See inside for details on Times Leader and Genetti’s Ultimate Girls Soiree Brides Night Out Wednesday, April 26, 2017 February 2017 A Special Supplement to 2 Thursday, February 23, 2017 WEDDINGS 2017 The Times Leader Make proposals special and successful Make proposals 2 special and successful A wedding proposal is a special moment in couples’ lives together. Did you know? Most popular engagement month It can be made even more special by following some guidelines. How guests can cut costs and 3 Did you know? Wedding weight 18 still attend loved ones’ weddings Jewelry care and Reconnect during wedding 4 cleaning guidelines 19 planning Master the wedding Tips for trimming the 5 save-the-date 20 wedding guest list Stunning engagement Tips for Selecting a comfortable 7 ring alternatives wedding gown Determining wedding Throw a casual wedding 8 day dress codes 21 to remember Treat guests to Incorporate flowers in 9 personalized vows 23 various ways What’s new for the 2017 Did you know? Wedding white 10 wedding season? 24 Merging finances after 11 Wedding transportation tips 26 getting married Different roles for Hotel how to: tips for guests 12 the father of the bride looking for lodging Tips for a special “I do,” take two: Guide to a marriage proposals is a couple’s first rest of their lives. So choose a proposal mother/son dance 27 second marriage official step toward the altar. Tradition location that has sentimental connections. Weddings and Prevent wedding day foot pain dictates that men pop the question, Think about where the first “I love you” nontraditional families 28 Awith their surprised — and hopefully soon- was uttered or where a first date occurred. 14 Did you know? Longevity to-be-fiancées — ultimately deciding if These can be prime locations to pop the Successful toasts help in marriage shape social events 30 wedding bells will be on the horizon. question. 15 Make every anniversary count Proposing marriage can be nervewracking. Note her style 7 ways to recycle a 31 wedding gown Did you know? Establish a However, if the time seems right and love Engagement rings play a big role in many 16 memory table is in the air, popping the question can be couples’ proposals. One person’s style is exciting. Regardless of who is proposing not necessarily what his partner will like. marriage, the following strategies can help Bigger isn’t always better. Rather, choose a make proposals memorable and successful. ring that reflects your partner’s preferences Turn the tides and personality. Take your partner jewelry An old Irish tradition known as “The Lady’s shopping and see which types of jewelry he Privilege” was established in the fifth century or she is most drawn to. Certain preferences by a nun named St. Brigid. She decided to can serve as a jumping off point for ring create an opportunity for women to propose designs. marriage. This day fell on every leap year, Ask for the family’s blessing February 29. Centuries later, women can Men no longer need to ask their girlfriends’ still use this tradition as the impetus to take fathers for “permission” to wed their the marriage reigns into their own hands. daughters. However, asking your partner’s But women need not wait for the next leap family for their blessing is a sign of respect year to propose. and can add a romantic and heartfelt touch Many women view proposing as an to the proposal. Did you know? empowering action that is tied to the Capture the moment evolving view of independent women. ccording to the 2015 Real Weddings Study from the premier multiplatform Couples are negotiating more in the Though we live in an age when every wedding resource The Knot, the most popular month for couples to get engaged marriage process, and the dissolution of moment of people’s lives is documented is December. Sixteen percent of survey respondents became engaged in the final commonly held practices is occurring more with videos and photographs posted to Amonth of the calendar year. The survey also found that the average length of a couple’s often. social media, proposals still stand out as engagement is now 14.5 months. Where June once was the most popular month of extra special moments. Hire a professional the year to tie the knot, today’s couples are now heading down the aisle most often in Choose a photographer to discreetly capture the sentimental location October. Seventeen percent of weddings now occur in October, closely followed by 15 proposal and your partner’s reaction so it percent in September. And at what age are couples saying their “I dos”? The average Couples will remember the proposal for the can be cherished for years to come. marrying age for a bride is 29 and it is 31 for the groom. The Times Leader WEDDINGS 2017 Thursday, February 23, 2017 3 11 80809483 4 Thursday, February 23, 2017 WEDDINGS 2017 The Times Leader Jewelry care and cleaning guidelines ridal gowns and tuxedos may get their slippery substances such as soaps and oils, Beware the sun, too fair share of attention at weddings, but as jewelry may fall off and become lost. The Gemological Institute of America, Inc. the subtle details of brides’ and grooms’ Instead, remove precious jewelry and store states that sunlight can affect the durability Bwedding attire also garner guests’ attention. it in a safe location, such as in a jewelry and color of colored gemstones. Over time chest or a drawer. Breathtaking jewelry worn by the bride, and in excess, the sun and heat can fade groom and members of the bridal party Exercise caution with or damage some stones, such as amethyst, looks great on the day of the wedding and beauty products topaz and pearls. Other stones can darken in photos couples will keep for decades to Apply lotion, cosmetics, perfume, cologne, with exposure to the sun. come. Naturally, engagement rings and bridal and hairspray before putting on jewelry. Clean jewelry with care bands are the shining stars of the celebration. These substances can discolor certain Rely on mild detergents and a light touch However, other pieces of jewelry also make metals or even damage stones. Prolonged when cleaning jewelry. Use products for cherished accessories for weddings. contact with perspiration and bodily oils also specifically designed for jewelry care, Bridal jewelry is an investment worth can cause discoloration over time. Gently and read labels to ensure safety. The maintaining. According to a 2013 report by wipe down jewelry with a soft cloth after International Gemological Institute the Jewelers of America, couples spend an wearing it to remove oils and sweat. says seriously soiled jewelry should be average of $4,000 on engagement rings and Be careful around swimming professionally cleaned. more money on wedding bands. Considering pools, spas and the ocean several thousands of dollars may adorn the Inspect and know your jewelry Couples should remove jewelry before Protect jewelry necks, fingers, ears, and wrists of bridal party Routinely inspect jewelry to test for any partaking in water-based activities on their by cleaning it members, individuals should learn how to structural issues that can result in breakage honeymoons. According to jewelry retailer regularly and keep their jewelry investments looking pristine. or lost stones. Make sure any suspected Zales, chlorinated water can react with exercising caution problems are repaired promptly. Remove jewelry during hard work the metals found in jewelry, causing color when engaging in Exercise caution when wearing jewelry changes and even structural changes. Don’t Ensure jewelry will last for years to come. certain activities. during strenuous activities or when jewelry risk jewelry falling off in the ocean. Store it in Exercise caution when wearing pieces and can be damaged. Also, watch when handling a secure location before diving in. clean and care for them properly. 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There’s no turning back once cards are To be certain that guests have ample notice sent, so couples will need to be certain everyone to clear their schedules, many couples now they want to attend is getting advanced notice.