En-ties-ing
Check out this trendy neckware.
From top: Citrus by Vineyard Vines | Martha’s Vineyard, $75 at Wright & Simon, Wilmington; Yellow with blue floral accents, $59.50 at Jos. A. Bank, Greenville; Burgee Gent, Southern Seaside Collection by Southern Proper, $68 at Carltons, Rehoboth Beach; Sandollars by Vineyard Vines | Martha’s Vineyard, $75 at Wright & Simon, Wilmington; Corkscrews by Alynn, $32, at Apropos, Greenville; Orange with floral accents by Breuer, $118 at Carltons; Sailboats by Alynn, $32, at Apropos.
Page 2: You’re on Candid Camera | Your guests can capture moments your photographer can’t. Here’s how.
You’re on Candid Camera
Your guests can capture moments your photographer can’t. Here’s how.
Professional photographers can’t be everywhere, so many couples put disposable or digital cameras on tables. But disposable cameras have limited capabilities, so photos can be dark, blurry or grainy because of limited lighting in the reception space or low flash output. So how can amateurs take better pictures?
Scott Ellis, a pro in Wilmington, suggests limiting the distance. “People take pictures of Uncle Frank on the dance floor from 40 feet away,” he says. “Get closer.”
Lance Lanagan, a pro based in Camden-Wyoming, says to change perspective. “Get down low or stand on a chair if you can do it safely,” he says. “Your images will immediately stand out from the rest.”
Wilmington photographer Danielle Quigley offers the rule of thirds: Divide the photo frame into three sections vertically and horizontally, then put your subject where the lines intersect. “The photo will look more natural since the way you see the world is with your main subject seldom directly in the middle of your vision,” she says.
Ginny Stominski, co-owner of Carolyn Watson Photography in Rehoboth Beach, says to use the flash and any available light. “Take advantage of lights on the wall, a window,” she says.
Misty Dawn Pfeil, owner of Misty Dawn Photography in Newark, says go where the pro is not. “The newly married couple will appreciate your photos of those events unfolding.” —Tara Lynn Johnson
Page 3: The Inn Crowd | Your guests need accommodations—and a reasonable price. Here are a few places that can help.
The Inn Crowd
Your guests need accommodations—and a reasonable price. Here are a few places that can help.
Michele and Dan fell in love while attending the University of Delaware, and have decided to tie the knot near their beloved campus. Both are from New York, so they will have several friends and family members traveling to the wedding. Like Michele, many brides are faced with finding appropriate accommodations for out-of-town guests. Thankfully, there are hotels throughout Delaware that, based on comfort, location and value, are perfect for groups. Here are five.
The Hilton Christiana’s (100 Continental Drive, Newark, 454-1500) newly renovated facilities offer an estate-like ambience, daily activities and packages with discounts to Longwood Gardens and Hagley Museum. Discounted group rates are available.
Guests may be reluctant to leave the Sheraton Dover (1570 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover, 678-8500) with its chic decor, on-site dining and heated indoor pool. Discounts are available for a block of 10 or more rooms, but reserve at least two months ahead.
The Doubletree Hotel’s (700 N. King St., Wilmington, 655-0400) online booking engine allows couples to reserve up to 25 guest rooms without picking up the phone.
For vintage seaside charm combined with modern amenities, the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel (Olive Ave. Rehoboth Beach, 227-7169) is sure to delight out-of-towners with daily afternoon teas, packets that include information about the area’s many attractions, and special group rates.
The Inn at Monthchanin Village (514 Montchanin Road, Montchanin, 888-2133) is a charming estate imbued with history and nestled in the Brandywine countryside near popular wedding spots like Winterthur and the Wilmington Country Club. The Inn has 28 guest rooms and suites at six different price points, and an on-site spa. —Sarah Spagnoli
Page 4: Fore-gone | No more golf for the guys. Get together in a fresh, new way.
Fore-gone
No more golf for the guys. Get together in a fresh, new way.
Your future husband would like to get the guys together before the wedding, but none of them are big on golf. What other options are there? Try these.
Go Sideways Travel the newly established Delaware Wine and Ale Trail, which includes 12 stops at wineries and craft breweries throughout the First State.
Ply the Waters Canoe or kayak the waters of Delaware with Wilderness Canoes, Coastal Kayak, or Quest Fitness and Kayak. Or rent a sailboat or motorboat to explore Delaware’s coast or bays.
Hit the Boards Surfboards, boogie boards, windsurfing, kite boarding—we do it all in Delaware. If your honey and his guys are newbies, have them check into rentals and lessons.
Reel Fun There’s nothing like a day of drinking beer and telling fish tales. Best options? Surf fishing at the beach or chartering a boat to get out on the high seas.
Mountain Highs OK, so we don’t have Everest, or any mountains at all, for that matter, but novices get can get sort of high on rock climbing indoors at the Delaware Rock Gym in Bear or outdoors at Alapocas Run State Park in North Wilmington.
Take ’Em Out to the Ballgame Whether its football, basketball, hockey or baseball, there’s always some pro team playing nearby in Baltimore, D.C., Philly or New York.
Deal ’Em In Local casinos are no longer limited to video lottery games. Now the boys can play poker and other table games at Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway.
Make Like Tarzan The guys can prove their manliness by crossing rope bridges and zipping through the trees at canopy tours at Spring Mountain ski resort in Pennsylvania or Terrapin Adventures in Savage, Maryland. —Theresa Gawlas Medoff
Page 5: The Etiquette Question: Who do you invite from work? | Let the experts guide the way.
The Etiquette Question:
Who do you invite from work?
Let the experts guide the way.
You spend eight hours a day (or more), with them five days a week. You’re friendly, but maybe not friends. So it can be a tough call—who do you invite to your wedding from work?
“If you’re having a small, intimate wedding, people at work will understand that you’re inviting just family and the closest of friends,” says Linda Cylc of SilkStyle Events in New Castle.
But if you’re able to entertain more people, she encourages clients to invite people who are friends outside the office. And if you invite a group from work, there’s one person who should not be left off the list in most cases. “If you’re on friendly terms with him or her, it’s never a bad idea to invite the boss.”
Planner Tuesdi Kelly of Soiree, etc. agrees. The relationships with people from work you wish to invite should be close, she says, not casual acquaintances from office happy hours.
If you decide not to invite everyone, you might find some people’s feelings get hurt. Kelly says you could explain that costs limited the guest list and that might ease the pain for those left out.
But in the end, it’s your day. And experts agree that the people you invite to the wedding should all have one thing in common—you really want them to be there. —T.L.J.
Page 6: Expert Gifting | Local specialty stores offer it all.
Expert Gifting
Local specialty stores offer it all.
Hardware stores, big box retailers and even discount chains are getting into the bridal business, but when it’s time to compile your wedding wish list, you will find it invaluable to consult the experts at local specialty stores
Louise Hoffman, owner of Enchanted Owl in Greenville, says today’s more casual lifestyles have brides opting for casual dishware instead of the traditional formal china. More casual patterns of crystal and stainless flatware complete the setting. Popular serving pieces include those by Michael Aram, Mariposa and Beatriz Ball. “We also sell an amazing amount of Simon Pearce glass bowls, vases, candlesticks and stemware,” Hoffman adds.
Everything But the Kitchen Sink in Hockessin lives up to its name by stocking kitchen gadgets, bakeware and cookware, formal and informal dishes, bed linens—even coffee tables, mirrors, pictures and benches. Bridal registry consultant Karen Griffith says brides who register in winter often also select items for garden and patio. “We encourage our brides to register for all price ranges, from a $2 vegetable peeler to the fancier pieces that they desire. It makes it easier for guests,” Griffith says.
Forney’s Jewelers in Dover is more than a jewelry store. Brides register there for china, crystal, flatware and serving pieces. Metal serving pieces by Wilton Armetale, Mariposa and other manufacturers are very popular, says sales associate Becky Sessa. Forney’s also sells fused glass pieces by New Jersey artist Peggy Karr and contemporary crystal jewelry handmade by Lumina, a Delaware artist.
When Joe Yasik and Paul Roscosky became owners of The Wooden Indian in Rehoboth Beach, they decided to offer more affordable lines of china, as well as casual, fine dinnerware. “We even carry a Waterford line of dishwasher-safe crystal stemware,” Yasik says. The Popular Beatriz Ball aluminum serving pieces, for example, never tarnish, and can go from freezer to oven to table. —T.G.M.
