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?

HOW TO | FALL WEDDING GUIDE

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times, Fall is the absolute YUMMIEST wedding season. The colors are rich, the temperature is nice, and the vibes are just right. But, you don’t have to take our word for it, check your GCal or Instagram feed, weddings absolutely dominate the fall season. Because of that, we’ve already shared most of our tips, tricks, and autumnal inspiration. Since we’re not in the business of reinventing the wheel, today we’re bringing back some of our favorites Fall blog posts. Enjoy!

COLOR PALETTE

Deciding on color combinations can be one of the most challenging parts of planning a wedding. We love bright and cheerful, spring or summer colors accented throughout a wedding because it takes this already joy-filled event up a notch. However, as we enter into the fall season, color schemes change…If you want a crisp, fall wedding but still want some of those cheery pops of color, fear not! We have some new ways to extend those fun colors that we love so much.

Check out our UPDATED AUTUMN COLORS post!

Photo | Chelsea Q. White

FLORALS

Photo | Wilderlove Co. Photography

Shopping Seasonally is a great way to add a touch of nature without breaking your budget. Use Fall's sophisticated red and vibrant yellows to capture the warmth and beauty of the season. Pair these shades with romantic lighting and you've got a truly magical experience for guests to enjoy.

But, with so many options, we know it can get a little complicated. So, check out our cheat sheet to effortless Fall florals.

Check out our TIPS | SEASONAL FALL FLOWERS post!

ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

We're switching up the typical #MarriedFaceMonday post with an engagement shoot featuring our fall bride and her handsome groom at The White Sparrow Barn. Shot by the incredible Adria Lea, this gallery features a stunning rose gold dress and one seriously gorgeous couple.

Check out our LOVERS | RACHAEL + BLAKE post!

Photo | Adria Lea

DETAILS

Photo | Chelsea Q. White

FEATURED ON THE PERFECT PALETTE

We are so excited to 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.

INSPIRATION

It finally feels like fall in Texas and we're excited to be celebrating one of our favorite wedding seasons! Of course, all seasons have their matrimonial magic, but we can't over that yummy fall feeling and an even yummier fall color palette. We've been lucky to be apart of so many Fall and Fall inspired weddings, but today we've narrowed it down to five of our favorites for you to enjoy! You can use these as inspiration to create your autumnal affair or swoon along with us.

Check out our TOP 5 | FALL WEDDING MOMENTS post!

Florals | Bloom Colorfully

Also check out OUR AUTUMN WEDDING PINTEREST BOARD!

Are you having a fall wedding?

HOW TO | SURVIVE BRIDESMAID DRESS SHOPPING

Photo | Melissa Marshall 

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Finding a bridesmaid dress that all of your bridal party is happy with (and looks hot in) can be a struggle. Feelings and expectations get involved, and the whole process can go downhill fast. Today we’ve rounded up some tips that will keep everyone cool, calm, and collected looking their best on your wedding day.

Have a Vision

Go into the process with a vision of how you’d like your bridesmaid to look. Consider your bridesmaid dress philosophy:

• My Way Or The Highway - All the dresses will be the same style and color.

• Options Options Options - Dresses are the same exact color, but the bridesmaids can choose a style that fits them.

• Color Scheme - All dresses will be in the same general color scheme, something broad like Green or Blue, but can be different styles.

• You Can Have Whatever You Like - You do you, babe. Wear what you want but within reason.

Be Prepared

Make sure bridesmaids know what to bring on try on day. Brides.com recommends:

• Undergarments they’ll be wearing on the wedding day (or something like it).

• A few different shoe options, so they can see what looks best.

• Body shapers (if that’s their thing).

• Hair clips or ties, so they can try a few different styles and get a better idea of how it’ll pair with the dress.

• Get dolled up (whatever that means for them) for the same reason as the above. It’ll help them get a better picture of how they’ll look on the wedding day.

Coordinate Schedules

Try your best to coordinate schedules so that all of your bridal party can be involved. Everyone being together in one place and able to contribute will help ease any feelings of not being heard.

Be Realistic

If all of your bridesmaids are fresh out of college, a $300 dress might be a financial stretch for them (especially because they’ll probably never wear this dress again), so be realistic and considerate.

Be Kind

Bridesmaids can get a little weird around dress shopping, and some of that is unfounded but, some weirdness or bad attitudes may be coming from a deeper place. Shopping, especially for a dress that you’ll be on display and photographed in all day, can be tough for people with body insecurities. If your bridesmaids are feeling insecure and like their opinions aren’t being considered, tensions can arise. Now we’re not recommending you change your plan to accommodate whatever they’d like to wear (it is your wedding after all), but be kind. Choose inclusive dress companies, consider styles that look good on different bodies, and talk it out. At the end of the day, these are people you love.

Have Fun

Remember that this is supposed to be a fun experience! Pop a bottle of champagne or do a little fashion show. This, like many other parts of the wedding planning process, should be a memory you can look back on fondly.

Do you have any tips on surviving bridesmaid dress shopping?

HOW TO | PETS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

On your wedding day you should be surrounded by the ones you love most and pets whether they be feathered or four-legged they are no exception to that rule. More and more couples are opting to incorporate their fur-babes into their wedding. Some couples have their dogs/cats/potbelly pigs walk down the aisle but if you’re looking for other options we’ve rounded up a few alternatives plus tips that’ll make sure your pet-friendly wedding is smooth sailing.

1. Expect the unexpected. Animals are unpredictable by nature, so having a backup plan is imperative! What will you do if their little outfit is lost in all the wedding commotion? What’s the plan if your lil’ sweetie acts out or isn’t feeling well? Of course, we hope that everything goes off without a hitch, but our motto is hope for the best and plan for the worst.

2. Have an exit strategy. What is your post-ceremony pet exit-strategy? More than likely, you won’t want them to stay throughout the night’s festivities (and to be fair they probably won’t want to either), so consider how and who will be getting them home after you say “I do.”

3. Know your pet. You know your baby better than anyone else does, so be realistic! If they’ve never sat still or obeyed a command, your wedding may not the right time to put them on full display.

4. Practice. Practice makes perfect isn’t just for humans. Before the big day, get your furry, feathered, or otherwise coated friend into the groove of posing or walking down the aisle.

5. Check in with your venue. Some venues have strict no pet policies so be sure to ask while touring and double check those contracts!

First Look

Photo | Lori Wilson Photography

Bridals

Photo | Jillian Zamora

Photo | A Sea of Love

Cocktail Hour Guests

Photo | Rob August

Engagement Photos

Photo | Rebecca Kracht

Cake Topper

Photo | Adria Lea

Ceremony Programs

Photo | Hilary Cinque

HOW WILL YOU BE SHARING YOUR SPECIAL DAY WITH YOUR FURRY ONES?

HOW TO | REPURPOSING WEDDING DECOR

We all know that planning your wedding takes time and money and we’re here to help you make the most of it. Once the glitz and glam is over it’s hard to part with your delicately planned details and decorations so we’ve rallied up a few ideas to help you reuse your thoroughly thought out wedding decor in your home.

GREETING SIGN

The great thing about letter boards is how versatile they are! Not to mention they’re super cute. Whether you’re using it as a welcome sign or for your photo booth it can forever be updated and hung in your home to give you ultimate personalization.

photo by Natalie Broach Photography

Photo | Ro Birkley

VASES

The best way to dress up any space is…. yup, you guessed it! FLORALS. And we can’t have florals without a great vase to work with. A clear vase makes it easy to use anywhere, anytime no matter what your style may be. Bring those vases home and use them to dress up your favorite space.

Photo | Victoria Gold Photography

Photo | Knot & Living

GIFT BOX

Having a gift box is a must for your reception and afterwards it can easily be used in your home to either store your finest jewelry or your favorite tubes of lipstick.

Photo | Melanie Julian Photography