Elope, destination or big wedding Dreaming of a big church wedding with hundreds of guests, or does a beach wedding in sandals fit your style?  Maybe you’ve even thought of running off to say “I do” in a romantic elopement, just you and your groom. Whichever route to marriage you decide to take, here are a few of the ups and downs you’ll encounter along the way. Elopement  If you’re overwhelmed by the thought of a large-scale wedding, or your budget just won’t allow it, wh

Couples can choose their own style rather than many first-time wedding traditions Amanda Fausey-Fegan and Daren Shanholtzer knew exactly what they were getting into when they decided to get married Jan. 2, 2016.  It was a second wedding for both of them – Amanda, 45, was a widow with three sons and Daren, 43, was divorced, with a grown daughter. After saying their vows at the Fenton Village Players Playhouse, they hosted a reception at The Laundry Room in Fenton for close f

Brides have many options for the perfect dress, from online shopping to rental or ‘pre-loved’ Your bridal gown is the focal point of your wedding day, so you want it to reflect your style, your personality and your budget.  But there are many options available to today’s brides in choosing just the perfect wedding dress. Yes, you can buy a top-of-the-line designer gown for $5,000 and up, but you can also choose an average- priced wedding dress for $1,000 or less.  For more

How to choose a wedding photographer I’m going to say the same thing I always say to people I know who are looking for a wedding photographer — ‘You don’t have to hire me, but can I offer some advice?’ My name is Tim Jagielo, I’m a photographer, writer, video producer, and media editor for this newspaper. I’ve also been shooting weddings since 2005, and in my capacity as the photo editor of the ‘Times, I take photos in a variety of environments, and also edit (make fit to

These ‘rules’ are made to be broken, depending on your own family’s circumstances Centuries ago, the bride’s family paid for all their daughter’s wedding expenses, because of the traditional system of dowries — the price they paid to her future husband for her support, and as a measure of good faith between the two families.  Those days are long gone, but many of the same traditions remain, with the bride’s family paying many of the expenses of a wedding.  On average, the

Last-minute wedding pointers While those last few weeks before a wedding day can be hectic, it’s important that couples stay focused and remember to perform a handful of tasks as their big day draws closer. And don’t forget to relax and enjoy! Write some checks. Many vendors expect final payment a week or two before the ceremony, and it’s imperative that couples make these payments on time. Revisit all of your contracts to determine when the final installment of each vendor’