My dear friends, Liz & Ramon, words just aren’t adequate for me to express how thankful I am to you both for the love and support you’ve given me. You booked me when I had so very little to show on my ‘wedding’ portfolio and then you were gracious and trusting enough to give me total freedom to photograph your wedding the way that I wanted to without any reserve. I adored every minute of your glamorous vintage wedding weekend and the time with you and your families. I pray that you’ll enjoy these photographs for a lifetime.
Thank you, thank you!!!
A special HUGE thanks to Brad Martens for second shooting with me for this wedding.
Brad, you’re a phenomenal photographer and person and I’m so glad that I got to work with you!
Ceremonyt: Perkins Chapel – SMU
Reception: Private Residence (Bride’s family home)
Wedding Date: April, 16, 2011
Guest count – 350
What was your wedding planning inspiration?
I was inspired by anything and everything with garden colors and a shabby chic, vintage feel. Our colors were variations of pinks, greens, ivory, gold, and robins egg blue. We chose Perkins Chapel in Dallas because of it’s clean white color pallette and classic design elements. Hosting the reception at our family home was absolutely wonderful and a labor of love, to say the least. We had searched all around Dallas looking for a perfect venue, and knew without a doubt that we wanted to stay away from the atypical ballroom-at-your-local-hotel, and finally decided that doing the reception at my family’s home was more “us” than any other place we came across. We were particularly fond of the fact that we could set up several weeks in advance, choose our own caterers, band, DJ, set up however we wanted, and stay as many hours into the night as desired without restriction, unlike many venues. It was different, and it perfectly depicted who we are. Now with the wedding three months behind us, still one of our favorite past-times is to get a bottle of wine and sit on the back porch overlooking the backyard where our reception took place and talk about memories from that magical evening.
Favorite moments of the day?
My very favorite moment was the first look. I had been more-or-less calm throughout the entire getting ready process, and then as I was walking up to him my knees got weak and I got butterflies in my stomach. It was such a special moment and even though it was non-traditional, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Dress, shoes, accessories, bridesmaids’ dresses, groom’s attire, etc?
I chose ‘Dallas’ by Watters for my bridal gown because of it’s gorgeous lace details and floral appliques. My now-husband was insistent that I not get a strapless ball gown dress, so it all worked out with Dallas. My shoes were a gorgeous pair of Jimmy Choo d’Orsay glitter pumps. One of my great girlfriends and bridesmaids, Jenna Hotz, made my hair flower. I ordered my garter from Florrie Mitten on Etsy. And my jewelry was kept simple with a pair of my Mom’s earrings. My bridesmaid dresses were Cynthia Rowley ’8005′ in blush
Ramon wore khaki slacks and a navy country club blazer from Jos. A. Banks, with a navy, white, and pink bowtie. We purchased all of the ties for our groomsmen from The Tie Bar. The ring bearer’s outfit was from Dapper Lads
Any DIY elements?
Most of the wedding was a DIY. Some of my favorites were the photobooth, which was designed and constructed by my Dad, brothers, and now-husband. It turned out great and was a fun time for guests. We did all of the reception flower arrangements for the tables by ordering flowers in bulk through the market and having many helpful hands. The cigar booth we designed after handpicking all the different cigars and placing them in jars and cigar boxes. I hand picked out all of the candy for the candy bar at a local candy shop and tried to match the candy colors to our wedding color scheme. We picked out all of the fabric and had little bags sewn for the favor bags which we filled with homemade biscotti and tea.
Wedding Planner, Stationer, Floral Designer, Rentals, Music, Videographer, lighting, etc.
Our Save-the-Dates/Invitation/Map/Programs were by Jennifer Vaughn of Memento-Designs . Hair was by Sonia Trevino, and makeup was by Mayra Rams-Sanabria. Ceremony Flowers were by Bella Flora . The fabulous band was The Vendetta Big Band.
Menu, Drinks, Dessert, Caterer, Baker, etc.
We decided on a buffet catered by The Kitchen at Preston Trail, and I was pleased to see that two weeks later the Queen’s Reception for the Royal couple also had a buffet at Buckingham pallace. We decided on two reds, two whites, and two bubbly’s for wine, as well as refreshing sangrias. In one area of the house we had a vodka bar as well.
Favorite Blogs or Magazines used in planning the wedding: Style Me Pretty, Ruffled, The Knot, D Wedding Magazine
Advice that you’d give to other Brides?
Decide on a budget at the very beginning and decide on what is most important to you. It was very important to me that I had a big band, and thus I had to sacrifice some of my other wants (none of which I can even remember now). As uncomfortable as it may make you, delegate, delegate, delegate. It is okay to ask people for help. Most importantly, enjoy your time. I so miss planning for my wedding, and you will too once it is over with. So enjoy your time.
Thanks goes out to?
Gosh, this is a hard one! I had so many wonderful people on my team. My Mom was definitely my rock and biggest help throughout the process. We had such a wonderful time together and I can’t thank her enough. My Dad for his generosity, loving support, and genius mind. My sisters were phenomenal and I really appreciated their honest opinions throughout. A special thanks to my wedding planner and coordinator, Debbie Cowart Pearson, for being so organized and helpful. Charm Hubbs-Faulkner for her excitement and generosity in helping with all the food, flowers, and every other aspect of the wedding. Shipra Panosian for her positivity, flexibility, and for flying here and working so long and hard to capture the love we shared that weekend. All of our friends who so graciously flew down from New York weeks early to tirelessly help clean and prepare. All of the great vendors who really came through to make my dream wedding a reality. And finally, to my amazing now-husband for loving me endlessly throughout the stress that periodically came during the process.
by shipra
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