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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2017)
4 Wedding Guide • Wednesday, January 25, 2017 A wedding to remember Brides and grooms are choosing to personalize their weddings — from venues to wardrobe — to fit their personalities and budgets. Casual, intimate weddings see resurgence E legant, lavish weddings provide moments couples will remember for years to come. But while such sto- rybook ceremonies and receptions remain popular, casual affairs are gaining popularity. According to the bridal resource The Knot, more and more couples are opting for less pageantry and more laid back panache when plan- ning their weddings. For those who prefer something more intimate and more personalized, casual weddings may be right on target. There are many advantages to hav- ing a “luxe with less” wedding, including the ability to break molds allowing for an exciting and enjoy- and impart more of the couple’s per- able event. sonality into the event. To put casual plans into motion, Another advantage is the price tag. consider these ideas to help the wed- The average U.S. wedding, accord- ding vision come to fruition. VENUE ing to The Knot 2014 Real Weddings Study, costs $31,213. In some urban Catering halls and other reception areas, particularly New York City, sites do a wonderful job of meeting average costs are three times that the needs of their clientele. However, amount. Golden Girl Finance, a food and beverage costs are often the leader in financial digital media, has most expensive wedding expense. To reduce the found that Canadian weddings “If music be the food of love, per-guest cost and also incorporate average $31,000 play on.” some variety into with honeymoon — WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, “TWELFTH NIGHT” their wedding days, included. couples can consid- Although wed- ding costs have gone up, the average er a venue change. Look for public number of wedding guests has gone locations that allow couples to hire down. As such, certain couples might their own caterer, which may be a look to rein in other aspects of their favorite restaurant or specialty food wedding. Transforming the festivi- shop. The cost per person may ties into a casual affair can help keep decrease dramatically from the the overall budget low while still venue costs. Changing the venue also enables couples to pick unique spots that may hold special meaning to them. For example, couples can choose the site of their first date or the location where their proposal took place. CONTRAST Enjoy a casual, free-spirited wed- ding that incorporates some aspects of formality in an off-beat way. Think about serving fast food, such as fried chicken or pizza, on fine china. Those wearing tuxedos and gowns can opt for casual footwear, such as athletic shoes. Place wild- flowers in crystal vases. These are just some methods to give a rich feel without removing the fun element. PERSONAL TOUCHES Menus or wedding programs print- ed at home in a fun font can set the casual tone couples are looking for. See CASUAL WEDDINGS 8
