Winter 2•0•1•1

A Special Supplement of The Montana StandardGUIDE

2•Wedding Guide

Wedding Guide •3

Bridal Guide is published by The Montana Standard25 W. Granite • Butte, MT 59701 • 406-496-5500

Winter 2•0•1•1

A Special Supplement of The Montana StandardGUIDE

Locally Owned and Operated

Cover photograph by: Lisa Wareham Photography

5 Financial Tips for Cost-Conscious Couples

6 Honeymoon Planning How-To

8 10 Trends For ‘Green’ Weddings

11 Top 10 style predictions for bridesmaids

12 You’re engaged! Now what?

15 Wacky Wedding Facts

16 Wedding Cake 2.o

18 What your choices and combos say about you

20 Wedding Checklist

4•Bridal Guide

photograph by: Lisa Wareham Photography

photograph by: TLC Photography

Bridal Guide •5

Financial Tips for Cost-Conscious Couples In a recent survey released by Visa Inc., 88 percent of couples believed they overspent on some aspect of their wedding. Over the years, weddings have become a major financial commitment, in many instances ensuring a couple’s first task as man and wife will be paying off the mountain of bills they accrued to achieved their dream wedding.

In today’s economic climate, the cost of weddings is even tougher to swallow, as both the domestic and global economy remains difficult to predict. Economic uncertainty has left many young couples fearful of making a big financial commitment to their weddings. But it’s still possible for couples to make the most of their wedding without landing themselves in heavy debt once the honeymoon is over and the bills must be paid.

•Limitbeverageavailability.IntheVisasurvey,respondentsfelttheyoverspentmoreonfood,drinkandcakethanany other aspect of their wedding. The bar tab can quickly add up at the end of the night, but couples can limit the bar expense by making on a few different types of drinks available. Offer just two or three drink options instead of a full bar. Couples can also consider a cash bar for mixed drinks to help lower the bar tab by the end of the night.

•SwitchfromSaturday.Saturdayweddingsarenotonlythemostpopular,butalsothemostexpensive.Coupleswith someflexibilitycansavemoneybymovingtheirweddingtoaFridayorSunday.Coupleswhomovetheirweddingsto Friday often find they get to spend more time with their friends and families the following day, as guests are more inclinedtostayintownanextradaythantheyareonSundayafternoonsfollowingawedding.

•Forgoatraditionalhoneymoon.SeventeenpercentofmalerespondentstotheVisasurveyfelttheyoverspentontheir honeymoon. While it’s certainly nice to fly off to the Caribbean and spend your first week as a married couple soaking up some sun, a more local getaway for a couple of days can be just as relaxing and save couples substantial amounts of money. Once the bills have been paid, couples can then enjoy a more traditional honeymoon, possibly in celebration of their first anniversary.

•Limittheguestlist.Invitingallfriendsandfamilymembersmightbeanicegesture,butit’salsoanexpensiveone. Cost-conscious couples can save a good deal of money by only inviting those friends and family members who are closest to them.

•Orderlessextravagantfloralarrangements.Floralarrangementsforaweddingcanproveveryexpensive.Butcouples can trim those costs using more greenery in the floral displays and ordering less expensive, seasonal flowers. When discussing arrangements with the florist, explain that the budget can only allow so much for flowers, and work together to find ways to add aesthetic appeal without breaking the bank.

6•Wedding Guide

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With all the work that goes into planning a wedding, it can be easy for couples to overlook their own honeymoons. But in the middle of all those seating arrangements and reception hall negotiations, couples also need to plan and look forward to the rest and relaxation that awaits, which will no doubt be a well-deserved escape once the wedding has come and gone.Couples can take the following advice to ensure their getaway goes off without a hitch.

•Bebudget-conscious.Manycouplescouldenjoyahon-eymoontoSiberiainthedeadofwinteraftertheirbigdayhas passed. After all the stress of planning and paying for the wedding, couples will likely just enjoy the time away. Take this into consideration when planning a honeymoon. If a dream trip isn’t in the budget after all the wedding bills have come due, don’t fret. A less expensive getaway is still a getaway, and couples will enjoy their well-deserved break no matter where it is they’re putting their feet up.

Honeymoon Planning How-To

Wedding Guide •7

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•Plananoff-seasonhoneymoon.Thatdreamhoneymoonmight be affordable after all if couples can wait till it’s not the heightoftouristseason.Mostweddingsoccurduringthesum-mer months, when tourist season is in full swing. Couples who can put off their honeymoon until the off-season will no doubt find their dream honeymoon is much more affordable.•Startearly.It’snevertooearlytostartplanningthehoney-moon. The earlier couples begin to research possible destina-tions, the better feel they will have for what they can and can’t afford. Research can be done well in advance to give couples an idea of what their dream trip will cost. But don’t book any flights or make any reservations too far in advance. The best deals are often available a few months before the trip.•Spreadthenewsthatyou’renewlyweds.Hotelslovehostingnewlyweds, and many will upgrade rooms for recently mar-ried guests. Couples should not be too brash about it, as fully booked hotels won’t be able to upgrade their guests. But let the hotel know you’re on your honeymoon when checking in, and they might just upgrade your room and comp you a bottle of champagne as a gift.•Thinkoutsidethebox.Whenaskedaboutadreamhoney-moon,coupleswilloftenbringupHawaiiorevenParis.Whilethose are beautiful places to spend a honeymoon, they’re also expensive. Fortunately, there are a bevy of locales, be it do-mestic or international, that aren’t nearly as pricey as the most popular honeymoon destinations but still make wonderful op-tions for a honeymoon getaway couples won’t soon forget.

Honeymoon Planning How-To

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8•Wedding Guide

Environmentally friendly ideals are now permeating all aspects ofdailyliving.Manypeoplewanttotaketheconceptfurtherand ensure their nuptials -- and subsequent reception -- are good for the planet as well.Although there are no firm statistics on the number of green weddings being held each year, emerging trends point to the growing interest in eco-conscious weddings. Individuals who

already do their best to recycle, reuse and reduce want to em-ploy those same values on their wedding day.There are many ways to employ a green mindset to wedding planning and execution. Largely the carbon footprint of a wed-ding can be reduced simply by scaling back and avoiding over-consumption.Herearesomeideastothinkabout.

10 Trends For ‘Green’ Weddings

Wedding Guide •9

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ABSOLUTE 1. Reduce travel. Research indicates that more than two-thirdsofemissionsintheU.S.areproducedbyenergyconsump-tion and transportation. By reducing guests’ need to travel far for a wedding or offering transportation that can accommodate several people at once (like a bus), carbon emissions will be reduced. 2.Homeiswheretheheartis.Keepingweddingscloseto home is helpful. Those with big backyards or a park nearby can host the event at home or in a nearby park and reduce de-pendence on large reception halls that use up large amounts of energy to operate. A home wedding also gives couples the op-portunity to shop around for locally produced, organic foods. 3.Shopforfloralalternatives.Flowerswouldseem“green”inthemselves.However,manybloomsavailableatflorist shops are grown in hothouses with the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, something that is not very good for the environment at all. Brides opting for something more eco-conscious could consider alternative options, such as bouquets made of sustainable succulent plants and centerpieces full of organic fruits and wildflowers. 4. Choose an open registry. Instead of fine china that may never be used, many couples are opting for open registries that enable guests to gift everything from eco-friendly house-wares to charitable donations to cash for down payments on a home. 5. Opt for mixed seating arrangements: Instead of formal escort cards indicating firm seating arrangements, couples are saving paper by allowing guests to choose their own seats from mix-matched options, such as long, communal benches and comfy sofas. 6. Go with something old. Recycled gowns and gently useditemsaregoodalternativesforeco-consciousbrides.ManyWeb sites will match up brides with others looking to swap items at low or no cost. 7.Skipthepaper.Thoughetiquetteexpertsfrownonabandoning paper invitations for electronic ones, many couples are doing just that. For those who still prefer paper, print in-vitations on recycled paper. Reduce other wedding stationery needs by posting information on a wedding Web site shared with family and friends. 8. Go small scale. Instead of inviting every last cousin and distant uncle, couples are opting for more intimate affairs, including only the people they are closest to, which saves on cost and helps the environment. 9.Trimsomeoftheweddingdayfat.Somecouplesopt for an all-you-can-eat buffet and then a subsequent dessert barlateronintheevening.Stuffedguestsmayendupwastingmore food than eating it. Instead of all-you-can, go for a more traditional meal. 10. Choose a charitable party favor. Instead of a party favor that collects dust on a shelf, couples are choosing to gift with organic products or a donation to a charitable organiza-tion in the guests’ names.

10•Wedding Guide

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Wedding Guide •11

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Top 10 style predictions for bridesmaids 1. Bright hues and bold colors like lime, bright blues, yellow and fuchsia, especially in short party-style dresses.

2.Silverandpewtertonesforlatesummerandfallweddings.Makesurefabricshaveasheenandniceelegance.

3. Details - frills, embroidery, fabric flowers, ruching and more.

4.Short,formaldressesinluxuriousfabricslikechiffon.

5. Nude or white bridesmaids’ dresses that surprisingly don’t detract from the bride.

6. Two-toned dresses to go with color scheme. Caveat: Play with tones, hues and shades of colors to eliminate the “matchy-matchy” look.

7. Assymetrical detailing or wraps to flatter all shapes and sizes of bridesmaids.

8.Solidcolorsaresolastyear.Lookforflorals,plaids,geometricprintsinasimplestyle.

9. Low backs or backless dresses for evening weddings.

10. Black is back - especially short dresses worn with strappy sandals

12•Wedding Guide

Holidayseasonisengagementseason.Butafterhepopsthequestionandshesays“yes,”therealityofweddingplanningsetsin-andthatfeelingofjoyfulromancecanfadeasquicklyasChristmaslightsonanoverloadedcircuit.Herearethetopfivequestionsyou will need to answer to make your wedding planning journey a pleasant experience.

“After Valentine’s Day, the holidays are the most popular time of year for couples to become engaged,” says wedding planning expertRaymondMillerofMyWeddingReceptionIdeas.com,aleadingonlineresourceforbridesseekinguniqueweddingfavors,decorations,andgifts.“Manybrides-to-bewhogetengagedovertheholidayswillbegintheirplanningeffortsinthefirstmonthsofthenewyear.Knowingwheretostartcanbeoverwhelming.”

You’re engaged! Now what?

The top five wedding planning questions to answer first

Wedding Guide •13

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1. What is our budget?“Funding your wedding can be one of the most ex-pensive undertakings you’ll tackle in your life together asacouple,”Millersays.“Manycouplesonlyspendmore on buying a house or car, or funding their chil-dren’scollegeeducations.”Setting-andstickingto-abudget for your wedding is an essential step toward starting your married life on a sound financial footing. Determine where your funding will come from - if your parents can help or if you’ll be paying on your own - and decide how much you can afford to spend without going into debt.

2. What season works?Virtually as soon as you announce you’re engaged, people start asking what the wedding date will be. To make answering that question as simple as possible, start by considering in what season you would like to be married. Would you prefer a spring ceremony? Or do you dream of a holiday wedding? By narrow-ing down the season, and selecting it well in advance, you’ll be able to secure a date that will work for everyone.

3. Where do we want to get married.Will you have a destination wedding? Or do you want to keep it local? While wedding planning is

usually most successful when done well in advance, if you’re interested in a destination wedding, plan-ning far ahead is essential. Popular destinations book quickly in prime wedding seasons and you may find venues in the destination of your choice are booked a year or more in advance.

4. What kind of venue do you want?Do you dream of a big church wedding? Or saying your “I do’s” in a beautiful natural setting? Perhaps you want your reception to be in a grand hotel. Knowingthetypeofvenueyoudesirewillhelpyourefine your options and choose a specific location down the road.

5. Who do you want to officiate?Is it important to you to be married by your own church’sminister?OrareyouOKwithajusticeofthepeace? Do you fantasize about being joined in mar-riage by a ship’s captain? Or does your mother have her heart set on seeing you married by the rabbi who was there at your bat mitzvah? Just as popular venues book quickly, favorite officiants also have their dance cards fill fast for popular wedding seasons. As soon as you know who you would like to officiate at your wedding, it might pay to approach him or her and find out about future availability.

Brides should begin their planning by answering five basic questions.

“Ofcoursetherearemany,manythingstoconsiderwhenplanningawedding,”Millersays.“Butthesefivepointsare the basics you must address and everything else about your wedding will be planned around your answers to these questions. Once you’ve made these initial decisions, it will be easier to refine your options and decide exactly what will make your wedding wonderful, memorable and perfect for you.”

14•Wedding Guide

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Wedding Guide •15

- Beautiful selection of diamond engagement and wedding rings, excellent quality, prices and warranty. - Gifts for the bride, groom & attendants. - Engraving to personalize your gift.

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AccordingtoTheKnot.com,theunofficialexpertsonallthingsweddings, there are some things that may surprise the average personaboutweddingsacrossthecountry.Herearesomefactsto consider. •WeddingsinIowaandNebraskaarethebiggest, averaging 200 guests.

•Theaverageengagementringcostsmorethan $5,800.

•Mostbrideshaveonedo-it-yourselfelement,suchas favors or escort cards.

•“CanYouFeeltheLoveTonight”and“LadyinRed” are the two most popular first dance songs (even though 87 percent of brides wear white).

•Only19percentofcouplesrelyonawedding planner.

•AncientRomansbrokeacakeoverthebride’shead to symbolize fertility. Today, brides must be fortunate to have only a little cake smashed in their faces!

Wacky Wedding Facts

16•Wedding Guide

The long, sweet history of the wedding cake is a mix of traditions, dreamsandchangingtastes.Soit’snosurprisethatcupcakesareplaying a major role in the latest version of this multitiered, frost-ing-swirled world. Call it Wedding Cake 2.0. Dozens of cupcakes — tiered on decorated stands or arrayed on a table, often in a variety of flavors, colors and embellishments — let bridal couples personalize the celebratory sweet. “The whole trend in weddings ingeneralistomakeitpersonal,”saidDarcyMiller,editorialdirec-torforMarthaStewartWeddings.The ultimate personal touch? Cupcakes you bake and decorate yourself.America’s love affair with cupcakes is intense. “Whether it is a throwback to childhood or another way to make dessert a little more special and fun, these small cakes are a sweet spot for adults andchildren,”NPDGroup’sKathleenCellanoted.Theresearchgroup found cupcake pan sales were up 14 percent in the 12 monthsendingSeptember2010,and555millioncupcakeswereeaten between February 2009 and February 2010.BeforeyouoptforDIYcupcakesforyourwedding,realizethatthey require planning, a strong support team and a cup of com-mon sense.“In the 48 hours before your wedding, you should have no re-sponsibilities other than being with your guests, enjoying yourself

and getting last-minute stuff done that has to be done,” said Miller.However,ifyoulovebakingandyou’vealwaysbaked,goforit,shesaid.“Youcanmakethemahead,thensticktheminthefreezer, though I think it’s better if they’re fresh.”Bobbie Lloyd understands the urge to bake the mini-cakes. “I’m one of those crazy people who catered my own wedding,” said Lloyd,presidentandchiefbakingofficerofNewYork-basedMag-nolia Bakery.Remembering the 180 cupcakes she baked, “I have to tell you, it takes away from your wedding because you’re stressing out about allthesefactors.”Shesuggeststhathomebakerstacklecupcakesfor small weddings of 50 or so guests.DIYsuccess,sayexperts,dependsonfindingtheperfectfirstlieu-tenant in charge of sweets, a cupcake wrangler — an aunt, cousin, friend — with baking savvy.“Maybeit’sacollaborationwithyouandyouraunt.Someonewho is close to you so you can enjoy the process, but not some-one who has to be at the rehearsal and is in your wedding party,” saidMiller.Added Lloyd, “If you do cupcakes the day before and even ice them the night before, they stay pretty fresh.”“Whateveryoudo,practice,”Millersaid.“Youshouldn’tbedo-ing anything for the first time at your wedding other than going down the aisle, whether it’s your first dance or ... tasting the food or baking the cupcakes. What you don’t want the day of your wedding is surprises — cupcakes that are too sweet or too rich.”

Wedding cake 2.0

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Wedding Guide •17

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18•Wedding Guide

What your choices and combos say about you and your wedding After announcing your engagement and showing off that engagement ring to family and friends, one of the first questions asked - after how he pro-posed and when is the wedding - is “what are your colors?”Historically,weddingcolorsweredividedbyseasons:Pastelsandbrightcolors for spring and summer; jewel tones for fall and winter.No longer. Today’s brides know that bright colors are the rule, not the exception. And dark colors can work, whatever the season.Colors have meaning. Color is “the catalyst for feelings,” writes Leatrice Eiseman,executivedirectorofPantoneColorInstitute,in“ColorsForYourEveryMood.”Romantic, whimsical, bold, subtle, sensual, sophisticated, contemplative or classic, colors can send whatever message you desire.Bright colors - fuschia, orange and green - remain favorites in 2011. For vintage appeal, look toward muted tones of the same color - deeper pinks, bittersweet oranges, loden green, for example.Experts predict these will be the year’s hot colors: apple green, mauve, lilac, hot pink, slate grey, celadon, aged gold, coral, red, violet purple, mocha, chocolate, navy, emerald, clementine orange and yellow.Dark colors such as charcoal, brick red, dark green, dark orange, asparagus, deep purple, mocha and deep blues also are good choices.Nudes and gray emerged last year as mixers and remain trendsetting colors.

for that Special Day

Wedding Guide •19

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20•Wedding Guide

Upon Becoming Engaged:1. Set the date and the time2. Determine your budget and the type of wedding you want3. Start your guest list4. Select your attendants5. Schedule your engagement photo6. Announce your engagement (newspaper and/or engagement party)7. Select your wedding consultant (if desired)8. Select a place for the ceremony9. Schedule premarital classes (if appropriate)10. Select color scheme11. Select a place for the reception12. Select florist13. Select photographer14. Select videographer15. Select music for the ceremony and reception16. Select caterer17. Select rentals needed (tents, chairs, tables, etc.)18. Select wedding gown, headpiece, veil, accessories19. Discuss honeymoon with fiancé

6-10 Months Before Wedding Day:1. Mothers chose their dresses and accessories2. Select attendants’ dresses and accessories3. Register for bridal gifts4. Select limousine service or plan other transportation for the wedding day5. Start looking for a home or apartment (if applicable)

3-6 Months Before Wedding Day:1. Finalize guest list2. Order invitations and accessories (napkins, stationery)3. Order or start making favors for the reception4. Select formal wear5. Choose wedding cake6. Choose wedding bands and schedule engraving7. Choose decorations for the reception and ceremony8. Plan rehearsal dinner9. Gather information for out-of-town guests (hotel, transportation, map and directions) to include with wedding invitations10. Schedule appointments for hair, nails, facial and tanning11. Choose furniture and/or appliances for your home12. Bridal shower13. Write thank you cards for bridal shower14. Start addressing, stamping and stuffing wedding invitations

6-8 Weeks Before Wedding Day:1. Mail invitations (6 weeks before wedding)2. Apply for passports (if necessary)3. Make moving plans4. Plan bachelor and bachelorette parties5. Schedule final fitting for the wedding gown6. Obtain something old, new, borrowed, blue7. Verify with bridesmaids final dress fittings8. Have programs for the ceremony printed9. Prepare arranged seating list for the reception if applicable

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Wedding Guide •21

10. Experiment with your hair and headpiece to find a style for your wedding11. Schedule your final bridal portrait12. Purchase cake top, cake knife, toasting glasses, ring bearer’s pillow, guest book, garter, aisle runner, unity candles13. Shop for your honeymoon (clothing, lingerie, luggage, film, sunscreen)14. Buy gifts for attendants and fiancé15. Mail invitations for the rehearsal dinner16. Acquire a marriage license (valid for 180 days)17. Inform special guests of their duties (i.e., readings at ceremony)

1-2 Weeks Before Wedding Day:1. Begin moving into your new home (if appropriate)2. Get address and name change forms for Social Security card, driver’s license, etc.3. Call guests who have not responded4. Confirm all the above services

5. Prepare place cards for the reception and ceremony (if appropriate)6. Give your caterer or reception site a final count of guests7. Pack for your honeymoon, purchase Travelers Checks and pick up travel tickets8. Confirm details with the attendants (rehearsal dinner and ceremony rehearsal)

9. Write thank-you notes for wedding gifts you have received and record them10. Confirm rehearsal dinner details11. Send wedding announcement to the newspaper12. Prepare rice/bird seed/confetti to be thrown at bride and groom after the ceremony13. Give band leader a list of must-play music, sheet music for special requests14. Write out wedding announcements for mailing after the ceremony15. Clock travel time to and from the ceremony site to determine departure time on the wedding day16. Confirm reservations for the rehearsal dinner and out-of-town guests’ hotel rooms17. Scuff soles and heels of new bridal shoes, practice walking in them

Day Before Wedding Day:1. Pamper yourself (manicure, massage, tanning)2. Lay out your wedding attire and accessories3. Prepare an emergency sewing kit, make-up bag and overnight bag (extra stockings, tissues, aspirin, glasses, nail polish, spot remover)4. Write out a day-of-wedding checklist/timetable; keep it handy5. Show someone how to bustle your train6. Check attendants’ outfits and accessories7. Have going away outfits delivered to the reception site8. Ask the best man to pick up honeymoon luggage and store it in his trunk9. Put cash in envelopes for tips, officiant’s payments; give to the best man for distribution10. Go to your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner11. Go to bed early

Wedding Day:Eat breakfast and enjoy yourself. If you have planned well in advance and have delegated tasks, you should be able to enjoy your wedding!

22•Wedding Guide

Wedding Guide •23

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Call us about Bridal Party Discounts

406-782-8840www.swmontanaplasticsurgery.com

Come to Steele’s to Register for thoselasting treasures!Steele’s Bridal Registry makes gift buying easy!Choose the perfect

gift list for your

perfect life together!

Contribute any amount towards a gift. Individually, or as a group,

friends and relatives can

give any amount they wish

towards a gift selected by

the couple.

Butte – 800 S. Wyoming • 782-4231/ Deer Lodge – 417 Main • 846-3311

Or call toll-free: 1-800-281-9829 • www.steelesfurniture.com