Content

06 Report Trend 14 Captivating Cakes 22 Food Around the World

24 French
26 Indian
10 Cutting The Cake 18 Mocktails 28 American
30 Mexican
32 Chinese
Questions to Ask Your
12 Get Creative 20 Caterer
34 Favors Full of Flavors 46 Must have wvw 74 Ready, Set, Destination
Wedding
Alternatives to the
Pretty in Pantone
36 Traditional Wedding Meal 48 78 Wedding Dcor Mistakes

40 Beware of these Foods 64 To Food or not to Food 82 Vows

42 Keepin it White 66 Stationary 84 The Church

44 Wedding Accessories 70 10 Budget Friendly Tips

 Executive Editor
Pratia Jordan

Creative Direction
Deja Terry

Editorial Team
Sharaya Hill
Blaine Hill
Nicole Molter
Karly Johnson
Andrea Crowley

Sales Team
Amanda Tapp
Andria Keelin
Amber Fox

Design Team Leader

Pamela Guardado

Website Design
Ajeesh John

The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights in regards to copyright of their work. No part of
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written consent of the publisher. All copyrighted work was reproduced with the permission of the owner.
Letter from the Editor

Food: simultaneously the great divider and

the great unifier. Many of us have spent the
past few months gathering together around
tables celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas,
Hanukkah, New Years and so many other
holidays. If we could take a peek at dinner
tables across the country wed see foods
both familiar and foreign to our own families:
tamales and tacos, turkey and dressing, gumbo
and greens.

Celebrating with food, family and festivities

is a tradition well-known to weddings. In our
food edition we will explore the traditional
wedding fare, new twists on classic tastes and
fun food choices that will make your wedding
unique. My family loves to eat! More than just
your traditional American dishes, we enjoy
cuisines from all around the world. So for this
food edition grab a plate and delight yourself
in the culinary journey we have prepared for
you.

Bon Appetit!

Pratia
 TREND
Report
Full Flowery Bouquets
This wedding season is all about bouquets
filled with full blooms that pop. Its about the
BIG flowers: peonies, hydrangeas, asters and
sunflowers. The bigger the flower, the bigger the
bouquet!

6 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 Water Colors
Brides this year are going nuts with water color
accents, and who could blame them? Water
color adds a beautiful look to all things wedding,
from stationary to bridesmaids dresses to the
cake. This is one trend that deserves to stay.
(Photography by Alexandra Whitney )

Communal Dining
Friends, family and loved ones attending weddings are
able to fellowship easily when seated at long tables.
Some brides are even shaking up communal dining by
providing food at the center of each long table to be
passed around. What better way to celebrate the
closeness of marriage than by having everyone come
together!

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Off-the-Shoulder
Necklines
A new trend has emerged in wedding dresses:
off-the-shoulder necklines. This trend is better
than most before it because it gives the dress a
lust-worthy chic look.
10 affinityweddingmagazine.com
Cutting
the Cake
 Get with your
e at iv e
C r Menu
Already have your food picked out for your wedding?
Great! Now, you need to choose how to display your
menu. Here are some of our favorite ways brides are
getting creative with their menu displays.

Paint on a pallet.
You can often find unwanted wooden pallets in business-
es around town. Some will even post on Craigslist to get
rid of them. Once you get a pallet, grab a paint brush or
someone who can use one well, and put a food or two on
each line.

Vintage windows.
Find a vintage window or two at a second-hand
store or garage sale. If you think your handwrit-
ing is good enough, go ahead and write your
menu down with a paint marker. Dont think your
handwriting is up to par? Find someone who can
do a good job. Find a sturdy string to hang the
window up on and youre golden.
Decorative mirror.
Scour online resale sights, garage
sales and thrift stores for decorative
mirrors. Your menu can be written
on the mirror with a paint mark-
er. Your menu will be different, yet
classy on a mirror!

Chalk board.
Chalk boards are a popular way to
display wedding menus. You can find
them almost anywhere, but if you
cant find one you like you can paint
on anything with chalkboard paint.
Chalkboard markers are now sold to
make hand lettering on chalk boards
easier.

Make your menu fit your personality.

Dont settle for a plain paper one.
 CAPTI
VATING
c kes
Typically speaking, the wedding cake is
often a focal point for the reception and
reflects the overall theme of any wedding.
Experimenting with a tasty filling or flavor
of your cake is a great way to incorporate
seasonality, and much like the dcor, you
can decorate the cake with a wide variety
of winter elements. Take for example a
woodland theme or the classic snowflake
and icicles.

In the past, it was popular to cut

the cake after the celebrations had
livened up, but stopping the dancing
and having all the guests gather
around to watch the bride and groom
cut the cake can really put a cork
in the wedding festivities.
Sometimes the wedding
can start to drag after the
cake is cut because some
guests see it as a cue to
leave.

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Cutting the cake after the spotlight
dances and toasts are over is a great
way to avoid disrupting the fun of
a wedding. Set the cake on your
sweetheart table where you and
your groom will enjoy the toasts.
Announce the cake cutting directly
after the Cheers! This will allow
everyone to enjoy watching you and
your husband stuffing each others
faces with cake without making them
feel like it is time to pack up and go.
 Having a cake-cutting
dilemma?
Now its solved. The cake
might be the most traditional
aspect of every
wedding. However, for the
not so traditional bride, a
grand cake may not be your
desire. Whether youre
not a big fan of cake or you just
want to do something new and
unexpected for your wedding,
there are many alternatives to
pick from.

16 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 A dessert bar would be a
great choice if you cant
decide on just one option.
You can either choose from
your favorite desserts or
choose something seasonal.

Another highly
customizable wedding
dessert is a candy table.
Pack it full of your favorite
candies from childhood for
an especially meaningful
wedding treat.

Cupcakes are a playful take

on wedding desserts. There
are so many flavors and
toppings tochoose from.
Select one kind or splurge
and have a whole cupcake
bar for guests to choose
from. These are a fantastic
option for less formal
weddings where you want
the focus tobeonthe fun.
 Mocktails
Your Taste Want some
Buds Will drink

Love
alternatives?
Here are four mocktail
recipes so good, no one
will miss the alcohol!
Cheers!

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 Bring the bubbly
This mock champagne recipe is guaranteed to please.
Simply mix a two liter bottle of ginger ale with half a
can of frozen white grape juice. Top it with some fresh
raspberries. This drink is perfect for toasts. This recipe
serve up to nine people and may need to be multiplied

Cranberry Cutie
This drink will awaken your taste buds. Begin by mixing
a gallon of cranberry juice with the juice of about 20
cutie tangerines and about seven limes. Add a two liter
bottle of Sierra Mist soda. This recipe serves around 20.
Multiply it accordingly if serving more people. To make
this mocktail look official, serve in martini glasses with
the rims dipped in sugar.

Rooty tooty, fresh

and fruity!
Refresh wedding guests with this fresh fruit mocktail.
Put one peeled orange, two slices of pineapple, one kiwi
and four strawberries into a blender with half a cup of
water. Once everything is blended, pour a can of sprite
on top and serve. Garnish glasses with a small slice of
kiwi or strawberry. Serves 6.

Summer Sangria
This cool drink is perfect for a warm summer day.
Begin by cutting a plum and a peach into quarters
and removing the pit. Then, peel two clementine
tangerines and break apart. Remove the leaves from
eight strawberries and cut in half. Once you have the
fruit ready, put it all in the container that will be holding
the drink. Cover the fruit with four cups of black cherry
grape juice and chill for a couple of hours. When this
drink is ready to serve, top it off with two cups of ginger
ale. Serves 6.
 Questions
To Ask Your
Caterer
With so many caterers to chose from, finding the perfect one for your wedding tastes
can take up a lot of your time. These quick questions can help you save time and energy
by narrowing down your list so you can focus on your top picks.

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 Is my date available?
Knowing if they are available on your wedding date is the first
question to ask. Its a simple way to weed out some caterers. If
they are available, then you can move on to questions that
will help nail down how you want your reception to look.

Do you have a signature dish?

Most caterers have a dish they are known for, so be sure to ask
about it! Their signature dish may be just the meal you were
looking for. Since its their standout dish, you know theyll work
hard to make it perfect.

Is the food prepared on site,

or brought in?
Food prepared on-site is usually fresher. However, the caterer
may have the perfect way to keep food fresh as it travels. Ask to
make sure, but dont rule out a caterer because they dont cook
on-site.

Is this within my budget?

They make an awesome crme brle, but can they make it within
your price range? A budget is important for the success of your
wedding. Ask about packages and other deals they may have. If
you ask, they may be willing to work with you on the perfect price.
A caterer who cooks the dish of your dreams well, and cooks it
within your price is the perfect caterer for you!

There is no need to stress about finding the right caterer. Asking

these four questions is a beautiful start to getting the wedding
of your dreams.
22 affinityweddingmagazine.com
Food Around
The World
 French
The food served at French
weddings is wildly different
from the food served at
American weddings. The
French have had hundreds
of years to perfect the art of
making rich, delightful foods
to garnish their wedding
receptions. So sit back, relax
and dream about the decadent
foods of French weddings.

24 affinityweddingmagazine.com
French wedding receptions usually start out with hors
dhouevres like quiche and escargot, and canaps.
Canaps, which are small garnished finger foods,
are usually shared around the table when hors
dhouevres are served. The French also love
to have fine cheese spread on French bread
available during the hors dhouevres part of the
reception. After the hors dhouevres are served,
a salad is typically served. Following the salad, a
sorbet given out to cleanse the pallet before the
main course is served.
Its traditional, to have a formal sit-down meal.
Seats are assigned to guests for the large meal.
Two dishes traditionally served as a main course
are Beef Burgundy and Coq Au Vin. Most
French entrees are cooked in red wine to create
tasty sauces, tenderize meat, and create more
interesting flavors.
A French wedding cake is not your normal American
wedding cake. Instead, its cream puffs,
sometimes dipped in chocolate, stacked on
top of each other to form a tower. The tower
is usually drizzled in caramel to hold the all the
pastries together. This impressive tower is called
a croquembouche.
French weddings are all about rich delicious
foods that leave you wanting for more. French
weddings may be different from American
receptions, but they have the same celebratory
feeling.
 INDIAN
>> INDIAN WEDDINGS
are known for their spectacular food.
Weddings have always been a time to show
off, and at Indian weddings they take that very
seriously.

These weddings are sure to include expensive

dishes that dont lack in butter, sugar or fried
foods.

26 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 Whether or not meat is served at the
reception is an important decision usually
based on region and religion. Vegetarian
receptions are popular for Buddhists and
Jains who practice Ahimsa, or non-harm of
animals. Different sections of the country
also have different trends in what they eat
on their special day.

>> MAINLY SOUTHERN INDIAN

weddings have vegetarian receptions.
They serve more than 100 dishes for the
reception that is packed with Indian flavor.
Most South Indian weddings have rice-
based dishes with lemon rice, curd rice, and
daal. Daal is a yellow split seed, similar to
rice, that is cooked to perfection with curry.
North Hindu weddings are usually not
vegetarian, and they serve some kind
of butter chicken or lamb curry with a
decadent Mughlai spread. Mughlai spread
has lots of paneer, creamy curries, tandoori
meat, and buttery naans. You may want
to wear lose clothing to a North Hindu
wedding so you can enjoy all the lovely
tastes of their culture.

Being so close to the ocean, Costal Indian

weddings often have fish and crab curries.
They know how to bring an Indian zing into
fresh seafood like no one else.

>> MODERN INDIAN

weddings often feature large tiered cakes
for dessert along with Barfi. Barfi has been
served in Indian homes for generations.
It is a mixture of sugar and sweetened
condensed milk that is reduced into solid
form resembling packed snow. Multiple
flavors of barfi usually end up on the
plates of Indian weddings, creating a large
selection of the traditional treat.

Your pants are guaranteed to be a little

tighter, and your smiles a little brighter, after
you partake in all the delicious foods served
at an Indian wedding.
 AMERICAN
The food truck craze is sweeping the nation, but what about a food
truck at a wedding? These tasty treats on wheels are perfect for an
outdoor reception, and theyre cost efficient.

One great food truck for weddings is In-N-Out Burger. If your

wedding is in the Dallas/Fort Worth area or in California, In-N-Out-
Burger is great for you, especially if you and your guests love burgers.

Its important to remember the season when thinking of food trucks to hire.
If the wedding is deep in the summer, think about finding a snow cone or an
ice cream truck. However, adding a coffee truck to the mix is a great plan if
the wedding could get chilly.

To avoid having guests To help the cooks, limit the

standing in a long line outside
the food truck, its important
to have at least one food truck
for every 75 guests. This way,
theres a variety of food and
guests arent frustrated.
menu to a few items for each
truck. The lines will stay
shorter and there will be less
stress in the kitchen.

Dont forget to have plenty Food trucks are a tasty way

of seating available for your
guests to eat their tasty
treats!
to serve an interesting meal
to your guests. So, what are
you waiting for? Look up what
food trucks are available near
you and start booking!

28 affinityweddingmagazine.com
30 affinityweddingmagazine.com
One sure thing about Mexican weddings is that the
reception is centered on food more than most other places.
Be prepared to enjoy a feast when at a Mexican wedding!

The main dish at a typical Mexican wedding is made up of

various types of marinated meat. Usually a whole cow and
or sheep will be killed for the wedding meal. Chicken is often
included as well. These delectable meats are marinated for
days before they are slow cooked to perfection. Chicken or
turkey in fragrant mole sauce is often served as well. This
sauce is deliciously made with various chili peppers, spices
such as cumin, garlic and sesame seeds, and is often greeted
with a hint of unsweetened chocolate. Dont forget the flour
tortillas! Flour tortillas are served for guests to wrap their
meat in.

Rice and beans are often side dishes in Mexican weddings but
not how Americans are used to having them! Mexican rice
is often enhanced with saffron, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and
peppers. Beans served at Mexican wedding receptions are
called frijoles charros. They are enhanced with a variety of
ingredients such as cilantro, tomatoes, pork rinds, bacon, hot
dogs and sometimes salsa. These beans also tend to have
lots of broth. Beans made this way are heavenly!
Of course, a variety of salsas are available at Mexican
weddings. They are often placed in bowls in the center of
each table. Guests dont have to get up to find the salsa,
which is handy!

A dessert that guests at Mexican weddings look forward to

is the Mexican wedding cookie. Everyone should try these
at least once in their lifetime! These cookies are made with
creamy butter and delectable nutsusually walnuts. Once
they are baked, they are completely covered in powdered
sugar. These cookies are the perfect mix of nutty and sweet!
In Mexican weddings, the food is the star of the show, second
only to the bride.
32 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 CHINESE
The foods traditionally served at Chinese weddings are not only
for enjoyment but are also symbolic of the desires for the future
of the bride and grooms marriage. Add well wishes for your
marriage with some of these dishes.

It is customary to serve eight courses
at a Chinese wedding feast because
eight is thought of as a lucky number.
The courses dont always go in a
particular order, but they are often
all the same. One course is a whole
roasted suckling pig. The whole
pig is used, rather than parts of
it, to symbolize togetherness and
prosperity. The pig itself, however,
symbolizes the purity of the bride.
Another course is often a fowl that
mates for life such as a duck or a
goose. Fish is commonly served as
a course as well. Fish pronounced in
Chinese is the same as abundance.
Because of this, fish is served at the
Chinese wedding feasts to highlight
that he newlyweds will have wealth in
their marriage.
Chicken and lobster are often served
together at Chinese weddings.
Chicken also means phoenix in
Chinese, while lobster is called dragon
shrimp. The phoenix and the dragon
together in Chinese culture are the
Ying and Yang elements. Serving the
phoenix and the dragon together
in a dish means the Yin and Yang
elements in the family are balanced.
Chinese wedding cakes are called
happiness cakes. They are baked
with the phoenix and dragon
imprint on top to, again, symbolize
the balance of the Yin and Yang in
the family. However, the cake is
often given the brides family by
the grooms family as a part of the
proposal gift.
Show what you wish on your marriage
by using some of these symbolic
foods. Explain the meanings to
guests on the menu so that they can
enjoy the symbols as well!

Favors
Full of
Flavor
Money is often spent on
wedding favors guests
just throw away.
Why not give your
guests favors they
will actually enjoy?
Here are some flavorful
favors to hand out at
your wedding.
34 affinityweddingmagazine.com
Smore
favors,
please!
Who doesnt love smores?
Buy small decorative bags and
stick two halves of graham
crackers, a square of chocolate
and a marshmallow in. Make
it super fun with flavored
marshmallows. Tie the bags
up with ribbon and a note that
reads We need smore friends
like you! Thank you.
Spice it
up with
salsa.
Buy or make your favorite
salsa, and put it in jars of your
choice. Make or buy large
labels that say Thanks for
spicing up our special day!
Stick them on your jars and
youre good to go.
Donut forget
the donuts.
Everybody enjoys a donut now and then.
Put a donut or two in a decorative bag or
box. Place a tag on it that says, Donut
forget we are thankful you joined us on our
special day.

Make your
favors POP!
Put a cup of popcorn kernels in a small jar
or decorative bag. Buy labels that read
Thanks for popping by! Decorative
ribbon is optional but would tie this favor
up well.

Sweet
Goodbye.
Sweeten your goodbye gift with single serving
cinnamon rolls! Mix cup + 1 tablespoon of
flour, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, teaspoon
of baking powder, teaspoon of cinnamon, 2
tablespoons of apple sauce, 2 tablespoons of milk,
and teaspoon of vanilla in a mug. Microwave it
for 1-1 minutes. Top with icing and wrap with
cellophane. Put a tag on the mugs saying, Love is
sweet.
 Alternatives
to the Traditional
Wedding Meal

36 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 2
Every wedding is different, but wedding foods
often arent. If youre a fan of going off the
beaten path, try these meal ideas on for size!
1
Breakfast, for dinner? You read correctly.
Be a rebel and serve bagels and croissants
with an assortment of jams and jellies. Provide
eggs, sausage and bacon to make breakfast
sandwiches with as well. Pancakes and French
toast are great options, too. Dont be afraid to
include your favorite breakfast juices.
Dessert only, please. Satisfy yours and your
guests sweet tooths with a dessert reception.
Pick an assortment of your favorite desserts
for all to eat. A candy buffet is also a great
addition to a dessert reception. A candy buffet
done right adds a unique appeal. Feel free
to also add in a chocolate fountain with an
assortment of fruits. For drinks, try gourmet
coffee.
 3
High-tea. Unleash your inner child with a
grown-up tea party. Many types of tea are
available on store shelves. Pick a few out
for your guests to sample at your reception.
Typical high tea foods include finger
sandwiches, scones and small cakes. A tip for
high tea: try sandwiches that are out of the
box such as pimento cheese sandwiches.

Shake a wedding up with these less-used

wedding meals.

38 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 ou
ll need is
y
love
a
But a little

chocolate
now and then doesnt hurt.
Charles M. Schulz
 Beware
of these
Foods
One of the top complaints wedding guests have is
about the food. Guests are happier when food is
enjoyable! Here are some of the most common
food-complaints guests have.
40 affinityweddingmagazine.com
Long noodles are the worst
Spaghetti and fettuccini noodles are great to eat
at home and seem like good food to serve at
weddings. However, once sauce is poured onto
these noodles they are too messy to eat. If pasta is
a must-have wedding food for you, opt for smaller
noodles such as bow ties or elbow macaroni.
Chicken breast is too dry
Millions of weddings take place all over the U.S. a
year, and chicken is served at most of them. While
this seems like a food to please all, many wedding
guests complain that chicken served at weddings is
too dry. Instead, serve a meat that holds moisture
in like lamb or steak.
Greatgarlic breath.
In an effort to serve savory foods that guests will
enjoy, onion and garlic tend to be added. While
this gives foods better flavor, it also leads to strong
breath. Wedding guests suggest limiting garlic
and onion in foods served. Having garlic or onion
breath during all of the socializing that takes place at
a wedding is not desirable.
A party without a c
is ju st a meeting
ake
Julie Child
 Keepin
it White
The dress is white. Its going to be almost impossible to keep it perfectly
white, but there are some tips to help keep it as new as possible.
When you eat, take special care to not eat anything with a drippy sauce.

However, if you must, make sure to keep a napkin handy.

Another helpful tip is to find a way to bustle your dress. This reduces the
chance of someone with two left feet stepping on it on the dance floor.

If you want to enjoy your wedding reception and dont want to stand in
the corner all night and wave at your guests, it is inevitable that your dress
may get a little dirty. Even if you do get something on your dress, NEVER-
NEVER-NEVER get it dry-cleaned. Even the best dry cleaners can ruin a
dress. Its better not to risk getting the dress cleaned, especially before the
wedding.

Some places like Davids Bridal and Amazon offer a dress preservation
service that is safer for your wedding dress than getting it dry-cleaned.
The bottom line is to enjoy your special day and not stress about what color
your dress is at the end of the night. The dress may get stepped or spilled
on, but dont let anything thing taint your memories of your special day.

42 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 Wedding
ACCESSORIES
Head Pieces
Just like a wedding cake, a bride needs the
perfect topper, too. Wedding veils are
classic bridal accessories, but you may
decide you like an alternative better!
Flowers can be made into a crown or pinned
amidst your bridal curls. This is also a great
way to add your wedding colors to your
own ensemble.
44 affinityweddingmagazine.com
If the Shoe fits...buy multiple pairs!
...buy Multiple Pairs Its a wonderful idea to
have three different pairs of shoes for the
wedding. The first necesary wedding shoe
is a pair of comfortable slippers, for getting
ready pre-wedding. The second is the
fabulous wedding heels, or glamorous flats
if you prefer. The last pair should be of
comfortable flats you can dance the night
away in at the reception; bonus tip: find
ones that fold up and fit nicely in your to
go bag! With these three different pairs of
shoes, your feet will love you post-wedding.
Finding the perfect wedding shoes gets you
one step closer to walking down the aisle
and saying, I do!
 Everybody loves mac and

ve Mac and
cheese, so why not make a

tHa
mac and cheese station at

u s
your wedding? Add some

Cheese
M
different flavor to the classic
snack like provolone cheese,

Station
bacon or chicken macaroni.
Serve the tasty pasta in
martini glasses to spice up the
presentation.

A crepe station is the perfect

way to satisfy a sweet tooth!

c repe
Have some warm crepes on
the table and let guests chose

station
their favorite toppings like
strawberries, chocolate chips,
and whipped cream.

Melt in your mouth movie

theater butter, crunchy
caramel, sweet kettle, or

pOPCORN
Having trouble deciding what food classic regular popcorn All of
stations to have at your reception? these popcorns are perfect for

BAR
Thats fine, because we have a few a wedding reception. Adding
some toppings or seasoning
stations that are so tasty and new salts for guests to sprinkle
that theyll leave your taste buds over their treat is the perfect
singing. way to kick your reception up
a few notches.

46 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 taco
Adding a taco bar is a great way to spice up a reception.
Serving a few different kinds of meats with rice and beans is
a simple way to make a taco bar even more delicious. But,

bar
dont forget to add some salsa, guacamole and sour cream to
the table.

milk and
Milk and cookies is a classic snack, but with a few extra touches, this
treat can be served beautifully at a wedding reception. Putting different

cookie bar
flavors of milk in a fountain or drink dispensers can jazz up the station,
and adding a few different flavors of cookies helps cater to all guests
taste buds. Dont forget about the classic chocolate chip cookie!

candy A Candy bar filled with all your favorite sweets is a great way to
have a scrumptious treat at your wedding that guests can take

bar
home. To make a candy bar even better, use the same color
pallet as your wedding!

These delicious and interesting food stations are the perfect way
make everyone at your wedding happy!
 Pretty in
Pantone
PRETTY IN PANTONE A PERFECT THEME
FOR EVERY COLOR PALETTE

Inspiration for your big day can come from anything.

You might be obsessed with a specific cake with real
flowers, or a shoe with a bow on the back. The point is
that smaller items can become the inspiration for your
whole blissful day. We decided to do just that using
these colors and designers as inspiration. For everything
from a classic black elegance, to a gorgeous sunshine
yellow, we have found the perfect pantone for your
wedding day color palette.
Which one will you favor?

48 affinityweddingmagazine.com
Photography by: Grays Studios Flowers, Dcor, + Design: Parie Designs
Stationary: Magnet Street Cakes: Belmar Bakery
 SUNSHINE YELLOW

There is sunshine any day

with this Kendra Scott-
inspired look filled with
sunflowers and yellow roses.
A common theme in this
design, from the invitations and
tablecloth to the cake, is circles,
which create a whimsical, light
hearted tone for this setup.
Everything about this table
makes it the perfect choice for
an outdoor, southern wedding
in the summer or fall!

50 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 PHILLIPE
STARCK
STARCK GREY

This Phillipe Starck-inspired

design utilizes a theme of circles and swirls to
create this ultimate modern setup. The square
tiers of the cake are touched with silver detail to
mimic the stems in the surrounding vases making
the square shape flattering against the circular
theme, and every detail from the orange color in
the flowers to the clear table and chair makes this
tablescape anything but ordinary.

52 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 BLACK TIE

Black Tie In this Coco Chanel

inspired table setting, we opted for clean lines and
romantic accessories. This design creates the perfect
sophisticated affair with its elegant china and white
poppy flowers against a black tablecloth. Simple, solid
lines for the menu, place card and invitation are perfect
to set the tone for this table, and every little detail down
to the script font on the invitations says classy

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 POPPY RED

Go bold and red with this

Louboutin-inspired
table! This is perfect for
a couple that is big, bold
and loves dramatic effects.
This theme revolves around
embellishment and romance.
The ornate, floral centerpiece
is perfect for a large table, and
the dramatic swirled patterns
on the cake and invitations are
sure to make a statement at any
wedding event.

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 HUNTER GREEN

We just cannot get enough of

this woodsy, unique Ralph
Lauren-inspired
look. This look is clean and
sophisticated and allows the
nature of the decoration to
shine with the use of simple
square plates, place card
holders, and touches of leather
accessories. This inspiration
utilizes the best of the outdoors
and brings a natural feel to this
unique tablescape.
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 CLASSIC IVORY

The sweet simplicity of these

Vera Wang-inspired colors
and textures are sure to stand out.
The soft colors in the flowers and
delicate lace overlay on the cake
provide a neutral and elegant table
that mimics the look of her wedding
gown designs. Everything from the
simplicity of the candle votive to the
delicate gold detail on the invitations
makes this look stylish and chic. Just
look at those chiffon chair backs!

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 ROYAL BLUE

This Versace-inspired table setting

captures the iconic look with its daring royal
blue and complementary yellow accents. This
demonstrates a very unique design through a
mixture of modern clean lines with a blend of
textures as seen in the sequin tablecloth. From
the spangled tablecloth to the large, tall vases of
yellow blossoms, this is the perfect choice for an
over-the-top evening wedding.

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 To Food
or
Not to
Food?
Do you have to serve food at
your reception? The answer is
No, not if you dont
want to.

The best way to avoid serving food at
your reception is having the wedding
at a time that isnt during a major
mealtime when guests, or guests
bellies, are expecting to be filled.
note on the invitation. Say something
like; Join us after the ceremony for
drinks and great dancing! That way,
guests dont show up with empty
stomachs.

Its dangerous to not serve food at
nighttime weddings because nighttime
weddings usually happen during meal
times. A wedding at 2 or 3p.m. doesnt
necessarily have to have food because
its after lunch.
To warn guests about the lack of food
at a wedding, be sure to add a little
Dont worry about offending guests
by not serving food. As long as you
give warning, it is up to you how your
wedding goes.
Not serving food can give a little more
wiggle room in a budget, so dont be
afraid to break some boundaries and
not serve food!

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 St as tio
top
n ary

AVOIDING invitation
STICKER SHOCK
Picking out your wedding invitations is an exciting but
stressful process. Its one of the first decisions a bride
makes where she begins to see her vision, literally, on
paper. Your invitations are the first thing guests will see,
so its important to make a good impression.

A common misconception about wedding invitations

is what percentage of your budget you should spend.
Many outdated resources allocate 3-4% of your budget
toward wedding invitations. Brides should really spend
4-10% of their budget on stationery, which is a more
realistic number when including all other paper goods like
programs, save the dates or reception paper.

The best advice is to know your budget before you get

your heart set on a certain style of invitation and to talk
to a professional stationer who can help you navigate this
tricky process.

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68 affinityweddingmagazine.com
WHAT SHOULD
YOU SPEND?
To find out what you should be spending, youll need youll need to know 3
things: number of guests invited, number of invitations you need and your
overall paper budget. To calculate how many invitations you need, its usually
about 50% of your total guest count. Remember to order 10 more than you
need, just in case! To find out what to spend, youll need to play with the
numbers a bit to get the amount you are comfortable with, so use these
formulas to help point you in the right direction:

N U M B E R O F G U E S T S 2 = Q UA N T I T Y O F I N V I TAT I O N S

TOTA L W E D D I N G B U D G E T X 4 - 1 0 % =
TOTAL STATIONARY BUDGET

WHERE CAN YOU SAVE? There are so many factors that can affect the cost
of your wedding invitations. So, before you fall in love with something you cant
afford, keep these cost saving tips in mind:

POSTAGE Most wedding invitations will require a regular $.66 stamp. The Post
Office charges for cards weighing over 1oz and for square cards, so if you are
using layered cards, multiple enclosures, double envelopes or embellishments,
be aware it may cost your more to mail. You can save by using a postcard reply
card (make sure to include a stamp on any reply card!), which is a $.32 stamp
and making sure your invitations are within the normal shape and weight
regulations.

PAPER + MATERIALS Quality paper is expensive and unfortunately, you cannot

purchase quality card stock at your local office supply store. Specialty papers
like metallic, linen or cotton paper are considered an upgrade. Layered cards
require assembly and tape, which is also an upgrade. Embellishments like ribbon
or rhinestones can also add additional cost. You can save by choosing a nice
heavy card stock for your invitation and a lower weight for your enclosures or
by including fewer enclosures so you arent sacrificing quality on your invitation.

PRINTING TYPES Printing is expensive. The inks professional printers use

are bleed proof, have true- to-life color, are fade resistant and long lasting.
If you want your invitations to last a lifetime, you will need to have them
professionally printed. Digital printing is the most economical printing method.
Thermography or raised ink printing simulates the more expensive engraved
printing, but keeps the price lower. Letterpress is also beautiful, but is usually
the most expensive option, along with engraving. You can save here by choosing
different types of printing throughout your suite like letterpress for your
invitation and digital for your enclosures. Also, choosing to include a smaller
card with your wedding website instead of a few different enclosures can save
you on paper and printing costs.
70 affinityweddingmagazine.com

10
Budget
Friendly Tips
After the initial excitement and celebration of your
engagement dies down, its time to get down to the
business of wedding planning. Sure, there are tons
of fun to-dos on the list like dress shopping, cake
tasting, registry picking, etc but before you go hog
wild with your florist, you need to take some time
to figure out what exactly you can spend on this
soire. I recommend sitting down with your families
to find out if they can or plan to contribute to your
wedding day financially. With many couples getting
married later in life, oftentimes the
couple foots the bill themselves. Youll
want to get clear about the numbers and
figures before you even take a meeting
with a planner or a venue. Trust me,
it will save you a lot of headaches and
heartache in the long run. Once youve
got that magical number figured out, the
following tips will help you cut costs on
different aspects of your big day!
1
GO FOR A CHEAP DATE
Did you know that not only certain months
of the year but also different days of the
week can save you thousands on your
wedding? Peak wedding months are
typically in the spring and summer, but fall
is becoming increasingly popular. Choosing
to get married in the winter and opting for
a Friday or Sunday ceremony can really cut
down on your costs. Be sure to check with
your venue about seasonal discounts.
LOOK AT NON-TRADITIONAL VENUES
You can find a cheap or even free venue by
opting for something a little outside the
box like a public library, a friends backyard,
a local park, or even a restaurant. Many of
these places, especially outdoors, would
need minimal decorations, which could cut
even more off your total spend.
3
GET THE DRESS FOR LESS
Got your eye on a designer gown but assume
its impossible to fit into your budget? Be
sure to check out sites like OnceWed.
com or NearlyNewlywed.com to purchase
previously worn gowns at a huge discount.
You might just find your dream dress for
50% or more off the retail price. Now thats
budget savvy!
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4
CUT THE GUEST LIST
One of the best ways to cut your costs is to trim that guest list! Although its
the easiest way to bring down the budget, it can also be very difficult to leave
people out of your day. Remember that it is your big day; dont invite anyone
you dont know personally like your parents former coworkers. Invite those
who are truly important to you as a couple.

5
USE THE IT TAKES A VILLAGE APPROACH
Enlist the help or talents of your close friends and family. Perhaps you have
a friend who is great at floral arranging, or maybe your cousin does graphic
design and could create your wedding paper goods. Hiring friendors who
donate services as a gift can really help to keep costs down. If your budget
is really tiny, you could even turn your wedding into a casual chic potluck by
having everyone bring a dish to share.

6
KEEP CATERING LIGHT AND CASUAL
Ways to save on the food for your wedding include keeping things light with
a dessert only reception, doing light bites and finger foods, or keeping things
casual by serving barbecue or something similarly inexpensive. Check with
local restaurants about preparing a menu for your big day- more often than
not their quotes are much less than traditional wedding caterers.

7
NO OPEN BAR
One of the biggest budget busters is alcohol. Feel free to skip the bar entirely
or if you like to party, consider going with a signature cocktail or sticking to
just beer and wine. Shop at discount liquor stores or stock up on cheap wine
from Trader Joes or Costco.

8
BE A SAVVY SHOPPER
Save on dcor for your wedding by shopping at Thrift stores or Goodwill. Do
your research and price compare before purchasing, and always use coupon
codes when shopping online! My favorite coupon site is RetailMeNot.com!

9
FREE ENTERTAINMENT THE IPOD DJ
If youre really trying to cut costs, the DJ is one area you can skip. Create
an iPod playlist and hook it up to some speakers for an easy entertainment
solution.

10
DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT TO YOU
Everyone from your Great Aunt Sally to the big bridal magazines will have
an opinion on how your wedding day should unfold. Remember that this is
your day and you cannot please everyone. Dont let pressure from outside
sources convince you to spend more than you have. In the end, trust your
gut, focus on what matters, and stick to your budget. It will make for a much
happier day!
74 affinityweddingmagazine.com
Ready, Set,
Destination Wedding
There are several factors to consider when planning a destination
wedding. Here are just a few important basics:
 Timing Plan when you know your friends
and family can get away.

Choosing to say Location

Select a location that has a special meaning to you
and your spouse. The setting will have an intimate
touch if theres a story about the place.

76 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 Setting the Date Giving your guests enough
time to plan, prepare, and save for plane tickets to attend
a destination wedding is a good idea.

Planning With a destination wedding, not only

do you have to plan the ceremony and reception, but it is
also customary to plan activities for your guests who have
traveled to spend your special day with you. How about
scuba diving off the coast or a photography class in the
mountains?
78 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 Not Hiring the
Pros
While it may definitely cost a lot less to enlist
willing friends and family to help turn your
reception dreams into reality, the truth is that
your end product may not be what you wished
for. When you only get one wedding day, its
important to get what you truly want.
Bakeries, Florists, Photographers, Linens, DJs-
-consider the list and decide where you might
be willing to take a little risk and where youre
willing to pay for what you want. While DIY-ing
centerpieces, party favors and appetizers may
seem tempting on Pinterest, it is important to
do your research. Some ideas cost more money
or time than you will have to spend.

The wedding reception is where you and your guests Dont wait until
the last minute
will spend most of their time. Use this list to alleviate
making some of these common mistakes.

If you wait until the last minute to book your

venue, you may not get the date you want. If
you wait to order table linens and chair covers

Budget
they may not arrive on time. If you wait to
book your florist the flowers you want may not
be available on short notice. Ordering early
Having a budget can relieve stress when it comes to will save you time, stress, and money.
paying for everything. Going into the planning stages
knowing how much you can spend is a great help to
both you and your vendors.

Wedding

Dcor
Mistakes
 Matching to the extreme
Oftentimes brides will choose flowers or linens that
match identically to the colors of their dress or their
bridesmaids dresses. However, choosing colors that
compliment each other can make all the difference.
Pairing harmonious colors can reduce clashing too much
matching. Floral arrangements, table linens, and chair
covers at the reception should be coordinated with the
overall wedding color scheme.

Table linens
Remember, when ordering linens be sure to get the right
size linens to cover the tables. Dont leave your table legs
exposed. You want to be sure your linens are floor length,
exposing the legs of your table is a big no, no.

Chair covers
Your chair covers will compliment the setting and finish
off the room. Before ordering chair covers be sure to
know the style and size of the chairs. Leaving your chairs
uncovered is okay, as long as it doesnt hurt the look you
are trying to create If chair covers are not in your budget
or the chair doesnt need a full cover, try a sash to add a
pop of color.

Having opulent
centerpieces
Your chair covers will compliment the setting and finish
of the room. Before ordering chair covers be sure to
know the style and size of the chairs. Leaving your chairs
uncovered is okay, as long as it doesnt hurt the look you
are trying to create If chair covers are not in your budget
or the chair doesnt need a full cover, try a sash to add a
pop of color.

Dont be surprised
Most of your vendors will have you sign a contract; be
sure to read and understand it it thoroughly. Paying
attention to details, like if your venue allows open flame if
you plan on having candles and knowing how long before
the start and stop times you have to set-up and clean-up,
will make things run more smoothly. Contact all vendors
2-3 weeks before your date to ensure everyone is on the
same page.

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 Vows are a staple part of
the wedding ceremony and
are a special time between
you and the love of your
life. There is no right
way to write your vows,
because couples choose
to share their feelings in
different ways. Putting
feelings into words gives
them body and makes
them everlasting. Take your time writing and
developing your ideas. Its okay
Be relaxed at the time you to take weeks even months to
start writing down your plan; this is a serious deal! You
thoughts. Grab a cup of might wake up in the middle of
hot tea, and put on your the night and think of something
favorite sweat pants if you you want to include or jot
need to. Zero in on putting something down on your lunch
your love into words in the break at work. Dont fret about In the vows, share a funny
best way possible. what your parents might want memory or say something like,
you to say or what would appeal I promise to eat a sandwich
Talk about the length of to anyone else. Vows are meant before I yell at you. I know Im
the vows. If yours are for a couple to tune into each cranky when I get hungry. Need
going to be about a page other and profess their love some perspective? There are
long, the other vows deeply from their hearts. Some so many examples out there of
should probably be about couples best express themselves vows, so take a look at a few of
the same length. You can through humor. them to see what you enjoy and
talk about this while still dislike to help you out.
keeping the content a
surprise!

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If high school speech class made you nervous be sure to
rehearse your vows before the big day to help ease any
anxiety you might have.
Decide if youre going to memorize your vows or use your
notes. Give a copy to your
officiate, even if you decide to
memorize them, just in case.
With all the hard work you put
into composing your vows, take
them on your honeymoon to read
to each other again or every
anniversary as a reminder of how
much loved each other on the
day you said, I do.
84 affinityweddingmagazine.com
 THE CHURCH
While church weddings may
be traditional each venue is
unique so remember to ask
these staple questions when
planning your ceremony:
Is there a cost to rent the
Church if I am a member?
Is there a venue package?
If so, are catering,
photography, floral
arrangements, and music
all-inclusive?
Are there added charges
for using vendors outside
of those that come with
the venue package?
Is alcohol allowed? If so,
is it limited to certain
areas?
Are there any restrictions
on music selections
for the ceremony or
reception?
Are rentals like tables,
chairs, linens included in
the price?
Are there any classes to
take or requirements we
have to meet before we
can use this venue?
 Is there a setup and What are the tax rates
cleanup fee? Does the and any other related fees
Church handle clean up or for using this venue?
am I supposed to do this?
Is the child cost different
What is the time limit than the adult rate?
on the space and extra
charges for going over the When is my deposit due?
time limit?
When is full payment
Can non-church due?
personnel or clergy
perform all or certain
parts of the ceremony?

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affinityweddingmagazine.com