2011 spring wedding guide

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Delight your guests with distinct dessertsBY HELEN [email protected]

We all know that it is good luck to at least taste a bride and groom’s wedding cake. (Or

maybe we say that so that we have an excuse to get that extra glass of cham-pagne to toast the new couple?) Either way, most people have witnessed the traditional cake-cutting ceremony. Research suggests that the tradition of the wedding cake began back in the Roman Empire. At the time, a loaf of bread was broken over the heads of the newlyweds to bring them luck and prosperity.

Guests would then scramble for crumbs that fell to the ground. Pre-sumably, the consumption of such pieces ensured fertility.

Wedding cakes still take center stage in the traditional cake-cutting cer-emony, symbolically the first task that the bride and groom perform jointly as husband and wife.

The first piece of cake is cut by the bride with the “help” of the groom. This task originally was delegated exclusively to the bride. It was she who cut the cake for sharing with her guests. Distributing pieces of cake to one’s guests is a tradition that also dates back to the Roman Empire and continues today.

Today, bread is not used, but soci-ety has strayed far away from just the traditional cake and icing. Right here in our community, there are many options for wedding cakes- from mini

PHOTO PROVIDED

Cupcakes are not just for children-themed birthday parties. This cupcake cake by Cupcake is a chic alternative to a wedding cake. Guests can serve themselves and find various flavors to enjoy, from almond, lemon, and carrot to red velvet. Owner Kris-tin Kuhlke Cobb says that usually cupcakes with white icing (vanilla or cream cheese) are the most popular. “That way the cake can be white or even tinted to match the bride’s color scheme,” she says.

STAFF PHOTO BY SULLY WITTE

Shown here is a multi-tiered cake by designer Jim Smeal. The bride chose an Almond-Amaretto buttercake to suit her traditional wedding. She asked for Jim to put flowers on the cake as well as a line of pearls and a faint blue-colored ribbon of icing.

PHOTO BY TERRY KUZNIAR

For a different option, Charleston Crepe Company offers a specialty tiered crêpe cake. Each delicate crêpe cake features 25 made-by-hand crêpes hand-layered with a light vanilla or chocolate creme and the cakes are fashioned of two or three tiers of 50 and 75 crêpes, respectively.

Traditionally, the ritual takes place near the end of the reception, after guests have danced off dinner. In fact, it’s often a signal that the reception is coming to an end (usually there’s 45 minutes left of dancing after the cake has been cut). Like other reception events, cutting the cake can be a clean, choreographed moment or a giggly, goofy one, depending on your prefer-ence. Customarily, the groom puts his hand over the bride’s, and they slice through the cake’s bottom layer with a fancy knife. After photos are taken, you two might want to serve slices to your in-laws before the rest of the cake is cut for all other guests.

(Source: www.theknot.com.)

Timing the Cutting

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How and when to pop the question

CHRIS [email protected]

Now that I’m in my early twenties, it seems like my friends are getting mar-ried left and right. One of the first things I ask always ask on hearing such news is how they popped the big question.

Two friends of mine got engaged over the Christ-

mas/New Years holidays. One of them put the ring in the bottom of his girlfriend’s stocking; and the other came up with a scheme to jump out of a huge box wrapped up like a present.

According to Stacey Fraunfelter of Red Let-ter Events in Charleston, popping the question on a major holiday isn’t neces-

sarily the best idea.“I suggest proposing on

your own unique day,” Fraunfelter said.

“Don’t propose on her birthday or a major holiday. And just because you’re giv-ing her an engagement ring, it doesn’t replace the other present you were going to give her,” she added.

According to Fraunfelter, the hardest part for the guy

is getting the ring, but some creative pains should be taken to make the moment of proposal special.

“A lot of guys take their lady on a vacation and make it a memorable spot where they got engaged; it might also become the place where they get mar-ried,” she said.

“But all her girlfriends are expecting the story, so it better be a darn good one.”

Fraunfelter said she has heard a number of original ideas in her business, but she remembers a particu-larly bad one.

A friend of Fraunfelter had been dating a guy for five years when she was drying her hair in the bath-room one morning.

The woman and her boyfriend had been having some aggravating conver-sations in the last few days, and he walked in as she was getting ready in the bath-room.

He tried starting a con-versation with her; then suddenly said, “ You want to just do it, and get mar-ried?”

His girlfriend turned off the dryer, looked at him

and said “Did you just pro-pose to me?”

Fraunfelter said the sce-nario also should depend on whether the two people involved are more public or private by nature, and on what makes the woman the most comfortable.

In the end, though, Fraunfelter said it’s not

worth stressing over too much.

“When it’s all said and done, she doesn’t really care how you ask as long as you ask,” she said.

(Chris McCandlish can be reached at [email protected]. Visit www.moultrienews.com.)

Petal pushers: Beautiful options for those on a budgetBY SULLY [email protected]

Girls on a budget don’t have to fret about having beautiful blooms on their big wedding day. They can have the glory of flowers and not break the bank.

According to Kathleen Glynn, a designer at Blanche Darby Florist in Belle Station, if you stick with Alstroemeria, carnations and even roses, you can stay within a reason-able budget.

Large, extravagant weddings are going to the wayside as almost ev-eryone is toning down and having beautiful but more subtle ceremo-

nies.Glynn said that the latest trend in

wedding flowers for the wedding party is single stem flowers such as Calla Lilies with a flowing ribbon.

“Staying with single stems or three different flowers is an afford-able way to have beautiful flowers,” she said.

“But you must select flowers in season or you’ll pay a hefty price, she said. “Stay away from lilies, tu-lips and orchids when they’re not in season,” Glynn said.

“Some girls have 14 attendants. Even if a boutonniere costs $10, that’s a hefty amount of money just for all those attendants, so brides

should consider that.”When ordering flowers for your

wedding day, be sure to place the order at least two months in ad-vance. When choosing a florist, look for the quality of work and years of experience, and don’t be afraid to price shop, Glynn ad-vised.

Kathy Rebber Daehn has launched Pleasant Petals, a Mount Pleasant-based floral design and delivery business serving the low-country.

She has worked with a variety of florists in the area, boasting 16 years in the floral industry.

Her floral business is quite dif-

ferent than traditional flower shops. Brides can actually order their flowers from Horst Whole-sale Flower Distributor, which is a local wholesale company, and then hire Daehn by the hour to create, decorate and deliver the wedding bouquets, boutonnieres and cen-ter pieces.

She suggests using what she calls the condiments of the flowers such as daisy, Alstroemeria, or carna-tions.In addition, she suggested that if brides do order large bou-quets, they should have each atten-dant place them in a vase at various tables in the reception hall so that they double as center pieces.

2 C .MOULTRIE NEWS ___________________________________ www.moultrienews.com ____________________________ Wednesday , January 26 , 2011


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Engagement party comes with its own etiquette

When it comes to weddings, it seems there are as

many traditions as there are guests.

Unless you’ve taken the trip down the aisle before, chances are you’re in for a surprise or two with respect to what’s expected of you once the pre-wedding planning and commitments start to take shape.

One aspect of the wedding that isn’t obliga-tory but has become popular over the years is the engagement party.

While it’s not mandatory, the engagement party is something more and more couples have chosen to include as part of their pre-wedding planning.

And just like most other things associated with wed-dings, the engagement party comes with its own etiquette as well.

•Invitations: While this might seem like a no-brain-er, it’s important that only those guests who will be invited to the wedding are invited to the engagement party.

No one who won’t be get-ting a wedding invite should be invited to the engage-

ment party. In addition, not all wed-

ding invitees should be invited to the engagement party.

•Gifts: The engagement party is a celebration of the engagement and somewhat of a meet-and-greet for the couple’s parents and other

family members. Guests are not expected

to bring gifts, but if they do, open them in private or after the party.

•Toasts: The bride’s father is expected to offer the first toast of the evening in honor of the bride- and groom-to-be. Guests then take a drink, but the couple does not.

The groom-to-be then says a few words before toast-ing his bride-to-be and her family.

Other guests can then offer toasts if they’re so inclined.

•Hosting duties: It’s often considered the responsibil-

ity of the bride’s parents to host the engagement party, but this isn’t set in stone.

If the bride’s parents are divorced, for instance, the party can be hosted by an-other relative of the bride’s.

However, the best man or the maid of honor should not be considered as hosts

of the engage-ment party, as they will have additional responsibilities down the road.

•Timing: Because the length of engagements varies greatly depending on the couple, timing can be another tricky

element of the engagement party.

For those who will have a particularly lengthy engage-ment, one to three months after the initial announce-ment is generally the norm for the engagement party.

Another good rule of thumb for those with longer engagements is that the party should take place roughly a year before the wedding.

Couples with shorter engagements, on the other hand, can get by with an en-gagement party roughly six months before the wedding is planned.

“While this might seem like a no-brainer, it’s important

that only those guests who will be invited to the

wedding are invited to the engagement party.”

Wednesday , January 26 , 2011 ____________________________www.moultrienews.com ___________________________________ MOULTRIE NEWS. 3 C

BY HELEN [email protected]

For the bride-to-be, there is always the option of the crazy girls’ night out with the limo, the T-shirts and the in-appropriate accoutrements. A bar hop and dinner and a few dares might be included in the wild night. But what if the bachelorette is more of the type that likes low-key girl-bonding time?

Heather Speizman is the co-owner of Bottles ‘n Brush-es, a place where individuals can complete a painting in a few hours with the guidance of an instructor. The painter can be a complete novice, just ready to have a good time.

According to Speizman, la-dies love creating their own masterpieces together as a fun girls’ group event.

“Sometimes they will book it as private but sometimes they can do it with the group,” said Speizman. When the girls are with the group, it is like they are at a restaurant with their own table.

With a wide-range of sub-jects to paint, often girls want to paint a beach scene or a crab, remniscent of Charles-ton.

The girls can mingle and socialize, explains Speizman. “We can play the music loud; it is like a mini party.”

Painters can bring their own drinks, which Speiz-man explains makes it more affordable.

The price is $35 for a two-hour class, Monday-Thurs-days.

On Friday and Saturday, the price is $45 for a three-hour class.

Sometimes, Speizman says that groups will have an af-ternoon party and then go out to dinner afterwards.

Visit www.bottlesnbrushes.com for more information.

Of course, any sort of pam-pering is always welcome when you get a gaggle of girls together. Christina Miko-lajcik, co-owner of Sweet 185, said a lot of women want to do something a little more nurturing than your typical crazy night out. The wellness spa and boutique offers an alternative to waxing with a sugaring studio. Also offered are organic facials, holistic massage, and organic mani-cures and pedicures. Miko-lajcik believes that Sweet 185 has the only oxygen bar in the Charleston area. The oxygen bar can “oxygenate” four clients at a time and has become popular with girl groups.

“It gives a slightly euphoric feeling,” explained Miko-lajcik.

The oxygen allows gueststo breathe four to five times the normal amount of oxygen, and small doses of 15-30 minute increments is what is recommended.

“It is great for your skin, tightens your concentration, boosts your energy level and

immunity,” she said.Mikolajcik said that for

parties of six to eight, the “sweet feet” treatment which provides 30 minutes of “foot reflexology” is popular. They also offer hand treatments.

“For large parties, espe-cially in the evenings, we will close down the studio for their private event,” said Mikolajcik. “We pretty much custom-design treatments for the party based on what they want and what they

want to spend,” she said.Visit www.mysweet185.

com for more information.For the adventurous gals

in your group, head over to the Isle of Palms Marina. Ac-cording to Tidal Wave Wa-tersport owner, Mark Fiem, the season runs from the first week in April through the end of October. But boat tours can still be accommo-dated if the weather is nice (which it often is during the “off season.”)

Jump on a wake board or even try a parasailing tour.

The bestseller, according to Fiem, is the safari tour, an hour-and-a-half tour aboard a waverunner fol-lowing a guide through the “back waters” of the area. Fiem explained that it is 30 miles and people can go shelling and learn about the history of the area. The boat and wave runner tours also go in the Charleston Harbor for those who want to see Charleston, but a lot of times people prefer the “back wa-ters,” he said.

Also offered is a custom boat excursion where a mate and captain is provided, along with all of the inner tubes, wakeboards, and boat-ing equipment one needs.

“Sometimes people want to do athletic activities. We can also tie this in with site-see-ing,” said Fiem.

For the very adventurous, parasailing adventures are offered where people go up to 800 feet in the air. It is safe and fun, and all one has to do is put on a lifejacket and be lifted up into the air.

Evening harbor cruises, which are very popular with women, are also offered.

“A group of women gets aboard with wine and cheese and we cruise the har-bor,” Fiem said.

Tidal Wave Watersport will customize to needs, like picking up at other marina locations. Visit www.tidal-wavesport.com for more in-formation.


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Bachelorette parties don’t have to be too wild

PHOTOS PROVIDED

At Sweet 185, guests can enjoy “sweet feet” treatments, which is 30 minutes of “foot reflexology.”

Also popular is Sweet 185’s Oxygen Bar, a new way to feel more focused and improve your skin.Below is an aquatic adventure offered by Tidal Wave Watersport.

Creative ladies show off their masterpeices at Bottles ‘n Brushes.


PHOTOS PROVIDED

Victor Dupuis, of Lowcountry Scuba, and Loren Danese from Pennsylvania have been dating six and a half years. Victor was finally able to secure the exact ring to suit his bride to be. Now, all he needed was a place to pop the question. He chose to do it underwater while scuba diving with his beloved.He had waited all month for good diving weather and finally got it last Satur-day, Jan. 15.They set out on a frost covered boat and made their way to the dive spot. This was supposed to be a regular dive with friends, just like all the rest of them.

As the couple made their way down to unknown depths, friends above water arranged flowers and cham-pagne and the ‘real ring.’Underwater, Victor made his pro-posal and gave Lauren a ‘fake’ ring. It slipped from her hands, and she dove after it. He followed, and with a burst they collected the ring and made their way to the surface.

Back aboard the boat, Lau-ren found her friends with big smiles and the diamond engagement ring she had always dreamed of. Their wedding is set for this year.


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Depths of his love Pare down your guest list

C ouples are faced with many decisions when planning a wedding.

One often overlooked deci-sion concerns the guest list. Ideally, couples would love to invite all their friends and family to share in their special day. Realistically, however, budget often dic-tates just how many guests a couple can invite. That reality has led to a disagree-ment or two over the years, as both the bride-to-be and her future husband make their case for who makes the cut. To help avoid such disagreements, couples should consider the follow-ing tips when paring down their guest list.

•Make a master list as early as possible. It’s impos-sible to pare down a guest list if there’s no list to begin with. Once the planning process begins, couples should separately write down all the guests they would like to invite. Once each is finished with their list, the hard work of paring that list down can begin.

•Consider who’s footing the bill. If Mom and Dad are paying for the wedding, then their suggestions for the guest list should carry most of the weight. Wed-dings are very expensive, and if Mom and Dad are paying they should have a significant say in who will be in attendance. The same principle can be applied if the couple is paying for their own wedding. If the costs are being split down

the middle, then both the groom- and bride-to-be should be allowed to invite the same number of guests.

•Ask that kids stay home. Many couples request that their guests leave the kids at home. While nieces and nephews might make the cut, it’s perfectly acceptable for couples to state their preference that children not attend. This can be noted on the invitation, addressing friends as “Mr. John Doe and guest” or “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe.” Guests should take the hint, but if anyone RSVPs with their kids, be sure to call them immedi-ately.

•It’s not a reunion. Couples are often tempted to invite long-lost friends to their wedding. But cost-conscious couples must recognize their wedding is not a reunion. If the goal is to keep the guest list under control, only invite close friends and family members who have kept in touch over the years.

•Stick to your guns. Couples vary greatly with what they want out of their wedding. Some want a grandiose affair they can share with their whole fam-ily and all of their friends. Other couples want a more laid-back affair with only those closest to them in at-tendance. Whatever their preference, couples should remain firm and not feel guilty no matter how many guests they choose to invite or not invite.

•Cut back in other areas. If it’s proving simply impos-sible to agree on a reduced guest list, consider inviting everyone and cutting back in other areas. Before sign-ing any contracts, closely examine each one for items that can be removed with-out drastically changing the ceremony and celebra-tion. Chances are, there are savings to be had, and those savings might make the difference between inviting and not inviting another friend or family member.

Wednesday , January 26 , 2011 ____________________________ www.moultrienews.com ___________________________________ MOULTRIE NEWS. 5 C

C ouples have many decisions to make regarding their wed-

ding ceremony and recep-tion. One of those decisions concerns transportation to and from the special event.

The more traditional op-tions include renting a car or limousine. The Bridal As-sociation of America reports that the average couples spends $400 to $500 for an automotive rental.

Wedding transportation is perhaps something grooms-to-be can get excited about. After all, we’re talking about cars - some fancy, some large, and many decked out with different features. Plus, it’s traditionally the responsibility of the groom to arrange transportation to and from the ceremony, reception and the hotel or honeymoon destination.

Grooms responsible for arranging transportation can consider the following options:

•Limousine: A limo is one of the most traditional methods of transport on a couple’s wedding day. A limousine’s size enables them to carry the bridal party in its entirety. Because the bride and groom often do not see each other before the ceremony, two limos may be rented, one larger for the bridal party, and one smaller for the bride and her parents, depending on personal preference.

•Classic car: Sports car enthusiasts may want to

make an entrance -- and exit -- behind the wheel of a sporty vehicle. These can include a high-end Ferrari or an Aston Martin. Because of their high purchase price, sports car rentals may carry a premium.

•Stretch SUV: The tradi-tional limo has morphed into the stretch SUV of popular models, including the Cadillac Escalade, Ford Expedition or even a stretch Hummer. Because of their popularity, these rentals may be snatched up quickly. Be sure to book well in ad-vance of the big day.

•Party Bus: Many couples are leaning toward a party bus rental, which may be a single- or double-decker bus that can fit scores of people inside. These are particular-ly attractive to couples with a very large bridal party, or those who hope to begin the celebration even before reaching the reception hall.

•Horse-drawn carriage: Some couples truly want the fairy tale feel on their wed-ding day. A horse-drawn carriage can evoke feelings of a Cinderella-type day. The carriage tends to be best suited to warm weather. For winter weddings, a horse-drawn sleigh might make a better alternative.

•Motorcycle: Exciting couples may want to ride off into the sunset on the back of a roadster or sports bike.

•Horses: Horses can haul more than just a carriage. A bride and groom atop a

handsome steed can make for a memorable wedding transportation option and equally memorable photos.

•Boat: Individuals get-ting married by the sea or another body of water may want to consider attending the festivities via boat, be it a large vessel or a more intimate canoe or rowboat.

Wedding day transporta-tion varies depending on each couple’s preference. Here are some other things to keep in mind concerning transportation:

•Be sure to have trans-portation options ready for guests who may have over-indulged on alcoholic beverages.

•Wedding party par-ticipants who arrived at the wedding by a limo or other source will need a ride home somehow.

•Find out if a hotel nearby offers complementary transportation to and from the reception hall.

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2011 spring wedding guide

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