L ong gone are the days when an engaged couple

has to spend countless hours trekking through a dozen different wedding venues, researching pho-tographers, and scouring the phone book for cake decorators. Now, with the assistance of the Internet, couples can book these important items with the click of a button. Free internet sites such

as OurWeddingDay.com, mywedding.com, and TheKnot.com take the frustration and confusion out of planning the big event with such features as inspiration boards, suggestions for makeup do’s and don’ts, how to write wedding vows, how to be a ring bearer, and how to manage wedding stress. Brittany Geske, current-

ly of Aberdeen, and fian-cée Jayson Geditz have been using TheKnot and she couldn’t be happier. “We got engaged in

December. Our wedding will be May 30, 2015, in Victoria, Minn.” While that seems like a

long way off, it is neces-sary to begin planning at

least a year in advance. “TheKnot is free and it

goes through all the ven-dors. I can price-compare and do hands-on planning from five hours away.” TheKnot also sends

out daily emails listing vendor discounts.

“Your have to be able to coordinate the date and time with the church, the venue and the photog-rapher. Then you need to book a DJ. There is a checklist that reminds you what you need to do one year out, 10 months out, one month out – I love my checklist.” The couple has also set

up a personal website via TheKnot where far-away family and friends can go to learn more about the couple. “Jason comes from a big family – his dad has 13 siblings!” said Brittany. Brittany, 23, is origi-

nally from Chanhassen, Minn. She moved to Aberdeen to attend Presentation College on a full-ride scholarship. She is currently a complet-ing on-line coursework

through the University of St. Joseph in Hartford, Conn., working toward a Masters degree in biology and a graduate certificate in emerging infectious diseases. Jason, 23, originally

from Ipswich, graduat-

ed from Northern State University and works in carrier sales for C.H. Robinson in Eden Prairie, Minn., a transportation logistics company. Brittany is also able to

link her Pinterest account to her TheKnot account. (Pinterest is an online site that allows users to share ideas, photos, recipes, inspirational thoughts, and humor.” A user can “pin” an idea to his or her personal board for future reference.) “I have wedding dresses, flowers, and cakes that I’ve pinned,” she said. She uses TheKnot’s

budgeter page to log all expenses – what has been paid and what is still outstanding. When the wedding is

over, guests can post photos they have taken

during the ceremony and reception for all to share. The photographer can post photos that friends and relatives can pur-chase. But Brittany is still a

traditional girl. The Inter-net simply cannot replace paper. “I mailed out Save The Date cards, will mail out invitations and, of

course, thank you cards.” But there is one thing

no online site can do and that is to be there in person on the big day to make sure all goes smoothly. Brittany is still using a professional wed-ding planner, who is also a close friend, to see to last minute details – ev-erything from the passing

of hors d’oeuvres to the arrangement of tables. And TheKnot does not

leave you standing at the altar. Once the wedding is over you can easily transfer all your infor-mation to TheNest (for home buying and decorat-ing) and then TheBump (when it’s time to grow a family.)

Wedding planning a joy not a choreGRETCHEN MAYERAberdeen American News

. . . TheKnot does not leave you standing at the altar.

Brittany Geske uses an internet website, TheKnot.com, to plan her wedding. The site helps her budget her money, build a guest list and book the reception venue and photographer. Photo by Gretchen Mayer.

T he wedding industry as a whole is in a

state of transition. Cou-ples are demanding high levels of quality and style without the associated expense, and they are finding a host of ways to do so. From off-the-rack retail

store wedding dresses to personalized do-it-yourself centerpieces, this movement is alive and well. Perhaps where

this industry evolution is most evident is wedding invitations, with more couples exploring online options that let them design, print and produce impressive invites for much less than in the past. Decades ago, back

when your parents got married, shopping for wedding invitations was a time-consuming and expensive process. It usu-ally entailed borrowing a huge book of cardstock, lengthy discussions about

print, a detailed ordering process and waiting a month or more for deliv-ery. Today, smart couples sit down in front of their computer and explore discount sites like Ann’s Bridal Bargains that pro-vide affordable, high-qual-ity invitations for as little as 50 cents each. Why has the process

and cost changed so much? Modern technol-ogy allows couples to access a wide range of designs so they can find the perfect option to suit their style. Digital print-

ing and and the ability to edit and personalize online make it easier and more affordable to produce high-end looking invitations in a minimal amount of time. Follow these simple

steps to get gorgeous wedding invitations and stay on budget: Step 1: Go online. Visit

www.annsbridalbargains.com and pick out your favorite options. Then order free samples so you can see examples in person before making a final decision.

Step 2: Discover budget-friendly options. Consider these three unique wedding invi-tation formats that are affordable without sacri-ficing quality or style: Petite invitations. Petite

is trendy, which means miniature versions of beautiful wedding invi-tations might be a great option for the trend-setting couple. Smaller wedding invitations also come at a smaller cost – as low as 65 cents each – so you can make a big statement without going over budget. Seal and send. Eliminat-

ing the need for an enve-lope can be a big cost-cut-ter, and that’s why seal and send wedding

invitations are smart op-tion. These invites have a response card attached are designed to fold into self mailers so there’s no need for an envelope or extra postage.Invitation sets. Bundling

can be a cost-saving approach to wedding invitations, so look for sets that include freebies such as complementary response cards. When you can get an all-in-one price, you can make your budget stretch further. Step 3: Place your or-

der. Once you place your official order with Ann’s Bridal Bargains, your invi-tations will typically ship within a day and arrive at your home within one week.

Get gorgeous wedding invitations for less:Insider secrets for boosting style and saving cash

BRANDPOINT

W hen it comes to wedding planning, local

professionals advise to plan early and stay calm. Easy to say, not so easy to do. There are a myriad of tiny details that have to be anticipated, planned for and paid for. One of the biggest issues is where to hold the recep-tion. The Aberdeen area is

fortunate in that there are venues that can accom-modate receptions of every size from small and cozy to large and elabo-rate. Brides and grooms can easily plan a classy reception even on a tight budget with just a little bit of time and ingenuity. One of the most expen-

sive items on a wedding budget could easily be the food – depending on whether you are serving a simple sandwich buffet or a full sit-down meal. There are only a few

places in the area where the bride and groom can provide their own food for the reception – often because the venue does not have kitchen capabil-ities. Such is the case at the AmericInn, and some couples might appreciate having that option. According to General

Manager Kari Lozenski, the AmericInn can accom-modate up to 250 guests, which is considered to be a small reception. “We do charge the room fee,” said Lozenski. Blocks of rooms can be reserved for out-of-town guests. She advises booking at

least a year in advance to

ensure the preferred date. The Anchors Away

Lodge and Resort at Richmond Lake will either provide the food or the couple can bring in their own. “If we prepare the food, the cost usu-ally about $10 - $15 per person,” Manager Rebec-ca Hillard said. There are still a few openings available for this spring and summer. The couple can either

rent the whole resort – seven rooms of which two are suites – or just the lodge ($250). The ca-pacity of the lodge is 150, which would be perfect for a small affair. And there is a shuttle

available to make sure all guests get back home safely. The Moccasin Creek

Country Club (MCCC)can accommodate up to 200 people, but the reception winds up being on two levels, “Some couples do not like that,” said Julie Lambert of the MCCC. “In order to book with

us they have to be mem-bers. We decorate, cloth and serve food – every-thing but the cake.” Even though they are a smaller venue, Lambert advises couples book as early as possible. The DEC (Dakota Event

Center) is booked up for this year, according to Jessica Torigan, Head of Sales and Marketing. The DEC can hold up to 800 seated guests and pro-

vides all the food with the exception of punch, nuts, mints, and cake. “We can even accom-

modate favorite family recipes and traditional food,” said Torigan, add-ing that the DEC offers a pre-event food tasting for up to six guests. “I generally tell couples

that once they’ve coordi-nated the date between the church, the venue and the photographer, then they can relax and enjoy the rest of their wedding planning.” When it comes to what

is trending, she’s seeing a lot of vintage or rustic themes this year. And wedding planners?

Jessica hasn’t seen pro-fessional planners used in the Aberdeen area yet. There are two options

from which to choose at the Ramkota – the Con-vention Center, which can hold up to 600 guests, and the Dakota Rooms, which can be combined for smaller receptions. Kristan Morris, Ca-

tering Director at the Ramkota, states that even though the wedding season has started there are still a few openings available. She cautions that now would be a good time to start planning for a wedding next spring. Recent food themes

she’s seen are a sweet and salty bar and a popcorn bar where they serve sev-eral flavors of popcorn. “But every wedding is completely different.” Her advice to engaged

couples are to book the

church and the venue, then the DJ and the pho-tographer. Don’t know where to

find a DJ? Kristan can help.“I do a lot of recom-mending to people.” She also advises that,

at the beginning of the planning process, the couple should “take a step back and look at the big picture.” There will be plenty of time to work out the many details after the structure of the event has been laid. “They get so stressed so early,” she adds. Has she seen anyone

hire a professional wed-ding planner? “No, that’s sort of my job. I do a lot of that.”

“Thank goodness for Pinterest!” says Cindy Scott, Events Coordinator at the Wakeside Bar and Grill at Mina Lake. “I used to decorate the tables but now the family is coming in with the most beautiful decorating ideas!”

The Wakeside can ac-commodate 100 guests on the lower level and 250 if both the banquet area and patio are used. “This is an outdoor/indoor event. It’s relaxing because it’s by the lake. We’ve even had couples set up a beau-tiful tent on the grass. When it comes to the

menu, Scott is not seeing plated meals requested as often as she used to. “Now they want a taco bars or pasta bars, a cookie or S’more bar – and they have great fun with it.” It’s not unusual to see

the entire wedding party taking a pontoon ride around the lake. “We also have a shuttle to make sure everyone gets home safely,” said Scott. While she does have a

few opening left this year, she’s also filling up quick-ly. “I’ve got five weddings booked for 2015.” Only 12 miles out of

Aberdeen, Tacoma Park Place is a perfect des-

tination for those who want a country-themed wedding. Heidi Mehl-berg, Event Coordinator, says that most couples do their own decorating and provide the food. Tacoma Park Place

overlooks a small river, which lends itself nicely to the casual, rustic motif. Mehlberg states that

they have 12 weddings booked thus far with a few openings left for the summer. Capacity at Tacoma is 200, not including the grounds. The lodge can house 40 guests. Mehlberg states they’ve

had weddings and wed-ding/reception combina-tions booked. And a bus is available to

shuttle guests back and forth.

Editor’s Note: Several attempts were made to contact all of the known reception venues in the Aberdeen area. Only those who responded are included in this story.

Wedding venues provide options in Aberdeen, surrounding areaGRETCHEN MAYERAberdeen American News Best tip: Book your wedding

reception venue early.

In 2012, Nick and Tammy Welder chose the DEC for their wedding reception. Courtesy photo.

invitations are smart op-tion. These invites have a response card attached are designed to fold into self mailers so there’s no need for an envelope or extra postage.Invitation sets. Bundling

can be a cost-saving approach to wedding invitations, so look for sets that include freebies such as complementary response cards. When you can get an all-in-one price, you can make your budget stretch further. Step 3: Place your or-

der. Once you place your official order with Ann’s Bridal Bargains, your invi-tations will typically ship within a day and arrive at your home within one week.

Get gorgeous wedding invitations for less:Insider secrets for boosting style and saving cash

tination for those who want a country-themed wedding. Heidi Mehl-berg, Event Coordinator, says that most couples do their own decorating and provide the food. Tacoma Park Place

overlooks a small river, which lends itself nicely to the casual, rustic motif. Mehlberg states that

they have 12 weddings booked thus far with a few openings left for the summer. Capacity at Tacoma is 200, not including the grounds. The lodge can house 40 guests. Mehlberg states they’ve

had weddings and wed-ding/reception combina-tions booked. And a bus is available to

shuttle guests back and forth.

Editor’s Note: Several attempts were made to contact all of the known reception venues in the Aberdeen area. Only those who responded are included in this story.

I t is not only thee day most girls have been dreaming

about since early child-hood, but it is also prob-ably the busiest, most planned-out day of the couple’s adult life. There are a myriad of things to remember. Unfortunate-ly, with so many details needing to be addressed, some things simply just fall through the cracks.The following are ten things that you should remember when you are planning your wedding.

Gift registries are not one and done. Unlike the bride and groom, who are declaring each other their one and only, products come and go. Stores are constantly changing their inventories. Therefore it is a good idea to review your gift registries and update them periodically. Also, be sure to register

at more than one location so your guests can shop where they are comfort-able. This way, as well, they are more likely to find a gift worth giving in their price range. Some couples are traditionally marrying later in life and may not have the need for many items. At this point, asking for cash will likely come off as tacky. It might be better to set up a “honeymoon” fund or a different type of registry that will mean more than another

punch bowl or appetizer dish. For example, the website Hatch My House (www.hatchmyhouse.com) allows couples to register for a future down payment, renovations, or home décor. Pinterest versus

Personalization. Be-lieve it or not, there is a difference between these two Ps. It’s easy to get carried away on Pinter-est…You pin and you pin and you pin. While it is a safe haven and idea sparker, weddings can get “too Pinterestry.” Yes, even if that is not a word, “too Pinteresty” is a real thing—and it happens. If you really want to get creative and have unique features for your décor, invitations, favors, etc., recruit one of your friends (perhaps a graphic designer) to help you with some details. Some ARE better than

others—but something is better than nothing. Whatever you do, don’t overdo the P. How much Pinterest is too much Pinterest? Your wedding details should be an expression of both you and your future husband. Anything more than that—well, you’ve hit “too Pinteresty” on the mark.

Address social media with your wedding party and guests. As popular as social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram are, you

might have barely sealed the nuptials with a kiss before your cousin Sally has posted you, in your wedding dress, walking down the aisle. If you prefer to break the social media seal, it might be a good idea to add some-thing to your invitations, wedding programs, or wedding website.

Think about what happens after you celebrate your nuptials. Chances are there pic-tures to take, food to eat, a cake to cut, and some dancing to do. But what about after the celebra-tion? You should prepare for what follows your day in advance. Do you have an overnight bag at the hotel? Can you check in

early? Will someone else check you in and drop off your bags? How are you getting from place to place? Speaking of after

the party – someone has to clean up all the confetti and stash the extra cake. Some clean up might be included in

your venue rental. If not, assign a member of your wedding party or ask a close aunt, godparent, or family friend to handle these details.

Décor extends past the reception hall. Yep, folks. I’m talking bathrooms… or ya know, other spaces. A childhood photo of the bride and

groom could replace the “Men” and “Women” signs on the door or ambiance can keep the mood romantic while ladies powder their faces. Other places such as hall-ways or entryways may also benefit from a small amount of décor.

Be appreciative. Most people probably do not forget this one, but it happens.

Yes, this is your day. Yes, it’s kind of a big deal. But without the sup-port of the people who you love and who love you in return, it wouldn’t be the big deal it is! Mind your ps and qs; say please and thank you. It will be a much better day for all those involved if there isn’t an alert circulating between your wedding party and guests to be aware of the Bridezilla.

Don’t leave your

guests high and dry. Make sure your guests know where they need to be when and what they can expect. This infor-mation can be included on your wedding website or with your invitations. Typically, this includes locales and times of events.

Of course, this ex-tends beyond the when and where. Especially if guests are traveling out of town, they might need more direction than the directions to the church. Give them websites or a list of things to do in

the area while they are visiting. Consider hosting a social the night before the wedding so you can welcome your guests and so they can get to know one another.

Also take into consid-eration how much time is between your wedding and your reception. What will guests do during this time? Martini bar? Bingo?

Give credit where

credit is due. After the big day, take the time to complete online reviews for all of your vendors. It’s a great way to thank them for being part of your day. Also, if their services did not meet your expectations, you’ll be saving another cou-ple from having a like experience. If you cannot complete online reviews, include the vendors on the list of needed thank-you cards.

Don’t forget the

legalities. Without the paperwork, all of your planning, saying your nuptials, and celebrating are for nothing. Make sure the marriage certifi-cate is ready to be signed.

According to TheKnot, “Your celebrant should hopefully keep you on top of all the legal require-ments, such as lodging your Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month and a day before your wedding day, and bringing along three mar-riage certificates for you to sign on the day.”

VICTORIA LUSKAberdeen American News

Forget-Me-Knot: Wedding details that slip through the cracks

Make sure your guests know the when and wheres, as well as that they are entertained between your wedding and your reception.

Announce your love:today and everyday

A fter you have shown off your flashy new ring

to your closest family and friends, it is time to let the rest of the world know your good news. Submitting an announce-ment to your local news-paper is an easy, tradi-tional way to do this. The Aberdeen American

News offers announce-ments for engagements, weddings, and anniver-saries (and further down the road—babies!).Simply visit www.

aberdeennews.com. Click

“Submit An Announce-ment” under 605 Life. Select the announcement type of your choice and begin filling out the form. You may also choose to attach a jpeg image. Once completed, a

customer service repre-sentative will contact you to verify the information and collect payment. Typically, an engage-

ment announcement costs $30, while an anniversary or a wedding announcement costs $20. These costs are based on word count. The announcement will

be published in both the Sunday newspaper and online. Although you should

send personalized Thank You cards for those who helped you celebrate your big day, you can also publish a thank you—just in case you accidentally miss someone.

VICTORIA LUSKAberdeen American News

W hat does the concept of a wedding

theme mean to you? Do you think it’s just about the colors you choose for your bouquet and brides-maid gowns? Or do you think of it as something grander – your person-alized stamp that should shine through every aspect of your big day? “Even the most roman-

tic, unique theme can fail to live up to its potential if you only incorporate it into one or two as-pects of your wedding,” says Robin Brockelsby, founder of Creative Cov-erings, one of the largest nationwide linen rental and sales companies. “Truly successful themes grace everything your guests do, see and touch throughout your wedding and reception.” As you’re planning your

wedding, keep these theme-building tips in mind:

* Choose a theme and colors that you love enough to invest some creativity in. While each season, certain colors emerge as “hot” choic-es for weddings, avoid picking a color or theme

just because it’s trendy. Instead, focus on ideas that truly speak to your personality.

* Picking a wedding color doesn’t mean you have to be limited to just one shade. For example, Brocklesby points out, purple is a trending color for wed-dings this year, and you can incorporate vari-ances of it throughout your wedding. “Lighter shades like lavender and lilac are more feminine and sensitive, creating a mood of romance,” she says. “They’re a great choice for bridesmaids’ gowns.” Add interest to the color theme by using darker shades like plum or deep purples for table linens and even lighting elements. “Using these darker shades can create an impression of magic, fantasy or extravagance,” Brocklesby says.

* If you do choose a trending color, consid-er renting accessories such as linens, chair covers and decorations. Rental stores keep track of what’s trendy, too, and are more likely to have items in the season’s hottest colors. Often, it’s easier to rent what

you need than to hunt through multiple stores trying to purchase items. Visit www.rentalhq.com to find a rental store that carries everything you need to create a themed wedding.

* When choosing a theme, be sure to con-sider if it really works with that gown you fell in love with and simply must have. For example, a vintage theme cries out for a vintage gown and a dress that is too contem-porary will clash with the theme. Tuxedoes for groomsmen and stiletto heels for bridesmaids aren’t likely to work well with a beach theme.

* Set the stage for your wedding with themed invitations. Online resources make it easy to find and custom-ize wedding invitations to fit virtually any theme, from rustic to floral, country to contemporary. Themed invitations are also a great way to clue guests in to what they can expect on your spe-cial day.

* Choose linens, tableware and furni-ture that complement your theme. If the venue

you’ve booked doesn’t have items that are just right, look into renting them. Renting wedding items pro-vide brides access to a wider range of items that can fulfill

virtually any theme, giv-ing you greater flexibility and choice. Plus, renting can save you money.

* Use creative favors to underscore your theme. For example, luggage tags in the shape of flip flops make ador-able wedding favors. Or, for your outdoor wedding with a picnic theme, miniature picnic baskets filled with gourmet choc-olates will remind guests of your theme long after the reception ends.

* Remember to make music match your theme. Classical music will complement a sophis-ticated, elegant wedding as you walk down the aisle, but you might want to leave the hip-hop for the reception. For a holi-day wedding, traditional holiday music creates a timely and festive atmo-sphere that celebrates the season and your nuptials at the same time.

* Food and how you present it can also play into your theme. Want a circus-themed wedding? Rent a popcorn maker or cotton-candy machine and serve to guests in wax paper bags during the reception. Going for a more elegant, traditional theme? Silver chafing dishes are classic musts. Find a rental store that specializes in renting catering items at www.rentalhq.com.

Whatever theme you choose, all elements of your wedding should harmoniously work together to proclaim your theme. A great theme can turn any wedding into a memorable experience that guests will talk about for years to come.

BRANDPOINT

Got a great wedding theme?Tips for carrying it throughout your big day

Decide carefully on the theme of your wedding and use it for more than one or two aspects. Brandpoint photo.