MOST LOVED | CHELSEA Q. WHITE

Comment

MOST LOVED | CHELSEA Q. WHITE

Happy Wednesday lovely people!! Today we're so excited to introduce you to Chelsea Q. White Photography, the newest member of the Celebrate Dallas' MOST LOVED vendor list!  Our friendor-ship developed from a shared connection on Instagram (isn't that how we all meet these days?) and after countless happy hour dates and dinners we finally collaborated for the first time last fall. Our autumnal bohemian photo shoot will be featured later this month on The Perfect Palette!

Chelsea's eye for design and composition is necessary for any couple who wants the perfectly captured wedding day. Her sweet smile and genuine personality are just a bonus! Read along to get to know her a little better! 

1. What are five words (or a 5 word sentence) that would describe you and/or your company the best?
Personal | Joyful | Genuine | Timeless | Real

2. How’d you get into photography? Was it always weddings?
I definitely share a similar beginning to a lot of photographers! I was always the one with a camera in my hand growing up. I learned photography on a film SLR camera in high school and developed my own film and prints in the darkroom. In my professional life, I started doing documentary and photojournalistic photography before I branched into weddings almost three years ago.

3. You shoot film + digital, right? How do they compare in your opinion?
Yes! And they don’t compare - ha! Film has a timeless, romantic quality that is so difficult to achieve with digital. There is a reason so many digital photographers try to emulate the look of film -- it’s just magical! Digital does have it’s place and it helps me in tricky lighting situations like dark churches and receptions. There are ways to get your digital to look like film and I’m always up for a challenge.

4. What’s your advice for the couple whose number one priority is having a fun wedding?
Hire vendors you trust and communicate with them A LOT before your wedding. If you take the time to insure everyone is on board with your vision and your priorities, you can rest easy on your wedding day and know your team is going to pull it off for you. But if they don’t know what’s important to you or don’t know what you want, you’re more likely to be stressed on your big day. Don’t feel like you’re asking too much or being naggy -- I’d rather over communicate with a bride than under communicate! Also, schedule way more time than you need in the pre-ceremony portion of your timeline.

5. How would you describe your wedding photography style or portfolio?
I’d say I fall into the fine art category of wedding photography. Fine art photography is often misunderstood but basically it means your photography and/or planner are going to be involved in styling details of your day, making sure everything looks cohesive, and that you are in beautiful environments where natural moments can unfold. It means we’re checking to make sure your hair is perfect and the photos of your grandmother’s broach are styled like a magazine. That’s not to say we don’t capture candid moments or let the day unfold organically but we do make sure all your images are clean, without clutter in the background, and timeless. I highly recommend fine art photographers for brides who love fashion, art, design, and culture. 

6. What's your favorite local [Dallas] hangout?
Oh gosh, there are so many! I love tacos and Topo Chico from Velvet Taco; a healthy pour of red wine and a charcuterie board at Times Ten Cellars. For craft beers and burgers, Liberty Burger is my jam. And you can’t beat the skyline view at HG Sply Co.

MORE INFO + INQUIRES
Chelsea Q. White Photography
Email | chelseaqwhite@gmail.com
Instagram | @chelseaqwhite
All photos by Chelsea Q. White Photography

Comment

ALEX + LANDON | THE VENUE AT 400 N. ERVAY

Comment

ALEX + LANDON | THE VENUE AT 400 N. ERVAY

YAY!! It's #MARRIEDFACEMONDAY!

Today we're sharing the wedding of Alex + Landon! Literally some of the most stylish people we've ever worked with - we've been dying to see this gallery since their wedding day!

These two tied the knot last year on October 21st at The Venue at 400 N. Ervay.  Marble placecards, lush garlands of greenery and a romantic rooftop setting made for the perfect night. Our favorite aspect of the evening had to have been the music. Alex + Landon are both musically inclined [y'all should hear her sing] so the set list for the night was of the utmost importance. This is where we give a shout out to Nate, from Le Force Entertainment, for creating one of the dopest wedding playlists we've ever heard. 

See all the amazing details in the full gallery below shot by one of our new favorites, Nicholas Leitzinger. And be sure to check out the full vendor team, it features some of our fellow Coterie members, Hello Flawless and Whisk Until Sweet

COORDINATION | CELEBRATE DALLAS
PHOTOGRAPHY | NICHOLAS LEITZINGER
FLORALS | CELEBRATE DALLAS
DJ + LIGHTING | LE FORCE ENTERTAINMENT
VENUE | THE VENUE AT 400 N. ERVAY
CATERING + BAR | FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD
CAKE | WHISK UNTIL SWEET
HAIR + MAKEUP | HELLO FLAWLESS

Comment

HOW TO | RSVP ETIQUETTE

Comment

HOW TO | RSVP ETIQUETTE

It's a detail that's small but, mighty in the grand scheme of confetti and "I do's." We're talking about wedding invitations -- or really any invitation to any celebration ever. 

Sure, the ink, hand lettering, and envelopes are important. But, the content is what matters most. So grab your best stamps and hold that pinky high. We're diving into the world of RSVP etiquette. 

1. Guest: Respond

RSVP, the abbreviation for the French phrase “respondez s’il vous plait,” means please respond. Responding in a timely manner allows the host to ensure that the appropriate amount of food, beverages, and seating arrangements are all in order. If you don't want to get stuck at the kid's table, or worse, left out of the final count then respond by the date indicated on the invitation. 

PHOTOGRAPHY | Matthew Moore

PHOTOGRAPHY | Matthew Moore

2. Host: Build in 'grace'

Let's face it, responding to an RSVP is one of those things we all mean to do but, just seem to always forget. Make sure to mail invites in enough time so that guests can make appropriate arrangements to attend and you (as the host) have enough time to prepare accordingly.

The Rule: wedding invites should be mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding — that gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. Check in on missing RSVPs about three weeks after invites are sent.

3. Avoid brining uninvited guests (or gifts)

PHOTOGRAPHY | Elizabeth Messinia

PHOTOGRAPHY | Elizabeth Messinia

One of the most common wedding frustrations are unexpected/uninvited guests. Guests arriving unexpectedly could mean a shortage of seats, a super cramped dance floor, or (depending on capacity) a fine for the couple. The same can be said for gifts not on the registry. Unsure if you are allowed to bring a plus one? Ask! 

The Rule: couples who are married, engaged, or living together must be invited together, even if you haven’t met your friend’s significant other. After that, it gets a little less clear-cut.

4. Host: "We'd rather not have kids at our wedding." Thoughts?

Kids aren't for everyone and that's totally understandable. If you want a kid-free wedding consider addressing your invitations correctly -- to each guest by name, not “and guest." Also, think about adding in response lines for guests to write in their additional guests. If you notice a guest has responded with their child's name, reach out to them via phone or in person and calmly explain, "We have decided to host an adult-only wedding."  If there are a lot of kids in your family, you may want to consider hiring a babysitter. 

The Rule: It’s your wedding! Have it your way. Let guests know that you’ve opted for an adult-only wedding using one of the tips above.

Remember: Good invitations excite guests, bringing in elements of the bash and all of its wonder. Great invitations, equally excite and inform guests about what is to come. They marvel at your creation, grow excitement for the big day and put down your invattion feeling knowledagble about what, how and where they need to be. 

Comment

BRIDAL BABES | OUR REAL BRIDE, CRYSTAL

Comment

BRIDAL BABES | OUR REAL BRIDE, CRYSTAL

With the new year comes new blog features, one of those being more pictures of our real life brides. These lush bridal photos of our gal Crystal are the perfect way to start! I mean, how gorg is she?! 

Crystal is such a sweetie and we loved every minute of planning her wedding last September. Plus, the girl is well on her way to becoming a yoga master (which made us feel healthier just by knowing her! Hah!)

Thanks to our gal Hilary of Shay & Olive for sharing these images and stay tuned for the full wedding gallery super soon! <3

PHOTOGRAPHY | SHAY & OLIVE
FLORALS |  CELEBRATE DALLAS
DRESS | a & bé

Comment

REWARDSTYLE HOLIDAY | THE COTERIE

Comment

REWARDSTYLE HOLIDAY | THE COTERIE

The holidays may be over, but we're reliving a little Christmas cheer today and sharing our Wreath Making Workshop with the girls of RewardStyle!

We absolutely loved hosting these stylish ladies at The Coterie for their corporate holiday party. When you're as cool as these babes, a regular ol' office party just won't cut it. We pulled out all the stops and taught everyone how to make their own holiday wreaths (and sipped on plenty of wine in the process!).

Take a peek at the full gallery below!

Want to host a super cool workshop like this? Check out more info on The Coterie here!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF REWARDSTYLE

Comment