TIPS | COCKTAIL HOUR

Congrats, you’re married! While you take what will feel like one million pictures (trust us, it’s all worth it), your guests will be busy drinking and schmoozing during the cocktail hour. Most cocktail hours are pretty traditional, mostly staying within the bounds of wine and passed apps, but if you’re looking for more ways to keep your guests entertained (or distracted in case pictures run long), we have some ideas!

Eat Outside the Box

Cocktail hour is the perfect time for some non-traditional snacks! Keep the classy for the formal dinner and break out the BBQ sliders.

Insta Worthy Decor

We’re talking neon signs, flower walls, or picture perfect decor. Give your guests something to insta-snap about.

Photo | Adria Lea Photography

Lawn Games

Throwback to your summer camp days with some good old fashion cornhole and horseshoes (they play those a summer camp, right?). Guests may enjoy the blast from the past, and because it’s so low effort, they won’t get all sweaty.

Caricatures

People love a good caricature artist. The fun pictures will keep people entertained, but they’ll also serve as a wedding favor your guests will actually keep.

Photo | Wilderlove Co.

Photo Booth

Now this one is different from the insta-worthy decor. Photo booths are their very own beasts. You can go glam and have your very own black and white Kardashian-inspired shoot or keep it silly with fun props and cardboard cutouts. Either way, your guests will love making memories.

Lounge Area

Wedding lounges are trending, and we’re in full support. A cozy place to sit and a stylish furniture moment, yes please!

Photo | Christina Childress Photography

Photo | The Brothers Martens

Get A Tattoo

Kinda. If it fits your vibe, layout some customized temporary tattoos. If you do this, though, make sure that you have some neat way for guests to apply the tattoos; everyone running back and forth from the bathroom is a no go.

Drink

We know this one is a no-brainer, but turn cocktail hour up a little with signature cocktails! Make up a punny name, and create a concoction of your very own.

Did you do anything special during your cocktail hour?

LOOKING BACK AT 2020

2020 has been...quite the year. Each one of us has had our own unique challenges, but we can all agree we’ve been put through the wringer. Together we’ve had to adapt to a new and unfamiliar world, and celebrating with you has been such a fantastic outlet.

As we look back on all of our STUNNING 2020 couples, were feelings ALL the feels. More than anything, though, we’re feeling thankful to everyone Celebrate Dallas has had the pleasure of serving this year. Being able to distract ourselves with so many sweet and joyful faces gave us all the love and light we’d been missing. Being apart of your special day, no matter how big or how small, has been such a privilege.

We love you and can’t wait to see all that 2021 has in store for us (fingers crossed it’s nothing but puppies, rainbows, and good health for all).

Meghann + Alex | Ritz Carlton Dallas

Photo | Reigh Walker

Photo | Reigh Walker

Photo | Reigh Walker

Photo | Reigh Walker

Michelle + Christian | The Emerson

Photo | Kelly’s Instagram

Photo | Sarah Slover

Photo | Sarah Slover

Photo | Our Insta

Kayce + Nick | Hickory Street Annex

Photo | Chelsea Kaye

Photo | Chelsea Kaye

Photo | Chelsea Kaye

Taylor + Matt | Marie Gabrielle

Photo | Wilderlove Co.

Photo | Wilderlove Co.

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Wilderlove Co.

Photo | Wilderlove Co.

Allison + Michael | Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Photo | Kelly’s Instagram

Photo | Photos by Katherine

Photo | Kelly’s Instagram

Photo | Our Insta

Marianna + Nicholas | W Dallas - Victory

Photo | Twos Company Photography

Photo | Kelly’s Instagram

Photo | Kelly’s Instagram

Hannah + Tyler | Stone Crest

Photo | Courtney Bosworth

Photo | Courtney Bosworth

Photo | Courtney Bosworth

Celeste + Trever | Mother of the Bride’s Backyard

Photo | Tamytha Cameron Photography

Photo | Tamytha Cameron Photography

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Tamytha Cameron Photography

Photo | Tamytha Cameron Photography

Anna + Stephen | The Filter Building

Photo | Lauren Apel Photo

Photo | Lauren Apel Photo

Photo | Lauren Apel Photo

Photo | Lauren Apel Photo

Alexandria + Micah | Century Hall Fort Worth

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Silver Bear Creative

Photo | Silver Bear Creative

Photo | Our Insta

Taylor + Andrew | BRIK

Photo | Heather Thompson

Photo | Heather Thompson

Photo | Heather Thompson

Loryn + Marcus | Warwick Melrose Hotel

Photo | Meggie Taylor

Photo | Meggie Taylor

Photo | Meggie Taylor

Photo | Meggie Taylor

Photo | Our Insta

Louisa + David | Hotel Crescent Court

Photo | Amy Zumwalt

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Amy Zumwalt

Photo | Amy Zumwalt

Photo | Amy Zumwalt

Emily + Rachel | Firefly Gardens

Photo | Anna Smith Photography

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Anna Smith Photography

Sophia + Joe | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Created by Noah

Via | Lela Rose Bridal’s Instagram

Photo | Created by Noah

Via | Lela Rose Bridal’s Instagram

Christanna + Ankit | The Orchard

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Amy Herfurth Photography

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Our Insta

Kaitlyn + Nathaniel | The Emerson

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Kelly’s Instagram

Photo | Our Insta

Photo | Our Insta

Love you lots,

Celebrate Dallas 💕

TIPS | TOASTS

Wedding toasts are a lovely tradition where friends and family can congratulate, share their love, and advise the newlyweds on their wedding day. Most of the time, toasts are funny, well planned, and illicit a few tears. Though, every now and then, they get a little awkward and uncomfortable, even with the best intentions. And we get it; finding the right words to say can be challenging, intimidating even. What’s the joke to serious story ratio? Which anecdotes cross the line? How long is too long? Well, funny you ask! We have the answers! This week we’re talking Wedding Toast tips!

Save Your VIPs For The Big Day

Photo | Silver Bear Creative

More than likely you’ll have a few people wanting to shower you with kind and loving words and you may be tempted to let them, but your reception should only feature your most important guest speeches. The more speeches you have the less charming they’ll be, we promise. If you want to give everyone a chance, have them speak at the rehearsal dinner! It’s a win for them and your guests.

The Couple Should Speak

Photo | Chelsea Kaye Photography

The couple should always share a few words. It doesn’t have to long and drawn out, just something quick that expresses your love and gratitude.

Short and Sweet

Photo | Reigh Walker Photo

Make sure that speakers know they don’t earn extra brownie points for longest speech. All the sentimental and funny anecdotes should stay around the five minute mark. Special allowances can be made, but choose wisely.

Advanced Notice Is The Best Notice

Photo | Jas + Mike Co.

Speakers should know they’re toasting waaay in advance. Advanced notice will give them time to calm their nerves, rehearse their quippy lines, and self-edit. A last minute speech is a risk that we don’t think you should make.

Set Boundaries

Photo | Wilderlove Co.

Set boundaries! This is a wedding not a roast or a rauchy bachelor party. Give your toast makers guidelines on what should and shouldn’t be said in front of Nana and PopPop. Thank us later.

Have Fun

Photo | Moutaintop Films

Toast can be nerve wracking for the couple and the guests. Everyone’s waiting for the perfect words and perfect story to share, but remember this is a celebration and it should be joyous. Don’t stress yourself or anyone else out trying to reach master orator status. Let your heart do the talking and you’re sure to say just the right thing.

What’s your favorite wedding toast?

TOP 5 | WEDDING FAVORS

This week we're talking Wedding Favors! These are one of our favorite fluffy wedding details. Fluffy as in you absolutely don't need them, and no one will probably miss them, but they're just such fun little details it's hard to let them okay. If you're unfamiliar with wedding favors, they are keepsakes that guests receive as a "thank you for putting on your very best clothes and driving into town for us" gift after the reception. There's really no right or wrong favors; it all depends on a couple's unique taste and interests. We've seen it all; coffee, seeds, hot sauce, and koozies galore.

As much as we love them, though, we have to be honest about one thing… soooo, many of your favors are going to go in the trash. I know, I know it sucks to hear, but it's the truth. People will forget or misplace them, and at the end of the night, quite a few them will end up in the trash. 

To make sure that you're gifting something meaningful and maximizing the take-home ratio, you need to keep in mind a few things. 

1. Make sure your favors are personal. It's easy to just do a little generic thank you, but people are more likely to hold on to a favor that is a meaningful part of the couple's story. 

2. Don't go over the top. Keep it sweet and simple. 

Even with those two rules, there are still tons of options, so check out our Top 5 Wedding Favors!

Integrate Your Interests

If the two of you are known for your green thumb, consider sweet little plant friends!

Incorporate Your Theme

If your wedding has a fall feel, cozy (and more importantly yummy) butter or jam in jars are perfect to keep the theme going all the way to the guests home.

Pay Homage to Your Furry Friend

Just because your four-legged friend can’t be there doesn’t mean they can’t be there. 

Give Them a Gift that Keeps on Giving

Favors can be functional too!

Commemorative Cookies

Stylish cookies aren’t just gorgeous, but they’re less likely to get left behind because they’ll be eaten up before you know it.

What’s your favorite wedding favor?

TOP 5 | CHIC WINTER WEDDINGS

It’s feeling colder than ever in North Texas and we’re in the Winter Wedding mood. We’ve been keeping our eyes on all this season’s wedding trends and whether brides have gone full-on Christmas crazy or kept it minimal, we’re loving it. But, knowing just the right balance of holiday cheer to add to your decor can be tricky. Today we’re rounding up our Top 5 favorite ways to incorporate this holiday season into your wedding day. Go all out or pick winter elements to celebrate your favorite time of year.

Cozy Bridal Accessories

Photo | A Sea of Love

Ceremony Blankets

Photo | Diane Keathly

Winter White Bridesmaid Dresses

Photo | Melissa Marshall

Festive Florals

Photo | Meshali

Pops of Christmas Color

Photo | Melissa Marshall

What does your dream winter wedding look like?