idal

all things br

How to Handle a
Wedding around a
Holiday
How to Calm those
Last Minute Jitters
1 Bliss [July 2016]

2 Bliss [July 2016]

Did You
Know
How to Handle a
Wedding around a Holiday
Cover Bride Story
The Basics of
Shopping for
Wedding Rings
Hidden Expenses that can
sink your Wedding Budget
How to Calm those
Last Minute Jitters

Bridal Photography
courtesy of:

[July 2016]

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4 Bliss [July 2016]

According to The Knot 2015 Real

Weddings Study, the average wedding
cost, excluding honeymoon costs,
in the United States in 2015 was
$32,641, an increase of more than
$1,400 from the year prior. Couples
did not figure to fare much better in
Canada when tying the knot in 2015.
According to the Annual Reader
Survey from the Canada-based online
wedding resource Weddingbells,
couples expected to pay slightly less
than $31,000 for their weddings.
However, those estimates included
honeymoon costs. While no
information is available regarding the
cost of weddings in specific Canadian
cities, the 2015 Real Weddings
Study found that couples looking
to tie the knot in New York Citys
Manhattan borough can expect to
pay well above the national average.
Manhattan weddings cost couples
an average of $82,299 in 2015.
Thats over $20,000 more than in
Chicago, the next most expensive city
to tie the knot in 2015. Couples who
want a more affordable place to get
married than the Big Apple may want
to look into saying I do in central
Illinois, where the average wedding
cost was $21,818, more than
$10,000 below the national average.

-Metro Creative Connection

[July 2016]

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6 Bliss [July 2016]

around a

How to Handle a

While summer and fall are the most popular times of year to
get married, couples can tie the knot whenever they choose,
including on holidays.
Holiday weddings tend to stray from the norm, and that
can make for a memorable night for couples and their
guests. For example, couples who choose to get married
on Halloween may encourage their guests to arrive and
celebrate in costume, making for a unique experience for all
in attendance. But planning weddings that take place on a
holiday or holiday weekend may require a little extra effort.
Research venues before finalizing the date.
Couples who have their eyes set on certain venues to
host their ceremonies and receptions should research the
availability of those venues on holidays or holiday weekends
before finalizing their wedding date. Some venues may have
preexisting agreements with local community organizations
that may prohibit them from hosting weddings or limit their
available time slots. Confirm the availability of your ideal
venues before making your date official.

Expect some declined invitations.

While an extended holiday weekend may seem like the perfect
time to tie the knot, guests may not share that perspective.
Many would-be guests likely cherish their existing holiday
traditions and may be unwilling to abandon those traditions to
attend a wedding. Every couple has at least a few friends or
family members decline their wedding invitations, but those
numbers may be more substantial for couples hosting holiday
weddings.
Holiday weddings can make for some great memories, but
couples must be especially diligent when planning weddings
on holidays or holiday weekends.
-Metro Creative Connection

Allow for a longer engagement.

Regardless of which holiday you choose, keep in mind
that many people make plans well in advance of a holiday.
Holidays tend to be accompanied by long weekends, and
your guests may already have plans for that time off from the
office. In addition, families often travel to visit relatives during
the holiday season at the end of the calendar year. If you plan
to wed on a holiday or holiday weekend, allow for a longer
engagement so your guests wont have to cancel existing
plans or miss the wedding because they already have travel
plans that weekend. Let guests know your holiday-wedding
intentions as soon as you finalize the date.
Start looking for vendors as soon as possible.
Vendors, including caterers and photographers, tend to
be busy on holiday weekends, so start looking as early as
possible. Its important to comparison shop, but couples
who wait too long to sign contracts with vendors might find
themselves paying more and/or choosing whoever is available
as opposed to their top choices.
Plan to pay a little more.
As noted, vendors tend to be busy on holidays and during
holiday weekends, and their prices may reflect the high
demand for their services. Budget-conscious couples should
anticipate paying more on holidays than they might pay on
other weekends.
[July 2016]

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8 Bliss [July 2016]

How it began
Chris and Becca met at Appalachian State summer wrestling
camp. Now its not what most people think. Becca wasnt
competing. Rather she was asked by the head coach, who
is actually her cousin, to sell t-shirts at the camp store for
the summer. Chris was on the wrestling team at the time
and also working the camp as one of the wrestling camp
counselors. For some reason, perhaps godly intervention,
Chris decided to leave his wallet and keys in the t-shirt shop
instead of the locker room. As camps continued, Beccas
close friends decided to start leaving the store early each
night but made sure to ask Chris to help Becca close
the store.
After making sure the doors were locked, Chris walked with
Becca to her car to ensure she got there safely. One evening
Beccas friends decided to give the relationship a subtle
push and leave Beccas phone number, without her knowing,
in Chriss wallet while it was left in the store. However, Chris
had plans of his own. On that very same evening, Chris, also
unaware of the note, walked Becca to her car and mustered
the courage to ask for Beccas number himself; which she
delightedly offered. Becca began to drive off with a smile,
and Chris tucked his newly acquired number into his
wallet only to find that he already had it. The first of many
messages was sent that night. Four years later, after several
texts, countless call, and copious laughter, the relationship
was in full bloom.
However, Chris and Becca were new college graduates
and Chris just landed his dream job in a new town. Worry
overcame Becca. She was just getting settled in her career
as a nurse and Chris was getting ready to move without her.
Chris mind was at ease, because once again he had his own
plan to stay together. A couple weeks before the move, Chris
spent two whole days choosing the perfect ring for his future
bride, inspecting every detail so Becca would have a ring to
cherish for the years to come. It took everything he could
to not pop the question the same day he got the ring. He

wanted to wait for the perfect natural moment to ask this all
important question; the moment couldnt come soon enough.
Only a week after moving, Chris and Becca were on a beach
vacation with their close friends yes, the ones who helped
to push the relationship four years ago. On an evening walk
down the beach with a warm breeze, Chris had waited long
enough. He grabbed Beccas hands and dropped to a knee.
Becca you are my best friend and the most beautiful woman
in the world and I dont want to live without you Will you
marry me? Becca, with tears of joy beginning to fall, said
YES! and kissed her new fianc. After the initial shock of
excitement, Chris and Becca picked up the phone to share
the great news with their family. Together they spent the
remainder of the night sitting on the beach letting the magic
of the moment sink in.
Chris and Becca opted for a quick engagement deciding to
plan everything for the wedding in a short three months.
The big day couldnt come fast enough. Family and friends
all pitched in to make Chris and Beccas dream a reality.
December 12, 2015 - the day was here. A rustic building
decorated in candles and pine set the stage, and Chris was
standing eagerly in front of the crowd waiting for the moment
to finally begin. He watched each candle that lined the aisle
all the way back to the curtain which hid his future. Then
the music started. Chris held his breath, and the curtain was
pulled back revealing his beautiful bride wearing the most
beautiful white dress.
He couldnt take his eyes off her and she couldnt stop
smiling. They spoke their vows and shared their first kiss as
man and wife. Chris and Becca were filled with joy to finally
be united as one in marriage in the sight of God. As man and
wife, they danced and laughed the night away. A sparkler lit
exit started their honeymoon trip to Mexico and began their
happily ever after.
[July 2016]

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10 Bliss [July 2016]

The basics of shopping for

Engagement ring purchases are usually a solo endeavor, with

the groom having an idea of the ring style and color his brideto-be prefers. But couples usually shop for their wedding
ring sets together, and such excursions can be special and
meaningful.
Like many decisions couples make when planning their
weddings, choosing rings comes down to personal preference.
There are no steadfast rules when it comes to purchasing
wedding rings, but some guidelines can make shopping
far easier.
As couples prepare to shop for rings, it can help for each
person to list the attributes he or she would like in a ring. This
should include the type of metal, color, width, and even cost.
Couples may find they have different preferences, and this is
perfectly fine, as wedding rings do not have to match.

allow the best size so the bands fit comfortably and will have
enough wiggle room should fingers swell or shrink a little bit.
People can protect their investments by keeping the ring on
as much as possible and only removing it when engaging in
demanding physical activity or when working with chemicals.
Store the ring in a safe spot when you are not wearing it so
you are less likely to lose it.
Wedding rings can be purchased from any number of retailers.
Just be sure the rings are of good quality and sellers stands by
the craftsmanship.
-Metro Creative Connection

A wedding band should complement the engagement ring

but not be a perfect match. An ornate engagement ring might
look better with a simple band, and vice-versa. Similarly
cut gemstones also can complement an engagement ring.
If the bride chooses to wear both her engagement ring and
wedding band together on the same finger, she should choose
a band that will accommodate the curves of uniquely shaped
engagement rings.
Couples can make some early choices even before they visit
jewelry stores. Narrow down your options so the experience
will not be overwhelming. When the time comes to shop, give
yourselves at least two months to browse and then choose the
rings you like best.
Lifestyle and daily routine should be considered at all times.
These rings will be worn daily, and no one wants to fret about
a ring being too delicate to stand up to everyday wear and
tear. Also, think long-term. Trendy rings can be fun, but will
they still seem like such a good idea when you are celebrating
your twentieth wedding anniversary?
When getting rings sized, both the bride and groom should go
when their fingers arent swollen from exercise or early in the
morning after they may have retained fluid. Shopping should
take place when hands arent too hot or cold. This will

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[July 2016]

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edding budget

w
that can sink your
12 Bliss [July 2016]

Couples should remember to build hidden expenses into

their budgets when planning their weddings.
Couples should remember to build hidden expenses into
their budgets when planning their weddings.

And dont forget to save some money for postage to mail

thank-you cards once the big day has come and gone.

In the days of yore, the responsibility of paying for a

wedding fell to the brides parents. But that tradition has
largely fallen by the wayside in recent years, when more and
more couples have used their own savings to finance their
weddings. Few couples enter the process of planning their
weddings unaware of just how expensive weddings can
get, but costs can easily begin to escalate if couples are
not careful.

Overtime: Overtime fees for reception hall staff and

additional outside vendors are typically written into
contracts, but few couples imagine needing more than the
predetermined allotment of time noted in their contracts.
But its better to be safe than sorry, as unanticipated events
such as a misplaced wedding license or heavy traffic on the
way to the venue can force the party to start late and thus
extend past its deadline. Set aside some money for overtime
so you dont find yourselves scrounging for dollars or
charging the extra few hundred dollars on your credit cards.

Couples know that certain wedding expenses, such as the

cost of booking a reception hall, will eat up a large portion
of their budgets. But there are some hidden expenses that
couples must build into their budgets to avoid finding
themselves in debt as they walk down the aisle as husband
and wife.
Taxes: Sales tax might not seem so significant when youre
buying everyday items, but the taxes add up quickly when
paying for a wedding. Depending on where you live, state
and local sales tax can exceed 9 percent in the United
States, and some Canadians pay as much as 15 percent in
combined sales taxes depending on where they live. Before
signing contracts with any vendors, couples should get
the price including sales tax written into their contracts,
as failing to do so may result in a several thousand dollar
surprise when the time to pay up arrives.
Gratuities: Gratuities are another potentially hefty
expense that often takes engaged couples by surprise as
they start to plan their weddings. Some reception halls
build gratuities for staff into their estimates, and these tips
for the staff can be as high as 25 percent at some venues.
But even if gratuities for reception hall staff are already
accounted for, dont forget to include tips for additional
vendors the day of the wedding. Couples may be expected
to tip the florist, photographer, band or deejay and even the
reception hall maitre d if his or her gratuity is not included
in the aforementioned staff tip. Brides-to-be typically tip
their hairstylist and makeup artist on the day of the wedding
as well.
Postage: Couples who plan to invite guests via email or
online invitations can skirt the cost of postage. But many
couples still prefer traditional paper invitations, which
include return envelopes that tradition suggests should also
be stamped. Save-the-date cards have grown in popularity
as well, and these cards must also be stamped and mailed.
Depending on the size of your guest list, postage can cost
several hundred dollars before you mail your last invitation.

Weddings are expensive, and even more so when hidden

fees start to make their presence felt. Couples who build
such fees into their budgets will find it easier to avoid
breaking the bank than those who dont.
-Metro Creative Connection

Creating
your unique
wedding style
to fit your
budget.

Newton
Florist Inc.
115 N Ashe Ave. Newton, NC

828-464-4321
Newtonfloral.com
[July 2016]

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14 Bliss [July 2016]

How to
those
last-minute
jitters
Brides- and grooms-to-be are often nervous when the day
they will tie the knot finally arrives. The realization that
months and months of planning and anticipation are finally
about to come to a head often inspires some jitters in the
days leading up to the wedding. But the following are a few
ways couples can calm those nerves in the hours leading up
to the moment they have devoted so much time and effort to
planning since becoming engaged.
Get a good nights rest.
Couples should prioritize a good nights sleep the night
before they are set to walk down the aisle. Make your last
night as an unmarried couple an early night so you will look
your best and have plenty of energy on your big day, which
will no doubt start early and end late. A good nights sleep

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can go a long way toward ensuring youre in a good mood

as you handle a full slate of responsibilities on your
wedding day.
Spend time with family and friends.
Chances are your closest friends and family members are
playing significant roles in your wedding, and spending time
with them is a great way to keep your nerves in check while
having a fun time before, during and after the ceremony.
Dont be afraid to delegate responsibilities.
In spite of months of planning, couples will still have a to-do
list come their wedding days. If such a list is overwhelming,
brides- and grooms-to-be should not be afraid to delegate
some of the tasks on their lists. Bridesmaids and groomsmen
can no doubt handle any outstanding tasks that dont require
any input from the bride or groom.
Relax as the ceremony draws nearer.
As the start time for the ceremony approaches, couples
about to tie the knot should take time to sit down and relax.
Once their hair and makeup is finished, brides-to-be should
sit down and exhale or arrange for the photographer to
snap some fun pre-wedding photos with their bridesmaids.
Grooms-to-be can do the same with their groomsmen,
sharing a few last-minute jokes to ensure everyone is relaxed
and ready to go before taking their places.
-Metro Creative Connection

[July 2016]

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2016
16 Bliss [July 2016]