Wedding season 2015 is upon us, and now more than ever any time of the year is fair game to schedule your upcoming nuptials! So while many ladies have already begun their planning, there are still a lot out there who are just getting started. Planning a wedding is as simple or as complicated as your dream for what the perfect day is to you as a couple and there are certainly plenty of highly trained and experienced professionals who can help you with all of the details, big or small.

Wedding Bling for Everyone!

First thing’s first, if you’re popping the question you’re going to need the perfect ring! A.T. Thomas Jewelers has an amazing inventory of engagement and wedding rings, and they are dedicated to providing their customers high quality jewelry at an affordable price. Combine that with their outstanding customer service and there’s no better place to shop for one of the most important and meaningful pieces of jewelry you’ll probably ever own. “With our selection of loose diamonds and engagement rings we strive for variety and plenty of different price points,” explains Jenny Thomas of A.T. Thomas Jewelers. “We have rings for every budget and with over 2,000 engagement ring and bridal sets our customers have the ability to create a combination that is unique or perhaps they never thought was even possible!” And with the selection of items in the store plus the option to custom design jewelry, A.T. Thomas Jewelers is also a great place to find the perfect statement piece (or watch for the gentlemen) or bridal party gifts.

Another local favorite, Sartor Hamann Jewelers is home to Nebraska’s premier diamond selection and offers bridal customers their choice of popular brand names such as Hearts on Fire, A JAFFE, Beverley K., Parade, Sylvie, True Romance, Benchmark and more. They also offer custom design services, and you can check out all of the options that are available at sartorhamann.com. Making the right choice can involve a lot of pressure, but with the help of the experienced staff at Sartor Hamann and a large selection of high quality fine jewelry at your fingertips, you can be assured that you’ll find the perfect piece that’s on the cutting edge of style, fashion and technology.

Achieving Your Signature Wedding Look

For most brides, finding THE dress is among the highlights of wedding planning. This also is one of the things that should be set in motion as soon as possible after you’ve set your date.

Photo-Emmy-Gorman-Blush-Bridal-Boutique-Lincoln-Nebraska“The most important tip I can give newly engaged girls is to shop for your wedding gown early!” emphasizes Emmy Gorman, owner of Blush Bridal Boutique. “Bridal shopping in unlike any shopping you’ve done before.  Once you have said yes to your dress, it is put into production just for you!  Delivery time from most designers is 4-6 months plus 2-3 months for alterations; we recommend ordering at least nine months from your wedding.  Nothing is more heartbreaking for us then when we break the news to a bride that we can no longer get their favorite dress in because of a short wear date.  Our brides that shop early really enjoy the bridal shopping process.  They are able to have their gowns arrive and take advantage of fun accessory Trunk Shows and other styling events at Blush.  Your first appointment with us begins a relationship that will last for the better part of a year.

Many brides are tempted to order their bridal gowns online from internet retailers.  It is important for brides to realize that the bridal gowns that they are trying on at local boutiques are NOT available for purchase online!  If you run across a boutique bridal gown online for an unbelievable price, it’s because it is a cheap copycat.  I have brides who call or come into my store every week in a panic wondering what they can do about their internet gown purchase.  The simple answer is nothing, and now they are back to square one looking for another bridal gown on a smaller budget.  Shop with a local boutique that you can trust; be honest about your budget limitations as many stores will do their absolute best to accommodate most brides’ budgets.  Local stores have excellent customer service and the relationship with designers to ensure your gowns arrival.”

Gorman also offers the following advice about trends this season. “There are a few trends that are currently popular in the bridal industry. One of these would be the use of nontraditional colors. Many brides are choosing to wear colors such as champagne, pearl, or blush, rather than the traditional white.

Another trend would be flirty silhouettes that show off a bride’s curves. Two silhouettes that help to accentuate body shapes are mermaid and trumpet. Both of these styles are more fitted throughout the bodice before flaring out around the knee or calf.

Romantic details are also fashionable this year. Brides tend to be drawn to some sort of detail that will make their dress unique, whether that’s in the form of lace appliqués, intricate beading or even an open back.

Veils will never go out of style.  Randy Fenoli of Say Yes to the Dress says that you are just a girl in a pretty white dress until you wear a veil, then you truly become a bride.  That being said, we LOVE the headpiece trend!  Delicate crystals, lace crowns and boho looks are definitely in this season.  Spend the money to have an amazing hairpiece, as this is what you will be wearing for much longer than the veil.

Bridal styles typically change seasonally. Designers make trend changes, which then are shown at New York Bridal Fashion Week and Bridal Markets in both New York and Chicago. The speed at which these trends are accepted in the retail industry truly depends on retail location, as well as the preference and style of the customer base. Blush Bridal attends the Chicago market twice a year, so we are committed to bring the latest styles to Nebraska immediately from market!”

Preparation for the big day also entails looking your absolute best, if not for personal fulfillment but also for the millions of photos that will be taken throughout the event!

ashley pavlish body nouveaux spa lincoln nebraskaTreating yourself to pre-wedding spa services is the best way to remove yourself from the madness for some quiet time and relaxation. It is also a great way to pamper yourself and your bridesmaids too. Body Nouveaux Day Spa | Spray Tan | Boutique offers group Spa Parties that are very popular for bridal parties, and each guest receives a 1 hour massage and 45 minute facial plus lunch is provided. “Our exclusive slender body wraps are very popular as well,” adds Ashley Pavlish, owner of Body Nouveaux. “We help brides and bridesmaids of all shapes and sizes fit comfortably into their dresses! If you are on a weight loss program, diet, or just want to look and feel better, our mineral body wraps will help jump-start your plan and motivate you to stay focused, succeed, and live a healthier lifestyle. Whatever your goal may be, from wanting to look and feel better for a special occasion, to targeting specific problem areas, the Suddenly Slender Body Wrap System will help you achieve your goals. You will see and feel results after your very first wrap!”

Photo_Tammie_Collier_Farrells_Extreme_Bodyshaping_Lincoln_NebraskaNo matter what your fitness goals are for your “wedding body,” you can make it happen with dedication and the right program. Tammie Collier, owner of Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping in Lincoln, offers a few pre-nuptial fitness tips:

*Rule number one: Plan your fitness just like you are planning your wedding!   Give yourself time to get ready for the big day. Don’t wait until the wedding is close and then try to over train trying to get into the dress!

*Avoid fad diets!   They often leave you in a worse position than when you started!  You may lose some weight but it will mostly be water and muscle.   Unfortunately, when the “diet” is over guess what, all that weight comes back and often more.

* Eat breakfast. You’ve been told since you were in kindergarten that it’s the most important meal of the day, and they were right!    Skipping that first meal keeps that metabolism low.  In turn, you’ll hang on to fat which is exactly the opposite of what you are wanting your body to do!  As with no skipping breakfast also comes making healthy eating choices throughout the day.  Don’t allow yourself to get into a destructive pattern of starving yourself—the body’s fuel is food!   Eat often while making good choices but not overeating!

* Drink plenty of water.  People often confuse the body’s need for water as a need for food.   Keep a water bottle handy at all times!

* Strength training is important too.  If you are already doing cardio – fantastic!  But don’t allow yourself to only do a cardio workout!   Make sure you have strength training as part of your fitness plan.  Strength training (weights or resistance bands) will help you build lean muscle and it won’t make you bulky.  It will however, make you look toned and sleek.   Plus increased muscle tone boosts the metabolism helping your body burn fat all day long.

She adds, “Farrell’s is a results based program offering cardio kickboxing, strength training and nutrition education all in one package.  Any one of them singularly can help you in preparation for looking your absolute best on your wedding day.  But combining all three in your fitness routine is where you will see more measurable results faster.  At Farrell’s, we not only combine all three for our members but we offer a coach and individual instructors to guide you through a 45 minute workout.  Nutrition education is vitally important – you can work out all you want, but if you don’t adopt healthy eating habits, your results will be minimized!   We don’t ‘diet’ at Farrell’s but we do learn how to fuel our bodies with good nutrition so that you can lose fat and inches!   We help you track your progress throughout our 10 week program and celebrate at the end of the session by rewarding the member with the most transformation in that 10 weeks with $1000—which could also help you with paying some of your wedding or honeymoon expenses!”

Securing Your Venue & Vendors

Before all else, to set the date you need to first secure your venue. Lincoln offers a number of gorgeous and very unique places to host your ceremony, reception, celebration or all of the above.

When picking a venue, a lot of different things may come into play. In keeping everything as straightforward as possible and avoiding anything that has the potential to be overly complicated, you may want to consider choosing a venue that offers more than just the space for your event.

Photo_Deborah_Carroll_Country_Inn_and_Suites_Lincoln_Nebraska“The ‘one stop shop’ aspect of our venue is what makes wedding receptions so convenient and keeps the planning process easy,” emphasizes Deborah Carroll of Country Inn & Suites and Beacon Hills. “The simplicity of our venue lies in having a hotel, restaurant and banquet hall available all in one place. Our Nebraska Ballroom is a great venue for the average size wedding (150-250 guests). We also offer free parking just outside the doors, great hotel room rates for guests of your reception and the services of our on-site caterer from Beacon Hills.

We can help you put together your day, whether casual and relaxed to the formal elegant reception.  This year, we have come up with some great seasonal buffet options for our receptions that feature items we don’t offer on our regular social menu.  This includes Sear Roasted Salmon, Candied Pecan Spinach Salad for the springtime wedding, Fresh Watermelon & Mint Salad and a Lemonade Stand for the summertime wedding, Hunter’s Mushroom Beef Filet and Chicken Marsala for the autumn wedding, and for winter weddings our Roasted Winter Vegetables and Cranberry & Walnut Salad with a Hot Cocoa Bar.  These themed buffets are designed to enhance the overall ambiance of your special event.”

She also offers a few tips for those who will be looking for their venue soon. “Always do your research and make sure you are prepared to ask the ‘right’ questions when touring a venue.  That way you avoid any extra charges you were not planning in your budget. One of the benefits of our venue is our on-site event coordinator, who is available to assist with planning and details prior to your big day and then to assist in coordinating with decorations and deliveries on the day itself. We offer packages that include table linens, lighting, centerpiece options, cake cutting and video presentations.  With nearly 14 years of experience behind us, we feel very confident in getting it right for our brides and grooms.

We love being a part of the wedding planning process and enjoy each individual couple. As for experience, we have done everything from the traditional wedding reception with dinner and dancing, to the interactive centerpiece reception (including toys and chalkboards), to a Halloween costume reception with the bride dressed like Cinderella and the groom as Prince Charming.  It is our mission to assist you with the ideas that symbolize you as a couple. From pictures of your pets on the table to signature drinks, we can create your day, your way.”

Photo_Jim_Ballard_James_Arthur_Vineyards_Lincoln_NebraskaAnother popular local destination, James Arthur Vineyards offers a unique venue for intimate weddings and receptions. “The best part of weddings at James Arthur Vineyards is the decorating has been done for you, as we have lovely landscaping surrounding the reflecting ponds with waterfalls as well as the gorgeous backdrop of the vineyards,” says Jim Ballard, owner of James Arthur Vineyards.  “The time and expense of decorating is saved as Mother Nature has completely taken care of it all!  The same tender loving care that goes into the growing of the vineyards can be used in the wedding vows as we say at the winery ‘Growing grapes is like any good marriage….the more you give, the more you get!’ Our wedding fee includes everything from the planning to the set up and clean up; the bride, groom and their families are as much of a guest as anyone else attending as there is nothing for them to do because our staff performs all of the wedding tasks. We tell couples to just relax and we take care of everything! We offer great personalized labels for our wine bottles that make great wedding party gifts—we can use the couple’s picture or wedding motif and create labels for their gift giving or for a perfect keepsake. We create and print these in house so there are no minimums.” James Arthur Vineyards is also the perfect place to gather the ladies for a bridal shower too, with a private tasting room that can be reserved specifically for your event.

The Holthus Convention Center, located in nearby York, NE is a newcomer on the wedding venue scene as the brand new facility recently opened in October 2014. “Those looking for an all-in-one setting should look no farther,” says Terri Carlson, Director of Holthus Convention Center. “With multiple options for both indoor and outdoor event space, we are able to meet the needs of your entire day. From the pre-wedding preparations to the ceremony and on to the reception, we can accommodate everything in one setting. Our convenient location right off of I-80 in York also makes it very accessible for your guests, no matter where they are travelling from.”

A few highlights of Holthus Convention Center that can be incorporated into weddings include:

– A unique feature in our facility is limo access into the grand ballroom through an overhead door. Wedding parties are able to pull their limo directly into the ballroom for a grand entrance.

– Included in the grand ballroom are six large retractable screens so that parties are able to display videos, pictures and other digital pieces throughout their reception. In addition to the ballroom screens, the lobby screen can be utilized to welcome guests with a personalized message from the bride and groom.

– Parties are not required to use one specific caterer. Wedding parties can choose a caterer of their choice to serve at their reception.

Carlson also emphasizes planning for your venue early. “It’s never too early to start booking reception space; we are already booking receptions into 2016! Consider the location when booking your venue; it will factor into coordinating your entire wedding day itinerary. It is also important to be flexible on dates as it can sometimes be difficult to book your wedding and reception venues if you only have one date in mind. Be sure to speak to the venues prior to picking your date to find out what their availability is and then choose the date that works for all parties.

Weddings are supposed to be an exciting time. Be sure to take a few moments to enjoy the entire process, from the day you become engaged, then on to the planning process all leading up to that special day.”

Providing 7,700 square feet of event space that accommodates up to 400 people, the Cornhusker Social Hall has been a staple in the Lincoln community for over 20 years. “We take pride in making sure that all of the details are taken care of exactly how our clients wish,” says Lisa Warner of Cornhusker Social Hall. “We offer excellent catering and decorating services, but anyone who books an event with us is more than welcome to utilize their own vendors if they prefer. As far as bar services, we do keep that in-house but offer plenty of options depending on whether you choose an open or cash bar, or even a combination of the two. We do have some spots still available but they are definitely filling up fast for 2015; for most brides the top three things to book before everything else is the church or wedding venue, reception venue, and photographer and so the sooner you begin your planning the more likely you are to get your top choice!”

Depending on the venue you select and what services they offer in-house for weddings, choosing a catering company may be the next item on your checklist. Greta’s Gourmet prides itself of providing dishes that are consistently anything but the same old mediocre wedding food. After all, this is one of the most important days of your life so you should be enjoying an amazing meal that you love with your guests!

Photo_Kyle_Rein_Gretas_Gourmet_Catering_Lincoln_Nebraska“The best part about Greta’s Gourmet is that we really don’t have any restrictions as far as our menu is concerned,” says Kyle Rein, Catering Manager at Greta’s Gourmet. “The most popular options at our shop are the ones brought to the table by the many creative and unique couples that have sought our catering services. There is nothing more satisfying than bringing a vision to life, and then seeing that vision realized on their special day.

I can say that a trend currently sweeping the wedding world is hors d’oeuvres. This generally involves providing a spread of multiple small items to create a beautiful menagerie of color and flavors inspired by the couple themselves. It is an excellent way to incorporate your heritage with a family recipe, or bring to life the city where you fell in love with a mix of locally inspired cuisine. We have an already impressive menu of delicious items available to choose from or bring your own ideas to the table.”

He also advises, “It’s no secret that we live in a world where Pinterest exists and great ideas are freely traded online. Use these free ideas to gain inspiration and incorporate them into your own designs. It can be very intimidating to plan your own wedding. My advice is to use all the tools at your disposal to streamline your planning. Food is our specialty, and our very capable kitchen has realized many inspired ideas.

The most important thing when planning your wedding is to have fun. Use this as an excuse to get family together to help out. The planning can be just as fun as the day itself. I look forward to meeting many future brides and helping them to realize their perfect wedding day.”

Photo_Cherie_Anderson_Venue_Restaurant_and_Lounge_Lincoln_NebraskaVenue Restaurant & Lounge is another local staple for wedding catering as well as the perfect place to host your pre-nuptial events.  “Venue is a locally owned fine dining restaurant and because of that, we bring plenty of experience as well as flexibility to our wedding catering offerings,” says Cherie Anderson of Venue Restaurant & Lounge.  “Our kitchen is scratch-based which allows us to utilize our artistic and culinary talent to create a unique menu crafted exclusively for your special day.  As with any special event, it’s important to work with someone who will listen carefully to your wants and dreams so that your cherished traditions are incorporated.  Together, you’ll be creating a moment in time that you and your guests will remember forever!  We take great pride in every event we have the opportunity to cater, and our full service event team is trained to attend to every detail with care and precision.  Venue is happy to cater anywhere in Lincoln and surrounding areas, and we also offer two private dining rooms that offer the perfect space for rehearsal dinners and bridal showers.  Remember, wedding planning should be fun and enjoyable; set a timeline so that you don’t have to handle everything at once and choose vendors that you feel most comfortable with to execute your vision so you can leave all of the important details in their hands.”

Photo_Magdalena_Axtell_Noodles_and_Company_Lincoln_NebraskaYet another unique option for wedding catering is local favorite Noodles & Company, which offers the world’s favorite noodles dishes, salads, sandwiches, and soups all from one restaurant. “Our dishes are inspired by the individuality, creativity and cultural heritage of cuisines from around the globe,” says Magdalena Axtell of Noodles & Company. “Now, with our buffet style Noodle Bar catering, we can bring those delicious flavors to your event! There is an increasing trend in self-serve buffets, providing a food variety, and doing something ‘different’; and, our Noodle Bar has become popular at various social events.  It comes with everything you need from the food, to the serving utensils, plates, napkins and cutlery.  It allows you to pick which pasta dishes you want to serve, and comes with two sides, such as our Med Salad and Cheesy Garlic Bread. We can even provide a dessert tray, all for one flat price.  Our team would be more than happy to meet with you to help you make the dinner selection for your special day; and what better way to decide then to sample the options! On the day of the wedding, our professional catering team will set up the Noodle Bar at your venue, help serve your guests and make sure everyone is having a good time and enjoying the food. The Noodle Bar brings a global variety of the World Kitchen where everyone will find something they will like, and have your guests wanting seconds!”

She adds, “In my experience, wedding planners want everything to be perfect, from the flowers, to the music to the food. They undergo many hours thinking, planning and stressing over the wedding day.  My advice? If you can unload some of the stress to anyone else; do it!  Here at Noodles & Company, once you book with us we can take the food stress off your hands.  You give us the place, time, number of guests and your dinner selection and we get to cooking!  At the event, we look after the Noodle Bar until the last guest finishes eating so you can enjoy the special day.  Give us a call, or you can email me at maxtell@jhsdining.com and I can help you plan.”

The next major thing to begin planning is your wedding cake—or with all of the options these days, your desert of choice is perhaps more accurate!

Photo_Regina_Henson_Cupcakes_and_More_Lincoln_Nebraska“Our most popular wedding orders lately have contained classic styles of sheet cakes and tiered wedding cakes. However, our body of work is very diverse and we’ve had seasons where a majority of brides have decided to go in a different direction by ordering cakes made entirely out of cake balls or cupcake masterpieces,” explains Regina Henson, owner of Cupcakes and more… “Our recommendations are always based on what we’re hearing from the bride and groom as to what they’re looking for. So depending on what their vision is–whether they’d like a traditional dessert table or a more modern dessert table–we’ll recommend what we believe will fit their personality best.  Among the newest trending desserts at Cupcakes and more… are our cake ball cakes, brownie shots and sugar cookies! These items always spark lots of good chatter during receptions too. We truly enjoy consultations because this is the time to really get the creative juices flowing and to come up with a unique concept that will be memorable and divine!

What most may not know about Cupcakes & more… is that we are proud to offer a discount system and plenty of creative freedom. When planning your wedding, the best thing about Cupcakes and more… is the more you order, the LARGER your discount. And because we are a company who uses freehand decorating abilities to complete designs, our boundaries are endless! Plus we always offer free samples of your favorite flavors of cake during the consultation. It is important, however, to make sure to put down your deposit as soon as possible in the planning process so that you’re locked in for the date and services you want.”

Photo_jeff_white_colby_ridge_popcorn_lincoln_nebraskaWhen providing treats for your wedding guests, Colby Ridge offers a wide variety of products and options to fit any theme or color palette. Popcorn is one of their traditional specialties, and they can make custom colors for your wedding and assemble personalized, individual bags to hand out to your guests. You can also buy the popcorn in bulk and use it for a popcorn bar.  “Personalized popcorn bags are really popular and a particularly simple yet delicious gift for weddings of any size,” says Jeff White of Colby Ridge. “They will not only look nice and get your special message across to your guests, but they are also easy to handle and fun for all ages. If popcorn isn’t your thing, Colby Ridge owns and operates a candy store with over 200 bins of colorful candy–which is perfect for a candy bar at your reception! We can even coordinate the colors of the candy to match the colors you’ve chosen for your wedding too. Above all when you place an order with Colby Ridge, you will always receive a quality product at an affordable price.”

Décor is another key part of creating the perfect ambiance, and professional lighting is a beautiful accent for weddings. While Christmas Décor by Festive Expressions offers a wealth of holiday lighting options, they also lend their professional lighting/decorating services to brides and grooms for wedding-related events and are a popular local resource for amazing displays that truly dazzle! This includes complete design, custom installation and takedown after the event; you’re guaranteed to have a professional, hassle-free experience with brilliant results that will add that special touch to your special day.

Photo_Vicki_Harris_Harris_Academy_Arts_Lincoln_NebraskaAs for entertainment, nothing is quite as romantic as live music being played by professional musicians at your wedding or reception. “While we offer a variety of instrument combinations, the string quartet remains the most popular,” explains Vicki Harris, owner of Harris Academy of the Arts. “Admittedly, a quartet is a classy and romantic touch to any wedding. We’re continuously working to add versatility to its repertoire, making it an even more attractive option. In addition to the traditional wedding music (think ‘Canon in D’) our quartets can play popular music as well, like the ever-popular A Thousand Years by Christina Perri and oldies such as Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey and California Girls by The Beach Boys. The list is always growing!

Something new we are offering (and we’re excited!) is a jazz trio consisting of piano, guitar, and bass. This group plays standards and adds something unique to the cocktail hour and reception. You can listen to samples of both the jazz trio and string quartet on our website. You’ll also find samples of our other standbys on the website: violin duets, piano & violin, guitar, voice, and more. Visit http://harrisacademyofthearts.com/hire-professional-musicians/music-samples/.”

She continues, “Our advice to those planning to include professional musicians in their wedding is to think ahead! Oftentimes, the music is farther down on the checklist than it really should be. We recommend booking at least six months in advance, although a year is even better, especially during those busy, popular wedding dates (May-August). Start thinking about your music selections ahead of time too. If you have special requests, it takes time to coordinate and give the musicians an adequate amount of time to rehearse new tunes — meaning better overall quality for your special day.

If you’re planning music on a tight budget, consider the simplicity and beauty of one musician. A solo musician, such as violin or piano, can add a sophisticated elegance to any wedding day. If strings are a must-have, hiring a violin duet rather than a string quartet will provide the sound and mood you are looking for while still having the ability to play much of the same repertoire. Live music adds a special touch that every guest will notice and remember, and it can be incorporated into weddings in many different and creative ways.”

Finally, while you are entertaining your numerous guests and are busy soaking up every single moment of your wedding day, there will be cameras following your every move. Among them all, largely the most important is the camera being used by your professional wedding photographer! This is someone who you will entrust with capturing all of the special moments during your big day and transforming them into heirlooms for future generations to cherish. That’s a big responsibility, and as such, a hiring decision you definitely shouldn’t take lightly or put off until the last minute. Checking examples of past work, meeting in person to get a feel for their personality and creative approach, checking with references, and having a list of ideas to incorporate based on your vision are all helpful approaches to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Your wedding day is a major life milestone and it can be easy to get wrapped up in the significance so much that you forget to enjoy yourself during the journey. If you utilize the experience of seasoned industry professionals it will lift the weight off of your shoulders while exposing you to things you may have never even known were possible and ensuring that none of the important details are overlooked. Now that you’ve got the basics of wedding planning down for the most part, you can incorporate the unique finishing touches here and there and you’ll be enjoying your wedding day festivities before you know it!