Q.I am trying to find some places to see about having a reception in Winston-Salem, NC or around that area. If you could please leave me some information so that I can look at some options. Thank you very much!

A.There are several places that you could host a lovely reception for you wedding! Brookstown Inn near Old Salem , The Embassy Suites, The Old Salem Visitors Center, Tanglewood, Twin City Club, and The Sawtooth Building just to name a few. All of these spaces suit varies needs and without knowing all of the requirements and budget for your event, I just threw out some options. Good luck with your reception selection!

Tonya Hart
Occasions of the Hart

A.We have a listing on our WXII12.com “Weddings Page” under the planning section.
You can find “Receptions” and all the business listings are there for several places for wedding receptions. Good Luck!

Melissa Pena
wxii12.com

A.Indoors/outdoors, public/private, formal/informal, 10/1000 guests, the list of reception locations could be endless. This site, WXII 12, can offer some ideas. There, you will find are many links to various locations. Narrowing your search by considering some of the issues noted at the beginning of this reply will get you on your way. Check the Yellow Pages for additional ideas. Use your imagination and match the location to the personalities of the bride and groom. You can’t miss with that approach. Good luck.

Gloria Griffin
Wedding By Design
Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

Q.How many years should a couple be married before they resay their vows?

A.You can renew vows at any time. Most people renew at 5, 10, or 20 years. But, if there is an event that has impacted you and your husband recently, then you could renew your vows for a fresh start!

Tonya Hart
Occasions of the Hart

A.Renewing vows is not necessary, however, vows can be repeated at any time or never. Once usually takes care of the promise.

Gloria Griffin
Wedding By Design
Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

Q. My fiance and I are getting married this summer. This is my first and his second marriage. We are having such a hard time trying to find an officiant. We live in Surry County and was wondering how we could go about finding someone to marry us.

A. In the state of North Carolina, marriages can be performed by a Magistrate. Contact the Register of Deeds in Surry County, or the county in which you will be married, for information on a Magistrate that may be available. Check the Yellow Pages for a listing of Marriage and Family Counselors. They may be able to lead you to one who would consider serving as the officiant for your wedding. Ordained Ministers perform most marriages. Many companies have within their Human Resources Departments, Ordained Ministers who are available for counseling and may consider performing your ceremony. Many Hospitals have Ministers available through Pastoral Care or similar Departments that perform marriages for staff and may consider doing so for you. As a reminder, you may secure your license in any county in North Carolina and be married in another county. However, the license must be returned to the county from which it was secured for processing. Since you did not mention any involvement with a church, this is a wonderful time to consider seeking one in your community that you both would find helpful now and in the future.

Gloria Griffin
Wedding By Design
Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

Q. What is a good resource for finding a place to rent to have
the perfect wedding and reception together without going broke?

A. Finding locations for weddings and receptions can be a challenge at times. There are some details that you will need to identify in order to narrow your search. Budget is a big one, number of guests expected, time of year, formal or informal, etc. are just a few. Keeping costs down many times will limit your choices. Public places are generally less expensive than private locations. If you want to consider an outside site, you must have a “rain plan” just in case of less than ideal weather conditions. Many communities have public parks that offer some choice of covered shelters that would serve the needs for a less formal reception and might offer a beautiful location for the wedding. If it’s public, that means you may have ‘guests’ other than those you invited. Bed and Breakfast establishments may offer an alternative. The decor may offer good options for the ceremony and most will have room to accommodate the reception. There are several local sites that cater especially to wedding ceremonies and receptions and can be found by using the “yellow pages”. Costs will vary depending you choices you make, especially with reference to the reception. Wishing you luck.

Gloria Griffin
Wedding By Design
Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

Q.My daughter is getting married this spring and would like to sign her marriage certificate during the wedding ceremony. Do you have any info for this?


A.You could certainly incorporate the custom of signing the license during the ceremony. Since I do not know the format for your services, I will give you a few suggestions on where it could flow nicely in your ceremony:

1) If you are doing a unity candle or water ceremony it could be signed after that portion of the service is performed.

2) It could also signed before they are introduced as husband and wife for the first time before they recess down the aisle.

Wherever you decide to place it, you would want to do it after the vows/rings exchange and the pronouncement of marriage.

It would be lovely to use a form from your home in the UK. You may also want to speak to the officiant, he/she may have suggestions for the order of ceremony. Warmly.

Tonya Hart
Occasions of the Hart

A. In most cases, only witnesses and the officiant sign the marriage certificate. The bride and groom sign the license at the time they make application, not during the formal marriage ceremony. This does not mean that a “decorative” certificate could not be signed, perhaps at the reception. It would not pass as a legal document, but may have much sentimental value to the bridal couple. I would suggest a conversation with the officiant to determine how he/she would feel about having this as part of the ceremony. Good luck.

Gloria Griffin
Wedding By Design
Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

Q. I’m looking for a special place for my mother to get married. She does not belong to a church but I want her wedding to be very special. Please help me find that special place for her.


A. I will answer your question two ways:

If you are looking for a location that could service both the wedding and reception there are many options in the Triad. I will list a few for you:

1) Brookstown Inn (Winston Salem) – They have space for a wedding and ceremony. There is space outside if you want a ceremony on their terrace. They should be able to accommodate between 100-150 guest This space is a quaint old mill that has been restored and is also an Inn.

2) The Revolution Mill (Greensboro) – You could also do a wedding and ceremony at this location. It is a new and it is fabulous! The courtyard will be ready by the spring.

3) JH Adams Inn (High Point) – A lovely Historical Home. Inside and outside space for functions.
If you are looking for a sweet location just for the ceremony… Grace Court Park in Winston Salem is lovely. You would need to contact the Parks and Recreation Dept. I hope you find this helpful! Good luck on planning the special day for your mom!

Tonya Hart
Occasions of the Hart

A. I would love to give you the perfect answer, however, I do not know your mother. I suspect you have the answer to the perfect wedding location tucked away in your mind some where, you just need to give it a little more thought. What places make your mother smile? What locations does she return to often? What is a little known desired vacation destination your mother wishes to visit? How far are you willing to travel? Also, there are many other factors you need to consider: time of year; how many guests will attend; inside or out of doors; what if it rains; what will it cost; will there be a reception to follow and if so, where will it be held; etc. I’ve worked with weddings from the mountains to the sea, and each was special just because of the couple getting married. I’m sure what ever location is determined for the marriage of your mother and her husband to be, it will be remembered as special because of a thoughtful daughter and her wishes for her mother. Best wishes.

Gloria Griffin
Wedding By Design
Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

Q.Regarding marriage license/certificate, and blood test. How soon should you obtain them prior to the ceremony ?

A.There is NO waiting period in North Carolina. A license may be used immediately or at any time within a 60-day period from the date of issuance. You are not required to obtain a physical or blood test.

The fees are as follows:
Marriage License $50.00
Certified Copy $10.00
Total Fee $60.00
NO credit or debit cards accepted.

For more information , you can visit the website at www.co.forsyth.nc.us.com
or call (336) 761-2372. I hope you find this helpful. Congratulations!

Tonya Hart
Occasions of the Hart

Q.What is the preferred name on a place card for a wedding reception? Should I use Andrew Smith or Andy Smith, which is the name everyone uses?

A.I would suggest using the formal name for your place cards. It could be listed as Mr. Andrew Smith or Andrew Smith.

Tonya Hart
Occasions of the Hart

A.Proper names should be used on place cards. When a reception is so large that place cards are needed, it is likely to be more formal than casual. When in doubt, always use formal names, you can’t go wrong. Good Luck!

Gloria Griffin
Wedding By Design
Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College.

Q: I saw a lovely tall centerpiece with Bells of Ireland. Blue Delphinium, Green Baby Hydrangea, Larkspur and White Lilies. Are there any flowers you would recommend that are less expensive, perhaps in season, to create a similar look for less? How much do each of these flowers cost? I’ve heard the tall vases can save money in that they can use fewer flowers than low vases, is that a myth?


A:The flowers named depending on the variety are what we would call middle of the line priced flowers. Substituting cheaper flowers will not give the variety of textures and will significantly change the look of the design. The easiest way to help the bottom line would be to limit the flower choices to one or two types of flowers, all the same color, this simplifies the ordering and design process and your florist may be able to get them a little cheaper, depending on the quantity.

Keeping your centerpieces monochromatic with the flowers you do use can also help,usually taller vases themselves are more expensive, sometimes the bride may be able to rent the vases and save some money.
There are some tall vases which are very small at the top thus hold fewer flowers , these can sometimes be less expensive.

There is a big myth when it comes to flowers, the idea of “seasonal flowers” is a little misleading. There are some flowers that have increased production near certain holidays, roses at Valentine’s Day and sunflowers in the fall, but for the most part, it does not make them cheaper. Flowers are shipped from all over the world so seasonal doesn’t mean the same thing it once did.

Some people may not realize often it isn’t the flowers themselves that effect the cost the most,, a different vase can make a big difference, because of flowers needed, time to design, mechanics required to set up etc. Keep it simple and ask your florist to help you with your choices.

Steve Maynor
Floral Visions Design Studio
5723 Country Club Rd. Suite 100
Winston Salem NC 27104
336-946-0404
floralvisions@msn.com

Q: I attended a wedding a few weeks ago and the couple had a large 15 piece band playing “big band” sounds. I really liked that classic dance music but can not afford a live big band for my own reception. Could you recommend some recording artists/groups or albums that would help me create the same big band sound?

A: Here are some popular Big Band groups from the 30’s and 40’s that will work for your wedding reception:

Glen Miller
Tommy Dorsey
Frank Barber
Woody Herman
Frank Sinatra
Benny Goodman
Cherry Poppin Daddies
Brian Setzer Orchestra
Artie Shaw

If you’d like to inlcude some 50’s swing, consider these artists:

M. Mixers
Jive Bunny
Jerry Lee Lewis
Bobby Darin
Elvis Presley
Big Bobber
Buddy Holly
Bill Haley
Little Richard
Danny and the Juniors
Coasters
Everly Brothers

Billy Ezzell
Complete Music DJ Service
Winston-Salem (336) 294-1442
billy@cmusic.com