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Sunday, June 13, 2010

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Sunday, June 13, 2010 — Bridal Planner 20102

One thing brides every-where have learned this pastyear is how important it is tomake every detail count.Despite smaller budgets - theaverage bride spent about 10percent less on her weddingin 2009 than she did in 2008,according to The WeddingReport - brides still deservethe wedding of their dreams.The key is to bid adieu toover-the-top opulence andemploy simple, smart andstylish techniques.

The best part: It's easy todo. Just let our 2010 Bridal

Planner show you how to doit.

From planning a budgetto arranging flowers to choos-ing a cake, we've outlinedhow to pull off an awesomewedding with ease. Ourexperts' tips on how to "keepit simple" show you how tomake the most of your time,energy and budget, whilekeeping style high and stresslow.Dive in. Follow our tips. Plana wedding that your guestswon't soon forget.It's never been simpler to do.

Congratulations! You and the person of yourdreams are embarking on a new life together, andwe couldn't be happier for you. It's time to create aday that you and your loved ones will never forget.

3 Budget4 Venue6-7 Fashion8 Food9 Drinks10-11 Flowers12-13 Photo & Video14 Cake15 Music16 Transportation17 Invitations18 Beauty19 Fitness20 Rings22-23 Honeymoon

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3Sunday, June 13, 2010 — Bridal Planner 2010

The first thing newly engagedcouples probably think abouttoday is how in the heck theyare going to pull this thing off!

According to marketresearch company TheWedding Report, the averagecost of a wedding in 2009 fell10.2 percent compared to 2008to $19,581 - a hefty sum, reces-sion or not. Whether yourbudget is nearly that or halfthat, smart couples whoemploy simple budgetingtechniques from the startwon't be crying all the way tobank after their wedding.

First Things FirstIt's not the easiest thing, butbefore couples get planning,they need to establish theirmagic budget number.

That means looking atdesignated savings, contribu-tions from parents or otherrelatives, and what of theirregular income they candevote toward the wedding,without sabotaging their day-to-day budget.

According to the TheKnot.com's 2009 RealWedding Survey, the biggestfinancial contributors to awedding are the bride's par-ents (46 percent) and the brideand groom (40 percent.)Groom's parents contributed12 percent of the final tally,according the survey.

Get ListingCarrie Zack, an event plannerwho works in Los Angelesand Miami, says that she hasseen a huge increase in her"creative consulting pack-ages" for couples who wantsome help but don't have thebudget for a full-time planner.Together they come up with

ideas, and Zack sends themon their way with a binder ofready-to-do-it-yourself tasks.

"Now it's something I doall the time," she says. "I havean Excel spreadsheet that listsevery single detail you canthink of. I'll ask them howmuch they want to spend orwhat their budget is. We'll gothrough everything and get atotal ... then we go throughand cut," she says.

One of Zack's favoritebudgeting tricks: overbudget-ing. "I don't like to go backand tell them to spend more."

She also encourages cou-ples to put together a wish listof things they want but aren'twilling to commit to. As last-minute plans come togetherand more money (from theoverbudgeting) becomesavailable, they start checkingoff items from the wish list.

Where to Save, Whereto SpendWith every penny important,couples are being more judi-cious in their spending. Zacksays she sees a lot of couplecutting back on invites butincreasing their budget onalcohol and wedding attire.Choose what's important toyou and focus there - the restwill fall into place.

-Timothy R. Schulte

BUDGET

Debt is no way to start a life together. Get yourwedding started right by budgeting smart

Moneywise

Keep It SimpleFollow these estimates to get a budgetstarted. The figures are estimates; adjustas necessary to fit your wedding's style

• RECEPTION - 50%• MUSIC - 10%• FLOWERS - 10%• WEDDING ATTIRE - 10%• PHOTO/VIDEO - 10%• STATIONERY - 5%• MISCELLANEOUS - 5%


Close your eyes and imagineyour wedding: What do yousee?

While other elements ofthe big day might flash by in ablur, images of your venueand the way it made you feelto be there will remain withyou forever. It's important totake time to envision yourentire event's style and theatmosphere you want toremember - whether it's funkyand hip, elegant and modern,or intimate and sentimental.Think about places you havevisited, parties you haveenjoyed and other thingsclose to you that bring youjoy.

Setting the StageTara Wilson, a professionalwedding planner and presi-dent of Tara Wilson Events inFort Worth, Texas, says thereare a few main style cues. Atraditional bride might leantoward a church wedding andhotel reception, while some-one who is earthy and free-spirited might do best out-doors, in a barn or in customtents. Eclectic brides might

consider environments thatare new and modern, such asa boutique or hotel, or evensomething old and historic,like a library or mansion.

Once you have narroweddown the choices - at least alittle bit - it's important to visitmultiple venues to get a realidea of what they offer. Manyquestions will begin to popup. Marcia Hemphill, profes-sional wedding planner ofChicago-based An UrbanAffair, recommends consider-ing overall budget, the citywhere you are getting mar-ried, the number of guestsyou expect and the overallstyle and ambiance youdesire. Other details to con-sider may range from thedates and times certain ven-ues are available, the spacerental fee and what itincludes, what materials areprovided (tables, chairs,linens) and whether otherparties can be held at thesame time. Don't be afraid tokeep asking questions. Everyvenue is different in its rentalinclusions and capabilities.

Location ConsiderationsSome venues offer in-housecatering, which can simplifyplanning by reducing thenumber of vendors you mustjuggle. Hotels are making acomeback for this reason;their fees generally cover allvenue and catering costs.Consider locations that canhost both your ceremony andreception to make planningand guest coordination moremanageable.

"Brides are valuing theirguests' convenience in not

having to travel back andforth for the wedding andreception," Wilson says.According to Hemphill, artgalleries will continue to be apopular venue. They areincreasingly open to hostingprivate events. Anotheroption is a simple, loft-likespace.

"Raw spaces are poppingup more and more," she says."In these spaces, the rules aregenerally much more flexible.You can bring the caterer youwant, provide your ownliquor, decorate as much or aslittle as you would like andreally make it your own."

For all the venues, don'tforget the significant details."Always look at the bath-rooms," Hemphill warns."That could be a deal-break-er."

-Melanie Wanzek

VENUEK

eep

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le Plan strategically and separate your wants from your deal-breakers.The first thing to consider: the number of guests at the reception, whichwill have the greatest affect on your bottom line. According to weddingplanner Tara Wilson, many brides are favoring more intimate environ-ments over lavish extravaganzas as a way to stay simple without sac-rificing quality. "Home-style venues, including backyards and homes,are gaining popularity," she says. "We're also seeing a rise in unex-pected locations, such as boats and bowling alleys."

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As brides take more chanceswith their fashion statements,Hollywood Glam is one of thekey trends emerging in bridalfashion. Not afraid to experi-ment with color, shine andother attention-drawingdetails, brides are borrowingideas from the red carpet,looking for tips and styledirection from celebrities.

"Hollywood style offersendless inspiration to brides,"says San Francisco-basedwedding designer AmyKuschel.

Star PowerBrides can pour on the glitzwith gowns heaped in bead-ing and embroidery in form-fitting shapes for a curva-ceous silhouette. Romanticflair is part of the look, witheye-catching floral touches ortextured designs. For extrabling, metallic shine is in.

Accessories are anotherway to pull together a

Hollywood look. Shoulder-duster earrings, long and lay-ered draping necklaces andbangles are ways to set off avariety of dresses, from strap-less to those with sweetheartnecklines. The rule of thumb:More extravagant dresses callfor more restrained jewelry.Jewelry is not the only acces-sory, however. For impact andAudrey Hepburn cool, bridescan don long beaded gloves.They can play up hair withsparkling combs and birdcageveils. Ornate headbands areanother option.

Footwear has progressedfar beyond the dyed-to-match

pump. These days, it's allabout color and bedazzle-ment, whether it's a slinky,strappy sandal or a peep-toepump in a bold shade.

"Color is very big, espe-cially as brides look for some-thing blue," says SharonStimpfle, deputy director ofWeddingChannel.com.

Up or down, the 'do forbrides on their special dayshould look soft and sensu-ous. With wavy hair or fingercurls parted on the side anybride can channel a big-screensiren. Hair swept back in alow, loose bun with cascadingtendrils also captures aHollywood look.

The rest of the weddingparty can ride on the coattailsof the bride's HollywoodGlam style. Custom-madesuits are an option forgrooms/men. Bridesmaidscan wear bias-cut gowns inrich jewel tones such as bur-gundy, amethyst and vintagegreen.

The ShoppingExperienceShopping for a dream wed-ding dress may at first sounddaunting. Keep in mind a fewsimple tips:

1. Plan AheadMost wedding designersrequire at least four to sixmonths production time, sostart the shopping processaround nine months inadvance, especially when youfactor in the need for alter-ations. Even custom-madegowns may need a nip or tuckhere and there.

2. Bring and Wear the BareMinimum. LiterallyTo keep bridal gowns pris-tine, don't wear makeup, lip-stick or even lotions that canstain fabric. Stick to under-

FASHION

She's Got the LookHow to put together anensemble that's just as

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7Sunday, June 13, 2010 — Bridal Planner 2010garments that match yourskin tone to get a realisticview of how a gown will look.Bring footwear that's easy totake on and off, such as flip-flops.3. Edit with an Open MindIt's nice to know that cus-tomer service does exist insome retail entities, and that'swhat the bridal industrytouts. When visiting a bridalboutique, a sales rep willwork with you. Describe yourtheme and vision and let hertake it from there. Try on avariety of gowns, even cringe-inducing ones the rep maysuggest. There's a chanceyou'll be pleasantly surprised.

Fashionista/FrugalistaHigher-end gowns can rangein price from $3,000 to $6,000and higher, with matchingveils that range from $1,000 to$1,800. For brides who allo-cate more of their budget out-side of the dress realm, anumber of gowns - fromAlfred Angelo to Faviana toWatters - can be had for less

than $1,000.For footwear, glittering

peep-toe platforms can setyou back about $700 at JimmyChoo or brides can find strap-py sandals from under $100 to$200 at department stores.Another way brides can savea little green, especially if timeis on their side, is by buyingvintage gowns, accessoriesand even bridesmaid dresses.

Most bridal experts sayHollywood Glam style is hereto stay, especially since it canalways be updated. Forinstance, the addition of ashoulder-warming cover-upis another element brides canuse to enhance their weddingday wardrobe, especially ifthe wedding will take placeduring a chillymonth.Feathered capelets,airy tulle mini-boleros or evenfur shrugs are ideal withstrapless gowns, tying theensemble together while youtie the knot.

-Nola Sarkisian Miller


While the "I do's" may bea wedding's main event, theedibles at the reception are astrong second place. Food notonly serves as a "thank you"to guests who've given yougifts and gathered to celebrateyour union, it helps sop upthe alcohol and can keep thefestivities going all night long.A great party is as simple asfinding the right food tomatch an event's style.

Service SelectionsFood service options includeplated and family-style din-ners, buffets, stations andheavy hors d'oeuvres. Eachone helps set the tone of anevent, says Bridget Pelster, asales and catering managerfor St. Louis-based Butler'sPantry. Seated dinners aretypically more formal and ele-gant, family-style meals aremore intimate, buffets aremore relaxed, stations aremore interactive and horsd'oeuvres allow a lot of flexi-bility.

First, determine the styleof service you want based onthe vibe you'd like to create,and then start playing aroundwith menu ideas based onyour budget and the timing ofthe event. "If you're having anevening wedding and youthink the reception will lastmore than three hours, youshould plan on serving some-thing fairly significant," saysMolly Schemper, co-owner ofChicago-based FIG Catering."At the minimum you wantheavy hors d'oeuvres with acouple protein options, and

it's a good idea to make sureguests are aware there won'tbe a full meal."

If the budget is limited butfood is a priority for you, con-sider opting for a Sundaysoirée, an off-season weddingdate or an afternoon affair,when you can usually getmore bread for your buck.

Plating PricesCatering costs can vary wide-ly, from as low as $20 per per-son at a banquet hall up to$200 per person at a luxuryhotel, says Schemper. The city,the venue and the menu allplay a part. Big towns areoften more expensive; stan-

dard venues may have mini-mums; nontraditional loca-tions may require additionalrentals; and no matter wherethe event takes place, thequantity, variety and style ofcuisine will drastically affectprice.

In general, the mostexpensive options are multi-course plated dinners and sta-tions, says Pelster. The nextlevel down is typically limit-ed-course plated dinners andfamily-style meals, followedby buffets. And the mostaffordable option is heavyhors d'oeuvres, either passedor served buffet-style.

The caterer can help youdetermine what style worksbest for your budget and willoften adjust a menu to meetyour needs, such as forgoingcoffee service in exchange foran additional appetizer ortwo.

-Anna Sachse

FASHION

Stations - Brides like this lessformal setting because itallows guests to mingle, saysDieckmann, and they can cus-tomize stations to reflect atheme.

Ethnic Options - Even if youopt for the classic beef-or-chicken dinner, you can show-case your heritage with ethnic

stations or hors d'oeuvres,says Schemper.

A 'Couple' Favorites -Newlyweds are serving quirkyitems that they really enjoy orhave a history with, saysSheldon. "One couple servedtheir favorite McDonalds ham-burgers as a late-night snack,while another couple who

actually met at 7-11 serveddrinks in 7-11's plastic glass-es."

Farm-to-Table - Everyone isinterested in fresh, local foodsright now, says Pelster. "It's agreat way to give your guestsa taste of your hometown."

Comfort Foods - The down-home trend continues strong:

mac-and-cheese in tiny dish-es, gourmet sliders, pigs-in-a-blanket and mashed potatobars, says Brooke Sheldon,owner of Lilybrooke Events inKennebunkport, Maine.

Keep It Simple

Play up the component of yourwedding dinner that matters mostto you, says Barb Dieckmann, ofButler's Pantry catering. If you're afoodie, go with basic china andlinen and spring for five-star cui-sine. If you care more about memo-rable décor, add personal touchesto the buffet, such as grandma'slinens, mom's platters or custommenus, adds Molly Schemper ofFIG Catering.

What’s New?

GoodEats

It's simple: People gotta eat. Here's how toselect the right options for perfect event

From the cocktail hour to theChampagne toast, drinks area key component of mostmodern weddings. They canmake good food great, andthey warm strangers both toeach other and the dancefloor.

OverviewThe key elements of a wed-ding bar include wine, beer,bubbly, cocktails - plus soda,"mocktails" and other nonal-coholic drinks. Determinewhich libations you wantbased on these factors:

1. Budget Fancy, formalaffairs may offer premiumversions of all beverages allnight long. But couples withlimited funds might prefer toserve only carefully selected

wines and beer and perhaps asignature cocktail, says ChrisTanghe, master sommelierand co-owner of Elevage, aSeattle beverage consultancy.You also can limit the fullopen bar to just the cocktailhour, but be aware: manymember of the bridal world,from editors to etiquetteexperts, say a cash bar is theultimate no-no.

2. Guests: If you've invit-ed a gaggle of gourmands,you may want to emphasizefine wine. A ton of collegefriends? Perhaps (a lot of)cheap beer is fine. "Or maybespirits are a must because theolder generation only drinksgin martinis," Tanghe says.

Drinks & Dollars

Plan for one drink per personper hour of the reception, saysToni Ketrenos, the beer andwine buyer for New SeasonsMarkets, a chain of Portland-Ore.-based artisan grocerystores. If serving a specialsparkling wine for the toast -perhaps a budget-friendlySpanish Cava or Italian pros-ecco - allot one additionalglass per adult.

Traditional venues usual-ly have set prices, but youmay be able to trim costs bypaying a nominal corkage feeto bring in your own vino.

If your venue allows youto provide all alcohol your-self, kegs are the more afford-

able beer option at approxi-mately $1 per 12-ounce glassof craft beer or 63 cents perglass of domestic, saysKetrenos. Smaller gatheringsare better off with bottles thatcan be purchased in quanti-ties.

When it comes to wine,look for deals on labels froman up-and-coming region likeSouth Africa, or ask aboutclose-out prices on the lastfew cases of a vintage. As forliquor, a 750ml bottle containsabout 17 drinks, making it agood deal, but remember thatyou will also need ice, mixersand more bartenders.

-Anna Sachse

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Quirky or mismatched cocktail ves-sels lend immediate character to anevent. Consider using old BallMason or POM jars, says ChrisTanghe of Elevage. Check outgarage sales and thrift stores forunique glasses, goblets or teacupsthat guests can take home as partyfavors.

Wedding flowers are morethan just petals to toss or a bou-quet to throw - they're an acces-sory that can complement yourdress, bring life to your venueand offer an important oppor-tunity to express your overallstyle and personality. This year,the best way to be up-to-date iseasy: be yourself.

"Individualism is the keytrend for 2010," says SharonMcGukin, a professional floristand author of "Flowers of theHeart" (Floral TrendPublications, 2009).

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FLOWERS

ers. "If you have a general ideaof color, type and how much tospend, [your florist] can comeup with something," deBruynsays.

Fresh IdeasMany fresh color ideas areemerging this year for brides toexperiment with in their flow-ers, according to McGukin.Greens mixed with butter-creams, delicate pinks andfresh blues are a popular neu-tral that suggests an ecotheme.The retro look will bepopular, sweetly complement-ed with a mix of soft, bur-nished yellow tones. For homeweddings, which are on therise, McGukin suggests a

splash of color: bright orange,hot pink, sunny yellow, electricblue.

Larger, looser bouquetsalso are making a comeback,deBruyn says. Bouquets willbe soft and wispy with moregreenery and texture. Ratherthan wiring each flower intoplace for a symmetricalarrangement, deBruyn saysshe now aims for a more natu-ral look.

Whether you go big, small,bright or neutral, spend timeusing flowers to show off apiece of who you are. SaysDeBruyn: "They should bringout the joy for your wholeevent."

-Melanie Wanzek

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Fresh

Kee

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ple Limit bouquets and arrangements to three or fewer types of flowers for a

simple, clean look,suggests Maureen deBruyn of deBryun designs. Createinexpensive centerpieces by floating flowers in a glass bowl or use a larg-er flower that takes up more space and requires fewer stems, such as a lilyor hydrangea. McGukin recommends choosing a focal point and investingin one large, eye-catching design, or choosing smaller bridesmaid bou-quets that incorporate trendy colors and stylish designs.

FLOWERS

Assessing ArrangementsBefore going to the florist, firstdecide on overall budget,venue and color scheme. Allthese play important roles indetermining the florist's ideas.The budget will determineappropriate suggestions, whilethe venue will suggest colorsand décor needs. Bare, funkyspaces may need a large num-ber of decorations while ornatehotel ballrooms might not.

Pinpoint your personalstyle by collecting picturesfrom magazines and onlineresources. The photos you

choose will reveal qualitiesthat are important to you, suchas color, arrangement andcomplexity.

Bloom BudgetProfessional florist MaureendeBruyn, owner of deBruyndesigns in Maple Grove,Minn., says couples tend tospend about 10 percent of theiroverall budget on flowers. Theprice depends on many fac-tors, such as the number ofbouquets and arrangements orwhether the blooms are in sea-son or out of season, local ornon-local. To keep costs down,avoid specifying specific flow-

After hours upon days uponmonths of planning (andspending), your mostmomentous of days deservesto be documented. These areimages you'll cherish for therest of your life, so choosing aphotographer and videogra-pher who understand yourpersonality and tastes is cru-cial.

PhotographyAs with any artist, each wed-ding photographer comeswith his or her unique per-spective and style. Researchand communication are keyto finding the right fit.

"Make sure that you andyour photographer have agood line of communication.Make sure that you click. Youwill be spending your wholewedding day with this per-son," says Lisa MarieO'Quinn, owner of Sweet TeaPhotography, Old TownAlexandria, Va.

The best way to startresearching is to first identifya photography style that'sright for you. O'Quinn saysthere are three major wed-ding photography styles:Traditional: The leastexpensive photographers willlikely take a traditional

approach, says O'Quinn.Most shots are posed. "Theseare the images that youwould expect to see at everywedding," she says. Thinkstraight-on shots and bigsmiles - not much more, notmuch less.

Photojournalistic:"Photojournalistic photog-raphers capture the emotionin every moment ratherthan poses," O'Quinn says.These photographers willroam an even unobtrusive-ly, capturing candid images.

Artistic: It's all in the name.Artistic photographers aimto create visually stimulat-ing, highly edited, maga-zine-worthy photographs.However, artistic photogra-phers' styles vary greatly, sochoose carefully. "Make surethat their style is not tootrendy," O'Quinn says. "Youwant your photos to lookbeautiful when you receivethem and when you look atthem 20 years from now."

Once you've identifiedyour style, however, yourwork isn't done. To ensureyour photographer haswhat it takes, don't be afraidto ask detailed questionsregarding prior experience.Take a good look at pastwork. "Ask your photogra-

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pher if you can see an entirewedding that they have pho-tographed," O'Quinn sug-gests. That way, you'll have aclear idea of how many pho-tos you'll get and how muchof your day will be capturedon film.

Also, when hiring a pho-tographer through a photog-raphy studio, be sure to askprecisely who will photo-graph your day. "Sometimesyou think that you will be hir-ing one shooter, and thenthey throw in someone elsein," O'Quinn says.

If you have questionsabout digital photography,ask your photographer toexplain some of it to you,such as what format theyshoot in and why. Do you geta DVD with all the photo filesand the rights to them afterthe wedding? Will they beavailable to proof online?

As wedding photogra-phers cost an average of

$1,500- and up to$5,000 inl a r g eu r b a nmarkets -couples may find that thephotographer of their dreamsis well outside of the budget.O'Quinn recommends perus-ing creative wedding blogs orasking friends for referrals inorder to get lasting memories

without leavinga lasting markon your bankaccount.

VideoVi d e o g r a p h y,too, comes in avariety ofshapes, sizesand price points.

The same rulesfor choosing the

right photographerapply to video, fromlooking at priorwork to establishinga good connection,but there are a fewkey differences.

While manyvideographers opt for a pho-tojournalistic approach,inconspicuously shooting theday, others may take on amore hands-on approach,says Leslie Satterfield, ownerof Kiss the Bride Films, SanFrancisco. "Some couples

might want their videograph-er to take a more directorialrole - interviewing the wed-ding party, for example," shesays. Camera choice can also great-ly affect your video's out-come. "The latest HD camerasgive superb color and stun-ning image quality,"Satterfield says. "A black-and-white Super 8 cameracreates a romantic, old-fash-ioned look."

The price range forvideography can vary greatly.Traditional videography canstart as low as $250, saysMichelle Walker, owner ofLayer Cake Films, whichoperates in L.A. and NewYork, with the most artfulSuper 8 films reachingupwards of $5,000. AsSatterfield explains, "As withany service, quality will oftencost you."

-Danielle Robinson


PHOTO & VIDEO

Confection CostsEven the simplest designscome at a price. CarrieBiggers, owner of Carrie'sCakes in Sandy, Utah, saysindividual servings may runanywhere from $2.50 per per-son in a smaller area up to $15per person in a larger city.Cake can cost up to $40 perserving for couples who wantthe best of the best.

To get the cake of yourdreams without blowingyour budget, both expertssuggest purchasing a smaller,three- or four-tiered cake andplacing it on an elevated dis-play for drama. In the kitchenof your reception hall, keepsheet cakes of the same flavor,which you can purchase for afraction of the cost. "The cakestill looks big and beautifuland elaborate, and none ofthe guests know," Mooresays.

This way, you can haveyour cake - and pay for it, too.

-Danielle Robinson

While a bride will alwaysbe the star of her big day,there's no denying that thecake comes in close second.And with TV networks crank-ing out one cake-centric showafter another, cake design hastaken center stage.

Right along with the risethe of shows like the FoodNetwork's "Ace of Cakes,"couples are becoming moreaware of the endless array ofwedding cake possibilities.Choosing a design has becomea more challenging task.

Sweet Designs"Design, is a compromisesometimes," says JoAnnMoore, a Vail, Colo.-basedwedding planner and ownerof Mountains and Meadows.Couples may desire a complexcake but not the price tag thatcomes with it. Moore says hercustomers are opting forunderstated, classic styles. "Ibelieve it has something to dowith the economy," she says."People are going very simpleand elegant."

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Classic wedding cakes still have a big design impact. Baker Carrie Biggerssays that high-contrast designs, such as a black on-white damask pattern,are growing in popularity. Simple embellishments are also in. “A singlesugar flower is very popular,” Bigger says.

With the knot officiallytied and the reception under-way, the right music is essen-tial to keep guests' spirits highand ensure a fun-filled night.Couples visit potential venuesbefore committing to the per-fect one. Likewise, theyshould do due musical dili-gence before deciding on a DJ. Consider the following:

Does the DJ take the timeto get to know you as a cou-ple? How are requests madeto the DJ? Is there an onlinesong-management system orforms to fill out? If the songsyou desire are not available,will the DJ obtain them? Whatgrade of speakers/sub-woofers they have? Do theyhave backups? See how theirsystem works.

Let's Get It StartedFor a couple with unconven-tional music tastes, what mayseem like an excellent choicein tunes could have guestscalling it an early night.

"Some brides have specificsongs that they don't wantplayed. I have to explain tothem, it's a song that all yourguests will be guaranteed todance to,"says Sinclair Ray III,a professional DJ and ownerof the Music Maker DJServices in North Charleston,S.C.

To help get guests into themood, kick off the receptionwith "special dances" toengage your guests, saysKarle Coppenrath, a profes-sional wedding planner andowner of Weddings ByDesign, Inc., Port Townsend,

Wash."This helps set the tone

and encourages shyer gueststo get out on the dance floor,"she says. These special dancescould include an anniversarydance, where married couplesare invited onto the dancefloor, or a dance just for mem-bers of the wedding party.Coppenrath suggests stickingwith songs that are provencrowd-pleasers. Google topwedding dance songs andview wedding-themed iMixesin iTunes to help pinpointselections.

"Guests love to be enter-tained and really enjoy watch-ing other couples on thedance floor," she says.

Afterward, when youopen up the dance floor toeveryone, your night will be aswinging success.

Music MoneyMusic is one of the areaswhere couples increased

spending in recession-y 2009,according to The WeddingReport. Expect DJ services torange from $500 to $2000,depending on the market.

-Danielle Robinson

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"Lucky" - Jason Mraz"The Way You Look Tonight"- Frank Sinatra"Faithfully" - Journey"Unforgettable" - Nat KingCole/Natalie Cole"New York, New York"- Frank Sinatra"You're Still The One" - Shania Twain"Making Memories of Us"- Keith Urban"Just Dance" - Lady Gaga"My Girl" - Temptations"Paradise By The Dashboard Light"- Meatloaf

"You Dropped A Bomb On Me" -Gap Band"Make A Memory" - Bon Jovi

"Jersey Shore" starDJ Pauly D's picksfor a great party

The last thing any bride orgroom wants is to show uplate to the altar. Arranging achauffeur to get you and yourclosest pals to and from theceremony won't just makeyour day run a lot smoother -it will make it more fun for all.

Start It UpLimousine companies tend toget booked quickly during thesummer - peak wedding sea-son - and late spring - promseason. Begin looking for alimo as much as six monthsbefore these prime periods. If

your wedding takes place inthe off-season (fall or winter),look to book three or fourmonths out.

Size It UpThe biggest factor in limochoice will be the size of thewedding party and any extrapeople who will be travelingin the limo. A smaller groupmay get by in, say, astretched-out Lincoln limou-sine. Really large groups - 20-some people - could even optfor a party bus limo.

With the type of ride thatwould best accommodate youin mind, compare pricesamong like vehicles atdifferent vendors in yourarea. Don't make your deci-sion on price alone.

Like every driver on theroad, the company you gowith should be licensed andinsured (including liabilityand medical insurance forpassengers). Look for compa-

nies with a fleet of recentmodel-year vehicles, and seekreferences from recent cus-tomers.

When getting a quote, besure to get the whole picture.The bulk of companies chargeby the hour and probably willhave a three- or four-hourminimum for a wedding,depending on the day. Pricescan range anywhere from$300 to $500 for a stretch limo.Don't forget to ask if the dri-ver's gratuity - typically 20percent - is included.

Drive DetailsBe sure to read the rental con-tract thoroughly before sign-ing. It should denote:• Make, model and year ofthe vehicle• Date of service• Pick-up times and locations• All costs involved, includ-ing deposit and cancellationpolicies• If you don't have a physicalcontract, be sure to keep acopy of the itinerary in youre-mail

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Worried about decorating the limo or thatit will have enough libations for your ride?Many companies offer a wedding pack-age, which may include alcohol, softdrinks, and décor like a "Just Married"sign. See what the options are, what youcan change and what to leave out. They'lltake care of the work, and you can enjoythe ride.

TRANSPORTATION

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A Well thought-out invitationwill tell guests everythingthey need to know aboutwhat's in store.

Stationery SolutionsWith a world of colors, fonts,

papers and print styles tochoose from, pinning downthe right design takes somethought.

To get started, hit thestreets, says Ara Farnam,founder of Rock Paper

Scissors Events, New York."Pop into a stationery store tosee and feel some differentstyles and get an understand-ing for the differencesbetween printing processes."

Print PricesLetterpress invites - producedby pressing a sheet of paperonto movable, raised type -can cost more than twice asmuch as flat, digitally printedcards. Get letterpress stylewhile cutting costs by print-ing in just one color of ink,suggests Rachelle Schwartz,co-owner of Irvine, Calif.-based Wiley Valentine.

"It's a great way to still geta fabulous letterpress invita-tion," she says.

While a great invite canmake a wedding design morecohesive, remember that it

won't make or break yourday. "If you end up makingchanges to your décor, don'tsweat it," Farnam says. "Atthe end of the day, guests willremember the elements ofyour reception more."

-Danielle Robinson

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"Keep the design simple!" says AraFarnam of Rock Paper ScissorsEvents. Which is what today's cou-ples seem to be doing, as expertsnote the recent resurgence of let-terpress invitations. The trendshows "a move towards a simplerinvitation that is beautiful for its fontor layout as opposed to intricatefolded layers, vellum or ribbons,"Farnam says.

Applying makeup is, formost women, nothing morethan an everyday task. Onyour wedding day, however,hair and makeup decisionsare no less important than thedress and shoes.

"The photos that will betaken of you on your mostimportant day will be of yourface and how happy you are,"says Kristen Lober, a profes-

looking and feeling your best,and not about trying to besomething you are not."

Both artists recommendchoosing your best feature -cheeks, eyes or lips - andhighlighting it, keeping therest of the face more natural."What seems to be most pop-ular this year so far is more ofa dramatic eye and a naturallip," Lober says. Above all,both artists stress the impor-tance of a radiant face. "Skin isreally important. I love glow-

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Wedding day beautyshould show-off themost beautiful, radiantversion of you

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ing, highlighted skin withnice cheek color," Blaul says.

Beauty BudgetThere's a stylist for everybudget, but Lober warns thatthe best deals will likely comefrom nonprofessionals."Research your artist and seeexamples of their work, andask what products they use,"she says.

Both experts stress theimportance of staying true toyour natural beauty. "Assesswhat you do on a normalbasis and just enhance it a lit-tle bit more," Lober says."Never try something com-pletely new for your weddingday."

Blaul agrees. "With themodern bride there are norules anymore," she says. "Thebest thing you can do is becreative and personalize yourlook."

-Danielle Robinson

sional makeup artist inNewark, Del. "You want to bethe most beautiful, radiantversion of yourself."

The key to picture-perfectbeauty is just that: being your-self. While some may getswept up in the idea of goingall-out, the important thing isto look like you -not a facecaked in product.

"Sometimes less is more,"says Morgan Blaul, a profes-sional hair stylist and makeupartist in Chicago. "It's all about

It's no secret: Every bridewants to look stunning. Forsome that means finding thegown that flatters their figure;for others, it also means a newfitness regimen to get into"wedding shape."

Ready, Set...According to a 2009 survey byTheKnot.com, 84 percent ofbrides say they plan to get inbetter shape for their wed-dings. Gunner Peterson, aBeverly Hills-based personaltrainer who has worked witha number of brides over theyears, says he sees the most inApril and May before theonslaught of summer wed-dings. "The ones that start inJune, that's a day late and adollar short," says Peterson,whose clientele includescelebrities and pro ath-letes."Don't make this the last-minute thing."

However, getting in shapedoesn't have to be a cause forpanic. "Let's not over-analyzeand create a new stressor.Make it fun," Peterson says.

Go!Some brides-to-be mayalready have an establishedworkout plan, but that's notthe case for everyone.

"Others use this as theirjumpoff," Peterson says."Some people need a fitnessanniversary ... 'I started whenI got engaged.' This can servethat purpose."

Peterson notes a commontheme among brides-to-be. Alot of them jump knee-deepinto cardio, he says, but tendto avoid weight trainingbecause they worry weightswill make them muscular.That isn't the case, Petersonsays. His favorite saying:"Don't Wait on the Weight."

"Weights are going towork the muscle tissue," hesays. "That lean tissue is burn-ing calories and body fat as acalorie source."

Stick to big, multi-jointmovements, such as the squatpress, squat extension, lungesand triceps curls, moves thatcontinues to work and burnbeyond the gym, he says.

FoodRevolutionDiet becomes more importantthe closer you get to yourgoal, Peterson notes. By sim-ply starting an exercise rou-tine, you'll begin to see effects;

after you begin seeing theresults, zero in on the diet, headvises.

"Don't try to do diet, exer-cise and get better sleep rightout of the gate," he says."Work it into your lifestyle.

Otherwise, you will abandonit over time.

"You can't go the distancewith too much resistance," headds.

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FITNESS

WorkOut!

There's neverbeen a bettertime to getgoing on yourfitness goals

Keep It Simple

Peterson's rule: Devote at least 50 percent of the time you spend planning a wed-ding into prep time for fitness. If the wedding is 12 months out, start working outno less than six months in advance.

Peterson

director of communicationsfor Jewelers of America.Classic yellow gold bands getan update with seeminglycustom details like hammer-ing, etching and engraving.

Anything but BasicBlackBlack diamonds are makingtheir way into bridal jewelry,Gizzi says. Also, grooms canlook to black titanium andtungsten for a unique look.

A Perfect PairThe stacking trend continuesin 2010 for women; two wed-ding bands are worn flankingthe engagement ring. Wearingthe two bands together cre-ates a balanced look on thefinger.

Diamonds ForeverSimple, elegant diamond eter-nity bands remain popularinto 2010.

Chances are, you've alreadygot the ring - you know, thesparkler that announces to theworld that you're engaged. Infact, you may have helpedselect the engagement ringyourself. According to a 2009jewelry survey byTheKnot.com, 36 percent ofbrides are involved in theselection of engagementrings. However, the bulk ofcouples - 69 percent, accord-ing to the same survey - select

wedding bands together.Here are some trends to keepin mind as you shop:

Go for the GoldWhite has been the go-tometal color in recent years,with platinum and white goldmaintaining popularity whilepalladium and titanium arebuilding a following.However, yellow gold is mak-ing is return to wedding jew-elry, says Amanda Gizzi,

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A honeymoon is the once-in-a-lifetime trip that couplesdream of, filled with candle-light dinners, long walks onthe beach and nights in a luxesuite.

But with a 2009 surveyconducted by Web-based hon-

eymoon registry site Traveler'sJoy showing that 62 percent ofcouples plan to cut their hon-eymoon budgets due to therecession, those dreams maybegin to fade. Luckily, withthe right planning and a littleflexibility, that dream honey-moon can still be a reality.

Getting StartedIf your honeymoon will takeplace during a high-volumetravel season, plan ahead -between six and nine monthsin advance, says HowardGreen, co-founder and CEOof Chicago-based honeymoontravel agency MoonRings. "Ifyou're traveling during ashoulder season or an off-sea-son, you may not need to planas far in advance," he says."We would recommend any-where from five to sevenmonths in advance, as a gen-eral rule."

To pick a destination, BrandonWarner, president and co-founder of Traveler's Joy,advises couples to give seri-ous thought to a few key ques-tions:

What's our budget?"The average honeymoon cost$3,657 in 2009, so budgeting$4,000 is a good startingpoint," he says.

What's most important to us?This means pinpointing yourmain objective: beach relax-ation, cultural exploration oradrenaline-pumping adven-ture.

How far are we willing to travel?Which also means consideringhow much time you have,says Green. "If you've only gotfive days and you live inChicago, it's probably notenough time to go to Australia

HONEYMOON

Destination:Honeymoon

Careful spending andearly planning will havecouples flying to far-offlocales while stayingafloat financially


or New Zealand," he says.What destinations will

offer the best weather whilewe're there? Off-seasons areoff-seasons for a reason:Research rainy periods andaverage temperatures for yourdates before you book.

Warner says once thesequestions are answered, cou-ples should be able to narrowthe options. "Once the couplehas a short list, they shouldtalk to friends who have beento those destinations and dotheir own research," by read-ing newspapers, Web sitesand travel magazines, he says.

Afford your voyageAny destination has thepotential to be costly, so care-ful financial planning is key."We've had couples honey-moon for a month or a weekand spend the same amount,"Warner says. Play your cards

right and you may be sur-prised how far your dollar canstretch.

Warner says the simplestfirst steps a couple can taketoward saving dough arebooking early and takingadvantage of any frequentflier miles or hotel points."Most airlines start to releaseseats at about 330 days [inadvance]," Green says.

If you don't have yourheart set on one location, trav-eling where the dollar isstrong lets couples live largeon a shoestring budget, Greensays. He recommends CostaRica and other Central andSouth American locales. "Interms of activities and foodand beverage, you tend to geta lot for your money there," hesays.

But don't book a trip toArgentina just yet. "In general,the farther you fly, the more

expensive it is," Green says.Stick to northerly SouthAmerican spots; the flight willbe cheaper and you'll still getthe warm beaches and afford-able eats.

For lodging, ditch the

pricey resort or hotel and con-sider renting a home, Warnersays. You'll be able savemoney by cooking instead ofdining out at each meal andgain the seclusion of a privateresidence.

To really cut costs, bothmen suggest staying closer tohome. "Airfare can cost almost40 percent of a honeymoon, soby finding a place within ashort flight or a daylong drive,there can be significant sav-ings," Warner says.

If your dream destinationis non-negotiable, however,fear not.

"Consider delaying two orthree months," Green says.That way, you can get yourdream spot at the lowest pos-

sible rates. Couples may alsowant to contemplate shorten-ing their honeymoon by twoor three days, to free up theirfood and lodging budget,Green says.

Whatever the final deci-sion, your honeymoon is sureto provide you and yourspouse with lifelong memo-ries. Whether in Paris, Franceor Paris, Texas, this is just theembarkment of a muchgreater voyage together.

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HONEYMOON

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