Summer Wedding Guide - June 2015

PAGE 2 TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015 WEDDING GUIDE

By SANDY RHODESSpecial to the Wedding Guide

You’ve picked your soon-to-be spouse, the dress, the flowers and where you will exchange your vows.

But where do you go for your reception? Well, there are many options in the local area from high-end dining to casual outdoor settings.

The Bartlett Country Club in Olean, N.Y., (716-372-5175) can accom-modate 250 people in its dining room with a variety of choices for the perfect

reception.“It depends upon what

they want,” said Kevin O’Bara, a contact person at the club along with Nancy Forness or chef Tim Brushingham. To give an idea, however, O’Bara said an average reception can run about $25 per guest.

The club offers a buffet or sit-down dinner. A tent is also available if the couple wants cocktails served on the patio. The tent can be used for smaller receptions as it sits 100 people.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015 PAGE 3

There are so many options in the region from small and intimate to grand in scale.

Where will your reception be held?In some ways, it depends on what you want

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There are still some spots available for 2015, but people are encouraged to act quickly.

“We have a nice, scenic location,” O’Bara said. “The view from up here on the hill ... It is a beautiful setting for a wedding reception.”

The Bradford (Pa.) Club (814-368-3613) can handle up to 175 people in the three rooms available for recep-tions, according to manager Dan Reiley.

The club, which is a private club, is available for receptions if the groom or bride is either a member or they are sponsored by a member.

“We do a couple a year,” Reiley said. “It is intimate with very good food and very good service. It is a unique setting with a lot of history.”

The Bradford Club offers buffets or sit-down dinners or heavy appetizers.

Call and ask for Reiley for more details.

Dan Carter Auction and Events Center in Allegany, N.Y., (716-372-8481) is a relatively new venue for

receptions in the Twin Tiers.It boasts 10,000 square feet and

ample room for 860 people. It is the second-largest facility in the area to hold receptions.

The building located just off the Allegany exit 24 off of Interstate 86.

There is a moveable stage and state-of-the-art sound system, 100 tables and 300 chairs and soffit light-ing.

There is ample parking and the building is handicap-accessible.

Call and ask for Dan Carter for more information.

The Ellicottville Brewery in Ellicottville, N.Y., (716-699-2537) just started to do wedding receptions last year and is already booking into 2016. It can accommodate between 150-200 guests.

Different food packages are offered to suit the needs of the couple.

“We have done a lot of big parties and it went very well,” said restaurant manager Mike Rogers.

They are now able to offer recep-tions when they expanded the building to include reception space

upstairs.“It is just pretty unique with the

brewery. The upstairs overlooks the (beer) tanks.”

The Hotel Crittenden (814-274-8320), is located in Coudersport, Pa.

The Hadfields purchased the busi-ness nine months ago and have been renovating it to its past charm.

“We can do up to 100,” Chandra Hadfield said, adding there are two areas and parties can be used in both dining areas with the bar in between. The center dining room holds about 75; the other room can take 30-35.

“We have the historic charm of a 140-year-old building,” she said, adding Eliot Ness stayed there at one time.

They also serve local craft beers as well as local food products such as cheese.

All of the food is prepared on-site and all of the desserts are homemade.

Ms. Hadfield is part owner along with Richard Hadfield and Hans Nielsen.

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Moonwinks Restaurant in Cuba, N.Y., (585-968-1232) has been the site of countless events, including wedding receptions. Touting itself as the “prime venue for all occasions, Moonwinks has a remodeled banquet facility that accommodate between 10 and 150 people.

Full-service menus include sit-down or buffet options along with a complete hors d’oeuvre menu.

Those interested are encouraged to meet with the sales manager to cus-tomize a menu for the special event.

Elegant dining is par for the course at The Pennhills Club in Bradford, Pa., (814-368-6159, ext. 7.

Four rooms are available that can accommodate intimate receptions individually or for a larger group.

“Few other locations in the area offer the romantic setting that the Pennhills Club offers for weddings and receptions,” General Manager Kevin Mosher said. “With several dining rooms ranging in size, The

Pennhills Club is the perfect place for a wedding of any size.”

The Pennhills Club offers a wide range of amenities to choose from when planning your special day. Do not hesitate to ask for something spe-cial. This ranges from hot and cold hors d’ hoeuvres and an impressive selection for the main entrée. Duet entrees are also available and are cre-ated by the club’s chef.

And not to be overlooked is the building itself, with a magical “castle-like” feel that will make any bride feel like a queen on her special day.

And the club is not new to the reception/wedding business.

“Our club has been creating unique and memorable wedding experiences since 1937,” Mosher said. “Our staff is here to help with all of the planning and details to ensure your special day is memorable. We will work with you every step of the way in creating your dream wedding.”

To request more wedding informa-tion, e-mail Mosher at [email protected] or call (814) 368-

6159, ext. 7.Old Library Events in Olean, (716-

372-2226) has entered a new chapter in its business and the fruits of their labor are passed down to its guests.

What was once a restaurant in Olean, Old Library Events is strictly an events center.

The venue can accommodate 250 guests and offers indoor or outdoor settings. It’s booking quickly so if you want to enter your new chapter in wedded bliss, call as soon as you can.

“The nice thing is (we) are doing a lot of ceremonies on the first floor since we are not open to the public,” said Joe Marra, who owns the center along with wife, Susan. The bride can come in the front door or down the staircase, he said, adding the area is set up chapel-style.

They can then proceed upstairs for the reception.

Marra said many options are avail-able to “suit the taste” of the couple.

One sweet addition is a s’mores

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station where guests can feast on the graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate dessert. The station is complete with a fire for melting the marshmallows.

“That is always a big hit,” Marra said.

The center also has the bed-and-breakfast inn that can be used by either the guests or the wedding party with its nine bedrooms.

“People can spend the entire week-end here,” Marra said. “They can make it their home base. It is always a home run when you book the Event Center and Bed and Breakfast.”

The Premier Banquet Center in Olean (716-372-2070) lives up to its name, according to owners Paul and Lisa Marra.

This venue can accommodate what-ever the couple needs — and they offer free consultations to ensure that.

“Give us a call or email and we will get the ball rolling,” Lisa Marra said.

“We can do a wedding reception as small as 50 or as many as 800,” Paul Marra said.

“We are a one-stop shop and can do it all right here,” Lisa Marra said. And that includes customizing a menu.

One of the newer facilities in the area, the banquet center has the ame-nities to meet most requests.

They also book quickly so the soon-er a couple acts, the better.

“We are also user-friendly. There are no stairs and are handicapped-accessible,” Lisa Marra said. “And plenty of free parking.”

They strive to make the experience as easy as possible. This includes offer-ing buffet or sit-down dinner options.

The Veterans Memorial Home in Port Allegany, Pa., (814-642-2547) is perfect for those who want a casual atmosphere.

After overcoming a fire that destroyed the original building, the Memorial Home is able to accommo-date 200 people comfortably.

“We made our banquet hall bigger,”

said bar manager Melissa Smoker.The business offers an ala carte-

type service — you can get it your way.

The event can be catered or you can bring in your own food.

“It depends upon what you are comfortable with,” she said.

They still have dates available for this year so people are encouraged to call soon.

There is also space outdoors with a fire pit. Smoker mentioned they have a liquor license so people can take their beverages outside and play horseshoes or cornhole.

“We have excellent parking and are off the beaten path,” Smoker said. “There is no one around us. It’s a beautiful outdoor setting.”

Three other reception venues to consider include: Pine Acres Country Club in Marshburg, Pa., (814) 362-2005; Rock City Park in Allegany; (716) 372-7790; Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, N.Y, (716) 945-9300; and Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, (716) 699-2345.

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By AMBER TURBASpecial to the Wedding Guide

As summer officially begins, wedding sea-son is in full swing

and local bridal boutiques and tuxedo shops have the latest advice on how to shop for this season’s best trends while still staying on budget.

“Now that June has arrived, there is at least one wedding scheduled for every weekend for the rest of the summer,” said Mike Butler of Man’s World in Bradford, Pa. “It’s a very busy time.”

For her part, JoAnne Allegretto from Bauer’s Brides and Belles in Wilcox said every form of wedding is happening nowadays — outdoor weddings, inside formal weddings, nontradi-tional weddings — which means a variety of styles are to be expected.

“The Internet has opened up a Pandora’s box on wed-dings,” Allegretto said.

All colors are in style this season, from the traditional soft pastels to tropical and bright “rainbow” ones, with weddings seemingly getting more colorful, Allegretto said. There are even new two-tone dresses that have a colored trim on them to give them a subtle pop.

“Your wedding and all that it entails is really your own creation, reflecting your own desire in some-thing that fits your person-ality,” Allegretto described.

Though it is still tradi-tion to go with an ivory, traditional white or soft white color for the wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses and styles are becoming more unconventional.

“We see a lot of times where the bride will pick

the color of the dresses and the girls themselves will pick the style that suits their shape better — long skirt over a short skirt, different style and design based on what fits their body type — and makes them feel the prettiest,” Allegretto said.

Current trends for dresses are the sweetheart necklines, dresses with back detail, vintage inspired and glittery gowns.

In addition to wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses, Bauer’s Brides and Belles also carries dresses for other wedding party members, such as mother’s dresses and flower girl dresses and has accessories such as shoes, purses, lin-gerie, bras, slips, jewelry, headpieces and bridal veils.

Bridal parties seem to be economically minded this


Tips, trends for this summer wedding season

Francie Long photoSweetheart necklines, dresses with back detail, vintage inspired and glittery gowns are among wedding trends this year.

Please see Trends, page 12

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season, watching what they spend and controlling where they spend it, Allegretto said.

If they splurge at one place, people make sure to budget at the next. She said the trick for thrifty wedding shopping is to start at home and shop local.

“Know what you are looking for before you head out, especially con-sidering that a big expense comes with traveling and dining out,” Allegretto said. “City prices tend to be higher, too, so start local and you’d be sur-prised what you’ll find, without all the hassle of saying, ‘I should have gone here first.’”

In addition to Bauer’s, Julie’s Ever After on East Main Street in Bradford is another local hot spot for bridal gowns. For those who prefer to travel, however, David’s Bridal in Buffalo, N.Y., allows the opportunity for cus-tomers to meet with a wedding stylist or come and browse their wide selec-

tion of gowns.David’s Bridal has a variety of

silhouettes, including the A-line, ballgown, mermaid/trumpet, sheath, long, short, slim, fit and flare, with particular lengths and sizes depending on different women’s preferences.

For the men, Man’s World is a revered local tuxedo rental shop, run-ning a promotion that if there are at least six tuxedo orders within a party, the groom’s tuxedo is free.

Man’s World has three to four tux-edos on display at the store, as well as six or seven different vests that show the most popular colors and styles. Rentals come from their two big cata-logs “Mr. Tux” and “Tuxedo Junction,” according to Butler.

“We have a range in prices depend-ing on the style and brand,” Butler said. “Favorites are Michael Kors, Calvin Klein and a new fitted, tapered tuxedo that came into style last year and is becoming more popular among the younger men.”

Bow ties are also making a come-back this season. “It was the Windsor

tie that was most popular for the lon-gest time,” Butler said, “but the bow tie is definitely in style now. Almost 50 percent of the prom orders we had ordered were bow ties.”

Black is always the most popular color for tuxedos, Butler explained.

However, gray is quickly becoming a favorite and there is a new tan color coming out that will be a huge hit toward the fall season for men whose brides want to do a rustic-style wed-ding.

“Once the bride figures out the color scheme and the dress coordina-tion, then it is time to come see me,” Butler said. “When you know what color you need to match, it makes a guy’s job easier, because we have the material to find the match once it’s been set. We’ve been renting tuxedos for 42 years in this area, so we know how to make a difficult job easy.”

And wedding planning is defi-nitely difficult. But with the right amount of planning and help, local retailers agreed, each wedding can go smoothly.


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Kate Day Sager photoAlicia Austin, with the help of Susan Austin, owner of BelleRuche Bridal Boutique in Olean, models an organza and chantilly lace Ella Rosa wedding dress. Also seen is a view of the beautifully designed lace on the back of the dress.

Lace is the name ofthe game this seasonIntricate backs, sheer lace are very popularBy KATE DAY SAGER Special to the Wedding Guide

When it comes to this year’s weddings, lace will be the name of the game for most bridal gowns and bridesmaids’ outfits.

That’s the word from Susan Austin, owner of the BelleRuche Bridal Boutique, 119 N. Union St., Olean, N.Y., when discussing this year’s trends.

“Lace is still very popu-lar, along with outdoor weddings,” Austin said. “Straps and sleeves are also becoming more popular as far as the brides go.”

She said dresses with intricate backs and beaded sheer lace are especially popular this year.

“Colorwise, there are still a lot of off-shades of white, including golds, car-amels and champagne that are very popular,” Austin added.

Austin said popular dress styles for the season include the mermaid design as well as the ball gown look, which are making a comeback. Austin said dresses for bridesmaids are popular in the long and short styles, depending on the season.

As for the men in the ensemble, many are opting to wear just their tux pants and vests — and leaving out the jackets.

“Rather than doing the full tux, the guys are just wearing the tux pants and matching vest with a shirt and tie, which is really popular right now,” Austin

stated. “Most of the time the guys take their coats off anyway when they get to the reception, so really the only difference is with your pictures.”

She said the more casual approach has transcended to the footwear worn by the bride and bridesmaids, as well as the selection of outdoor locations for wed-dings and receptions.

Austin noted that a number of bridal parties are also opting for the Western look, with bridesmaids, groomsmen and even brides wearing boots to the ceremony.

Austin continues to stress that bridal par-ties should shop early for gowns to allow enough time for shipments of dresses and alterations. Appointments also ensure that the bridal party will have the store’s undivided attention while selecting their gowns.

“There are still last-minute brides, last-minute mothers and last-minute grandmothers,” Austin said of some bridal parties that begin shopping a month or two before the big day.

Seamstress Patti Sawyer has advised that the mother of the bride should shop early so she’ll look her best on her daughter’s big day.

She said the brides should be the first ones to order their dresses, fol-lowed by bridesmaids and mothers of the bride.

Austin noted that the

Please see Lace, page 16

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shop caters to customers from a 40- to 50-mile radi-us, as many enjoy the con-venience found shopping at a local business.

Customer Alicia Austin, who is planning a fall wed-ding, said she has enjoyed the service provided to her at BelleRuche.

“I also have a girlfriend

who is getting married in July and she pops in just to try on her dress,” Alicia Austin said. “You can come in on a lunch break, whereas you would have to make a day of it” at a shop outside of the area.

For more information on the shop and outfits for bridal parties, contact Susan Austin by email at [email protected] or call (716) 373-7377.


Kate Day Sager photoAlicia Austin models a Morilee lace full-length, eggplant- colored bridesmaid gown that is a popular selection for area weddings.

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(BPT) — It may come as a surprise to young engaged couples, but the excitement of the wedding and honeymoon doesn’t end when it’s all over. In fact, after the honeymoon, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and plan the big move — the joining of two households.

It’s a herculean task finding the perfect loca-tion with great schools, affordable taxes and good neighbors. But once you’ve signed on the dotted line for the home where you will begin your life as a couple — and maybe also raise your family when the time arrives — you’re ready

to plan your big move.Many newlyweds face

the chore of merging fur-niture, kitchen equipment and closet space from two households. To start your moving process off on the right foot, consider eliminating duplicate items and having a garage sale, or donating items, before beginning the packing pro-cess. It’s a great chance to upgrade household furnish-ings — especially if you received something new as a wedding gift.

Then determine what size moving truck you’ll need. A good rule is to plan

Honeymoon encore: The big move in

See Encore, page 18 Get ready for the joining of two households.

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for 150 cubic feet of space for every fully furnished room. Many young couples moving from a small apart-ment or condo into a larger first home will find a 12- or 16-foot Penske rental truck more than adequate. Plan to reserve your truck at least two weeks in advance. Penske Truck Rental offers rental discounts for AAA members to help young couples with savings.

For help in making mov-ing day go smoothly, use these tips from Penske. They’ve been in the do-it-yourself moving business for more than 40 years:

n Still unpacking your wedding gifts? — If space isn’t a concern, keep those wedding gifts in their origi-nal boxes, because the store packaging will help protect

the items. But if space is tight in the rental truck, throw away the store pack-aging and carefully repack in your moving boxes - with plenty of padding to protect your new gifts.

n Start early and group items together — Get good, sturdy boxes of various sizes, and then fill them with items of similar use, size or design. Some tradi-tional ways to group items are by item type (i.e. photo frames) or by contents of a room. Label each box with the room name, and the contents. Make sure you have plenty of packing bubbles or towels and cloths on hand to keep breakable items from being damaged in the move.

n Save your muscles — Ask friends to help you with carrying boxes. If something is heavy, enlist

some help to prevent injury or strain on your muscles.

n Loading the truck — Load the largest items (i.e. bed, couch, dresser) into the truck first to ensure they will fit, and then start loading the heaviest boxes on the bottom and lighter boxes on top. Having each box labeled with contents will help prevent you and your friends from packing heavy books on top of your new fine china wedding gifts. Penske features an

online Truck Wizard appli-cation to assist.

When you cross the threshold of your new home the first time as a married couple, you’ll be surround-ed by the excitement and energy of so many adven-tures to come in your future.

Carefully unpack your moving truck, cherishing the memories of your per-sonal belongings as you meld them to fit into your new home and life with your new spouse.


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Make your big day as unique as you are(BPT) — Weddings are steeped in

tradition — no matter whom you are or where you live. But what if you’re not interested in wearing the same dress your mother did, getting mar-ried in the same location your sister did or wearing something blue?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Plenty of brides search for ways to make their special day as unique as they are. Here are five ways to put your own special spin on this classic tradition:

n A guest book you’ll use. Signing the guest book is a common tradition at most weddings; you’ve probably signed a few in your lifetime. After the wedding is over, however, this priceless keepsake often disappears into a box never to be seen again. Break from tradition by creating a guest book you’ll actually use. Take a trip to the book store with your part-ner and browse the coffee table books. Once you find one that interests both of you, claim it as your guest book.

Your wedding guests can sign their names in the margins and afterwards you’ll be left with a permanent, func-tional guest book to display for visi-tors and friends.

n Dance under the stars. Looking to create a one-of-a-kind wedding? Don’t rent the same ballroom as all of your friends. Host your reception outdoors. You can rent a dance floor from a local rental facility and trained technicians will arrive to set it up eas-ily. You’ll dance on a traditional wood floor while looking up at the stars — what could be more original than that? Don’t forget to rent a tent so that weather doesn’t dampen the mood. You can find more unique flooring ideas at RentalHQ.com, where you can locate your local rental store.

n Treasure the memories. Get your guests involved in the event by placing blank cards and pens at each seat location. Ask your guests to write about their favorite memory of you and/or your spouse. Collect all

of these cards and turn them into a scrapbook for a treasured keepsake.

n Prepare a menu that is uniquely you. Chocolate fountains were once unique and elegant, but now they’re commonplace. Don’t despair, though, because there are plenty of unique edible snack options you can include in your special day. If you’re get-ting married in the blistering heat, rent a snow cone machine to offer your guests some sweet relief. If you and your spouse are big movie buffs or your wedding has a Hollywood theme, rent a popcorn machine to complete the look. And for the bride who’s still a kid at heart, nothing captures that better than renting an authentic cotton candy machine.

n Find the color that suits you. Maybe wearing something blue doesn’t suit you, but perhaps you’re not too wild about black and white either. At many venues, though, these

Please see Unique, page 22

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Remember to budget for wedding photographerBy AMBER TURBA Special to the Wedding Guide

Summertime scenery is playing a big role in the planning of weddings this season, and local photographers have provided tips for how to keep memories of the big day special long after the tuxes and gowns are hung up.

“It’s important to budget for wed-ding photography,” said Francie Long, professional photographer and owner of Long Art Co. “Don’t spend all of your money on food and have a small budget for photography,

because that’s one of the few things you’re going to have left to show for your investment in your wedding.”

In addition to Long Art, which is located on Nelson Avenue in Bradford, Pa., other local photogra-phers are available for the summer wedding season such as Adkins Photography and Olan Mills Portrait Studios, both located on Main Street in Bradford.

Memories by Maureen Perschke Photography, located on Birch Street, offers professional and quality photo-graphs for weddings.

Memories uses traditional digi-

tal photography with color correc-tion and light adjustment, without Photoshop, according to Maureen Perschke, one of the two professional photographers at Memories.

“We offer four different packages, including one digital package and ‘lay-flat’ photo books in color, black and white, and sepia,” Perschke explained. “It’s important that the average person can afford high-qual-ity wedding photos because all wed-dings are special.”

Perschke has been taking profes-

colors are the only choices you have when it comes to tablecloths and napkins. Remember, you don’t have to settle; you can provide

your own materials sim-ply by renting them. This opens up a color palette of limitless options. If you are planning a fall wed-ding, look for napkins that reflect the colors of the leaves. Did you meet in col-

lege? Choose linens in your school’s colors. Whatever shade speaks to you, you can find it and give your wedding a look no one will expect.

Keep the tradition, but be uniquely you with

options limited only by your own imagination. To learn more about what you can rent and how renting can help you create the wedding you’ve always wanted, visit RentalHQ.com.

UniqUeContinued from page 20

Individuals have several options in choosing a photographer for the big day.

Francie Long photo

See Photographer, page 24

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sional photos for more than 10 years and is a graduate of New York Institute of Photography.

“We have taken wed-ding photos at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Penn State University, Historic Homes, and along trails and lake shores, among others,” said Perschke.

Locations for wedding photos depend on the couples’ personal prefer-ence and what is important to them. Popular places include the traditional for-mal church setting, outside greenery, gazebos, and any place with water and flow-ers.

Photographers Long and

Perschke said that, regard-less of the desired venue — staying local and rural or traveling to a busier urban area — the right photogra-pher will always be able to capture a beautiful, scenic background for wedding photos.

“Willow Dale (duck) pond is a good spot for photos and a lot of people go to Callahan Park if they’re interested in staying local,” Long said. “If you want to travel, however, state parks offer more qual-ity rural scenery and urban areas create a more modern picture. I’ve seen every-thing from parties in the middle of traffic to brides in creeks, the ocean, water-front and lakeside.”

There is a variety of tra-

ditional and unique poses this season, according to Long. Among the most tra-ditional are altar-returns, with the bride and groom looking at one another, the bride in the foreground and the groom in the back-ground, the couple stand-ing in the center of the church, the couple with the church as the background and the stained-glass win-dows as a background.

Following a classic theme, there is the roman-tic-style look, Long added, with the couple walking down a path and looking back toward the camera, the couple holding hands, forming their fingers into hearts or sitting together outside by a flower garden or pond.

A new, more modern style of posing involves action shots, humor and quirkiness.

“Wedding parties are starting to do different things with their poses for photos,” Perschke said. “I’ve seen a lot of action shots involving jumping, group shots of girls fussing over brides and groomsmen interacting with the groom and pictures with the focus on flowers and rings. More recently, however, the style seems to be goofy pictures before the wedding, like bridesmaids picking up the groom instead of the tradi-tional shot of groomsmen picking up the bride — a mix and match.”

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Perschke said that Memories aims to capture the moments unique to each couple, while also taking traditional wedding photos.

And, despite the new trending styles in posing and photography, tradition remains the forefront.

“I do a lot of formal poses because the couples always want the traditional look,” Long said. “Pictures involve the whole wed-ding party, parents with the couple, relatives, and the rest are candids captured throughout the day.”

Having worked as a pho-tographer at The Bradford Era, combined with her own seasoned photography skills, Long said she was accustomed to photo jour-

nalism with experience that gave her an edge.

“Knowing who your photographer is and their quality of work beforehand is crucial,” Long empha-sized. “With the digital era, a lot of people do photog-raphy as a hobby, charging cheaper prices as opposed to more skilled photogra-phers who charge more because they can produce better quality photos and service. Look for someone that’s been in the business for a long time, because you get what you pay for.”

Perschke advised cou-ples who are planning their wedding to make a list of the special moments they want captured and give it to the photographer ahead of time, including names of special people (great-grand-parents, close friends, etc.)

to focus on for the candid shots.

Whether it involves a formal or informal setting, rural or urban, traditional or modern, Perschke and Long agreed that couples should place a high consid-eration upon choosing their wedding photographer and budget accordingly.

“Photography is such an important part of anyone’s

wedding because it lasts,” Long said. “Food gets eaten, tuxes are returned, flowers wilt, dresses get hung up, family is going to pass away — but the photos will always be there and, in them, the memories of the day.”

(Contact reporter Amber Turba at [email protected])

PhotograPherContinued from page 24

HOMEDELIVERY

OLEAN TIMES HERALDCALL TODAY:

(716) 372-3121

WEDDING GUIDE


Engaged? Now thereal work begins

(BPT) — Congratulations, you’re engaged. Once the excite-ment of sharing the news with your loved ones and Facebook friends dies down, there are several important issues to con-sider. This includes build-ing your guest list, setting a budget, picking a venue, DJ versus band and other to do’s. However, there are also some vital details pertaining to insurance that many prospective newly-weds overlook. True, it’s not the most exciting topic, but it is, nonetheless, something that should be considered before marriage.

Before you tie the knot, make sure you consider these options:

n Get your engagement ring appraised and insured. Whether you’re traditional-ists who believe an engage-ment ring should cost three months of the future husband’s salary or you’re a modern couple who opted to go Dutch and split the cost, an engagement ring is no small investment. Even if the ring is a family heirloom that didn’t cost anything, it’s a good idea to be protected against the unthinkable circumstance of

BrandPoint photoEven if the ring is a family heirloom that didn’t cost anything, it’s a good idea to be protected against the unthinkable circumstance of losing your ring.

Don’t forget the details, even insurance

Please see Details, page 27

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losing your ring.“Most renters or homeowners

insurance policies offer riders for spe-cial or expensive items like engage-ment rings, costing on average $1 to $2 for every $100 to replace the ring,” says Doug Menges, chief claims officer for Mercury Insurance Group. “Show your insurance agent a receipt for the ring, as well as an appraisal, to assure you get sufficient coverage.”

n Compare your existing auto insurance providers. Many couples don’t have the same carrier for auto insurance when they join together in holy matrimony, but keep in mind marriage can impact how much you pay for your premium.

“This is especially timely for me, because my daughter is getting mar-ried this summer,” says Menges. “I know that married couples tend to pay lower auto insurance premiums because, statistically, they’re safer drivers than single men and women. So, you can be sure I’ve already told

her and my future son-in-law they should talk to their insurance agent, because they will most likely qualify for additional discounts that may lower their premium.”

Be sure to talk about accidents, out-standing tickets, coverage lapses and similar issues while you’re deciding if a joint policy is right for you. And don’t be afraid to reach out to a local insurance agent for advice on how to best proceed.

If you opt to combine policies, con-sider what’s most important to you when choosing a provider. Is it the cost of your policy or having a local agent with whom to build a relation-ship? What about insurance bun-dling options and the discount types offered? When you agree upon what you’re both seeking, you can choose to stay with one of your current provid-ers or find a new company. Regardless of what you decide, however, it’s a good idea to shop around to see if you are getting the most for your money.

n Create and merge itemized household inventories. Whether you

cohabitate with your beloved before or after taking the marriage plunge, an important insurance lesson is to keep a detailed record of everything you own. Mashable lists several apps that will assist with the inventory process. This inventory keeps track of the belongings you’ve accumulated over the years and helps your home-owners or renters insurance provider determine the proper amount of cov-erage you’ll need if you fall victim to a burglary, fire, natural disaster or other loss requiring a claim to be filed.

When you move in together, be sure to combine your respective inventories into one master list, and remember to add all of the gifts you receive at your engagement party, bridal shower and the wedding.

n Relax. Your wedding day is hopefully one of the best days of your life. Don’t get lost in the planning pro-cess because the most important detail is the person who’ll be standing next to you. Take a deep breath, relax and remember to enjoy every second on your journey to a shared future.

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Brides show short gowns more of the loveBy Leanne ItalieAssociated Press

NEW YORK — Helen Bradley isn’t one of those women who

fantasized about her wed-ding as a girl, so when the time came to tie the knot on the 10th tee of a golf course, she wanted to be relaxed, comfortable and economi-cal.

A short gown was just right for her September nuptials, said the 27-year-old bank worker in Madison, Wisconsin.

“I had tried on a few long dresses and none of them felt like me. I’m a very practical person. My mom picked out the short dress from a sale rack and it’s rare that I would like anything that my mom

picks out,” she said with a laugh.

Once the domain of older or remarrying brides, short gowns are enjoying a little more of the love, from luxury brands like Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta and Marchesa to more affordable offerings at David’s Bridal, which has a bustling retail website and about 300 stores around the country.

The short looks aren’t just stand-in dresses origi-nally intended for brides-maids or cocktail parties. Designers are offering a greater range of shorter styles as more brides break from tradition and person-alize their weddings.

“A lot of people are

This image released by Truly Zac Posen shows a Mikado wedding dress with corset bodice from the Truly Zac Posen Collection offered exclu-sively for David’s Bridal. Posen creates luxury short looks but also includes a few in his Truly Zac Posen collec-tion at David’s Bridal. He said red-carpet trends influence some brides, and these days they’re seeing more short, fancy dresses.

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doing more intimate settings, so a shorter dress just feels more appro-priate. If they do the big wedding, some change into a shorter dress so they can dance and have a good time,” Lhuillier said.

Exactly how short is up to the bride. There are minis, high-low hem-lines (high in the front and lower in the back), knee lengths, tea lengths below the knee and so-called “trans-formers,” where a long train or sheer skirt detaches to show off a short dress underneath.

Designer Zac Posen put his own sister in one of the convertibles — in red — for her 2004 wedding.

“Her huge train came off to become a mini and she took it off to Judy Garland’s ‘Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart,’” he said. “It covered the grandeur of the ceremo-

ny and the fun of the party.”Long gowns remain the clear

majority of the $2.6 billion-a-year bridal gown market, noted Darcy Miller, editorial director for Martha Stewart’s bridal site, Marthastewartweddings.com. But “more and more brides seem to be seeking no-fuss, lightweight and easi-er silhouettes,” she said. Some “want a dress they can run on the beach in or travel with to their destination wedding.”

At David’s Bridal, 26 of the 75 gowns launched for spring 2015 are short, said Anne Acierno, executive vice president for design, merchan-dising and product development.

Posen creates luxury short looks but also includes a few in his Truly Zac Posen collection at David’s Bridal. He said red-carpet trends influence some brides, and these days they’re seeing more short, fancy dresses.

Among high-profile brides to go short recently were fashion “it” girl Olivia Palermo and actress Cheryl Hines, who married Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last August in a strapless, white, tea-length creation by Romona Keveza.

Vera Wang makes short gowns too, in a range of pricepoints that include her White collection for David’s Bridal.

“I think you should wear what you feel most beautiful and most comfortable in, and also what is most you, most individual,” Wang said.

Shorter dresses can be less expen-sive — a huge factor for Bradley at her country club wedding before 125 guests. The reception was in a cozy room with a big fireplace, wood floors and sconces all around.

Her dress cost $400. She spent another $100 on a chunky glass state-


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ment necklace with match-ing earrings, and $99 for a pair of 4-inch Calvin Klein heels in dusty gold with a T-strap and side buckle.

“I’m an accessory per-son, so I knew when I saw the dress it was a blank canvas,” Bradley said. “I could go out and pick the perfect necklace and the perfect shoes and you could see them.”

But embellished, hand-sewn, custom short gowns aren’t necessarily cheaper, depending on the materials and designer.

Emmy Mitchell, 33, of Columbus, Ohio, wore cus-tom when she went short for her 2011 wedding. She had originally planned to

modify the 75-year-old, long, ivory satin gown worn by her mother and grandmother, but a mishap with a seamstress left much of the fabric unusable.

She regrouped, found another seamstress and was able to salvage some of the original fabric for the bodice of a new gown, inspired by the strapless, full, Vivienne Westwood design that “Sex in the City” character Carrie

Bradshaw wore when Mr. Big jilted her at the altar in the first movie based on the TV series.

Unlike Bradley out on the golf course, Mitchell wore her short gown for a church ceremony.

“Everyone asked me, ‘Aren’t you worried about the church? Is it long enough?’” the freelance graphic designer said. “I was, like, no, I’m not wor-ried. We wanted it to be

fun, but we didn’t want it to be too casual.”

Mitchell’s advice for oth-ers who want to go short?

“Go with your gut. Just go for it. It was the best decision of our wedding. It made everyone loosen their collars and say, ‘OK, this is a fun event. We can all cut loose tonight.’”

(Follow Leanne Italie on Twitter at http://twitter.com/litalie)


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PAGE 32 TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015 WEDDING GUIDE

Documents

Summer Wedding Guide - June 2015