One of our absolutely favorite stores, Paper and Chocolate, is now offering calligraphy classes!  Every Thursday night in May, calligrapher Donna Sabolovic will be teaching from 6:30-9:00 p.m. She will teach Beginning Copperplate during this four week class. The class fee is $80 and an addition $20 is required for supplies, which Donna will provide.

You’ll need to sign up soon since there is a limited amount of space.  Contact Vicki at Paper and Chocolate by visiting the store or call at 214 357 2737.  The store is located at 5460 West Lovers Lane, Suite 236 in Dallas, directly behind the Inwood Theater.  I highly recommend going by in person as it is SO worth it.

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Many, many times I hear the statement “I found a DJ for $500 at the bridal show and I think we will go with him”.  When I hear this, my first question is why that DJ?  Almost always when they say this first sentence, the next sentence is “because we don’t want to pay too much for the DJ”.  While I can of course understand the need to be frugal, this is probably the number one mistake I see clients make when it comes to choosing the DJ for their wedding reception.

A wedding DJ (disc jockey) has become so much more than the person who stands behind the speakers and plays music.  When choosing your DJ, keep in mind that this is your master of ceremonies.  This person will guide you and your guests through the wonderful reception you have planned, from introducing you and your new husband, to letting your guests know when the food is served, to entertaining them and keeping them on the dance floor into the late night.  Their skills behind the microphone and choosing music is truly a talent.

Think about it:  the DJ is the one wedding vendor who can literally drive your guests out of the building.  Yes, the food could be bad, but that just means everyone will be picking up another meal on the way home.  If your DJ is horrible, they can literally have your guests fleeing from the event and of course, it will definitely be the talk at the water cooler the next morning.  Consider this comment one of my clients left on Facebook when discussing the garter toss:  “I was at a wedding and the DJ does the screeching music stop and goes ‘Whoa, slow down buddy! She’s not gonna like that speed later tonight!’”.  Is that really what you want your guests to be talking about the next morning?

Consider more than the price when choosing the entertainment for your wedding.  Look for a personality, attitude and knowledge of music that matches the ambiance you want to create for your special day.  Think about what value you would place on the mood you want to create, then look at the investment cost the DJ is asking of you.  You will not regret your choice if you take all of these details account and balance them according to your needs.

Happy Planning!

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In case you missed it, Sarah with Sweet Art Bakery is helping me answer questions for the bride-to-be in her research on wedding cakes.  Sweet Art Bakery is based in downtown McKinney, with an office and soon to be bakery located in the historic Flour Mill at 407 East Louisiana Street, Suite 103.  She has baked, designed and delivered cakes for over 50 weddings this year, making her our local expert!  She loves a challenge, and is great at baking and designing anything from a bucket of beer groom’s cake down to wonderfully delicious and super cute sugar cookies.  (Great for favors!)  Take a look at the rest of her answers from our interview:

Q: Do you recommend a cake topper for the bride’s cake?

Sarah: On some cakes, yes. But I generally prefer the look of not having one. If it is a two tier cake, or a design where the cake is wide, then I think it definitely needs one, to add height. Monograms can be done on the side of the wedding cake, as well as flowers. If there must be a topper, I think flowers are the best idea. Very elegant.

Q: If a couple chooses to save the top layer of the wedding cake for their anniversary, how do you recommend they store it?

Sarah: If a couple books with me, they don’t have to store it- because I make a FREE fresh tier on their first wedding anniversary! But I completely understand the “tradition” of it- as I saved mine at my wedding. The best procedure is to box it and take it home from the venue. Once home, put it in the freezer for about an hour to harden up the icing. Then wrap the heck out of it with plastic wrap. One more layer of foil, and then some freezer paper. Put it in a cake box and label it. When you’re ready to eat,  completely unwrap it and put it in the fridge until it is thawed. Then leave it on the counter for about 2 hours before eating. Or like I said- call Sweet Art Bakery and get a fresh one!

photo by Dallas In Focus

Q: Are there any fresh flowers that should not be used on cake?  Should you use silk floral on a cake?

Sarah: Some very common wedding flowers used but can be toxic if eaten, are:  Calla lily, Arum lily, Hyacinth, Lily-of-the-valley, Jasmine, Snowdrop, Tulip, Hydrangea, Bird of paradise, Pink carnation. These should be avoided when decorating cakes. If a bride really wants these to be used on her cake, she should opt for silk or gum paste.  [Many of the flowers can be used if a barrier is placed between the cake and the flowers, so make sure to ask your baker or florist about this if you prefer to use any of those flowers mentioned.]

Q: What should couples know about choosing their cake?

Sarah: Please do not have Aunt Rose, Cousin Sandy, or your best friend’s co-worker create your wedding cake.  I have “helped out” many a couple who have come to me at the last minute because their original plan fell through. These people also may not have the skill to bring your vision to life. The bride in her dress and the cake are generally the most memorable things at a wedding! Also, don’t make the mistake of hiring a bakery because they have the lowest price per serving- look at all of the fees to determine the best value. Don’t forget about the immeasurable value in talent, creativity, and customer service!  [I have unfortunately seen the effects of not having a professional provide your wedding cake, so take care in making this decision!]

Thanks so much to Sarah for helping us out with our cake research!  If you have any questions we missed, please leave it in the comments!  Sarah and I would love to hear your thoughts!  Enjoy your tastings!

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While cake tastings can be one of the most fun appointments when planning your wedding (who doesn’t love eating cake!), it definitely helps to do your homework before attending.  Before making an appointment with a bakery, you need to narrow it down to a bakery or two that actually offers the options you are looking for in a cake.  Plus, you might want to do a little research on cakes and bakeries before choosing the ones to visit.  Here are some questions to think about:

How many cakes will you be ordering?  A tradition throughout the southern states of America is to have a cake for the bride and for the groom.  This groom’s cake is usually where you will find the chocolate deliciousness that so many crave, but are not necessarily brave enough to include as part of their bride’s cake.  So, will you be taking part in this tradition, or just keeping it simple with one cake?

Second, do you want a cake or something else?  Many couples have started choosing cupcakes over a typical wedding cake, or even cake truffles.  If you want either of these options, this will narrow down your bakery choice.  Also, if you want what is known as a sculpted cake, this will help narrow down your choices as well.  (A sculpted cake is a cake made to look like something else, like a sports car, purse, etc.)

What else do you need to know?  Well, I sat down with Sarah Halterman of Sweet Art Bakery and asked her a few questions to help you with this research.  Here’s some of what she had to say:

Q: What is the average price of the bride’s cake?  What about the groom’s cake?

Sarah: Most weddings I book are usually from 100-200 guests, so the brides’ cakes on average range from $300-600, most about $500. Groom’s cakes are generally to serve around 50 to 75% of the bride’s cake, so an average cost is usually $350.

Q: Are you seeing any new trends with the bride or groom’s cakes?

Sarah: Brides want clean and simple. Not really a new trend, but very popular. One trend I’m very excited about is the tiers of differing heights. I’ve had a few brides want these, and I love the look! Another great look that is gaining popularity is a clean cake with one big flower on the second tier.

Q: Since the average serving size from bakeries is a two inch square piece of cake, how do you recommend couple’s choose the amount of servings to purchase?

Sarah: The standard size is 1″x2″x4″(height). I say get as many servings as you think there will be guests. Worst case scenario- you have a little left over cake if not everyone eats a slice. You certainly don’t want to run out!

Q: Are more brides’ cakes all white, or are more incorporating color?  Do many choose cakes that are all one color other than white?

Sarah: The majority of cakes I create for weddings are requested to be all white with some accents in their color scheme, such as scroll work, or ribbon on each tier, etc. For those that want color, it’s usually all one color, like light teal, for example, and then she’ll want the second color to be pulled in with scroll work, ribbon, or flowers.

There are more questions to come, so check back in a couple of days for Part 2!

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My dear friends Don Mamone and Stacey Pinkney, Dallas wedding photographers, have put together a fabulous info session for all of you brides-to-be. They’ve been to my “How to Hire a Wedding Planner” info session and decided to do something similar for photography, which I’m SOOOOOO excited about. This is a must see people! 

Wedding Photography Exposed is an info session on wedding photography answering such topics as what to look for in your photographer, what types of photography styles there are and what suits you best,  and info on the services, products and prices out there.  (Yes, they will be answering the question of how much does a wedding photographer cost.)  Held on October 27th, from 7-9pm, it will be at the Le Meriden Hotel in Dallas.  I can guarantee you’ll see me there, so come on people!  RSVP by the 20th at WeddingPhotographyEXPOSED.eventbrite.com. 

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No matter what the budget, I’m always asking my brides to look at linen samples. Tablecloths are one of the easiest and most effective ways to change the look of a room, carry a color theme and to even stretch those budget dollars. When you have a fabulous tablecloth, you can get away with less dramatic centerpieces and you can get colors that you simply can’t get in flowers! Plus, linen samples are the perfect way to choose that perfect shade of your favorite color and then use it to show all your vendors exactly what you are talking about.

One of my fave vendors for custom linen rentals is Jules Event Décor. I recently asked Jules to give me some tips and here’s what she said:

1. The wedding linens you choose for your wedding will set your theme, whether it is elegant, romantic, or contemporary. You want wedding linens that will make an impression the moment your guests enter and gaze across the room.  (For an example, check out these before and after photos.)

2. A bride can certainly rent specialty linens to add to the design and layout of her wedding reception without exceeding her budget. Specialty linens made from fabrics such as pin tuck, crinkled taffeta, crushed shimmers may be used on the sweetheart table, bridal party table, cake table(s), or guest book table.

3. Linen made of a solid-color, lamour fabric may be used on all the guest tables as it is more reasonably priced. [Poly-cottons are the staple linens offered by rental companies and venues. Lamour fabric is a “step up” and has a wonderful sheen to it.]  This is also a great choice for napkin and chair sash rentals.

4. If your “linen” rental budget is limited, you can still make an impression by using the table linens your venue provides, yet renting napkins or sashes in your color theme while complimenting your venue’s decor. The size, style, and quantity of your linen needs will determine your linen budget.

As Jules says, “your goal as a ‘savvy’ bride is to find the best wedding linen rental price without compromising the quality of the linen.” You can check out Jules Event Décor at www.juleseventdecor.com.

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Since I showed you the highlight video Soulbox Productions offers, I thought I’d better share a little bit about the minds behind the company.  They are the sweetest couple, David & Corbin.  They love their clients and want to make sure everyone has a fantastic time working together.  While they have box in the name, they are definitely outside the box thinkers, so I asked them a little Q&A that was different from what I see on most blogs.  Here’s what they had to say:

Q. What do you think the most overlooked reason is for choosing to use a videographer?

A.  Unfortunately, we think most brides consider having their wedding captured on video as a luxury. A friend or family member with a video camera can’t tell the true story of a couple’s day. Nor will they most likely have a wireless mic to capture their vows. Not being able to ever re-hear your vows or re-live your day seems like such a shame and a waste of all the money and time you’ve spent on your wedding.

Q.  With all the experience you have, what would be the critical criteria you would use to choose a videographer for your wedding?

A.  Style. That’s one reason Corbin and I don’t see our fellow wedding filmmakers as competition. We all have different business structures and styles. If there was one thing Corbin and I wish we had with our wedding video, it would be to have it captured in super 8mm film. True film’s nostalgic, dream-like quality just fits with our style.

Q.  How do you stay motivated through the long hours of editing and how do you keep focused on the overall result?

A.  Post-production for us is one of the most rewarding parts of our job. To create a wedding film that will be with a couple for the rest of their lives is incredibly exciting and freeing. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that in my opinion, I’m married to the best cinematographer and editor I’ve ever known. [says David of Corbin, see what I mean about the sweetest couple?]

Q.  Care to share your most memorable story of a wedding snafu or amazing moment?

A.  It seems every wedding has moments that are extremely amazing and unique. However, one example comes to mind: It was a cloudy day and there wasn’t much natural light coming into the sanctuary, until the minister said “You may kiss your bride.” And just before our groom leaned in to kiss his bride, a single ray of sunlight came through the stained glass window and illuminated them both. I almost thought I was imagining the whole thing until I heard people in the audience gasp. That was one of our first weddings, more than six years ago, and I remember the bride and groom booked us as an afterthought, just days before their wedding. I’m so glad they did, and that we were able to capture such an unforgettable moment for them to re-live just like all their friends and family members experienced it.

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In scanning my favorite blogs, I found something pretty cool that one of my fave vendors offers and I’d never seen before.  It’s called a Honeymoon Highlight video and I just can’t get over how great an idea this is.  Soulbox Productions, one of the coolest companies around, provides the bride and groom a one-time use video camera from CVS to record their time away.  Here’s a picture of the camera.  (Can you believe they sell these things at CVS?)

The camera records 20 minutes of video, out of which you can delete the shots you don’t want so it’s the best 20 minutes you take.  You also take pictures (with your own camera) and pick out 60 of your faves.   Once you return and share all this with Soulbox, Soulbox turns around and creates a video to tell the story of your honeymoon through the video, photos and music you choose.  So now you get to share your honeymoon deets with your friends and fam through this awesome Honeymoon Highlight video!  Of course Soublox will also give you the raw dvd of your honeymoon footage from the CVS camera (since it is disposable).

Another advantage:  Being able to relive your honeymoon on the same DVD as your wedding.  How cool is that!  The cost is $900 (plus tax). The majority of the cost is all the time it takes to edit it all together (approximately a full week of post production).  To see a sample, visit Soulbox’s blog at:  http://www.soulboxproductions.com/blog/?page_id=45

Enjoy!

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Last week I spent time with Andrea Porter at Circle Park Bridal to learn more about wedding dresses and what all options are out there. Surprisingly enough, I actually learned more about alterations than anything else as they are so important to the overall dress purchase. Here are a few facts I picked up while picking Andrea’s brain:

• Alterations for one wedding dress ON AVERAGE are around $300.  This is purely a rough average based on what Andrea has seen, but when using her recommended seamstress, she sees that this typically includes everything the bride usually needs.
• To cut back on expenses, try to use a seamstress recommended by the bridal salon you purchased your dress at, but not someone operating “in house”.  This cuts back on the mark up the bridal salon is adding to your alterations bill.
• Standard alterations include adding bra cups to the dress, shortening or lengthening the hem, taking in side areas or letting them out, shortening straps and adding a bustle.
• Most dresses do not come with a bustle “built in”.
• Some items to watch for in a good seamstress include making sure the new hemline “bleeds” into the train (in other words there is not a jump in the edge where the hem meets the trim, but a smooth transition) and when sewing bra cups in, the seamstress should add them within the lining, not just attach them directly to the inside of the dress.

Thank you to Andrea who taught me a wealth of info, not just on alterations, but dress trends and even the care and maintenance of your dress.  Brides, if you are still looking for your dress, go visit this amazing and caring store owner at Circle Park Bridal.  She truly has your best interests at heart.  And remember to budget for those alterations, no matter where you purchase your dress!

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Andrea and the gang at Circle Park Bridal have been kind enough to invite me back for another Meet & Greet this Saturday from noon to 3pm.  CPB often opens their doors to vendors they trust to speak with their brides in an informal setting to answer questions brides might not otherwise have the opportunity to seek the answer to.  Because of this, I love these meet and greets and hope you will join me there.  If you have not seen this one of a kind boutique, this is a great time to do that too!  Here are the details:

Circle Park Bridal Boutique, 15402 Addison Road, Suite B, Addison, TX, 75001 – 12-3pm

See you soon!

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