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January 26, 2020Wedding Guide is published

by The Republic.

EDITOR

Anna Perlich

WRITERS

Amy May, Jon Shoulders, Jennifer Willhite

ON THE COVER

Austin and Katie Finney

Photo by Laura Von PhotograPhy

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164 Countdown to the big day 6 Wedding party roles8 Wedding budget

WEDDING CHECKLIST

FEATURES

1014 26

222818

24Dress trends

Featured couplesDoggone fun

Types of invites International trends

Ring trends

Wedding guest etiquette

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To help you get a better understanding of how to plan a wedding and when you should be making certain decisions, here’s a time frame you can follow that should ensure that your wedding goes off as smoothly as possible.

10 to 12 Months before

If 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 possi-ble, preferably at 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 ask your parents whom they’d like to invite as well. Also, since your budget will determine just about ev-ery aspect of your wedding, sitting down and determining what you can spend and developing a savings plan should be first and foremost.


This 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 in advance, so this might be something you’ll want to consider doing shortly after you get engaged and choose a date. Also, this is a good time to inform any guests who will be traveling significant distances of the date of your wedding. The earlier your guests can 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 to ship to bridal shops. You might want to ask someone, such as your priest or rabbi, to be the officiant of your wedding. And much like out-of-town guests will save travel dollars the earlier they learn of your wedding date, you will likely save money, too, if you book your honeymoon around this time.

COUNTDOWN TO THE BIG DAY


This 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’ cakes before ultimately making a decision. Just to be sure, confirm that all of the bridesmaids have ordered their gowns and start looking for a tuxedo for the groom as well as the groomsmen. If you haven’t done so already, purchase your wedding rings and let any other people you’d like to participate in your wedding (ushers, readers during the ceremony, etc.) know of your intentions.


Finalize 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 fi-nalize your menu choices for your guests, and find all your wedding accessories such as the ring pillow, candles, etc. Also, since it is tradition to provide 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 purchase those gifts. Just to be safe, confirm that all groomsmen have ordered their tuxedos and finalize all transportation, both to and from the wedding and to the airport for your honeymoon.


Schedule the first bridal-gown fitting. Also finalize the readings you’d prefer during the ceremony and mail them out to anyone who has agreed to do a reading. If your family prefers to host a small gathering for close family and friends after the wedding 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 before

Confirm your honeymoon arrangements and see if your wedding rings are ready. This is also when you should get your marriage 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 contact them so you can get a closer idea of what the head count will be. You should also prepare and order your wedding program around this time.

1 to 2 Weeks before

Get 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 confirm all wedding-day details such as transportation, photo schedules and ad-dresses. And don’t forget to pack for your honeymoon.

the Day before

This is mainly when you rehearse for the ceremony and make any final confirma-tions you might have to make. Also, make sure to get some sleep so you’ll look good in all of your wedding-day photos.

C H E C K L I S T

CONTENT By METRO CREATIvE

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MaiD of honor

The maid of honor is a role typ-ically filled by a sister or a very close friend. It is the equivalent of the groom’s best man. The maid of honor’s role, therefore, is typically very involved. Among her many responsibili-ties, the maid of honor accom-panies the bride on shopping trips for her wedding dress while also planning the bridal shower, bachelorette party and coordinating the bridal party gift for the bride. Also, the maid of honor helps the bride get dressed on her wedding day, holds the groom’s wedding ring during the wedding and may also help in the writing of invitations. The maid of honor will also typically act as a witness to the wedding and dance with the best man at the reception. If the woman you’re asking is married, her title will be matron of honor.

best Man

Perhaps the most well-known responsibilities of the best man are organizing the bachelor party and giving the toast at the reception. But the best man, who is typically a brother or best friend of the groom, also has a slew of other responsibilities. In addition to helping the groom choose his tuxedo and get dressed before the wedding, the best man coordinates the couple’s gift from the groomsmen and takes care of the newlyweds’ transportation to the airport after the reception or the next morning. The best man may also hold onto any payment that’s due to the reception site or the donation for the house of worship, and take care of any final financial details. He also holds the bride’s wedding ring during the ceremony.

briDesMaiDs

Along with walking in the wedding procession, brides-maids attend the shower and contribute to the bridal gifts. Bridesmaids, who are typically sisters or friends of the bride or groom, also dance with the groomsmen during the recep-tion. To be further involved, each can be given specific roles, like reading a religious passage at the ceremony, providing assistance with choosing wedding vendors or helping to address wedding invitations.

Parents of the grooM

The groom’s parents should host a rehearsal dinner prior to the wedding. They may also choose to contribute to the wedding if they desire. In most cases, the groom’s parents have limited responsibilities, but can be involved as much as the wedding couple would like. Traditionally, the groom’s mother confers with the bride’s mother on what color gown she is wearing, so as not to go with the same shade. The groom’s parents may walk down the aisle in advance of the rest of the wedding processional and take their seats.

WEDDING pArTY rOlEsgrooMsMen

Groomsmen are the male equivalent of the bridesmaids, typically having nearly iden-tical responsibilities. Some-times, groomsmen can act as ushers for guests arriving at the ceremony. Groomsmen walk in the wedding processional and attend and help organize the bachelor party, as well.

fLoWer girL

If the bride has a sister who is especially young, that sister typically fills the role of flower girl. Since most flower girls are very young, their respon-sibilities are generally limited to carrying a basket of flowers during the processional and, depending on the bride’s pref-erence, tossing flower petals on the ground to mark the bride’s entrance.

ring bearer

Like the flower girl, the ring bearer is a very young member of the family, only the ring bearer is a male. The ring bearer’s role is to carry a pillow with the rings sewn on it during the processional. Some couples choose to have the ring bearer and the flower girl walk next to one another during the processional.

Parents of the briDe

The bride’s parents may be responsible for hosting the wedding, if they will be com-pletely financially responsible for the event. In some cases, the father of the bride escorts his daughter down the aisle alone, but in other instances or in religious ceremonies, both parents may accompany the bride. In all cases, it’s her pref-erence. The mother of the bride may help fund or contribute to the planning of the bridal shower if the maid of honor needs assistance. These parents may also foot the cost of an engagement party or dinner to meet the groom’s family.

A wedding can be a wonderful and memorable experience for all of those

involved. That’s why you ask friends or relatives to share in the event

and serve in your wedding party. Your offer is a wonderful honor, one

that carries with it varying degrees of responsibility depending on the

role each person will be playing. To help you decide whom to ask to

be in your wedding party, here is a list of titles and responsibilities

for each participant’s role.

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WEDDING pArTY rOlEs

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WEDDING BUDGET $

totaL WeDDing buDget

C H E C K L I S T

CereMony

Location fee___________________________________

Officiant fee___________________________________

Marriage license___________________________________

Rings_____________________________________________

Pillow_____________________________________________

totaL CereMony___________________________________

reCePtion

Reception site___________________________________

Food_____________________________________________

Drinks___________________________________

Rentals___________________________________

Cake_____________________________________________

Favors ___________________________________

totaL reCePtion_______________________________________

attire

Gown_____________________________________________

Headpiece/veil___________________________________

Undergarments/hosiery_________________________

Shoes_____________________________________________

Accessories___________________________________

Jewelry_____________________________________________

Makeup_____________________________________________

Hair_____________________________________________

Tuxedo_____________________________________________

Shoes_____________________________________________

Cuff links___________________________________

Men’s grooming___________________________________

totaL attire_______________________________________________

MusiC

Ceremony musicians_______________________________

Band/DJ___________________________________

Extra musicians___________________________________

totaL MusiC_____________________________________

fLoWers

Ceremony___________________________________

Bride’s bouquet___________________________________

Bridesmaids’ bouquets________________________________

Corsages & boutonnieres______________________________

Reception centerpieces________________________________

Flower girl basket___________________________________

Bathroom arrangements_______________________________

totaL fLoWers______________________________________

PhotograPhy

Photographer’s fees___________________________________

videographer’s fees___________________________________

totaL PhotograPhy_______________________________________

transPortation

Limousines___________________________________

Buses/transport for guests_____________________________

totaL transPortation ____________________________________

stationery

Invitations___________________________________

Calligraphy___________________________________

Postage_____________________________________________

Thank-you cards___________________________________

totaL stationery_______________________________________

gifts

Wedding party___________________________________

Parents_____________________________________________

Other_____________________________________________

totaL gifts________________________________________

honeyMoon

Accommodations___________________________________

Food__________________________________________

totaL honeyMoon_____________________________________

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r E H E A r s A l

After saying yes, women begin search

for ideal gown

story by Jenn WiLLhite

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GET FIT BEFORE YOURWEDDING DAY IS HERE!

CCurrent trends for dresses range from the clean, simplistic lines of a traditional style to the free and flowing whimsy of boho chic.

Traditional dresses generally follow a distinct shape, like a sweetheart ball gown or fit-and-flare design, says Alyssa Klein, manager of Sophia’s Bridal and Tux in Columbus. Materials, such as satin and chiffon, as well as sleeves and high neck-lines help to define the traditional style and are all trending right now, she says.

“The dresses offer very clean lines, and it is very clear who the bride is,” she says. “It is those types of styles that are timeless.”

Vanessa Wahl, manager of The Wedding Studio in Greenwood, says the traditional style is enjoying a newfound popularity since Meghan Markle, Duch-ess of Sussex, wore a simple yet elegant gown when she walked down the aisle in 2018 to marry Britain’s Prince Harry. Wahl says the duchess’s personal style speaks to how up-to-date she is when it comes to fashion. And her sleek choice appeals to brides.

“I think once she had that gown on, that is when

For brides-to-be the journey to

find the perfect wedding dress

can often feel like an endurance

challenge. When it comes to

picking the right gown, area

experts agree it is wise to go

with one that best expresses the

bride’s style and makes her feel

her most beautiful.

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everyone said they wanted to go clean,” Wahl says. “I think people are trying to get away from what is trending and have something where they can look back and not think, ‘Why did I wear that?’”

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the carefree flair of bohemian style. Wahl says boho is still very much in style even though it debuted on the West Coast a few years ago. “I think what is a little hard about the Midwest is we are the last to get trends,” she says.

Boho offers an ethereal, softer edge with many dresses accentuated by floral lace and fringe that are easily adaptable for any wedding. A style that is light and flowing would be appropriate for an outdoor summer wedding, and for an autumn wedding in

a rustic setting like a barn, the same dress would work in a heavier material.

“A lot of designers are producing gowns that fit that niche,” Klein says. “I really love seeing the creativity that goes into those bohemian style gowns that are so different but still clearly a wedding dress.”

Some dresses even incorporate Chantilly lace, Wahl says. Yes, that same antique lace that graces your grandmother’s dining room table runner.

Brides who have their hearts set on matching their dress to their wedding theme or venue should not only consider the material the gown is made of, but also the details of the dress, such as beading, length and type of hemline.

“If you are getting married on the beach,

“I really love seeing

the creativity that

goes into those

bohemian style gowns

that are so different

but still clearly a

wedding dress.”aLyssa kLein

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I’m thinking light and flowy, like an A-line dress with spaghetti straps, some beading up top and a chiffon bottom,” Wahl says. “If you want to do something like Union Station or the Scottish Rite Cathedral, then that is where the clean dress comes in.”

When considering color, the days of stark white bridal gowns may be in the past. Most brides shy away from the traditional white once they see how bright it is, Wahl says.

Many opt for a shade that works best with their skin tone, Klein says.

“Every time we get a new selection of gowns, we are getting new colors,” Wahl says. “The dresses have a darker color un-derneath and then lace applique so you still get a white feel to it, but we get to see the

applique pop, like a 3-D effect.”Whether buying off the rack or special or-

dering, Klein cautions brides about waiting too long to find a dress because it will inev-itably need some type of alteration that can take upward of three months to complete.

Brides want to have something that is going to showcase them rather than just the dress, Wahl says. Once they find the right one, even though they may try on others, they always come back to that one, she says.

“I think the best advice I can give to brides is to be very open,” Klein says. “Nine times out of 10, brides will buy the dress they initially said they didn’t want. You never know when you are going to fall in love with your dress. So always be prepared for that to happen.”

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F E A T U R E C O U P L E

KaTIe SChmIDT anD auSTIn FInneyOCT. 11, 2019 Ceremony at First Christian Church; reception at Factory 12 Event Loft

Katie Schmidt and Austin Finney, both of whom grew up in Columbus, met at Columbus East High School.

“We were each other’s blind dates to prom our junior year. We began dating after that, and we were each other’s first and only significant others,” Austin said.

He asked Katie to marry him in 2018. “After antiquing with Katie’s family on Oct. 13, I took Katie on a detour on our way to dinner in Brown County. We ended up in Story and took a short walk beneath the moonlight. Under the covered bridge, I asked her to open the next chap-ter of our own story and proposed on one knee,” he said.

The couple wanted a day of celebration that reflected themselves. They kept the ceremony simple and wanted God and their faith to be the central focus. After saying their own vows and the traditional ones, they took Communion together before walking down the aisle.

Katie is an English teacher and Austin is an avid reader, so they chose a literary theme for the reception. The table center-pieces consisted of favorite books along with a meaningful quote from that text. They chose Harry Potter and “Always” for their spot at the head table. The colors were cream, maroon and gray.

Austin said their guests told them that what stood out the most was the classic, relaxed atmosphere of the day and how it reflected their personalities so well.

Because the wedding was at the end of Katie’s fall break, the couple took a short honeymoon in Brown Country for a few days. They stayed at Yellowwood Suites, saw Josh Turner at the Brown County Music Center and explored Bloomington and Nashville. They hope to take a longer honeymoon in Ireland and England this summer.

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VenDor List:hair and makeup: Lainey Mills at Micah’s Salon and BeautyPhotography and videography: Laura von Photographyflorist: P&D Flower Farmbride’s dress: David’s Bridal

bridesmaids’ attire: David’s Bridalgroom’s suit/tux: Dell Brothersgroomsmen’s attire: Dell Brothersrehearsal dinner venue: Bear Wallow DistilleryCaterer: First Class CateringCake and cupcakes: Chickadee Bakeryreception venue: Factory 12 Event Loft

CoMPiLeD by aMy May | PhotograPhs by Laura Von PhotograPhy

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F E A T U R E C O U P L E

JaSmIne STallWoRTh anD TyShaun allenOCT. 26, 2019Ceremony and reception at Pipers at the Marott in Indianapolis

Jasmine Stallworth grew up in Columbus. She moved away in 2008, but now works at the Cummins LiveWell Center. Tyshaun Allen works at Taylor Bros. Construction.

“With Columbus being smaller, we always knew each other because Tyshaun moved to Columbus from New York City. My cousins happened to know him and are friends with him. Later on, when I was in college, I had a summer job at his office in Indianapolis. We became friends from there for a couple years, and then things started to change into more of a relationship,” Jasmine said.

On Christmas Day 2018, as they were opening gifts, Tyshaun surprised her with a proposal.

Jasmine said the wedding was classy and el-egant in colors of navy, gold and champagne. It stood out because of the venue, which used to be a hotel in Indianapolis and is now an event center and apartment building.

“The marble room was originally why I chose the venue. The marble gold columns spoke to my mom and I from the start. Our ceremony and reception were under one roof, which made it great for all of our guests,” Jasmine said. “We had an actual display of wedding dresses from my mom, his aunt and my aunt. I had them put on mannequins with their original wedding picture next to it.

“We also had a live painter to paint us as we were doing our first dance. The artist interacted with all the guests because, of course, there were lots of questions. Also, our wedding had a lot of details even down to my shoes. I had wedding ceremony shoes and wedding reception shoes that incor-porated my new name, my grandparents who have passed and some of our wedding flowers. The stuffed breadsticks for late night snacks from Kilroy’s and Long’s doughnuts were a hit, too.”

The couple took a honeymoon to Barbados.

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CoMPiLeD by aMy May | PhotograPhs by aManDa Debusk anD subMitteD

VenDor List:Photographer: Amanda DeBusk

Videographer: Ni Sisi Media

Live Painter: Katheryn Pourcho

hair: vivian Lou Salon

Custom shoes: Jenni Kiesler with Keywords Co.

flowers: Bokay Florist

flower garden arch: Blue Blossom Rentals

Cake: Gwendolyn Lee Cakery

Venue: Pipers at the Marott

Wood Lettering: Wood Be Could Be

Wedding Decorator: Indy Dream Events

Wedding Dress: Marie Gabriel Couture Bridal

bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid

tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

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PuT a

on IT

We’ve all heard the phrase “a

diamond is forever,” but when it

comes to the various styles, shapes,

colors and textures of engagement

rings and wedding bands, options

are ever-changing and constantly

growing. Whether you’re just

starting your quest for that perfect

ring or perhaps thinking about

an upgrade or replacement, keep

reading for some trends and tips to

inform your search.

Jewelers offer couples

a variety of styles and

colors to signify their love

story by Jon shouLDers

GUIDE20

sleek chicDoug Corbin, sales manager at Green-

wood-based McGee & Co. Fine Jewelers, says decorative, multifaceted engage-ment rings have been all the rage in re-cent years, but he has seen an increasing number of orders coming in recently for more simple, streamlined styles, particu-larly among young professionals.

“In the last 10 to 15 years, the vintage halo style has been the dominant trend,” Corbin says. “However, in the coming year we’re going to see ... a quieter, more conservative setting. They will accent the engagement ring with stackable-style bands in multicolors that don’t neces-sarily match. Instead of the real glitzy, articulate stone, which is usually what halo is supposed to be, I’m starting to sell a much cleaner engagement ring.”

Tina Burton, co-owner of Columbus Gold & Diamond, adds that sizable stones are gaining in popularity moving

into 2020. “Right now solitaire engage-ment rings are popular, anywhere from three-quarters to one carat at least,” she says. “People aren’t going for the small ones anymore. I’m selling more carat-plus than I do anything else in engagement rings.”

Like Corbin, Burton is seeing a de-creasing demand for busy, ornate styles when it comes to engagement rings.

“I’m selling a lot of what we call the Tiffany-style setting, where it’s very sim-ple with no stones around it,” she says. “I think there’s a lot of attraction right now to simplicity and elegance, and we’ll see more of that this year and probably next year.”

Living colorColored diamonds and gemstones

can provide a means for serious stylistic expression or simple, subtle accents, and Steve Carothers, owner of Max’s Jewelry in Columbus, says the industry is start-ing to see more demand for color as 2020 kicks off. After all, if a classic diamond just doesn’t feel right, why not have some fun and go with something that reflects your individuality?

“What’s nice about doing accent stones in color is that you can enhance a center stone that’s more traditional, or use those as part of a ring that’s very differ-ent and more non-traditional,” Caroth-ers says. “We’re also seeing customers choose what we call chocolate diamonds and some yellow and champagne colors, too.”

Don’t forget that there are no rules for what you end up with. Explore colorful accent stones or side stones, and even less conventional metals like blackened platinum.

getting the band togetherCorbin says unadorned, minimalistic

bands have been popular among men for nearly two decades now, although an increasing number of style options in tungsten and titanium have led to rising interest in more creative designs and patterns.

“In the coming year we’re

going to see ... a quieter,

more conservative setting.

They will accent the

engagement ring with

stackable-style bands in

multicolors that don’t

necessarily match.”Doug Corbin

THE REPUBLIC 21

“The tungsten bands for men have been selling recently, and I think higher gold prices have something to do with that,” Corbin says. “There are probably more creative style options with the tungsten than the gold bands. Black tungsten bands are doing extremely well, too.”

You may have noticed friends or col-leagues wearing colored silicone bands, and Corbin says you’ll probably see more of these in the coming years, as men and women opt to use them during work, ex-ercise and other active pursuits in order to protect their actual engagement and wedding rings from damage or theft.

“People are choosing those to put on during their active life or occupations,” he says. “The manufacturers of these silicone bands are making creative, nice-looking bands now instead of the plain black.”

engage your search skillsDon’t have time to visit a bunch

of brick-and-mortar stores to begin your search? Start by getting out your computer or mobile device and simply scouring the e-landscape for ideas.

“Pinterest and Etsy, and other sites along those lines, are what a lot of people are turning to, to find precisely what they want,” Corbin says. “It helps because [they] will show their signifi-cant other just what they want, and there’s no stress and anxiety when it comes time for the person to come into their local store to buy.”

Carothers says focusing on your ideal center stone shape as the first order of business can help direct the rest of your search, making it easier to decide on additional components like accent stones and shank shape.

“If you know right off the bat that you want, say, a princess square stone, that might dictate the rest of the ring’s look for you and make the other decisions easy,” Carothers says. “Of course you don’t have to choose the center stone as your first consideration, and other parts

of the rings you browse might speak to you.”

Also make sure to check out each ring you’re considering under a few different lighting conditions — preferably dim lighting, natural daylight and a diffuse lighting environment such as bright light bouncing off white walls and a white ceil-ing. Since diamonds, of course, act like a cluster of little mirrors reflecting what’s around them, you might as well try to get a sense of what your potential ring will look like in a few different contexts.

Burton reiterates that while the setting of an engagement ring is important in overall appearance, it’s not a bad idea to put most of your search energy and resources toward the center stone.

“You can always reset it later,” she says. “If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, you can always pick a setting and change it down the line if a different style catches your eye later.”

Photos by brittany MCgee/MCgee & Co. fine JeWeLers

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S e T T I n G T h e

by katherine roth | the assoCiateD Press

Invitations today reflect varying styles of celebrations

Whether formal or casual, wedding invitations these days are meant to set the tone for the celebration, reflecting the themes of the weddings them-selves.

Heavier, more expensive papers re-flect fancy black-tie weddings. Simple textured invitations with interesting fonts reflect celebrations in a more contemporary style. And florals reveal more classically romantic events, experts say.

Destinations

“One of the biggest trends we’ve been seeing are printed envelope liners, particularly for destination weddings. So if you’re getting married on a beach, there are liners printed with seashells, or maybe light blue with waves,” says Rachel Sylvester, senior lifestyle editor for Real Simple magazine.

Kyle Williams, lead merchant for wedding stationery at the Chicago-based, design-oriented Paper Source, which has 130 stores across the country, says, “Destination weddings are a huge trend now, and we’re responding with invita-tions that speak to various destinations, like beach scenes, or mountain vistas, or grapes and flowers for Napa valley weddings.”

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CoLors

No matter what kind of celebration it is, couples are becoming more creative with color, experts say.

“you often see a color-on-color approach to invitations, with a lot of couples pairing blush pink with orchid, for example. In addition to invitations, there’s an attraction to a range of colors reflected in things like bridesmaids dresses, which are increasingly in any array of related colors instead of all the same color,” she says.

fLoraLs and greenery

“Florals and greenery are really working right now. It’s really more about the execution. The trend started a few years ago with leaf motifs, and now we see it in lilacs, lavender and eucalyptus leaves,” Williams says.

LuXe MateriaLs

“When couples come in to look at invitations, paper quality is the first thing they look at,” Williams says, adding that thicker papers and fancy envelopes and liners are hot items.

“If it’s a black-tie wedding, for exam-ple, it’s top-quality thick paper and envelopes with a bit of shimmer,” he adds.

Crafty

you can design and print your own invitations, use a professional designer or stationer, or go with an in-between option, using online retailers like Shutterfly or Minted.

If you decide to make your own, Sylvester recommends aiming for interesting calligraphy, or hiring a calligrapher to handwrite names and addresses beautifully for you.

Websites

Websites are a must now, experts agree, and can be mentioned on what-ever type of invitation you choose.

“your website is a catch-all place for wedding information that is very detailed, and an important way of get-ting news about any last-minute event changes to your guests,” Sylvester says.

“It’s poor form to include anything about your registration in your invita-tion,” she adds. “A wedding website is a more appropriate place to include a link to a registry, if you go that route.”

It’s also a good place for links to maps and hotels, and a place to post photos after the event.

eCo-frienDLy

“All of our paper is mostly recycled, and that’s something people really expect now,” says Williams.

“Plantable wedding invitations embed-ded with seeds are a great sustainable option, as is vegetable-based ink. And for those who want to go beyond pa-per, there are even rustic-looking invi-tations made of thin, laser-cut wood,” says Sylvester, of Real Simple.

“E-cards are certainly less expensive and more environmentally friendly, but paper is by far more popular,” she says. “At the end of the day, aside from the photos, you have your dress and your invitation suite (invitations, R.S.v.P. cards and thank you notes) that encapsulate who you are and what the wedding was like, and will remain a memento for years to come.”

GUIDE24

by Christen a. Johnson | ChiCago tribune (tns)

If your life is anything like mine, you’ve been invited to at least six weddings all happening within a four-month span, and you’re still trying to plan your own.

And with each couple and their nuptials being unique, questions of what to wear or what to buy or whom to bring as a plus-one can run the gamut.

Esther Lee, senior editor at The Knot, says some of the most common questions she receives from wedding-goers are around gifting and dress code.

Lee shares her expertise on some of the most boggling wedding questions, and offers some savvy ways to stay cool during that midafternoon outdoor ceremony, as well as other quick tips on how to survive this wedding season.

WeDDInG GueST

Consider going

alone and know

how much to give

THE REPUBLIC 25

The conversation has been edited for space and clarity.

Q: What’s the appropriate amount to

spend on a gift for a couple? Does it

vary depending on if you’re a single/

dating couple/married?

A: Lately, we’re seeing a range on how much guests are spending, but it’s contingent on each guest and the relationship with the couple. If you’re going to a co-worker’s wedding, your spend might be less than if it is a family member or best friend. We see couples spend between $100 to $400. Overall, it does depend on the number of wedding events you’re attending. So if you attend the bridal shower and bachelorette, then your overall wedding gift spend would be less.

Q: What are ways to save on a gift —

without completely forgoing getting a

gift — if you’re on a budget?

A: So much of that is about putting a lot

of thought (into it). Get a more thought-ful gift, even though it’s not as expensive. Do gifting early, and pick the lesser and smaller items. If you know other people going to the wedding, go in as a group on a big gift, and you could save money that way.

Q: What are some things people should

keep in mind to be a good guest during

the ceremony and reception?

A: Follow the rules. The couple makes a website for a reason. Abide by the dress code. Be on time. Just be a good guest. Those are basics. Couples put a lot of time into planning their wedding day. We highly encourage guests to be present and be there for all of the wedding and reception. There is a lot of work that went in to celebrate the couple’s love for the day. It’s their journey, and they chose you to be there. Be present.

Q: Let’s talk about those dress code

rules. What does “formal/semiformal”

really mean? Do you really have to abide

by the given dress code?

A: Guest should always abide by the dress code because it really does lend to the space or the aesthetics of the wed-ding. Formal suggests less fancy than black tie, which is an after-5 p.m. cere-mony, usually held in a nice event space with dresses longer in length. Formal is more scaled back: you can wear a glitzy dress, but it doesn’t have to be a gown. For women, statement heels and a fancy clutch are really good for a formal occa-sion. Men should consider accessories like cuff links or a nice shoeshine. Semi-formal means a tuxedo isn’t required. In general, it’s better to be overdressed than to show up underdressed because you can always remove something. Show up looking really good in support of a couple.

Q: any dress code tips for those attend-

ing an outdoor summer wedding?

A: Wear breathable, light fabrics like silk or cotton. For men, consider linen suits. It’s actually acceptable for men to forgo socks and wear boat shoes or loafers. There are portable fans that attach to your phone and operate on batteries. It’s a nice touch if the couple provides it for the guests.

Stay hydrated. Guests should drink plenty of water the day before, and cou-ples should provide a hydration station.

Q: are there any benefits of coming to a

wedding without a plus-one, especially

if you’re single?

A: A lot of singles who meet at weddings end up marrying each other. About 16% of singles connect on the dance floor somehow before they start dating, ac-cording to our data, so you might meet your future significant other.

Q: anything else you think people

should know?

A: Overall, the biggest thing, as a guest, is buy off the registry. Follow the rules. If the couple is asking you to be there, be present, be supportive. The last thing a couple needs is a snarky wedding guest. They need the love and support of gra-cious friends and family members.

GUIDE26

my BeST

WeDDInG

by LinDa LoMbarDi | the assoCiateD Press

When Kelly Curry was planning her wedding, she knew her dogs Char-lie, Zoey and Izzy were going to be in it, and that her friends would expect no less.

“They’d be surprised if they weren’t there,” says Curry.

The question was how to make it work. She happened to see a social-media post about a pet wedding service, Pawfect for You (“Wedding Day Pet Care and Chauffeur”), which offered to do it all: pick the dogs up, wrangle them during the event, and bring them home again safely, letting the bridal couple enjoy their perfect day with no worries.

“I thought it was a joke,” said Curry, who was married in October 2017 in Haddam, Connecticut. It wasn’t, and she got in touch with Pawfect for You’s owner, Veronica Silva.

“We had them there for every-thing except for the reception — for the pictures, and they walked down with bridesmaids and groomsmen,” Curry says.

One potential complication was the elderly Charlie, who’d always been a bit of a handful and had recently gone blind. “I explained to her that he had issues,” Curry says, “and she gladly accepted to take him, and she did a great job with him.”

It’s hard for brides and grooms to find a friend who can handle their pup all day on the wedding day, says Silva.

“How do you coordinate this when everyone you know is at your wedding and anyone close to you is in your wedding party? How can they go home, pick up the dog, bring the dog over for pictures,

Wedding-day pet

services can take

the stress out of

having a dog in

the wedding

THE REPUBLIC 27

coordinate how the dog walks down the aisle?” says Silva. “And then you’re stuck with, everyone’s sitting down for dinner, how can I get the dog back home without imposing on someone?”

Having a dog in a wedding is about more than the dog. For one thing, it’s about timing.

“Dogwalkers commit to a window, not a specific time, which is normally fine, but weddings are different,” says Silva. “Some of the timelines I’ve seen from professional wedding planners are down to the minute, and we have to be cognizant of that.”

Lara Leinen, whose company, Doggy Social MN, services the Twin Cities area and Wisconsin, had a previous career as a wedding planner, so she knows what goes into it.

“I’m working on the back end with all the vendors to make sure the cou-ple’s day is perfect,” for them and the dog, she says. “I want it to be stress-free for everyone involved. I reach out and let them know who I am and what I’m doing and that if timelines get off, let me know and we’ll roll with the punches.”

She makes sure the pet is getting

potty breaks, water, etc. “I’m con-stantly paying attention to the energy of the animals and making sure that they’re happy,” Leinen says.

The handler also helps ensure that pets play their roles comfortably and efficiently.

“We walk around with chicken, cheese, turkey, proscuitto in our pockets,” says Silva. That helps with the photos in particular, especially with those tight timelines: “We need to make sure we’re not taking a hundred shots trying to get the dog to look at the camera.”

Not so long ago, the idea of having your pet in your wedding might have sounded eccentric, but not anymore. Leinen feels that her clients make good choices based on knowing their pets. If they’re not up to crowds, the plan is made accordingly.

“One couple, their dog had a severe case of anxiety,” she says. “So we de-cided we’d only be there for the first look and the pictures for 20 minutes — just the couple and their dogs, no bridal party or anyone else.”

Such sensible choices mean the “pet” in a wedding is almost always

a dog. Silva has had some inquiries about cats but no one’s gone through with it. Leinen has her first feline wedding client scheduled for May, with a cat who’s comfortable riding in a backpack carrier.

“And if at any point in time we feel it’s too much for the animal, we have the OK from the couple to back out — we’re going to change course and do something different,” she says. After all, “they’re busy getting married.”

And while many couples, like Curry, have their dogs walk down the aisle, there are also many who just have them there briefly for photos, and then the handler takes them home. That may be a more limited sort of involvement, but it might be the most important.

“For most couples, one of those images with their dog in it — that is going to be their favorite photo,” says Leinen. “Maybe not their favorite moment — maybe later when they’re dancing alone with their significant other on their wedding night will be the most significant moment to them. But picture-wise, it’s the dog picture.”

GUIDE28

THE REPUBLIC 29

TRaDITIonally

Report offers 14-country

snapshot of wedding traditions

by Leanne itaLiethe assoCiateD Press

NEW YORK — In much of Europe and North Amer-ica, September and October are peak months to get married. In Chile and elsewhere in South America, wedding guests are familiar with la hora loca, a wild late-night wedding party with masks, noisemakers and costumes.

More than two-thirds of U.S. couples still seek a parent blessing before tying the knot, compared to less than 10% in Italy and Spain, while Colombian weddings have the lowest guest count at an average of 91, as opposed to 524 in India.

Those are just a few of the insights in a report released in May by the bridal site TheKnot.com and sister sites WeddingWire.com and the Spanish-lan-guage Bodas.net. The report is based on a survey of about 20,000 newlyweds in 14 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“One of the similarities that we saw across many countries was the strong desire to put a personal stamp on a wedding,” said Lauren Goodson, senior director of insights for parent company The Knot Worldwide. “We see that springing up from engage-ment all the way through to the ceremony, the recep-tion and the honeymoon.”

GUIDE30

While personalization is a strong trend, some longstanding traditions are common across the countries, she told The Associated Press ahead of the report’s release. An average of 78 percent of those surveyed took a hon-eymoon, for instance, though in parts of South America, couples tend to stay closer to home, Goodson said.

Wedding traditions vary widely by region in some parts of the world, including India, where a range of cultures have their own flavors, and auspicious and good luck dates are chosen for ceremonies. For Hindu weddings, for example, such dates are distributed in an annual calendar.

But other aspects of weddings offer more commonality, such as fall being a popular time to get married in the U.S., Spain, Portugal and elsewhere in Europe and North America due to mild weather. In Europe, extended summer vacations are common, making wedding planning diffi-cult. December is the top month for engagements in all countries except India.

Timelines for planning weddings varied among respondents. Colom-bian couples had the shortest wedding

planning period at seven months, followed by India and Chile at eight months. Goodson said countries where couples are less likely to live together before marriage tend to have shorter planning timelines. Respon-dents in the U.K. had the longest at 15 months.

As for bride attire, those in the Americas and Europe continue to embrace white dresses, with many personalizing their looks through non-traditional silhouettes and acces-sories. In the U.K., Meghan Markle wasn’t the only one to rock a tiara at her wedding: 22% of British brides wore one, Goodson said.

The traditional parent blessing before engagement isn’t necessarily widespread outside of the U.S., she said. It’s less common in Europe, where couples will make the decision to marry, then share the news with parents.

More than two-thirds of U.S. cou-ples, or 67%, ask for a parent blessing, compared to 14% in France, 8% Italy and 9% Spain.

“Seeking parents’ permission ahead of time is one of the areas where we saw some of the biggest differences,”

Goodson said.In terms of wedding price tags, in

Mexico it’s traditional to name a “pa-drinos” who serves as a type of spon-sor for the engaged couple — often relatives, godparents or others with a special relationship to the couple, according to the report. It’s considered an honor to serve in the role but there are big responsibilities, such as con-tributing to the cost of the wedding or participating in the ceremony.

In South America overall, Goodson said, couples tend to cover a hefty por-tion of expenses. In Spain, parent con-tributions are much more substantial. In Peru, Chile and Colombia, couples pay about 55% of wedding costs, and a significant percentage take out loans or amass credit card debt to make it happen.

Countries where couples see more financial support from parents or other family members also include Italy, where they cover two-thirds of expenses, the report said.

The number of invited guests varies, with smaller receptions, including those driven by economic constraints. Some are influenced by other factors.

“It’s actually a pretty big honor to be invited to a Colombian wed-ding,” Goodson said. “It really says something to your connection to that couple.”

While receptions are as personal-ized as ever, great music keeps the party going until the wee hours in such countries as Chile and Peru, where a Latin American tradition of la hora loca, or “crazy hour,” is popular.

At one recent wedding in Santiago, Chile, a couple reported hiring gigan-tic LED robots to blast confetti in the air while guests danced under neon lights, according to the report. Some of those surveyed said they take on la hora loca themes, like the pair who decided on costumed characters from Super Mario Bros. to entertain guests and hand out hats, beads and other wacky party favors.

Now that’s a wedding.

THE REPUBLIC 31

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you are planning.



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