... On The Catwalk

Girls love fashion. Girls love fashion shows….so what a better way to spend a Thursday night than attending a Vera Wang fashion show in a tent under the stars. The event was hosted by Modern Luxury and Warren Barron , a couture bridal gown shop in HPV. We had a wonderful time chatting with other people in the wedding industry, while admiring the beauty of many gowns on the runway. Of course, we all had our personal favorites and it is fun to listen to everyone’s comments around you as the models strut down the catwalk in gorgeous gowns. “Only someone her size could wear that.” “I love the back of that dress!” “Why don’t model’s smile?” It was a fabulous event and one we hope they have again. In addition to just having a fun night out with the girls (including the Strictlyweddings.com beauties in the picture above), we also ran into one of Vera Wang’s assistants that tours the nation with all of Vera’s wedding gowns. We had met her a few years back when she worked for Junko Yoshioka. It was fun to see her and catch up!!

…all in a days work!!

Inspired by.... Beautiful Invitations

Photos. Top Row, Left to Right: Bella Figura, Ceci New York, Hello Lucky!, Bella Figura; Center: Bella Figura; Bottom Row, Left to Right: Ceci New York, Bella Figura, Hello Lucky!

We love things that inspire our team!!! Beautiful things…handbags, dresses, fabric, letter pressed cards….the list could go on. We are starting a new series of “Things that inspire us” when we are planning one-of-a-kind weddings.

Our first inspiration has to be BEAUTIFUL INVITATIONS. We adore invitations that are stunning. Invitations set the tone for ‘what is to come.’ When guests receive their invitations it begins to tell the story of what the wedding will be like. One of the greatest comments I received once (…one I will never forget) was from an interior designer of an NBA player. He stopped me in the lobby during the wedding weekend and said, “I knew this was going to be a fabulous event when I felt the weight of the invitation. They are the most beautiful paper products I have ever seen.” He was correct, everything from the save the date to the wedding invitation to the luggage tags we sent the guests prior to their arrival at the hotel, everything was beautiful and told a story of what was to come. Lisa Hoffman of CECI New York was the artistic hand behind the work of the invitations. Please click here to see how brilliantly everything came together. You can also check out a past article in D Weddings to see some editorial work we have done with Lisa.

We also LOVE Alyssa Reeves of Paradise Design Co. She is based in Dallas and has an eye for amazing designs. She is very talented!!! When we have a bride who shares a love for beautiful invitations with us…. Our first call is to Alyssa. Currently we are working with her to create a beautiful one of a kind invitation that is made up of creams and golds. It is stunning and the invitation set is made up of embossing, letter pressing, flat printing, shiny and matte metallics, everything…. And it is STUNNING. The bride made a comment the other day that even men were commenting on how beautiful the save the dates were….THAT is when you know you’ve done a good job!!!

Invitations set the mood and make brides happy. It brings the element of design into the event that so many brides miss out on. It doesn’t have to be over the top expensive but it will take a larger chunk of the budget than most probably expect. I would say, based on an invitation list of 100, a custom designer would start around $2500 and go up from there. If your budget doesn’t allow for this, I would gather ideas and find a paper source to get heavy cardstock to print your invitations on…then find a local printer. Remember, your invitation sets the tone for your fabulous event!!! They are worth the splurge. ☺

Happy Designing!!!!

To pillow or not to pillow...

Are you looking for a unique ring bearer pillow? One day while visiting the Style Me Pretty website I found a post about these adorable pillows. Recently we have seen less of our brides using traditional pillows, for many reasons, but mostly because the precious little boy who is acting as ring bearer is not actually given the rings, so they don’t feel the need to give him an empty pillow. Not only are there ring bearer pillows on this site, but also great decorative pillows for any room in your newlywed house. Designer Anna Whitford's creations are all made by hand and have a delicate touch. So even if you aren’t looking for a ring bearer pillow, you might be able to find something fun for your new home with your future husband.

Happy Pillow Shopping!

Everyone wants to know about the newest, hottest things to Dallas....I mean, after all, we don't want to all plan the same parties in the same locations. As event planners we are always wanting to bring in new ideas to create parties that stand out and are remembered for years to come. We have a front row seat to a new event venue in downtown Dallas. It is the original Dallas Courthouse and Post Office. The Post Office, which is located on the first floor, is actually still a working post office. The lobby is available for evening cocktail events. The third floor of the building is where the ballroom (courtroom) is located. It is old, historic, renovated and eclectic. The Venue is perfect for the bride who wants a something that is different and no one else has used. Picture beautiful tall windows, dark hardwood floors, original marble, and restored ceilings that were originally painted by a french artist. What is it called, you may ask? It is The Venue at 400 North Ervay. The cool thing about the space is most of the renovations were done to protect the original ceilings, floors, walls etc. of the building. The room is classy and elegant. The space holds about 150 for buffet/cocktail style reception and 110 for a seated dinner. The Venue has already been featured in Dallas Bride (Dallas Modern Luxury) and D Weddings.

Valet is required and a doorman will be waiting for your guests as they arrive... downtown classy!

214.793.1023

sales@400northervay.com

Happy Day!

Something Blue...

Photo Credit from top left corner: Southern Living – Blue bouts; Blue dress by Maggy London, available at Nordstroms;Shoes – Manolo Blahnik, available at Neiman Marcus;Blue Cake – Photo via www.stylemepretty.com; Blue Dress, available at Threads; Shoes – Stuart Weitzman available at Stuart Weitzman

Unless blue is one of your wedding colors most brides have a hard time finding their “something blue” item. Many brides have blue on their garters but with garters being less and less present on bride’s legs…. You’ll need to find another way to incorporate your blue.

What is blue? It is always nice to have a beautiful sapphire ring on your hand that represents your “something blue.” I’ve had quite a few brides take this approach. An idea I always love is to get a personalized label made for your fabulous wedding gown. You can have it made with blue stitching and your seamstress can attach it to your dress. It makes for sweet memories and of course a fun picture to have in your wedding album.

Some ideas that are a little easier and more DIY …. You can have your bridemaids sign the bottom of your shoe in blue ink. You can have a calligrapher write your name and wedding date on the bottom of your shoe….just in case you wear them again and don’t want eight names on the bottom of your NEW Christian Louboutin’s. ...attaching a blue ribbon around the top of your bouquet is also a simple option.

There are many ways to bring in your “something blue.” I am more traditional and love to see the “something blue” present during the ceremony verses the reception. …as I always tell our brides, “It is your wedding and you can do just about anything you want.” One of my favorite "something blue" idea was a bride who used her grandmother's broach, that contained sapphires, as her blue item. It was attached to the ribbon on the stem of her beautiful bouquet. It served as her "somethiing old, something borrowed, and something blue." Be creative and make it special to you!!!

Happy Day….

Something Borrowed...

Your mother’s pearl necklace, your grandmother’s diamond ring, your best friend’s beautiful lace veil…. These are all “something borrowed” you can use for your big day! A fun idea and something that can be used for years to come is to create a handkerchief that is used among your group of close girlfriends. As each friend gets married you can get their name and wedding date monogrammed on the handkerchief. It is a unique “something borrowed” that can be passed down through the years….even to the daughters of the original brides. The “something borrowed” item gives you, as the bride, an opportunity to be as creative as you see fit. Other than symbolizing happiness, the “something borrowed” also reminds you, the bride, that you can always depend upon your friends and family. ….what better way than to bring your best friends into your special something!!

Happy Borrowing!!!

Map it out...

Brides always want unique items for their wedding...whether it is having a unique favor for their guests to having their reception at a unique place... brides crave individuality!!!  I love reading wedding blogs to find new and different items to suggest to our brides.  I found a map, similar to the one above, a few years ago in a magazine.  The price for the customized map was a little ridiculous to me so I've never suggested it to a client.  However, when I ran across this map on one of my favorite blogs today, I had to share it!!!  The creator, Laura Hooper, is based in Los Angeles and owns LH Calligraphy.  She is so talented and her work is beautiful....as well as, UNIQUE!  She sells her customized maps on Etsy.   You can hire her to do your calligraphy through Etsy or contact her directly.  

Happy Mapping!!!