Weddings In Rockford

To Toss or Not To Toss

I know that it has long been a tradition for the bride to toss her bouquet and allow her garter to be removed the groom and tossed to his bachelor friends - even auctioned off.  These traditions came from our English cousins, where long ago spectators at the wedding would try to tear off the bride's clothing believing it allowed them to share in the couple's happiness.  While the bride was fleeing her attacker's, she would toss her flowers to the on lookers to keep them busy.  Tradition now says that those catching the bouquet and garter will be the next to marry.  But that tradition is changing.  Today's bride often opts to present her bouquet to her grandparents or to the couple in attendance that has been married the longest.  She may also object to having her leg exposed, garter removed and tossed to a group.  A newer version of the old tradition is to have a special smaller tossing bouquet prepared by the florist as well as having a less expensive garter ready to toss.  A new tradition begun in some areas is to have attendants sign the bottom of the shoes of the bride and groom.  The last names to be erased after a night of dancing will be the next marry.  It's fun to think of ideas of how to make traditions of your own.

Around The Blogs

Looking around the blogs today i found a couple of interesting things.  Take a look at this:

 

Over at the Marie Claire blog they have pictures of Ivanka Trump and her new husband.  The dress is gorgeous!  It was made by Vera Wang and it was inspired by Grace Kelly's wedding dress.  I love it!

And over at Bride Tide they have a picture of a groom's cake that is absolutely unbelievable!  The cake was made by Duff at Ace of Cakes.  You won't believe your eyes, it is a life-size replica of a motorcycle!  And on top of that they had a ten-tiered wedding cake!

 

Another Option For an Outdoor Wedding

Here is an option for an outdoor wedding that not too many people think about.  Williams Tree Farm.  Located at 4661 Yale Bridge Road in Rockton,  624-7579.  Family owned for over 60 years, they jumped into the wedding business 3 years ago when they built a waterfall garden.  Their lodge holds 300 people and has a beautiful fireplace that is just perfect for your pictures.  It has a rustic log cabin feel that is perfect for a ranch or northwoods themed wedding.  Make sure you tell them that you found them on my blog.

Ceremony Locations

You are engaged, you've thought of a date.  Now you begin coordinating that date with your search for the perfect venue to celebrate your wedding ceremony.  Before you settle on a place, take time to insure that you have your priorities in line.  While this is the occasion for the biggest party you may ever give, that should not be the prime target.  Your wedding ceremony is symbolic of a huge decision and commitment that you and your husband to be have made to each other.  Where you will be married needs to be your first critical decision.  If you are both of the same faith and attend a church or synagogue on a regular basis, your decision is easy.  If you are living in a different area and away from your family church, you will need to look for potential locations.  Many churches and synagogues will only marry "parishioners".  So if a religious location is important to you both, make that site search a top priority.  If you choose a non-religious location for your wedding ceremony, there are several interesting options to consider.  Most cities have wonderful old homes that have been turned into public ceremony sites.  Public gathering spaces in historical buildings, museums and art galleries have all been used for memorable ceremonies.  Whether you choose to be married at home, in your yard, at the beach or in the mountains, you can create a beautiful setting for this important day.  For more ideas on ceremony sites and de'cor, please call or email me, I will be glad to help.

 

Something Old...

Many brides have asked about the meaning of the old rhyme, "Something old, something new..."

Something Old:  The bride may choose a piece of heirloom jewelry or family wedding gown or headpiece to represent the continuity of happiness from generation to generation.

Something New:  The marriage itself represents a new beginning.  Brides wearing their new gowns, veils and other wedding accessories are adding good fortune and success to this new union.

Something Borrowed:  Is usually something from a married friend to bring happiness to the new couple.  A handkerchief, a piece of jewelry or pieces of wedding apparel are all possibilities.

Something Blue:  This tradition dates back to Biblical times when blue stood for purity and fidelity.  Today's bride may use a blue garter or incorporate the color into the wedding gown itself.

Sixpence in Your Shoe:  The little known last line of the rhyme suggests that a coin in the bride's left shoe will ensure wealth so that the bride will always have money.

 

Waterpark Weddings

Fall and Winter in the Midwest leaves much to be desired when it comes to weddings.  Why not have your wedding at a waterpark?  Your friends and family will be all together and you can make a weekend of it.  Everyone will have plenty to do, even the guests who love to snowmobile and ski.  Let's take a look at some of the waterparks:

Great Wolf Lodge:  Has 80,000 square feet of waterpark, with 19 waterslides, a lazy river and more.

Kalahari Resorts:  Has 125,000 square feet of waterpark, an indoor theme park with a carousel and more.

Wilderness Resort:  Boasts that it has 250,000 square feet of waterpark, a lazy river, a water raft ride and a 15,000 square foot arcade.

CoCo Key Water Resort (Clock Tower):  The website was not very helpful with information.  Check and see for yourself.

Tell them you found them on my blog.  And let me know if the customer service was helpful.

A Wedding Weekend with Friends and Family

I find more and more couples who want ideas for a weekend party plus wedding.  With many families living across the country, wedding are a time for the "gathering of the clan".  Couples are planning weekend events around their wedding day as a way for family and friends to take maximum advantage of their time together.  It may seem overwhelming to think of having to plan two or three more events on top of the ceremony and reception, but engaging the help of friends and family and or an experienced wedding planner/manager, can make a huge difference.  You will need to cover the basics of course.  Arrange for accommodations, (hotels, resorts, private homes, B-n-B's) first.  Arrange for food - one evening meal together, a BBQ in someone's backyard, a picnic in the park or all of these.  A trip to a winery may be in order for a wine tasting.  Be sure to arrange for transportation for all.  Think about activities:  golf tournaments, tennis or softball if the group is up for it.  Boating, water skiing, fishing, hiking and biking are all possibilities for more active family members.  If you are living in an area unfamiliar to your family members, consider arranging a walking tour of your town or a bus tour.  What about a spa day for both men and women?  Is a special movie set to open on your wedding weekend?  Why not purchase a block of tickets for your family and friends?  Let me help you make this extension of your wedding celebration meaningful for you and your friends.

 

What To Serve? Dessert Bar, Cake, Etc.

Puzzled about what to serve for the sweet tooth at your wedding?  Here are some ideas.  You can choose the traditional, tiered, all white wedding cake with a bride and groom gracing the top layer.  You can select a groom's cake to complement the wedding cake.  It can be flavored or have a special filling or be a special shape to reflect his interests.  You can order from a wide range of cake flavors - chocolate, banana, carrot, sponge, almond or lemon.  You can get creative with a variety of filings and frostings - ganache, mousse, mascarpone, cream cheese or fudge.  You can select from a variety of shapes.  Squares, rectangles, pyramids and ovals are replacing the standard 3-5 round tier wedding cake.  In fact, many brides are choosing to have many smaller wedding cakes rather than one big one - usually as the centerpiece at each of the guest tables.  Some couples on a budget are opting for a smaller display cake that they will cut for photo ops.  Sheet cakes cut in the kitchen and served to guests either from the cake table, the buffet or passed by servers back up that cake.  Some couples have opted to eliminate the wedding cake itself and offer their guests multiple dessert choices from a separate dessert buffet.  Other couples are replacing the bridal cake with cupcakes.  Ice cream cakes are a favorite of some couples.  While they are a fun idea, cutting and serving these cakes requires some patience and speed.  Cake tops are inventive and lovely.  While the standard bride and groom are available they are being replaced by:  Fresh flower arrangements in colors to complement the wedding theme.  An arrangement of porcelain or glass flowers can be displayed int he couple's home later.  A tiara - surrounded by fresh flowers with ribbons and pearls to match your bouquet.  Also the bride and grooms initials with flowers or without and i have also seen bird figurines with little tophats and veils on top of cakes as well.

Ideas and an upcoming trend: Luggage Cakes?

Gretchen over atMy Wedding has been working on inspiration boards for several color combinations.  Check them out and see if the colors that you have picked will work together. 

Also over at Instyle Weddings they have several bridal bouquets for a fall wedding that are absolutely beautiful.  This bouquet has:  roses, calla lillies, mokara orchids, hypercium berries, eucalyptus and leaves.

Also the ladies atPalermo Bakery have noticed a new trend:  Luggage Cakes.  What do you think ladies?  Is this something you would do?  Photo:  Kristyn Mednik

Reception Ideas

Here are some reception ideas you might want to use (or disregard), whatever, Mrs. C is easy.  The wedding reception might well be the biggest party you will ever give.  Setting ideas:  for outdoor late afternoon or evening weddings, drape the trees and bushes in white lights.  for indoor weddings, replace white light bulbs with pink or amber bulbs.  Either one casts a softer, more flattering glow.  Group candles of different heights in a combination look as a table centerpiece.

Food choices:  Why not rent a popcorn and/or ice cream truck for an outdoor reception.  Rather than a serious dessert table, create a sundae bar where guests can choose as many or as few toppings as they like.  Offer an espresso or flavored coffee bar for guests who may prefer non-alcoholic beverages.

Guest activities:  Consider renting a photo booth.  Guests will be beautifully dressed and may wish to have some fun photo reminders of their evening as your guests.