Author: Mary P Karnes

I am a wife, author, teacher, and MOTHER OF FOUR DAUGHTERS! Weddings are a large force in our lives these days. One daughter married in June of 2014, another will in July 2015. Please join me on my blog and enjoy the wedding ride! It's full of ups…and downs.

New Wave of Wedding Favors

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

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As my daughter, Kathleen and her fiancé, Tyler’s wedding approaches, my mind is on wedding favors.  Although we have chosen our guest favors, I am always on the look-out for a ‘ New Wave of Wedding Favors ‘.  Who knows, I just might stumble upon something unique…

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I think it’s aways a good idea to have a consumable for your departing guests.  I think I’ve spoken to this theme before.  I must feel strongly about it.  Really, how many tokens from other people’s wedding can you store?  Give your guests something to eat, they’re happy, (at least I would be…). and it’s ‘one and done.’

 

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Love the top photo with the decorated cookies.  I have an inkling that they taste as good as they look, which isn’t always the case.  And the ‘pie-pops’ in the next pic…yum!  I think these just may be my favorite favor on this post!  What a darling idea.  Maybe you want to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate after the wedding.  Then the next favor is for you!  Not only would it be a delicious treat post-wedding reception, but it’s pretty, which is a big factor in your gift-giving selections.  Yes, you want your guest favors to taste good, and/or be functional, but optimally, it’s all about the look.  You want ‘all things pretty at your wedding’.

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Which brings us to the last two favors, which are beautiful.  I love the flowers.  Imagine, a posy for each guest.  Something to remember your special day for a week or so, and then, no worries about ‘what do I do with it?!?  Or how about the rock candy below?  You could choose either an assortment of colors for your guests’ selection, or a single color to match your theme…But then…how can you go wrong when you are giving someone a gift? 🙂new-wedding-favor-ideas-009

Photo #1 www.occasionsniagara.com

Photos #2-5 brides.com

 

KK and Tyler’s Reception Venue

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

 

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I have yet to unveil my daughter, KK and Tyler’s wedding reception venue on THIS blog.  So…drum roll, please…They will be holding their wedding reception at the Pavilion on Crystal Lake in Middletown, CT.  It is absolutely perfect for them.  They wanted a outdoorsy, rustic feeling and this delivers.  .  And…it’s on a lake with a tiny beach.  If you check out KK’s wedding website, you can see how a lake ties into Tyler’s proposal… I’m very excited.  All photos on this blog were taken on site.  Let’s only hope we can have a spectacular sunset like the one above!

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In the next two photos, you see the dance floor and table settings.  As with any wedding venue, the bride is able to choose linens to go with her color scheme.  Flowers, from your choice of florist, will complete the vision to customize your look.  Will we choose to use the fairy lighting in the pictures?  I can’t tell…I do think it adds a nice romantic feel.

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Notice the fabulous wood-sided walls.  It give the barn feel both KK and Tyler coveted, without the barn.  The main building has all the amenities so as to not inconvenience the guests for everyday necessities.  I thought at one time of choosing particularly  gorgeous venue, but it was quite out of the way and would require port-a-potties.  While sometimes this sacrifice is worth it, I just couldn’t see it, especially for a bride…

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The local scenery at the ‘Pavilion on Crystal Lake’ is not limited to a nice gazebo and tiny lake.  I love these gorgeous mature trees.  But once again, pictures as gorgeous as these will be dependent on the weather.  Even IF it doesn’t rain on KK and Tyler’s wedding day, if it has recently, it would be far too muddy to take advantage of this beauty.  Ah…the trials of living in New England…  🙂

photo creds: Connecticutweddinggroup.com

Courthouse Wedding Ideas

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

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weddingpartyapp.com

No one says you have to go all out and have a major bash for your wedding.  What about a “Courthouse Wedding?”  There are many advantages, number one being the low cost to either the parents of the couple or the couple themselves.

There are rules/protocol to follow, however.   According to bashcorner.com, there are many:

“Court house weddings are best suited for couples who are planning to either marry secretly or spontaneously without enduring the hassles of planning for a wedding. These weddings are not elaborate as a normal wedding. Marriages are conducted in a simple way with few friends and family members present.

The courthouse venues are also very small and can accommodate only friends who will also serve as witnesses. It is necessary that you know how to have a court house wedding, the laws and the regulations that govern such a wedding and also the requirements.  Counties might differ in their requirements although the basic necessities and rules remain the same throughout.

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luckymag.com

All types of marriages have to be registered, including court house weddings, in the office of the registrar. If you are planning for a marriage in your residential state then apply for a license in your local county office. In case the marriage will be conducted away from the home state still you need to apply in the county house of your state.

An identification proof is required, which can be your social security number, driving license or any other proof that has been issued by a federal office. A fee for availing the license has also to be submitted with the application form. This fee varies from county to county. Usually, the fee has to be paid in cash. Other requirements include documents that support the dissolution of the previous marriage. Some of the counties require the submission of blood test reports for particular ailments like Thalasemia and HIV. A witness might be needed to be present at the time of submission of the application form.

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This is the period between the submission of the application and the issue of marriage license. The waiting period is usually three days in most counties. You can also cancel the application within these three days. Once the license gets issued you are free to marry within one to six months of the date of issue.

Once all the requirements have been arranged for, look for a witness who is above eighteen years of age. Submit your marriage license to the registrar and proceed with the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, the witness, registrar and the couples need to sign the marriage license for certification of the marriage in the court of law.”

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And remember, there are lots of beautiful dresses that are more in keeping with a courthouse venue.  Just notice the ones above!  And if you desire a dramatic photo to immortalize your day, you can always choose a scene like this blog’s last picture…

 

‘Shoes For the Bride’ !

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

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So let’s talk ‘Shoes for the Bride’ again… I won’t pretend to be indifferent…I LOVE SHOES!  Wedding shoes are one of my favorite bridal topics.  There are so many choices.  But before you fall in love with a shoe, take a look and STUDY the chart below.  You may seriously reconsider your choice.  Will you dance the night away?  Even if you don’t, you’ll still be on your feet for hours and want a degree for comfort.

 

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I am one to talk…I wore sky high heels at my own wedding, and truly do not remember my feel hurting.  My daughter, Maggie, wore gorgeous light blue heels and never complained herself.  My next bride, KK, on the other hand, may be wiser than we.  She has chosen delightful, darling flats.  But when your feet are a delicate size 6, you can wear anything and it will look feminine.

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I’ve included some beautiful shoes in this post.  I know that if I had it to do all over again – not to worry my dear husband, 🙂  I would wear something a little more flashy than what I chose 31 years ago.  I would definitely consider one of the gems above, or even a colored shoe…

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The chart above gives a nice description of different heel options, but after that decision is made, you still must chooses color, fabric, and whether you desire a bit of “bling” or not.  I say, YES!  Go for the bling!  You’ll never wear these particular shoes again (although I DID!).  Make them spectacular!

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You may even like something like the shoes above.  This bride, I’m guessing, had a summer wedding, and took to heart the ‘summer color’ theme.  I love it!   This photo may appear on my blog header one day!

Images:

Image #1 www.bhldn.com

Image #2 and #3 www.pinterest.com

Image #4 ringologs.com

Image #5 bagshoes.net