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Sarah Tressa and David Grega were united in marriage on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville, by Father Joseph Pisaneschi, followed by a cocktail hour and reception at The Westmoreland Club, Wilkes-Barre.

The bride is the daughter of Michael and Michele Tressa, Forty Fort. She is the granddaughter of Michael and Bonnie Dailey, Watertown, South Dakota, and the late Raymond and Sophie Tressa, Swoyersville.

The groom is the son of David and Diane Grega, Kingston. He is the grandson of Frank and the late Delores Walkowiak, Edwardsville and Helen and the late Vincent Grega, Dunmore.

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The bride was given in marriage by her father and chose her sister Kathryn Tressa, Forty Fort, as her maid of honor. Bridesmaids were sister of the groom, Danielle Grega, Kingston; Katelyn Pitcavage, Dallas; Nicole Maffei, Pringle; Chelsea Wilson, Kingston, and Kate Bowen, State College, friends of the bride.

The groom chose brother of the bride Andrew Tressa, Forty Fort as his best man; Groomsmen were brother of the bride Michael Tressa, Chicago; Richard Pitcavage, Dallas; Thomas Benesky, Kingston; Gennero Zangardi, Pittston, and Joseph Graziano, Pittston, friends of the groom.

Mrs. Grega is a 2008 graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School and a 2014 graduate of Wilkes University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/elementary education with a concentration in special education and a minor in reading. She is currently employed as a teacher at Wyoming Valley Children’s Association, Forty Fort.

Mr. Grega is a 2004 graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School and a 2008 graduate of Wilkes University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He is currently employed as an audit manager at McGrail, Merkel, Quinn and Associates, P.C., Scranton.

The Bride was honored at a bridal shower hosted by her mother and bridesmaids at the Gallery at Pierce Plaza, Kingston, in April.

The couple honeymooned in Hawaii and reside in Kingston with their dogs, Duke and Landry.

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For most Taylor Swift fans, the news that she would be maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding didn’t come as much of a surprise. The singer values friendship, gorgeous dresses, and heartfelt speeches more than anyone — the only real shock was that she hadn’t been maid of honor a dozen times before. And when the first photos of Swift at Britany Maack and Ben LaManna’s wedding came out a few weeks back, there was no question in anyone’s minds that the star wasn’t a perfect choice for the occasion. But it’s Swift’s maid of honor speech for Maack, which you can hear in a new video, that makes it 100 percent clear — the singer was pretty much born to play this role.

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Posted by Maack on Sunday, the video showcases every aspect of the recent wedding, from the rehearsal dinner to the ceremony to the music-filled reception. Swift is far from its star — most of the attention is paid to bride Maack and groom LaManna, as it should be — but she’s featured throughout. There’s footage of her arriving at the rehearsal dinner, dancing with kids, and helping get Maack ready in her dress, but the main event is, of course, her maid of honor speech.

Although the entire speech isn’t shown, the clips that are are moving and sweet. Speaking about LaManna, whom both Swift and Maack met as children, Swift can be heard saying, “He would chase her and pursue her through middle school and junior high and high school, and their paths would diverge, and then come back together, and it would be so magically unpredictable but at the same time, so incredibly fated, just like the best love stories are.”

T.Swift talking about love stories? No surprise there. Yet the sweetest part of the speech comes when she speaks about about her friendship with Maack. “My favorite accomplishment of my entire life is that everything in my life has changed except for me and Britany,” Swift says in the video. “She was my partner in crime at Brownies sleep-away camp, and she was my date to the Grammys.”

Awww. It really is nice to see that Swift and her childhood BFF have stayed close through the years, and that they were able to come together for such a special occasion. Swift herself says in the clip that she’s “overjoyed” for Maack, because she and the rest of the bride’s friends “know that the best parts of your love story are yet to come.”

Leave it to Swift to knock the maid of honor speech out of the part. But apparently, that’s not the only arena in which she killed during the wedding; the video shows a brief snippet of her taking the stage and singing a song, although, sadly, viewers can’t hear what it is. Perhaps it was a personalized version of “Shake It Off”? Or “You Are In Love,” her song for Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff? Or maybe (and probably most likely), it was something new and original, and fans will just have to wait and see if it ever gets released to the public? Fingers crossed.

Check out the adorable video below to see Swift and her friends celebrating what clearly was an absolutely beautiful night for all.

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Historically, fashion shows were put in place to set the tone of the upcoming season. Buyers, press and consumers looked on as the extravagant designs would trickle down onto the high street, losing a hint of eccentricity but gaining that all important dose of practicality.

But that could all be about to change. The idea of the style ‘season’ – dictated by the fashion weeks and runways – is fast becoming outdated in an era where Instagram is a daily catwalk.

Social media is steadily pushing us into a culture of immediate gratification, consumers are no longer interested in waiting for the slow trickle down from runway to high street, and with the innumerable selfies, blogs and #ootd posts, the fashion industry just can’t keep up.

Some luxury brands are trying to get on board with the digital age. Burberry’s chief creative and chief executive officer, Christopher Bailey, announced plans to ignore the seasons. Instead, the brand will have two annual shows, after which the collections will be immediately available.

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While this no doubt caters for the modern customer, it’s a huge deviation from the traditional model of fashion consumption.

Burberry’s latest collection shown at London Fashion Week (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

It’s not only the consumer side that’s undergoing an online reinvention. The fashion weeks themselves are being dragged, kicking and screaming, into the digital age. Kanye West’s opening of New York Fashion Week was watched by a staggering 20 million people via live stream, while London Fashion Week shows are apparently broadcast to 60 outdoor locations around the UK.

By exhibiting to a wider audience, the fashion weeks are forgoing their exclusivity. The “don’t you wish you were here” appeal is lost, because everybody is there. An estimated 35 million people will have watched the LFW shows by the end of the event, and none of them will have had to wait for an invite.

Almost at the exact same time as Burberry, menswear brand Ada + Nik went seasonless. As for the reasons why, not every country has the same yearly calendar.

One of the brand’s designers Nik Thakkar said: “We’ve made the brand trans-seasonal. The British winter is the Australian summer – we can’t be putting out a global brand without being inclusive.”

The fact that Ada + Nik did the same thing at the same time as Burberry isn’t a coincidence.

“The timing was natural,” Thakkar said. “The industry is going through a seismic shift, so the decision was proactive, not reactive.”

In terms of the growing trend toward immediacy – or the #IWWIWWIWI (I want what I want when I want it) culture, as it’s now been dubbed.

Thakkar said: “The fashion industry is crashing, but style will always remain.”

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He believes that people can showcase their personal style through social media, without having to wait for the industry to give its verdict on what’s ‘in’.

“Our biggest moments are when we have a runway show or unveil a product. It makes sense to be able to sell something on that day,” he added.

The downside to the influx of social media? Narcissism. Although platforms such as Instagram show off a much more varied take on style, they also encourage what Thakkar calls The Kylie Jenner Complex.

Fashion becomes less about expression and more about numbers. The people with most “likes” are the most successful, but not necessarily the most authentic. Essentially, it’s a popularity contest, and this phenomenon could stifle the creative minds whose selfies aren’t quite on point.

Now-a-days, brides are mostly busy meeting work deadlines and carrying out responsibilities at workplace which does not allow them to plan their wedding in advance. Earlier they used to begin their beauty regimen a month or two prior to their wedding to ensure they flaunt a flawless skin and glow on their big day.

No worries! Corporate brides-to-be can still look resplendent and ravishing on their wedding day by just taking care of their diet if they have a tight schedule at office. It is very important to take care of food you consume as it directly affects your skin’s texture and also has long-term health benefits. Here we share five diet tips for corporate brides to look magnificent on their big day.

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Cut down on salt and sugar intake: High-sugar diets can cause premature aging and cell damage. If you have puffy eyes and dark circles under your eyes, it is because of high sodium intake. It is said that too much sodium can cause puffiness and facial bloating. Also, salt causes tissues to swell, making your face seem puffy and tired.

· Consume alcohol in moderation: Those who consume too much of alcohol suffer from dehydration, which can lead to dullness, wrinkles and dry skin. It also robs the body of vitamin A, which helps the skin renew and repair itself naturally. It also triggers skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis.

· Drink more water: If you love your skin, drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water daily as it is one of the most important ways to get a glowing look. You should consume fruits and vegetables which have more water content – for example oranges, melons, cucumbers, and celery. These will help your skin stay healthy and hydrated.

· Avoid overdose of dairy products: Consuming too much of dairy products can be unhealthy as they can cause pimples, whiteheads and blackheads in people prone to acne. A hormone found in milk is said to stimulate the production of pore-clogging skin cells.

· Increase intake of food items that contain Omega-3 fatty acids: Food items that contain Omega-3 fatty acids keep your skin glowing and hair healthy. Therefore, try to get adequate doze of Omega-3 by increasing intake of chia seeds, seafood and flaxseed to get healthy skin.

· Cut down on your coffee intake: If you consume 2-3 cups of caffeinated beverages, it can lead to increased cortisol in your body that can damage your skin cells. It accelerates the aging process and also causes dehydration. This can further lead to fine lines and wrinkles, so cut down on coffee intake.

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For this year’s Grammys look, Taylor Swift went higher, barer, brighter. The Atelier Versace coral and fuchsia two-piece highlighted assets that Swift has lately become known for showcasing (and why not). The bandeau crop-top — a Swift signature — exposed her taut torso while a high slit, floor-length bubble skirt opened to reveal exposed legs in matching short-shorts (like the ones she wore throughout her 1989 tour).

Billboard spoke exclusively with Donatella Versace about the inspiration behind Swift’s bold sexy look.

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What were you drawing from when you designed this look?

I was thinking about color blocking, which seems like a very simple idea. But this is pure couture. The complexity is in choosing the right colors, and then cut and fit to create the power and drama.

How did you and Swift collaborate on it?

She wanted a look that was young, sexy and fresh, as she is, totally reflecting her character. It was a pleasure to create this look for her. Taylor’s gown is the perfect example of how bold color can create such an incredible effect.

What’s your philosophy about color on the red carpet?

I love playing with color on the red carpet. For me, color is so important to capture a woman’s character and her power. How boring would the world be if we all dressed in dull colors? I’m Italian, I love passion and energy.

What kind of liberties can you take on the Grammys red carpet that you can’t for the Oscars?

My name is Versace — when did I ever play by the rules? Every time we create an Atelier Versace red-carpet gown, it is a unique reflection of the woman wearing it. I’m not thinking about the rules, but about the woman who is wearing the gown. I want them to look their absolute best, shining brighter than they’ve ever shone before. The red carpet is such an important moment for any star, when all the eyes of the world are on them.

Still, there must be a difference, even ever so slight?

On the Grammys red carpet, I’m able to push for particular styles, a more rock ‘n’ roll mood, and for the Oscars, I tend to design for the character the actors play in the movie as well as for the actors themselves. It’s my responsibility to give them perfection, and it is something I take very seriously. That is why when the icons of the world walk the red carpet, they wear Atelier Versace.

What is it like having Swift wear your design?

I’m very proud of this dress. Taylor is such an inspiration. She has become one of the biggest icons in the world in such a short time by being totally herself.

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Miley Cyrus is seemingly determined to mend her ways in the wake of her rekindled relationship with “Hunger Games” star Liam Hemsworth. The singer posted a throwback snap on Instagram on Feb. 13, Saturday, showing herself sitting topless on the floor of a concert stage.

“Missing my good ol raver days,” wrote Cyrus to caption the pic that showed her publicly flaunting her bare breast. Scroll down for the pic.

While the singer seemed to be feeling nostalgic as she posted the pic, fans believe that she was apparently not proud of her outrageous days and is trying to tone down her act as she is back with her old time fiancé.

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The pair famously met in 2009 while filming “The Last Song.” After three years of on-and-off relationship, they announced their engagement in 2012 but parted ways a year later. The “Wrecking Ball” star, who had earlier referred to Hemsworth as her “first serious boyfriend,” was apparently hit badly by the break-up and went wild with her provocative headline-making behavior.

In 2013, Cyrus raised several eyebrows at MTV Music Awards when she sported a skin-colored latex outfit and twerked around a large foam finger while performing along with Robin Thicke. She went on to sport nipple pasties and barely-there outfits at several major events, badly shattering her “Hannah Montana” image.

After remaining single for almost a year, Cyrus started a relationship with “Terminator” star Arnold Scwarzenegger’s son Patrick Schawrzenegger. The duo quickly became famous for their wild partying ways and PDA before parting ways after a few months. Cyrus was also involved in a lesbian relationship with Victoria Secret model Stella Maxwell with whom she was even filmed making out in a parking lot.

In December 2015, reports emered that Cyrus and Hemsworth has reunited after they were spotted holding hands in Australia.

Despite her string of failed relationships, Cyrus is seemingly serious this time. She has even bought a $2.5 million four-bedroom house in Malibu to share with Hemsworth.

“The plan is for Liam to stay there while they reconnect, and then move in permanently when he’s ready,” a source close to the singer told Us Weekly. It is also confirmed that the pair has got engaged again in January and are “picking up exactly where they left off.”

The singer is reportedly also sporting the engagement ring that Hemsworth gave him years ago. Wedding rumors are heating up for the couple who are trying to settle on a $176 million worth prenup agreement, Inquisitr reported.

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We all know that the wedding day is all about the bride, but let us not forget that it takes two to tango. A bride is just a girl in a white dress if she does not have a groom. As soon as the proposal is done and the engagement made official, all eyes turn to the future bride.

But what are things like for the groom?

Take a knee

Ladies, have you ever stopped to think about how nerve-wracking it must be to propose to someone? First, you have to find the perfect ring. Then you have to come up with the perfect time. And then there is always a chance that you may not get the answer you were looking for.

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Honestly, if engagements were in the hands of girls, I am not sure we would have a multimillion dollar wedding industry in this country. Grice Hunt, 33, proposed to his bride at his family’s dove field, the first place they met several years before.

“It is definitely a mixture of excitement and nerves,” Hunt says. “There is the pressure of making it a surprise and coordinating families. You assume that she is going to say yes, but it is definitely an adrenaline rush.”

Rolling with the punches is a must when proposing as well. Lance Lanford proposed to his wife, Pamela, during a family trip to Costa Rica.

“My original plan was for her to wake up from our couples’ massage and me already be down on one knee,” he said. “Unfortunately, that morning we got a call that the masseuse was sick and we would have to reschedule. So I ended up doing it late that afternoon by the pool at the house we were staying at. Even though I was confident in my decision, I was still very nervous”.

Let the planning begin

For a bride, as soon as the engagement ring goes on the planning wheels start to spin. With that first call to mom and dad, the question of who is answered — but now it is time to figure out the when and where. Have you ever wondered what happens to the groom once this planning process ignites? Does he have a say or does he get pushed aside until needed?

“Mine was more of a supporting role,” Hunt says. “Caitlin did a great job of narrowing down decisions and then asking my opinion. I would try to bring some practicality to outweigh the emotions of the decisions.”

Says Lanford, “I was involved when needed, but between her family and all her friends they jumped on planning pretty quickly. I still don’t do much of our planning.”

Both grooms said that they were consulted when it came to major decisions — location, food, alcohol and the band. But we were curious about what they thought about some of the smaller details.

“I can see how people get too worried about things like the runners, types of chairs, plates (and) flowers,” Hunt says. “We tried to focus on what we remember from all of the weddings we had been to; no one remembers how many votives were on the table.”

It’s showtime

For the bride, the wedding day is usually packed with activities. There are brunches, hairdressers, champagne, make-up artists, champagne, the ceremonious donning of the gown (unless you are me and donned your gown while shoved in a broom closet with your wedding planner) and of course, more champagne. While the girls are getting fluffed and pampered and very tastefully toasty, the groom is probably having a much more low-key day.

I wondered if the day is filled with the same nervousness as it is for the bride. Hunt says that it was the night of the rehearsal dinner when things really got real for him.

“I just hung out with my groomsmen, watched football, did what we always do,” he says of the wedding day. “It was really laid back; I wasn’t too nervous.”

The Lanford wedding party broke from tradition. The whole wedding party spent the day on the beach before breaking to go and get ready. Before the ceremony they did the first look where the groom sees the bride for the first time.

“That was really nice to be able to see her before the ceremony and spend some time together,” Lanford says.

Of course, the pinnacle of any wedding ceremony is when the bride appears and begins to walk down the aisle. Like a lot of people, my favorite part of a wedding ceremony is to look at the groom’s face the first time he sees his bride. While I always take a peek, I have never actually asked any of the grooms what they were thinking when they saw their brides for the first time. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to ask Hunt what that moment was like for him.

“I remember watching the bridesmaids walk down and hearing my groomsmen cutting up behind me, but as soon as she came around the corner I couldn’t see anything,” he says. “It was total tunnel vision which was really kind of neat.”

While I wipe the tears out of my eyes I turn my attention to the main event.

We all know that a beautiful wedding begins with a beautiful ceremony, but a truly great wedding ends with a truly great reception.

“We knew that people were only going to have as much fun as the bride and groom,” Hunt says. “That’s why focusing on the big picture and not getting caught up in the small things were really important to us. The whole thing was so much fun and went by so quickly. I felt like as soon as I got there they were telling me that it was time to leave.”

Says Lanford, “I just really wanted our guests to have a good time. After several days of soaking up the sun and various cocktails on the beach having a major party was the only way we knew to cap off the weekend.”

This is not the first time I have traveled into the male psyche for the sake of a story and I must say that I am almost always pleasantly surprised by what I find. This journey taught me something very important about weddings: While the Big Day is certainly all about the bride, it always starts with a really great groom.

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Now that January has arrived, it is time to act on our 2016 resolutions. For singles often times this goal means connecting with a compatible special someone. Coincidentally, the start of a New Year ushers in a busy season in the world of dating, either via on-line sites, using an app or by personal introductions. Truth be told, one of the more challenging aspects of being single is determining whether the people you are meeting are legitimately available. If the person whom you are looking to go out with has never been married, or is divorced or widowed, then their status is clear cut. But, when someone is in the category of “separated,” a lot more due diligence needs to happen before concluding if they are free to date. It may be that their circumstances are too complicated for a new relationship. How does one properly vet the people they are being introduced to, so as to gauge if they are truly single vs being in marriage limbo or just unhappily married?

picture: royal blue bridesmaid dresses uk• Living Situations: Those who are serious about leaving their marriage do just that. If one is living in a separate bedroom in the house or in the basement, this is not a conducive scenario for embarking on another relationship. There is no proof as to sleeping arrangements or interactions inside of a home. If this situation is temporary and there is a move out scheduled, that is one thing, but if a lease on a new property is not in the works, do not date this person. In order to start over, one must be present in mind, body and soul.

• Wedding Rings: It is very difficult after years of marriage to take off the gold band that represents the eternity of a union. The gesture of removing a ring is the final threshold that a person must cross in order to be fully released and unencumbered from their spouse. Putting aside one’s wedding band symbolizes that the past is indeed in the past and that there is a readiness to move forward.

• Social Gatherings: There are instances when even a couple’s family and friends do not know that a break up is imminent. Publicly, the duo may still go to functions and parties together, thus giving off mixed messages. These individuals should not be dipping their toe into the dating pool until they are actually living apart. Those who are still concerned about appearances and each other’s feelings are not ready to put an end to their marriage.

• Contacting an Attorney: Before separating, many men and women meet with an attorney to assess the state of their affairs. Note that there is a huge difference between a consult and a retainer (both in your wallet and mindset). A big chasm also lies between saying that you are getting a divorce and actually filing. Do not accept a date with a person who has not crossed this line.

• Custody Agreement: If kids are involved, one of the hardest parts of leaving the marital home is not being able to see the children everyday. Many people say that the love in their marriage is over, but they don’t want to exit until the kids are out of the house. Although staying for the immediate future may be considered a noble gesture, this person is not ready to get a divorce. Do not get involved with someone who is claiming they will leave once the nest is empty. This individual is basically comfortable enough at home and does not want to rock the boat.

Caveat Emptor — Buyer Beware: Be an educated consumer. The same way that you spend time in the produce isle, examining your fruits and vegetables, and asking others’ advise before buying, do likewise with the people that you date. Remember if the peach is riding around in someone else’s cart it is not available for you to purchase. Head immediately back to the produce isle and choose the next best available option. You will be happier with your “fruitful” choice in the long run and you won’t be forced to leave fruitless.

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The family of the man living large in a SoHo loft despite allegedly paying no rent say he’s a con artist who honed his skills of deception on them before moving to the city.

Corey Mayer — who goes by Corey von Furstenberg — continually lied to his family and was prone to violent outbursts, including one occasion in which he locked his hands around their mother’s throat in their Norwich, Conn., home, said his sister Kari Mayer.

“He (looked like he) wanted to kill her,” she said of the incident, which she says occurred in the early 2000s.

“He was literally choking her,” Mayer recalled. “He was just in a fit of rage … I mean explosive rage.”

The Mayer family has been mostly estranged from the 38-year-old since then.

Corey Mayer claims to own a high-flying publicity firm, but the last job his family knows about was at a local Walmart, and he got fired, she said.

The family had no idea Mayer had taken the surname von Furstenberg and moved into a $15,000 a month loft, she said.

Mayer/Von Furstenberg has been sued by his landlord, who claims he’s $100,000 in arrears.

picture: vintage inspired wedding dressesThe landlord also said Mayer secured the apartment by falsely suggesting he was related to the celebrated designer Diane von Furstenberg, the suit said. Kari Mayer says her brother continually lied about having famous connections dating back to his teenage years.

Speaking from inside the luxury unit at 496 Broadway on Monday, Mayer showed the Daily News a passport in the name of Corey von Furstenberg.

“Never did I acquire 496 at any way shape or form using Diane von Furstenberg’s name as any type of familiar anything in a name. There’s no record of it, there’s no nothing of it,” he said.

Mayer insisted that he got the lavish penthouse — a two-bedroom, two-bath unit with three sky lights, a fireplace, a chef’s kitchen and a rooftop deck — in November 2014 on his own merits.

He paid the rent from his earnings as a publicist, he said. From May to August that year, he had no gas, so he began to withhold rent in September, he told The News.

He pointed to the opulent furnishings — inculding a graceful chandelier and hanging artwork — as proof of his solvency.

“I just kind of laugh about it. I’m laughing out of anger but it doesn’t strike me as funny and you just go with it. They wanna ‘Mean Girl’ me in the press? Mean Girl me,” he said, of the landlord’s lawsuit.

As for his family, Mayer claimed that both his sister and his mother have mental health issues, and he denied the allegations they made against him.

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For being a relatively small town, Jacksonville is becoming kind of a big deal.

On the heels of winning national competitions for such things as a summer music series and a dog park, the new year is bringing attention, too.

A lot of the credit is pinned to social media boosterism as a way to bring statewide and even national attention to the city.

One of the latest is a competition pitting dozens of communities as having the best shopping on Main Street. Dozens of towns have been nominated, including Jacksonville, for the chance to be featured on the program “Small Town Big Deal.” The show has been on RFD-TV since 2012 and is being syndicated on ABC.

Its hosts, Rodney Miller and Jann Carl, share stories about what makes communities unique and are planning an episode on the best small-town shopping in America.

People can vote for Jacksonville online at wshe.es/y3tStiNH.

Some of the honors have been the result of polling. Others are unsolicited, such as the naming of Buena Vista Farms as one of onlyinyourstate.com’s top unique spots to get married in Illinois.

“We are honored and pleasantly surprised that we made this wedding location list,” said Teri Gutierrez, wedding planner and owner of Buena Vista Farms, which is about 3 miles northwest of Jacksonville. “I give all the credit to the couples we’ve served and our staff.”

picture: bridesmaids dressesBuena Vista Farms, established in 2006, hosts a variety of events besides weddings, including anniversary, retirement and birthday parties, and also offers camping sites and furnished cabins.

But it’s the weddings that are building Buena Vista Farms’ reputation.

“I think a sophisticated bride understands the savings in budget and, more importantly, stress to utilize all the services we provide,” Gutierrez said.

Buena Vista Farms’ vacation wedding weekend packages include lodging, a rehearsal dinner, camp fire, elaborate decorations and a Sunday brunch, among with other amenities.

“We work very hard so that the bridal party and family can simply come and enjoy their guests for a weekend of memories,” Gutierrez said.

Buena Vista Farms began hosting weddings in 2007 and since then has been the setting for about 150, most of which have been for couples from outside of Morgan County.

“My husband, Nestor, is a visionary and thinks outside the box,” Gutierrez said. “It was his knowledge of farmland that led to the development of the two lakes, the campgrounds and the setting at Buena Vista Farms, which is unique.”

The original goal was to host business and team-building meetings, not weddings.

“But the scenery is so beautiful and rustic, outdoor weddings are very popular these days,” Gutierrez said. “The weddings we’ve hosted have given us a good reputation. Couples have written positive reviews of the Buena Vista Farms staff on social media, and I believe that’s why we made this top 10 wedding location list in Illinois.”

Brittany Henry, executive director of the Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said communities always appreciate being the talk of other towns.

“All this brings money into the Jacksonville community and makes us a more thriving locale,” she said. “By having attracted such events and venues, the quality of life in Jacksonville is improved and they bring tourists to the Jacksonville area who will visit our local shops, stay in our hotels and dine in our restaurants.”

Jacksonville is compiling a growing list of competition victories and recognition for some of its unique businesses.

In 2011, the city was named one of 100 U.S. cities to win cash in Reader’s Digest “We Hear You, America” contest; in July, the city won the $100,000 prize in the PetSafe Bark for Your Park contest; in November, Soap Co. Coffee House was listed in “These 10 Coffee Shops in Illinois are Perfect to Wake You Up” by onlyinyourstate.com; and in September, Lonzerotti’s Italia Restaurant was named one of the top 10 Italian restaurants in Illinois by the site.

Jacksonville has also been named one of the top 50 small towns in America under 20,000 population by discountmyflights.com; Blessings on State Bed and Breakfast has been recognized several times by the travel industry; and the city just this month won $25,000 from Levitt AMP for a summer outdoor concert series.

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