wedding couleeregion 10

Weddingmagazine COULEE REGION

2010Complimentary

nniv ersaryE ditionA

everything you need to make your Coulee Region wedding unforgettable.

The

The WaterfrontR e s t a u r a n t a n d T a v e r n

WT F

AV E DA C O N C E P T S A L O N 7 2 0 C A S S S T R E E T, L A C R O S S E , W I 5 4 6 0 1 6 0 8 7 8 2 8 7 2 0 5 0 0 N . H O L M E N D R I V E , H O L M E N , W I 5 4 6 3 6 6 0 8 5 2 6 6 7 4 6

Transport yourself and your wedding party with the power of touch, aroma and the life force of plants and owers. Soothe your body and soul with our plant-derived essentials. From facials, manicures and pedicures to hair and makeup services each is a ceremony in itself. Start your celebration off right by scheduling your appointment with the Ultimate Salon and Spa.

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4 THE WEDDING MAGAZINE 2010

FEATurEsTrend report ............................................................................................................. 8

Natural Beauty: Wedding Attire That Dresses up Any setting ............................... 11

Pamper Your Guests: Tips For a Memorable and Gracious Wedding .................... 19

Classic, Glamorous, & romantic Hairstyles ............................................................ 21

Breathtaking Blossoms and Beyond: From submerged Blooms to Lighting,

2010 Trends Flourish ............................................................................................... 23

WeddingTHEMAGAZINE COULEE REGION

TABLE oF CoNTENTsTable Tops That Define Your style .......................................................................... 27

A Garden of Desserts Blooming on Your Palate and Palette ................................. 34

Fare With Flair: Wedding Cuisine That is Creative and Inspired .............................. 37

The Ties That Bind: Ceremonies That Create strong Bonds in Blended Families.... 39

The Art of Memories: Wedding Photography and Videography offer Artistic Edge ......41

unforgettable: setting Your Day to Music Makes Magic ........................................ 47

stress-free and Exotic: Destination Weddings Focus on Fun ................................ 49

rEAL WEDDINGsJessica (schott) and Daniel Kowal ........................................................................ 51

Heather (Henderson) and J.J. synold .................................................................... 53

Jordana (stegemeyer) and Wes snyder ................................................................. 55

Caitlin (Perra) and Douglas Larsen .......................................................................... 57

Jessica (Gile) and Brian Hutchings ......................................................................... 59

IN EVErY IssuELetter From the Publishers ........................................................................................ 6

Planning, Budget, Marriage License ........................................................................ 60

reception Guide .................................................................................................... 61

Ad Index ................................................................................................................ 66

VoLuME 5 IssuE 1 2010www.theweddingmagazine.net

Photo by Mueller Photography


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Bridal Gowns from Exclusive Designers

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In-Store Alterations Department

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The Wedding Magazine is co-published annually by Coulee region Communications LLC, 816 2nd Avenue south, suite 600, onalaska, WI. 54650 and Weddings by Nancy LLC, 400 Main street, La Crosse,WI 54601.

2009 Coulee region Communications LLC and Weddings by Nancy LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publishers. The Wedding Magazine does not necessarily endorse the claims or contents of advertising or editorial materials.

Printed at Midwest Litho, rochester, MN.

Printed in the u.s.A.

Publishers Nancy Flottmeyer | Diane raaum | Doug solinger

Editor Beth Erickson

Creative DirectionNancy Flottmeyer

Art Directionrenee Chrz

Contributing Writers Gayle Edlin | Beth Erickson | Martha Keeffe

Bonnie Pickett | Theresa Washburn

WeddingTHEMAGAZINE COULEE REGION

Salessandy Clark | Nancy Flottmeyer

Diane raaum | Carol schank

For advertising information: 608-783-5395

or e-mail [email protected].

www.theweddingmagazine.net

Photography atypikstudio | Bouffler Photography

Tiffany Brubaker Photography | Dawn Marie Photography

Luann Dibb Photo | Michael Lieurance Photography

Janet Mootz Photography | Mueller Photography

Namipix Photography | Placek Photography

raymond siler Photography

Cert no. BV-COC-070703

Cover photography by Luann Dibb Photo.

Bouquet designed and created by La Crosse Floral.

WeddingMAGAZINE COULEE REGION2010Complimentary

nniv ersaryE ditionAEverything you need to make your Coulee Region wedding unforgettable.

THE

Photographer Duane Michals once said, Trust that little voice in your head that says,

Wouldnt it be interesting if...? And then do it. Imagine how beautiful all weddings would be

if imagination and creativity triumphed in the planning. Whether youve been envisioning your

big day since you were a child, or since your fianc slid that ring on your finger, youre most

likely aware of how much work there is before you say, I do.

Thats where we come in. The Wedding Magazine is designed to be your planning guide.

We research the latest trends and informationso you dont have to. And we do it with style.

When we sat down to create this, our 5th Anniversary Edition, we dared to imagine our most

beautiful issue yet. As with a wedding, there is an incredible amount of pre-planning and

planning meetings, schedules, sketches, location scouting, and research involved. For you, we

headed to beautiful Norskedalen for our fashion shoot, and were inspired by Hollywood glam,

the hills of Tuscany, the stunning beauty of English Gardens, the variety of the seasons, and the

brilliance of color for our table-top designs. Area photographers have graced these pages with

their unquestionable talent. And we have spent hours finding the perfect stories and photos

for you. Why? Because we believe you deserve the best wedding possibleand you need

the best resource to help you create it. Thats why, in addition to redesigning The Wedding

Magazine, we updated our Web site. Be sure to explore www.theweddingmagazine.net for

wedding planning information like wedding party roles and responsibilities, online articles, real

weddings, and links to advertiser Web sites.

And, as always, if you have any questions, or want to share your wedding story, please

contact us at [email protected]. May your wedding be everything you

imaginedand more!

VoLuME 5 IssuE 1 2010

At Artistic Video Productions we oer a highly customizable approach to wedding videography. Beginning with a documentary style approach and integrating a cinematic style of shooting and editing, we have devel-oped a style we call Docu-Cinematic. We further enhance the high denition experience with a blend of ambient sound and studio quality audio. Let us help you create a memory that will last for generations..

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iColor, Style, and GracejuNIquE GIFTs, PAPErs, AND TouCHEs For Your WEDDING

Photography by Mueller Photography

Color, classic, or comfortthe shoes you wear on your wedding day should express your true self. Pick out a pair of

shoes that you love, and you will wear them again and again. -kick chicks

www.shopkickshoes.com.

THE WEDDING MAGAZINE 2010 9

From vintage elements to contemporary graphics to folk artinvitations have become as unique as the couple them-selves. Top to bottom, shirley Elaine Weddings Classic Vintage Invitation Collection, www.shirleyelaineweddings.com; Border Line and Folk sunflower by robins Egg, available exclusively at www.weddingsbynancy.com.

Whether simple gift bags with your names or custom packages created to match your wedding invitations, hotel bags have become a must-have for out-of-town guests. often filled with the schedule of weekend activities and goodies, guests appreciate this extra touch when they arrive. Custom bags and water bottles created by Weddings by Nancy. www.weddingsbynancy.com.

Dress up your dishes! Change is good, but interchangeable is better. Celebrate every season, holiday, and special occasion with one serving piece and interchangeable attachments. These ceramic pieces and more are available at Touch of Class in downtown La Crosse. www.touchofclasslacrosse.com.

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i Natural Beauty jWEDDING ATTIrE THAT DrEssEs uP ANY sETTING

Fashion and jewelry by Charlottes Bridal | Photos by Luann Dibb Photo


12 THE WEDDING MAGAZINE 2010 12 THE WEDDING MAGAZINE 2010


Talent: Jamie Marquardt, Jenna Cramer, and Trevor Lyga

Hair and Make-up: Chelsie Bristow and Heather Von Arx, The ultimate salon

Location: Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center, with the assistance of Tammy Potarcky and Chris Hall

Assistants: Erin rademacher and Anna sprague

Intern: Margaret McCracken


For inspiration, ideas, and planning resources visit

www.theweddingmagazine.net

If you are planning a wedding, anticipating

an engagement , or just love weddings,

theweddingmagazine.net is the site for you.

The site is grouped by city and business type

so it is easy for you to find what you need.

The entire magazine is online as well,

so you can read it anytime you wantboth the

La Crosse, WI, and Rochester, MN, issues.

Plus, we have put all of the Real Wedding stories

online so you can read how our married couples

planned and personalized their weddings.

For more information, e-mail

[email protected].


A s the bus pulled up to the inn, the bride and groom stood on the porch, held hands, and waved to family and friends as if welcoming them home. Within minutes, guests filled the white-railed porch, hugging, laughing, and happy to see each other.

Ken Riley and Jay Lokken, owners of the Bentley Wheeler Bed and Breakfast watched from just behind the curtained window. In this soft moment of reunion, Riley nearly cried. Everyone instantly felt at home, he says. They felt comfortable and welcomed. It was a simple gesture that set the tone for a wonderful wedding.

MakE GUESTS COMfORTabLEWeddings can be stressful. Theres a lot of anxiety, says Riley.

Making guests comfortable and relaxed should be the brides and grooms first priority. How? Riley suggests a casual event to begin the weekend. A barbeque is great. Food on the grill, drinks, casual dressit lets people relax and mingle and creates a home-like experience.

Nancy Flottmeyer, wedding planner and owner of Weddings by Nancy, agrees. Guests often come from all over the country. Making sure things are easy and comfortable really helps, like arranging trans-portation. Flottmeyer urges brides to have a wedding-weekend sched-ule that gives people plenty of time to relax and prepare for events.

LOOk bEyONd GOLfKeep out-of-town guests happy, well-oriented, and stress-free by

offering them maps of the city and recommendations for regional

activities they can participate in during non-essential times that weekend. Help them hone in on what they enjoy by knowing their personalities. A boat ride on the Mississippi seems like a must, says Riley. It can be anything from the Island Girl to renting a houseboat and cruising for a couple hours. But if the group doesnt like water, dont insist, because there are plenty of other options.

kEEp IT SIMpLEIn fact, with so many activities available, its tempting to over sched-

ule. Riley warns against this, Two activities a day is enough, something mid-morning and then a dinner event. Anything more, he says, and people are rushed and overwhelmed.

OpTIONS wIThOUT ExpECTaTIONSAnother way to make people feel comfortable is to post your sched-

ule on a wedding Web site. Its a great idea, says Flottmeyer,and it allows you to extend invitations for all activities. Plus, with event sign-up, people can opt out if they want, and you can get an accurate head count. Just be sure to make it clear which events are part of the wedding weekend and which are optional.

Hosting a wedding guests enjoy requires preparation, knowledge of your guests, and gracious hospitality. While you shouldnt fill the week-end, you can arrange one or two well-planned activities that keep the pace relaxed and fun, while offering guests a glimpse of the beauty and diversity of the area. a

iPamper Your GuestsjTIPs For A MEMorABLE AND GrACIous WEDDING

By Theresa Washburn | Photo by Dawn Marie Photography


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iHAIRSTYLESjCHoosE A WEDDING DAY CoIF THAT suITs Your sTYLE

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iBreathtaking Blossoms and BeyondjFroM suBMErGED BLooMs To LIGHTING, 2010 TrENDs FLourIsH

By Gayle Edlin | From left, photos by olive Juice studios | Dawn Marie Photography | Mueller Photography

bEaUTy MaGNIfIEdOne of the most popular trends is submerged blooms. Immersing

flowers in water creates a clean, contemporary look and feel, says Ben Skemp of Mont Floral. The water acts to magnify the flower, projecting its beauty on a grand scale. Everything from the exotic and pricey to the simple and eleganta

W hether youre immersing delicate blossoms in water, splash-ing entire rooms in natural designs, choosing romantic light-ing options, or adding landscape accents, todays wedding floral options bloom in creative, contemporary ways. Combining your favorite flowers with todays innovations will create something uniquely beautiful to accent your wedding day.

Tiffany Brubaker Photograp

hy

can be presented in this way. Imagine submerged orchids, tulips, gladioli, amaryllis, or even branches of berries. Any size bloom can be used and any flower, says Cindy Thesing of La Crosse Floral.

There are many options for displaying submerged blooms. The entire flower, including stem, may be submerged in a tall, cylindrical vase in a simple, elegant gesture. Lavish displays might include three to four vases of varying sizes and multiple flowers as guest table centerpieces. More depth and dimension

can be created by putting Zen-like pebbles or shimmering crystals on the bottom of the vases.

aLIGhT wITh pOSSIbILITy Another trend with unlimited potential is floral lighting.

Theres a lot you can do with lights, says Carrie Bertelsen of Sun-shine Floral. For example, a submerged bloom in its cylindrical vase can be topped with a floating candle to add the romance of soft light.



Candles are always glamorous, agrees Skemp, but LED lights are another great option. These ultra-modern lights can be set underneath vases with submerged blooms or hidden under lampshades on the tops of the vases. Colored lighting options can complement or contrast the floral beauty. LED lights in lavender and cream are among todays popular colors, says Skemp. Lights can also be used underneath beads or rocks as accents.

Thesing likes the look of battery-operated votives placed in hanging branches or blended into floral displays. These votives offer the beauty of candles, but can be safely used in a wide range of settings.

Todays florists also offer creative lighting that doesnt include blooms. Instead, you can extend the beauty of your flowers in unique, stylish ways. Imagine silhouetted leaves on the walls of your reception hall, cast in a soft green or rosy glow. Directed lighting can cast patterns like this to create ambiance. For tables, lights hidden under sleek, spandex coverings add dimension and flair.

ShadES Of TRadITION

Brides who prefer a more traditional look

might choose the popular monochromatic

bouquet. Flowers in these bouquets are paired

with other blooms in the same color familyfor

example roses and calla lilies in shades of red,

crimson, and pink or roses with cockscomb and lotus pods in the shades of mint, green, and jade. Some of the most popular wedding colors now are vibrant. Yellow, orange, hot pink, and clover green are just a few of the lively shades from which to choose. The flowers are the same, but it's the way we present them thats different, says Skemp.

Find something that inspires you and choose your color around it. The sunset is one example, says Bertelson. In it, you can find shades of orange, yellow, and a hint of dark blue that can carry the color theme from the dresses through the flowers. Tiger lilies and orange gerberas offer a stunning accent to this theme.

Colors can also be chosen based on the colors of the dresses or the colors in the season of your wedding. While autumn weddings do tend to feature traditional fall colors, red, purple, and an array of greens are very popular and accent weddings across seasons. NaTURaLLy STUNNING

For brides and grooms who prefer a natu-

ral, eco-feel to their day, landscape center-

pieces, which include everything from herbs

and rocks to feathers and more, are both trendy

and economical. Imagine a base of river rocks

running down a long table. Local additions

of birch limbs, moss, and other seasonal raw

materials provide a very Wisconsin feel. Pot-ted herbs, says Skemp, might even make a nice favor for guests to take home after the event.

Outdoorsy dcor lends itself naturally to simplicity. A low, round bowl with a bed of pretty stones, curly willow edging, and calla lilies or other intertwined flowers offer a presentation thats both elegant and modern, says Thesing.

Floral accents, candles, and lighting can combine with natural elements to evoke a com-fortable, home-like, and elegant atmosphere. Whether its shells to highlight a beach theme in the summer or a fall accent of pheasant feathers to honor the grooms interest in hunting, out-door ingredients add a personal touch.

TyING IT aLL TOGEThER

In the end, your wedding day is about you and your groom. The floral accents of your day should be, too. With new trends in floral and lighting, your options are limitless. And if economy is a concern, Thesing assures, You can do a lot of fun and trendy things on a budget.

A good florist pays careful attention to your likes, desires, and needs. He or she will listen carefully as you explore your options. The bride or groom will mention something, and well work with it, says Bertelson, going back and forth until we discover what the bridal couple really wants. a

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iTable Tops That Define Your StylejDEsIGN Your rECEPTIoN FroM THE BoTToM uP

Photos by Mueller Photography

Design: Weddings by Nancy. Floral: Monet Floral.

Linens provided by: www.latavolalinen.com. Tableware: The Waterfront restaurant.

stationery: Angela scheffer, Weddings by Nancy.

Chairs: Majestic Tents and Events. Table: Topps Elite. For details: www.theweddingmagazine.net.

Can sunflowers be casual and contemporary at the same time? That was our goal. Pairing the graphic print in this tablecloth and its stark black and white colors with lemon yellow created a stunning and unusual punch of color. For the bride who wants to make a bold state-ment, she cant go wrong with black and white.

- Weddings by Nancy



Vintage design and style has the worn qualities of things that are timeless and classic. Ive always loved old Hollywood glamour. Items like crystals, chande-liers, feathers, and vintage brooches have a richness that is neverending.

- Tanya Dais, Shirley Elaine Weddings

Design, mirrored plates, and stationery: shirley Elaine Weddings. Floral: Cottage Garden Floral. Glassware and silverware: The Waterfront restaurant and Tavern. Linens provided by: www.latavolalinen.com.



The elegant, innocent beauty of an English garden inspired this romantic look. We started with a monochromatic color scheme in calming shades of green, with touches of cream and white. The unique dinnerware was the crowning touch, grac-ing the table with style. Imagine this setting in a tented reception with gardens in the background or for a bridal luncheon or Sunday brunch. - Weddings by Nancy

Design and stationery: Weddings by Nancy. Floral: La Crosse Floral. Tableware: Touch of Class. Chairs: Majestic Tents and Events. Table: Topps Elite. Linens provided by: www.latavolalinen.com.

For details: www.theweddingmagazine.net.


Though all season are beautiful, perhaps none is more stunning than fall in this region. Inspired by a conversation with the florist, who envisioned a table of branch-es with hanging floral, we designed an elegant table top, rich in detail. The floral design in the tablecloth and the amber candles add just the right touches.

- Weddings by Nancy

Design: Weddings by Nancy. Floral: sunshine Floral. Chairs: Majestic Tents and Events. Table: Topps Elite. Tableware, napkins: The Waterfront restaurant and Tavern. Linens provided by: www.latavolalinen.com.

stationery: Angela scheffer, Weddings by Nancy. For details: www.theweddingmagazine.net.


Design and stationery: Angela scheffer, Weddings by Nancy. Floral: sunshine Floral. Chairs: Majestic Tents and Events. Table: Topps Elite. Tableware, napkins: The Waterfront restaurant and Tavern.

Linens provided by: www.latavolalinen.com. For details: www.theweddingmagazine.net.

The moment we saw this linen, we fell in love with its embroidered, floral detail. Nothing could be more elegant!! This inspired us to create the most amazing autumn table. Building on the arrangement from the left, more floral was added and the ultra-glamorous autumn table was complete.

- Weddings by Nancy


Inspired by this linen, Tuscany, and folk art, we imagined the table surrounded by a field of sunflowers. The hand-painted plates and hand-cut place cards with sunflow-ers add charm. Overall, the feel is casual, with a bit of excess. This look is ideal for a smaller, outdoor wedding, rehearsal dinner, or bridal shower. - Weddings by Nancy

Design: Weddings by Nancy. Floral: Monet Floral. Linens provided by: www.latavolalinen.com. Wicker plates: Pier 1 Import. Accent plates, silverware: Touch of Class. stationery: Weddings by Nancy.



315fifthavenuesouthovertheco-op


iA Garden of DessertsjbLOOMING ON yOUR paLaTE aNd paLETTE

By Beth Erickson | Photo by Mueller Photography


In the garden of wedding desserts, elegance has taken root. Its beauty blooms before our eyes and perks up our taste buds. Brides are choosing desserts that complement their day. Shapes are staying basic, but elements of the cake coordinate with the day. I encourage every bride to make the design hers personally, not someone elses. They do this by incorporating something very personal to them, says Margaret Jerome of Wedding Cakes Plus by Margaret Ann.

Separate cakes for each table, often in multiple flavors, work well for casual weddings and double as centerpieces. Ice cream receptions have an appeal that lies in variety, while sweets tables have everything from carrot cakes and Sacher tortes to lemon tarts, cheesecakes, and decadent chocolates. Cupcakes or individual mini-cakes add flair and double as wedding favors. And even though simplicity is popular, that doesnt rule

out fun. Some couples opt for whimsy. Jerome recalls one wedding with both a rubber duck cake (she collected them) and a fire truck (he was a fireman).

Great wedding desserts are not only beautiful, they bloom in your mouth. The more variety the better, says Jerome. Traditional flavored cakes remain popular as do poppy seed and carrot, but red velvet, a deeply red cake with a hint of cocoa is increasingly popular. Frosting choices range from smooth fondant to traditional buttercream or cream cheese. For those afraid of fondant, Jerome says dont be. I tell brides to sample first before declining, she says. Fillings of almost any kind imaginable also tempt the palate, from strawberry and lemon to choco-late fudge and Bavarian cream. More and more brides are choosing fillings in the batter instead of between the layers. It adds a nice, subtle taste to the cake, she says. a

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CapRESE SaLad Roma tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil,

baby mesclun, balsamic vinaigrette, and olive tapenade tartlets.

MaIN COURSEMacadamia nut-crusted sea bass with

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dESSERT baR Hazelnut chocolate praline. Caramel apple

Napoleon, cinnamon ice cream. Mascarpone and lemon bouche with fruit garnish.

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ith

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dESSERT

Mini crme brulees fired to ord

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bEET SaLadOrganic golden and red beets tossed with sherry vinaigrette, candied hazelnuts, chives, and goat cheese.

MaIN COURSEMiso-plum glazed pork tenderloin served with steamed asparagus, and pearl barley risotto with

asparagus and mushrooms.(featured in photo above)dESSERTForbidden black rice pudding with

caramelized bananas. Coconut banana crmeand black sesame tuile.Courtesy of sous Chef Alex Brevic of The Waterfront restaurant

Menu


Once upon a time, weddings were . . . predictable. The bride wore white, the groom and groomsmen were in black, and the bridesmaids donned matching outfits. Things have certainly changed. Depending on the wishes of the marrying couple, planning todays wedding can be an adventure in creativity. In particular, when the wedding involves merging families, all members of the new family can share in the magic.

ITS a faMILy affaIRIncluding children in the wedding ceremony is a great way to

recognize that they are going to be an integral part and valued members of this new union, says Commissioner Margaret Herlitzka, who has of-ficiated at many blended weddings.

Cathy Fischer agrees. She and her husband Michael included their children in the ceremony as attendants. You want to make sure that its fun for you, and you want to think about what each child is going to do, she says. You dont want them to feel like they were ignored.

a GRaIN Of SaNdThe Fischers used the sand ceremony in their riverboat wedding to

symbolize the union of their two families. The marrying couple, along with her son, daughter and son-in-law, and Michaels teenage son, all chose different colors of sand.

During the ceremony, they each poured the sand into a glass con-tainer, creating a colorful symbol of their union. Because her daughter was expecting twins, pink and blue sand represented the unborn babies.

Her mother, recently widowed, began the blending by placing a pearl in the container to honor Fischers father. The couple completed it with a pearl cover.

The sand ceremony is Herlitzkas favorite blending symbol. She explains that each grain of sand stands for a unique aspect of the indi-vidual pouring it, and as the sand forms a pattern in the common vessel, it symbolizes the individuals uniting and becoming a loving and sup-portive marital community, making each of these individuals stronger as they unite as a family.

ThE fOUNdaTION fOR UNITy Whether children participate in the ceremony, pour sand, light the

unity candle, receive gifts from the wedding couple, take pictures, help to prepare the music, make decorations, offer toasts, or give a reading, it is important to ensure that all members of the new family be involved in the day.

They have to have a role and thats going to be age dependent, Fischer says. Herlitzka agrees. Parents need to be sensitive to the chil-drens ages. Sit down and talk with the children and find out what level of involvement they would like to have, she explains. Be prepared to give them some ideas of ways in which they can participate.

Weddings may be different these days, but the importance of forming strong family bonds is still vital. As Herlitzka says dur-ing ceremonies, Just as the grains of sand can never be separat-ed into their individual containers again, so will your new family and marriage be inseparable. a

iThe Ties That BindjCErEMoNIEs THAT CrEATE sTroNG BoNDs IN BLENDED FAMILIEs

By Bonnie Pickett | Photo by Placek Photography


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iThe Art of MemoriesjwEddING phOTOGRaphy aNd vIdEOGRaphy OffER aRTISTIC EdGE

By Martha Keeffe | Photo by ray siler Photography


Nam

ipix Photograp

hy

Your wedding is just around the corner. The months of careful preparation are coming together just as you had imaginedthe perfect dress, beautiful centerpieces with your favorite flowers and a band that knows your song. Youre confident that your day will be picture perfect. So, with only one chance to hold on to those memories, how will you decide on the best way to capture them?

SETTING ThE SCENEFirst, you want to find the right fit. Its essential to meet with a

number of photographers to determine whose personality, style, and abilities meet your requirements. Having an engagement session ahead of time is a nice way to get to know each other, says Janet Mootz, owner of Janet Mootz Photography in La Crescent, Minn. This provides a more casual, relaxed time during which you get to talk about what the couple is interested in and what type of images they want to capture on their wedding day.

And since trends and styles are continually changing, a pre-wedding session can help familiarize you with the options available. For example, green photography is gaining popularity as couples search for environ-mentally friendly alternatives to the standard print images that relied on paper, film, and darkroom chemicals. The digital world has made this even more possible, says Mootz, who encourages her clients to refer to

her Web site for pricing, examples, and specials rather than sending out a lot of printed material. As for final images, Customers can print the ones that they really want and keep the rest on a DVD or hard drive for archival purposes.

In keeping with this green mindset, todays couples want to escape from contrived imaging and are leaning toward a less formal, more ex-pressive approach to photography. According to Adam Mueller of Muel-ler Photography in La Crosse, he has received an increase in requests for photojournalism or real moment photography. Couples are saying that not only do they want well-lit and composed family portraits, but also moments of the day as they happen.

This added spontaneity captures moments that are unique to the personality of the wedding and that might otherwise go unnoticed. Couples seem to be more outgoing, says Mootz, stating clients want photography that is exciting and fun. They want wedding photography with an artistic edge.

CREaTING a ShOwSTOppERWhen thinking about capturing memories, think about video as

well as print. Artistically speaking, videography is a medium that can really deliver. No longer are videos limited to the blurry, haphazard efforts of an obliging relative. Rather, they have evolved dramatically


Couples are saying that not only do they want well-lit and composed family portraits,

but also moments of the day as they happen.- Adam Mueller, Mueller Photography


hyM

ueller Photography

Mueller Photograp

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awn M

arie Photography


into professional, entertaining, and creative documentaries. Jan-Arden Petersen who, with his wife Cathy Petersen, operates Artistic Video Productions (AVP) in La Crescent, uses video capabilities to combine wedding footage shot in high-definition, with voiceovers and musical scores to create an impressive cinematic ren-dering of the event.

With this video, artistic production ap-proach, the end result is a blend of documen-tary storytelling with the style of a movie, says Jan-Arden. When you intersperse sound bites from the couple reflecting on the day, conver-sations between family and friends, or excerpts from the sermon, you introduce emotion, something that involves viewers. Though pop-ular, the Artistic Video Productions approach is very customizable and best suited to couples who have time upfront to be very specific about

what they want in their final product. There-fore, traditional video documentary, which captures footage as it happens, offers couples good, solid video kept simple and basic. Vid-eo Visions, as we call the traditional offerings of our production company, says Jan-Arden, is not highly stylized, but guarantees great, clean footage shot in its entirety.

CREdITSWhether you are considering traditional or

cutting-edge photography, youll be surprised by the options availablelimited only by the boundaries of your budget and imagination. A good photographer should remain flexible, says Mueller. Were here to photograph one of the most important days of a couples life, and if we can make them even happier with the photography experience, we should do it. a

M

ichael Lieurance Photography

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They want wedding

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Whether its Frank Sinatra crooning Fly Me to Moon, the soft swinging sound of Glen Millers band playing Chattanooga Choo Choo, or Michael Bubl melting your heart with Singing this Song for You, music builds the foundation for the mood and tempo of your wedding, and picking songs that fit the setting creates an unforgettable experience.

bUILd yOUR ThEMEWedding by the river? Think Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, reggae, and

1960s rock songs. Holding a black-tie affair at The Waterfront Cargill Room? Open cocktail hour with a classical string trio. Want to energize your guests? Jazz and blues will make the night warmer and ready the crowd for fun.

When people arrive and well-selected, upscale music is playing, it sets the ambiance for the evening, says Steve Michaels, who co-owns Music Mix of La Crosse with Kelly Wilde. The best way to decide what you want for your day is to listen to music he advises. Come in with some ideas, and we can guide you to pick music for the entire event, from cocktail hour to the last dance.

MIx IT Up a bITSince the personality and taste of your guests is likely wide and var-

ied, remember its always a good idea to add some variety to your music,

iUnforgettablej

even if the event is themed. Michaels encourages couples to describe their theme, but stay open to advice. We want the couple to com-municate their ideas, then leave it to us. At the end of the evening, the couple will be thankful.

Vicki Bigley, with the Riverside Classic Trio and Rosewood Trio, agrees. We know what guests enjoy, she says. We can play a number of different styles with a flute, guitar, and bass.

LET yOUR EaRS bE yOUR GUIdEPerhaps the best way to choose your wedding music is to watch a DJ

in action or hear the band or group first. A demo tape is great, says Bigley, but the real thing is even better. Well ask if the couple-to-be can sit in on a ceremony and listen to the band, and surprisingly, most people agree.

If you hear a good DJ or a band at a wedding you happen to attend, remember the name and contact them later. A good deal of our business comes from people who attend a reception and see our sign, says Michaels.

Music impacts the mood and pace of your wedding. Who hasnt been transported back in time when the notes of an old love song float past? Been reminded of an ocean breeze at the rhythmic beat of reggae song? Or been inspired to waltz by a beautiful classical arrangement? Intermingling the days theme with your musical choices offers your guests a unique experience they wont soon forget. a

sETTING Your DAY To MusIC MAKEs MAGIC

By Theresa Washburn | Photo by Dawn Marie Photography


www.MusicinMotionDJ.com

Its your moment.Your night.

Were just honored you trust us with your memories.

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W hen Jansen and Kim Dahl got married on the sands of the Riviera Maya, it was a dream wedding that was better than they ever imagined. The ceremony setup on the beach was so intimate and personal. It was as if we were on our own private island, says Jansen. That cozy atmosphere along with the white sand beaches, blue rolling ocean, and stunning sunset allowed them to share a closely connected and relaxed wedding experience with their guests.

We couldnt have dreamed it any other waythe stunning ocean as a backdrop, the glow of the setting sun and the sand between our toes. There was even a single, white sailboat coasting by in the distance as we recited our vows. We get goosebumps every time we look back at those fabulous photos, he adds.

fINd ThE RIGhT RESORT

With the rising popularity of destination weddings, a wedding like the Dahls is not only possible, its affordable, romantic, and can be tailored to fit your needs. Each resort has a personality as unique and varied as that of the couple who stays there. A knowledgeable travel consultant can work closely with the bride and groom to sleuth out the information crucial to making a perfect match. Does the couple like to go, go, go and want more activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, or horseback riding? asks Suzanne Stika, owner and travel consultant of Travel Professionals, Inc. Or are they the more low key type? Ques-tions like those help agents select the right resort.

aLL-IN-ONE fUNAnd for people who havent traveled outside of the country or

otherwise might not consider doing so, the destination wedding serves as a less intimidating, stress-free way to explore an exotic loca-tion. When you think about it, a destination wedding is basically a wedding and vacation for the guests, and a wedding and honeymoon for the bride and groom, with the added bonus of having everything taken care of, she says.

Everything, that is, from reserving the hotel and travel package for the bride and groom, to organizing the legal documentation and time requirements necessary for getting married outside of the U.S. Flexible travel itineraries can also be created for guests, giving them the freedom to coordinate a plan best suited for individual needs.

Even small details, such as choosing the wedding venue (gazebo, garden, or beach), selecting music and musicians, or making personal appointments for hair, make-up, and pedicures, can be booked in ad-vance, lessening your arrival to-do list. LEavE hEadaChES aT hOME

This makes it easier for the bride and the groom, says Tracey Hummel, travel sales agent with Travel Leaders in Onalaska. The bride and groom dont have the headache of planning and can focus on the beautiful beach, sand, and ocean. a

DEsTINATIoN WEDDINGs FoCus oN FuN

By Martha Keeffe | Photo courtesy of Jansen and Kim Dahl

iStress-free and Exoticj


608.783.5395 | www.crwmagazine.com | www.theweddingmagazine.net

Coulee RegionCOMMUNICATIONS L.L .C.

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2010Complimentary

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My husband was born and raised a New Yorker. As we started planning our wedding, and decided on marrying in

my hometown of Holmen, we became ecstatic about a New York meets Wisconsin wedding theme.

since Danny was an executive chef in New York City, we needed a venue where the food and ambiance would hold

up to a New Yorkers standard of excellence. From the moment we stepped into Drugans Castle Mound, we were

convinced it was the perfect place to have the reception.

september is the most beautiful time of year in Wisconsin, so we elected to have an outdoor ceremony then. since

Wisconsin is so far inland, we never dreamed Hurricane Ike would such a significant effect on our wedding weather.

As the day approached, it was accompanied with significant rainfall. The morning of the wedding, the first stop

was the hair salon and then Drugansdodging raindrops the whole way. I suppose most brides are nervous about the

vows or whether the flowers are the right color. To tell you the truth, I was most nervous about exchanging wedding

gifts with my groom, not about the rain ruining my outdoor ceremony.

Danny and Id had a year-long, high-spirited competition to see who could come up with the most creative wed-

ding gift for $99 or less. The best man delivered my hubbys present, and I was in complete shock. My husband had

written and published a book telling the story of how he met and fell in love with me.

suddenly, I felt that my gift, having a star named after him on our wedding date, was inadequate. However, when

my maid of honor returned from delivering it, she assured me Dannys teary eyes proved it was a hit, too.

Although we only saw 45 rain-free minutes on our wedding day, that was long enough for us to marry outside,

fulfilling my dream. No wedding day is ever seamless or exactly the way you may have planned it, but we didnt take

one minute for granted. It may not have looked perfect, but for us, it was! a

Real Weddings09.14.08 | Jessica (schott) and Daniel Kowal

catering & receptionDrugans Castle Mound

floral

Guenthers

photography

Luann Dibb Photo

videography

Aristic Video Production


RADISSON HOTEL LA CROSSE 200 Harborview Plaza La Crosse, WI 54601

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Ask about our Wedding Showcase Cater to any location Adjacent to Riverside Park Experienced & professional team Outstanding food & service Unique menus Meeting space for any size wedding Personalizing your day

Contact Tom Bartig 608-793-5005

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Real Weddings06.06.09 | Heather (Henderson) and J.J. synold

bridal gownThe Wedding Tree

ceremony | Syls Place

ceremony chairsLa Crosse Tent and Awning

ceremony musicSSE Music

dj | Timothy Synold

floral

La Crosse Floral

photography

Namipix Photography

receptionFox Hollow Golf and Banquet

tuxedo

Mens Warehouse

videography

Take 5 Productions

From the moment I met J.J., I knew one of his passions was world travel. As I sat down to begin planning

our wedding three years later, I immediately decided we would incorporate our mutual love of travel into our

celebration.

Each table at our reception was named for a place J.J. and I had traveled together, such as Ixtapa, Am-

sterdam, and Waikiki, and embellished with a picture of us at that location. seating place cards were luggage

tags bearing the table and each guests name. Vases of green hydrangeas were decorated with maps, and

crossword puzzles quizzed guests on our favorite locales. our younger guests entertained themselves with

vacation-themed Mad Libs. During our travels, J.J. and I had met many friends around the globe. Guests jour-

neyed from across the country to share our special day with us.

The day before our wedding was beautiful and sunny, and our wedding party enjoyed an afternoon cruising

the Mississippi river on the La Crosse queen. unfortunately, the next day was unseasonably cold, rainy, and

windy. It even boasted a broken La Crosse recordthe coldest temperature, 57 degrees, ever recorded on

that date. By the time we gathered together for our 4 p.m. outdoor ceremony, the temperature had dropped

to the low 40s. The large, constant raindrops, however, added freshness to the beginning of our new journey.

It also brought out the lush quality of the green bouquets of hydrangeas and roses and the bridesmaids clover-

colored dresses.

since J.J. and I met at sunrise Acres Elementary school as fourth grade teachers, we wanted our wedding

to be as fun as our classrooms. We incorporated elements that gave it a whimsical feel. A slideshow scrolled

through our childhood pictures before dinner. A candy bar teeming with green tootsie rolls, key lime and

vanilla taffy, lime sour balls, and green gummy bears catered to everyones sweet tooth. Individual raspberry

buttercream cupcakes decorated in emerald and white fondant adorned the dessert table and made everyone

feel special. It was truly unforgettable. a


WEDDING CAKES PLUSBY MARGARET ANN

Margaret Jerome(608) 269-0947

Artistic

Cakes


catering

Famous Daves

floral

La Fleur Jardinephotography

Mueller Photography

reception

The Trempealeau Hotel

The greatest thing about your wedding day is that its your day. You get to wear the prettiest dress youve ever

owned, celebrate in style, and at the end of the day, youll be married to the man of your dreams!

our wedding was the most incredible day of my life. Most of the time the planning was just a lot of workbut

as our day came closer, the planning and details became more fun. We tried to be really creative with the wedding

details since its the personal touches that people remember, not how much money you spend. I put my design skills

to use for the invitations, menus, and programs. My mom handmade all of the table centerpieces and guest favors.

our creativity not only saved money, it helped make the wedding as unique as we are.

Finding the dresses was my favorite part of the planning. For the bridesmaids, I didnt want anything typical, so I

looked at nontraditional places. There are no rules about bridesmaid dresses, so look everywhere. We found ours at

Dales. The hardest to find was my dress. seriously, I tried on several hundred wedding gowns. When I finally found

my dress, I knew it was perfect. our wedding party looked amazing.

For the location, Wes and I chose the historic Trempealeau Hotel. It was our dream setting. The hotel staff made

sure everything ran smoothly. We had no idea how important a good event staff was until the day after our wedding.

our photography was important as well. We wanted pictures we could enjoy forever. The photos Mueller Photogra-

phy took are beautifulthey captured the very essence of our wedding.

Looking back, everything went perfectly. We were really lucky. Everyone who was part of our wedding planning

was helpful. Its important to be able to trust in the people with whom you work. They will go the extra mile for you,

and itll make your day much better.

Although all of the pre-wedding planning is detailed and sometimes seems endless, its worth it. In the end, all we

had to do was show up and enjoy our day. a

Real Weddings06.13.09 | Jordana (stegemeyer) and Wes snyder


modern wedding photography

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Real Weddings06.14.09 | Caitlin (Perra) and Douglas Larsen

bridal gown, bridesmaid dresses, tux rental Mestads Bridal & Formal Wear,

Rochester, MN

cakeMandi Moravits

catering

Karen & Mandi Moravits

dj Music in Motion DJs

floralMonet Floral

photographyTiffany Brubaker

tent, chairs, tablesTopps Elite Tent Rentals

Doug and I met while students at uW-La Crosse. our first date and the night we got engaged were both spent

in riverside Park watching the summer sun set, with melting ice cream from the Pearl in hand. After our en-

gagement, we were in the midst of graduating and moving on with life when we decided to make La Crosse

an even more special place in our hearts by celebrating our marriage here.

With less than a year until our big day, we struggled to find available vendors for saturdays in June, but

found sunday to be a good alternative and started planning a semi-casual afternoon ceremony in riverside

Park. We capitalized on the gorgeous natural scenery and were married on the brick walkway by the water.

Ivory, black, and chartreuse green accents popped against the bright blue sky. Guests kept cool with the

ceremony programs, which doubled as fans.

The reception was also held in the park, under a high-peaked white tent. Centered around family and fun,

we included yard games, treat bags for the kids, and a portable bar and dance floor. Personalized touches

and easy handmade centerpieces of floating flowers, tea lights, and elegant vases with crystal-strung

branches made it the wedding of our dreams without having to sweat every little detail. Candid pictures

showed the fun and laidback atmosphere with smiles on every face.

our family and friends were the best part of our special day. Dougs cousins and aunt catered a delicious,

picnic-style meal of freshly grilled BBq chicken, potato salad, and other summer staples. My parents made

homemade wine, complete with custom labels. our pastor and musicians were family friends, making the

ceremony personalized and relaxed. From set up to take down and everything in between, our loved ones

stepped up to every challenge, showing their incredible love and support. We look forward to returning to

La Crosse to revisit our deeply rooted college memories and one extraordinary June day. a


Real Weddings06.20.09 | Jessica (Gile) & Brian Hutchings

cake

International Bake Shoppe

cermemony, catering, receptionPettibone Resort

floral

Carol Johnson

horse-drawn carriageCinderella Carriages LLC

music

Music Mix of La CrosseMike Watson - BagpipeBarry Byrne - Harpist

photography

Janet Mootz Photography

rehearsal dinner, gift opening,and guest accomodations

Courtyard by Marriott

During our backpacking trip through Europe, Brian proposed on a hilltop castle in Germany overlooking the

point where three rivers meet in the town where his grandmother grew up. In keeping with our fairy-tale summer

engagement, we knew we wanted a summer wedding and quickly settled on a midsummers eve theme.

The day of the wedding, I arrived at the ceremony on the banks of the Mississippi river in a horse-drawn carriage

and walked up the aisle to bagpipe music. We exchanged marriage vows we had written ourselves, shared our first

drink together as a married couple in a Celtic Loving Cup ceremony, and then recessed down the aisle as a harpist

played Mendelssohns Wedding March from shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream.

After moving through the receiving line, guests were invited to partake in an ancient Celtic stone-tossing cer-

emony. Tradition holds that whenever Celtic couples married near water, wedding guests would throw a stone

into the water and make a wish or blessing for the bride and groom.

An authentic pig roast was the highlight of dinner, followed by wedding cake that was half cheesecake and half

white cake with strawberry filling and buttercream frosting. The cake was decorated with frosted vines, leaves, and

flowers, and embellished with whimsical butterflies, birds, and fairies.

In lieu of numbered tables, each was named after herbs and flowers that the ancient Celts believed had magical

powers on midsummers eve. The tables were dressed with colorful purple runners and arranged with hurricane

and votive candles, river rocks, silk greenery, and flowers, and decorative fairies. Guest favors included colorful

sachets of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.

outside the banquet hall, an open deck allowed guests to enjoy beautiful views of the Mississippi river. At sun-

set, Brian and I lit a bonfire togethera good luck ritual for Celtic couples who married on midsummers eveand

invited our guests to take a break from the dancing and merriment to enjoy a late-night snack of smores by the

glow of the firelight. our storybook day ended in a beautiful honeymoon suite on the banks of the Mississippi as

we began living our life together happily ever after. a


Your Wedding Planning Essentials

Wedding Planning CalendaruPoN ENGAGEMENT: WHo, WHAT, AND WHY?

__ Determine guest count __ Establish your budget and put it on paper __ Choose which season for your wedding __ Determine your wedding style

6-12 MoNTHs: WHErE, WHEN, AND WHo? __ Choose a date __ Book your reception location __ select your ceremony/officiant __ Choose bridal gown and bridesmaids attire __ Choose grooms and groomsmens attire __ Interview and choose your photographer __ Interview and choose your videographer __ Choose and book your reception and cocktail-hour entertainment __ Choose and book your ceremony musicians __ Choose and book your florist __ Choose and book your baker __ Choose and book your caterer __ Begin your gift registry __ Choose your rehearsal dinner site __ Book your transportation __ select and make deposit on rentals

6 MoNTHs To WEDDING DAY: HoW? __ Design wedding details (pull photos, sketch, find inspirations) __ Create order of ceremony (music, vows, readings, etc) __ select menu, beverages, appetizers, and order of service __ Design the reception room layout (guest tables, head table, cake table, escort card table, gift table, etc) __ Meet with baker to design wedding cake or dessert

4 MoNTHs To WEDDING DAY: HoW? __ Design and choose flowers for your wedding ceremony and reception __ select music for the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception __ Finalize hair and make-up appointments __ Design, select, and mail invitations (two months prior) __ Design other stationery: program, place cards, menus, and signs

1 MoNTH To WEDDING DAY: HoW AND WHo? __ Have final gown fitting __ Meet with photographer to go over all details __ Meet with videographer to go over all details __ Finalize all rentals (color, quantity, items) __ Coordinate rehearsal details with officiant __ Finalize guest count and tell baker, caterer, reception hall, and florist __ Have final meetings with all businesses __ Create wedding-day schedule __ Mail wedding-day schedule to wedding party and family members

Wedding BudgetThe averages below are meant as a guide for planning a $25,000* wedding. Your budget, guest count, and type of wedding will vary, but the percentages allowed are consistent. This does not include your honeymoon. outdoor, tented weddings will cost more due to all of the rentals required.

*The average cost of a wedding in the u.s. is $27,800. source: survey by The Knot.

44 % $11,000 Reception Venue, catering, beverages, and cake

20% $5,000 Photography/Videography Photography, album, videography

10% $2,500 Flowers Ceremony, bouquets, pin-ons, and reception decr

6% $1,500 Wedding Apparel Gown, headpiece, alterations, hosiery, and shoes

5% $1,250 Rings Wedding bands (not engagement ring)

4% $1,000 Music Ceremony and reception DJ or band

3% $750 Invitations Wedding stationery, postage

3% $750 Miscellaneous Favors, marriage license, guest book, hair and make-up, and attendant gifts

3% $750 Transportation 2% $500 Wedding decr Linens, lighting, and candles

MN Marriage License InformationWHo sHouLD APPLY? The bride and groom must apply together. The com-pleted license and application must be signed by both the bride and groom in the office of the County Clerk. one applicant may apply for the marriage license only if all of the required information for the absent partner is provided. Call the Clerk of Court to see how to get your partners signature notarized. requirements may vary from county to county.

WHErE sHouLD WE APPLY? A Minnesota resident who will be getting married in Minnesota must apply for the license at the County Clerks office in the county where one of the applicants has been living for the last 30 days; this license will be valid anywhere in Minnesota. If the couple is getting married in Minnesota, but NEITHEr of them has lived in Minnesota for the past 30 days, they must apply for the license in the County Clerks office in the county where they will be married.

WHEN sHouLD WE APPLY? Minnesota has a waiting period of five working days. This waiting period can be waived if a district judge determines the cir-cumstances to be extraordinary. The marriage license is good for six months. For details visit: www.co.winona.mn.us (departments, vital statistics).

WI Marriage License InformationWHo sHouLD APPLY? The bride andgroom must apply together. The com-pleted license and application must be signed by both the bride and groom in the office of the County Clerk.

WHErE sHouLD WE APPLY? A Wisconsin resident who will be getting married in Wisconsin must apply for the license at the County Clerks office in the county where one of the applicants has been living for the last 30 days; this license will be valid anywhere in Wisconsin. If the couple is getting married in Wisconsin, but NEITHEr of them has lived in Wisconsin for the past 30 days, they must apply for the license in the County Clerks office in the county where they will be married.

WHEN sHouLD WE APPLY? Applicants may apply no earlier than 30 days prior to their wedding. There is a mandatory six work-days waiting period, which starts the day AFTEr the application is filed. The license is valid for 30 days after the issuance date, and the official ceremony must take place during those 30 days. There is a restricted time period during which the license ap-plication must be filed. For details visit: www.lacrossecounty.org/countyclerk/Marriage.htm.


Reception GuideLoCATIoN CErEMoNY C CAPACITY CATErING CHArGEs PLATE NoTEs rECEPTIoN r CHArGEs BoTH C/r

All Star Banquets C/R 400 Onsite Weekdays $150 Varies Provides centerpieces608.788.7827 Fri & Sun $250 (8" oval mirror and4735 Mormon Coulee Road Saturday $350 crystal oil lamp),La Crosse, WI no service charge Baus Catering (pg 36) C/R 500 Onsite $250-500 Varies Round tables, free parking, 608.788.5500 and offsite $50 Sun-Fri dance floor1920 Ward Avenue La Crosse, WI www.bauscatering.com

Bentley Wheeler B&B C/R 75 Approved Varies N/A Beautiful Victorian B&B608.784.9360 caterers with guest house938-950 Cass StreetLa Crosse, WI

Best Western Midway (pg 64) C/R 375 Onsite Varies Varies Round tables, dance608.781.7000 floor, free parking1835 Rose StreetLa Crosse, WIwww.midwayhotels.com

Best Western Riverport C/R 420 Onsite Varies $16.99-23.99 Connected to hotel, Inn & Suites ballroom, in-room bar, 507.452.0606 many services900 Bruski Drive included in rent priceWinona, MN

Cedar Creek C/R 100+ Onsite Varies $12.95-25.95 Beautiful location 608.783.8100 on golf course2600 Cedar Creek LaneOnalaska, WI

City Brewery Hospitality Center C/R 330 Onsite Varies Varies History of brewery,608.785.4820 and offsite parking lot1111 3rd Street SLa Crosse, WI

Concordia Ballroom C/R 240 Approved $325 for full day N/A Parking lot, wood 608.782.7049 caterers floors, spacious 1129 La Crosse Street layoutLa Crosse, WI

Countryside Estate C/R 50 Approved $1,000 per day NA Reception site in country507.643.6436 caterers setting, outdoor sites42798 Stoehr Dr for tents, 200 acres ofDakota, MN trails, parking, close to I-90 Culina Mariana R 100 Onsite Varies $15+ Certified wedding 608-788-8400 planner included,5250 Justin Road located in scenic ShrineLa Crosse, WI of Our Lady of Guadalupe Days Inn C/R 300 Onsite $200 setup fee $13.99-19.99 Gazebo, 608.783.1000, ext. 7301 complete pkg suite,101 Sky Harbour Drive rehearsal dinner, La Crosse, WI gift opening Drugans Castle Mound (pg 18) C/R 300 Onsite N/A $17.95-25.95 Ceremony in outdoor 608.526.4144 chapel, panoramic view W7665 Sylvester Road of golf course, minimumHolmen, WI $1,500-5,000www.drugans.com depending on season Forest Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facilities C/R 275 Onsite N/A $15.99-22.99 Overlooks golf course608.784.0566 and Grandads Bluff600 Losey Boulevard N La Crosse, WI


608.796.2257www.weddingsbynancy.com

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Four Seasons Community Center (pg 33) C/R 400 Approved Varies Varies Large parking lot, 507.725.4000 caterers dance floor, caterer of900 N Kingston Street your choice, linensCaledonia, MNwww.4seasonscc.com

Fox Hollow Banquet Hall C/R 300+ Onsite $300 $12-15 View of golf course,608.786.3020 outdoor deckN3287 County Road OALa Crosse, WI

Grounded Specialty Coffee R* 35 Onsite N/C $5.95-12.95 Historic building, 608.784.5282 downtown La Crosse, 308 Main Street * Showers and partiesLa Crosse, WI

Hackberrys Over the Co-op (pg 33) R* 94 Onsite Varies Varies *Rehearsal dinners,608.784.5798, ext. 243 and offsite showers, and parties 315 5th Avenue S La Crosse, WIwww.pfc.coop Historic Piggys (pg 26) R 150 Onsite N/C $14.95-24.95 Free parking, private 608-784-4877 and offsite banquet bar, windowed 501 Front Street ballroomLa Crosse, WIwww.piggys.com

Howies Hof Brau R 300, Onsite or Up to $700 Varies Northwoods theme,608.784.7400 175 for a sit- approved 11' screen for slide-1125 La Crosse Street down dinner caterers shows, banquet hall w/stage,La Crosse, WI balcony, or downstairs Island Girl C/R 149 Onsite Varies Varies Scenic cruises on608.791-4911 the Mississippi river, 127 Marina Drive rehearsal dinnersLa Crosse, WI

Knights of Columbus Hall C/R 225 Onsite Varies $8-20 Free parking,608.784.1080 private bar, one level,N3020 Highway 16 easy access off Hwy. 16La Crosse, WI

La Crosse Center (pg 36) C/R 100-800 Approved $400-950 N/A Variety of banquet rooms,608.789.7400 caterers located downtown300 Harborview Plaza by the river and hotelsLa Crosse, WIwww.lacrossecenter.com

La Crosse Country Club (pg 58) C/R 225 Onsite Varies $16.95+ Beautiful views overlooking 608.781.5837 the golf course, outdoor300 Marcou Road ceremoniesOnalaska, WIwww.lacrossecountryclub.com

La Schers C/R 175 Onsite with Varies $7-18 Beautiful historic building,608.786.4255 in-house executive private outdoor courtyard,102 N Leonard chef plenty of parking, West Salem, WI tailor-made menus Maple Grove Country Club C/R 550 Onsite N/C w/guests $12.75-21.95 Four banquet rooms,608.786.1500 0ver 200 located on golf course,W4142 CTH B great for rehearsals,West Salem, WI live music

Nells City Grill & Catering(pg 64) C/R 330 Onsite Varies Varies History of brewery,608.782.7004 and offsite parking lot1111 3rd Street SLa Crosse, WIwww.nellscitygrillandcatering.com

Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center C/R 200+ Offsite Varies N/A Provides scenic grounds/608.452.3424 shelters for wedding N455 O. Ophus Road receptions, ceremonies, Coon Valley, WI and gatheringswww.norskedalen.org

Onalaska OmniCenter (pg 54) R 800 half Certified Varies N/A Spacious room, 608.781.9566, ext. 203 the arena, caterers free parking,255 Riders Club Road 200 small new banquet hall inOnalaska, WI banquet hall 2nd building holds www.omnicenter.net up to 250


Outback Ranch, Inc. (pg 46) C/R 500 Approved Varies NA Event venue, cabin lodging,507.896.5550 caterers honeymoon suites, DJ service,7750 TT Road horse lodging, trails Houston, MNwww.outbackranch.net

Pettibone Resort C/R 275 Onsite Varies $16.95-23.95 Large stone fireplace,608.782.5858 deck overlooks the river,333 Park Plaza Drive waterfall outsideLa Crosse, WI

Pogys Catering C/R 200 Onsite Sat $300 $7-25608.784.2386 and offsite Fri-Sun $1001232 Avon StreetLa Crosse, WI

Pump House Regional Arts Center (pg 54) C/R 140 ceremony Offsite Varies N/A Unique, historic building608.785.1434 200 reception with grand staircase,119 King Street located in downtown La Crosse, WI La Crosse, free parking,www.thepumphouse.org good for rehearsal dinners Radisson (pg 52) R 50-300 Onsite $400-1,000 $20-30 Will cater offsite up to 608.793.5005 Sun-Fri NC 2,500, located on200 Harborview Plaza Mississippi River,La Crosse, WI Plaza Club King Roomwww.radisson.com/lacrossewi Seven Bridges Restaurant C/R 250 Onsite N/C $9.95-17.95 View of Lake Onalaska608.783.6103 and offsite and the Mississippi Valley910 2nd Avenue NOnalaska, WI

Signatures Restaurant (pg 67) C/R 350 Onsite Varies $14.95 + American Bistro-style507.454.3767 food, Winonas finest 22852 County Road 17 dining establishmentWinona, MNwww.signatureswinona.com

Stoney Creek Inn (pg 26) C/R 500 Approved $500-2,350 Buffet Northwoods dcor hotel,608.781.3060 caterers $13-25 one of the largest 3060 South Kinney Coulee Road Plate banquet rooms attachedOnalaska, WI $18-30 to a hotel in the areawww.stoneycreekinn.com

The Freight House C/R* 120 Onsite Varies $22-50 Small, intimate, 608.784.6211 attractive dining area107 Vine Street *ceremonies only duringLa Crosse, WI warm months

The Grand Hotel Ballroom (pg 36) R 150 Onsite N/A N/A 1930s authentic608.784.8899 atmosphere, close to 207 Pearl Street hotelsa must see La Crosse, WIwww.pearlstwest.com

The La Crosse Queen C/R 149 Onsite Varies Varies Unique setting and608.784.8523 great view, travel down 405 Veterans Memorial Drive the Mississippi on anLa Crosse, WI authentic riverboat Traditions Restaurant (pg 56) C/R 35 Onsite Varies Varies Cozy and unique608.783.0200 and offsite with old-world charm,201 Main Street great for rehearsal dinnersOnalaska, WI www.traditionsdining.com

The Historic Trempealeau Hotel (pg 52) C/R* 20-500 Onsite Varies $12 Have your wedding on the608.534.6898 banks of the Mississippi River150 Main Street * no ceremonies onlyTrempealeau, WIwww.trempealeauhotel.com

The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern (2) R 100-250 Onsite $5,000 food and $20+ Close to Riverside Park,608.782-5400 beverage minimum upscale dcor/environment,328 Front Street South beautiful panoramic views of La Crosse, WI the river, indoor and outdoorwww.thewaterfrontlacrosse.com capabilities

Viterbo University R 30-300 Onsite Varies $7.25-15.95 Free parking, spacious608.796.3737 room, floor-to-ceiling900 Viterbo Drive windows, beautifulLa Crosse, WI landscaping


BakeryWedding Cakes Plus by Margaret Ann ......54

BeautyMary Kay ....................................................20

sue Kolves salon & Day spa .....................20

The ultimate salon & spa ............................3

BridalCharlottes Bridal & Formal Wear ..................5

Kick ............................................................45

simply Bridal .............................................20

CarriageCinderella Carriage LLC ..............................40

CateringBaus Catering .............................................36

Hackberrys over the Co-op .....................33

Historic Piggys restaurant .........................26

Nells City Grill & Catering ..........................64

radisson Hotel La Crosse ..........................52

signatures restaurant of Winona ...............67

Traditions restaurant ..................................56

The Waterfront restaurant and Tavern .........2

DcorBlack river Ice sculptures ..........................26

shirley Elaine Weddings ............................22

Wedding Day Designs, Inc. .......................56

FloralCottage Garden Floral ................................22

La Crosse Floral ..........................................22

Monet Floral ...............................................22

sunshine Floral Co. ....................................22

Gift registryTouch of Class ...........................................26

Invitations Calligraphy by Kari .....................................54

Dzigns by Doris ........................................48

Express Printing LLC ...................................52

Miller quick Print .......................................56

Print House ................................................50

Weddings by Nancy ..................................62

Adv ertisers IndexJeweleryMasterpiece Collections............................20

MusicMusic Mix of La Crosse ..............................46

Music In Motion.........................................48

outback Entertainment .............................46

outdoorLa Crosse Country Club..............................58

The Historic Trempealeau Hotel ................52

Photo BoothMy Photomatic ..........................................58

Photographyatypikstudio ...............................................45

Bouffleur Photography ...............................40

Dawn Marie Photography ..........................46

Janet Mootz Photography .........................58

Kids Life-Family Portraits .............. Back cover

Lauper Photography ..................................33

Luann Dibb Photo ......................................38

Michael Lieurance Photography ................62

Mueller Photography LLC ...........................54

Namipix Photography ................................52

Photography by rich ................................38

Placek Photography & Design ...................45

raymond siler Photography .....................52

Tiffany Brubaker Photography ...................56

PublishingCoulee region Communications ...............50

receptionBaus Catering .............................................36

Best Western Midway Hotel ......................64

Drugans .....................................................18

Four seasons Community Center ...............33

Grand Hotel Ballroom ...............................36


La Crosse Center ........................................36

La Crosse Country Club..............................58


onalaska omni Center ...............................54

outback Entertainment .............................46

Pump House regional Arts Center ............54

radisson Hotel La Crosse ..........................52


stoney Creek Inn ........................................26




Treasure Island resort & Casino .................10

rentalshirley Elaine Weddings ............................22

Topps Elite Tent rental ..............................40

Wedding Day Designs, Inc. .......................56

resortTreasure Island resort & Casino .................10

restaurantDrugans .....................................................18

Hackberrys over the Co-op .....................33







sound & LightingInterstate sound LLC ..................................46

TransportationLimousine service of Winona ....................38

ready Bus Line ...........................................56

TravelTravel Leaders ............................................48

TuxedosCharlottes Bridal & Formal Wear .................5

scott Joseph Menswear ............................20

simply Bridal .............................................20

The Wedding Planners ...............................38

VideographyArtistic Video Productions ..........................7

Matkat Productions ....................................58

Take 5 Productions ....................................45

Video Visions ..............................................7

Wedding PlanningWeddings by Nancy ..................................62

wedding couleeregion 10

Documents

s s s t r e e t

c r o s s e

e n d r i v e

ultimate wedding

thethe waterfrontr e

wedding photography

wedding magazine

wedding cuisine