Words truly cannot express how lovely, warm, and wonderful the Hustons are, and how much fun we had planning and executing their 50th anniversary celebration at The Joule last November! Allan and Jane’s joy about celebrating this milestone occasion alongside family and friends was infectious throughout the planning process.
In order to bring their vision of an elegant yet lively event to life, Jackson Durham created beautiful floral arrangements in a palette befitting the couple’s Golden Anniversary. Each guest also received a champagne-hued single stem rose at their seat before dinner began—a luxe and lovely touch that reflected the couple’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail. Above and beyond the look of the event, though, were the memories shared by the couple’s family members throughout the evening. One of our favorite tributes took the form of a video created by the Hustons’ daughters, which featured photos, highlights from Allan and Jane’s marriage, and special interview questions that allowed the Hustons to share their perspective on what makes a marriage great (namely, respect and friendship!). The couple’s daughters and grandchildren also spoke about the relationship the two share and the impact they have made on the lives of their loved ones.
Later in the evening after all happy tears had been dried, it was time to hit the dance floor! Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes brought the fire to this party and ensured that the dance floor stayed full—the perfect entertainment choice to reflect the Hustons’ fun-loving personalities!
The Hustons’ kindness and love for one another is evident in so many ways and was easy for our team to celebrate. It was truly an honor to coordinate this very special 50th anniversary party!
Canon and Tate are the sweetest couple with a truly incredible love story that spans blind dates, debutante balls, and what could very well be the world’s most romantic European proposal. We couldn’t be more excited to share that their modern, glamorous wedding in Fort Worth was recently selected as a “Vows that Wow” feature in Brides of North Texas magazine!
Before we dig into all of the details of their wedding day, let’s take a moment to swoon together over the way that Tate proposed. While in Italy during the summer of 2016, Tate arranged for a personal driver to chauffeur Canon to the Hotel Villa Cora in Florence. After escorting her through a trail of candles while a harpist played in the background, Tate dropped to one knee and presented Canon with a ring box inscribed with Sono Sicuro—”I’m sure” in Italian. Want more details? You can read the entire story of Tate’s proposal in the online version of BONT’s “Vows that Wow” feature!
Speaking of popping the question, you might remember Canon from a previous blog feature on creative ways to propose to your bridesmaids and maid of honor! These two put so much thought into every aspect of their wedding day and were intentional about honoring their friends, family members, and each other all along the way. From Canon’s decision to have Sono Sicuro engraved on Tate’s wedding band, to the priceless gift of a custom clutch purse made from a variety of heirloom fabrics that Tate gifted to Canon, both bride and groom seized every opportunity to express their love in meaningful, personal ways.
Following a moving ceremony featuring a backdrop of bloom-laden branches at Christ Chapel Bible Church, Canon and Tate celebrated their reception at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. It’s almost impossible to pick a favorite detail, but we’ll do our best—mixed-metal decor, sky-high white floral arrangements, luxury event furniture from Perch Event Decor, a live painter, custom marquee light signage, a donut wall, and a surprise performance to “Dancing Queen” put on by Canon’s mother, her mother’s best friend, and her mother-in-law rank high on our list!
Canon and Tate, we were so honored to plan your wedding and wish you much continued joy as you build your life together as husband and wife!
Put together one fun-loving couple, two different cultural backgrounds, a bevy of personalized leather jackets, and a dizzying variety of dance floor entertainers, and what do you have? Just a GLIMPSE of the excitement and glamour that surrounded every aspect of Anissa and Ramez’s wedding day!
It was important to the bride and groom to incorporate traditions from both of their cultures throughout the wedding weekend. With this in mind, following the conclusion of the rehearsal dinner on Friday evening, Anissa changed into a red gown and veil to honor her Albanian heritage before hitting the dance floor. After saying “I do” at Perkins Chapel on Saturday, Anissa and Ramez entered their reception at The Joule as guests participated in a traditional Pakistani dance led by the groom’s family!
Anissa has impeccable taste (did you see those personalized Zara jackets she gifted to her bridesmaids?) and we had so much fun planning an ultra-modern black and white reception with her! Her adventurous decor choices resulted in a look that was both glamorous and fresh. The stunning floral arrangements crafted by Garden Gate, the globe the couple used as a guest sign-in book, and the acrylic seating chart created by DFW Dance Floors were among our favorite design details.
The bride and groom’s first dance to a soulful version of “Firestone” by Kygo was an emotional highlight of the night. It was the perfect song choice for Anissa and Ramez, and beautifully performed by local duo Hunter and Savannah! Last but not least, you’ll notice that the dance floor is consistently packed in all of these photos. Ramez and Anissa both love to dance and wanted to ensure that their guests had an unforgettable evening—a goal they MORE than accomplished by incorporating a variety of great entertainers at the reception! From the electronic violinist to the dancing robot, the dance floor was packed from start to finish.
It was such a privilege to help bring your wedding day to life, Anissa and Ramez! Wishing you two all the best…and plenty more opportunities to dance!
Vendor List:
Church: Perkins Chapel
Reception: The Joule Hotel, Dallas
Officiate: Boo Kay
Ceremony Strings: Dallas String Quartet
Ceremony Organist: Jordan Smith
Caterer: The Joule Hotel
Alcohol: The Joule Hotel
Valet: The Joule Hotel
Magician: David Gabriel
Robot: Reilly Robot
Electronic Violinist: Sarina
Reception Singers: Hunter and Savannah
Photographer: Paige Greener Photography
Videographer: Elle Films
Band/DJ: DJ Ehab
Florist: Garden Gate, Junior Villanueva
Dance Floor and Acrylic Seating Chart: DFW Dance Floors
Lighting: The Joule Hotel
Cakes: Fancy Cakes by Lauren
Wedding Planning: Brooke Nappier for DFW Events
We’ve been sharing sneak peeks of Meghan and Jay’s wedding on Instagram, and today we’re thrilled to be sharing their entire gallery from Tyler + Lindsey (or the vast majority of it, anyway!). From those beaming first look smiles to Jay’s victorious fist pump after being pronounced husband and wife, these two radiated absolute joy on their wedding day.
From Portico to Pavilion, Arlington Hall boasts a variety of beautiful event spaces. As Meghan and Jay’s wedding and reception made use of several on-property locations, Junior at Garden Gate designed a lovely lantern-lined walkway to guide guests from dinner in the Sunken Garden to the Ballroom for dancing. Another favorite detail: Meghan and Jay’s vintage cake topper! As a special nod to the Baumgardner family, the couple’s cake was topped with the same figurines that were featured on Jay’s grandparents’ and parents’ wedding cakes. A “sweet” tradition in every sense of the word, and the perfect Something Old, too.
Meghan and Jay’s “I do” date fell on Veteran’s Day weekend, and since they both have family and friends who have served in the military, they gave a special toast of thanks to honor veterans and soldiers during their reception. Other all-American touches included the distribution of flags for guests to wave as the bride and groom made their exit, and a surprise fireworks show gifted to the couple by Meghan’s parents—it began as they were cutting their wedding cake on the Arlington Hall porch!
Meghan and Jay, thank you so much for trusting our team to plan your wedding. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of your day!
There is something so special about a night at the museum—and no, we’re not talking about the Ben Stiller comedy that brought exhibits to life on the big screen. Rather, we’re thinking of artfully-imagined weddings and special events hosted at locales including the The Modern, the Dallas Museum of Art, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and The Nasher, just to name a few. While you may have previously enjoyed perusing a gallery or two during business hours, it’s a completely different experience to get up close and personal with dinosaur fossils while attending an after-hours wedding reception (with a glass of Chardonnay in hand, no less). Let’s explore the logistics of hosting a wedding or event at a museum!
THE SET-UP
Museums are open to the public during the day, which means set-up for a private event typically begins later than it would at a hotel ballroom or other event space—we’re talking a 5 o’clock start time at a museum versus an early morning start at most other venues. With a carefully planned timeline and strong vendor team in place, however, rest assured that set-up can go off without a hitch!
If you’ve chosen to host your wedding or event at a museum, then obviously there is something about that space or a particular exhibit within the museum that initially drew you toward the idea. Although you could try to mask the fact that your guests will be enjoying cocktail hour amid ancient fossils or spectacular art, why not play it up instead? This doesn’t mean you have to go super theme-y, but you can play off the color scheme already in place or incorporate a small nod to your favorite exhibit. In short, celebrating what’s unique and interesting about your event space is the way to go at a museum.
wedding at The Perot with decorative details inspired by the museum’s geological exhibit | photos: Kelly Alexander | planning: DFW Events
THE EXPERIENCE
We’d be willing to bet that the majority of your wedding or event guests don’t have the opportunity to privately tour a museum (with a cocktail in hand!) on a regular basis. Although different rules apply at different museums, for the most part there is always a workable way to incorporate drinks, live music, dancing, and other must-have elements into your event. Depending on the museum you select, you might consider hosting a progressive event that spans multiple levels—it’s a great way to expose guests to as many exhibits as possible, which makes for a truly one-of-a-kind experience!
Progressive dinner and 50th birthday party at The Perot Museum—see more here photos: Jason Kindig | planning: DFW Events | floral and design: David Kimmel
3 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN PLANNING A MUSEUM WEDDING
Read your contract, then read it again! Every hotel and event venue maintains a certain set of rules that are listed in the fine print, but museums tend to have more specific regulations in place to protect their exhibits. If you’re passionate about serving red wine or saying goodbye to your guests via a sparkler exit, for instance, then a museum wedding might not be for you.
Verify what the museum is able to provide in terms of furniture and rentals. In addition to checking out the look of the house tables and chairs, it’s important to ensure that the museum has enough of each available for your event.
Exhibits come and go. While the museum you selected might currently be housing works by your favorite artist, it could only be a temporary exhibit. Be sure to check the museum’s exhibition schedule against your wedding date!
Learn more about how to select the perfect wedding or event venue for you right here. Dreaming of your own museum wedding? Get in touch with our team here to start planning!
Have you heard? The Pantone 2018 color of the year is Ultra Violet! Here’s what Pantone says is behind the selection of the vibrant purple hue: “Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future. Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now.”
Speaking of the cosmos, the 2018 color of the year feels like a natural—albeit more subdued—extension of last year’s explosion of out-of-this-world holographic design details. Not feeling quite adventurous enough to pair up these two trends? Ultra Violet also works beautifully with the 2017 color of the year, Greenery!
Ultra Violet, lavender, eggplant—no matter the hue that’s used, purple is a distinct color with high impact. From subtle to completely saturated, keep reading for six ways to incorporate the 2018 color of the year into your wedding day!
6 WAYS (BIG AND SMALL) TO INCORPORATE ULTRA VIOLET INTO YOUR WEDDING DAY
1. Amp up your bridal eye makeup with Ultra Violet. Purple and green complement each other well, meaning a hint of Ultra Violet eyeshadow will look extraordinary on a bride with emerald eyes!
2. Gift your bridesmaids Pantone-inspired robes. No matter which color or pattern you choose, gifting your bridesmaids with matching robes on the morning of your wedding ensures a cohesive look for your getting-ready photos. Ready to start shopping? Our brides love the selection offered by Plum Pretty Sugar!
3. Infuse paper products with purple. Welcome bag tags, cocktail napkins, custom cups, and rehearsal dinner invitations are all perfect for giving a subtle nod to the 2018 color of the year. Feeling bold? Incorporate Ultra Violet into your wedding logo or duogram, and use it front and center on your wedding invitation and program!
4. Give floral arrangements a pop of purple. Anemones, hydrangeas, clematis, snapdragons, and orchids are all blooms that naturally come in a purple variety. Consult with your florist to identify flowers that will be a perfect match for your wedding season. If all purple everything is a bit too dramatic for your taste, consider intermixing purple stems with greenery and other flowers in complementary colors. Utilizing colorful vases and table decor to offset otherwise-neutral arrangements is another option!
5. Use violet lighting to enhance your reception venue. We’ll let you in on a little secret: Violet lighting is universally flattering! In addition to giving your reception an added dose of warmth, depth, and richness, your guests will love the way Ultra Violet uplighting plays up their features—and your photographer’s camera will love it, too.
6. Go all out. Table numbers, charger plates, seating cards, linens, bridesmaid gowns…and a firework-filled exit! If you’ve got a preference for purple, why not give it the primary spot on your color palette? Use luxe textiles and metallic accents to play up Ultra Violet’s elegance. This will ensure that your design scheme reads as both elevated and sophisticated (with absolutely zero relation to a certain purple dinosaur who shall not be named).
To learn more about how to create the looks featured here and start planning your own Dallas or destination wedding, please get in touch using our client inquiry contact form. Find daily wedding and event inspiration by following us onInstagram and Pinterest.
It’s a toss-the-confetti and pop-the-champagne kind of day around the DFW Events office—Bela + Chase’s wedding is featured in the Winter 2018 issue of Inside Weddings!
The couple wed in May of 2017, with both the ceremony and reception taking place at The Four Seasons Resort & Club, Dallas. After exchanging vows beneath a stunning floral archway set up on the lawn, Bela and Chase treated their guests to a special cocktail hour featuring his-and-hers areas—a rosé and champs bar for the bride and a succulent-covered scotch station for the groom. Up next: a breathtaking ballroom reception! Blush draping, mirrored surfaces, crystal accents, and sequin-covered textiles combined to create a luxurious ambiance, which was personalized thanks to the addition of custom neon signage and throw pillows bearing the couple’s duogram.
It was our absolute pleasure to help bring Bela and Chase’s wedding day vision to life, and we are honored by what Bela shared with Inside Weddings: “I had a superstar wedding planner who has been in the industry for 20 years. She called in so many favors, which is something I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish by planning on my own.”
That’s what we’re here for, and exactly the sort of thing that makes our hearts sing. Congratulations, Bela and Chase!
If you’ve been dreaming about your wedding for your entire life (or even just for the last year or so), chances are that at least a few of those dreams have included a very specific setting. But whether you’re instinctively drawn to the rustic ambiance of a ranch wedding or have a more traditional ballroom affair in mind, there are a few essential questions every couple should consider before booking a venue for the Big Day. Ask yourself these five questions to ensure that your wedding venue is a perfect fit, then prepare to ink those final contracts with confidence!
Question One: “Indoor or outdoor?”
Consider this basic question your starting point when identifying potential wedding and reception venues. Answering it from the get-go will automatically simplify your search!
Outdoor ceremony at The Four Seasons Dallas | more from this wedding here | Karlisch Photography
Question Two: “How would you describe your style?”
When it’s time to start narrowing down your options, think about your personal style. Are you drawn to modern and contemporary looks with a preference for clean lines? Consider booking a museum for your ceremony or reception—The Modern in Fort Worth, The Nasher, and the Dallas Museum of Art are all beautiful options that don’t necessarily require a lot of extra table décor.
Question Three: “What are my décor and rental needs?”
If questions one and two have helped you determine that an outdoor wedding in a setting that is not typically used as an event space—this includes a ranch, field, or even your own backyard—is for you, keep in mind that you will most likely need to bring in absolutely everything from the ground up. We’re talking tables, chairs, linens, and back-of-house catering rentals, plus a trucking service, a generator, a dance floor, and a valet company just to name a few. You will also need to secure an air-conditioned tent in case of rain or extreme temperatures on your wedding day. Don’t let that scare you, though. If you’re open to the idea of managing these additional details or have hired an event planner to help manage them for you, this can be an extremely rewarding way to build a completely unique event space!
By contrast, country clubs, ballrooms, and other traditional event venues maintain a supply of house linens, house chairs, tables, and in-house catering rentals, and will also provide your catering services. While this option will probably save you some time, it won’t always save you money—especially if you’re planning to outfit the space with custom décor, which will require sourcing outside vendors.
Reception at the Dallas Country Club | Kiss Me For Eternity, Thisbe Grace & Co.
Question Four: “What are my power and sound needs?”
If you’re planning to have a live band at your ceremony or reception, ensure that your venue has the necessary power and circuits. A back-up generator will be required if your power needs exceed your venue’s capability or if you’re planning an outdoor wedding. And don’t forget to inquire about lighting! Some venues keep their lighting on dimmers, which provides a built-in transition from dinner to the dance floor, whereas other spaces might benefit from an additional lighting package.
Question Five: “How much time do I need for set-up?”
Load-in and strike times are of major importance for your vendors, so make sure to ask your potential venue what time set-up can begin on the day of your wedding. Dedicated event spaces will typically allow set-up to begin early in the day, but locations that primarily function as public spaces—think art galleries and restaurants—might restrict set-up to after the five o’clock hour. If you choose a venue with this kind of time constraint, be prepared to pay an additional fee to cover the cost of the extra laborers it will take to prep your event space in a shortened time frame.
The bottom line? Spend some time thinking about the look and feel of your wedding as a whole, and then choose the venue and vendors that are best equipped to bring that vision to life!
In need of even more inspiration? Stop by our “Venues” board on Pinterest, and don’t miss our feature “From the Ground Up: How to Create an Event Space for Your Wedding Day” in the Winter 2018 issue of Inside Weddings.
‘Tis the season for decking the halls and spreading Christmas cheer, and as event planners, nothing makes our spirits brighter than reflecting on the details of a festively-arrayed wedding day! In anticipation of holidays past, we’ve featured a round-up of our favorite white wedding detailsand we’ve also shone the spotlight on colorful winter soirees. What we haven’t celebrated yet? A classic Christmas wedding—one that’s rich in velvet textiles, potted poinsettias, gingerbread bars, magnolia garlands, and a traditional palette of red, green, and gold. Until now, that is! From altar to after party, these wedding details are wishlist-worthy for any bride dreaming of a Noel nuptial.
Chandler and Mason may have exchanged vows over the summer, but with the holidays just around the corner, we have a feeling that the hues used in their classic wedding and reception will instantly transport you to a winter wonderland! Bright and crisp during the warmer months and downright dreamy as temperatures begin to drop, an all-white wedding palette is always in season and always creates an impact. From the ivory gowns the bride selected for her attendants to the sleek alabaster dance floor at the reception, tone-on-tone details abounded at Chandler and Mason’s wedding to breathtaking effect. These two are such a beautiful couple in every way and were an absolute joy to work with. We’re thrilled to be sharing their stunning “I do” on the blog today!
