Thursday, March 28, 2024

Winter 2016 Wedding Guide

Jennifer & Peter

June 6, 2015

Peter and I met while attending the Professional Skills Institute. We became very good friends, graduated, passed our boards and became licensed physical therapist assistants. Following a trip to Mexico after our graduation, we have been inseparable ever since. Both of us were born and raised in Toledo and could not imagine having our wedding anywhere else! Local vendors helped create the wedding of our dreams. If I could give one piece of advice to brides about to tie the knot, it would be simply to 'chill out!' Yes, this is a big day in your life, but try not to get caught up in minor details. Some things may not go as planned, but as long as your best friend is waiting at the other end of the aisle, it will be the most perfect day.

Florist

Beautiful Blooms By Jen 
5646 Summit St., Sylvania 
419.517.8821 | beautifulbloomsbyjen.com

Jen was an absolute pleasure to work with. My mother and I met with her and we were completely overwhelmed. Jen, Colleen and everyone at Beautiful Blooms were so helpful in picking out the most beautiful flowers which transformed our reception into a true fairy tale.

Photographer

Yana Galanin Photography 
419.215.3505 | YanaGalaninphotography@gmail.com

Yana did our two engagement sessions, a boudoir shoot and our entire wedding day. She is an amazing and extremely talented artist, photographer and great friend. We had so much fun because she makes you feel comfortable no matter the situation.

Most Surprising Moment

The father-daughter dance! I surprised my dad by picking the song, “Danny Boy,” by the Irish Tenors for our dance. Our family is very Irish and this was easily my favorite moment of the reception, just to have that surprise for him.

Music

Decorative Sound, Michael Baginski
7410 Valhalla Dr., Maumee. 
419.867.6733 | decorativesound.com

Decorative Sound is a two for one deal! Not only do they play music, but they also know how to move the reception along. Mike played all the songs we requested while keeping our family and friends on the dance floor.

Jeweler

J. Foster Jewelers
Franklin Park  419.473.3300
Fallen TImbers 419.878.9998
jfosterjewelers.com

Jennifer Emerson from J. Foster was amazing. She did an awesome job customizing Peter’s band and helping me decipher what I truly wanted. She was very patient each time I would change my mind (only to come back to what I originally wanted).

Cake

Cherry Lane Custom Cakes 
3326 Glanzman Rd. 
419.377.1273 | cherrylanecakes.com

Owner and designer Cindy Woodbury came very highly recommended and was a joy to work with. She showed us different styles of cakes and offered suggestions when needed. Our cake was everything I had envisioned, and the white and red velvet flavors were delicious.

Transportation

Tecumseh Trolley 
223 E. Patterson St., Tecumseh, MI. 
866.423.3335 | michigantrolleys.com

When looking for transportation, Pete and I knew we didn’t want to go the traditional limousine route. We contacted Tecumseh Trolley and they had a variety of options to choose from. The driver was very accomodating and the entire bridal party loved the uniqueness.

Reception

Radisson Hotel at the University of Toledo
3100 Glendale Ave. 
419.381.6800 | hotels.radisson.com

I can not overstate enough how amazing the staff is at the Radisson Hotel. Julie Meltzer in the Sales & Catering Dept.  was my savior throughout the entire process. Each and every detail was perfect. We enjoyed citrus glazed chicken and beef brisket for dinner, while guests raved how delicious it was.

Church

St. Catherine of Siena Parish 
4555 N. Haven Ave. 
419.478.9558 | stcatherinetoledo.com

St. Catherine’s holds a very special place in my heart, as it was the grade school and church I grew up in. My parents were married there and it meant the world to me to be able to do the same. The church is absolutely beautiful. The staff assisted us by picking out the music for the ceremony, which was so helpful.

Videographer

Fordham Footage 
5428 Rymoor Dr., Sylvania.
419.350.6271 | fordhamfootage.com

I have to admit I was on the fence about getting a videographer, but it was the best decision. To be able to relive our wedding, from the vows to the dance floor, nothing compares to those moments. Chance did an amazing job; and Owner Dale  Fordham (who I had not met before), even made a surprise visit, which I loved!

Bridal Attire

Atlas Bridal Shop 
4895 Monroe St. 
419.474.9119 | atlasbridalshop.com

Having a tulle ball gown, I was told wasn’t the easiest dress to have hemmed, which could not have been more right. Atlas Bridal did an amazing job not once, but twice hemming my gown perfectly. The bustle couldn’t have been easier to tie up. Atlas staff were always patient with me and understood whenever I needed something changed.

 

From tuxedos to taxes

Learn how to join lives and bank accounts, during Love and Money 

by Athena Cocoves

Newlyweds get a lot of advice— “Kiss every day,” “Don’t stop going on dates,” “Never go to bed angry”— but what about the cold, hard facts about really making a marriage work? 

As unromantic as finances are, money matters, and stepping off the altar on the right financial foot is crucial to a secure future. How can newlyweds and wedding-bound couples become financially literate in the matters that will most affect them? 

Where to learn

As part of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library’s Living Better, Spending Smarter program, audiences will learn the basics of marital finances during Love and Money, a parody of “The Newlywed Game” on Saturday, February 13 from 1-2:30pm. 

Audiences will watch as three diverse couples compete for a prize by answering questions about marital finances. A financial coach will illuminate the reasons behind the correct answers for everyone in attendance throughout the evening. 

Some questions will be general— like “When should you first discuss financial matters?” — while other questions will be situational, such as: “Your partner has only half as much money in their bank account as you do and would like to just share one account with you. What do you say and why?”

The newlyweds

Before the game on Saturday, February 13,- use social media to pick your favorite of the three couples and support them on social media to get the chance to win a raffle prize of your own if your favored participants win.  

The first couple, David Mann and Eugenio Mollo say “Our philosophy is all about regular communication – making sure that we're working together to make all the big decisions and living below our means with the small ones."

The second couple, Becky and Steve Locke-Gagnon shared, "My father grew up during the Depression, and he made sure that we did, too! My philosophy is don't spend money— save it for a rainy day,” said Becky.  Steve added, “Wealth money and value are not the same thing. I tell you what's valuable, me and Becky together.”
The third couple has not yet been announced. 

Get ready to watch and play Love and Money from 1-2:30pm, Saturday, February 13
McMaster Center of the Main Library, 325 Michigan St
419-259-5200 | toledolibrary.org
Free

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