Branson Weddings Guide

We all feel the pinch at the pump, as gas prices soar, but your wedding doesn’t have to suffer during these economic challenges! There are some fabulous ideas and sources out there to make your wedding as beautiful and elegant as you had envisioned, without going into debt!

Some simple tips include shopping locally for many of your items. For instance, you may think you’re getting a great deal on your wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses, and tuxedos in the big city stores, but those items can become very costly if you figure in all the gas you’ll use driving back and forth for fittings, pick ups, drop offs, changes or exchanges! That costly burden will also be felt by the members of your wedding party as well. The same idea applies to rental items like arches, chairs, tables, and other decorations. The gasoline, not to mention your time, all add up! So, shop closer to home!

An idea to consider for saving money on your gown is to purchase the sample from off the rack at your bridal shop. Often, you can save hundreds of dollars this way! You may have to do a little touch up cleaning, but the savings may be well worth it!

You can also save money by either printing your own invitations, or forgoing the paper and postage, and opting for a wedding website. A great source for wedding websites is www.weddingwire.com. Not only can you create your own fabulous site, you can also organize the guest list, budget, checklists, timelines, and even the seating chart!

To save money on your cake, check with your local grocery store. They can often be the most affordable option. Many brides are opting for the trendy cupcake tower as a less expensive, and fun look!

We all know how expensive the decorations can become for your wedding and reception. A great inexpensive alternative is paper lanterns. They can range from $1, up to $10 each, depending on what you chose. The selection is endless! There are fabulous colors, patterns, and sizes to coordinate with any color scheme. Check out the web for great ideas! Also, consider making your own centerpieces. You might be amazed by what you can do with floating candles, or fruit. Visit a bookstore or the Internet for inspiration! One of the fastest growing new trends is for a “do it yourself” approach to wedding planning. There are some absolutely wonderful books and websites out there to help you create virtually everything yourself. And the best part, is that it doesn’t have to look like you did it yourself! There are sites that will teach you how to create lovely bouquets, like www.about.com, or invitations, place cards, decorations, food, and so much more at www.stylemepretty.com. Check out their “How To’s” section! It’s a great site to get your creative juices flowing!

Have fun creating your perfect day & let us know if we can help at Touch of Class!

As the temperatures drop, and we welcome the changing of the seasons, we also gear up for one of the most beautiful times of the year for weddings! Autumn provides a gorgeous back drop for all the lovely warm colors of the season. Rich colors like chocolate brown, champagne, burnt orange and cinnamon are jumping off the pages of all your favorite bridal magazines. The options are endless for flowers and décor in this palate, as well. One of the hottest colors for bridesmaids this year is chocolate brown, and many popular lines offer a sash or trim work in a coordinating shade, which helps to tie in with your floral colors. In addition, many brides opt for a touch of color as an accent on their gown as well. From deep reds, to elegant gold tones, this trend can turn an otherwise ordinary dress into classic elegance!

Some of the latest trends in floral decor include sunflowers, bird of paradise, gerber daises, and the classic roses in deep shades of red, and burnt orange. Enjoy all that mother nature brings to us in this most delightful season!

Thanks to all of you for your e-mails!  We’re pleased to assist you in planning your special occasion in Branson.  For all of you looking for wedding venues, please check out our “Branson Wedding Marketplace”!  There are several trusted businesses listed there that specialize  in everything from the location, to the flowers, cakes and much more!  Also, Touch of Class now offers wedding planning services!  They can handle anything from an intimate vow renewal, to  a large formal event.  Even beautiful lakeside settings in super affordable packages!  For more information, follow the link to the Touch of Class website, and send them an e-mail request.

It’s June, and like so many cities across the country, that means wedding season! The grass is lush and green, the flowers are in full bloom, the temperatures are still comfortable, and all this makes the perfect backdrop for your destination wedding in Branson. Your options are endless for chosing that perfect location. From the quaint Bed & Breakfasts, to the new Branson Landing, log chapels, churches, and everything in between, we’ve got your ideal venue!

Branson provides a wonderful opportunity for your guests to enjoy a memorable vacation around your wedding plans. You won’t find a more enjoyable, family friendly destination, than Branson! Group rates are available at nearly all of our hotels, restaurants, and attractions. And, we’re easy to get to! By plane or by car, Branson is situated right in the center of the country, providing ease of travel for all your guests!

If you need assitance planning your wedding in Branson, contact Touch of Class. They are your one stop source, for all types of affordable wedding package options. 417-334-0303

Years ago, there were very clear cut rules as to what all members of the wedding party should or should NOT wear. If you’d been married before, you’d NEVER wear a white wedding gown for your second trip down the aisle. The Mothers of the bride and groom matched the bridesmaids’ colors; and the men all wore traditional tuxedos with coordinating cumberbunds and bow ties. Much has changed since then, and there seem to be no rules any more! This absence of traditional guidleines, leave many people confused as to what is expected or even acceptable to wear anymore. So, here are a few tips to get you on track!

The Bride- It’s all about your vision! Wear what looks best on your shape, with your skin tone. The only way to determine this is by trying on several styles. Frequently, what you see and fall in love with, in the bridal magazines, are high end designer gowns that don’t fit your budget, and may not look quite the same on you as you’d envisioned. So, get out there and try things on! You might be surprised! Keep in mind that your gown should set the tone for the rest of the wedding. If you chose a very formal gown, then the bridesmaids, flowergirls, and mothers should all be in formal attire,and as such, the groom and groomsmen should be in tuxedos. However, if the bride has chosen an informal gown, the bridesmaids, flowergirls, and mom’s should go with a bit less formal gowns as well. And, the men, might opt for a nice, light weight suit to coordinate with the informal dresses.

Bridesmaids- This can sometimes be a sticky situation. Be mindful of the different body shapes. Ask an expert at your bridal shop to suggest different styles that will complement the particular shapes in your party. A great option is to chose a line of dresses that has several great styles available in your selected color. This way, each bridesmaid can chose a comfortable style for them, and they will all match perfectly, giving beautiful continuity to your wedding. Keep in mind that the bride needs to be the ultimate decision maker, though. Seeking out the assistance of your maid of honor, can be a great help, however, it can be a bad idea to bring all your bridesmaids dress shopping together. They’ll all have different opinions, and the result can be no decisions made! It’s also a good idea to check out the available options in bridesmaids’ gowns before completely settling on your colors. Sometimes Brides spend a great deal of time and money on a particular color they love, only to later find that they can’t find acceptable or affordable dresses in that color. And, if that happens, you can always tie in your favorite color with trimwork on the dresses, such as a sash or ribbon around the waist, as well as in the flowers, and other decorations!

Mothers- Moms often have the most difficult time selecting their attire. They may be overwhelmed by the rules they’ve been accustomed to, combined with a desire to not look old and frumpy! The biggest misconception is that moms should wear the same color as the bridesmaids. Not true! Just stay in the same family of colors. If the colors lean on the pastel side, then stay within that pallet. Perhaps a champagne, pale blue, rose, or smoky lavender color. If the wedding colors are jewel tones, or darker, then head in that direction. Navy Blue, Burgandy, Chocolate, or even Black are great options. And, above all, if the bride is in a full, formal gown, mothers need to be in something formal as well. Even if it’s a formal pant suit! Seek out formal fabrics, like chiffon, satin, crepe, etc. A touch of beadwork or glitter can give it a more formal look as well. But, if the bride is in a full length formal gown, with a train, it looks entirely out of place for the mothers to be in a plain, polyester pansuit they’d wear to the office! Take the opportunity to dress up for this special day!

The Groom, Groomsmen & Dads- The same types of rules basically apply to the guys as well. If the bride and bridesmaids are formal, the men of the wedding party, should be as well. This means complete tuxedos. And the trend is for the groom to coordinate with the bride with his vest and tie- perhaps white or ivory. And, the groomsmen should coordinate with the bridesmaids, also with their vest and tie colors. And again, it’s inappropriate for the groom to be wearing an everyday suit if his bride is standing next to him in a fully formal wedding gown. You want to look as though you’re going to the same event! However, if you’re having an informal look for your gowns, a suit, rather than a tuxedo is completely acceptable. Dad’s should follow along the same lines, but not exactly match the groomsmen, unless they are one of them.

I hope you’ve found these tips to be helpful in clearing up some of those dilemas. Now good luck shopping!

This is the question I hear most frequently! And the answer is simple, if you have a big guest list and an even bigger budget. We all know about the luxury hotels, with beautiful ballrooms and breathtaking views, but what about an intimate setting for immediate family or perhaps a private ceremony and honeymoon for just the bride and groom? Relax! I’ve got some great ideas to set you on the right track.

Branson is fast becoming a top spot for destination weddings in the United States. We’re centrally located, and host countless things to do for the whole family, while they are attending your wedding! Branson provides a great wedding/vacation experience for your entire guest list. So, if you’re looking for that cozy, intimate setting, that won’t break the bank, check out some of our lovely Bed & Breakfasts. Many of them offer wedding packages, and feature beautifully landscaped areas, perfect for not only the ceremony, but great photo opportunities, as well! Another lovely choice for the warmer months, is a pool side wedding at many of the area hotels. This is a great option, if you have a few close friends or family attending. And, you might be surprised how affordable it can be if you are booking your accomodations there, as well! Branson and the surrounding areas also have some lovely parks, and caves worth checking out. Contact the parks department, through the “City of Branson”, they can give you all the details! Both of our lakes, Taneycomo, and Tablerock, are home to various options for those interested in a ceremony on the water. Sailboats, Catamarans, Yachts, etc. are available for private parties. With the addition of the Branson Landing, there are several new rentals getting ready to open, and in the meanwhile, check with the State Park Marina for availability on Tablerock Lake. And finally, there are a number of small chapels in the area. They might be a little hard to find, but get a copy of the “Ozark Mountain Wedding Planner”. There will be listings for some of these chapels, as well as a wide variety of other facilities in the guide. If you need to know where to find one of these planners, call or e-mail me, they are free and full of helpful information! I hope you’ve found these suggestions to be helpful. If you need more details, feel free to call or e-mail me! Good luck and be sure to check my blog next week, for some money saving tips on the reception!

Here are some great sources for planning your wedding!

Wedding Planners & Complete Wedding Packages
Touch of Class 417-334-0303

Attire-Gown, Tuxedos, etc.

Touch of Class 417-334-0303
 

Cakes

Pastries By Carla 417-339-3032
Country Mart 417-334-2101
Catering

Country Mart 417-334-2101
Creative Catering 417-336-5333
 

Ceremony/Reception Locations
Affordable Log Chapel Weddings 417-334-6252
Weddings At Williamsbrooke 417-334-7368
Bear Creek Bed and Breakfast 866-443-0030
Stonegate Glass Chapel 417-443-5083
Occasions By Ladona  417-337-4121

Flowers

Petals 417-334-5118
Country Mart 417-334-3383

Photography/Videography
Bahler 417-676-0347
Images to Desire 417-33-image

Wedding Supplies
All Occassions Rentals 417-337-5095
Party Magic 417-334-0687

This is a very common cause for stress in the wedding planning of most families. Many years ago, the tradition was for the bride’s parents to cover most of the expenses of the wedding, with the groom’s parent’s handling the financial responsibilites of the rehearsal dinner. But, times have changed tremendously where this is concerned. And, there are many interpretations for who pays for what. Normally today, the expenses are shared among parties, and those who are best equipped to handle the expenses, often step up and handle them as required. Having said that, here’s a basic outline of who traditionally pays for what in a wedding today.

Bride Pays For:

Wedding ring for Groom

Wedding gift for Groom

Bride’s attendants gifts

Wedding gown, headpiece and accessories (might also be paid for by Bride’s family)

Wedding planning consultant

Bridesmaids luncheon

Groom Pays For:

Engagement and wedding rings for Bride

Wedding gift for Bride

Groom’s attendants gifts

Marriage license

Officiant’s fee

Groom’s attire

Boutonnieres for Groom, attendants, ushers

Transportation/Limousine

Honeymoon

Bride’s Family Pays For:

Wedding Invitations & Announcements

Wedding Programs

Wedding Gown, headpiece, and accessories

Ceremony & Reception Decorations

Church Fee

Transportation/Limousine

Flowers for the ceremony, reception, bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, mothers’ corsages, and other boutonnieres.

Photography

Videography

Musical Entertainment

Groom’s Family Pays For:

Rehearsal dinner

Boutonnieres and Corsages for their Immediate Family members

Groom’s Cake

Attendants Pay For

Rental or purchase of wedding attire

Travel expenses to and from wedding city

Travel Accomodations

Wedding gift for wedding couple

Bridal Shower

Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

Greetings! The opportunity to relax and enjoy your wedding day is all in your hands! And, to ensure that, takes careful advance planning and scheduling. For a large, formal wedding, you’ll want to have at least 6-12 months of advance planning. Smaller, more informal weddings can be planned in less time, depending on the number of guests, and how flexible you are on the details. Less lead time, means more compromising! But, no matter what size your wedding will be, try to find a trusted person to help throughout the entire process. Delegating tasks, will save you time and stress. Keep in mind though, that involving a lot of people in each decision can sometimes be more stressful, with too many opinions, pulling you in all directions.

Six to twelve months:

Decide on your budget:

Decide the type of wedding: Informal or Formal

Choose location of ceremony:

Choose attendants:

Select gown, veil & accessories:

Select and order attendants’ gowns:

Compile Invitation List from Bride and Groom:

Choose Reception Site:

Plan Details of Reception:

Select Photographer & Videographer:

Choose florist:

Choose Caterer:

Select Musicians for Ceremony & Reception:

Look at Honeymoon Ideas:

Reserve Limousines:

Consider other party favors and extra details:

Four to Six Months

Order invitations, wedding programs, thank you’s

Finalize your Honeymoon Details

Update any immunizations needed for travel

Update or order passport, as required for travel

Order flowers

Shop for wedding bands

Two Months

Chose and reserve Tuxedos

Address wedding invitations

Check with local newspapers on deadlines for wedding announcement

Select attendants’ gifts

Chose wedding hair style, and set appt. for trial run with your hair stylist

Set date to get marriage license with your fiance

Reserve Rental Items for ceremony & reception

Order Wedding Cake & groom’s cake

Mail invitations- they should arrive six weeks prior to wedding

One Month

Arrange final gown fitting & bridesmaid fittings

Make plans and reservations for rehearsal dinner

Make plans and reservations for bridesmaid brunch or other party

Arrange lodging for out of town guests

Purchase groom’s wedding gift

Confirm Honeymoon reservations

Set appointments for hair and nails for bride and groom, as well as attendants

Two Weeks

Record wedding gifts, as they arrive. Write Thank you notes promptly

Double check all of your wedding attire and accessories

Confirm rehearsal times with members of wedding party

Work on seating chart for reception. Make place cards if needed

Shop for trousseau

Complete name and address changes on accounts, credit cards, lincenses, insurance, utilities, etc.

One Week

Consult with caterer, musicians, florist, photographer, videographer, and limousine to finalize all arrangements, and payments

Give final count to reception site and caterer

Pack for honeymoon

Get plenty of rest, eat healthy, and relax. The planning is finished, and it’s now time to enjoy your big day!

Be sure to check back next week, when we’ll discuss traditional financial obligations of the entire wedding party & family members.

Welcome to the first entry of my “Weddings in Branson Blog!” My name is Lana, and I’m excited to help you through the process of planning your wedding in Branson!

First up, I’ll give you a little backround on my experience. A transplant, from Wisconsin, I have lived in Branson for going on 16 years. Like everyone else, I love the beauty, climate, and small town charm of Branson.

I have owned and operated “Touch of Class” for 9 years. We are located in the “Shoppes at Branson Meadows” on Gretna Rd. We handle everything from Wedding gowns, Bridesmaids, Flowergirls, Tuxedos, and all the accessories, to Formal and semiformalwear, prom, pageant and stage attire for men, woman and children! We not only outfit the entire wedding party, we also costume many of Branson’s top shows! Customer service is our #1 priority!

We’ve also hosted a number of Bridal Shows, and other special events in the area, which gives us geat experience with all your wedding planning sources. From the Cake, Catering, Flowers, and Limo, to the perfect location, music, and so much more! Let us take away all your worries!

We hope you enjoy our weekly tips, topics, and trends! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

So, now that you know a little about me, let’s talk weddings!

Many of you out there just got that beautiful new engagement ring at Christmas or New Years, so by now you’ve probably picked up a couple of those wedding magazines, and are pouring over all the decisions to be made! Not to mention, wondering how you’re going to do it without breaking the bank! Relax! And, keep checking in for some great money saving tips. We’ll be giving you great ideas to save money on everything from the location, to the gowns and tuxes, food, flowers and much, much, more!

The first thing that needs to be done is to pick and reserve your location. Many popular venues book up early, so if you have your heart set on a particular church or reception facility, that may dictate your wedding date, based on their availability. Keep in mind this money saving tip! If you chose a date other than Saturday, the rate may be substantially lower. A candlelit, Friday evening or a relaxing Sunday afternoon can be great inexpensive alternatives to the traditional Saturday wedding. Also, keep in mind that June is the most poplular month for weddings. So, if cost is a factor, check different months for prices. And, don’t be afraid to ask if there are any dates they’d like to fill at a reduced rate. You might be surprised at how much you can save by filling a slow period for your venue!

So, pick your dates, and get that location booked right away! And, I’ll see you back here next week, when we’ll discuss your wedding planning timeline.