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Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon

Hey ladies, your finace needs to look just as good at the altar!

Stanley Korshak, located at the Crescent in Dallas, offers sharp suits that will have you falling in love with him all over again.

While there, visit the Bridal Salon, nationally recognized as one of the top salons in the country. Consultations are by appointment only. Call 1.800.972.5959 or 214.871.3611.

Classic and Elegant Invitations

The Write Selection carries a variety of selections of stationary and invitations by such brands as Vera Wang, Crane and Claudia Calhoun.

Don’t see what you want? An on-staff graphic designer can create custom invitations.

Creating a Bridal Registry

In addition to the wedding and reception, many couples will also have a bridal shower. If not, many guests will bring gifts to the wedding itself. However, it is not always easy for guests to choose gifts for the happy couple, nor is it always easy for couples to come right out and ask for specific items. That is when creating a bridal registry is a good idea. Bridal registries allow the couple to ask for specific items that they will need when starting out their new life together, while giving guests options to choose from based on their personal budgets or wishes for the couple. Many larger department stores will offer bridal registry services, as well as local boutique shops.

What do you have already?
The first thing to do is go through what you and your fiancé already own before creating your bridal registry. Take a look at the items that you already have that are still in good condition, as well as items you will need.

What do you need?
If you are not living together prior to the wedding, then your living situation will definitely change once you get married. Even if you are living together, you may decide to purchase a home or move to a larger apartment once the union has become “official.” Take into consideration the items that you will need to live comfortably together. For instance, you both probably already own dishes, but a new set big enough for both to share, as well as guests, can be a useful item to add to your bridal registry. Pots, pans, and cookware are other common wedding registry items. Do not forget about the smaller things that you may need, even if they seem nonessential. If you really need a vacuum cleaner, add it to the list. Often this will give your guests a better price range for options so they do not have to feel pressured to spend more than they can afford.

What do you want?
Once the needs are out of the way, you can also add on things that you will like to have. This is one of the few times in your life where you can go all out and put big items on their wish list. Some family members or friends may choose to go in together on a gift, or decide to go a little over the top to help the new couple celebrate.

Some couples creating their wedding registry find that this is easiest to do while walking around the store they have chosen to register at, giving them ideas that they might not have thought of otherwise. Consider something fun for the two of you – like a new entertainment center, camping gear for two, or another activity that the two of you enjoy. You can also add items to the bridal registry that are just for the bride or the groom. For instance, if he wants a new set of power tools and she wants designer linens, you can add both to the list.

Make the registry
Many department stores will have an easy way for you to create your  bridal registry. Often, this will involve carrying around a hand held scanner or sitting at a kiosk to input items. The store may also have a checklist of “must have” items to get you started if you have not created your own list. If you are too busy or pressed for time to stop in the store and do the bridal registry in person, many of the larger stores will also allow you to create or edit bridal registries on line at their website.

Tell your guests about the registry
Tell your bridal shower host or hostess where you are registered. Many stores will also give you cards to stick in with the invitations to tell your wedding guests where your bridal registry is set up.

Creating your bridal registry is a fun experience! You get to shop, while all of the presents arrive at your wedding. Enjoy the wonderful time, which lasts from the shopping and planning throughout years of your married life together.

How to Find the Perfect Wedding Reception Venue

Once you say “I do,” there needs to be a waiting location ready for a beautiful celebration with your family and friends! In addition to the wedding ceremony itself, couples also need to consider where they will have the wedding reception afterwards. Some are designed to have your wedding on site, while others are better tailored for just the receptions with weddings held off site.

There are several things that you need to consider when choosing a wedding reception. Here are some things to think about so that you find the perfect site.

How many guests?
You will first want to think about how many people you will be inviting to the wedding reception. Often, the wedding reception venue will need to be larger than the actual location of the wedding, since many couples will have more guests for the reception than the actual ceremony. Some wedding reception venues are designed to accommodate large numbers of people, while others are designed for a more intimate setting. You never want your guests to feel cramped while at the wedding, so make sure that the venue is large enough.

When is the wedding?
If you are planning to get married quickly, versus having a long engagement, your choices of wedding reception venues are going to be more limited. Popular sites tend to be reserved quickly, and if you have a dream location, reserve it as soon as possible. If you do not have a site in mind, then you should start looking right away because availability may influence your wedding date. Make sure that you get a confirmation receipt of your reservation as soon as you have found and reserved a venue.

What setting are you thinking of?
If the weather is nice, but you still want a traditional church wedding, then an outdoor reception is a good way to take advantage of the beauty of nature. However, keep in mind that there are unique challenges for both indoor and outdoor wedding receptions. With outdoor wedding receptions, you are much more dependent on the weather being nice, while indoor receptions may be limited in space. Both have their own unique catering, entertainment, and photography concerns. If you decide that an outdoor venue is right for you, an option is to consider a location that has the option of moving the party indoors if the weather does not cooperate.

Where is your wedding being held?
If your wedding is not being held at the same location as your wedding reception, then you want a venue that is nearby. Having the ceremony location and the service location too far apart can make travel difficult for guests and wedding party members.

What is your entertainment?
Depending on your wedding reception venue, noise laws may be in effect during certain times of the day. If you are having a wedding DJ or a wedding band, check into these laws before booking a site.

The key to choosing the ideal wedding reception venue is to get a start early! This will give you the widest array of options, and thus, you can plan the perfect wedding – and celebration!

Capturing the Memories Forever: Filming a Wedding Video of Your Special Day

While a picture is worth a thousand words, sometimes wedding photography is not enough to capture all the magic of your wedding day. For this reason, many couples also consider hiring a wedding videographer for their wedding. Here is a look at what you need to know when choosing a videographer.

Count the Experience
Above all, you want someone that has experience in the field of wedding videos. A videographer needs to be an expert in the field. Some videographers will see wedding videos as a cheap and easy way to get into the field of videography, so you want to watch out for these people. Hiring a professional is critical in producing great results.

Review the Demos

A good way to tell how professional your videographer is at his or her work is to ask for demos. Take the time to sit through a few and watch how the videographer works. Since it is a live production, it is normal to see a few minor errors, but you should see that on the whole the wedding and receptions are covered professionally. You can also ask for references from previous customers, which will help you further understand how the videographer works.

Ease of Communication
Your videographer needs to be a people person. This is important not only in getting the specific shots that you want included in your wedding video, but also in making sure that everything runs smoothly. Your videographer will need to work with both the guests and the other professionals you have hired for your special day.

Personalization of Style
Like photographers, videographers will have varying styles. It is often helpful to have a photographer and a videographer that have a similar style so that they can work together. Some videographers prefer a reality-TV style approach, others more of a documentary, and some will prove more of an artsy feel to their work. You want to find a videographer that has a style that you like, which will fully reflect your personality for your wedding day.

Budgeting the Price
As with anything else in your wedding, a professional videographer is going to come with a fee. Since this is a professional service, you should keep in mind that you will often get what you pay for. Expect to pay at least as much for your wedding video as you do for your still photography. Since the pictures and the video are the main remembrances of the big day, the two are often at the top of the pricing scale to insure good quality.

Evaluating the Cameras/Equipment
For most couples, unless they are into photography or videography themselves, the type of equipment that is used is not important. However, you may want to ask how many cameras the videographer and staff will be using. In most cases, you will want a minimum of two cameras going throughout the ceremony in order to make sure that every moment is captured.

Incorporating the Editing
While the videography of the big day is important, just as important is the editing. You will want to know the length of the final version, if captions or titles will be included, if there will be a menu, what sort of music there will be, and any other concerns. For those couples who are working with a budget, an unedited video can give you a realistic picture of the day, if your videographer is willing to give you one.

Buying Extra Copies
If you want extra copies of your wedding video, you will want to find ahead of time if there are any copyright fees that will be involved. If you want still shots made from the video, you might also inquire about the charges for these at the same time.

Overall, your videographer is responsible for capturing your big day. Choose wisely, and you will find a professional that will do quality work within your budget in order to have the best memento possible.

Deciding On a Wedding Consultant/Planner

Planning a wedding is no small task. This is why many couples go with a wedding consultant to help them plan the big day. There are many things to consider before choosing a wedding consultant, however, and whether or not you need one depends on how involved you want to be in your special day.

Some couples find that the wedding planner is an invaluable tool for their big day, and others find them to be an unnecessary expense. You should consider the amount of time that you have to plan the wedding, whether or not you have friends or family that can help you, and how comfortable you feel with planning ideas yourself. For couples that have busy schedules, a wedding consultant can take care of many of the smaller details. Family can be both a help and a hindrance, depending on how well everyone gets along and if you can agree on the details. If you already have in mind a firm idea of your wedding, a wedding planner may not be necessary, but if you are still on the fence about certain items, a wedding planner can help you decide.

The Wedding Consultant’s Responsibilities
If you have not nailed down the details of your wedding, your wedding consultant can help with everything from choosing the type of wedding, the color scheme, venue, and more. He or she can also assist you with coming up with, and sticking to, a budget that works with your financial situation. A wedding planner can help you stay on task with the details, ensuring that everything is ordered in time for the big day. In addition, saving you headache and hassle, the wedding planner takes care of any last minute emergencies. Sometimes you can also get discounts on wedding services like catering or wedding bands through the wedding consultant’s contacts.

Choosing the Perfect Planner
Since your wedding planner is responsible for your wedding, you want to make sure that you find someone that you are totally comfortable with. Ask other brides who they have used, or visit a wedding fair to get names. Make sure that your wedding planner has completed a course in wedding planning and received a diploma. In addition, you should ensure that they are organized and seem to have a solid grasp of the whole process. Asking for references is also a good decision so that you can see what other couples liked and disliked about the planner. Lastly, make sure that the coordinator is available to help with your wedding date, and that he or she fits into your budget. Interview at least two wedding planners before coming up with your decision.

Saving with Packages
Depending on your personal needs, wedding consultants offer a variety of packages. For instance, you may go in for a consultation only which works like a crash course in wedding planning. After that, you will be on your own. Other wedding planners will offer planning and preparation packages that will cover searching out vendors that will work in your budget and time frames, and they take care of the administration of setting up appointments. Some wedding consultants are also available for hire the day of the wedding, where they will direct events and make sure that everything runs smoothly and according to plan.

Budgeting in the Wedding Planner’s Pricing
The cost of a wedding planner can vary, and you may want to shop around to find the coordinator that will do what you need on your budget. Some wedding planners will charge a percentage of the wedding cost, others by the hour of work done, and others will have a flat fee. Find out ahead of time what the costs cover, and what, if any, additional fees might come up during your wedding planning.

For the bride who has a flexible schedule and understands exactly what she wants, a wedding planner may be an unnecessary expense. However, for a busy bride who needs assistance with some of the wedding details, a wedding consultant can be an invaluable tool.

Outfitting the Groom for the Special Day

While many brides will spend hours searching for the perfect gown, many do not pay as strict attention to the details of their groom’s attire. However, when shopping for tuxedos in Dallas, Texas, there are plenty of options. Wedding attire ranges from casual to super-formal, giving the groom a wide variety of Dallas, Texas tuxedos – ensuring that he looks his best for the special day.

The tuxedo is often the traditional men’s attire for weddings and other formal occasions. Besides the groom, the groomsmen, father of the bride, father of the groom, and other important male figures in the wedding may also choose to wear a tuxedo.  Depending on your wedding style, the groom’s tuxedo may match the attendants or stand out.  If wearing matching tuxedos, a detail often distinguishes the groom – such as a special handkerchief or boutonnière. Many couple also choose to coordinate the colors of the bridesmaids’ and bride’s dresses to the men’s tuxedos.

The Rainbow of Tuxedo Colors

While many couples still think that the traditional look for a Dallas, Texas tuxedo is to go with black, there are more and more couples choosing to spice up the attire and go with a white or a colored tuxedo.

Since the weather in Dallas, Texas is often warmer, many couples choose outdoor weddings. For this setting, a white tuxedo is completely appropriate. Spring, summer, informal, morning, and afternoon weddings are also socially acceptable occasions to wear a white tuxedo.

Some grooms like to take it a step further and go with a colored tuxedo. For instance, you could choose a color that compliments the bridesmaids’ dresses or the bride’s dress if she is going with something other than white or with a colored accent on her dress. If you are choosing a themed wedding, the groom and the bride may choose a colored tuxedo that goes along with the theme they have chosen.

For the most part, black tuxedos are still the norm in Dallas, Texas for formal and evening weddings.

Sporting the Special Jacket Style

Beyond the color, there are other decisions that must be made on the tuxedo for your Dallas, Texas wedding.  First of all, you must choose the jacket style. There are three basic styles to choose from: the single breasted, the double breasted, and the full dress or tail coat. Unless you are having a highly formal wedding, the single or double breasted is usually appropriate.

Also to be considered in the jacket style is the lapel. Here the choice is up to you and the style that you prefer. The most common styles are notch lapels, which make a V shape, peak lapels, and shawl lapels, which are rounded.

The Perfect Shirt

Beneath the jacket is your tuxedo shirt. It is customary for the tuxedo shirt to match the bride’s gown – for instance, if she chooses a white dress, the shirt should be white, and if she goes with ivory, the shirt should be ivory. Most tuxedo shirts in Dallas, Texas feature a wing or a lay down collar. Wing collars are most often worn with a bow tie, while a lay down collar can be worn with a standard necktie.

Cummerbunds and Vests

The other crucial piece to your Dallas, Texas tuxedo is the vest or cummerbund. Most often these will be chosen to coordinate with the bridesmaids’ dresses to give your wedding party a uniform look.

Other Attire Considerations

When choosing your tuxedo in Dallas, Texas, you will need to decide whether to rent or to buy. If you normally attend formal functions where a tuxedo is appropriate, then buying may be the most affordable option. If your wedding is the one and only time that you will wear a tuxedo, then renting is usually preferred.

While you do not need to register for the tuxedo immediately, you should still do so at least three months prior to the wedding date. This allows the retailer to order your choices and make any alterations necessary.

If you hate shopping, consider checking out tuxedo styles before heading off to the store. That way, you and your bride can decide ahead of time the style you are looking for, minimizing the time needed to try on and consider different styles.

Some formal wear locations will offer special discounts if the entire bridal party orders their tuxedos at the same time. This will not only make the process more affordable for you, but allow you to ensure that the entire party is coordinated and fitted properly.

Should I invite colleagues?

Sure, you spend 50 hours a week with the guy in the cubicle next door, but do you really want him at your wedding?  The rule of thumb for work friends is to either invite them all or to exclude all but the few who have become part of your outside-the-office inner circle.  If a cubicle mate wants to know why she wasn’t invited, be honest and tell her that while you value her friendship, you just couldn’t ask everyone you had hoped to include.

Setting the Mood with Music for Your Wedding Celebration

For many couples, the wedding ceremony is just part of the celebration.  After exchanging vows, they go on to the wedding reception, where family and friends join together for joyous celebration.  

For both parts of your special day, the music you choose can play an important role in the type of mood that is set.   Do you want a fun wedding?   Do you want a serious or traditional one?  How you choose your wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas will definitely determine the ambiance of your special day.

Jamming with Wedding Bands

For many couples, the wedding band is a popular choice. And in Dallas, Texas, there are plenty of wedding bands that you can choose from.  For instance, you can pick up some of the local flair by hiring a country band or a Latin band.  If you are going for a tropical or Caribbean themed wedding, then a reggae or steel drum band might be appropriate. Other couples will decide to go with a Dallas, Texas wedding band that does their personal favorite music, such as a Top 40 band, a 90′s band, or a dance band. If you are unsure what you would like, consider interviewing a few different Dallas, Texas wedding bands to see what there is available.

Spinning with Wedding DJs

Some couples prefer a variety of music styles for their wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas. If this is the case for you, then a wedding DJ might be more appropriate. The advantage of a wedding DJ is that you can use a variety of different music styles, since everything is done on CD. There is often less of a need for an “intermission” since there is no band that will need to take a break (and the DJ can often eat right at his or her station, or set up several tracks to play while taking a break). Different DJs will have different styles – for instance, some may be more into telling jokes and making small talk than others, so you will want to interview a few before deciding on your wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas.

Going with Solo Musicians

For those couples who prefer a more traditional sound to their wedding, you might consider a solo musician for your wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas. Unlike a band, this is only one musician. Depending on your personal tastes, a variety of instrumentation is available. Your choices might include an acoustic guitar, a cellist, a harpist, a keyboardist or organist, or a violinist, among other instruments. Or you can choose to hire a wedding singer to sing songs during your wedding and reception. Again, the type of instrument and/or singer that you choose will have a large impact on the style and the mood of your wedding.

Enjoying Classical Wedding Ensembles

Another option for a traditional wedding is to go with classical wedding ensembles as your wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas.  Like the Dallas, Texas wedding band, these are often a group of performers. However, instead of playing Top 40 music or your favorite 80s songs, these musicians give a more classical feel to your wedding. Brass ensembles, string quartets, and woodwind ensembles are all popular choices. Again, some people will find that different instrument selections will give a different feel to their wedding. For instance, a brass ensemble may be a bit overwhelming for the actual ceremony, but may be perfect for the festive celebration afterwards.

As with other parts of your wedding planning, the Dallas, Texas wedding band or entertainment may need to be reserved well in advance in order to secure your date. Start interviewing early, and reserve a time slot as soon as your plans have started to fall into place.  By understanding the mood you want to create, you can choose the best musical option that will become a beautiful soundtrack to your special day!

How to Choose a Stunning Wedding Cake

For those who love dessert, there is no greater decision than coming up with the perfect wedding cake! And with designs, styles, and flavors, which range from the traditional to the fanciful, this is no small task. In fact, it is often akin to choosing the right piece of baked art for your special day.

Reserve your designer – the sooner, the better
Whether you go with the local bakery down the street or a more commercialized wedding cake designer, this is a decision that should be made sooner in wedding plans rather than later. Allow for four to six months prior to needing your wedding cake to make sure that the designer you want is available. If you are not familiar with wedding cake designers, you can often see and taste their wares at local bridal fairs. Many wedding reception facilities and caterers will also either offer wedding cake services or can recommend a wedding cake designer to you.

However, there is more to buying a wedding cake than walking into your local bakery. As with anything else in your wedding, style should be considered as well. You can ask for photographs of a wedding cake designer’s latest creations. Talk to previous customers to find out how well they liked the service. And of course, you will want to have a taste or two of your favorites – since that is usually equally important as the look.

Choose a style with great taste
Each wedding cake designer will have his or her own specialties. Before you go in for a consultation, you may want to think about some of the elements that you are looking for in your wedding cake.

Your style
Do you want a traditional white cake, a brightly colored one, or one flowing with real flowers? Consider taking in pictures from weddings, bridal fairs, or magazines of design elements that you like.

Your guests
How many people do you have attending? This will often affect the number of tiers that your cake will need. Some brides will also choose to have multiple cakes – one for pictures and the ceremonial cake cutting, and then large sheet cakes to use to feed the guests.

Your frosting
Traditionally, you have three options in frosting for your cake – butter cream, fondant, and royal icing. Certain styles can only be done in certain types of frosting, and certain frostings go better with certain cake flavors.

Your flavor
Do you want a traditional white cake or are you in love with chocolate? Maybe you want each tier to be a different flavor? Some couples also like cakes to be filled. Make sure that you taste a sample of the different flavors to see which ones you really like.

Your design
Do you want the entire design done in frosting or do you want other accents? You will need to talk to your wedding cake designer about gum paste or edible flowers, edible beading, and other accents.

To top it off
Does your ideal cake include the traditional bride and groom at the top, or do you have another design element in mind? Your wedding cake designer can help you come up with the perfect look – even utilizing crystals in the shape of your initials.

Your price
If you have a wedding budget, you will need to consider the price of the cake, as well as any delivery and set-up fees. Also, different design elements, cake flavors, or frosting styles may cost more.

Other concerns
If someone in your wedding has food allergies, you may inquire about the ingredients in the cake, frosting, and design elements. You can see if any of these are able to be substituted if necessary.

Remember, your wedding cake should be a part of your wedding style and theme. And since it will likely be the last thing your guests will eat before they leave for the night, you want it to taste as good as it looks. Other than that, only your imagination will limit your design options.