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Unique Catering Ideas for Your Wedding

Friday, November 20th, 2020

Whether you’re a foodie or just want to delight your guests with something special, we have ten unique catering ideas for your wedding that you’re going to love. These fun creations from local caterers are both mouth-watering and eye-catching. Enjoy!

1. Bite-Sized Classics

Culinary Art Catering

These mouth-watering mini-burgers are a fan favorite from Culinary Art Catering. Served All-American style, this bite-sized fare is sure to both surprise and delight your guests! This full-service catering company not only sets up and tears down, they’ve also been a staple of the Dallas culinary scene for over 20 years!

Photo: Cristina Wisner Photographer

 

2. Brunch it up!

brunch wedding

Gil’s Elegant Catering 

Nobody can say no to brunch, especially when it’s Gil’s Elegant Catering’s champagne shooters and mini peach crepes! No matter the time, brunch is always a great option to serve at a wedding. There are so many directions you can go in with choosing to serve this meal. Whether you decide on these delicious crepes or something more savory like eggs benedict, they will be a popular dish all around. If you’re planning an elegant seated dinner, a romantic backyard wedding or an action station reception, Gil’s Elegant Catering is the perfect choice.

Photo: Joseph Mark Photography

 

3. Feed the Soulsoulman's catering grilled cheese tomato soup

Soulman’s Catering

Homestyle cooking is no longer a stranger to the wedding scene. Serving BBQ, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes and other comfort foods is totally acceptable, and this grilled cheese with brisket and tomato soup pairing from Soulman’s Catering is one of our faves to see! Soulman’s Catering has been offering high-quality catering at weddings and events for over 40 years.

Photo: Lightly Photography

 

4. Fountain with a Twist

Red Maple Catering

Chocolate fountains are no stranger to the wedding scene, but we love putting a fun twist on a classic like this maple syrup fountain from Red Maple Catering! With mini pancakes, fruit, and more, this maple syrup fountain is perfect for the brunch-loving bride. Red Maple Catering doesn’t stop there, though. Their passion is creating playful dishes with bright colors, complex flavors, and the most artistic presentations from appetizers to full-course dinners, food spreads, desserts, and more.

Photo: Heather Buckley Photography

 

5. Savory Spoonful

appetizers

COHOST

We know Mary Poppins was always swearing by a spoonful of sugar, but this unique idea has us wondering if savory spoonfuls are the way to go! Weddings have been seeing more and more modern takes on amuse-bouches, and we don’t mind it one bit. Make the appetizers easy for your guests to grab during cocktail hour by serving this spoonful of shrimp and grits by COHOST.

Photo: Kelsey Lanae Photography

 

6. Big Day Barbecue

Edison’s Dallas by Eddie Deen’s

Edison’s Dallas is a premier North Texas event center that doubles as a wedding venue and a full-service catering company! Not only will your wedding be full of modern and elegant touches, you’ll also have some of the most scrumptious eats around. Born out of one of North Texas’s most popular barbecue restaurants, Eddie Deen’s catering service can serve up almost anything for your big day – from home-style cooking to more elevated and sophisticated options and anything between. Having your wedding at Edison’s is truly a win-win because there’s nothing better than a stylish wedding with amazing food that guests will remember for a lifetime!

Photo: Bethany Erin Photography

 

7. Favorite Fish in the Sea

Knife and Faulk

A leading upscale catering service, Knife and Faulk takes fresh, locally sourced and high-quality ingredients and transforms them into delectable bites of cuisine. Whether it’s hors d’oeuvres, dinner (peep this scrumptious Chilean Sea Bass dish) or dessert, they’re sure to impress. If you’re all about luxury culinary experiences, then Knife and Faulk’s Modern American cuisine promises to captivate you and your guests on your big day!

 

8. Sauce it Up!

Vestals Catering

Vestals Catering is committed to bringing you and your spouse’s vision to life! Whether you’re looking for trendy or traditional, formal or casual, they’ve got you covered. Throughout the catering process, you will work closely with your Vestals wedding specialist to create a custom menu for your special day. Along with dishes unique to you, Vestals also highlights seasonal flavors to ensure your celebration is truly one of a kind!

 

9. A Bite of Sweet, Savory, and Spicy

Serve & Savour

Family owned and operated in McKinny, Texas, Serve & Savour Catering believes that every occasion is a special one. With a unique blend of passion, expertise and outstanding service, the team is ready to make your event unforgettable. Serve & Savour is headed by Chef Luisa, whose cuisine is inspired by her Venezuelan roots and boundless curiosity. Her and the team promise an elevated and unique experience of haute cuisine. We’re drooling over these chicken and waffle bites, and your guests will be too!

 

10. A Full-Table Spread

YaYaYum Boards

YaYaYum Boards is located in the heart of Downtown Grapevine, TX right off of the infamous wine-centric street known as Main Street. Providing beautiful boards and table spreads for your next party, wedding, or event, YaYaYum Boards goes above and beyond with their foodie creativity! From cheese to chocolate to everything in between, YaYaYum Boards does it all! Your taste AND visual aesthetics will not be left disappointed.

 

11. A Taste of the South

Catered Roots

Catered Roots is a family of two sisters and their significant others all sharing a passion to create a memorable moment of time with just some really AWESOME food. They take pride in their work with attention to detail providing quality service and catering. Their elevated catering leaves you lacking nothing, satisfying your every foodie need for any event like this pan-seared Halibut with polenta cakes. Catered Roots doesn’t just provide food- they provide an elevated eating experience.

 

12. Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

Taste by Chef Kevin

Taste by Chef Kevin is a renowned catering company based in Texas, specializing in creating exceptional dining experiences. With a team of highly skilled chefs and an eye for detail, Taste by Chef Kevin offers a wide range of menu options to suit different tastes and preferences. Their commitment to using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients is evident in every dish they create, making them a popular choice for weddings, corporate events, and private parties. Whether it’s a plated dinner, buffet-style meal, or hors d’oeuvres such as these shrimp cocktail shooters, Taste by Chef Kevin is sure to impress with their delicious cuisine and impeccable service.

 

13. A Sip to Remember

Cantina Caravan

This mobile bar service adds a touch of elegance and convenience to weddings, ensuring that guests can raise their glasses at any point. Cantina Caravans’ skilled bartenders craft signature cocktails, pour fine wines, and serve up a variety of beverages to suit the couple’s preferences. It’s the perfect way to keep the drinks flowing and the celebration spirits high on your special day.

 

14. Custom Craft Cocktails

HD Liquid Catering

If you dream of offering your guests speciality drinks, HD Liquid Catering is calling your name. The company not only specializes in high quality beverages, but they also offer custom-tailored bar packages to fit your needs and budget. HD Liquid Catering is the perfect option for couples who want to provide their guests with custom drinks, such as His & Hers signature cocktails!

15. Your Own Coffee Bar

Nightowl Coffee Cart

What’s better than coffee? Your own custom coffee bar with custom drinks for you and your guests, like this one from Nightowl Coffee Cart! Not only do these guys offer barista and cart, they also create custom drinks and mocktails just for your wedding.

Photo: Laning Photography


Want to browse even more culinary-grade Dallas wedding caterers? Check out the very best of North Texas has to offer via our Dallas/Fort Worth wedding catering directory. Cheers!

Wedding Planning 101: How Do I Set Up My Wedding Registry?

Friday, July 24th, 2020

Have questions about how to set up your wedding registry? We’ve got you covered. This simple guide will give you everything you need to know about registering and proper etiquette as well as giving you ideas for an amazing registry experience!

Wedding 101: How Do I Set Up My Wedding Registry?

THE HISTORY BEHIND YOUR WEDDING REGISTRY

Wedding gifts have been around as long as weddings themselves, but wedding registries have a unique origin that’s not as old as you may think. It’s reported that in the 1920s Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) created the first wedding registry as we know it with other stores quickly following the marketing idea. In the 1930s the depression hit and the number of marriages dropped, but in the ’40s with the world at war, marriages began to skyrocket, especially for young folks. According to experts, from the late ’40s to the mid-70’s the average couple getting married was in their early twenties. This meant that they needed a whole list of basic household supplies to start their home together, including dishes, appliances, etc.

Flash forward to today when many couples getting married are a little older than that and have been living independently. While some couples still register for those much-needed household items or upgrades, they are now adding some non-traditional elements. These include charitable giving, honeymoon funds and even new house payment contributions for those getting a new home. One of the biggest changes is from items to experiences like trips, tours, concerts and more.

From the ever-popular Kitchenaid mixer to that electric bike you’ve had your eye on, your wedding registry can be as unique as you need it to be.

 

HOW TO SET UP YOUR WEDDING REGISTRY

It’s never too early to start your wedding registry unless you’re not engaged yet. In fact, many etiquette experts recommend having at least part of it set up within two weeks of your engagement so that family and friends can select from the registry for early events such as engagement parties and the like.

Now, let’s talk about how to set up your wedding registry.

  • Talk with your partner about expectations.

Talk with your partner about how they see the process going. They may have a strong opinion or preference as well as expectations of what they think you will be registering for.

  • Assess your needs — and wants. (Make a list.)

Are you a young couple who’s never had your own place before? Are you digital nomads that work from home? Are you wanting to get funding for your honeymoon more than traditional gifts? In addition to the big questions, then you’ll want to take stock of what you need. Go into as much or as little detail as you want here. For example, if you’re looking for new towel sets, do you think three will be enough per person? Would you want both face and hand towels to match?

In addition to what you think you need, keep in mind how much you think you need of any one item.

Areas to Consider When Making Your Wedding Registry List —

  • Kitchen and Dining
  • Bedding
  • Bath
  • Home Decor
  • Home Appliances
  • Storage and Organization
  • Home Improvement
  • Patio and Gardening
  • Sports and Outdoor Equipment
  • Luggage and Travel
  • Smart Home and Electronics
  • Charitable Organizations
  • Honeymoon

Quick Tips for Registering —

  • Register for more gifts than you have wedding guests. A total of  2-3 gifts per guest as a good rule of thumb.
  • Make sure your items come in a wide range of pricing. Don’t be afraid to register for expensive items, just be sure you include a variety.

Look at other couples’ registries to see if there is anything you aren’t thinking of and consider asking friends and family that have already been married.

  • Select two to three places to register.

You’ll want to do more than one store in order to have a wide price selection for all budgets as well as to cover all the items that you may need.

One recommendation we have is to choose both a big-box store as well as a local shop with a personalized wedding registry process. (Here’s a list of local shop vendors in your area.)

Popular wedding registry stores such as Pottery Barn, Target and Bed Bath and Beyond have a one-registry solution that makes multiple stores available within a single registry to manage. For instance, Pottery Barn registries also include Williams-Sonoma and West Elm.

Three Things to Keep In Mind When Selection Your Registry Locations —

  • Do they have a good return policy?
  • What is their completion program? (Many stores give between 10-20% discounts to complete wedding registry purchases after your wedding.)
  • Do they have other perks such as honeymoon or experience funds?

Some of our favorite perks are Target’s group gifting feature, Pottery Barn’s personalized registry experience with help from a staff designer and Bloomingdale’s rewards on their clothing when couples register for home items.

When you’re picking where you want to register, don’t overlook anything. If you’re needing furniture to set up your new home, look at furniture stores and don’t be afraid of registering for basics like storage and organization items.

Not sure where to look? Here are some of the most popular places to register.

Popular Places to Register Include —

  • Amazon
  • Target
  • Pottery Barn
  • Williams-Sonoma
  • Bed Bath and Beyond
  • Dillards
  • Macy’s
  • Crate & Barrel
  • The Container Store
  • Ikea
  • Restoration Hardware
  • Wayfair
  • Neiman Marcus
  • Walmart
  • Honeyfund
  • Lowes or Home Depot
  • Sur La Table

These are some of the most popular places to register, but there’s no limit to where you can register for your wedding.

  • Schedule a one-on-one appointment.

You could go it alone and get your wedding registry done online, but you’ll miss out on a lot of good things. For places like Amazon or Wayfair, online is a convenient option, but when you have the option, utilize all the expert help and get all the extra perks. From staff designers that can help blend your two styles in home decor to a complementary glass of wine while you shop, there’s no reason not to register in person when you can.

To schedule your appointment, visit the store’s site and begin the wedding registry process. For local stores that may not have an online process, call ahead and book your appointment.

  • Review your registry.

Once your registry is live, go back and look it over. Be sure you didn’t accidentally scan 20 avocado slicers or only have hand towels listed and so on. Also, make sure your wedding registry was made public.

  • Let people know about the wedding registry.

Let family and close friends know where you’ve registered, so they can answer people when they ask. Add it to your wedding website, if you have one. Etiquette experts recommend not having a link to your registry and not the store names on the homepage of your website. Most people today will do a Google search of your name to find your wedding registry.

 

WEDDING REGISTRY ETIQUETTE

  • Never list your registry on your wedding invitations. 

While many former etiquette “faux pas” are no longer taboo, it is still considered inappropriate to list your registry on your wedding invitations. It is considered okay for friends hosting events for your wedding to share where you’re registered.

  • Have your registry finished at least three to six months before the wedding. 

It’s polite to give guests at least this much time in order to be able to purchase a gift at their convenience. But the earlier you register, the better.

  • Your thank you’s should go out as quickly as possible and no later than 3 months after the event itself. 

There’s no need to pause politeness for a specific timeline. You can send thank you’s as soon as you receive gifts, but it’s highly recommended that you send them no later than three months after your wedding.

  • Give people plenty of choices.

Give your guests plenty of choices at different price points and be sure there are more items you’ve registered for than guests. Not only does this allow people to buy multiple items, but it also allows you to enjoy the discount to complete your registry after the wedding.

 

PRO TIPS FOR YOUR WEDDING REGISTRY

  • Make sure you have the best address listed for items to ship to — and consider using shipping pauses if needed.
  • Don’t overlook storage and organization items.
  • Avoid registering for seasonal items.
  • Register for more gifts than you have guests.
  • Think further down the road and register for items you need in the future.
  • Don’t forget about adding home decor.
  • Have items in a range of prices.
  • Think about your entertaining habits and needs.
  • Select pieces that could become heirlooms.
  • Try to select items that have multiple purposes.

Remember that a registry is simply a convenience for your guests and they aren’t required to purchase something from it. This is just one part of a very special time in your life.

You’ve got all you need to have an amazing registry and a great experience registering. Happy Registering!


For more wedding planning help, check out our helpful resource — “How to Start the Planning Process.”

 

Your Guide to Hidden Wedding Costs — And How to Prepare For Them

Friday, June 26th, 2020

The first step of the wedding planning process should be to settle on a wedding budget — even if it’s a slightly flexible number. There are so many moving pieces to the wedding planning process. It’s important to know what costs to expect and you don’t want to be surprised by a lot of little extra charges — or worse a couple of big ones. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen to you with our comprehensive guide to hidden wedding costs you might have overlooked. Keep in mind that budgeting is about knowing what you have to spend and putting the greatest amount of resources into what is most important. 

This guide will help you keep your budget on track by planning for those hidden wedding costs — so the only surprising thing on your wedding day will be how well your great aunt can dance. 

Photo // Pharris Photos & Philms

ALTERATIONS

Whether it’s a wedding dress, tuxedo, groomsmen suits, etc., alterations can be expensive depending on the type of work and you will want to budget accordingly. They can range in cost from $100-$500. For example, are you using a vintage dress or reworking an entire part of the gown? Alterations that require more heavy lifting like fixing beading or moving zippers and such will add to your cost. 

CAKE CUTTING FEES 

If you don’t use a venue’s in-house chef or an approved cake company, they often require a cutting fee that is typically around $1-$2 per guest. It can go as high as $7 in rare cases. Be sure to talk with your wedding planner, caterer and/or venue manager to nail down those details. 

CLEANING FEES 

Cleaning fees are often added to the total of your venue contract. Keep that in mind when you are planning to select your venue. Be sure to ask if the quoted venue rental cost includes cleaning, damage deposit, and any other additional costs. Your wedding planner or the venue manager will be able to help you with this. 

If you are planning a wedding at a non-traditional venue space, you may be responsible for clean-up and this might look like hiring or arranging for someone to clean up after the event. 

CORKAGE FEE

Some couples bring their own wine or champagne to save money or because their venue doesn’t serve their preferred vintage. When you do this, venues charge a corkage fee which can range typically between $10-$40 per bottle. 

DAY-OF MEALS 

Depending on when your wedding is, you will likely need one to two meals on the day of your wedding for yourself and your wedding party. Whether that is something you take care of or not, you want to plan ahead. This is a common hidden wedding cost that gets forgotten and sends people scrambling. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. The aim is to eliminate little costs from adding up into a big hit on the budget. 

DAY-OF SIGNAGE & PAPER NEEDS

When budgeting for your wedding paper (think invitations, etc.), you want to be sure and keep the actual wedding day in mind. In addition to the place cards, escort cards, and programs, you need to plan for any signage costs. These may include signs for your signature cocktails or instructions for the sign-in table. Run through this with your wedding planner or planning partner to consider what the day-of signage and paper needs will be. 

FITNESS + WELLNESS PROGRAMS 

Will you be doing any fitness or wellness programs — or perhaps a more aggressive beauty regimen with facials to prep your skin for the big day? If so, these are costs that you will want to prepare for as this can range from hundreds to potentially thousands of dollars. 

GUEST TRANSPORT 

Some couples consider having a designated driver/transportation option to help safely transport guests home. This isn’t a must, but if this is something you would like to do, it’s great to plan ahead for your budgetary needs. 

HAIR + MAKEUP TRIALS 

Wedding beauty trials — including hair and/or makeup can cost anywhere from $50-$150. Most are under $100 depending on the type of service or services you are looking for. If you end up wanting to get trials with multiple stylists, this can add up. 

HOTEL ROOM FOR THE NIGHT BEFORE 

Do you plan on staying at a hotel the night before your wedding? Many people do because of logistics or comfort. It can be a more peaceful way to start the day. This should be added to the budget if it is needed. 

INSURANCE 

Not everyone will have this cost, but for couples who prefer to have wedding insurance, that needs to be added to your wedding budget. On average this can be around $100 – $500. 

 LIGHTING 

While most venues will come with standard lighting if you want custom uplighting or Gobo lights (think customized wedding initials projected at your reception), that will likely be an additional cost. The hidden wedding cost here might be if you pick a unique venue that needs to be heavily lit — such as an outdoor reception at night or someplace that isn’t a traditional venue. This can range between $200-$2500 depending on your lighting needs. 

MARRIAGE LICENSE 

All this planning is about getting married, so it’s amazing, but true that some people overlook the marriage license cost. It can range between $10-$115 depending on where you’re getting married. It’s not a huge additional cost, but if enough small items add up that makes a big impact on your overall expense. 

Find out how to get your marriage license in Texas with our comprehensive guide here.

NON-VENUE APPROVED VENDORS

Your average wedding venue usually comes with a list of preferred vendors. If you choose not to go with venue-approved vendors, there is a fee for picking off the list. So, while you may think you’re saving money to bring in your own flowers or food, depending on the fee, you might just be breaking even — or even spending more. If your choice is motivated by the budget, be sure the fee doesn’t affect that. The fees can be as much as 20 percent. 

OVERTIME

Each of your vendors has a contract for their time. If your event runs late or long, etc., they often have an hourly rate that will be added. Be sure you are aware of which vendors have this and what the cost will be total. 

PERMITS 

Are you using a park or doing something that needs permission from the local government? If so, you may need to budget for permits and usage fees. 

POSTAGE  

Non-traditional shapes, heavier paper, more pieces, etc. These are all reasons to keep an eye on your postage budget. This isn’t included in the invitation suite total. And the postage itself can range greatly depending on what all you’re sending and how you’re sending it. Things like return cards (or RSVPs) are also something to consider. Also, it is considered proper etiquette for couples to send a stamp on that card, so it’s not just the mailing cost, but the return mail cost to consider. 

RENTAL LATE FEES 

This one doesn’t have to be a hidden cost, but it can be a surprise if you don’t have a plan for the timely return of all rental pieces. If you have rented your own table or chairs, and even the venue can come with late fees if they are not returned or left promptly. 

SETUP & TEAR DOWN FEES 

From florals to decor and other rentals, your vendors may require a setup and delivery fee. This will depend on the type of contract you have with them. Couples without a wedding planner need to be especially careful of this type of fee. Oftentimes people take this for granted as being part of the general contract. 

SOUND EQUIPMENT 

Whether or not your venue comes with sound equipment may affect the cost of your DJ or band. Many traditional wedding venues come well equipped, but it’s important not to assume this and discuss your needs/preferences with your planner, DJ/band, and the venue manager. 

TASTING FEES 

This can range from picking wines, selecting signature cocktails, deciding on your cake, and/or menu items. Ask your caterer, baker, and/or venue manager about tasting fees as you plan your wedding. In some cases, tastings can be free, but it’s best not to assume anything. 

TAXES, TIPS & GRATUITY 

Taxes can vary by state and they are often overlooked when it comes to the overall total. Tips and other gratuities for everything from catering to valet and entertainment — it all adds up. While it may not be fully a hidden wedding cost, it’s important to review all the tips that may be part of your wedding cost. 

We have a helpful resource on all the wedding tipping etiquette for you right here. 

TRANSPORTING RENTAL EQUIPMENT 

Just because you rented it doesn’t mean the transportation is covered. Especially if you do not have a full wedding planner helping with all these details, you will want to check and double-check what the full rental costs will be — including transportation as well as pickup. This cost can range from $100-$350. 

UNEXPECTED GUESTS 

It’s not uncommon for unexpected guests to be added at the last minute (think great aunt who decided to travel after all), so be sure to work with your wedding planner to add into the budget an amount for emergencies. This may come in the form of extra chair rentals, extra meals, extra cake, etc. In many cases, this is planned for with each vendor, but don’t assume it is. 

UNEXPECTED RENTALS 

When budgeting for your wedding cost, don’t overlook all the potential rental needs. For example, if your reception venue doesn’t provide wedding decor such as linens, flatware, tables, chairs, and more in your contract, you will need to plan for that cost. In addition to that cost, take into consideration the rental delivery cost as well which can run anywhere from $50-$500 depending on the size of your wedding and rental items. 

VENDOR MEALS 

Don’t forget to add any vendors working during the wedding to your headcount for catering. There are often vendor meal options to choose from that are less expensive. 

WEDDING ATTIRE & ACCESSORIES 

Shoes, jewelry, undergarments for specific dress silhouettes, and more. The wedding dress or suit isn’t the only cost for wedding attire. Think through every piece you will need/want on that day and build that into your wedding budget. You may find that you don’t have to plan for a lot, but we’re here to make sure nothing surprises you. 

WELCOME BAG DELIVERY

Delivering your welcome bags to the hotel is not the end of the story. They still have to deliver the bags to the individual rooms. This will be an added cost, on average, of $5-$7 per bag. 

WEDDING TROUSSEAU + BEAUTY COSTS

If you want to be extra prepared when it comes to your wedding budget, include your pre-wedding outfits and expenses that may go above your standard needs. For example, if you’ll be needing several special occasion outfits for showers, your bachelorette trip, or rehearsal dinner — this is a great way to not be surprised by extra cost at the last minute. So many people consider the event the only cost — and not what it will take to get your ready for that event. 

Also, take into consideration your honeymoon wardrobe, if that does above and beyond your standard living costs you may want to add that to your budget. 

WEDDING PARTY GIFTS 

Your personal budget for this will vary, but this is often something that gets overlooked when it comes to budgeting. Consider what you want to do as gifts for your wedding party throughout the entire celebration process and be sure to add that into your budget. This includes if you do any proposal gifts when you ask them to be part of your wedding party. 

Don’t forget about gifts for parents, important family members, and even each other! 

AFTER THE WEDDING 

There are costs to budget for after the wedding too! From thank you’s, photo prints, bouquet and/or gown preservation, and more. When it comes to thank you’s, be mindful of the postage cost as well. 

 

PRO-TIPS FOR DEALING WITH HIDDEN WEDDING COSTS

  • Get a wedding planner

We always recommend some type of wedding planner. If you don’t think a full planner is for you, even a month-of planner or coordinator is highly recommended because there are so many moving pieces and they are experts at getting everything together. It reduces wedding stress and can help your budget in the long run. 

  • Budget for your backup plan

Whether it’s a rain plan or something similar, be sure you’ve taken contingencies into account when it comes to budgeting. 

  • Get everything in writing

Don’t assume you have the totals based on what a vendor said in a meeting. Get every total in writing, officially documented, and finalized. 

  • Read the fine print

Once you get everything in print, even if you have a full wedding planner helping you with everything, read the fine print for yourself. Everyone is human and it’s always better to have multiple eyes on something. 

Now you’re prepared for pretty much anything — including any hidden wedding costs.

Happy Planning! 


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Wedding Terminology: A Comprehensive Guide for the Newly Engaged

Tuesday, June 16th, 2020

When it comes to wedding terminology, the endless phrases and terms can get confusing, to say the least. As you embark on your wedding planning journey, t’s a great idea to learn a bit of the lingo before you get started, so we’ve created a list of wedding terminology to help you feel confident when you walk into your next wedding planning meeting. Here’s a quick guide to all the words you need to know to help you eat, drink, and be married!

Wedding Terminology: A Comprehensive Guide for the Newly Engaged

Photo // Marisa Merritt Photography

ENGAGEMENT 

Engagement Photos — These are used as a way to document the couple’s engagement and are often personalized in a way that showcases the couple’s love story. This is also commonly used to get comfortable working with your wedding photographer.

Fiancé — The person to whom you are engaged. This can also refer to a man who is engaged to be married, which takes from the French version of this term.  

Fiancée — A woman who is engaged to be married. 

It’s important to note that American English doesn’t have gendered word endings, but if you see these terms this is what they can mean. 

Wedding Hashtag — Personalized wedding hashtags are used so that guests can follow updates from the wedding as well as post their photos and well-wishes from the event on social media in a way that the couple can easily find it. Some services will help you generate wedding hashtags. 

Wedding Registry — A service offered by a store or organization where a couple lists their gift preferences for their family and friends to use. Couples typically choose 2-4 places to register for wedding gifts. This term can also be listed as Bridal Registry and Gift Registry. 

Wedding Website — A personal wedding website is a website that engaged couples use to communicate with guests for their wedding. These can range from free services to highly customized designs for a fee. Couples use these to tell their love story, share wedding details, gift registry information, and more. 

 

WEDDING PLANNING TERMINOLOGY

Design 

Mood Board — Your mood board is something that helps you visually communicate your wedding inspiration and desired style. This can include images with certain colors or textures as well as physical items that you are inspired by. Your planner will often create a mood board with you. However, you can create your own and use it in your meetings with your vendor team.

Palette — This refers to the range of colors you plan to use at your wedding. You may get asked, “what is your color palette?” While you may have a single color in mind, you’ll want to have a range of colors that work well together. Your wedding planner or primary vendor can help you create this.

 

Logistics 

Run Sheet (or Runsheet) — This is a document that lists all the action steps in the wedding planning process or specifically in the day-of process. This is something your planner or primary vendor, such as a day-of coordinator, will want to create together. 

Shot List — This refers to the list of desired photos you would like the photographer or videographer to capture at your wedding events. You will want to think through what types of images are most important to you. 

Full Planning — This refers to wedding planning and coordination packages for couples who want a full-time professional to oversee every aspect of their wedding planning and wedding day. This includes things such as vendor management, scheduling, marriage license, tracking RSVPs, creating the planning timeline, and overseeing the big day itself, etc. 

Partial Planning  — This typically involves month-of wedding coordination along with some additional planning services with a set number of hours dedicated to the client. This can be helpful for couples who want to be very hands-on but need professional coordination as the day gets closer. 

Wedding Coordinator — While most Wedding Planners offer coordination services, a wedding coordinator maintains contact with vendors and serves as a liaison for the couple. Many wedding coordinators offer month-of, week-of, and day-of services. 

Rain Plan — A rain plan is just what it sounds like. It is the backup plan in case of rain and inclement weather. 

Room Flip — This refers to when a room is completely transformed between the stages of a wedding or event. The most common room flip example is having your guests leave the ceremony for a cocktail hour only to come back to the same room for the reception. This is done to help economize for space and budget as well as to limit the inconvenience of needing multiple locations. 

Venue Walkthrough — A venue walkthrough is an appointment to see a potential wedding venue, ask questions, take pictures, and ultimately envision what your event would look like there. All wedding venues encourage couples to schedule an appointment for a personalized venue walkthrough. 

Venue Coordinator — This is the person at the venue that will book your wedding, help with services such as menu and floral that are in-house services and make sure the event runs smoothly during your reception. 

Vendor Meal — This refers to the additional meals you may need to arrange for the vendors that will be working at the event itself. 

In-House — This is the term used when additional services are offered by the vendor. Most commonly this is used in relation to venues. They often offer in-house catering or floral arrangements services and event planning in some cases. 

Golden Hour — This is a photographer term referring to a pre-sunset time when the natural light is ideal for taking wedding photos. The event time will play into when your wedding photos should be taken. 

Hard-Stop — The time at which your wedding festivities have to be over by and guests need to be off the premises. 

 

Wedding Type 

Destination Wedding — This refers to a wedding that takes place in a different state, or country than the couple lives and often has the wedding party or guests staying with the couple for a weekend or more in that location. 

Elopement — While the term used to indicate running away to get married, now the term is most commonly used to indicate a purposefully small or paired down event. This could range from only the couple being in attendance to a few friends and family. 

Intimate Wedding  — An intimate wedding typically has fewer than 75 guests. This style of wedding is purposefully low-key, though that doesn’t have to mean casual. 

Micro Wedding — A micro wedding is a wedding or reception with less than 50 guests. One version of a micro wedding is to combine an elopement with a small reception.

Dress Code

Black Tie — This dress code is for events starting after 6 p.m. and is traditionally the most formal dress code.

Black Tie Optional — This dress code indicates that men do not have to wear a tuxedo and women have the option to wear a range from full-length gowns to cocktail dresses. 

For more information on dress codes, check out our blog post — What Does This Dress Code Mean? 

 

Wedding Attire 

Tuxedo — This specifically refers to a man’s dinner jacket and comes in a range of styles from the traditional to the more modern as well as different colors. 

Waistcoat — This is the vest typically worn by men over a shirt and under a jacket. 

Cumberbund — This is the broad waistband worn in place of a vest typically in men’s clothes. 

Cufflinks — The device for fastening two sides of a shirt cuff together. These also make great wedding gifts to your fiancé

Appliqué — Appliqué is the ornamental needlework and detailing often seen on wedding dresses. This ranges from glitter and beads to extensive lace. 

Grosgrain Ribbon — This is a ribbed fabric that comes most often in belts, sashes, and even floral bouquets. 

Wedding Veil — The wedding veil is worn on the head and comes in a wide variety of styles. From the floor-length cathedral veils to blusher veils that cover the bride’s face, you can find these in lace brocade, tulle, organza, silk, and chiffon fabrics.

Silhouette — In the context of weddings, this refers to the shape of various wedding dress styles. Experts will refer to the different styles by their silhouette name most often. These include ballgown, fit-and-flare, mermaid, and more. 

Godets — This is the name for the triangular piece of material inserted into a dress to make it flared for a more dramatic or ornamental look. 

 

Wedding Party 

Officiant (or Celebrant) — This is the person that officiates at the wedding ceremony. This can be a religious figure, a civil celebrant, or an ordained friend or family member. 

Best Man — Considered the principal groomsman. Often the role is filled by the most important person to the groom. 

Groomsman — These are members of the groom’s party and officially attend to the groom at a wedding. 

Ring Bearer — This is a carryover from a more traditional style wedding and the role was typically filled by a young boy who carried a ring tied to a pillow down the aisle. Today, traditionally, the best man keeps the rings with him until the groom needs them. This role is often filled by the couple’s pets or young relatives. 

Maid of Honor — This is the title for an unmarried woman acting as the principal bridesmaid at a wedding. This role is typically filled by a sister or best friend of the bride. 

Matron of Honor — Similar to the bridesmaid, this role is given to the married woman acting as a principal bridesmaid. Some brides have both a maid and matron of honor while some opt for one or the other. 

Bridesmaid — These are members of the bride’s party and are typically close friends or family members of the bride. 

Flower Girl — The flower girl is traditionally filled by a young girl that walks down the aisle just ahead of the maid of honor, after the bridesmaids. She scatters flower petals along the aisle before the bride. This role has changed in recent years to include grandmothers and male friends or relatives who act as flower attendants. 

Attendants — This is anyone that plays a role in the wedding including the best man, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls, etc. These people are called this because they have roles and responsibilities to “attend” to during the wedding. 

Usher — An usher is typically a male relative or friend of the couple that shows guests to their seats for the ceremony as well as answer general questions. 

 

Guests 

Guest List — The list of people invited to your wedding. 

Seating Plan (or Chart) — The seating arrangement selected for your guests to use during your wedding reception. 

Plus One — This is a term referring to your wedding invitation by giving an invited guest the opportunity to bring someone of their choosing. 

Welcome Bag — Welcome bags are typically gifts given to out-of-town guests including family and friends that have come from a distance to attend your wedding. These gifts are usually prepared and delivered to hotel rooms or guesthouses and filled with convenience items or local delicacies. 

Room Block — This refers to the practice of blocking off 10+ rooms at a hotel or hotels for out-of-town guests. These often come with a slight discount and are especially helpful for guests to locate a convenient place to stay while they are in town for the wedding. 

 

Details 

Save-The-Date — This is something that is sent to guests ahead of the invitation in order to allow them to save the wedding date on their calendar. 

Invitation Suite — An invitation suite refers to all the various pieces that come with a wedding invitation including the wedding invitation, response card, information card, and often includes wedding stationery. 

Wedding Stationery — This is separate from the wedding invitation, though often part of invitation suites. It is a personalized stationery that is used for thank you cards and more. 

Letterpress — This is a vintage-style printing with a deep impression. This is the opposite of embossing, which produces a raised image. 

Vellum — Vellum is a type of paper that is see-through and often used in highly-stylized wedding invitation suites. 

Escort Card — Escort cards direct guests to a table vs. a specific seat. These are considered a less formal choice than place cards. 

Place Card —  Place cards show guests both a table and the specific seat they have been assigned. Traditionally, this means the reception is a more formal event with a served dinner option. 

Wedding Program —  Traditionally, this refers to the piece of paper that lists the order of events in your celebration including who is participating in each phase of the event.  This allows guests to know who is doing any readings or the names of your wedding attendants and more. 

 

Flowers 

Boutonniére (or Boutineer) — This is a single flower or small bud that is worn, typically by a man, in the buttonhole of his lapel. 

Corsage — A small bouquet of flowers worn, typically by a woman, on her dress or around the wrist. At weddings, these are often worn by the mothers of the bride and groom as well as grandmothers and other females that play a prominent role in the events of the day. 

Bouquet — This is often referring to the bridal bouquet, which is the flower arrangement carried by the bride as she walks down the aisle. The maid of honor holds this for her during the ceremony and returns it for the recessional. 

Nosegay — This refers to a small bunch of flowers that are often particularly sweetly-scented. Other terms for this type of bouquet are posy and tussie-mussie. 

Garland — This is a band or chain of flowers, leaves, or other types of foliage. This can refer also to wreaths worn on the head, but typically this refers to the festive florals draped in loops throughout the event space or as runners on tables. 

Pomander — As it relates to weddings, a pomander is typically a decorative ball of flowers used in wedding decor. 

Flower Wall — This can be a full wall of florals or can refer to single flowers or garlands draped in single strands as a backdrop.

 

Cake 

Buttercream — This is a popular icing for wedding cakes. The most common types of buttercream are American, Swiss Meringue, and Italian Meringue.

Fondant — Fondant is associated with more luxurious cakes and is most often used to sculpt or decorate cakes. It’s a unique consistency and is a popular alternative to the buttercream. 

Ganache — This is another popular way to “ice” a cake as well as a cake filling. It is a mixture of chocolate and cream and has a firm consistency. 

Royal Icing — Royal Icing is a mixture of powdered sugar, water, and meringue powder. This is most often used to hold decorations together and in piping. 

Naked Cake — This is easily identifiable because it has minimal or no outer layer of frosting to show off the cake’s texture and filling. This trend has been around for a while now and has only gained in popularity. 

Cutting Cake — This is the cake that gets cut in the traditional ceremony for the photo opportunity, but is not typically enough to serve all the guests at the wedding. This is also a more expensive cake. 

Sheet Cake — This is the cake that is a less expensive option and is slightly different from your cutting cake typically. This is most often cut in the kitchen and served to guests as single slices. 

 

Decor 

Centerpiece — These are decorative pieces for display in the middle of a dining or serving table. 

Tablescape — This is a term for the artistic arrangement of decor and flowers on any given table. 

Charger — This is a large decorative base setting that the dinnerware is placed on during formal dinners. 

Place Setting — This is a complete set of dishes and cutlery provided for a single guest at the reception — or during a meal. 

Candelabra — This is a large, branched candle holder that can be placed on tabletops or large candelabras can be used in altar decorations and more. 

Taper Candle — A taper candle is one that narrows slightly from a wider base to a “tapered” top. They fit most standard candle holders and have a traditional burn time of one hour per inch.

Tealight Candle  — These are tiny candles in a thin metal or sometimes plastic cup. They are an inexpensive and attractive candle option. 

Gobos Lighting — Gobo stands for go-between optics. Gobos lighting comes from a stenciled circular disc used inside a lighting fixture. These can be customized with patterns, initials, names, and more.

 

PARTIES, SHOWERS & EVENTS 

Engagement Party — An event hosted by the friends or family of a couple to celebrate their engagement. 

Bachelor and Bachelorette Party — These are respectively the groom (bachelor) and bride’s (bachelorette) celebration with their wedding party. These can also include a wider group of friends and be an entire getaway vs. a single night party.  They do not have to be scheduled on the same night and don’t have to take place the night before the wedding. 

Rehearsal Dinner — This includes the wedding party as well as some extended family or close friends and takes place after the wedding rehearsal the day before the ceremony. This can also be Rehearsal Brunch or anything your specific schedule needs it to be. 

 

GETTING READY 

First Look — A first look is when the bride and groom have a private moment to see each other before the ceremony. This is often captured on film by the photographer and videographer. First looks can also be done with other members of the couple’s friends or family. 

First Touch — Some couples prefer not to see each other before the ceremony, but would still love to have a private moment alone. A first touch is when the couple is separated by a wall or door and hold hands for a moment. 

 

THE CEREMONY 

Prelude — This is the music that is played while guests are being seated for the ceremony. It can be whatever the couple prefers. 

Wedding Processional — This refers to the wedding party walking down the aisle. This includes the officiant, parents, bridesmaids, flower girl, ring bearer, bride, and groom. 

Vows — Vows are the promises partners make to each other during the wedding ceremony. Many couples opt for writing their own vows either in addition to or instead of the traditional options. Depending on the culture and/or religious background of the couple, vow types can vary greatly.

Recessional — This is when the wedding party exits after the ceremony. 

 

THE CELEBRATION 

Food and Drink 

Cocktail Hour — The hour after the ceremony and before the reception where guests mingle and are served drinks as well as food such as hors d’oeuvres. This doesn’t always have to be an hour. 

Corkage Fee — This is the fee charged per bottle, specifically when you have provided your own wine or alcohol. You will want to speak with your caterer about their corkage fee policy when negotiating your contract. 

Open Bar — At an open bar option the drinks have been paid for by the host. 

Signature Cocktail — This can be one drink or in some cases, two drinks from the bride and groom served as a particular treat for the event. Couples often pull from their love story, family history, and more to create a special drink for their wedding day. 

Feasting Style— This style of catering usually features a variety of food options where guests can serve themselves. In feasting style, there is a particular focus on beauty and delightful tastes. In some cases, this looks like a luxurious charcuterie set up. 

Plated Sit-Down Dinner — This style of catering is usually predetermined with options listed on the reply card of the wedding invitation. Guests are served their meal by the wait staff. 

Canape — A small piece of bread or pastry with a savory topping served with drinks. 

Crudite — These are traditional french appetizers featuring sliced or whole raw vegetables with dipping sauces. 

 

Reception Details 

Grand Entrance — This is when the newlyweds are introduced at the reception. 

Head Table — This is the principal table at the wedding reception where the wedding party traditionally sits. In some cases, the newlyweds sit with the group at the head table. In other cases, they have their own private sweetheart table. 

Sweetheart Table — A private table set up just for the newlywed couple. 

Send-Off — This is when the couple makes their official exit from the reception. Traditionally, this is where the couple leaves for their honeymoon, but many modern couples opt for a different timeline. The send-off is where the couple walks through the guests who have lined up to cheer them out. Guests can cheer with bubbles, streamers, flowers, flags, and more.  Many people also make their exit to fireworks. 

 

WEDDING PLANNING TERMINOLOGY

These are just some of the most common wedding planning terms that you need to know.

Here are a few quick recommendations for learning the rest of what you need to know —

  • Get comfortable asking questions. Whether it’s contract or pricing negotiations or wondering what the difference is between family-style and feasting-style is, it’s important to be comfortable asking vendors to explain the details. If you’re not clear on something, don’t be embarrassed to ask for clarification. Vendors are usually happy to explain.
  • Do your research. Our blog has tons of helpful guides to help newly engaged folks just like yourself. Plus, there are many helpful resources online. Rely on your vendors for their guidance, but make sure you are staying up-to-date with the information.
  • Don’t assume anything. It can be easy to assume you and a vendor are on the same page but don’t do it. Don’t assume something is included in the contract because it seems like it would be or vice versa.

 

HAPPY WEDDING PLANNING 

Now that you know all this wedding terminology, it’s time to put it to use! 


If you’re still looking for the perfect local wedding vendors for your wedding — you’ve come to the right place. From photographers to wedding planners, calligraphers, and more, we’re here to help you simplify your search. Click here to get started.

Ready to Get Fit and De-Stress from Wedding Planning? This May Be For You

Tuesday, May 26th, 2020

Is getting healthy, fit or de-stressing on your wedding planning list? If so, we may have just the thing for you today! Isabelle Preston of Pure Barre Coppell is sharing her top recommendations on how to reach your goals and make it fun with help from Pure Barre.

Ready to Get Fit and De-Stress from Wedding Planning? Pure Barre Coppell May Be For You

Photo // Pure Barre, LLC.

Where should a bride start her wedding fitness plan?

Find a workout regimen that helps you de-stress and focus on yourself. The great thing about Pure Barre is that it is for every fitness level and body type! Clients typically see results within 10 classes.  The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be feeling wedding dress ready!

What type of workout is a barre class?

Pure Barre is a musically driven, total body workout focused on low-impact, high intensity movements designed to strengthen and tone muscles. Some benefits are: increased core strength, enhanced flexibility and balance and improved mind-body connection.

How can a bride make the most of her workouts between classes?

Fuel your body, stretch your muscles and get plenty of rest!

What goals and timeline would you suggest for brides getting started?

Pure Barre Coppell offers a 3 and 6 month bridal package to best suit each bride’s needs. Challenge yourself with all 3 of our class formats for effective cross-training!

Classic: small isometric movements, low impact

Empower: cardio, HIIT style, bigger, powerful movements

Reform: Core and resistance training, great for toning

What tips do you have for staying on track during a fitness plan?

Use the Pure Barre app to set a weekly goal, schedule classes and track your progress. Bring a friend – workouts are better with a buddy! Make yourself and your fitness a priority and have fun!


Thank you to Isabelle Preston of Pure Barre Coppell for sharing her awesome tips and ideas for getting wedding-dress ready! If you’re looking for expert help reaching your heal goals for your wedding, or life in general, you can contact Isabelle directly through their Brides of North Texas vendor page.

All your Wedding Planning Timeline Questions Answered

Monday, May 11th, 2020

You’ve made your wedding list and checked it twice, but there still may be something missing. In fact, there’s a few things many couples overlook when it comes to wedding planning. Thankfully, we have Hannah Heres, owner of MK Event Boutique and wedding planning expert, to help with your wedding planning timeline. Keep scrolling to read Hannah’s advice on vendors to hire, important dates and more!

All your Wedding Planning Timeline Questions Answered

Photo // Madalynn Young Photography

What are the first vendors a couple should hire?

The first vendor that you are going to want to hire is a wedding planner! That way you will have the guidance and support from your wedding planner throughout the entire planning process. After that, you will need to book your venue so that you can officially “set a date.” The next biggest things, after those two, are your photographer, videographer and florist.

How far in advance should a couple send out wedding invitations and save-the-dates?

For a local wedding, you will want to send your save-the-dates out about 6 to 8 months before your wedding and send your invitations out about 8 to 10 weeks before your wedding. If you are getting married around a big holiday or having a destination wedding, then you are going to want to send your save-the-dates out 10 to 12 months before your wedding and send your invitations out about 10 to 12 weeks before your wedding.

What final details do couples tend to forget in the planning process?

The most common final details that couples tend to forget during the planning process are transportation for the wedding party, guests and/or bride and groom at the end of the night, Plan B for bad weather, vendor tips and a photo shot list for formal portraits after the ceremony. However, if you are using MK for planning, we will make sure none of the details get forgotten during the planning process and on your special day.

Who develops the wedding day timeline? The planner? The officiant?

We create a very detailed master timeline, vendor roster and ceremony outline that we send out to all of the vendors. We coordinate all arrival times with the vendors to make sure that everyone is on the same page, for the wedding weekend. We also create a wedding party timeline for everyone that is involved in the wedding, so that they also have the schedule of events right at their fingertips.

What’s the easiest way or best tips to ensure the family stays on track during the day’s events?

We send out a Wedding Party Timeline to the parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers and anyone else that is involved in the wedding, about a week before the wedding, so that they know in advance, the entire schedule for the weekend. They are then able to reference this, at any point throughout the weekend. It is critical for the bride, groom, and family to trust your vendor team and know that they are going to do their best work for your wedding.

What is one piece of advice that you always give to your clients?

One piece of advice that I always give to our clients is to hire a solid vendor team and trust them. If you have a solid vendor team on your side, you can be confident that they are going to do their very best to make sure your day is executed with perfection. Additionally, you can expect them to work as a team on your wedding day, which will ensure that everything runs smoothly and every detail is covered. Trust your team of vendors and remember that they are specialized professionals!


A special thank you to Hannah Heres from MK Event Boutique for sharing these amazing wedding planning tips and insights! To learn more about having MK Event Boutique help you create the wedding of your dreams, visit their Brides of North Texas vendor profile to contact them directly.

How to Create a Timeless Wedding Style You’ll Always Love

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a wedding style that you loved as much on your golden anniversary as you did on your actual wedding day? We think so too — and we have an expert on hand to help you achieve this goal. Linda Lyons of Lyons Events has spent years helping brides do just this, and you’re going to love her insights on how to create a timeless wedding style. The good news is that it’s easier than you think!

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Photo // Allen Tsai Photography

How can a bride ensure she’s designed a timeless wedding without being boring?

The best way to ensure a timeless approach is to plan details that are personal to the couple. When looking back at your wedding, you and your guests can remember how these details reflected the couples’ style rather than associate it with the trend of the times!

What wedding trends are you seeing for 2020?

I’m seeing a common thread of customization coming through on all my couples for 2020. Whether this be in their attire through designing a complete custom gown (and pantsuits!), personalized neon signage, monogrammed dance floors/stage facades and even through signature ice cubes and sculptures. My clients are focusing on small details that make a huge impact, and something that makes their wedding truly unique and one of a kind.

What advice do you have for adding trends to the wedding without being overly trendy?

Do not incorporate trends you’ve seen online just for the sake of being trendy. Instead, focus on the ideas that mirror your  style. If it’s an extension of your aesthetic, guests recognize and appreciate these details when they happen upon them during your reception.

Do you prefer more minimalist style or more dramatic flair?

I love working with both styles, but my personal aesthetic is more in line with the minimalist approach. This is not to say that you cannot make a bold and dramatic statement with a minimalist style! Sometimes toning down the extras help make the existing decor really pop!

If there were one detail or vignette every couple needs to highlight, what would it be?

I’m a huge advocate for custom stationery! Invitations are often the first glimpse into what the couple’s wedding will look like and feel like. Having your stationery cohesive across the rest of your design and color palette really elevates the occasion. Nothing makes my heart sing quite like seeing all of the design elements come together in the invitations, programs, menu cards and signage.

What part of the actual wedding styling is the planner a part of?

For my design clients, my styling is inclusive of the entire wedding day or weekend. We establish a color palette that is composed of not just colors but textures and elements that we like to see throughout — from the attire of your wedding party to your wedding dress to the floral to the stationery and linens and all of the things that guests will stumble across on the actual day.


A special thank you to Linda Lyons of Lyons Events for sharing her tips and insights on how to make your wedding a truly special day. If you would like help bringing your dream wedding day to life, you can contact her directly through her Brides of North Texas vendor profile.

This Unique Idea May Lead You to Your Perfect First Dance Song

Monday, April 20th, 2020

When it comes to wedding music, DJ Jason Esquire knows just how to ease the most shy guest out on the dance floor, what type of music will make a wedding even more memorable — and even how to help a couple find their perfect first dance song! So if you’re one of those couples that doesn’t have  “a song” — keep scrolling for his advice on how to find a song that works perfectly. (Hint: It involves seizing the moment.) 

This Unique Idea May Lead You to Your Perfect First Dance Song

Photo // Bradford Martens Photography

What are your go-to songs for a first dance?

There are so many love songs out there, it’s not easy to pick just one! Searching for the perfect first dance can be rough, so I always suggest that the couple listen to Muzak when they go out, especially on dates. Sometimes the perfect song is playing while holding hands walking through Target.

What are the key times during a wedding to incorporate music?

Music works at any point during a wedding, from when the guests enter to when they leave. DJs build an energy with the guests and the volume and styles evolve through the evening. Music plays a pretty important role in the night, and having dead air or nothing in the background can be awkward or make people feel uncomfortable.

Should a DJ be used for all of those times?

You can have a band, musician or maybe the venue provides a system you can plug an iPod into for maybe the cocktail hour. Just have some tunes!

What types/styles of music are best to play at a wedding?

Music that appeals to a wide range of people and most of your guests is ideal. If the couple is into something that might not be well known, that’s ok! It can be played during cocktails or even dinner depending on what it is. The key is to play something everyone enjoys and can relate to. It’s the DJs job to play what the couple is into while also playing what might work best for the group as a whole.

What are your go-to songs for a ceremony entrance?

Anything upbeat that fits the couple’s personality!  I spend a good amount of time getting to know the couples I work with so I can feel confident about a song choice for them on their wedding day.

Tips for getting a shy family out on the dance floor?

When you make people feel comfortable with their surroundings and get them singing along and tapping their toes through dinner they’re usually ready to dance once the formalities are done. For me, it’s all about easing them into it rather than walking around on the mic and grabbing them out of their chairs. I will typically start with a slow song to get them up and once they’re all out there it’s easier to get them going. It’s really all about reading that particular crowd. Everyone is different, and so are their music tastes. The music played is based 100% on the reaction from the people in front of me.


A big thank you to DJ Jason Esquire for sharing his insights and super helpful tips with us! If you want to learn more about how he can help you make your wedding music memorable, visit his Brides of North Texas vendor page.

Finding Your Wedding Inspiration with Joche W. Events

Tuesday, April 7th, 2020

A bridal magazine (or website), an old photo, a vase, a word even — wedding inspiration can come from anywhere at anytime. For Joche Westmoreland of Joche W. Events, whenever the creative muse strikes, he’s ready to sketch it into life — even if that means using a napkin during dinner. From details and crisis control to conceptual design, a wedding planner has to have the perfect blend of logistical and creative genius. Joche and his team bring that practical experience with everything from culinary to lighting design and even accounting, so we have asked him to share a behind-the-scenes look at what bringing your dream wedding to life looks like.

Photos // Jen Symes Photography

Finding Your Wedding Inspiration with Joche W. Events

The Planning Process

“After meeting with a new client, we develop a conceptual design and budget for everything needed for their event. This can include floral as well as linen, rental pieces, staging dancefloors, china and flatware, etc. I also enjoy sketching a diagram of what the reception floor plan would look like so that they can visualize their event. After booking their date with us, we will begin creating their personalized design plan that includes inspirational images, sketches and photos. This is the document that literally takes their vision from paper to reality.

Our couples know that my team and I are available for questions and advice at any point in the planning process. I am proud to be a planner that has real-life work experience in culinary and pastry arts, interior, lighting and set design, graphic design, floral design and accounting. My journey has led me to learn so many things that I apply as an event planner and designer. My clients know that whatever I recommend has been well thought out and is truly the best for them in my opinion. I will also let a client know if I feel that a decision or recommendation that they have may not be the best for their event.”

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Finding Inspiration

“I believe that muses are the fuel for the creative engine and they come to us when they are ready to be seen. I enjoy playing with different color palettes and am not afraid to experiment with different prototype designs in the studio. Some of my favorite designs have come out of dinner and margaritas with a group of friends just talking together. Then all of the sudden I need a beverage napkin and pen so I can start sketching.”

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Meeting Expectations

“We setup our initial consultations with new or potential clients to be all about getting to know each other. Depending on what stage in the planning process they are in, we may discuss the style of wedding they would like, color palettes, entertainment options, favorite cuisines and budgeting questions they may have – just a little of everything.”

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Advice for Couples

“Interview your potential planners. Hiring a wedding planner can be the best decision a couple may make when they have selected the right one. We excel in logistics and the ‘who-stands-where’ but our knowledge of crisis control and instinctual on-the-spot problem solving is what we have been told sets us apart. Fourteen years in the wedding industry has given us education that cannot be learned except through experience.”


Thank you to Joche Westmoreland of Joche W. Events for sharing a behind the scenes look at the wedding planning process. His Dallas/Fort Worth-based event design and consulting firm specializes in personalized event planning for one-of-a-kind parties that guests will never forget. Learn more about working with Joche by contacting him through his Brides of North Texas vendor profile.

Beauty 101: Tips from the Pros to Create Your Wedding Day Look

Monday, April 6th, 2020

It’s all about the look — from getting the bridal glow and face-framing ‘do to finding the world’s greatest shade of lipstick for your perfect pout! We’re getting all the insights from some of the best hair and makeup artists in the Dallas/Fort Worth area including their best pro tips and products they can’t do without.

(It’s all captured by some of the best wedding photogs out there, so keep scrolling for some serious wedding inspo here!)

Get the Glow

Artist: Styles by Vero | @stylesbyvero

Beauty 101: Tips from the Pros to Create Your Wedding Day Look

What is your one product must-have on a wedding day? It is hard to pick just one but If I have to choose from my kit I will totally keep one product to prepare the skin. A hyaluronic acid serum will lock the hydration on the bride skin and keep that glow for hours. 

What is your go-to beauty brand? Definitely Estee Lauder – Classic, elegant yet long lasting and waterproof. 

How to achieve a glam beauty look? I always start asking my client what she loves more about her face features: eyes, lips , cheeks. Then I design for her a glam beauty look using a statement pair of eyelashes or a bold lip color. The key: keep the client essence and have fun.

Any advice for a bride who is wanting to use a hair piece on her wedding day? Try to match the headpiece design with your wedding dress and jewelry. Before you select one, try to decide if you want your hair up or down.

Photo: Laning Photography

 

Lasting Lips

Artist: AshleyDrew Artistry | @ashleydrewartistry

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What is your one product must-have on a wedding day? My must have product on a wedding day is lashes! No better way to make your eyes pop in all the photos then beautiful lashes. 

What is your go-to beauty brand? My go to beauty brand is Becca Cosmetics. I absolutely love there liquid highlighter in opal. It truly allows every bride to have a glow.

Matte vs. glossy lip color? Pros and cons! I love a glossy lip! My favorite is moonglow by Marc Jacobs beauty. By placing a little bit of glow in the center of the lip it gives the perfect pout, giving the illusion that your lips are fuller. Matte lipstick is gorgeous in photos but can feel drying at times. Add a little bit of Bite Beauty agave lip mask underneath to keep your lips nice and hydrated.

How to make your lip look last? My favorite tip to make your lips last longer is using a lip liner. Line your lip not just on the edges of your lips, fill them completely in. Dab a little translucent powder over your lips before you apply your lipstick. This will help them last all night!

Photo: Bertha Torres Photography

 

Pretty in Pink

Artist: Baleigh Kerr Hair & Makeup | @baleighkerrmakeup

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What is your one product must-have on a wedding day? Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

What is your go-to beauty brand? MAC Cosmetics 

How to work pretty, soft pinks into your palette? A great way to work soft pinks into your makeup look is using a cream product. It can simply be swept over you eyes, cheeks and lips!

What is the perfect occasion for a classic updo? Any formal event is the perfect time for a classic updo!

Photo: Lorena Burns Photography

 

The Sleek Look

Artist: byLOMUNS| @beautybylomuns

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What is your one product must-have on a wedding day? This is so hard to answer but I would definitely say Hourglass Ambient Lighting in Luminous Light. It helps create a natural glow that mimics skin and allows the skin to appear dewy without too much highlight.

What is your go-to beauty brand? My go to beauty brand is Morphe. I am ride or die for all their shadows and brushes! Even their lip glosses are beautiful.

How to achieve a sleek makeup look? A sleek makeup look can be achieved with dewy skin, light eyes and a bold lip! It is so important to make sure the skin looks like skin, and not cake-y, while still having the skin look like it is glowing from within. Add a good blush and sculpted contour, a sleek look can be achieved.

Picking the best shade of bold lip for your look? It all depends on the color scheme and the skin tone of the client. Red can be tricky because it can cause the teeth to appear more yellow than they are, so it’s also important to take that into consideration when choosing a bold lip. If choosing any bold lip, it’s so important that it has cool undertones to avoid that!

Photo: Nate & Grace Photography

 

Freshen Up

Artist: Tease to Please Hair & Makeup | @teasetopleasehairandmakeup

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What is your one product must have on a wedding day? Big Sexy Hair Powder Play. It’s a texture powder that helps tease oh so perfectly. And false lashes.

What is your go-to beauty brand? Anything Kenra or Aquage

What style gown pairs best with a braid crown? A braid crown could go with any gown. I would say the normal would be a boho dress, but it could be super pretty with an elegant sleek satin white dress.

How to achieve a soft glam makeup look?  Start with depth in the crease (I usually use brown) and a soft shimmer on the lid. Add a crisp wing liner and false lashes. Do your normal thing with foundation, brows and mascara. Take a neutral pink lipliner and overline the lips just a bit. Fill with a color that’s one or two shades darker than your natural lip color. Use a blush that is in the same color family as your lipstick. Sweep some highlight on those cheek bones to give you that bridal glow!

Photo: Ben Q. Photography

 

Custom Beauty

Artist: WZ Beauty Studio | @wzbeautystudio

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What is your one product must-have on a wedding day? A must have for your wedding day is a lip color for touch ups. For those moments to freshen up before walking the aisle, or after your I do, and before cutting the cake. Where you will be photographed closely by your photographer and guests. 

What is your go-to beauty brand? For those who know of me they will say I’m a MAC cosmetic guru. I do add-on products to my kit like my private line WZ Beauty and MUFE. They mix so well and create a stunning masterpiece.

Tell us about your beauty line. I’m passionate about beauty and making other women feel confident and beautiful. So, it was my dream to have a private makeup line that I could share with my clients and brides. It is amazing! It’s a vegan and cruelty free line, packed with Vitamins A, C and E to protect you from free radicals. Highly pigmented and creamy rich finish. Make an appointment for a 1:1 consult or lesson. We would love to treat you like a beauty queen! 

How do you get the skin prepped for makeup? I always hydrate the skin with either a toner, serum or oil infused drops and massage into the skin. And don’t forget a must have for my brides – cooling eye pads to reduce puffiness and dark circles. Also, after consulting with my bride we determine what is the desired finish and look to make sure it is camera ready.

Photos: Sami Kathryn Photography

 

Get the Look

Artist: Jennifer Trotter – Lip Service Makeup | @lipservicemakeup

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What’s your makeup pro tip? Bronze and gold shadows light up green eyes, cheeks get definition with a peachy pink cream blush, and the whole look comes together with a custom blended bold burgundy/wine lip.

Describe this hairstyle. A redhead with a bold fringe gets a simple half-up style to show off gorgeous waves. 

What’s your one product must-have for a wedding day? Tarte – shape tape concealer, flawless full coverage.

How do you get the skin prepped for makeup? Sonia Roselli Sexapeel instant exfoliator, Waterbalm Skin Prep, Dr. Jart V7 Priming Moisturizer and Joeur Lip Conditioner.

Photo: Nevile Wedding Stories

 

Lash 101

Artist: Grand Slam Glam | @grandslamglam

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What is your one product must-have on a wedding day? A good primer and finishing spray is key! This helps the makeup endure the entire day and gives you a flawless finish from start to finish. 

What is your go-to beauty brand? We are always trying new products, but right now we are loving Two Faced and their melted lip collection. 

Lash 101 – how do you get the voluminous lash effect? We include false lashes in every service. We love a good Demi-whispie lash to draw the eye out and create a doe eyed effect. We finish it off with adding mascara and a fine liquid eyeliner line. 

Tell us about how to achieve the perfect highlight? Step 1 is choosing a highlighter – we prefer a powder highlighter that is applied as the last step in the makeup process. Step 2 is application method – we like to use a fan brush which provides the lightest coverage and looks dewy but still natural. For more shimmer payoff you can use a  stippling brush or a beauty blender sponge. Step 3 is application – the goal of highlighting is to bring out the high points of the face. This means we want to use highlighter on the brown bones, nose bridge, cheekbones and Cupid’s bow. Use a brush to sweep your highlighter in a windshield-wiper motion over the designated areas. Be sure to avoid the T-zone if you are prone to oiliness in that area.

Photo: The Lockharts

 

Warm Tone Look

Artist: JM Glamour | @jmglamour

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What is your one product must-have on a wedding day? I would have to say setting spray to ensure the makeup holds all day through sweat, tears and dancing! 

What is your go-to beauty brand? Oh jeez! I just love so many brands! If I have to pick, it would be Makeup Forever! Each of their products are great quality and work so well on all skin types!

When are warm tone beauty looks a must? I personally always love a good warm tone beauty look! It’s sexy and sultry! However, it’s definitely a must on women with warmer, yellow undertone skin!

When is a pulled back hair look ideal? When a bride is worried about their hair falling flat or thin, or even falling in their face throughout the night, I recommend setting the hair and pulling it back. It is an easier and more secure way to hold the volume and to avoid sweating hair from dancing all night. I also love the hair pulled back with a high neck or a gorgeous back dress!

Photo: Catie Ann Photography

 

Make a Statement

Artist: Etoilly Artistry | @etoillyartistry

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What is your one product must-have on a wedding day? For makeup, we CANNOT do makeup (okay, we can because we are professionals) without Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer! This primer smooths skin, minimizes pores and sets the perfect base for our airbrush foundation application. GAME CHANGER. For hair, our tried and true finishing spray is Kenra Volume Hairspray 25. The best hairspray for all hair types and styles!

What is your go-to beauty brand? This changes often, but our signature brand for almost every makeup look is Charlotte Tilbury. Her lipsticks, blushes, skin care products, bronzers… you name it, we buy it from CT!

How to make a statement with your wedding day beauty look? An easy way to turn heads is to make subtle changes to your bridal style throughout the event! If you are wearing your hair in a low, tousled bun, take your hair down at the reception and rock your worn waves! If you’re starting out your event with a bridal, nude lip, switch to a bolder hue for the dance floor.

What type of makeup look pairs well with a bold hair style? If you are wanting your hair style to be the talk of the party, we love pairing this look with a natural, glowing makeup look with a nude lip, bold lash, and light contour! Don’t be afraid of the highlighter, ladies!

Photos: Rachel Elaine Photography

 

Add Some Shimmer

Artist: The Styling Stewardess | @the_styling_stewardess

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What is your one product must-have on a wedding day? NARS American Woman – it’s the perfect color!

What is your go-to beauty brand? Redken for hair, Laura Mercier for makeup.

What to consider when planning your updo? The neckline and back of the dress! You don’t want to cover any big details of the dress or take away from the design.

Shimmer vs. matte eye looks – pros and cons! A little shimmer is great for brides and bridesmaids. It adds a nice bridal glow (too much and it can look too junior or too costume-y). Matte is great for moms. It gives a more natural look and is more age appropriate.

Photo: Avery Earl Photography

beauty products and tips

  1. Too Faced Melted Lip Collection – Grand Slam Glam
  2. Becca Cosmetics Liquid Highlighter in Opal – Ashley Drew Artistry
  3. Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime – WZ Beauty Studio
  4. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – Baleigh Kerr Hair & Makeup
  5. Makeup Forever Artist Pencil in Free Burgundy – JM Glamour
  6. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer – Etoilly Artistry
  7. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder – Styles by Vero
  8. Hourglass Ambient Lighting in Luminous Light – byLOMUNS
  9. Big Sexy Hair Powder Play – Tease to Please Hair & Makeup
  10. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer – Jennifer Trotter
  11. Nars American Woman Powermatte Lip Pigment – The Styling Stewardess