Nov/Dec - The Reception Issue by Wedding Connection

Magical

EXPERIENCE A

MOMENT IN TIME

“Life Is Not Measured By The Number Of Breaths We Take, But The Moments That Take Our Breath Away.”

A Lubbock Wedding Venue Like No Other in a Place Like No Other

Let Us Show You How We Can “Take Your Breath Away” From The Rare and Classical Ambiance Of Our Club, Flawless Attention To Detail, Exquisite Cuisine And Personalized Service. Call Debbie at Lubbock Country Club to Discuss Your Upcoming Special Day at 806.762.0414 You do not have to be a member of the Lubbock Country Club to have an elegant, yet affordable country club wedding experience.

A Lubbock Dining Tradition

Our private rooms are availiable to accomadate seated dinners for 10 to 200 We are comitted to providing you with the special attention required to make you wedding dinners and receptions memorable

2549 South Loop 289

Lubbock , Texas

806-745-3991

the

wedding + CONNEC

ION

2 4 0 2 5 2 N D S T. S U I T E # 9 LUBBOCK, TX 79412 806.744.0234 E D I TO R & C H I E F Aly Fiebrantz

J U N I O R E D I TO R Katherine Parker

E D I TO R I A L T E A M Julie Gore Aimee Eaton Nicole Molter Carlye Pittinger Sarah Baca Mallory Cross

DESIGN Sonya McDowell SALES TEAM Claire Sullivan Bethany Alexander The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights in regards to copyright of their work. No part of this work covered by the copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written consent of the publisher. All copyrighted work was reproduced with the permission of the owner.

A M E M B E R O F T H E J O R DA N C O L L E C T I V E Magazines printed in China. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that The Wedding Connection Magazine articles and other information on the web site are up-todate and as accurate as possible, at the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by The Wedding Connection Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein. Furthermore, The Wedding Connection Magazine takes no responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this publication. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Wedding Connection Magazine.

C OV E R P H OTO B Y V I S I O N S P H OTO G R A P H Y no limits as to where...we will travel to offer our design services

CONTRIBUTORS ALLEE J. PHOTOGRAPHY alleej.com ANNA SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY annasmithphotography.com BELMAR BAKERY belmarbakery.com BOWS-N-TIES bows-n-ties.com GRAY’S STUDIO graysstudio.com DAVID WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY davidwilliamsphotography.com

IN BLOOM PHOTOGRAPHY inbloomimages.com JW ETIQUETTE jwetiquette.com MAGNET STREET magnetstreet.com MOKAPO PHOTOGRAPHY mokapophotos.com PARIE DESIGNS secretgardenfineflowers.com

PINK PERFECTION pinkperfectionweddings.com PINSPIRED getpinspired.com ROB ADAMS FILMS robadamsfilms.com STUDIO 57 studio57fitness.com TARA HOBGOOD PHOTOGRAPHY tarahobgoodphotography.com

table of CONTENTS

100

121

110 | madison + payton 113 | hannah + jamal 116| brittney + colby 120 | diy

- THEWCMAG.COM | 11

STAY IN TOUCH 2402 52nd Street, Suite #9 Lubbock, Texas 79412 806.744.0234 The only thing we love more than working on the magazine is talking about the magazine. Like us on Facebook, Instagram, or tweet at us!

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EMAIL US! Want your wedding featured? Email us at editorial@thewcmag! Interested in advertising? Email us at sales@thewcmag.com! Looking for a career or internship? Email us at hello@thewcmag.com!

from the editor GET I N VO LV E D ! Only thing we love more than working on the magazine is talking about the magazine. So drop us a line, e-mail, or phone call! 2402 52nd Street, Suite 9 Lubbock, Texas 79412 or hello@thewcmag.com We also accept blog comments, Facebook posts, tweets and cookies. thewcmag.com 806.744.0234 Photo by Peace Love Sue Photography

hello! I will confess, I am a proud Southern Californian that has come to call West Texas her home. Growing up, we would spend vacations camping in New Mexico. I discovered the fabulous New Mexico culture and terrain. Plus, who doesn't love an excuse to wear fabulous turquoise jewelry? New Mexico is utterly unique with their southwest sass, and fabulous landscapes we just had to have an issue that was THE New Mexico Issue. This magazine is jam packed with helpful tips on everything from New Mexico cake-spiration to stressful weight gain pre-nuptials. We wanted to put together the anything and everything New Mexico Issue and we did it! Everything from The Report being all New Mexico jewelry to seven ways to dress up your groom New Mexico style. I cannot wait to share all the savy southwest tidbits we found. Happy reading!

xoxo

ďż˝aly - THEWCMAG.COM | 13

� report THE

L L A about OMBRE!

his year, it’s out with the old and in with the ombre! While we all know how difficult color matching can be, ombre is a great choice for any color scheme because it allows you to work with all lighter and darker variations of your choice of color. It’s easy to see why ombre is a very hot trend right now in the world of weddings. From hair to nails and flowers to dresses, everything comes in ombre now – just see for yourself.

Image by Stephanie Yonce Photography

DRESSES If you don’t necessarily want your bridesmaids dresses to be ombre, you can create an ombre look by having each of your bridesmaids wear a dress that is a shade lighter than the girl beside her.

CAKES Image by Jonathan Ivy Photography

DECORATIONS

Image by Stephanie Yonce Photography

Image by Danni Beach Photography

Cakes are a fun way to incorporate ombre into any occasion. That’s what layers are for! Make each layer of the cake a darker shade, or if you want more of a true gradient, you can airbrush the color and go for a less “color block” look.

Whether you are looking for a prominent ombre theme, or just little touches here and there, there are numerous ways to make it happen. Chair covers, napkins, centerpieces, rose petals, and more are just some of the creative ways we have seen brides incorporate ombre!

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HAIR Ombre is a new, exciting style when it comes to hair. For the bride who doesn’t just want the “same old, same old”, go for an ombre look! The gradient from dark to light looks very natural, but still adds a lot of dimension to your hair.

Image by Janelle Marina Ima

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INVITATIONS Invitations usually reflect the theme of the wedding, so if ombre is what you are going with, there is no better time to start than with the invitations. A really popular look right now is the watercolor look, which is a great way to tie a second color into your look.

FLOWERS Flowers are fun to play with when going for an ombre look. Since no two flowers are the exact same color anyway, it is a very natural transition from dark to light when using flowers like roses, carnations, and many others.

12Winter days of

Weddings Image by Custom by Nicole Photography

e love winter! Cold weather and happy holidays seem to warm everyone’s hearts, including the many couples who get engaged in the winter. Here is an idea - why not take it a step farther and spring for a winter wedding? Sure, it’s close to the holidays, but for those of you who love the winter, there are so many ways to make this season extra special. With all of the different seasonal touches you can incorporate, into a winter wedding, red ribbon and lights are only just a start. From warm drinks to holiday playlists, we’ve researched everything you need to know for your winter wedding!

in style sendoff

Image by LMAC Photography

farewells you’re sure to love

Sendoffs are often overlooked, but they shouldn’t be! A bride and groom’s farewell is the final touch, the last opportunity to wow your friends and family. Why wait to find one? While we are all for exciting getaways, there is one to steer clear of—throwing rice! While seemingly harmless, rice can cause some serious problems for birds. If tossing something is your idea of a grand farewell, stick with something eco-friendly like birdseed or lavender. Whatever your preference, we have a sendoff that will suit your style.

- 22 | SENDOFF IN STYLE

Image by Gideon Photography

BRIGHTER THAN THE STARS Candle lit paper lanterns are definitely the most romantic farewell we have ever seen! Seeing a dark sky illuminated by candles floating away creates an enchanting ambience that is not soon forgotten. It is so neat finding the lanterns in the sky and spotting how far they have traveled! CHEERS! There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a crowd of people applauding and rooting for you and your beloved! Your wedding day is the perfect place for friends and family to show their support, so what could be better than a roomful of cheers and claps? Your excitement will be their excitement! UP, UP, AND AWAY Releasing balloons after your ceremony is such a cute and clever idea! This is definitely one to do during the daytime so that nobody misses out on watching the balloons fly up together. Using balloons is a great way to stay under budget while still providing a uniquely fabulous sendoff.

Image by Amenson Studio

Image by Renee Clancy Photography

Image by JD3 Photography

LET LOVE SPARKLE Bubbles are a favorite choice among brides and grooms. Everything about them is fun and festive! Bubbles are also an easy way to get children participating in your getaway without any worries.

CRAFTY IS CUTE If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a DIY bride, then this is the perfect wedding project to use for your getaway. These wind ribbons are so adorable, your guests will rave over them! It is the perfect opportunity to show off your beautiful wedding colors. Add something cheerful like a bell to add to the festivities!

SHINE ON Sparklers are such a hit at weddings! They are a blast for both young and young at heartâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and are super easy to use. The bright twinkling creates an amazing effect once the sun goes down, and the contrast between the dark sky and golden red sparks gives you a beautiful photo opportunity.

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Private Weddings at the Flying J Ranch in Beautiful Ruidoso, New Mexico

The Flying J Ranch is the perfect destination to host your private wedding and reception. The Ranch offers various indoor and outdoor spaces, on-site rentals, food, full reception and more. Let us show you how our old-fashioned hospitality can help make your special day one to remember. Call (888) 458-3595 or visit us on the web at ďŹ&#x201A;yingjranch.com/weddings

On the First day of winter...

Image by Jacqueline Williamson

POINSETTAS The iconic Poinsettia flower is the symbol of winter and a truly unique flower. A poinsettia is the essence of Christmas wrapped up into a flower. It is perfect for any aspect of a Christmas or winter wedding and can be displayed in many elegant traditional or even non-traditional ways. When one thinks of flowers what first comes to mind is the bouquet. The flowers can be arranged in a cluster like many traditional bouquets, surrounded with cream roses and babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breath to add a variety to complement the poinsettia. Every detail, even the chair backs can be a distinct detail, especially with a poinsettia. Try using the poinsettia as

a contrast color compared to the cloth on the chair, or even the pop of color. From the style to the flavor, the cake is a major detail that the poinsettia can dress up. The poinsettia can be clustered at the top tier, draped down the side of the cake, or circled around each tier as the pop of color. Details at the ceremony and reception are key to the overall look of the wedding, however, the invitations are equally as important. The design of the invitations sets the standard and theme for the rest of the wedding. The poinsettia can be used as a minor detail in the corner or a watermark in the background allowing the font to stand out, or as the focal point on the front.

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social media

etiquette�

DURING WEDDINGS

Image by Tony Gambino Photography

Social media is a great way to keep people informed about your big day and display photos from the wedding and reception. Here are a few things to keep in mind about social media and your wedding.

should use social media during the wedding. Place a sign at the registration table and add a statement to the program which reads, “Please, no pictures or videos during the ceremony.”

• You may want to set up a website or Facebook events page for your wedding. This will help keep people informed about the details of your big day as they arise. Add details such as pre-wedding events, location of ceremony and reception, time, dress for guests, and gift registries. Be sure to update it regularly, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want people to look forward to the wedding because they are tired of hearing about your plans.

• Provide a hash tag for your guests to use when posting pictures from the reception and place reminders around the reception area.

• Keep your page appropriate and positive. Avoid “venting” any wedding frustrations. Post pictures of your showers, but not the bachelor or bachelorette party. Also keep in mind the feelings of people from your social circle who may feel excluded if they are not invited to all of the events. • Be sure to provide guidelines on how your guests

- 26 | SOCIAL MEDIA ETIQUETTE -

• A “thank you” on your wedding website should not take the place of a handwritten “thank you” note for gifts. It’s fine to post pictures of you and your spouse on your honeymoon with a caption that reads “Thank you to everyone who made our wedding day so special.” However, each person who gave a gift should receive a personalized “thank you” note from you or your spouse. Reference: Post, Peggy, Post, Anna, Post, Lizzie, Senning, Daniel P., Emily Post’s Etiquette: Manners for a New World, New York, HarperCollins, 2011, 18th ed.

Your

Wedding

Image by Anna Smith Photography

ABOUT JULIE WAKEFIELD

ulie Wakefield is an etiquette expert and sought after public speaker. Her company, JW Etiquette, specializes in executive leadership and business etiquette training. Julie’s client base ranges from university athletic departments to corporations to non-profit organizations. Her most popular topics for classes include improving networking ability, making a good first impression, planning effective business meetings, dining tutorials, and cell phone, social media, and electronic communication etiquette. Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s degree in education, and is a certified business etiquette and international protocol consultant through the Protocol School of Washington. She resides in the Dallas area.

TIPS FOR HASHTAGGING • The hashtag information should be displayed where the guests are sure to see it! Make sure to showcase the info during the ceremony and reception. • Start using your hashtag as soon as you get engaged!This idea records a life-changing time in your love story from the engagement ring to the honeymoon. • Wedding guests should share their own favorite wedding details or selfies with the loved ones they spent the evening with. •One your honeymoon or first anniversary, sit down with your hubby and go through all the photos from your unique hashtag to re-live your big day! Images by Something Blue Wedding Photography, Freshly Bold Photography, Blue Hills Photography, and Pure in Art Photography

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When Unique Matters . . . 2611 US Highway 70 Olton, Texas

806-292-7516

walnuttreeweddings.com

photography by Aric + Casey, Amy Rose King & Katie Woody

When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a custom wedding, we are the perfect venue! Walnut Tree, West Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Premiere All Inclusive Venue, takes the stress out of wedding planning. From the venue to DJ services, florals, catering, and even your wedding cake, we take care of it all.

photography by Aric + Casey, Amy Rose King & Katie Woody

PRETTY in pant

- 30 | STYLED SHOOT - COLORS -

A PERFECT THEME for Every Color Palette

nspiration for your big day can come from anything. You might be obsessed with a specific cake with real flowers, or a shoe with a bow on the back. The point is that smaller items can become the inspiration for your whole blissful day. We decided to do just that using these colors and designers as inspiration. For everything from a classic black elegance, to a gorgeous sunshine yellow, we have found the perfect pantone for your wedding day color palette. Which one will you favor?

Photography by: Grayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Studios | Flowers, DĂŠcor, + Design: Parie Designs Stationary: Magnet Street | Cakes: Belmar Bakery

Co yote Candle Co.

Over 40.000 sq.ft. of Home Decor 140th & Slide

Lubbock, TX

806-798-9677

On the Second day of winter...

HOT DRINKS Nothing says, “Have a Cup of Cheer” at a winter wedding like two classic winter drinks served hot – hot chocolate and apple cider. These timeless winter drinks are a great way to keep guests warm during your special, but chilly, day. A hot drink will bring comfort and warmth on your special day. For hot chocolate, consider serving this specialty with an edible spoon or incorporating a hot chocolate Bar. A spread of a variety of toppings is a fun whimsical surprise for the guests young and old. For toppings, we recommend sweet treats such as the classic marshmallows or whip cream, caramel bites to melt into the coco, or peppermint. If guests so choose, they can add Bailey’s Irish Cream to add an extra punch of sweetness. For Apple Cider, serve with cinnamon for a kick of spice. Much like edible spoons for hot chocolate, apple cider can be served in an edible cup with the use of hollowed apples to drink from. This element is unique and perfect to add that extra touch of apple. Another inspired look for this drink can be done through the use of apple cider shooters. They can be garnished with thin apple slices and sugar around the rim. The shooters are a quirky memorable way to add a twist to this drink. Adult guests may also choose to add Cinnamon Schnapps or dark rum for extra warmth.

Image by Caroline Ross Photography

inspired

CHANEL CHOCO

- 34 | PRETTY IN PANTONE

black tie In this Coco Chanel-inspired table setting, we opted for clean lines and romantic accessories. This design creates the perfect sophisticated affair with its elegant china and white poppy flowers against a black tablecloth. Simple, solid lines for the menu, place card and invitation are perfect to set the tone for this table, and every little detail down to the script font on the invitations says â&#x20AC;&#x153;classy.â&#x20AC;?

COTTON CREEK BARN www.cottoncreekbarn.com 1 Mile West of New Home, TX cottoncbarn@gmail.com | 979-220-1318

RALPH LAUREN inspired

hunter green

We just cannot get enough of this woodsy, unique Ralph Lauren-inspired look. This look is clean and sophisticated and allows the nature of the decoration to shine with the use of simple square plates, place card holders, and touches of leather accessories. This inspiration utilizes the best of the outdoors and brings a natural feel to this unique tablescape.

There is sunshine any day with this Kendra Scott-inspired look filled with sunflowers and yellow roses. A common theme in this design, from the invitations and tablecloth to the cake, is circles, which create a whimsical, light hearted tone for this setup. Everything about this table makes it the perfect choice for an outdoor, southern wedding in the summer or fall!

inspired

KENDRA SCOTT

sunshine yellow

On the Third day of winter...

On the second day of winter... Image by Kristin Griffin Photography

WARM SHOES Much like a brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding gown, the right shoes are equally as important. With colder weather coming up, now is a perfect opportunity to try a new style of wedding shoe and, of course, keep your toes warm on the special day. Boots are a great way to keep your feet warm and still be stylish. We recommend trying fur-lined winter boots. Ugg Australia, or, Ugg boots, now makes a special pair of winter boots specifically for winter brides. The boots come in white and silver, and of course, have the perfect hint of sparkle. They are fur lined and perfect for a dressy, yet very warm, look.

The bootie, much like a regular boot is a great choice that is usually overlooked. The bootie is growing more and more popular and looks perfect for any winter wedding. We recommend a beautiful lace bootie that will look elegant yet still warm when worn with your perfect dream gown. If a boot just is not for you, we recommend a warm flat. Look for a lined shoe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; something with fur or corduroy inside, such as Toms. If you are looking for a warmer footwear option, but not the traditional high heel, any of these unique options are sure to keep those toes toasty.

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Queenie’s Jewels brooch

b o u q u e ts

“Flowers die…brooch bouquets last a lifetime”

to order call (432) 638-7076

“brand”

your wedding

with a BAND

Congratulations! He’s popped the question, and you’ve said “yes!” Now, the real work begins. Up until this point, you’ve been dreaming of that special day – what you would wear, who would be in your wedding, and maybe even where you would go to celebrate afterwards. However, did it ever occur that between saying “yes” and “I do,” that there would be so much more to plan? Today’s bride and groom are so involved in the details of planning their wedding that the event itself can take on a life of its own. From flowers to cutting the cake, each specific detail is carefully thought out, discussed, planned, and implemented. It’s called “branding.” The wedding reception is where the personality of the newlyweds begins to shine, especially in the music

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Custom Wine Labels By Llano Estacado Winery

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Having a band over a DJ is always considered a matter of money when it really shouldn’t be. These days, bands are often more affordable than one might think. Bands may be a bit more expensive, but remember, you are paying one price divided among all the band members. Remembering they still have to pay for their motel rooms, food, etc. Whichever choice of musical entertainment you may choose to “brand” your wedding reception with, remember it’s your choice. It’s your day, and it should ultimately be your perfect night! Make it yours! Let’s look at your options - A band or a DJ? The option that is most often considered is a band, because it is a live source of good music. There are so many factors to consider when choosing a live band. Even if the bridal couple happens to be country music-lovers, the band still needs to be versatile in their music selections, offering a few other styles as well.

ABOUT CINDI MLADENKA Cindi Mladenka likes to be considered a “celebration stylist,” creating “signature celebrations” such as parties, weddings and events all over Texas. She is the only trained wedding planner with the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners of Dallas in West Texas. Cindi is also a registered Certified Event Planner.

- 42 | BRAND YOUR WEDDING

THE CAKERY

 (806) 783-9091 tastycakes@cakerylubbock.com 6301 82nd St. Lubbock, Texas

VERSACE royal blue

inspired

This Versace-inspired table setting captures the iconic look with its daring royal blue and complementary yellow accents. This demonstrates a very unique design through a mixture of modern clean lines with a blend of textures as seen in the sequin tablecloth. From the spangled tablecloth to the large, tall vases of yellow blossoms, this is the perfect choice for an over-the-top evening wedding.

PHILLIPE inspired

stark grey This Phillipe Starck-inspired design utilizes a theme of circles and swirls to create this ultimate modern setup. The square tiers of the cake are touched with silver detail to mimic the stems in the surrounding vases making the square shape flattering against the circular theme, and every detail from the orange color in the flowers to the clear table and chair makes this tablescape anything but ordinary.

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On the Fourth day of winter...

Since winter is typically seen as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;darkâ&#x20AC;? season, these color pallets are sure to having you styling, winter 2014 style! As you probably know, there are specific color schemes that really stand out for this time of year, and each of these color pallets are perfect for this winter. For each dark color, there should be a lighter and more neutral color to complement it, as well as a slight accent color to create an elegant look that flows well throughout the wedding.

- 48 | 12 12 DAYS DAYS OF OF WINTER WEDDINGS -

Image by Custom by Nicole Photography

BOUQUETS

A special place for your special day. W

hether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an intimate gathering or a large wedding, the Civic Center has the room and staff to make your day extra special. Call for room rates and availabilities.

1501 Mac Davis Lane Lubbock, TX 79401 80 6-775-2242 lubbockciviccenter.com

VERA WANG inspired

- 52 | PRETTY IN PANTONE

classic ivory

The sweet simplicity of these Vera Wang-inspired colors and textures are sure to stand out. The soft colors in the flowers and delicate lace overlay on the cake provide a neutral and elegant table that mimics the look of her wedding gown designs. Everything from the simplicity of the candle votive to the delicate gold detail on the invitations makes this look stylish and chic. Just look at those chiffon chair backs!

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ENJOY THE RIDE IN STYLE The perfect vehicle for your perfect day Featuring Cadillac Mercedes Porsche Limos

2611 34th Street Lubbock, Texas 79410 806-368-9748 www.purpletielimo.com

Let us Show you Luxury

top off your

cake with style

fabulous toppers

ou’ve sampled the cake, selected the style, and now all that’s left to do is choose a topper! Deciding what looks best on your edible piece of art can be challenging, but no need to fret. There are an endless variety of toppers to make your day complete, ranging from traditional and sweet to something your or your guests might never see again. We love them all, so choose your favorite!

1. MAD FOR MONOGRAMS Initials and monograms have always been a HUGE wedding trend, and for good reason. Your wedding day is the perfect time to embrace and feature your new initial whether it’s lit up on the dance floor or designed onto your perfectly matching napkins - but nothing beats the cake! What could be a more perfect place to show off your new favorite letter? 2. BUNDLE OF BEAUTY It’s hard to go wrong when your topper is as elegant as a bundle of fresh flowers. Not only is it appealing to the eye, but also flowers simply radiate romance, creating the perfect atmosphere for you and your sweetheart. Your guests will do more than offer a brief glance when they see a beauty like this.

3. THAT’S MY NAME

4. GET THOSE WHEELS TURNING

There is something about seeing “Mr. and Mrs.” on a cake that fills people with pure joy. Guests love sharing the newlywed’s excitement! Name toppers are both stylish and personable, and they fit in at any type of wedding.

For those wanting to stand out and do something out of the norm, you’re not alone! This steampunk inspired cake is the epitome of unique. You may want something other than a variety of wheels to embellish your cake, but at least we’ve got your wheels turning! (Pun Intended)

Images by Brett Alison Photography, James Ramsay Photography, Tri Artic Photography, Something Blue Wedding Photography

- 56 | TOP OFF YOUR CAKE WITH STYLE -

5. WORDS FROM THE HEART What better way to capture the mood of the party than a fun slogan on your cake? You can make it personal, sweet, or just fun! Selecting a phrase might seem overwhelming, but just sit down with your groom and decide on a slogan or word that describes how the two of you feel about each other or the wedding!

Image by Lindley's Photography

6. JUST A COUPLE OF LOVEBIRDS Using animals as cake décor is just the cutest! We’ve seen birds, penguins, elephants—and they always look adorable! These types of toppers are ideal for those throwing a themed wedding where the animal is bound to show up elsewhere, or even for the avid animal lover who might want to incorporate their favorite animal or pet.

7. A DYNAMIC DUO Tradition - it’s tried and true and, in this case, absolutely flawless. Figurines of the bride and groom placed on the wedding cake are so much more than a trend - they have become classic. They are eye-catching on naked cakes, but also look very sweet with typical wedding cakes as well.

Image by JD3 Photography

Image by Pure in Art Photography

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1502 5th Ave • Canyon, Texas • (806) 655-8700 www.canyoncakeninjas.com

Image by Anna Gleave Photography

On the Fifth day of winter... DIAMOND RINGS The cut and style of every diamond is different and unique in its own way. The question is how to chose the most flattering for your hand. Most brides have an idea of a cut they like, however, a diamond may look different on each womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand. Our advice when it comes to a style of ring and cut of the diamond is to try it on, THEN find your favorite. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ok to have a cut in mind, but try it on before you commit to it to make sure you love it on your hand. The ring should be as unique as the woman who wears it, no matter the shape or size of the diamond.

- THEWCMAG.COM | 59

LOUIBATON inspired

poppy red Go bold and red with this Louboutin-inspired table! This is perfect for a couple that is big, bold and loves dramatic effects. This theme revolves around embellishment and romance. The ornate, floral centerpiece is perfect for a large table, and the dramatic swirled patterns on the cake and invitations are sure to make a statement at any wedding event.

Begin your happily ever after with us Phone: 806.797.8612

â&#x2014;&#x160;

info@savannahoaksapartments.net

â&#x2014;&#x160;

5204 50th Street Lubbock, TX 79414

On the Sixth day of winter...

WARM ACCESSORIES We love accessories - especially if they are for staying warm! For winter, its important to consider what parts of you or your guests might get cold â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hands, feet, arms, legs, neck, and ears â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and plan accordingly. A recent trend for weddings of extreme temperatures is to have favors that keep your guests comfortable, so consider providing some of these less expensive accommodations or recommend them to your guests. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Scarves Gloves/Mittens Fur muff Personalized Hand Warmers Hose or Warm socks Mink wrap or jacket Image by Visions Photography

The Scarlet Door Salon, Day Spa & Boutique 2724 Civic Circle, Amarillo, Tx, 79109 806-359-5373 thescarletdoor.com

eddings and ines

â&#x20AC;&#x153; T

What will

we drink?

â&#x20AC;?

hese are four little words, and a million ways to impress or disappoint your guests on your wedding day. In my experience choosing what alcoholic beverages (if any) to serve at the reception scares many couples, and can lead to anxiety that does not need to exist. The flowers may clash with the place settings, your new mother in law may complain about every menu choice, and you may even regret the retro DJ, but you should never regret the wine or beer.

Here are a few simple questions I ask couples to remember when you sit down to choose service options.

Where are you serving? While many event centers allow you to choose what to bring in, who the caterer is, and where to set up, there are some sites that have their own bar service. Be mindful that your options may be limited if the reception is somewhere like this, but also be aware if you may have to provide your own set up.

- 66 | WEDDINGS AND WINES 101

101 by Mike Laughlin

What to serve? Beer or wine, cocktails or shots, water or tea? Deciding how many options are available to your guests is important for guaranteeing a smooth reception. Typically, the smaller the guest list, the fewer options you need to provide. For instance, for one to twenty five guests, you could choose one alcoholic option and two non-alcoholic options, but for seventy-five to one hundred guests, you may want to provide three non-alcoholic and three alcoholic options. Choose quantity of one or two types instead of giving your guests a buffet of choices. I always recommend couples pick three wines - a red, a white, and a sweet or blush - and two types of beer. The smaller the wedding, the less choices you can offer.

How much to serve?

Who is serving? Does the caterer provide TABC certified bar staff or do you have to contact another agency? Many event centers require you to have a certified bar staff if they do not provide their own, and different sites may even have limitations on who can be staff. For instance, many places may not allow you to pick friends or family to serve unless they are licensed or on the approved caterers list.

How are the drinks being served? There are different options for bar service, such as open bar and cash bar. An open bar is where you provide all of the drinks served. A cash bar is where you estimate the number of people and a third party or caterer provides the alcohol on a per guest basis. There are many ways to combine the two, and knowing which you are doing and what is allowed at your reception venue will help you decide.

Decide on the length of the reception to calculate how much you need. For the first hour, you should estimate two servings per guest and one serving for every hour after. For example, a three-hour reception would estimate four servings per guest. Use the guest list to guess how much to bring. If you are serving one hundred guests, usually half will drink beer and half will drink wine. A typical case of canned beer has twenty four to thirty servings, whereas a typical case of wine has sixty servings. So fifty wine drinkers need two and a half cases, and fifty beer drinkers need about six cases of beer.

Whose wedding day is it? This is one of the most important days of your life. Do not spend time worrying over if there is one bottle of Chardonnay for Aunt Laura because she refuses to drink anything else, or if Uncle Cody has whiskey for his mixed drink. Order what you like and save the extras for after the honeymoon.

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On the Seventh day of winter...

WINTER DECOR Winter weddings can have just as much variation in the decor as any other season. With winter weddings come lots of fun ideas for decorating, such as a forest theme with twigs and branches, or more of a holiday theme of holly and berries with red and green ribbons. Both are stunning concepts that create a cozy and seasonal feeling. Let the details reflect what make this season memorable for you and your spouse with some of our favorite winter decorating ideas! Image by Romancing Belle Photography

Image by Amber Lynn Photography

Image by Custom by Nicole Photography

Image by Amber Lynn Photography

LLEEJ is a full-time wedding & portrait photography businessdedicated to serving clients both in Texas and worldwide. Alexandra Joplin is the owner and photographer behind ALLEEJ & uses a photojournalism+lifestyle photography to create timeless images for her clients.

Pick Up the Camera!

sing social media at weddings has become quite controversial in this day and age. For many photographers, it is discouraging to have phones, iPads, etc. interfering with their professional work, and unfortunately at times ruining shots that the couple has invested in the professional to capture. There are many who are against the use of social media and guests snapping pictures during weddings when a professional has been hired to thoroughly document the day; however, I am here to say that there may be several benefits to having your guests snap pictures of their own! As a professional photographer myself, I believe that there is an etiquette guests should honor during the events of a wedding. For example, during the wedding ceremony I think it’s totally fine to grab a quick picture on your phone; however, I believe that it is NEVER appropriate to use your iPads or lean out into the aisle to get a good picture. Let’s be real, we look silly trying to use an iPad to take pictures anyways. Just snap a quick one with your phone from your unique perspective, and then sit back, engage, and be all there for the ceremony. For the entirety of the event, I think you should be able to take as many and all the pictures you would like. At the same time, if a couple has hired a professional photographer, you should honor that and allow the professional to get the shots needed without disturbing them. Allll that said, I think it is so much fun to have the wedding documented from the guests’ point of view! It is part of our culture to document

our lives through pictures, and we share that by using social media outlets. I believe it is so exciting for the bride and groom to be able to re-live their day almost instantly through guests sharing pictures on Instagram, Facebook and other social media outlets. I personally think it’s a fabulous idea when couples come up with a clever hashtag that guests can tag with their photos, creating an instant collection of photos from the day. Having the perspective of your family and friends gives a personal touch and honestly sometimes may end up being some of the couple’s most cherished photographs. I believe the use of social media is priceless for couples who do not have a budget to hire a professional to capture the day. Your guests become the preservers of your memories through their pictures. Once a bride myself, I can honestly say I adore my photographs captured both professionally and by my guests. Often times, it takes a few weeks to get pictures back from the wedding day, so those instant, personal pictures captured by guests is so great for couples to have, share, and remember the day by. In conclusion, I am all for social media being used during weddings. My motto has and always will be “the more pictures the better.” Therefore, I say snap away!! Couples, be sure to share a fun hashtag with your guests so you can see all of their pictures from the day. To the guests, just remember, honor the bride and groom by being aware of the professional and always allowing them to get shots before getting taking your own. And remember, iPads are never a good idea—leave them at home with the babysitter!

- THEWCMAG.COM | 71

P E R FE C T B R I L L I A N T C U S T O M

I Z A B L E

D iamon trig ue ESTABLISHED IN 1978 2811 S Loop 289 #3, Lubbock, TX 79423

◊

(806) 745-7 522

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diamontrigue.neT

Rob Adams is a New Jersey-based wedding cinematographer with more than 15 years experience in wedding videography. His films are nationally and internationally recognized for their story-telling style and beautiful cinematography. He and his wife, wedding photographer Vanessa Joy travel the world shooting weddings and educating the industry.

Unplug Your Wedding

s a wedding videographer, guests who take it upon themselves to get what they feel like is a good photograph is a nightmare—and truth be told, it only hurts the bride and groom. I can’t tell you how often a wedding guest has completely ruined a key moment for me as the paid professional, the one who has been tasked with satisfying a bride and groom who only want to relive their wedding after it whips by in a flash. In a church, the problem is exacerbated. About 90% of the time videographers are told they cannot move at all, especially during the processional. So that means not only do I have to contend with a controlling priest and several professional photographers, but now I have to deal with getting blocked by the lady leaning halfway into the aisle with her massive iPad with a bright pink flip case that completely obscures the bride’s face as she walks down to her groom. For years many people complained about wedding vendors being obtrusive but now that awesome new technology allows us to remain incognito it’s the wedding guests who are ruining it. Trust me when I say this: your hosts would much rather have you ‘in-the-moment' rather than looking through the back of a camera with your face shining blue from the light of the LCD screen. Not to mention, they would rather not have hundreds of flashes going off directly in their face. I’m sure the bride would prefer this not to happen during this time of extreme anxiety. After all, she's just trying to put one foot in front of the other to get down the aisle. As a wedding filmmaker, I’m not just covering the day like wedding videographers used to, I’m trying to create a beautiful story that has gorgeous shots and composition, with as few disruptions and obstructions as possible. Your camera, phone, iPad, or whatever else combined with associated

flash/steady bright white light have the ability to completely ruin one of the most important shots of the day. It’s time people realize that just because you have the means to use technology at weddings doesn’t mean that you should, or that it’s okay to make someone else’s job more difficult. After all, I don’t come to your desk and start yelling out random numbers while you’re trying to do your accounting or leave my foot out between the tables while you are carrying a tray of dishes to the kitchen. In my opinion, it’s downright rude to be on your phone or looking through a screen when a bride and groom have asked you to witness their solemn wedding ceremony. I believe that awareness of the issue and calling people out when they cross the line is the only way to address this problem before it gets worse. I absolutely advocate a bride having an unplugged wedding and making sure that everyone knows that having a phone or camera in your hand during the ceremony will result in a cattle-prod to the back of the neck. Okay, rant over.

Image by Axel M. Studios

- THEWCMAG.COM | 73

On the Eigth day of winter... SONGS During the winter, there are special songs that always come to mind. Some are new and some are classic, yet each one sets the tone and feeling of wintertime. For those of you planning a winter wedding, playing seasonal music is not a bad thing! Although, you may want to avoid song specifically geared towards Christmas Day and Santa Claus, everyone loves music that reminds them of the holidays. Here are our top eight seasonal tunes that are sure the have your guests smiling and dancing! 1. Canon D/Christmas Canon 2. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Got my Love to Keep Me Warm 3. Baby Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cold Outside 4. A Marshmallow World 5. Let it Snow 6. Jingle Bell Rock 7. Winter Wonderland 8. Sleigh Ride Image by Jaimie Johnson Photography

We know you’ve got

something to celebrate.

We’ve got a flavor for every occasion wedding party gifts • guest goodies • wedding showers

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MASTERING...

‘THE MIX’

Without a doubt, it’s easier to furnish a room with ‘factory matched’ furniture collections. But a free-style, or ‘mismatched’ room offers an exciting and highly personalized alternative! From modern to vintage, from brand new to beautifully time-worn, today’s wide array of furniture styles makes one-of-a-kind, or eclectic, decor more achievable than ever before. Along with all those shopping options, there’s also plenty of advice out there to break old design rules and just buy what you like because it’ll surely all work together! Unfortunately, piecing together diverse furnishings into a working whole isn’t quite as easy as it sounds. While today’s plethora of stylish goods offers historically unprecedented opportunities to create an‘individual’ look, it can just as easily create a haphazard mix! Without a strategy, or a common thread holding all the pieces together, the effect of a free-style room can be less cohesive and satisfying than hoped for. So is there a way to de-mystify the free-style look just a little? We think so… and we’ve devoted this article to doing exactly that. Here are the best tips - along with exciting examples of mismatched, but marvelous-looking living rooms.

the rule of three... It’s a simple technique... but it works! Throughout your room, repeat each of your chosen themes and colors at least three times in furniture or accents. It’ll create much needed harmony while reinforcing the feeling you’re after.

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elegant meets industrial

BLACK SW6172

The Shoshana Sofa This sofa is pure ‘sophistication’ with delicate proportions and satiny pillows.

SW6521 SW6199

What if we could fuse this look with its complete opposite… a rustic, time-worn industrial vibe! Impossible? Feast your eyes!

The Elegant Details

The Industrial Details

Key Color Details

1. A Louis XV accent chair. 2. Artwork of delicate Victorian bird-cages. 3. A delicately thin and shapely floor lamp.

4. A chunky, weathered, factory-style coffee table. 5. Metal-and-wood factory-inspired nesting table. 6. A metal rachet table lamp.

Warm gray – SW6199 Slate blue – SW6521 Antique white – SW6172

WHY IT WORKS! The rule of three... each theme and key color is repeated at

least three times around the room. Two ‘transitional’ pieces — the rug and ‘scripted’ arm chair have traces of bot themes and help tie things together.

There is a better way... the Ashley way!

Man to Man: THE BOW TIE BAR

COMBINING CLASS + COOL

hile grooms may not get nearly as much attention as the bride, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget about the guys and their style on their special day. There is a big trend in wedding dresses right now: having not one, but two dresses. In recent years many brides have decided to swap out the formal ball gown for a fun and more comfortable dress as she gets down on the dance floor. A similar trend is emerging for the groom and his men. Instead of swapping the formal tux for a completely new suit, a simple tie change will do the trick. Changing from a formal black bow tie or necktie to a colorful polka dot piece will instantly transform any tux from old-fashioned elegance to modern-day fun. Instead of just giving the groom and his groomsmen the option to swap out their formal neckwear, give your guests the option as well by setting up a fun bow tie bar.

- 78 | MAN-TO-MAN

Assortment of Bow Ties

SOME TIPS

FOR BUILDING The Perfect

BOW TIE BAR

hile the bow tie aficionado will insist that a self-tie bow tie is the only sartorically acceptable choice, the casual tie wearer will appreciate the convenience of the pre-tied clip on. That being said, make sure that the majority of the bow ties you buy are pre-tied. Collect a nice assortment of fun patterns and colors. Polka dots, bold paisleys, as well as wild madras plaids are always a great choice. Not only will these pieces infuse a little fun into your wedding photos, your guests will likely enjoy wearing them for years to come. For those ambitious guys that want to master their bow tie tying skills, below are some handy step-by-step instructions the folks over at Bows-N-Ties created for us.

Polka Dotted

Striped Bow Tie

- THEWCMAG.COM | 79

- 80 | MAN TO MAN -

SPEED PRINT PRINTING • MAILING • MARKETING • GRAPHIC DESIGN

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A BIG, FAT

GREEK

Wedding

WAYS TO INCORPORATE YOUR FRAT/ SORORITY IN YOUR WEDDING DAY

ften times men and women who are or were in a fraternity or sorority like to find a way to honor that brotherhood or sisterhood in their wedding. For many people, “Greek” life was a time where they made some of their closest friends, who might even now be their groomsmen and bridesmaids, and it might have even opened the door to how they met. Whatever the case, incorporating your organization’s heritage into your wedding is a great way to show off each of your roots, celebrate fun traditions, and even pay tribute to all your “brothers” and “sisters” who are a part of your special day. Image by Woodland Fields Photography

THE ICING ON THE CAKE

Image b t Ph y Limeligh

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CALL ATTENTION TO COLORS

- 82 | A BIG, FAT GREEK WEDDING

ot og ra

Fraternity and Sorority colors are very recognizable. The bride could incorporate her sorority’s colors into the wedding party’s outfits, or vice versa with the groom and his fraternity colors. You can also include these colors when decorating your reception area.

P ht elig Image by Lim

All sororities have a flower that represents some aspect of their organization. When planning your wedding, consider including the sorority flower in the groomsmen’s boutonnieres, the bridesmaid bouquets, and anywhere else you can!

oto

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

Although the bride tends to go with a large, white, traditional cake, incorporating your sorority’s crest or symbol in your cake is a great way to honor your sorority - or for guys, fraternity. You can also choose to use these symbols on smaller desserts, such as cookies, cake pops, or cupcakes if you need a way to be both traditional and non-traditional.

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SERENADING CINDERELLA

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YOUR "SOMETHING BORROWED"

Image by Under Grace Photography

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One of our favorites ideas is incorporating your sorority as your “something borrowed.” In this photo, all of the bridesmaids were sorority sisters of the bride, and each of them let her borrow their sorority pin to attach to her bouquet. The same can be done with a guy, who could use his fraternity brother’s pins on his pocket square of inside his coat on his vest if he is wearing one.

r ri n g t o n P my A ho yA to g

Image by Kristen Weaver Photography

Image by Courtney Ryburn Photography

One of the most common traditions that sororities have at weddings is serenading the bride. The women celebrate the marriage by circling up around the bride and singing songs from their sorority. The same can be done for the fraternity brothers, who typically circle up around the bride to sing. Sometimes they even coordinate a dance or get down on one knee, all of which will make the bride just melt!

OPT FOR A PHOTO OPP! If all of the above are too “over the top” for you and your groom, that’s ok! If so, do not miss out on a group photo opportunity! Have the DJ announce for all sorority sisters to meet at a specific spot where they can all get at least one picture altogether, and do the same for the groom and his fraternity brothers.

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Image by Bumby Photography

On the Ninth day of winter... PINECONES Pinecones are a great winter element that is easily over looked. As a staple for this season, pinecones, when placed in unique ways, can be that little something extra. This focal element makes a statement and compliments other details of the wedding to help them to standout. There are many ways to incorporate this detail to add character and style to your winter design. Try enhancing you décor with these nine uses for pinecones! Invitations • Cake • Centerpieces • Mixed with flowers in a bouquet • Place Card Holder Candle votive holder • Boutonniere • Chair back • Isle Decor

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Image by Amber Lynn Photography

On the Tenth day of winter... CAKES Typically speaking, the wedding cake is often a focal point for the reception and reflects the overall theme of any wedding. Experimenting with a tasty filling or flavor of your cake is a great way to incorporate seasonality, and much like the décor, you can decorate the cake with a wide variety of winter elements. Take for example a woodland theme or the classic snowflake and icicles. If you are more interested in a simple design, consider dressing up an all white cake with a few of our favorite small accents. Regardless of the look you are wanting, we have ten great ideas for your holiday cake! Fondant Snowflakes • Icicles • Silver Bells or Glitter • Winter flowers • Woodland Branches Tiers of Holiday Ribbon • Lace, Argyle, or Swirl Textures • Shape it like a Present • Snowy Cupcakes Cranberry or Raspberry filling

- 87 | 12 DAYS OF WEDDINGS -

- THEWCMAG.COM | 87

On the Eleventh day of winter... INVITATIONS

Invitations are a crucial part of the wedding process that gives guests an idea of the theme of the wedding. Invitations come in a wide variety of designs, fonts, and sets, and it is important that no matter what the overall design is, that the font is clear and easy to read for guests. For making them seasonal, we suggest incorporating winter colors or one of our favorite designs that best reflects your personality! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Feaux Snow Tree Branches Mistletoe Deer Pinecones Poinsettias Ribbons Holly Bows Ornaments Snowflakes

Image by Custom by Nicole Photography

Garden of Dreams Weddings Enter as strangers leave as friends

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rounding up the

perfect table

eception tables—round, long, or both? Trying to decide on what shape you should settle on can be a real challenge. There are many variables to consider before committing yourself to a certain type of table, such as the number of guests and available space at your venue, types of centerpieces, and what sort of ambience you hope to achieve. If you have your heart set on a certain shape or style, go for it! But for those who are a little unsure or simply need some answers, look no further!

N RO U D

In the wedding world, circular tables are the popular choice. They are perfect for receptions that are more on the casual side and for those looking for a more traditional look. We generally recommend this type of seating style for those whose guests may not know each another intimately, as they won’t have to try and force a conversation with the person at the opposite end and should be comfortable enough with those on either side. If your guests do know one another, you might consider using smaller tables to keep everyone close and conversational. Typically speaking, round tables don’t need much decorating to look great, however, round tables make choosing or creating centerpieces a little easier. The one caveat we have for using rounds is that they take up a great amount of space. These tables can usually sit between six and eight, and if you have a large number of friends and family celebrating with you, it might be a tight evening. Also, they lack straight edges so the tables could not be stacked against each other to save room. However, if you have a spacious venue or small guest list, your venue will look utterly timeless.

RECTANGULAR There is simply no denying it, rectangular tables are turning into quite the trend! They are an ultra-modern approach to seating and, if done right, can look absolutely stunning. Rectangular tables often inspire a more formal and elegant atmosphere to the evening because they are not used as often. They also allow for more additions to the centerpieces that create a complete, full appearance. A mixture of small and large arrangements and interesting details or candles make for beautiful décor on long tables. This “family style” seating is wonderful for friends and family who are close to one another because they are able to talk with guests on either side of them as well as those sitting both directly across the table and to their right and left. Not only do they look unique, but they also help save room if there will be dancing. While this seating style is fun and original, it can make serving food to your guests a bit more difficult due to less maneuverability. Instead, we suggest doing a buffet for your

- 90 | ROUNDING UP THE PERFECT TABLE

meal! Ultimately, rectangular tables can leave a contemporary and sophisticated impression on friends and family that they are sure to love! So, what to choose? No matter the decision, both can be decorated beautifully. If you want to spice things up, use both! There are amazing arrangements that incorporate round and rectangles together, as well as square. At the end of the day, people won’t be ranting and raving about the style of table, so no need to stress! Go with what is more functional or what you think will be more comfortable for your guests.

FUN

It'san All d

GAMES

t’s a question every bride and groom has to face—to include children in the wedding celebrations or not. While we think it is fine if the couple requests adults only, we love the idea of the little ones joining everyone for all the festivities! Children often grow bored with dancing or speeches, so it’s always a good idea to have some sort of activity planned to keep them entertained throughout the evening. Also, if the kiddos are busy, parents have more time to celebrate with the other guests! Luckily, there is a wide variety of games and fun that can entertain any child, and our list is just a start!

Image by Robert Evans

Image by Taylor Lord Photography

MOVIE THEATRE

Set up a kids’ movie theatre with a projector and a white sheet. A movie will get the kiddos excited and keep them occupied for a few hours. Throw down some big pillows and blankets, and they’re good to go! Don’t forget the popcorn!

- THEWCMAG.COM | 93

Image by Taylor Lord Photography

Image by Pure in Art Photography Image by Taylor Lord Photography

Image by Sri Maiava Rusden

GOODIE BAGS

Fill goodie bags with the kids’ favorite snacks and small games – goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, Legos, stickers, and small books. If you know how many children will be attending the wedding, have a table set up with their names and place settings. Finding the special spot and a bag of surprises are sure to be something they will enjoy.

COLORING

The possibilities are endless with paper and boxes of crayons. Tables with white paper tablecloths are a blank slate of fun. The adults may even get in on a game of tic-tac-toe or drawing portraits of the bride and groom. Another coloring activity option is personalized coloring books. Print the books in advance and have kids color in your wedding story.

DRESS-UP PHOTO BOOTH

Hats, feather boas, sunglasses, and fake mustaches – how fun! Photo booths have recently become a popular reception activity, and the pictures of families dressed up in silly outfits turn out really cute. A simple backdrop, a few props, and a camera are all you need. A lot of giggles and smiles are sure to come from this wedding reception activity.

- 94 | IT’S ALL ABOUT FUN AND GAMES

BUBBLES

Simple things like bubbles can preoccupy small children for hours! Worried about running out? No problem! You can find bubble recipes online and simply fill a container with your concoction for bubble replenishments throughout the evening. Bubbles all night!

CRAFTING

Arts and crafts are a great way to keep children entertained during weddings because they are so fun! Feel free to fill small bins or tubs with a variety of art supplies such as glue, feathers, gems—whatever your inner child might love. Creating a cute picture frame or some sort of easy project will ensure an evening full of fun for the kiddos while the parents are out dancing!

CHAPERONE/ CHILD CARE

Hiring childcare for a wedding might help eliminate some stress at the reception, so the adults can fully enjoy the celebration. There are wedding childcare services available, or you can hire babysitters you know. Be sure to let the couples with kids know in advance that childcare will be available so they are not worried about bringing the rest of their family along. A sweet note can be stuffed in with the wedding invitations or a quick phone call would also do the trick.

CATERING SPECIAL OCCASIONS

4701 112TH STREET, LUBBOCK TX WWW.L AS -BRI S AS .C OM CATERING : (806) 687-5332

s e i d La O T E M I T IT'S

! T F I L

If your heart’s desire is a complete body transformation before the big day, it’s time to take charge and change your workout routine! Cardio is great and a necessary element of your total fitness package, but your golden ticket to the body you’ve been dreaming of is adding strength training to your current workout regimen. So stop worrying and start lifting!

If I lift weights will I get

BULKY?

No!

Simply put, If you are a woman it isn’t possible to “bulk up” with 2-3 1 hour sessions of weight work per week. It’s not nearly enough time and you don’t have the hormones necessary. Did you know that testosterone is the main hormone responsible for increasing muscle mass (bulk)? Men have an abundance of testosterone so they are able to gain muscle mass at a much faster rate than women. Women, on the other hand, have roughly the same testosterone levels as a 10 year old boy, and when was the last time you saw a beefed up 10 year old boy? When you lift weights that are heavy enough to be challenging, you actually create micro-tears in the muscle fibers. These tears are then repaired

- 96 | LADIES IT’S TIME TO LIFT

by the body, thereby creating the feeling of muscle soreness. Now here’s the kicker, because muscle tissue is more dense than fat, adding a little bit more muscle to your body and decreasing your fat actually makes you look leaner— not bigger! Wait, there’s more! Aerobic exercise burns calories during the workout and stops when the workout is complete. Muscle-building activities, however, create caloric expenditure long after the workout is over. Meaning that your body will burn calories for hours after you leave the gym. Working with weights breaks down muscle tissue and energy, in the form of calories, is required to repair the tissue. Unfortunately, the fear of bulk often leads women to avoid stren-

gth training in their daily fitness routines. It is very common for women to rely heavily on cardio in attempt to burn fat, stay fit and even shape up specific areas of their body, but cardio is only a small portion of a much bigger picture. Cardio is great for overall endurance and stamina, but it’s very difficult to tone abs and arms without any weight training. In reality, strength training is the only way to target and tone specific muscle groups. When you add weights to your workout regimen, your muscles will be working in ways that they haven’t. Your body will respond quickly to this change by building muscle (not bulk), which means you will burn loads of calories and convert flab to lean, toned muscle in a matter of weeks not months.

A FEW TIPS

to get you

STARTED... You can safely work out up to 6 days per week, with your strength training mixed in on 2-3 of those days. It is advised to take at least one day of rest per week. Definitely keep your cardio and yoga in the rotation but add in your heavy strength days for a big fat blasting boost!

For a more fun, effective and motivating strength training experience attend a Group Exercise class such as RIP or Body Pump. These

classes are designed to hit every major muscle group in your body and are choreographed and set to upbeat music that will really get you going!

Heavy weights are your friend and most likely exactly what you need to jump start your workout routine. Sticking with

Kick it up a notch with compound exercises. Think of sit

ups, planks, squats and lunges as your foundation exercises. Now think of doing sit up twists with a hand weight, walking planks, lunges with biceps curls and squats with overhead press. Simply put, more muscle movement equals more calories burned.

your same light weights will land you in a rut and you will cease to see results. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know your weights are too light if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re no longer sore after your strength training workout.

Push your body - You are stronger than you think!

real weddings Want to see your fabulous wedding in our pages next issue? E-mail us! editorial@thewcmag.com

On the Twelth day of winter...

WINTER DRESSES Baby, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cold outside, and every winter wedding bride needs a dress with some warmth. This seasonal Alfred Angelo gown with lace sleeves is perfect for a holiday wedding! What better time than winter to wear a dress with sleeves? Everything about this dress, down to the intricate lace detail, says winter. When decided on a dress for a winter wedding, choose a dress with more material. Small details such as sleeves, a full shirt, and a lace-up torso can make you much warmer than you might think. For some extra fair, consider a dress with some color or spice things up with a rich red sash, shoes, or jewelry. Images courtesy of Alfred Angelo

real s g n i dd e w Image by In Bloom Photography

CAISHA I. DARTHARD MICHAEL A. DAWODU Ceremony & Reception: Kent R. Hance Chapel & McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center Lubbock TX

ichael and Caisha were both attending Texas Tech University in 2005 when a mutual friend, Greg, introduced them over the phone. Greg and Michael were roommates at the time, so anytime Caisha went to see Greg or talked to him by phone, she interacted with Michael as well. The two officially became a couple in May of 2006 and have been inseparable ever since. Michael and Caisha were coming up on their seven-year anniversary. and Michael decided he wanted to take family photos since they needed some updated ones. As they were about to wrap up the shoot, he asked the photographer to take one more picture. When he turned back around he got on one knee, opened a ring box, and asked Caisha to marry him. Caisha was the winner of a contest that The Wedding Connection Magazine was having for a free bridal gown from Bliss Bridal. She ended up choosing the very last dress she tried on. As soon as she put on the dress and saw herself, Caisha knew this dress would be the one she would walk out of the store with. Michael and Caisha decided not to do a “first look,” because Michael wanted the first time that he saw her in her wedding gown to be the moment she walked down the aisle. Instead, the couple decided to exchange gifts in a doorway of the chapel before the ceremony

In the ceremony, Michael and Caisha decided to do the tasting of elements as their covenant to one another. The tasting of the elements (sour, bitter, hot, and sweet) is something that is done in traditional weddings in Nigeria, which is Michael’s home country. Each element represents a stage within a marriage that the two will face and conquer together. As they tasted each element, the officiant informed their guests what each of the tastes meant. At the reception, Michael and Caisha changed into traditional Nigerian clothing and accessories, incorporated Nigerian music in their playlist, and performed a traditional dance called the dollar dance where relatives and well-wishers take turns approaching the bride and groom and toss money on them as a blessing. Michael and Caisha’s advice to future couples is to take as long as needed to get your wedding exactly how you want it. Be patient when trying to get things to happen, and be vocal if there is anything that you have input on to ensure the day turns out as you plan. Caisha is currently working on her doctoral degree at Texas Tech, and Michael is looking forward to furthering his career with the biomedical company he currently works for and hopes to pursue an MBA soon. The couple is also working on expanding their family in the near future.

-Images by Mokapo PhotographyBride’s Dress: Eden from Bliss Bridal, Lubbock, TX | Bridesmaid's Dresses: David's Bridal Menswear: Vera Wang from Men’s Wearhouse, Lubbock, TX Caterer: Top Tier Catering - TTU, Lubbock, TX | Cake: Simply Decadent, Lubbock, TX | DJ: DJ SoulFly

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MARLENE ADRIANA SOLIS

MIGUEL ISRAEL RAMIREZ MORALES Ceremony & Reception: Celebration Event Center, Plano, TX

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hen Marlene first met Miguel, she was a junior in college, and the salsa dance organization, Fuego, was hosting a salsa night. Before she even saw Miguel, she had bought a package for salsa dancing lessons. It was solely by coincidence that Miguel was there to help the instructor. When the class began to warm up, Marlene couldn’t keep her eyes off of him. After numerous partners, she finally got to dance with Miguel. Before she left, he asked for her phone number, and the rest is history. One night on Marlene’s way home, Miguel called and said the delivery guy from Amazon just called and was at the door waiting with a package. When Marlene got home, there was a sign on the door that said, “ Baby Boo, follow the road and click play.” In small print, there was a note at the bottom of the sign that said, “Please, follow these simple instructions in order for this little surprise to work. Also, you need to click play on the computer. It is already set up for you. I hope you like it, Baby Boo.” When Marlene opened the door and hung her keys, another sign said, “Baby Boo, please hang your keys. Go straight to the computer.” Just as the first sign, there was a note in small print at the bottom that said, “In case you do not follow these simple instructions the surprise will be ruined.

You don’t want this surprise to be ruined, right? Okay, I figured. So, just go to the computer and click play.” Marlene followed a path of yellow rose petals toward the computer, wiping away tears. As she clicked play, Jason Derulo’s “Will You Marry Me,” began as picture after picture of their relationship appeared on the screen. Then, Miguel came out of the bedroom and knelt down on one knee. Although Marlene can’t remember everything that happened, she does remember one thing – saying yes! The couple’s vision for the wedding was simple elegance. For the color scheme, Marlene wanted to use a color that both she and Miguel loved, which is a deep plum purple. Marlene and Miguel’s favorite moment of the wedding was when they said their vows. Miguel was very adamant that they write their own, and Marlene said it made the ceremony much more personal. The couple’s advice is to take a breather and not put things off to the last minute. If everything is planned accordingly, the bride will be stress-free! Also, enjoy every minute of your wedding day because it will be gone in a blink.

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MADISON KATHRINE MCWILLIAMS PAYTON LANE HERMAN Ceremony & Reception: American Wind Power Center, Lubbock, TX

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ayton and Madison both grew up in small West Texas towns less than 15 miles apart from one another. It wasn’t until after high school that God’s plan had their paths cross, and their journey first began. On their first date, Payton cooked Madison an amazing dinner and immediately swept her off her feet. They made it official and began dating on July 20, 2009. Madison’s birthday and the couple’s three-year anniversary fell in the same month, so Madison suspected July would be the month of their engagement. When Payton surprised her by coming to Lubbock on her birthday, she was so excited because she knew she would soon be engaged to the man of her dreams. On July 3, 2012, while watching a firework show with Madison’s family, Payton knelt and said to Madison “We need some excitement, so here’s some excitement! Will you

marry me?” Payton and Madison had a “first look,” and both said it was so great to have that exciting moment with one another before the wedding to calm their nerves. It was a rush of emotions for both of them. During those few minutes, Payton and Madison had what was probably the most intimate moment of the evening together, just the two of them. Madison’s sister, Meredith, had passed away in 2007, and it was important to Madison to celebrate her in a special way at the ceremony. She had a ribbon from her wedding invitation incorporated into the bouquet, and the cake stand used for her bride’s cake was also used in both of her sister’s weddings. Since the wedding was in the evening, there was a meal catered for the guests. They served sliced brisket, beans, potato salad, and all the fixings!

Madison didn’t want a traditional wedding cake or wedding cake flavor so she opted for a “naked” wedding cake. She chose her favorite cake flavor - carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Payton loves Oreos and milk, so when it came time to decide what he wanted for his groom’s cake, the choice was obvious. He had Oreos, plain milk and strawberry milk with fun straws. Payton and Madison both say that, from the beginning, their relationship has always been filled with so much joy and love, and they knew early on they had found forever in one another. Now as a married couple, they are looking forward to what the future holds. For now, Lubbock is where they call home. Their next big step is buying their first home, wherever that may be.

-Images by In Bloom PhotographyBride’s Dress: David’s Bridal | Menswear: Men’s Warehouse| Florist: Patti Weaver, Sweet P’s Designs, Lubbock, TX Caterer: Klemke’s Sausage Haus, Slaton, TX | Cake: Market Street (98th St.), Lubbock, TX | DJ: Lil’ Pete’s DJ & Karaoke, Lubbock, Texas

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HANNAH ELIZABETH COPPLE JAMAL MALIK JEFFERSON Ceremony & Reception: Fulford Barn Brownfield, Texas

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annah and Jamal both grew up in Lubbock but never crossed paths until attending Texas Tech University. Jamal was in the Men of God Christian fraternity, and Hannah was in Raider Sisters for Christ sorority. The two had mutual friends and saw each other often. Hannah remembered seeing Jamal at various events and having a “kindergarten crush” on him, but it was nothing more to her. After Hannah graduated, Jamal asked Hannah to coffee after they talked at a friend’s house, and the rest is history! Jamal had been planning the engagement with Hannah’s co-teacher, Jill, and they worked up “fake” dinner plans for the two couples. When Hannah was working on her classroom before dinner that night, Jamal walked in with a dozen colorful balloons, a friend taking pictures, and her brother filming. Jamal brought Hannah to the center of the room and gave her one white balloon to hold that had a piece of paper tied to the bottom while he read and showed her a book that he had made of different pictures and notes Hannah had written him throughout their relationship. When Jamal got to the last page, he said, “This page is blank because the picture will come from tonight.” Hannah opened the paper that read, “Will You Marry Me?” She said yes!

The ceremony held most of Hannah’s favorite moments. Hannah’s brother played “Here Comes the Sun” on his acoustic guitar as she walked down the aisle, and she and Jamal wrote their own vows and read them for the first time to each other at the ceremony. Jamal and Hannah also chose to take communion with each other to celebrate Christ providing them with the gift of marriage. Hannah wore her mother’s first diamond from her engagement ring on a necklace and a ring her dad gave to her that her sister also wore on her wedding dress. All of the girls in Hannah’s family have had the same butterfly broach on their bouquet that was her great grandmothers, and Hannah shared the tradition. The couple’s advice to couples planning a wedding is to remember the purpose for getting married. Don’t let the wedding outshine your upcoming marriage and commitment. Second, stay on top of all your planning. You will enjoy the planning so much more if you are not stressed out about it. Hannah and Jamal are taking time to enjoy being married. They are currently living in Lubbock, establishing themselves as The Jeffersons.

-Images by Tara Hobgood PhotographyBride’s Dress: The Blushing Bride in Frisco, TX | Bride’s Shoes + Accessories: Badgley Mischka & Etsy | Menswear: Men’s Warehouse Florist: United Market Street | Caterer: Honey Child | Cake: United Market Street | Rentals: Social Butterfly Spoil Me Rotten DJ: Music to the Maxx

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BRITTNEY NICOLE COLBY BRICE STUDER Ceremony & Reception: Amarillo Botanical Gardens

olby was going on a date with a mutual friend of Brittney’s. She thought it was a “he and she” date and he thought it was a “bring your friend” date. When Colby showed up with a friend, Brittney’s friend called her to join, so she met up with them after for drinks. She and Colby were a team on washers and hit it off. They went on their first date a few weeks later and laid everything out on the table of what they would or wouldn't put up with and what they were looking for in a relationship. That date lasted five hours. One day after church, Colby suggested a picnic. They

went and grabbed some food and went to the middle of nowhere on a dirt road and cranked up some Dierks Bentley. Brittney recorded them dancing, so she went to turn her camera off. Colby suggested they dance one more time, so she put the song on “Every Mile a Memory.” When she turned around, he was down on his knee. Brittney is a vendor at David’s Bridal in Amarillo, so finding her dress was fairly easy. She tried on about five dresses, and on the last one, Brittney’s mom started crying. She knew then that was the perfect dress.

Brittney is a strong advocate of intimate photos, so there was no doubt in her mind that she wanted to do a first look. She and Colby wanted a few moments to themselves without any distractions. It took Brittney nearly six months to make the roses for the wedding décor and bouquets. She wanted something unique that wouldn't die, so she made paper flowers out of novels. The bride’s most memorable part of the day was when Colby’s sister walked in with a single rose from Colby to give to her. Among the décor, the couple’s biggest splurges were the marquee lights and videog-

rapher. Brittney also made a welcome fence where people could sign in on a canvas for the couple to have as a keepsake. Brittney and Colby’s advice for couples is to get things as soon as you can so that you won't stress about last minute details. It also makes you less likely to forget something. Brittney and Colby are happily married and currently playing with the idea of getting another house. Brittney is a birth photographer, and she admits that seeing babies all the time is giving her new ideas for their near future.

-Images by David Williams PhotographyBride’s Dress: David’s Bridal | Bridesmaid’s Dresses: David’s Bridal | Menswear: JC Penney | Caterer The Wolfin House Rentals: Rabern Rentals | DJ: Lil’ Pete’s DJ & Karaoke, Lubbock, Texas

Cake: The Wild Cupcake

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for beginner crafters ABOUT PINSPIRED

Pinspired is a full-scale Do-It-Yourself workshop in Lubbock, Texas that provides the supplies, tools and assistance for any project you want to take on. From small craft projects, to repurposing furniture, all the way to full-scale remodels, we help you every step of the way. To see more DIY projects by Pinspired, visit www.getpinspired.com.

MARQUEE LETTERS

OUT OF 8" CARDBOARD LETTERS FROM HOBBY LOBBY SUPPLIES NEEDED: • Cardboard letters of choice (we used the 8” letters from Hobby Lobby) • Small dome lights • Decorative paint and brush • Black spray paint and metallic spray paint • Coping saw • Sand paper • Hot glue and Elmer’s Glue • Drill and bit

HOW TO: 1. Using the coping saw, or anything you can cut a small line with, “make an incision” in the front of each letter.

parable in size; lay out your light formation on the letters in order to verify the spacing for the holes you will drill.

2. Gently work the cardboard front away from the sides of the letter.

6. Once drilled out, take the letters and spray paint the inner and outer edges black a. Once dry, dust them with a silver metallic in order to get that metal flashing look.

3. Using sand paper, smooth the edges of the letters ridding them of any small paper fragments. 4. We took Elmer’s Gel Glue and smeared a small amount on the edges of the letter in order to keep the letters’ edges from swelling as we painted them. 5. Take something handy and com-

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7. Paint the inside of your letter whatever color you choose. We used Lone Star Love Chalk and Mineral Paint in the color TX 2-Step. a. Using a mix of brown and black

paint, lightly rub the inside edges of the letters where the walls meet the back to give a rusted/antiqued look. 8. Once dry, insert your lights from the back side and “Viola”, marquee letters perfect for any décor! 9. To take this a step further, Chelsea, the bride-to-be, cut a heart out of ½” MDF. 10. Drilled out her holes, painted the heart, hot glued the letters to the heart, pushed her lights through from the back and now has a sign to stand on a table at the wedding reception.

D.I.Y.

for intermediate crafters

COMFORTABLE CRAFTERS (INTERMEDIATE) Chelsea plans to use this marquee sign at the edge of the dance floor to hang as the back drop of the dance floor at her wedding. Due to the pallet backer, the sign has a very sturdy base and can be leaned against something instead of hung if hanging the sign is inconvenient.

HOW TO: 1. Lay out the letters to get the desired look you want. 2. Take something handy and comparable in size to your lights; lay out your light formation on the letters in order to verify the spacing for the holes you will drill. 3. Trace around your “lights” to mark where you will drill the holes. 4. Using a bit just large enough for the back of your lights to fit through, drill out the holes a. Sand the holes to not leave any splinters that will slow you down later 5. Paint the letters in your choice

of colors a. We used the Lone Star Love Chalk and Mineral Paint line to paint our letters in Call Me Darlin’, TX 2-Step and Fredericksburg. 6. Get creative!!! 7. Place your letters and screw them onto the wood from the back of the pallet. 8. Insert the bulbs from the front and the bulb bases from the back. This will hold the bulbs in place until you can staple them secure from the back. 9. Pull the bulbs taught against the pallet and staple the cords down to hold everything in place.

MARQUEE LETTERS OUT OF 23" WOODEN LETTERS FROM HOBBY LOBBY SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• String globe lights • Decorative paint and brush • Pallet • Sand Paper • Wood Glue • Drill and bits • Staple Gun • Ruler and/or tape measure • Screws or nails and hammer

11. Lights out, marquee on!

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D.I.Y.

advanced crafters

4' TALL MARQUEE STAR SUPPLIES NEEDED: • 4’x 4’ piece of ½” MDF • String globe lights • Decorative paint and brush • Black spray paint and metallic spray paint • Sand paper

4 5

• Wood glue • Drill and bit • Staple gun • Square and flexible tape measure • Screws or nails and hammer or

nail gun if available • String and pencil • Jigsaw • Wood for “metal edges” • Angle finder

1. We cut a 4’x8’ sheet of MDF in half to get our 4’x4’ board) Use the square to run one line down the center of the board and another across the center of the board. Where the two lines intersect, hammer in a small nail. 2. Now, don’t get too excited, but remember this? C=2πr, yep, that’s right! We used good old algebra to find the circumference of our circle. Remember that the Circumference (C) {the outside ring) of a circle equals 2 Pi's (Pi=3.14) {2 Pi= 6.28} multiplied by the Radius (r) {half way through the middle of the circle}. Instead of trying to measure around the entire circle by yourself, just measure your radius (r) but measure from the nail hole in the center of the circle to the outside edge of your circle and then plug that into your equation. 3. Taking anything long and straight, connect your marks to form the star.

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4. Using a Jigsaw (or hand saw if you are really ambitious!), cut out the star.

5. Now measure to find out how long your “metal edges” need to be. 6. Using a tape measure and something to mark your “lights” find your hole spacing and drill out your holes. Again, use a bit that is just large enough for the light base to fit through. Sand both surfaces of your star so that you don’t have any splintering left around your holes or on your edges. 7. Paint the star in your choice of colors 8. Spray paint your “metal edges” on both sides with a black paint. 9. Insert the bulbs from the front and the bulb bases from the back. This will hold the bulbs in place until you can staple them securely from the back. 10. Pull the bulbs taught against the star back and staple the cords down to hold everything in place. 11. Lights out, marquee on and here you go!

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