HOW TO | WINTER WEDDING GUIDE

It’s almost wintertime in Dallas! And although it certainly doesn’t feel like it, we can still pretend. This year the winter wedding season may be a little skimpier than in years past, but we still want to pay homage to this special time of year. Celebrate Dallas has given out our fair share of winter tips, tricks, and cozy inspiration, and since we’re not in the business of reinventing the wheel, today we’re bringing back some of our favorite Winter blog posts. Enjoy!

A FEW OF OUR WINTER WEDDINGS

Photo | Jillian Zamora

Featuring AT&T Performance Arts Center as a backdrop, this beauty and her adorable pup braved the cold Dallas winter while the talented Jillian Zamora followed them around snapping this gorgeous gallery.

Photo | Kate Pease Photography

We're sharing the wonderful wedding of Lauren + Jordan! A classic couple with a timeless style, this December wedding highlights winter white florals and all the evergreens.

Photo | MESHALI MITCHELL

We used pops of cranberry red, blush, and grey in bouquets and centerpieces to capture that winter aesthetic without going into the traditional Christmas look. Her bouquet is one of my all time faves! So much texture! And the pops of red against the white barn and gray bridesmaid dresses really created the perfect winter wedding!

INSPIRATION

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.

Check out our TOP 5 | CHIC WINTER WEDDINGS post!

Photo | Melissa Marshall

PICKING THE PERFECT WINTER COCKTAILS

Source | Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour

When planning for a wedding, it can be a daunting task to make final decisions on important items like location, dress, guest list, caterer, and drink menu. Ultimately the wedding day is for the couple and they should feel free to create the type of event that fits their unique style and taste. One way to show your personality is through a signature cocktail. Peep some of these recipes and be inspired!

Check out our HOW TO | CHOOSE A SIGNATURE COCKTAIL post!

Are you having a winter wedding?

#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 | DO OR DITCH? WEDIQUETTE EDITION

Weddings have no shortage or traditions and etiquette that dictates what you should and shouldn’t do on the big day. While researching best practices, we found that so many of the big wedding rules were antiquated. So, instead of maintaining the status quo, we decided to play a game of Do or Ditch! These are things that you can let go if they don’t match your style (it’s your wedding after all) or wedding day elements you shouldn’t cross off your list, no matter how badly you want to. Let’s dive in!

Ditch

• Expensive Stationary - Traditionally, weddings are filled with paper (invitations, STDs, menus, etc.), but they don’t have to be. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly or affordable option, go digital!

• Ceremony Seating Arrangements - Say goodbye to separated sides on the ceremony for the different families.

• Cake - Not that into cake? Swap it for pie or an elaborate dessert display.

• Wedding Party - More and more low-key couples are opting out of traditional wedding parties. You can forego a formal wedding party and still have a few friends or family members get ready with you on your big wedding morning!

• Wedding Dress - Ditch the idea of a wedding dress if it’s not your style. Jumpsuits are all the rage this season.

Photo | Amy Karp Photography

Do

• Dinner - Feed your guests, but if you can’t let them know formally via your wedding invitations, so they know to grab a bite beforehand.

• Wedding Website - Create a wedding website! It can be as straightforward or as elaborate as you want

• Welcome - Do something special to welcome out of town guests.

• Alone Time - Carve some time out for just the two of you.

• Technology - Respect the couple’s tech requests. Unplugged means unplugged.

Ditch

• Name Changes - Changing your last name doesn’t have to be a requirement. Discuss it and ditch it if you want.

• Tosses - Garter and bouquet tosses single out your single friends and may be a little awkward in front of everyone (the whole under the wedding dress this can be a little 😬).

• Matching - Bridesmaids don’t have to match. There’s a wide range of bridal party look to choose from. Explore your options!

• Understated Grooms(men) - Mix it up, boys can get fancy too!

• Brides Family Responsibilities - Traditions of yesteryear say that the bride’s parents foot the wedding bill, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Do

• Vendor Meals - Feed your vendors. After working all day to create the perfect day, your staff gets hungry too!

• Dress Code - Follow the desired dress code, no matter what. Confused about what the dress code means? We can help!

• RSVPs - If you RSVP yes, then get your booty to the wedding.

• Gifts - Thank your wedding party with a little something-something. It doesn’t have too pricey and over the top, just something to thank them for all the support they’ve given you.

• Invites - Pay attention to your invitation. Never show up with a surprise plus ones or be a surprise guest. No invite (or a very clear plus one) means don’t show up.

Ditch

• White Dresses - White's a beautiful color, but if it doesn't make you *heart emoji*, then consider something out of the box! All black everything, perhaps?

• Asking for Permission - It's 2020, so unless specifically requested, don't feel pressure to ask the to-be bride's parent' s/dad's permission for her hand in marriage.

• Diamonds - There's a world of stones out there (different colors, cuts, and price ranges) shop around!

• Gendered Wedding Parties - Who says you can't have a Man of Honor or Best Woman?

• Being Given Away - Dads walking their daughters down the aisle is sweet, but if you aren't close and want another loved one to walk you down the aisle. Take the leap and go for the non-traditional. Or you can walk down the aisle solo.

What are we leaving in the past, and what are we bringing into 2020?

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?

TIPS | HAPPY BRIDES HIRE WEDDING PLANNERS

Photo: Valeriia Bugaiova

Regardless of the size of your dream wedding, if you, dear Bride, want to enjoy your engagement and your wedding, hiring a wedding planner is the best thing you can do! Even for those of us who are incredibly organized and love planning events aided by numerous color-coded spreadsheets, planning a wedding can be a daunting task. Here we share why hiring a great wedding planner will make you the happiest bride.

Photo: Frans Hulet

A wedding planner will get to know you, your vision, and budget. This will allow the planner to give you the best vendor recommendations for your event, and to save you from the rabbit hole of endless internet searches that can lead you quick frustration. Finding a quality vendor, who is available on your desired wedding date and who is also within your budget, is not an easy feat. Let your planner deal with that while you go grab a latte and find your perfect wedding shoes. 

Photo: Rawpixel

You will get to enjoy the fun part of wedding planning! Go shopping for your dream dress, go cake tasting with your future spouse, and pick your honeymoon destination! Kiss the stress of calling vendors, responding to dozens (or, yes, hundreds) of emails, keeping up with contracts, logistics, and spreadsheets goodbye! 

Photo: Andoso

You can enjoy your wedding because you have hired a professional to take care of you, your loved ones, and every detail of your once-in-a-lifetime day. A good wedding planner will craft your event with the utmost care, and if something were to go wrong you're likely to never find out. Talk about pure wedded bliss! Wedding planners are wizards; let them work their magic. 

Photo: Rawpixel

You can focus on preparing for marriage which will last much longer than your wedding. Oftentimes, couples get wrapped up in wedding planning and forget to prepare for married life. Talks about guest lists, seating charts, and money can leave a couple, not only exhausted, but disconnected from to the true reason behind the big party. Hiring a wedding planner will allow you and your partner to enjoy your engagement and spend quality time planning your future together.