TOP 5 | TABLESCAPES MUST-HAVES

1. TABLE GARLANDS
Garlands are such a pleasing visual effect to add to your décor. They're lush, plentiful and can really make long tables POP! Today we explore several ways that you can create a stunning magic carpet of blooms or greenery. You can work with a single color, a mix, or an ombre effect (which we love!), to make the florals at your event a real showstopper!

PHOTO | UNKNOWN

PHOTO | BECKY HILL

PHOTO | UNKNOWN

PHOTO | UKNOWN

2. BALLOONS
If there is one easy way to add some whimsy and color to your wedding it would be balloons. Check out below at how beautifully you can create an innate sense of fun on your big day!

PHOTO | ANN KATHRIN KOCH

PHOTO | SARAH GAWLER

3. CANDLES
Candlelight is always the best lighting for your wedding day. That romantic glow is just perfect! By creating different levels of flame on your table décor will show how a little texture and variety can go a long way!

PHOTO | GRAHAM YELTON

PHOTO | MICHELLE BOYD PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO | ART HAUS

PHOTO | BLONDENBLUE

4. GEOMETRIC DECOR
If you are dreaming of a cool and clean lined wedding tablescape, geometric is the way to go! You'll be able to create a unique style that appeals to all of your guests!

PHOTO | UNKNOWN

PHOTO | KATHRYN IVY PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO |  KATHRYN IVY PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO | THE AMBURGEYS

PHOTO | ANGIE CAPRI

5. TABLE LINENS
When deciding on décor for your tablescape, the decision for which linens you go with are just as important as the florals that sit on top on them. Linens elevate the look of an event by adding texture, color and an overall richness to the décor. From a sparkly sequin to a soft and feminine table topper like a lace overlay, we love them all! Choosing a great linen will help make the details of your wedding stand out! 

PHOTO | BOYD HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO | BRADLEY JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO | MEGAN CLOUSE

PHOTO | EDYTA SZYSZIO

What will your table look like?

TOP 5 | WEDDING BOUQUETS

Happy Wednesday everyone! We're back with another exciting round of TOP 5, but we have to be honest with you, this list is never the same for long and  depending on our mood [or the season], we could easily pick a whole different set of favorite bouquets on any given day. This set seems to be an extension of last weeks post on spring pastels. Can you tell we're not ready to say goodbye to those soft gorgeous tones just yet?

While this list may always be changing, the one constant we can both agree upon will always be our first floral wedding with Taylor + Collin (pictured first). How can you not be obsessed with that color palette? We love when brides trust us to bring their designs to life. 

PHOTOS | 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

TOP 5 | BARS

Happy Wednesday! We hope you had a magical Valentine's Day full of love, chocolates and gorgeous blooms! To keep the love going, we are going to share with you our five favorite bars that we're currently swooning over, and no it's not all "adult beverage" bars like you might be thinking of.... although it did make the cut! 

1. Pie! Pie bars are becoming seemingly more and more popular because it gives the guests a variety and can be less expensive than a wedding cake! We love the way tables look with multiple aspects and flavors! In our opinion, pie is much easier to serve as well! All in all.... pie is a win win!

photo | Jillian Zamora

2. Candy! In supplement of a cake, a candy bar is a fun way to allow the guests to make their own goodie bags to take home full of candy that they love! Once again, variety is a huge factor in a candy bar. M&M's make a great choice if you're particular about the candy following the color scheme of your wedding! There are so many different candies that no candy bar will be the same as the last one you might've seen!

photo | Shane and Lauren Photography

3. Donut! Yum yum yum! A good donut will always satisfy the soul. They can be gourmet or just the traditional glazed and chocolate sprinkle because they're all delicious! What's great about a donut bar is that you do not have to worry about having someone take their time out of the celebration to cut the cake (but hey don't worry, we offer cake cutting!) and get all messy! Donuts are grab-and-go treat so the party can keep on rolling!

photo | Angela Sostarich

4. Smores! Okay... what is much better than smores? A warm ooey-gooey marshmallows with melted chocolate surrounded by a sweet graham cracker is certainly a crowd pleaser, especially for the youngins on the guest list! 

photo | Catch My Party

5. And last, but certainly not least... Alcohol! Isn't there a saying "Alcohol... because no great story ever started with someone eating a salad"? Well that's why alcohol made the cut of our top five favorite bars. Heavily photographed (and monitored, of course!) shenanigans are destined to create some great reception memories! 

photo | Beckley & Co. 

Hope we have your mouth watering and tummies growling! Our top five are great ideas but most definitely not the only "bar" ideas that we love! Feel free to share or comment with your favorite ideas! We'd love to hear from you! :) 

TOP 5 | ENGAGEMENT RINGS

Uh...hello, it's 2016 so that means it's totally normal for couples to go ring shopping together. I mean, it's YOUR finger and you'll be the one wearing it for life, right? But we also understand how romantic it is to be completely surprised with your fiancee's choice. Either way, ring shopping can be stressful and overwhelming for both of you with all the different options. Gold vs. Silver? Diamond vs. Gem? Simple vs. Glamorous? We're making it easy and listing the top 5 engagement rings out there! 

Photo | George Street Photo

1. Classic
You can't ever go wrong with the simplicity of a clossic solitaire enegagment ring. This stunning luminous ring is from our very own bride, Jamie from Jamie + Blake!

Photo | Nikki Closser Photo

2. Rose Gold
Stand aside rose gold iPhones, make way for this increasingly popular and lovely pink hue that will surely make your ring stand out among the crowd.

Photo | Sweetlife Photography

3. Opal
Are you on the hunt for an engagement ring with something other than a diamond? More and more couples are option out of diamond engagement rings and choosing opal instead. Not only is this precious gem a romantic and timeless beauty, it's also mesmerizing to look at. 

Ring | Studio 1040

4. Something Blue
While exploring your options outside of diamonds, one could easily fall head over heels in love with a Sapphire engagement ring. 

Ring | Shapiro Diamonds
Photo | Nicole Escamilla for The Dallas Dance Project

5. Halo
A halo engagement ring can change the look of the ring completely! A single halo can give you a simple yet romantic look or if you prefer, the double halo takes the ring to all new levels of dazzling.

So now that we've cut the overwhelming number of options down for you and provided you with a little inspiration, it's time to drop a hint! Screenshot your favorite photos from above and 'subtly' send it to your significant other. 

Share pictures of your perfect engagement ring with us using #CelebrateDallas!

TOP 5 | WAYS TO KEEP YOUR WEDDING COSTS LOW

There aren't many things people enjoy more than a good deal, especially on a big (typically pricey) day like your wedding. But, as professional wedding planners/your internet BFFs, let us assure you that your wedding is neither the time nor the place to try and cut corners. Guests will notice, you will notice and attempting to cut costs on the wrong item or vendor could actually end up costing you more in the long run. So if you're looking for high glamour without having to break the bank, check out our cheat sheet to help keep costs low and smiles high.

TAYLOR + COLLIN
Photography | A Sea of Love 

1. Venue
It's easy to spend big on your dream venue but, remember that weddings should be about experiencing the love between two people. So focus on finding a venue that is naturally beautiful. This will help you save loads on decor + floral arrangements. Also consider getting hitched at a historical location. You can potentially claim the facility costs on your taxes #winning

A venue like the private lakehouse for Sarah + John's wedding earlier this year is the perfect way to cut cost on a venue without sacrificing personal style.

2. Drink Responsibly
Alcohol is an easy way to go WAY over your wedding budget. Try hosting a cocktail or mixer bar instead. This helps cut down on the amount of alcohol needed as guests are encouraged to add in fruits, ice, and garnish that take up the space of straight alcohol. 

Or you can host an open bar during cocktail hour then switch to beer + wine during the reception. 

Our favorite tip is to  premier a couples signature cocktail. It's less alcohol and specific to your big day.

BRITTANY + TYLER
Photography | Kelly Sparks

3. Timing
Remember our talk about how 'in-season is the best season?' While this is still true for florals, it's not true for basically any other aspect of your wedding. Getting married out of wedding season or even choosing to marry on a Sunday or Wednesday versus a Saturday is a great way to instantly trim your wedding budget by about 25%.

Design House via Airbnb

Off Grid House via Airbnb

4. Honeymoon
A great wedding budget includes the costs of items associated before, during and after the wedding. Skipping out on budgeting for the costs of bachelor/bachelorette parties or a honeymoon can make for a very sobering reality 2-3 months after your big day. Plan ahead! If you can, skip the long and pricey international flight and stay domestic instead. AirBnB has a TON of listings from country to city to satisfy every couples desires. 

SARAH + JON
Photography | Angela Sostarich

5. The Guest List + Invites
Perhaps the simplest way to cut back on costs is to invite less people. A smaller guests lists means less invites, less seats at a reception, less tables, less centerpieces, etc. If you're struggling to figure out who does and doesn't get an invite follow the unofficial golden rule: are they (active)  in your life currently and are they going to attend to celebrate the couple (as a whole)? Inviting your coworker who invited your to her holiday party four years ago might seem less attractive when you realize her seat costs approx. $60. 

Embrace the digital age! It's 2016, send e-invites to cut back on postage and stationary for save-the-dates and RSVPs. 

Hire a Wedding Planner!
Yes, yes, we realize this is technically a 6th tip but, one of the best ways to ensure you stay on track financially and get great deals on everything from alcohol to parking permits, is to hire a wedding planner. They are in the business year round and have loads of connections/contacts that will save you time and money. If you are really set on doing most of the planning yourself, consider a Day Of Coordinator. This person can consult with you during the planning process and help keep everything organized and running smoothly to ensure dodging any last minute hiccups, fines or fees. We offer lots of packages for every bride and groom. 

Photography | Savannah Pyron

Remember your wedding day is YOUR wedding day. It's all about deciding what will make you, your partner, and your guests happiest. Know your budget and be choosy about what is and isn't worth shelling out cash over. Consider sitting down and making a list of wedding must-haves versus wedding would-be-nice to haves.