You have found the love of your life and are now embarking on an amazing adventure called planning a wedding. This is just the beginning of your lifelong commitment to one another and you may be asking yourself, “Where do I begin?” The North Platte Bridal Guide is your resource for planning the perfect wedding. From photography, flowers and cakes to the reception location, catering and your special dress, the wedding professionals listed in this magazine are the best in their fields. They are prepared to assist you in making your wedding the wedding of your dreams. Congratulations and best wishes from the staff at The North Platte Telegraph. Dee D. Klein, Publisher
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You have found the love of your life and are now embarking on an amazing adven- ture called planning a wedding. This is just the beginning of your lifelong commitment to one another and you may be asking your- self, “Where do I begin?” The North Platte Bridal Guide is your re- source for planning the perfect wedding. From photography, flowers and cakes to the reception location, catering and your spe- cial dress, the wedding professionals listed in this magazing are the best in their fields. They are prepared to assist you in making your wedding the wedding of your dreams. Congratulations and best wishes from the staff at The North Platte Telegraph.
Dee D. Klein, Publisher
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FALL IN LOVE WITH A SMART wedding budget
NewsUSA The to-do list for newly engaged couples can be daunting. Finding a venue, booking a caterer, choosing a dress -- there are many details that need to be factored into a wed- ding budget, regardless of who is paying. Starting a new life together is a perfect op- portunity to establish solid financial habits that will serve you well throughout your marriage. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can help couples develop a smart plan to manage engagement and wed- ding expenses. Setting priorities early on can help avoid conflicts as the big day approach- es. Start by considering these four elements of planning for wedding expenses: Make a list Write down everything you both need or
want for your dream wedding. That includes items large and small, from the number of guests to the types of flowers or favors. Rank the list Now that you have your list, put things in order of priority. Assign a number to each item in order of importance, such as a live band, sit-down dinner or elaborate cake. Or start by sorting needs and wants into cate- gories, using 1 as most important, 2 as mod- erately important and 3 as least important. You will need to agree on the most import- ant items, whatever those may be. Budget the list Assign an estimated price to each catego- ry or item, according to how much you are able and willing to spend. Consider cutting back on flowers in order to fund a sit-down dinner, for instance, or opt for a buffet-style
dinner so you can invite more guests. Listen to the lists This is the time to be a good listener. Hear what your partner has to say about needs and wants; what is important to one of you may not be as important to the other. Finan- cial compromise is a skill that will serve you throughout married life. Data from loan services show that ap- proximately 45% of couples racked up debt to pay for their wedding, and that ultimate- ly the debt resulted in consideration of di- vorce. Nip that risk in the bud by avoiding debt when you assess your wedding expens- es. A CFP® professional can help you think outside the box and guide you in making smart financial choices during the wedding planning process.
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wedding PLANNING FOR YOUR
The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide 2023 | 5 12 MONTH WEDDING CHECKLIST
ize order. Buy attendants’ gifts. Experiment with hairstyle and makeup changes. Buy bride’s and attendants’ shoes; send to be dyed. Order wedding and groom’s cakes. Plan the ceremony and select music for the service. You should receive your invitations at least three months before the wedding; send them out immediately. Don’t forget to request a reply date of at least five weeks before the wedding. Register for wedding gifts at the stores of your choice. Decide on reception menu and select beverage options; decide if there will be an open bar. 1-2 months before wedding Final bridal fitting. Final attendants’ fittings. Confirm honeymoon reservations. Select reception decorations: balloons, candles, table favors, etc. Select ceremony accessories: unity can- dle, ring pillow, guest book, etc. Select personal accessories: handbag, garter, engraved goblets, guest me- mentos, etc. Finalize arrangements with officiant. Finalize arrangements with musicians taking part in the ceremony. Arrange bridesmaids’ lunch or brunch. Finalize arrangements with photogra- pher and videographer. Discuss any special shots you want. Finalize arrangements with musicians, disc jockey and master of ceremonies for the reception. Finalize arrangements with florist, specifying time and place of delivery. Finalize transportation arrangements. Make sure all clothes for bridesmaids, groomsmen and ushers will be ready on time and that they have the appro- priate accessories. Apply for marriage license. Formally inform employer of leave of absence. 2 weeks before wedding Invite guests to rehearsal dinner. Move your belongings into new home. Review reception seating and place cards. Confirm lodging for out-of-town guests. Record gifts as you receive them and write thank-you notes. Arrange for gown cleaning and bouquet preservation after the wedding.
Finalize arrangements with hall and caterer, confirming final number of guests (preferably in writing). Finalize arrangements with baker re- garding cake. Pick up wedding dress and bridesmaids’ dresses. Groom or best man arranges final fit- tings for men in the wedding party. Prepare envelopes with payments for the officiant, reception hall, musicians, disc jockey, etc. Ask officiant when he/she would like to receive your marriage license. Begin packing for honeymoon. 1 week before wedding Pick up wedding rings and check en- gravings and sizes. Final consultations with florist, musi- cians, photographer, videographer, etc. If you are having a rehearsal, present attendants with gifts. Men have final fitting two to three days before the wedding and pick up for- malwear and shoes. Make a wedding day schedule and give everyone copies at the rehearsal dinner. Relax the day before; keep personal appointments; finish honeymoon packing. Day of the wedding Give payment envelopes to the best man, who will deliver them after the ceremony and at the reception. Go to hairdresser, makeup artist and manicurist. Make sure the car keys, wedding rings, marriage license, keys to the new house, airplane tickets, hotel confir- mations and honeymoon spending money are all assembled. Arrange for your car, your going-away outfits and your luggage to be deliv- ered to the reception hall. Arrange for someone to bring tissues, lipstick and any other personal items to the reception. Be dressed and ready for the pic- ture-taking two hours before the ceremony or according to the arrange- ments made with your photographer. Relax and enjoy your big day.
JESS DEHAVEN St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
6-12 months before wedding Determine budget. Decide type of wedding: formal, semi-formal or informal. Choose ceremony location. Discuss dates with clergy or officiant. Choose attendants. Select gown style. Select veil style. Select attendants’ apparel. Compile bride’s and groom’s invitation list. Select reception site. Select caterer. Select wedding planner. Plan details of reception. Select photographer. Have engagement photos taken. Select music for reception. Select videographer. Select florist. Discuss gown colors and styles with mothers of bride and groom. If composing own vows, inform offici- ant. 4-6 months before wedding Select men’s formalwear and arrange for final fitting a few days before wed- ding. Select ceremony musicians and music. Make honeymoon plans. Print map to include with invitations. Reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. Have physical exams and update immu- nizations. Buy wedding rings and order engraving. Finalize invitation list with families. Visit hairdresser and manicurist; make wedding day appointments for bridal party. Order all printed items, including invita- tions, thank-you notes, programs and napkins. Order needed utensils, which may in- clude engraved cake knife, personalized champagne glasses and a box for mon- etary gifts. 2-4 months before wedding Reserve rental items: candelabra, arches, canopy, lines, etc. Arrange rehearsal dinner. Shop for trousseau and apparel for hon- eymoon and prenuptial parties. Reserve limousine, carriage, trolley or coach transportation. Review florist’s arrangements and final-
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More brides buying off-the-rack, vintage or rent dresses for the big day CONNIE NELSON Star Tribune A symmetrical hemlines, daring slits, puffy sleeves, flowery fabrics. Those are just a few of the trends in wedding dresses. But whether a bride-to-be opts for minimal and modern or vintage-in- spired, one of the biggest shifts in wedding dresses may not be the style, Ready Wear to
but how they’re being purchased. Supply chain issues, rising inflation and a surge in weddings caused by pandemic-related delays have com- bined to alter how some brides are saying yes to the dress. Custom dresses are now re- quiring longer lead times. Instead of allowing the typical four to six months for special orders, “We like
to play it safe and say six to eight months,” said Colby Tredway, CEO and creative director of Ivory Bridal in St. Louis Park and Flutter in Minneapolis. Those whose weddings are planned for 2023 or 2024 may not mind the wait for a couture gown, cus- tom design or a right-off-the-runway dress. Others are frustrated that fallout from the pandemic has made wedding planning a contradiction in terms.
Because custom dresses are now requiring longer lead times, many brides are buying off the rack. FREEPIK
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They want their dresses and they want them now. That has led to a surge in buying off-the-rack or opting for vintage or rental dresses. Marie Suchy, the owner of Posh Bridal, has witnessed the change firsthand. Before COVID-19, the Hopkins, Minne- sota-based boutique sold both special-or- der as well as off-the-rack dresses. But the lockdowns that shuttered shops, churches and most venues caused some couples to cancel and reschedule their weddings once, twice or even three times. When the world — and the wedding shops — opened up again, Suchy realized that some brides were shopping for cer- tainty as well as style. “I noticed women were coming in and wanting to buy dresses off the rack,” she said. “Brides weren’t necessarily set on dates and places now. They wanted to have the dresses with them so they could get married in a year — or in a month.” Malia Henschel was one of them. The Minnetonka, Minnesota woman got en- gaged in May. Her wedding is set for Oc- tober. She knew it would be hard to get the dress of her dreams with a six-month turnaround. She was right. She visited four bridal stores, which had wait times ranging from nine to 11 months. The fifth store she tried was Posh Bridal. “I walked in and I walked out with a dress that same day,” she said. “I loved the pro- cess. It was so easy. After 12 years in business, Posh Bridal shifted to selling primarily new sample dresses from designers or other stores,
Business, said Suchy, is good. To have and to share
W edding g oWn Preservation 20 % OFF wedding gOwn preservatiOn After your wedding, it is important to have your gown professionally cleaned and preserved.This simple step will create an heirloom for future family members or a keepsake to treasure all your own. “It’s shifted away from those huge wed- dings to what it’s really about,” said Suchy. “The dress is still important, but it’s about marrying your partner.” Instead of a large, lavish affair, some couples are sharing their vows in back- yard or courthouse ceremonies, then holding one or more receptions later. “I’ve never had so many requests for dresses that can be flexible” to be worn to more than one event, daytime or night- time, even in different seasons, said Erick- son-Gunther. While the upheaval in the wedding industry has undoubtedly created stress for some engaged couples, not all of the changes are for the worse. the 1990s (“Yes,” she said, “ ‘90s dresses are considered vintage”). In addition to being cleaned and restored, many of the dresses are updated — with long sleeves, high col- lars and “fluffy bows” removed. Like most wedding dresses, vintage dresses often need to be adjusted to fit modern brides. Those alterations, which are fairly standard, are done by a seam- stress who specializes in vintage clothing and construction. “We’re a fully sustainable bridal studio,” said Erickson-Gunther of the family-owned Minneapolis shop. Simpler and smaller Dress shopping isn’t the only aspect of weddings that has changed, of course. With churches and reception venues booked, many celebrations have become smaller and simpler. Some couples have taken a two-stage approach.
Business isn’t just good at Freya Wilde, a Minneapolis wedding dress rental shop. “It’s been crazy,” said co-owner Andrea Collins. The 300-plus gowns at Freya Wilde (which Collins describes as “the Airbnb of wedding dresses”) are privately owned. In the matrimonial version of the sharing economy, owners get a percentage of the “booking fee” for a dress, which can run from $350 to $750 depending on its design and retail value. Collins said her clients — both the own- ers who offer their dresses and the brides who rent them — are not a part of the “old mentality around wedding dresses, the ‘Oh, I’m going to keep it and I’m going to give it to my daughter.’” Whether driven by a desire to be sustain- able, cost-conscious or to outsmart supply chain issues, rentals are finding their place in the wedding market. “Somebody can come in with a month’s notice and walk out with a designer dress,” she said. “There’s no hesitation about rental whatsoever.” Timeless appeal Finding a dress at Andrea’s Vintage Bridal is a “very curated experience,” said propri- etor Nikolina Erickson-Gunther. “I prefer booking through e-mail because I barrage our brides with a laundry list of questions,” she said. Then, she pulls 10 to 20 dresses for each bride to try on. The dresses, which range in price from $700 to $1,800, date from the 1930s through
308-532-2760 1805 West A Street, North Platte Westfield Shopping Center
8 | The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide 2023 Apps AND YOUR WEDDING GREEN SHOOT MEDIA D iving into the world of wedding apps can be a time-consuming and confusing journey. Here’s how to know which one is right for you.
Can’t get started? Wedding Wire links engaged couples with thousands and thousands of vendors and ven- ues, with millions of reviews written by real-life newlyweds. This will help you narrow things down if you’re not sure about location or pricing. There are also checklists, and templates to make and keep a budget, so you can stay on track. Planning without a planner The free Wedding Happy app works like an online personal assistant, with preloaded tasks to guide engaged couples every step of the way. You can set up reminder alerts that a wedding planner would normally handle for signpost moments in the run up to the wedding, like invitation mail outs or putting down various deposits. Your event details can also be shared with anyone in your wedding party. Budget conscious Mint wasn’t designed with weddings exclu- sively in mind, but the popular money-man- agement site provides an easy-to-use budget- ing system to help you track costs. You can sync this free app with your credit cards and bank account to monitor spending. Inspiration notes Who hasn’t seen a cool Instagram centerpiece and wondered who made it? Carats and Cake provides expansive details on everyone who works their weddings, from florists to caterers to photographers. Eliminate the summer wed- ding guesswork by digging into their reviews and portfolios. You can also book these vendors through the same site. Destination details Destination weddings are all the rage, but where? The Venue Report offers a directory of trendy hotels, can’t-miss event spaces and party spots. From the south of France to the wilds of Montana, the site helps you filter results by price, capacity and place. Information about fees is also included, as well as direct contact information. Cooler gifts Household appliances are fine and all, but what about something even cooler? You can find all of the basic essentials on Zola, as with any standard department-store registry. But the app also links you up with higher-end and spe- cialty items like Waterford Crystal stemware, the Sonos sound system, or comfy Matouk bed- ding. There are also group-gifting options that offer your guests the chance to go in on pricier items together.
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GREEN SHOOT MEDIA C cake skip the ake seems to go with weddings like brides and grooms. But don’t be afraid to buck tradition when it comes to dessert.
Cheesecakes and pies can also showcase summer’s freshest fruits — and they’ll link back to earlier wedding traditions. Back then, a ring was hidden in the wedding pie and whoever found it was thought to be the next to marry — similar to our bouquet-tossing tradition today. Tiny treasures Miniature items are likewise easily trans- ported as guests mix and mingle. Match different donuts, Madeleines, cream puffs, macarons and pies — or do something more exotic like banana beignet bites or tiramisu pudding shots. Summer weddings can some- times get steamy, so consider tiny frozen cre- ations like sorbets or daiquiris. Setting aside the tried-and-true cake option opens up a
A brief history Wedding cake traditions date back at least to ancient Rome. There were mentions in the medieval era, too. Early recipes relied on bar- ley and wheat, long before newlyweds hap- pily smashed desserts in one another’s faces. Instead, according to Gastronomica, they’d eat just a few crumbs from these scone-like creations as one of their first acts as a couple. The British started the tradition of stacking these scones, buns or cookies as high as they could, creating a forerunner for today’s tiered cakes. Sugar became more affordable into the 18th century, bringing on the advent of white icing. Brides originally handed out the cake to wedding guests, before it became a shared activity. The cake-cutting ceremony followed. Nearly cake Couples are increasingly choosing some- thing besides cake, as intricately designed petit fours, ice cream, cake pops and sorbet move onto the menu. Cupcakes have been the fastest-growing alternative, since they boast a cake-like quality, have an advantage of being very portable and can be stacked.
world of new options. Do brunch instead
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Stack cinnamon rolls with cream-cheese icing for a fresh take on dessert that will de- light your guests. Or stack them without ic- ing, then place a fountain for dipping nearby. Try a pancake or waffle tower. They will re- semble the traditional tiered cake, while giving you a chance to let your imagination run wild with decorative ideas like greenery or blooms. Then instead of cutting the cake, you can pour the syrup together as your first married act. The result is a symbolic sweet.
THE BEST & WORST wedding songs 10 | The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide 2023
According to DJs and wedding singers
If you’ve been to a lot of weddings, you’ve probably seen it happen. The couple walk out to the dance floor, gazing sweetly into each other’s eyes. Whitney Houston’s or Dolly Parton’s di- vine voice fills the room. Mom and most of the aunts immediately start bawling.
The first chorus comes up, and every- one sings along in their head. And some (often unfortunately) sing it out loud: “I-I-I-I will always love you.”
But then comes this part: “So goodbye. Please don’t cry. We both know I’m not what you need.” Say what now? As a professional events DJ for 10 years, Kelsey Burns has seen awkward moments like this too many times. “Everyone knows and loves to belt out the chorus,” Burns said. “But it’s about a breakup!” This is why input from a professional can come in handy when it comes to wedding music. You don’t want Whitney telling you that splitting up is a good thing. You don’t want Adele asking to find someone (else) like you. Not to mention, you don’t want tender-eared great aunts storming out in
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a huff because Missy Elliott or 2 Live Crew seemed like a fun jam to pack the dance floor. With all that in mind, we asked a group of Twin Cities, Minnesota, DJs and singers with ample wedding experience to suggest good — and bad — songs for your big day. More than anything, all these wedding vets stressed that the music should fall within your own wheelhouse. “The song selection should ideally reflect the couple and their tastes — it should be something that is meaningful to them,” said ace record spinner Jake Rudh, who oversees many matrimonial events in addi- tion to his Transmission dance nights and Current radio show. Roosevelt Mansfield, who helms wed- dings as DJ Digie, added, “I’m big on mak- ing sure the clients know that ‘tradition’ is overrated and might not represent who you are.” That sentiment aside, though, here’s where the experts did offer to weigh in. The ceremony “La Vie en Rose,” Louis Armstrong. “I had a bride choose it and the song landed so beautifully — classic, romantic and nos- talgic with a connection to all ages since it was used in the Disney movie ‘Wall-E.’” (Jennifer Grimm, singer) “With You,” Tony Terry. (DJ Digie) “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Journey. (Emil Campbell, singer in the R Factor) Anything you connect with. “If Pachelbel, Bach, Beethoven aren’t your normal jams, feel free to choose something you love.” (Burns) Something short. “It’s not like the mov- ies where the song is playing for the whole montage of the ceremony. What winds up happening is they pick a song and it takes 20 seconds for the bride to walk down the aisle, and the singer isn’t even halfway through the first verse yet, so either the song is cut incredibly awkwardly short, or
they do the whole song and the couple is just waiting at the altar ... for the song to finish.” (Rachel Holder, singer) Not so great: “Canon in D,” Johann Pachelbel (both Grimm and DJ Digie said it’s over-picked); “All of Me,” John Legend (Burns, also overdone); “You Say It Best When You Say Nothing At All,” Keith Whit- ley (Grimm: “It always seems to come off like the groom is telling the bride, ‘It’s great “For You,” Kenny Lattimore. “Or any that actually mean something to the bride and groom, a song that you see yourselves in when you close your eyes and listen. It doesn’t have to be a slow song.” (DJ Digie) “At Last,” Etta James. “Serious crowd-pleaser and easy to sweetly dance to.” (Grimm, seconded by Campbell) Your song. “This song will always be ‘your song’ — choose one that is memorable and meaningful.” (Rudh) Not so great: “I Will Always Love You,” Dolly Parton or Whitney Houston (both Burns and Grimm, see above); “Someone Like You,” Adele (DJ Digie: “Or any song that is tied to a past relationship”); “You Make My Dreams,” Hall & Oates (Burns); anything with sad lyrics (Rudh: “No matter how beautiful the music might be, this day is a celebration, so let’s kick off the dance right with a celebratory song”). Father/Mother dance “My Girl,” the Temptations, or “What a Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong. (Campbell) when you don’t talk’ “). Couple’s first dance “Your Joy,” Chrisette Michele. “This one has my heart because the year this was re- leased my 12-year-old daughter out of the blue said to me, ‘Daddy, when I get married I want to dance with you to this song.’ I tear up every time I hear it.” (DJ Digie) “The Way You Look Tonight,” Frank Sinatra. “It nicely rides the line of describ- ing love without getting too romantic.”
(Grimm) “He Didn’t Have to Be,” by Brad Paisley. Picked for the stepdads: “I don’t know if there could be a more perfect song to show this special relationship.” (Burns) Not so great: “Pay attention to lyr- ics. I’ve had some very uncomfortable father-daughter dances where the song choice is lyrically all about romantic love rather than familial love.” (Holder) Packing the dance floor “September,” Earth, Wind & Fire. (Camp- bell) “Before I Let Go,” Frankie Beverly and Maze. “Never start the party with a slower tempo song! You want something that feels good and hits within the first few notes. This classic will make the party happen!” (DJ Digie) “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Mar- vin Gaye & Tammi Terrell. “A great kick starter to get people in the dancing mood.” (Grimm) “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Respect,” “Uptown Funk,” “Party in the USA,” etc. “The goal is to get people on the dance floor hav- ing a good time, not hearing your favorite obscure indie songs. There’s a reason why [those songs] have stood the test of time: They’re fun to dance to and everyone knows them and everyone sings along.” (Holder) Not so great: “Dancing Queen,” Abba (Campbell, overplayed); “Pony,” Ginuwine (DJ Digie notes the innuendos: “This one can work late-night when kids and older folks are gone, but to start off with this, it could be a big mistake”); anything by Josh Groban (Burns: “Ask me how many times I’ve been asked to play Groban with tons of people on the dance floor near the end of the night. I am kind, and I will smile and write down your request and say “Great idea! I’ll try to fit it in,” but I’m not about to play ‘The Prayer’ after I play Lizzo”).
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BETTER WEDDING REGISTRY FAMILY FEATURES Get your partner involved. There are bound to be some parts of the registry your part- ner may not care about, but asking for input and making decisions together lets you both share in the excitement. Focus on things you’ll each find use- ful as you settle into your new home. For example, the person who will be responsible for tak- ing out the trash should get to pick the new kitchen trash can. Find more inspiration for planning your way to wedded bliss at eLivingtoday.com. simple tips for a For some couples, the idea of registering for wedding gifts is an exciting way to start plan- ning for the home they’ll be sharing as newlyweds. For oth- ers, the registry is just one more chore to check off the wedding to-do list. attend. While it’s a good idea to offer modest options, don’t shy away from bigger ticket items that a small group might chip in on together. Keep access in mind when you choose where to register. Avoid stores that are local or re- gional if you have many guests who live out of the area. Also avoid the temptation to choose online only options, as some guests will prefer to see what they’re buying. Aim for a mix of large national stores and online retailers. Plan to block off at least a few hours for an in-person registry. It will take time to get every- thing set up. Traveling through the store, debating options and making your selections could take longer than expected. Also be sure to ask how you can add to or edit your registry after your initial visit.
Regardless of where you fall on the love-it-or-hate-it spectrum, most experts agree a registry is a good idea, especially for cou- ples who will be setting up a home together for the first time. Keep these tips and etiquette guidelines in mind to get the most out of your registry. Take inventory of what you have and what you need. For couples who’ve lived alone or together, the registry may be a way to fill in gaps for necessi- ties neither of you already have. It’s also a good way to begin upgrading the less expensive kitchen items and furnishings you had as college students or singles. Make a list of your needs and wants so you don’t forget any essentials. If you’re still in doubt, re- quest a checklist from the store where you’ll be regis- tering so you can do some planning. Register for things at a wide range of price points. The whole purpose of a reg- istry is to make it easy for
your guests to get you things you’ll like and need. Part of making it easy is recognizing your guests have di- verse financial situa- tions. While it’s cus- tomary to gift the bride and groom, not everyone
can afford an extravagant gift, especial- ly if they’ve spent money on travel
and at- tire to
ADOBE STOCK
miss to mrs CHANGING YOUR NAME
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Step 3 - Financial Institutions • Passport/IRS (tax purposes) • Bank Accounts/School Loans • Checks • Investment Accounts • Credit Cards • Mortgage or Lease • Paypal Step 4 - Employment & Insurance • Job/Business Info • Utilities
Step 5 - Medical Documents • Health Insurance/Doctor Office • Voter Registration • Vet/Pet Microchip Info • Will or Living Trust • Other Legal Documents Step 6 - Memberships • Online/Magazine Subscriptions
You’ll need your official marriage certifi- cate to change your name, which may take up to 6 weeks to arrive in the mail after you’ve submitted it. Step 1 - Social Security Print off an Application for a Social Security Card, also known as Form SS-5 online, and fill out the details. Then, take your completed form to your local Social Security Administration office. Provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate as evidence of your name change. As proof of identity, you will also need to show a U.S. passport, a U.S. driver license or a state-is- sued ID card. You will receive a new Social Securi- ty card with your name change in the mail. There is no fee for this service.
• Gym Membership • Airline Miles • Loyalty Clubs • Social Media
• Cell Phone/TV/Internet • Car/Home/Life Insurance
Step 2 - Driver’s License Visit your local DMV office within 30 days of changing your name with the Social Security Administration. You will need to bring the
original certificate or a certified copy of your marriage license. You also need to provide a document that confirms your
identity. You can use a passport, a birth certificate or a certificate of citizenship.
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WHAT’S HOT IN honeymoons
From mini-moons to eco-friendly excursions, here are the options couples are exploring KELLEY DUKAT, Wealth of Geeks H oneymoons are an essential part of a couple’s post-wedding celebra- tion. They can occur immediately after the reception or several weeks or months later. Unfortunately, many honeymoons-and the weddings preceding them during the pandemic were postponed. Now that travel and weddings are happening again, hon- eymoon trends are changing in 2022 and beyond. Experts from The Knot and Brides Magazine have shared what the future looks like for honeymoon travel. Combining wedding & honeymoon After two years of being isolated, many couples are choosing to host weddings and honeymoons in the same destinations. According to Elizabeth Urraza, sales manager of Paradise Weddings, a destination wedding compa- ny that organizes resort weddings in Mexico and the Caribbean, destination weddings have seen huge growth in 2021 and 2022. She says that many resorts are now offering wedding/honeymoon com- bos where the couple stays for an additional five to seven days after their wedding in a honeymoon suite to celebrate their nuptials. They can even switch properties to even feel like they have traveled to a different destination. “Couples clearly want to get away and a desti- nation wedding is a perfect excuse,” she says. “You can also have a 50-person wedding for $7,500 at a gorgeous 4.5-star all-inclusive resort-where back home, that barely covers the florist.” Mini-moons What is a mini-moon? It’s a shorter honeymoon taking place closer to a couple’s home. This can be used either in place of a traditional honeymoon or as a precursor to one. These can be good for couples who don’t have the budget for their ideal honey- moon yet, or if they still have some concerns about COVID. Top destinations for mini-moons in the U.S. in-
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clude Florida, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, and The Virgin Islands. Elain Ng Basiliere, of Murrieta, CA, and her husband had their wedding and honey- moon altered multiple times and opted for two versions of mini-moons, one before and one after the wedding. Their original wed- ding was scheduled for June 2020 in Cali- fornia, followed by an Italian honeymoon. However, after being forced to cancel both events, she still wanted to salvage the orig- inal wedding weekend date, so she and her husband embarked on a local trip to Sol- vang, California, which she called a “Can- celed Wedding Moon.” Eventually, they were able to get married in September 2020, however, their Italian honeymoon was still out of the question. So instead, they chose a mini-moon to Lake Tahoe since they had just purchased a new home and desired a more budget-friendly option. “We knew what the restrictions were in California, so we decided to do Tahoe. We went Wednesday through Monday-the cheapest travel days,” she says. “A lot of things were still closed when we went to both Solvang and Tahoe, though it was okay since it was all beautiful outdoors and there was plenty to hike and do.” Longer trips, bigger budgets Another trend has couples with larger
budgets planning their honeymoons for longer periods of time than in the past. Dr. Terika Haynes, the owner of Dynamite Travel, a five-star rated luxury travel and media consultancy providing travel plan- ning to clients for nearly 15 years, shares her insights on longer trips and bigger budgets. “Thanks to being stuck inside for nearly two years, many travelers-including honey- mooners-have larger budgets which allow them to opt for more luxurious accommo- dations and honeymoon experiences… In the past, our average honeymoons have ranged between three to five nights, but now honeymooners are vacationing longer for at least five to seven nights.” She points out even traditional honey- moons come with bigger budgets and rec- ommends couples plan at least $5,000 for their trip. Basiliere and her husband are finally tak- ing their dream Italian honeymoon for two weeks in September-two years after their wedding. She noted there weren’t too many differences in planning this time around. “Previously, when I was planning, I only booked our flights (before) COVID hap- pened, so I stopped planning,” she says. “I never booked hotels or excursions, thank goodness, or else we would’ve lost out on a lot more money.” She is most excited about being able to
travel for the first time internationally with her husband. However, she says one draw- back of the delay was him requesting the time off. “The further away a honeymoon is from your wedding date, people don’t take it seri- ously, but I told him if we don’t do this, we’ll never get to.” Eco-friendly experiences More and more honeymooners-partic- ularly millennials-are opting for more sus- tainable experiences and trips based on nature. Sustainable trips tend to feature smaller crowds to under-the-radar desti- nations, which help in a post COVID world where social distancing is still desired. “Honeymooners are incorporating sus- tainable practices,” Haynes says. “Honey- mooners have increased their participation in voluntourism and are also looking to eat locally more to support local farmers and locally sourced food.” As travel increases post-pandemic and weddings and honeymoons return to a more normal state, experts believe many of these trends are here to stay. There are plen- ty of options to help couples plan the right trip-whether it be a destination wedding/ honeymoon combination, a long-delayed honeymoon, a mini-moon, or an eco-friend- ly adventure. Destinations across the globe are ready to welcome honeymoon guests.
Make your dreams of a romantic, outdoor wedding a reality
A Central Nebraska wedding venue and event destination is the perfect place to begin the rest of your story! 74192 Q Rd. Holdrege, NE 68949 (308) 991-2198 polly@gardensonq.com www.gardensonq.com
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