OCR Text |
Show 1999 cl&iidat &uiAe' An affair to remember continued from previous page that the best approach in the to imagine your dreamiest reception. "Don't suffocate great ideas by assuming they're too expensive or too difficult to beginning is pull off," she says. You may be surprised at how many of your dreams will come true with the help of some shortcuts and minimal compromise. BRAINSTORM YOUR DREAMS When Cowie first meets with a bride and groom to help plan their wedding celebration, he asks them a lot of questions, including: what are their favorite movies, music, colors, flowers, restau- rants, clothing designers, foods, drinks, vacation destinations, books, seasons, hobbies? He gets details on all these favorites. He asks the couple if they could do any- thing they wanted for a day, what would it be? Based on the answers to these questions, we come up with a concept that is truly a reflection of the bride and groom's personal style. Ask yourself and your be- trothed these questions and more. To 7 help you brainstorm, we toss in some reception ideas from Cowie and Long. No matter how small or large, how exotic or homespun, how minimaiist or Baroque, every wedding reception should be a fabulous party. You'll learn a simple formula to hold a Renaissance wedding at your local art museum with entertaining. Start with the basics - delicious food, a good bar, great music - and build from there. guests theres A VARIETY OF STYLES In Cowies book, he details nine receptions he has created, including one in a city loft for just 30 close friends, a weekend getaway in the desert, a Southern fairy-talwedding at a private home and a winter wedding in a hotel ballroom. He also offers blueprint menus for a wedding breakfast, a summer luncheon, 'a winter luncheon, a cocktail reception, an elegant cocktail party in a penthouse apartment, a buffet-stylreception dinner, a reception dinner in the garden under canopy, a formal reception dinner, a buffet supper reception and a small dinner in a restaurant's private room. Long recommends coming up with a theme for your reception that bespeaks your style while also guiding the elements: Step back in time with the romance of a Victorian wedding by renting such a mansion; center your reception on your honeymoon destination, featuring its foods and music; fairytale receptions might include a carriage, an indoor pond with frog on a lily pad and a professional storyteller reading your personalized romance; e e horse-draw- n in costume. "If you and your ability people per and ing Twenties. ETHNIC TRADITIONS "You can also personalize wedding celebration by incor- porating a tradition from your or your groom's ethnic heritage," says Long. One couple she knows asked guests to join them in celebrating their combined heritages by attending in the dress of your heritage, "which included everything from clogs to kilts. r..Y '' if' , v ty SOME OVERALL HINTS I'm going to let you in on a little secret," confides Cowie. The key factor that really makes or breaks a party is almost always ignored by people putting on a wedding. It's timing." Keep your party in motion, including photo session, cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, speeches, the cake cutting. "It's absolutely critical that you plan the timing and stay to a schedule," he says. Have a pair of buffets and bars rather than one of each, he says, to avoid lines, and create symmetry in the room. Seat guests close to one another at each table to create better group energy while din- - - Invitations Complete Wedding Consultation w Let us make your wedding the most beautiful and enchanting ever Complete spectrum of wedding flowers decorations Fresh & Permanent Flowers Distinctive & Unique Designs & SPc'Mtnaliy-e- One East Main St., Price 637-907- Ua 7 m 44 W Mam, Price Pevire' ion foi any 637-273- 1 V ' TV r tlenfai MIRING TO YOl RSITTML VT.DS Western Wedding Portraits Wedding Announcements -a. I tyledditty 2W iyn and Beautiful for 20 Years Engagement Bridal W make it yours. urge you at every opportunity in designing your wedding to take inspiration from your personality and that of your groom," he says. "Create an environment for your guests that expresses who you are. Swenson Unlimited Making Carbon County Exposure hoto Co. says. Whether live or recorded or a combination of the two, tables), he says. "At any cocktail reception, it is not necessary to provide seating for all guests," says Cowie. Just provide seating for all elderly and disabled guests, plus seating for about 20 percent of the total. And know that music has an incredible effect on any gathering. "It gives you the groom are wine connoisseurs, offer a wine tasting at your reception," suggests Long. Othertheme ideas include New Year's Eve, Wizard of Oz," jungle, Old South, Halloween, Valentine's Day and Roar- to control the energy set the mood, Cowie ing (but no more than 10 91eddiny ,V.ti Unique Designs Tuxedo Rentals Backdrops Bouquet Preservation Refreshments t |