplying makeup,treat your skin witha soft hand. Blotgently with cottonballs or swabs, andavoid tugging orrubbing the skin.Not only can thiscause redness or irritation, itmay also contribute to long-term wrinkling.

NOT SO ‘SUN’SATIONALMany brides-to-be believe

that suntanning will curemany of their skin ailments.This isn’t the case. While sun-bathing may temporarilyalleviate acne or breakouts, itcould actually compound theproblem and make outbreaksworse over time.

Other ladies think thattanned skin will make themlook better against theirwhite bridal gown. However,on your wedding day youshould look like the best ver-sion of you, not a completestranger. Fair-skinned indi-viduals may look out of placewith a deep tan.

Err on the side of moderatewhenever contemplatingmodifying your skin tone, asit will affect makeup choicesand other things as well.

And avoid tanning boothsor sitting out in the sun. Ifyou must be tan, look for arti-ficial spray tans or bronzersthat create natural-lookingcolor.

MAKEUPConservative, natural-

looking makeup should alsobe the rule. The photographsyou take on your weddingday will be a testament to theera and moments you shared.But you don’t want to lookdated when you reminisceyears later.

Choose muted shades oneyes, lips and cheeks thatenhance, rather than coverup your beauty. Select make-up that is smudge- andwaterproof so it will stand upto tears of joy and kisses fromwell-wishers.

Pressed or loose powdercan also be your best friend.It will come in handy whenyou have to touch up spotson your face or combat shine.

Put in ‘face time’ for the big day

LET YOU SHINE — Don’t hide behind aveil your entire wedding day. Learn theway to healthy, vibrant skin.


can relax afterward andenjoy the party.

• Jot down notes: If youthink your nerves will get thebest of you, bring some indexcards with key phrases of thetoast. You could write out theentire speech, but if you sim-ply read it, the toast couldseem stiff and impersonal.

• Hold off on cocktails:While it’s generally fine tohave one or two drinks priorto the toast to loosen up, it’snot recommended to beintoxicated. Alcohol andpublic speaking often do notmix. You don’t want to saysomething you will regretlater on or make a mockeryof the wedding.

• Keep it short: Aim for atwo- or three-minute speech.Something long-windedwon’t hold the attention ofwedding guests who arelooking to get on with thefun of the wedding recep-tion.

• Speak slowly and clearly:Articulate and speak loudenough so everyone can hearthe speech. You will likely behanded a microphone. If youget nervous and trip up, sim-ply make a quick joke andget back to it. Others willunderstand if you are tense.

• Don’t be afraid of get-ting emotional: “Weddingguests would rather see realfeelings than a beauty-pag-eant speech,” says SharonNaylor, author of “YourSpecial Wedding Toasts.” Soif you get choked-up, don’tworry.

� toasts


❐ Everyday dinnerware❐ Everyday glassware❐ Everyday cutlery❐ Formal dinnerware❐ Fine crystal❐ Silver❐ Fine cutlery❐ Pots and pans❐ Casserole dishes❐ Knives❐ Cooking utensils: whisk, potato masher, ladle,spatulas, etc.❐ Steamers❐ Cookie sheets and breadtins❐ Serving utensils❐ Serving platters❐ Hand mixer❐ Toaster❐ Vacuum cleaner

❐ Iron❐ Food processor❐ Blender❐ Coffee pot❐ Suitcases❐ Duffel and garment bags❐ Pillows❐ Sheets, pillowcases,shams❐ Comforter and blankets❐ Bath towels and handtowels, everyday and fancy

❐ Fill in the blankRemember, there should bea checkbox to fill with yourpersonal style. Tools, grills,be creative.

BRIDAL REGISTRY CHECKLIST


While housewares and kitchen elec-tronics still dominate wedding reg-istries, today’s tech-savvy brides-to-beare expanding their gift options andincluding more big-ticket electronics onregistries, too.

Perhaps it’s a trend spurred on by agreater influence from grooms-to-bewith the registering process, or a reflec-tion of the times: women are no longerkitchen-bound and content simply withblenders and coffee makers. Regardless,trends indicate that everything from flatpanel televisions, to home-theater sys-tems to digital and video cameras arepopular registry items.

In lieu of this registry evolution, hereare some tips for women ready to hit thestores and create wedding registries.

• Register for what you need or want.Many of today’s couples have livedindependently in their own homesbefore tying the knot. So it’s likely thatthey have many home essentialsalready. There’s no point in registeringfor a set of silverware if you alreadyhave one. Think about the items that canadd to your inventory or specialtyeffects that you now desire, such as finechina or a video camera to capture yournewlywed memories.

• Think multiple registries. You need-n’t limit yourself to one store. Choosethree favorite retailers and registeritems at each. This gives guests plentyof items to choose from on your wishlists and provides greater flexibility to

those who don’t live by a specific storeor don’t have online access for Webshopping. Just be sure not to overlapitems between stores, because then youcould end up with doubles of things. It’sbetter to choose three distinct retailers,such as a big-box store for linens, ahousewares store for small kitchenappliances and cooking essentials, andan electronics center for those techy giftsyou’d love to have.

• Register as a couple. It certainlymay seem more time-efficient if you goout on your own to register, but involv-ing your spouse in gift selection giveshim more of a say in the householdchoices and future marriage. As registry

p r o t o c o lchanges evenfurther, yourguy can evenchoose itemsthat are specif-ically “guy-zone” items,such as toolsand power

equipment for the garage. This encour-ages a balance and both of you can walkaway happy.

• Don’t get blinded by greed. It’s easyto go overboard when you have thestore’s registry scanner gun in yourhand. But firing it at every item on theshelves is certainly not the way to go.Remember, make a list of the items thatyou really need or want. Have a rangeof items that are priced at a spectrum sothere’s something for every guests’budget. Consider avoiding the cheapestor smaller items — a ladle here, a meatthermometer there — because those arethings you can certainly pick up on yourown.

Big-ticket items are now on the listTAKE YOURPICK —Register as acouple andhelp strength-en yourchoices forthe future.

Don’t leave anythingbehind! This list will actas a guide so you don’tforget anything. It can bemodified based on yourdestination’s weather.

CLOTHING❑ pants/shorts❑ bathing suit❑ parka or coat❑ socks❑ undergarments❑ pajamas❑ shoes, dress and

casual, (plus a good pairof walking shoes)

❑ belt❑ sweater❑ rain gear or umbrella

TOILETRIES❑ toothbrush, toothpaste, floss❑ comb, brush❑ shampoo, conditioner❑ deodorant❑ soap

❑ unbreakable mirror❑ cosmetics❑ nail clippers❑ contact lenses and eyeglasses❑ mouthwash❑ vitamins and other medications

EXTRAS❑ alarm clock❑ camera and film❑ insect repellent❑ sunblock❑ contraceptives

❑ pain reliever❑ maps, guidebooks❑ calling card❑ emergency phone numbers❑ travel supplies❑ cash; foreign currency; checks❑ credit and banking cards❑ traveler’s checks❑ passport❑ driver’s license❑ health insurance information

HONEYMOON PACKING CHECKLIST


To help you get a better understanding of how to plan a wedding and when you should be making certain decisions, here’s a timeframe you can follow

that should ensure that your wedding goes off as smoothly as possible.

10 TO 12 MONTHS BEFOREIf you haven’t done it already, this is a good time to announce your engagement and introduce your respective families. Since

most reception halls and churches have busy wedding schedules, it is also important to book both as early as possible, preferablyat least a year in advance of your wedding day. It’s also a good idea to start putting together a guest list around this time and askyour parents whom they’d like to invite as well. Also, since your budget will determine just about every aspect of your wedding,sitting down and determining what you can spend, and developing a savings plan should be first and foremost.

6 TO 9 MONTHS BEFOREThis is the time when you want to start booking some services, such as a florist, caterer, a DJ/band, and a photographer.

However, some of the more experienced DJs and bands as well as photographers might have their schedules booked a year inadvance, so this might be something you’ll want to consider doing shortly after you get engaged and choose a date. Also, this isa good time to inform any guests who will be traveling significant distances of the date of your wedding. The earlier your guestscan book a flight, the less expensive that flight will be.

This is also a good time to order gowns for both the bride and bridesmaids, as some manufacturers require a few months toship to bridal shops. You might want to ask someone such as your priest or rabbi to be the officiant of your wedding. And muchlike out-of-town guests will save travel dollars the earlier they learn of your wedding date, you will likely save money, too, if youbook your honeymoon around this time.

4 TO 5 MONTHS BEFOREThis is a good time to decide on wedding invitations, of which there are many styles to choose from. Also, now is ideal to start

hunting for a wedding cake by sampling a number of different bakeries and their style of cakes before ultimately making a deci-sion. Just to be sure, confirm that all of the bridesmaids have ordered their gowns and start looking for a tuxedo for the groom aswell as the groomsmen. If you haven’t done so already, purchase your wedding rings and let any other people you’d like to par-ticipate in your wedding (ushers, readers during the ceremony, etc.) know of your intentions.

2 TO 3 MONTHS BEFOREFinalize your guest list and mail out your invitations. If your guest list includes a considerable amount of people who are spread

out geographically, mail the invitations as close to 12 weeks in advance as possible. This is also a good time to finalize your menuchoices for your guests, and find all your wedding accessories such as the ring pillow, candles, etc. Also, since it is tradition to pro-vide gifts for those in the wedding party as well as the parents of the bride and groom, this is a good time to decide on and pur-chase those gifts. Just to be safe, confirm that all groomsmen have ordered their tuxedos and finalize all transportation, both toand from the wedding and to the airport for your honeymoon.

1 TO 2 MONTHS BEFORESchedule the first bridal-gown fitting. Also finalize the readings you’d prefer during the ceremony and mail them out to any-

one who has agreed to do a reading. If your family prefers to host a small gathering for close family and friends after the wed-ding rehearsal, the night before the wedding, this is a good time to order any food or drinks you might want to serve that night,or make a restaurant reservation.

3 TO 4 WEEKS BEFOREConfirm your honeymoon arrangements and see if your wedding rings are ready. This is also when you should get your mar-

riage license and check the guest list to see who has and hasn’t RSVP’d. For those who have yet to RSVP, you might want to con-tact them so you can get a closer idea of what the head count will be. You should also prepare and order your wedding programaround this time.

1 TO 2 WEEKS BEFOREGet a final attendance count and submit it to the caterer as soon as you know of it, while also providing a final seating chart.

Pick up the wedding gown and tuxedo. Make sure the wedding party picks up their attire. Also, finalize your vows and confirmall wedding-day details such as transportation, photo schedules, and addresses. And don’t forget to pack for your honeymoon.

THE DAY BEFOREThis is mainly when you rehearse for the ceremony and make any final confirmations you might have to make. Also, make sure

to get some sleep so you’ll look good in all of your wedding-day photos.

Countdown to matrimony

aspecial supplement to the newberry observer brides...

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