Texoma Bride Guide | Issue 004 | Winter/Spring 2019

THE (Texoma) BRIDE GUIDE

TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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Dress & Tux

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Dress

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SIMPLE PLANNING CHECKLIST

There are many things to do, people to talk to, and things to buy when it comes to planning your wedding. We created this general time-line for brides who like the reminders or reassurance that they’re on track. A more extensive planning checklist including lists of everything you need for each micro-event within your wedding festivities is available for download on our website: www.texomabrideguide.com Sixteen to Nine Months Before

Five to Four Months Before

One Month

Book the rehearsal-dinner venue Check on printing of wedding invitations Order the cake Purchase shoes and start dress fittings Schedule hair and makeup artists Choose songs Plan welcome gifts

Phone invitees who haven’t submitted their RSVPs Get marriage license Mail rehearsal-dinner invitations Have final dress fitting Send out as many final payments as you can Confirm times for hair and makeup and vendors Assign reception seating Purchase parent and wedding party gifts Write vows, if necessary

Start a wedding folder Work out the budget Build your wedding party Settle on a head count Hire a planner, if desired Book the date and venues Book the officiant Research photographers bands, florists, and caterers

Eight Months Before Book the photographer and videographer Book entertainment Register Purchase your wedding dress Start meeting caterers Reserve block of hotel rooms for guests Launch a wedding website Seven to Six Months Before Purchase invitations and hire a calligrapher Plan your honeymoon Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses Meet with the officiant Send Save-the-Date cards Reserve structural and electrical necessities Book the florist Procure transportation Start composing a day-of time-line

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Three Months Before Finalize the menu and the flowers Order favors, if desired Create a toast makers’ list Finalize readings Purchase the rings Finalize order of the ceremony and reception Print menu cards and programs Purchase undergarments and visit dressmaker for second fitting Send schedule to vendors Two Months Before Discuss locations and shots with photographer Review play-list with the band or the DJ Send invitations Touch base with vendors

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Week of Reconfirm arrival times with all vendors Delegate small wedding-day tasks to friends and family members Send final time-line to bridal party Make arrangements for the dress to be delivered or pick it up yourself Supply photographer with a list of moments you want captured Set aside checks and tip envelope for vendors Send final guest count to caterer and venues Break in shoes Assemble welcome gifts and distribute

(EIGHT PHRASES) YOU NEED TO KNOW

The wedding industry has a language of its own, and you’re probably not used to hearing and using these words every day. We’ve gathered some of the most common and what we deem the most important to get you started on learning the words and terms you’ll need to understand when planning your wedding.

DAY-OF COORDINATOR The ideal choice for couples who may not want (or be able to afford) a full-service planner but still want a pro the day of the wedding to assure everything goes smoothly.

VENUE COORDINATOR

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE Also known as COI, it’s common practice for event venues to require vendors working in the space, especially florists, photographers, caterers and musicians to submit proof of general liability insurance in the amount of at least $1 million and to list the venue as additionally insured for the wedding date. That way, if anything goes wrong, neither the venue nor you are responsible.

An employee of the wedding reception venue that acts as a liaison between the bride and groom and the venue’s operations team. Every venue’s Coordinator’s roles may vary, but typically their CORKAGE FEE focus is solely to deliver their contracted services Unless provided by your caterer, many venues and oversee the building as a whole. and caterers charge an opening fee per bottle of FOOD AND BEVERAGE MINIMUM alcohol, wine or champagne that you supply. The price per bottle can range drastically, so ask ahead of time about your venue’s regulations This is your contracted minimum spend at your surrounding alcohol. Then factor the additional venue. In most cases it does not include venue cost into your budget if you plan to bring your rental fees, service fees or taxes. Be sure you’re own bottles of vino or are envisioning an clear on what counts towards your minimum. elaborate champagne toast at the reception.

Please please understand that your food and beverage minimum is NOT an estimate of your actual spend.

PER-PERSON

RSVP The abbreviation RSVP is so well known that it’s actual meaning is what needs defining. In French, “repondez s’il vous plait” translates to “please reply.” To avoid any last-minute guest list headaches, require our guests to respond “yes” or “no” at least two to three weeks before the wedding.

The PP that appears next to the pricing you see on your contracts that indicates the cost per guest. You’ll want to keep an eye out for this type of pricing structure on anything that involves your catering or liquor choices.

MARRIAGE LICENSE Obtained from a state registrar’s office before your wedding, a marriage license grants you permission to legally wed. After the signed license is filed, you’ll receive a marriage certificate as record of your union.

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THE SUBTLE ART OF WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING Your wedding dress will set the tone for your entire wedding. Our best advice: say yes to your dress as early in your wedding planning process as possible. Not only will this relieve bridal stress, it also ensures that the dress will arrive on time and will have plenty of time for any needed alterations.

Wedding dresses take time to produce, and most are manufactured overseas which can mean long shipping times and possible delays as it goes through customs.

No matter your budget, shape, personal taste, wedding size, or wedding type, there is a perfect dress out there just waiting for you to find it.

Be sure to make appointments at any bridal shop you wish to visit.

Plan to visit several since they carry different designers and styles.

Above all, don’t forget to bring along your mom, your fiancé’s mom and your best gal pals!

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Before you head to your local bridal shop, favorite bridal store chain, or bridal warehouse, take a moment to consider the theme and location of your wedding as well as your own personal, everyday style. This will help you narrow your search. For example, a princess wedding dress with a long train may be beautiful, but not well-suited to a breezy destination wedding on the beach. Strapless wedding dresses may fit the standard idea of what you think a bridal dress should be, but the time of year or location of your venue may make wedding dresses with straps, sleeves, or a jacket more practical.

While considering these factors will certainly help you narrow the field, the most important factors in trimming down your search are your personal style and which silhouettes make you feel the most confident. If you hate lace, and curve-hugging dresses make you feel self-conscious, it is probably safe to assume that all lace-covered, form fitting wedding dresses can be crossed off the list. You want to look beautiful and bridal on your wedding day, but you also want to be comfortable and feel like yourself.

If you don’t already know what types of dresses highlight your favorite parts and conceal those that you aren’t that fond of – an easy place to start is by determining the best fit for your body type.

HOURGLASS

You have a full bust and hips with a smaller waistline.

A-line/Princess Mermaid/Trumpet Sheath

TALL AND THIN

PETITE

You are proportional through the bust and hips with an undefined waistline.

Your shorter height is proportional to your smaller bust, hips, and waistline.

Ball Gown A-line/Princess Mermaid/Trumpet Empire Waist

Column/Sheath A-line/Princess Empire Waist

APPLE

PEAR

FULL FIGURE

You have a full bust in relation to your small hips.

You have a small bust in relation to full hips.

You have a fuller bust, hips, and waist.

Ball Gown Mermaid A-line/Princess Empire Waist

Ball Gown A-line/Princess Empire Waist

Ball Gown A-line/Princess Empire Waist

There’s so much more to know!

Download our free Wedding Dress Guide for more wedding dress shopping tips and tricks. texomabrideguide.com 14

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photo by Gingersnap Studios TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE BRIDAL SALON Wedding dress shopping can be one of the most exciting times in a bride’s life – but it can also be one of the most overwhelming. There are so many types of wedding dresses to choose from nowadays that all that excitement can quickly turn into anxiety. From classic princess wedding dresses to the modern mermaid wedding dress, romantic lace wedding dresses to flowy wedding dresses in dreamy chiffon – how is a bride to choose? The first step to finding the answer is to arm yourself with information about the different styles of wedding dresses, how they add to the overall look and feel of your wedding day, and, most importantly, how they look and feel on you.

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Do some research on the shop before you go for a visit to get an idea of the sizes a shop carries. Wedding dresses are notoriously small fitting, and bridal shops only carry sample sizes. The most popular sample sizes are usually 8-10 (in wedding dress size), so be prepared to ignore the number. Depending on your size and shape, you may have to be clipped into a dress. You may have seen some pictures as you’ve been browsing styles online, but your consultant will take giant butterfly clips and secure the dress to better fit your shape. Or, if the dress is on the smaller side (which is totally normal!), they can clip a piece of fabric, sometimes referred to as a modesty panel, in the back to help cover you up when you leave the dressing room to stand in front of the mirror and your guests.

Don't expect to find your dream dress on your first appointment. Initial appointments tend to be about an hour long, during which you can expect to try on a selection of different gowns. Keep an open mind and try different styles, even if you think you might not like them; you’ll be surprised at what suits you and what doesn’t. Boutique consultants will listen to your desires, but are also well versed in finding dresses that compliment your body shape, wedding theme, and most importantly, your personality.

We don’t recommend taking too many people with you. Two to three people for your first couple appointments is plenty. Bridal salons tend to be crowded anyway, and you want everyone to be comfortable because they’re going to be sitting and waiting on you.

After you arrive, browse the show room to get an idea of the selection. When it is time for your appointment, your consultant will put you in a dressing room and ask you to strip down to your underwear while they go collect dresses for you to try on. When the consultant returns with your first round of dresses, she will help you put them on. Depending on the style, you can step into the dress or the consultant will put it over your head. The consultant will be very discreet, so try not to feel self-conscious about a stranger seeing you in your underwear. Keep in mind that they are used to seeing ladies of all shapes and sizes so focus less on them and more on the dresses you are trying on.

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WHAT TO WEAR TO THE SALON What you wear under the dress can make a huge difference in how the dress fits and looks. Before heading to the bridal salon to find your dress, put some thought behind the type of under-things you’re going to need for your wedding day.

BRA Even if you think you want straps on your gown, you'll likely still end up trying on a dress or two without straps, or with a different neckline. We recommend wearing or bringing a strapless bra with you. This will help you see what the dresses look like without your bra straps in the way. It's fine to go out and shop for a new bra after you've found the dress, but avoid bringing or wearing an old one that is falling apart and doesn’t make the girls look their best. You can put it back on when you get home. We understand.

UNDERWEAR A marathon of trying on wedding dresses isn't the time to be distracted by panty lines or the peek of hot pink lace. Don’t go completely granny panty on us, but wear a simple pair of underwear. Something close to your skin-tone if you have it. You’ll thank us later.

Find us on Pinterest for more wedding dress inspiration!

 pinterest.com/txomabrideguide

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SHAPEWEAR If you’re considering using shape-wear under your dress, bring that with you to your dress consultations. Not all dress fabrics work well with shape-ware, it’s best to learn what works and what doesn’t before you make your decision.

SHOES We recommend bringing along a pair of shoes that are a similar height to what you plan on wearing on the big day. Most bridal boutiques have shoes you can borrow when trying on dresses, but we prefer something we own rather than something that doesn't fit, isn’t the correct height, or isn't your style.

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HOW TO MAKE YOUR DRESS LAST FOREVER Most wedding gowns take quite a beating on the day of the wedding. Gowns can acquire numerous types of stains from the floor, sand, water, food, and who knows what else throughout the day that are invisible to the eye! Sugar stains are the most common and don’t pose a problem until later if not properly cleaned. Tequila, Chardonnay, and soda are the most common threats. An educated and seasoned dry cleaner will know the difference between these stains and the appropriate steps to remove them, including the stains we cannot see.

There are 2 types of preservation: sealed and unsealed. And they’re pretty much what they sound like.

Sealed preservation is the most inexpensive, but you wind up with a dress in a box with a tiny little window you can see through. Opening the box voids the warranty, so you can’t check the dress to make sure it wasn’t damaged in the cleaning process. Or you won’t know if the dress gets damaged over time in the box until it could be too late.

That’s why we recommend the unsealed method of preservation. It’s similar to what museums around the world use to store delicate historical artifacts, so we know there has to be something right going on. The dress is placed in a stable polypropylene box that has no window. Light is one of the biggest causes of damage, so it makes sense that you’d want to keep the light out. The gown is layered with special archival tissue paper and wrapped in muslin. The tissue and muslin act as filters to protect the gown from light, humidity, and dust. The tissue will also absorb any acid near or on the gown, preventing it from turning yellow.

Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. The sealed method is about half the cost of the unsealed method. If keeping your dress in like-new condition is a priority, it’s worth it to spend the extra money to make sure the preservation is done well. Not all gowns are the same and a good dry cleaner will ask to see the gown first before giving a proper quote. Most gowns will run between $150-$300 to clean properly.

Once your gown is cleaned and preserved, it’s up to you to store it safely. Temperature and humidity changes can wreak havoc on the dress, so garage, attic, or basement storage is discouraged.

We recommend finding space in a closet, under a bed, or in a guest bedroom somewhere. Don’t have room in your tiny little apartment? Try asking your Mom or your new Mother-in-law if she can help you store the dress.

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THE BLUSHING BRIDE

Face: We love going to the spa and getting a professional facial, but that isn’t always possible. If you want to try some at-home treatments like masks from Target, make sure you start early to make sure you don’t have any negative reactions to the ingredients. Make sure you use sunscreen on your face daily!

Hair: Fine-tune your cut and color, but this is not the time for a radical change! Keep it simple and natural.

In addition, incorporate a weekly deep-conditioning mask into your hair routine from here on out.

Schedule hair and makeup consultations if you’re having these professional done for your wedding. If you can get them on the same day, even better! Bring pictures of your dress, accessories, veil, even a swatch of fabric if you have one, and as many inspiration images from Pinterest as possible.

Body: If you are able, schedule time with a personal trainer and a nutritionist. At the very least, find some fitness videos on YouTube, or grab a gal pal and go for a walk. Adding some sort of physical activity for just 30 minutes a day will make a world of difference in how you look and feel!

Diet: A crash diet is never a good idea- setting yourself up for success in the long term is what you want to do. Start making smart decisions when it comes to eating, maybe have a few less desserts or glasses of wine.

Sherman (903) 328-6554 Whitesboro (903) 564-9815

Treat yourself, your fiancé and your bridal party to one of our bridal packages put together with overall health and wellness in mind. Enjoy massages, foot detox sessions, sauna sessions, gym membership and classes all at a special price to help you look your best for the big day!

Call your nearest clinic today for more information and pricing!

texomawellness.com

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(469) 450-0865

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ï…­himeshair

www.brookehimeshairdesign.com

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photo by Asher Creek Photography

THE ESSENTIAL GROOM GUIDE TUXEDO OR SUIT? Today’s less formal weddings often seem suited (see what we did there?) to a more casual approach to men’s wear. A black tuxedo with a starched white shirt and cufflinks is always a classic and perfect for a formal event, but don’t forget how good your man looks in a suit. If you know where to look, you can get a nice suit on sale for about the same cost as renting a tuxedo.

Tuxedo rental businesses have caught onto this less formal trend and are now offering more casual options for rent. This rental option may be less stressful than coordinating six men to go shopping together to ensure they get the same slacks.

RENT OR BUY? This question comes up repeatedly. Sure, it is more expensive to purchase a tuxedo, but you do end up with a custom fit that may pay for itself over time. To help you decide, think about how often you will have the opportunity to wear a tuxedo.

If you’re coordinating with the rest of the wedding party, rent. Don’t be worried about the tuxedos looking cheap or worn out. Reputable locations rent high quality, well-constructed garments made specifically to withstand a lot of use and dry-cleaning without wearing out.

Don’t forget to rent shoes!

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RENTING A TUXEDO The way tuxedo rentals used to work involved being measured, picking up your tux the day before the wedding, and hoping everything fits and looks nice. For most of us, this involved a trip to the Dallas area to visit the store, and then coordinating who would make the trip after the wedding to return all the rentals. If something didn’t fit or was missing, resolving the issue could be a headache and usually involves another drive to Dallas.

Online tuxedo rental companies are part of a growing market of direct-to-consumer, online retailers that are working to improve the experience of shopping for or renting formal clothing and accessories. The process of renting a tux online is still about the same as the in-store experience.

About three months before the wedding, the couple getting married will pick out the style they want and inform the wedding party where to send their measurements. The best part- everything happens online and through the mail. To help those of us who don’t take measurements every day, most of the online sites have a tutorial system to help renters measure their own lengths and widths.

The online rental companies mail out the tuxedos two weeks before the wedding to give everyone a chance to make sure everything fits and is in tip-top shape. Typically, garments from the online companies have a much shorter rental life, usually less than 20 wears, than the traditional stores. If something doesn’t fit right, send it back for a different size. The return process is just as simple- each renter can drop their tuxedo in the mail using the provided prepaid label.

Another great benefit of using an online tuxedo rental company is that they’ll help you get in touch with everyone and make sure they’ve done their part. So that friend who always procrastinates will be reminded that their measurements are due, and you won’t have to lift a finger!

The groom should be the best dressed of all the men in the wedding party. If the photographer can’t tell the groom from a groomsman, a guest, his father in law, or a waiter, you’re doing it wrong. Outfit your groomsmen so they complement the groom without identically matching.

Use the code BPTEXOMABRIDEGUIDE at checkout to get 20% off your rental!* *A minimum of jacket & pants is required to receive the discount.

www.generationtux.com TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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HOW TO FIND YOUR DREAM VENUE There is an adage that is as true for weddings as it is for real estate: Location, Location, Location.

Picking your Texoma area wedding venue is important and should be one of the first items if not the first item - on your wedding planning to-do list. After all, isn’t your wedding just as big of an investment and as important of a life event as purchasing real estate? We think so.

Old Quail Run Farm

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WHEN TO BOOK YOUR WEDDING VENUE

Honestly, if you’re reading this, the answer is probably now. Both ceremony and reception venues can book up a year or more in advance, so if you want a venue that you like, can actually afford, is in the chosen location, is convenient for your guests, has your preferred date available, and isn’t already booked - securing a venue is your first priority.

CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING DATE

Many couples decide their wedding date based on any number of sentimental reasons: a dating anniversary, when they first met, a romantic holiday, a parent or grandparent’s anniversary. This is a lovely thought, and one you should stick to if it’s really important to you and your partner. However, it may restrict your venue selection.

For example, let’s pretend you had your heart set on a September wedding, but you love a venue that is not available until June of the following year. You will either have to compromise on your date or find a different venue. It all depends on your priorities.

It is a good idea to discuss and decide your wedding planning priorities with your partner before officially booking any venue. It is also important to remember that your wedding date isn’t officially reserved until you sign the venue contract, and, in most cases, not until you pay the deposit.

Download our free Venue Guide for more information. texomabrideguide.com TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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6196 N3860 Road Bokchito, Oklahoma 74726

WWW.ROCKINRRANCHOK.COM

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202 South Pearl Trenton, Texas 75490 26

weddings receptions events

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thegreengableshouse.com

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party barn parties/pool cottage rental

214-499-5290

3803 Ward Neal Road Bells, Texas 75414

www.willowoodranch.com

(903) 891-0070

2611 E DAIRY LANE | TISHOMINGO, OKLAHOMA 73460 THEWILDFLOWEROK.COM

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Magnolia Grace Ranch Elegant & Rustic Event Venue

Contact us to schedule a tour today!

Leonard, TX

magnoliagraceranch.com

297 Cemetery Rd., Pottsboro, TX www.grayacresvenue.com 28

903-647-8923

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Gordonville, Texas cedarmills.com 903-523-4222

TWO DIFFERENT VENUES, OR ONE VENUE If you want to have a religious ceremony in the church where you grew up, but the church doesn’t have the facilities to support the type of reception you want, you will want to find a separate reception venue. If getting married in a church isn’t a priority, there are plenty of options in Texoma with beautiful ceremony sites and plenty of space for you and your guests to party the night away.

If you do choose two venues, map out the logistics of how you and your guests will travel from the ceremony to the reception, and plan to provide transportation for the bridal party at a minimum.

Parking is also something to consider as many cars shift from one location to another.

INDOOR OR OUTDOOR

Rustic, outdoor weddings have become a popular trend in the last few years. If you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding, please keep two things in mind: the weather and a backup plan. We know it is obvious, but planning an outdoor wedding in Texoma in the heat of the summer is not something we would recommend.

In case of bad weather, make sure your venue has a building or other covered space that could be used or plan to rent a tent. Keep in mind that rented tents do not look like camping tents or the awnings you see over cookouts at the park. They are large structures that can be accessorized with other rental items such as lights, fabric, and floor coverings, and truly rival any indoor space.

Other things to keep in mind when planning an outdoor wedding include bugs, a power source, restroom facilities, accessibility. The more rural the location, the more amenities you will have to provide.

THE CEREMONY VENUE

THE RECEPTION VENUE

The ceremony venue is arguably one of the most important aspects of your wedding, as this is the place where you and your fiancé will be married in front of your friends and family. While you want it to be special and reflective of your love for each other, there are some logistical things to consider before booking the ceremony venue.

You’ll want to ensure that your reception venue has enough room to accommodate all your guests comfortably as well as the activities you’ve planned for your wedding reception. As you look around, try to envision the way the space would be used. In addition to places for guests to eat and mingle, consider the space and layout needed for the cake, gifts, dance floor, photo booth, etc.

Think about how you want your ceremony to flow. Is having a center aisle for you to walk down to your fiancé at the beginning of the ceremony important? Where will your attendants stand? Will you be kneeling at any time in your ceremony? Is there space for musical accompaniment? Make sure the ceremony space can accommodate your vision for your ceremony.

Learn about the restrictions and rules associated with the venue. If you absolutely love the venue, knowing these restrictions will help you incorporate them into your vision for your day. For example, if the reception must end at 9 p.m. sharp because of noise restrictions but you want to dance the night away, consider having an after-party elsewhere to keep the festivities going.

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QUESTIONS TO ASK •

Is our date available?

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Is there, or can you set-up, a coat room?

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Are there others looking to rent your venue on our date?

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Are candles or open flames allowed?

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What is the facility rental fee, and what is included in that fee?

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Does the site have any noise or music restrictions?

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What is the length of the facility rental? Are there overtime fees if the wedding reception lasts longer?

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Are there any decorating restrictions?

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For outdoor weddings, what is the alternative plan if it rains?

Will there be another event on the site during, before or after ours? If so, how will this impact our event?

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When can we get into the facility to begin decorating for the wedding?

What on-site staff do you provide for the day of the wedding?

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What type of clean-up is required?

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What is the required deposit and when is it due?

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Is there a fee for security personnel?

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When is the balance on the facility fee due?

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Will there be enough parking for my guests?

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What is the cancellation policy?

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Do you offer valet services?

CEREMONY VENUE

RECEPTION VENUE

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Are there changing rooms for the bridal party?

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Are there picturesque locations for photos, both inside and out?

Is there an in-house caterer or a list of preferred caterers? If so, are they exclusive caterers, or can we bring in our own?

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Do you have an in-house pianist or organist that we could use?

Are there on-site kitchen facilities? What do they include?

•

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Is there a podium and/or a microphone? Is there a sound system?

Do you allow alcohol to be served? If so, what are your policies?

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Will you allow photographs and videos during the ceremony?

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Learn more about our favorite Texoma venues at tbgvendors.com/venues

INTIMATE WEDDING & EVENT VENUE 810 N Frisco Rd Sherman, Texas 75090 facebook.com/thegardensherman (903) 513-9605

A venue created with love, in a serene and tranquil setting that surpasses all expectations.

A venue created to be special, just like YOU. A venue that hosts only one wedding per weekend, YOURS!

Whitewright, Texas bethelranch.com | 870-538-8707

Dean Acres 828 Old Tioga Rd Gunter, Texas 75058 (903) 870-8721

2475 Blanks Rd Tioga, TX 76271

wheredreamscometruevenue.com

(913) 484-5807 TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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PREPARING FOR THE UNKNOWN

The day has finally arrived. It’s your wedding day! You’ve been planning this event down to the very last detail for over a year and nothing could go wrong. Except when it does. Best case scenario, it rains on your big day and you must rent an expensive tent for your outdoor ceremony and reception at the last minute. Worst case scenario, someone drinks too much at your reception, drives under the influence, gets in a crash, and ends up suing you.

Wedding insurance exists to protect your investment in your big day from circumstances beyond your control. We also recommend that you check with each of your vendors to see if they have their own insurance so you don’t pay for overlapping coverage.

There are two different types of wedding insurance available, which provide different types of protection for you, your venue, and your wedding. Be sure you understand the differences: Wedding Liability Insurance: Some venues require couples to purchase this for protection in the event of injuries, property damage or alcohol-related accidents.

Cancellation/Postponement Insurance: In case of unpredictable illness, inclement weather, no show vendors, damage to gifts or to the bride’s dress, etc.

Please note that the above statement is for informational purposes only. All statements are subject to the provisions, exclusions, and conditions of the applicable policy. For an actual description of all coverages, terms, and conditions, please speak with an insurance agent.

Photo by: Don’t Blink Photography Venue: Bell Tower Event Center 32

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MARRIAGE LICENSE

Marriage licenses must be obtained from the county clerk’s office and presented to your officiant prior to the beginning of your wedding ceremony. Following the ceremony, the officiant fills out the license, and asks the witnesses, usually the maid of honor and best man, to sign it. Some officiants will file the license for you at the courthouse, or you will have to do it yourself. Once the license is filed and processed, you will receive your marriage certificate.

The cost, requirements, and validity varies between Oklahoma and Texas, but you don’t have to be a resident of either state to get married there. Be sure to research the state’s marriage license requirements where you will be getting married so that you understand the time-lines and associated costs.

GRAYSON COUNTY, TEXAS 100 W Houston, Suite 17 | Sherman | (903) 813-4283

BRYAN COUNTY, OKLAHOMA 402 W Evergreen St #C1 | Durant | (580) 924-1446

COOKE COUNTY, TEXAS 216 West Pecan Street | Gainesville | (940) 668-5420

CARTER COUNTY, OKLAHOMA 20 B St SW #203 | Ardmore | (580) 223-5253

FANNIN COUNTY, TEXAS 800 E. 2nd Street | Bonham | (903) 583-7486

JOHNSTON COUNTY, OKLAHOMA 403 W Main St #101 | Tishomingo | (580) 371-3184

LAMAR COUNTY, TEXAS 119 North Main | Paris | (903) 737-2420

LOVE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA 405 West Main, #203 | Marietta | (580) 276-3059

WICHITA COUNTY, TEXAS 900 7th St, Room 250 | Wichita Falls | (940) 766-8100

MARSHALL COUNTY, OKLAHOMA 219 Plaza | Madill | (580) 795-3220

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A newspaper engagement announcement is one of the first opportunities for a couple to announce their engagement to the public using their local and city press. With different requirements for each newspaper and issues of etiquette to consider, writing newspaper engagement announcements can be tricky, especially if you’re writing your own.

costs. Be sure to ask about length requirements and whether or not they accept photos. Some newspapers have a form for you to fill out, which they then use to compile your wedding details into their own newspaper format. Others will allow you to write the announcement.

Typically written in the past tense (since the engagement has already occurred), the announcement is from the point-of-view of the party hosting the wedding, traditionally the parents of the bride-to-be.

The first step is to contact the news source in which you plan on placing the announcement to find out their guidelines and any associated TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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Marriage means sharing the rest of your life with your best friend, knowing that there is always someone by your side, through all the ups and downs, and that you will always have someone who has to laugh at your bad jokes.

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LIMO OR PARTY BUS? When making plans for wedding transportation, you will want to consider all the different places people will be moving between. Will you need to move people from the getting ready location, to the ceremony and then to the reception? Who will you be providing transportation for?

You will want to make sure your important guests, such as parents, grandparents and the wedding party, have a way to get around. You don’t necessarily have to rent a limo to for them to ride in, but make sure there is a plan to get them from one place to another. Hiring professional transportation is one way to ease the stress of coordinating rides or worrying about designated drivers. If parking is going to be an issue at your wedding venue, consider renting a party bus to move guests.

Most planning checklists recommend booking your transportation at least four months in advance.

However, if you’re getting married during prom and graduation season, you will want to book your transportation even earlier due to demand.

As with all vendors you’re hiring for your wedding, be sure to get all of the details in writing from your transportation company. You will want to confirm that the company is licensed and insured.

This means the drivers have received the proper training and the vehicles meet all the legal requirements for operation.

QUESTIONS TO ASK •

What car types, sizes and colors do you have available?

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What is the passenger capacity?

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Do you charge by the hour, or by mileage?

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What does the driver wear?

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What amenities do your vehicles have?

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Are any food and beverages provided in our rental?

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What does the your insurance policy cover?

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What are you cancellation and refund policies?

The White Rose Limo

facebook.com/thewhiteroselimo (903) 821-4763

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Rockin’ R’ Ranch

THE SIMPLE CEREMONY PLANNER Planning the party is the most fun and takes the most time, but don’t wait until the last moment to plan the ceremony. When you’re not stressing over floral arrangements or frosting flavors, take the time to schedule a time to sort out your ceremony. Here’s everything you need to know.

TYPE OF CEREMONY The first order of business is to decide is whether you want a religious or secular ceremony. There is no right or wrong answer, and one is not necessarily easier than the other. As with all decisions you have to make when planning your wedding, this is your day and you should get married in an environment that suits you both.

If you and your fiancé are considering a religious ceremony, remember that some religious services require a specific location, like a church, temple, or mosque. However, some religious officiants will be glad to go to an untraditional location. Consult with the officiants you are considering before you make final decisions to avoid any uncomfortable situations. Also, remember that you may be required to be a member of a specific religious institution if you want to be married on their property.

A civil ceremony is one that is still legal, but the exact requirements you need to meet vary from state to state, and even from county to county. Having a civil ceremony means that you’re free to be more creative with the elements you want to add or remove, or to have a destination wedding or an elopement. That’s not to say that you couldn’t make a religious ceremony work for all of those, but it will be much simpler to create an untraditional wedding with a civil ceremony.

When it comes to who will be marrying you, you’ll need to check out the legal requirements for your area once again. If you have any questions, you can always contact the county clerk’s office in the city where you will be having the ceremony to find an officiant that will fit your needs. Keep in mind that if you want to be married by a close friend or family member, they’ll need to be ordained first. After you’ve found your officiant, follow up about paperwork, fees, or counseling that may be required before you can be considered legally married.

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VOWS

If you and your fiancé decide to write personal vows, we recommend setting some guidelines before you begin writing. Maybe limit them to 30 seconds or a minute, or say that you’re both going to tell a story about your life as a couple. Begin by collecting inspiration from old texts or love letters, other weddings, books, or movies and documenting them somewhere. About a month before your wedding, compile our gathered thoughts into a draft. Remember that this is just your first attempt, so it’s fine if it’s a little choppy or rambling. Wait a couple of days, then come back to edit. Read it aloud and make sure it sounds like you, because you’re the one getting married.

As your wedding day nears, go back and review your vows periodically. Reading and re-reading for clarity or working in additional thoughts as they come to you. By taking the time to write your vows over the weeks leading up to your wedding and not waiting until the last minute, you will not only be confident in your words, but you will know that you put your best self into them.

CEREMONY ORDER

The basic order of events can be applied to almost any ceremony, but you may want to add or take away any elements that don’t fit your wedding vision. We recommend including your officiant in the planning of your ceremony, as they will know more about what is practical.

Prelude: It is customary to have music play as your guests begin to arrive for the ceremony.

Processional: This is a fancy word for special guests and the wedding party entering the church to take their place. This usually concludes with the entrance of the bride.

Greeting: The wedding officiant will usually say a few words to welcome your guests, remind them to turn off their cell phones, and thank them for coming.

Address or Homily: This is the time for your officiant to share personal details about you and your fiancé, or for a sermon if you’re having a church wedding.

Declaration of Intent: This is the only legally required aspect of the ceremony. The officiant will ask you to take your fiancé as your legally wedded partner, and you will answer with “I do”, or “I will”, or something to that effect.

Unity Ritual: If you want to include a special ceremony signify your bond, this is a good time to do so. You could also do this after exchanging rings, if that would suit your vision.

Exchanging of the Vows: This is where you recite your personal vows, or repeat after the officiant using traditional wording.

Exchanging of the Rings: These vows are different than the above vows, but are usually very short and done “repeat-after-me” style.

Closing Remarks and Declaration: The officiant may offer a blessing, a benediction, or piece of advice before declaring that you’re married and announcing the kiss.

Recessional: The opposite of the processional, this is a fancy word for everybody leaves the church, and heads to the party!

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ONE TABLE AT A TIME Remember all of those amazing photos you have seen of your venue?

The space did not start out the day looking like that. Most likely, the majority of those items were rented. It takes a keen eye for colors, textures, and lighting to create the look and feel you see in those photos. We’ve got a few pointers to help even the most un-stylish have a beautifully styled wedding.

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table by Wabi-Sabi Vintage

Don’t make any assumptions that your venue comes with anything. If you’ve booked a raw space, get ready to rent everything down to the bathrooms. Please don’t forget those or you’ll have some unhappy guests. If you’re planning an outdoor event, it goes without saying, you will need to make sure you have a backup plan. Be sure to have a tent or other covering on standby to ensure the comfort and safety of your guests.

If you’re lucky, your venue comes with chairs and tables, maybe even cloths for those tables. Those chairs are probably standard folding chairs, and the tablecloths are probably white. Your caterer may provide standard white plates and unremarkable flatware. All of that is fine, but why not glam it up a bit?

From a photography point of view, consider the two most photographed spaces of the day: the altar where you say your vows and the head table at the reception where the married couple sit and where the toasts are usually given. Instead of spending your money on tiny details like custom candy or elaborate escort cards, we recommend investing in something that will not only enhance the feel of your wedding but will really enhance your images as well! Couples are often afraid to even dream about rentals because they assume it will be outside their budget, but it’s more affordable than you may think.

You can rent crowd-pleasers such as cotton candy makers and popcorn machines for a late night snack. If the weather is going to get cooler when the sun sets, propane space heaters are always a nice thing to have on hand for outdoor spaces.

RENT OR BUY?

DELIVERY & SET UP

Ah, this question again. You did read the section on Groom’s Attire, didn’t you? The idea is the same, but on a much larger scale. One of the main benefits of renting: storage. Sure, you can buy 15 teal tablecloths, but what are you going to do with them after the wedding? You can take the time to sell them online, but at the end of the day, it may end up being cheaper (and less hassle) to rent them.

Delivery and set-up before the event, and pick-up after the event, are just as important as the rental items themselves. When selecting your venue, think about the items you’ll want to rent and where they will go. This will help you determine how difficult it will be to get the items delivered and set up at the venue. It is also important to have an idea of how long set-up and tear-down will take. This may impact your venue rental time.

Rental companies have an amazing collection of goods they’re more than happy to let you use for your event. Companies that specialize in event rentals have high quality items that are in great shape. These items get cleaned after every event, and are replaced once they start looking less than their best.

Remember to order 3 or 4 more of pretty much everything than you think you will need. It is always better to have extra chairs than to make a guest stand because you don’t have enough. Talk to your vendors, particularly your caterer, about other types of rentals you might need.

Be sure to find out when rental items need to be removed from the venue after the reception and who is responsible for getting them back to the rental company. Assign someone in the bridal party to oversee this task on your wedding day, even if the rental company is responsible for picking up the items.

Follow up with your rental company to finalize your rentals two to three months before your wedding.

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Tables

Party Rentals

Chairs

Tuxedo Rental

Linens

Catering

Tents

Tableware

Decor

Cake Stands

Lighting

Bounce Houses

Flowers

Dance Floor

Bathrooms

Invitations

Draping

www.a1wedding.com 903-463-7709 Bounce Houses Magicians Entertainers Decor Balloon Sculptures & More

VINTAGE PROP + TABLE TOP RENTAL @WabiSabi_Vintage

www.wabisabivintage.com 40

TEXOMA BRIDE GUIDE | WINTER/SPRING 2019

580-931-9083 info@texomaparties.com www.TexomaParties.com

LIGHTING

If you’re using a DJ, they may bring their own lights for the dance floor, but there are other ways to use lights to add color and ambiance to your wedding.

String lights and bistro lights add a bit of romance to any space, and “up” lights can be used to add a splash of color along walls and architectural elements. You might even consider putting a spotlight on your cake!

GOBOS

A gobo is a custom-designed template that is placed in front of a light source to control the shape of the emitted light. You can project shapes on walls to reinforce your theme, or even shine your new monogram on the dance floor!

Lighting by Cadence Studios TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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Catering by Chef Robert Aranson Venue: Willowood Ranch

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WHAT’S FOR DINNER? From plated dinners to food trucks set up outside the reception venue, the options for feeding your wedding guests are growing every day. We recommend tackling this to-do fairly early in your planning process just because the best caterers tend to book up well in advance. Don’t assume that your catering costs as are going to be similar to costs at a restaurant. In most cases, it’s always more expensive because catering is personalized to your tastes.

If your venue comes with a caterer or if you’re using an outside caterer, meet with the person who will be providing food for your wedding. Talk with them about your wedding plans, sample some of the dishes they recommend, and get comfortable that this caterer will truly treat your guests well.

Most caterers will offer a few selections for you to try to get an idea of what they recommend for your event. This tasting is definitely on our list of our favorite things about planning a wedding.

A buffet dinner is most likely going to be the most economic way to serve all your wedding guests a good meal without blowing your budget. Interactive food stations set up around the reception room are a trend with weddings right now. These stations are usually hosted by a chef or member of the catering staff to help your guests customize their selections. Having these stations spread out keeps down the line of guests waiting for food. However, one of the quickest ways your catering bill can add up is for the labor your catering company provides to the event. Take a close look at how many servers, chefs, or other staff they have allocated to your event on the invoice, and ask your caterer if there’s any way to cut down those costs. It can be as simple as opting for stationary instead of tray-passed appetizers.

FEEDING YOUR VENDORS You should plan to feed any wedding professional who will be there with you at the reception. This includes your photographer, videographer, DJ and band at a minimum.

Before you sign contract with your vendors, make sure you understand what the vendor is expecting to be fed. Some vendors are okay with not being served the same meal that guests will receive. Talk to your caterer about what they offer for vendor meals. Sometimes it is included in your catering fee, while other times it is at a lower price than food for your guests, depending on what is offered. When you’re confirming your final guest count, be sure to give your caterer the final count for vendor meals, too.

Find your caterer at tbgvendors.com/catering

Say “I do!” with Lucky2BBQ

Mention the Texoma Bride Guide for a 10% discount! lucky2bbq.com (903) 203-9337

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QUESTIONS TO ASK •

Can you provide examples of suggested menus and prices?

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Considering our needs and budget, what suggestions do you have?

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When is the deadline for making menu selections?

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Are you familiar with our wedding site?

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Do you have any kitchen requirements?

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Do you have a minimum? If so, how much?

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Are tax and gratuities extra?

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Does the cost cover set-up before the reception and clean-up following?

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How long will the food be available to guests?

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What happens to any leftover food?

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What are your deposit and cancellation policies?

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Do you provide staff to serve, refresh the buffet, tidy up used dishes, etc.?

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Do you supply and serve beverages? Is there an extra fee for this service? Are you licensed to serve alcohol?

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What is the deadline for the final guest count?

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Do you provide linens, dishes, cutlery, service items? Are there options for me to select?

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Are you able to handle special requests such as food allergies, kids menu, etc.?

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Will you cut the cake and supply plates and forks? Is there an extra fee for this?

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at WinStar Casino

FINE CUISINE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE PRIVATE EVENTS & CATERINGS 580.276.1484

I

KirbysSteakhouse.com

Catering & Rehearsal Dinners Let Chef Robert make your wedding unforgettable with a custom-designed, made from-scratch meal for you and your guests.

903.821.8115 chefrobertaranson.com TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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UPSCALE DINING... THE WAY IT WAS MEANT TO BE.

CATERING

REHEARSALS RECEPTIONS

115 S. TRAVIS ST. SHERMAN, TX 75090

903-892-8409 WWW.FULBELLIS.COM

SERVING ALCOHOL If you are planning on serving alcohol at your wedding, you will want to bring this up with any venue as you are touring to get an understanding of their policies. Some venues require couples to hire their own bartender and an off duty police officer for security. Others will provide one or the other. If your caterer can offer bartending services, then try to work a deal into your catering package. It may be more economical to supply your own alcohol if your venue allows it, even if they charge a corkage fee. If you’ve ever ordered a drink in a restaurant, you know that mark-ups on alcohol are quite steep, so you’re better off stocking the bar yourself, if that’s an option.

The cost of providing alcohol to your guests should not be overlooked or underestimated. Purchasing alcohol in bulk from Costco or Sam’s is an economical choice for couples who want to spend be mindful of their alcohol budget. But the costs still add up. One way to minimize alcohol costs is to only serve beer and wine, but if your heart is set on serving liquor, having a signature cocktail or two on your menu is an economical option.

This is also an appropriate moment to bring up insurance. Anyone serving alcohol needs to have liability insurance, including a the caterer. If your wedding guests leave your party after taking advantage of the open bar and injure themselves, a third party or damage property, you could be held responsible. Liability insurance will minimize how much you’ll have to pay if something goes wrong.

Be sure that you and your new spouse take the time to eat during the reception! You’ve got a night full of dancing and merriment ahead of you so you’re going to need the food!

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THE ONE SERVICE YOU DON’T WANT TO FORGET While your party certainly cannot happen without you, there are some other notable people that are necessary beyond an officiant and guests. If your party location or catering package does not include servers, you’ll need to hire wait staff and bartenders.

Service staff truly are the heroes of all celebrations. They operate in the background by helping with set up before the event, clearing tables, restocking the food displays during service, and cleaning up at the end. If you haven’t made arrangements with your caterer or planner/coordinator, they can also be tasked with cutting and distributing the cake to your guests.

Certified bar staff should be hired to serve any alcoholic beverages to guests. This includes specialty drinks, mixed drinks, beer and wine. They will keep the area clean and help manage guest consumption. When interviewing bartending companies, you will want to verify that the staff will stay with the alcohol at ALL times until it is released to an individual of the wedding party at the end of the evening. They should also be TABC Certified, part of the American Bartending Association and fully insured.

The great thing about event staffing companies is that they can often fulfill all of your event staffing needs. An expert event staffing company can help you identify your needs based on the number of guests, venue, and event type. We normally recommend the industry standard of 1 member of staff per 10-12 guests for a plated dinner or 1 member of staff for every 30 guests for passed items like hour d’vours.

Server Staff & Bartending Company www.servicegemevents.com TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO WEDDING INVITATIONS

Invitation by A1 Wedding & Party Rentals

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While most aspects of your wedding don’t follow a strict set of rules, your invitations do. However, keep in mind that knowing the rules and proper etiquette will also give you the tools and knowledge to bend them just a little to suit your needs. The presentation of information on your invitations can vary widely based on your style, colors and theme but all the basic pieces still need to be there.

Although subtle, your invitation is the first clue that your guests will get as to the formality of your wedding. A traditional letter press printed invitation with simple colors and addressed with calligraphy would be used for a wedding that is more formal in nature, whereas a square invitation with a playful font and bright colors would fit a more casual celebration. Regardless of design, many couples still use formal wording on their invitations. The lifetime commitment you’re making in front of your family and friends is a significant event, and most couples approach the ceremony with decorum.

It is also to be mindful of the costs associated with mailing non-standard sized envelopes. Post offices have machines that can only process certain envelope sizes, generally rectangles that are a minimum of 3.5 by 5 inches to a maximum of 6.125 by 11 inches. If your envelopes are a non-standard shape, for example square, you may end up paying a surcharge, usually around 20 cents per envelope, for hand-processing.

Keep in mind that the size of your guest list does not equal the number of invitations you will be sending out. Don’t make the mistake of ordering double, or even triple the number of invitations because you didn’t pay attention.

BUYING POSTAGE

Before purchasing stamps, take an assembled invitation to the post office and have it weighed.

Inserts can add additional weight, or unusually shaped envelopes will require extra postage.

Skipping this step could result in your invitations being returned for insufficient postage. This would throw your entire timeline off because the invitations would arrive late, plus you’d have to purchase new envelopes, re-address them and purchase the correct postage to send them out again. Take our advice, and get your envelopes weighed.

Once you are sure you know how much it will cost in postage to mail your invitations, you can look in to purchasing wedding-themed stamps.

It’s certainly not required, regular stamps will work, but adds a special touch to your envelopes!

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THE ANATOMY OF A WEDDING INVITATION Most brides and grooms opt for formal wording on their wedding invitations, but if your wedding is more casual, feel free to loosen up the wording. The structure of your invitation will change depending on who is hosting the wedding, but there are a few things that should not be compromised: Include both your and your fiancé’s full names in the invitation.

With a more formal invitation, also include the full names of the hosts.

Make sure to include the year, month, day, and time of your wedding!

The invitation should have the name of the location as well as a specific address.

Now that your guests have the essential information, there are a few additional details they might need: Most will appreciate direction on attire, and it is important to include if you want a specific style for your wedding. Directions to the venue, details about accommodations, and the types of activities at your wedding reception are also recommended. Your invitation ensemble can include any extra information, such as a directions card, along with the RSVP card and the invitation itself.

Although there are many ways to create invitations, some things never change.

For example, you should not include your gift registry information on your save the dates or invitations. Your family and wedding party can fill in any inquisitive guests, and you can also put in on your personal wedding website if you have one.

Speaking of wedding websites, it is perfectly acceptable to put the link on your save the dates, just not your invitations.

“CAN’T I JUST SEND OUT AN E-VITE OR CREATE A FACEBOOK EVENT?” We know putting on a wedding is expensive, and sending invitations via email or another internet platform is basically free.

Most etiquette gurus still recommend paper wedding invitations. They tend to set the tone, establish expectations and specifically state who is invited to the wedding. This can be hard to do with electronic invitations.

There are also a large number of places you can purchase pre-designed invitations and print them at home to help stretch your budget.

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NAMES

THE HOST LINE INVITATION CEREMONY INFORMATION RECEPTION INFORMATION

THE HOST LINE INVITATION NAMES

CEREMONY INFORMATION

RECEPTION INFORMATION

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RSVP As the RSVP’s start pouring in, you will want to have a system developed to keep track of them! Make sure to note how many guests confirm their attendance because your vendors will want an accurate headcount a few days before the wedding. If serving a plated meal, include food options on your RSVP cards so that guests can make their selection. Tracking the number of guests is especially important if you’re paying for cake or food per person.

Before you mail your invitations, count and number your guest list and assign each RSVP card a number accordingly. If a guest forgets to fill out the line for their name before returning it to you, the number on the card will help you know who has RSVP’d and who hasn’t! Be careful not to make the numbering too obvious.

If you want to make things easier for your guests, consider pre-addressing and stamping your RSVP cards!

If you’re still missing a few response cards at the deadline, go ahead and place some calls. It’s easy to get annoyed and frustrated at the lack of response, but don’t let that show. Politely ask if they’ll be attending, reminding them that the vendors need to know the number of guests by a certain date.

Remember that it never fails that you will end up with an unexpected guest or two, so we recommend adding a few additional people to your head count if you can’t get in touch with everyone.

Always include a postage stamp with the reply card of your wedding invitations.

Do not expect guests to supply their own stamp.

TIMING Ideally, you should send your wedding invitations eight weeks before your wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. Request that RSVP’s be returned by two to three weeks before the wedding. This allows you to know how many guests to expect before crunch time!

If you’re having a destination wedding, give your guests more time to make arrangements by mailing invitations three months before the wedding.

If you’re sending out save the dates, mail them six to eight months before the wedding so that calendars can be marked and there will be no surprises when the actual invitations arrive. Just make sure that everyone who receives a save the date also receives an invitation.

Find your stationer at tbgvendors.com/invitations

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ENVELOPES It may seem strange, but you’ll need two envelopes for your invitations. The outer envelope is for mailing purposes, and the inner envelope holds your invitation ensemble. The outer envelope is formally addressed only to those who are invited to attend the wedding, but the inner envelope is a bit less formal and includes just the first names of invited guests.

Just like for every other part of your wedding, there are some recommendations when dealing with the outer envelope: •

Address each envelope by hand, and pay special attention to spelling, addresses and handwriting

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Your guests’ names should be written out in full, using their titles such as “Mr.” and “Ms.”

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Spell out all the words in the address

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Spell out all house numbers that are less than 20

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The return address should go on the back flap of the envelope, and can be handwritten, embossed or stamped

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RSVPs and gifts will be sent to the return address on the invitation envelope, so if you’d rather use different address, write it below the RSVP line on the invitation

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Self-address the return envelope for the RSPV, don’t rely on your guests to do this for you

Custom glitter dipped tumblers, Christmas ornaments, signs, and more!

www.facebook.com/minteddesignsco (469) 585-2024 TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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Cake by Krazy Kakes by Kris

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THE PERFECT CAKE FOR YOU Cake is the traditional wedding dessert, with everyone waiting with baited breath to see if the groom is going to smash the cake all over his new wife’s face, but there is no rule anywhere that says you must serve cake. Many couples who want to serve a wedding cake alternative, yet still want the traditional cake cutting, will order a small cutting cake for the reception.

Not really a cake person? Serve pie. Love ice cream? Set up a make-your-own sundae bar. Remember, this is your special day, everything about it should reflect you and your fiancé.

THE CONSULTATION

As you browse Pinterest and wedding sites looking at cake designs, start to gather inspiration. Take a close look at the cake designs that resonate the most with you. Are you in love with the idea of a rustic buttercream cake decorated with fresh flowers, or does an ornate cake covered in fondant make you sigh?

To help you decide which bakeries to visit, look at their websites and social media to see what aligns the most with what you are looking for. When you meet with the bakers, bring along pictures of the designs you like, and even pictures of those you don’t.

We recommend booking your cake designer about six months before your wedding. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list, you can wait until up to three months before. The best bakers will fill up months in advanced, especially during the busy wedding season.

Designers aren’t mind readers and this will help them get a clear understanding of the look you’re going for. Don’t expect them to copy the design outright. Allow them artistic license to incorporate your personalities and their creativity into the final product.

HOW MUCH CAKE DO I NEED? Wedding cakes are typically priced per person and serving sizes are typically 1” x 2” in size.

Work with your baker to determine what you’ll need, but these numbers will give you an idea of what to expect based on the number of people on your guest list.

SQUARE CAKES

ROUND CAKES

6”: 18 servings 8”: 32 servings 10”: 40 servings 12”: 72 servings

6”: 10 servings 8”: 28 servings 10”: 42 servings 12”: 56 servings

Satisfy your sweet tooth with Texoma’s best bakers at tbgvendors.com/cakes TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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WAYS TO SAVE ON THE COST OF YOUR WEDDING CAKE When it comes to ways to save money on your wedding cake, there are two options that come up most often. The first is to have the cake of your dreams made with fake layers. Essentially, your cake will be made of foam and only a tiny part will be real cake for the cutting ceremony.

Since the cost of your cake is determined more by the decorations on the outside than the cake on the inside, this really isn’t going to save you much in the long run. You’re still paying for the labor required to decorate the cake.

The easiest way to save on the cost of your wedding cake is to order a small, elaborately decorated cake and several sheet cakes. You will display and cut the small beautiful cake, but after the cutting ceremony, the cake will be removed to the kitchen and the cut sheet cakes will be passed among your guests. Once the cake is cut, it all looks the same so no one will be the wiser.

DO I HAVE TO SERVE CAKE? Not at all! If you don’t want to serve cake at your wedding, follow your heart and don’t. Whether it’s to keep costs down, because you don’t have a sweet tooth, would rather serve up doughnuts instead or really any other reason, it’s your celebration. There’s no reason to designate a chunk of your budget toward something you don’t see as a crucial part of your wedding day.

The great thing is, skipping the wedding cake doesn’t mean your party has to be a dessert-free zone. The sky is the limit when it comes to desserts for your wedding. Serve yourself dessert and popcorn bars are quite popular, or brining in a local confectioner to make custom treats on the spot is a great idea and always a crowd pleaser.

Don’t think you have to miss out on the traditional cake-cutting photo opp just because you aren’t serving wedding cake. Slice into a pie or share bites of your favorite cupcake. If that’s not your style, swap it out for a celebratory toast, linked arms and all. Find something that reflects you and your fiance.

QUESTIONS TO ASK •

How much experience do you have making wedding cakes, and will you be the one creating our cake?

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Can we schedule a tasting?

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Do you lend, rent, or sell cake knives, cake plates, flatware, etc.?

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What is your policy on returning any rentals or extras? What if something gets damaged?

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Are we required to provide the cake stand/pillars?

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Will you deliver and set-up? Is there an extra charge for this?

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What is the cost per serving?

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How far ahead do we need to order our cake?

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What is your deposit policy?

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When is the balance due?

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Can you make a groom's cake?

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Will you provide a written contract for us to sign outlining the costs and details of the cake?

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PICKING YOUR CAKE FLAVORS

Arguably, one of the most fun parts of planning a wedding is the cake tasting appointment.

(Appointments if you’re lucky!)

When you meet with prospective bakers, you will get to taste lots of flavors and filling combinations.

The most important thing about your cake is that it tastes good. There’s no possible way you’ll please everyone at your wedding, so focus on cake flavors that make your mouth water, and don’t let others’ preferences drive you insane.

If you can’t decide (or agree!) on just one flavor, there is nothing wrong with mixing it up and having different flavor layers in your cake. This may even surprise and delight your reception guests who will want to try a bite of everything! You don’t want to pair things that are too wildly different, but talk with the baker about your preferences.

FROSTING

As you browse the cakes online, take note of some of the different styles that you like. Bakers can do amazing things when it comes to decorating cakes. From a simple and elegant white frosted cake with white details to an elaborately carved cake covered in fondant with jewel embellishments made from sugar and gumpaste flowers that look real. Simple cake designs are the least expensive. The more complicated the cake design, the higher the price tag. Fondant icing is more expensive than buttercream, and if you want elaborate molded shapes, vibrant colors, or handmade sugar-flower detailing, you’ll pay for the cake designer’s labor. Also consider the weather and time of year. If you’re having an outdoor reception, stay away from whipped cream, meringue and buttercream becasue they melt easily. Ask your baker about summer icing options. Here are some of the more popular types of frostings and how they are used: BUTTERCREAM

Buttercream frosting can be made in a variety of flavors and is usually piped onto cakes using different sized and shaped tips. A layer of buttercream is applied as the base, and then decorations are added on top. It does not do well in the heat, and works best on cakes that are a simple shape.

ROYAL ICING

Typically used on elaborately decorated cookies, royal icing can be used to create accent decorations on a cake. Royal icing dries to a hard finish.

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FONDANT

Fondant is a very smooth, matte icing that gives cakes a flawless, porcelain finish. It is also used for ribbons and swags, and can be cut into different shapes to be used as appliqués or textured using a variety of different tools. It is usually more expensive than buttercream and not as tasty.

GANACHE

Remember that chocolate cake you saw at the bakery that had that shiny chocolate icing on it?

That was most likely ganache.

Made from heavy whipping cream and chocolate, it is used as a filling or a frosting.

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GUMPASTE

Similar to fondant, gum paste is an edible sugar dough that is typically used to create flowers and figurines. Similar to royal icing, gum paste dries brittle and hard, which makes it ideal for delicate decorations.

CUTTING THE CAKE Cake cutting is one of the highlights of the wedding reception. It usually is the first act performed as a married couple, and the beginning of your new life together. Along with the symbolism, the cutting of the cake traditionally serves as a segue from dining to dancing. Older guests will usually wait until after the toasts and cake cutting before saying their goodbyes.

When it comes time to cut the cake, the bride stands closest to the cake with the groom behind her.

With both of your hands on the cake knife, cut a small wedge out of the bottom tier of the cake and place it onto a plate. Remember to cut the bottom tier because the top tier is too unstable for a good first cut and you may topple the cake! Speaking of the top tier, it’s a long-standing tradition for the bride and groom to save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first anniversary. Let your baker and caterer know of your plans in advance so it doesn’t get served.

Most couples opt to slice the groom’s cake immediately after cutting the wedding cake, and serving slices alongside pieces of the wedding cake so guests have a choice of flavors. If both cakes are large enough, you could offer a plate with slices of each cake, or place one flavor on each plate and let your guests choose what they’d prefer.

A detail that is often overlooked is what happens to the cake after you and your new spouse cut it.

Make sure you know who is going to be responsible for cutting and serving the wedding cake after it is cut. It could be your catering staff or wedding coordinator and it’s usually complimentary, but not always. Don’t forget to make sure there are additional plates and silverware for serving your guests.

GROOMS CAKE Did you know that the groom’s cake is mostly a Southern tradition? That’s right…go to a wedding up north and you may not see a groom’s cake. That can be a bummer, because often the groom’s cake is chocolate!

Custom Cakes Iced Sugar Cookies Cake Pops And More

Here’s a fun bit of useless trivia: In the mid-1800’s, cake was sent home with guests as their wedding favor. Female guests would put their piece of cake under their pillow and dream of their future hubby. That’s the reason this is called a groom’s cake.

In our modern times, the groom’s cake is usually a gift from the bride to the groom and designed to represent the groom’s career, personality or interests.

As with all aspects of your wedding, this tradition is completely optional, so don’t feel pressured to order one. However, we love it when the bride surprises the groom with his own special cake.

(903) 328-9928 1226 South Austin Avenue Denison, Texas 75021 www.TheFrostedShoppe.com TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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photo by Arielle Humphries Photography

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TOP FIVE THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING WEDDING FLOWERS Choosing your wedding flowers may seem simple at first; but, much like wedding planning in general, things can get stressful and out of hand fast. So, also much like wedding planning in general, remember to keep your priorities in order. If you keep the following top five things in mind when planning your flowers, the rest should fall more easily into place.

BUDGET Flowers can get expensive quickly, so make sure to establish a budget with your florist right off the bat. Your budget will be the biggest influence not just on how many arrangements you will have, but also the types of flowers you can afford to put in them. Keep in mind that certain flowers are only available during certain seasons, and can be quite pricey at any other time. Additionally, there are some flowers that just are expensive by nature - such as flowers that must be imported.

You should also consider the number of arrangements you’ll need.

Remember to consider who will be receiving and/or carrying flowers, as well as floral arrangements for both the ceremony and the reception. These can be numerous and include things like altar flowers, aisle arrangements, sweetheart or head table decorations, and centerpieces. Get a guest count to your florist so you can work out a good number together.

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LOCATION The location of your wedding can impact your wedding flowers in many ways, including things like cost, style, and the size and number of arrangements. Some ceremony venues, such as churches, have specific restrictions and parameters you must. Other venues, like gardens, are highly floral or decorative on their own and don’t need many additions. Likewise - reception venues can be overly stark and require a lot of flowers, while others may be ornamental or themed and only require accents.

If you have your ceremony and reception in the same space, that can require an entirely different strategy altogether.

STYLE The style of your wedding has a great deal of influence on your floral arrangements because you want your ceremony and reception to look cohesive. For a sophisticated affair, consider elegant rose bouquets and dramatic centerpieces. If it’s a rustic, outdoor venue, your floral arrangements can be more free-flowing and less structured. Additionally, make sure that the vessels and embellishments you’re using match the feel of your wedding. Huge rhinestones and peacock feathers don’t usually go with rustic or bohemian blossoms - unless, of course, you’re going for a more unique or artistic wedding style.

SEASON In order to create the best aesthetic possible, you’ll want to match your wedding flowers to the season.

In addition to keeping costs down, you can avoid any (unintentionally) strange combinations that might raise some eyebrows. While you shouldn’t sacrifice your dream wedding, some flowers just make more sense than others. For instance, you probably don’t want to have pinecones and poinsettias at a summer garden wedding, and you might not want bright wildflowers at an elegant winter wedding.

Additionally, seasonal availability is an important consideration. Some flowers are seasonal, but some are available year-round, including calla lilies, lisianthus, hydrangeas, orchids, amaryllis, roses, dahlias, gerbera daisies, scabiosa, lilies, baby’s breath, and bells of Ireland. Greenery is also always available, and it looks great with or without flowers.

These, of course, are not the only five things to consider when planning your wedding flowers, but they are definitely some of the most important.

Remember these considerations when moving through the more detailed aspects of your wedding flower planning process to help simplify and prioritize your floral goals.

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Download our Flowers Guide for more tips and tricks. texomabrideguide.com

Hannah’s Florist

Q 225 S. Travis St. Sherman, TX 75090 (903) 893-8171

hannahsfloristbytj.com

COLOR If you want your wedding flower arrangements to match your colors exactly, consider bringing paint or fabric swatches for your florist to see.

Describe other key decor items like your table linens and china so that the florist can understand the style you’re going for. Keep in mind that pastel and brightly-colored flowers will be more available in the spring and summer, while deeper, jewel-toned blossoms will be available in the fall and winter. If you want to have a light, colorful wedding with lots of bright flowers, having it in the spring would increase the accessibility of your desired flowers while keeping costs down.

Find your wedding florist at tbgvendors.com/flowers

Vine & Branches

Gainesville, TX 940-612-1829 vineandbranchesgainesville.com TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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FLOWER PRESERVATION

Flowers are a classic, beautiful form of decoration - and, let’s face it - you will put in a lot of time and effort into making sure your wedding flowers are perfect for you and your partner’s big day.

Whether you’re a sentimental bride who wants to keep the memory alive, or a practical bride who wants to get the most bang for your buck out of your bridal floral investment, you should think about preserving your wedding flowers.

Don’t wait until the week before the wedding - or worse, while you’re at the reception - to make up your mind on whether or not you want to preserve your wedding bouquet and/or other wedding flowers. Decide now so that you can budget money and time to the process so that it’s done properly. If you are going to preserve your flowers but still want to do a bouquet toss, then you will need to plan on having a separate toss bouquet.

There are many, many ways to display your wedding flowers, and what kinds of displays you like will often determine the type of preservation you can perform. Do you want to frame your flowers and hang them on a wall, or do you want them to act as a sort of centerpiece or type of table decoration? If you’re having trouble deciding on a type of display for your wedding flowers, think instead about where you have space to display them.

B GRIBBIN STUDIO Bridal bouquets preserved in a custom designed painting. ​Uniquely personalized to reflect your wedding celebration. ​ www.bgribbinstudio.com | 469-261-7377

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WITH THIS RING When browsing the jewelry stores in search for your wedding band, keep your lifestyle in mind. Do you or your fiancé have jobs that require you to get your hands dirty, or do you enjoy weight lifting in your free time? Maybe your jewelry tastes are simple and you don’t want to wear your engagement ring everyday. You don’t have to get your wedding and engagement bands soldered together, there is nothing wrong with wearing your engagement ring for special occasions (or when you want to feel fancy!). The metal you choose for your wedding ring can be picked for fashion reasons or can be based on lifestyle and desired durability. Spend a little time getting to know your metals, but feel free to mix and match metals, settings and decorations.

Gold in any of it’s variations, such as yellow gold, rose gold, or white gold, is the most popular choice of metal for wedding rings, and has a very classic look to it. However, it is a softer metal and will bend or scratch more easily than some of the other metals. Platinum bands are the most expensive of the commonly used metals. The hardness of the metal makes them durable, and they are naturally hypo-allergenic which makes them a great choice for people with skin sensitivities.

Alternative metals such as titanium look trendy and are at a nice price point. Tungsten is also a popular option for men’s rings since its hardness makes it resistant to scratching. That same level of hardness also means that it won’t bend, but it will break or crack if enough force is applied to it, kind of like a diamond. However, most jewelers aren’t able to work with alternative metals like titanium, so your ring cannot be repaired or resized as easily. Keep that in mind when making your selections.

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photo by Cromer & Co.

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WHY WE LOVE ENGAGEMENT SHOOTS, AND YOU WILL TOO

You’re engaged! This is a time filled with anticipation, joy and love. With everything that is going on in your lives, capturing and celebrating this special moment in your lives often gets overlooked. Some couples may feel it’s a waste of time or isn’t necessary, but there are many valuable reasons why you should have engagement photos taken. Despite the naysayers, we’re pro-engagement shoot. We’re champions of preserving this chapter of your life forever. These photos aren’t for today, but for the rest of your lives and beyond.

Imagine being able to open up an album many years down the road, and have those memories and feelings come rushing back. And to be able to say to generations to come, “This is us at the beginning of our love.”

Beyond capturing the memories of engagement, your engagement shoot is an opportunity for you to get to know your wedding photographer before your big day. Most of us don’t take professional photos on a regular basis. Your engagement session can be a time for you to build a relationship with the photographer and learn more about what to expect when it comes to photography on your big day.

During the session, your photographer will have an opportunity to learn more about you -- how you and your fiancé met, your proposal story, more about you as individuals. You and your fiancé will get to learn more about your photographer and their style. You’ll also get an idea of poses you’ll be doing on your wedding day, and most importantly, how to be comfortable in front of the camera. Plus, you’ll get some amazing photos of you and your fiancé! You can use these photos for Save-the-Dates if you’re sending them, or for your engagement announcement in a local newspaper. You can even have them printed and hang them on the wall in your house.

And this doesn’t just apply to engagement shoots. Bridal portraits and even boudoir shoots serve a similar purpose. They capture a moment in time that will be gone before you know it. Except we don’t recommend using your boudoir photos for your Save-the-Dates.

Some photographers include an engagement shoot as part of their wedding packages. If your photographer doesn’t, consider the long term benefits of ask about adding one.

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photo by Kaley Nicole Photography

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WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOURWEDDING DAY TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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DETAIL SHOTS Your photographer will show up a few hours before your ceremony to capture shots of you and your bridesmaids getting ready, and to get detail shots of all the elements that go into your day. It is worth making time for the photographer to take these pictures because these detail shots are an important part of your story.

GETTING READY After the detail shots, it’s time for the bride to get dressed. Everyone assisting will want to be fully dressed at this point so the bride can be the center of attention. Once the dress is zipped, buttoned, or laced, the rest of the details, such as jewelry, veil, and shoes, will be photographed as you put them on. If time allows, you can squeeze in a few bridal portraits.

THE FIRST LOOK Most couples are doing first look shoots these days, and we love them. It is such a lovely, private moment when the couple get to see each other before the ceremony, and we love seeing the reaction shots of the grooms when they first see their brides! If you can afford it, this is a great opportunity for two photographers - one trained on each of you. The first look also provides the opportunity for romantic and less formal portraits of the bride and groom.

RECEPTION DETAILS Thirty minutes before the ceremony begins, the bridal party disappears so guests don’t sneak a peek and the ushers can begin escorting guests to their seats. If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, this is a great opportunity for the photographer to get detail shots of the reception space. If the reception is at a different venue, most photographers recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the reception area so the photographer can take photos of the untouched reception space before guests start arriving.

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www.gsnapstudios.com (903) 271-4936 (903) 815-5558

WWW.CROMERANDCO.COM

(580) 916-2465 TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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THE CEREMONY When it’s time for the ceremony to start, your photographer will be there to capture all the details, with the most important being the first kiss as a married couple! Following the ceremony is a great chance to take family portraits. It is best to save the majority of these until after the ceremony because all family members will be present at that time.

THE RECEPTION Based on the wedding package selected, the photographer will offer you a set number of hours.

When planning your reception’s timeline, consider how much of the photographer’s time will be left to capture the highlights of the reception. In addition to the cake-cutting and first dance, some couples plan a faux exit with just the bridal party and a few select guests to capture that moment before the photographer’s time is up.

Find your wedding photographer at tbgvendors.com/photography

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Photography & Photo booth www.kaleynicolephotography.com

jamiehuffman.com weddings@jamiehuffman.com

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WHAT IS BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY?

Boudoir photography is becoming more and more popular, with photo shoots and boudoir albums making excellent wedding day gifts for your future husband. “Boudoir” is the French word for a lady’s private dressing room or bedroom and in photography terms, boudoir photography is a style in which women pose for photographs partially clothed or in lingerie. The photos are tasteful and nudity is typically implied rather than explicit. That means you’re not wearing much of anything, but you’re also not showing off anything either.

Boudoir photographers are masters of creating elegant, sensual and classy images of you in your lingerie. As with your wedding photographer, finding a boudoir photographer that you are completely at ease with is important, or the session won’t be worth it. When you start speaking with potential candidates, think about how relaxed and at ease you are with them.

Planning a boudoir shoot can be a fun way to indulge and take some time out from wedding planning. Just like a bridal portrait session, it is worth investing in the details like hair, makeup, nails and even a spray tan. It’s also important to choose outfits that make you feel confident and sexy. If a you bring in outfits too far outside your comfort zone, you may struggle with being comfortable in it and it will show in your face and body language in the resulting photos. To prepare for the session, you can do a bit of searching on the internet for poses you might like to try, but a good boudoir photographer will have some suggestions of their own.

www.moxierose.com

photo by Bella Sol Portraits TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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THREE EASY WAYS TO (ENTERTAIN) YOUR GUESTS

As more couples move away from favors and takeaways, they’re focused on creating a memorable experience for their guests with entertainment taking the main stage. Literally.

Instead of hiring one form of entertainment, like a DJ or a band, couples are hiring several different performers to provide a variety throughout the reception. From experiential theater performers (think fire breathers or trapeze artists) and roaming sketch artist or live painters, to tarot card readers, astrologist and magicians, couples are pulling out all the stops to create an interactive, unforgettable night that reflects who they are.

FIREWORKS One way to wow your guests is with fireworks -- and it doesn’t have to be at the end of the reception.

Fireworks choreographed with your first kiss as a married couple, or with your pronouncement as husband and wife, are a great way to celebrate your marriage.

A simple sparkler send-off, or a full show at the end of the evening, will be something that your guests will always remember, and it’s a great finale to your wedding.

Be sure to check with your venue and local by-laws to make sure fireworks are something you can do!

Hiring a professional can make it easier to obtain the proper permits and insurance that are required.

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FOR THE KIDS

PHOTO BOOTH

Many couples can’t imagine planning a wedding without all the little ones in their lives there.

Here are a few ways to make sure the little kids at your wedding have just as much fun as the big kids:

Photo booths are becoming popular at weddings because of their simplicity and appeal to all age groups. They’re also a great alternative to a traditional guest book. You can rent a photo booth or make it yourself, but just make sure that it reflects your style!

• • • • • • •

Ask the DJ to play a few kid friendly songs that everyone can enjoy Provide kid friendly snacks Kid’s table with crayons and wedding themed activity booklet Create a kid friendly centerpiece using things that can be played with such as blocks Kid’s only tent with books and games Consider hiring someone to help watch the kids so their parents can enjoy the festivities Kid friendly wedding favors such as bubbles, glow sticks, or chalk

Most photo booth rentals come with props, custom designed photo strips, and an attendant.

If you’re doing it yourself, incorporate your wedding colors and themes into the booth to bring it all together! Use a chalkboard to write out the instructions in different fonts for a fun carnival wedding, or set up a wall and decorate it with delicate flowers and chairs for a garden wedding.

In order to ensure that people take advantage of the photo booth, lead by example. Hop in there with your new spouse and take some pictures!

Your guests will love interacting with you and will make some memories of their own.

Your Guests Will Love You! #1 Photo Booth Rental In Sherman, Denison, McKinney, Allen, Bonham, Gainesville & Durant!

www.funphotobooth4you.com

(903) 821 - 0326 TEXOMABRIDEGUIDE.COM

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CREATING THE ATMOPSHERE

There are quite a few options when it comes to the music you’ll be playing at your wedding. When touring venues, it’s a good idea to talk with the venue manager about what type of music typically works best for the space.

Things like electricity for a DJ or space for a band or musicians will be important when it comes time for the event. Choose one or more music options based on what will fit your budget, wedding style, and desired wedding vibe.

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Strings: This is a popular option for ceremonies, and can also be used for music at the cocktail hour or dinner.

Soloists: A soloist at your wedding ceremony will make it feel intimate and memorable. Hire a singer, or ask a talented friend or family member to sing a song that’s special to you.

DJ: If your reception venue has limited space, you should use a DJ. They don’t use up as much space as a band and usually cost less, making them a good way to save money while still providing a great wedding experience.

Band: Bands provide a unique experience, and the energy of a live performance is hard to beat. If you’re willing to spend a little more money and have the extra space, a band is the way to go.

Playlist: If a band or DJ is outside of your budget, and you want to truly personalize your wedding, make your own playlist. You can rent a sound system and ask a friend to supervise. Just make sure the music appeals to everyone!

CEREMONY MUSIC

Ceremony music has a reputation for being boring and slow, but that doesn’t have to be true for your wedding!

Choose musicians that will express the feeling of your wedding through their sound and music selections.

Most wedding ceremony musicians are strings and soloists, typically performing traditional music. If you and your fiancé want something unique and that will show your personality as a couple, consider asking your ceremony performers to do an acoustic cover of a song you like.

Wedding guests will begin arriving about 30 minutes before the ceremony starts, but the wait will seem a lot longer if they have to wait around in silence. Schedule your ceremony musicians to start playing no later than 20 minutes before the ceremony is set begin.

Keep in mind that some churches have restrictions on secular music, so if your ceremony is being held in a church, ask your officiant about the types of songs that can be acceptable.

There are several parts of the ceremony that traditionally have their own music: •

The prelude is the music played while people are gathering a half hour or so before the ceremony.

•

The ceremony begins with the seating of special guests and grandparents, followed by the seating of the mothers.

•

The processional starts when the pastor and the groom and groomsmen proceed to the front and the bridesmaids make their way down the aisle.

•

Then it is the bride’s turn to make a grand entrance.

•

•

There may be special moments during your ceremony such as the lighting of the unity candle or a solo after a prayer.

It’s time for the recessional and your grand exit!

Musicians: Four Strings

View the best Texoma area musicians at tbgvendors.com/music

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DJ

accent lighting photography

903.891.4104 80

photo booth

videography

cadencestudiostx.com

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RECEPTION MUSIC The reception is usually two parts: eating and dancing. Background music is typically played during dinner so your guests can visit and enjoy their meal.

The background music will continue during the toasts and cake cutting, if these are part of your timeline. You may also have special songs played during the traditional dances you have planned.

As the evening progresses, the music will transition from background to main event. Your DJ or band will play popular songs, both fast and slow, to encourage your guests to get up and dance.

If you are working with a DJ, you will be able to wait until about a month before your wedding day to make your music selections. This will ensure that the DJ has enough time to make sure the songs are downloaded. However, working with a live band will require a bit more planning. If the songs you’re wanting played at your wedding aren’t already part of their regular rotation, the band will have to learn and rehearse them so they will be perfect for your big day.

THE TRADITIONAL DANCES provided by Cadence Studios

Most couples seem to have a special song, one that has significance in their lives. That song is what should be played for your first dance as husband and wife. That or another song that is special and unique to you as a couple, not just a random song from a list you found on the internet.

If you don’t want to dance by yourselves for the entire length of the song, work out a cue with your DJ so they know when to invite other guests to join you on the dance floor, or to move on to the next activity of the evening.

FIRST DANCE SONGS “Thinking Out Loud” - Ed Sheeran “I Can’t Wait (Be My Wife)” - Runner Runner “You Are The Best Thing” - Ray LaMontagne “A Thousand Years” - Christina Perry Remember that the parent dances are the one part of the reception that is not about the bride and groom.

While some couples might not want to include parent dances in their big day, we encourage you to let your parents decide as it is their moment.

FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE SONGS “I Loved Her First” - Heartland “My Girl” - Temptations “My Little Girl” - Tim McGraw “Cinderella” - Steven Curtis Chapman MOTHER/SON DANCE SONGS “A Mother’s Song” - T Carter Music “What A Wonderful World” - Louis Armstrong “I Hope You Dance” - Lee Ann Womack “Simple Man” - Lynrd Skynyrd or Shinedown

photo by Gingersnap Studios DJ by Cadence Studios

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WHAT’S YOUR HONEYMOON STYLE? No matter what you and your fiancé like to do, the honeymoon of your dreams will be the perfect way to celebrate your new life together.

Are you and your fiancé the type of people who love spend your vacation relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun? Or do you love exploring new locations and cultures? Regardless of your vacation style, there is a honeymoon destination just for you! We have many amazing places worth exploring here in the United States, so you don’t have to travel far to find what you’re looking for. However, honeymoons are a great opportunity to explore the wider world around us.

Don’t feel like you have to leave for your honeymoon trip immediately following the wedding. Many couples choose to spend the day after their wedding with their friends and family who have travelled to witness their marriage. A simple brunch at the hotel where most guests are staying or at a local restaurant is a great way to visit with wedding guests you may not have been able to spend time with at the reception. Some couples even choose to wait a couple of months before leaving on their honeymoon.

Traditionally, the groom plans and pays for the honeymoon. This is an opportunity for the groom to surprise his new bride, or you two can have fun planning the trip together. When you sit down to plan, be sure to have an idea of when you’d like to travel, how long you’d like to stay and an idea of the types of things you’d like to do on your trip. If you don’t have a specific destination in mind, contacting a travel agent and sharing your wishlist is a great way to get started. Travel agents tend to have extensive knowledge and experience with honeymoon travel. They work directly with resorts and cruise companies which usually means you will get a better deal and maybe even a few perks added in. Your travel agent will monitor your reservations as your trip approaches and alert you of any changes. This will save you time and money, and give you peace of mind as you travel because you know if something goes wrong, the answer is a quick phone call or email away.

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TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons

We know it’s a bummer, but if you and your new spouse are jet-setting on your honeymoon right after the wedding, you’re going to want to use your maiden name when making your travel reservations. It takes time to process and issue the marriage certificate which is required for changing your name on official documents.

Then you have to wait to receive your updated identification such as a drivers license or passport in your new married name. Traveling under your maiden name will cut down on the stress of receiving these documents on time.

Once you get back from your amazing trip you can apply for a name change on your passport.

You will have to mail in your old passport, but it will be returned to you along with your brand new passport with your new last name. As long as you file the name change form for your passport (called a 5504 form) within 12 months of your wedding, you will not have to pay an additional fee for the change.

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CREATING YOUR REGISTRY Registry shopping must be one of the most fun parts of wedding planning. Who doesn’t love new towels and sheets? However, if you were looking forward to going up and down the aisles with one of those scanner guns, you might be disappointed. Most retailers have moved away from this process, and most wedding registries are created online.

The days of the traditional registry with its formal dinnerware, crystal stemware, and silver that requires polishing, are behind us. Today’s bride and groom are registering for items that fit their lifestyle. That’s not to say you shouldn’t register for porcelain and crystal if that’s your entertaining style, but don’t feel like it’s a requirement.

Before you and your fiancé rush into creating your registries, either online or in person, take inventory of the pieces you have, and what you wish you had. Be sure to note down anything that is starting to look worn, or maybe doesn’t work anymore. Those are great items to add to your registry.

Don’t hesitate to do a bit of research on some of the larger ticket items, either.

Guests appreciate plenty of options, so be sure to register for a wide range of items across many different price points. To the right is a list of traditional and modern items often found on registries.

WHERE TO REGISTER Where you register can be just as important as what you register for. Keep in mind that some of your guests prefer to go to a physical store and browse your registry items in person, while other guests will want the ease of ordering online. With that said, almost anything can be added to a registry these days. Retailers like Best Buy and Domino’s Pizza have even jumped on the wedding registry bandwagon. Yes, you can create a pizza wedding registry.

Stores like Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Kohl’s are popular locations for registries, and are easily accessible within the Texoma area. For those wanting to create an online registry, Amazon, Zola, and Blueprint Registry are popular.

Some retailers offer a completion discount which allows you to purchase unfulfilled items on your registry at a discounted rate for a short period of time after your wedding.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to pick just one place to register; two or three gift registries are completely acceptable and even expected. Remember that your guests like to have options on where to shop and what to get you.

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FORMAL DINNERWARE Dinner, salad and dessert plates Pasta and soup bowls Bread and butter plates Teacups and saucers Fruit bowls Teapot, creamer and sugar bowl Gravy boat Serving bowls Covered casserole dish Platters CASUAL DINNERWARE Dinner plates Soup and cereal bowls Bread and butter plates Salt and pepper set Covered butter dish Mugs Canister set FINE CRYSTAL Water goblets Wine glasses (red/white) Champagne flutes Iced beverage glasses Martini glasses Brandy snifters Decanters and pitchers Candlesticks BAR-WARE Tumblers Highballs/Pilsners/Beer glasses Ice bucket and tongs Wine cooler or wine rack Cocktail shaker and pitcher Bar utensils KITCHENWARE Cutlery and stake knives Cutting boards Timer Mixing bowls and spoons Dish towels and hot pads Paring, chef and bread knife Carving knife Colander Spatulas and whisks Pizza cutter Spoon rest Baster Rolling pin Cheese grater

FLATWARE Knives, forks and salad forms Soup spoons and teaspoons Serving spoons and forks Butter serving knife Cake and pie server Gravy ladle Serving set

TABLE LINENS Table cloth/table runner Place mats Napkins and rings

COOKWARE Sauce pans, sautĂŠ and frying pans Stock pot/Dutch oven Steamer/Double boiler Wok/Stir Fry pan Roaster Grill/griddle BAKE-WARE Cookie sheets Muffin pans Cake and pie pans Baking pans Bread pans ELECTRIC APPLIANCES Hand mixer Waffle iron Bread maker Rice cooker/vegetable steamer Toaster/Toaster Oven Food Processor Blender Electric indoor grill Coffee and tea makers Can opener Slow cooker KITCHEN LINENS Dish towels Cloths Kitchen mats and rugs

HOME ELECTRONICS Television Bluetooth Speaker Radio/Clock radio Camera and digital camcorder Home stereo components DVD/Blu-Ray player DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES Picture frames Lamps Vases BEDROOM LINENS Flat and fitted sheets Pillow cases and shams Comforters and bed skirts Blankets Mattress pads BATH LINENS Bath sheets and towels Hand towels and wash cloths Bath mat and rug Shower curtain and rings Bath accessories Hamper HOME CARE/PERSONAL Vacuum (upright and hand-held) Rug cleaner Iron and ironing board Portable steamer Broom, dust pan and mop LUGGAGE Upright suitcases Garment bags Duffel bags/Tote bags Accessory bag

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CHANGING YOUR NAME Following the wedding, you will need to take your signed marriage license to the county clerk’s office to obtain your marriage certificate. The marriage certificate is a piece of paper that proves that you are legally married. It does not mean your last name has legally changed. When you are getting your license before the wedding, be sure to find out the timeline for filing it after the wedding.

You will be required to present a copy of your marriage certificate to complete the process of changing your name at government agencies as well as non-government institutions. We recommend ordering three certified copies of your marriage certificate because you may have to surrender a copy as you go about changing your name at different places.

The first place to change your name is at the Social Security Office. Then you may begin to use your new name. We recommend going to the Department of Motor Vehicles next. Don’t forget to change your name at these places as well: Banks Medical Care Provider(s) Insurance Mortgage Lender or Landlord Professional License County Tax Assessor Credit Card Companies

State Tax Commission Employer (fill out new W-2) Dept. of Revenue Retirement Documents U.S. Passport Postal Service Investment Companies

photo by Jamie Huffman Photography

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Utility Company Voter Registration Legal Documents Wills

vendor

directory

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vendor directory APPAREL A-1 Wedding & Party Rentals (pg. 40) 3031 S. Woodlawn Blvd.

Denison, Texas 75020 (903) 463-7709 a1wedding.com

CAKES & SWEETS Bon Appetit Y’All (pg. 44) 2120 N FM 1417 Sherman, Texas 75092 (903) 868-2100 bonappetityall.net

Generation Tux (pg. 23) (844) 726-4889 generationtux.com

The Frosted Shoppe (pg. 59) 1226 South Austin Avenue Denison, Texas 75021 (903) 328-9928 thefrostedshoppe.com

BACHELOR & BACHELORETTE PARTIES

Krazy Kakes By Kris (903) 821-7016 krazykakesbykris.com

Painting with a Twist 1800 N. Travis Street Suite L Sherman, Texas 75092 (903) 870-2056 paintingwithatwist.com/studio/ sherman/

BEAUTY/HEALTH Brooke Himes Hair Design (pg. 21) (469) 450-0865 brookehimeshairdesign.com Leanna’s Family Cuts Salon 2012 North Loy Lake Road Sherman, Texas 75090 (903) 813-1532 leannasfamilycutssalon.com Texoma Wellness Center (pg. 20) Sherman Office: 2624 Loy Lake Rd, Suite A Sherman, TX 75090 (903) 328-6554 Whitesboro Office: 580 US Hwy 377 North Whitesboro, TX 76273 (903) 564-9815 texomawellness.com

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Pop Around The Corner (pg. 57) 501 W. Main St Denison, TX 75020 (903) 820-8123 poparoundthecorner.com

CATERING Bon Appetit Y’All (pg. 44) 2120 N FM 1417 Sherman, Texas 75092 (903) 868-2100 bonappetityall.net Chef Robert (pg. 45) 210 West Houston Street Sherman, Texas 75090 (903) 821-8115 chefrobertaranson.com Fulbelli’s (pg. 46) 115 South Travis Street Sherman, Texas 75090 (903) 892-8409 fulbellis.com Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse at WinStar (pg. 45) 21444 World Way Drive Thackerville, Oklahoma 73459 (580) 276-1484 kirbyssteakhouse.com/winstar

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Lucky 2 BBQ (pg. 43) (903) 203-9337 lucky2bbq.com

FLORAL DESIGN

A-1 Wedding & Party Rentals (pg. 40) (903) 463-7709 a1wedding.com Bon Appetit Y’All (pg. 44) 2120 N FM 1417 Sherman, Texas 75092 (903) 868-2100 bonappetityall.net Hannah’s Florist (pg. 63) 225 South Travis Street Sherman, Texas 75090 (903) 893-8171 hannahsfloristbytj.com Vine & Branches (pg. 63) 401 N Grand Ave Gainesville, Texas 76240 (940) 612-1829 vineandbranchesgainesville.com

HONEYMOONS, DESTINATION WEDDINGS & TRAVEL Gateway Travel (pg. 83) 5011 Texoma Pkwy Sherman, Texas 75090 (903) 893-6888 travelpartnerstx.com

INVITATIONS & CALLIGRAPHY A-1 Wedding & Party Rentals (pg. 40) (903) 463-7709 a1wedding.com Roots Design Co. (903) 821-9069 rootsdesignsco.com

vendor directory MUSICIANS & DJS Four Strings (903) 364-5185 fourstrings.com Cadence Studios (pg. 80) (903) 891-4104 cadencestudiostx.com

PHOTO BOOTHS Cadence Studios (pg. 80) (903) 891-4104 cadencestudiostx.com Fun Photobooth 4 You (pg.77) (903) 821 - 0326 funphotobooth4you.com Jamie Huffman Photography (pg. 74) (214) 507-7928 jammiehuffman.com

PLANNERS & COORDINATORS Bon Appetit Y’All (pg. 44) 2120 N FM 1417 Sherman, Texas 75092 (903) 868-2100 bonappetityall.net Castle Events (pg.5) (940) 337-9353 castlevents.com Events by Emerson (903) 814-9849 eventsbyemerson.com

REHEARSAL DINNER Bon Appetit Y’All (pg. 44) 2120 N FM 1417 Sherman, Texas 75092 (903) 868-2100 bonappetityall.net

Bella Sol Portraits (903) 271-3040 bellasolportraits.com

Chef Robert (pg. 45) 210 West Houston Street Sherman, Texas 75090 (903) 821-8115 chefrobertaranson.com

Cadence Studios (pg. 72) (903) 891-4104 cadencestudiostx.com

Fulbelli’s (pg. 46) 115 South Travis Street Sherman, Texas 75090 (903) 892-8409 fulbellis.com

Cromer & Co. (pg.71) (580) 916-2465 cromerandco.com Don’t Blink Photography (pg.73) (580) 380-8875

Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse at WinStar (pg. 45) 21444 World Way Drive Thackerville, Oklahoma 73459 (580)276-1484 kirbyssteakhouse.com/winstar

Gingersnap Studios (pg. 71) (903) 271-4936 (903) 815-5558 gsnapstudios.com

Lucky 2 BBQ (pg. 43) (903) 203-9337 lucky2bbq.com

Jamie Huffman Photography (pg. 74) (214) 507-7928 jammiehuffman.com

RENTALS

Kaley Nicole Photography (pg.74) (940) 736-0070 kaleynicolephotography.com

A-1 Wedding & Party Rentals (pg. 40) 3031 S. Woodlawn Blvd.

Denison, Texas 75020 (903) 463-7709 a1wedding.com

Michael’s Photography (pg.74) (903) 463-1228 photosbymichaels.com

Texoma Parties (pg.40) (903) 965-3180 or (580) 931-9083 texomaparties.com

Moxie Rose (pg.75) (469) 274-2677 moxierose.com

Wabi-Sabi Vintage (pg.40) 1910 N Travis St. Sherman, Texas 75092 (903) 271-4271 wabisabivintage.com

SERVICE STAFF

PHOTOGRAPHY

TRANSPORTATION

Service Gem Events (pg. 47) (903) 744-4729 servicegemevents.com

The White Rose Limo (pg. 35) (903) 821-4763 fb.me/thewhiteroselimo

Arielle Humphries Photography (pg. 74) (214) 994-3359 ariellehumphries.com

Asher Creek Photography (pg.72) (903) 227-8067 ashercreek.com

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