CAKES AND SWEETS Corner Village Bakery 1100 W Garfield Bartonville, IL 309-966-2305 See Our Ad LeBakery 4700 N University St Peoria, IL 309-693-9190 See Our Ad Sweet Moments by Sophia 309-676-5086 See Our Ad Email CATERING Barrack's Cater Inn 309-692-3990 Website Catering By Kate 309-251-7061 See Our Ad The Catering Company 309-678-9000 Website DRESSES & TUXEDOS Country Bride 7320 N University Peoria, IL 309-691-5151 See Our Ad Dejure Formalwear and Bridal Palace Peoria 309-685-0313 Morton 309-263-8155 Website Ducky’s Formalwear Metro Centre 4700 N University Peoria, IL 309-692-6050 Website Savvi Formalwear and Bobbie’s Bridal Peoria 309-688-1411 Bloomington 309-664-0354 Website Seno Formalwear 5201 W War Memorial Dr #532 Peoria, IL 309-692-0031 website Hayloft Dress Shop Mossville Rte 29 309-579-3141 Website FLOWERS Sterling Flowers 3020 N Sterling Ave Peoria, IL 309-682-2320 Website FURNITURE Martin Furniture 1965 E Washington St East Peoria, IL 309 694-4381 See Our Ad HORSE & BUGGY RIDES Carriage Classics Peoria, IL 309-579-2833 Website INVITATIONS The Bronze Frog 7724 N Grand Prairie Dr Peoria, IL 309-692-4707 See Our Ad INSURANCE Pekin Insurance 2505 Court St. Pekin, IL Website JEWELRY Potter & Anderson 24927 N Sherian Peoria, IL 309-691-6575 Website LIMOUSINE Cassano Limousine 309-369-2655 See Our Ad Deluxe Limousine 309-637-5466 Website PHOTOGRAPHY Elizabeth Rowe Photography 309-241-5015 Website Event Pro Photography 309-689-0299 Website Gregory Horne Photography 218 Tamarack Ave Morton, IL 309-521-1810 Website

Spice Up Your Wedding Festivities With a Theme Many prospective couples want their wedding to be unique, in an effort to bring even more excitement to their memorable day. Some adventurous couples have said their "I dos" underwater, decked out in full wedding regalia ... and a scuba tank. Others have plunged out of airplanes and committed to one another in a free-fall beneath the clouds. Yet, if you want something different, but not so "exotic," you could try a theme wedding. Brides magazine predicted that theme weddings would be a fast-growing trend, Limited only by your own imagination, and can run the gamut from fairy tale to western to ethnocentric. If you're considering a theme for your event, here are some ideas to get you on the right track. DETERMINING YOUR THEME Discuss your collective interests with your future spouse. It will be a good jump-start for determining a theme that appeals to you both. Themes can be as basic or as creative as you'd like. For example, if your wedding day is during an autumn month, a natural theme is a harvest wedding, replete with ripe pumpkins, corn husks, orange-hued decor and fresh apple cider. Or, play upon your heritage and culture. Incorporate native dances, embellishments and menu items into your ceremony and reception for a day that is not only memorable, but dear to older generations. If you've always been a fan of Disney flicks but can't make it to Walt Disney World, consider throwing a Cinderella-themed wedding instead. Ride to the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage. Wear dainty glass-slipper-inspired shoes with your billowing ball gown. And ensure that your future husband is an enchanting Prince Charming. EYE FOR DETAIL Feel free to get extravagant with the details of your theme wedding. After all, the decor, wardrobe and special touches you include will help solidify the theme. Some items to consider: * Use coordinating accessories. Repetition of a common element is a simple way to carry out your theme. If you want a butterfly wedding, use pillar candles with butterfly accents and napkin rings adorned with butterflies, and hang delicate twinkle lights to simulate butterflies in flight. * Involve your guests. While it's fun for you and the wedding party to be swept up in the theme, don't forget to include your guests in the festivities. A Renaissance wedding may inspire guests to dress in period clothing. Word invitations and seating cards in Old English to keep the tone of the celebration consistent. However, remember that not all guests may want to don a corset or carry a sword to the festivities! Keep participation voluntary and everyone will be smiling. * Expect naysayers. Some family members or friends may not be receptive to your theme idea. Express that it is your big day and you reserve the right to have the party you desire -- especially if you're paying for the event. To keep the peace, try to incorporate some traditional elements where possible. Your theme wedding is certain to be memorable and will certainly be talked about for a while if done right. While a wedding is the beginning of a serious, life-changing event called marriage, there's no reason it shouldn't be as fun, extravagant or exotic as you'd like. So have fun with themes and get those creative juices flowing

RECEPTION SITES & HOTELS AmericInn 9106 N. Lindbergh Dr. Peoria, IL 309-692-9200 Website Country Inn & Suites 309-589-0044 5309 W. Landens Way Peoria, IL See Our Ad Countryside Banquet Center 659 School Street Washington, IL 309-694-0900 See Our Ad Embassy Suites 100 Conference Center Drive East Peoria, IL 309-694-0200 Website Itoo Hall 4909 W. Farmington Rd. Peoria, IL 309-676-9725 Website Knights of Columbus 7403 N. Radnor Road Peoria, IL 309-692-9696 Website Knights of Columbus Pekin, IL 309-353-4000 See Our Ad Landmark Banquet Facilities 3225 N. Dries Lane 309-685-8200 Website Luthy Botanical Gardens 2218 N. Prospect (in Glen Oak Park) Peoria, IL 309-686-3362 Website Monte Cristo Room 605 Ten Mile Creek Rd Germantown Hills, IL 309-383-4417 See Our Ad Par-a-dice 21 Blackjack Blvd East Peoria, IL 309-699-7711 Website Pekin Country Club 310 Country Club Dr Pekin, IL 309-347-3144 ext 3 See Our Ad Pere Marquette 501 Main Street Peoria, IL 309-637-6500 Website Sommer Park Peoria, IL 309-691-8423 Website Spirit of Peoria 225 NE Adams Peoria, IL 309-363-6169 Website Spring Hill Suites by Marriott 2701 W Lake Ave Peoria, IL 309-681-2700 Website Weaver Ridge Golf Club 5100 Weaver Ridge Blvd. Peoria, IL 309-690-4044 Website Wingate by Wyndham 309-589-0033 7708 N. Rt. 91 Peoria, IL See Our Ad WEDDING SUPPLIES American Rental 921 E War Memorial Dr. Peoria, IL 309-688-1412 Website WEDDING VEILS Bridal Veils by Nancy Shefts 6006 N. Big Hollow Rd Peoria, IL 309-691-7227 Website