Bride and Groom

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cover gown by sophia Tolliwww.sophiaTolli.comStunning New Gowns

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Display Until SeptemberVisit us online at

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Outdoor Event Planning Advice

Top Local Wedding & Reception Venues

Follow us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/brideandgroomdfw

Top 10 Ideas for Romance

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The Springs Events, Poetry Springs 972.210.9250; Poetry, TX

Waxahachie Civic Center 469.309.4040; Waxahachie

WildHorse Grill at Robson Ranch940.246.1080; Denton

WEDDing & EVEnt PlAnnErS En Pointe Weddings & Events817.909.2036; DFW

Salli G Wedding & Special Event Consultant 972.233.0976; DFW

Sue Kelson Events 972.447.8300; DFW

Wrapped Around You Wedding & Event Planners 214.543.6739; DFW

WEDDing VEnUES Cleburne Conference Center817.556.8860; Cleburne

Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa 972.490.9159; Dallas

Farmers Branch Historical Park972.406.0184; Farmers Branch

Green Oaks Wedding Chapel metro 817.572.4300; Arlington

Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville972.283.9777; Duncanville

Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Richardson972.792.9393; Richardson

Hyatt Place Dallas/Garland/Richardson 972.414.3500; Garland

Irving Convention Center 972.252.7476; Irving

Maple Manor Hotel 214.871.0032; Dallas

Midlothian Conference Center 972.723.7919; Midlothian

Plano Centre 972.941.5840; Plano

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

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


Waxahachie Civic Center469.309.4040; Waxahachie

WildHorse Grill at Robson Ranch 940.246.1080; Denton



Plano Centre972.941.5840; Plano

Taylor’s Rentals 817.332.5258; Fort Worth






rEcEPtiOn & rEhEArSAl DinnEr SitES Cleburne Conference Center817.556.8860; Cleburne




Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville 972.283.9777; Duncanville






Old Warsaw Restaurant 214.528.0032; Uptown Dallas




BEAUty/SPA/fitnESS Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.490.9159; Dallas

BriDAl ShOWErS & BriDAl lUnchEOnS Cleburne Conference Center817.556.8860; Cleburne

Midlothian Conference Center972.723.7919; Midlothian



BriDAl ShOWS Bridal Shows, Inc. 972.713.9920; DFW

Great Bridal Expo800.422.3976; DFW

Posh Bridal Shows469.554.8803; DFW

Signature Bridal Shows214.302.9997; DFW

Soiree Boutique Bridal Shows866.242.8078; DFW

EntErtAinmEnt Stradivarius String Quartet972.949.4111; DFW

gUESt AccOmmODAtiOnS Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa 972.490.9159; Dallas





PArty rEntAlS Taylor’s Rentals817.332.5258; Fort Worth

QUincEAñErAS, BAr & BAt mitzVAhS Cleburne Conference Center817.556.8860; Cleburne




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

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www.facebook.com/brideandgroomdfw 1

Begin your Happily Ever After at The Maple Manor Hotel

CEREMONIES | RECEPTIONS | REHEARSAL DINNERS | UP to 200 GUESTS

THEMAPLEMANORHOTEL.COMInside 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.

214-871-0032 | 2616 MAPLE AVENUE, UPTOWN DALLAS | [email protected]

Photo by Tracy Autem

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2 www.brideandgroom.com

Taylor’s RentalsFort Worth, 817.332.5258

www.trectx.net6 www.brideandgroom.com

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 I N W E D 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

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PUBLISHER/EDITORJudy Sindecuse Hayden

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVEMary Beth Fitzgerald

ART DIRECTORAllison Parkey

CONTRIBUTING EDITORPaul Conant

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSJ. A. Cox

Gloria GilpinArline HaydenDebbie HovisSaundra LohrJames Mach

Naomi MastrogiovanniLucinda Rogers

Dolores Sindecuse

FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES,CONTACT:

Mary Beth Fitzgerald972.418.9570 (Direct)

[email protected]

•PUBLISHED BY:

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

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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.

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Endless Love stars Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde in the story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy

whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart.

On Blu-ray™ and DVD May 27, 2014www.EndlessLoveMovie.com


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

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

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Margie gownDavid Tutera for Mon CheriMia gown by Christos, Spring 2015 collectionAvailable at Neiman Marcus

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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.

11ICC-WeddingAd_04sb.indd 1 10/26/11 3:39 PM

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8 WITH THIS RING

10 ENGAGEMENT ADVICE

12 ASk THE EXPERTS

14 REAL WEDDINGS: ANITA & SAJU

16 PICTURE PERFECT 17 GETAWAY GIVEAWAY

18 PLAN THE HONEYMOON OF A LIFETIME WITH HILTON WORLDWIDE’S NEW HONEYMOON REGISTRY PROGRAM

21 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Summer 2014 June • July • August

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

page 22


Cover

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22 FOUR SEASONS RESORTS LANAI COUNTS DOWN THE TOP 10 IDEAS FOR ROMANCE

26 THINGS TO DO

28 MEMBERS OF THE WEDDING

30 WEDDING WEAR

32 BEAUTIFUL BRIDES

33 PAMPERING PACkAGES

34 FINANCIAL MATTERS

36 OUTDOOR EVENT PLANNING

38 WEDDING VENUES

46 THINkING OF ORDERING YOUR WEDDING DRESS OFF The InTerneT? ThInk TwIce!

47 BRIDES, BEWARE OF ORDERING YOUR WEDDING GOWN ONLINE

49 RECEPTION & REHEARSAL DINNER SITES

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

Summer 2014 June • July • August

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page 14

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poor cut. The more informed you are about 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 insurance 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. •

of weight. A 25-point diamond can be re-ferred to as a stone that weighs 0.25 carats. 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

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

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.

Ring by Whitney Stern Jewelrywww.whitneystern.com

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Congratulations on your engagement! Should you be the recipient (or the deliverer) of the proposal question, there are a few things to keep in mind. Many people think that they can put together a wedding in the last couple of months before the wedding date. That’s re-ally not a good idea. Reason being, the most sought-after wedding vendors get booked up to 15 months in advance. If there is a particular vendor you want to incorporate into your wed-ding and reception, visit with them NOW, and get them booked. You’ll be happy that you se-cured their services for two reasons:

1) You have exactly who you want and won’t have to settle for who’s left over.

2) Once you have all your vendors booked, you get to relax more and focus on the small details of your big day. But also remember, dur-ing all this planning, your life is still going on. Don’t make the mistake that many make by los-ing focus of their job, home, family and friends just so you can plan your wedding. The soon-er you start, the better the chance of realizing your perfect wedding…just like you’ve always dreamed about. Don’t settle…go after what you really want! •

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

Savannah ReppartCooper Hotel,

Conference Center & Spa972.490.9159

www.cooperhoteldallas.com

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WHAT DO I NEED TO kNOW AbOuT pLANNING AN OuTDOOR WEDDING?Outdoor weddings are becoming increasingly popular. Brides must be aware that although very enchanting and beautiful, they aren’t as easy to plan as one may think. These are a few tips that will help you. 1) plan b: As we all know, Texas weather can be very unpredictable. Therefore, I always recommend having a back-up sheltered venue for your big day. 2) Invitations: On the invi-tation, inform your guests that you’re having an outdoor wedding so they can dress appropriately and be comfortable. 3) Catering: Let your caterer know it is an outdoor venue so they can prepare items that will keep well in the elements. 4) Don’t Invite the bugs: Be sure to have the grounds of your outdoor venue sprayed a few days and/or a few hours prior. And why not add a few citronella candles to your centerpieces? Candlelight is not only romantic and but also ef-fective. 5) Timing: Consider the sun’s location and sunset when setting the time of your ceremony and reception. If possible, arrange the seating setup so the sun is at your guests’ back instead of facing them. 6) power up: When planning an outdoor wedding, don’t forget the lights and power. Most outdoor spaces require a generator for power, and hiring a licensed electrician can help cre-ate a magical atmosphere with lighting under the trees or a tent.

IS IT NECESSARY fOR THE STRING quARTET TO ATTEND THE WEDDING REHEARSAL?Generally, it is not necessary for the quartet to attend the wedding rehearsal. An experienced string group can time selections throughout the ceremony to coordinate with entrances and exits, helping to create a smooth, seamless flow. At most, the leader of the quartet can attend the rehearsal, but this is only necessary for very complex ceremonies.

Stradivarius String Quartet972.949.4111

www.stradivariusmusic.com

Bethany Thomas, CWP En Pointe Weddings

www.enpointeweddings.com

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ALL MY fRIENDS AND WEDDING VENDORS SAY I SHOuLD HIRE A WEDDING pLAN-NER OR AT LEAST A DAY-Of COORDINATOR, EVEN THOuGH MY VENuE INCLuDES A COORDINATOR. WHAT’S THE DIffERENCE AND WHY SHOuLD I HIRE ONE? I say this from experience, as I’ve worked both as an on-site coordinator and as a wedding planner. The coordinator that the venue provides is there to make sure all services on the venue’s side go exactly as planned. They will monitor your catering timeline, check in your vendors, and help with set up. It is not their job, however, to coordinate with all other vendors or to handle personal issues with your wedding party and family. A planner, on the other hand, is meant to be at your “beck and call.” Look at it this way—whoever signs their paycheck will be where their loyalty lies.


See more experts at www.brideandgroom.com!

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO MAkE MY WEDDING GO WELL? Hire a wedding coordinator, either for the full preparation, or just the day of your wedding. Get professional vendors under contract; do not rely on friends. Make sure you have a microphone and a speaker for your ceremony, so guests can hear your vows. A timeline is important for everyone dealing with your wedding. The photo session after the ceremony should only last about 20 minutes because guests get anxious to see you at the reception. Have at least two or three cake boxes under the cake table to take extra cake home after the reception. Give the marriage license to the minister, and pay the minister in advance, because it may not be convenient to find your checkbook on the day of the wedding. Assign people to clean up, and to take the gifts home after the wedding. Do not count on friends; use professionals. PH

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

DO I HAVE TO uSE fLOWERS fOR MY bOuquET?Flowers were carried in earlier weddings for the fragrance. Brides can choose to carry anything or nothing. Several trends have surfaced over the years. A trend that is popu-lar right now: brooches. Brides are electing to use brooch-es from family, friends, and wherever they can find jewels to make their bouquet special. But you do not have to stop there: consider groom/groomsmen boutonnières, bridesmaids wrist corsages, flower girl brooch pomander, and special guest corsages. The list is endless. Whatever you choose, make it your own.

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

214.546.3345; www.wayevents.com

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HELp! WHAT DO I NEED TO kNOW AbOuT WRITING THANk YOu NOTES?Receiving a beautiful thank you note is a lost art…one that needs to return. When you receive a wedding gift, a nice note sent ex-pressing how you feel about that gift is greatly appreciated. Your guest took the time to choose a gift that you would enjoy, and they took pride in selecting your gift. Make your note personal and let your guest know how you felt about the gift—this will make them feel terrific! Purchase some gorgeous stationery along with a beautiful pen, and writing thank you notes will become a delight. I advise all my couples to finish their thank you notes within six weeks of the wedding. If you write 5–7 each night, you should be able to finish in time. Your guests will appreciate the time you spent on writing such a heartfelt note.Sue kelson

Sue kelson Events972.447.8300; www.suekelsonevents.com

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THE DATE: September 7, 2013

THE LOCATION: Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas

THEIR STORY: It was inevitable – sparks were going to fly. Fourth of July

shenanigans plus a few crazy friends almost always equal fireworks.

Anita and Saju first met at a dinner with mutual friends in the spring of 2012. Both secretly drooling over each other and too shy to say much more than “hi,” Anita and Saju left

that evening with shared disappointment thinking, “We’ll never see each other again.” Fortunately, two months lat-er, their paths crossed a second time—thanks to a crazy friend and some July 4th shenanigans.

Anita grew up in Oklahoma City and moved to Dallas in 2003. As for Saju, his roots are in Philly, but since 2000, his home is in Dallas.

Once they finally started talking, the two immediately clicked and easily became best friends. It didn’t take long for Anita and Saju to mutually realize the treasures each of them were looking for in a husband/wife had now been discovered. Besides being undeniably lovesick at first sight, with several shared common interests and core values, plus individual personality differences that somehow perfectly balanced each other out, it was obvious that they had each met The One.

The proposal was a surprise for Anita at Bass Performance Hall (which is her favorite building and where they had a few dates). Saju had arranged for his sister to take Anita out in Fort Worth. They ended up at Bass Performance Hall

Real Weddings: Anita & Saju

All PHOTOS By MIke TSeng STuDIOS


All PHOTOS By MIke TSeng STuDIOS

because his sister wanted a “tour” of the building. Saju was waiting on the balcony of Bass Performance Hall, ready to surprise Anita and propose. Afterwards, he arranged for family and friends to meet them for a surprise dinner at Reata.

For Anita and Saju, the most important aspects in choos-ing a wedding venue were guest capacity and accom-modations, menu options and food selection, flexibility, and connection with the venue staff.

“We could not have asked for a better experience,” said Anita. “The Irving Convention Center is not only a beautiful building, but offers a grand pre-function area, along with a perfectly sized ballroom that was absolutely ideal for our 750 guests.”

Anita also notes, “The catering was phenomenal—we are still getting compliments about the food! Most impor-tantly, the catering and event staff were amazing from the very beginning.”

The cake was three tiers, made by Stephanie Childs. The bottom two tiers were faux cakes and the top tier cake was chocolate, with a custom design that incorporated the In-dian theme requested by the bride and groom. The lOVe topper was a shout-out to Philly (Saju’s hometown).

Mike Tseng Studios, Dallas-based wedding photogra-pher, took all the photos. The bridal party was made up of their 6 best gals and 6 best guys.

The couple included a meaningful tradition in their re-ception, the milk ceremony, where the mothers bless their new son or daughter into the family by offering them milk (a sign of blessing).

The bride and groom sum it up best: “We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful experience. The emotions we felt, our first look at each other as husband and wife, the vows, the music, the surprise dances, the lip syncing, the slideshow, family and friends traveling from near and far, coming together to celebrate with us—it was all so spe-cial.” •


idly improving the image detail and color. There are other benefits to digital versus film cameras. not only can a photographer see immediately what the image will look like, he or she can correct the shot on-site as opposed to during the film-developing 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 personality 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 judg-ment and opinions you trust. Remember, you’ll be spending a lot of time with the “camera person” on your wedding day, relying on that person to capture those special moments.

When you meet with a photographer, view sample wedding albums to obtain a clear impression of the overall style in which the photographer covers a wed-ding. look for color, sharpness and detail of the photographs.

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

Obtain information on package sizes and prices, deposits, retouching charges, travel expenses and any other costs. Wed-ding packages can range from several hundred dollars to well into the thousands. Make sure everything you need is includ-ed 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 addi-tional 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 images that will be provided. When you meet with your photographer,

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come prepared with pertinent informa-tion regarding your wedding. It’s also helpful if the photographer knows the style, color and setting of the wedding so that the mood and the moment can be captured.

let your photographer know the size of your wedding party and with whom you would like to be photographed. It’s help-ful to designate a friend or relative to point out those special friends and relatives you want photographed during the recep-tion.

VIDEOGRAPHYOnce a mere stepchild of photogra-

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

The guidelines for selecting a videog-rapher parallel those for choosing a pho-tographer. The number one rule — use a professional! Don’t be tempted to take ad-vantage of your uncle Joe’s camcorder.

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

Make sure your videographer has top-notch audio-visual cameras and ed-iting equipment. your videographer must be experienced and well trained on the equipment.

Different audio techniques include the use of wireless remote microphones, 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 videog-rapher the technique best suited to your wedding location.

Ask to view DVDs of actual weddings 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, adequate light-ing and clear sound. The video should flow smoothly from scene to scene, with highlights fully covered to tell the whole wedding story. look for special effects, such as fades, wipes, dissolves, 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 music and titles, special effects, overtime and second cameras are additional. Obtain a con-tract including date, time, location, cost, equipment used, editing time, deposits and delivery date.

It’s so important to choose profession-als to record your wedding celebration. The expense is well worth the future returns. Preserving the memories 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 enjoy your memories for many years to come.•

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 documentation of the begin-ning of your new family will be cherished for future generations.

PHOTOGRAPHYBook your photographer at least six

months in advance to ensure availability for your wedding date. When choosing a photographer, there are several impor-tant things to remember.

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. 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 equipment on hand as back-ups in case of emergency.

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

Advances in digital cameras are rap-

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.



you’ve planned your dream wedding, but what about your dream honeymoon? The idea of simultaneously planning a wedding and honeymoon can become overwhelming, not to mention ex-pensive. What if you have no room in the budget to plan a honeymoon at all? Thankfully, Hilton Worldwide has launched Hilton Honeymoon Registry, making it easier than ever for newlywed couples to receive memorable travel experiences and accommodation upgrades as wedding gifts, because, unlike a salad spinner, toaster, or cutting board, memories last forever. From a couple’s massage in Maui, to snorkeling in Barbados, to cocktails in France, there is something for every couple. Hilton’s new registry program is here to make sure you and your new spouse have a hon-

eymoon that’s as memorable and gorgeous as your wedding.

Plus, honeymoon registries are a great solution for couples that already own household items or simply prefer travel over traditional wedding registry items.

GETTING STARTEDTo get started, just create a cus-

tomized Hilton Honeymoon Registry page at www.hhonors.com/regis-try. This page will serve as the home base for your perfect honeymoon trip. The site is easy to navigate and allows you the chance to view sample registries to spark ideas of what you can do during your vaca-tion. Once your page is created, you’ll want to spread the news to your guests so they can help build a honeymoon that’s full of special memories and once-in-a-lifetime experiences found only though

Plan the Honeymoon of a lifetime with Hilton Worldwide’s new Honeymoon Registry Program

travel. The registry program provides a

few options to help you announce your registry, including an e-mail wizard and complimentary registry announcement cards. In addition, Hilton Honeymoon Registry offers all customers a free wedding web-site where you can share updates on your big day and link directly to your registry.

PROGRAm FEATuRESAfter you’ve set up your page,

you’ll need to choose your destina-tion. With more than 100 properties to choose from in more than 25 countries, this might be one of your hardest planning decisions. The list includes participating Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, embassy Suites Hotels, and Hilton grand Va-

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cations properties. Whether you prefer an exotic beach destination such as Hilton Waikoloa Village or a slick urban locale like Waldorf Astoria new york, the possibilities are endless.

now, on to the exciting part—the gifts. each property features special ser-vices, amenities, upgrades, and expe-riences. your guests can contribute to your nightly stay, upgrade your accom-modations, purchase spa treatments, dinners, excursions, and more. How do you know if you’ve received a gift? you will receive an e-mail notice to view your gift Announcement that is com-pleted by the gift giver. you can also view your gift details at any time on your Dashboard (found on your customized registry page), used to manage your registry. guests can also post their gift announcement on your honeymoon registry under the Well Wishes section of your page.

There are two ways to receive gift payments from your guests: Trip Contri-bution and Resort Credit. Trip Contribu-tion funds will be transferred directly to you by check or bank transfer accord-ing to your preference and will be pro-cessed within 24 hours of your request. This option will vary by property. Resort Credit items will be transferred to your room account on property and can be used for any items that may be billed to your room while at the resort. you simply need your booking confirma-tion number in order to make changes or arrange for experiences that are not pre-scheduled. gifts that are processed as Resort Credit can be purchased up to seven days prior to your honeymoon date. Within seven days of your arrival date, purchased gifts will be handled as payment sent directly to you.

GET SOCIALyou have everything you need to

embark on the best honeymoon ever. If you have specific questions about Hilton Honeymoon, look no further than social media. Hilton Suggests serves as a Twitter honeymoon concierge to as-sist you prior to and during your stay on property. If you need help or have a question, simply tweet @HiltonSuggests for planning advice, recommendations and more.

HAPPY HONEYmOONFor more information about Hilton

Honeymoon Registry, visit www.hhonors.com/registry. •

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A secluded island in the Hawai-ian archipelago, lanai is the perfect setting for a romantic rendezvous. Whether one’s beloved desires a classic, pampered approach or fan-cies a more action-filled adventure, Four Seasons Resorts lanai has the recipe for romance.

Woo her or him with one of the following activities (our concierges are happy to play cupid) and to get the most out of a dreamy holi-day; stay three nights and enjoy a complimentary fourth night on la-nai. At Manele Bay, rates for the Stay Longer promotion start at $404 while The lodge at koele offers rooms from $254, valid July 6 – Sep-tember 30, 2014. And if love is tak-ing flight this minute, enjoy a special summer offer at Manele Bay—stay only two nights with the third night complimentary starting at $359 now through July 1, 2014.

Ride Off Into the Sunset – gal-lop away on a private adventure for two among the majestic Cook pines and alight upon sweeping vis-tas, captivating at sunset. Stop and sip champagne for two and catch a glimpse of Maui, Molokai, kahool-awe and maybe even the Big Island of Hawaii. lanai grand Adventures is your ticket into the sunset and can accommodate horseback riders of all levels. If promenading through town is preferred, enjoy a drive in a horse-drawn carriage; start from The lodge at koele and canter through lanai City and the romantic up-country scenery.

Dinner a Deux – Imagine the sun is just starting to set, twinkling candles and lanterns cast a rosy glow on the table set inside your own private greenhouse—The lodge at koele’s Orchid House. Sip a champagne cocktail and share a toast to the

Four Seasons Resorts lanaiCounts Down the Top 10 Ideas for Romance

moment. The wide variety of orchids provides a rich, colorful backdrop to a five-course customized tast-ing menu, perfect for an evening of radiant romance. Or romantics may look, or rather cook, no further than nobu lanai for an unforget-table evening in paradise. Cooked tableside using a sizzling lava rock sourced nearby, guests are invited to play chef for the night, and serve up flawless cuisine for each other with the nobu lava Rock experience. The hands-on culinary approach touches upon the key senses—from taste and touch to smell and sight, making sparks fly.

Love-ly Legends – Hike up to Puu Pehe (Sweetheart Rock) next to Hu-lopoe Bay at sunrise. legend has it that Pehe, the wife of a lanai war-rior, died and her heartbroken hus-band buried her at the top of Puu Pehe then jumped from the 80-foot summit to the surf below, unable to bear his sorrow.

It’s Not Far Down to Paradise – Sail away into the Hawaiian sunset for a journey filled with romance. Trilogy excursion’s 51-foot sailing catama-ran will carry couples across the wa-ters to find tranquility as the sun dips


into the ocean—light appetizers, cocktails and more make for a most memorable evening.

In-Pagoda Dining – The lodge at koele inspires romance from cozying up near wood-burning fireplaces in the great Hall to taking in a sunset from your private lanai. Start the day in a romantic way—preorder break-fast ‘in-pagoda’ instead of in-room and enjoy a romantic repast set for two overlooking the reflecting pond and lush landscape of the gardens surrounding the resort.

Love Potion Number Lanai – Why not create a lasting memory of a romantic getaway by crafting a be-spoke fragrance? Melanguer Jaana Roth of the Spa at Manele guides couples to design a made-to-mea-sure perfume. The demi-blends are by Ajne, a boutique perfumer fea-turing natural fragrances favored by many in the Hollywood set. Through a customized olfactory question and answer session, couples narrow down their aromas of choice from a selection of more than 200 scents, choose bottle size and shape, and then the blending begins. His and hers or a blend built for two, the scent will evoke a romantic holiday long after the plane has landed.

Take a Dole Stroll – Meander around Dole Park, named after the company whose lanai plantation supplied the world with pineapples. A charming village square lined with towering Cook pines, planta-tion buildings house general stores, restaurants, art galleries, clothing boutiques and more. get a coffee or fresh pressed juice, sit in the park

with a sweetheart and just enjoy each other’s company together.

Capture the moment – In canvas that is, and commission a sketch or painting by local artist Mike Carroll. Mike moved from Chicago to lanai to pursue his life-long passion for art and nature, and his original oil paint-ings and prints celebrate Hawaii and invite the viewer to explore her enchanting beauty. Couples can share a favorite romantic spot or send in a photo to commemorate their visit and take home a unique remembrance of a special time to-gether.

Wine & Nine – Who says compro-mise can’t also be fun? everyone wins with the new Wine and nine program at Manele Bay! First, head out to the Manele golf Course af-ter 3 p.m. for the Ocean back nine.

grab a putter or go along for the ride and check out the most scenic (we think!) nine holes in the world. Then, make your way to VIeWS, the new clubhouse restaurant, and catch the sunset while enjoying a bottle of wine, light snacks and the amazing views of Puu Pehe (Sweet-heart Rock) and Hulopoe Bay.

Picnic on a Back Beach – Jump in a 4x4 and head to Halepalaoa Beach on the eastern side of the island. named for the whales that once washed ashore there, this golden sandy beach is a quiet place to relax, sunbathe and swim—often with nary another beachcomber in sight! Pack a picnic and enjoy a day together lounging in secluded bliss. The ruins of the old Maunalei Sugar Plantation wharf are nearby for a bit of sightseeing before heading back to civilization. •


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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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Cassandra gown by kenneth PoolAvailable at neiman Marcus


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

Monica gown by Kenneth PoolSpring 2015 Collection

Available at Neiman Marcus


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! •

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.

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

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 — 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

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.

Shoes by Helen’s Heart Shoes. www.helensheart.com


Isabella gown by Kenneth PoolSpring 2015 Collection



a professional to do something 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.

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-

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

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.

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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 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-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! •

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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.

sandwiches at the church to a formal 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 want-ed—without ruining your budget. 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 partner in life, you want to share your happiness 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

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.

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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

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Wedding Venues

Choosing to add the variable of nature’s elements to your event plan-ning thoughts is certainly challeng-ing, but the reward of a carefully or-chestrated set of plans A and B can be well worth the effort! Some of the most amazing projects we’ve been privileged enough to produce have been on sunny beaches or in the Tex-as Hill Country, under the stars. And it almost seems like having gone to the effort of having a contingency plan changes the odds in favor of great event karma!

LOCATIONSThere are many hotels and golf

courses that have beautiful outdoor areas that would be suitable for a wedding, such as gardens, grassy knolls, and groves of trees. A great trick is to tent the tennis courts, if they’re available – you don’t know the value of level, dry flooring until you don’t have it! These types of fa-cilities will also have indoor venues that you can take advantage of. In-stead of hosting the entire wedding outdoors, you could just have the ceremony and photographs outside, then move indoors to the banquet

hall for the dinner and reception. This will ensure an immediate solution if the weather is poor.

After deciding on your perfect, preferred facility, scope out alter-nate locations that can be used if the weather doesn’t cooperate. There may be an alternate space at the hotel or resort you’ve booked, or it may be another hall, church, or fa-cility in the same vicinity. Once you have found a suitable location, work out a plan to move the wedding to the second site on a moment’s no-tice. This could mean having to call all of your guests to notify them of the change a day or two before the wedding or having someone direct guests to the new location the day of the wedding.

Some outdoor locations already have the option of overhead protec-tion. A pavilion can easily be dressed up and, depending on its size, used for both the ceremony and reception if it needs to be.

PLAN A AND BIf you are having an outdoor func-

tion, you definitely need to have an inclement weather plan: your plan B. Either be prepared to install a tent, or have an alternate indoor location. Also, keep in mind that it takes some amount of time to move an entire ceremony and/or reception setting. Make sure to take into consideration how elaborate your altar, aisle, and celebration are, and put a “drop-dead” time on your itinerary to make the call for plan A or B.

MAKING THE CALLMake sure that you and your

event team have agreed as to when to make the call, and be prepared to make a decision. A wedding and/or

reception can require a substantial amount of time to reconfigure. Stag-es, flowers, bands, bars, and guest tables have to be given ample con-sideration so that you will not lose the impact of the money you’ve invest-ed. These are not small checks you’ve written and you surely don’t want to stand on a porch somewhere watch-ing the heavens open up on what was a gorgeous dinner party under the stars, OR be responsible for the cost of a harp or a full set of strings.

TENTING AND EQUIPMENTTenting is an obvious and great

option. It offers great flexibility with regard to location and style AND is a great blank slate from the design per-spective — you can take it any direc-tion you like. Clear tops keep the stars visible. Sides can be great projection surfaces for lighting and added or taken away depending on the situ-ation.

Flooring is often necessary to cre-ate a level or nonporous surface and is a regularly overlooked design ele-ment. Just about any floor treatment that you can think of can be used — luxurious carpeting, beautifully hand painted surfaces, glossy tile or lino-leum.

Umbrellas should be available and are a great chance for event brand-ing. You can incorporate a logo or a monogram, and they are great gifts for guests.

THE GUESTSEnsure that guests are made

aware, in the event’s invitation ver-biage, that you’re having a garden party or outdoor reception. This al-lows them to plan accordingly, es-pecially ladies who may be planning bare shoulders and/or heels.

Outdoor Event Planning . . . Russian Roulette or Not?By Travis-Lee Moore Event And Interior Designer, Chef And Certified Professional Catering Executive at The Functions Event Group

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Wedding Venues

TRANSPORTATIONTransportation is another thing that

can be affected by a surprise rain-storm. Valet service that takes guests right up to the shelter is ideal and a great amenity to offer.

If guests are self-parking, you may need to offer transportation from the parking location to the event site. This can also become a great upgrade if you do it right. Offering cocktails to guests as they climb onto a vintage touring bus or horse-drawn carriage will certainly be remembered!

THE EVENT TEAM Clearly, we think that everyone

should have an event producer. Having a skilled, experienced, well-connected expert as the leader of your team is never more important than when ensuring that adequate

thought has been given to every conceivable event scenario. Do your homework and ensure that you have engaged a creative, nimble, ener-getic producer who will head up a team of like-minded professionals prepared to respond to the good, the bad and maybe even the ugly.

We did a gorgeous rehearsal din-ner at Green Pastures in Austin (for one of our favorite couples — Julia and Jon). There was a fire in the kitch-en during service and guests had to be evacuated to the front lawn. So what did we do? Pass cocktails and get the photographer to take pic-tures of the bridal party and guests in front of the truck with the firefight-ers. The images are priceless and the firefighters made sure that all was well and we were back inside for dinner in no time!

INSURANCE It is not unreasonable to ask each

partner that you invite to be a part of your team about their insurance sta-tus to ensure that everyone is working “with a net.” Oftentimes it is as simple as your event producer supplying the coverage and then naming others as “additionally insured.” There are also additional coverages available to you, such as “Protect My Wedding,” “Wedsure,” “Wedsafe,” and “The Event Helper.”

It is rare that we ever have to put plan B into action, but the peace of mind you’ll grant yourself by having made adequate plans is invaluable. It is a given that something will not go exactly as planned. A truly great event professional will ensure that the reaction is swift and that your guests’ experience will be none-the-less spectacular. •

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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!

CLEBURNE CONFERENCE CENTER

Recently opened, the new Cleburne Con-ference Center is an ideal location to help make those precious memories of your wed-ding and/or reception even more special. Only 40 minutes south of downtown Fort Worth and one hour from Dallas, this beautiful facil-ity is very conveniently located. With its 45,000 square feet of flexible event space, the con-ference center can handle anything from a small intimate party of 20 to a gala reception for 600. A few of the many features at the cen-ter include three catering kitchens, a multi-tiered 2,000-square-foot lobby area perfect for wedding party photos and receptions, as well as a 297-seat state-of-the-art performing arts center and free parking for more than 500 vehicles. The Cleburne Conference Center is ready to assist you with all your wedding needs, so please contact us at 817.556.8860 or visit www.cleburneconference.com for more infor-mation.Cleburne Conference Center, Cleburne

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Wedding Venues

COOPER HOTEL, CONFERENCE CENTER & SPA

Your special day deserves the ideal setting. At Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa, our lush 30-acre grounds provide a picturesque setting for your wedding or reception. Our experienced wed-ding coordinator will provide the personal touch-es and detailed service to make your day what it should be...perfect.

Affordable wedding and reception packages include beautiful outdoor sites by ponds and foun-tains; newly-renovated indoor reception facilities that accommodate up to 200; rehearsal dinners and bridal luncheons; complimentary bridal suite; recently transformed, spacious guest rooms with preferred rates for guests; full-service catering; full-service day spa; complimentary parking and Wi-Fi; complimentary three-month membership to Coo-per Fitness Center for the bride and groom; and the option to provide your own bar.

Take a tour of Cooper Hotel, located at Cooper Aerobics Center, and imagine the happiest day of your life. Call 972.490.9159, e-mail [email protected] for availability and pricing, or visit www.cooperhoteldallas.com.

Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa, Dallas

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FARMERS BRANCH HISTORICAL PARK

The 27-acre Historical Park has a variety of his-toric structures and is the perfect place for your wedding and reception. Whether you are look-ing for a traditional 1890s church that will accom-modate up to 100, complete with center aisle; a quaint 1930s home; manicured grounds with an antique rose garden, complete with arbors; or a gazebo and meadows with a commercial kitch-en, the Farmers Branch Historical Park has what you need. Plan your special event in a unique set-ting amongst history, and full of tradition.

For more information, visit www.farmersbranch.info or call 972.406.0184.

Farmers Branch Historical Park, Farmers Branch

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Wedding Venues

hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville, Duncanville

HILTON GARDEN INN DALLAS/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.

Green oaks Wedding Chapel, Arlington

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.

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Wedding Venues

THE HyATT PLACE DALLAS/GARLAND/RICHARDSON

AND FIREWHEEL CONFERENCE CENTER

The hyatt Place Dallas/Garland/richardson and the Firewheel Conference Center is conveniently located in the Dallas northeast suburb of Garland on the President George bush highway, easily ac-cessible from both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport. They are located in the prestigious 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, includ-ing a 7,632-square-foot ballroom. Their staff is al-ways available to ensure everything goes exactly 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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HILTON GARDEN INN DALLAS/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

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Wedding Venues

MAPLE MANOR HOTEL

Built in 1898, this turn-of-the-century Victorian ho-tel 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 architectural lighting, arched ceilings, a full service bar and a large 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 Maple Manor Hotel is located at 2616 Ma-ple Avenue in Uptown Dallas between McKin-ney Avenue and Cedar Springs Road. To sched-ule your site visit, please contact our event’s coordinator at 214.871.0032. For more informa-tion visit www.TheMapleManorHotel.com or e-mail [email protected].

Maple Manor Hotel, Dallas

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Irving Convention Center, Irving

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.

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Wedding Venues

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

PLANO CENTRE

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

The beautifully landscaped courtyard is a magnifi-cent setting for your wedding ceremony, and 17 addi-tional rooms can be configured to meet any size or style. For large receptions, Collinwood Hall can provide seat-ing for up to 1,400 guests. More intimate receptions can take place in the Windhaven Ballroom, for 200 guests, which has a view out into the gorgeous courtyard. Their professional event coordinators can assist you in all of your planning needs, from room set-up 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 Plano Centre, as they have packages to fit every bride’s bud-get. Call 972.941.5840 and let them be at your service. For more information, visit www.planocentre.com.

Plano Centre, Plano

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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.

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Wedding Venues

Theda gownDavid Tutera for Mon Cheri

Ryan gown by AmsaleSpring 2015 Collection


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We, as consumers, want to find a bar-gain and save money during these economic times. Weddings are expensive and brides want to save everywhere they can. For that reason, many brides are ordering their wedding dress over the internet at a “bargain” price, thinking they will be getting the dress that is pictured on designer knock-off sites, which are mostly over-seas. These sites are using (pirated) pictures of authentic designer dresses and deceiving brides into thinking they are getting the wedding dress in the picture.

Sadly, brides receive a wedding dress that is not the same dress they thought they ordered, it doesn’t fit properly, and the quality and work-manship is extremely poor. Their dreams turn into nightmares.

Brides, please BEWARE of these counterfeit sites and do your due diligence. Weigh the pros and cons of taking a chance on ordering from knock-off websites. Some of these sites can look very legitimate.

Ask yourself these questions:

Will I get the exact same dress that is in • the picture?Will my dress be nicely pressed when I get • it? Who will press my dress for my wedding day and what will it cost me?Will I receive a nice garment bag with the • dress, to protect it and keep it clean?Where will I go to get the dress altered if it • doesn’t fit, or can it be altered at all?

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Thinking of Ordering Your Wedding Dress Off the Internet? Think Twice!

Will I be dealing with a live person to an-• swer my questions, ensure I get what I or-dered and deal with any issues once I get it?Will I be assured that I will get my dress • once I order it?Do I really know who I am dealing with? •

If the above questions pose doubts in your mind about ordering your dress from a knockoff website, DON’T DO IT! Be careful, as previously mentioned, as some sites look very legitimate, but your dress could be a counterfeit. As the old adage goes, “if it sounds too good to be true, it is!”

Spending approximately $300 on counterfeit dresses can mean money right down the drain, and running the risk of having to start over with your search. That $300 could have been used toward an authentic designer gown at a store that you can count on to give you the service and attention you deserve and will take care of all the details for you. And, a legitimate store will help make sure you end up with the gown of your dreams. After all, your wedding gown should be the most important element of your wedding, and your dream is to look distinctly beautiful on your wedding day!

Some designers, such as Morilee and Jasmine Bridal, post warnings right on their websites. See for yourself some of the nightmare dresses re-ceived by disillusioned brides. Don’t let it hap-pen to you! •

Your wedding dress is one of the most important dresses you will ever wear. Why risk getting your dress online, through what may be a counterfeit website? You may think they are getting the real deal for your big day, but what you could be getting is a big fake! As a bridal shop owner, I have heard many horror stories. Panicked brides come in to get a dress at the last minute because of the quality of the dress they received from an order placed online. One bride ordered all eight bridesmaid dresses, and they all came in the wrong color. Be aware of warning signs, such as a big dis-count on a name brand, or the promise of an inexpensive custom order.

What will you expect if you purchase your dress online?

You could get a COUNTERFIET dress that • is made with cheap, thin materialInstead of glass crystals or Swarovski crys-• tals, you could get plastic sequins that

By Lynette Coughlin Owner, Providence Place Bridal Boutiquewww.purelyprovidential.com

Brides, Beware of Ordering Your Wedding Gown Online

look like a bad arts and crafts projectYou could get an improper cut and the • fit could be mis-sizedYou could get sloppy stitching on the • wrong fabricYour dress might look nothing like the • picture on the websiteThe company may not stand by their • product or return your moneyYou may be unable to speak to anyone • to file a complaintYou may not even receive the dress that • you paid for!

Your wedding is such a big event in your life. The best way to shop for your bridal gown is to go to a local bridal boutique. These shops are authorized retailers who work closely with the real designers. The bridal shops are there to help you find your dream dress that will fit your budget. Don’t risk ordering the most important dress of your life online! •

Be aware of warning signs, such as a big discount on a name brand, or the promise of an inexpensive custom order. What you could be getting is a big fake!


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 reception can 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

Yelibelly Chocolates Flavors that make your belly dance!

www.yelibelly.com


It’s important to plan at least nine months in advance. book your reception site as soon as you set the big date. If your location is in demand, you may have to set the wedding date around its availability.

If an outdoor wedding and re-ception is on your agenda, con-sider the possibility of inclement weather. Rent a tent or arrange for a back-up inside site — you don’t want your party called off because of rain!

now that you know how to book your reception, you may have questions about what goes on at this once-in-a-lifetime event. Read on for details about the or-der of activities at the reception, and other guidelines to follow when planning your festivities.

RECEPTION STYLESThe time and formality of your

wedding determines what kind of reception 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 TIMETABLE Here is a basic guide to the

timeframe of a typical wedding reception.

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

972.490.9159

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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-

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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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.


None of the first couples must dance a full dance. After a few minutes, other guests are invited to join in the dancing. Ethnic dancing may be featured, or a grand march may also be formed well into the re-ception.

As the activities end, a second receiv-ing line is sometimes formed beside a small table filled with cake boxes, favors, or a last drink for the guests as they depart. This gives guests a chance to say goodbye to the newlyweds, who then have a last dance and prepare to depart the reception.

TOSSING THE BOUQUET AND GARTER

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

LEAVING THE RECEPTION

After the bouquet and garter ceremony, the bride and groom can opt to change clothes, or remain in their wedding attire. In a shower of rose petals, birdseed, spar-klers, or anything else you can imagine, the happy couple heads for their car or limo, which has often been decorated by the groomsmen and ushers. The newlyweds leave the reception for a local hotel, or for their honeymoon, ready to start their new life together.

CATERING CONNECTION:FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Wining and dining your wedding guests takes the largest bite out of your wedding budget. A well-planned reception is crucial to the success of your marriage celebra-tion. Choose your caterer with care — a talented, well-organized culinary artist can create a fabulous feast you’ll never forget.

If you’ve chosen a hotel or restaurant for your reception site, they’ll probably provide their own food and beverage services. If you’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 other members of the wedding party may then offer their own toasts.

When you’re the object of a toast, remain seated, and don’t sip 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 one to treasure — long after your wedding day, you’ll look back and smile when you think of those ¬special words: the funny stories the best man told about you; the love your parents expressed as they welcomed your spouse into the family.

Above all, remember the tide of good wishes from all those pres-ent as they raised their glasses and drank to your happiness ¬during every 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 to respond. If they are already standing, say: “I now ask you to raise your glasses.” Turning to the couple, say: “May your

toasts are presented just before the cutting of the cake.

The best man acts as master of ceremonies, offering the first toast. This toast may be just for the bride, or aimed at both new-lyweds. The best man gets every-one’s attention by clinking on his glass. He may introduce himself and others in the wedding party, and explain his relationship to the newlyweds. At this time he may tell an amusing anecdote about the bridal couple, making a wish for their future happiness.

The toast may be in the form of a poem, quotation or the like — it should be brief and sincere. Those offering toasts should plan what they wish to say ahead of time. It’s important to speak loudly and clearly when making the toast — everyone wants to hear this!

After the best man’s tribute, the groom usually responds with toasts honoring his wife, parents and new in-laws. The bride may then rise to offer toasts to her hus-band, the couple’s families, at-tendants and guests. (A special thank-you is expressed particular-ly well in the form of a toast.) The fathers of the bride and groom may propose toasts to their new

al. give your caterer the pertinent data — date, time, place, recep-tion style, budget, and the num-ber of guests attending. For food service, most caterers charge a flat fee per person; liquor costs are usually by the bottle or per drink. Waiters may be paid by the hour or be included in the package.

Your caterer can help you de-termine the kind of food to serve, and provide china, glasses, and everything else you need. He or she can usually arrange for serv-ers, bartenders and valet parking services as well. be sure charges for these services are included in your cost estimate. Check to see if gratuities are automatically added to the final bill.

Your contract should specify the food and beverages to be served and the guest count.

Look into postponement and cancellation policies before you sign. A deposit is usually required when you sign the contract.

by all means, comparison shop — it’s important to get the most for your money. Just make sure the caterer you choose has a reputation for quality and service — the success of your reception depends on it!

I’LL DRINK TO THAT: THE TRADITION OF TOASTS

no matter how informal the party may be — it’s traditional to toast the bride and groom at their wedding reception. The festive air that toasting lends to pre- or post-wedding celebrations creates a feeling of shared good will for ev-eryone present. Toasts are a trib-ute to the bridal couple and the wedding party.

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

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

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the rehearsal proceed smoothly. Invitations to the traditional

dinner should be sent about two weeks in advance. The guest list includes all members of the wed-ding party, both sets of parents and immediate family, and offici-ating church members. Spouses and dates of these guests should also be invited. Another thought-ful gesture — invite those guests who have traveled from out-of-town.

Since the rehearsal dinner is not ruled by convention, it can be very casual or ultra-formal. You can plan a picnic, buffet, or a sit-down dinner. If the occasion warrants, consider putting place cards at each seat. The bridal couple usually sits together at the head table, with hosts of the op-posite sex seated at either side. Parents and grandparents of the bride and groom complete the table.

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

To achieve the best results, pre-pare toasts before dinner. Add a special touch to the festivities — have guests bring pictures of the bridal couple when they were younger, and make a collage for the newlyweds. Or have the re-hearsal dinner videotaped.

To make the occasion espe-cially memorable, hand out note-cards on which guests may write good wishes directed to the bride and groom. Each note should be sealed by the author, and kept safe by the hostess for presenta-tion to the bridal couple on their first anniversary.

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

wedding day be the threshold of a wonderful future of sharing as you walk together through life, hand in 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’s to the neatest one, here’s to the sweetest one, here’s to them all in one — 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 dear you’ll always be. You’ve brought such love and happiness into my life. no wonder I’m so thankful and so proud to be your wife. To John!”

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 strength they’ve given me. May we all have many more memorable days 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!•

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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 of rooms 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 & Spa Dallas, 972.490.9159

guest Accommodations

You’ve got it all under control, right? Your invitations have been ordered and you were thoughtful enough to include maps to your ceremony and reception sites to avoid confusion and lost friends and relatives. Think you’ve got your bases covered? Where are your out-of-town guests going to stay? Streets that may look familiar to those friends and relatives who live nearby may look confusing, and even imposing, to those unfamiliar with the area.

Having all of your guests stay at one appointed hotel can help calm the nerves of those people so close to you who live so far away. Fortunately, there are several different types of hotels from which to choose.

because all hotels offer different amenities, consider those things you think your guests may find important. The last thing by which you’d want your guests to remember your wedding would be that they had an unpleasant stay in an unfamiliar town.

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

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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

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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!

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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 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.•

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.

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 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.

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.

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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 major symphony orchestras, Stradivarius String Quartet offers artistry and commitment to quality, as well as a well-rounded repertoire from Bach to blues. The timbre of this string quartet will add a classic elegance to your special day.

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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.


nouncements. This list should include acquaintances not invited to the wed-ding with whom you wish to share the good news. neither an invitation nor announcement requires a gift — feel free to send them to everyone. 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 invitation or announcement. This is placed inside a larger envelope which is addressed 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. Select someone with beautiful handwriting, perhaps a professional calligrapher, to address envelopes or write invitations.

Order invitations and announce-ments at least three months before the wedding to allow time for printing, ad-dressing and mailing. Engraving may take longer. Have the envelopes de-livered 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 Honorable; the clergy as The Reverend Father, Pas-tor or Rabbi; and high-ranking military personnel as Commander, Colonel, etc. A single woman, even a child, is addressed as Miss or Ms. Young boys are addressed as Master. Try to avoid nicknames or initials. Spell out streets, cities and states in full, and don’t for-get zip codes.

three sections. The groom’s family, the bride’s family and the bridal couple each invite a third. As a rule of thumb, expect about three-fourths of those in-vited to attend.

Invitations should be sent to your wedding officiant and spouse, your fiancé’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 list, put together your announcement list, if you are planning to send an-

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 varia-tions.

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. normally, each family invites half the guests. An-other option: divide the guest list into

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.

Floral Chalkboard Invitation by Carlson Craft, www.carlsoncraft.com


Antique Hydrangea Invitation by Carlson Craft, www.carlsoncraft.com

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 an-nouncements. These are small cards informing everyone of your new ad-dress 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 in a public or historic place. Engraved cards may be enclosed with the invita-tions, to be presented at the door for admittance. For other types of enclo-sures you may wish to ask your printer, stationer or wedding consultant.

WEDDING PROGRAMSA program is extremely helpful in

guiding your guests through the cere-mony and is a wonderful memento of your wedding. It provides vital informa-tion and might be an elaborate book-let, a calligraphy-inscribed scroll, or a preprinted wedding bulletin with your wedding service photocopied 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 re-ceiving an announcement need feel obligated to send a gift.)

Printing and paper for the an-nouncements are the same as for invi-tations. Announcements should be ad-dressed like invitations and, whenever possible, mailed out immediately 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! •

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. MitchellElla, william, and Jonathan

Adult members of a family should receive separate invitations, whether or not they live with their parents. Send one joint invitation to two brothers or two sisters living at the same address.

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

Allow people time to consider your invitation and word their replies. De-pending 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 in-vitation is accounted for, tell your ca-terer 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 fam-ily 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. Al-low space in your filing system to de-scribe gifts received, and make a no-tation when a thank-you note is sent.

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Wedding ShopSee ad on page 20 and

editorial on page 21.

Entertainment 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 excep-tion. Stradivarius String Quar-tet has performed hundreds of weddings and receptions in a variety of settings with a vari-ety of music.

Comprised of full-time pro-fessional musicians from the area’s major Symphony or-chestras, Stradivarius String Quartet offers artistry and com-mitment to quality, as well as a well-rounded repertoire from bach to blues. The timbre of the string quartet, considered by renowned composers to be the highest form of musical ex-pression, will add a classic el-egance to your special day.

Whether you choose to have Stradivarius String Quar-tet play everything, or if you would like to complement the group with other instruments or singers, allow them to assist you in selecting the perfect mu-sic and the perfect musicians for your ceremony or recep-tion. For more information on the group as well as a quote of their competitive rates, please call 972.949.4111 or visit

las bridal Show™ will be Janu-ary 24-25, 2015.

The 25th annual Plano bridal Show™ will take place on Sep-tember 7, 2014, and March 8, 2015, at the Plano Centre, with more than 100 quality wed-ding businesses.

The 1st annual Allen bridal Show will be September 28, 2014, at the Allen event Cen-ter, with more than 100 quality wedding businesses.

The 4th annual las Colinas bridal Show is coming up on January 4, 2015, at the new ir-ving Convention Center, with more than 100 quality wed-ding businesses.

The 18th annual Fort Worth bridal Show™ will take place on February 1, 2015, at the Fort Worth Convention Cen-ter, with more than 100 quality wedding businesses.

See stunning fashion shows! lots of incredible door prizes! Make plans for your wedding day at these amazing bridal events, where all of your wed-ding dreams come true!

For more information about the shows, call bridal Shows, inc. at 972.713.9920, or visit them online at www.bridalshows-inc.com. Adult tickets can be purchased online at www.bridalshowsinc.com. Also view “Tips For The bride — What To do At A bridal Show” on their website. Visit bridalshowsinc on Facebook.

Bridal Shows BRIDAL SHOWS, INC.

bridal Shows, inc. has been producing quality bridal shows since 1988, helping the bride to plan her complete wedding in one location in one weekend. Upcoming shows produced by bridal Shows, inc. in the dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex are as follows:

The irving bridal Show is July 13, 2014, at the new irving Convention Center, with more than 100 quality wedding busi-nesses.

every bride will want to at-tend the 25th annual dallas bridal Show™ on July 26–27, 2014, at dallas Market hall! Known as the most beautiful bridal show and the third larg-est bridal show in the U.S., the dallas bridal Show will help ev-ery bride plan her perfect wed-ding with more than 300 qual-ity wedding businesses, and during these two days will give the bride time to make buying decisions, including photogra-phers, gowns, tuxedos, cakes, caterers, reception halls, ho-tels, restaurants, musicians, vid-eographers, DJs, florists, invita-tions, limos, wedding planners and designers, photobooths, formal beaded attire, travel and cruises, clubs and resorts, bridal registries, jewelry, cos-metics, nails, balloons, rentals, china, gifts, bridal publications, and much more! The next dal-

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

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www.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, 39, 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, arch-es, 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 with-out the hassle of store-to-store shopping. The dedicated 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 in-doors 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 vis-it www.trectx.net for more information.

See editorial on page 2.

Reception &Rehearsal Dinner Sites CLEBURNE CONfERENCE CENTER

Cleburne is the ideal loca-tion for your wedding and/or reception. located only 40 minutes south of Fort Worth and an hour southwest of dallas, the City of Cleburne is proud to present its brand new

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45,000-square-foot Cleburne Conference Center, capable of meeting the most discern-ing needs of wedding event planners. The facility includes a 4,344-square-foot exhibit hall that divides into two rooms of 1,275 square feet and 3,069 square feet, a 10,302-square-foot exhibit hall, 297-seat state-of-the-art theater, two smaller meeting rooms as well as two large prep kitchens and one small prep kitchen, giving the ability to hold three separate food functions at the same time, and a 2,000-square-foot multi-tiered lobby area ideal for wedding photo shots and receptions. The facility has wi-

fi throughout the building and cable will soon be available in the exhibit hall and two larger meeting rooms. if additional space is needed there is also a 5,250-square-foot senior center adjacent to the facil-ity, bringing the total meeting space available to more than 26,000 square feet. The new center also provides more than 500 free parking spaces, making parking for wedding attendees easy and economi-cal. Combine all the above advantages with a variety of inviting new hotels represent-ing most of the major chains as well as several b&bs, and you have a facility that is ready to

assist you with all your wedding needs. Please contact them at 817.556.8860 or visit www.cleburneconference.com for more information.


COOpER HOTEL, CONfERENCE CENTER & SpA

your special day deserves the ideal setting. At Cooper hotel, Conference Center & Spa, our lush 30-acre grounds provide a picturesque setting for your wedding or reception. our experienced wedding co-ordinator will provide the per-sonal touches and detailed service to make your day what it should be...perfect.

12230 Preston Road | Dallas, TX 75230 | 972.490.9159 [email protected] | cooperhoteldallas.com

Our beautiful grounds are the perfect setting for your wedding or reception.

• Outdoor & indoor facilities

• Rehearsal dinners

• Bridal luncheons

• Newly renovated, spacious guest rooms

• Full-service day spa

• Full-service catering

• Complimentary parking

Call to schedule a tour today!

Don Mamone Photography

E R F E C T D A yAt Cooper Hotel, located at

Cooper Aerobics Center

Widyn Photography

Widyn Photography

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Creek ballroom accommo-dates up to 200 guests, and features a variety of event set-ups, which includes lighting, a dance floor, and A/V ca-pabilities. A spacious, private pre-function area is perfect for buffet set-up and addition-al 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 promi-nently throughout the hotel, including in the pre-function area and outdoor sculpture garden.

our chef and culinary team have created a vari-ety of delectable menus and wedding packages, and are on hand to customize details for the perfect plate. From re-ceptions to buffets to formal seated dinners, we offer deli-cious 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 des-tinations within a five-mile ra-dius of the hotel.

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


quet 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 of-fers 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 dis-counts, and more. For more information, 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 DALLAS/RICHARDSON

The hilton Garden inn dal-las/richardson is a full-service experience in a boutique set-ting. This award-winning ho-tel is a premiere north dallas destination for all your wed-ding needs, including venue, caterer, and luxury guest ac-commodations.

experience the wedding of your dreams in more than 3,000 square feet of flexible banquet space. our Prairie

Affordable wedding and reception packages include beautiful outdoor sites by ponds and fountains; newly-renovated indoor reception facilities that accommodate up to 200; rehearsal dinners and bridal luncheons; compli-mentary bridal suite; recently transformed, spacious guest rooms with preferred rates for guests; full-service catering; full-service day spa; compli-mentary parking and Wi-Fi; complimentary three-month membership to Cooper Fit-ness Center for the bride and groom; and the option to pro-vide your own bar.

Take a tour of Cooper ho-tel, located at Cooper Aero-bics Center, and imagine the happiest day of your life. Call 972.490.9159, e-mail [email protected] for availability and pric-ing, or visit www.cooperho-teldallas.com.

See ad on page 71 and editorial on pages 12, 32, 39, 51, and 58.

HILTON GARDEN INN DALLAS/DUNCANVILLE

Whether planning rehearsal dinners, weddings ceremonies and receptions or even hon-eymoon stays, in-the-know brides have learned that at hilton Garden inn, they can have the same on-site ban-

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IRVING CONVENTION CENTER AT LAS COLINAS

The irving Convention Cen-ter at las Colinas represents the innovative future of meet-ings and events. With almost 100,000 square feet of meet-ing and event space, the building’s unique architecture, vertical design, and interior finishes create a new niche in the marketplace. you’ll dis-cover outdoor terraces, con-versational seating areas and the most refined finishes of any facility of its kind.

Their exceptionally well-ap-pointed grand ballroom is lo-cated on the top level of the convention center and pro-vides a wealth of pre-function

hyatt Grand bed™, compli-mentary Wi-Fi, and continen-tal breakfast. They offer more than 15,000 square feet of flex-ible event space, including a 7,632-square-foot ballroom. Their staff is always available to ensure everything goes ex-actly the way you want. be-cause when it does, great things happen. The hyatt Place is located at 5101 north President George bush high-way, Garland, TX 75040. Call 972.414.3500 to book your event, or visit hyattPlacedal-lasGarland.com.


THE HYATT pLACE DALLAS/GARLAND/RICHARDSON

The hyatt Place dallas/Gar-land/richardson and the Fire-wheel Conference Center are conveniently located in the dallas northeast suburb of Gar-land on the President George bush highway, easily accessi-ble from both dFW internation-al Airport and dallas love Field Airport. They are located in the prestigious 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

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Wedding Shoptions. With five private areas, the entire facility seats approx-imately 300 people. The near-by garden is also available for outside wedding ceremonies. Complimentary transporta-tion is available for your guests staying in area hotels. For more information, please call 214.528.0032 or visit www.the-oldwarsaw.com.

The old Warsaw restaurant is located at 2610 Maple Av-enue, next to Maple Manor hotel in the heart of Uptown dallas.

See editorial on pages 48 and 54.

pLANO CENTREWith 122,500 square feet of

event space, Plano Centre of-fers a flexible layout for your dream wedding. From the bridal shower to the reception, Plano Centre can host it all!

The beautifully landscaped courtyard is a magnificent set-ting for your wedding ceremo-ny, and 17 additional rooms can be configured to meet any size or style. For large re-ceptions, Collinwood hall can provide seating for up to 1,400 guests. More intimate recep-tions can take place in the Windhaven ballroom, for 200 guests, which has a view out into the gorgeous courtyard. Their professional event coor-dinators can assist you in all of your planning needs, from

ion is furnished with audio and video equipment.

A private, stone-walled gar-den boasts three waterfalls, two streams, flowers and foun-tains. it creates an elegant site for photographs and your inti-mate ceremony or smaller re-ception.

in the original dining room area of the hotel, you may uti-lize the winding staircase for your grand entrance. This area seats 120 of your guests. French doors lead to a glassed-in con-servatory. Catering is provided by The old Warsaw.

The Maple Manor hotel has six suites that are decorated in the late 1800’s motif, reflecting French, American and italian themes. Their wedding pack-ages include one complimen-tary night in a bridal suite.

The Maple Manor hotel as-sures personalized service and is wheelchair-accessible. it is located at 2616 Maple Avenue in dallas. Please call 214.871.0032. Visit them at www.themaplemanorhotel .com or e-mail them at [email protected].

See ad on page 1 and edi-torial on pages 42, 48, and 49.

THE OLD WARSAW RESTAURANT

Since 1948, its rich, old-world atmosphere has made it a fa-vorite for wedding celebra-

space, with south and east vis-tas to the dallas skyline. With a capacity of over 1,200 for a plated dinner and the flexibility to intimately seat less than 200, the irving Convention Cen-ter can easily accommodate weddings of all sizes.

Perfectly situated on 40 acres in the heart of irving’s las Colinas Urban Center and in the center of dallas/Fort Worth, the convention cen-ter’s location offers prime ac-cess to everything there is to see and do in north Texas. ir-ving boasts more than 75 ho-tels, ranging from budget to full-service, along with a grand selection of dining options, all within mere minutes of dallas/Fort Worth international Air-port. To view more information and photos, visit www.irving-conventioncenter.com.

See ad on page 5 and edi-torial on pages 14–15, 20, 21, 42 and 50.

MApLE MANOR HOTELbuilt in 1898, this turn-of-

the-century Victorian hotel is located in the heart of down-town dallas. The recently add-ed climate-controlled pavilion with dramatic architectural lighting and arched ceilings makes a wonderful spot for your wedding ceremony and reception. This area will ac-commodate up to 150 guests for a seated dinner. The pavil-

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timeframe, and provides many other amenities in the price of a Springs events’ venue. For more information, please visit www.thespringsevents.com.

See ad on page 9.

WAxAHACHIE CIVIC CENTERMake your wedding day

memorable at the Waxa-hachie Civic Center. Conve-niently located at the inter-section 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

wood-crafted staircase as you are introduced as Mr. and Mrs. for the first time in your lives. Upon coming down the stair-case, you will be welcomed by all your guests into the rustic and elegant open backdrop created 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, The Springs events provides personal pay-ment plans, allows you to choose your own vendors, al-lows you a full 16-hour rental

room set-up to catering and beverage services.

located at 2000 e. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano Centre is just two blocks east of high-way 75 and is close to a variety of Plano hotels. You can find a sense of ease when planning your wedding and reception at Plano Centre, as they have packages to fit every bride’s budget. Call 972.941.5840 and let them be at your service. For more information, visit www.planocentre.com.

See editorial on page 20, 21, and 43.

THE SpRINGS EVENTS RUSTIC ELEGANT EVENT VENUES

on your wedding day, imag-ine coming through beautifully engineered iron-cast arched doors onto a white stone patio porch covered by a beautiful gable. From the porch, you will see and hear the beauty that is created by The Springs events’ signature water fea-ture. you will walk onto a bridge, over a running stream of water, and on towards the covered pavilion that sets the backdrop of one of the most important events of your life. After being sealed together in holy matrimony, you will make your way into the rus-tic and elegant 9,000-square-foot reception hall through the back stairs, unseen by all your guests, and then down the

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Wedding ShopWaxahachie Civic Center truly makes every event a special event.

The Waxahachie Civic Cen-ter is located at 2000 Civic Center lane in Waxahachie, Texas. For more information call 469.309.4040 or visit www.waxahachieciviccenter.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, 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 restaurant may be the right fit, with a fire-place in every room and win-dows for walls. For the “more the merrier” personalities, the magnificent clubhouse 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

will work closely with each cli-ent to create a custom-tai-lored event that will exceed your expectations and leave you looking forward to plan-ning your next event with us. Whether a small private wed-ding or a large reception, the

elegant floor-to-ceiling win-dows throughout the room will be the highlight of your event. This opportune location makes the Waxahachie Civic Cen-ter the picture-perfect place for your event. From the wed-ding to the reception, our staff

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details, and your stress level, so you may relax and enjoy your family and guests. Go ahead and pour that glass of cham-pagne!

Full Service Planning and day-of Coordination provid-ed. Call 972.447.8300, or visit www.suekelsonevents.com, to schedule your complimentary consultation.


Wedding Venues fARMERS BRANCH HISTORICAL pARK

The 27-acre historical Park has a variety of historic struc-tures and is the perfect place for your wedding and recep-

hospitality field, and a degree in hotel and restaurant Man-agement from one of the fin-est colleges in the country, you can trust Sue, as planning weddings is her passion.

your engagement and wedding is one of the most exciting times of your life, and also can be very overwhelm-ing. To minimize the stress, hir-ing Sue and her team will be one of the best decisions you will make. A motto of Sue Kel-son has always been, “The only thing you should have to do on your wedding day is drink a glass of champagne while taking a bubble bath!” Sue and her team will manage the

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 de-spite 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 china, glasses, tableware, linens, and nap-kins. 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 sched-ule a time to meet and tour the grounds, and to have your questions 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 & Event planning_ SUE KELSON EVENTS

details, details, details! When you hire Sue Kelson events, Sue and her team will not miss one detail when planning the most important day of your life. or-ganization and anticipating your needs are trademarks of Sue Kelson events. With 30 years of experience in the

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Wedding Shopa picturesque setting for this special moment. A magnifi-cent antique grand piano and state-of-the-art sound system 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 dress-ing area for the groom and groomsmen is also provided.

your reception in the exqui-site reception room is a lovely way to greet and thank your guests for making your wed-ding day a special occasion. lighted trees, greenery, deco-rated candles and round, skirt-ed tables with chairs provide an elegant atmosphere. The lights are on dimmers, allowing you

ding Chapel, with its white stone exterior, offers you an elegant and romantic setting for the most memora-ble day of your life.

As you enter, you and your guests will be greeted with a beautifully decorated entry hall with a stunning staircase leading to a balcony in the chapel. once inside the pro-fessionally decorated chapel, which seats up to 200 guests, you will find white church pews adorned with greenery, flow-ers and bows. White italian-glass chandeliers add beauti-ful elegance to your wedding. The altar area, breathtakingly lit by dozens of candles and professionally designed flo-ral arrangements, offers you

tion. Whether you are looking for a traditional 1890s church that will accommodate up to 100, complete with center aisle; a quaint 1930s home; manicured grounds with an an-tique rose garden, complete with arbors; or a gazebo and meadows with a commercial kitchen, the Farmers branch historical Park has what you need. Plan your special event in a unique setting amongst history, and full of tradition.

For more information, visit www.farmersbranch.info or call 972.406.0184.


GREEN OAKS WEDDING CHApEL

Green oaks Wed-

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are ready to assist in assuring your wedding is a complete success. For more information, call 972.723.7919 or visit www.midlothiancenter.com.


more. They partner with the best in the area for all of your heart’s desires. Whether it is a wedding planner, florist, ca-terer, dJ, band, photogra-pher, or baker, the center has several preferred partners that

to control the perfect setting for your reception. The skirted serving tables are beautifully decorated with flowers, green-ery and candles, and set with silver serving platters, chaffing dishes, silver punch bowl and other lovely appointments. 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 Arlington. Please call metro 817.572.4300 for more information or visit www. greenoaksweddings.com.


MIDLOTHIAN CONfERENCE CENTER

The Midlothian Conference Center offers small-town hos-pitality in a spacious, state-of-the-art facility designed just for your event. Within the 39,000-square-foot facility, they com-bine 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 Mid-lothian. Along with providing beautiful spaces, the Midloth-ian Conference Center offers a wide variety of decorations, dance floors, table linens, lo-cations for photographs, and

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BRIDAL SHOWERS & LUNCHEONS 1899 FarmhouseCity CafeGrand hall at north richland hills Centrenuvo roomPoetry PlaceSky Creek ranch Golf Club Storybook ranchWalters Wedding estates: Chapel at Ana Villa, northeast Wedding Chapel and Wildwood inn

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ENTERTAINMENT 4harpMusic.comCarol Marks Music entertainment Agency

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

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Waxahachie Civic Center 469.309.4040; Waxahachie


WEDDing & EVEnt PlAnnErS En Pointe Weddings & Events817.909.2036; DFW

Salli G Wedding & Special Event Consultant 972.233.0976; DFW

Sue Kelson Events 972.447.8300; DFW

Wrapped Around You Wedding & Event Planners 214.543.6739; DFW

WEDDing VEnUES Cleburne Conference Center817.556.8860; Cleburne















WildHorse Grill at Robson Ranch 940.246.1080; Denton




Taylor’s Rentals 817.332.5258; Fort Worth






rEcEPtiOn & rEhEArSAl DinnEr SitES Cleburne Conference Center817.556.8860; Cleburne




Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville 972.283.9777; Duncanville






Old Warsaw Restaurant 214.528.0032; Uptown Dallas




BEAUty/SPA/fitnESS Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa972.490.9159; Dallas

BriDAl ShOWErS & BriDAl lUnchEOnS Cleburne Conference Center817.556.8860; Cleburne

Midlothian Conference Center972.723.7919; Midlothian



BriDAl ShOWS Bridal Shows, Inc. 972.713.9920; DFW

Great Bridal Expo800.422.3976; DFW

Posh Bridal Shows469.554.8803; DFW

Signature Bridal Shows214.302.9997; DFW

Soiree Boutique Bridal Shows866.242.8078; DFW

EntErtAinmEnt Stradivarius String Quartet972.949.4111; DFW

gUESt AccOmmODAtiOnS Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa 972.490.9159; Dallas





PArty rEntAlS Taylor’s Rentals817.332.5258; Fort Worth

QUincEAñErAS, BAr & BAt mitzVAhS Cleburne Conference Center817.556.8860; Cleburne




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