TIPS | REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Most girls have a Pinterest, whether it's for DIY home ideas, clothing, or our personal favorite, weddings! On the other hand, most girls have also found that the pictures they quickly fell in love with on Pinterest, are often out of their wedding budget. 

This week, we have some tips and tricks to educate brides on the price tag of a pinterest wedding and how to have realistic expectations for your budget, because really... who doesn't have at least some sort of budget for their wedding!? People all around the world see the same images and fall in love with the same ideas, without any knowledge of where that venue is or how much that gown truly costs. Here are a few things to keep in mind! 

That venue doesn't always look that perfect at your budget.

Those drapes with twinkle lights are not always so perfectly placed, and in fact, the cost of the venue might not even include them. Having a venue add drapes and lighting can cost up to thousands of dollars extra! The additional costs at a wedding venue, for example, upgrading the color of the reception chairs from a black chair to a nicer white chair, can quickly add up and surpass your budget, so make sure you know what you want and if the venue includes those little details in their rental price. 

Photo courtesy of Nessa K Photography found on Pinterest.

That "discount bridal dresses" caption might be paired with a designer dress picture.

Pinterest can be deceiving at times... you can't always trust the caption that goes with the picture! Personally, I have about a million (okay, maybe not quite THAT many) dresses pinned for ideas when my time comes around, many of which have "cheap wedding dresses" as the caption. After doing some digging, I've found that most of the dresses, which I have imagined myself walking down the aisle in, are accompanied by a not-so-cheap top dollar price tag! Take those pictures and use them as inspiration for your own wedding gown, shop around, and find similar styles at local shops that are within your budget. 

Sometimes, we have to go to the professionals for help.

DIY this, DIY that. Yes! Don't get me wrong, you can save quite a bit of money doing things yourself, but if you're anything like me, there are just some things you gotta know when to turn to the pros. One of the most common examples this wedding season is calligraphy.  Welcome signs, menus, invitations, you name it and it's being done this season! I know my handwriting isn't the best, let alone trying my hand at calligraphy! So if your budget allows, find a professional from your area and spend the extra change to get that sign so perfectly written everyone will think it's printed! We highly recommend Ellie and Ace, and you can learn more about them here!

Photo courtesy of Ellie and Ace.

All in all, some of the best advice I have, is pick what is most important to you, and splurge on those things. For some brides it will be florals, for others it will be the photographer, and for me personally, the cake! Pinterest should be used for ideas to help get those creative juices flowing. Make your wedding your very own at a budget that won't break the bank! 

Top 5 | Local Bridal Boutiques

Ladies, let’s face it...your wedding dress is literally a magical dream in itself! You begin envisioning this gorgeous creation when you're a little girl and fantasize about it all of your life. Lusting over your dress from the time of your fairy princess days to the years of marriage with your spouse whilst you revisit the gown through old photos and memories, a wedding dress should truly be a garment that effortlessly and perfectly makes you feel like the most stunning and breath taking bride imaginable.

Luckily for you, the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is a mecca for all things beauty and shopping related and this of course includes some of the nations best bridal boutiques. From extravagant top dollar gown designers to sample sale markdowns, DFW has an array of options available for the bride on the perfect dress hunt!

a & bé bridal shop
Located in only three cities around the nation, a and bé bridal caters to the modern and creative bride who is looking for something extra unique and divinely special. Whether it's a dress from an emerging designer or something sweetly bohemian and romantic, this team of stylish gown experts aim to ensure that you receive the full enjoyment that all brides crave when dress shopping, without any extra chaos.  Think fresh, chill, and whimsical! We absolutely love this bridal shop and we know that you will feel the same!

Stanley Korshak Bride
For the haute couture bride interested in designer gowns and crème de la crème pampering, Dallas’ very own Stanley Korshak is an exceptional choice. From Vera Wang and Romona Keveza to Michael Medina and Ines Di Santo, nothing will make you feel more like bridal royalty than the gowns and bridal accessories lining the walls and filling the space of this iconic and family owned Dallas luxury retailer. After receiving countless awards throughout the years for their service and selection, you are bound to fall in love here with everything that screams opulent elegance!

The Blushing Bride Boutique
For the bride who wants to browse an assortment of affordable to mid-range dresses within a gorgeously decorated intimate space, The Blushing Bride Boutique located in Frisco is surely a winner! From classic to more casual designs, you will feel as though you are spending the day in a wedding wonderland filled with lace, jewels, chandeliers, mirrors, and artwork everywhere you turn! Awarded Hall of Fame after four consecutive years of Best of Weddings from The Knot, The Blushing Bride will not disappoint your wedding shopping endeavors!

Warren Barron Bridal
Described by one of the owner’s, Elle Warren Harman, as “so much more than a beautiful store with beautiful gowns”, Warren Barron Bridal was established in 2006 and has without a doubt become a local must-visit for the bride who is looking to wow herself and her wedding guests! Located in Snider Plaza shopping center, Warren Barron Bridal offers seasonal trunk shows and oftentimes hosts sample sales with unbeatable markdowns on designers such as Monique Lhuillier, Austin Scarlett, Marchesa, and more! Schedule a private appointment and prepare yourself to be dazzled and delighted.

Bridal Boutique of Lewisville
Family owned and operated since 1990, this bridal boutique focuses not only on ensuring that the bride feels her best but also that her mother and bridesmaids are able to personally join in on the shopping experience and find dresses that best suit their styles and needs. Adjacent to the main bridal salon is a 5000 square foot space filled to the brim with dresses for the mother and bridal party! Credited as providing the “best selection anywhere,” you must visit this boutique… So, what are you waiting for? Go now!

**Wedding Dress Happy Hour Alert: A Bridal Closet is an outlet boutique located in the Willow Bend mall and sells discounted dresses from three of Dallas’ most well-known bridal shops: Stardust Celebrations, Lulu’s, and A Curvy Bride.  All three of these shops are well-known top bridal spots! Add them to your list as well and be sure to call in advance before visiting any bridal shop to book an appointment or verify that walk-ins are welcome.

We hope that you will enjoy visiting these places as much as we enjoyed writing about them! Nearly every single bridal gown requires multiple fittings and alterations so be sure to give yourself ample time before your wedding date to explore all of your options and shop with joy instead of crunch-time cram mode!

Celebrate Colorfully wishes you the best of luck on your dress search and the sweetest of tears when you finally slip into “the one’ of your dreams! Thank you for reading and until next time, happy wedding planning!

All photos from bridal boutiques' website or Instagram

Vendor Highlight | Wiler Photography

Happy hump day! We hope all of your summers are going well, ours is about to get busy busy busy with exciting new adventures and we sure can’t wait!

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Nadia from Wiler Photography! This girl and her husband, Luke, are truly so caring and always go full out to make sure the bride and grooms have the best photos and videos to remember such a special day.

We met Nadia through a friend and can’t believe how far her and Luke have come, from starting as a self-taught photographer and videographer to becoming an outstanding duo in the industry! Get to know them a little bit more below!

1. What are five words (or a 5 word sentence) that would describe yourselves and/or your company the best?

Always Doing More Than Expected!

2. How did Wiler Photography come to be? Who is Wiler Photography?

We are a husband (Luke) and wife (Nadia) team known as The Wiler’s. We fell into the stress of planning our own wedding and along the way we had to meet with vendors of all types. It was the time for us to meet with wedding photographers and the process was one of the most challenging for us. We had champagne taste on a beer budget. We noticed that the photographers we liked and styles we loved were out of our price range and some of the people we were left with didn’t seem to care as much about our wedding as we did. It was stressful to say the least. After countless days of searching we found a photographer who was affordable but also had great photos to go with the price. We met with her and she was so easy going and it felt like we were talking to a friend and not just a stranger wanting our money. We walked away from that meeting saying how nice it would have been if others were more like that.

I was so involved with what I liked and didn’t like in photography and inspired by the photographer we just met. Luke said he could see me being a great photographer because I had such strong opinions and passion for great photos. When Luke gets his mind on an idea he runs wild with it. He spent the next month researching cameras, lenses and other equipment to give me everything I needed to get started. Meanwhile, I was becoming self-taught through “YouTube University” studying and learning everything I needed to know about cameras and photography.

Before we knew it, we had purchased our first camera and I started shooting and practicing every day. We could tell I was getting really good at this. I was so in love with it. My first wedding was a friend who invited us to be guests. I asked her if she would mind if I photographed her wedding just to practice. She was more than obliged to have me. At the end of the day, I had so much fun taking pictures at her wedding that I wanted to do more. I knew I wasn’t ready to tackle a whole wedding on my own yet. I needed more experience. As fate would have it, the photographer from my own wedding had recently posted online that she was looking for someone to 2nd shoot with her. I could not have called her any faster. Somewhere between July-October I had shadowed her and worked with her almost every weekend on a wedding. I asked for more experience and I got it!

My portfolio grew so quickly and I was having so much fun that my husband decided he wanted to get in on it with me. His interest however was in video. Of course his mind was set, and for the next month he was online, vigorously researching everything he needed to know about videography. Just as myself, he needed experience. At this time, I was booking entire weddings on my own for myself. Our first bride that Luke was able to shoot video for had no idea what she was actually getting. Luke was so excited and put everything he had into making his first video. The bride was blown away! It was more than what she imagined.

Between my photography, and his now video, we knew we had a winning combination. We were hooked! We have completely devoted ourselves to our work and we let the passion and excitement drive us. Our goal since having dealt with wedding planning on our own, was to remain ourselves. We wanted to come off as a friend and be honest about everything involved with our client’s weddings. We always do more than expected, because we love what we do and we want our clients to love us too.

3. How would you describe your wedding photography styles?

I like my style to reflect my clients. It’s not about me when I am photographing a bride or groom, it’s about them. I let my clients be themselves and in the process we get some great documentary, or lifestyle, type photos. My photos tend to be brighter and crisp, and in the industry my style is considered light and airy. I love the natural beauty of the daytime and I try to draw in as much light and happiness into my work. 

4. What are your favorite local hangouts?

I don’t have a lot of favorite local hangouts, for me it’s more like local eatery’s. Nothing beats sipping a grapefruit mimosa, on the patio of East Hampton at the Shops of Legacy. Any place with a great patio, drink specials and delicious food is where you will likely find me.

5.     What’s your advice for the couple whose number one priority is having a fun wedding?  

My advice to a couple planning their wedding is one I was given before my wedding day. Don’t get carried away by what others would like or how others would feel. If you can find a way to remember that the day is about you and your fiancé, ignore everyone else and plan for yourself. Keep what’s important to you, and don’t worry about what other people may think or feel. In the long run, you will be thankful that you pleased yourself because your day only happens one time. Nobody will cherish those memories like you will so they are yours to make.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about Nadia and Luke and a peek at their amazing work! We look forward to see all their new photos and videos from this busy summer season! 

Info + Inquires

Email | nadiawiler@gmail.com

Instagram | @wilerphotos

All photos from Wiler Photography & Films

How To: Find Peace Before The Ceremony

Planning a wedding is undoubtedly one of the happiest times of your life; however, it can also be one of the most stressful events to plan! From choosing the best wedding venue and finding your perfect wedding dress, to designing and sending wedding invitations and communicating with an extensive amount of people throughout your engagement, you might feel exhausted when your wedding day finally arrives! With that being said, we have a few tips and tricks to help you find peace before your ceremony and be able to savor and enjoy every joyous and beautiful moment that you have worked so hard to plan and perfect!

Taylor + Louie | Photo by A Sea of Love

Organization and Help: Delegation at it’s Finest

Hiring a wedding planner and/or day-of coordinator can relieve a great deal of stress and responsibility from your plate. Also, it will ensure that your day is being handled by a team of professionals who know exactly how the day should run and have the experience and know-how to keep each and every part of the day on schedule and running seamlessly both behind the scenes and in front of the camera! Check out our post, Why You'll Want a Planner, for more details on why coordinators are so amazingly helpful. 

Find Moments to Yourself Throughout the Day

Whether your ceremony is set to begin early in the day or later on in the afternoon, find time to pamper and relax yourself.  Be sure to go to bed early the night before and then begin the day with your favorite workout and a healthy breakfast before getting dressed and on your way! This will instantly relieve some of the big day jitters and fuel you for the long day ahead. If you still have time after this, go to the salon for a massage, manicure, of facial. This will help keep your body and mind at ease and will also prepare you to look your most beautiful for the wedding. Also, make sure that you always have water and snacks around to stay hydrated and fueled!

Continue Communication with your Fiancée

In the midst of everything happening from the break of dawn to “I do”, it's very important to stay in communication with your fiancée, maintaining focus on what this glorious day is truly about: celebrating your shared love and commitment to one another as you begin your new life together! Whether this means texting and calling each other throughout the day, sneaking away for a “first look”, or having your maid of honor and best man pass hand-written love notes between the two of you, be sure to find little ways to come back to one another at least a handful of times!

We hope that these few tips will help you find peace before the ceremony on your beautiful wedding day. Please feel free to like or share this post and contact Celebrate Colorfully with any wedding planning, coordination, or floral inquiries that you may have for your upcoming wedding!