For the last few years, couples made their special day unique by copying coordinated dance routines down the aisle and at the reception, after that one couple did it on YouTube. Now, there’s a whole new “unique” thing everyone is doing: Marryoke.

Marryoke is lip-synch karaoke that a videographer captures your guests performing at different times of the wedding. When they edit it all together, you get a music video of your wedding, set to the timeless song of your choosing: Classic wedding songs like Etta James’s “At Last” and — nope, actually, Marryoke is mostly done to songs that aren’t likely to stand the test of time, like LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem,” or the Black Eyed Peas’ “The Time,” a remix of that song from “Dirty Dancing.”

The trend began in the U.K., but has made its way over to our shores — so don’t be surprised if you’re asked to lip-synch to some Katy Perry at a wedding this summer. Wedding trends, like the coordinated dances to Justin Bieber and Chris Brown songs, spread like wildfire among brides looking for a way to distinguish their wedding day from all of the others. Videographers even offer special “Marryoke” services as part of their packages, now.

What will a Marryoke video look like at the 50-year anniversary? Probably really cheesy — but if the couple makes it to 50 years still happily in love, it doesn’t matter.

The couple, gliding to their wedding vows on ice skates, was married on Jan. 20, 2011, at RiverScape Metro Park ice rink.

Like many of today’s brides and grooms, the West Carrollton couple chose a wedding site that had special meaning for their relationship. They’d had their first date at the downtown Dayton rink and were delighted to discover it could be rented for their nuptials.

But what’s ideal for one couple may not be right for another, say experts. So it’s no wonder more couples are choosing to do their own thing. They marry at laundromats, bowling alleys, atop rock-climbing walls. They marry on horseback and underwater.

Sara and Robin Kasten of Tipp City invited guests to enjoy their wedding at 33,000 feet in the air. Both worked for the airlines and decided it would be fun to be married on United Airlines Flight 337 from Anchorage to Fairbanks.

“We were married in Row 9 when they turned the seat belt sign off,” Sara relates. “We had a party at a pub when we got to Fairbanks during a four-hour layover, then everyone flew back to Anchorage.” Their boss performed the ceremony and the airline provided champagne and a wedding cake.

“When you choose an unusual venue for your wedding site, you add a dimension of the unexpected that guests enjoy,” says wedding maven Sharon Naylor.

“Your wedding isn’t an identical match to the ballroom weddings your local friends hosted, with just the colors and florals different.”

Naylor, author of “Your Wedding, Your Way” says that a wedding held at a winery, for instance, creates a unique vibe with its architecture, wooden beams, gorgeous vineyards and gardens, and the wine and food pairings that are so popular now.

She says museums have also become a trendy wedding venues because they deliver visual interest at every turn.

“I’m a big fan of unique museums, such as Madame Tussauds in New York City,” says Naylor, who lives in New Jersey. “You can arrange for guests to take fun photos with the wax sculptures of celebrities.”

A Dayton venue that’s similar is the Packard Museum, where wedding guests can pose with vintage cars.

Mary and Ran Raider found a lot more than books at Wright State’s Paul Laurence Dunbar Library.

They also found romance.

The two full-time library employees married under the replica of the Wright Flyer with the whole staff involved with the preparations. Rowdy Raider, related only by employment, was an invited guest but couldn’t make it.

“It was a really beautiful wedding and an especially meaningful one for the WSU Libraries, since both the bride and groom have worked here many years,” says Karin Nevius, coordinator for development and public relations for the library.

“Mary and Ran are the fifth couple to meet and marry while working at the library.”

Mary says both she and her spouse loved being surrounded by everyone they’d worked with for decades.

Marsha Bernard of Clayton admits she’s a traditionalist who struggled with the idea that her children would not be married in a church. Both chose alternative wedding locations. But looking back, Bernard now says she wouldn’t change a thing.

“Both took total control of their weddings, knew what they wanted and made their dreams come true.” Her son and his fiance married at the historic Simon Kenton Inn in Springfield. All of the guests stayed at the bed-and-breakfast.

“They were married outside on a beautiful fall day with approximately 100 guests. After the ceremony, everyone walked to the pavilion, where the festivities began and lasted late into the night, with everyone gathering around a fire ring,” Bernard reports.

Her daughter and her fiancé married on 11/11/11 at 11:11 a.m. on Foley Beach, S.C., in front of 30 guests.

“They rented a beach house where everyone stayed for the weekend, the weather was ‘picture perfect,’ with dolphins swimming in the background. We played corn hole, walked the beach — it was unbelievable!” says Bernard.

Katie Dattalo of Beavercreek is so crazy about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that her husband-to-be rented the entire Magic Kingdom on their wedding day.

“I’d never even been there before, and John wanted it to be extra-special!” says Katie. “He made all of the arrangements and we were the only two people in the park.” The family returns to Disney World for every birthday and anniversary.

“One of the reasons unusual venues are so popular is that they feature intrinsic décor of their own, which can save you a lot of money compared to fully decorating a blank space, such as a basic ballroom,” suggests Naylor.

“What you do need to keep in mind, though, is that an unusual venue may very well require you to bring in your own caterer, bartender, staff, and a long list of rentals if there are items you need that the site doesn’t have. So this is not always a money-saving choice.”

On the other hand, she says, by virtue of the unique location, your wedding can often seem like you spent more on it than you actually did.

Cindy McKenzie, the snow queen bride wrapped in white ostrich feathers after the Riverscape ceremony, describes her wedding day as the “fairy-tale” she envisioned.

She says she and her husband were surrounded by the most important people in their lives.

“It was basically perfect!” she concludes.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or 
MMoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

A truly intimate experience that makes your day both unique and memorable. Inside enter a truly romantic stone-trimmed atrium filled with natural light. A delightful space that spills from the center of the Villa and is enhanced by the curved marble stairway with hand-wrought hearts welded into the railing design. Old World architecture evokes memories of timeless traditions and will leave lasting impressions for years to come. Austin Wedding Venue-Lake Travis Weddings. The beauty of your wedding day will be remembered for a lifetime when you experience Villa Antonia. Texas Weddings-Lake Travis-Villa Antonia.

Old World architecture evokes memories of timeless traditions and will leave lasting impressions for years to come. Outdoor weddings at Villa Antonia Austin Texas. Walk by a waterfall, cross a bridge, and watch birds from the gardens…but most of all, enjoy the spectacular wrap around views. Breath-taking scenery combines with hill-country hospitality to create a joyful day for you. Your wedding pictures will detail the splendor and delights of your memories and reflect with drama the artistry of the place, and the sweeping emotion of the day. Here at Villa Antonia there is plenty of room for your wedding party to stretch out and enjoy the day without feeling cramped.

Villa Antonia

19039 Adrian Way
Lake Travis Travis County, TX 78645

512-267-3509

info@villaantonia.com

Flat Creek Estate

Flat Creek Estate welcomes your celebration! Are you planning a wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon or reception? Would a beautiful Hill Country winery and vineyard fit your picture?

From small bridal luncheons to weddings up to 150 people, the Estate features indoor and outdoor spaces for many occasions.

They offer an exceptional wine portfolio for your guests to enjoy and a preferred vendors list to assist in your planning.

The Event Center accommodates banquet seating for up to 100 guests. The native stone fireplace leads your gaze to a soaring ceiling, with views of the vineyard from inside and out on the patio. Chef Sean Fulford offers outstanding menu options for your meal.

If you choose, the Event Pavilion provides outdoor seating for up to 150 people, with fans beneath a cedar ceiling and arches framing vineyard views.

Visit Flat Creek Estate for a wine tasting or enjoy lunch or brunch while you fall in love with the Tuscan artistry and Hill Country vineyard. Imagine a friendly and elegant celebration with your family and friends, paired with food-friendly wines and exquisite food

 Flat Creek Estate

24912 Singleton Bend East Road
Marble Falls, TX 78654

Chef Sean FulfordOne of Austin’s Best Takes the Culinary Reins at Flat Creek’s Bistro!Flat Creek Estate Vineyard & Winery, named as one of Food & Wine magazines, “50 Most Amazing Places to Taste Wine in America”, announces an exciting new pairing with Chef Sean Fulford.Sean Fulford, who the Austin American Statesman touted as one of The Best New Chefs in 2005, is back in Austin to assume the role of Executive Chef at The Bistro at Flat Creek. Having spent over 15 years perfecting his skills both locally & around the globe, he returns to the Hill Country with a beautiful menu featuring Texas Tuscan Cuisine to compliment Flat Creek’s award-winning wines.

Fulford already enjoys a substantial local following, having previously cooked downtown at Eddie V’s, and acting as Executive Chef of both Vin Bistro & The Austin Club. Following a year abroad at The Pacific Island Club, a 5-star resort in Guam, there was a brief stint consulting on restaurant concepts & cooking in prviate homes in Houston. However, the allure of hanging his chef coat at the winery was just too good an offer to resist.

“It has been my experience that beautiful surroundings and exceptional wine will always inspire amazing food,” says Fulford. “Outside Northern California, there are few places in the country a chef would have the opportunity to craft signature dishes alongside a winemaker of this caliber & owners this passionate.”

The Bistro is open 11-4 Friday through Sunday & offers a menu that represents the desire owners Rick & Madelyn Naber had to create a destination winery. The three-course tasting menu changes monthly, is paired with Flat Creek wines & features clean, rustic fare like Roasted Cauliflower Soup, Stuffed Quail, and Braised Short Ribs. Daily flatbread specials, cheeses and extraordinary desserts are also included in The Bistro’s offerings.

This listing is for a 4×9 invitation printed on heavyweight (105#) pearl white cardstock with a shimmery texture. 3 Crystal embellishments added to each invitation.

$6.75 per invitation set. Set includes: 4×9 invitation, directions card, reply card w/matching shimmer envelope, monogram tag, ribbon & green shimmer invitation jacket. Ability to customize this design with your choice of wording and colors.

How it works:

Once you purchase this sample listing, please include the address you would like your sample mailed to either at checkout or by emailing us at info [!at] invitingdesignsstudio.com. We will put your sample in the mail within 48 hours of you placing your order.

Please note that colors can vary slightly from one monitor to the next, so slight color alterations can occur.

You can Like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/InvitingDesigns

Inviting Designs Studio

All names are hand formed with my own two hands, using a special aluminum wire, attached to approximately 17.5″ wooden hangers WITH NOTCHES to accommodate heavy Bridal Gowns. Maximum character limit is 12 (spaces are counted as characters). ALL characters are made in lower case.

If your future last name is longer than 12 characters don’t worry, take a look at my “Double Decker” hangers.  Natural Wood Hangers $20.00

Dark Cherry Wood Hangers

Each hanger takes approximately 1 week to complete from date of purchase. ALL orders are shipped using USPS First Class ( 5-7 days). Priority shipping/rush orders are available. Please convo me prior to purchase.

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Please do not forget to indicate what you would like your hanger to say in the “note from buyer” field during check out.

If you need the hanger(s) by a specific date, please also indicate the date in the “note from buyer” field during check out.
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futuremrsredford   La Cintre Boutique

The wedding dress is what you have been picturing yourself in for all these years and finally the time has come for you to go out and find the right one. Shopping for a wedding dress is, despite what you think, not an easy task. You may actually find that this will be one of the most difficult thing you have encountered so far. The reason for this can be because of the image you already have in your head of how it should look. Well, this is supposed to be your day and your day only so why should you settle for anything less?

When it comes to finding a wedding dress you may experience a lot of input from your mother especially but remember that from the day you told her about your upcoming wedding she has most likely got her own picture of you in her head as far as how she would want you to look, after all you are her daughter. This situation can be a little uncomfortable but let her know in a loving way what you want for a wedding dress. Having resolved that situation it is now time to go shopping for that eight wonder of the world, your wedding dress. For this you better put on some good walking shoes and prepare for hours of visiting different stores. Regardless of what you think, it will take forever to find the right wedding dress and you will without a doubt find yourself running between stores because you can not make up your mind which wedding dress to pick.

This is where your mother and perhaps your best friend can come in handy. Bring them along when you go to try on the wedding dresses you have picked out. Nobody will be more honest with you than them when it comes to what they think of the wedding dresses you have chosen and that may be just what you need in order to make up your mind. After having picked out the most beautiful wedding dress you could find, you are all set for your big day. In order to eliminate some of the stress of all the running around trying to find a wedding dress there are places on the internet you can go in order to look at different styles of dresses. This may make it a little easier for you when you go looking in the stores.

For more info:Images from  David’s Bridal Gowns

Mediterranean Villa

The Grand Ballroom, West Ballroom, and East Ballroom are all elegant reception halls in warm, neutral colors with crystal chandeliers, romantic lighting, Italian tapestries, ‘Temple of Winds’ Greek Columns, recessed ceilings with etched gold trim, and optional room accent lighting.

The Grand ballroom accommodates up to 300 guests.  The West Ballroom accommodates up to 200 guests in a plated dinner setting and the East Ballroom accommodates up to 150 guests in a plated dinner setting.

Each ballroom includes round tables set for 10 guests with white linens and napkins as well as elegant, gold Chivari chairs.  Rectangular tables are used for buffets, beverage stations, cake and dessert stations, DJ setup, and gifts.  The ballrooms also include a customizable wooden dance floor and wall-mounted projection screens.

The Ambiance Lounge, an intimate and contemporary venue for events of up to 80 guests, is set with modern black leather furniture; progressive artwork, mirrors, and accent pieces; adjustable track lighting, a glass front bar, and black and white checkered dance floor.

Mediterranean Villa

Arlington, TX
(817) 557-2700
www.mediterraneanvilla.net

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Stacy Reeves Photography

Great Photos by Stacy Reeves

Their first dance, surrounded by friends and family

Be sure to contact Stacy at  info@stacyreeves.com.

 Macy’s Sip & Scan™

Hosted By: Macy’s Wedding & Gift Registry

Get the Star Treatment at our Sip & Scan Registry Event Join Macy’s Wedding & Gift Registry for an event featuring fun beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and great registry experts to help you create your dream registry. Bring your partner and they can play 007 with the scan gun while you sip your drink and approve their choices. You’ll also receive a fabulous gift from us. The perfect date!Call your chosen store at the number below to reserve a spot now, or email us! Please be sure to include your phone number, which store you are coming to, and how many people plan to attend.
We hope to see you soon!

Dallas, Texas, – October 11,12, &13 2011

Tue 10/11
Macy’s Dallas Galleria at 6:30pm
13375 NOEL ROAD, Dallas TX 75240
3rd floor
RSVP: sheena.bosworth@macys.com
214-295-1278

Wed 10/12
Macy’s Northpark at 6:30pm
8687 NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY ,
Dallas TX 75225
2nd floor
RSVP: angela.a.fourd@macys.com
469-232-3704

Thurs 10/13
Macy’s Parks at Arlington at 6:30pm
3841 SOUTH COOPER STREET,
Arlington TX 76016
2nd floor
RSVP: maggie.cavitt@macys.com
817-472-4677

Houston, Texas Area – October 11 & 12, 2011

Tues 10/11
Macy’s Memorial City, 6:30pm
900 MEMORIAL CITY MALL,
Houston TX 77024
2nd floor
RSVP:betty.bailey@macys.com
713-461-0372

Wed 10/12
Macy’s Galleria at Sage, 6:30pm
2727 SAGE ROAD,
Houston TX 77056
3rd floor
RSVP:thomas.merian@macys.com
713-968-1811