THECITY Weddings • 2016 by THECITY Magazine El Paso/Las Cruces

BRIDAL GUIDE

2016

Be Decadent! Wedding Trends

3 weddings 2016 PRICE $4.95

BRIDAL BRIDAL GUIDE

Be Decadent!

20162016

GUIDE

Wedding Trends

Be Decadent! Wedding Trends

3 weddings 2016 PRICE $4.95

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Weddings, 2016

5410 N. Mesa • El Paso, TX 79912 • 915.881.9999 w w w . e l l a b l u b o u t i q u e . c o m • w w w. e l l a b l u b r i d a l . c o m

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m a e r D r You s Just One i g n i d Y R Wed A T N E M I L ! y C OM P a w A n o i t a t l u s n Co

Full Wedding Planning I Partial Wedding Planning I Wedding Day Coordination Angelica Razo I Owner/ Wedding Planner I (915) 252-0539 angelica@mintweddingsandevents.com www.mintweddingsandevents.com

@mintweddingsandevents

Weddings, 2016

(915) 252-0539

Weddings, 2016

weddings · inspiration · Trends

E l Pas o / l as cru ces

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shelley Mozelle shelley@thecitymagazineelp.com mag a z i n e

MANAGING EDITOR Kim North kim@thecitymagazineelp.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT/STAFF WRITER Krysta Ayers

EDITORIAL INTERN Samuel Horstman

EVENT COORDINATOR Chaz Wilson

EDITORIAL DESIGN MODEL:

DESIGN BY:

Brittany Peratta

Ernie Sanchez Creative

DRESS:

PHOTO BY:

From Ella Blu

Alix Loosle

HAIR BY:

CAKE BY:

Jennifer Ellis for Quartermane

Chris Carpenter for Rachel Turner’s Wedding

Ernie Sanchez Creative

JUNIOR DESIGNER Estefania Perea

TV MANAGER Jessy Castañeda

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

MAKE UP BY: Matthew Abraham

Christina Rivera

DESIGN BY:

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Ernie Sanchez Creative

Pablo Delgadillo

PHOTO BY: Dav Anmed

SALES MANAGER Christine Aguilar caguilar@thecitymagazineelp.com

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Chaz Wilson chaz@thecitymagazineelp.com Jessy Castañeda jessy@thecitymagazineelp.com “The City ” El Paso Magazine welcomes your comments. Please send letters to “Letters to the Editors” 5925 Silver Springs Dr., Suite A El Paso, Texas 79912, or email the editors. Phone number: (915) 500-5730. Fax: (915) 500-5732. Letters addressed to The City El Paso Magazine become the property of the magazine, and it owns all rights to their use. Letters may be edited for space.

All rights to the contents of this magazine are owned in full by the magazine and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the Editor in Chief. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ownership or management of the magazine. All rights reserved.

www.thecitymagazineelp.com 4

Veronica Nevarez veronica@thecitymagazineelp.com

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Meagan Kinley, Michael Graham, Matthew Abraham, Natalie Eckberg, Pablo Delgadillo, Krysta Ayers, Lizzie Martinez, Samuel Hortsman, Jamie Livingston, Liam McLean, Maria Estrada, Jolene Reza Keipp, Christina Chittenden

PHOTOGRAPHY Dav Anmed

Weddings, 2016

Open the doors... Tie in the old as you celebrate your new beginnings at Los Portales. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re toasting to a new marriage, celebrating your quinceaĂąera, or hosting an intimate family event, Los Portales is able to give you a unique historical setting for your indoor or outdoor event. Serving you with excellent personalized service, allow us to be the setting for your cherished memories.

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(915) 229-0125 | (915) 471-5275 /Losportalesbanquet

HISTORIC EVENT VENUE

Weddings, 2016

contents 22

THE WEDDING OF MARIAM YAZDI AND MATTHEW GEORGE WATFORD

THE WEDDING OF VICTORIA SANK AND NISHAAL ANTONY

By: NATALIE ECKBERG

By: KRYSTA AYERS

THE WEDDING OF RACHEL TURNER AND COREY NEAL By: MEAGAN KINLEY

GROOMS GUIDE: FROM FIANCÃ&#x2030; TO HUSBAND

By: JAMIE LIVINGSTON

By: SAMUEL HORSTMAN

THE WEDDING OF SHAUNA P. ZIEGLER AND LARRY CARMONA

THE WEDDING OF IRMA LUISANA BLANCO AND HECTOR ROBERTO BERNAL JR. 6

THE WEDDING OF DANIELLE ADAMS AND NOEL AYOUB

THE WEDDING OF CHRISTINA POMAR AND JESSE LOPEZ

THE WEDDING OF SARAH FRIOUX AND ZYON ZATE

THE WEDDING OF LEESA ORDAZ AND DIEGO AMIGO

100

THE WEDDING OF DIANA MALDONADO AND MATTHEW HUFFORD www.thecitymagazineelp.com

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120

124

SO YOU WANT TO POP THE QUESTION? MAKE IT UNIQUE IN EL PASO

THE THIRD DRESS By: KRYSTA AYERS

By: CHRISTINA CHITTENDEN

108

THE WEDDING OF ERIKA DENISE SIMS AND DR. CHRISTOPHER HARTNETT OLIVARES

114

THE WEDDING OF ZORRINE ESPINO AND MIKE PFANNENSTIEL

134

UNIQUE BACHELORETTE PARTY IDEAS

ICONS IN WHITE

By: JAIME LIVINGSTON

By: PABLO DELGADILLO

150

154

158

BRIDAL BEAUTY GUIDE

NOT YOUR TYPICAL WEDDING GOWN

THERE IN SPIRIT

By: MATTHEW ABRAHAM

By: MARIA ESTRADA

By: JOLENE REZA KEIPP

162

164

166

SQUEEZE INTO THE WEDDING DRESS

TO REGISTER OR NOT TO REGISTER

GUYS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

By: LIZZIE MARTINEZ

BY: CHRISTINA CHIDDENDEN

By: SAMUEL HORSTMAN

172

176

180

184

MATRIMONY BY SILICON VALLEY

THE GO-TO WEDDING APPS

CUPCAKES TAKE THE CAKE

ELOPING THE EASY WAY

By: LIAM MCLEAN

By: KRYSTA AYERS

By: MEAGAN KINLEY

By: PABLO DELGADILLO

186

190

200

202

UNCONVENTIONAL WEDDING TOUCHES

THE CITY GIRLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SIX-MONTH BRIDAL CHECKLIST

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES FOR BEGINNING YOUR LEGAL LIFE TOGETHER

138

THE LOOK OF LOVE

By: JOLEENE REZA KIEPP

129

By: MEAGAN KINLEY

Investment

By: MICHAEL C. GRAHAM, JD, CLTC

Medical

LOOK YOUR BEST ON YOUR WEDDING DAY By: SOUTHWEST PLASTIC SURGERY

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Weddings, 2016

Vanquish Cellf ina Ultherapy DermaGlow LED Therapy Botox Injectables

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An Engagement to Remember The greatest relationships are the ones you never

sophisticated cocktail party – me in my velvet, knee-length party

expected to be in, the ones that sweep you off your

dress because an over-the-top dress would draw suspicion.

feet and challenge every view you ever had, and though it took a few bumps in the road, I finally

When a guest entered, the vision was breathtaking, heavenly;

found him.

from ceiling to floor were glass walls displaying a clear, cool night looking over miles of El Paso’s endless twilights. The ambiance was

We began the moment we met, confirmed with the

overwhelming and it was clear that this was not just another one of

first touch of a hand, the sparks instantly flew. To me,

my parties, tonight was going to be forever special.

he was the dashing VP of broadcasting, and with me being in the magazine life, our worlds were a gentle

Guests were greeted by both my fiancé and myself and directed to the

collide. At social gatherings, one could hear him in a

15-foot liquor table draped with layers of jewel-toned, textured-velvet

corner talking about the latest airing of a TV special

linens and perfectly placed embossed decanters filled with the best

and I in another space discussing the latest lifestyle

scotch, whiskey and vodka. Crystal glasses were set up as a serve

article. We walked in together, mingled on our own,

yourself, with the flicker of romantic candles everywhere (bartenders

EDITOR-in-Chief

but always left together. We were obviously crazy about each other

give an air of formality, and this evening was just for friends).

and quickly began to fall in love. Like every wedding there is always a color palette and ours included For me, the proposal came as a surprise over dinner at Cafe Central,

rich jewel tones, every color you would find on a beautiful male

when he slipped a ring on my hand, and though I’d always said “never

peacock. David being the VP of NBC (the station that uses a peacock

again,” I took a personal leap of faith and said “yes.” I said, “yes”

for their logo), there were beautiful peacock feathers in every

because… because we fit. After the “yes” left my lips, the world

decoration. Few probably knew the significance, the correlation, but

suddenly felt right. For most, the marriage wasn’t really a surprise -

with every detail there was purpose.

just the wedding. After four years of dating, we often received the much dreaded, “When are you two going to get married?”

The tables were decorated in layers of jewel-toned velvet, with candelabras on every side. Food for the evening was special and

I am not the type to walk down an aisle and say, “I do” in front of a

catered by Tara Livingston. I have fond memories growing up

judge, or even run away to Vegas. That is just not my style. I wanted

watching my mother throwing fondue parties, so for me fondue was

intimate, close friends, no stress, and most importantly, something

a must. I searched for months purchasing every fondue pot in the city.

memorable. A surprise wedding was the perfect plan. It came under

The cheese fondue was elegantly displayed for a queen. Both the

the pretense of an engagement party over Thanksgiving weekend

caterer and event coordinator worked on every detail, from the many

when all of the kids were going to be home. Less than 100 of our

levels of presentation, to the timing on the service of Brazilian meat.

friends could fit in the romantic glass heaven at the top of the hill. El Paso socialite, Bobbie Shapiro, and her husband Don were our hosts

We had a “Mashtini” bar which is exactly what it sounds like, sweet or

and together we began the planning process. Like most brides, I

mash potatoes drenched in a medley of delicious toppings of cheese,

planned, he listened, occasionally nodding his head in approval. A mere

bacon, mushrooms or sugar glazed pecans, served in beautiful martini

100 invitees and very intimate, we decided the small list would be for

glasses. It’s unique, classy and added that special touch.

those who had been to our house for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner or vice versa. The invitation was meant to throw off the suspicion of a

A few cocktails into the evening, the glasses began clinking and the

wedding and it worked, by the verbiage on the invite most assumed

toast began. As David began the heart-felt toast, retelling our love

our nuptials were headed toward a private beach location.

story to our guests, most were so caught up in the details as he spoke from the heart, that few realized I was not by his side. The

First item on the agenda, a wedding coordinator – Wayne Hilton, he’s

music was set into motion and the recognizable Bruno Mars began

unique, thinks like the artist that he is and he gets me. I’m a detail-

singing, “I Think I Want To Marry You” as I walked around the corner,

oriented woman so it was the details of our wedding that made it special. The seamstresses made famous by the renowned “Guy/ 10 Rex” made the dress. My vision was an elegant, old Hollywood,

continued on pg. 133 www.thecitymagazineelp.com

Weddings, 2016

The Contributors

13 1) Meagan Kinley 2) Michael Graham 3) Matthew Abraham 4) Krysta Ayers 5) Jamie livingston 6) Liam McLean 7) Natalie Eckberg

14 8) Dav Anmed 9) Maria Estrada 10) Samual Horstman 11) Jolene REZA Keipp 12) Pablo Delgadillo 13) lizzie Martinez 14) Christina Chittenden

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Enchanted Elegance

Weddings, 2016

for the vintage lover... www.thecitymagazineelp.com

Weddings, 2016

g n i d d e

WTune A

Weddings, 2016

| By: PABLO DELGADILLO |

wedding soundtrack has to be as flawless as the

party. These are the songs that will conjure up

memories and unforgettable moments years later. There’s a lot of important steps in a wedding ceremony that need to be paired up with the perfect song. Here’s a list of timeless wedding songs that can be used in any wedding.

“Thinking Out Loud”

– Ed Sheeran

This song is basically the go-to song for everyone in love. The tune is smooth and Ed wrote poetic lyrics that celebrate being in love.

“You and Me” – Lighthouse “Sugar”

– Maroon 5

Definitely a more up-tempo song, this tune by Maroon 5 was a hit on the radio and it’s sure to make everyone dance at your wedding (The

Not a new song, but definitely a song where the lyrics are sure to take the bride’s breath away. The song will play, “Cause it’s you and me and all of the people/and I don’t know why I can’t keep my eyes off of you” as the new couple sway in their first dance.”

music video featured a bunch of weddings too! So it’s a perfect song for that special day)

“Stolen”– Dashboard Confessional “Sea of Lovers” – Christina Perri

The song says “You have stolen my heart.” That’s reason enough to have this love ballad at your wedding.

This is a perfect song to have the first dance with your loved one, gazing into each other’s eyes while friends and family witness your love while Christina Perri sings, ”Will you let me follow you/ wherever you go/bring me home.”

“Lucky”– Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat If you’re marrying your best friend, this song is perfect for both of you. It has a part for him and a part for her. The lyrics are cute and the tune is sweet.

“All of me”– John Legend This song will go down as one of the best love songs ever written, and it’s already a must-have at every wedding. John Legend wrote this song for his wife, Chrissy Teigen, and it pretty much embodies all the feels that a groom might be feeling on that special day. 16

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Weddings, 2016

Elegant wedding Entertainment

Club Atmosphere

> Disc Jockeys > Bilingual MC’s > Wireless Sound > Professional Sound

> Video Display > Lighted Towers > Decor Lighting > Monograms

El Paso’s Finest DJs is an independent, full-service entertainment company in the business of developing and executing events for our clients that are both memorable and image enhancing. We take the time to understand every client’s unique objective and the image they look to portray. We follow that with the expertise and ideas to uncover the most innovative and effective approach for each specific event. By mentioning that you found us in The City Weddings 2016 we will include FREE party favors to your package valued at $300 with a minimum of Package 3.

Appointments Only (915) 873-6728 & (915) 328-3923 www. EPFINESTDISCO.COM 10600 Montwood Dr, Suite 111, El Paso, TX 17 79935

Casa Buenavista Weddings, 2016

Mismaloya Bay at Puerto Vallarta www.mypvvilla.com

Incredible Lifestyle at Affordable Rates • atellite V, nternet, ireless, PC, Phone, utdoor speakers • olar heated pool, hildrens pool • very bedroom has a spe ta ular view • e luded as Animas and elapa nearby by boat ta i • Fully e uipped kit hen, patio BB

Now you can enjoy all the amenties of a private villa in Puerto Vallarta at affordable rates. his beautiful o ean view villa is owned by a fellow l Pasoan and offered at reasonable hotel type rates but with lu ury that far e eeds. pon arrival, you an send staff to shop the lo al Cost o and fresh sh markets or en oy the many ne dining establishments. Maybe both. taff ouple Fide and Rogelio prepare deli ious meals, you simply provide the menu.

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Relax, Renew, Rejuvenate Weddings, 2016

Winter is on the way. The perfect time to head south to Puerto Vallarta. Just a few miles on the south side of PV lies the beautiful Mismaloya Bay, overlooking is Casa Buenavista. A 4 bedroom, 5 bath villa with a spectacular ocean view including the historic set of Night of the Iguanas.

Affordable Luxury

• Perched above beach at Lomas de Mismaloya • Up to 4 couples or family of 8-10 • Fide and Rogelio (staff) shop, prepare meals, drive you around town in a Suburban • Beautifully maintained private villa

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Weddings, 2016

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Cholesterol+ Blood Glucose+ Blood Pressure

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alamogordo 955 white sands blvd (575) 434.4116

10850 N LOOP DR (915) 860.1315

el paso

10600 MONTANA AVE (915) 591.4655

2112 trawood (915) 595-2788

8889 gateway west (915) 599.8571

2800 n mesa st (915) 533.6883

1831 N LEE TREVINO DR (915) 594.1129

1432 ANTONIO ST (915) 886.2413

2879 MONTANA AVE (915) 566.4464

10090 RUSHING RD (915) 755.9510

HORIZON CITY

5401 MONTANA AVE (915) 779.8825

800 N ZARAGOZA RD (915) 860.1670

1100 GERONIMO DR (915) 778.9301

2950 GEORGE DIETER DR (915) 856.7040

5900 N MESA ST (915) 584.1153

1329 GEORGE DIETER DR (915) 594.3838

302 s oregon st (915) 532.4344

10780 KENWORTHY ST (915) 821.2698

1210 WEDGEWOOD DR (915) 591.9496

1607 N ZARAGOZA RD (915) 856.0071

8050 N MESA ST (915) 585.0491

11685 MONTWOOD DR (915) 855.7704

890 N RESLER DR (915) 584.1359

12201 MONTWOOD DR (915) 856.0278

8045 N LOOP DR (915) 592.5849

12390 EDGEMERE BLVD (915) 849.6849

Find your copy of www.thecitymagazineelp.com

SOCORRO

9428 DYER ST (915) 751.4415

100 N AMERICAS AVE (915) 790.0404 ANTHONY

14300 HORIZON BLVD (915) 852.1561 LAS CRUCES 3490 northrise dr (575) 382.9100 3100 n main st (575) 525.0298 1256 EL PASEO RD (575) 525.8713 2300 e lohman ave (575) 647.2506 3990 e lohman ave (575) 522.1457 2700 w picacho ave (575) 523.0833

at a Walgreens near you 21

dding o e W e f Th

Victoria Sank

and

Nishaal Antony SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

| By: KRYSTA AYERS |

Weddings, 2016

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Victoria and Nishaal Antony

Weddings, 2016

veryone loves a good love story. We read about them

in books, live vicariously through characters on the big

screen or fascinate ourselves with friends’ and colleagues’

romantic lives. When two people decide to share their lives together, a beautiful thing happens. One roof shelters two souls, two families become one and a promise to support each other is eagerly made. A wedding, conducted in a number of ways by different cultures,

is the traditional ceremony that takes place so that close

friends and family can witness two people in love (and also

have an excuse to drink a little too much). For Victoria Sank and Nishaal Antony, that is exactly what guests in attendance got to witness first-hand. It was their 10-year devoted love for each other that inspired family and friends on September 26, 2015. For the two goal-oriented individuals, their journey began in high school. The setting was akin to many romantic comedy movies: two groups of friends that hung out at the same park when social circles started to mold together. Though the two knew of each other and began hanging out more once mutual friends began dating, the romance for them didn’t start until the summer before Nishaal went to college in San Antonio. At this time, Victoria was getting ready for her junior year of high school. While Nishaal was off at college, the romance and the chemistry between them did not dwindle. During his visits back home during the holidays, the two would pick up right where they had left off. When it was Victoria’s turn to attend college, which she did so in Austin, the two were closer but never residing in the same city. Little did they know, this would set the tone for the rest of their story. While Nishaal left the country to attend medical school in the Caribbean, Victoria finished her undergraduate and furthered her education in Florida to obtain her masters. Because the two were never in the same city, much less in the same state at times, planning an engagement had to be done with impeccable and advanced timing. Nishaal had picked out a ring on a trip to India, a gorgeous pear shaped stone and held onto it for six months before being able to propose. When Victoria came back to El Paso from grad school in Florida, Nishaal planned to ask for her hand in marriage before she would leave again – this time to begin her training in Oklahoma. “I told her to get ready because I made dinner reservations at Anson 11,” recalls Nishaal. He planned to take her to the park – the same one they had hung out at during high school – where he said they could get a glimpse of Orion’s Belt, a constellation they would both look out for when they were miles apart. But it was sunset and there were definitely no stars out to see. This setting was the backdrop for the loving words that Nishaal would speak, professing his love to his best friend and claiming that he wanted to share his life with her. After embracing their intimate

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Victoria and Nishaal Antony

Weddings, 2016

moment for a while, Nishaal claimed to have forgotten his wallet and told Victoria they would have to go back to get it. But Nishaal never made reservations and they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to a restaurant for dinner. Instead, he planned an engagement party where close family and friends could celebrate. Because it was a surprise, people parked their cars down the street as to not tip off Victoria. Three weeks of preparation and planning unfolded into the one moment where two families came together to celebrate the future of Victoria and Nishaal. Their wedding was the definition of two families and different cultures coming together, done over the span of three days. On the Thursday before the wedding, Mehendi was conducted; the Indian wedding tradition of decorating the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet and hands with henna, and also the fittings for the saris was done for the bride and the bridesmaids. Friday, also in Indian tradition, the two families each had their own party. The bride and her family celebrated separately from the groom and his family. On Saturday, the day of the wedding, families from all over shared the open space and different cultures were represented and guests were able to take the time to celebrate love.

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Weddings, 2016 Taking both families into consideration, there was something for everyone at the wedding in order to feel included. The ceremony, conducted on the greens of Coronado Country Club, was done in the ancient, sacred language of India, Sanskrit, and then translated into English and Spanish. The opening prayer, Ganesh Pooja, started the ceremony, offering a prayer to Lord Ganesh so that peace, happiness and prosperity are promoted, as well as having any obstacles removed. Then there is the exchange of the garlands, Jaimala, the couple’s gesture of acceptance of one another and a vow to respect each other as partners. Kanyadanam then happens, where Victoria’s parents demonstrate that they trust their daughter to Nishaal, placing her right hand in his. Then holy water and milk are poured over their joined right hands to symbolize that Nishaal will love, honor and cherish Victoria. The vows that are taken by the couple are the same ones that are read and repeated in a Western church ceremony. The difference in an Indian wedding is in the way in which they are performed. For each vow, the couple takes the seven sacred steps, Saptapadi, symbolizing the beginning of their journey through life as partners. These steps are performed around a sacred fire, Agni Homam. Step one is to support each other in sickness and in health. Two, to fill their hearts with strength and courage through faith. Three, to prosper and share their accomplishments. Four, to share the responsibilities of married life. Step five, to strive to create a happy, healthy home for their children. Step six, to live a long, happy life together, and step seven, a promise to be sincere, faithful and best friends for life. Representing the Mexican culture of Victoria’s mother, a Unity Candle was also implemented. Each took a lit candle to ignite one to signify the unity of the two. In conclusion of the ceremony, the couple walk around the fire four times resolving to attain its four main principles: Dharma, living righteously; Artha, achieving prosperity; Kama, enjoying life and the fruits of their labor; and Moksha, merging with the divine. Afterwards Victoria moves to Nishaal’s left side, standing closest to his heart and the couple are then considered married. The one thing that both Victoria and Nishaal repeated when talking about their big day was how much fun they had. They were both happy that both families became close during the wedding planning and that everyone was included during their special day. Little details become a blur after the wedding ends but the memory of having fun and enjoying their union was prominent. They danced to a cover of “Can’t Stop Falling in Love with You” by Twenty One Pilots, ate cake with guava filling, were surprised with wedding details they left to their wedding planner, Patrick Carey, and basked in the love that guests showered them in. After 10 years of being in a long-distance relationship, the newlyweds are settled in the same city, the one where they both grew up in, happily married.

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Victoria and Nishaal Antony

Weddings, 2016

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Victoria and Nishaal Antony

Weddings, 2016

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Victoria and Nishaal Antony

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Victoria and Nishaal Antony

Vendor List Wedding Planner: Patrick Carey, Patrick Carey Events Photographer: Dan Dalstra, Dan Dalstra Photography Flowers: Patrick Carey Events Venue/Catering: Coronado Country Club Tables/Specialty Linens: Patrick Carey, Table Occasions Design/Decor/Draping: Patrick Carey Events Coordinator: Patrick Carey Assistant: Dulce Alexandra Chavez Cake: Elite Cakes DJ/Sound/Lighting: Cedar Entertainment Entertainment: Billy Pando, Jessica Flores

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The Wedding of

Mariam Yazdi MatthewWatford | By: NATALIE ECKBERG |

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Weddings, 2016

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M a r i a m a n d M at t h e w Wat f o r d

Weddings, 2016

love of what makes the Sun City unique was celebrated in newlyweds Mariam Yazdi Watford and Matthew George Watford’s stunning wedding. “Classic El Paso chic,” said Mariam. “That was what we were going for and what I feel we achieved.” Indeed. All decisions -- from the choice of venue to the cuisine to the color palette -- was defined and informed by the couple’s desire to showcase the assets of the region they call home. “Matt grew up in Maryland but when he moved to the area, he just fell in love with El Paso,” said Mariam. “He fell in love with the culture - how warm and welcoming it is. There is so much potential here and he loves the architecture of downtown El Paso. So that became our vision -- displaying all of that in our wedding. We wanted to exemplify El Paso’s classic elegance that is located in downtown while highlighting the beauty and history that El Paso has offer. We knew that we wanted to do that not just for Matt’s friends and family that would be coming in for the wedding, but even for those that were from El Paso.” The couple met at New Mexico State University, where they were both studying nursing. Six months after they began to date, Matt proposed to Mariam in another city beloved by the two: Boston.

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Weddings, 2016 “We were having dinner at a restaurant that was at the very top of a building, and it was easy to tell that he was getting nervous,” she said. “After dinner, he took us to Boston Commons Park. There are so many gorgeous trees and Matt picked one. Then, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.” “It was really beautiful,” the bride continued, her voice warm at the memory. “His opening statement was that he knew it had always been my dream to go to Boston and while he hadn’t planned on that being his dream, my dreams were now his and we would work towards our dreams together. I started crying immediately.” After graduating, the two moved to El Paso where they began their wedding planning in earnest. The two chose to start their marriage and their love letter to the city at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The beautiful historic landmark, which was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day on November 29, 1917, is a blend of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. “Walking down the aisle to her groom at the gorgeous Cathedral surrounded by family and friends felt spiritual and surreal,” said Mariam, who was walked down the aisle by both her father and her mother. “With every step, I had a different feeling,” she said. “At first I was nervous and clinging to my parents. Then, I began to feel amazed to see everyone who was there -- I felt so appreciative of all who had come to celebrate and witness our love. And with the final steps, I saw Matt. He was in tears, and seeing him I began to cry instantly. At that moment, I just wanted to run to him and kiss him and hold him tight. Being at the altar with him -- about to become one in marriage -- felt so symbolic. We did it in the traditional way -both of our parents giving us away -- and it felt right. We linked arms and whispered to each other: ‘We’re here. We did it. I love you.’” After the ceremony, Mariam found herself confronted with a surprise from her new husband: a horse and carriage ride to the reception, which took place on the rooftop of the Plaza Theatre, in the Alcantar Sky Garden. “That ride over was perfect for reconnecting and regrouping,” she said. “It was exactly what we needed. During that time, we just melted in each other’s arms and shared all the feelings that had been building up.”

M a r i a m a n d M at t h e w Wat f o r d

Weddings, 2016

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M a r i a m a n d M at t h e w Wat f o r d

Weddings, 2016

M a r i a m a n d M at t h e w Wat f o r d

Arriving to the Plaza Theatre, Mariam and Matt felt proud and excited in the way their vision was unfolding. The Spanish Colonial Revival style Plaza Theater, designed by Dallas architect W. Scott Dunne, was completed in 1930 and reopened to the public in 2006. It stands as one of El Paso’s most beloved landmarks. The Alcantar Sky Garden is a rooftop reception area that boasts binational views and downtown scenery. The 120 guests were greeted by hors d’oeuvres that reflected the flavors of the region -- delicacies like jalapenos dressed in bacon and feta cheese stuffed mushrooms -- and an elegant and understated decor that allowed the beauty of the venue to shine through. The bride and groom chose a neutral palette with a baseline color of cream with brown and accents of muted pink and gold. Dinner -- guests had a choice of green chile southwest chicken breast or steak with a side of rice pilaf and vegetables -- was timed to begin at sunset. “The venue itself was so gorgeous,” she said. “We had really wanted the main focus to be on the environment. And El Paso sunsets are so gorgeous that we wanted that featured. And it was so perfect. Guests were getting up and taking photos against the skyline.” Friends and family were treated to live music courtesy of local jazz band, Grau, as well as fun history and trivia games. El Paso Question and Answer cards were placed throughout the venue. By taking the card to Wedding Coordinator, June Martin, they were then treated to a little history lesson. “It was important to both of us that our wedding guests have a good time,” Mariam said. “And they did.” Planning for the biggest event in their lives was a humbling experience to see the way in which people wanted to help. “Our wedding coordinator did so much work,” Mariam said. “She was incredible and used her own personal time and helped with decor from her own home. It meant so much. What’s funny is that I didn’t think I needed a wedding coordinator at first. I’d been to weddings. I know the deal -- but having her fill in all the gaps that couldn’t predict was well worth it.” “Friends and family helped a lot, too,” said Mariam -- as well as showed their love in incredible ways. Lauren, one of the bridesmaids, spent days in a Chicago airport trying to catch the first flight to El Paso after her original flight

was cancelled due to an area incident. She made it minutes before the ceremony, having dressed at the airport. Another bridesmaid created the bouquets. The Maid of Honor, Anna, crafted a special speech that captured all of Matt and Mariam’s qualities as well as their special love story. The wedding party was made of loved ones who had been part of the couple’s lives for years and included both bridesmen and groomsladies (friends of the opposite sex that the two wanted to honor as having a special place in their lives. “Our parents also supported us tremendously,” the bride continued. “They did everything they could to make sure it was the best day of our lives.” Mariam uses the word magical to describe the day. “I had a picture in my head as to how the wedding would be during the planning process,” she said. “And it became more vivid as time went on and we got closer to the wedding. You see all these pieces come together. And how it actually goes is a little different sometimes -- but in all the right ways. There are things that you can’t control but it will all flow as it is meant to. And looking back, I wouldn’t change a single thing. Some things were perfect. Some weren’t. But they all came together perfectly. I loved everything and wouldn’t change a thing. It was beautiful and perfect in its own imperfect beautiful way.”

Vendor List Venue: The Alcantar Sky Garden, El Paso, Texas Photographer: Cristina Navarro Photography Stylist: Jessica Avila Flowers: Debbie’s Bloomers Catering: Plaza Theater (Alcantar Sky Garden) Tables: Alcantar Sky Garden Décor: DIY/June Martin Dresses: Bride’s: Ella Blu MOTB: Dillard’s MOTG: Dillard’s Coordinator: June Martin Cake: Jazzy Creative Cakes and Sugar Art Music: Grau Jazz, FM Junkies

Additional Comments For dinner, our menu consisted of Green Chili-Stuffed Chicken, Tilapia with Mango Salsa, or a choice of Beef Ribeye 10oz. Instead of a cake, we had CakePops created by Jazzy Creative Cakes. She created one giant cake pop covered with tiny white flowers for us to to cut. The bottom half was made of rice crispies to give it a solid base … It was delicious!

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Music...

Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

| By: MEAGAN KINLEY |

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Weddings, 2016

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rachel and Cory Neal

Weddings, 2016

he greatest of love stories happen in even the most ordinary of places and for Rachel Turner and Cory Neal this was nonetheless

true. After meeting through work, Rachel and Cory selected

November 7, 2015 for their wedding date. Rachel, who was not originally from El Paso, knew that because the wedding was going to be out-of-town for her, she was going to need some help. So to aid her in tying all the loose ends, Rachel

enlisted the help of Laura Carrillo Designs. “Laura and her daughter were amazing,” Rachel said. Before the big day, Rachel and her guests enjoyed a welcome party at Rosa’s Cantina on the Thursday before the wedding. Later that weekend more fun was had as Cory and his friends, Rachel’s stepfather and brothers went and shot at the Rod and Gun Club at Fort Bliss and then enjoyed a delicious dinner in Canutillo. The day of the wedding, Rachel and her bridal party enjoyed a relaxing day at Barragan’s Salon and Spa. When November 7 finally arrived, the decorations, flowers, and all the details were put into place at Epic Rail Yard in Downtown El Paso. Laura Carrillo put Rachel’s vision into motion, with an elegant mixture of both trendy and chic. “We had so many beautiful flowers. There

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Weddings, 2016

rachel and Cory Neal

were flowers everywhere,” Rachel said. “Another aspect that I loved was how all of the place settings were all different. It was so lovely. The entire venue was lit up with candles and all kinds of off-lighting.” Being the Sun City, the weather the day of the event was sunny all day leading up to the 6 p.m. wedding. As the day wore on the air had a hint of chill as Rachel and Cory said their vows and became man and wife in front of their 150 guests. “We had the ceremony on one side of the event center. It was beautiful. Laura had decorated it with light pinks, white rose petals with sheer piping. But on the other side, we had the reception with a completely different vibe. We had dark plum, lime green and lavender flowers. There was even a huge wall of flowers full of flowers with plums lavender and light pink. I was so excited and pleased at how everything came together.” After the ceremony, Rachel, Cory and their guests sat down at the ornate tables and enjoyed catering from the Coronado Country Club.

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” —Emily Bronte

“Diego came up with the menu. He did fantastic,” Rachel said. “There were crab legs, crab claws, salpicon, salmon—I can’t even remember all the food we had. It was definitely a feast.” After all the delicious food, Rachel and Cory danced to George Jones “Walk Through This World With Me” and opened up the dance floor

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rachel and Cory Neal

Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

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rachel and Cory Neal

Weddings, 2016 for a night of fun with all of their family and friends. After the evening drew to a close, friends were given selfie sticks, shawls, and Jordan almonds with monogrammed bags while Rachel and Cory left for their amazing honeymoon to Sydney, Australia, Bangkok, and Phuket, Thailand. Now back and having enjoyed several months of blissful marriage, Rachel has some recommendations for future brides. “Hire a wedding planner and just enjoy it! It’s very easy to get overwhelmed so try and take a moment to relax and appreciate the day. If I could go back, I would just take it all in. It was such a beautiful day with so many wonderful people and such a great party. It was certainly a day I will never forget.”

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S y lv i a a n d C o r y N e a l

rachel and Cory Neal

Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

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S y lv i a a n d C o r y N e a l

Weddings, 2016

Vendor List Photographer: Alix Loosle Videographer: Devin Breko Stylist: Make Up-Crystal Lopez, Hair-Jessica Avila Coordinator: Laura Carrillo Flowers: Laura Carrillo Catering: Coronado Country Club Tables: Laura Carrillo Decor: Laura Carrillo Cake: Chris Carpenter

Weddings, 2016

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rachel and Cory Neal

Weddings, 2016

TheWedding of

Danielle Ayoub Noel Adams MAY 24, 2015 | By: JAMIE LIVINGSTON |

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Weddings, 2016

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Danielle and Noel adams

Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

Danielle and Noel adams

very woman has thought about her wedding since she was

a little girl. From the dress, the color scheme, the venue

and certainly the ceremony delicatessen. We all have a pretty

good idea about what we want: the size of the reception, a chocolate groom’s cake and vanilla for the bride, and of course, potential honeymoon destinations. Danielle Adams, a native El Pasoan, met her husband, Noel, right before their freshman year of college, where they both

were attending TCU. She was in Austin at a party with one

of her friends, who would later become one of her bridesmaids. She says she and Noel, a Houston native, hit it off immediately. “We had such a good chemistry and we allowed ourselves to be wacky with each other. I have no recollection of what we talked about that night but I remember my friends said it was time to go home and I had not even realized time had passed.” After years of dating, Danielle and Noel wed May 24, 2015 and truly made a celebration of it. As a lifelong resident of El Paso, Danielle wanted her out-of-town guests to appreciate her family’s traditions, as well as the beauty the city possesses. Her wedding extravaganza was a three-day event. “The first night was an amazing party at my aunt’s house that was Mexican themed, including a tequila bar, mariachis, salsa dancing, authentic Mexican candies and dinner served under the stars, overlooking the city,” she said. And, the festivities couldn’t be complete without proper Spanish attire. “All guests were asked to wear Mexican-themed clothes. I gave all the bridesmaids matching Mexican dresses.” The wedding venue was one Danielle grew up around. It gave a beautiful insight to the City of El Paso for her guests. “Our ceremony was set on the tee box of the Coronado country club with the backdrop of the Franklin mountains, which is one of our favorite things about El Paso. We felt this was another feature of the city we felt was unique and our guests would appreciate.” For some brides-to-be, finding the right number to include in your wedding party can be daunting and often times difficult. But not for Danielle. She chose 15 of her closest friends to be a part of her special day.

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Danielle and Noel adams

Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

“My big sister was my maid of honor. My other ladies were “honorary”

Danielle’s big day was made possible by a lot of talented people, from

sisters. All my relationships with them were in some capacity sister-

her photographer to her caterers. And, like most brides, planning can

like whether it was my childhood friends, El Paso friends or my

be tedious, exciting and chaotic.

sorority sisters,” she said. “I was the most relaxed bride, but anytime I was stressed I reminded Danielle and Noel dated for nearly seven years before he popped the

myself not to get caught up in the details and would remember the

question. They tied the knot after a 10-month-long engagement and

bigger picture which was that I was finally getting to marry my best

had a thrill of a lifetime while on their honeymoon.

friend,” she said.

“We went on a European Cruise that Noel’s family graciously planned

Danielle says the plan, right now, is to just enjoy life as newlyweds.

for us. We both love traveling and adventures. The cruise was both we

She and Noel love to travel and are foodies, often going out to dinner

went from Barcelona to Italy to France to Monte Carlo, it was amazing.”

with friends. The couple even has an Instagram account that highlights El Paso cuisine and foods native to West Texas.

Just like other married couples, the two have the occasional disagreement. Danielle says the best way to keep things harmonious

Above all else, she says she is most grateful for her life partner.

is to never exacerbate the situation. “He is so loving and respectful to me and to the women in his life and “We always give each other space and then come back in a cool and

I feel like that is what I really, truly, treasure about Noel.”

calm manner to figure it out.”

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Weddings, 2016

Danielle and Noel adams

Vendor List Photographer: Debra Gulbas Photography Videographer: Kinsmen Productions Make Up/ Hair: Jessica Avila Catering: Coronado Country Club Dresses (All): Ella Blu Cake: Elite Events Guest Tokens: Chocolat

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Weddings, 2016

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Danielle and Noel adams

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February, 2016

Trend Alert 69

February, 2016

GROOM’S GUIDE From Fiancé to Husband

| By: SAMUEL HORSTMAN |

You proposed, they said “yes,” now what? Here are a few to-dos you’ll want to take care of before you say “I Do.”

Throughout the Process | STAND BY HER

As we all know planning a wedding can be stressful for everyone. Listen, weigh in on decisions and always be on your bride’s side. 1 Year Before | CHOOSE GROOMSMEN

4 Months Before | PLAN YOUR HONEYMOON

Time to pick which one of your bros gets the ultimate promotion to

Take the time to sit down and decide where you and your new wife

becoming your best man.

will get away to after the big day.

9 Months Before | PREPARE YOUR REGISTRY

2 Months Before | WRITE YOUR VOWS

Pretty soon you will need stuff for your new home. Doing it together

Start them now, save the procrastination for the college kids.

is a must.

8 Months Before | START GETTING FIT

1 Month Before | BUY GROOMSMEN GIFTS Your best men have been with you since the beginning and will be

You don’t need to be fit like an athlete but if you want to look good

with you on your wedding day, so get them something they will

this is the time to do it.

appreciate as a way of saying thank you.

6-7 Months Before | PICK YOUR WEDDING WEAR

1 Week Before | LOOK GOOD

This is the time to find your suit or tux you love. Allow for enough

Make sure everything fits you and your groomsmen accordingly; you

time for it to be tailored (especially since you started getting fit) and

may also want to make sure you look your absolute best so get a

for your groomsmen to get their look.

haircut. After you are done make sure to have some fun with the guys.

After The Wedding | GIVE THANKS

Sit down with your new wife and write your thank yous to everyone who was a part of your special day. The sooner you finish, the sooner you can enjoy your honeymoon. 70

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February, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

SHAUNA P. ZIEGLER and LARRY “COOKIE” CARMONA

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Weddings, 2016 They met: We met at UTEP back in 2002. He was in a fraternity and I was in a women’s fraternity. We were friends until we ran into each other again in 2014 after the UTEP Women’s WNIT Basketball Tournament. We’ve been inseparable since. Rehearsal dinner at: His family is from Socorro. The rehearsal dinner was down the street from the Socorro Mission at his uncle Sam’s house. Date of wedding: October 10, 2015 Church: Socorro Mission Reception venue: EPIC Railyard and Event Center Was the venue picked for a specific reason? We both have a deep LOVE for El Paso. Once we saw you could see the star from the “Star Room” at EPIC, we were sold!

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Shauna and L arry “C o okie” Carmona

Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016 Wedding day weather: It rained for an entire week before. It even included a couple of out-of-place tornado warnings! Typical El Paso bipolar weather, but our wedding day weather was perfect! Wedding jitter remedies: Bride - Breathe!!! Remember itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only about the two of you. Nothing else matters. Groom - Fireball shots with a Mazapan! Number of guests: 250 Approach to wedding planning: We just wanted it to be a fun, El Paso themed wedding. Our goal was to make sure all of our guests had a great time! Pre-wedding celebrations: Bride - Bachelorette party in Las Vegas with her bridesmaids, friends and family. Groom â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bachelor party in Austin for ACL with groomsmen and friends. Inspiration: Our Beautiful City!

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Shauna and L arry “C o okie” Carmona Wedding theme and why chosen: The theme for the wedding was

Weddings, 2016

Wedding summed up in 3 words: Best Day Ever!

anything El Paso. The main reason is because we both love this city and everything it offers!

Honeymoon: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Wedding hashtag: #shookiewedding (Shauna and Cookie combined) Colors: Hot Pink & Canary Yellow (Bride’s favorite color & Groom’s favorite color)

Vendor List Photographer: Cristina Navarro

Flowers: Lots of tulips! And we wanted a lot of color! We loved the

Videographer: Christian Joseph Imagery

arrangements hanging from the ceiling.

Music: Neils Carrasco

Groom’s cake: Golf inspired Dallas Cowboy carrot cake

Stylist: Ella Blu for the Bride and Bridesmaid. Tuxedo’s Emporium for the Groom and Groomsmen.

Music: DJ Neils Carrasco with a lot of 80’s and 90’s music First dance song: “The Way You Look Tonight” by Tony Bennett

Flowers: Laura Carrillo Catering: L&J’s Cafe Tables/Décor: Laura Carrillo

Song you had surprise choreography for husband: There were three songs: “PYT” by Michael Jackson, “(You Drive Me) Crazy” by Britney Spears and “Dear Future Husband” by Megan Trainor Wedding favors: We had a candy bar that was gifted by two friends,

Dresses: Ella Blu Coordinator: Laura Carrillo Cake: Cristina Carpenter

a photo booth by EP Photo Ops and midnight snacks (churros and

Hair: Jenna Sparks

corn in a cup!)

Makeup: Annie Pinales

If you knew then what you know now: We wouldn’t change one thing! We would try to savor it more. It really does go by so fast.

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Weddings, 2016

CHRISTINA POMAR and JESSE LOPEZ

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Weddings, 2016

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Christina and Jesse Lopez

Weddings, 2016

They met: My sister-in-law, Michelle, introduced us through Myspace. We went on a blind date and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t talk after that. A year later, we reconnected and fell in love. Venue: Selarom Events and Ballroom. Wedding day weather: Perfect El Paso weather! Partly cloudy, not too hot nor too cold, just right for our wedding day! Number of guests: The invite list was 180 but 150 attended.

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Weddings, 2016

Christina and Jesse Lopez

Approach to wedding planning: Plan, review, plan some more and review some more. We both live in Houston, TX so we did our best from 750 miles away but we knew we wanted to get married in our hometown: beautiful El Paso! Pre-wedding celebrations: Prime rib, home brewed beer and the best company you could ask for: family and friends. How did you choose photo-shoot locations: Jesse already had in mind to take pictures at UTEP by the pickaxe since he’s an alumnus. I always loved the Ysleta Mission church so that was my top pick. I love greenery, flowers and lots of trees so the best place was the El Paso Municipal Rose Garden. Wedding theme: I love vintage and antiques. The rustic look is what make these two work the best, I feel, so I incorporated some of my ideas and rustic feel into our wedding. I could’ve added more décor, but as they say, less is more. What song did the groom dance to: “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake and Lil Jon. Colors: Mint, coral, ivory and grey. Flowers: White lilies, green hydrangea and ivory roses. Inspiration: Our kids. We wanted to show our kids that getting married isn’t just a party, but the true meaning of it and what a family is all about. Menu: Chicken Tenochtitlan with chipotle rice and vegetable medley. The kids had the traditional chicken nuggets with fries First dance song: “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King Wedding favors: We had custom-made koozies since Jesse is a big fan of them! We also had little bags made of mint organza fabric and we filled them up with homemade cookies made by my mom, tied with twine with a little tag that said “Thank you for sharing our first meal as Mr. and Mrs. Lopez” Advice: Don’t stress the day of your wedding! Everything is as it is! Take everyone’s opinions and helping hand. The day in three words: Breathtaking, Fun, and Memorable. If you knew then what you know now: Just take it in. Honeymoon: We went to Cancun, MX for a week with our kids and family. www.thecitymagazineelp.com

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Weddings, 2016

LEESA ORDAZ and DIEGO AMIGO

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Weddings, 2016

Leesa and Diego Amigo They met: October 2013 at Coronado Country Club when Leesa was planning a work event to be held at CCC the following month. There was instant chemistry, unlike anything either of us had ever experienced before! It was love at first sight. Rehearsal dinner at: Avila’s Mexican Restaurant with our closest family and friends. The menu included some of our favorites: tacos, enchiladas, chile con queso and margaritas. Date of wedding: October 17, 2015 Venue: Coronado Country Club Wedding Invites created by: Minted.com How many dresses were tried before the perfect one was found: My mom, mother-in-law, Matron of Honor, Diego’s “Best Woman” and several of my bridesmaids joined me at Ella Blu to find the perfect dress. It was probably the fourth or fifth dress that I tried on and as soon as I put it on, we all knew it was “the one”!

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Leesa and Diego Amigo

Weddings, 2016

Wedding day weather: Crazy! We actually had a change of plans due to the weather that weekend. Our original plan was to have a Christian ceremony on the #1 tee box at CCC and our reception under two large tents on the golf course. On the morning of our wedding day, we decided to move the reception indoors. I had a good feeling about the weather for our 4:30pm ceremony so we stuck to our plan to have it outside and it turned out perfectly. There was a light breeze but the sun was shining brightly and it turned out beautifully. It rained for a couple of hours that evening so we were very grateful that we had a backup plan and that we were able to enjoy our wedding reception inside the main dining room at CCC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which happened to be the exact same room where we first met. Number of guests: just over 200

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Weddings, 2016

Leesa and Diego Amigo Approach to wedding planning: Relaxed and Fun! We really just wanted our guests to have a good time celebrating our union with us. We planned nearly every detail together and just tried to keep our focus on the marriage itself – with a really fun party afterward! We were very blessed to have wonderful friends to work with for our photography, flowers, linens, music, cake, photo bus, and our Pastor, of course. Pre-wedding celebrations: 1.In late July, my Matron of Honor, Diana Gamillo-Villegas, planned an incredible bachelorette party for me and 15 of my best friends from El Paso, San Antonio, Mexico City, Houston and Dallas. The nearly 24 hour party started at the Double Tree hotel where we hung out by the pool for several hours, played games, had a lingerie shower and then headed to our hotel rooms to get ready for the evening festivities. We ate dinner at Malolam and then jumped on a party bus and bar hopped for the rest of the night. It was truly epic! 2. In August, Diego’s “Best Woman”, Elke Jauernek, and one of my “Bridesmen”, Bobby DiNapoli, hosted a country-themed “Stock the Bar” couples shower at the DiNapoli home for us. There were 16 couples in attendance that showered us with lots of booze, drinkware, and bar tools. If you enjoy cocktails and want to do a different type of wedding shower, we highly recommend this! 3. Two weeks before our wedding day, my mother-in-law hosted a beautiful bridal shower for us, along with her sister (Diego’s aunt) and 8 of their friends at Thyme Matters.

Leesa and Diego Amigo

Weddings, 2016

Wedding inspiration: Romance, Autumn, Berry colors, Sparkly, Rustic-Glam Wedding theme: “Eat, Drink and be Amigos” Colors: Berry, Black, Champagne and Ivory Flowers: By the fabulous “Laura Carrillo Designs”. Ceremony arrangements were made with lots of greenery and various berrycolored roses, hydrangeas, snapdragons, freesia and aster. Reception arrangements, bouquets and corsages were made with my favorites: Orchids, Roses and Hydrangeas in berry hues with a bit of bling. My bouquet also had ivory roses and a blueberry colored brooch that belonged to my Grandmother. The men’s boutonnieres even had greenery that was dyed in a dark berry color. Inspiration: I absolutely love berries and my favorite colors are pink, black, white (and bling!) so I wanted to incorporate all of this, while still keeping the look classy, seasonally-appropriate and romantic. Wedding cake: We had a cake made by Julie Adauto at Orange Peel. The top layer was Gluten-free Raspberry Lemon and the rest was Cookies and Cream flavored. First dance song: “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait Wedding favors: Instant and unlimited photo prints from inside a Vintage VW Bus photo booth, “The Photo Bus El Paso”. Advice: The day really does fly by incredibly quickly, so try to truly enjoy every second. Take a few moments with your new spouse every once in a while to take a step back, breathe deeply and just watch your guests enjoying themselves. Also, don’t sweat the small stuff. In our opinion, if the food is delicious, the music is great and the drinks are flowing, it’s sure to be a fun and memorable experience for all! If you knew then what you know now: For budgeting reasons, we decided to forego a videographer and occasionally we wish that we had found a way to include one, for at least our ceremony. We wrote and read personal vows to each other so it really would have been nice to have those on film for us to relive on a more personal level. Honeymoon: We left El Paso the very next morning at 6am for an incredible weeklong cruise together in Mexico. We visited Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. NO phones, computers or Internet allowed!

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Weddings, 2016

IRMA LUISANA BLANCO and HECTOR ROBERTO BERNAL JR.

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They met: At the Human Performance Center (HPC). We were each training in preparation for our respective season; Hector as a professional baseball player and Irma as a UTEP Volleyball player. Date of wedding: June 21, 2014 Location: The Grand Palace Ballroom and St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral Wedding day weather: Hot summer day Number of guests: 290 Approach to wedding planning: Theknot.com provided a checklist of must-haves and I planned using that checklist as a template, with much help from my family. Pre-wedding celebrations: At the time, I was teaching and coaching at Americas High School, and in the spring (wedding crunch time), it was track season. There was not much time to keep up the checklist. In the summer there was summer training and I only had the week of my wedding off. Planning anything prior to the wedding seemed impossible.

Irma and Hector Bernal Jr.

Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

Irma and Hector Bernal Jr.

How did you choose photo-shoot locations: We were open to our photographer, Dan Dalstra’s, suggestions. He’s the expert, he knows what locations provide best lighting and so forth. Wedding theme: Classic Romantic Colors: Gold and Coral Flowers: Black Swan Couture Inspiration: Pinterest.com Groom’s cake: My husband doesn’t care much for cake, so instead he wanted oversized Don Julio shots to take shots with guests. Menu: Garden salad, chicken Jerusalem, bowtie pasta, mashed potatoes and Prince William vegetables First dance song: II Volo – “We Are Love”

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Irma and Hector Bernal Jr.

Weddings, 2016

Wedding favors: At the reception: Tuxedo-dressed scotch bottles and bridal dressed vodka bottles, potpourri sachets and cheery bombs from Bake Me Happy. At mass: “There is no crying in baseball” handkerchief and holy water glass bottles. Advice: Planning a wedding shouldn’t be stressful. Enjoy the process and worry about what makes you and your fiancé happy. Pictures really do say more than 1,000 words and can cost thousands, but they are well worth it. Add a personal touch: I had a jazz band prepare special versions of the mother-son, father-daughter and first dance. If you knew then what you know now: I would keep DIY projects to a minimum if you are on a tight time crunch. Have a back-up plan, and make sure to try on your dress. I had my dress ordered without trying a similar style in store and though everything worked out, it could have been a deal breaker if it would have came in one inch tighter. Honeymoon: Las Vegas was a fun and quick getaway to celebrate and reminisce on our five-year relationship. We celebrated our engagement and got married in Las Vegas. We are planning our second honeymoon to Hawaii in 2017.

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Irma and Hector Bernal Jr.

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Weddings, 2016

SARAH FRIOUX and ZYON ZATE

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Weddings, 2016

Z yo n a n d S a r a h Z at e They met: We met less than a week before deploying to Afghanistan together for 6 months. Rehearsal dinner at: Stonewood Modern American Grill Date of wedding: August 1, 2015 Church: None. We had both wedding and reception at EPIC. Our officiant was Kimberly Bashor of Hitching Hearts. Reception venue: El Paso Import Company Wedding day weather: Sunny, 96 degrees Number of guests: 70 Approach to wedding planning: We started with a very vague idea of what an Up-themed wedding would look like. But we knew that we wanted it to be bright, fun, and enjoyable for our guest and ourselves. We set no limits. If we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to include something, then we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, no matter how traditional. We were very lucky to have Angelica Razo plan our wedding. She took this vague idea and gave us all kinds of examples so we could explore what we really wanted. After meeting the first few vendors, we realized how talented they are and could see that the theme really sparked their imaginations. So, we told each of them what we were thinking, but encouraged everyone to create something unique and special. Again, we tried not to set limits and wanted to see what they would create. Pre-wedding celebrations: We had our rehearsal on Thursday and a party at our house the Friday night before the wedding. It was the first time most of our family and friends had met each other and gave everyone a chance to socialize before the day of the wedding.

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Z yo n a n d S a r a h Z at e

Weddings, 2016

Inspiration: This was truly a family affair. Our children were included in every aspect of planning. Our goal was to have an amazing time at our own wedding and create an event that was really representative of who we are. Wedding theme and why chosen: Up is one of our favorite movies and one of the first we watched together (in Afghanistan, of course). The first 15 minutes is the most amazing love story and is exactly how we want our marriage to be. It was also a fun way to get the children engaged in the planning. Colors: Cobalt blue, orange, fuchsia Flowers: All of the decorations, including the arch for the ceremony, were done by Laura Carrillo. There were a lot of roses and hydrangeas, all in very bright colors. There were also a lot of non-floral decorations, like balloons and pinwheels and confetti. Menu: Catering was done by Rudy Valdes and his team from Crave. We chose to use food stations. Because our kids were part of every step of planning, we let them each chose a station. Judy chose a macaroni and cheese station with various toppings. Evan loves sliders, so his station had 2 varieties of sliders. The steak and potatoes station was Zyon’s, and Sarah had a taco station. The bar included a custom drink, strawberry ginger lemonade, which could be served with or without alcohol. Wedding cake: A beautiful 4-tier cake, again with a layer for each of us. Confetti cake with raspberry filling for Sarah, marble with chocolate ganache for Evan, chocolate with cookies ‘n cream filling for Zyon, and strawberry cake for Judy. Sarah got one extra item, a table of cannolis from Ardovino’s Desert Crossing. First dance song: “Everything” by Michael Buble Wedding favors: Chocolates from Chocolat

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Weddings, 2016

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Z yo n a n d S a r a h Z at e

Weddings, 2016

Advice: Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only one goal on the wedding day. Get married! Everything else is details. Our priorities were to end the day married, full of delicious food, and having spent time with our loved ones. So we made a deliberate choice to let go of some details and trust that our vendors had it under control. Our job was to focus on why we were there and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to say we actually remember our own wedding. If you knew then what you know now: We would plan for more free time with our family and wedding party. We would have loved just one more day to enjoy their company and remember why we asked them to be with us on our wedding day. We would also have had a plan to contain the confetti. 6 months later, we are still finding random confetti pieces in our house. Wedding summed up in 3 words: Best day ever. Honeymoon: Wine Country Inn, St Helena (Napa), CA

Vendor List Wedding Planner: Angelica Razo with Mint Weddings and Events Florist: Laura Carrillo Music: NC DJ Productions Food: Rudy Valdes, Crave Wedding cake: Melissa, Honey Bee Cakes

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Just d e i r r a M (915) 590-5944 I 3637 Shell St., El Paso, Texas 79925 I info@citylightslimo.com www.thecitymagazineelp.com

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DIANA MALDONADO and MATTHEW HUFFORD

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Weddings, 2016

D i a n a a n d M at t h e w H u f f o r d They met: December 14th, 2013 at a friend’s party. His best friend from deployment is my best friend’s husband. They both had just returned from the Middle East, it was a welcome back/ birthday party. Venue: Selarom Events and Ballroom Wedding day weather: It was crazy windy and cold all morning, but thank God, it all changed right before the ceremony started. The day turned into a beautiful sunny day. Number of guests: 150 on paper, 130 that were there. Approach to wedding planning: We hired a wedding/party planner, Nidia Chavez. I received a lot of help from our families. I was planning everything “by myself” pretty much because Matthew was living in Europe. Pre-wedding celebrations: I had a bridal shower and rehearsal dinner. Also, the day after the wedding we had a big gathering at my house with family and friends. Wedding theme: Simple, elegant. Significance of walking through light saber bridge: Matthew loves Star Wars, so I wanted to surprise him with a little something. Colors: Eggplant, Champagne

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D i a n a a n d M at t h e w H u f f o r d Flowers: My cousin, Soraya Gutierrez, was the one in charge of the designs and creation of the centerpieces. My bouquet and the bridesmaid’s were from Cindy’s Flowers. Inspiration: A little bit of Pinterest, TLC and David Tutera. Menu: Chicken Tenochtitlan, side of baked potatoes slices and asparagus. First dance song: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley Wedding favors: Honey Jars and Cookie bags Advice: Take your time with planning that way you’ll have enough time to see your options and don’t rush into decisions. On the husband side, he says to be supportive and compromise, it is a day for both to enjoy! The day in three words: Perfect, Fun, and amazing! It might sound cliché, but that was exactly how it was. If you knew then what you know now: We wouldn’t change a thing, everything was perfect! Honeymoon: An 11 day - Mediterranean Cruise.

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D i a n a a n d M at t h e w H u f f o r d

Vendor List Venue: Selarom Events and Ballroom Wedding/Party Planner: Nidia Chavez Bridal and Bridesmaid bouquets: Cindyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flowers Photographer: Iliana and Esteban CatalĂĄn

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For the travel 106

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Weddings, 2016

ERIKA DENISE SIMS and CHRISTOPHER HARTNETT OLIVARES

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Weddings, 2016

E r i k a a n d C h r i s t o p h e r O l i va r e s They met: We first met through a mutual friend at a political event in downtown El Paso. The encounter was brief and casual. Neither of us could have guessed what was in store for our futures. Several years passed before our next meeting at a party. We quickly picked up from where we left off, a lunch date was planned soon after, and the rest is history. Prior to our friends’ wedding at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, Chris asked me to be his girlfriend. Two years later, the Driskill Hotel Ballroom would become the setting for our engagement. Chris proposed with an heirloom marquise diamond ring given to him by his mother. Date of wedding: June 13, 2015 Rehearsal dinner at: Jett’s Grill in The Hotel Paisano Location: We chose Marfa, Texas for many reasons! For one, it is the hometown of Chris’ mother’s side of the family. More than anything, we wanted to have a unique destination wedding that was affordable and drivable for most of our family and friends. Church: Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Marfa, Texas, officiated by Father Trini Fuentez, pastor of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in El Paso. Reception venue: The Capri, Marfa, Texas Save The Dates: Marfa postcards with personalized stamps of us in front of the Marfa Courthouse. Wedding day weather: Sunny day and cool, breezy summer night. We opened the large venue doors during the dance to allow our guests to enjoy the cool breeze and outdoor garden.

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Weddings, 2016

E r i k a a n d C h r i s t o p h e r O l i va r e s

Number of guests: 150-200 Approach to wedding planning: Nothing could have been possible without the help of our wedding planner, my mother-in-law, Kathleen Olivares, and our florist/wedding designer, Laura Carrillo-Coral. They went above and beyond to give Chris and I the wedding of our dreams. We started with a location. We narrowed our venue search down to three options for two events (reception and welcome party). After narrowing down a color scheme and flower theme, we left the rest up to Laura. We wanted to be surprised when we walked into our wedding, and she didn’t disappoint. We’d also like to thank our venue hosts Kaki Aufdengarten-Scott from The Capri and Vikki Lynn Barge and Elizabeth Castro from The Hotel Paisano. Pre-wedding celebrations: Couples showers at Hope & Anchor catered by Sabertooth and a Mexican Fiesta at Coronado Country Club. Welcome party on the evening before our wedding: The Hotel Paisano Courtyard with heavy hors d’oeuvres. Inspiration: West Texas/Mexican food and culture, Classic Hollywood, Marfa’s modern art culture Colors: Ivory, gold and black Flowers: Ivory roses Groom’s cake: Milk Chocolate covered strawberries from El Paso’s Bowie Bakery on Park St. Wedding cake: Quilted pattern red velvet cake with buttercream frosting and biscochos by local Marfa cakemaker Sylvia Norman on a vintage industrial table. Cake served with Café de Olla. Music: Austin Nines out of Austin, led by David Young (Master of Ceremonies). We were very specific with our playlist. We were lucky to have a versatile band that could play current, upbeat music that kept our guests on the dance floor the entire night. Menu: Grilled Marinated Texas Akakauski Flank Steak with Garden Fresh Chimichurri Sauce, Cool Chile Garlic Grilled Shrimp, Roasted Butternut Squash with Lime, Fresh Mint and Black Sea Salt, StreetStyle Sweet Corn Salad with Lime, Chile Flake, Cream, and Parmesan Cheese, Mixed Greens Salad with Simple Vinaigrette, Grilled Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto and Fresh Herbs, and Black Bean Salad with Cilantro, Herbs, and Queso Fresco. First dance song: Ray LaMontagne “You Are The Best Thing”

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Weddings, 2016

Wedding favors: Shot glasses with wedding logo used during our Tequila toast garnished with lime and gold salt, Prada Marfa welcome bags with: bumper stickers, Mexican chili Lollipops (my favorite candy), ladies Sandalwood fans, Murano Art Deco teardrop wine stoppers, Bee’s wax candles, personalized white rubber bracelets for entrance into wedding weekend events. Advice: Try to minimize the amount of things you control/stress over. Properly research your vendors, communicate basic details, and then trust them. A guest list is a very hard thing to finalize. You can never invite everyone. If you must, limit your list to family and friends you’ve stayed in close contact with in the recent past. Add personal touches/ details that will make your wedding unique and memorable. Good food is a must. Dance! Be specific about the music you want to hear/dance to at your wedding. Soak it in. Take short moments during your reception to enjoy each other’s company and reflect. Enjoy the night! You will never have the same collection of family and friends under one roof for the rest of your life. If you knew then what you know now: We would have tried to find more time to eat during our wedding events. Our friends were right in not stressing over a seating chart. Reserve tables for your immediate family (abuelas) and leave the rest up to your guests. We’re happy we limited our wedding party to just a Matron of Honor and Best Man. We felt guilty putting our friends through the expense of buying a dress they will never wear again or renting a tuxedo that never fits right. We were lucky to have a wedding coordinator/runner handling the issues during the wedding weekend. The last thing you want is for you or your family members to be stressing over small issues during your big day. There is no need to have an open bar the entire night. We were worried about limiting the bar to beer and wine towards the end of the night, but our guests didn’t mind at all. Wedding summed up in three words: Personalized, local, and intimate Honeymoon: Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico Now living: Chicago, Illinois where I work for Fossil at Water Tower Place and my husband is in his Urologic Surgery residency at Cook County Hospital

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E r i k a a n d C h r i s t o p h e r O l i va r e s

Vendor List Florist/Wedding Designer: Laura Carrillo Wedding music by: Ms. Marie A. Irrobali. Rehearsal Dinner coordinator: Elizabeth Castro Canon in D and Wedding March by MYE Ceremony Duo. Chef: Mark Scott from Capri Kitchen Videographer: Christian Porras Photographer: Cristina Navarro Lighting Director: Rob Crowley of Marfa Industries White chocolate lollipops: Yolanda Hernandez Groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cake: Bowie Bakery Wedding Cake: Sylvia Norman www.thecitymagazineelp.com

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ZORINNE ESPINO and MIKE PFANNENSTIEL

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Weddings, 2016

Z o r i n n e a n d M i k e P fa n n e n s t i e l They met: In high school Rehearsal dinner at: Texican Cafe Date of wedding: October 24, 2015 Church: Twisted Ranch Chapel Reception venue: Twisted Ranch Barn Was the venue picked for a specific reason? We chose this venue for the rustic feel and the ability to keep guests in one location throughout the day. We wanted our venue to portray our love for the great state of Texas.

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Weddings, 2016

Z o r i n n e a n d M i k e P fa n n e n s t i e l Wedding day weather: Cloudy and rainy (Hurricane Patricia was rolling through) Number of guests: 140 Approach to wedding planning: Fun and budget friendly. Pre-wedding celebrations: Wedding shower in July 2015, and Bachelor/Bachelorette events in October 2015, rehearsal brunch day before the wedding. Inspiration: Hill Country weddings Wedding theme: Rustic, because we wanted something Texan and Chic Colors: Autumn orange, mustard yellow, stem green Flowers: dahlias, calla lily, hypericum, and roses Music: 90s dance party Menu: Texas BBQ First dance song: Ray Lamontagne – “You are the Best Thing” Wedding favors: We set up a candy and snack bar, and had a photo booth for guests. Wedding summed up in three words: Expensive, stressful, fun Honeymoon: Caribbean cruise to Mexico, Belize, and Honduras

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Z o r i n n e a n d M i k e P fa n n e n s t i e l

Weddings, 2016

Vendor List Photographer: JVDA Photography Videographer: Frances Maulit, Rey Francis Studios Flowers: Cheri Grant, The Gala Gal Catering: Pok-E-Jos Tables/DĂŠcor: The Gala Gal Dresses: Blue Bridal; (Seamstress: Olga) Coordinator: Emily Vidal, In Her Shoes Cake: Simon Lee Bakery Hair: Vanity Salon Makeup: Vanity Salon

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So You Want to

Pop the Question? Unique Make it

in El Paso | By: CHRISTINA CHITTENDEN |

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S o Yo u Wa n t t o P o p t h e Q u e s t i o n ?

hile women dream of their wedding day throughout much of their lifetime-

pinning to boards on Pinterest, clipping magazine cutouts of ideas for the

perfect dress and hairstyle- men also spend a great deal of time planning the most

important moments of their own life: the perfect proposal. Once you find the woman of your dreams and solidify a blessing of her family by asking permission, determining the ideal time and place is just the beginning of the steps in ensuring everything is nothing less than perfect when you pop this big question. This is the moment that will be told time and time again throughout the years to your family and friends, and you want to make sure that every detail paves the way to an amazing story. Here in the beautiful city of El Paso, Texas, the opportunities are limitless for setting an untainted backdrop for such a big moment. Maybe you are a guy who loves sports and the El Paso Chihuahua’s baseball stadium sets the stage for a perfect date night sealed with a proposal underneath the lustrous fireworks. Or, if the sunset appeals to your special someone, a short drive to a scenic spot in the mountains with a painted radiant western sunset is your place. For the nature-lovers out there, one immaculate setting for your proposal could be the El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, filled with over 1,900 bushes of 500 different varieties of gorgeous roses. If the more than 5 acres of roses doesn’t say “I love you” enough, the new waterfall within the garden is sure to be the perfect prop for your big moment. If you are fonder of the after sunset feel, a quick drive to Tom Lea Park to view the stunning city lights is sure to set the mood for a memorable proposal.

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Weddings, 2016 If you are any type of adventurer, maybe you would rather hear your “Yes!” while taking a romantic ride up the mountains in one of Franklin Mountains State Park’s Wyler Aerial Tramway gondolas, casting a view of the beautiful cacti gardens and immense wildlife of the southwest. If you have traveled much around the city’s surrounding areas, you are sure to have seen the limestone statue of Christ atop the Sierra de Cristo Rey (Formerly known as the “Mule Drivers Mountain”) in Sunland Park, New Mexico. If hiking with your sweetheart is your forte, then a proposal atop the Mt Cristo Rey is for you. What better way to enjoy the well-earned view from the top than a moment you will live to remember? So a quieter, more intimate setting is ideal for you to ask the big question. El Paso is full of romantic restaurants for every taste. For Italian food lovers, Ardovino’s or Dominic’s is the place to enjoy a succulent dinner before getting down on one knee. Just look around and you’ll see a variety of Mexican restaurants, one in particular being Andale Mexican Cuisine on Gateway Boulevard West. Just one of their delicious margaritas will ease any pre-proposal jitters you may have worked up! For the steak lovers, there is nothing better than a juicy, impossible to say “No” to steak from Cattleman’s at Indian Cliffs. You can even enjoy a stroll around the property where you can view the zoo animals, serene lake, or even jump aboard an old-fashioned hay ride. El Paso is sure to offer the perfect place for any proposal, regardless of personality or interest. The vastness of the city appeals to an array of different couples no matter what you enjoy. Popping the big question is the only thing required of you when you allow the city of El Paso to set the background for the most memorable moment of your life.

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David Paul

STYLIST | COLORIST

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NEW LOCATIONS 5860 N. Mesa St. 308 Cincinnati Ave. (915) 219-9702

Thi r d Dress Dress Dress Weddings, 2016

The

| By: KRYSTA AYERS |

The thing about weddings is that you can always

strive to go bigger. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an event that happens once in your life, like a QuinceĂąera or a Sweet Sixteen,

so having an extravagant wedding is the norm

these days. From food displays to photo booths to chandeliers and destinations, weddings have

become more and more elaborate. This applies to

the more personal details in a wedding as well, like the wedding dress.

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The Third Dress

Weddings, 2016

ou may have heard about having a second

wedding dress, especially if you’ve seen the

show, “Bridezilla.” You have your ceremony dress

and then, in a fashion-forward diva move (it is your

day, after all), you change into a more breathable dress

for the reception. Now you can thank celebrities such as

Chrissy Teigen and Kim Kardashian for upping the ante and

introducing the third dress. Yes, a third dress. Another thing

to include in your wedding budget when starting the planning

process for the biggest day of your life. There’s the over-thetop gown you wear to the ceremony, the elegant piece you present during the reception and then the fun, more moveable dress you can dance in during the after party. With so many costume changes, you’ll feel like a celebrity at your own

wedding – as you should.

The third dress is perfect for any bride-to-be. For those of us that are indecisive, this is an opportunity to say yes to all of the dresses. You can wear a traditional design and also end your night in something trendier, like the chic pantsuit that is all over bridal runway shows right now. Chrissy Teigen opted for a floor-length red dress to strut her stuff in with her gorgeous husband, John Legend. Kim Kardashian chose to come out in a sleek white mermaid dress as her third dress at her wedding with Kanye West. Basically, anything goes. Go short for maximum leg movement, or keep it glamorous with a floor-length number.

This obviously isn’t feasible for everybody – or maybe for those that want designer dresses for all three designs. Depending on personal style and preference, the different dresses you appear in could range from a Cinderella gown to something simpler or bohemian for your third dress. Like any trend in fashion, you can manipulate it to fit your own personal style.

If you still want to be able to change your look throughout the night but panic a little at the thought of a wardrobe change (or the money), fret not because there’s other ways to switch up your look throughout the night that won’t break the bank. Try a wrap around skirt that you can remove to reveal pants, or a shorter skirt, add a top hat, add or remove gloves or change your heels. Adding your own personality into each detail, you’re sure to be unique, look great, and get compliments

the one you’ve pinned onto your Pinterest board when you and your

on the style changes.

fiancé first started dating, cutting the cake in a strapless mermaid cut and then taking celebratory shots and dancing in a feathery mini

With wedding concepts and trends constantly changing over the

dress – and it doesn’t even have to be white if you follow the likes

years, you can implement this current dress trend and potentially

of Chrissy Teigen. Why wear only one when you can wear three

hand down one or all three of your dresses to your future daughter(s).

dresses? Seems excessive at first, but how fun does a long night of

Your wedding photos will be interesting to look at and share when you

playing dress-up sound? It’s your wedding and you can have three

see the different styles and wardrobe changes you went through on

dresses if you want to.

your big day. Imagine standing at the altar in a classic wedding dress, 126

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e tt e or l e h c a B e u q i Un Party Ideas | By: JAMIE LIVINGSTON |

s a new year rolls around, a

According to bustle.com, one idea for

wave of exciting announcements

a bachelorette party is to do something

from your family and friends

active and calorie-burning, like Ballet Barre,

become center stage: your best

SoulCycle or Zumba. It’s a fun way to hang

friend’s pregnant, your brother got that

out with the ladies, socialize and work up a

promotion he’s been longing for, and your

good sweat. It can be a good way to shake

older sister is finally getting married to her

off the pre-wedding jitters.

college sweetheart. Another new craze, and on the opposite Lucky for you, she’s asked you to be the host

end of burning calories, are wine tasting

of her bachelorette party and, frankly, you’re

bachelorette get-togethers. According to

thrilled and can’t wait to get a jump start on

destination42.com,

planning the big girls’ night out. But, you

accommodating and pretty affordable on

want this party to be different and unique-

your checkbook. If there’s a winery in your

from the venue to the party favors. Whether

area, they should be more than happy to host

the bride wants a big, traditional wedding

your party for an afternoon of tastings. No

or a smaller affair, you can still pull off a

wineries in your area? Bring the party to your

wonderful party that is enjoyable, affordable

own couch. Have everyone bring a bottle of

and beyond anything labeled stereotypical.

their favorite vino, cover the labels in paper

wineries

are

pretty

and have everyone rate their favorites. 129

Weddings, 2016

A party theme is probably the biggest thing

Dayton said she chose to make her sister’s

learn a new recipe, partner up and have

to plan and choosing one can be a difficult

party theme unique because she knew it

competitions on who made the best fondue,

task. But, try playing up the bride’s interests

would be something she and her guests

relax and have fun- all at the same time.

and hobbies.

could all relate to.

chance to roll up her sleeves and get a little

Amber Dayton, of Louisiana, hosted a

“For the most part, I took something that my

dirty in the kitchen. If your city has a major

bachelorette party for her sister last summer.

sister loved both as a child and still loves to

culinary school, make sure to inquire about

She used her sister’s favorite childhood book

this day and tried to incorporate the theme

any special group rates they offer, or check

series as the main theme of the event.

so that it was more meaningful. Ami’s

Cooking

classes

are

great

way

And, if the bride is a foodie, she will love the

bachelorette party matched her perfectly and

with gourmet restaurants for specific times

it was exactly what she wanted.”

and dates of cooking classes. You could also

“We started by playing Laser Tag in our Harry

hire a sous chef from a major hotel to come

Potter Themed shirts (they read, “bride,”

to you and help everyone prepare a new dish.

“maid of honor,” “bridesmaid,” “friend of the

In order to pull off a night to remember, time

bride,” etc.) and afterwards went to the hotel

management is key. Start planning well in

Bachelorette parties are all about gabbing

where I had decorated our suite with balloons,

advance. And, remember, it doesn’t have to fall

and having fun and another perfect idea is

games, and signs. We stayed in the hotel for

on just your shoulders. Utilize the bride’s other

having an old-fashioned slumber party. There’s

the night instead of going out and just ordered

relationships and delegate responsibilities.

something to be said about relaxing in your

food to be delivered. We had Harry Potter

pajamas, vegging out on popcorn and watching

themed drinks, games, and contests.”

movies about bachelorette parties, or if you’re into reality TV shows, gossiping about the potential suitors on “The Bachelorette.” 130

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U n i q u e B ac h e lo r e t t e Pa r t y I d e a s

131

Get your

Weddings, 2016

geek on

For the

geek lover... 132

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my velvet dress wrapped in a long, elegant transparent chiffon skirt, holding a very special brooch-jeweled bouquet. The crowd gasped as they were beginning to realize the importance of the night, but the most memorable were our children as they dropped their jaws in surprise. Each looking at the other asking “Did you know? How did we not see this coming? Was this the plan all along?” To break the “awe” moment, the question was asked, “Is there someone in the house who can marry us?” and out of nowhere our friend, Bram Watkins, walked forward unfolding his ministerial stole, which was perfectly hidden in his pocket, and the ceremony began. Tears fell, cameras clicked, my two grand babies innocently began chattering, “Honey (that’s my grandmother name) are you marrying Dabid?” (they’ve never pronounced the “V” in David) as they nestled on the floor in front of us with sweet-wide eyes, absorbing every detail as we took our vows. The vows were stated with purpose, giving esteem to our past, but mostly giving due honor to our future. There was a simple pureness in the ceremony, full of sincerity. The circle of life sadly comes too soon and cheats our earthly days together; we’re especially sensitive to that cheating when we’re giving our future to another. I never quit missing my mother and take every opportunity to eat on her silver and wear her jewelry, so it was innate when I spent months gathering 50 pieces of her exquisite jewelry to form my vintage brooch bridal bouquet. Special pendants were sent from my Aunt Sandy, my sister-in-law, my girls added their pieces, all believing I was having a “Sisterhood Bouquet” made to take with me on my “run-away-wedding” – that took care of something old, something borrowed and something blue. The “a-ha” bouquet moment came when my bestie Kim realized she’d helped me design and put the entire bouquet together thinking I would be packing it for a secret trip, unaware that I needed it for that evening, my surprise wedding. All the brooch gatherings were a memoir of the women in my life. Another magical moment came when the officiant asked who had the rings. Each guest looking at one another, he then he asked our two daughters Sarah and Chelsea if they would look inside the two beaded evening bags that were placed in their arms right before the ceremony. They both opened the evening bags, surprised to find oriental silk ring bags that delicately carried each of our wedding rings. We danced, we laughed and we cried. Would I do the surprise wedding again? Absolutely, it was everything I dreamed it would be – romantic and memorable. It was my “perfect.” Albert Einstein said it best, “You have to color outside the lines once in a while if you want to make your life a masterpiece.” With warm regards, make your wedding yours.

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hite W B Icons in

| By: PABLO DELGADILLO |

rides know that choosing the perfect wedding

as breathtaking as Lady Diana’s. Kate was dressed up in

gown is key when it comes to their big day. When

fashion house Alexander McQueen, under designer Sarah

the dress is finally chosen, it only makes your day

Burton. The satin dress was adorned by laser cut-out lace,

even more special. There have been wedding

and Kate’s back was covered with organza covered buttons.

dresses that are so epic and memorable that they’re

Unlike Diana, Kate’s train was a little over nine feet but it

in the books forever as iconic wedding gowns.

was also a dress that stopped a nation.

One of the most memorable dresses is the one that a

While talking about mesmerizing wedding dresses and

young Diana Spencer wore on her wedding day with the

fashion we can’t leave out Sarah Jessica Parker. Although her

Royal Prince Charles. The beautiful dress was designed by

real life black wedding dress was one for the books, it was her

artist David Emanuel in lace and taffeta, and featured a train

wedding dress as her timeless TV character, Carrie Bradshaw,

that was 25-feet long and was a focal point in the princess’

who stands out as one of the most amazing wedding dresses

walk to the altar. The dress itself was detailed in tiny pearls,

ever. In the movie “Sex and The City” her character is ready

embroidery and sequins. Lady Diana knew all eyes would be

to tie the knot with Mr. Big in a Vera Wang dress as big and

on her as she married Prince Charles, so it was important to

exuberant as New York. To top off her look she opted for a

have a statement dress that would leave the whole world

blue bird hair accessory and a bouquet of beautiful fresh white

astonished and this dress accomplished that.

roses; this entire look was made possible by well-known stylist Patricia Field, who was the to-go stylist for the show. At

134

Following in his parents footsteps, Prince William had a

the end, she ended up marrying in a vintage white dress with

very notorious wedding with a girl named Kate Middleton.

a pair of blue Manolo Blahnik shoes, but the Vera Wang is still

Kate tied the knot with Prince William in a wedding gown

one of our favorite wedding gowns ever! www.thecitymagazineelp.com

Weddings, 2016

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135

icons in white

Weddings, 2016

These same shoes were wore by socialite and fashion guru, Olivia Palermo, on her wedding day with Johannes Huebl. Unlike any conventional bride, this fashionista decided to accompany her Blahnikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with a Carolina Herrera ensemble. She didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wear a regular bride gown, but a light cream cashmere sweater with feather appliques, some white shorts and a full-length tulle skirt with floral details in the front. Definitely not the cookie-cutter type of gown, but she pulled it off effortlessly and she looked chic as always.

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Weddings, 2016

icons in white

Gwen Stefani has always been a trendsetter The singer is not afraid of taking risks and for her big day she wasn’t shy in wearing one of the most iconic wedding dresses ever. She walked down the aisle with Gavin Rossdale in a John Galliano for Dior wedding gown. The dress was a beautiful princess-like gown, with a pink ombre effect (this was in 2002 before the ombre trend became super popular). The dress seemed ahead of its time and a bold risk, but knowing Gwen for her extravagant fashion looks it was the perfect choice. She complimented her dress with a long white veil and a flat bouquet with ribbon. There’s so many more iconic wedding dresses, but these are some of the most modern and out of the box ones. Make sure to pick not only the perfect wedding dress for your big day, but also one that stands out and can join several celebrities as the most iconic wedding gowns ever.

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Weddings, 2016

THE LOOK OF

PHOTOGRAPHY: DAV ANMED

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: JENNIFER MEANS STYLIST: YUBIA FIERRO

ASSISTANT: BRIANNA SANCHEZ

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Weddings, 2016

MODEL: BRITTANY PERALTA

DRESS AND EARRINGS: ELLA BLU

HAIR: JENNIFER ELLIS FOR QUARTERMANE

MAKE UP: MATTHEW ABRAHAM

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Weddings, 2016

MODEL: KC NELSON

DRESS AND HAIR ACCESSORY: ELLA BLU

HAIR: JENNIFER ELLIS FOR QUARTERMANE MAKE UP: MATTHEW ABRAHAM

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Weddings, 2016 MODEL: ANDREA PALACIOS

DRESS AND EARRINGS: ELLA BLU

HAIR: JENNIFER ELLIS FOR QUARTERMANE

MAKE UP: CLAUDIA CASTILLO

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Weddings, 2016

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MODEL: BRITTANY PERALTA

DRESS AND EARRINGS: ELLA BLU

HAIR: JENNIFER ELLIS FOR QUARTERMANE MAKE UP: MATTHEW ABRAHAM

Weddings, 2016 MODEL: KC NELSON

DRESS AND EARRINGS: ELLA BLU

HAIR: JENNIFER ELLIS FOR QUARTERMANE MAKE UP: MATTHEW ABRAHAM FLOWERS: LAURA CARRILLO

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MODEL: ANDREA PALACIOS DRESS: ELLA BLU

HAIR: JENNIFER ELLIS FOR QUARTERMANE

MAKE UP: CLAUDIA CASTILLO

Weddings, 2016

MODEL: ELENA BARRIOS

DRESS, JEWELRY AND HAIR ACCESSORY: ELLA BLU HAIR: JENNIFER ELLIS FOR QUARTERMANE MAKE UP: CLAUDIA CASTILLO FLOWERS: LAURA CARRILLO

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Weddings, 2016 MODEL: ELENA BARRIOS

DRESS AND EARRINGS: ELLA BLU

HAIR: JENNIFER ELLIS FOR QUARTERMANE MAKE UP: CLAUDIA CASTILLO FLOWERS: LAURA CARRILLO

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Weddings, 2016

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Bridal Beauty Countdown Your Prep Guide to Your Best Skin Ever

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| By: MATTHEW ABRAHAM |

www.thecitymagazineelp.com

beaut y

Weddings, 2016

hile most brides allow several months to carefully consider gown selection,

narrow down venue options and vet potential caterers, most overlook tending

to the beauty details of getting their skin in shape for the wedding day until it is

often too late.

As a bridal makeup artist of over 15 years, I have seen many brides panic over skin catastrophes that appear right before their wedding day. Most skin issues like acne or rosacea can be cleared up in four to six months with the help of a dermatologist and esthetician, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to allow plenty of time to address serious skin issues. I always recommend that all my brides allow at least three to four months prior to the wedding to amp up their everyday skin care regimen (or finally implement one if they havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet) and commit to bi-weekly trips to a facialist or weekly at-home treatments. This will slowly correct any current skin problems and help protect and nurture the skin during the stresses that will undoubtedly arise prior to the wedding. Twice daily use of cleansing, moisturizing and protection/treatment products that are specific to skin-type should be religiously applied to the face and neck area without fail. In three short months this can completely transform even the dullest, dry visage to one worthy of a wedding portrait and trip down the aisle. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve assembled a few of my favorites products which have helped several of my brides-to-be arrive in my makeup chair on their wedding day with their best skin ever: Exfoliate - Beauty Bioscience Cellular Renewal Beauty Treatment ($75, hsn.com) is a two step treatment performed twice weekly using a polishing mask and an activation gel which, when combined, foam on the skin to create a warm sensation which feels much like the high-end spa treatments and facials that cost hundreds of dollars. The results, particularly to the texture of the skin are amazing, as skin appears immediately brighter, firmer, smoother and more even. Cleanse - The most critical step in any skin care routine is twice daily cleansing. This step not only removes dirt, makeup and bacteria that accumulates on the skin, but allows the skin to be able to properly benefit from the other products and treatments applied to the skin. Micellar water cleansers have become particularly popular as of late as many have discovered that they are gentle, simple and effective in cleansing the skin and can be used on every skin type. Utilizing tiny micelle cleansing molecules, which float in water, these cleansers tackle and sweep away contaminants without tugging or scrubbing skin. Simply apply a micellar water soaked cotton swab or pad across all areas of the face and neck and rinse. Try Garnier Skin Active Micellar Cleansing Water, ($6.99, Walgreens). Cleansing oils are also gaining popularity particularly for those with dry skin as they are simple yet effective for removing even tough eyemakeup without stripping the skin of moisture. Many also contain highperformance ingredients that help minimize fine lines and wrinkles, boost radiance and more. Try Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula, ($31, shuuemura-usa.com). 151

beaut y

Weddings, 2016

Dark Circles/Puffy Undereyes - One of the most common concerns I have from brides is their dark circles and puffiness in the under eye area. Lack of sleep, dieting and stress can contribute to this problem, making busy brides-to-be particularly prone to this problem. Luckily there are a slew of treatment patches and under eye masks that can be applied anywhere from 20 minutes to overnight that can combat this very effectively. First popularized in Korea (which is known for innovative beauty and skin treatments), they have caught on worldwide and are particularly popular with celebrities during award season as some claim they can tighten and virtually eliminate darkness and swelling under the eyes in as little as one use. Try Cellcosmet Cellcollagen eye masks, ($450 for five sets, saksfifthavenue.com) or Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches, ($18 for seven sets, net-a-porter.com) or Earth Therapeutics Hydrogel Under-Eye Recovery Patch ($9.00, ULTA). Moisturizing and Revitalizing Facial Cloth Masks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; These cotton masks, which are usually drenched with skin-loving ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, peptides and amino acids, are on every brides prep list these days. Japanese brides are known to soak daily in these for months prior to their wedding. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no surprise they are gaining interest worldwide since they can provide instant intense hydration and nourishment to even the most tired skin, leaving it soothed and revitalized. Try SK-II Facial Treatment Mask ($135, Sephora) or Tony Moly Age-Defying Snail Hydro-Gel Face Mask Sheet ($9.00, Sephora).

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Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

g n i d d e Wown G Not Your Typical

| By: MARIA ESTRADA |

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Weddings, 2016

N ot Yo u r T y p i ca l We d d i n g G own

Remember when Carrie Bradshaw decided to lose all the fancy labels for her wedding day and wore a lovely tailored white suit instead? Having to pick between so many designers, sometimes it is easier to just choose to wear something simple and sophisticated. And just like Carrie, you can make that choice too. You can never go wrong with the old fashioned knee skirt and blazer. This trend gives you the advantage of showing off your shoes, which lets admit, are quite expensive only to be hidden under a dress.

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Weddings, 2016

he Greek goddess look never goes out of

style. The loose silk fabric compliments the

body shape and shows off your femininity.

Adding some sequence around the waist or

on the shoulder straps can make a difference and captures the essence. The loose, draped fabric definitely makes it easier for you to walk and dance around in. A golden or silver leaf headband would make for a

great accessory to go with this style and it

will definitely complete the outfit.

W 156

hen having an outdoors wedding, you can never go wrong with a two piece dress. Wearing a

bohemian crop top and replacing the veil with

a white floral headband is the perfect look when being in a relaxing outdoors environment. Feeling

comfortable in your own wedding gown is important and this trend allows you to feel this way.

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L Weddings, 2016

N ot Yo u r T y p i ca l We d d i n g G own

et’s not forget about layers! Layers make a great impression when

walking down the aisle. When guests are looking at you taking those

ast but not least, jumpsuits are always

steps, the image of your dress moving through the breeze along

casual and chic when worn to go and

with you will easily take their breath away. The design of the layers

have a girl’s night out just as it can be

can be either horizontal, each with the same length or they can also

casual and chic for that special day you’ve

have a shredded design which make the dress look a little wider but

been dreaming about since you were 10

nevertheless light around the waist.

years old. Adding a white cape attached to the shoulders is also a great replacement for the vail and it gives it poise. Another

way to go is adding a skirt gown that will go halfway around the waist so that the front

of the jumpsuit is visible.

Taking these styles into consideration, not only will draw the attention of many by the unique look but it will also make you feel comfortable and confident just as any bride should feel on her special day. Any of these styles would make for the perfect chic wedding look. www.thecitymagazineelp.com

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Your wedding day should be one of the happiest days of your life, surrounded by people who care for you, projecting good vibes of

THERE IN

love and luck for your future together. Relatives and college friends fly in to help celebrate alongside you. Weddings are an occasion for being together, consequently the sting of having lost a family member you

| By: JOLENE REZA KEIPP |

hold dear can dramatically overshadow the joy of the moment, as emotions tend to run rampant during this time. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t despair, there are many strikingly significant ways to pay tribute to those you cherish at your wedding.

Charming If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to honor a family member who has passed away, in a discreet way, think about the addition of charms to your overall look. Not the 1980s plastic charms we grew up with, but rather beautifully tasteful trinkets with initials on them or even a small one inch memory locket with their photo. You can add these to the satin ribbon on your bouquet, the lining of your veil or even onto the detailing of your gown. If your groom wants to honor his loved ones have him wear their watch or present him with cufflinks or a plush handkerchief with their loved ones initials on them as well. This would make for a treasured gift for your future husband that would carry grand emotion and significance for you both.

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Weddings, 2016

“There in Spirit”

Pictures Pictures are a fantastically moving manner to honor anyone who has passed away. When meeting with your wedding planner stress the importance of this thought to them so preparations for a lovely table that maintains your overall bridal style can be made available to you at your venue. It is absolutely within the realm of possibility to create a “shrine” of sorts by displaying pictures in beautiful frames of various sizes with your loved ones. You can also adorn this memorial with candles and flowers and make a bold statement. We exist in the age of Photoshop, virtually creating entire photographic stories with the right software. Speak to your professional photographer about options to have certain images of your past loved ones photoshopped into your wedding album. If you have a snapshot of yourself as a child with them this could make a gripping image to place their likeness onto one with yourself in your wedding attire.

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“There in Spirit”

Weddings, 2016

Advocate Introverted or not, all eyes are on both the bride and groom on your wedding day. While many couples normally do not use this occasion, as anything else other than to commemorate their commitment to one another, there is a genuine opportunity to bring understanding to a cause you hold dear. So if you’ve lost a loved one to illness but aren’t at ease wearing your heart on your sleeve, wear a pin instead. You can subtly and cleverly bring awareness to the disease they succumbed to by distributing small colored pins that will do the talking for you. If you still feel the need to do more, you can ask that donations be made in your names to the American Cancer Society, or any other meaningful charity. There is no ending to the grieving process where there was once love and life. You can ask for a moment of silence, keep an empty seat at the ceremony and reception or ask that your wedding mass be dedicated in their memory; there are zero limitations on how to honor those who have passed away. Whereas the idea and planning for this delicate component of your wedding may be bittersweet, it also can be tastefully done and will create a joyful memory.

160

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Into the

Wedding D Dress | By: LIZZIE MARTINEZ |

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Weddings, 2016

Need to lose five lbs. stat before the big day? Thinking about doing a crazy crash diet? Don’t do it! It’s not safe and it may cause you to turn into a true Bridezilla! Here are ten tips to lose five lbs. or more in a quick and safe way!

fitness

Drink a ton of water: Water, especially very cold water, speeds up your metabolism. Sometimes we think water will make you

retain water, but you need water to ELIMINATE water retention. So drink at least eight bottles of water a day, even up to 10 to speed up your metabolism and also clear your skin.

Start taking a fat burner: Of course, ask your doctor if your health is okay to take this supplement, but these can help

significantly and bring up your energy levels! I suggest using a supplement called L-Carnitine which is an amino acid the body naturally produces to metabolize fat.

3 4 5

Drink a cup of hot lemon water every morning and eat three prunes at night: This helps aid in the digestion process and

helps flush unwanted materials and toxins from the body. Avoid red meat and stick to lean white meat proteins: Chicken, fish and turkey are all lean meats that will help you

lose weight. Try to have it grilled or steamed for best results. Avoid white carbs and stick to brown carbs: White carbs such as white bread, flour tortillas, white rice, white potatoes, are all

high in gluten which will stick to your lower stomach. Stick to brown carbs like wheat bread, wheat tortillas, brown rice and oatmeal to sustain good healthy energy and try not to have carbs after 4 p.m.

6 7 8 9

Try doing fasted cardio: This means doing a cardio routine on an empty stomach when your sugar levels are low, so the

body is forced to use body fat as energy during the cardio session. Implement weight training: Ladies! Don’t be scared of the weights! When done right and eating is on point, your arms

will look lean and toned to show off in that strapless gown! Cut the salt, and up the spice: High salt diets lead to water retention. Eliminating salt will help eliminate the bloat. To keep that

flavor in your foods, add spices such as cayenne pepper, bell peppers

or jalapenos contain capsaicin that will help increase your metabolism. Greens get you lean: Add some green vegetables to every meal. Green veggies like kale, arugula, mustard greens and

asparagus are great anti-inflammatories, which can help combat

bloating and aid in digestion.

Choose healthy options for pre-wedding events: There will be a lot of food at the events prior to your wedding. When doing

tasting, keep portions small. When planning showers, outings and

parties, try to choose healthy venues so you (and your bridesmaids!) www.thecitymagazineelp.com

don’t pack on the pounds before the big day!

Weddings, 2016

TO OR NOT TO | By: CHRISTINA CHITTENDEN |

164

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To Register or not to Register?

Weddings, 2016

o you and your sweetheart have made the decision to

but if the bride and groom want to add furniture to their

answer the big question, “Do you take this man/

registry, they have a selection of unique and beautiful

woman to be your lawfully wedded husband/

pieces for any room in the house. “One trend I have

wife,” with a definite “I do!” Now there’s a new

seen,” Dominguez adds, “Is that brides are becoming

question on the horizon: To register or not to

more drawn to the entertainment style home. While we

still offer fine China and silver for the traditional bride, we have adapted to this new trend by adding items for

Gift giving for wedding ceremonies has been a tradition

cookouts and a more casual home setting.”

for ages. Many families and friends feel as though a wedding gift is a way of contributing to your new home

Another aspect to keep in mind is you don’t want to wait

and life together. Though people have been buying gifts

until the last minute to register. Typically, registries are

for years without any sort of handy dandy “checklist”, the

created four to six months prior to the wedding date

wedding registry has since enhanced the convenience of

in order to give guests plenty of time to purchase the

this formality. Many couples chose to partake in deciding

perfect gift as well as any extra gift-giving occasions

on their own themes, color schemes, and household

such as engagement parties and bridal showers. You

necessities together whether it be by going in a store

also want to make sure you register for enough gifts.

and scanning what they like or creating an online registry.

If you have more gifts registered than invited guests, it ensures there is plenty for people to choose from

However, there are dos and don’ts when it comes to

without feeling obligated to the few options that might

making a wedding registry. First of all, you do want

be left unpurchased as the event date approaches.

to consider the budget of your guests. You may want to decide on a bigger chain department store as well

Perhaps one of the most important parts of wedding

as a higher end store to include a variety of gifts and

gifts is sending out a “thank you” card once you receive

price ranges for different guests to choose from. While

them. Keeping up with thank-you’s as gifts come in and

department stores such as Bed Bath & Beyond and

sending them out right away is ideal. However, many

Target are usually a “must” when it comes to registries,

couples find the weeks to follow their wedding day are

what many couples often overlook are the hidden

extremely busy so no longer than three months following

gems of local specialty stores in their hometown. Here

the event is an appropriate time frame for sending a

in El Paso, we have one of the most elegant of these

note of gratitude for all of the wonderful, generous gifts.

stores, Charlotte’s Gift Shop, located on North Mesa

Regardless of how and where you plan to create your

Street. Manager, Shelly Dominguez, says the best part

registry, be sure to have fun with it and enjoy the times

of the store is that not only do they offer kitchenware,

you share as every detail becomes a memory you will

elegant custom bedding sets, and a variety of frames,

cherish for a lifetime.

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Weddings, 2016

Just Wanna Have

| By: SAMUEL HORSTMAN |

166

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hey often say that a wedding is the happiest

when the time comes to say “I Do.” Now ladies, I am not

day for the bride, but what about the groom?

saying we completely want to take over all of the planning

Planning the big day is a task that is often appointed to

but when it comes to our part in the wedding, I think we

the bride to be, leaving the groom in the shadows until it’s

are more than capable to manage it (just don’t let us get out

time to say those two words. From color schemes, floral

of hand). Planning a wedding together not only minimizes

arrangements, the theme and the reception, it seems that a

stress but everyone will have fun in the end.

groom rarely gets a say in his special day. Here are some simple steps the groom can “man up” their Planning a wedding isn’t something men want to sit around

part in the wedding without overshadowing what the bride

and plan but when it comes down to the big picture, we do

has in place.

not want to feel uncomfortable in front of friends and family

Groomsmen

There are many ways to ask your very best “bro” to be part of your wedding. Ditch the old fashion text message, get up and go ask in person. Depending on your personality there are many approaches you can take. One way to make your asking more formal is creating an invite with a bow tie wrapped around it asking your friend or family member to be a groomsmen. For the more comedic guys, pop the question by getting down on one knee just like you did for your future wife. If you already have a photographer in place, have them follow you and snap pictures of your groomsmen reaction for future laughs. www.thecitymagazineelp.com

Weddings, 2016

Enchantment awaits you

The Tux

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be honest here, a tuxedo in comparison to the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gown is not that spectacular. At most you match the overall color scheme of the wedding. Whether you are a sports fan, a geek or a whimsical person, you can add that touch of your personality to your tux and your groomsmen could possibly follow suit, literally. In all cases you can invest in cufflinks that showcase your team pride, favorite superhero, TV show or something you love like Legos. Socks are also a way to show your whimsical side. For your wedding photos, posing like a superhero and wearing your favorite hero emblem under your shirt.

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Weddings, 2016

G u y s J u s t Wa n n a H av e f u n

The Bachelor Party No matter how you plan on celebrating the night before

your wedding, this is the time to say thank you to the men who signed up to be by your side during your big day. You know your guys better than anyone so gift them with something they will hang on to for years to come. Sites like Etsy.com can help you find a personalized gift such as an engraved flask, bottle of whiskey, or bottle opener.

The Reception After the “I Do” comes the party, the dancing and the rest of the fun. Just because the biggest part of getting married is over does not mean you still cannot add a few more of your own personal touches. For starters, when it comes to tossing the garter, wrap it around a football or a baseball and have all the guys at your party play catch. Lastly, you can always incorporate your personality into the groom’s cake. You can decorate it with your favorite sport’s team logo, something related to your profession, or even your hobbies. Most cake bakers are super creative these days and can help you bring your vision to life.

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| By: LIAM MCLEAN |

by way of Silicon Valley

he miracle of photography has been with us well

over a century. A hearty thank you to the brilliant Mr.

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce for gifting it to the world. To

capture an instant in time, to freeze an exact moment’s

appearance permanently, ostensibly existing long after

the participants have shuffled loose the mortal coil. Thereby

imbuing pseudo immortality to its very mortal subjects. Realize

that this was pioneered while horses were still the favored mode

of transport. Contrast, meet juxtaposition. Naturally, weddings became a perfect fit for this emerging technology. The marriage (pun intended) of technology, human sentimentality and arguably the most important moment in a couple’s lives. A sacred bond quite literally immortalized, complete with the magic of the occasion. As if to spark this enduring practice, one of the very first high profile photographs in existence is of the wedding of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert in 1840. The blurry sepia photo is considered the very pinnacle of human achievement. Over the decades, the evolving technology of photography largely dictated the changes in capturing weddings. Large, bulky equipment gave way to portability allowing wedding photography to move from studio portraits to the actual ceremonies. Grainy sepia gave way to black and white, which in turn gave way to color. Resolution and clarity improving all along the way. Then, the digital revolution happened; taking a time-intensive, photochemical process and transforming it into a completely digital, instant process. And much like music’s parallel evolution, the only limit to the quality and quantity you could carry was the amount of memory you’ve invested in.

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With the mass proliferation of digital photography well behind us, new

What could bottle and relive the moment in more vivid detail than first-

advancements and techniques are finding their way into the field,

person footage of the proceedings as seen through the eyes of a few

with wedding photography benefiting from some of the most creative

willing, good sports from among the attendees and/or the bridesmaids/

uses them. One of these new technologies is Drones. An unmanned

groomsmen. Or if you’re feeling really brave, the bride and groom can

aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without

sport matching Go-Pro helmets. As the helmet option will naturally

a human pilot aboard. The flight of UAVs may be controlled either

obscure an exhaustively detailed and styled ‘do,’ I can’t imagine this

autonomously by onboard computers or by the remote control of a pilot

being the most popular option for brides-to-be. There is even a dog

on the ground or in another vehicle, and always equipped with a high

harness, giving the criminally overlooked vantage of Fido center stage.

quality digital camera system.

That is, as long as you don’t mind endless footage of the food.

Some couples are opting for cinematic, overhead shots with

An alternative and more turnkey approach is capitalizing on the fact

panoramic vistas that only an HD DSLR hovering at 75 feet in the air

that just about everybody has a decent digital camera in their purse/

can capture. Camera-equipped drones have very quickly gone from

pocket in the form of the omnipresent smartphone. A neat new

an expensive hobbyist pastime to a bubble wrapped impulse buy

feature with Instagram is the common cloud account. Where using

at Walgreens, batteries and a clear, windless day not included. Also

event proximity, every attendee’s Instagram pics are saved on their

not included is a survival guarantee when colliding with a suddenly

device while simultaneously and seamlessly shared on the event’s

airborne bridal bouquet.

Facebook page and most importantly, the common cloud account, filters and all, organized and indexed, where the couple can pick,

Perhaps you’d prefer a more grounded (literally), but no less

choose and compile after the honeymoon. Snapchat also has a similar

innovative, means of capturing the occasion with the use of wearable

system in place.

digital cameras. Go-Pro being the current soup-du-jour. Technology has brought us to the point of imagination providing the only boundaries of how that magical day is captured and relived for 174

generations to come.

Weddings, 2016

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Go-To the

g n i d d e W Apps Weddings, 2016

| By: KRYSTA AYERS |

Mr &Mrs There is literally an app for everything. Though the stress of a wedding can quickly become overwhelming, GooglePlay and the Apple store have several apps that can help your wedding planning go just a little bit smoother. So, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fret â&#x20AC;&#x201C; download these apps and let your fingers get to tapping. 176

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Weddings, 2016

Braidsmaid Planner |

Free

Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get all of your bridesmaids in one room? Try not to stress too much about it. This app makes it possible to swap bridesmaid dress ideas and screenshots, to-do lists and deadlines. Group chatting on this app will allow your conversations and life to go smoother and concentrate on fittings, parties, and any other details leading up to your big day.

TaskRabbit Free

This is a great app for any bride too busy to do research on Google all day. Find anything you might need for your big day all in one app. This ranges from party planners, caterers, DJs, babysitters, event help and decorating, and bartending. Not only does TaskRabbit provide you with great options on seeking help, but you can also read reviews and look at feedback before you decide to hire anyone for help!

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The Go-To Wedding Apps

Fitocracy |

Weddings, 2016

Free

An easy way to keep track, trim down, and get ready for your big day. This app will provide you with the workouts, you just have to follow them and see the results come in. Also providing a personal coach, you will get the motivation and support without ever having to go to the gym. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll soon be walking down the aisle looking as glorious as you are inside.

The Knot Wedding Planner | Free Your own personal wedding planner, this app is good for wedding inspiration, todo lists, grinding out the details and even finding wedding vendors. This is a great source (aside from us, of course) to find more ideas and organize your wedding.

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Weddings, 2016

Wedding Party |

Free

Don’t make one of your siblings responsible for picking up the disposable cameras after your wedding party. This app allows you to collect and share photos from everyone that was there directly through the app. “Because your wedding deserves more than just a hashtag.” Have guests download the app, create photobooth strips or cute collages and you can readily have them in your hand before you set off to your honeymoon!

Mr&Mrs Wedding Planner |

Mr &Mrs

Free

This app is a way to visualize your wedding before it happens. Think of it as a mood board that goes above and beyond. You can gather color palette ideas, create guest lists and do table seating, manage your budget and create an “invite only” message board so that you can share your wedding plans and ideas with your bridal party or fiancé.

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Cup1 take the

Weddings, 2016

cake | By: MEAGAN KINLEY |

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Weddings, 2016

re you trying to think of a way to make your wedding sweets stand out? If you have been searching for that perfect idea look no further! For your wedding, do the unexpected. Dump the cake and have your baker fix you up with a few dozen batches of cupcakes! Yes, wedding cakes are pretty but do you really want your special day to be just like all your other friend’s weddings? Be daring and choose different. Cupcakes are so cute and are the picture perfect way to serve your guests just the right portion of cake to delight their sweet tooth. Because let’s face it, with that dance floor calling, who has time for a fork? And if you think about it, cupcakes make a lot of sense for weddings. Not only are there more design possibilities, but also they are a lot cheaper than an expensive multi-tiered cake (that if we are being honest, most of the time goes uneaten). A lot of couples also think that if they opt for cupcakes, they lose the “cutting the cake” moment of their wedding and that just isn’t true. They also think that they won’t have anything to eat on their one-year anniversary. With today’s ingenuity, many newlyweds have chosen adorable cupcake stands to display their eatable art on, and still proceed to “feed each other cake” just like in the traditional wedding format. And just like cake, cupcakes can be stored and saved for that special anniversary celebration (although if we are honest . . . it never tastes quite the same). So if you have been on the fence about which to choose – let cupcakes take the cake for your special day. www.thecitymagazineelp.com

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Weddings, 2016

. . . And if cupcakes are just not cutting edge

that have been spotted are pop cakes,

enough, there are other options as well! If

cheesecake cakes, strawberry shortcake (in

you can think it, most bakers can do it and

a jar!), macaroon cakes, doughnut cakes,

that is exactly true for the adventurous

brownie cakes, cinnamon roll cakes, and

couples that choose to have non-traditional

even croquembouche! So no matter what

delights on their wedding dessert table. If

your vision is for your special day, think

you are among the few who want to defy

outside the cake pan and choose a dessert

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been done then these delicious treats

that reflects the daring souls of you and your

will strike your fancy. Some popular trends

new sweetie. www.thecitymagazineelp.com

Weddings, 2016

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Eloping, the Easy Way | By: PABLO DELGADILLO |

www.thecitymagazineelp.com

E l o p i n g , t h e E a s y Way

Weddings, 2016

ack your bags, and grab the love of your life, because

you would organize one in the states. Yes, it might be difficult to be

this article is about eloping. The first thing you need

supervising everything since you’ll be in another country, but online

to do if you’re thinking about eloping, is write a lot of

and phone communication will be your best allies at this time. Make

apology letters to people you think will be upset that they

sure to mention that you are not planning a destination wedding,

weren’t part of your special day. I’m sure your parents, siblings

and that it would be a small and intimate ceremony for two. Ask for

and best friend will be very mad, so you better bring them a nice

recommendations on local photographers and florists, whatever you

souvenir and a heartfelt long letter of why you decided to elope.

think you’ll need to make that day extra special. You can pretty much

Better yet, let them know beforehand that you decided to travel

set up the place exactly how you want it (without having to argue

far away from them and get married.

with mom about flowers, or dealing with displeased bridesmaids who hate the dress you’ve picked). If you really want to keep it simple,

Eloping might be the best option for a couple that wouldn’t like

then take a selfie stick or try to befriend some tourists so they can

anything too big, or wouldn’t like to spend a large amount of

document your special day.

money on just a party; after all it is like having the wedding and the honeymoon for the price of one! Make sure that this is what you

• Splurge. Just because you’re not going to be surrounded by a crowd

want to do, and that you and your future spouse agree that is the

doesn’t mean that you can’t wear that special outfit that you’ve

best decision to make. Once you both agree and are ready to face

always imagined yourself in. Or go to the town’s most expensive

the aftermath once you come back, here are some tips every couple

restaurant and order an extravagant bottle of champagne. At the

that wants to elope should follow:

end of the day, it is still your wedding day and you deserve all the pampering you can get.

• Make sure you pick the perfect destination/country by doing plenty of research about the place. Even though you’re tying the

• Make sure to let everyone know that you’re married after a few days;

knot somewhere else, you have to have all your paperwork filled out

we don’t want friends and family to wonder about their invitations, or

correctly for it to be valid in the US, and make sure to have someone

how come you’ve been so secretive on social media.

as your witness. There are online blogs about people who’ve eloped that will come in handy when planning all of this – follow their

The most important thing is to enjoy the moment, be with each other

recommendations on the easiest/correct way to fill out the paperwork.

and savor all of the experiences. Remind each other how much this means to both of you, and how when you come back everything will

• Learn about their customs, the best and most iconic places to

change forever (because literally your parents probably won’t talk to

hold a wedding and most importantly, organize the wedding like

you for a few weeks, you know how moms can be!).

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MyWay Weddings, 2016

| By: JOLENE REZA KEIPP |

Unconventional

Wedding Touches

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Weddings, 2016

If you’re a person who doesn’t like to color inside the lines or have always had a need to express your own distinctive style do not look at your upcoming nuptials as a time to be conventional. It is not only perfectly acceptable to be a little quirky, it’s also totally suitable that your wedding mirror your personality. Here are some areas that can use some unpredictable upgrades. 188

THEME

Bringing up a “theme” to an already

tense bride and groom will have visions of The Great Gatsby and mason jars’ flashing before their eyes but this does not have to be the case. While you may be fanatical on certain aesthetics or period fashion, it is not necessary to apply this look to every aspect of your wedding. You can be the theme. If you and your groom love the look of 1950s vintage Rockabilly glamour, you can apply this fashion to both your bridal ensembles so you make sense as a pair. The bride may opt for a shorter length gown with pin up curls and red lipstick while the groom decides on a tight fitting suit and skinny tie ala Frank Sinatra. There are local makeup and hair artists that can bring this look to life. Have fun with your look as it may be the only feature of the wedding you can fully control.

Weddings, 2016

Unconventional Wedding Touches

MUSIC/

DANCE

Santana. The go-to music for parent entrances, bridal party name announcements and father-daughter dances. Music is the narrator of your occasion and the difference between one hell of a party

and “some wedding I went to.” Dancing with your parents is a beautiful tradition in which we honor that relationship as they “send us off.” but this too is in need of a revamp. Look into local choreographers who can zest up the dance. We’ve all seen the YouTube videos. Get your groomsmen and bridesmaids in on the action by performing a dance for your new spouse. If you love your high school or college alma mater include that pride by inviting the drum line to break up the monotony of your entrance. Nothing will get guests off their seats and in the mood to celebrate than the rhythmic beat of a few snare drums.

FOOD

While this component may prove to be a

pricy one, it too can set the tone for the entire event as most wedding food does not have a good reputation. For a fresh take on a Candy Bar, try a Popcorn Bar instead. With fun kernel containers and a wide variety of flavors like Salt and Vinegar or Bubblegum this can be a cool touch to your reception. For the hors d’oeuvres try a shot glass with garden basil tomato soup and a grilled cheese garnish and milk and cookies for the kids. Happy kids, smooth reception. Look into personal gourmet artisan pizzas and salad for the entrée. For many of your stunned wedding guests a trip outside the starch, veggie and protein wedding meal template will make for a most memorable evening out.

It’s almost assumed that that your wedding will have references to your favorite bits of pop culture or your favorite comfort food but at the end of the day it is not really about having the weirdest wedding or being the first to do something ingenious, it should be about you and groom looking back and saying, “We wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

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The City Girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

-Month

l a d i r B | By: MEAGAN KINLEY |

www.thecitymagazineelp.com

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T h e C i t y G i r l’ s 6 - M o n t h B r i d a l C h e c k l i s t

Weddings, 2016

It finally happened, you’re engaged! But what now? You have your date, but with a hoard of lists and interfering relatives circling you like vultures, it’s hard to even know where to begin. Never fear, The City Bridal has you covered with a bullet proof six month plan that is sure to get you and your prince to the alter on-time and in style.

Six Months Ahead Set a budget .........................................

Book a Reception Hall/Catering .........

Choose the Wedding Party .................

Nothing can be done until you know

If you plan on entertaining your guests after

You will never forget the individuals who

how much dough you have to work with.

the ceremony, make sure you have a place

stand with you as you say your vows so

Schedule a meeting with your fiancée and (if

to do so. Popular wedding reception halls

make sure you choose wisely. These will

they are willing) his family and decide who

book up fast so make sure you allot time to

also be the people who will plan showers,

will pay for what (for example, tradition has

go and tour each of your top choices to make

bachelor/bachelorette events, etc. so make

the groom’s family pay for the bridal bouquet,

the best decision as quickly as possible. It is

sure they are trustworthy and deserving of

etc.). It is also good to start thinking about

important to also remember that where you

the honor you are asking them to fill.

the total number of guests that you want

decide to get married may include a contract

present—this will dramatically affect the

that determines who your caterer is, so don’t

Say Yes to a Dress ...............................

price of catering, rentals, etc. Once a number

forget to ask them about it when you are

Your gown should be the focal point of the

is reached, don’t look back.

touring each location.

décor, so make sure you start shopping so you can make other important decisions.

Meet with the Officiant .......................

Hire Entertainment ..............................

Also, your dress may need alterations, allow

Obviously it is important that somebody be

Similar to the reception location, whether you

as much time as you can for these . . . just

present the day-of who has the legal power

want live entertainment or just a hip DJ, it is

in case.

to pronounce you man and wife. More than

important to book them as fast as you can

that it is important that you and your man

since these artists will likely be performing

discuss what type of ceremony (location,

at multiple events during the time of your

religious implications, etc.) you both want.

wedding.

Hire a Wedding Coordinator ...............

Book a Photographer/Videographer .....

If you choose to hire a wedding coordinator,

You are about to spend a lot of money for

you want to make sure you do this right after

a special day that will fly by in an instant.

the engagement so that the two of you can

Reward yourself and spend the money to hire

begin the wedding planning process together.

someone you trust to take the pictures/film

She will also help you make some of the

that will properly document your day. You will

big decisions about location, entertainment,

definitely want to be able to show your family,

photographer, etc—see below.

friends and (potential) future children how

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amazing your wedding day truly was.

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T h e C i t y G i r l’ s 6 - M o n t h B r i d a l C h e c k l i s t

Five Months Ahead Theme Your Day ..................................

Hire a Florist .........................................

While you can mix different ideas and

Compare different artisans around town and

styles, your decorations should center on a

decide on the florist that best encapsulates

core idea (or two at the most). Utilize social

the arrangements you want to see as you

media websites like Pinterest and choose

walk towards your groom on the big day.

something that reflects both you and your

Don’t forget to think about the reception too!

groom’s personalities and story. Order a Cake ......................................... Rent/Buy Decorations .........................

If your catering company is not in charge

Whether you decide to rent your decorations

of the cake, begin looking for a company in

from a party planning company or to find them

town that will be a good asset to your cakes

yourself to save money, this is your time to

(don’t forget to consider the groom’s cake,

start. This includes everything from the table

cupcakes and other sweets).

linens, to the tents, silver wear, dinner wear, to candles, mason jars, chandeliers and the rest.

Finalize the Guest List ......................... Hopefully you decided on a cap number last month, now it’s time to decide who gets to

Choose Invitations ...............................

come. Consult you family and make a list

Now is the time to select your invitations and

of the people you would most miss if they

other announcements. Try to plan ahead, if

weren’t present on your wedding day. Ask

you want save the dates, bridal luncheon

your groom’s family to do the same.

invitations, custom napkins, or any other paper products. Ordering them together will save you time and stress later on. Select Wedding Party Attire ............... You need to give your wedding party plenty of time to order their dresses/get sized for rentals. Also it is important to allow time for alterations. www.thecitymagazineelp.com

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T h e C i t y G i r l’ s 6 - M o n t h B r i d a l C h e c k l i s t

Weddings, 2016

FOUR Months Ahead

Shop for Favors ....................................

Plan the Honeymoon ...........................

This is one of the details you don’t want to

If time and circumstance permit, start planning

worry about at the last minute. Shop for the

your honeymoon. Choose a place that will

favors that reflect something unique about

give you and your honey a relaxing stay. This

you and your Beau, this is a fun accent people

will also include your accommodations for

will remember, so get creative!

your wedding night. Also, if you plan on going out of the country, it is important to obtain

Start Planning your

the proper visas and passports.

Bridesmaid’s Luncheon .......................

Some of your maids may have traveled a long

Legal Matters .......................................

way to be present, make sure to honor them

It is never too early to start thinking about

with a luncheon either the day-of, or the day

the legal tasks that will invariably follow your

before. Choose a location and keep it simple,

union. This includes changing your name,

you don’t want to have any unneeded stress

social security, banking accounts, custodial

so close to the wedding.

issues, premarital agreements, finances,

etc. Have a plan so everything comes

This is where the fun begins. Choose either

together perfectly when you return from your honeymoon.

one or two (four tops) of your favorite stores

that carry the items you and your hubby will actually use.

Three Months Ahead Accommodations .................................

The Rings ..............................................

If you have a lot of guests coming in from

If you don’t have them already, shop for your

out of town, set a block of rooms aside at a

wedding rings. It isn’t a bad idea to also shop

hotel in town. This will ensure that everyone

for/choose the jewelry you want to wear with

is together and able to socialize when they

your dress. While your at it, go ahead and

are not attending the wedding events.

make sure you have simple ceremony props like the ring bearers pillow, unity candle, unity

Transportation .....................................

First, make sure you have your transportation

sand and the flower girl basket if you are including such traditions in your ceremony.

to and from the wedding arranged, then

begin thinking about your guests. Don’t be

Mail the Invitations ..............................

afraid to delegate responsibility to eager

The moment you set these babies free at

family members to ensure that everyone has

the post office you will feel both a rush of

a ride.

excitement and a little anxiety—don’t worry, everything will come together perfectly!

Look For a Place to Live ......................

If you do not already have a pace of your own

Dance Lessons .....................................

together, now is the time to find one. Enlist

If you and dad/your groom want to look groovy

the help of a realtor and begin touring homes,

on the dance floor, enroll in dance lessons.

apartments, or condos.

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T h e C i t y G i r l’ s 6 - M o n t h B r i d a l C h e c k l i s t

Two Months Ahead Finalize the Ceremony .........................

Get a Marriage License .......................

Now is the time to crunch out the details of

Putting this off till the last minute can be

the actual ceremony. If you want readings,

scary and stressful, knock it out at the two-

poems, scripture, songs, etc.; basically

month mark to ensure that everything is legal

the structure of how you want the whole

when the timing is right.

ceremony to unveil. Take Bridal Pictures ............................. Finalize the Rehearsal Dinner ............. Normally the Groom’s parents are in charge

A newer tradition, a lot of brides have begun scheduling pictures before the event.

of doing this, but just in case, make sure everything is being put into motion.

One Month Ahead Pick up Gown/Make

Finalize the Guest List .........................

Final Alterations ..................................

By now, hopefully everyone has RSVP’d.

Put all your worries aside and try on your

Give your caterer and other vendors the final

dress with all of your jewelry and accessories.

count to make sure that there is enough food and frivolity for everyone.

Confirm Details with Service Personal ..................................

Make Place Cards

Whether you make a master schedule and

& Seating Arrangements ....................

distribute it out to all of your vendors or

With your finalized guest list go over each

simply call and confirm, you want to make

seating

sure they know where they need to be at

necessary cards and organization tools.

arrangement

and

prepare

the

exactly the right time. Create a Wedding Day Itinerary Contact Newspaper .............................

Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to family

If you would like an announcement to

members and your wedding party. Having

appear in the newspaper, send in all of your

this master schedule will help everyone know

information and bridal pictures.

where you are, where they are supposed to be, and what they need to do.

Shop for Wedding Party Gifts ............ Honor your special ladies and gents with heartfelt gifts to show them your appreciation.

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T h e C i t y G i r l’ s 6 - M o n t h B r i d a l C h e c k l i s t

Weddings, 2016

One-Week Out Write Checks and Pay Vendors ..........

Pick up Tuxedos ...................................

Do this early so when the Big Day finally

Do this as early as the rental company will

arrives, you can sit back and know that

permit in order to fix any mishaps that may

everything has been taken care of.

have occurred.

Reconfirm Travel Plans ........................

Assemble an Emergency Kit ...............

If you are leaving right after the wedding, make

You never know what might occur . . .

sure you reconfirm your plane tickets, car

make an emergency kit with thread and

rentals, accommodations . . . just to be sure.

needle, safety pins, pantyhose, toothpaste, deodorant, tissues, etc.

Pack for Your Honeymoon .................. Shop for small things like sunscreen, film,

Sit Back Relax & Enjoy! .......................

and make sure your bags are packed and

You’ve worked hard planning and it’s now

ready to go mid-week just in case your

time to experience all the fruits of your labor.

schedule gets crazy.

Best wishes!

week

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Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

AUS TIN • DALL AS • E L PA S O • HO U S TO N • THE WO O DL A N D S 5 9 2 5 Silver S prin gs S u ite D, E l Pa so, TX 79 9 12 I ( 9 15 ) 8 8 6 - 8 49 7 I ( 9 15 ) 3 03 - 5 070 198

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Weddings, 2016

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199

Weddings, 2016 Congratulations! If you are reading this, it most likely means that you are either about to begin a new life together with your partner, or you have just recently celebrated that occasion. In either case, congratulations on beginning a new chapter in your life. But now what? What does “share your life” or “build a life together” really mean? Below I have outlined 10 fundamental principles that in our firm’s experience should help you organize your legal and financial life, and begin building a solid foundation … together.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES FOR BEGINNING YOUR LEGAL AND FINANCIAL LIFE TOGETHER | By: MICHAEL C. GRAHAM, JD, CLTC |

Michael C. Graham, JD, CLTC The Graham Law Firm, PLLC

The Graham Law Firm, PLLC 416 North Stanton, Suite 430 El Paso, Texas 79901 915-598-8885 office 915-598-6116 fax 915-820-3407 mobile

1. Write down your objectives | Think about the life you want to have. It’s okay to dream big - just make sure your goals are realistic and achievable. But as the saying goes, if it is not written down it will not happen. 2. Analyze your cash flow | List all of your income sources and subtract all of your fixed expenditures. Hopefully, you’re left with a surplus. Set a goal to save 30% to 70% of your surplus. An excellent habit is “save first, spend second.” 3. Identify your priorities & develop your plan • Short-term goals - liquidity is important to have quick access to your assets. • Medium-term goals - this might include saving for a house, children’s education, or non-retirement goals. • Long-term goals (deﬁned by your expected retirement age) - liquidity is not important, and avoid withdrawing or borrowing from your retirement accounts prior to retirement. 4. Purchase Disability Income Insurance | Your ability to earn an income is your biggest asset. Ensure that either through employer benefits or personal coverage (often a combination of the two is required), you have sufficient disability income insurance to cover your expenses should an unforeseen illness or injury prevent you from working. 5. Make savings a habit three to six months.

| A good target is having enough savings to maintain your lifestyle for

6. Participate in your employer-sponsored retirement plan | An easy way to get started is to enroll in an automatic increase program and increase your deferral percentage annually to get to your desired percentage. 7. Choose appropriate investment allocations | A financial professional will help assess your risk tolerance, and then choose a diversified asset allocation that is designed for you. Don’t worry about how your friends or family invest. You are the only one who knows how much market volatility you can handle. 8. Be careful with debt | Be careful to consider how much of your take-home pay is being used to pay debt, and if you have consumer debt, pay higher rate debt first. Understand the difference between “good debt” (such as a mortgage) and “bad debt” (such as credit cards). 9. Don’t overspend on cars | Make sure you factor in the interest rates for auto loans, as well as insurance, gas, and maintenance when determining the amount that you can afford to finance. 10. Find a legal and a financial professional to work with | Qualified financial and legal professionals will help you develop, implement, and monitor your plan, keeping you on track to meet your financial goals. In most cases, wills that you prepared as a single individual will not accomplish the things that you specified after you get married. You will want to consider executing powers of attorney to provide for medical and financial emergencies, and other ancillary documents. A competent estate planning attorney can assist you in preparing these documents in accordance with your new status as a couple. Hopefully these suggestions will help you as your begin to build your life together. Enjoy your new life, celebrate each other, and begin to build the life together that you want.

200

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Weddings, 2016

6601 S Desert Blvd STE 201 El Paso, TX 79932

915-877-2255

www.thecitymagazineelp.com

201

oasissleepoutlet.com

medical

Weddings, 2016

LOOK YOUR BEST ON YOUR WEDDING DAY! | By: SOUTHWEST PLASTIC SURGERY |

fresher look. However, waiting until a few

What else can injectables be good for?

days before the wedding can backfire, and you will not get the results you are hoping

While most people associate injectables with

to achieve.

only the fine lines and wrinkles on their face, Botox and fillers can have a host of other

Frank Agullo, MD FACS Humberto Palladino, MD FACS

So, how long prior to your wedding day

desirable cosmetic effects. For example, it

should you get injectables?

can be applied to your cheeks and jawline, giving you a similar effect of a facelift. Also,

Before we answer this, you should know

your hands get a lot of attention on your

that there are a number of different types of

special day. Radiesse can help rejuvenate

injectables available. Botox is used to prevent

and get them photo ready. Some brides

10175 Gateway Blvd West, Suite 210 | East

or improve fine lines and wrinkles, you can

worry about excessive sweating, so Botox

5925 Silver Springs Dr., Suite C | West

also achieve great results with dermal fillers

can be injected under the arms to prevent

(915) 590-7900 www.swplasticsurgery.com

such as Juvederm (which comes in three

axillary hyperhidrosis. This can eliminate the

different types), and Radiesse to restore

embarrassment of underarm stains on your

volume and look younger. All of these

wedding dress! Some patients also seek

products are available at The Med Spa at

Botox for the relief of migraine headaches.

The MedSpa at Southwest Plastic Surgery

Southwest Plastic Surgery. For Facial Injectables Offer an Ideal Solution

individualized

assessment

Injectables should be done preferably two

injectables and skin care treatments, call

weeks to a month prior to the wedding day.

The Med Spa at Southwest Plastic Surgery

Every bride and groom want to look their

This is because it takes your skin several days to

915.590.7900 to schedule your one-on-one

best on their wedding day. If you have fine

adjust in order to get optimal results, and your

consultation. Just tell us the date of your

lines and wrinkles that make you feel self-

goal is to look as natural as possible. A few days

wedding, and what you wish to accomplish,

conscious in photographs, then you should

before the wedding is definitely not a good idea

we will do the rest!

consider injectables as a possible solution

and can make you look a bit off, especially if you

to hide those imperfections and acquire a

get puffy or a little bruised from the injections.

202

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Weddings, 2016

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203

STAY Connected Weddings, 2016

Claudia Castillo

like.

The City Magazine El Paso 5925 Silver Springs Dr., Suite A, El Paso, Texas 79912 :: 915.500.5730

Makeup Artistry

FB: Bella ByClaudia IG: _claudia_castillo

(915) 313-1124

RS AVO Y! L F 15 DAIL D E V ER

Smallcakes Cupcakery bakes and frosts fresh cupcakes every day! 204

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Catering Available I 2900 N. Mesa, Suite G, El Paso,www.thecitymagazineelp.com TX 79902 I 915.307.4562

Weddings, 2016

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Weddings, 2016

The city Weddings Advertiser INDEX

206

150 Sunset ..................................................................Pg. 15

Matthew Abraham Make Up Artistry .........................Pg. 119

Apartment Siete .........................................................Pg. 105

Melissa Aranda, Realtor..............................................Pg. 153

Ardovino’s Desert Crossing ......................................Pg. 168

Mint Weddings and Events .........................................Pg. 2,3

Bowie Bakery .............................................................Pg. 119

Mix/Milan Salon and Spa ............................................Pg. 175

Casa Buenavista .....................................................Pg. 18, 19

Montenegro Salon Spa .................................................Pg. 87

Cielo Vista Mall ...........................................................Pg. 203

Mr. Photo Booth EP ....................................................Pg. 127

City Lights Limousine Service ......................................Pg. 99

Mt. West Family Health Center ..................................Pg. 197

Charlotte’s Furniture ...................................................Pg. 183

National Furniture Liquidators ....................................Pg. 207

Claudia Castillo Makeup Artistry .................................Pg. 204

Nicholas Reyes Hair Salon ............................................Pg. 71

Cornerstone Realty .....................................................Pg. 119

Oasis Sleep Outlet & Hot Tubs ...................................Pg. 201

Craze Yogurt ...............................................................Pg. 196

Quartermane ..............................................................Pg. 198

Crystal Lune Lingerie .................................................Pg. 182

Rulis’ International Kitchen .................................Pg. 137, 208

David Paul ...................................................................Pg. 123

Sarabia’s .....................................................................Pg. 197

El Paso Country Club ....................................................Pg. 11

Skinbuddha Skin Care .................................................Pg. 181

El Paso’s Finest DJs .....................................................Pg. 17

Smallcakes..................................................................Pg. 204

Ella Blu ...........................................................................Pg. 1

Southwest Plastic Surgery .............................................Pg. 9

Eye Spa & Skin Laser Center..................................... Pg. 205

Sugar Skull Fashion Boutique .....................................Pg. 199

Fiore Events and Designs ...........................................Pg. 171

Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry.............................................Pg. 13

Grace Gardens ................................................................Pg. 7

Table Occasions ..........................................................Pg. 161

Johnson Jewelers ......................................................Pg. 171

The El Paso Club.........................................................Pg. 183

Joyeria Internacional ..................................................Pg. 153

Tropicana Homes ........................................................Pg. 107

Laura Carrillo Design Center .....................Inside Front Cover

Walgreens ..............................................................Pg. 20, 21

Los Portales ................................................Pg. 5, Back Cover

Where Paper Blooms ...................................................Pg. 45

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Weddings, 2016

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207

BEST

O F

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Weddings, 2016

Intimate Dinner Party or

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bridesmaid brunch • LUNCH • DINNEr • CATERING

Just a Great Little Gourmet Dive!

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4176 N. Mesa St., El Paso, TX 79902

www.thecitymagazineelp.com

I Have the to your real estate needs Melissa Aranda Sandy Messer and Associates Office: (915) 833-6111 Cell: (915) 694-4926 Fax: (915) 833-9461 missya9@ymail.com

Open the doors...

HISTORIC EVENT VENUE DRESS BY

300 S. Highway 28, Anthony, NM 88021 | (915) 229-0125 or (915) 471-5275