INSPIRATION | SMALL AND INTIMATE WEDDINGS

Welcome back friends! Today we are exploring the world of small and intimate weddings and how having a smaller guest list can improve your big day. We've composed a list of the top four reasons why we love intimate weddings!

1. Save money. Who doesn't love that? People are spending more and more money on their weddings these days. By cutting the list down to immediate family and close friends, the couple can spend dramatically less. The newlyweds can put that money into the bank, down on their first home, or put it towards a grand honeymoon! 

2. Splurge on the details. Not only can a smaller guest list save money, it could also allow the details to be more extravagant. The couple can spend more money per guest on food, flowers and centerpieces, bridal party treats, the DJ (or band, if that's what you prefer!), or even the wedding gown. When you have less guests to feed, make (and mail) invitations for, and have a proper space accommodation for, you have more wiggle-room for the details you've always dreamed of. 

3. More options with venues. Let's go back to the proper space accommodation real quick. When you're trying to find a venue to hold 300 guests, the venue choices tend to slim down. If the couple can cut that in half, or even reduce it by a little, the venue options widen. Fitting 10 tables into a venue is much easier than squeezing 20 tables into the same size, right?  Another option for a venue arises when hosting an intimate wedding... destination! The couple can consider going out of their state (or to another country!) when the guest list is much smaller.

4. Fewer distractions = more relaxation. This is a big one! When you have fewer guests trying to congratulate, say hello, or put additional pressure on the couple, you can take a deep breath and relax a little bit. Now, we aren't saying that a smaller guest list will completely eliminate the stress, but it will reduce it! The couple and their guests will be able to stay in the moment, remember why they're there, and celebrate the couple's new lives together! 

So, if you're considering a small and intimate wedding, we hope these reasons help reinforce that desire! If you haven't considered cutting down that hefty guest list, these are some good reasons to do so! 

If you, or anyone you know, has had or wants a small and intimate wedding, we'd love to hear about what you thought about it! Feel free to comment and share to let us know what you think! Have a happy Wednesday and we hope you come back next week!

Photos | Chelsea Q. White Photography

AUTUMNAL BOHEMIAN STYLED EDITORIAL

FEATURED ON THE PERFECT PALETTE

Happy Monday, y'all! Today we are so excited to finally share our Autumnal Bohemian Editorial!

This past fall, we ventured out into Oak Cliff to find the perfect tree-filled grove and setup a dreamy scene for the bohemian bride in all of us.

We chose super saturated tones like emerald, navy, and amber and accented with matte black and brass. We tied in lots of mixed textures and patterns with vintage rugs, an amazing low table from Beautiful Event Rentals, and vintage glassware.

We were so excited to bring in as much texture as we could with the flowers! Both the garland runner and the bride's bouquet are full of blooms in shades of amber, berries, and fall foliage!

Our model, Taylor, is actually a former bride of ours! (See her wedding here!) Her company, Gypset Creative, also designed the full paper suite that we died over!

Hello Flawless rocked the beauty business with this messy, relaxed up-do and a smokey amber eye. Paired with this stunning gown from Lovely Bride and emerald jewels from our favorite Shapiro Diamonds, and this bride was ready for a wedding night under the stars!

And, of course, we couldn't have done it without our amazing photographer, Chelsea Q. White, who captured everything so beautifully. There's just something about her film images that make us all misty eyed!

Be sure to scroll through the full gallery and see the full vendor team below. And thank you to the Perfect Palette for featuring our collaboration!

STYLING + FLORALS | CELEBRATE DALLAS
PHOTOGRAPHY | CHELSEA Q. WHITE
PAPER SUITE | GYPSET CREATIVE
HAIR + MAKEUP | HELLO FLAWLESS
DRESS | LOVELY BRIDE
JEWELRY | SHAPIRO DIAMONDS
RENTALS | BEAUTIFUL EVENT RENTALS
BRIDE | TAYLOR MITCHELL

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