Dallas Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

Chic South Asian Wedding at Hyatt Regency Hotel Dallas

As much as I love a wedding packed with Pinterest-worthy details, without fail, I always come back to the bridal portraits. They’re my favorite images to look at when I first open a gallery—so you can imagine my excitement when I clicked on this one captured by Erin Wilson. They are powerful portraits that tell the story of the blending of two beautiful cultural backgrounds and the love of Alyzae and Viqar. To top it all off, we had a chance to interview the Bride herself, on every facet of their day. Read it all below!

Tell us about your cultural backgrounds?

My cultural background is of British and Pakistani heritage, and Viqar’s heritage is from India and Yemen. Both of us grew up here in the states – he grew up in Western New York and I grew up in Dallas.

What elements of your culture/heritage were important to incorporate into your wedding?

The clothes and jewelry played a big part in our wedding – both of us wore pieces that had meaningful significance within our families which was really special. I also got to wear a beautiful, signature Indian jewelry set from Viqar’s mother. Food is also a highlight in South Asian weddings so having a variety of traditional food was important. Our culture also places an emphasis that a marriage is not just between two individuals, but between two families, so the the involvement of our families was important.

How did you blend cultures and still keep your ceremony & reception cohesive?

Fortunately, there are a lot of similarities between our cultures, so it was a matter of merging the two cultures together.

Did you have Western influences at all? If so, what were they?

Yes! Traditionally, the South Asian wedding outfit is red, but I always knew I wanted to wear white. As part of our cultural wedding dress, we wear a veil (“dubata”) on our head, but I loved the idea of a long cathedral-style veil so I combined the two! Traditionally, our weddings are a multiday event, with the ceremony typically held on the day before the reception. The set up of our wedding mimicked a Western wedding in that we had the ceremony and reception in one evening, with a social (“cocktail”) hour in between. We also had my brother’s friend play the piano to “All of Me” by John Legend for our entrance. Lastly, my mother set up a massive dessert bar that included both traditional South Asian dessert as well as Western dessert.

What were any challenges that you faced when planning your wedding?

Because I live in Maryland and Viqar lives in Boston, planning our wedding Dallas and finalizing the venue, photo/video, clothes and makeup from afar was definitely challenging! It was nice to have my parents in-town to help with coordinating all the different pieces.

Biggest piece of advice for those looking to infuse their wedding with more than one culture?

Openly communicating between families with what traditions/aspects of the wedding is important to them was really helpful and kept everyone on the same page. It also gave everyone a piece of mind that they’re values/traditions were being respected. Infusing multiple cultures into a wedding also gives you the opportunity to go outside the box with your planning and provides you and your guests a unique experience!

Photography: Erin Wilson Photography | Videography: Company N Films | Hotel: Hyatt Regency Hotel Dallas

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A Garden Wedding at the Dallas Arboretum with a Modern Twist

A few days ago, we shared this Dallas Arboretum wedding from Jeff Brummet Visuals and Bella Flora of Dallas on our LBB Blog — but we had a bit of a scheduling snafu. We knew, we just had to feature it again, because it’s filled with so many lovely moments and has so many beautiful bridal portraits (plus a really great proposal story). The full gallery is loaded with #HangOnTheWall portraits — and then, when you bring in the fluffy white pup (queue the pup pic!), well, you know how we feel about that! Here are our top six #DontMissPics … *DropDeadGorgeous bridal portraits: here + here + here | *The Dress with Off The Shoulder Lace Sleeves and… #ChangeItUp to Strapless! (WinWin – right?) | *Garden Vibes in Texas with an unexpected South African flair (for goodness sakes – the groom had malaria when he proposed!) You have to Watch the film from Brendan Williams. Guaranteed love | *And last, but dare we say not-at-all-least, a modern day #GoingAwayOutfit that tops our list of oh-so-cool surprises (aka, a jumpsuit)! [I think that might have been seven.] Anyway, we’ll start with one of those beautiful a-ha-portraits…

From Lauren, at Style Me Pretty… Who said garden weddings have to mean flower crowns, wooden signs and casual flair – this wedding is the perfect example of how to dress up your garden wedding venue in a sophisticated, modern style. With planning by Laura Mayfield, flowers by Bella Flora of Dallas and photos from Jeff Brummett Visuals – it’s no wonder this wedding is a total winner! Two things I’m obsessed with from this day? 1. The bride’s super fun jumpsuit for the reception 2. One seriously celeb-worthy wedding cake from Elena’s Cakes. See it all in the full gallery!

From the photographer, Jeff Brummet… Callie and Lorne have such an amazing story. Callie, from Southlake, Texas and Lorne, from South Africa, met while attending Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

They both share a love for Africa. When it came time for Lorne to pop the question, he knew it had to be at one of their favorite places. The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. The area is a World Heritage Site and is home to a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes. After a morning safari, Lorne, who was sick with Malaria at the time (!), brought Callie to a spot on the wall of the crater overlooking the entire preserve.

Callie and Lorne exchanged vows in the Lay Family Garden, surrounded by family and friends from around the world. Afterwards, everyone settled in for the most stunning outdoor reception. This gorgeous dinner was set overlooking White Rock Lake.

As with any great Dallas Arboretum wedding, everyone danced away the evening under the stars before a sparkler sendoff. I can’t say enough about how great it was to get to know this wonderful couple and all their loved ones.

And as we mentioned, we know you’ll love watching this highlight film from Brendan Williams… you’re sure to feel the South African vibe!

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To see more of Jeff Brummett’s work, from Texas to New York to Italy– head on over to his blog and Instagram page!

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Bella Flora of Dallas is a full-service floral and event design studio specializing in luxury weddings and social events. Taking great pride in custom details and a unique approach to each and every event is their claim to fame! Looking at the floral design on this wedding is absolute proof! See more of Bella Flora’s floral designs on their Instagram page and their blog!

The 9 Most Loved, On Trend Bridal Hairstyles For 2018

I believe that I am responsible for the messy bun trend. I’m serious! And for those of you that just spit out their coffee, hear me out. I got married WAY back in 2005. And I told my cousin, who is the most amazing stylist ever, that I wanted a messy bun. And then she suggested a messy SIDE bun. And BOOOM. Mind blown. So that’s what I did and I am pretty sure that fireworks went off over Paris and the whole world took note. Okay I’m joking. Obviously. In all seriousness, the mess bun is still a thing because the world is awash with amazing stylists that are able to make a classic look feel modern and chic and right now no matter how long they have been around. So today, we’re talking the hottest bridal hair trends that originated from the classics..the Chignon, the Ponytail, the Up-Down Combo of Greatness. Paired with the most spectacular inspiration from the dream team – Birds of a Feather on design, Charla Stories behind the lens and Max Owens Design on florals and Fringe on beauty- this is one to bookmark before setting up your first trial.

Get it Twisted.

Twists are a BIG deal right now. Whether you wear your hair mostly down with a few twists going from the sides to the back, or you take a more classic hairstyle and update it with twists and turns, this is a look that feels both chic and sophisticated while still retaining a classic vibe.

Messy Braids.

Made famous on runways way back in 2014, the messy braid is still having it’s fashion moment. The bigger and chunkier the braid, the better. Stylists often supplement natural hair so that the impact of the braid can be more “wow” worthy. Whether you fishtail it, rope it, french it, halo it, waterfall it, chainlink it, braid it into a bun or a ponytail or another braid….make it big and beautiful and you will stay on braid trend.

Side Swept.

A bun or a braid, all up or all down or simply in beautiful waves…keeping things side swept ensures equal parts modernity and romance. It also means that in front facing portraits, you can see a whisper of what is sure to be your most beautiful hair moment.

Low Chignons.

“Chignon” is the French word for bun – though in the context of the way we often use it, Chignon is an abbreviated term, originating from the phrase “chignon du cou,” or “bun at the nape of the neck.” Chignons are usually considered quite formal and traditionally, have been reserved for black tie affairs. But, times are a-changing. The “it girl” style for Chignons right now is to incorporate twists and braids and keep it low on the head which can translate easily into just about any style of wedding from casual to classic.

Simply Styled Up-Dos.

No tendrils hanging down, no fuss, no pomp, no circumstance. Just a classic, well done up-do is and always will be on trend.

Complex Ponytails.

Ponytails are my favorite hairstyle. Especially with a simple, black ribbon. Swoon. But the word ponytail has taken on a way bigger meaning in the bridal world. It’s a finish to an already beautiful style. You can twist or braid the hair, you can wear it low and loose, you can wear it high and quite modern. And best of all, you can pull the fastener out easily at the reception for a casual alternative. They key to a successful ponytail and one that feels and looks more special than your average styling, is to hide the ponytail holders by wrapping hair around them or using invisible rubber bands to create a bit of depth and dimension.

Tiaras, Halos and Headpieces.

We’ve seen barrettes clipped to the top of a gorgeous messy bun, tiaras fit for a princess, or simple pearled halos that just add a little sparkle to your look. Headpieces are especially beautiful if you have a super sheer veil that shows the jewelry’s beauty or if you are ditching a veil altogether and need something to dress up your look. Vintage styling is definitely on trend right now, using antiqued brass and gold as a foundation with delicate, feminine jewels to accentuate.

Half Up to Half Down.

The beauty of the braid and ponytail trend is that you essentially can have two distinct styles that can stand alone or blend together cohesively. By creating interest on the top portion of your hair, then finishing with a low, messy bun or a long and lose ponytail, you can easily transition your look from more formal (ceremony) to more casual (reception).

Hollywood Waves.

The beauty of this style is that it works on both long and shorter, bob style hair. Any texture. Any color. It’s one of those looks that always feels vintage and modern at the same time. That bleeds romance. That looks high end and yet unfussy. Pretty, old hollywood style waves are literally never ever going out of season.

So what are YOUR favorite hair trends for the season? The best advice we have is to scour the web (and good old fashioned magazines) to find inspiration that you can share with your stylist. BUT. And this is a big but. (a big but not a big butt). Give him or her a bit of creative freedom. A good stylist will understand what you want while still taking into account the length of your hair, the shape of your face, the style of of your gown, the texture of your locks. Let them have the space to show you something really beautiful that riffs on – but may not exactly copy – the style you present to them.

Now, a little more about this stunning inspiration shoot from Charla Story… Inspired by the colors of spring, touches of Pantone 2018 ultra violet, and textures galore we created a garden party editorial with al fresco vibes and bridal beauty fun. The Nasher Scuplture center was the perfect mood to pair with our inspiration, the sculptures, and lush garden packed with movement in the art, fountains and beautiful large weeping willow, create a perfect atmosphere. Who doesn’t want to have champagne and enjoy dinner surrounded by such an experience.

Peony season is always exciting, with gorgeous tree peonies, our table is romantic, lush and inviting. Southern Fried Paper created menu’s on beautiful blue velvet that are soft to the touch, and add a classic elegance to the table top experience.

With a fashion edge to this shoot we wanted to showcase several bridal looks, showing brides to be what several options for an outdoor garden wedding, while having fun with different beauty looks, detailed gowns and bouquets!

I think of friends when I see this many brides in one spot, and nothing if more fun than playing dress up.

The Venue at Waterstone Wedding ~ Rustic Elegance At It’s Best

Heather and Karson came to me from Lubbock, Texas to plan their “destination” wedding in the Dallas area. From the moment we began our discussions I knew Heather and I would be the perfect pair! When we started focusing on design, we quickly discovered a shared love of the color pink. We played with all shades — from the palest of pinks to the darkest fuchsia and then added pops of dusty blue. The outcome was sensational and the perfect way to soften the barn at The Venue At Waterstone…. from Query Events with photography by Lauren Peele.

More from Query Events…. Sadly, Heather’s mother passed away several years back so we started working on the perfect details to include her mother’s memory. We placed a photo of Heather’s mother on her wedding day and laid a floral crown composed of pink carnations, her favorite flower next to it. Knowing that carnations were so important to Heather’s memory of her mother, we incorporated mini spray versions of the bloom in each arrangement throughout the reception space. Every detail from the centerpieces to memorial video played during toasts brought the essence of her beloved mother into the room.

This couple was amazing to work with and together, we compiled an all-star team of wedding vendors. Lauren Peele Photography, a Dallas based fine art film photographer, captured each image to perfection. What an amazing day with two wonderful families!

From Eddye at SMP…. There are always those amazing moments that come forward when we watch the films that recap the celebration of your oh-so-special wedding days! Today, we have one of those for you! From Adam Grumbo Films, listen to the words captured in a few short sentences – words from the bride’s Daddy – words that will stick with her for a lifetime! Words that she will cherish forever and ever…. amen!! Turn the volume up and enjoy!!

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Then…. Enjoy the full gallery of images right here!

Nasher Sculpture Center in Texas was the Backdrop for a Modern Garden Wedding

Putting together this wedding for you guys today was fun. Like brought me back to the very early days of SMP kind of fun where I couldn’t decide which images to share because there were so many good ones. But you know what? Despite the fact that the details were GORGEOUS and the backdrop by Engaged Events and florals by Abelia Floral Design stunning, it was the bride and groom that made me fall so in love…their total joy leaping out of every image, captured perfectly by Stephanie Brazzle. And while a wedding is innately a more formal day than your usual Saturday, this pair never seemed to take themselves so seriously that they couldn’t let the love keep center stage. This is a wedding for the books. I’m obsessed.

From the Bride… Every day, the summer before I met my husband, Peyton, I prayed for him. I have countless entries in my prayer journal where I prayed that I would meet my future husband by the end of the summer, not knowing who I was necessarily praying for, but praying boldly and specifically that God had laid this person on my heart and that this was his perfect timing. I met Peyton at the end of that same summer in 2015 at a young adults retreat that our church hosts every Labor Day weekend. We got engaged a little over a year later!

I loved the dreaminess of the Nasher Sculpture Center and after visiting a few venues, I knew that it was the perfect one for our outdoor wedding. We chose a neutral color palette of gold, silver and white with pops of navy blue and lots of greenery. I wanted whatever we added to the garden and museum to feel natural, so I chose some wood and marble accents to go along with the neutral color scheme.

The week of our wedding, I noticed that the weather forecast was constantly fluctuating between rain and sunshine, so I prayed multiple times a day for no rain, the only thing that could prevent my dream of an outdoor wedding. Little did I know, but Hurricane Harvey was to blame for the fluctuating forecast. The morning of the wedding and the day the hurricane hit Houston, it drizzled steadily in the morning and even poured for a short time, but I had a feeling that it would clear by the time we got to the venue. I had a peace knowing that God would answer yet another prayer!

Our Planner Whitney with Engaged Events called me as we were finishing getting dressed at the hotel that the team had concerns about the weather and wanted to move everything inside though the forecast showed that things were going to clear up later that afternoon. I had confidence that rain would hold off, so I told her that if things needed to move around slightly they could, but I wanted everything to be outside even if that meant something might get wet.

Whitney worked with the teams and made some slight changes in the reception layout were even better than we originally planned for the layout to be. I give her all the credit for helping me convince everyone to keep the reception outside. And I am so glad we did because we had the most beautiful August weather I had ever experienced in Texas! The rain had made it a cool(er) afternoon and evening, perfect for our outdoor reception.

Our photographer, Stephanie Brazzle, captured the day perfectly. There was so much joy and celebration on our wedding day, and each photo radiates the excitement and love we felt! She captured the dreaminess of the venue, the sweetest details and so many special moments that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

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Rose Gold, Glamour + Smiles Galore For This Garden Wedding

There’s no denying that this whole wedding is absolutely gorgeous. One look through Stephanie Brazzle’s photos and we’re swooning. But look a little closer… and read this beautiful Bride’s story below – it’s the little details sprinkled about that make this wedding shine even brighter. The whole celebration takes places where this Bride and Groom got engaged (how sweet!), Rose, the Bride’s middle name, lends a lovely touch throughout, we spy some adorable doggie pins and so much more. We guarantee time spent in this gallery is time very, very well spent… see it all right this way! And don’t miss Lynn Films’ work below!

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From the Bride… Two worlds collided when our mutual friends held a wedding on a balmy day in New York City: on one side, the groom’s nerdy friends from engineering school (Mitchell); the other, the bride’s designer friends from Manhattan (myself). We hit it off during the reception sitting at the single’s table. By the end of the night, I remember thinking, “Wow, this is the kind of guy I want to marry”.

After the wedding, we parted ways – Mitchell lived in Seattle and I lived in New York . We stayed in contact until Mitchell was able to visit NY again because of several business trips. The chemistry was undeniable, and a long distance relationship was born. After a year of back and forth between Seattle and New York, I took the brave step to move to Seattle! Finally being in the same city, we developed our relationship over food, traveling, hiking, and dogs! Later, on a trip home to visit my family, we picked a romantic dinner spot in Uptown Dallas at the Crescent Court Hotel. As we walked across the lush and intimate hotel courtyard to dinner, I thought “How spectacular would it be to get engaged or married out here.” After dinner, somehow having read my mind, Mitchell walked me outside to the courtyard and got down on one knee to pop the big question, “Will you marry me?”.

As we started our wedding planning, looking at venues both in Seattle and Dallas, we concluded that it only felt right to return to Hotel Crescent Court – in the very courtyard we got engaged in! The hotel’s Parisian ambiance made it easy for us to set our theme: black-tie attire, neutral palette, replete with classic romance. My middle name is Rose, and when Mitchell decided to pick out a rose-gold wedding ring to remind him of me, we quickly started gravitating to this color when it came to our wedding details. Thankfully, we found a planning team, Sweet Pea Events, that was based in both Seattle and Dallas and they were perfect for executing our vision for the day (Hooray for making long distance planning easier!).

Overall, our wedding day was magical: from the reunion of long-time friends, the intimate garden courtyard ceremony, the traditional Taiwanese Tea Ceremony to honor parents, the first dance, and our selfie grand send-off with our guests overlooking the terrace. We thank all of our vendors for making this night so special for us, our families, and our friends.

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They Wed Under the Stars + Surrounded by Art

For their wedding, this couple imagined themselves toasting champagne while dancing the night away under the stars, surrounded by beautiful works of art and the ones they loved most. With the expert assistance of Ivory and Vine Event Co., that’s exactly what they did at their Nasher Sculpture Center nuptials photographed by Stephanie Brazzle! No detail was overlooked by their world-class vendor team including Something Pretty Floral, La Tavola, Scribbles and Swirls Calligraphy, and more, and you can see all the lovely details in the film by Jonathan Mayfield.

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From Ivory and Vine Event Co.… Ashley and Jonathan met in class at Texas Christian University, and after a year of flirting and friendship, they grew inseparable and knew that they’d end up together. After a few years of dating, they were engaged, and Ashley began planning their dream wedding day. They pictured themselves toasting champagne and dancing the night away with their families and friends, under the stars, surrounded by beautiful works of art – and that’s exactly what they did!

Ashley and Hono were married at Perkins Chapel with a wedding reception at Nasher Sculpture Center. Ashley envisioned a classic, southern wedding with just a touch of french country and used her color palette of ivory, blush, lavender, and gray to thread a common theme of timeless elegance through every element of her wedding. Ashley juxtaposed the modern, clean lines of the Nasher Sculpture Garden with wild, organic floral arrangements from Something Pretty Floral and accented her decor with silk ribbon, gold metallics, and textured linens from La Tavola. Her photographer, Stephanie Brazzle, captured each vignette through the medium of film and beautifully told the story of a night filled with excellent food, drink, and music. It was an unforgettable night under the stars.

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Spring Wedding Elegance With Some Serious Flower Power

Flower lovers, this one’s for you. Tucked inside this classic Dallas affair is what can best be described as floral heaven designed by The Wildflowers with mountains of blooms by Bows and Arrows, elegant calligraphy by The Left Handed Calligrapher and the prettiest images captured by Stephanie Brazzle. From a troop of precious flower girls to a 15-person a cappella gospel choir and a sea of flora, get lost in this timeless celebration at Arlington Hall at Oak Lawn Park, right here. And speaking of celebrations and awesome vendors, we’re celebrating 10 years of our Little Black Book today. Cheers to a fabulous decade of LBB! Now on with the show…

Instead of an elaborate Pinterest board, Mary presented five adjectives that expressed her vision—among them “elegant,” “intimate,” “timeless,” “fun,” and “Glory to God.” As a designer, there is no better way to bring a new vision of what we are celebrating than with the inspiration of words, feelings, and the personal story of the couple. Getting to know Mary made creating a storied setting exceptionally easy. Immediately my mind went to Eau de Nil, Café Au Lait, toile patterns, garden stone, Songs and Sonnets of Springtime, curtains of silk, all coupled together for a delightfully intimate family feel. The ceremony was classical and heavenly, with Bows and Arrows taking cues from the surroundings to create a happy complement of greenery growing along the pillars. The infinite subtlety is what truly made it magical. With a resounding nod to Mary’s “Glory of God” vision, a 15-person a cappella gospel choir drew back the curtain to Mary’s entrance, singing “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.”

Après-ceremony, guests were invited to walk along the gardens of the venue, Arlington Hall at Oak Lawn Park, with cocktails, charcuterie, and a trio of jazz musicians waiting for them at the end of the pathway. With the sound of ringing bells, guests were invited to dinner, greeted by tables of Mary’s family’s silver trays serving their escort cards. Upon entering the windowed dinner marquee, drapings of tea rose silk welcomed the guests into a cozy, intimate setting. After a treat of port poached pear salads, chicken saltimbocca with prosciutto, red wine-braised short rib, and heart-warming speeches, guests entered the Great Hall for dancing, donuts, and revelry. As the night grew darker, guests guided the bride and groom to their getaway car with lights of sparklers, signaling the end to a magical evening.

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A Wedding With Too Many Gorgeous Gems To Pick Just One

There is usually a part of every wedding that stands out to me, my own little personal favorite detail or pic. But this wedding right here… I just can’t decide. The OMG florals or the stationery and personalized crest with the cutest pups ever?! They are both just TOO GOOD to pick just one. Lucky for me, I don’t have to decide, both gems are in our gallery of gorgeous pics thanks to Stephanie Brazzle and that is where I’ll be, staring wide eyed and soaking it all up! Do tell; what’s your favorite?

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From the Bride… Tommy and I are high school sweethearts, and it has been so amazing to watch each other grow into the people we are today. We actually got married on the 11th anniversary of the day that he first asked me out, all those years ago! Because I was in medical school when he proposed, we had a long engagement and I had a lot of time to dream about the kind of wedding we wanted. I’m definitely a sucker for wedding details! I loved picking out a pretty ring box, choosing my fabulous wedding shoes, and obsessing over my gorgeous dress. However, it is so important not to forget that the best part of your wedding day is finally getting married!

We wanted our wedding to be a reflection of us as a couple, and my very favorite detail is our watercolor-painted wedding crest – I worked closely with the artist to come up with a design that featured everything important to our relationship. We absolutely adore our fur babies – between the two of us, we are the proud parents of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a trio of miniature dachshunds – and we knew we had to include them in the crest since they wouldn’t be able to join us in person on the big day. We also share a mutual love of coffee, donuts, and macarons, and those were incorporated into the crest as well as featured in our actual dessert bar! We used the crest on our invitations, the table numbers, even the dinner menus, and it added such a personal and unique touch. My wonderful planner helped us strike a balance between the cultural and religious traditions of our families and my Pinterest-fueled ideas for the wedding day. All of my lovely vendors brought to life my vision of an indoor garden wedding with lots of greenery and loose, organic floral arrangements, using a color palette of dreamy pops of blush pink and gold. Best of all, everyone knows how much I love bubble tea, and we brought in a bubble tea truck after everyone had danced their hearts out, which was the perfect way to end a night of joyful celebration and laughter with our loved ones.

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The Romantic Dallas Engagement of Two Childhood Sweethearts

Perfection is an engagement session at the hands of Tenth & Grace. Showcasing the beauty of Dallas gardens and the sweetest couple who met at the ripe old age of 14, this shoot includes gowns, wildflowers and true soulmates. Sift through all the pretty images right here and stay tuned for their insanely gorgeous wedding coming up next!

From the bride… Parker and I met at the age of 14 in Arkansas and started dating at 16. Parker actually took me on our first date on my 16th birthday since that was the age I was allowed to begin dating! We were high school sweethearts and destined soulmates. I always dreamt of a New Years eve engagement – Parker knew this and wanted to make that wish come true. On December 31, 2012 after a long day of work, I walked into a bare apartment that only had a mattress (I had just moved in the day prior and had no furniture). I opened the door to a candlelight path of sunflowers (my favorite flower) and a love song playing in the background. The best part about it was the path of flowers had a trail of photos with handwritten letters on each with quotes that described the perfect love. The photos were set up as a timeline of our love – starting with a photo of our first date and all the small moments in between. The trail ended and led up to a door, when I opened it, there was Parker on one knee where he asked me to marry him. I can still remember that day like it just happened. It was a moment of pure bliss. We had what most would call an extremely long engagement – 4 years! When you find your soulmate time means nothing because it truly went by so quickly. From the beginning, we treated our relationship like a marriage. The funny thing is, we would talk about wedding locations and attempt to plan but all of our ideas never seemed like a good fit for our love story. That is where the thought of building our own venue from the ground up grew, and the idea of The Grand Ivory was born.

Photography: Tanya Menoni | Makeup: Wendy Zerrudo

Glamorous Warehouse Wedding Overlooking the Dallas Skyline

For this classic Dallas wedding, an industrial warehouse was turned into a glamorous affair at the hands of Grit + Gold. Together with Oh Deery Floral they crafted a Fall celebration sparkling with chandeliers and layered in a palette of gorgeous jewel tones. See the full day captured beautifully by Charla Storey, plus even more right here.

From the Planner… With a moody jewel tone palette, lush blooms and stunning bride, this wedding has so many romantic vibes. Mercedes and Carter’s beautiful ceremony at the ornate St Thomas Aquinas Catholic church was followed by a city chic warehouse reception overlooking Dallas’ skyline. Tons of candles and twinkling chandeliers made the night shimmer. Beautiful bold colors to create a dramatic feel from blue tones in the cake, silver-grey lamour linens, and watercolor paper details.

Romantic + Oh So Sweet Dallas Wedding

Ahhhhh I’m crushing hard on this Dallas wedding. From the colors to the stylish simplicity, it hits the right notes, over and over and over again (thanks to Grit + Gold’s planning perfection). And the icing on the cake? This dress and it’s gorgeous details. And thanks to Apryl Ann’s pretty pics I can stare at it all day long. Join me in our gallery right this way!

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From Grit + Gold… Jolene and Kevin’s romantic City Garden wedding at Nasher Sculpture Center. Even though they were New York natives, the couple set their sights on the beautiful garden museum for their very cool celebration.

Our New Favorite Idea for Styled Bridal Portraits

We’re all about backdrops when it comes to weddings—whether it’s a breathtaking view, a fresh flower wall or meaningful words. But today’s simple, yet stunning hand-painted canvas in this shoot crafted by Ben Q. Photography and CHRYSQ handcrafted might just be my new favorite. It’s the perfect scene for neutrals and golden yellows to take center stage. Soak in all the elegance here in the full gallery, and if you decide to try this backdrop for your Big Day, we’d love to see!

From Ben Q. Photography and CHRYSQ handcrafted… An aesthetic we’ve always really loved is the use of a monotone color palette. It started with a canvas cloth Ben hand painted. We really love the texture and neutral color tone. Using that as an inspiration, Taylor with Something Pretty Floral created the most gorgeous floral arrangements using soft colors and lush greenery. Kristin Mullen helped source a gorgeous gown from Stanley Korshak and style our decor including a custom invite suite from Pink Champagne Paper, a golden-toned cake from Amuse Bake Shop and rentals from Bella Acento. Anastasia Strattan provided makeup and created a gorgeously tousled, loose braid hairstyle for our model.

This Summery Texas Wedding Knew What Mattered Most

This couple, who have been friends since junior high, knew exactly what mattered most for their wedding weekend. First, they chose a special venue, Perkins Chapel, where the Bride’s parents married 27 years prior. Second, they asked one of their close childhood friend to officiate the ceremony. Finally, they wanted the reception to be enjoyable for their guests, many of whom had traveled all the way from Taiwan and Argentina for this weekend. Stephanie Brazzle Photography was behind the lens during this pretty and summery nuptials, so head on over to the Vault to see the rest of the photos!

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

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Ballroom Weddings Church

Styles

Whimsical

From the Bride… Josh and I have been friends since junior high, and I always knew our wedding day would be special because we have shared so many experiences with our mutual friends and family members over the years. When planning our wedding, we weren’t too keen on sticking to a theme. However, we knew a few details would make the day truly memorable – getting married in Perkins Chapel like my parents did 27 years ago, having one of our close childhood friends officiate the ceremony, and making the reception one that would be worth the many hours our guests that had traveled from Taiwan and Argentina.

Since both of our venues (Perkins Chapel and The Room on Main) had a very classic and airy feel to them, I wanted our color scheme and decor to reflect the season and my love for all things summer. Shades of pink and peach popped in our vibrant green florals, and aqua and cobalt were picked up in our Jenny Yoo Bridesmaids’ gowns and the ginger jars that adorned our tables.

While our vendors did a wonderful job of making everything a total vision, I have to say our biggest joy was simply the experience. No detail went unnoticed, and we were able to breathe and enjoy every second of the day we had waited so long for! All of the moments I will forever remember are a perfect reflection of the things we enjoy as a couple. From my giddy grandmother sharing her wonderful jewelry collection with me as I got ready, to Josh being able to relax with his friends and uncles at the Hotel Lumen pool before the wedding, to being able to laugh with my friends as we were pampered by our amazing hair and makeup artists. It truly was the happiest day ever. Both Josh and I agree that there was no better feeling than watching all of our friends and family members break it down on the dance floor, many with silly glow in the dark accessories on their heads and Steel City Pops in hand.

Our summer celebration was everything I could have ever wished for – our favorite people together in one place, enjoying good music and laughing as we started our new life together.

When You Say I Do in Front of the Dallas Skyline

While this architect-turned-bride admitted that wedding planning was one of the tallest tasks she’s ever taken on, I think we can all agree the payoff was pretty major. Luckily she brought on some of the best pros in the business, including Keestone Events to make sure the day went off without a hitch, and Bethany Erin captured the couple – not to mention the Dallas skyline and that Sugar Bee Sweets cake – to absolute perfection. Get your glam roof party wedding fix with even more in the gallery!

Words from the bride… Wedding planning was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. I’m an architect — I’m used to working diligently to make intensely detailed projects come together as flawlessly as possible…so I thought planning a wedding would be a piece of cake. I was wrong. Planning and coordinating this one single day of events were quite possibly more complex and time-consuming than many of my past architecture projects! I was never that girl who knew since she was a kid what my wedding was going to look like, so I felt like I was pretty much starting with an empty canvas. However, when I got engaged, I did know I wanted an outdoor wedding with Southern charm in a historic architecture setting. Christopher and I originally planned to have our wedding in Charleston, SC. But a destination wedding in the second-most popular place to get married in America deemed near impossible within the coming year. Because we had been together for five years already, we were eager to seal the deal, and we soon decided to have the wedding in our hometown, Dallas, TX, instead.

At this point, four months into our engagement, I felt like I had to start all over with wedding planning. Which Dallas venue would provide that charming and historic southern feeling I envisioned? After lots of online searching, I stumbled across photos of the Venue at 400 North Ervay. It seemed to have everything I was looking for, and on top of that, the rooftop terrace had a bonus wow factor–I couldn’t wait to see the expressions on the guests’ faces when they walked off the elevator. This was it! Once we nailed down the Venue and wedding date, the rest of the planning seemed to fall into place. Planning a wedding is like running a marathon; you’ll become overwhelmed if you think about the 70,000 steps it’s going to take to complete it. Instead, you have to take it step by step knowing that, with time, you’ll eventually get to the finish line. I spent many nights staying up after work to find the right local vendors who, all together, would be able to help complete the look and ambiance I was going for. In the end, I lucked out with just about all of the vendors too, which, I hear, isn’t always the case.

Wedding planning seemed to be going well and time was flying; next thing I knew, I checked the calendar and noticed that we were just within the 15-day forecast window of April 1st. Little did I know, the next 15 days of my life would be the most stressful there ever were. Rain. Rain. Rain. For two weeks straight, the forecast for my wedding day was rain. I had always envisioned a beautiful outdoor wedding and now I was having to re-imagine it indoors. What about the party on the rooftop terrace? My biggest advice to any bride out there is to make sure that if you want an outdoor wedding, your Plan B will make you just as happy as your Plan An outdoor setting – otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a potentially huge disappointment.

It was the day before my wedding, and I woke up to check the weather like a kid on Christmas morning. I still had hope. At this point, we were in the 48-hour window which allowed me to check the forecast hourly through the weekend. I thought I must have been a good kid this year because Santa had brought me “partly cloudy with a lesser chance of rain,” and I can tell you that’s the best gift I’ve ever received from Santa. Now with hope in the forecast, I was able to enjoy what turned out to be a pretty flawless wedding weekend. All the hard work was done, and I could now sit back and enjoy the best weekend of my life. I didn’t sleep much the night before the wedding; I remember the sun coming up and being so excited to get the day started. I enjoyed every minute getting ready at the Stoneleigh with my bridesmaids and my mom. We moved over to the Venue, and the ceremony was to begin at 4 pm. I’ll never forget the feeling of waiting behind the door with my bridesmaids and my dad before walking in down aisle. I heard the music I selected to have to play before and during the ceremony, and immediately it hit me, “This is really happening! I’m finally going to get to marry the man I’ve wanted to marry for years!” When the door opened and all the people there to support us on our special day stood up as my dad and I walked down the aisle, I had the most amazing and overwhelming feeling of excitement and happiness run through me. At the end of the aisle stood Christopher with a big smile and a bit of shock on his face. All the joyful feelings at that moment made all the time and stress of planning the day worth every minute.

Our entrance at the reception was another unforgettable moment. I was finally going to be able to (and very lucky to be able to) see the reception as I had envisioned it for the past six months–and it was more beautiful than I had ever expected. When the elevator doors opened, Christopher and I got to experience the wow factor of the rooftop. We were greeted by all the guests and, most importantly, our parents. One of my favorite moments of my night was getting to see all four of them, hug them, and thank them for helping this dream of a day come true. The rest of the evening flew by, and I’m so glad I have amazing photos and video footage so I can continue to relive the day now and in the future. And…the rain held off until AFTER the party on the roof top was over. I guess the only ones who were April fooled that day were us – by the weather! April 1st, 2017, will surely be a day we never forget.

The Perfect Mixture of Cultures + Stunning Style

Mixing anything – cultures, styles, colors – can be a tricky science but when it works, it’s pretty fabulous. And there’s no better proof than these perfect pics by Stephanie Brazzle. This stunning multi-cultural wedding in Dallas, complete with a beautiful Bride, handsome Groom and florals by Bows and Arrows are all making our hearts beat a bit faster this morning. But enough with the babbling… hop on over to our Vault and see it all for yourself!

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From the Bride… William and I are total opposites. We’re from different cultural, religious and political backgrounds. When we first started dating, we didn’t have much in common and there were lots of boundaries. It wouldn’t be until much later we’d realize that love has no boundaries and our love for one another would trump all of our differences. We wanted our wedding to be a juxtaposition of two different backgrounds fusing together to create something beautiful.

For the ceremony, instead of traditional vows, William and I wrote seven promises to each other representing the seven traditional vows Indian grooms and brides make to each other. Our officiant, my cousin, also wrote four earnest wishes for our future, modeled after the four circles couples make around a sacred fire. Though I walked down the aisle in a Gatsby style Justin Alexander white dress with a gorgeous detailed back, I danced the night away in a royal blue lehnga accented with a hot pink chunni, or scarf, and beautiful traditional Indian jewelry. My wrists were adorned with dozens of magenta, royal blue and gold choodies, or bangles. The palms of my hands were embellished with intricate henna and my late father’s name was written across my wrist in Hindi.

Our reception was beautiful. Our colors were blushes, mauves and gold. Indian weddings always have beautiful gold accents as well as a plethora of gold jewelry traditionally given to the bride on her wedding day. The tables were adorned with stunning garden-style centerpieces in terracotta vases from Bows and Arrows. My stunning bouquet of dahlia, hellebores, champagne roses, scabiosa, blushing bride, and memory lane roses were wrapped in Frou Frou Chic ribbon which was later displayed on our gold sequenced sweetheart table.

I did not think it was possible for two people from completely different upbringings, traditions and beliefs to forge a life together that somehow makes sense. To be able to get married exactly how we wanted was a dream come true.

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Florals

Bows and Arrows

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Wedding Dresses

Adrianna Papell

Spring 2015

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Glittery Gold Engagement Session Set in Dallas

Everything about this engagement session is a recipe for perfection. From the bride’s glittering gold Badgley Mischka dress to the waterside setting, to the champagne flutes holding celebratory bubbly. It’s all our favorite things in one pretty shoot made even prettier through the lens of Alba Rose Photography.

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Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Modern Art + Romantic Gardens Combine to Create Wedding Magic

A stylishly chic dress + gorgeous florals; really, what more does a girl want? With these pics by Kayla Barker we don’t need to venture far to find this and more. Designed and planned by Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design, with ridiculously beautiful blooms by Bows and Arrows, this shoot mixes modern art with pure romance and we’re 100% on board with every bit of it. See it all in our Vault right here!

From Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design… It all seemed to click when we came across the Nasher Sculpture Center in the Dallas Arts District. Our team envisioned an ‘art brought to life’ shoot that embodied a mix of the elements found in sculptures and more modern museum-like settings with soft, feminine touches of ethereal beauty; essentially a painter’s palette meshing with a sculptor’s completed work to create one overall piece of living art! When we discovered the Nasher Sculpture Center and their incredible collection of art (including Rodin, Picasso, Calder, Kooning and more) the overall vision came to life and the beautiful sculpture lawn was just the icing on the cake.

Together with our team of A-list vendors and real-life Dallas couple, Katy and Rocky Cherry, we chose unique details and textures to complete this true, life-like work of art to inspire weddings and events for years to come. We chose to combine the soft, modern concepts of a bride, her dress and decor and pair it with the richness and masculinity of her handsome groom! The structured Sarah Seven dresses from a&be bridal shop along with sleek hair and make-up by Meg B incorporated the modern details of the venue. The concrete, slate and marble textures used were inspired by the sculpture works of art around the lawn. Romantic florals by Bows and Arrows and soft calligraphy by Fig & Flourish softened the modern edges and incorporated the soft tones of vintage abstract art. There is something so mesmerizing about blending the stillness of artwork with real life celebrations and we feel we achieved that with this romantic and beautiful styled shoot.

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Florals

Bows and Arrows

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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Wedding Dresses

Sarah Seven

Signature Bridal

Gold Label

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Why I’m Doing Two Makeup Trials Before My Wedding

This might sound trivial but one of my biggest concerns about our wedding day is having to wear a face full of makeup that makes me feel like a totally different person. I think a lot of women have had terrible experiences having their makeup done! Maybe you have too? Today, I’ll be chatting about why I’m doing two trials and some tips I’ve learned along the way with Blushington! xo, Mackenzie of Design Darling

So, back to those terrible experiences… I remember having my makeup done before my high school prom and immediately running to the bathroom to scrub off layers of orange-y foundation before anyone could see me. Even as an adult I’ve had makeup artists tell me to trust them that purple eyeshadow will look great on me because it will complement my red hair (again only for me to scrub it off in the bathroom!).

So while I’m planning to do a proper hair and makeup trial at the salon on Nantucket the day of our wedding, I also wanted to do a more casual makeup trial locally so I could get more comfortable with the whole concept. A friend recommended Blushington, a makeup lounge with locations in California, New York, and Texas. They actually do on-location makeup services if you’re getting married in one of those states!

It might not be a traditional part of the planning process but I’m so glad I took a morning to do an additional makeup trial and address this little fear of mine. I followed advice from several Style Me Pretty posts to bring in pictures of makeup looks I like, which was definitely my biggest takeaway from the day. It was also so helpful to have Mason, my lovely makeup artist for the day, share the words she’d use to describe them — fresh-faced, natural, classic, understated — so I can repeat them to the makeup artist who will actually do my makeup the day of our wedding when I do my real trial on Nantucket this summer.

Another tip from Mason that resonated with me is that it’s easy to start light (whether with foundation, eye shadow, bronzer, you name it) and add another layer if you feel like it hasn’t covered every blemish or you don’t think you’re wearing enough to show up on camera. So I’ll definitely be asking my wedding salon to go easy on the first application and go from there if we agree it’s not quite enough.

My final tip is to have pictures taken after your makeup trial. I might not schedule your engagement photos immediately afterward because it might be too much pressure, but something a little more formal than an iPhone selfie is great because it will show you how your makeup will read on camera for your big day. Even if you can’t meet up with your wedding photographer like I did (thanks Cameron Kelly Studio!), asking a friend who has a nice camera is an easy and worthwhile alternative!

All in all, I’m happy with the choice to do two makeup trials, especially since Blushington offers full face makeup starting at $55. Now in addition to bringing inspiration photos from Pinterest and other bloggers to my real makeup trial, I can bring in a couple photos of myself wearing makeup I actually like! Anything else I should know before my hair and makeup trial this summer? I’m all ears!

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P.S. See Mackenzie’s Coastal Engagement Session Here!

Photography: Cameron Clark Photography | Makeup: Blushington

Mackenzie Horan

Blogger Bride

Design Darling

This Couple Turned Their Backyard Into a Dream Venue

When Shyler and Trevor bought their first home together, they got it with the dream of a backyard wedding. Nearly 13 months later, they managed to completely transform the setting into a charming garden venue perfect for the occassion. Their labor of love paid off in a big way, and we have all the images from the lens of Becca Lea.

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Styles

Romantic Rustic

From the Bride… Trevor and I met while I was working at a hotel in Dallas as a hostess in the restaurant. I had a friend that worked with me that asked if I could fill in for her one night at neighboring establishment, which was down the street. I walked in to fill in for her and met Trevor, who was the general manager. We went on our first date on New Year’s Day, about 2 months after I had begun working with him. During that first month of work, before the night got busy, I was telling a story to the cocktail waitresses in the hallway. Trevor was walking up behind me trying to pass through the group, and I accidentally backhanded him in the face, as I tend to talk with my hands. We had a good laugh and we like to say that the first time I slapped him in the face is the first time we both knew we might be meant for each other.

Trevor and I had been together 6 years when we got engaged so we have had a lot of time to think about our wedding and dream about different options. We had always talked about buying a house together with the intention of getting married in the backyard. We were fortunate enough to be able to make our wedding dream come true and buy a home in a wonderful Dallas neighborhood in July of 2015. We spent nearly 13 months tackling different projects in preparation for the big day – redoing the driveway, adding double doors to the backyard, building a backyard deck, removing and adding trees and plants, and re-sodding the front and back yard among other things. It was a lot of hard work but all very much worth it. Our families and friends and especially my father was able to help us out with much of the hard work. Trevor is the Beverage Director and cocktail creator where he works in Dallas. That being said, he had the food and beverage portion of our event covered. The wedding inspiration was a combination of the personality of a beverage director/cocktail creator and myself, a free-spirited holistic nutrition-trained clinical director of a wellness center and part-time yoga instructor.

Finding the right gown was very important to me. I dragged my sister Shane all over town trying on different wedding gowns. She was wonderful and very patient with me! I guess most women understand how important the gown can be on your wedding day. I had it in my head that I wanted a long sleeve dress with lace, but I kept trying on all different styles of dresses in case I fell in love with one that I wasn’t expecting. I went to Neiman Marcus with my future mother in law at the time. I have a great memory of us drinking champagne and trying on dresses. In the end, I fell in love with my Romona Kaveza long sleeve wedding dress. I am very happy with how my dress turned out. The associates at Neimans took wonderful care of me and added a little layer of lace to the bottom of my dress to make sure that it was long enough.

Our wedding was planned with Lindsey Zamora as my stylist and planner. She was so amazing! We became friends through the wedding planning process. It was wonderful to have her by my side for everything. She helped me create a clear vision for the garden inspired wedding that Trevor and I wanted to achieve, and then she executed everything just the way we had dreamed it up together. Becca Lea Photography was another huge part of the wedding planning process. She was so kind and gave me so many recommendations that helped get the planning process started. I feel very fortunate to have had the team around us that we did for the wedding, and we couldn’t have done it without our hospitality connections. It was great to feel like we were surrounded by people that really cared about us and our wedding day. We love them all and will always remember everything they did for us during our wedding.