Wedding Planning Guide

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Record

Mount Ayr

Ringgold Countys News and Advertising Source Since 1864

News

122 W. Madison Street P. O. Box 346 Mount Ayr, IA 50854-0346

Mount Ayr Record-News Wedding Edition

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Getting ready to plan a wedding? Heres a month-by-month checklist of things to day that can be adapted to fit the type of wedding you are planning. Planning ahead and making decisions over time can make the process of the wedding less hectic and more enjoyable. Heres the list:

Wedding checklist easy way to make sure bestyour means. The last thing you want is to begin your marriage in major debt because of your wedding. o Hire a wedding consultant if you plan to. Some brides choose to hire a wedding consultant to ease the stress of planning or because their schedule doesnt allow enough time for planning. o Select a ceremony location. Keep in mind that reservations are sometimes booked over a year in advance, so if you find one that you like, put a security deposit down to hold the date. Always check the cancellation/refund policies first and have them in writing). o Select a reception site. Many times the ceremony and reception will be held in the same facility. If this is not the case, be sure that the ceremony and reception facilities are available on the same date. also keeping in mind that they sometimes book over a year in advance. Again, always check the cancellation/refund policies first and have them in writing. o Start shopping for a wedding gown. Custom gowns can take up to a year to prepare. Be sure to begin this process as early as possible. Sometimes the wedding gown can become a stress factor, so the more time you leave for this, the better. Keep in mind that alterations and final dress fittings can also eat up extra time. There are no refunds on wedding gown purchases, so make sure your selection is 100 percent what you want. You can also start looking for a coordinating veil and tiara.

8 - 10 Months before the wedding

12 - 16 Months before the wedding

Give yourself enough time. The best way to do this is to visit ceremony and reception facilities at which you would like to be married and have your reception. Choose a date based on availability. If you give yourself a year or more to plan, you have a much greater chance of booking your desired venue on your desired date. o Start a wedding file. This is a file or folder to keep all your wedding documents, contracts etc... Organization is the key to staying sane during the planning phase. o Discuss & Choose the style and formality of your wedding. Pick what best suits your lifestyle, personalities and budget. Formal, Semi-Formal or Informal. There is no wrong choice. This is your day and you should make it your own. This will also help in narrowing down which venues you will consider. o Put an announcement of your recent engagement in the local paper. This is optional, but is a nice touch and memento. o Decide on a wedding budget. Common sense dictates that you do not spend beyond

o Choose a wedding date. Dont rush.

their participation in your special day. o Interview and Hire the following: Dont forget that not all of these service providers will be available on your wedding day, so be sure to have more than one to consider. o Wedding officiant. This can be a religious or civil person depending on your beliefs and preference. o Reception Caterer. if your reception site does not provide one, you will need to arrange for your own. Once you have found one that appeals to you be sure to secure your date with a signed contract and a security deposit. As always, be comfortable with your selection, and know the refund/ cancellation policies in the event you cancel or change your date. o Photographer and Videographer. If your budget allows for it, hire a professional. There will only be one chance to get this right. o Band or DJ. Interview several. Review demo CDs to hear their sound and style. A good band or DJ can make a reception, but a bad one can all but ruin it. o Decide on bridesmaids dresses. When ordering your gowns for the women, be sure to order them at the same time to assure an identical dye lot. Be sure to bring this factor up to the person taking the dress order as well. o Start compiling names & addresses

o Select your bridal party and request

for the guest list. Keep in mind that you still have to combine and refine your list, his list, his familys list, your parents list and the final list. If you are limited to the number of guests that can be invited to the wedding, be sure to give your families the number of guests they may include in their list. By requesting a certain number of guest beforehand, you alleviate a lot of potential stress. Also, try to make the request even on both parents sides. o Sign up for a gift registry. Gift registries are a great way of ensuring that you get items you really want and can use. It also makes your guests shopping much easier. Be sure to choose items for your registry from every price range to accommodate each guests budget. o Engagement party. Its a great way to get the families and friends together beforehand.

o Finalize the guest list. Determine the

5 - 7 Months before the wedding

number of invitations and thank you cards that need to be ordered. o Shop for your wedding stationery. Invitations, thank you cards and personal stationery. o Arrange accommodations. Some guest (such as out-of-towners) may wish to stay at a nearby hotel after the festivities. o Select your wedding cake. Give careful thought to you & your fiancs favorite flavors, style, size, decorations and color. o Begin preparations for your honey-

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

moon. Consult with your travel agent and discuss possible honeymoon destinations and prices. Make arrangements early to catch the lowest airfares.

laid plans get made, carried out for big day

punch fountains, and silver if necessary. o Discuss finalized menu options and costs with your caterer. Confirm arrival and departure times, as well as any added extras. o Arrange transportation/ limousine service for the wedding party to the ceremony and reception. o Order wedding favors and ribbons (imprinted). Dont forget the extras such as imprinted napkins, matches, and coasters. o Shop for bridal party gifts. o Begin any necessary counseling sessions with your wedding officiant.

Mount Ayr Record-News Wedding Edition

4 Months before the wedding

o Book your florist. Once you have

found one that appeals to you be sure to secure your order with a signed contract and a security deposit. Be 100% sure of your selection, and know the refund/cancellation policies in the event you cancel or change your date. o Shop for your wedding bands. You should do this with your fianc. You will both be wearing these rings for a long time, so you should both be happy with your selection. o Visit your physician. Get your physical examinations and blood tests if required to obtain a marriage license in your state.

3 Months before the wedding

include everyone who received a save the date magnet or card. Double check the postage required to ensure that the invitations reach your guests. o Select tuxedos. Get all the groomsmen, best man and couples fathers together. Measurements should be taken at the tux shop (to ensure a proper fit). o Arrange for rental of items needed for your ceremony and reception. This includes but is not limited to, arches, candelabras, china, crystal, flatware, flowing

o Send out your invitations. Be sure to

o Choose your wedding music and share your selections with your Band or DJ. o Select a location for your rehearsal dinner and make the necessary reservations & deposits. o Confirm with formal wear shop that they have received all measurements of every male attendant. o Schedule your alterations and final fitting for the gown. o Schedule fittings for the bridesmaids and flower girl. o Make arrangements for your Bridesmaid Luncheon and other Pre-Wedding Parties. o Order address labels with you & your future husbands new name & new address. This adds a personalized touch when sending out your wedding thank you cards.

2 Months before the wedding

o Confirm your order with the florist.

1 Month before the wedding

o Visit your hair stylist, work on a style

with your veil.

need to choose for your big day.

o Design your wedding programs. You o Visit your make-up artist the same day. dont want to do this too much sooner than o Hair & make-up done, have your formal this because things inevitably change. o Apply for your marriage license. o Discuss and finalize details with wedo Have a final gown fitting. ding service providers. o Choose all of your wedding accessories.
There are many accessories that you will Continued on page 4 bridal portraits done.

1304 E. South Street, Mount Ayr, Iowa 50854 (Corner of Highways 2 & 169) Ph. 641-464-3500 Toll Free 1-866-464-2093 e-mail: mtayrinn@iowatelecom.net

Mount Ayr Inn

Linda Wilt, Manager

The

BRIDES AND GROOMS Come in and make selections for your bridal registry.

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On the south side of the square, Mount Ayr

Peggy Sues
Distinctive accessories for your new home.

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Mount Ayr Record-News Wedding Edition

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Checklist ast time for wedding draws closer

Continued from page 3

o Call any guests that havent sent back their response card (there will almost always be a few). o Give the caterer a finalized head count. o Pick up your marriage license. o Give your DJ or Band a list of songs that you may have come up with since your last contact with them. o Confirm rehearsal plans with your officiant and church wedding coordinator. o Obtain any legal information regarding changing your name for: Drivers License, Social Security Card, Vehicle Documents, Credit Cards, Bank Accounts, Investment Accounts, Passport, Change of Address Card with Post Office, Insurance Policies, Voter Registration Card, Subscriptions, Employment Records, Billing Address/ Name Change. o Complete floor and seating plan for reception. o Confirm all rental and floral delivery dates and times. o Confirm arrival time for all attendants. o Check parking arrangements.

2 Weeks before the wedding

o Go through your list of things to do and make sure all your bases are covered. o Pack your wedding day emergency kit. o Get a manicure and pedicure. o Take a steamy relaxing bath. o Put wedding attire and accessories together. o Give rings to best man. o Try to get a good nights sleep!

1 Day before the wedding

Its The Day of Your Wedding

o Eat something! It will help the pre-wedding jitters if you have something in your stomach! o Get your hair and make-up done (wear a button up shirt to keep everything perfect). o Have someone check the reception site. (as early as possible) o Dress for your wedding. o Have candid photos taken with family. o Enjoy, youve worked hard !! o Most Importantly. If anything doesnt go according to plan, dont worry, your guests probably wont even notice the difference.

o Confirm honeymoon reservations. o Confirm reservations for the rehearsal dinner. o Confirm reservations for out-of-town guests. o Pick up formalwear. Be sure to try everything on & make sure all your accessoo Pack for your honeymoon. 1 Week before the wedding ries are there. o Pick up passports (if necessary). o Make any last minute seating arrange- o Gather all necessary documents for o Your Grooms bachelor party should be
ments/adjustments. o Organize your wedding day attire, make sure you try everything on & it fits perfectly. travel. o Confirm rehearsal plans with attendants and request that they arrive on time. during this week prior to the wedding. Remind him to be on his best behavior! o Have a relaxing massage.

brides and bridesmaids bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, church and reception hall decorations, and table arrangements.

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Mount Ayr Record-News Wedding Edition

Wedding cakes can have all kinds of styles

When you think of a wedding cake, what comes to mind? Three tiers of vanilla cake sandwiched between plastic columns? Lots of thick, white frosting and pale pink or yellow rosettes? A plastic bride and groom sitting on top? For many of us, this is the description of a traditional wedding cake, but it doesnt have to be. Today more and more couples are choosing a wedding cake with a bit more style. Wedding cakes today not only look good, but taste good. They also come in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavors. From raspberry vanilla cheesecake to chocolate mint sponge cake, you can have just about any kind of wedding cake you want. Some of the current trends include: Multi-flavored cakes. If you have several favorite flavors and you are having a hard time selecting just one for your cake, this option is ideal. Try choosing a different flavor for each layer of your cake. Or ask the baker to insert a cream filling in one of the layers and preserves in the other. You can even choose a different flavor of icing, like white chocolate or strawberry cream. Unusually shaped cakes. Oval, square, rectangular, hexagonalyou name it, and you can have it. You can also mix and match shapes and sizes to create an unusual cake. For a modern cake, select oval layers for the bottom and middle, and a heart layer for the top. Follow a current trend and choose a large square for the bottom, a slightly smaller square for the middle and an even smaller square for the top. Then ask the baker to stack them on top of each other, and voila stack of presents. After they are iced, the presents can be tied together with a bow of sugared fruit. Colored cakes. The icing on your cake does not have to be white, nor do the rosettes have to be pastel. You can have chocolate icing with red rosettes, or vanilla icing with a touch of lemon and tiny purple rosebuds. You can even match the colors of the icing on your cake to the colors of your flowers, bridesmaids dresses or decorations at the reception. Just make sure you take a color swatch to your baker. Designer cakes. Wedding cakes dont have to be plain. Add a unique touch to your cake with fresh fruit or flowers. For a stunning look, ask the baker to put a single rose on top or a cascade of lilies down the side. If you prefer something a bit sweeter, toss on some frosted nuts or chocolate candies. Try something different and bring in a photo of your gown and have the baker copy the pattern onto your cake. Personalized cakes. Feeling sentimental? Find a photo of your parents or grandparents wedding cake and have the baker copy it. Then serve the first slices to your parents or grandparents at the reception. If you have extra layer cakes, find good photos of you and your fianc, and have them transferred to the cakes. Choose an unusual topper, like two plastic gold wedding rings, or have your and your grooms initials intertwined in icing. The styles and choices of wedding cakes today are endless. You can have just about any flavor and size of cake you want, and you can customize it to meet your needs and wants. If you are having an intergalactic wedding, you can order a cake that looks like a spaceship. I f you are having a Christmas wedding with a French flair, you can order a traditional French holiday cake buche de nol. If you would like to follow the Bermuda wedding cake tradition, you can order a tiny tree for your cake topper and then plant it in your yard to signify the growth of your marriage. With just a little creativity, you can have the wedding cake of your dreams.

For Your Reception

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Mount Ayr Record-News Wedding Edition

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Wedding vows important way to share commitment

Wedding vows roles. two separate, yet serve equally important First, the actual
words form a commitment that bonds two individuals together as one forever. Second, vows offer a way for these partners to declare their love for one another in front of their friends and family. Traditional wedding vows are familiar to virtually everyone-regardless of cultural and religious background, the phrase to love, honor, and cherish, is typically associated with the wedding ceremony. Although traditional wedding vows are time-honored words of love and commitment, couples are increasingly choosing to write their own vows. In fact, the practice is now so popular that writing original wedding vows has almost replaced using the traditional vows as the standard for weddings. The options are endless for those who do choose to write original wedding vows. Some couples compose their wedding vows completely from their hearts using their own words as an opportunity to express their love and dedication to one another in a uniquely personal way. Others incorporate literary quotes, song lyrics, poetry, or other published material that appropriately expresses their feelings for their fianc. Still, some couples may choose the traditional vow format, but change the wording slightly. For example, I, Daniel, take thee, Elizabeth, to be my lawfully wedded wife. would become I, Daniel, take thee, Elizabeth, to be my wife and best

friend... As another unique alternative, some couples add humor into their vows. I promise to laugh at your jokes, even when theyre not funny, is one example. No matter what format you employ, it is commonplace to experience writers block when faced with a task as formidable as composing your own wedding vows. Beverly Clark, author of Americas best selling wedding planner Planning a Wedding to Remember says it is important to identify your feelings before you can express them. It is important to talk to each other

about your marriage, discussing your beliefs, dreams, and expectations.. Once you identify the things that are the most important to you, then you can decide how best to express them. That said, we have compiled the following list of considerations to help get you started writing your original wedding vows: What qualities do you love about your soon-to-be spouse? What are three things that inspire you about your loved one? What qualities do you believe will keep your marriage strong?

How will you accomplish that? What promises do you want to make for your life together? How do you complement one another? What have you learned from him or her? When and where did you meet? At what moment did you realize you were in love? How did it feel? What song was playing when you knew he or she was the one? Do you have novels, poems or songs that make you think of your love? What lyrics or lines mean the most to you? Essential to personalizing your wedding vows is conveying what is unique about the other person. Acknowledge your differences and similarities; promise to respect and honor your differences as well as your commitment to building bridges that will strengthen commonalities -- express your faith in love and the bond that marriage creates between two people. Once you are done with this challenging endeavor, you can concentrate on the more straightforward decisions like picking out gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen and selecting your wedding favors. Ultimately, the wedding vows you write will communicate to your fianc just how special he or she is, because you took the time to write down exactly what your hopes, dreams, and feelings are regarding your lives together. Share your thoughts on love with your future spouse and loved ones --write your own vows.

Charlie-Janes
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AGENTS: Lois E. Ibbotson and Pamela Still Phillip J. Tyler, CIC, CPIA

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Mount Ayr Record-News Wedding Edition

Tossing the bouquet. Wearing something old, new, borrowed and blue. Throwing
birdseed or confetti. These are just some of the traditions of a typical wedding in the United States. But what about the rest of the world? What kind of wedding traditions do other cultures practice? Here is just a sampling. In Peru, charms are attached to ribbons and placed between the layers of the wedding cake. Before the cake is cut, the single women gather around and pull a ribbon. The one who pulls the ribbon with a ring attached is the next to marry.

Many different wedding traditions around world

In Venezuela, the couple sneak away from their reception, without saying goodbye, for good luck. In Chile, the couple exchange rings when they announce their engagement. They wear their rings on their left hands until they are married, and then switch them to their right hands. In Egypt, the grooms family proposes to the bride. In Morocco, the bride becomes mistress of her new home by walking around the outside of it three times. In Sudan, seven broomsticks are burned and thrown away to symbolize the couples discarding of any bad habits that could pose a threat to their marriage. In India, the bride must enter her inlaws home for the first time on her right foot and knock down a container of uncooked rice to bring good luck to the house. In Pakistan, the bride wears red, which symbolizes happiness. In China, a hair stylist arrives at the homes of both the bride and the groom the night before their wedding to comb their hair for good luck and prosperity. In Taiwan, the couple exchange rings at the engagement party. In Japan, the bride and groom signify their union by sharing a sip of sake. In the Ukraine, the couple share wedding bread with motifs symbolizing eternity and the unity of their families. In Poland, the brides mother gives the bride and groom each a shot glass. One is filled with colorless vodka and the other with water. Whoever receives the vodka is predicted to be the breadwinner. In Greece, the bride puts a sugar cube in her glove for good luck. In Italy, the grooms tie is cut into many pieces, and the pieces are then sold to guests to collect spending money for the couple on their honeymoon. In Scotland, everyone gathers around the brides feet the night before the wedding and washes them to make sure she and her husband trot off on a fresh path together. In Sweden, women wear three wedding rings, one for engagement, one for marriage and one for motherhood. In Finland, all of the single women gather around the bride. The maid of honor then places a crown upon the brides head, blindfolds her and spins her around. Whoever is in front of the bride when she stops receives the crown and is the next to marry. These are just some of the many wedding traditions that take place around the world. For a more complete list, conduct a search online or go to the library. You never knowyou may find custom you would like to adopt for your wedding.

Flowers add beauty to wedding scenes

Aswedding, you will bearrangements for you plan the floral your faced with many
questions. What kind of bouquet will you carry? How many centerpieces will you need for the reception? What kind of boutonniere will your groom wear? These are just some of the issues you will have to discuss with your florist. After you have selected the colors of your wedding, you can start thinking about the flowers. To get ideas, go to the library and check out some books on floral arranging, or look through some bridal magazines. Make photocopies or clip out pictures of arrangements you like. Collect them together with swatches of your wedding colors to give to the florist later. In the floral world, flowers carry meaning. Tulips, for instance, symbolize love; daisies, innocence; and honeysuckle, generosity. Ivy represents eternal fidelity, while ferns represent sincerity. Keep this in mind as you choose the flowers and greenery for the floral arrangements at your wedding. For a more complete list of meanings, conduct a search online. Once you have a few ideas, consider whether you will use real or silk flowers. There are pros and cons to each. Real flowers smell wonderful, but they are less hardy and more expensive than silk flowers. To reduce costs, consider using flowers in season. Although they do not have a scent, silk flowers cost less and they can be displayed easier after your wedding. No matter if you use real or silk flowers, stature. You dont want to be burdened with a huge bouquet that covers half of your dress. Once you have an idea of the type, size and number of arrangements you will need, its time to select a florist. Depending on your needs, it could be a crafty friend or a flower shop down the street. The person you choose should be creative. They should also be reliable and flexible in case you need to make changes to your arrangements later. No matter whom you choose, make sure you are comfortable with their services. Then give them your ideas and color swatches, and watch them create some beautiful floral arrangements for your wedding.

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the number and size of your floral arrangements, especially your bouquet, should fit your budget and your needs. Generally, the larger an arrangement, the more it costs. If you have a small budget and need several pieces, you may have to choose smaller arrangements. As for your bridal bouquet, make sure you select a size that fits your

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Mount Ayr Record-News Wedding Edition

Thursday, January 19, 2012

122 W. Madison, P.O. Box 346, Mount Ayr, Iowa 50854

Email: recnews@iowatelecom.net Website: mountayrnews.com

Ph. 641-464-2440

~ See Us For ~

wedding invitations and wedding accessories.

Order your invitations and get a on other wedding accessories including napkins, thank you cards, gift books, cake toppers, ring pillows, garters, toast glasses, candles, pens, guest books, party favors and more.

15% discount