shore bride

S H O R E M A G A Z I N E spring 2011

plusRevolutionary cake toppers How to make your love last

Honeymoon in Aruba


plusRevolutionary cake toppers


plusHow to make your love last



Revolutionary cake toppers plus


How to make your love last


plusHoneymoon in Aruba



Honeymoon in ArubaHow to make your love last




plus

Look and Feel AmazingFitness tips from the experts, and a healthier kind of tanning

springfever

REFRESHING NEW GOWNS

FOR 2011

1

Inviting atmosphere,

culinary expertise, and impeccable service create the

perfect combination for your special occasion. It

pays to trust your special event to our excellent staff. Our menu is truly inviting.

from creamy portobello mushroom ravioli, to golden

fried chicken, to tender filet mignon and lobster tail. Whatever your pleasure, you can be sure your

guests will enjoy a meal they won’t soon forget. Because take great pride in our food

service and warm atmosphere. We offer spacious accommodations

for parties of 50 - 900.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday Wedding Dates are available.

The main entrance is enhanced by a canopy and is complemented by a lovely fountain imported from Italy

surrounded by stone benches in a garden-like setting. A computerized marquee announces your event as your

guests arrive. Our picturesque Gazebo is perfect for outdoor ceremonies and the perfect settings for wedding photos.

The building is handicapped accessible with ramps leading from several areas of handicapped parking.

For an elegant, affordable gathering, call Villa Cesare!

nviting atmosphere, nviting atmosphere, culinary expertise, and

impeccable service create the perfect combination for

mignon and lobster tail. Whatever mignon and lobster tail. Whatever your pleasure, you can be sure your

guests will enjoy a meal they won’t soon guests will enjoy a meal they won’t soon forget. Because take great pride in our food forget. Because take great pride in our food

service and warm atmosphere. We offer spacious accommodations

for parties of 50 - 900.

900 Eagle Ridge Drive • Schererville, IN.,

www.vil lacesare .com 219-322-3011

Villa Cesare

fried chicken, to tender filet fried chicken, to tender filet fried chicken, to tender filet mignon and lobster tail. Whatever mignon and lobster tail. Whatever mignon and lobster tail. Whatever mignon and lobster tail. Whatever your pleasure, you can be sure your your pleasure, you can be sure your your pleasure, you can be sure your your pleasure, you can be sure your

guests will enjoy a meal they won’t soon guests will enjoy a meal they won’t soon guests will enjoy a meal they won’t soon guests will enjoy a meal they won’t soon forget. Because take great pride in our food forget. Because take great pride in our food forget. Because take great pride in our food forget. Because take great pride in our food forget. Because take great pride in our food forget. Because take great pride in our food

service and warm atmosphere. service and warm atmosphere. We offer spacious accommodations We offer spacious accommodations We offer spacious accommodations

Dunhill has the new Jean Yves Steel Gray Twilight along with over 84 vest colors to choose from & make this classy tuxedo pop.

Gray is the new black.

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Merrillville7140 Broadway219.769.7471

2 ShorebrideOnline.com

14 PLAN See how social media has overhauled the wedding industry, and check out some of the area’s best reception venues and a nonprofit wish-granting organization.

18 ANTICIPATE Get fit just in time for your wedding, learn about a new way to tan (without the UV rays), and get ideas for your “something old/new/borrowed/blue.”

22 CELEBRATE Don’t let outsiders steal your wedding gifts! Tips on how to keep thieves at bay, and a look at some very innovative cake toppers made by local artists.

28 RELAX There’s a reason why Aruba is called One Happy Island; it’s the same reason more and more newlywed couples are choosing to honeymoon there.

30 LIVE Find out proper answers to the inevitable “baby question,” see how multiple married couples make their love last, and learn how to handle your finances when spending habits differ.

IN EVERY ISSUEInspire 6

Service Directory 31Capture 32

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24 SPRING FEVER Spring commences

with a new set of fun, feminine and flirty

wedding gowns sure to brighten your day.

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For more information call Jayne, Katie or leticia at 219.945.0888

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Celebrating our 10th Anniversary. Tour our newly remodeled venue.

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© amy Straka PhotograPhy


When I spoke with photographer Kristen Barker, of Kristen Lynn Photographie, about putting together a photo shoot for this issue,

I was so excited when she came back with a “Think Spring” theme. As I write this, it’s cold, damp and gray outside. Spring can’t come soon enough—while it brings lots of rain, it also brings promise and revival.

Last spring, I had even more to be excited about, as my then-boyfriend proposed to me on Mother’s Day. From that point on, I anticipated not only the upcoming warmth of summer but also an upcoming wedding!

I’m married now (we planned the wedding in three months!), so my excitement is now directed to all the brides-to-be reading this. You’re about to embark on one of the most memorable experiences of your life—not just the wedding day but all the time leading up to it—so savor

every moment. You do have a lot of planning ahead of you, unfortunately. But we can help with that.

One of the first items on your to-do list should be to find a venue for your reception. See some of our favorite local venues on page 16 (and a full list on our website, shorebrideonline.com). Next, you’ll want to begin searching for The Dress, so turn to page 24 for our fun, spring-inspired photos of the prettiest new gowns available at Elegance Wedding and Evening Wear in Highland, Indiana.

Once those major tasks are taken care of, it’s time to start beautifying yourself for the big day. (I particularly enjoyed having an excuse to be vain for a few months!) Get effective fitness tips from local trainers on page 19, and check out the up-and-coming trend of airbrush tanning on page 21.

Finally, the easiest and most fun part of your planning process likely will be . . . the honeymoon. Our recommended locale for this issue is Aruba (page 28). I’ve been there and fell madly in love with the place. I can see why so many newlyweds choose to spend their post-wedding chill on that happy island.

Plenty of additional advice, suggested vendors and fun tidbits can be found on our website, shorebrideonline.com. We update the site daily with photos from some of the best photographers in the area, advice columns from local wedding experts, blogs from real brides, and a full list of every bridal vendor we know of in the Shore Bride region. Much of this info can be delivered directly to your inbox when you sign up for our weekly Wedding Notes newsletter, which you can do on our website. It’s our goal to help make your wedding planning experience as smooth and seamless as possible, and we take pride in the resources we’ve provided to make that possible.

Both spring and your wedding will be here before you know it. Enjoy every minute of it!

— Julia Perla Huisman

COVER CREDIT

photography by Kristen Lynn Photographie, Chicago, Ill. gown and accessories provided by Elegance Wedding

and Evening Wear, Highland, Ind.



Honeymoon in Aruba









How to make your love last





Honeymoon in ArubaHow to make your love last




plus

Look and Feel AmazingFitness tips from the experts, and a healthier kind of tanning

springfever

REFRESHING NEW GOWNS

FOR 2011

PUBLISHER BILL MASTERSON, JR.

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/EDITOR PAT COLANDER

ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGER ERIC HORON

MANAGING EDITOR JULIA PERLA HUISMAN

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ONLINE EDITOR ASHLEY BOYER

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS HEATHER AUGUSTYN, CHRISTY BONSTELL, DANIELLE BRAFF, NICHOLE ODIJK DEMARIO,

TRICIA DESPRES, JULI DOSHAN, CAITLIN ELSAESSER, JEN PALLAY,

CASANDRA RIDDLE, CARRIE STEINWEG, SHARON BIGGS WALLER

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JEFFREY PRECOURT

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Copyright, Reprints and Permissions: You must have permission before reproducing

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V O L U M E 5 – I S S U E 1

EDITOR’S LETTER

711 Main St. • Schererville, IN • 219-322-2700 • Southlake Mall • Merrillville, IN • 219-769-1976www.albertsjewelers.com

AND THEY LIVED


INSPIREcompiled by JULIA PERLA HUISMAN

TAK Photography“I love fun. I love people. I love,

love. This is why I love my job. Life is hectic. Life is complicated. Sometimes

we forget the little things, the quiet moments that make us truly happy . . .

truly content. Photography allows me to capture life . . . capture a moment,

and relive it time and time again, for a lifetime. This is why I love my job.”

- THERESA KEMINK

[clockwise from top] Sarah and Andy Resseguie in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Jodi and Jon Kortman in

Grand Rapids, Mich.; Allison and Marc Eisbrener in St. Joseph, Mich.

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Casa del Roma’s beautiful facility, with a private entrance and parking,will make your most important day the most memorable.


INSPIRE

En Vida Studio“Weddings are filled with beauty and magic that emerges effortlessly, and we believe our

job is to capture this day in an authentic way—unobtrusively, honestly, joyfully. We spend time really getting to know our couples, because we understand your wedding will be as unique as you and your future spouse. We believe your

wedding photography should be as vibrant and romantic as your wedding day.” - MICHELLE TIPPMANN

[clockwise from top] Jennifer and Cory Hinga in Holland, Mich.; Courtney and Brian LeClaire in Grand Haven, Mich.; Megan and

Jon Geenen in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Kelly and Blake Mallory in Grand Rapids, Mich.

En Vida Studio616.745.7990

envidastudio.com

9spring 2011


INSPIRE

Nichole Frank Photography

“As a wedding photographer, I climb trees, tie bows, wipe

tears, hug grandpas, and most importantly, document a love

story each and every weekend. The emotions in the photos are genuine, as I make certain each

bride and groom feel comfortable and in their element. I truly believe

I have the best job in the world.”- NICHOLE FRANK

[clockwise from top] Jessica and Michael Granger in LaPorte, Ind.; Margaret and

Jordan Pierson in Merrillville, Ind.; Amy and Dan Holmes in Niles, Mich.; Pia and Brandon

Parrott in Alsip, Ill.

Nichole Frank Photography219.608.9974

nicolefrankphotography.com


INSPIRE

Amy Straka Photography

“Incredible wedding photography isn’t pretty

people looking pretty in pretty places. It’s beyond that. It’s

tangible emotion. It’s narrative. It’s those tiny, intimate

moments that stay with you forever. I’m so blessed to make

those moments my career.” - AMY STRAKA

[clockwise from top] Dana and Ryan Hardesty in St. Joseph, Mich.; Kathleen and Justin Taylor in Crown Point, Ind.;

Meghan and Chris Janik in Crown Point, Ind.; Jennifer Schultz and Justin

Leinenweber in Dunes Acres, Ind.

Amy Straka Photography219.210.2563

amystraka.com

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How social media is changing the wedding industry

As the world’s first nonprofit wish-granting organization providing weddings for couples facing terminal and serious life-altering illnesses, Wish Upon a Wedding has been making dreams come true since its inception just over a year ago. Thanks to a network of volunteers and donations by various wedding vendors, Wish Upon A Wedding has granted 13 wedding wishes so far, with hopes of granting much more in 2011.

Wishes are granted within a 300-mile radius of a Wish Upon a Wedding chapter, with current locations including Chicago, Indianapolis and a future location in Michigan. The organization is always looking for volunteers to help the cause. Whether it’s making a donation, hosting a fundraiser or promoting the organization via social networking, everyone can help to make a couple’s dream come true. For more information, check out wishuponawedding.org.

WISH UPON A WEDDING

PLANcompiled by TRICIA DESPRES

first things first

worldnewworldnewnewnewnewnewworldnewworldworldnewworldAB

efore any of us knew what a “tweet” was or how to “de-friend” a friend, a newlywed’s search for a photographer, florist or wedding planner was often a long and tedious task. Yet, these days, the incredible growth of social

media has made it much easier to find and really get to know a wedding vendor before signing on the dotted line of a contract. In fact, many local wedding vendors have found it absolutely essential to have a presence on such sites as Facebook and Twitter to not only stay in touch with existing customers, but also to make new ones.

“These social media sites provide amazing advertising for us,” says Thomas Quinn, a photographer with GQ Photography in Valparaiso. “With a few simple keystrokes, I can reach a worldwide market for free. It opens up so many different opportunities for us quickly and rather easily.”

These days, DJs are “tweeting” their playlist live from their weddings. Photographers are posting and sharing their best images from last night’s wedding. Florists are posting pictures of centerpieces before the reception even starts.

“Facebook and Twitter really have become an effective extension of my website and blog,” says

Matthew Whitlock, owner of Zeta-Alpha Studio in South Bend. “It can be tough to find new customers, and the ads on Facebook just weren’t very beneficial in reaching our upscale target. But our friends list is a great way to shoot out a message quickly and create a certain amount of trust with new and prospective clients.”

While local vendors don’t necessarily suggest sites such as Facebook or Twitter as the most effective place to “cold search” for wedding vendors, they do see the advantages of wedding couples taking friends’ recommendations into careful consideration. “Facebook is a hard thing to utilize to actually find information,” says Jessica Pennington, owner and lead planner of Stella Event Design in St. Joseph, Michigan. “Yet it is a great tool to follow wedding vendors that you might be interested in. In many instances, a bride can follow a photographer’s or florist’s Facebook fan page for an entire season before even scheduling a meeting with them. Therefore, there is a level of trust before they even walk in the door.”

Vendors are also using social media sites to not only promote their own companies, but also other vendors they work with at events, which can be extremely beneficial to brides and grooms to be. As with everything else, however, proceed with caution. While it may be considered old-fashioned, a face to face meeting is always the best option. But afterwards, make sure to update your status.

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PLAN

BLUE CHIP CASINO, HOTEL & SPA777 Blue Chip DrMichigan City, Ind.219.879.7711; bluechipcasino.comBlue Chip’s Stardust Event Center offers 20,000 square feet of space, to accommodate a wedding of any size. For smaller affairs, two additional ballrooms are available. Pre-wedding pampering is offered at Spa Blu, and guests can stay at the luxurious high-rise hotel.

THE BOULEVARD INN AND BISTRO521 Lake BlvdSt. Joseph, Mich.269.983.6600; theboulevardinn.comSt. Joseph’s famous hotel is available for small, intimate wedding receptions, as well as for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and morning-after brunch. The inn can also be a place for guests to stay, no matter where the wedding takes place.

THE CENTER FOR VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS1040 Ridge RdMunster, Ind.219.836.1950; cvpa.orgUp to 400 guests can share in your joy at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, where “happily ever after begins.”

THE HERITAGE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER601 Main StSt. Joseph, Mich.269.983.1191; theheritagemcc.orgThis historical venue—which features 20-foot ceilings with white pillars, hardwood floors and crystal

chandeliers—is ideal for formal weddings. Guests can also roam the museum space during cocktail hour.

WHITE HAWK COUNTRY CLUB1001 White Hawk Dr Crown Point, Ind.219.661.2322 whitehawkcountryclub.comThe elegant banquet rooms at White Hawk collectively seat 230 people. All couples will be provided with a wedding coordinator for planning purposes. Additionally, an outdoor gazebo overlooking the 36-hole golf course is available for wedding ceremonies.

Heritage Museum and Cultural Center

Center for Visual and Performing Arts

Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa

venues No matter what style your wedding is, there is an abundance of reputable, high-quality reception venues in the Northwest Indiana/Southwest Michigan area. The following are just a select few of the many hot spots worth noting. -Nichole DeMario Odijk and Jennifer Pallay

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ANTICIPATE before the wedding

The last line is not as well known, but refers to a Victorian-era custom of placing a silver coin in the shoe to ensure future wealth for the couple. However, the first two lines are familiar to most brides and are often integrated into the bride’s attire or accessories or the ceremony on the wedding day as symbols of good luck.

“For the ‘old’ item, brides usually borrow jewelry from family members and then it also works as ‘borrowed,’” says Tia Vaupel, wedding coordinator with

Chic Events in Crown Point. She says that jewelry also often serves as the “new” piece, especially if it’s a gift that was given from the groom. “The bride and groom give each other gifts, and if it’s a new necklace, it can be incorporated that way.”

When Amanda and Chris Seip of Crown Point married in December, the bride wore two rings: her engagement ring, which was “new,” on her left hand, and the wedding ring that her father gave to her mother, which served as the “old” item, on her right hand. A third piece of jewelry—a pair of earrings—was borrowed from a friend.

Heather Finnegan of Lansing didn’t choose a piece of jewelry to cover the “old,” but carried a meaningful keepsake, her husband Peter’s baptismal handkerchief. Her “borrowed” item was a pair of her mother’s earrings.

The “new” item is one that doesn’t require a lot of creativity or nostalgia. Between the dress, veil, shoes and accessories, there’s bound to be at least one new thing in the bunch. Finnegan’s dress, which was custom made, filled the “new” spot.

Including something blue into a white ensemble can be tricky, and this item is often a hidden one. “A lot of brides just use blue garters,” Vaupel says. Finnegan admits that her undergarments were the only way she could add a touch of blue. Seip’s choice was more visible—blue flowers as part of the bouquet. - Carrie Steinweg

OLD, NEW, BORROWED, BLUE IDEASSome items can do double duty (i.e. a handkerchief that is both old and borrowed, a garter or undergarment that is new and blue).

OLD: Consider a dress used by a family member, a necklace or other piece of heirloom jewelry, a purse or hair accessory from a family wedding, a small bible, a pen, or a relative’s wedding ring that can be tied into the bride’s bouquet. A set of toasting glasses, cake slicer or other dinner accessory could also fit this category.

NEW: Most items a bride wears and carries on her wedding day could fall into this category—a dress, shoes, purse, veil, jewelry or even flowers.

BORROWED: This could be something that a female relative used on her wedding day or an item that is special to her, like a handkerchief, a locket or even a bible that can be incorporated into the ceremony.

BLUE: Lots of creativity can be put into the blue item. Blue flower buds or ribbon can be added to the bride’s bouquet, a piece of jewelry with a blue stone, a blue accent on the shoes, blue nail polish or makeup, or even a blue sash added to the dress.

Most brides have heard this traditional poem:Something old, something newSomething borrowed, something blueA silver sixpence in her shoe.

BlueOld,New,

Borrowed,

The Tradition’s

OriginsSomething old represents

continuity between the bride’s family and past.

Often a piece of jewelry that has been handed

down through generations is worn by the bride.

Something new symbolizes optimism

and hope for the couple’s future success.

Something borrowed usually comes from a

happily married woman with the belief that her happiness will transfer

to the new bride.

Something blue is connected to purity,

believed to come from the Virgin Mary, who

is often portrayed in a blue robe.

ShorebrideOnline.com18

Here’s what you’ll find at the Shore Bride website:

Directory of bridal vendors serving Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

✿Photography of brides and grooms in our region.

✿Advice from the area’s top experts on

wedding planning, relationships, finances, wedding entertainment, and more!

✿Videos about local bridal businesses,

events and engaged couples.✿

Blogs from local brides.✿

Ideas about the little details that make your big day special!

Welcome to shorebrideonline.com!

GettinG Married?

Go to shorebrideonline.coM to plan your weddinG today!

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ANTICIPATEwritten by XXXXXXXXXX

Three Months Before Brides often have to order dresses months in advance, so think realistically about how much weight you want to lose before you place your order. Your alterations will usually begin around three months before your wedding, so this is a good place to take stock and think about how much more weight you’d like to lose. Dresses can only be altered so much.

“Twenty to twenty-five pounds within three months is physically doable, depending upon your age and health,” Puzon says. “But you’re going to have to be strict about your nutrition, and you’ll have to work out every day.”

Puzon says although cardio is important, weight training is even more important. “Muscles shape and form the body,” she says. “If you just do cardio, you’ll burn up the muscle mass. You might lose some weight with cardio only, but it’s harder to do. Cardio should be done three times a week, from 30 to 45 minutes, varying in intensity to challenge yourself. Do a full body workout with weights a half hour each day if you can. Or do the lower body and abs one day and the upper body and abs the next.”

Puzon isn’t a dietician, but she makes sure her clients understand they need three meals and two to three snacks each day to keep up

energy and metabolism. She also recommends keeping calories at a healthy level. “Include a

lot of fruits and vegetables, fruit earlier in the day and have vegetables and protein with every meal,” she says. “If they have a real issue with nutrition, it’s best to see a dietician.”

One Month Before Now is the time to take a close look

at how far you’ve come. With parties, planning and events ramping up, you

might not have the time and energy to lose the 5 to 10 pounds. Puzon says to stick to your workout

plan. “Your body is going to fight you for that last bit of weight, so clean eating is the key.”

Two Weeks Before With only two weeks left, Puzon says there’s not much else

you can do. “That last bit of weight isn’t going to make a difference. Don’t reach for an unhealthy diet, or work out

so hard that you’re exhausted. You don’t want to be ill on your wedding day. You might be able to squeeze

into that tiny size, but I’m not an advocate of crash diets. Besides, you should

be healthy and happy on your day, and that’s really what it’s all about.” - Sharon Biggs Waller

Fitness is more important with bridal fashions than ever

before. Gone are the poofy leg-of-mutton sleeves (thank

goodness) and high collars so adored in the ’80s. Nowadays

women are embracing their assets with figure-hugging

mermaid gowns and strapless dresses. June Puzon is a master level personal trainer at Fitness

Pointe in Munster, Indiana. She works with brides often

and says that most brides are concerned about their arms,

backs and bellies. “But the bad news is there is no such thing

as spot reduction!” she says. “You have to work on your

entire body. And you do that by looking at nutrition—80 percent

of weight loss is nutrition, and 20 percent is fitness. You can’t

have one without the other.”

TIMELINEYour Get-Fit

21spring 2011

No bride wants to look pasty on her wedding day, but how do you get a sunkissed look without tan lines? Most brides turn to

tanning beds or tanning products, but tanning beds hold the same health warnings as lying in the sun; tanning products are healthy alternatives, but these can result in streaking and an unnatural orange tint. MOON Tans Sunless Airbrush Tanning is a unique spray tan that contains no chemicals and elicits the same reaction from the skin that the sun does, creating a very natural-looking tan.

Melissa Villanueva is the first in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan to offer MOON Tans. It’s a mobile business so she comes to you. She even has specials for wedding parties. “I apply the MOON Tan by an airbrush, so you get a very even tan that lasts for seven to ten days,” she says. “It’s mixed with a cosmetic color and moisturizer so you see the tan right away. It develops further within the next six to eight hours.” There are different tan variations, from the subtle bronzer to a deep, dark tan. She can even customize the solution to suit your skin color. Melissa offers partial tans, such as the legs or upper body, for $10 to try the product out. - Sharon Biggs Waller

FOR MORE INFORMATIONMOON Tans by Melissa219.405.0384 // moontans.com

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ShorebrideOnline.com

Zitman can match a cake topper to a bride’s dress, veil, hair and makeup. Roses in a bouquet and ruffles in a gown can be recreated in miniature. “One bride wanted her necklace on the sculpture,” Zitman says. “They usually want them pretty exact.”

Clients supply descriptions and photos. Zitman magically molds. Her cake toppers cost from $50 to $300 a pair, depending on size and detail. The 22-year-old has handmade everything from a kilted Scottish groom to a traditional Indian bride sculpture. “You’d be surprised how many people don’t have traditional weddings. One couple ordered Nightmare Before Christmas,” Zitman says.

For edible cake toppers, MiraBella Confections will fashion from fondant. Initials are hot, and the trend is for three instead of one. White fondant cakes are edging out chocolate. “I actually love white on white on white,” says Ken Stephens, owner of the Grand Rapids, Michigan, couture bakery. “You can create many different tones.”

Regal crowns, sugar hearts, and pastel paisleys decorate cream-and-ivory cakes. Flowers and bows remain popular. Sparkle dust and crystals are in. “We had a request for two dinosaurs. The male had a bow tie and a top hat, and the female had on a wedding dress with a Swarovski crystal for the diamond ring,” Stephens says.

Another unusual topper featured a fireman groom, ready to climb a ladder

going up the side of the cake. “The bride was standing on top and she was screaming,” Stephens says. “I would have done smoke too, if they had said yes.”

Cakewalk in Plymouth, Indiana, expects the trend toward the unique to continue. A “Graceland Wedding Chapel” sign topped one of their reception confections. Las Vegas dice, coins and palm trees—all in fondant—decorated the sides.

Alexis Sideris Davis, owner of Cakewalk, can also keep it simple. For a bride marrying in blue jeans, she designed a cake with a peach grapevine motif. “I asked about a topper—she hadn’t really given it much thought, but knew she didn’t want one more thing to dust. I suggested the sugar paste initial, as opposed to porcelain figurines or fresh flowers, and she thought

it sounded great,” Davis says.Whether a bride dreams of initials or

Kermit and Miss Piggy, today she can have the cake topper of her choice. As Taylor Zitman says, “It’s all about the bride. A tux is pretty generic.” - Sarah Louise Klose

Cake Topper ContactsTAYLOR ZITMAN

Chicago, Ill. // 312.203.0970taylorzitman.com

MIRABELLA CONFECTIONS4950 Plainfield Ave NE, Suite F

Grand Rapids, Mich. // 616.363.7715mirabellaconfections.com

Owner: Ken Stephens

CAKEWALK, LLC309 W Jefferson St // Plymouth, Ind.574.936.3801 // eatbettercake.com

Owner: Alexis Sideris Davis

CELEBRATE the big day

You may now . . . smash the cake in your beloved’s face. • But save the wedding cake topper if it was made by Taylor Zitman. The Chicagoan creates polymer-glazed, baked

clay sculptures. Her keepsake brides and grooms range from two to five inches tall.

Grand Rapids, Mich. // 616.363.7715

THE TOPPING ON THE

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23spring 2011 23spring 2011

gift The months of planning are over, the bride and groom have said “I do,” and now it’s time to celebrate. As guests enter the reception hall, they drop off gifts and cards at the table near the entrance, sign the guestbook, find their seats and order a cocktail. It’s a typical wedding scene, but one that can lead to an unexpected disaster. That conveniently located gift table leaves cards and presents vulnerable to theft, and every year gifts are stolen from unsuspecting brides and grooms.

But there’s no need to panic. Just a few pre-wedding preparations can keep your gifts present and accounted for:

HOME DELIVERY. The best way to prevent theft is to have gifts delivered directly to you. Many online registries allow shipping to the registrant’s address of choice. Discreetly let guests know you would prefer to receive gifts before or after the wedding—in person or by mail—by asking family and bridal party members to spread the word to other guests. Share this information with guests who ask you directly, but never mention your registry or delivery preferences in your invitation. Wedding etiquette experts agree it sounds greedy.

KEEP AN EYE ON IT. Because not all of your guests may be tech-savvy enough to navigate an online registry and some inevitably will insist on following tradition, you probably can’t eliminate the gift table entirely. When it comes to keeping gifts safe, location is key. Christina Page, owner of Devoted Weddings and Events in Merrillville, suggests placing the gift table far away from entrances and exits. Set the table in a central location and assign a bridal party or family member to watch it. This helps prevent a well-dressed wedding crasher from discreetly slipping away with your gifts (it’s happened!) while no one is watching. Additionally, Page recommends selecting a card box or cage that seals so a thief can’t open it and remove a handful of envelopes.

DESIGNATE A GIFT KEEPER. Don’t put off deciding what to do with your gifts until the end of the night. Choose a family member or trusted friend beforehand to transport your gifts to a secure location—a locked room or car—once dinner ends. A wedding planner or day-of coordinator can assist with this process. Page says, “When dinner is over, the dancing has started and it seems everyone has dropped off their gift or card, we move the gifts to the bride and groom’s designated location. Usually it’s a parent’s vehicle, and we always have that person help.” - Ashley Boyer

SIMPLE STEPS TO PREVENT theft

springspringfever

You’re getting married! And you can’t wait! Just as the anticipation for spring bubbles up inside us during the winter months, so too do brides anxiously await their wedding day, no matter how many cake tastings and vendor visits stand in

between. Shore Bride celebrates spring—and your wedding!—by showering you with an array of feminine gowns featuring just

the right amount of floral touches. So breathe in the fresh air and dance in the rain, because your wedding will be here before you know it, and you’ll look as radiant as the gowns you see here.

PHOTOS BY Kristen Lynn PhotographieGOWNS BY Elegance Wedding and Evening Wear


april showersSpring florals make a 3-D appearance in 2011, bursting forth on both traditional, romantic gowns (right, Blue by Enzoani) and on the fun, flirty variety (inset, Jordan Fashions).

27spring 2011

ELEGANCE WEDDING AND EVENING WEAR // 2820 HIGHWAY AVE, HIGHLAND, IND. 219.923.0977; ELEGANCEWEDDING.NET All of the gowns featured on these pages were provided by Elegance Wedding and Evening Wear. Along with bridal and bridesmaid dresses, the store offers mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, headpieces, veils, slips and bras. Brides can also find their jewelry, invitations, purses and shoes here, and tuxedo rental is available.

KRISTEN LYNN PHOTOGRAPHIE // CHICAGO, ILL. KRISTENLYNNPHOTOGRAPHIE.COM The husband-and-wife team who photographed these fun, colorful images in their Chicago studio says they are storytellers who work to capture weddings in a fresh and authentic way. They commit to building strong relationships with their clients, who can book a commissioned shoot and receive free unlimited access to a gallery of high-resolution photos.

may flowersWhether your wedding day is hot, cold, sunny or rainy, you’ll shine bright and free in the gown that best suits your style: be it form-fitting (upper left, Blue by Enzoani), full of life (right, Mori Lee) or fabulously feminine (lower left, Dere Kiang).


RELAX the honeymoon

written by HEATHER AUGUSTYN

Honeymoon in Aruba: ONE HAPPY ISLAND

HOTEL RIU PALACE ARUBA

888.748.4990riu.com

This resort is comprised of

three main buildings—two

10-story buildings and one 8-story

building—which house 165 rooms.

Located on Aruba’s Palm

Beach, the Riu offers guests clear, turquoise-colored

warm ocean waters lapping on white

sand beaches, which are perfect

for snorkeling and dives. The resort

also features two swimming pools, Jacuzzi,

on-site casino, a complimentary

bottomless minibar in each

suite, and plenty of shopping and

restaurants. All-inclusive

privileges are available, as is

wedding planning.

The flag of Aruba features a red, four-pointed star on a field of ocean blue with two yellow stripes along the bottom. The stripes recognize the island’s Dutch heritage, and the star represents the four directions of the compass, since visitors come from all corners of the world to enjoy the island’s riches. Because it is such a beautiful landscape with almost perfect weather, Aruba

ranked number seven on the top ten list of honeymoon destinations in 2009. With so much to offer honeymooners, it’s no wonder Aruba’s slogan is “One Happy Island.” • “Aruba has great beaches and it has great weather, since it’s

located out of the hurricane belt,” says Denise Zencka, owner of All About Travel Inc. in St. John and Crown Point. Zencka also points out that the island is both safe and affordable. “An average seven-night vacation out of Chicago is $1,100 or $1,200 per person, including airfare.” • Here are just a few of the

many Aruban resorts worth considering for your honeymoon.

29spring 2011

THE HYATT ARUBA(right, below)

888.591.1234 | aruba.hyatt.com

This recently renovated resort features 357 rooms along the white

sands of Palm Beach. All rooms have either ocean views, pool views,

or garden views. Honeymooners can enjoy private dining right on the beachfront, an on-site casino,

spa and fitness center, a three-level pool with waterfalls and slides,

six restaurants, video arcade, and plenty of water sports.

THE OCCIDENTAL GRAND ARUBA | 800.858.2258 | occidentalhotels.com

The Occidental, also located on Palm Beach, boasts 398 rooms in an all-inclusive hotel. Set on the white-sand beach, this resort features six restaurants, five bars, on-site casino, swimming pool, lavish rooms with balconies, massage services, and plenty of water sports, such as snorkeling, kayaking and sailing. Because Aruba is known for its excellent diving due to ample coral formations off shore, take advantage of the Occidental’s arrangements for dives, for beginners who have never tried it before, as well as the experienced.

RENAISSANCE ARUBA RESORT & CASINO800.421.8188 | marriott.com

For those who prefer to stay downtown in Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino features two buildings—one consisting of all suites, and the other an adults-only complex. Amenities include pools, casinos, fine dining, an open air market of shops, swim-up bar, massage services, beaches, a lagoon, and even

shuttle boats that take honeymooners to the resort’s private island. The downtown district is a great place for exploring the history and heritage of Aruba, sightseeing Dutch colonial architecture and landmarks, and shopping in the plethora of businesses.

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30 ShorebrideOnline.com30 ShorebrideOnline.com

LIVE after the wedding

written by NICHOLE ODIJK DEMARIO

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes . . . you know the rest. This cutesy little rhyme became the anthem of my wedding. Four hours post-“I do,” we received our very first baby inquiry. It left my ovaries writhing in fear and my husband’s head spinning. • “When are you going to have a baby?” Who knew such a simple question could be so complex.

Leah Travis, associate therapist at New Leaf Resources in Lansing, Illinois, says this friendly or familial curiosity is normal and oftentimes inevitable. “I think our culture has certain expectations about what a person or a couple ‘should’ do, so when

a couple has reached one milestone by getting married, the next logical step for them is to have children.” Nevertheless, if unprepared, couples can be left in shock.

The “baby question” made newlywed Caitlin Rose of Dyer, Indiana, practically speechless. Her initial response was little more than “Uh . . .” And although she and husband Jay are now expecting their first child this fall, she had and has fun with the topic. “It’s fun to be indirect,” Rose recommends lightheartedly. “Let people think what they want. It’ll drive them nuts.”

Travis advises couples to make sure the baby question is something couples ask themselves and each other first and foremost. “This is the kind of question you need to address as early as possible,” Travis says. “While it may not be a conversation for your first date, the sooner you can talk about it, the better. It doesn’t mean any decisions have to be made; it just gets this topic out in the open.” Travis feels that once this topic has been thoroughly discussed, couples can then decide if they want to go public or remain private with their path to parenthood.

For Valerie and Zachary Norris, recent Bloomington, Indiana, transplants, deflecting the baby question has been a little more difficult. “His dad always mentions it in the Sunday sermon,” says Valerie, whose father-in-law is

a pastor.Melanie and Matthew Mason of Lowell, Indiana, pacified the question

with a quick laugh and eye roll, but with some they’ve taken a more serious approach and explained that financially and emotionally, they’re not ready.

Whether a couple decides to have a child in the first few months of marriage, the first few years or not at all, Travis says couples do not necessarily need to craft an automatic response to inquiries. Just as the decision to have a child is up to the couple, so is their response.

QUESTIONThe Baby

FINANCE

TIP FROM A PRO Spender vs. saverWe’ve all heard that opposites attract. Sometimes those opposing features can create issues for couples from time to time. One such instance—the spender and the saver.

Chad Zagel of Edward Jones East Grand Rapids, Michigan, has a two-step process to get opposites on the same page:

1. Go through a monthly budget to make sure you are spending less than you make each month.

2. Have a conversation about what monies are available. Once you know how much is available, talk about what will make each of you happy.

“It’s natural to have different tendencies,” Zagel says. “You don’t have to agree on every penny, but you need to be on the same page on what you want your life to look like short- and long-term.”

“I think you have to be best friends before you’re anything else.” -Millicent (Jack) Huminsky of South Haven, Michigan, married 14 years

“Never take each other for granted . . . Marriage is not simple, nor is it an institution. It is a bond with love being the glue.” -April (Michael) Green of Hobart, Indiana, married 21 years

“Try to go to bed laughing; never go to bed mad.” -Robert (Gertrude) Miller of Michigan City, Indiana, married 55 years

“I think what kept us strong were the struggles we had to endure. You can’t hold things against each other. You accept each other for who you are. You don’t sweat the small stuff.” -Sandy (Walter) Pieniazek of Dyer, Indiana, married 28 years

“You should make a choice to love them no matter what. You should always focus on the positive qualities that you fell in love with. It helps you get through the difficult times in your marriage.” -Eileen (Edward) Banashak of Crown Point, Indiana, married 25 years

“Divorce is too easy. Stick it out. Be in it for the long haul.” -Tammi (Dale) Welch of Schererville, Indiana, married 28 years

“A good sense of humor has helped us. When things get tough and you can turn around and laugh, it makes everything easier.” -Louis (Barbara) Price of Union Pier, Michigan, married 39 years

“Put each other first. Too many people get caught up in everyday life and forget what’s really important.” -Eileen (Robert) Gatti of Valparaiso, Indiana, married 47 years

SERVICE DIRECTORY

In a time when divorce rate odds are stacked against newlyweds and married couples alike, one may wonder what it takes to make love last. How do couples withstand the test of time? Defy the statistics? Local couples weigh in on what it has taken for their relationships to remain on the road to forever.

MAKING Love LAST

31spring 2011

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