{ THE PREMIER RESOURCE FOR DALLAS BRIDES } ETIQUETTE PRIMER: HOW TO HAVE A PROPER DALLAS WEDDING DIVINE DRESSES REAL 25 NEW WEDDINGS GOWN LOOKS Steal these TO LOVE ideas! THE ROYAL More from Maisie & TREATMENT (John’s celebration on p. 124) PAPER AND the PETALS FIT FOR A PRINCESS ULTIMATE GUIDE to YOUR PERFECT WWW.DWEDDINGS.COM DAY! FALL 2018 $8.95 Cover_DWedFW18_2.indd 1 5/22/18 2:49 PM GIFTS Who gives what to whom? Sally Lutz of St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange unwraps the expectations. BRIDE AND GROOM: PARENTS OF THE You aren’t required to COUPLE: Don’t forget to exchange gifts with each thank any party hosts with a other, but you are expected nice gesture, as well—even to give gifts to members with just a handwritten of your wedding party. thank-you note. The bride “Gifts for the attendants and her mother usually should reflect the bride handle these, unless a host and groom’s personalities is closer to the groom’s and fit with the budget that family. “In general, gifts are is comfortable for them,” designed to be a token of she says. Ideas include: thanks,” Lutz says. “It’s easy picture frames, custom to get carried away with big- stationery, monogrammed ger and more elaborate gift totes, and makeup bags for giving, but it isn’t necessary. girls; pocket squares, flasks, Small, carefully chosen, monogrammed dopp kits, beautifully wrapped gifts or toiletry bags for guys. are lovely and fine.” HEAD TABLE You’ve said I do, and now it’s time to celebrate. But who do you always recommend place cards for the head table; it makes for picture sitting next to you and your groom? Space planning your smooth seating with your VIPs,” Hendricks adds. “A place card reception doesn’t have to result in pulling your hair out. “Some will ensure that your maid of honor gets a seat next to you and Silver tipped couples love the large head table with everyone included; oth- not at the far end of the table next to a groomsman’s random corner place ers like an intimate sweetheart table with just the two of them,” date she’s never met.” cards ($36 for 15/ says Laura Hendricks of StarDust Celebrations. “Other couples But what about your guests who aren’t coupled up? Hendricks Bell’Invito); marble place card holders opt for a family table and celebrate their first meal with their still recommends the singles’ table, as people tend to be more ($165/Bell’Invito); parents and siblings.” If you do opt to have your bridal party with social at weddings and mix with guests they may not already Calligraphy by you, remember the plus ones—don’t separate dates. Consider a know—just remember to give a plus one to any guests who may DRESSCODE, RING:COURTESY VENDORS;OF PLACECARDS:ELIZABETH LAVIN Ladybird Paper Co. sweetheart or family-only table if your bridal party is large. “I not know anyone else at the wedding other than yourself. DWEDDINGS.COM D WEDDINGS FALL/WINTER 2 0 18 141 Feature_AtoZEtiquette_DWedFW18.indd 141 5/21/18 1:30 PM The ABCs of Etiquette WELCOME BAGS Jordan Payne of The Welcome Bag Committee recommends filling these gestures of thanks with items that reflect the theme of the wedding or the couple’s favorite edibles—cups, flip flops, napkins, and BEHIND towels are all fair game. “We always recommend a salty, a sweet, a fun THE VEIL product like a candle or blanket, a bath and body product, and a bever- "Beach Please" If you’ve ever wondered which rules are not age,” she says. Deliver bags to the hotel a few days prior to arrival—you insulated tote can have them handed out at check-in or delivered to rooms. ($34/The Welcome for breaking, local wedding planners and Bag Committee) experts reveal the biggest faux pas to avoid on the wedding weekend. “One of the biggest faux pas on the wedding day is a speech that goes on too long or is on the verge of roasting W the bride and groom.” —Jennifer Yarbro, Jennifer Yarbro Photography GUESTS: If transportation is provided, don’t be late. “Mother of the groom: BRIDE AND GROOM: Please don’t wear white!” “Drinking too much champagne before Don’t forget to tip Club Dallas at Las Colinas —Sara Greiner, Four Seasons Resort & the ceremony. There is plenty of time to ✔ your drivers. celebrate at the reception, and you want ✘ to be your bestpictures.” for the ceremony and “Bridal party and family: Please be on —Sara Fay Egan, Jackson Durham YES OR NO time and respectwedding the planner’s day.” timeline. There are so many moving parts on a —Maxine Owens, The Southern Table We polled 20 wedding vendors to tell us why—or why not—to include these traditions on your wedding day. “The bride and groom are so busy, especially in the final month leading up to NO: FREEZE THE aisle. On the other, “having X MARKS the wedding. Do not make them hunt you TOP LAYER OF YOUR a first look allows you to down for your reply.” WEDDING CAKE let go of your nerves and THE SPOT — Alexandra Kretschmar, Ladybird Paper Co. The group agrees that walk into the ceremony While transporting your celebrating your first anni- with a little less pressure,” guests—whether by bus, limo, “Not making everyone feel versary with wedding cake says Madison Spears from is a must—but freezing Bella Flora of Dallas. “It taxi, or Uber—to your wedding comfortable—this is the number your cake is not. “Most bak- also allows you to take all is not expected, it is certainly one rule, and if you follow it, it will guide ers will bake you an anniver- of your wedding party and you safely planning through process.” the wedding appreciated. “If you can sary cake so that you don’t family photos before the —Julian Leaver, Julian Leaver Events have to eat that stale thing,” ceremony so guests are not accommodate transportation says Julian Leaver of Julian waiting afterward.” in your budget, we recom- Leaver Events. mend departing from the YES: SOMETHING YES: TOSS THE BORROWED, NEW, OLD, hotel room block, and be very BOUQUET AND BLUE specific about the departure It was a yes across the Everyone agrees that this is time,” says Brianna Noland of board, but just make sure a great way to incorporate “For the mother of the groom to buy her there are enough single family heirlooms. “Wed- 316 Design Source. However, “In-laws, guests, family—criticizing or dress beforeand mother she checks of the with bride.” the bride ladies to gather so it’s not dings are made from family complaining about anything to do with there’s an exception: “When the wedding or reception.” putting someone on the traditions and passing —Marsha Ballard French, StarDust Celebrations there is no Uber, parking is — Vivian Morgan, Culinary Art Catering spot. “Let’s face it, all your down memories,” Jennifer single friends are waiting Yarbro from Jen Yarbro limited, you have a majority of for it,” says Lacey Di Nardo Photography. out-of-town guests, or if your ZZZZ’S of Marie Gabrielle Restau- venue is way out of town, we rants and Gardens. YES: DECORATING A GETAWAY CAR would strongly suggest provid- NO: GARTER TOSS This has evolved from a ing transportation,” she says. “Bringing someone who is not on Awkward. Uncomfortable. Steel Magnolias moment to However, you are respon- Are you always responsible for where your guests sleep the inner envelope. If your children Just a couple of words used a classier version. “Opt for “Being late to the ceremony. sible for getting your bridal are not on the envelope, chances are to describe the garter toss. a cute sign and floral,” says after the party’s over? “A block of hotel rooms is not always Get nestled in your seat 15 to 20 minutes party to and from the party it’s a no-kid wedding!” before the wedding starts.” Most urged brides to pass Molly Rasmussen of Pop necessary; however, if you want your guests to all stay in one —Emily Noland, 316 Design Source —Debby Jewesson, Branching Out Events on this one. “Save this for Parties. “No more ribbon safe and sound. “The bride’s your bachelorette party, or bows.” family is responsible for pro- location to facilitate bus or shuttle transportation, a block is a not your wedding dance floor,” says Sara Fay Egan of TIE: WEDDING FAVORS viding transportation for the good thing,” says Marsha Ballard French of StarDust Celebra- Jackson Durham. The consensus was split. If bridal party to and from the tions. “Hotel blocks are communicated on the couple’s website, you do decide on wedding ceremony and reception while TIE: NOT SEEING favors, no tchotchkes. “It by the save the date card, or by inserting a details/lodging YOUR GROOM only makes sense if the the groom’s family is respon- It was a tie down the favor is something that sible for transportation of the card in the invitation packet.” middle. On the one hand, relates back to the couple groom and best man to the it’s an emotional memory personally,” says Linda WELCOMECOURTESYBAG: VENDOROF to save this moment for the Lyons of Lyons Events. ceremony,” Noland explains. 148 D WEDDINGS FALL/WINTER 2018 DWEDDINGS.COM DWEDDINGS.COM D WEDDINGS FALL/WINTER 2 0 18 149 Feature_AtoZEtiquette_DWedFW18.indd 148 5/18/18 9:12 AM Feature_AtoZEtiquette_DWedFW18.indd 149 5/21/18 1:32 PM.