Something Blue Journal Issue 002 by sbjdallas

SOMETHING BLUE JOURNAL DALLAS

ISSUE O2 1

MEET OUR EDITOR With years under her belt as a wedding stationery business owner and marketing guru for wedding vendors across the country, Hannah Bargas, the Something Blue Dallas Journal Founder & Editor, decided to transform her knowledge of, and passion for, the wedding industry into a source of inspiration for North Texas brides. She breathed life into the idea of curating the cream of the crop of Dallas, Fort Worth, and North Texas wedding vendors with the intention of providing not only inspiration, but also greater ease and enjoyment into the wedding planning process.

THE HEART BEHIND OUR WORK Something Blue Journal Dallas is North Texas’ premier wedding publication, serving as a source of inspiration and discovery for wedding aficionados and the soon-to-be-wed alike. At Something Blue Journal Dallas, we are purveyors of bespoke, creative talent from the most skilled wedding vendors. We are committed to supporting local vendors in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding regions, so we can continue to foster love and a sense of partnership in our dynamic community. We understand the time and thought poured into planning a wedding, especially a Texas wedding. For this reason, we devote countless hours to carefully curate the features in each publication, so rest assured, when you flip through Something Blue Journal Dallas, you are viewing the masters of each wedding craft — from bridal portrait photographers, to wedding planners, and florists, and much more, our pages are filled with luxury and inspiration. Our team is committed to supporting love in all of its forms and reflecting the beauty found in the diversity of love throughout the pages of each issue. Cover shot by Kaitlin Rodgers Photo

SOUTHERN HOUSEWIVES PLANNING P L A NN I NG

SOUTHERNHOUSEWIVESPLANNING.ORG @SOUTHERNHOUSEWIVESPLANNING

SBJ VENDOR

Planner: Southern Housewives Planning Venue: Lazy S Hacienda Bridal Dress: A & Be Bridal Shop Jewelry: Up Town Vaquera Hair and Makeup: Jessica Stoughton Charcuterie: Board and Brie Smoke Bomb: Smoke Effect Bar: Black Cactus Bar Co. Rentals: Coral Lane Event Rentals Arch: Southern Wild Rentals Food Truck: Cuates Kitchen Tanning of Models: Globox Tan Macrame: Lovin This Macrame Bridesmaids Dresses: The Kindred Soul Stationery & Calligraphy: Words Made Semple Donkeys: Big City Farm Photographers: Silver Bear Creative. Laura McLauchlin Photography, Jessica Maria Photography, Ally Fraustro Photography, Morgan Made Photos, Raquelin Guerrero Photography, Dylan Patterson Photography, Lauren Armstrong, KLayne Photography, Chandler J Photo (Pictured)

SBJ VENDOR

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN THINKING ABOUT A VIDEOGRPHER PHOTOS BY: ELLEN ASHTON PHOTOGRAPHY Trying to decide if a videographer is right for

•

you? We’re not here to make that decision for

What purposes could it serve you in the future?

you or sway you to one side or the other. As a

•

What purpose would the video serve?

previous vendor in the wedding industry, we’re

•

How often do you see yourself looking back at

here to offer some helpful advice and guidance

the video? Do you currently look back at video

on how you can go about making the best

recordings on your phone or what is saved in

decision for you and your wedding day. We’ve

your computer?

outlined some guidance to flow through to help

•

you make your most informed decision with NO Regrets. Grab a pen and paper, and let’s get to work.

Think about big moments in your life, did you wish you had these recorded?

•

Who else could benefit from the video? (think friends, family, etc.

What’s Important to You? For some couples, they are excited about the thought of re-playing their video on their anniversary or perhaps someday in the future for their kids if they plan to have any. Others can’t fathom a reason when they will one day get the urge to want to sit down and re-watch their wedding unfold on the TV or computer screen since they were already there to begin with. I’m sure right about now, you’re already thinking which bucket you fall into - But here us out! Before jumping the gun, you’ll need to really think about videography as a whole, the role it will play in your life, and the purpose that it serves for future use. Our first recommendation is that before you dismiss the idea altogether, take some time for an honest discussion with your spouse and get on the same page regarding your needs, wants, and goals. We’ve included a few prompts to help get the conversation going: •

What are the pros and cons of having a wedding video?

E DI TOR IA L

Consider Time Photographs can only capture so much information. If you are looking to have something on display in your house or at your office, photographs are great for this purpose. Although they can spark incredible feelings and emotions, sometimes other sentiments can be missed from a static image. Videography allows for fluidity in the moment, a sensory experience where even if

Let’s Talk Budget So now that you’ve really thought about the importance the video holds, let’s talk about your budget. When looking at your wedding budget, we understand costs can add up quickly and can sometimes be the determining factor in your decision process so we wanted to make sure we hit some specifics on this topic.

you were not present, you can still revel in the experience that others shared. Things we tend to take for granted are voices, sounds, and movements that are present in the moment. So why not capture both? Even if you only watch the video once after the wedding, who is to say you won’t want to watch it again when you’re old and want to revisit the nostalgia? One of the incredible things that I’m learning right now is that time is a precious commodity. Remember, once it’s gone (and I’m sure you can agree it tends to go by fast!), you can never get it back. Your wedding day is a whirlwind day full of tons of emotions. Time has a way of escaping us during those heightened emotional moments not allowing us to fully embrace the presence of now. There will be things you miss because you can’t possibly be everywhere at once, and things you potentially won’t remember. How important is it to you to remember both the big and small aspects of the day?

Pro-Tip: You have options, your video can fit what best feeds into your style. Maybe a highlight reel lasting five to ten minutes or just the ceremony. Maybe you want your friends to be interviewed during reception and capture some of the dancing and fun. The magic is that it is completely up to you! E DI TOR IA L

E DI TOR IA L

Costs

How to Make Room

Let’s get right down to it, according to Wedding

And here’s when things start to get fun! When

Wire, average videographer costs can range

you go back to re-evaluate your budget and

from about $500 to $4,000 where most couples

your options, BE CREATIVE!! What ideas

typically tend to spend around $1,000 to $2,000.

can you put together based on all the great

This can fluctuate quite a bit too based on the

information you’ve just received and collected?

time of year for your booking and the actual

Combine ideas, remove some aspects, shorten

services you are receiving.

recording times. Do you have the option to create your own package? This step should

The next immediate question we’re thinking

be fluid and you should have fun playing with

that comes to mind for you is “so what exactly

your options while you continue to engage the

am I getting with that cost?!” Here’s where you

videographers that make your shortlist. By

have to do some research on your end. Take

collaborating with them, you can come up with

some time to gather information for service

scenarios that might be more in line with your

providers in your area. Before setting up some

budgetary goals.

time to meet with them, get an idea of your video style. Watch some clips online and find out your

You’ve now thought about purpose, evaluated

likes and dislikes. Document your concerns

your options, and are able to close the gap

and some additional questions that you have

and align your goals with the information

so you can have a productive conversation

collected. We feel confident you have all that

when you meet with them. Don’t forget to ask

you need to make an informed decision on

for suggestions and be sure to document and

whether hiring a videographer is right for you.

take notes from the vendors you meet. We’re

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

recommending gathering basic information from about 5-10 and meet with about half of those. From there, you’ll want to evaluate your meetings and continue conversations with your top 2-3.

Pro-Tip: Google has a ton of “wedding videography examples” for you to browse to easily find some great inspiration and understand your personal likes and dislikes. You should also ask the videographer for samples of their work as well. Social media is also a great tool to gather inspiration and is likely where vendors showcase their work.

E DI TOR IA L

JENNIFER SEIBERT STUDIOS ARTIST

J E N N I F E R S E I B E R T. C O M @JENNIFERSEIBERTSTUDIOS Custom Paintings: Jennifer Seibert Studios Event Design & Styling: Carleigh Long Design + Coordination Photography: Lacey Thrower of Town & Country Photography Floral: Juniper Florals Gown: Justin Alexander Venue: Jennifer Taylor of Old Quail Run Farm Catering: Jennifer Taylor of Bon Appetit Y’all Bridal Salon: Talyn Vickers of Lasting Bridal Couture Hair & Makeup: Jenifer Hunt of Phoenix Beauty Team Cake Artist: Keiyana Roberts of The Sweet Canvas Co. Stationery: Kristin Hazelwood of Brown Fox Creative Model: Amanda Foster

SBJ VENDOR

SPEEDWELL EVENT CO. P L A NN I NG

S P E E DW E L L E V E N TCO.CO M @ S P E E DW E L L E V E N TCO Planner: Speedwell Event Co. Venue: School House Events Photographer: Lorena Burns Photography Dress: Wed Bridal Boutique Veil: Crowning Glory Veils Co. Tuxedo: Mister Tuxedo Dallas Flowers: Kate Mcleod Studio Rentals: Top Tier Event Rentals Stationery: Write This Way Calligraphy Hair and Makeup: Tousled Studio Bar: Dallas Drafts Groom Model: Imjopilot Bride Model: Katharinatome Ring Box: The Velvet Garden Ring Box Accessories: Twigs and Honey

SBJ VENDOR

SBJ WEDDINGS

ERIN & DREW

SBJ WEDDINGS

VENDORS Planner: Speedwell Event Co. Photographer: Rebecca Ellison Photography Ceremony: The Dallas Arboretum Reception: 2616 Commerce Hair & Makeup: ChiRo Makeup DJ: Leforce DJ

Catering: Blue Mesa Grill Floral: Wild Rose Events

Ceremony Music: Dan Kyzer Guitarist Dress: Terry Costa Bridal Cake: Sweet Art Custom Cakes Suits: Suit Supply

SBJ WEDDINGS

MEMORIES BOUND FLORAL FLORAL

@ M E M O R I E S B O U N D F LO R A L Florals: Memories Bound Floral Venue: The Emerson & Coral Lane Photo: Abbey Leigh Photography Caterer & Cake: City Cafe Suits: Bridal Boutique Dress: Ella Blu Bridal Makeup Artist: Cari Stultz

Hair: Taylor Madrid

SBJ VENDOR

DRINK FAIRY BARTENDER

T H E D R I N K FA I R Y. N E T @T H E D R I N K FA I R Y Photography: Photo Girl Faith Planning: Wildly Styled Shoots Planner: KH Events Makeup & Hair: Get Pretty With Kylie Florals: Rain Florist Stationery: Write This Way Calligraphy Location: The Pearl at Sabine Creek Model: Ashley Poeschl Dessert: Cake by Mory & Cake Ballerina Extras: The Drink Fairy & Lets Party Chica Dresses: Say Yes to Your Dress Bridal

SBJ VENDOR

SBJ WEDDINGS

ALEX & TIM

SBJ WEDDINGS

VENDORS Venue & Catering: Le Meridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh Photography: Whitney Rodgers Photography Florals: Wedfully Yours Cake: Crumb & Kettle Officiant: Hire a Minister DJ: DJ Connection Videography: The Amplified Co. Design & Coordination: Carleigh Long Design + Coordination

SBJ WEDDINGS

OLIVE BEE PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY

O L I V E B E E P H OTO.CO M @ O L I V E B E E P H OTO G RA P H Y T X 22

SBJ VENDOR

Photography: Olive Bee Photography Planning: Southern Wild Creatives Floral Designer: The Floral Bar Bar: Bubbles & Brews Dallas Picnic Setup: Uptown Picnic Company Dress: A&BE Bridal Shop Hair: Tease to Please Makeup: Madeline Cope Stationery: Words Made Semple Venue: Brik Models: Madeline Cope & Andrei Daniel

SBJ VENDOR

SO, YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED, NOW WHAT?! Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of getting engaged?! You’re NOT alone - and it doesn’t have to be that way! We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you get an idea of what to expect and how to approach different elements of the wedding process. There’s a lot that goes into planning a wedding and you’re probably a bit overwhelmed and not sure where to start or how to even start getting everything organized. We see you, we hear you, and we’re here to

Where to Start Before starting the planning process, we recommend waiting about 3 weeks, this will give you time to celebrate both with each other and with your friends and family. You can relax during this time, start having preliminary conversations and gathering ideas on your Pinterest board (psst. Our @SBJDallas page has great inspo for you to follow).

help you through the process.

The Basics Okay, so you’re engaged and ready to tell the world! We get it, but you might want to pump the breaks. Give yourself a quick breather because once you start making things public, the floodgates open with questions and unsolicited advice which can be tough to navigate if you’re not prepared! Here’s what we suggest… Wait a few days! Give yourself time to fully wrap your head around the love that you share and the excitement of the moment. Then think about who you want to share the news with first and a generic response to all the questions that will come flooding in. Something along the lines of “We’re really excited and are enjoying the moment with you and all of our friends and family before diving into details”. While you are giving yourself a breather - go get your nails done. They will really be on display during this time and you’ll want them to look their best! See about getting your ring sized too and look into ring insurance if it hasn’t already been purchased.

Budget & Timeline Once the sweetheart phase is over, let the budgeting and timeline creation begin!! :) This is where you and your fiance will have to get into some deep conversations around what

E DI TOR IA L

you can afford to spend, your wants, needs, and non-negotiables. Don’t forget, a crucial part in budget planning is to have an idea of your guest size. You will want to put together a rough idea of how many people you will want to invite. This list will certainly need some updating later down the road so don’t spend too much time on it. Just enough for you to be able to do some scenario planning with 100 vs. 300 people on the guest list. Pro-Tip: something couples often overlook is to create a wedding contingency fund (separate from your budget). Make a plan for how you’ll contribute. You’ll use this fund for incidentals or additional needs like booking extra dry runs, scheduling shifts, or follow-up appointments. When working on your timeline, it’s usually best to think about dates you’ll want to get married on and work back from there. Dates are important to keep in mind when planning because it can sometimes play a huge factor with costs (ie. some wedding vendors increase rates during the peak wedding season). Work on getting the milestone dates down first and you can fill in the others as you continue through the process. Milestones include your actual wedding date, sending save the dates and invitations, and vendor decisions. You’ll re-visit this frequently to make edits and updates so make sure it’s easily accessible and flexible for changes!

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work! “Communication works for those who work at it.” - John Powell Often overlooked, communication is vital for easing tensions, setting boundaries, and getting organized. Remember, though, through this entire process you and your fiance are a team and you’ll want to be on the same page on how you’re moving forward. Communication, conversation, and listening to each other are E DI TOR IA L

key to enjoying a blissful engagement. Not only do you and your fiance want to be on the same page, but you’ll want to get your family and close friends on the same wavelength as well. This is when you’ll want to inform others and set realistic boundaries. Understand what it is you and your fiance need and be ready to communicate effectively with those you love. Be sure to listen as well, you don’t have to take all the advice they give, but you should be polite by listening and responding accordingly.

You’ll Need a Whole Lot of Help from Vendors There are so many to choose from and how do you know when to secure what?! This is our jam and the heart of our work! We were created to serve as inspiration and discovery to foster love and support for you on our journey focusing on the best the Dallas Fort Worth area has to offer! Our vendors were handpicked and vetted with you in mind. Take a look at our website to learn more about our publication, view our issues, and interact with our amazing vendors! Here’s a shortlist of the major vendors along with a general rule of thumb for when to start booking them in advance: Wedding Planner: 10 - 12 month out Wedding Venue - 10 - 12 months out Photographer: 9-10 Months out Caterer & Bartender: 9-11 Months out Florist: 6-9 Months out Stationer & Artistry: 9 Months out DJ/Wedding Music: 9 - 10 Months out * * h tt p s : // myd e e j ay. c o m /a d v i c e / we d d i ngplanning-timeline-when-to-book-weddingvendors-wedding-vendor-checklist/ & h tt p s : // w w w. we d d i ngw i re . c o m / we d d i ngideas/vendor-booking-timeline

The Fun Stuff Sprinkled and intermingled with your vendor procurement, you’ll be dabbling in fun and imaginative ways to make your wedding stand out and be the perfect combination of you and your fiance! You’ll be deciding themes and color palettes, gift registries, honeymoon locations, and a wedding website to communicate with your wedding guests. Remember earlier in this article when we listed a wedding planner at the top of the vendor list?! They’ll help you with all these details and make sure you’re staying on track for when decisions need to be made! This is the time where you get to be creative and inventive. Try to keep things fluid and don’t be too tied down with smaller details.

Honeymoon Planning

Dress Shopping

Where would you like to go? Are you the couple that loves an adventure or looking for something a bit more relaxed? Start thinking of how you want to spend your time together to help shape destinations. Travel blogs and Instagram pages are always a great resource for you. Keep in mind a budget and once you’ve decided on where to go, start planning an itinerary however loose or strict you want!

Shopping for a dress that’ll have your cake in “tiers” will take some time! (we couldn’t resist!) When choosing the perfect dress, you may want to start about 8 months before your wedding date to be sure you’re able to find the perfect silhouette, place your order, and make alterations. You will want to make sure to do some research and book your appointments before you start anything. Choose about 3-4 places you’d like to visit and be sure you have an idea of the style, cuts, and special features of your dress. You don’t have to be limited to what you choose, however, being able to speak on what you’re looking for will help your bridal shop consultant narrow down the search for you. (Psst. Pinterest is a great location to gather these ideas!) We love Damele Bridal located in Carrollton, Texas. They’ve got a great selection of dresses so make sure you check them out! Here’s a protip for scheduling your appointments, if you like a more intimate setting, we recommend booking your appointments during the week, bridal shops tend to be less busy during that time frame.

Bridal Shower & Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties Sit back and relax! Put your MOH and Best Man to work on creating a fun night with your closest friends! As with anything else, it’s important that you and your fiance have an idea of what this will look like for the both of you and communicate some guidelines for the people in charge of planning! Will you choose a fun destination or keep it local? You may have to help with a bit of the planning, however, try to lean on your friends as much as you can! Have fun and don’t forget the pictures!

E DI TOR IA L

DAMELE BRIDAL BRIDAL GOWNS

DAMELEBRIDAL.COM @DAMELEBRIDAL Photographer/Planner: Kaitlin Rodgers Photo Venue: Dalmore Event Venue Floralist: Magnolia Flower Co. Texas Decor: Royal Event Rentals Hair & Makeup: Carolina Stationery: JPC Graphics Cake/Dessert: Blondie’s Bake House Dress: Damele Bridal Tiara: Da’ Vero Bridal

SBJ VENDOR

EMILY BRAGG PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY

E M I LY B R A G G P H O T O G R A P H Y. C O M @ E M I LY B R A G G P H O T O G R A P H Y Planner: Sprinkle of Love Weddings Venue: Boyd Farm Events Floral & Floral Jewelry: Wild Rose Events Hair & Makeup: Simply Sarah Jane Rockwall Rentals: Top Tier Event Rentals Nail Artist: Nail Fix with B Bridal Wear: Bridal Shoppe Ewylie SBJ VENDOR

SBJ WEDDINGS

LACI & CHESTER

SBJ WEDDINGS

VENDORS Photographer: Kaitlin Rodgers Photo Venue: Five Oaks Farm Planner: Kendra’s Events Makeup: Skylar Baxter Hair: Mackenzie Barnes Flowers: Kendra’s Events Dress: BHLDN Suit: Men’s Wearhouse Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN, David’s Bridal, White Fox Boutique Cake: Lana Tillman Pies & Tarts: Magdalena’s Catering & Events Coffee: 5 am Drip Stationery: Sarah Busick Jewelry: Kendra Scott

SBJ WEDDINGS

CARLEIGH LONG DESIGN + COORDINATION P L A NN I NG

CARLEIGHDESIGN.COM @ C A R L E I G H LO N G D E S I G N S Design & Coordination: Carleigh Long Design + Coordination Photography: Ellen Ashton Photography Bridal Salon: Stanley Korshak Bridal

Venue: The Mason Dallas

Florals: Olive Grove Design

Ball Gown Designer: Mackenzie Brittingham

Fitted Gown Designer: Serge Jevaguine Stationery: Write This Way Calligraphy Hair and Makeup: Starr Beauty Co. Model: Brooke Chung Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals Rings: Thomas Laine Jewelry Earrings: Anthropologie Cake & Cookies: Farmhouse Cakes + Cookies

SBJ VENDOR

NICOLE LEA PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY

N IC OL E L E A P HO TO. C OM @NICOLELEAPHOTOGRAPHY Photographer: Nicole Lea Photography

Venue: Knotting Hill Place

Planner & Design: Carleigh Long Design + Coordination Florist: Flower Shack Blooms Rentals: Big D Party Rental Linens: BBJ Linen Getaway Car: DFW Vintage Cars Dress + Veil: Bridal Boutique Lewisville Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes Tux: Generation Tux Jewelry: Balacia Stationery: Lupine Letters MUAH: Styles by Vero Models: Marissa Sisemore, Tiffany Lok, Hardin Cosner

SBJ VENDOR

WRITE THIS WAY CALLIGRAPHY CALLIGRAPHY

W R I T E T H I S WAYC A L L I G R A P H Y. C O M @W R I T E T H I S WAYC A L L I G R A P H Y Stationery: Write This Way Calligraphy Floral Design + Coordination: Oh So Britnee Venue: Stem and Light Studio Photographer: Gaby Pineda Photography Balloon Arch Display: Lots of Love Creative Events

SBJ VENDOR

KAITLIN RODGERS PHOTO PHOTOGRAPHY

K A I T L I N R O D G E R S P H OTO.CO M @ K A I T L I N R O D G E R S P H OTO Photography: Kaitlin Rodgers Photo Floral: Kendra’s Events Dress: Damele Bridal Hair and Makeup: Beauty with Carolina Decor: Royal Event Rentals DFW Macrame: Macrame by MK Stationery: Write This Way Calligraphy Cake: Blondie’s Bake House Headpiece: Da’Vero Bridal Venue: Century Hall Models: Madison and Dakota Whitson

SBJ VENDOR

E DI TOR IA L

DI REC T ORY

P L A NN I NG

ARTIST

P L A NN I NG

SOUTHERN HOUSEWIVES PLANNING

JENNIFER SEIBERT STUDIOS

SPEEDWELL EVENT CO.

12 REAL WEDDING

FLORAL

BARTENDER

ERIN & DREW

M E M O R I E S B O U N D F LO R A L

T H E D R I N K FA I R Y

18 44

22 REAL WEDDING

PHOTOGRAPHY

BRIDAL GOWNS

ALEX & TIM

O L I V E B E E P H OTO G RA P H Y

DAMELE BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHY

REAL WEDDING

P L A NN I NG

E M I LY B R A G G P H O T O G R A P H Y

LACI & CHESTER

CARLEIGH LONG D E S I G N + C O O R D I N AT I O N

37 PHOTOGRAPHY

CALLIGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY

N I CO L E L E A P H OTO G RA P H Y

W R I T E T H I S WAY C A L L I G R A P H Y.

K A I T L I N R O D G E R S P H OTO

28 45

4466

SOMETHINGBLUEJOURNDALLAS.COM