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cover gown by Sophia tolli www.Sophiatolli.com

Bridal Beauty Touch-Ups

Show Your Healthy

Glow in Your Wedding

Photos

Stunning New Gowns

Chic Local Wedding & Reception Venues

Cornflower gown by Sophia Tolli, Fall 2013 Collectionwww.SophiaTolli.com

Fall 2013$4.25

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Old Warsaw Restaurant214.528.0032; Uptown Dallas

Plano Centre972.941.5840; Plano

The Boulevard Event Center972.224.5888; DeSoto

The Springs Events, Heritage Springs469.400.8960; Anna, TX

The Springs Events, Hidden Springs940.435.4034; Aubrey, TX

The Springs Events, Poetry Springs972.210.9250; Poetry, TX

Waxahachie Civic Center469.309.4040; Waxahachie

WildHorse Grill at Robson Ranch940.246.1080; Denton

WEDDING & EVENT PLANNERSEvents by LND214.717.0699; DFW

One Accord Weddings972.838.6333; DFW

Salli G Wedding & Special Event Consultant972.233.0976.; DFW

Wrapped Around YouWedding & Event Planners214.543.6739; DFW

WEDDING VENUESCooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.386.0306, 1.800.444.5187; Dallas

Coyote Ridge Golf Club972.395.0786; Carrollton

Green Oaks Wedding Chapelmetro 817.572.4300; Arlington

Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville972.283.9777; Duncanville

Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Richardson972.792.9393; Richardson

Hyatt Place Dallas/Garland972.414.3500; Dallas/Garland

Irving Convention Center972.252.7476; Irving

Maple Manor Hotel214.871.0032; Dallas

Midlothian Conference Center972.723.7919; Midlothian








JEWELERSLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

NEW HOME/GOURMET COOKINGLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

PARTY RENTALSTaylor’s Rentals817.332.5258; Fort Worth

QUINCEAÑERAS, BAR & BAT MITZVAHSCoyote Ridge Golf Club972.395.0786; Carrollton





Midlothian Conference Center 972.723.7919; Midlothian


Taylor’s Rentals817.332.5258; Fort Worth







RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER SITESCooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.386.0306, 1.800.444.5187; Dallas







Lakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano



BEAUTY/SPA/FITNESSCooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.386.0306, 1.800.444.5187; Dallas


BRIDAL REGISTRYLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

BRIDAL SALONSLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

BRIDAL SHOWERS & BRIDAL LUNCHEONSMidlothian Conference Center972.723.7919; Midlothian




BRIDAL SHOWSBridal Shows, Inc.972.713.9920; DFW

Fleur de Lis Bridal Show817.232.3444; DFW

Great Bridal Expo800.422.3976; DFW

Posh Bridal Shows469.554.8803; DFW

Soiree Boutique Bridal Shows866.242.8078; DFW

CATERINGLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

ENTERTAINMENTStradivarius String Quartet972.949.4111; DFW

FINANCIAL SERVICESLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

FLORISTSLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

GIFT REGISTRIESLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

GUEST ACCOMMODATIONSCooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.386.0306, 1.800.444.5187; Dallas





INVITATIONS/PAPER GOODSLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

Directory of Wedding Professionals Tell all your wedding specialists you saw them here in Bride & Groom Magazine!

Gown by Eden Bridalswww.EdenBridals.com

Old Warsaw Restaurant214.528.0032; Uptown Dallas








WEDDING & EVENT PLANNERSEvents by LND214.717.0699; DFW

One Accord Weddings972.838.6333; DFW

Salli G Wedding & Special Event Consultant972.233.0976.; DFW

Wrapped Around YouWedding & Event Planners214.543.6739; DFW

WEDDING VENUESCooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.386.0306, 1.800.444.5187; Dallas
















JEWELERSLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

NEW HOME/GOURMET COOKINGLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

PARTY RENTALSTaylor’s Rentals817.332.5258; Fort Worth

QUINCEAÑERAS, BAR & BAT MITZVAHSCoyote Ridge Golf Club972.395.0786; Carrollton





Midlothian Conference Center 972.723.7919; Midlothian


Taylor’s Rentals817.332.5258; Fort Worth







RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER SITESCooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.386.0306, 1.800.444.5187; Dallas










BEAUTY/SPA/FITNESSCooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.386.0306, 1.800.444.5187; Dallas


BRIDAL REGISTRYLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

BRIDAL SALONSLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

BRIDAL SHOWERS & BRIDAL LUNCHEONSMidlothian Conference Center972.723.7919; Midlothian




BRIDAL SHOWSBridal Shows, Inc.972.713.9920; DFW

Fleur de Lis Bridal Show817.232.3444; DFW

Great Bridal Expo800.422.3976; DFW

Posh Bridal Shows469.554.8803; DFW

Soiree Boutique Bridal Shows866.242.8078; DFW

CATERINGLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

ENTERTAINMENTStradivarius String Quartet972.949.4111; DFW

FINANCIAL SERVICESLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

FLORISTSLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

GIFT REGISTRIESLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

GUEST ACCOMMODATIONSCooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.386.0306, 1.800.444.5187; Dallas





INVITATIONS/PAPER GOODSLakeside Marketwww.lakesidemarketplano.com; Plano

Directory of Wedding Professionals Tell all your wedding specialists you saw them here in Bride & Groom Magazine!

Gown by Eden Bridalswww.EdenBridals.com

www.brideandgroom.com 1www.brideandgroom.com 1

2 www.brideandgroom.com

Taylor’s RentalsFort Worth, 817.332.5258


Making PlansWITH THIS RING.....................................................8

PICTURE PERFECT..................................................24

VINTAGE SUPER 8 FILM: MAKE YOUR WEDDING VIDEO AN INSTANT CLASSIC.........................26

THINGS TO DO..........................................................28

MEMBERS OF THE WEDDING........................29

WEDDING WEAR......................................................30

H OW TO B R EAK IN W ED D IN G SH OES (FROM EHOW)..............................................32

BEAUTIFUL BRIDES.................................................34

PAMPERING PACKAGES........................................35

FINANCIAL MATTERS..............................................36

WEDDING VENUES...............................................38

RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER SITES.......45

WEDDING EMERGENCY KIT...................................52

GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS..................................54

FLOWER POWER.....................................................56

WEDDING PAPERS..................................................58

PARTY TIME.....................................................59

MUSICAL NOTES.....................................................60

INTRIGUING INVITATIONS..................................62

Taylor's Rentals Fort Worth, 817.332.5258

Flower PowerPage 56

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B&G-Spring10-pages1-17.indd 6 2/24/2010 3:51:57 PM

Flower girl dress by Pale Cloud

Anja’s Dream PerfumePerfect for your flower girl! www.boutiquedevoile.com

Necklaces: Lavish by Tricia Milaneze www.lavishjewelry.us

www.brideandgroom.com 3

PUBLISHER/EDITORJudy Sindecuse Hayden

ADVERTISING DIRECTORWilliam Sindecuse Hayden

ART DIRECTORAllison Parkey

CONTRIBUTING EDITORPaul Conant

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSJ. A. Cox

Gloria GilpinArline HaydenDebbie HovisSaundra LohrJames Mach

Naomi MastrogiovanniLucinda Rogers

Dolores Sindecuse

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVEMary Beth Fitzgerald

•PUBLISHED BY:

Bride & Groom Magazine, Inc.,P. O. Box 110918, Carrollton, Texas 75011

972.416.2090 or 1.800.723.8166.www.brideandgroom.com

To order subscriptions or back issues, please mail a request stating which issue(s) you’d like,

the address where the magazines are to be sent, and a check or money order for $6.50

per issue to cover the cost of the magazines, postage and handling.

Bride & Groom Magazine is published quarterly in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Copyright © 2012, Bride & Groom Magazine, Inc.

Bride & Groom is a registered trademark of Bride & Groom Magazine, Inc. All rights

reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written

permission from the publisher. Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts or art. Printed in the USA.

Flower girl dress by Pale Cloud


Adding a modern twist to a timeless tradition. Delight your guests from the moment they arrive.

An exceptionally well-appointed ballroom, outdoor terraces, conversational seating areas and the most

refined finishes of any facility of its kind combine to make the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas

one of the most visually stunning venues available. Whether it is a ceremony for 1,200 or an intimate

rehearsal dinner for 50, our award-winning team of event professionals are eager to assure every detail

of your special day unfolds perfectly.

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The perfect place for your wedding wows.

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Ivanka Trump Fine JewelryAvailable at Bachendorf’s


Adding a modern twist to a timeless tradition. Delight your guests from the moment they arrive.

An exceptionally well-appointed ballroom, outdoor terraces, conversational seating areas and the most

refined finishes of any facility of its kind combine to make the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas

one of the most visually stunning venues available. Whether it is a ceremony for 1,200 or an intimate

rehearsal dinner for 50, our award-winning team of event professionals are eager to assure every detail

of your special day unfolds perfectly.

(972) 252 7476 | irvingconventioncenter.com

The perfect place for your wedding wows.

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8 WITH THIS RING

10 BRIDAL BEAUTY TOUCH-UPS

12 ASK THE EXPERTS

14 SWEET BOUTIQUE 16 WEDDING INSURANCE

17 GETAWAY GIVEAWAY

18 TODAY’S VALET

21 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Fall 2013 September • October • November

Scan this tag with your smart phone’s free Microsoft Tag app to go straight to Bride & Groom’s website!

page 22

Marigold gown by Sophia TolliFall 2013 Collection www.SophiaTolli.com

Cover


22 SHOW YOUR HEALTHY GLOW IN YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS

24 PICTURE PERFECT

26 THINGS TO DO

28 MEMBERS OF THE WEDDING

30 WEDDING WEAR

32 BEAUTIFUL BRIDES

33 PAMPERING PACKAGES

34 FINANCIAL MATTERS

36 PAPER TO PETAL: TWISTED RIBBON TULIPS

38 WEDDING VENUES

46 TIMELINE FOR ROCKING WEDDING PHOTOS

49 RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER SITES

Fall 2013 September • October • November

page 10

56 WEDDING EMERGENCY KIT

58 GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS

60 FLOWER POWER

62 WEDDING PAPERS

63 PARTY TIME

64 MUSICAL NOTES

66 INTRIGUING INVITATIONS

69 THE WEDDING SHOP:A comprehensive guide to local wedding merchants, featuring detailed descriptions of what they can do for you.

80 DIRECTORY OF ONLINE ADVERTISERS

81 DIRECTORY OF WEDDING PROFESSIONALS

page 36


diamond basics, the better you can intel-ligently choose your diamond.

ALTERNATIVES TO THE DIAMONDAnother idea to consider when dis-

cussing your rings is the use of alternative stones instead of a diamond. The main rea-son that diamonds are the choice of most couples can be attributed to the fact that diamonds are the hardest stone known to man, thus they are better able to withstand the stress of daily wear. A myth exists about diamonds that they cannot be chipped nor can they break. But beware ... it is a myth. A diamond, like all gemstones, must be prop-erly cared for by you.

On a regular basis, preferably at least once every six months, ask your jeweler to clean and inspect your rings and stones so that you can maintain their glowing beau-ty. In between your visits to your jeweler, it does help to clean your wedding rings as often as you wish. Your jeweler can advise you as to the best way to clean your rings at home. The cleaner your rings are, the more they sparkle.

Colored gemstones, such as ruby and sapphire, have also been used throughout history as a wedding ring center stone or as an enhancement to the center diamond. For example, you may choose an intense blue sapphire as your center stone and encircle it with smaller diamonds.

After you receive your rings from your jeweler, you should check with your insurance agent as to how to insure your rings on your insurance policy. Inquire about an all-risk policy to fully insure your rings. Your insur-

ance agent can give explanations and sug-gestions as to the best protection for you.

OTHER WEDDING JEWELRYYour jeweler can assist you with other

wedding jewelry, such as cultured pearls. This is a traditional wedding gift given by the groom to the bride to wear with her wedding gown. Pearls are an elegant jew-elry gift and may be enjoyed for many oc-casions.

The bride may appropriately choose a set of cufflinks or button covers as her gift to her groom to wear with his formal attire at the wedding and for future occasions. Your jeweler can guide you in making your choices.

Check with your jeweler for bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s gift ideas and give a gift that will remind them of the special day they will share with you.

Choosing your wedding and engage-ment rings can be fun and exciting! With the professional guidance of your jeweler, your wedding rings will become cherished reminders of the love you share. •

Size is determined by the weight and is also a factor in the price of a diamond because the larger the diamond, and the heavier it is, the more rare the stone, and the more valuable it becomes.

Cut refers to the make and shape of your diamond. The make is the faceting or cutting of the diamond surface. Most round diamonds have 58 facets. A good cut, or make, allows for the maximum light reflec-tion throughout the diamond. Some dia-monds are cut shallow, some deep, while the superbly cut diamond achieves the most brilliance.

The shape of the diamond is also a part of the cut. The most common shapes include the round brilliant, marquis, pear, oval, heart, emerald, and baguette. Dia-mond shapes are not limited to these. Dia-monds have been cut in the design of stars, flowers, trees, and even the state of Texas.

Clarity refers to the ability to see through a diamond, which is affected by internal identifying characteristics of flaws formed in nature in the diamond. The fewer and less visible the flaws, known as inclusions, the better and more valuable the diamond be-comes. Diamonds are graded on 10X mag-nification under a microscope or jeweler’s loupe, with good lighting. It is important to examine your major diamond purchase un-der a microscope so that you can see the flaws, their sizes, and locations. Overall, the fewer the inclusions, the more brilliant and valuable the diamond.

Color as a grading defines diamond color very critically. The closer a diamond appears to colorless, the better the color grade. Color grading is done by comparing the diamond to a color test kit with stones graded by GIA. The lights used in this pro-cess are highly specialized.

All of the Four C’s affect the price of a diamond. For example, a diamond that weighs 1 carat, is VS1 clarity, G color and good cut will cost more than a diamond that weighs 1 carat, is SI1 clarity, K color and poor cut. The more informed you are about

Since you are unique, your wed-ding rings should portray your uniqueness. Choosing or designing your rings can be one of the most pleasurable experiences of your engagement. The variety of styles is endless. Many couples prefer to visit the jeweler together to learn about each oth-ers’ style preferences. Your jeweler can ad-vise you on the style and design most be-coming to your lifestyle and tastes.

Decide if you prefer a single wedding band, a wedding ring with a matching en-gagement ring, or an engagement ring with guard rings. Other decisions that will need to be made are what type, size and shape of gem you prefer; whether or not you would like smaller diamonds on your band to ac-centuate your main stone; and if you would like your fiancé’s ring to match.

After you have searched for the ulti-mate rings and have found them, con-gratulations! If you cannot find the perfect rings for you, then commission your jeweler to custom-design and create an original set of wedding rings for you. A custom jeweler can create magic by simply learning your preferences and designing your rings ac-cording to your liking. The jeweler will then hand-carve and create your perfect rings.

Diamonds are an important part of en-gagement and wedding rings. You need to know a few basic facts and standards for diamonds. The most widely accepted dia-mond-grading standards were established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and the basic concepts can be mas-tered by you with the help of your jeweler. Diamond grading is divided into the Four C’s: Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color.

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. One carat weight is divided into 100 points of weight. A 25-point diamond can be re-ferred to as a stone that weighs 0.25 carats.

With This Ring A wedding ring is an endless circle that traditionally represents

the love that you, the bride and groom, have for each other. It is

wise to make a careful selection of these immortal tokens of love.

A good cut allows for the maximum light reflection throughout

the diamond. Some diamonds are cut shallow, some deep,

while the superbly cut diamond achieves the most brilliance.

Rings by Brian Gavin Diamonds


Bridal Beauty

Touch-UpsTop Five Ways to Look your Best on the Big Day

For many brides and their mothers, look-ing and feeling their best on the big day is just as important as the venue or dress. As a result, cosmetic procedures are often making the wedding to-do list. As cosmet-ic procedures become increasingly popu-lar among today’s bridal parties, minimally invasive options are an essential for brides-to-be, as well as their mothers. Dr. Cynthia Elliott, a former ER surgeon and owner of Skinspirations in Tampa Bay, suggests that women seek procedures which require lit-tle or no downtime such as Botox, facials, eyelash treatments or a quick detox to look slimmer on the big day.

With a practice devoted exclusively to cosmetic and laser procedures, Dr. Elliott is often sought out to perform prenup-tial treatments. Skinspirations often sees brides-to-be and their mothers for the fol-lowing prenuptial procedures:

1. Botox: These injections give you smooth, wrinkle-free skin and/or higher arched eyebrows (if requested). Begin six months prior to the wedding day and repeat as recommended.

2. Hydrafacial: This relaxing treatment de-toxifies and rejuvenates skin, resulting in a smoother appearance. It can be done up to the day before the wedding.

3. Latisse eyelash treatment: This treat-ment gives you doubled eyelash fullness and should be started four months before wedding.

4. Regular skincare treatments: They result

in clearer, smoother, more even skin. Be-gin 6 months before the big day to ensure a noticeable difference.

5. Detox/HCG diet: This diet rids the body of toxins and can also aid weight loss, which helps brides and their mothers achieve a slimmer look for the ceremony. For definite results, begin at least 90 days before the wedding.

“Glowing skin exudes confidence – ex-actly what women want on their wedding day,” said Dr. Elliott. “Many brides – and mothers-of-the-bride – are seeking natu-ral, subtle results that make them look re-juvenated.”

Prenuptial No-No’s: Common Mistakes to Prevent

While certain cosmetic procedures can do much to improve the quality of the skin, the routine mistakes listed below can undo their effectiveness and should be avoided:

• Too much sun exposure. Avoid the sun as much as possible and wear SPF every day. Too much UV radiation can lead to wrinkle formation and uneven skin pig-mentation. • Picking at the skin. Picking often causes blemishes to worsen.• Failing to alert your practitioner to any sensitivity. Allergic reactions can cause unsightly side effects that could last until the big day. • Getting too many treatments at once. Bombarding your skin with several prod-

ucts won’t give you faster results andcould potentially cause an adverse reac-tion. • Unreal expectations. Fillers and fa-cial treatments can only do so much to change the quality of your skin—don’t en-vision a major change or you may end up disappointed.

Dr. Elliott also suggests that brides and their mothers resist waiting until the last minute when considering any cosmetic procedures.

“Time is of the essence,” said Dr. Elliott. “You want to ensure that you make a full recovery in time for the wedding day. For the best possible results, schedule a con-sultation before deciding on any proce-dures.”

Dr. Elliott has the experience and expertise to perform a wide array of non-surgical procedures in her Tampa Bay office. She is a former emergency & trauma doctor who has been performing minimally inva-sive procedures in Tampa Bay for the last several years.

For more information about Skinspirations or to schedule a free consultation, visit www.skinspirations-info.com. •

Visit TheSpringsEvents.comFind The Perfect Rustic, Elegant Wedding Venue For Your Big Day


Visit TheSpringsEvents.comFind The Perfect Rustic, Elegant Wedding Venue For Your Big Day


Ask The Experts How can I be sUre THere wIll be smooTH TransITIons beTween mUsIc selecTIons dUrInG THe Formal SEATINGS AT MY WEDDING? The most important thing is to make sure that the wedding coordinator communicates with the string quartet. If the coordinator gives a clear cue to the musicians when it is time to start the seatings, then sends each group down the aisle to the correct music selection, the quartet can easily time selections to end after the last person in each group has been seated.

Got a question? Hear what the experts have to say!

Savannah ReppartCooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa

972.386.0306www.cooperhoteldallas.com

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I HAVE BEEN TO MANY WEDDINGS WHERE THE RECEIVING LINE IS SO LONG THaT IT Takes away so mUcH TIme From THe recePTIon. mUsT we Have A RECEIVING LINE? Most brides and grooms are not doing a receiving line. At the reception, oftentimes the bride’s parents call the groom’s parents to the microphone to introduce them and welcome them. The bride and groom then walk hand in hand to each table to welcome their guests, and thank them for attending their wedding. If the bride and groom wish, the photographer can follow them to each table and take photos.

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Salli G Wedding & Special Event Consultant972.233.0976, www.salligevents.com

How sHoUld I cHoose my brIdesmaIds’ dresses?Shopping for bridesmaid dresses is a very delicate matter. Not only is it important to be cost conscious to avoid putting anyone in a difficult financial situation, but it’s important to find a gown that works for everyone. This does not mean you have to buy the same gown for all bridesmaids. These days, many brides will pick a color that they would like the gowns to be and then let each bridesmaid pick the style that she wants to wear, that she is comfortable in, that is flattering on, and that keeps her smiling. After all, the bride should want everyone to look gorgeous on her big day so she’ll have beautiful pictures and happy memories.

Stradivarius String Quartet972.949.4111

www.stradivariusmusic.com


See more experts at www.brideandgroom.com!

DO I NEED A CONTINGENCY PLAN? Preparing a contingency plan is a must when it comes to effective event planning. Weddings can be a challenging event, at best. Many intricate details must blend seamlessly for the wedding party and guests to enjoy themselves and to make it a fond memory for all. Sometimes the biggest secret to a successful event is having a contingency plan. Not only should serious thought be given to Plan B, but if it needs to be incorporated, it must be a feasible strategy. Best advice: Hire a competent coordinator who has planned ahead and can remain flexible on the day of the event.

Debbie Niems and Ellen RussellEvents by LND214.717.0699

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Rachel ReevesOne Accord Weddings

972.838.6333www.oneaccordweddings.com

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I GoT THe rInG! now wHaT? wHere do I sTarT?! wHaT are THe FIrsT and mosT ImPorTanT asPecTs oF THe weddInG PlannInG THaT we need To FocUs on? I get this question all the time! By far the most important aspect that needs your immediate attention is your budget. You cannot go through the steps of plan-ning a wedding without knowing what you are working with. Brides often want to rush out and buy the dress or start looking at venues without at least having some rough numbers to work with. Once you have your budget, start looking for a wedding planner. It is never too early to hire a wedding planner to help through the planning and coordination of your wedding. In general, the earlier you hire a planner, the more money they will be able to help you save. Next, pick a venue and a date! This will require you having a rough idea of how many guests you will be expecting. This number will change, but having an idea will help in choos-ing a venue. I also suggest getting lots of ideas together. If you haven’t already, start looking in bridal magazines and at online bridal sites and go to a few bridal shows. Get an idea of what catches your eye and what definitely doesn’t look appealing to you. From here on out you and your wedding planner will have plenty of decisions to make, most of which will be fun and make your day every-thing you have dreamed of!

Ask The Experts

I recenTly Had my weddInG recePTIon For 120 GUesTs. one HUndred GUesTs resPonded sTaTInG THey woUld be In aTTendance, bUT only 75 GUesTs sHowed. we PaId $75 Per Person For THe recePTIon. Is THere a way I can re-coUP THIs exPense?It is a common courtesy for guests to provide an accurate count for the reception so the bride and groom can avoid overpaying. The guests’ gift to the bride and groom is their presence, and the bride and groom’s gift to the guests is entertainment and a meal. As a courtesy, the guests should send a monetary gift in exchange for their absence. Unfortu-nately, if the guests do not choose to send a gift, monetary or otherwise, you eat the loss, no pun intended! To avoid this mishap, guests can be given a courtesy call to ensure they still plan to attend, before the final head count is turned in to the caterer or wedding venue.

Rochel Washington, CWC and Denice HalstiedWrapped Around You Wedding & Event Planners

214.543.6739; www.wayevents.com

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Sweet BoutiqueCake Couture Your wedding cakes and desserts will be the centerpiece of your reception. So do

it right with this season’s new take on sugar and spice! Learn the latest trends from

these top cake designers and sweet bakeries.

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Oh My! Catery provides cupcake buf-fets where guests choose their cupcake, choose their icing, and then are turned loose at a long table filled with candy jars full of fun things to put on the cupcake.

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is a must for an all-inclusive wed-ding facility.

Make sure that each vendor and venue gives you a written contract. You will need this to file an insurance claim to prove that you did in fact pay the vendor or venue.

Ask for a statement of under-standing. This will spell out what is expected of you and the vendoror venue.

Make sure that you and the vendor or venue sign everything, even agreed-upon notes and e-mails.

A wedding insurance policy will cost around $300 and can be purchased as far as 24 months before the wedding.

Companies that sell wedding insurance:

• TravelersInsurance.com• Wedsure.com• Wedsafe.com• Texianinsurance.com

Wedding insurance can cover:• Lost deposits• Photographs and video• Wedding gifts lost or stolen• Cancellation/postponement• No shows • Unexpected illness or acci-

dent• Loss of the wedding ring• Travel costs• Many other costs associated with the weddingLiability Insurance. This will pro-

tect you in a situation of injury to an attendee or property damage caused by your wedding party. Most venues will require this cov-erage.

Liquor Liability. This will protect you and your family against alco-hol-related accidents. Most ven-ues will require this coverage.

Ask each vendor and venue if they carry a third-party fidelity bond. The bond will guarantee your money if they go broke. This

It is every girl’s dream to havea fairytale wedding — a very special day to remember for life. However, when things go wrong, it can be the worst of the worst of times. You have spent a lot of money to make sure that special day is very special. As an insur-ance agent, I have learned one very important fact. “Risk never takes a break.” You could havea vendor or venue already going out of business and at the same time taking your money. So many problems can pop up without notice. Someone in your wed-ding party can become ill or you could get transferred to another state for your job. A vendor may not show, or the weather turns for the worse the day of the wed-ding, and no one can get to the venue. To solve this problem, you need wedding insurance. Or as we say in the business, “transfer the risk.”

Wedding InsuranceBy Jack BrownIndependent, licensed, insurance counselor with more than 35 years experience Contact him at [email protected]


Valet operations should be em-ployed in settings when an en-hanced level of service is desired, or in parking operations in which an operator or facility owner needs to optimize use of limited or desirable parking.

One of the most important things that you need to take into account while planning for your wedding is the parking condition at your wed-ding venue. Parking might not be present on your list of top issues, but it is something that should be planned by considering valet ser-vice, in order to ensure that your guests do not experience any sort of trouble at your wedding.

Take into account the type of clothing and shoes required to wear during the event and what it takes to walk to the venue.

What makes a great valet?When someone turns over the

keys to their car, a good valet un-derstands that this is one of their chief assets and that they should respect it, meaning: Don’t roll down the windows, don’t change the ra-dio station, don’t move anything

Today’s ValetThings You Should Know About Today’s Valet CompaniesBy Rick Reid

around. Great valets understand that they control the first and last impressions of any event.

When should a customer say “yes” to the option of valet park-ing?

When hiring a valet for your wed-ding, you should shop them at one of their venues prior to a decision. The valet should greet you with a smile, be dressed in a company uniform and have their hand out to help the ladies out of their vehicle. It sounds silly, but presentation is everything. The great valet companies have proper signage accompanied by a podium with a company name on it. If they lack these simple things, I would keep looking.

Joyrides: fact or myth?Myth. Movies, such as “Ferris Buel-

ler’s Day Off,” and the parking of his friend’s parents’ 1961 Ferrari 250 are the exception to the rule. Great valet companies know this isn’t the way to treat a customer’s vehicle. While parking luxury automobiles is a privilege, it’s always understood that there’s a huge amount of risk and liability involved in the way

these cars should be handled.VIP Parking—Who gets these

spots?Usually, VIP guests of an event

who have made it clear to the va-let that they will be gracious in their gratuity (and gracious could be anything from $10-$20 or more). Typically event planners will say that they want the most expensive and best-looking cars up front, because it reflects well on the event, but those are not necessarily the cus-tomers who tip best.

Tipping questions: What is an av-erage tip? Do coins count?

Tipping is always a nice gesture. Whether you are paying a standard fee or valet parking is offered on a complimentary basis, tipping is still customary. The going rate is $3-$5 per vehicle. While coins aren’t the norm in the valet business, it’s fine to give what you can. Any profes-sional parking attendant will under-stand and gladly accept any level of gratuity.

PHOTO

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PHY Valet service provides added convenience for both the ven-ue as well as the guests. Not only saving guests from a long trek to their destination, valet service will also provide them with helping hands to carry items from cars into the venue for either guests or vendors, such as caterers. Extra help dur-ing an event, especially during inclement weather is always a welcome benefit, and the add-ed security provided for parked cars is just a perk of the service.

Everyone knows there’s a cer-tain amount of skepticism when using a valet. Is this a miscon-ception? I think yes. In my ex-perience valet parkers I’ve encountered have been profes-sional, polite, honest, and more than willing to serve whatever valet needs I have. I’ve found that a courteous gesture, and/or word can set the tone for a great parking experience. •

20 www.brideandgroom.com20 www.brideandgroom.com

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Whether your weddingwill be a grand, lavish event or a more intimate affair, one thing is certain—weddings are all about the details, and couples want every last ele-ment to be picture-perfect. Every bride deserves to look fabulous on her wedding day and every bride deserves the special memories that come with truly stunning photos of one of the most extraordinary moments of her life.

Couples spend a lot of time, effort, and planning on theirappearance before the first shutter clicks. From flawless skin, to immaculately styled hair and makeup, to the per-fect wedding attire, you want yourself and your wedding party to look your best.

What if you could have the gorgeous, glowing skin that

comes from tanning without any of the unhealthy side ef-fects? The good news is that now you can. With a custom sunless tan, you can show off a healthy glow in your pre-wed-ding and wedding photos that will be immortalized forever.

What Makes Sunless Tanning Special?

With awareness about the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) exposure on the rise, the sunless experience is an in-novative, guilt-free solution to conventional tanning meth-ods. By using a sunless tanning system, professional tanning experts can give a bride-to-be the illusion of a natural tan without any of the damaging effects associated with sun-bathing or traditional tanning beds. Better yet, applications

are available for all types of skin.

Approved by dermatolo-gists and skincare specialists, sunless tanning is a natural-looking solution to achieving a healthy glow. With the avail-ability of sunless tanning on the rise, you are sure to find the look you desire without caus-ing harm to your skin.

The Photogenic ResultsYou’ll find that a sunless

tan will even skin tone, giv-ing you the appearance of a slimmer figure and enhanced muscle definition. Your teeth will look whiter and manicures and pedicures will stand out against that healthy-looking skin. Even your hair color will enjoy a boost. Opting for a full-body tan can eliminate unsightly lines that could clash

Show Your

Healthy Glowin Your Wedding Photos

By Christina Kauffman, Owner and Founder of www.BlushTan.com

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with the cut of your dress. With the popularity of sleeveless and strapless wedding dresses, this could be a great solution for you.

Special ConsiderationsIn order to achieve the nat-

ural and conservative glow that is ideal for brides, a color consultation with a licensed sunless tan provider is a good start. Rather than trying the sunless tanning experience without knowing how it will look in the day or two leading up to an engagement photo shoot or wedding photos, it is a good idea to plan ahead and make sure that you’re happy with the results. While full-body sunless tans are available, you might want to start with a par-

tial-body trial to make sure that you are happy with the results.

As with any wedding prepa-rations, look for discount bridal packages. Check out results with a trial appointment. Con-sider bringing along the groom, or even your entire wedding party. You can even make an event of it by bringing in your bridesmaids to get ready with the girls before the big day. With your maid-of-honor, best man, and other attendants looking their best, you’ll ensure that your wedding photos truly dazzle—with everyone looking their healthy best, your photos are sure to pop.

What to Look ForWhen selecting a tanning

service, you’ll want to look for

an experienced, professional staff that provides services in a private setting. Ask about their palette—a more extensive se-lection means a better chance that you’ll find the natural tone that yields your healthy glow. Ask for testimonials or refer-ences from satisfied clients, and better yet, see if there is a photographic portfolio of the results—how better to envision the photos you’ll be able to capture at your wedding?

Whether you want your skin to be radiant for the big day or you want to look your best for your engagement photo shoot, a sunless tanning service will provide you with a unique tanning experience that will ensure your photos will shine with your special glow. •


special friends and relatives you want photographed during the reception.

VIDEOGRAPHYOnce a mere stepchild of pho-

tography, videography has quickly become an exciting, essential part of the wedding celebration.

The guidelines for selecting a vid-eographer parallel those for choos-ing a photographer. The number one rule — use a professional! Don’t be tempted to take advantage of your Uncle Joe’s camcorder.

There are no “second takes.’’ Hire a professional with professional equip-ment, so your memories are safe.

Make sure your videographer has top-notch audio-visual cameras and editing equipment. Your videogra-pher must be experienced and well trained on the equipment.

Different audio techniques in-clude the use of wireless remote mi-crophones, a feed from the church’s sound system, a shotgun microphone and ambient sound, and a separate recording dubbed in during editing. Determine with your videographer the technique best suited to your wedding location.

Ask to view DVDs of actual wed-dings that were shot and produced within the past year. By watching these samples, you’ll see first-hand the videographer’s level of talent and professionalism.

Look for sharp images, ad-equate lighting and clear sound. The video should flow smoothly from scene to scene, with highlights fully covered to tell the whole wed-ding story. Look for special effects, such as fades, wipes, dis-solves, multiple images, freeze-frames and background music.

The videographer should dress ap-propriately, and be able to comfort-ably mingle with your guests. Wed-ding videography prices range from several hundred dollars to the

thousands. Find out what’s included in the package deals, and if items such as duplicate DVDs, adding mu-sic and titles, special effects, overtime and second cameras are additional. Obtain a contract including date, time, location, cost, equipment used, editing time, deposits and delivery date.

It’s so important to choose profes-sionals to record your wedding cele-bration. The expense is well worth the future returns. Preserving the memo-ries of your nuptials is too important to leave to chance. Take care to ensure that your photographs and DVDs are of the quality you’ll be proud to share with your family and friends. You’ll en-joy your memories for many years to come.•

judgment and opinions you trust. Re-member, you’ll be spending a lot of time with the “camera person” on your wedding day, relying on that person to capture those special mo-ments.

When you meet with a photogra-pher, view sample wedding albums to obtain a clear impression of the overall style in which the photogra-pher covers a wedding. Look for col-or, sharpness and detail of the pho-tographs.

Determine the type of photo-graphs you prefer — a formal posed look, candids, or a combination of both formats. Communicate clearly with your photographer to ensure the best results. Make sure your photog-rapher knows exactly what you want — you only get one chance to make things right.

Obtain information on package sizes and prices, deposits, retouch-ing charges, travel expenses and any other costs. Wedding packages can range from several hundred dollars to well into the thousands. Make sure ev-erything you need is included in your package — formal portrait, black-and-white print for the newspaper, wedding album, and anything else you are looking for. Find out the cost of additional prints and “mini-albums” for parents and close friends.

Finally, be sure everything you’ve agreed to is written in a contract. Other details that should be in writing include: when the photographer will arrive at the wedding and leave the reception, how the photographer will be dressed, and the number of im-ages that will be provided. When you meet with your photographer, come prepared with pertinent information regarding your wedding. It’s also helpful if the photographer knows the style, color and setting of the wed-ding so that the mood and the mo-ment can be captured.

Let your photographer know the size of your wedding party and with whom you would like to be photo-graphed. It’s helpful to designate a friend or relative to point out those

Long after the wedding dress is packed away, the caterer is on to the next wedding, and the thank-you notes are mailed — the photographs and DVDs remain. The documenta-tion of the beginning of your new family will be cherished for future generations.

PHOTOGRAPHYBook your photographer at least

six months in advance to ensure avail-ability for your wedding date. When choosing a photographer, there are several important things to remem-ber.

Select a photographer who works for a living, not as a part-time or week-end job. Do not entrust this blessed event to an amateur or friend. You don’t want to risk losing the recording of this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

Protect your wedding memories by using a professional. And make sure your photographer has extra cameras, lenses and lighting equip-ment on hand as backups in case of emergency.

Most photographers now prefer to use digital cameras for wedding photography. Of course, no matter what style camera is used, make sure your photographer will also have an appropriate backup strategy to pre-serve the images from your precious day.

Advances in digital cameras are rapidly improving the image detail and color. There are other benefits to digital versus film cameras. Not only can a photographer see imme-diately what the image will look like, he or she can correct the shot on-site as opposed to during the film-devel-oping process. Brides will appreciate the speed and efficiency of digital cameras since they’ll be able to see their wedding proofs quicker. This digital process can give you an idea of what your wedding album will look like when complete.

Choose a photographer with whom you are compatible and who puts you at ease. If there is a person-ality conflict between you and the photographer, you may end up with photos of your best sneer instead of your best smile!

Look for a photographer whose

Picture Perfect A tender moment, captured in a silver frame on an office desk. A special home movie to pop in the DVD player on a snuggly winter night. Wedding images keep the memories alive.

Select a photographer who works for a living, not as a part-time or weekend job. Do not entrust this blessed event to an amateur or friend.


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The Bride6 Months Or Longer• Prepare a budget for the wedding and reception.• Schedule consultation for selecting the color and style of wedding gown

and attendants’ attire for a picture-perfect wedding.• Begin your guest list.• Select the time and place for the wedding and reception.• Ask your attendants to be in your wedding.• Order your wedding gown and bridal accessories.• Interview florists, caterers, photographers, videographers, bakers and reception entertainers.

3 To 6 Months Before• Register for your china, crystal and other items.• Order bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories.• Order invitations and other stationery, including informals and map cards.• Meet with your clergyman and obtain a copy of the church’s wedding policies, if you plan to have your ceremony in a church.• Purchase the groom’s wedding ring.• Make your final decisions on your florist, caterer, photographer, videographer, bakery and entertainment.• Make arrangements for accommodations for your out-of-town guests.

10 To 12 Weeks Before• Arrange transportation to the wedding and reception for your attendants and out-of-town guests.• Choose your house party, such as friends and family to hand out programs, attend the guest book, and greet guests.• Meet with your music director.• Finalize the reception menu.• Begin fittings for your gown and the bridesmaids’ dresses.• Coordinate showers with gift-registry sources.• Have your bridal portrait taken.• Address invitations and announcements.• Arrange a time and place for your bridesmaids’ luncheon.• Select gifts for your attendants.• Double-check arrangements with your florist, caterer, photographer, videographer, bakery and entertainment.• Schedule appointment with professionals for makeup and hair styling.

4 To 10 Weeks Before• Mail invitations, weighing them for proper postage.• Send your wedding picture and announcement to the newspaper.• Finalize your fittings.

2 To 4 Weeks Before• Finalize arrangements with your clergyman and music director.• Inform the wedding party and close family members of the time and place of the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.• Apply for your marriage license with your groom.• Change your name on your social security card, driver’s license, credit cards and bank accounts, and file change-of-address cards with post office and correspondents.• Go over special seating arrangements for the wedding.• Finalize arrangements with the florist, caterer, photographer, videographer, bakery, entertainers and gift registries.• Arrange for the pressing of your wedding gown and bridesmaids’ dresses.• Arrange for someone to take your dress to be heirloomed or preserved after the wedding.• Arrange for someone to take your bouquet to be preserved or dried after the wedding, if you choose to do so.

Week Of The Wedding• Give the final guest count to your caterer 72 hours before the reception.• Finalize direction of the rehearsal and wedding with your wedding consultant.

Day Of The Wedding• Mail wedding announcements (if you are planning to).• Arrive at the wedding site two hours before the ceremony.

Things To DoUse this handy checklist as a general information and scheduling guide, and tailor it to fit the specific needs of your own wedding.

The Groom6 Months Or Longer• Prepare a budget for your share of the wedding and honeymoon expenses.• Purchase the bride’s wedding ring.• Begin interviewing travel agents to arrange your honeymoon.• Begin your guest list—ask the bride’s family the number of guests you can invite.• Ask your attendants to be in the wedding.

3 To 6 Months Before• Arrange lodging for attendants and close family members coming from out of town.• Ask the bride’s family to determine your share of the florist bill.• Reserve the restaurant or other facility for the rehearsal dinner; consider a limousine service for transportation.• You may want to go with your bride to register for china, crystal, and other items.• Make an appointment for you and your bride to visit your clergyman.

10 To 12 Weeks Before• You and your attendants must be measured for the tuxedos.• Inform the wedding party where and when the rehearsal and rehearsal

dinner will take place.

4 To 10 Weeks Before• Select gifts for your attendants.• Reconfirm honeymoon plans.• Book limousine service.

2 To 4 Weeks Before• Apply for your marriage license with your bride.• Ask your best man to prepare a toast to give you and your bride at the reception.

Week Of The Wedding• Give the final guest count to the caterer for the rehearsal dinner; confirm bridal party transportation.• Take your marriage license to the rehearsal.• Reconfirm honeymoon plans.

Day Of The Wedding• Give the clergyman’s check to the best man to handle.• Arrive at the wedding site, along with your attendants, 1.5 hours before the ceremony. •

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BRIDESMAID• A bridesmaid has no particular pre-wedding responsibilities, but might offer to help the bride in any way she can, such as throwing her an engagement party or bridal shower, or helping stuff invitations.• Pays for and assembles her wedding outfit.• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Walks in the processional and recessional.• May stand in the receiving line.

JUNIOR BRIDESMAID• Wears a dress similar to that of a bridesmaid, but in an age-appropriate style.• Participates in the processional (recessional participation is optional).

USHER/GROOMSMAN• Pays for his own wedding attire (boutonnieres provided by the groom).• Seats guests at the church as they arrive — offers his right arm to each woman. Asks if they are friends of the bride or groom and seats them accordingly. Bride’s guests are seated to the left, the groom’s to the right; order is reversed in Jewish services. When one side has more guests than the other, the usher may begin seating guests on the side with fewer people.• Decorates the couple’s going-away car.

FLOWER GIRLUsually a young girl between 3 and 10 years old.

• Carries a basket of flowers, tiny nosegay or a basket of loose rose petals to strew in the bride’s path, if the ceremony venue allows.

RING BEARERUsually a young boy between 3 and 10 years old.

• During the ceremony, carries a white satin pillow with two fake rings tied or sewn on. After the ceremony, the pillow is turned upside down so the dummy ring won’t show. The real rings can also be used if he is old enough.

CANDLELIGHTERYoung boys or girls, usually between 9 and 14 years old.

• Light the candles at the altar just before the bride’s mother is seated.

Children should attend rehearsal to practice their parts, although it is optional for them to attend pre-wedding parties. After walking down the aisle, they might quietly slip into their parents’ pew to avoid disrupting the ceremony with fidgeting. They need not participate in the recessional.

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE• Usually acts as hostess of the reception.• Helps the bride compile the guest list, arrange details of the ceremony and reception, and may help her select her wedding gown.• Is accorded special honor at the wedding service and is seated last, just a few minutes before the wedding begins.• Greets guests at the head of the reception line. Sits in place of honor at parents’ table.• Makes sure guests are having a good time and is on hand to bid them goodbye.

FATHER OF THE BRIDE• Rides to the ceremony with the bride; chauffeured transportation suggested.• Escorts the bride down the aisle, then joins his wife on the front row.• Acts as official host of the reception.• Keeps an eye on the bar and champagne supply.• Makes a short toast at the reception.• Is the last person to leave the reception; says goodbye to the guests.• Traditionally pays for the majority of the wedding. It is now appropriate for other financial arrangements to be made. •

BRIDE AND GROOM• Decide wedding plans and budget with parents if they are footing the bill.• Choose wedding party attendants. The bride helps her attendants in dress

selection and the groom discusses appropriate attire with his groomsmen.• Purchase small gifts for their attendants.• Acknowledge receipt of wedding gifts with a personal note of appreciation.

BRIDE• Discusses budget with fiancé and parents.• Sets date, time and place of wedding and reception.• Selects wedding dress and accessories, allowing at least three months for delivery.• Books caterer, wedding and reception entertainment, florist, photographers, videographer, and bakery.• Helps compile the guest list; chooses her attendants.• Orders invitations, thank-you notes and personal stationery.• Shops for trousseau.• Buys groom’s wedding band and arranges for engraving if desired.

GROOM• Discusses budget with fiancée and parents.• Buys bride’s wedding band and arranges for engraving if desired.• Gets the marriage license (with the bride) and obtains any other necessary legal documents.• Arranges and pays for honeymoon. Checks on available hotels for out-of-town guests.• Pays for bride’s bouquet and flowers or corsages for both mothers and close female relatives on both sides.• Supplies boutonnieres for himself and male attendants.

MAID/MATRON OF HONORUsually someone very close to the bride, such as her sister or a dear friend or rela-tive.

• Assists the bride in any way she can: helping plan the wedding, shopping, addressing invitations, taking charge of recording and displaying wedding gifts.• Lends the bride moral support.• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.• Pays for her own gown and accessories (not including flowers).• Helps bridesmaids prepare for their wedding-day duties and organizes their fittings if necessary. Makes sure they arrive at the ceremony on time; confirms transportation arrangements.• Helps bride get ready before the ceremony and before departure from the reception.• Holds the groom’s ring during the ceremony until time to pass it to the bride.• Holds bride’s bouquet and arranges bridal veil and dress during the ceremony.• Is usually one of the two witnesses signing the marriage certificate.• Stands to the left of the groom in the receiving line; sits to the left of the groom at the honor table, if there is one.

BEST MANUsually the groom’s best friend, brother, father or other close relative.

• Assists the groom in any way he can.• Pays for his own wedding attire.• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.• Holds bride’s wedding ring, producing it at the proper time in the ceremony.• Makes sure ceremony officiant is paid.• Sits to the right of the bride at the honor table; offers the first toast to the newlyweds.• Helps newlyweds prepare for the honeymoon departure. Takes care of luggage, makes sure car is ready to go — hands over keys to groom or makes sure limousine is ready and sees that the groom has travel documents in order.• Makes sure that all men’s rental clothes are returned the first business day after the wedding.

Members of the WeddingEach member of the wedding party plays a part in the success of your event. Read on to find out the responsibilities of everyone involved!


Members of the Wedding

Macaria gown David Tutera for Mon Cheri, Fall 2013 collection


Check out store policy on altera-tions, and make sure there’s a good seamstress on hand.

Examine the workmanship on the dress itself — all buttons and trim should be hand sewn, not glued.

At dress fittings, wear the same heel height and type of undergar-ments you’ll wear on your wedding day. When shopping for veils and headpieces, style your hair as you’ll wear it at the ceremony. Every detail is important to the creation of a stun-ning package!

ATTENDANTS’ ATTIRENow that you’re taken care of, it’s

time to dress the rest of your bridal party.

• Ask for help. Enlist the aid of your maid of honor or another friend, and choose styles and colors that flatter the face and figure of each atten-dant. As bridesmaids usually pay for their own dresses, shop conservative-ly. Carefully coordinate shoes and accessories to achieve a balanced look.

• Be selective. Be just as careful in selecting attire for the groom and his attendants. Men’s wedding clothing is usually rented — place your order six to eight weeks before the wed-ding.

• Tux tips. The groom may dress differently from his attendants, or wear the same tux as the other men. He might consider wearing a bow tie and cummerbund in a contrasting color or pattern from the others. The men’s attire should complement the bridal gown. Choose tuxedos appro-priate to the style of your wedding.

• Proper fit. Men have different builds, so shop accordingly. Your for-mal wear professional can offer great advice on which styles are appropri-ate, and properly fit the tuxedo you choose.

Attention to detail is a must if you want a perfect wedding. Look around a lot, get some expert advice, and enjoy this shopping adventure. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! •

— a 50% deposit is customary when placing an order.

Choose a gown that makes the most of your figure. Princess or A-line styles are slimming and create the il-lusion of height. A full skirt hides heavy legs and hips. Dropped waist styles flatter most figure types. A deco-rative bodice highlights the upper body, while a simpler style minimizes a heavy bust. There are many fabrics and shades to choose from — find the textures and hues that flatter your complexion.

Choose a veil that’s appropriate to the style of your wedding. And remember, your back gets lots of at-tention during the ceremony — your dress, veil and train should look ele-gant from that angle.

You may already have a men-tal picture of the look you want on your wedding day. It’s your job to choose the gown that makes fantasy a reality. But with all the styles, colors and fabrics around, finding the per-fect dress may seem like “mission im-possible!” Don’t despair. By following a few basic guidelines, you’ll find the look that suits your unique style.

You’ll need to order your gown and veil six to nine months before the wedding. Make an appointment with a reputable bridal salon, and let the consultant know what type of wed-ding you’re planning before you ar-rive. Take along a friend or relative whose honesty and good taste you can count on — you’ll need an ob-jective opinion. Bring your checkbook

Wedding WearYou’ve dreamt of how you would look and now it’s time to make the dream come true. Let your wedding dress and your bridal party’s attire make a statement of your personality and dreams.

Satin Peep Toe Platform High Heel with BowStyle: Maribelle, Color: Guava

Available at David’s Bridal, in stores and online

www.brideandgroom.com 31Hillary gown David Tutera for Mon Cheri, Fall 2013 collection


HAIR ARTISTRYMany, many things can go wrong

when people try to not only style their own hair, but also use harsh chemicals at home. A trained color-ist has the chemistry knowledge to change the color of your hair slightly or altogether differently, while still making it look natural. Some eager people even try perming or straight-ening their own hair at home, and some of these people have horror stories to tell. Rather than becoming a casualty, hire a professional to de-sign the look that’s right for you and your hair.

If you’re one of the lucky women who has long, healthy hair, there are countless ways your hair can be styled. Be sure the hair artist in which you are interested has experience with long hair, whether you just want it styled or want a chemical process. It behaves nothing like short hair, and if you mess it up at home, it just takes that much longer to grow it back out to the same length again.

SCHEDULINGAbout six months before your

wedding you’ll want to start a skin-care program designed especially for you — and stick with it! During stressful times your skin can do all sorts of panicking on its own, so if you start being good to it you shouldn’t have as many problems when that special day arrives. Licensed esthe-ticians can help devise such a regi-men with you and can lead the way to healthy skin.

If you are considering changing the look of your hair, whether it be the cut, style, color or texture, now is the time to book those appoint-ments, too, so the person working on your hair can have the time to per-fect your new look before the last minute.

It is wise to choose your hair and makeup artists early so that you’ll be working with the same people throughout the whole process; not only because they will become fa-miliar with your skin and hair, but be-cause when you look back at the photographs, you will be looking at your wedding as an event, rather than something occurring over a few months, and you’ll want to have the same look in all of them. Be sure to make all the necessary appoint-

for you that you do for yourself al-most every day. After all, you can do your makeup just fine for every-day wear, and sometimes even for special occasions. But consider this: what will you remember the most — how you know you looked on your wedding day, or how you looked in your photographs from your wedding day? Trained makeup artists know how to make you look good, not only in person, but for photographs as well. Makeup for photography is a learned skill and one most women don’t have.

In planning what you want to look like, don’t forget your eyebrows! They can make all the difference in a pol-ished look. If your brows look good and are shaped to complement your eyes, your whole face will look more finished. Have a professional do this, as often women tweeze too many hairs out of their brows and come away with having to resort to pencil lines.

On the morning of the day of your wedding, you’ll wake up know-ing that the cake will be delivered on time, that the reception venue will be completely decorated and waiting for your arrival, and that your dress will fit you perfectly. And you’ll be confident that you’ll look radiant and feel wonderful because professional makeup and hair artists will spend the time to soothe your nerves by accentuating all of your best features.

Several types of makeup artists and hair stylists are out there, and to be sure you choose the right types for you, you’ll need to know a bit about them first.

MAKEUP ARTISTRYProfessional makeup artists have

experience with all skin types and colorings, face shapes, and hair shapes. A licensed esthetician is one who has studied skin and skin care, has hours of training, is skilled in the sterilization process (to eliminate cross-contamination from tools), and has much practice and work experi-ence with actual people. These ex-ceptional artists have the talent and training to camouflage any scars or blemishes and to bring out your best facial features.

You may wonder why you need a professional to do something

Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa, Dallas972.386.0306

Look your best! Feel your best! It’s the most important day for your looks. Learn how to “wow” not only your groom, but all of your guests on the happiest day of your life!

Beautiful Brides

Trained makeup artists know how to make you look good, not only in person, but for photographs as well.


SKIN CAREFacials can treat a myriad of im-

perfections, including acne, rosacea and dry skin. It is usually one hour, and includes cleansing, sloughing and moisturizing that you won’t soon forget. Creams, masks, peels and lotions are gently applied and mas-saged over the entire face and neck to maximize rejuvenation and relax-ation.

Essential oils, exfoliating cleans-ers, and TLC are combined in body peels and wraps to treat the rest of your body. This gentle pampering stimulates blood circulation, leaving behind a glowing you! Some salons also offer body waxing and perma-nent makeup.

SCHEDULEIt is recommended you start your

facials at least two months prior to your wedding day. Hydrating body wraps should be started six months prior to your wedding. Massages should be started one month out. Make sure you schedule a massage for yourself one week before and then the day before your big day. Most importantly, drink plenty of wa-ter the entire time you are receiving treatments. Water helps get rid of tox-ins released during treatments and it also helps improve your mood.

BEFORE YOU GOMany spas will offer special rates

for bridal parties. Compare them, noting what spa services are includ-ed and what scheduling is neces-sary.

Ask if gratuities are included in that price. Some packages include a gratuity. If not, use your discretion.

Check to see if there is a cancel-lation or change policy. Some spas will charge up to 100% of the sched-uled services if you miss your ap-pointment.

Certain spas offer lunch with gourmet dining. Find out what’s on the menu to make sure everyone in your party can enjoy a fun bite to eat while sharing their spa experience.

Don’t forget — it’s all about you. The more you take care of yourself before your wedding, the better you will look and feel on the most impor-tant day of your life. •

Now that you have planned your hair and makeup for your big day, you need to turn your attention in-side. All the stress of planning your wedding can leave you feeling de-pleted. A day of spa pampering is the antidote to stress and will leave you feeling like the most beautiful woman in the world.

The number of men and women indulging in the spa experience is growing. From the day spas to des-tination spas to resort spas, those on the cutting edge are having to specialize in services to attract loyal clients. That means you will have no trouble finding a spa to meet your needs.

Many spas offer “packages.” These are groups of treatments and pampering techniques. They include full-body massages, sugar scrubs, facials, waxing and body peels, to name a few. Prices can range from less than a hundred dollars to several hundred dollars, depending on the package. A day at the spa makes a great wedding gift for your bridal party — including the men!

The treatments are designed to soothe you and help you escape the chaos of wedding planning. So take a deep, relaxing breath and enjoy! Arrive at your appointment 10 – 15 minutes ahead of time. First-timers will be asked to fill out minor but important health questions to determine the best treatments. Not all treatments are appropriate for heart patients, diabetics or people with other health considerations. This information also gives your therapist an idea of what your needs are.

Some spas include warm, sooth-ing showers after which you will be provided with a robe and slippers and escorted into a private room for your treatment.

MASSAGEThere are several styles of mas-

sage with varying intensity, so try a variety to learn how your body re-acts to each. A massage helps loos-en sore muscles and soft tissue. It can be targeted to certain body parts or lavished over the entire body. Aro-matherapy by use of essential oils enhances the massage and deep-ens the sense of relaxation. Expect soothing, soft music to provide a nice backdrop to your experience.

Pampering Packages ments to lead up to your wedding day. And don’t forget to include the appointments for that day, too! Some artists work only in their own studios; others will go on-location and meet you where you need to be. Make sure you confirm all of your plans with everyone involved.

Once it gets closer to your wed-ding date, about three to four months prior to your wedding or when your tailored gown arrives, you’ll be hav-ing your bridal portrait taken. Make sure you confirm how long it will take for hair and makeup so you won’t be rushed trying to make the photogra-pher’s appointment. Another good tip is to book a “trial run” appoint-ment with both the makeup and hair people before your portrait day so they can decide how to make you look your best without your trying to race out the door. Be sure to bring your veil, tiara, or other accessories to all appointments so they can work around each one.

About a month before the big day is the time to have any pro-cesses done to your hair that you are needing. You may think that this is too early, but in actuality, it is the prime time to have these pro-cesses done, so your hair will have a chance to get reconditioned and healthier afterward. Have all of your hair touch-ups done about a week before the wedding.

When that day finally arrives and you wake up in the morning, you can be assured that absolutely ev-erything has been taken care of for you, and there isn’t anything for you to worry about. Your skin and hair will be planned for, just as you planned everything else. Good skin care, makeup applied by a professional, and hair styled to perfection will not only help you look your very best, but will help ease that last-minute stress. After all, a relaxed bride is a beauti-ful bride. So enjoy a nice breakfast and get ready for the time of your life! •

Hourglass Cosmetics: Femme Nude Lip Stylo; Clarins: Be Long Mascara


Tipping Tips• Caterer, hotel or club banquet man-ager, bridal consultant. 15 – 20% if not covered in fee. Reception hosts pay bill on receipt. Add any special tip to payment after reception.

• Waiters, waitresses, bartenders, table servers. 15 – 20% of bill — given to the captain or maitre d’ of hotel to distrib-ute to rest of staff. If included, recep-tion hosts pay tips with bill. If not, right after the reception.

• Powder room, coat room attendants in hotels or clubs. 50¢ – $1 per guest, or arrange a flat fee with hotel or club management. If a flat fee, reception hosts pay tips with bill. If not, right after the reception.

• Florist, photographer, baker, musi-cians you hire, limousine driver. 15% for driver, others tipped only for extra special service, up to 15%. Ceremony hosts tip driver at reception site. Add other tips to bill payments.

• Civil ceremony officials. Usually a flat fee. (Some judges cannot accept money; ask when you apply.) Groom gives fee to best man, who pays the official after ceremony.

• Clergy members who perform the ceremony. Groom gives donation to best man who pays after ceremony.

• Ceremony assistants. Sometimes covered by church fee — ask clergy member what’s customary. Ceremo-ny hosts pay church fee when billed; separate fees and tips after service.

• Custodians or kitchen help if reception is in church. Ask church secretary. Ceremony hosts pay when billed or after service.

sit-down dinner complete with orches-tra. Purchasing services separately is a lot of work! Many couples opt for at least a partial package — it saves time and energy.

Costs for the reception room itself vary. Prices range from free to several hundred dollars per hour. Professional planners suggest the reception last from three to four-and-a-half hours. Any shorter, and people who have traveled from afar may feel cheated. Any longer, and guests tend to start leaving before it is over.

Deciding whether or not to serve a meal depends on your finances and what is expected in your community. Many ethnic and religious cultures traditionally celebrate with a hearty meal. If many of your guests have trav-eled a long distance, it’s hospitable to feed them.

If you plan your wedding during mealtimes, you are expected to pro-vide sustenance. If this creates a fiscal panic, change your reception style, or invite fewer guests. One workable op-tion — plan a large reception with light refreshments, then ask close family, friends and out-of-town guests to your parents’ house for a buffet dinner.

Food and beverage costs vary greatly. Depending on whether you serve a buffet of hot appetizers, a com-plete buffet differ, or a multi-course seated dinner, prices can range from $10 to more than $100 per person. Ca-terers’ estimates usually include the cost of beverages, but do make sure. Some caterers include champagne, beer and wine, but charge extra for mixed drinks at an open bar. You may pay for drinks individually, or include the libations in the caterer’s package. Most professionals offer reasonable prices — they get it wholesale.

With careful planning and a lot of investigating, you and your family can host the wedding you’ve always wanted — without ruining your bud-get. And you can go on dreaming about how special your wedding day will be. •

You are in love — it’s the real thing. Now that you’ve found your part-ner in life, you want to share your hap-piness with everyone. You want your wedding celebration to be the talk of the town — the biggest and best ever. Before your fantasies get ahead of your checkbook, ask yourself: who’s paying for this wedding, and how much can you afford to spend?

Traditionally, the bride’s parents paid the majority of the wedding costs. Back in the old days, the groom assumed full financial responsibility for his bride after they rode off into the sunset. He didn’t have to chip in much for the wedding — he paid his share later.

It’s a different story now. Both part-ners in a modern marriage tend to go back to work after the honeymoon, and these newlyweds have a bit more financial independence. It seems only natural for both families to contribute to the wedding celebration.

Decide the kind of wedding you’d like. Discuss your plans with those con-tributing to the cost, and determine a budget. Make everyone’s financial limitations clear at this point — it will prevent hard feelings later.

Nowadays, the average wedding costs around $27,000. Remember, there are always places you can cut costs to save money if you are want-ing to spend less. As a rule, the more guests you invite and the more expen-sive the venues you choose, the more your costs will increase. Most brides also find that their costs go over their actual budget, so try to plan accord-ingly.

The largest single expense you’re faced with is the reception. Festivities at private clubs and four-star restau-rants are pricier than those held in the church fellowship hall. Check rates at several types of reception sites so that you can find one within your budget.

Many facilities offer excellent package deals. You’ll find everything completely organized, from tea and sandwiches at the church to a formal

Financial MattersDreaming about the perfect wedding is one thing — actually paying for it is another. Establish a realistic budget up front, and you’ll be able to create an affordable fantasy.


The Wedding Budget ITEM BUDGETED COST ACTUAL COSTClothing

Bride’s AttireGroom’s Attire

CeremonyClergy FeesChurch Rental

ReceptionCaterer/FoodWedding CakeBar/LiquorSite RentalWaiters’ TipsDecorations, Centerpieces, Napkins, etc.

StationeryInvitationsAnnouncementsThank-You Notes

FlowersCeremonyBride’s BouquetBridesmaids’ BouquetsGroom’s BoutonniereGroomsmen’s BoutonnieresMothers’ CorsagesReception Arrangements

MusicWeddingReceptionInstrument RentalsOther

PhotographyFormal PortraitsCandidsVideographerExtra PrintsOther

TransportationLimousinesTravel For Out-Of-Town GuestsOther

GiftsWedding RingsBride’s GiftGroom’s GiftBridal Attendants’ GiftsGroomsmen’s GiftsOther

Rehearsal DinnerFlowersAttireFoodLiquorMusicOther

HoneymoonTravelAccommodationsWardrobeOther

MiscellaneousMarriage LicenseBridal ConsultantHotel Accommodations For Out-Of-Town Guests

TOTAL


Wedding Venues

MATERIALS• 3 1/2”-wide (9 cm) paper ribbon in gold and white • 1 1/2”-wide (4 cm) paper ribbon in pink, white, lavender, and red • Twisted paper ribbon in light pink, lavender, navy, yellow, and burgundy • 18” (45.5 cm) 18-gauge paper-covered floral wire • Floral tape in brown • Dry floral foam • Decorative rocks

SPECIALTY TOOLS • Deckle edger

TRY THISTry crafting white tulips with

deep green leaves, silver tulips with white leaves for the holidays, or pale pastels for springtime en-tertaining.

CUTCut a 3” (7.5 cm) length of 3

1/2” (9 cm) white paper ribbon. Cut a 2 3/4” (7 cm) length of navy twisted paper ribbon; untwist it completely. Make 5 cuts, 3/4 of

the way down to make 6 con-nected strips. To make the petals: Cut three 4” (10 cm) lengths of 3 1/2” (9 cm) gold paper ribbon; fold each in half lengthwise. Start-ing 1 1/2” (4 cm) from the top of each piece on the unfolded side, round off top corner with a deck-le edger. Repeat with remain-ing pieces to create 3 petals. To

make leaves: Cut a 12” (30.5 cm) length of pink twisted ribbon; un-twist completely and fold in half lengthwise. Starting 1 1/2” (4 cm) from the top of each piece on the unfolded side, round off top corner with a deckle edger.

BUILDSecure all layers with floral

Twisted-Ribbon

TulipsExcerpt from

PAPER TO PETAL: 75 Whimsical Paper Flowers to Craft by Hand

by Rebecca Thuss and Patrick Farrell

Potter Craft, $24.99, on sale August 27, 2013

MATERiALS


Wedding Venues

tape. 1. Roll white paper ribbon

lengthwise, scrunching loosely; bend in half. Center the wire between the fold, twist paper around the wire, creating a small loop, and secure.

2. With navy ribbon, twist 1 strip from the base up toward the top, leaving the last 1/2” (13 mm) un-twisted, to create an abstract stamen; repeat with remaining 5 sections. Gather and Wrap (note follows) around center.

3. Scrunch Pleat (note follows) base of each gold petal, attach evenly around center. Gently round petals by hand.

4. Finish stem. Scrunch Pleat leaves. Attach 1 leaf 3” (7.5 cm) from end of stem, secure, finish re-mainder of stem with tape. Style Stems (note follows).

PROJECT NOTEMultiple tulips were made from

a selection of paper and twisted paper ribbons. We made a small-er bloom using the following mea-surements: Petals: 2” (5 cm) length of 1 1/2” (4 cm) paper ribbon. Stamen: 2 1/4” (5.5 cm) in length. Leaf: 10” (25.5 cm) in length. To resemble our arrangement, trim wires to different lengths and vary the curve in your stems. Anchor stems in containers filled with dry floral foam and cover with gold decorative rocks.

Gather & Wrap:Use Gather and Wrap to attach

continuous, cuff, and large single petals. Start by placing a flower center at the base of one end of a paper strip, supporting both between thumb and index finger. With your other hand, begin gath-ering the strip of paper against the stem while rotating the flower slowly as you pinch and wrap the paper around the stem until you reach the end of the strip. Hold it

Twisted-Ribbon

Tulipsfirmly together and tightly tape it (to prevent slipping) at the base of the flower center and down the stem. Continuous petals can be cut into multiple lengths to make attaching them easier.

Scrunch Pleat:Begin Scrunch Pleat for single

petals by holding one side of the base of a petal or leaf between your thumb and index finger, and the opposite side of the base between your other thumb and index finger. Scrunch the sides toward each other, creating mul-tiple gathers. Press a bit to crease. This technique adds dimension and creates a thinner base and

a slightly rounded petal. You can pre-scrunch your petals to condi-tion the paper, and then Scrunch Pleat again as you attach each one to a stem.

Style Stems:Leaving stems stiff and straight

will give your flowers or leaves an angular and graphic appear-ance. Curving the wires will cre-ate a more lifelike and organic impression. Use your fingers to gently curve the wires in any di-rection or bend them around ajar, can, or dowel to create clean uniform curves. •

FiniSHED TULiPS


Wedding Venues

Wedding Venues

Will it be a religious or civil ceremony? Whatever your wish, the Dallas/Fort Worth area offers a splendid selection from over-the-top lavish to simple sophistication.

Find the perfect ceremony site!

COOPER HOTEL,CONFERENCE CENTER & SPA

Your special day deserves a special place. At Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa, their lush 30-acre grounds provide a beautiful setting for your wedding or reception. Their experienced wedding coordinator will provide the personal touches and detailed service to make your day what it should be...perfect.

They offer affordable wedding and reception packages, including beautiful outdoor sites by ponds and fountains, indoor facilities that hold up to 200, rehearsal dinners and bridal luncheons, complimentary bridal suites, spacious accommo-dations with preferred rates for guests, full-service catering, a full-service day spa, complimentary parking and Wi-Fi, a complimentary three-month membership to Cooper Fitness Center for the bride and groom, and the option to provide your own bar.

Take a tour of Cooper Hotel, located at the world-famous Cooper Aerobics Center, and imag-ine the happiest day of your life. Call 972.386.0308 for availability and pricing or visit www.cooperho-teldallas.com.

Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa, Dallas

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Wedding Venues

COYOTE RIDGEGOLF CLUB

The natural waterfall just outside the Grand Ball-room provides the perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony or reception photographs. Continue your celebration inside its spacious and elegant reception hall overlooking the rolling hills of the award-winning golf course. Their Executive Chef will personally design a dinner menu especially for your event, and the staff will provide you and your guests with unsurpassed ser-vice and irresistible cuisine. There are so many details to plan and they can help you from start to finish, with decorations, floral arrangements, music, limousine service, ice sculptures and much more. Their objec-tive is to ensure that this tremendously important mo-ment of your life remains as stress-free and joy-filled as possible. Leave the details to them and rest assured that your reception will create memories for a lifetime. Coyote Ridge Golf Club is located near Hwy. 121 and Hebron in Carrollton. Visit www.coyoteridgegolfclub.com or call 972.395.0786 for more information.

Coyote Ridge Golf Club, Carrollton

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GREEN OAKSWEDDING CHAPEL

Green Oaks Wedding Chapel, with its white stone exterior, offers you an elegant and romantic setting for the most memorable day of your life. inside the pro-fessionally decorated chapel, which seats up to 200 guests, you will find white pews adorned with green-ery, flowers and bows. italian glass chandeliers add elegance and complement the altar which is beauti-fully lit by dozens of candles. A magnificent antique grand piano and state-of-the-art sound system con-vey just the right mood for your special day. Their ex-quisite Reception Room sets a lovely scene to greet and thank your guests for making your day such a grand occasion. Lighted trees, greenery, candles and round, skirted tables and chairs add warmth and elegance. Wedding and reception include a wed-ding coordinator, bride and groom dressing rooms, floral arrangements, wedding music, minister, punch, coffee, dance floor and setup and cleanup servic-es. Green Oaks Wedding Chapel is located at 4115 S. W. Green Oaks Boulevard in Arlington. For more information, please call metro 817.572.4300 or visit www.greenoaksweddings.com.

Green Oaks Wedding Chapel, Arlington


Wedding Venues

Hilton Garden inn Dallas/Duncanville, Duncanville

HILTON GARDEN INNDALLAS/DUNCANVILLE

Whether planning rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions, or even honeymoon stays, in-the-know brides have learned that at Hilton Garden inn, they can have the same on-site banquet halls, delicious food, and attentive service for a greater value. You can count on them to make your event a success.

Their in-house catering offers menu options designed to help you create a delicious and memorable event in your personal style. And the meal is just one of the many ways they’re committed to make your event just right.

Take advantage of their online planning tips and tools to create a personalized web page for your event, get great rates on rooms with group discounts and more. For more information, visit www.dallasduncanville.hgi.com or call 972.283.9777.

HILTON GARDEN INNDALLAS/RICHARDSON

The Hilton Garden inn Dallas/Richardson is a full-service experience in a boutique setting. This award-winning hotel is a premiere north Dallas destination for all your wedding needs, including venue, caterer, and luxury guest accommodations.

Experience the wedding of your dreams in more than 3,000 square feet of flexible banquet space. Our Prairie Creek Ballroom accommodates up to 200 guests, and features a variety of event set-ups, which includes lighting, a dance floor, and A/V capabilities. A spacious, private pre-function area is perfect for buffet set-up and additional event seating. The hotel’s restaurant, bar, lounge, and outdoor terrace are ideal for intimate events and cocktail receptions. Additionally, the hotel’s extensive, on-site art collection is displayed prominently throughout the hotel, including in the pre-function area and outdoor sculpture garden.

Our chef and culinary team have created a variety of delectable menus and wedding packages, and are on hand to customize details for the perfect plate. From receptions to buffets to formal seated dinners, we offer delicious catering options to suit any palate.

Guests can relax in comfort in our 125 elegant guest rooms, and our complimentary guest shuttle serves destinations within a five-mile radius of the hotel. To learn more and begin planning your event, call 972.792.9393, or visit www.dallasrichardson.hgi.com.

Hilton Garden inn Dallas/Richardson, Richardson


Wedding Venues

THE HYATT PLACE DALLAS/GARLANDAND FIREWHEEL CONFERENCE CENTER

The Hyatt Place Dallas/Garland and the Fire-wheel Conference Center is conveniently located in the Dallas northeast suburb of Garland on the President George Bush Highway, easily accessible from both DFW international Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport. They are located in the presti-gious Firewheel area, and the hotel is minutes from the world-class shopping, golf, and family fun of Firewheel Town Center Mall, the 63-hole Firewheel Golf Club, and the Hawaiian Falls Water Park.

Your wedding guests will enjoy 42” flat-panel HDTV, the Hyatt Grand Bed™, complimentary Wi-Fi, and continental breakfast. They offer more than 15,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a 7,632-square-foot ballroom. Their staff is always available to ensure everything goes ex-actly the way you want. Because when it does, great happens. The Hyatt Place is located at 5101 north President George Bush Highway, Garland, TX 75040. Call 972.414.3500 to book your event, or visit www.HyattPlaceDallasGarland.com.

The Hyatt Place Dallas/Garland, Garland

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IRVING CONVENTION CENTERAT LAS COLINAS

The stunningly modern architecture of the irving Convention Center will fascinate every guest and enhance your grand en-trance on the big day. They can host your wedding and reception, and are happy to assist you with hotel selection and transpor-tation needs. They even have Enterprise on-site to rent and return cars for your guests! The irving Convention Center delivers on el-egance and superior service. irving primarily serves weekday corporate business, which offers flexible weekend availability for you to select your special date. Heard of Jerry Jones? His head executive chef has taken over their kitchen, so prepare to pamper your taste buds! To view more information and photos, visit www.irvingconventioncen-ter.com.

irving Convention Center, irving


Wedding Venues

MAPLE MANOR HOTEL

Built in 1898, this turn-of-the-century Victorian hotel is located in the vibrant Dallas Arts District. Maple Manor is the most desirable setting for your rehearsal dinner or your wedding ceremony and reception. Available to you is a full-scale formal dining room with wood-coffered ceilings, hardwood floors, and a baby grand piano. A stone-walled garden boasts three waterfalls, two streams, flowers and fountains, and landscape lighting. Adjacent to the garden is a climate-controlled atrium complete with dramatic ar-chitectural lighting, arched ceilings, a full service bar and a large dance floor. All catering is provided by The Old War-saw, so you can rest easy knowing that your guests will en-joy cuisine prepared by the most established restaurant in Dallas.

The Maple Manor Hotel is located at 2616 Maple Av-enue in Uptown Dallas between McKinney Avenue and Cedar Springs Road. To schedule your site visit, please con-tact our event’s coordinator at 214.871.0032. For more in-formation visit www.TheMapleManorHotel.com or e-mail [email protected].

Maple Manor Hotel, Dallas

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MIDLOTHIAN CONFERENCE CENTER

The Midlothian Conference Center offers small-town hospitality in a spacious, state-of-the-art facility designed just for your event. Within the 39,000-square-foot facility, they combine the best of technology with outstanding personal service by their experienced staff. The meeting spaces can accommodate groups from as small as a handful, to more than 1,000. Weddings are a dream come true in Midlothian. Along with providing beautiful spaces, the Midlothian Conference Center offers a wide variety of decorations, dance floors, table linens, locations for photographs, and more. They partner with the best in the area for all of your heart’s desires. Whether it is a wedding planner, florist, caterer, DJ, band, photographer, or baker, the center has several preferred partners that are ready to assist in assuring your wedding is a complete success. For more information, call 972.723.7919 or visit www.midlothiancenter.com.

Midlothian Conference Center, Midlothian


Wedding Venues

THE BOULEVARD EVENT CENTER

The Boulevard Event Center, located in DeSoto, Tex-as, is a high-quality, premier venue for special events, accommodating the needs of a diverse group of clients. Housed inside of a unique, Spanish-style building with a beautiful courtyard and plenty of parking, The Boulevard features stunning stained concrete floors, high-end fix-tures, granite countertops, a water feature, two sets of restrooms, a full bar, and a lobby for a grand entrance.

Designed with style and functionality in mind, the floor plan accommodates multiple set-up arrangements for versatility, including easy access for those with disabili-ties. Every glance includes touches of elegance, attribut-ing to the perfect backdrop for pictures capturing those special moments.

The Boulevard offers reliable, beautiful, and affordable professional services for your event, includ-ing tables, comfortable chairs, house linens, a projec-tor with large screen, and an event specialist to as-sist you. From a baby shower to a business meeting, and everything in between, we promise a success-ful and memorable event. The Boulevard is located at 2010 n. Hampton Rd #700, DeSoto, TX 75115. For more information please visit our website at www. theboulevardevents.com or call 972.224.5888 to arrange for a private tour of the facility.

The Boulevard Event Center, DeSoto

PLANO CENTRE

With 122,500 square feet of event space, Plano Centre offers a flexible layout for your dream wedding. From the bridal shower to the reception, Plano Centre has the ability to host it all!

The beautifully landscaped courtyard is a magnificent setting for your wedding ceremony, and 17 additional rooms can be configured to meet any size or style. For large receptions, Collinwood Hall can provide seating for up to 1,400 guests. More intimate receptions can take place in the Windhaven Ballroom for 200 guests, looking out into the gorgeous courtyard. Their professional event coordinators can assist you in all of your planning needs from room setup to catering and beverage services.

Located at 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano Cen-tre is just two blocks east of Highway 75 and is close to a variety of Plano hotels. You can find a sense of ease when planning your wedding and reception at Pla-no Centre, as they have several packages to fit every bride’s budget. Please call 972.941.5840 and let them be at your service. To view more photos, please visit their board on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/visitplano/plano-centre. For more information, visit their website at www.planocentre.com.

Plano Centre, Plano


Wedding Venues

WILDHORSE GRILL AT ROBSON RANCH

Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding! With this grand occasion comes the grand responsibility of seeking out a location, food, and beverage for your ceremony/reception. Robson Ranch would be delighted to be the host of this chapter in your life’s most monumental occasions. The facili-ties at Robson Ranch have the capability of fitting your group with rooms comfortable for 30 to 300 people. For a more in-timate group, the classically ambient restaurant may be the right fit, with a fireplace in every room and windows for walls. For the “more the merrier” personalities, the magnificent club-house is settled at the highest point in Denton, allowing the most beautiful panoramic views and breathtaking sunsets. Just inside is a long, wrap-around foyer, perfect for the pre- reception hors d’oeuvres and mingling. Once inside the 6,200-square-foot ballroom, you will be overcome by the expansive wooden dance floor and stage area, as well as the warmth of the room despite its size.

The professional, uniformed service staff will assist you with any needs you may have. They provide and set up all the essentials, such as banquet-style round tables and chairs, elegant bone chi-na, glasses, tableware, linens, and napkins. The highly skilled chef employs a truly gifted culinary team. They will work with you to customize the perfect menu, all within your budget. Con-tact Rhett Hubbard to schedule a time to meet and tour the grounds, and to have your questions answered. For more information, contact WildHorse Grill at Robson Ranch at 940.246.1080, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.wildhorsegrill.net.

WildHorse Grill at Robson Ranch, Denton

Waxahachie Civic Center, Waxahachie

WAXAHACHIE CIVIC CENTER

Make your wedding day memorable at the Waxahachie Civic Center. Conveniently located at the intersection of i-35E and Highway 287, the center is within 25 minutes of the DFW Metroplex. The Waxahachie Civic Center has a 20,000-square-foot sub-dividing ballroom that seats up to 1,000 guests. The Crape Myrtle Room, showcased by elegant floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the room will be the highlight of your event. This opportune location makes the Waxahachie Civic Center the picture-perfect place for your event. From the wedding to the reception, our staff will work closely with each client to create a custom-tailored event that will exceed your expectations and leave you looking forward to planning your next event with us. Whether a small private wedding or a large reception, the Waxahachie Civic Center truly makes every event a special event.

The Waxahachie Civic Center is located at 2000 Civic Center Lane in Waxahachie, Texas. For more information call 469.309.4040 or visit www.waxahachieciviccenter.org.


Wedding Venues

Gown: White by Vera Wang Available at www.davidsbridal.com

Timeline for

Rocking Wedding PhotosPlanning your wedding day timeline can be frustrating. You have to try to fit everything in, and still manage to have a little room for portraits. Check out this wedding day timeline to give you an idea of how a photographer would plan your day to maximize photo-taking opportunities.

1.5–2 HOURS PRIOR TO CER-EMONYEveryone is ready to take pictures. Make sure you plan make-up and hair to finish 30 minutes BEFORE you expect to be ready, as this is the biggest reason for wedding delays. i always start with my guys, as they usually come ready. We do about 30 minutes with the guys and 30 minutes with the ladies before a ceremony. if we have a first look, it allows for us to get finished even sooner.

30 MINUTES PRIOR TO CEREMO-NYEveryone is tucked away as guests arrive and are seated. This is a great opportunity for candids.

CEREMONYThis usually lasts for about 30 minutes, and your photogra-pher is capturing the moments as they happen.

1–1.5 HOURS AfTER THE CER-EMONYWe REALLY only need about 30 minutes for formal portraits after your ceremony, but we would like to get a few of just the two of you. The more time you allow here, the better your pictures will be. For bridal par-ty and couples, think about a whole different location, if time allows. Get your limo to pick you all up and take you to a nearby park or city loca-tion for something fun and a little different.

1–5 HOURS (OR MORE) AfTER CEREMONY: RECEPTIONPut most of the reception ac-tivities at the beginning of your reception, especially if you are limited on photographer time. This also allows elderly relatives and guests with small children to get home at an earlier time, but still not miss out on any-thing.

ENTRANCEPlan something fun for your entrance. Don’t just have your band leader or DJ rattle off the names. One fun idea is to write mini bios for each member of the bridal party, to be read as they enter. Or pick a lively song and do a dance into the reception!

fIRST DANCEAfter the entrance, go straight into your first dance. Everyone is up already and all eyes are on you.

TOASTSToasts are a great way to tran-sition from the first dance into dinner. Religious couples add in a prayer at this time as well.

DINNERThis will generally take about 1–2 hours, but can vary great-ly, depending on how many guests you have, and whether you are offering a buffet-style dinner or a plated meal.

CAkE CUTTINGi have noticed that the best time to place the cake cutting

by Christina Truelove, Christina Truelove Photography

Timeline for

Rocking Wedding Photos

is right after dinner. Your guests are finishing up dinner and soon will want desert. Plus, as you do the parent dances, your cake can be cut and served.

PARENT DANCES The father/daughter and mother/son dances are great traditions that tend to get everyone in the room teary-eyed. These are very important dances, so make sure you select a song that is meaningful and have your DJ or band leader play the whole song. Make it more fun by adding planned chore-ography. You can even add in additional parent dances, such as mother/daughter, daughter/father-in-law, bride/brother, and so on. Just make sure not to have too many, as your guests will be anxious to join in on the fun.

OPEN DANCINGThis is a great time to cut loose and have fun with your friends and family. it also gives you a time to get a bite to eat, if you weren’t able to when din-ner was served, or to do some couple photos if the photographer didn’t do them earlier. Be careful to not let open dancing go on too long, especially if you have other activities planned that require guest attendance. One to two hours of open dancing is usually plenty.

GAMES/ACTIVITIESMany couples plan to have the newlywed game or an anniversary dance. Those are great to have and can be used to break up open dancing.

LAST DANCEUse this to get a few private moments with your new husband, while getting your guests in place for your farewell. it is nice to unwind after a long day of rush-ing. This might be the first time you really got to see each other without being pulled away. Savor this moment. Often, your photographer will snap a pic-ture or two and leave as well, so you two have the place to yourselves.

FAREWELLSparklers, streamers, bubbles, glow-sticks, flags—whatever you plan to use, personalize your farewell and go out in style. •

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Above Photos by Helmut Walker Photography

Inside our doorway awaits a romantic journey back to the elegant Victorian style of 1898…outside our doorway is the vibrant Dallas Arts District, offering you the best of both worlds and the opportunity to treasure the most exclusive day of your life. Maple Manor is the most desirable setting for your wedding ceremony and reception or your rehearsal dinner. Available to you is a full-scale formal dining room with wood coffered ceilings, hardwood floors, and a Baby Grand piano. A stone-walled garden boasts three waterfalls, two streams, and fountains, with landscape lighting. Adjacent to the garden is a climate-controlled atrium complete with dramatic architectural lighting and arched ceilings with a oversized dance floor. All catering is provided by The Old Warsaw, so you can rest easy knowing that your guests will enjoy cuisine prepared by the most established restaurant in Dallas. The staff at Maple Manor is ready to host your event from beginning to end and ensure that it will be a day to treasure for eternity. Come enjoy the Maple Manor Hotel.

MAPLE MANOR HOTEL

2616 Maple Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

214.871.0032

www.themaplemanorhotel.com

Photo by Helmut Walker Photography Photo by Tracy Autem Photography


and staffing. It’s important to be well-in-

formed when you plan your re-ception. In order to negotiate with caterers, hoteliers, entertain-ers, and the like, you’ll need to provide them with some basic in-formation. Essential data includes the date of the event, how many guests you expect, your budget range, and the reception style you’re planning. After you’ve told your story, find out what you need to know.

ity and your budget. Popular locations for recep-

tions include hotels, restaurants, and private clubs. These party places can often provide the complete facilities and food ser-vices you require. Other options to consider: private homes, church halls, fraternal organizations, park pavilions, and art galleries. If your reception site doesn’t offer all the services you need, find a competent wedding consultant, caterer or party rental store that can provide food, equipment,

Your wedding receptioncan seem overwhelming, but never fear. Start with the basic guidelines, and let your creative juices flow.

Your reception could include a formal sit-down dinner or an authentic Texas bar-be-que. Have the party at a first-class ho-tel, or take your guests on a riv-erboat cruise. Hire a disc jockey or a 30-piece orchestra for your dancing pleasure. The choices are unlimited — you can fashion the festivities to fit your personal-

No matter how informal the party, there’s more to planning your reception and rehearsal dinner than just the menu. Plan an event they won’t soon forget. As you flip through these pages, you will be inspired by the many venues the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex has to offer to complement your special day!

Reception & Rehearsal Dinner Sites

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Maple Manor, Dallas2616 Maple Avenue

214.871.0032

Find the perfect place to celebrate!


WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

What is the facility rental fee?• What is included in the cost?• How many guests can the • space accommodate (includ-ing table and chair availabil-ity)?How long does the fee reserve • the space for and what are the overtime charges?What time can setup begin?• What time must the space be • vacated?Who’s responsible for cleanup?• How far in advance must reser-• vations be made?Are parking, rest room and • changing room facilities ad-equate?Are air, heating and electrical • (outlets) systems adequate?Is the dance floor adequate?• Can you review staging, light-• ing, audio and video needs?Is there a public address sys-• tem or microphone available?Is it necessary to use in-house • catering: if so, will beverages and hors d’oeuvres be served before dinner?Are security guards, coat • check, parking attendants, bartenders and similar services provided?How much is the deposit; when • is it due; and when is the re-mainder due?What is the cancellation policy • and is their liability insurance adequate?Is there a security deposit; if so • when will it be refunded?Are there special rules and • regulations that may affect the party?

Irving Convention Center, Irving500 West Las Colinas Blvd.

972.252.7476

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It’s important to plan at leastnine months in advance. Bookyour reception site as soon as youset the big date. If your locationis in demand, you may have toset the wedding date around itsavailability.

If an outdoor wedding and re-ception is on your agenda, con-sider the possibility of inclementweather. Rent a tent or arrangefor a back-up inside site — youdon’t want your party called offbecause of rain!

Now that you know how tobook your reception, you mayhave questions about what goeson at this once-in-a-lifetime event.Read on for details about the or-der of activities at the reception,and other guidelines to followwhen planning your festivities.

RECEPTION STYLESThe time and formality of your

wedding determines what kind ofreception will follow.

Early Morning: Breakfast gath-ering at local restaurant. It’s un-necessary to serve alcoholic bev-erages at this early hour.

Afternoon (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.): Afternoon tea; serve coffee, tea or punch with light hors d’oeuvres.

Late Afternoon (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.): Cocktail party; feature 11 to 12 varieties of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. Alcoholic bever-ages are served — an open bar is usually provided.

Evening: Serve a full meal; a cocktail hour often precedes din-ner. Anything from a buffet to a sit-down meal is appropriate.

RECEPTION TIMETABLEHere is a basic guide to the

timeframe of a typical weddingreception.

Upon Arrival At Reception SiteBridal party forms the receiv-

ing line, if you choose to have one. Guests pass through into the reception area where drinks and hors d’oeuvres are waiting.

Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa, Dallas12230 Preston Road

972.386.0306

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After One HourBuffet or dinner is served; the

best man starts the toasting by of-fering the first good wishes to the bride and groom.

After One-and-a-Half HoursThe first course is cleared from

the head table; the first dance begins. Guests then join in the dancing.

After Two HoursTables are cleared of food; it’s

time to cut the cake!

The Last Half HourThe bouquet and garter are

thrown; the grand march (op-tional) takes place. The bride and groom bid farewell to their guests.

RECEIVING LINEThe receiving line allows par-

ents and principals to greet guests and receive their good wishes. The line usually begins just inside the reception site; it may also be held at the church immediately following the wedding ceremony, if you choose.

A church reception line is ap-propriate when not all guests are invited to the reception.

An alternative way to greet guests at the church: the bride and groom re-enter after the re-cessional, greeting guests as they file out. This method is appropriate if the gathering is not too large, and eliminates awkwardness if parents are divorced or don’t wish to participate in a formal re-ceiving line.

In a traditional receiving line, the mother of the bride, as host-ess, is first to greet guests. Follow-ing her are the groom’s mother, the bride, the groom, and maid of honor. Fathers of the bride and groom, the best man, bridesmaids and groomsmen may also be in-cluded. Children in the wedding party do not stand in the receiv-ing line.

Make sure guests sign your guest book before they enter the receiving line. Place an attendant near the book to remind them to sign. Guests should move quickly down the line, saving conversa-tion for later at the reception.

Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville, Duncanville800 N. Main Street

972.283.9777

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After all guests have arrived, the line disperses. The bridal cou-ple takes their place at the head table, if they have chosen to have one.

Some couples elect to elimi-nate the receiving line, circulating with their guests throughout the reception instead.

SEATING ARRANGEMENTS Place cards should be set by

the caterer at the head table and honor tables to avoid confusion and embarrassment. At the rest of the tables, feel free to allow guests to choose their own seats.

The head table showcases the bride and groom, who sit in full view, facing the guests. The best man flanks the bride, while the maid of honor is seated next to the groom. Bridesmaids and groomsmen are seated, alternat-ing males and females.

At a small wedding, the par-ents of the bride and groom may sit at the head table, as well as the officiating clergy and spouses of married attendants. Otherwise, there is a separate honors table, with the bride’s parents at oppo-site ends. The groom’s father sits to the right of the bride’s mother; the wedding officiant to her left. The groom’s mother sits to the right of the bride’s father, the wedding officiant’s spouse to his left.

You may also arrange two par-ents’ tables, with the bride’s par-ents at one, while the groom’s mother and father head the other. In this arrangement, more friends and relatives may be given a seat of honor at these tables.

Divorced parents should be seated at separate tables, among their own friends and family. The bride and groom should divide their time between their families.

CUTTING THE CAKEThe cutting of the wedding

cake is a charming ritual, and the highlight of the reception. Guests are signaled by the best man tap-ping his glass, or by an announce-ment from the band. Using a spe-cial knife, the bride and groom cut the first slice. He offers her a bite, and she presents a piece for him to sample, symbolizing their willingness to share their lives. The rest of the cake is sliced by an at-

spotlight, on its own table — per-haps in the center of the dance floor during the cutting ceremony. Guests love to watch the newly-weds cut it and take the first bite.

It’s long been customary to freeze the top layer of the cake for your first wedding anniversa-ry. Your bakery can give you tips on how to best wrap it for keep-ing. Or, many bakeries now offer to recreate a miniature version of the original cake for your one-year celebration.

DANCINGIf a reception features a buf-

fet, the bride and groom may dance their first dance as soon as they’ve recovered from the rigors of the receiving line, or, if they are not having a receiving line, when they first enter. When a full meal is served, dancing usually begins after the last course is cleared.

After the newlyweds begin the first dance, others may join in as follows:Second Couple

The bride’s father cuts in and dances with his daughter.Third Couple

The groom asks the mother of the bride to dance.Fourth Couple

The groom’s father dances with the bride.Fifth Couple

The father of the bride cuts in on the groom and dances with the bride’s mother.Sixth Couple

The groom dances with his moth-er.

tendant and served as dessert.It’s an extra treat to have a

groom’s cake — usually a choc-olate cake — contrasting with the bride’s cake, which is usually white, although it comes in all colors and flavors nowadays. The groom’s cake may also be served for dessert, or packed in small boxes for guests to take home as a memento.

WEDDING CAKES: A SLICE OF LIFE

The wedding cake has long served as a symbol of fertility and good luck. The first piece is shared by the bride and groom as they cut the cake. Guests then partake of this tasty good luck charm, join-ing in the couple’s happiness.

Start shopping for your cake about four months before the wedding if you can. Look at pic-tures or models of cakes, and compare quality and workman-ship. Many bakers allow potential customers to sample cakes before ordering. What a delicious way to shop!

Wedding cakes are tradition-ally composed of white or yellow layers, filled with custard or jam, then frosted in white. Current fash-ion allows for more unusual flavors, even a different flavor in every tier. Chocolate, banana, cherry, even carrot cake, are popular options. Liqueur-laced fillings add extra zip.

A multi-colored cake is an el-egant favorite — some cakes are even four, five, or more tiers! A modern wedding is not molded by tradition — flowers, ribbons, seashells and other imaginative shapes are often seen at recep-tions. Traditional cake-toppers include a bride and groom, but today’s toppers may include fresh flowers or the couple’s mono-gram.

In addition to the wedding cake, you can have a groom’s cake. This cake sits on a separate table, and can be chocolate or the groom’s favorite flavor. The theme may depict his favorite hobby. Wedding folklore holds that an unmarried person who sleeps with a sliver of the groom’s cake under their pillow will dream of his or her future mate.

Give your cake a place in the

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None of the first couples must dance a full dance. After a few minutes, other guestsare invited to join in the dancing. Ethnicdancing may be featured, or a grandmarch may also be formed well into the re-ception.

As the activities end, a second receiv-ing line is sometimes formed beside a smalltable filled with cake boxes, favors, or a last drink for the guests as they depart. This givesguests a chance to say goodbye to thenewlyweds, who then have a last danceand prepare to depart the reception.

TOSSING THE BOUQUETAND GARTER

The bouquet and garter are usuallytossed just before the end of the reception.All of the single men and women gatherin a semi-circle. The bride tosses the bou-quet over her shoulder — the lucky girl whocatches it is supposedly the next to be mar-ried. The groom tosses the bride’s garterinto the crowd of bachelors; the recipient,according to the myth, will become thenext groom.

LEAVING THE RECEPTIONAfter the bouquet and garter ceremony,

the bride and groom can opt to changeclothes, or remain in their wedding attire.In a shower of rose petals, birdseed, spar-klers, or anything else you can imagine, thehappy couple heads for their car or limo,which has often been decorated by thegroomsmen and ushers. The newlywedsleave the reception for a local hotel, or fortheir honeymoon, ready to start their newlife together.

CATERING CONNECTION:FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Wining and dining your wedding gueststakes the largest bite out of your weddingbudget. A well-planned reception is crucialto the success of your marriage celebra-tion. Choose your caterer with care — atalented, well-organized culinary artist cancreate a fabulous feast you’ll never forget.

If you’ve chosen a hotel or restaurant foryour reception site, they’ll probably providetheir own food and beverage services. Ifyou’ve chosen a different type of facility— such as a church hall or park pavilion —you’ll need to arrange for catering.

Book catering services well in advance;six to nine months before the wedding is ide-

The Old Warsaw Restaurant, Dallas2610 Maple Avenue

214.528.0032

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son and daughter, and othermembers of the wedding partymay then offer their own toasts.

When you’re the object of atoast, remain seated, and don’tsip from your glass — you’re al-lowed to imbibe between toasts.Smile and nod at who¬ever is of-fering the toast.

The tradition of toasting is oneto treasure — long after yourwedding day, you’ll look backand smile when you think of those¬special words: the funny storiesthe best man told about you; thelove your parents expressed asthey welcomed your spouse intothe family.

Above all, remember the tideof good wishes from all those pres-ent as they raised their glasses anddrank to your happiness ¬duringevery toast that was made.

TOASTS WITH THE MOST

Best Man To Couple“And now, ladies and gen-

tlemen, I shall ask you to rise.”Give guests adequate time torespond. If they are alreadystanding, say: “I now ask youto raise your glasses.” Turningto the couple, say: “May your

toasts are presented just beforethe cutting of the cake.

The best man acts as masterof ceremonies, offering the first toast. This toast may be just forthe bride, or aimed at both new-lyweds. The best man gets every-one’s attention by clinking on hisglass. He may introduce himselfand others in the wedding party,and explain his relationship to thenewlyweds. At this time he maytell an amusing anecdote aboutthe bridal couple, making a wishfor their future happiness.

The toast may be in the form ofa poem, quotation or the like — itshould be brief and sincere. Thoseoffering toasts should plan whatthey wish to say ahead of time.It’s important to speak loudly andclearly when making the toast —everyone wants to hear this!

After the best man’s tribute,the groom usually responds withtoasts honoring his wife, parentsand new in-laws. The bride maythen rise to offer toasts to her hus-band, the couple’s families, at-tendants and guests. (A specialthank-you is expressed particular-ly well in the form of a toast.) Thefathers of the bride and groommay propose toasts to their new

al. Give your caterer the pertinentdata — date, time, place, recep-tion style, budget, and the num-ber of guests attending. For foodservice, most caterers charge aflat fee per person; liquor costs are usually by the bottle or per drink.Waiters may be paid by the houror be included in the package.

Your caterer can help you de-termine the kind of food to serve,and provide china, glasses, andeverything else you need. He orshe can usually arrange for serv-ers, bartenders and valet parkingservices as well. Be sure chargesfor these services are includedin your cost estimate. Check tosee if gratuities are automaticallyadded to the final bill.

Your contract should specifythe food and beverages to beserved and the guest count.

Look into postponement andcancellation policies before yousign. A deposit is usually requiredwhen you sign the contract.

By all means, comparison shop— it’s important to get the mostfor your money. Just make surethe caterer you choose has areputation for quality and service— the success of your receptiondepends on it!

I’LL DRINK TO THAT:THE TRADITION OF TOASTS

No matter how informal theparty may be — it’s traditional totoast the bride and groom at theirwedding reception. The festive airthat toasting lends to pre- or post-wedding celebrations creates afeeling of shared good will for ev-eryone present. Toasts are a trib-ute to the bridal couple and thewedding party.

Champagne is usually used fortoasting — the bubbly brew is syn-onymous with romance and gai-ety. If alcohol is not a part of thisparty, well-wishers can toast withsparkling cider or ginger ale.

Toasting can begin after thereceiving line breaks up, and canbe made all throughout the re-ception. At a less formal function,

Coyote Ridge Golf Club, Carrollton1640 Hebron Parkway

972.395.0786

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the rehearsal proceed smoothly.Invitations to the traditional

dinner should be sent about twoweeks in advance. The guest listincludes all members of the wed-ding party, both sets of parentsand immediate family, and offici-ating church members. Spousesand dates of these guests shouldalso be invited. Another thought-ful gesture — invite those guestswho have traveled from out-of-town.

Since the rehearsal dinner isnot ruled by convention, it canbe very casual or ultra-formal.You can plan a picnic, buffet, ora sit-down dinner. If the occasionwarrants, consider putting placecards at each seat. The bridalcouple usually sits together at thehead table, with hosts of the op-posite sex seated at either side.Parents and grandparents of thebride and groom complete thetable.

The host, or the best man, offersthe first toast to the bridal couple. Other guests may then follow withtheir own toasts.

To achieve the best results, pre-pare toasts before dinner. Add aspecial touch to the festivities —have guests bring pictures of thebridal couple when they wereyounger, and make a collage forthe newlyweds. Or have the re-hearsal dinner videotaped.

To make the occasion espe-cially memorable, hand out note-cards on which guests may writegood wishes directed to the brideand groom. Each note should besealed by the author, and keptsafe by the hostess for presenta-tion to the bridal couple on theirfirst anniversary.

The rehearsal dinner also pres-ents an opportunity for the brideand groom to give presents totheir attendants, and thank ev-eryone for their participation inthe wedding ceremony. •

wedding day be the threshold of awonderful future of sharing as youwalk together through life, handin hand. To Jane and John.”

Groom To Bride“Here’s to the prettiest, here’s

to the wittiest, here’s to the tru-est one of all who are true, here’sto the neatest one, here’s to thesweetest one, here’s to them all inone — here’s to you.”

Bride To Groom“I wonder if you realize how

much you mean to me, how won-derful you’ve been, how dearyou’ll always be. You’ve broughtsuch love and happiness into mylife. No wonder I’m so thankfuland so proud to be your wife. ToJohn!”

Bride’s Father To Couple“To Jane and John. May your

lives be full of the kind of happi-ness we are enjoying here to-day.”

Bride To Parents“To my new family, with thanks

for raising such a loving and sup-portive person, and to my par-ents, for all the love and strengththey’ve given me. May we allhave many more memorabledays together.”

THE REHEARSAL DINNER:A TIME TO RELAX WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

The groom’s family or a close relative or friend usually hosts the rehearsal dinner. The dinner is usu-ally given after the wedding re-hearsal, an evening or two before the actual ceremony.

Rehearsal dinners are some-times two-part affairs. A cocktail party may be held before the rehearsal and dinner. This is es-pecially helpful in introducing the two families, who may not live in the same town. The cocktail party acts as an icebreaker for all mem-bers of the wedding — it can help

Minimergency Kits for Brides, from Pinch Provisions

www.pinchprovisions.com

Wedding Emergency

KitNon-allergenic makeup remover•

Makeup/eye shadow/mascara•

Hair products: gel, hair spray, •

combs, pins

Tampons/pads/painkillers•

Facial tissue/bandaids•

Cold/allergy tablets•

Travel-size sewing kit •

(including an assortment of safety

pins)

Nail glue/polish/remover/file•

Earring backs•

Toothpaste/mouthwash/breath •

mints

Cotton balls/swabs•

Antacid tablets•

Deodorant/body powder•

Cologne/after-shave/body lotion•

Extra car keys!•


Booking Guest RoomsAsk the hotel if they provide invitation inserts • with hotel name and phone numbers for your “out-of-town” guest list only. Or make them yourself!

Try to minimize the number of hotels that you • select for your guests. You usually get the best rates if you have more rooms blocked off.

Decide whether you are looking for a • full-service hotel or a limited-service hotel for your guests. Do you need a hotel with a restaurant, bar, or banquet facilities? Are you looking for upscale, economy, or mid-level hotels?

Encourage your guests to book at the • hotel of your choice and to book EARLY. It is easier to cancel a reservation at the last minute than to try to get a room at the last minute.

Hotels will have “cut-off dates.” This • is the last date that special rates and availability are guaranteed for your event.

If you want to ensure your guests’ requests for • specific room types (king/double/non-smok-ing or rooms all on the same floor, etc.), make the reservations at one time. Have each person’s special request listed and the credit card information for payment of room all at the time of making the reservation.

Remember that hotels are NOT in the trans-• portation business. If you want to ensure that your guests arrive to and leave from your cer-emony/reception at a designated time, hire a professional transportation company.

Ask the hotel to keep you informed as to how • many guest rooms are reserved in your block. They can run a report.

Encourage your family and friends • to ONLY book under your block ofrooms to get the negotiated rate.

Ask the hotel if it provides a special reserva-• tion code that you can give the guests to put into their reservations if they want to book through the hotel’s direct web site. This code ensures they get the negotiated rate and they are assigned to your block of rooms.

Ask the hotel if it offers the negotiated rate • if someone needs to check in one or two days prior to the original block or if they want to stay a day or two later. Rates can vary greatly if this is not discussed at the time of the booking.

Ask what happens if all the rooms • you have asked the hotel to block are not reserved. What is the penalty? •

Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & SpaDallas, 972.386.0306

Guest Accommodations

You’ve got it all under control, right? Your invitations havebeen ordered and you were thoughtful enough to include mapsto your ceremony and reception sites to avoid confusion and lostfriends and relatives. Think you’ve got your bases covered? Whereare your out-of-town guests going to stay? Streets that may lookfamiliar to those friends and relatives who live nearby may lookconfusing, and even imposing, to those unfamiliar with the area.

Having all of your guests stay at one appointed hotel can helpcalm the nerves of those people so close to you who live so faraway. Fortunately, there are several different types of hotels fromwhich to choose.

Because all hotels offer different amenities, consider thosethings you think your guests may find important. The last thing by which you’d want your guests to remember yourwedding would be that they had an unpleasant stay in anunfamiliar town.

Keeping your guests comfortable makes that special weekend extra pleasant for everyone involved. Show your hospitality by making guest room arrangements for them.


Some things to consider when making arrangements for your guests:

How convenient is the location to your • ceremony and reception sites?Does your wedding date coincide • with any conventions that may be booking all of the choice rooms? Is there a shuttle to and from the air-• port and/or around town?Does the location offer rooms and/or • suites?How much are the rooms? They may • offer a group rate, depending on how many rooms you need.If you need just a few rooms, do they • have special weekend rates?Can you reserve a wedding block of • Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights?Do they offer a hospitality room where • all of your guests can meet to pick up anything left specifically for them, or for just spending time together?Do they have smoking and non-smok-• ing rooms?Do they provide irons/hair dryers/an • in-room safe?Is there cable TV with movie channels?• Is there a coffee bar/small refrigerator/• freezer/microwave in the rooms?Do they have free local calls/internet • access/voice mail?Is a complimentary continental or buf-• fet breakfast offered? Happy hour?Do they have an on-site swimming • pool/hot tub/exercise facilities?Do they have a guest laundry or valet • service?Is there a charge for additional servic-• es, such as for delivering gift baskets?

Estimate how many rooms you may need and remember to reserve a block of rooms three to six months prior to your wed-ding date to avoid any confusion. Forward the room information to your out-of-town guests as soon as possible so that they may confirm the room at least two weeks prior to the wedding. Your guests will truly ap-preciate knowing in advance that you have taken their stay into consideration.

Adding guest accommodations to your list of things to do is small in comparison to making your guests feel as important as you know they are! •

How to Distribute Itineraries for Weekend Wedding Events

The most common distribution method of printed itinerary sheets is placing them in the welcome gift bags or baskets that each of the out-of-town guests receives when check-ing into their hotel rooms. The itinerary serves as a pretty and fun addition to a well-packed welcome basket, and guests have on hand an easy reference to the events and locations taking place throughout the weekend.

You can also hand out these cards at a guest welcome cocktail party, or arrange them on a side table for guests to take on their own.

Guests who are not staying at the hotel may receive these via regular mail, or you can send the pdf file to them via e-mail. Don’t forget to present these itinerary cards to the bride and groom as well as to their family members so that they may use them and keep them as wonderful keep-sakes!

Courtesy of Sharon Naylor’s The Smart Guide to Wedding Weekend Events

Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/DuncanvilleDuncanville, 972.283.9777


wreath of flowers, in their hair.The ringbearer should wear a bouton-

niere just like the groom. You may wish to decorate the ringbearer’s cushion with a sprig of flowers.

MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS & OTHER VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

It is customary to present the moth-ers and grandmothers of the bridal cou-ple with flowers to wear at the wedding. These arrangements may be made up of flowers that coordinate with their dresses; personal preferences should also be con-sidered. If grandfathers are present, they, too, would receive boutonnieres.

A corsage or boutonniere is a perfect way to honor others who contribute to your wedding. The guest book and gift table attendants are examples of special helpers to thank.

CEREMONY SITEFlowers at the ceremony vary consid-

erably depending on location and style of the wedding. If the marriage takes place in a church, at least one arrangement should decorate each side of the altar. Adorn the ends of pews with flowers and ribbons if you choose.

If your ceremony is held at a private home, club, hotel or other secular loca-tion, flowers and greenery are especially important. The arrangements serve as a romantic backdrop, taking the place of the church altar, and can be used to mark aisles.

RECEPTION SITESSome brides may wish to use the altar

arrangements from the wedding to deco-rate the reception area; this is perfectly acceptable. Others feel ceremony and reception flowers should be considered separately. Remember you may want to keep your ceremony flowers in place for photos with your wedding party, while guests go on to the reception, which would mean you would need separate arrangements.

Church flowers should relate to the ceremony, arranged in a more serene, subtle fashion, while reception flowers would promote an unrestrained air of cel-ebration. This is strictly a matter of personal preference.

As more time is spent at the reception than at the ceremony itself, many brides elect to concentrate the majority of their decorating efforts on the party facility.•

deepest feelings through the language of flowers.

BRIDE’S FLOWERS:BRIDAL BOUQUET

You’ll want to carry a bouquet that complements your wedding gown and is scaled to your proportions. Traditional bouquets are composed of all white and ivory blooms — roses, orchids, stephano-tis, lilies of the valley and gardenias are commonly used. Today, brides often carry bouquets in colors taken from their wed-ding palette.

One currently popular style is the natural-look bouquet — an airy arrange-ment which may include wildflowers with stems showing. This type of bouquet can be held in front or draped over the bride’s arm. Other favorite arrangements include a round or crescent-shaped bouquet, a nosegay, a single flower or a flower-cov-ered prayer book.

BRIDE’S THROWAWAY BOUQUETAlthough some brides may toss their

actual bridal bouquet, most prefer to keep that arrangement. At the bouquet-tossing ceremony, a detachable section or another small bouquet may be thrown.

BRIDAL ATTENDANTSBridesmaids and maid of honor usu-

ally carry similar arrangements; the maid of honor’s may be more elaborate. At-tendants may carry traditional bouquets, or alternative arrangements: baskets of blooms, long-stemmed flowers over one arm, or a single, perfect rose.

If the bride wears a floral headpiece, attendants may wear a single bloom, spray or wreath of the same blossoms.

GROOM AND MALE ATTENDANTSThe groom and each male member

of the wedding party, including fathers, customarily wear a boutonniere in the left lapel. Traditionally, the bloom was a white rose or carnation, but as bridal bouquets have become more colorful, so have boutonnieres. The groom’s boutonniere should differ from the others — he might consider wearing a flower from the bride’s bouquet.

YOUNG ATTENDANTSFlower girls traditionally carry baskets

of loose petals to be strewn in the bride’s path, but may also carry a miniature bouquet in a basket or a small nosegay. They also might wear a single flower, or a

Flowers speak a language all their own — we use them to say so many things: “I love you,” “I’m sorry,” or “Get better soon.” Every flower holds meaning all its own — take the time to choose the kinds and colors that express your personal sen-timents.

Flowers play a major role at your wed-ding; arrangements may be as simple or elaborate as you desire. A professional florist’s advice is invaluable — working to-gether, you can achieve the perfect am-biance for your wedding.

Choose your florist three to six months before the big day if possible. He or she may wish to visit the wedding and recep-tion sites to view the layout. Provide pho-tos and fabric swatches if possible from your wedding gown and attendants’ dresses if you can. Details on the groom’s and mothers’ attire are helpful in planning your wedding decorations.

Decide if you wish to use fresh or silk flowers. Fresh flowers add fragrance and a more natural look to the ceremony, while silk flowers hold up better in hot weather and are available in any color.

Descriptions of floral arrangements should be written into your contract. Total cost should also be included — make sure the document is complete before you sign. Take care to choose a reputable, tal-ented florist — one who can express your

Flower Power A bountiful array of beautiful blossoms creates an atmosphere of romance! On your wonderful wedding day, pretty posies tell the world how you feel about each other!

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The Language of Flowers

Orange BlossomFERTILITY, HAPPINESS

OrchidBEAUTY

Red RoseI LOVE YOU

white RoseYOU ARE HEAVENLY

Red & white Roses Together

UNITY

VioletFAITHFULNESS

water LilyA PURE HEART

HollyDOMESTIC HAPPINESS

HoneysuckleFAITHFUL AFFECTION

IvyFIDELITY

JasmineGRACE, ELEGANCE

JonquilAFFECTION RETURNED

Purple LilacFIRST LOVE

LilyPURITY

Lily of the ValleyHAPPINESS

Apple BlossomGOOD FORTUNE

BluebellCONSTANCY

ButtercupRICHES

Camellia GRATITUDE

CarnationPURE, DEEP LOVE

DaisySHARE YOUR FEELINGS

Forget-me-notTRUE LOVE

GardeniaJOY

Through the ages, flowers have become symbolic of the qualities we

value in ourselves and others. Flowers at your wedding symbolize the

beauty of the ceremony and a union growing in love and devotion.

Combining different blooms and their meanings expresses the

unique feelings of the bridal couple, sending a message of special

significance to everyone present at the wedding.

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County Clerks’ OfficesCOLLIN COUNTY

MCKINNEYCOLLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE

200 SOUTH MCDONALD STREET, #120972.424.1460 X 4185

PLANOCOLLIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER

900 EAST PARK, SUITE 140PLANO, TEXAS 75074

972.424.1460 X 3025

DALLAS COUNTYDOWNTOWN DALLASRECORDS BUILDING

509 MAIN STREET, SUITE 120214.653.7559

EAST DALLASEAST DALLAS GOVERNMENT CENTER

3443 ST. FRANCIS AVENUE

214.321.3182

NORTH DALLASCOUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER

10056 MARSH LANE, SUITE 137214.904.3032

DENTON COUNTY1029 W. ROSEMEADE PKWY.

CARROLLTON, TX 75007-6251972.434.7170

1400 FM 424CROSS ROADS, TX 76227-7284

940.349.4400

PARKER COUNTY1112 SANTA FE DRIVE

WEATHERFORD, TX 76086817.594.7461

ROCKWALL COUNTY1101 RIDGE ROAD

ROCKWALL, TX 75087972.722.1855

TARRANT COUNTYARLINGTON

724 EAST BORDER

817.548.3928

DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH100 WEST WEATHERFORD, ROOM 180

817.884.1195

HURST645 GRAPEVINE HIGHWAY

817.581.3625

bridal gown has been bought, the in-vitations are in the mail, and the ca-terer is cooking. Getting your marriage license is one of the last tasks before you can say, “I do.”

The procedure for obtaining your license is basically the same all over Texas. Together, the prospective bride and groom must visit the office of the county clerk.

Bring a valid form of identification — a driver’s license, certified copy of your original birth certificate, u.S. pass-port, or military ID. Also be sure to bring your Social Security Card. Cost for the license — $71, cash. They don’t take checks. However, there is a new pre-marital education program sponsored by the state of Texas called “Twogether in Texas” that is only $50. Take the class, and receive a $60 discount on your mar-riage license. Visit www.BeTheCham-pion.org, call 214.426.0900, or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

There’s one important detail you must not forget: a 72-hour waiting peri-od is required after the license is issued. Your license is good 30 days from that date. Good news — blood tests are not required in the tri-county area.

Most county clerks’ offices are open Monday through Friday. In downtown Dallas, hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The other Dallas, Collin and Tarrant County offices are open longer, un-til 4:30 p.m. Some sub-courts in Tar-rant County may close for lunch. Call ahead to make sure they’re open be-fore you make the trip. •

Placing wedding and engage-ment announcements is a piece of cake. Simply contact the paper(s) of your choice and request an an-nouncement form, e-mail them, fill it out online, or stop by in person. Com-plete the form and return it with a photograph (some papers print the bride’s picture only). Most newspa-pers prefer black-and-white glossies or high-resolution photos e-mailed to them.

Engagement announcements are usually short, listing only the names of the prospective bride and groom, their parents’ names and the wed-ding date. Pictures are sometimes published with engagement an-nouncements.

wedding announcements go into more detail, featuring the couple’s names, parents’ names and their city and state if they’re from out of town. Also listed are the church, wedding date and members of the wedding party. A photograph may be includ-ed at this time.

Information deadlines vary by publication. Engagement informa-tion may be required up to seven weeks in advance, while wedding announcements might be accepted up to a month or two after the cel-ebration. The dailies have more rigid deadlines. Contact each newspaper for specific deadlines.

THE MARRIAGE LICENSE:YOU CAN’T BE WED WITHOUT IT!

The hard part is almost over — the

wedding PapersThe big announcement! Here’s how to get your big news in the papers and get that all-important document — your marriage license!


follow.The bachelor/bachelorette party

has long been regarded as the last great fling before the fun is over for-ever. Today’s couples don’t regard marriage and family as the end of freedom, but the beginning of a re-lationship that is its own fulfillment. Re-lationships of commitment change one’s perspective on many facets of life. A bachelor or bachelorette party that everyone feels comfortable dis-cussing and participating in, is a part of that commitment.

Throughout marriage there will be many times that couples see things differently—even vehemently differ-ently. use this as an opportunity to find a compromise that is mutually acceptable and that sets a pattern for discussion instead of arguing.•

become the traditional party each year, even after everyone is married!

An outing (prearranged with in-struction) at a skeet range provides an opportunity for camaraderie and, later, greatly exaggerated stories of shooting prowess, even if no one has ever shot before.

If the bachelor party takes place the day before the wedding, it might start with a trip to the tuxedo shop where any last-minute alterations could be made while there’s still time before the big day. After ensuring their fit, the men are off to the golf course while the store manager arranges for the tuxedos to be delivered directly to the hotel or the groom’s home.

Your bridesmaids will enjoy a day at the spa for some long-overdue pampering. Cap it off with a light lunch or early dinner at your favorite food spot.

For the more active ladies, plan a golf outing, a day of shopping at an outlet mall, or tickets to a live theatre show or comedy club. Make it extra special by hiring a limousine to deliver your party in a safe manner.

The worst time for a bachelor or bachelorette party is the night before the wedding. Everyone needs to be at their best for the big day, without worrying about headaches, lack of sleep or a queasy stomach. Plan the parties several days or weeks ahead. If all the participants live in the same city, the weekend before is a perfect time. If travel plans preclude “getting that old gang together” until the day before, all the more reason for an af-ternoon outing that leaves everyone ready for the rehearsal and dinner to

Event planners and wedding co-ordinators will be a big help in gener-ating ideas, making contacts and set-ting up reservations for those trendy dinner and entertainment spots for the bachelor and bachelorette par-ties. Ask them to contact your maid of honor and best man to coordinate your parties. Then sit back and be sur-prised.

A day at the races or attending a professional football, basketball or baseball game is a natural for a men’s outing. If the man in your life is more of a doer than a watcher, a day at the golf course might be in or-der. Friends might meet for breakfast, head for the golf course, and enjoy lunch and a party at the “19th” hole. They might arrange for the golf pro to play with them, helping everyone with their game. This could tie in with the ladies spending an afternoon of pampering at a sauna or salon fol-lowing their own golf game, or on the tennis court.

A more mature groom might en-joy a gentlemen’s night at a wonder-ful restaurant. A “tasting” of scotch, wines, or cordials might be arranged with the maitre d’. Some restaurants have a private room, allowing for ci-gars, preselected by the groom for each of his guests. Perhaps friends and other members of the wedding party might meet to finish the evening with dancing and a nightcap.

For the ultimate “bachelor” get-together, a weekend spent at a cabin for fishing, card playing, and reminiscing about the “good ol’ col-lege days” is hard to beat. The boys might have so much fun that it could

Party Time!Finally! The details have all been taken care of. now, it's time to relax and have some fun. Bachelor and bachelorette parties are designed to send off the bride and groom into their new lives with one last outing. Get your wedding party to plan the time of your life with creative outings and entertainment.

Fun favor ideas from Sticky Candy Co.


father you need practice walk-ing on his arm to the music, giv-ing him a chance to get used to it, too. Elaborate wedding walks are unpopular today, but a lovely bride will want to have an aura of confidence about her ability to float down the aisle to the music she has chosen.

Select a processional march that’s joyous, yet dignified. Your recessional music should be live-lier in tempo — after all, you’ve just been married!

RECEPTION CONSIDERATIONSMusic sets the mood for your

reception—consider your selec-tions carefully. You might have

ganist, clergy, choir director or bridal coordinator in making mu-sical decisions.

Your ceremony might feature an organist, pianist, harpist, string or woodwind quartet, or vocal performers. The musical program should begin 15 to 30 minutes be-fore the ceremony, as guests ar-rive.

At the rehearsal, you may want to spend a little time practicing walking to the music you have chosen. wedding music is high-ly emotional, and many brides have cried their way to the altar because of the sudden effect the music has had on them. It might also be a good idea to tell your

At countless wedding cer-emonies, Clarke’s “Prince of Den-mark’s March” or wagner’s “The Bridal Chorus’’ (“Here Comes The Bride’’) is the processional song of choice. Mendelssohn’s “wed-ding March” from A Midsummer night’s Dream or Handel’s “Horn-pipe in D” from water Music Suite is often played during the reces-sional. It’s tradition, right?

not always. The type of music played at your wedding is a mat-ter of personal choice. while there may be some restrictions due to religious considerations, there is an abundance of music appro-priate to any style of ceremony. Enlist the aid of your church or-

Musical notes Set your wedding-day memories with your wedding music and relive those special moments every time you hear “your song.”

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Stradivarius String Quartet972.949.4111

www.stradivariusmusic.com

Comprised of full-time professional musicians from the area’s majorsymphony orchestras, Stradivarius String Quartet offers artistry andcommitment to quality, as well as a well-rounded repertoire from Bach toblues. The timbre of this string quartet will add a classic elegance to yourspecial day.

PHOTO

BY ROBIn

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mood of your party.Inform the band manager

whom to contact at the recep-tion site so they can check out the facilities ahead of time for acoustics, lighting arrangements, etc. If you’re planning an outdoor reception, decide where the par-ty will move in case of rain.

Don’t leave any of the details to chance or memory—write them down in a contract. Your contract with the band should include the date, time, location, set-up time, number and length of sets, payment, overtime fees, cancellation and postponement policies, musicians’ attire, and any special considerations.

If live entertainment doesn’t fit into your reception plans, con-sider hiring a professional disc jockey. These entertainers can provide a great variety of music, from rock & roll to waltzes, usually at a lower cost than a live band. Many disc jockeys can also pro-vide lighting effects and act as a master of ceremonies.•

Make sure the group can ac-commodate your personal pref-erences. Indicate songs you’d like played during special mo-ments. You might request one of the groom’s favorite tunes as the wedding party sits down to din-ner. Music is also played during the cake cutting, when the bride’s bouquet and garter are tossed, and to signal that it’s time for the bride and groom to leave.

You should expect a profes-sional attitude and appearance in the musicians you hire. Ask if one of the band members can act as master of ceremonies, if you need one. Determine how long the band plays and learn how many breaks they will take. Make sure they can provide re-corded music during breaks.

From setting up the musical equipment to tearing it back down, the band will spend four to six hours at your reception, and they will get hungry. It’s custom-ary to provide them with refresh-ments—sandwiches and non-alcoholic beverages, or a plate from the buffet. A happy band contributes greatly to the festive

a DJ spinning discs, or a jazz mu-sician tickling the ivories. A 30-piece orchestra or a rowdy rock band might play “your song.”

Just remember to feature a variety of music—slow romantic numbers as well as rousing dance tunes.

Music should entertain both younger and older guests. Plan some selections for dancing, others just for listening. The band shouldn’t be so loud as to hinder conversation.

At a small wedding, a pianist or jazz trio is a good choice. A “wed-ding band” is a popular choice—they’re trained to play to all dif-ferent age groups.

when interviewing musicians, find out the size of the group, in-struments played, and whether or not they feature vocalists. Ask to see a current song list. You’ll want to have a large variety of music to choose from, including selec-tions from the following catego-ries: Top 40, showtunes, ballads, rock & roll, and country. If pos-sible, catch the band in a live situ-ation for a sneak preview of their performance style.


list, put together your announce-ment list, if you are planning to send announcements. This list should in-clude acquaintances not invited to the wedding with whom you wish to share the good news. neither an invi-tation nor announcement requires a gift — feel free to send them to every-one. Order about 50 extra envelopes to allow for addressing mistakes.

PAPER AND PRINTINGwhile handwritten invitations are

appropriate for a small ceremony — 50 guests or less — for a larger wed-ding, you’ll want printed invitations. A classic formal invitation is printed or engraved on the top page of a fold-ed sheet of white or off-white paper. A small inner envelope, ungummed and unsealed, encloses the invita-tion or announcement. This is placed inside a larger envelope which is ad-dressed and stamped.

Add a personal touch to your invi-tations using translucent or shiny pa-per, colored ink or a special border. If you select colored ink, use the same shade to address the envelopes. Se-lect someone with beautiful hand-writing, perhaps a professional callig-rapher, to address envelopes or write invitations.

Order invitations and announce-ments at least three months before the wedding to allow time for print-ing, addressing and mailing. Engrav-ing may take longer. Have the enve-lopes delivered early for addressing ahead of time.

ADDRESSINGCompose a master list on index

cards; make sure all names and titles are spelled correctly. Address all invi-tations by hand, in blue or black ink; never use a computer.

The only abbreviations used are Mr., Mrs., Ms. and Jr. Most elected officials are addressed as The Hon-orable; the clergy as The Reverend Father, Pastor or Rabbi; and high-ranking military personnel as Com-mander, Colonel, etc. A single wom-an, even a child, is addressed as Miss

Another option: divide the guest list into three sections. The groom’s fam-ily, the bride’s family and the bridal couple each invite a third. As a rule of thumb, expect about three-fourths of those invited to attend.

Invitations should be sent to your wedding officiant and spouse, your fi-ancé’s immediate family, and mem-bers of your wedding party and their parents. You are not obligated to in-vite companions for single friends on your list.

If you do wish to invite the friend or fiancé of a single guest, ask for that person’s name and address and send a separate invitation. If the couple lives together, mail a joint invitation, as you would for a married couple.

while drawing up your invitation

As with every aspect of planning a wedding, traditional guidelines exist for wording, paper and engraving of wedding invitations and announce-ments. Many couples, however, come up with informal and creative variations.

A very formal wedding still com-mands the use of very proper wording engraved on thick, creamy paper. A less formal celebration might call for pastel ink on parchment.

THE GUEST LISTAfter you’ve decided on a bud-

get and the number of guests to in-vite, ask your fiancé and his family to make up their list. Let them know how many you hope they’ll invite. normal-ly, each family invites half the guests.

Intriguing InvitationsA wedding invitation peeking out of the mailbox is always a pleasant sight. Make sure your message expresses the warmth and happiness you wish to share with your guests.

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Invitation from My Invitation Lady


Invitationby Pear Tree Greetings

in a public or historic place. Engraved cards may be enclosed with the invi-tations, to be presented at the door for admittance. For other types of enclosures you may wish to ask your printer, stationer or wedding consul-tant.

WEDDING PROGRAMSA program is extremely helpful in

guiding your guests through the cer-emony and is a wonderful memento of your wedding. It provides vital in-formation and might be an elabo-rate booklet, a calligraphy-inscribed scroll, or a preprinted wedding bulle-tin with your wedding service photo-copied inside.

ANNOUNCEMENTSnormally, announcements are not

mailed to anyone who has been in-vited to the wedding. But they may go out after an intimate ceremony for family only, after an elopement, or a wedding so far away that many people could not attend. Business as-sociates with whom the couple work day-to-day might also receive an-nouncements. (Remember, no one receiving an announcement need feel obligated to send a gift.)

Printing and paper for the an-nouncements are the same as for in-vitations. Announcements should be addressed like invitations and, when-ever possible, mailed out immediate-ly after the ceremony.•

Thank-You notes

So many people will make your

wedding-day dreams come true:

your family, friends, co-workers

and wedding professionals. what

better way to single them out for

their hard work than to send a

heart-felt “thank you.”

Choose formal thank-you notes

for both of you, since your groom

will be writing thank-you cards

as well. Your note paper may be

engraved with your new address,

in which case you could use it af-

ter the wedding. City and state

names are printed out in full with

no abbreviation. A street number

may be spelled out or shown in

numerals. Stationery imprinted

with your married name or initials

is never used until after the wed-

ding.

One final, important reminder

to help your wedding run smooth-

ly: make sure each piece mailed

has sufficient postage. It would be

terribly embarrassing if your invita-

tions and thank-you notes were

returned by the post office! •

or Ms. Young boys are addressed as Master. Try to avoid nicknames or ini-tials. Spell out streets, cities and states in full, and don’t forget zip codes.

If several members of a family are invited, avoid using the phrase “and family.” You want each person to feel the invitation is meant especially for them. On the inner envelope, include the name of each child invited:

Mr. and Mrs. SmithSam and Charlie

Adult members of a family should receive separate invitations, wheth-er or not they live with their parents. Send one joint invitation to two broth-ers or two sisters living at the same ad-dress.

Invitations should be mailed four to six weeks before the ceremony. Two months is courteous if you plan to marry during the holidays.

Allow people time to consider your invitation and word their replies. Depending upon the formality of your invitation, they’ll respond with formal written acceptances or regrets, infor-mal notes, phone calls or response cards.

If you haven’t had a response from a guest two weeks before the wed-ding, call and check. when each invitation is accounted for, tell your caterer how many guests to expect.

Formal announcements, created in the style of your invitation, should be mailed the day of the wedding or immediately afterward if you plan to send them. Ask a bridesmaid or family member to do this if you don’t have time.

KEEPING TRACKAs soon as your invitations are

sent, you’ll begin receiving calls and notes from guests, saying they can hardly wait. Promptly record who’s coming, and who won’t be able to attend. Allow space in your filing sys-tem to describe gifts received, and make a notation when a thank-you note is sent.

SPECIAL ENCLOSURESEnclosures are printed in the same

style as the invitation itself. At-home cards may be enclosed with formal invitations, but are usually sent with announcements. These are small cards informing everyone of your new address and the date you’ll be ready to receive mail and visitors there.

Ceremony cards are sent if there’s a chance that uninvited persons may try to attend, or if the wedding is held


Wedding Shop

Gown: Oleg Cassini CollectionAvailable at David’s Bridal, in Stores Only


Wedding Shop

dates are March 9, 2014, and September 7, 2014.

The 3rd annual Las Coli-nas Bridal Show is coming up on January 5, 2014, at the new Irving Convention Center, with more than 100 quality wedding businesses.

The 17th annual Fort Worth Bridal Show will take place on February 23, 2014, at the Fort Worth Conven-tion Center, with more than 100 quality wedding busi-nesses.

Stunning fashion shows will take place at these shows. Lots of incredible door prizes will be given away, includ-ing a beautiful diamond ring from Dallas Gold & Silver, and more! Make plans for your wedding day at these amazing bridal events, where all of your wedding dreams come true!

For more information about the shows, call Bridal Shows, Inc. at 972.713.9920, or visit them online at www.bridalshowsinc.com. Adult tickets can be purchased online at www.bridalshows-inc.com. Also view “Tips For The Bride — What To Do At A Bridal Show” on their web-site. Visit bridalshowsinc on facebook.

See ad on page 20 and editorial on page 21.

Spend your time where it matters, at Lakeside Market Plano. For more information, please visit www.Lakeside-MarketPlano.com.

See ad on page 9.

Bridal Shows BRIDAL SHOWS, INC.

Every bride will want to attend the 25th annual Dal-las Bridal Show on January 25-26, 2014, at Dallas Mar-ket Hall! Known as the most beautiful bridal show and the third largest bridal show in the U.S., the Dallas Bridal Show will help every bride plan her complete wed-ding with more than 350 quality wedding businesses, including photographers, gowns, tuxedos, cakes, ca-terers, reception halls, ho-tels, restaurants, musicians, videographers, DJs, florists, invitations, limos, wedding planners and designers, photobooths, formal bead-ed attire, travel and cruises, clubs and resorts, bridal reg-istries, jewelry, cosmetics, nails, balloons, rentals, chi-na, gifts, bridal publications, and much more! Future show dates are July 26–27, 2014.

The 24th annual Plano Bridal Show will take place on September 8, 2013, at the Plano Centre, with more than 100 quality wedding businesses. Future show

Bridal Salons and Other Wedding Merchants LAKESIDE MARKET

Lakeside Market is a pre-mier luxury lifestyle center, located at Preston Road and Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. They offer the ul-timate open-air, upscale shopping experience amidst scenic plazas and tree-lined boulevards. Discover one-of-a-kind treasures, unique gifts, signature cuisine, and superb service from their home furnishing stores, sa-lons, spas, specialty retail-ers, and restaurants. They include Bridal Collections by Stella, Jalin Jewelers, Beaux Arts Photography, Petals, A Florist, Paper Affair, Corner Wines, PFamily Arts, Luxe Salon, Renee Rouleau, Pra-naa Ayurveda Spa, The Bar Method, Fitness Together, GNC, Utopia, City Salon & Suites, Castle Nail Spa, The Boardroom, Ziziki’s, Japon Steakhouse & Sushi, Mi-gnon, Mi Cocina, Breadwin-ners, Capriotti’s, Sea Breeze Fish Market, Starbucks, The Purple Cow, Texadelphia, Taverna Rossa, Weir’s Fur-niture Village, The Consign-erie, Sur La Table, Designing Windows, ICE Fine Eyewear, Gracie Gym, KJ Dance, Edward Jones, Allegiance Title, Steinway Hall, Pickles & Ice Cream, Cat & The Fiddle, and Posh Petunia.

The Wedding Shop Your comprehensive guide to merchants in the wedding world.


Wedding ShopEntertainment STRADIVARIUS STRING QUARTET

As you plan for your wed-ding, you’ll want to use only the highest quality experi-enced professionals, and your musical needs are no exception. Stradivari-us String Quartet has per-formed hundreds of wed-dings and receptions in a variety of settings with a va-riety of music.

Comprised of full-time professional musicians from the area’s major Sympho-ny Orchestras, Stradivarius String Quartet offers artistry and commitment to qual-ity, as well as a well-round-ed repertoire from Bach to blues. The timbre of the string quartet, considered by renowned composers to be the highest form of mu-sical expression, will add a classic elegance to your special day.

Whether you choose to have Stradivarius String Quartet play everything, or if you would like to comple-ment the group with other instruments or singers, al-low them to assist you in selecting the perfect mu-sic and the perfect musi-cians for your ceremony or reception. For more in-formation on the group as well as a quote of their competitive rates, please

call 972.949.4111 or visitwww.stradivariusmusic.com.

See editorial on pages 12 and 65.

GuestAccommodations COOPER HOTEL, CONFERENCE CENTER & SPA

972.386.0306 or 800.444.5187; Dallas

www.cooperhoteldallas.com

See ad on page 71 and editorial on pages 12, 32, 38, 51, and 58.

Party Rentals TAYLOR’S RENTALS

Taylor’s Rentals is one of the largest rental facilities in Fort Worth. Their showroom features a wide variety of wedding and reception items: fountains, silverware, glassware, arches, linens, candelabras, and even cribs for your out-of-town guests.

Planning a wedding has never been so easy. Taylor’s has everything you need to put together a complete wedding and reception without the hassle of store-to-store shopping. The dedi-cated and friendly staff will assist you with all your rental needs. Taylor’s offers pickup and delivery of equipment to your location. Whether your function is indoors or outdoors, they have the

items you’re looking for at a price you can afford.

Taylor’s is located near the Arts District of Fort Worth at 220 University Drive. Call 817.332.5258 or visit www.trectx.net for more information.

See editorial on page 2.

Reception &Rehearsal Dinner Sites COOPER HOTEL, CONFERENCE CENTER & SPA

Your special day deserves a special place. At Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa, their lush 30-acre grounds provide a beauti-ful setting for your wedding or reception. Their experi-enced wedding coordina-tor will provide the personal touches and detailed ser-vice to make your day what it should be...perfect.

They offer affordable wedding and reception packages, including beau-tiful outdoor sites by ponds and fountains, indoor facili-ties that hold up to 200, re-hearsal dinners and bridal luncheons, complimentarybridal suites, spacious ac-commodations with pre-ferred rates for guests,full-service catering, a full-service day spa, compli-mentary parking and Wi-Fi, a complimentary three-month membership to Cooper Fit-


Wedding Shop

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• Outdoor & indoor facilities

• Rehearsal dinners & bridal luncheons

• Luxurious guestrooms

• Full-service day spa

• Full-service catering with the option

to provide your own bar

• Complimentary bridal suite

• Experienced wedding coordinator

Our beautiful grounds are the perfect settingfor your wedding or reception.

AT CO O P E R H OT E LLO CAT E D AT CO O P E R A E RO B I C S C E N T E R

12230 PRESTON ROAD | DALLAS, TX 75230972.386.0306 | COOPERHOTELDALLAS.COM

C A L L T O S C H E D U L E A T O U R T O D A Y !

ness Center for the bride and groom, and the option to provide your own bar.

Take a tour of Cooper Hotel, located at the world-famous Cooper Aerobics Center, and imagine the happiest day of your life. Call 972.386.0306 for avail-ability and pricing or visit www.cooperhoteldallas.com.

See ad on page 71 and editorial on pages 12, 32, 38, 51, and 58.

COYOTE RIDGE GOLF CLUB

Coyote Ridge Golf Club completed construction of a new 26,000-square-foot

clubhouse in January 2007. This seven-million-dollar, state-of-the-art facility is brought to you by the club’s new owner, Sam Moon Trad-ing Company of North Dal-las. The retailing giant has spared no expense in mak-ing Coyote Ridge the finest golf and reception destina-tion in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

The natural waterfall just outside the Grand Ballroom provides the perfect back-drop for your wedding cer-emony or reception pho-tographs. Continue your celebration inside its spa-cious and elegant reception hall overlooking the rolling hills of the award-winning

golf course.Their Executive Chef will

personally design a dinner menu especially for your event, and the staff will pro-vide you and your guests with unsurpassed service and irresistible cuisine.

There are so many details to plan, and they can help you from start to finish. From decorations, floral arrange-ments, music, limousine ser-vice, ice sculptures to much more, their objective is to ensure that this tremendous-ly important moment of your life remains as stress-free and joy-filled as possible. Leave the details to them and rest


Wedding Shop

prominently throughout thehotel, including in the pre-function area and outdoor sculpture garden.

Our chef and culinary team have created a va-riety of delectable menus and wedding packages, and are on hand to cus-tomize details for the per-fect plate. From receptions to buffets to formal seated dinners, we offer delicious catering options to suit any palate.

Guests can relax in com-fort in our 125 elegant guest rooms, and our complimen-tary guest shuttle serves destinations within a five-mile radius of the hotel.

To learn more and begin planning your event, call 972.792.9393, or visit www.dallasrichardson.hgi.com.

See editorial on page40.

THE HYATT PLACE DALLAS/GARLAND

The Hyatt Place Dallas/Garland and the Firewheel Conference Center is con-veniently located in the Dallas northeast suburb of Garland on the President George Bush Highway, easily accessible from both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field Air-port. They are located in the prestigious Firewheel

rooms with group discounts,and more. For more infor-mation, visit www.dallas-duncanville.hgi.com or call 972.283.9777.

See ad on page 77 and editorial on pages 40, 52, and 59.

HILTON GARDEN INN DAL-LAS/RICHARDSON

The Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Richardson is a full-service experience in a boutique setting. This award-winning hotel is a premiere north Dallas desti-nation for all your wedding needs, including venue, caterer, and luxury guest accommodations.

Experience the wedding of your dreams in more than 3,000 square feet of flexible banquet space. Our Prairie Creek Ballroom accommodates up to 200 guests, and features a vari-ety of event set-ups, which includes lighting, a dance floor, and A/V capabili-ties. A spacious, private pre-function area is per-fect for buffet set-up and additional event seating. The hotel’s restaurant, bar, lounge, and outdoor ter-race are ideal for intimate events and cocktail re-ceptions. Additionally, the hotel’s extensive, on-site art collection is displayed

assured that your recep-tion will create memories for a lifetime. Coyote Ridge Golf Club is located at 1640 W. Hebron Pkwy in Carrollton. See www.coyoteridgegolfclub.com and call 972.395.0786 for more information.

See ad on page 3 and editorial on pages 39 and 55.

HILTON GARDEN INN DAL-LAS/DUNCANVILLE

Whether planning re-hearsal dinners, weddings ceremonies and receptions or even honeymoon stays, in-the-know brides have learned that at Hilton Gar-den Inn, they can have the same on-site banquet halls, delicious food, and atten-tive service for a greater value. You can count on them to make your event a success.

Their in-house catering offers menu options de-signed to help you create a delicious and memorable event in your personal style. And the meal is just one of the many ways they’re committed to make your event just right.

Take advantage of their online planning tips and tools to create a person-alized web page for your event, get great rates on


Wedding Shop

the most refined finishes of any facility of its kind.

Their exceptionally well-appointed grand ballroom is located on the top level of the convention center and provides a wealth of pre-function space, with south and east vistas to the Dallas skyline. With a capacity of over 1,200 for a plated din-ner and the flexibility to in-timately seat less than 200, the Irving Convention Cen-ter can easily accommo-date weddings of all sizes.

Perfectly situated on 40 acres in the heart of Irving’s Las Colinas Urban Center and in the center of Dal-las/Fort Worth, the conven-tion center’s location offers

dent George Bush Highway, Garland, TX 75040. Call 972.414.3500 to book your event, or visit HyattPlaceD-allasGarland.com.


IRVING CONVENTION CEN-TER AT LAS COLINAS

The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas repre-sents the innovative future of meetings and events. With almost 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space, the building’s uniquearchitecture, vertical de-sign, and interior finishes create a new niche in the marketplace. You’ll discov-er outdoor terraces, conver-sational seating areas and

area, and the hotel is min-utes from the world-class shopping, golf, and family fun of Firewheel Town Cen-ter Mall, the 63-hole Fire-wheel Golf Club, and the Hawaiian Falls Water Park.

Your wedding guests will enjoy 42” flat-panel HDTV, the Hyatt Grand Bed™, complimentary Wi-Fi, and continental breakfast. They offer more than 15,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a 7,632-square-foot ballroom. Theirstaff is always available to ensure everything goes ex-actly the way you want. Be-cause when it does, great happens. The Hyatt Place is located at 5101 North Presi-


Wedding Shoptels. For more information, please call 214.528.0032 or visit www.theoldwarsaw.com.

The Old Warsaw Restau-rant is located at 2610 Ma-ple Avenue, next to Maple Manor Hotel in the heart of Uptown Dallas.


PLANO CENTREWith 122,500 square feet

of event space, Plano Cen-tre offers a flexible layout for your dream wedding. From the bridal shower to the re-ception, Plano Centre has the ability to host it all!

The beautifully land-scaped courtyard is a mag-nificent setting for your wedding ceremony, and 17 additional rooms can be configured to meet any size or style. For large receptions, Collinwood Hall can pro-vide seating for up to 1,400 guests. More intimate re-ceptions can take place in the Windhaven Ballroom for 200 guests, looking out into the gorgeous courtyard. Their professional event co-ordinators can assist you in all of your planning needs from room setup to catering and beverage services.

Located at 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano Cen-tre is just two blocks east of Highway 75 and is close to a variety of Plano hotels.

for your grand entrance. This area seats 120 of your guests. French doors lead to a glassed-in conservatory. Catering is provided by The Old Warsaw.

The Maple Manor Hotel has six suites that are deco-rated in the late 1800’s motif, reflecting French, American and Italian themes. Their wedding packages include one complimentary night in a bridal suite.

The Maple Manor Hotel assures personalized service and is wheelchair-acces-sible. It is located at 2616 Maple Avenue in Dallas. Please call 214.871.0032. Visit them at www. t h e m a p l e m a n -orhotel.com or e-mail them at [email protected].

See ad on page 1 and editorial on pages 42, 48, and 49.

THE OLD WARSAW RESTAURANT

Since 1948, its rich, old-world atmosphere hasmade it a favorite for wed-ding celebrations. With five private areas, the entire fa-cility seats approximately 300 people. The nearby gar-den is also available for out-side wedding ceremonies. Complimentary transpor-tation is available for your guests staying in area ho-

prime access to everything there is to see and do in North Texas. Irving boasts more than 75 hotels, rang-ing from budget to full-ser-vice, along with a grand selection of dining options, all within mere minutes of Dallas/Fort Worth Interna-tional Airport. To view more information and photos, visit www.irvingconventioncen-ter.com.

See ad on page 5 and editorial on pages 41 and 50.

MAPLE MANOR HOTELBuilt in 1898, this turn-of-

the-century Victorian hotel is located in the heart of downtown Dallas. The re-cently added climate-con-trolled pavilion with dramat-ic architectural lighting and arched ceilings makes a wonderful spot for your wed-ding ceremony and recep-tion. This area will accom-modate up to 150 guests for a seated dinner. The pavil-ion is furnished with audio and video equipment.

A private, stone-walled garden boasts three wa-terfalls, two streams, flowers and fountains. It creates an elegant site for photographs and your intimate ceremo-ny or smaller reception.

In the original dining room area of the hotel, you may utilize the winding staircase


Wedding Shop

those with disabilities. Every glance includes touches of elegance, attributing to the perfect backdrop for pic-tures capturing those spe-cial moments.

The Boulevard offers reli-able, beautiful, and afford-able professional services for your event, including tables, comfortable chairs, house linens, a projector with large screen, and an event spe-cialist to assist you. From a baby shower to a business meeting, and everything in between, we promise a successful and memorable event. The Boulevard is lo-cated at 2010 N. Hampton

as, is a high-quality, premier venue for special events, accommodating the needs of a diverse group of clients. Housed inside of a unique, Spanish-style building with a beautiful courtyard and plenty of parking, The Bou-levard features stunning stained concrete floors, high-end fixtures, granite counter tops, a water fea-ture, two sets of restrooms, a full bar, and a lobby for a grand entrance.

Designed with style and functionality in mind, the floor plan accommodates multiple set-up arrange-ments for versatility, in-cluding easy access for

You can find a sense of ease when planning your wedding and reception at Plano Centre, as they have several packages to fit every bride’s budget. Please call 972.941.5840 and let them be at your service. To view more pho-tos, please visit their board on Pinterest at www.pinter-est.com/visitplano/plano-centre. For more informa-tion, visit their website at www.planocentre.com.


THE BOULEVARD EVENT CEN-TER

The Boulevard Event Cen-ter, located in DeSoto, Tex-

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Wedding Shopmatrimony, you will make your way into the rustic and elegant 9,000-square-footreception hall through the back stairs, unseen by all your guests, and then down the wood-crafted staircase as you are introduced asMr. and Mrs. for the first time in your lives. Upon coming down the staircase, you will be welcomed by all your guests into the rustic and el-egant open backdrop cre-ated by hardwood floors, open-beam trusses and white stone walls.

In addition to the beauti-ful scenery that is created for you on your special day, The Springs Events wants to make your day as easy as possible. To achieve this, TheSprings Events provides per-sonal payment plans, allows you to choose your own vendors, allows you a full 16-hour rental timeframe, and provides many other ameni-ties in the price of a Springs Events’ venue. For more in-formation, please visit www.thespringsevents.com.

See ad on page 11.

WAXAHACHIE CIVIC CEN-TER

Make your wedding daymemorable at the Waxa-hachie Civic Center. Con-veniently located at theintersection of I-35E and Highway 287, the center is within 25 minutes of the DFW

cast arched doors onto a white stone patio porch covered by a beautiful ga-ble. From the porch, you will see and hear the beau-ty that is created by The Springs Events’ signature water feature. You will walk onto a bridge, over a run-ning stream of water, and on towards the covered pa-vilion that sets the backdrop of one of the most importantevents of your life. After be-ing sealed together in holy

Rd #700, DeSoto, TX 75115. For more information please visit our website at www.theboulevardevents.com or call 972.224.5888 to arrange for a private tour of the fa-cility.


THE SPRINGS EVENTSRUSTIC ELEGANT EVENT VENUES

On your wedding day, imagine coming through beautifully engineered iron-


Wedding Shop

side is a long, wrap-around foyer, perfect for the pre- reception hors d’oeuvres and mingling. Once inside the 6,200-square-foot ball-room, you will be overcome by the expansive wooden dance floor and stage area, as well as the warmth of the room despite its size.

The professional, uni-formed service staff will as-sist you with any needs you may have. They provide and set up all the essen-tials, such as banquet-style round tables and chairs, el-egant bone china, glasses, tableware, linens, and nap-kins. The highly skilled chef employs a truly gifted cu-

food, and beverage for your ceremony/reception. Robson Ranch would be de-lighted to be the host of this chapter in your life’s most monumental occasions. The facilities at Robson Ranch have the capability of fitting your group with rooms com-fortable for 30 to 300 people. For a more intimate group, the classically ambient res-taurant may be the right fit, with a fireplace in every room and windows for walls. For the “more the merrier” personalities, the magnifi-cent clubhouse is settled at the highest point in Denton, allowing the most beauti-ful panoramic views and breathtaking sunsets. Just in-

Metroplex. The Waxahachie Civic Center has a 20,000-square-foot sub-dividing ballroom that seats up to 1,000 guests. The Crape Myrtle Room, showcased by elegant floor-to-ceiling win-dows throughout the room will be the highlight of your event. This opportune loca-tion makes the Waxahachie Civic Center the picture-perfect place for your event. From the wedding to the re-ception, our staff will work closely with each client to create a custom-tailored event that will exceed your expectations and leave you looking forward to plan-ning your next event with us. Whether a small private wedding or a large recep-tion, the Waxahachie Civic Center truly makes every event a special event.

The Waxahachie Civic Center is located at 2000 Civic Center Lane in Waxa-hachie, Texas. For more in-formation call 469.309.4040 or visit www.waxahachie-civiccenter.org.


WILDHORSE GRILL AT ROBSON RANCH

Congratulations on your engagement and upcom-ing wedding! With this grand occasion comes the grand responsibility of seeking out a location,


Wedding Shopsystem add the finishing touches for your wedding. A large private dressing room with makeup table and full-length mirrors is provided for the bride and bridesmaids. A separate dressing area for the groom and groomsmen is also provided.

Your reception in the ex-quisite Reception Room is a lovely way to greet and thank your guests for mak-ing your wedding day aspecial occasion. Lightedtrees, greenery, decorated candles and round, skirted tables with chairs provide an elegant atmosphere. The lights are on dimmers, allowing you to control the perfect setting for your re-ception. The skirted serving

rable day of your life.As you enter, you and your

guests will be greeted with a beautifully decorated en-try hall with a stunning stair-case leading to a balcony in the chapel. Once inside the professionally decorated chapel, which seats up to 200 guests, you will find white church pews adorned with greenery, flowers and bows. White Italian-glass chande-liers add beautiful elegance to your wedding. The altar area, breathtakingly lit by dozens of candles and pro-fessionally designed floral arrangements, offers you a picturesque setting for this special moment. A magnifi-cent antique grand piano and state-of-the-art sound

linary team. They will work with you to customize the perfect menu, all within your budget. Contact Rhett Hub-bard to schedule a time to meet and tour the grounds, and to have your ques-tions answered. For more information, contact Wild-Horse Grill at Robson Ranch at 940.246.1080, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.wildhorsegrill.net.


Wedding Venues GREEN OAKS WEDDING CHAPEL

Green Oaks Wedding Chapel, with its white stone exterior, offers you an elegant and romantic setting for the most memo-


Wedding Shop

assist in assuring your wed-ding is a complete success. For more information, call 972.723.7919 or visit www.midlothiancenter.com.


They partner with the best in the area for all of your heart’s desires. Whether it is a wedding planner, florist, caterer, DJ, band, photog-rapher, or baker, the cen-ter has several preferred partners that are ready to

tables are beautifully deco-rated with flowers, green-ery and candles, and set with silver serving platters, chaffing dishes, silver punch bowl and other lovely ap-pointments. A state-of-the-art sound system surrounds you and your guests with beautiful music for listen-ing or dancing. Green Oaks Wedding Chapel is locat-ed at 4115 SW Green Oaks Boulevard in Arling-ton. Please call metro 817.572.4300 for more in-formation or visit www. greenoaksweddings.com.


MIDLOTHIAN CONFERENCE CENTER

The Midlothian Confer-ence Center offers small-town hospitality in a spa-cious, state-of-the-art facility designed just for your event. Within the 39,000-square-foot facility, they combine the best of technology with outstanding personal ser-vice by their experienced staff. The meeting spaces can accommodate groups from as small as a handful, to more than 1,000. Weddings are a dream come true in Midlothian. Along with pro-viding beautiful spaces, the Midlothian Conference Center offers a wide vari-ety of decorations, dance floors, table linens, locations for photographs, and more.


Wedding ShopDirectory of Online Advertisers For more information on these wedding professionals, visit www.brideandgroom.com!

APPAREL NOVIAMORAU.COM

ALL-INCLUSIVE WEDDINGS MK Travel, Inc. You Deserve It! Vacations

BABYSITTING Black-Tie Babysitting

BEAUTY/SPA Carol Short, Independent Mary Kay Sales DirectorFace of Cilla

BRIDAL SALONS & TUXEDOS, BRIDAL ALTERATIONS Distinct Elegance Bridal BoutiqueMargo Bridal AlterationsNoviamorau.comProvidence Place Bridal Boutique at The HarborThe Dress List.com

BRIDAL SHOWERS & LUNCHEONS Nuvo RoomThe Grand Hall at North Richland Hills Centre Walters Wedding Estates

BRIDAL SHOWS Fleur de Lis Bridal ProductionsPosh Bridal ShowsSoiree Bridal Shows

ENTERTAINMENT 4HarpMusic.comCarol Marks Music Entertainment Agency

GUEST LODGING Embassy Suites Dallas near the GalleriaHampton Inn Dallas/Las ColinasHoliday Inn Express-FriscoWalters Wedding Estates

HONEYMOONS & DESTINATION WEDDINGS MK Travel, Inc.You Deserve It! Vacations

INVITATION SERVICES & CALLIGRAPHY Calligraphy by Angela

INVITATIONS The Red Experience, Custom Invitations and Event Design

OFFICIANTS & PREMARITAL COUNSELING 4Romantic Weddings.com

PARTY RENTAL Party On A Budget

PHOTOGRAPHY & GREEN SCREEN PHOTOS Triana Studios

QUINCEAÑERAS, BAR & BAT MITZVAHS Events by LNDThe Grand Hall at North Richland Hills CentreNuvo RoomOne Accord WeddingsSalli G Wedding & Special Event ConsultantWalters Wedding Estates

RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER SITES Addison Event Center Embassy Suites Dallas near the GalleriaNuvo RoomOccasions at Stone RiverSpecial Moments ChapelThe Grand Hall at North Richland Hills CentreWalters Wedding Estates

WEDDING & EVENT PLANNING Events by LNDOne Accord WeddingsSalli G Wedding & Event Coordinator Special Moments Wedding & Event PlanningThe Red Experience, Event DesignWrapped Around You Wedding & Event Planners

WEDDING VENUES & OUTDOOR WEDDINGS Addison Event Center Embassy Suites Dallas near the GalleriaJohn Knox Presbyterian ChurchMK Travel, Inc.Nuvo RoomOccasions at Stone RiverSpecial Moments ChapelThe Grand Hall at North Richland Hills CentreYou Deserve It! VacationsWalters Wedding Estates

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