FIRST THINGS FIRST
the wedding planner

By CAROLINE WOON

What’s the first thing every bride and groom should have as they prepare to stride down the aisle into holy matrimony? You guessed it: a great list. From cake-tastings and dress fittings to rehearsals and time-savers from local experts, here’s a guide for counting down to the big day:

9 to 12 months before...
Consult your checkbook: Formulate a thoroughly comprehensive budget that’s realistic.

“Be honest with yourself,” urged Monica Brown, certified wedding consultant and co-owner of Here’s To You Event Coordination & Design in Rancho Cucamonga. “The amount of money you have to spend will always determine exactly where and how you’ll do it.”

Stake your claim: Once you’ve finalized the date, don’t think twice about nabbing your top choices for the ceremony location and reception site.

“I encourage brides to book everything as far in advance as possible,” said Sheryl Lindholm, chef and co-owner of Chantrelles Fine Catering in Claremont. “There are only so many Saturday evenings in a month and popular venues fill up quickly.”

6 to 9 months before...
Focus on food: Schedule meetings with prospective caterers and treat your taste buds to a jaw-dropping variety of gourmet menu options, keeping in mind that this post-nuptial feast is likely to be one of the most memorable aspects of the entire event.

Dress to impress: Armed with a battery of full-color magazine clippings and online photos, begin your quest for a breathtakingly beautiful bridal gown and coordinating bridesmaids dresses, the formality of which promise to effectively set the tone for the evening.

Send in the troops: Build a team of trained professionals to put the finishing touches on a truly unforgettable day: live entertainment that’ll have guests dancing the night away, a florist who can customize gorgeous, seasonally- appropriate arrangements and an experienced photographer and/or videographer to capture every second of the magic.

1 to 6 months before...
Ring in the occasion: Purchase his and hers wedding bands engraved with a special message to permanently commemorate the union.

Get it in writing: After carefully poring over scads of wedding invitations in every color and cardstock imaginable, select, print and send your announcements to guests at least two months prior to the date.

Accessorize accordingly: Prevent even the tiniest of details from slipping through your anxious fingers by ordering items such as wedding favors, guest books, ring pillows and flower baskets as early as possible.

Give yourself a makeover: Book appointments with a hairstylist and makeup artist to fully discuss the look you wish to achieve, start an exercise regimen to trim any unwanted pounds before slipping into that dream dress, and allow yourself to do pretty much whatever it takes to ensure you’ll look as great as you feel on your big day.

According to Don Wilcott, founder and general partner at the Edwards Mansion in Redlands, when all is said and done, the success of your wedding will ultimately depend upon those individuals you’ve entrusted with this huge responsibility.

“Hire experienced people who share your vision and are 100 percent dedicated to making it happen. The bottom line is that the bride should walk away knowing that everything went exactly the way it was supposed to.”

the ring’s the thing

By Caroline Woon

If the thought of dealing with the pomp and circumstance of a swanky, overpriced jewelry store is enough to give you cold feet, take some tips on engagement ring shopping from a specialist.

After more than four decades in the jewelry business, Alan Thomas, owner of Bryant & Co. Jewelers in Claremont, knows a thing or two about selecting a quality diamond.

“With so many confusing choices, you really have to educate yourself and know exactly what you’re getting,” he said. “Take as much time as you need to feel confident in a purchase this big and go to a jeweler you can trust — who treats diamonds not as a commodity, but as a rarity and a thing of beauty.”

Locating a full-service store with a knowledgeable staff is only the first step in zeroing in on that precious gem.

“There are really so many different factors to consider before buying,” Thomas said. “And while every diamond is beautiful in some way, the true quality of it will determine how well it retains its value.”

The level of quality is, in turn, dictated by a set of characteristics that includes the cut, color, clarity and carat weight of a diamond. Here are the basics:

Cut - Referring to both the overall shape as well as the geometrically precise facets that a raw, unpolished stone will eventually display, the cut can either yield a dull, lifeless and lackluster product or a sparkly, stunningly brilliant specimen that catches light at every angle. Popular cuts are Round Brilliant, Princess, Heart-Shaped, Oval, Marquise, Pear-Shaped, Emerald, Radiant.

Color - The near or complete absence of color within the diamond is what consumers should be looking for. Stones with a markedly yellowish or brownish hue are deemed lower in quality and therefore less valuable.

Color grades are D, E, F (white or colorless); G, H, I, J (near colorless); K, L, M (faint yellow/brown); N, O, P, Q, R (very light yellow/brown); S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z (light yellow/brown). This excludes a limited class of colored diamonds occasionally found in pink, canary yellow and other extremely rare shades.

Clarity - A preset standard designed to gauge the internal purity of a gem, clarity is a quantitative measurement of every imperfection or “inclusion” visible at a certain magnification that could potentially weaken the diamond’s structure or result in a cloudy overall appearance.

Clarity grades are FL/IF (flawless or internally flawless); VVS1/VVS2 (very very slight inclusions); VS1/VS2 (very slight inclusions); SI1/SI2/SI3 (slight inclusions); I1/I2/I3 (imperfect).

Carat - Based on a 100 point scale, a diamond’s carat weight is the simplest, most straightforward way to determine its monetary value. Rounded to the nearest hundredth of a unit, sizes range anywhere from the tiniest fraction of a carat to a stone that may be a few hundred times larger.

While it might pale in comparison to the main attraction, the perfect setting or ring band can provide a gorgeous backdrop to the diamond itself, whether it’s in shimmering platinum, white hot gold or conventional yellow.

“Yellow gold bands were incredibly popular about 20 years ago, but bridal jewelry is now usually set in some type of white metal,” Thomas said. “Platinum is a great choice because it’s such a pure material and will always hold up well but it can easily cost twice as much as gold.”

In the end, the ring buying process is generally about striking a healthy balance between appealing to personal tastes and making a sound investment.

“Couples should definitely go with whatever makes them feel most comfortable while keeping in mind that they can always come back later on and trade it in for something better,” Thomas said. “But there’s nothing wrong with paying a little more to get what you want — especially when you realize this is something you’re likely to have for the rest of your life.”

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING
the dress

by Tiffany Feduska

The gown is the centerpiece of your wedding - the most important element you’ll choose (besides the groom). Here are some things to consider before putting down the deposit:

Am I stuck in the past?
We all have a picture in our minds of what we always thought we’d look like on our wedding day. We all want to be a princess. Trouble is, the Cinderella of 1988 is different from the Cinderella of 2008. be sure to update that mental picture of your ideal dress. Otherwise, your guests may wonder if you got your gown from the wardrobe department of “The Wedding Singer.”

Do I want strapless?
you better, or choices will be limited. “I would say a good 98 percent of the gowns we carry are strapless,” said Cherie Noblitt, a consultant with David’s bridal in Redlands. “Women feel that the look is more modern and sexy.”

Plus, they’ve been blessed with the best invention since underwire bras: the corset-laced back. It accentuates the hourglass figure, boosts the bust and looks romantic. It works with both modern and more traditional styles.

Do I really need white?
It used to be important. but it used to be that you couldn’t have black-clad bridesmaids either. Today’s brides have a lot more color options than they did back when they had to advertise their purity with white, which can wash out a lot of complexions.

Many women come in with tradition in mind, and they think they want bright white, but a lot of them change their minds when they see how flattering ivory is to their skin, Noblitt said.

Consider fabric when you consider color. Different fabrics reflect light differently. For instance, when you have an ivory satin, it will appear a lot softer than an ivory taffeta. Champagne is darker and pinker, and brings out the natural pinks in your skin tone.

Am I being impulsive?
“A good bridal consultant will talk to you a bit before you try on that first dress, to try to get an idea of what you do and don’t want beforehand,” Noblitt said.

Why? because the chances of you falling in love with the first gown you try on are very good.

“When they first see themselves with that tiara and veil, they get enchanted with the idea of being a bride, and often get emotionally attached to that first dress.”

It may not be the right dress. On the other hand, sometimes you get lucky.

Is this my decision, or my mom’s or friends?
It seemed like a good idea at the time: bring the whole bridal party in to watch you try on dresses, and you’ll get good opinions and advice. but it’s easy to get overwhelmed by too many opinions and advice you don’t agree with. Noblitt recommends bringing no more than one or two trusted advisors who have tastes similar to yours, and your best interests at heart.

Now, go shopping!

the honeymoon
A dream romantic location TAHITI

By Lynda Schauf

Editor’s note: Lynda Schauf has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years and says she has had the good fortune to travel not only to Tahiti but to all continents except Antarctica, which is on her list for the near future. “I believe travel experiences are the best lessons in life,” she says.

You will find perfection among the spectacularly beautiful islands of Tahiti. The islands possess a casual, relaxing and blissful atmosphere where dramatic vistas, warm waters and a gentle climate prevail.

The Tahitian islands take you beyond the ordinary, to a land of timeless beauty and ancient culture. Life is simple and their unhurried lifestyle is envied by today’s world.

Island activities range from 4-wheel-drive safaris, outrigger canoe excursions and motu picnics to snorkeling and scuba diving and shark feeding. Your choices are plentiful, and the water is perfect. Snorkel in the warm clear Pacific from your over-water bungalow or beach-front suite for half a mile before reaching the deep ocean blue.

Imagine leaving your footprints in the white sand to be washed away by the tide, or strolling along a wonderful coral beach at sunset while gazing at wsights you’ve only imagined in your dreams. This is romance! Each of the Tahitian islands has it own unique personality.

Moorea is believed to be the inspiration for James Michner’s mythical “Bali Hai.” Here the emerald mountains rise from sandy shores that are etched with spectacular beaches and shady lagoons.

Bora Bora is surprisingly small with wonderful underwater coral formations and countless multi-colored fish. At the center of this dramatic setting is Mount Otemanu, which rises sharply out of the turquoise blue waters and gentle lagoons.

Huahine is two islands on one lagoon and is home to many of Polynesia’s most important archaeological sites. It is also the location of lush vanilla plantations, banana groves and taro fields. In addition, the Tuamotu Archipelago is the largest collection of coral atolls, offering the Robinson Crusoe experience of your dreams.

Tahitian vacations are designed with honeymoons and romance in mind. Most of the Tahitian resorts offer refreshing spa treatments to lull you into a relaxed and peaceful state of mind. The exotic treatments are designed to utilize the islands’ resources, embracing the gifts of nature and the inspiration of the Polynesian culture.

You will long remember the magic and romance of that private dinner on a secluded beach. Rest assured your privacy is always respected as you experience an over-water bungalow complete with a private stairway into the warm Tahitian waters.

Best of all Tahiti is only eight hours flying time from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui, a true air travel experience! Polynesia is the perfect romantic destination for a honeymoon or anniversary celebration, and it should be on your short list of vacation destinations!

To learn more visit or call Laura’s Travel Service, Inc.
298 E. Citrus Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 793-7551 (800) 350-7551