bridal guide - the bristol press - 06-24-2012

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TLC Li Planning an event? Don’t forget to book your Limousine! Bristol 860-585-LIMO (5466) Wollenberg’s/TLC Transportation ICC MC 210205 Thomas Livery Corporation www.TLCLimousine.net Professionalism is our tradition Thank You for Voting us Best Limo Service! READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE BEST OF READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE BEST OF 024704 Ct. DOT 2201 Book Your Wedding Limos Now! Latest trends in engagement rings PAGE 2 Having a wedding cake and saving, too PAGE 8 Tips for planning a destination wedding PAGE 9 Setting up your wedding registry PAGE 12

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Plan the perfect wedding! From reception to honeymoon. Serving the central Connecticut area.

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Page 1: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

TLC Li

Planning an event? Don’t forget to book your Limousine!

Bristol 860-585-LIMO (5466)Wollenberg’s/TLC Transportation

ICC MC 210205 Thomas Livery Corporationwww.TLCLimousine.net

Professionalism is our tradition

Thank You for Voting us Best Limo Service!

READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE

READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE

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READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE

READERS’ CHOICE READERS’ CHOICE

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024704

Ct. DOT 2201

Book Your

Wedding

Limos Now!

Latest trends inengagement ringsPAGE 2

Having a wedding cakeand saving, tooPAGE 8

Tips for planning adestination weddingPAGE 9

Setting up yourwedding registryPAGE 12

Page 2: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

2 | Sunday, June 24, 2012 The Herald Press

By JUSTIN MUSZYNSKICORRESPONDENT

It’s said that once you areready to make the commitmentto marriage you should spendthree months pay on the engage-ment ring. The decision can be adaunting tasks for men as theystrive to get the perfect bandthat symbolizes their pledge toget married.It is every fiancé’s duty to

make his future wife’s lifelongfantasy a reality and the engage-ment is the first step to a fairytale wedding.So what types of engagement

rings are trending in 2012?According to Karen Blair,

manager of DBK FamilyJewelers in Plainville, white goldis the most commonly purchasedtype nowadays.“More people are doing the

white gold rather than the yel-low gold,” said Blair. “About 10or 15 years ago white gold wasin, but then it went out. Now,it’s back.”Fred DiBattista, owner of

Polumbo’s Jewelers in NewBritain says this is true at hisstore as well. However, he alsosays he sells a fair amount ofplatinum rings. He attributesthis to the cost differencebetween the two metals.“Most people are buying white

gold these days, but becauseit has dropped in price belowgold, I do sell some platinumrings,” said DiBattista. “I’m sell-ing more of the low-priced ones.Titanium and tungsten are pop-ular alternatives.”Princess-cut diamonds are still

and have been very popular forsome time, Erin Nowak, associ-ate salesperson at J.P. Jewelersin Plainville, said. Princess-cut diamonds are either squareor rectangular and sit like aninverted pyramid.“People like the antique look,”

Nowak said.She also says that she hasn’t

noticed a difference in whatpeople are spending on engage-ment rings. The long-standingcustom of two to three monthspay being an acceptable amount

for a man to spend has remainedidle, most jewelers say.“It depends on the person,

but as far as engagement ringsgo people have spent the sameamount that they have for the

last few years,” said Nowak.On the contrary, Geno

Tradition and trends play into choice of engagement rings

Annalisa Russell-Smith | Staff

Father and daughter Dayna and Fred DiBattista with some of the engagement and wedding bands they carry attheir store, Polumbo�s Jewelers, 438 East St., New Britain.

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Our wedding packages start at $55 per person; other corporate and event catering prices vary.We provide linens, tables, chairs, chinaware, and other accessories. Our menus are meant to bea guide. We will gladly work one on one with our clients to build a personalized menu.

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Page 3: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

Sunday, June 24, 2012 | 3The Herald Press WEDDINGS

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Page 4: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

4 | Sunday, June 24, 2012 The Herald Press

Chances are those who haveattended a wedding have wit-nessed some popular traditionstake place. The bride wears a veil,

a court of wedding attendantsaccompanies the bride and groom,and birdseed, rice or flower pet-als are tossed. But have you ever

wondered why? The weddingcustoms are ripe with traditionand harken back to days whensuperstition and myth often ruledthe day.

� Bouquet: Nowadays, thebride carries a beautiful bouquetof flowers. But the purpose of thebouquet held different meaningsin the past. Saracen brides car-ried orange blossoms for fertility.Others carried a combination ofherbs and flowers to ward off evilspirits with their aroma. Bouquetsof dill were often carried, againfor fertility reasons, and after theceremony, the dill was eaten to

encourage lust.� Bridesmaids: There may be

arguments over dresses and howmany bridesmaids to have in awedding party now, but in ancienttimes it was “the more the mer-rier.” That’s because bridesmaidswere another measure to keepthe bride safe against evil spirits.Essentially the bridesmaids weredecoys for the spirits -- dressinglike the bride to confuse the spir-its or maybe help deter them toleave the bride be.

� Wedding rings: Wearingof wedding rings dates back toancient Egypt. The round shape

of a ring symbolizes eternal love.The ring is worn on the fourthfinger of the left hand because itis believed this finger has a bloodvessel that goes directly to theheart.

� Wedding cake: The tradi-tional wedding cake evolved fromRoman times when the cake wasoriginally made from wheat. Itwas broken over the bride’s headto ensure fertility.All of the guestseat a piece for good luck. Singlewomen used to place a piece ofwedding cake under their pillowsin the hopes of finding their ownhusbands.

Most wedding customs have their foundation in age-old traditions

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Page 5: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

Sunday, June 24, 2012 | 5The Herald Press

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Page 6: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

Avenoso, owner of FranklinJewelers in Farmington, says hehas noticed a rise in the amountmen are willing to put up fortheir future wife’s stone.“I’m selling a lot of the big-

ger stones,” Avenoso said. “Onecarat, two-carat, I even have

someone buying a four-caratdiamond.”Blair has noticed the same

pattern.“It’s starting to pick up now,

but a couple years ago businesswas a little slow with engage-ment rings,” said Blair.A halo-set ring is also a pretty

prevalent type that many fian-cés choose. It features a centerstone bordered by diamonds toenhance its look and is typicallyspherical.“Halo-settings are pretty pop-

ular now, especially in whitegold,” said Blair.Most jewelers say it is best for

a man to get a feel for what typeof ring his fiancée might wantbefore they decide to pick a par-ticular style. But they also say itis not uncommon these days fora couple to shop for an engage-ment ring together.

Picking the perfect engagement ring

Mike Orazzi | Staff

Engagement rings at DBK FamilyJewelers in Plainville.

Continued from Page 2

IT’S A FACTCouples of the Jewish faith often spend their wedding ceremonyunderneath a �chuppah.� This is a canopy or covering made from acloth or sheet stretched over four poles. According to tradition, thechuppah symbolizes the home the couple will build together.

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Premier Portraits photographs weddings in amanner and style that captures the events ofthe entire day, showing people in a relaxedand happy environment.

We offer affordable packages with excellentquality. Many of our packages include a DVDslideshow and a proof of your photos.We also create beautiful albums.

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Whether you are dreaming of anintimate Champagne Brunch or anElaborate Evening reception, ourwedding coordinators at La BellaVista will help you design a magicalexperience that is all your own!

Dream of dancing under elegant crystalchandeliers in our beautifully decoratedballrooms.

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6 | Sunday, June 24, 2012 The Herald PressWEDDINGS

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Page 7: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

| 7The Herald Press WEDDINGS

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Page 8: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

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A wedding cake is a crowningfinale to amomentous wedding day.Couples spend hundreds of dollarson tiered confectionary creations,which provide great photo oppor-tunities and even better desserts.Though a wedding cake is a

traditional component of weddingcelebrations, professional bak-ers may charge anywhere from $2to $6 per guest for the averagecake. That could mean spendingupwards of $900 for a cake to feed150 guests.There are many reasons why

cakes may be so expensive. Forinstance, the equipment used tobake cakes does not come cheaply.Ingredients, such as butter, high-quality flours,chocolate, real vanilla,and others tend to have high pricetags. Furthermore, the time thatgoes into baking and then intri-cately decorating the cake adds upto quite a bit of labor. For coupleswho prefer not to spend too much

on a cake, there are ways to savemoney and still savor a deliciousdessert.

�Ask a local bakery or restaurantif the pastry chef will create yourwedding cake. Oftentimes, bakerswho do not specialize in weddingcakes will make a cake at a muchlower cost than bakeries known fortheir wedding cakes. If you adorea dessert at a particular restaurant,ask to have it duplicated.

� Commission an amateur baker,such as a friend or family member,to make your cake.There are manybudding cake artists out there, sev-eral of which have the cursory skillsto create a delicious and aestheti-cally appealing cake. Friends orfamily members may even makethe cake for little or no cost.

� Keep decorations and flavorsto a minimum. The more embel-lishments and designs you put onthe cake, the more expensive it willbe. Stick to the basics, and the cakewon’t cost as much.

� Look into culinary schools inyour area. A student pastry chefmay be able to produce a cake foryou at a fraction of the cost of whatan established baker may charge.This saves you money and the stu-dent can use your cake as part of hisor her portfolio.

� Skip the tiered cake. Tieredcakes require careful stackingand engineering. Also, if the tiersthemselves are made of crystal oranother expensive material, it couldinflate the cost of the cake. Choosea lower-profile cake to save money.

� Serve guests from a sheet cake.Some couples opt to have a dummycake on display or just a small cakefor cutting purposes, and then havewaitstaff serve from a simple sheetcake. Guests rarely recognize thedifference.

� Shop at a warehouse center.Warehouse centers often have anin-store bakery capable of produc-ing cakes for large crowds. Thesecakes can be delicious and inexpen-sive. As long as you don’t advertisewhere you bought the cake, there’sa good chance no one will be ableto detect a discounted cake.

� Choose ready-made cakes and

stack them yourself. Find a bakerynear you that keeps a constantsupply of specialty cakes in theirdisplay cases. Purchase 2 to 3 cakesof the same variety and find cakepedestals from a party or craftstore. Embellish the tiers with a

few fresh flowers and you have atiered cake for a minimal cost.

� Think about an alternative tocake. Tarts, pies, cream puffs, andother culinary creations may bemore affordable and just as deli-cious as a lavish cake.

A few tips on how to save money on the wedding cake

You can cut the cost of a wedding cake and still have a delicious dessert.

8 | Sunday, June 24, 2012 The Herald PressWEDDINGS

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Page 9: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

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Destination weddings are agreat way for couples to com-memorate their big days in anidyllic locale.

According to the Association ofBridal Consultants, 5 to 7 percentof all weddings are destinationweddings, indicating that couplesno longer feel obligated to tie theknot in their hometowns.

Though a destination weddingcan create cherished memories forcouples and their guests, couplesmust be realistic before they com-mit to walking down the aisle ona Caribbean beach or in a Scottishcastle.

For instance, couples who stillhope their friends and familymembers can share in their specialdays must know that a destinationwedding might drastically reducethe number of guests who canmake it to the wedding. So whenplanning a destination wedding,couples would be wise to take afew things to heart.

� Make it an affordable affair.Couples often fret about financ-ing their weddings, and the sameconcerns might come up for those

invited to a destination wedding.Don’t choose a destination thatwill require guests to spend asubstantial amount of money for asingle weekend. Doing so is unfairto your guests, and it might keepmany of them from attending thewedding.

� Get the word out early. Adestination wedding is typicallyheld in an idyllic locale, and suchdestinations are usually expensiveto visit.

Couples should keep this mindand get the word out as earlyas possible, sending out theirsave-the-date cards earlier thanthey would if they were havinga more traditional wedding. Theearlier you get the word out, theless expensive and more flexibleflights might be, saving you andyour guests money.

� Seek discounts. Coupleswho choose traditional weddingsare eligible for hotel discounts,wherein the hotel will reserve ablock of rooms for the couple andtheir guests. This is also true fordestination weddings. Thanks tothe growing popularity of destina-tion weddings, many resorts now

have wedding packages that dis-count rooms for all involved withthe wedding. Vendors are oftenopen to negotiation as well.

� Hire a wedding planner.Couples who choose a more tra-ditional wedding can usually getby without the help of a weddingplanner.

However,couples going the des-tination wedding route will almost

certainly need a wedding planner,especially for those getting mar-ried in a foreign country whereanother language is spoken.

In idyllic locales, there may bewedding planners who specializein destination weddings. Manyresorts even have wedding plan-ners on staff or on call.

Wedding planners can beexpensive, but they’re a necessary

expense when planning a destina-tion wedding.

� Stay calm. One of the bestthings about a destination wed-ding is that they are typicallydevoid of the stress that comeswith planning a more traditionalwedding. That’s especially true ofisland weddings, where vendorsoften move at a slower pace thanmainland vendors. What’s more,options with respect to decor andcuisine might be more limited forisland weddings, so couples won’thave to agonize over each andevery decision. That said, couplesneed to adapt to this more laidback approach and make the mostof it rather than stressing out overcommunication mishaps or otherbumps in the road.

� Don’t make your weddingday your first day there. While aParisian wedding might soundlike the stuff of fairytales, coupleswho have never before been toParis should visit at least onceprior to their big day, if not oncebefore choosing the destination.This will give you a feel for thelocale and a reason to enjoy a pre-wedding getaway.

Planning is key to a successful destination wedding

Destination weddings can be idyllic, but require a lot of planning.

Sunday, June 24, 2012 | 9The Herald Press WEDDINGS

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Page 10: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

METROCREATIVEGRAPHICS.COM

Some couples have dreamedabout having a large and lavishwedding since they were children.

Others aspire to something moreintimate. Still others would preferto elope, which has its pros andcons. Couples who might want to

elope should weigh the advantagesand disadvantages before they takethe plunge.Although there is no definitive

way to calculate how many coupleselope each year, research indicatesthat roughly 100,000 couples elopein Las Vegas every year, for a vari-ety of reasons, including:

� Intimacy� Ease of planning� Finances� Desire for a small weddingTaking a closer look at the pros

and cons of eloping can help cou-ples better determine if runningoff to elope is the right move forthem.

Pros

Cost is a major advantage toeloping. Various bridal Web sites,vendors and magazines have cal-culated that the average weddingruns anywhere from $21,000to $35,000. Choosing to elopereduces that figure considerably,as couples who elope tend to avoidlavish affairs. The “reception” maybe a casual dinner out or even aget-together at home.

Eloping is more intimatein nature than a big wedding.Couples can share special vowsamongst themselves without theneed for a show at a larger wed-ding. If there are rifts between thefamilies and coming together fora wedding may cause tension, anelopement is sometimes a smartchoice. Couples can start out theirnew lives together in a specialway, unencumbered by having tomingle with family members theymay not have seen in years.Couples who have different reli-

gious beliefs or cultural traditionsmay find it difficult to blend thesecustoms in a traditional wedding.Elopement may offer them thefreedom to personalize their wed-dings in ways that cater to theirdesires.Some people simply do not like

being in the spotlight, and tradi-tional weddings put couples upon a pedestal. Eloping helps avoidthat nervousness and anxiety.

Cons

One of the cons that deter peo-ple from eloping is that failure to

have a traditional wedding maydisappoint close friends and fam-ily members. A wedding is not justabout the couple, but about fami-lies blending and becoming one.Parents of the bride or groom maywant to boast about how proudthey are of their children gettingmarried, and friends may enjoyhaving an excuse to get togetherand celebrate.There is a lot of pressure that

goes into wedding planning, buta wedding is hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime event. There may beregrets about not having the bigparty or wearing the fancy clotheslater on down the line.Eloping means couples may not

be eligible for the same number ofperks as with a traditional wed-ding. Some couples start their nesteggs with monetary gifts fromwedding guests.Eloping will likely reduce the

number of gifts a couple receivesfrom well-wishers.Also, there may not be a bridal

shower, which is where couplesreceive most of the housewaresand essentials they’ll use in theirnew home.

Before you elope carefully consider the pros and cons10 | Sunday, June 24, 2012 The Herald PressWEDDINGS

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Page 11: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

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Planning a wedding is no smalltask, and most couples look for-ward to the day when they’re nolonger fretting over floral center-pieces or agonizing over seatingarrangements. Though weddingshave become more complicated inmany ways, the Internet has madesome things simpler for couplesplanning their nuptials.Perhaps nowhere is that more

true than with regard to shar-ing information. The Internet hasmade it easy for couples to keepfriends and family abreast of thedetails that go into a wedding.Many couples have even devel-oped their own wedding Website,updating the site whenever theymake important decisions, suchas when and where the weddingwill take place, where guests canstay and all the other informationguests might need. Such infor-mation used to be sent out viatraditional mail, but now couplescan simply direct friends andfamily to their wedding website,saving time and money while alsobenefitting the environment.

But before couples design theirwebsites, it’s first helpful to deter-mine if it’s actually necessary.Couples who are planning moreintimate affairs with few guestsmight find a Website isn’t neces-sary. In addition, couples who arehaving a local wedding in whichmost of the guests live in townand won’t need to travel or makehotel arrangements, can probablyget by without creating a weddingWebsite. However, couples whoare planning a larger affair and/or an out-of-town wedding andare expecting guests from all overthe map can utilize the Internetto make it easier to communicatewith prospective guests. Whendeveloping a wedding Website,there are some things a coupleshould consider.

� Timing: Don’t establish theWebsite until you have settled ona date and location for the wed-ding. The site can be a great wayto share your story with friendsand family, but its primary func-tion is to act as a resource forguests. If no date or location hasbeen picked, then the site won’t

prove too helpful to guests. Butonce a date and location has beenchosen, set up the Website assoon as possible, ideally sever-al months to a year in advanceof the wedding. Doing so givesguests plenty of time to clear theirschedules and make airline andhotel reservations.

� Information: When design-ing the site, make it easy tonavigate so all the informationa guest might need is readilyavailable. Couples who are nottech-savvy can utilize an exist-ing Website like TheKnot.com,which allows its members to cre-ate a premium Website that caninclude exclusive designs, links toa couple’s online registry, photos,maps of the event location, anda host of other pertinent details.Some wedding Website servicescharge a relatively small fee tokeep the site running for up to ayear. Couples who feel they cancreate a site on their own shouldbe certain to include the date,location, directions and maps tothe event locations, hotel accom-modations, and wedding registry

information. Those who want togo the extra mile can includephotos, the story of how they met,

information about members ofthe wedding party and a guest-book that well-wishers can sign.

Build a wedding website to help spread the wordSunday, June 24, 2012 | 11The Herald Press WEDDINGS

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Page 12: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

METROCREATIVEGRAPHICS.COM

While many once popular wed-ding traditions might have fallen bythe wayside,many others have with-stood the test of time.One traditionthat has endured is the weddingregistry, which is designed to helpwedding guests find the right gift forthe couple of honor.Thanks in large part to the

Internet, it’s now easier than ever

before to set up a registry. Couplescan do so entirely via the Web orvisit their favorite store or storesand use a hand-held scanner toadd items to their registry. But eventhough registries are easy to set up,it might help couples to consider afew tips before they start clicking orscanning away.

� Register with multiple

merchants. Couples can help guestsout by registeringwithmultiplemer-chants. Doing so gives guests moreoptions and increases the likelihoodthat guests can find the store.Whenchoosing merchants, try to choosenational stores that guests can accessregardless of where they live.

� Don’t assume all guests are tech-savvy. While the Web has madesetting up and accessing a registryeasier for couples and guests alike,it’s safe to assume your guest list willinclude one or two holdouts whohave never before shopped online.Because of that, couples should stillregister with a brick-and-mortarstore instead of only registeringonline.

� Read the fine print. Someonline retailers are kinder than oth-ers. When establishing an onlineregistry, examine the retailer’s policythoroughly to be sure it does notinclude substantial service chargesor exorbitant shipping fees. Guestsshould not be penalized for theirgenerosity.

� Vary the options within theregistry. When adding items to theregistry, be sure to include items that

everyone can afford.Especially now-adays, when many weddings hostguests from far and wide, it’s idealto include lots of affordable items.That way guests who have alreadyspent considerable money getting tothe wedding won’t have to break thebank even further to gift the bride-and groom-to-be.As for high-end items, keep those

to a minimum. Parents, siblings or

other especially close relatives mightask to buy those items before youeven establish the registry. But itis important to include at least afew expensive items, as some guestsmight pool their resources and buythese gifts, saving you money whilegiving them the satisfaction that yougot something you might not havebeen able to afford after paying forthe wedding.

Creating a wedding registry now easier than ever

Technology has made it easier than ever to set up wedding registries.

12 | Sunday, June 24, 2012 The Herald PressWEDDINGS

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Page 13: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

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A token of appreciation forguests is requisite at weddingreceptions.Wedding favors enableattendees to walk away from theevent with a memento and alsoa small thank you for their par-ticipation and celebration of thismomentous event.Brides- and grooms-to-be have

different ideas when it comes towedding favors. Guests have theirown opinions, too. As customsand trends change, so do theoptions in wedding favors.In the past, wedding favors

were not much different fromthe items offered today, and notevery guest was privy to a take-home trinket. In the 16th century,wedding favors were a sign ofextravagance and showed off thefamily’s wealth to the guests.Only rich and prominent peopleduring those times could affordand provide sophisticated gifts totheir guests. Some favors symbol-ized luck, and sharing them withguests ensured good luck to allas well. Almonds were commonfavors because they symbolizedfertility, health, happiness, wealth,and longevity.Bonbonnieres were once a

popular wedding favor. A bon-bonniere is a small, decorative boxmade of porcelain, crystal or gold.It is embellished with colorful

and precious gems. Inside thebox houses a sweet delicacy, oftencalled a bonbon. In modern times,many couples are returning to thetradition of giving bonbonnieresor other edible favors as theirwedding celebration thank-yous.Edible favors are often economi-cal and guests tend to appreciatethem.After all, guests have to finda nook in their homes in which tohouse an engraved ice cream scoo-per or yet another small statuette.Edible gifts can be as varied as

a person desires. Candy-coatedalmonds are still popular, butmany couples have expandedtheir choices and have creatednew trends in favors. For thosecouples seeking a unique ediblefavor for the wedding, here are

some suggestions.� Cake or brownie pops: Food

on a stick has long been a favor-ite of many, but the concept hasbeen taken to new heights withthe creation of cake pops. Theseare small balls of cake or browniethat are made from cake crumbsand frosting.The balls are coveredin candy melts or chocolate andserved on a stick. Chocolate art-ists can transform ordinary cakepops into works of art with intri-cate piping designs on the hard,outer shell. Clear cello bags anddecorative ribbon may be all that’snecessary for a classic wrapping.

� Cookies: Pastry arts con-tinue to be popular favors forany occasion.Many bakeries offerintricately designed and decorated

cookies that can pertain to anytheme. Think about a weddingcouple or a set of rings as thecookie of choice for a weddingfavor. Most cookies last 2 to 3weeks, so they can be purchasedin advance.

� Petit fours: These bite-sizedpastries lend themselves well towedding favors. They can easilybe paired and put in small boxesas take-home treats. Some baker-ies create petit fours on demand.If not, petit fours can be pur-chased through online vendors.

� Chocolate: Gourmet choco-late remains a popular edible favor.Choose among truffles, caramels,

chocolate-covered pretzels, or anyfavorite treat. Depending on thechocolatier, favors may come pre-boxed and wrapped.

� Seasonal treats: If a wed-ding coincides with a particularseason or holiday, favors can becoordinated as well. Think cara-mel-covered apples for fall parties,chocolate bunnies for springevents, spiced cake bars for thewinter holidays or lemon tarts forsummer weddings.Wedding favors have been a part

of wedding ceremonies for centu-ries. Edible gifts are thoughtfuland flavorful mementos of thewedding day.

Edible wedding favors make a fine choice for mementosSunday, June 24, 2012 | 13The Herald Press WEDDINGS

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Page 14: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

METROCREATICEGRAPHICS.COM

Sometimes a wedding can bea testament to excess. In order tomake an impression and pleaseevery guest, couples often goabove and beyond with regard tofood, favors, flowers, and muchmore at their weddings.At the end of the night, couples

might be left with a good deal offood and other items that go to

waste. That is, unless you donatethe excess to someone who canuse it.Leftover wedding food, flowers

and wardrobes can be donatedand make a difference in otherpeople’s lives. By asking a fewquestions and doing a little leg-work, you can turn items thatwould be discarded into some-thing that goes on to help another

person.Food: Food is one area of the

wedding that’s often prepared inabundance, particularly for buffet-style weddings. In order to keepchafing dishes filled and inviting,catering halls or restaurants mayprepare much more food than isnecessary. At the end of the nightthere’s plenty of leftovers. Somecaterers have already contractedwith food recovery groups to takeleftover food and bring it to theneedy. You can ask your catererif they do so. If not, do an onlinesearch for a food recovery organi-zation and find out how you candonate the remainders of yourwedding feast.Clothing: Bridesmaid dresses

and formal wear is seldom wornagain, unless you are a person whohas mastered the art of turningpink taffeta into a new ensemble.However, you may be able todonate a dress or suit to a consign-ment store or thrift shop, where itcan be purchased and worn bysomeone who may not be ableto afford an off-the-rack item.You can also consider donating itto an organization that provides

clothing to the underprivileged.Some people offer wedding cloth-ing for sale at deep discountsthrough newspaper classifieds oronline, where it can also live on insomeone else’s closet.F loral arrangements:

Wedding centerpieces can last

for several days before theywilt. While friends and familymembers may take some home,several centerpieces will likelybe left at the end of the night.Think about bringing them to ahospital, hospice center or nurs-ing home. The flowers can helpbrighten the day of others whoare in somber settings. If youcannot find a place that will takethem, consider dropping one ortwo of them off at the home ofan elderly relative who might beconfined to his or her home.Favors: Provided your favors

have not been engraved with adate or names, you may be ableto return extras to the store.There’s also the possibility ofmaking them available to acouple who is planning theirwedding and is looking to cutcosts wherever possible. Or, takethe favors home and send oneout to any person who gives youa gift or a card but wasn’t able tomake it to the wedding.Weddings do not have to be

wasteful. If you put your mindto it, you can find ways to reuseitems featured on your big day.

Donate, recycle and reuse for a greener wedding

Drop off floral arrangements atnursing homes, where they canbrighten up the environment.

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Grant Chiropractic Health Center, LLC1601 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk.Milldale, CT 06467-0792

Call: 860-620-9523www.southingtonchiropractor.com

74 Farmington Avenue • Bristol CT860.582.8858 • www.shannonjewelers.com

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Page 15: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

Sunday, June 24, 2012 | 15The Herald Press

La Bella Vista380 Farmwood Rd.Waterbury, 06704203-527-4006

www.labellavistacatering.com

Maneeley’s65 Rye St.

So. Windsor, CT860-528-6622

www.Maneeleys.com

Manor Inn Restaurant1636 MeridenWaterbury

TurnpikeP.O. Box 1636.

Milldale (Southington) CT06467

860-628-9877manorinnrestaurant.com

StonewellRestaurant

354 Colt Highway (Rt. 6)Farmington, CTExit 37 o� I-84860-677-8855

Testa’sBanquet Facilities26 South Center St.Southington, CT860-628-8509

www.testas.cnet

Tunxis PlantationCountry Club

87 Town Farm Rd.Farmington, Ct860-678-9523

www.tunxisbanquets.com

B R I D A LO N E - S T O PS H O P P I N G

Bristol Commons& The Annex

99 Farmington Ave.Rt. 6, Bristol

B R I D A L G O W N S

Kathy Faber Designs737 Sta�ord Ave., Bristol

860-583-3461www.kathyfaber.com

C A K E SA N D F A V O R S

Bolo Bakery32Whiting St.860-410-4292

www.bolobakery.com

Harvest Bakery84 Farmington Ave.

Bristol, CT860-589-8000

www.theharvestbakery.com

C A T E R I N G

Angelo’s Market& Catering

349West Main StreetNew Britain, CT860-223-7340

www.angelosmarket.com

Cafe Buono562 Farmington Ave, Bristol

860-582-2233www.cafebuono.com

Jeske’s Catering, LLC380 Main Street

Kensington, CT 06037860-829-7766

Fax: 860-829-1965www.jeskescatering.com

[email protected]

Krause CaterersE. Hartford, CT860-568-5000

fax: 860-568-5322www.krausecaterers.com

Teresa’s Catering175 Gold St.

New Britain, CT860-223-8609

www.teresascateringllc.com

D A N C E L E S S O N S

Arthur MurrayDance Studio623 Hartford Rd.New Britain, CT860-224-0625

www.arthurmurraynewbritain.com

F LO R A L D E S I G N

Artificial Flower Shop26 Lake AvenueBristol, CT 06010860-582-0516

Hubbard Florist133 North St., Bristol

860-583-4184www.hubbards�orist.com

Marzi Florist33 Fern Street

New Britain, CT860-229-1331

www.marzi�orist.com

G I F T S

Patrick Baker& Sons, Inc.

1650West StreetSouthington, CT 06489

860-628-5566

J E W E L R Y

DBK Jewelers41 East St.,

Plainville, CT 06062860-747-3374

Polumbo’s Jewelers438 East StreetNew Britain, CT860-223-8886

Shannon’s Diamondsand Fine Jewelry, Inc.74 Farmington Avenue

Bristol, CT 06010860-582-8858

J U S T I C E O FT H E P E A C E

Thomas F. Carey860-539-6355

Realtor/Justice of the [email protected]

R E C E P T I O N& B A N Q U E T

Indian HillCountry Club

111 Golf St., NewingtonCT 06111

[email protected]

To Be Included In This Directory In The Future PleaseCall 860-225-4601 Ext. 207 Ask For Joanne Reynolds.

A P P A R E LIrene’s Lingerie21Whiting Street

Plainville, CT 06062860-747-9500

www.ireneslingerie.com

B A N Q U E T SA N D C A T E R I N G

Ariaby Villa Rosa

Wedding and BanquetFacility

45 Murphy Rd.Prospect, Ct203-758-0096203-573-8083

[email protected]

The CornucopiaBanqueting Hall

371 Pinewoods RoadRt. 8, Torrington

489-5446 &1-800-3 TO BWED

www.cornucopiabanqueting.com

The Gallery141 New London Tpke.Glastonbury, CT 06033

[email protected]

Mahan’s Lakeview& Fine Catering15 Grilley Rd.Wolcott, CT203-879-9363

www.mahanscatering.com

2012WEDDING DIRECTORYKrystal Gardens

1146 Spindel Hill Rd.Wolcott, CT

(203) 879-4050www.krystalgardenscater-

ing.com

R E N T A L SConnecticut Rental

Center30 Dekoven Drive

Middletown, CT 06457860-347-4688

www.ctrentalcenter.com

T R A V E LScully Travel580Wolcott Rd.Wolcott, CT203-879-2593

[email protected]

Wollenberg’s/TLC Limousine436 Main St.Terryville, CT

860-585-LIMO (5466)www.tlclimousine.net

W E I G H T L O S SGrant Chiropractic

Health Center1601 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke.

Milldale, CT860-620-9523

www.southingtonchiropractic.com

024457

WEDDINGS

Page 16: Bridal Guide - The Bristol Press - 06-24-2012

16 | Sunday, June 24, 2012 The Herald PressWEDDINGS

Mahan�s Lakeview has created a Complete Wedding Package that will make your special day

everything you ever hoped it could be! At Mahan's Lakeview you may choose a Garden Ceremony in At Mahan's Lakeview you may choose a Garden Ceremony in our large gazebo surrounded by our manicured gardens or a Chapel Ceremony in our picturesque, non-denominational

High Point Chapel: featuring a wood & marble fireplace and breathtaking natural views, it�s perfect for winter

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Please ask about our new complete package for showers, birthdays, proms, retirement parties, holiday parties and

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