Joe & Eden Langiano had their ceremony at Athens Christian Church; reception at Secret Recipes. PHOTO BY Chris Withers Many once-popular wedding traditions have fallen by the wayside. But one wedding tradition that has withstood the test of time is the wedding registry. Couples about to tie the knot still build a wedding registry so […]
Special Issues
Make your engagement photoshoot a success
Kelly & Mark Peper had their ceremony at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Springfield; reception at Buena Vista Farms in Jacksonville. Photo by Steve & Tiffany/WarmowskiPhotography.com Engagement photos vary depending on the couple. Often reserved for save-the-date cards and now commonly used to spruce up wedding websites, engagement photos can range from formal shoots in […]
Hot trends in wedding cuisine
Once a couple has officially tied the knot, the newly recognized man and wife and all of their guests will retire to a party room where they can mingle, dance and enjoy a good meal. In the past, standard fare like prime rib and roasted chicken dominated wedding menus. But today’s weddings cater to people […]
How to negotiate with wedding vendors
The average wedding tends to be one of the most costly ventures in a couple’s life together. Many couples seek ways to cut costs, and negotiating with prospective vendors is one way to do just that. Too often couples overlook haggling for better prices because they may be intimidated by the process or simply want […]
Be smart about wedding beauty preparation
All eyes are on the bride and groom on their wedding day. Feeling beautiful and dapper can boost a couple’s confidence and ensure they look back on their wedding photographs and videos with pride.Certain beauty basics and makeup and hair strategies can help any bride look spectacular on her wedding day. The following are some […]
The party after the party
Nowadays, many wedding guests are not ready to call it a night after the deejay plays the last dance at the reception. After-parties have grown increasingly popular, but planning an after-party is not necessarily as simple as pointing guests to a nearby watering hole. After-parties can be anything a couple wants them to be. They […]
How do couples merge their finances?
Getting married means accepting change and combining two lives into one. After tying the knot, certain decisions and discussions are easier than others. Conversations about money may be one of the hardest topics for newly married couples to navigate. Couples are heading to the altar later than they did in generations past. In the United […]
How to preserve wedding bouquets and arrangements
A bride’s gown may garner its share of attention come her wedding day, but floral arrangements also tend to impress guests. Fresh flowers make a wedding and the ensuing reception more inviting and appealing. According to The Knot.com, couples can expect to spend 8 percent of their wedding budget on flowers. For the average wedding, […]
Simple solutions to save on your wedding
Kendra Fustin and Brian Rimini married Nov 1, 2014 at St. Mary’s in Farmersville. Their reception was at Firefighters Lake Club in Springfield. PHOTO provided by Matt DeBackere Photography Couples in the midst of planning a wedding often find themselves overwhelmed by the cost of such a meaningful yet expensive undertaking. The average wedding is […]
Story time in Springfield
“There’s nothing for young children to do in Springfield,” is a common lament from parents. The next time you’re looking for a fun activity to share with your child, look no further than one of these local reading programs. Barnes & Noble 3111 S. Veterans Pkwy., 217-546-9440 Barnes & Noble has story times on Wednesday […]
Grandparent day care
By age 81, my father-in-law, Joe Rogers, had raised three stepchildren and worked for more than half a century. He had served in Korea and had lived in Venezuela. He had been hang gliding in Germany and had flown small aircraft in Wisconsin. But one thing Joe hadn’t done in all his 81 years was […]
Blabbering Bethann is not nice
Chris Britt’s illustrations will look familiar to readers of Illinois Times, where his exclusive editorial cartoon appears weekly. He formerly worked as staff editorial cartoonist at the State Journal-Register. A self-described “visual communicator,” Britt has recently crossed genres and tried his hand at children’s literature. The result is Blabbering Bethann (Pelican Publishing Company), a […]
