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i 4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, February 16,1994 Pearls continue to be a bridal tradition A brief look at modern-day wedding trends A big, traditional family wedding celebration with all the trimmings... Most engaged couples still long for this "fairy tale" setting, but in the cautious 1990s, they're planning with a close eye on the budget. Value for the dollar is of paramount importance for every purchase made or service hired, as more couples finance the majority of their weddings themselves -- even if it means extending their engagement period to give them time to save. Watch for more weddings at off-peak hours. Here's a look at the leading trends in weddings, fashions, honeymoons and home from the Editors of Bride's & Your New Home: The wedding: • Couples cut the cake with a sterling silver "Heritage Knife" engraved with both their parents' and their own initials. initials. The knife becomes a family heirloom, heirloom, to be passed down to the couples' couples' child and his/her spouse. •Couples fill traditional wedding- party roles with best friends, regardless of gender (i.e. A "man of honor" replaces a "maid of honor"; the "best man" may be a woman).- • Ethnic and cultural influences are incorporated into the celebration, from a joyful bagpipe serenade at an Irish reception to a "dollar-a-dance" with the bride at a Polish wedding. A celebration to remember: •Themed and personalized weddings weddings reflect the couple's personality. Renaissance-style celebrations, moun- taintop nuptials; weddings "performed" "performed" on skis or skates commemorate commemorate how the couple met. • Food trends feature "dinner by the bite" -- an assortment.of passed hors d'oeuvres -- and "grazing stations" with seats near each buffet to allow guests to change places for each course and mingle with other guests. Fewer courses, lighter selections (such as chicken, pastas, fish) are budget and health conscious. • Innovative entertainment is spotlighted spotlighted at the reception in the form of a toastmaster, comedian, magician to amuse and involve guests; the spectacle spectacle of a laser or fireworks display heralds heralds the new marriage. Traditional weddings are "in" this season. And, although fashion has changed dramatically over the years, the' basic bridal ensemble still retains its classic appeal. Today's bride appreciates tradition and refinement and seeks those qualities qualities in everything she will wear -- right down to her jewelry. And, just as a diamond ring has become de rigtter for engagements, cultured pearls have been an important important part of the bridal ensemble for generations. Perhaps it's the natural beauty and purity of a pearl -- the queen of gems -- that has earned it a place in every bride's heart over the years. Since cultured pearls are made by nature, just like delicate snowflakes, no two are ever alike. Cultured pearls are as different as the individual who wears them. It's therefore important to match the right pearl jewelry to the right woman. Wedding highlights BRIDES-TO-BE.. ,fj& If your wedding is three months or more away, you will want to attend BRIDALPARTY Admission is FREE, but by invitation only. To obtain your personal invitation for you and your mother or guest, please give us a call. Phone: 623-5873 Place: Bowmanville Lions Centre Time: 7 p.m. Date: Monday, March 7th. Look what WELCOME WAGON has in store for you... • Exciting Gifts for Every Bride • Demonstrations O/-Tf • Numerous Door Prizes WSIOJl Photography as an Art Form Weddings and Portraits 'if/Æ LV V ds# «s» . Paintin h Light For.25 Years $8 > * / 4,1 V / Aster Studio 1 800 265-8816 (90S) 831-6702 Considerations for choosingthe right strand of pearls should be the bride's style of gown and her complexion. For gowns with scoop or boat necklines, necklines, 16- to 20-inch choker or princess-length necklaces are best suited suited to delicately accent the neck and shoulder areas. High-collar and V-neck styles call for long strands of pearls either in 24- to 32-inch matinee or opera lengths. Women with fair skin and light-colored light-colored hair are best flattered by pearls with slightly pink or rose overtones. Creamy white or slightly golden pearls look best on women with dark skin and hair. Since cultured pearls,are products of nature, they are seldom,-if ever, perfect. perfect. Every pearl grown by an oyster has its own individual identity. However, when choosing a strand of cultured pearls, it's important to keep several quality points in mind. Probably the most important aspect concerning a pearl's quality is its lustre. lustre. Lustre is the clear shine on the pearl's surface. It should be clear enough to reflect the images of objects near the pearl. Another important factor is the pearl's surface. It should be relatively free of damaging blemishes that appear as cracks, bumps or pits. And, finally, all the pearls in a strand should be closely matched in terms of color, size and shape. They should all combine together to give an appearance appearance of uniformity within the necklace. Just as cultured pearls celebrate the bride, so do they celebrate the wedding, wedding, too. They make fine gifts for the bridal party. Bridesmaids will be delighted with gifts of cultured pearl pendants or bracelets, while cultured pearl tie tacks, tie bars, cuff links or shirt studs are handsome tributes to the men. WB937122 CULTURED PEARLS continue to be the gems of choice for the bride on her wedding day. Cultured pearl jewelry is courtesy of the Cultured Pearl Association of America. When making your Wedding or Bridal Shower Plans... Don't Forget to Invite McCabe's Cheez-Nook MANY MODERN BRIDES have decided to forgo wearing their wedding gown to their reception -- instead they are purchasing a glamorous alternative like the one shown above SPECIALIZING IN COLD BUFFETS WIDE SELECTION OF CANADIAN and IMPORTED CHEESES PARTY TRAYS and GIFT BASKETS CHEESE • MEAT • FANCY SANDWICH • SWEETS • VEGETABLES SALAD • CRACKERS DELIVERY AVAILABLE 12 SILVER STREET, BOWMANVILLE OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK 623-6677 You chose her carefully... DIAMOND SOLITAIRES n Priced from <îé ...Now choose her diamond that way. With every purchase of WBI,D,NG MNDS tv , n . r Priced from a Diamond Ring from Hooper s receive a Complimentary Wedding Cake Knife suitably engraved with your Wedding Date. ENGAGEMENTSETS jZ- HOOPER'S JEWELLERS LTD. Your family jeweller since 1945 t 39 King St. W„ Bowmanville 623-5747 Custom Designs • Goldsmith on Premises Groom's Attendant Gifts Key Chains Money Clips Pewter Steins Dresser Valets... Bride's Attendant Gifts Freshwater Pearl Necklace & Earring Sets Lair Dior Perfume Sets Lockets ■ Free Engraving - Bride's Gift Suggestions from the Groom Diamond Stud Earrings 10 Karat Bracelets and Watches Groom's Gift Suggestions from the Bride 10 Karat Necklaces Bracelets Watches