Nestled in eight picturesque acres, Vale Royal Barn & Inn offers a magical setting for outdoor weddings, blending rustic charm with natural splendor. Owner Valerie Johnson describes the venue as “a place where couples can truly make their day their own.” With exclusive weekend access to the property’s country house, couples and their guests are invited to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of serenity.
Voted the 2024 City’s Choice for Favorite Bridal Shop, Expressions in Silk has been helping brides-to-be find “THE dress” for their big day for over four decades.
At Fenton Winery & Brewery, wedding planning is a collaborative journey led by Co-owner Ginny Sherrow and her dedicated team. “Our full-time coordinators become a steady source of knowledge and expertise for our couples throughout the average 18-month planning period,” Sherrow shares. “We cherish the long-term relationships we build – not only before the special day but afterward, as couples return to enjoy our Taproom and gardens.”
Your best friend is getting married! You’ve known this person nearly their whole life. You’ve been together through ups-and-downs, good times and bad. You’ve laughed with them and cried with them. You know that you’ll always be there no matter what and they know it, too. As evidence, they’ve just done you the significant honor of choosing you to be best man/maid of honor. It’s a title that should not be taken lightly and you are ready to fulfill your duty to the best of your ability. Your friend has taken a big step in their life, choosing to spend it with someone they love, and it should be celebrated both with a proper wedding ceremony and the celebration of friendship that is the bachelor/bachelorette party. You’ve been called on to help make both days special, so where do you start?
When planning their weddings, many couples feel they have to do things a certain way because it’s just the way you’re “supposed to” do it! While “classic” can be a great go-to (it’s classic for a reason, right?) it’s become much more “okay” to step outside the box and let your personalities guide the vibe of your Big Day. Celebrate in your own way – it’s about YOU!
You’ve been invited to attend a grand wedding and you should feel honored that the happy couple wants to celebrate their marriage in your presence. Huzzah! It’s going to be a great party, but a sophisticated one. To show how much you value their friendship and support their union, follow a few time-honored rules of etiquette and continue being the rockstar friend that you are. Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts:
After the beautiful ceremony, the reception is the time to officially celebrate the newlyweds and have some fun. Typically, after the formalities and the meal, the band or DJ starts the music and most people head out to the dance floor. That’s all fine and dandy, but I’m here to say that dancing isn’t the be-all-end-all of reception activities. If you want to make sure your guests are entertained and engaged throughout (and the kids are occupied), why not consider something new?
Our annual Bridal Section is all about weddings – rings, gowns, parties – as well as taking some important first steps together such as buying a first home. But after the vows are spoken and married life begins, what is the key to success down the road? You could Google “How to be a good spouse” but why not ask some experts the burning question:
It is estimated that 2.6 million weddings will take place in the U.S. this year – a record high! The uncertain climate for social activity has inspired creativity and couples are exploring non-traditional concepts for their big day. Here are some trends for the wedding season ahead, and tips from local wedding experts.
Choosing groomsmen’s gifts can be tricky. Sure, you can go with the standard, monogrammed beer stein or flask, but the occasion calls for a bit more creativity. Think of something more, man!
