Winter 2016 / 2017
Happy New Year !
If you ’ re like me , you now may have a wonderful memory of New Year ’ s Eve , I got engaged on that date and each year , the surprise , the place where I was and the possibilities of the year to come are still fresh in my mind . This year , I still had that wonderful memory , and at the same time reviewed the year that was ; a few valleys , a minor health scare , some personal setbacks , but when the clock struck midnight , I had already decided how I wanted to live in 2017 . It was similar to the year I got engaged , I knew how I wanted to live in the coming year . Its 13 years later and I will celebrate a milestone birthday in June and am once again considering a life change . This time the difference is that I can see this birthday approaching , meeting my husband and getting engaged wasn ’ t anywhere on my
radar . I was waiting for love but at the same time thought if I made a move , something would happen .
At every turn through 2016 , we were all slapped around and left reeling from the deaths of many notable people , the Presidential election outcome , and at the same time , many things remained the same . You know that saying , the more things change the more they stay the same ? Its true when it comes to weddings . Trends come and go but for the most part , the basics of a wedding are still the same . Every bride wants her wedding to be memorable and unique , but the real question is who are they doing that for , them or their guests ? Older brides and encore brides understand this is the day for the two of you and that you should be focused on that , the rest will fall in place .
First time brides are waiting longer to marry and even start their families Encore brides , many who may have waited several years in between husbands , are also rethinking what they want their big day to look like , especially if they did the big blow out for their first wedding , or if there was no big blow out are ready to do that this time around . In addition , older couples are more than likely footing the bill for their wedding . That in and of itself makes them think
longer about how to maximize their budget and guest list . Elegance and glam , unique destination weddings , cruise ship weddings are preferred . More often than not , encore brides are opting for no bridal party and the over 40 bride is certain that if anyone , she only has one or two women she wants standing with her at the altar . Lately we ’ ve seen more brides planning their weddings around significant holidays , mainly the big three : Thanksgiving , Christmas and New Year ’ s . Granted it can be challenging from many perspectives - increased budgets , guests may have other plans , weather and more . At the end of 2016 , many of my colleagues were planning New Year ’ s Eve weddings and couples not only ended the year on a high note but kicked off the new year on one as well with family and friends .
In this issue , we talk with our cover couple Nikki and Ron Harrell , who tell their wonderful love story and share a few pictures from their romantic New Orleans elopement . They reminded me that waiting for love is worth the wait . This issue ’ s Spiritually Speaking article from our good friend David K North , was published last winter and we believe it was worth repeating , we think you ’ ll agree . Be sure to see the photo spread of the beautiful winter themed cakes and then contact either one of our featured bakers to create it for you . I thought I would share my own wedding dress story with you as an encore bride , I think you will be able to relate and will chuckle when searching for your own gown . Since its the beginning of the year , check out Romance and Finance : Mergers , Acquisitions and Marriage for some tips on what you should be doing if you are newly engaged or if your wedding is this year . As always we have wise words from Deb McCoy in her Ask Deb column .
2017 will be a fabulous year for weddings and don ’ t worry about trends ; create your own . If you don ’ t have any idea what you want , where to start then come meet me at a Wedding Wednesday Cocktail Party™ , we keep it simple , relaxing and fun . In the meantime , congratulations on your engagement , and I hope 2017 is filled with love .
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