#HELLYEAH HIGHLIGHTS

We get it, you're getting married, but you're also on the go go go, and don't have the time to scroll through our entire blog to find the information you need (our feeling aren't hurt, we promise)! To save you the trouble, we've rounded up some of our best posts to plan for your big day. Here is the 411 on the BIG 5!

Budget

Both starting point and sticking point for many couples. Save yourself the disappointment and establish a firm budget ASAP.

Photo | Jas and Mike Co.

Venue

The backdrop of your wedding day should be as beautifully matched as you and your betrothed.

Photo | Jillian Zamora

Wedding Party

With your boo and your besties by your side, you’re guaranteed to have the best night ever.

Photo | Brynna Isabell

Guests

The number one rule for keeping the guests happy, you ask? Keep the drinks, the music and the love flowing!

Photo | Payge Stevens Photography

Ceremony + Reception

The vows, the tears, the dinner, and the dancing! Uff, we can’t get enough!

Photo | Chelsea Kaye

May the wedding gods be with you!

TIPS | CHOOSING THE RIGHT VENUE

Finding the right venue for your wedding is an exciting experience. The Dallas area has no shortage of dreamy, picturesque, and swoon-worthy venues to choose from, but knowing which one is right for you takes research and planning. We have five tips that will get you on the right track and ensure that you get hitched at the venue of your dreams!

Tip 1: Define Your Style

Venue | Nasher Sculpture Center

Photo | Ben Q. Photography

Venue | Arlington Hall

Photo | Amy Karp Photography

Do you envision your wedding style as Rustic, Romantic, Gothic, or Traditional? Knowing your style ahead of time can help you narrow down the types of venues you want to visit. Your venue will play a major role in creating the right atmosphere for your wedding day.

Tip 2: Ask Questions

Venue | White Sparrow Barn

Photo | Diane Keathly

Venue | Trinity River Audubon

Photo | Averie Claire

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Venue managers/coordinators are there to help you make the right decision for you! Here are a few big ones Here Comes The Guide recommends:

1. How many hours does the rental fee include, and is there an overtime fee if I stay longer?

2. Do you have an in-house caterer or a list of "preferred" caterers, or do I need to provide my own? Even if there is an in-house caterer, do I have the option of using an outside caterer instead?

3. Can we use candles/confetti/sparklers/fireworks/animals/lawn games/bounce houses/food trucks/insert your own fun-but- potentially-dangerous liability here?

4. What security services do you offer?

5. Are cabs/rideshares (like Uber, Lyft, etc.) easily accessible from the venue?

Tip 3: Make Sure It Fits Your Needs

Venue | Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Photo | Mountaintop Films

Venue | Dallas Arboretum - Degolyer Gardens

Photo | Adria Lea

Keep in mind how the venue you choose can best work with the night you’ve planned. For instance, if your wedding will be mostly out of town guests, consider using one location for both your wedding and reception to cut down on Uber use and travel time. Or if you’re planning on having a smaller wedding research smaller or even non-traditional venue spaces to save a few dollars.

Tip 4: Know and Stick to Your Budget

Venue | The Venue at Waterstone

Photo | Melissa Marshall

Venue | Hickory Street Annex

Photo | Cara Elizabeth Photo

Venues can be a budget breaker (and one of the first things you get on the books), so make sure you’re mindful and not looking outside your budget. Venue shopping can be an exciting experience, but falling in love with a location you can’t afford isn’t.

Tip 5: Talk to Your Planner

Venue | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Photo | Jessica Quadra Photography

Venue | The Orchard

Photo | ALLEEJ Photography

We’ve seen TONS of venues, so pick our brains! We’ll be able to give you some great recommendations based on your style or steer you in the right direction if you’re feeling lost!

How did you choose the right venue?

VENUE HIGHLIGHT | JEFFERSON TOWER EVENTS

Happy Wednesday friends! We've made it halfway through the week and we hope you have fun plans for Memorial Day weekend! 

Today we're taking a sneak-peak into this unique Dallas venue, Jefferson Tower Events! The iconic Jefferson Tower in the heart of Oak Cliff has a rich history though the original building has been fully restored to provide modern amenities. The building covers over 4,000 square feet and the interior is decorated with Art Deco details. The natural light and authentic Dallas view definitely sets Jefferson Tower Events apart from the rest! 

With services like in-house catering from La Calle Doce and El Ranchito restaurants, floral design, furniture rentals, and his-and-hers private lounges, Jefferson Tower Events has everything a couple could want in their big day! 

Although we've not yet had the pleasure of hosting a wedding at this venue (we sure want to!), we did participate in the Swoon Event early this spring here. and it also happens to be local to our studio, The Coterie, in Bishop Arts! Keep scrolling for a look into the venue! Enjoy!

The Minimalist styled shoot featuring this spectacular venue is coming soon!

MORE INFO | JEFFERSON TOWER EVENTS
phone | (214) 948-1540
email | info@jeffersontowerevents.com
location | 351 W. Jefferson Blvd. #800 Dallas, Texas 75208

PHOTOS | JEFFERSON TOWER EVENTS

Venue Highlight | Hickory Street Annex

Happy Wednesday friends! Today we're showcasing one of our favorite venues, Hickory Street Annex, a 6,500 square foot industrial, loft-like space located in Deep Ellum. This unique venue offers cityscape views and plenty of windows for natural light. With it's versatile style, Hickory Street can easily be transformed into everything that you've envisioned for your special day. Boasting both bride + groom suites, a vintage elevator, and excellent service by CN Catering, this venue has everything a couple could want!

While we eagerly await our next wedding in this beautiful space, you can find us swooning over these images from two of our favorite photographers, A Sea of Love and Shay & Olive!

MORE INFO | HICKORY STREET ANNEX
214-828-1414
MICHELLE@HICKORYSTREETANNEX.COM

Photos | A Sea of Love | Shay & Olive | Hickory Street Annex

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!